Design Concept of Pile Foundation to Lateral Load Considering Soil-Pile-Structure Interaction

To rationalize the aseismic design of pile foundations it is essential to make clear the load conditions applied to piles. This paper describes 1) the results of earthquake motion measurement carried out in and around a pile-supported building, 2) the simulation using soil-pile structure lumped mass interaction model and 3) case study of typical combination models of structure and soil. Fundamentally both the seismic loads of super-structure and the forced deformation by surrounding soil should be applied to piles as external loads. In the coupling and evaluation of these loads the dynamic interaction among soil, pile and structure plays a very important role

Familial adult myoclonus epilepsy:Neurophysiological investigations

Familial adult myoclonus epilepsy (FAME) also described as benign adult familial myoclonus epilepsy (BAFME) is a high-penetrant autosomal dominant condition featuring cortical myoclonus of varying frequency and occasional/rare convulsive seizures. In this update we provide a detailed overview of the main neurophysiological findings so far reported in patients with FAME/BAFME. After reviewing the diagnostic contribution of each neurophysiological technique, we discuss the possible mechanisms underlying cortical hyperexcitability and suggest the involvement of more complex circuits engaging cortical and subcortical structures, such as the cerebellum. We, thus, propose that FAME/BAFME clinical features should arise from an “abnormal neuronal network activity,” where the cerebellum represents a possible common denominator. In the last part of the article, we suggest that future neurophysiological studies using more advanced transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocols could be used to evaluate the functional connectivity between the cerebellum and cortical structures. Finally, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as repetitive TMS or transcranial direct current stimulation could be assessed as potential therapeutic tools to ameliorate cortical excitability.</p

A distributed QoS Routing and CAC framework: performance evaluation of its SSRA and InterD Agents

In order to support multimedia communication, it is necessary to develop routing algorithms which use for routing more than one QoS parameters. This is because new services such as video on demand and remote meeting systems require better QoS. Also, for admission control of multimedia applications different QoS parameters should be considered. In our previous work, we proposed an intelligent routing and CAC strategy using cooperative agents. In this paper, we propose and evaluate the performance of SSRA algorithm and a GA-based InterD agent. Performace evaluation shows that proposed agents have a good behaviorPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for seizure suppression in patients with extratemporal lobe epilepsy—A pilot study

SummaryWe evaluated the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on seizure frequency in adult patients with medically intractable extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). Seven patients with medically intractable ETLE received low-frequency rTMS at 0.9Hz, basically two sets of 15min stimulation per day for five days in a week, with the stimulus intensity of 90% of resting motor threshold (RMT). The number of seizures during two weeks before and after the stimulation of one week was compared. Furthermore, RMT and active motor threshold (AMT) were measured before and after rTMS for each daily session. After low-frequency rTMS of one week, the frequency of all seizure types, complex partial seizures (CPSs) and simple partial seizures was reduced by 19.1, 35.9 and 7.4%, respectively. The patients with smaller difference between RMT and AMT before rTMS had higher reduction rate of CPSs. A favorable tendency of seizure reduction, though not statistically significant, during two weeks after low-frequency rTMS was demonstrated in medically intractable ETLE patients. As far as CPSs are concerned, smaller decrease of motor threshold by voluntary muscle contraction was associated with better response to rTMS

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The one-step preparation of 1-nitrobicyclo[3.1.0]­hexane and bicycloisoxazoline-<i>N</i>-oxide was readily achieved from conjugate adducts of nitro alkenes and allylmalonates by treatment with Ag₂O and iodine under basic conditions. We observed that when a primary alkyl group was present at the β-position of the nitro group, bicyclo[3.1.0]­hexane was preferentially formed, whereas if a secondary alkyl group occupied that position, isoxazoline-<i>N</i>-oxide was predominantly produced. High <i>cis</i>-selectivity was observed for the formation of cyclopentane units for both reactions. An iodomethyl adduct, considered an intermediate of the cyclization, was isolated, and its conversion to isoxazoline-<i>N</i>-oxide was successfully achieved. The isoxazoline-<i>N</i>-oxide underwent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with alkenes to yield tricycloheterocyclic compounds, which were readily converted to spirolactam in good yield by reductive cleavage of N–O bonds using Raney-Ni. On the other hand, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the isoxazoline-<i>N</i>-oxide to terminal alkynes yielded tricyclic aziridines stereoselectively

Persistent frequent subclinical seizures and memory impairment after clinical remission in smoldering limbic encephalitis.

Aim. To delineate a possible correlation between clinical course and EEG abnormalities in non-infectious “smoldering” limbic encephalitis. Methods. Long-term clinical data, including video-EEG monitoring records, were analysed in two patients. Results. The two patients were positive for anti-voltage-gated potassium channel complex antibody and unspecified antineuronal antibody, respectively. The latter patient had small cell lung carcinoma. Both patients had memory impairment and clinical seizures. EEG showed frequent subclinical seizure patterns in the bilateral temporal regions. Subclinical seizure patterns and memory impairment persisted over one to two years after clinical seizure remission. Therapy (prednisolone and chemoradiation in the two patients, respectively) resulted in decreased occurrence of subclinical seizure patterns and memory improvement. Conclusions. EEG seizure patterns may persist years after clinical seizure remission in “smoldering” limbic encephalitis and lead to memory impairment

Detection Sensitivity of Retinitis Pigmentosa Progression Using Static Perimetry and Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To compare the detection sensitivities of the progression of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) by automated perimetry to obtain the mean deviation (MD) and total point score and by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to determine the residual ellipsoid zone (EZ) length and thickness of retinal layers. Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients with RP who underwent annual automated perimetry (Humphrey Field Analyzer 10-2) and OCT examinations during the same period more than four times were included. Disease progression was evaluated using linear regression analysis with the least-squares method. The disease progression speed and interinspection fluctuations for the different examinations were compared using standardized values. The progression detection ability factor, defined as the average of the least squares divided by the square of annual change, was used to compare the sensitivities of the examinations for detecting the progression of RP. Results: EZ length showed a high correlation with MD (R = 0.87; P = 1.12E-07) at baseline. Disease progression was detected more frequently using EZ length (12/22 eyes) than using MD (3/22 eyes; P = 0.004) or central retinal thickness (1/11 eyes; P = 0.012). Linear regression using standardized values showed that the EZ length had the fastest annual change, with the smallest least absolute values. EZ length was more sensitive for detecting RP progression than MD, total point score, visual acuity, or central retinal thickness. Conclusions: EZ measurement was sensitive for detecting RP progression, and the results of this study indicate that EZ length is appropriate for end points in clinical trials. Translational Relevance: The study provides a basis for conducting future clinical trials