Analysis of partially penetrating slug tests in a stratified formation by alternating piezometer and tube methods

In partially penetrating slug tests, hydraulic conductivity (K) estimates might not necessarily be valid because of vertical flows in heterogeneous formations. We assess the error in hypothetical stratified formations by numerical sensitivity analysis, and propose an effective method for compensation by incorporating two types of casing configuration (piezometer and tube). The hypothetical stratified formation consists of completely horizontal layers, each 1 m thick; the permeability is different between, but not within, layers. In this study, conductivity estimates in the piezometer and tube methods are calculated by assigning various patterns of conductivity to the test, upper, and lower layers: KT, KU, and KL. The effect of vertical flow becomes significant when KT is small relative to KU or KL, and KL is more important than KU because the base of the borehole is open to the lower formation. The conductivity ratios (estimate over actual value) are treated as approximately linearly dependent on logarithms of KT/KU and KT/KL, so that conductivity estimates can be straightforwardly derived from one piezometer measurement and two tube measurements at the top and bottom of the screen. The linear relations are evaluated and constant parameters are determined under specific conditions. This study also recommends alternating piezometer and tube methods in the drilling procedure because the actual variation of K with depth is larger than that found using isolated measurements, as shown in a field study of alluvial fan gravel deposits in Sapporo, Japan

Metalorganic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy of +c/−c GaN Polarity Inverted Bilayer for Transverse Quasi-Phase-Matched Wavelength Conversion Device

Ikeda K., Malik S., Uemukai M., et al. Metalorganic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy of +c/−c GaN Polarity Inverted Bilayer for Transverse Quasi-Phase-Matched Wavelength Conversion Device. Physica Status Solidi (B) Basic Research, (2024); https://doi.org/10.1002/pssb.202400161.Photon-pair generation based on optical parametric down-conversion has attracted for the application as a light source for quantum information. Highly efficient wavelength-conversion devices require a polarity-inversion structure when using nitride semiconductors. A transverse quasi-phase-matching (QPM) polarity-inverted GaN bilayer channel waveguide device is suitable for efficient wavelength conversion. This study designed a cross-section device to satisfy the modal dispersion phase-matching condition between the TM₀₂ mode pump light and the TM₀₀ mode signal/idler light. Moreover, an AlN oxidation interlayer fabricates the Ga-polar/N-polar (+c/−c) GaN layers via metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE). A 145 nm thick film layer with a macro-step-free surface is grown by optimizing the −c-GaN growth conditions and reducing the substrate off-angle to 0.2°. Next, the AlN layer is oxidized in an electric furnace and MOVPE is used to regrow a 1500 nm thick +c-GaN layer. A macrosteps-free surface can be achieved by reducing the off-angle to 0.2° and optimizing the −c-GaN growth conditions to avoid hillock formation. These results pave the way for improving the efficiency of GaN transverse QPM wavelength-conversion devices

Abscess Formation of the Round Ligament of the Liver: Report of a Case

Abscess formation of the round ligament of the liver is very rare. We report a case of a 70-year-old female with abscess of the round ligament after an endoscopic papillotomy for choledocholithiasis. On the 21st day following papillotomy, abscess formation of the round ligament was found by ultrasonographic examination. Surgical treatment was performed because conservative therapy was not effective. The purulent fluid and necrotic tissue at the round ligament were completely removed. Cultures obtained from the abscess grew Staphylococcus epidermidis, but the mechanism of abscess formation in this case remains unclear.</p

Gesture imitation performance in community-dwelling older people: assessment of a gesture imitation task in the screening and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia

Takasaki A., Hashimoto M., Fukuhara R., et al. Gesture imitation performance in community-dwelling older people: assessment of a gesture imitation task in the screening and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Psychogeriatrics 24, 404 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.13086.Background: Gesture imitation, a simple tool for assessing visuospatial/visuoconstructive functions, is reportedly useful for screening and diagnosing dementia. However, gesture imitation performance in healthy older adults is largely unknown, as are the factors associated with lower performance. To address these unknowns, we examined the gesture imitation performance of a large number of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture (southern Japan). Methods: The examiner presented the participants with eight gesture patterns and considered it a success if they could imitate them within 10 s. The success rate of each gesture imitation was calculated for three diagnostic groups: cognitively normal (CN) (n = 1184), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 237), and dementia (n = 47). Next, we reorganised the original gesture imitation battery by combining six selected gestures with the following scoring method: if the participants successfully imitated the gestures, immediately or within 5 s, two points were assigned. If they succeeded within 5–10 s, one point was assigned. The sensitivity and specificity of the battery were investigated to detect the dementia and MCI groups. Factors associated with gesture imitation battery scores were examined. Results: Except one complex gesture, the success rate of imitation in the CN group was high, approximately 90%. The sensitivity and specificity of the gesture imitation battery for discriminating between the dementia and CN groups and between the MCI and CN groups were 70%/88%, and 45%/75%, respectively. Ageing, male sex, and a diagnosis of dementia or MCI were associated with lower scores on the gesture imitation battery. Conclusion: Gesture imitation tasks alone may not be sufficient to detect MCI. However, by combining gestures with set time limits, gesture imitation tasks can be a low-burden and effective method for detecting dementia, even in community medicine, such as during health check-ups

Multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors in neurofi bromatosis type 1 treated with laparoscopic surgery

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have been reported to occasionally occur in patients with neurofi bromatosis type 1 (NF-1), and many cases have had multiple lesions predominantly involving the small intestine. We report herein a case of multiple GISTs associated with NF-1 from whom laparoscopic surgery was benefi cial. In a 79-year-old female admitted with anemia and melena, the abdominal computed tomography revealed a tumor arising from the small intestine. Laparoscopic surgery was performed, and another small tumor was revealed during laparoscopic observation. Extracorporeal partial and wedge resection of the small intestine were undertaken. Both lesions were diagnosed as typical GISTs of low risk. Laparoscopic surgery would be useful for examination and a minimally invasive approach to tumors of the small intestine, especially on cases with the possibility of multiple tumors.</p

Abdominal wall and thigh abscess resulting from the penetration of ascending colon cancer.

An unusual case is described in which an abdominal wall and thigh abscess was an initial symptom of ascending colon cancer. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for investigation of fever and abdominal and thigh swelling. Computed tomography revealed a right abdominal wall, retroperitoneal, psoas and thigh abscess formation suspected to be caused by colon perforation. Due to the patient's poor general condition, local drainage of the abscess was performed on the following day of hospitalization. Histological examination of necrotic tissues removed form the retroperitoneal cavity demonstrated adenocarcinoma of the colon. The patient subsequently underwent right hemicolectomy with lymph nodal dissection after 19 days of the drainage procedure and was transferred to another hospital on the 49th day following the second surgery.</p

Rapid-onset dystonia-Parkinsonism phenotype consistency for a novel variant of ATP1A3 in patients across 3 global populations

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