Wreath determinants for group-subgroup pairs

The aim of the present paper is to generalize the notion of the group determinants for finite groups. For a finite group $G$ of order $kn$ and its subgroup $H$ of order $n$, one may define an $n$ by $kn$ matrix $X=(x_{hg^{-1}})_{h\in H,g\in G}$, where $x_g$ ($g\in G$) are indeterminates indexed by the elements in $G$. Then, we define an invariant $\Theta(G,H)$ for a given pair $(G,H)$ by the $k$-wreath determinant of the matrix $X$, where $k$ is the index of $H$ in $G$. The $k$-wreath determinant of $n$ by $kn$ matrix is a relative invariant of the left action by the general linear group of order $k$ and right action by the wreath product of two symmetric groups of order $k$ and $n$. Since the definition of $\Theta(G,H)$ is ordering-sensitive, representation theory of symmetric groups are naturally involved. In this paper, we treat abelian groups with a special choice of indeterminates and give various examples of non-abelian group-subgroup pairs.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Evaluation of hypercoagulability status after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using rotation thromboelastometry

Background: Recently, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery, which dose not require cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), has been commonly performed. It has been revealed that OPCAB decreases the incidence of perioperative infarctions triggered by thrombolism from aorta. However, OPCAB has also been associated with postoperative stroke. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a bedside blood test that can be used to defi ne the viscoelastic properties of blood. ROTEM® analyzer (Pentapharm GmbH, Munich,Germany) is a modifi ed form of TEG. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypercoagulability status of the blood after OPCA Bsurgery by using ROTEM®.Methods: This is a prospective study of 10 OPCAB patients each who underwent OPCAB, on-pump surgery, AAA repair, and VATS for a period of 7 days with ROTEM® assays. From ROTEM data, Coagulation Index (CI) was calculated for each patient.Results: The CI values of OPCAB patients from the extrinsic assay during the perioperative period were consistent with hypercoagulability. In comparison between the OPCAB and CPB patients from the extrinsic assay, a signifi cant difference was observed during the postoperative state. Comparison between the OPCAB and AAA patients revealed significantly higher CI values in the OPCAB patients immediately after surgery. Similarly, comparison between the OPCAB and VATS patients revealed significantly higher CI values in the OPCAB patients through the entire course of measurements.Conclusions: A state of hypercoagulability of the blood, as measured by ROTEM, existed in the OPCAB patients beyond acute postoperative stage. The extrinsic coagulation, in particular, was hypercoagulable in the OPCAB patients.departmental bulletin pape

Novel measurement method for mitral valve anterior leafl et free margin length using 3DTEE

Background: The aim of our study is to establish an accurate measurement method for anterior mitral leafl et (AML) free margin length, which is a key aspect for prediction of the extent of resection in anterior mitral valve (MV) leafl et repair.Method: Among the patients who underwent anterior MV leafl et repair between July 2010 and August 2012, we studied 17 patients with data on 3D echocardiography obtained pre- and intra-operatively and intraoperative direct measurements of AML free margin.The AML free margin lengths measured at different frames (early-opening frame of MV and end-opening frame of MV) by using realtime 3D transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3DTEE) were compared with the values directly measured during mitral valvuloplasty (MVP). For acquisition of 3D data during surgery, RT-3DTEE images of MV were obtained by using the Philips iE33 echocardiography system with X7-2 probe before MVP.Result: The free margin length values measured with Q-LAB MVQ. Regarding the correlation between the measured values with the RT-3DTEE and values directly measured intraoperatively, the measured values at the early-opening frame of MV had no correlation between the actual measured values and r-value = 0.338 (P=0.184). Conversely, the measured values at the end-opening frame of MV had an extremely high signifi cant correlation between the measured values and r-value = 0.980 (P<0.0001).Conclusion: In conclusion, the novel measurement method enables measurement of anterior mitral leafl et free margin length by using RT-3DTEE. At the end-opening frame of MV, the novel measurement method that refl ects more accurate actual measured value was established.departmental bulletin pape

Effect of pretreatment by shotblasting prior to lubrication for cold forging

Effect of pretreatment by shotblasting to workpieces before lubricating of a non-chemical conversion lubricant in cold forging was examined by making several surfaces with different topographies, using wet shotblasting. Backward-cup extrusion test estimated the performance of the pretreatment. This test provides extremely large surface expansion to bring severe tribological conditions. After the tests, the insides of the cup-like workpieces were observed with scanning electron microscope and surface-analyzed energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to measure the distributive amount of the lubricant on the workpiece. The pretreated surface resulting large aspect ratio (Ra / RSm) raised the potential of lubrication performance. Especially, the surface treated with angular shaped media indicated higher potential to improve anti-galling performance

Novel homozygous CLN3

Abstract Background Biallelic CLN3 gene variants have been found in either juvenile‐onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL) or isolated retinal dystrophy. It has been reported that most JNCL patients carry a common 1.02‐kb deletion variant homozygously. Clinical characteristics of patients with biallelic CLN3 missense variants are not well elucidated. Methods We described a 26‐year‐old Japanese male patient with isolated retinal dystrophy. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed. Results Whole‐exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous CLN3 missense variant [c.482C>T; p.(Ser161Leu)]. Ophthalmoscopy revealed retinal degeneration and macular atrophy, and later attenuated retinal vessels. Severely reduced responses were observed in both rod and cone electroretinograms. In TEM of the patient's lymphocytes, fingerprint profiles, which are specific findings in CLN3‐associated JNCL, were observed in 16/624 (2.56%) lymphocytes of the patient, who has never exhibited neurological signs during the 13‐year follow‐up period. Conclusion Our results indicated that this novel CLN3 missense variant is associated with teenage‐onset isolated retinal dystrophy. This is the first report of any patient with CLN3‐associated disorder in the Japanese population. Although fingerprint profiles have never been reported in CLN3‐associated isolated retinal dystrophy, these profiles were observed, albeit infrequently, suggesting that frequency of the fingerprint profiles might depend on variant types

Morphological changes in functional tricuspid regurgitation on contrast-enhanced computed tomography correlates to tricuspid regurgitation grade

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between each severity of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) and morphological evaluation on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Forty-five patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT. Tricuspid annulus area (TAA), tricuspid annulus circumference (TAC), right ventricular volume (RVV), and the distances between the tips and bases of the papillary muscles were measured on contrast-enhanced CT in diastole and systole. The patients were classified organized into 4 groups by TR grade measured by transthoracic echocardiography (none+trivial: 26, mild: 6, moderate: 6, severe: 7), and the data were compared among the groups. RESULTS: In parameters measured on contrast-enhanced CT images, TAA, TAC, and the distances between the tips of the anterior and posterior papillary muscles in both diastole and systole and RVV in diastole were significantly different among the groups (p0.40). The septal papillary muscle could not be identified in about 1/3 (35.6%) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: TAA, TAC, RVV, and the distance between the tips of the anterior and posterior papillary muscles measured on contrast-enhanced CT images had relatively positive correlations with TR grade