An efficient multi-dimensional implementation of VSIAM3 and its applications to free surface flows

We propose an efficient multidimensional implementation of VSIAM3 (volume/surface integrated average-based multi-moment method). Although VSIAM3 is a highly capable fluid solver based on a multi-moment concept and has been used for a wide variety of fluid problems, VSIAM3 could not simulate some simple benchmark problems well (for instance, lid-driven cavity flows) due to relatively high numerical viscosity. In this paper, we resolve the issue by using the efficient multidimensional approach. The proposed VSIAM3 is shown to capture lid-driven cavity flows of the Reynolds number up to Re = 7500 with a Cartesian grid of 128 × 128, which was not capable for the original VSIAM3. We also tested the proposed framework in free surface flow problems (droplet collision and separation of We = 40 and droplet splashing on a superhydrophobic substrate). The numerical results by the proposed VSIAM3 showed reasonable agreements with these experiments. The proposed VSIAM3 could capture droplet collision and separation of We = 40 with a low numerical resolution (8 meshes for the initial diameter of droplets). We also simulated free surface flows including particles toward non-Newtonian flow applications. These numerical results have showed that the proposed VSIAM3 can robustly simulate interactions among air, particles (solid), and liquid

Quality of Source Water and Drinking Water in Urban Areas of Myanmar

Myanmar is one of the least developed countries in the world, and very little information is available regarding the nation's water quality. This report gives an overview of the current situation in the country, presenting the results of various water-quality assessments in urban areas of Myanmar. River, dam, lake, and well water sources were examined and found to be of generally good quality. Both As and F − were present in relatively high concentrations and must be removed before deep wells are used. Heterotrophic plate counts in drinking water were highest in public pots, followed by nonpiped tap water, piped tap water, and bottled water. Measures need to be taken to improve low-quality water in pots and nonpiped tap waters

Mohawk promotes the maintenance and regeneration of the outer annulus fibrosus of intervertebral discs.

The main pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation involves disruption of the annulus fibrosus (AF) caused by ageing or excessive mechanical stress and the resulting prolapse of the nucleus pulposus. Owing to the avascular nature of the IVD and lack of understanding the mechanisms that maintain the IVD, current therapies do not lead to tissue regeneration. Here we show that homeobox protein Mohawk (Mkx) is a key transcription factor that regulates AF development, maintenance and regeneration. Mkx is mainly expressed in the outer AF (OAF) of humans and mice. In Mkx(-/-) mice, the OAF displays a deficiency of multiple tendon/ligament-related genes, a smaller OAF collagen fibril diameter and a more rapid progression of IVD degeneration compared with the wild type. Mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing Mkx promote functional AF regeneration in a mouse AF defect model, with abundant collagen fibril formation. Our results indicate a therapeutic strategy for AF regeneration

The Determinant of University Spin-off Ventures that Went Public in the Short Term : A qualitative comparative analysis for management resources

We performed the qualitative comparative analysis to test which interaction among founding team characteristics and other management resources affect the short-term initial public offerings (IPOs). We used data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), 65 university-launched ventures with IPO. We found three causal pathways for achieving IPO rapidly from establishment. The first pathway is founded by experienced top management personnel and the filing of patent applications. The second pathway is a student-founded company with patent applications and university VC raised fund. And the third is a founding team of researchers and management personnel with university VC raised fund. This research contributed to imprinting theory by investigating the relationship of achieving IPO from establishment quickly and the combination of founding team and the other management resources of university-launched ventures in Japan. In addition, practical implications were presented for VCs and support organizations regarding the composition of the founding team and the nature of support for achieving IPO rapidly

A Review of Oxidative Stress and Urinary Dysfunction Caused by Bladder Outlet Obstruction and Treatments Using Antioxidants

Urinary dysfunction is a common pathological condition that can significantly decrease the quality of life.Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a major cause of urinary dysfunction, and various lower urinary tract diseases including benign prostatic hyperplasia and urethral stricture disease cause BOO. According to the results of a variety of animal experiments on partial BOO (PBOO), there is a general agreement that ischemic conditions and repeated ischemia/reperfusion of the bladder are closely associated with BOO-induced bladder damage, and that increased oxidative stress by ischemia/reperfusion plays a crucial role in the pathological mechanisms underlying urinary dysfunction. Changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress in PBOO animal models support this association between oxidative stress and urinary dysfunction. Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between the production of pro-oxidants, such as free radicals and reactive species, and their elimination through protective mechanisms of antioxidants. Therefore, organizing the knowledge on the state of oxidative stress, changes in biomarkers, and biological roles of antioxidants in systemic and bladder tissues is essential to understand the detailed pathological characteristics of the urinary dysfunction caused by PBOO. Furthermore, information on drugs and supplements that have antioxidant effects is important for defining treatment strategies for urinary dysfunction with PBOO. In this review, we paid special attention to the following three issues; (1) changes in oxidative stress, including its biomarkers, (2) antioxidant status, and (3) previous reports on treatment strategies involving agents with antioxidative activity for urinary dysfunction caused by BOO. In particular, we provide systematic information on the detailed mechanisms underlying the antioxidative effects of agents used to treat PBOO. In addition, we show present research issues and research limitations, as well as suggest possible future antioxidant treatment strategies for patients with PBOO

Pathological significance and prognostic role of microvessel density, evaluated using CD31, CD34, and CD105 in prostate cancer patients after radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND. Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) is performed to improve the outcome in organ-confined prostate cancer. However, there is little information regarding the relationship between angiogenesis and NHT. The aim of this study was to identify a suitable method to evaluate the angiogenic status of tissue, and to determine the prognostic value of this method for biochemical recurrence in patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy after NHT.METHODS. We analyzed 108 formalin-fixed specimens from patients treated by radical prostatectomy. NHT was administered in 48 patients (52.9%) and 60 patients who had a similar Gleason score and pT stage were selected as a non-NHT treated control group. Microvessel density (MVD) was measured using anti-CD31, anti-CD34, and anti-CD105 antibodies. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and thrombospondin (TSP)-1 were also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic value of CD31-, CD34-, and CD105-MVD for biochemical recurrence was investigated.RESULTS. The mean/SD of CD105-MVD in the NHT group (13.3/4.7) was significantly (P<0.001) lower than that in the non-NHT group (125.8/7.3). In the NHT group, CD105-MVD was associated with pT stage and it was positively correlated with VEGF-A expression (r=0.56, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with TSP-1 expression (r=0.42, P=0.003). CD105-MVD was identified as a significant predictor of biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients treated with NHT (log rank test, P<0.001). Although CD31- and CD34-MVD were significantly associated with pT stage or Gleason score in non-NHT group, they were not associated with pathological features and BCR in NHT group.CONCLUSIONS. Our results indicate that CD105-MVD reflects the angiogenic conditions in prostate cancer tissues treated with NHT. CD105-MVD was also identified as a significant and independent predictor of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with NHT