Evaluation and control of mechanical degradation of austenitic stainless 310S steel substrate during coated superconductor processing

The superconductor industry considers cold-rolled austenitic stainless 310S steel a less expensive substitute for Hastelloy X as a substrate for coated superconductor. However, the mechanical properties of cold-rolled 310S substrate degrade significantly in the superconductor deposition process. To overcome this, we applied hot rolling at 900 A degrees C (or 1000 A degrees C) to the 310S substrate. To check the property changes, a simulated annealing condition equivalent to that used in manufacturing was determined and applied. The effects of the hot rolling on the substrate were evaluated by analyzing its physical properties and texture.Web of Science24345444

State Estimation Filtering using Recent Finite Measurements and Inputs for Active Suspension System with Temporary Uncertainties

In this paper, the finite memory structure(FMS) filter using most recent finite measured outputs and control inputs is applied for the state estimation filtering of automotive suspension systems to verify intrinsic robustness of FMS filter. Firstly, the single-corner model for the automotive suspension system and its state-space model are described. Secondly, FMS as well as infinite memory structure(IMS) filters are briefly introduced and represented by the summation form. Thirdly, a couple of temporary uncertainties, model uncertainty and unknown input, are discussed. Finally, extensive computer simulations are performed for both nominal system and temporarily uncertain system. It is shown that the FMS filter can be better than the IMS filter for both temporary uncertainties. In addition, the FMS filter can be shown to be comparable to the IMS filter after the effects of a couple of temporary uncertainties have completely disappeared

Leukoaraiosis is associated with pneumonia after acute ischemic stroke

Diagnostic criteria for stroke associated pneumonia based on the CDC criteria. (DOCX 25 kb

Peningkatan Daya Saing USAha UMKM Batik dan Tenun Riau melalui Efisiensi Produksi

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan daya saing USAha Batik dan TenunRiau yang merupakan salah satu ciri khas Budaya Melayu melalui peningkatanefisiensi biaya produksi. dan menggunakan teknik pemasaran dengan cloudcomputing (computer awan). Pada saat ini hasil kerajinan Batik dan Tenun Riaumulai dikembangkan dan mulai diminati oleh masyarakat. Pada awalnya Tenun danBatik hanya dipakai pada acara tertentu dan digunakan oleh kalangan tertentu danUsia tertentu. Dengan berkembangnya disain dan corak Batik maka pada saat iniBatik dan Tenun telah berkembang penggunaanya tidak hanya pada acara resmi,atau hanya digunakan oleh kalangan tertentu. Batik dan Tenun Riau mulaidigunakan oleh masyarakat umum dan para kawula muda. Akan tetapi Tenun danBatik Riau sebagai salah satu pakain budaya melayu masih kalah dibandingkanBatik dan Tenun daerah lain. Hal ini disebabkan biaya produksi yang cukup tinggidan pemasaran yang masih kurang. Dari data yang dikumpulkan kendala yangdihadapi dalam produksi tenun adalah bahan baku berkualitas susah didapatkan.Bahan baku masih bersumber dari luar provinsi Riau bahkan luar negeri. Selain itukurangnya tenaga kerja juga merupakan kendala utama dalam produksi tenun.Masyarakat Riau sendiri banyak yang tidak berminat untuk melakukan pekerjaanmenenun, sehingga sumber tenaga kerja juga banyak berasal dari luar daerah Riau.Hal ini menyebabkan kurang berkembangnya produksi tenun dan dikhawatirkanjuga dapat menurunkan minat masyarakat Riau sendiri dalam peningkatan budayatenun

A novel method to identify high order gene-gene interactions in genome-wide association studies: Gene-based MDR

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Because common complex diseases are affected by multiple genes and environmental factors, it is essential to investigate gene-gene and/or gene-environment interactions to understand genetic architecture of complex diseases. After the great success of large scale genome-wide association (GWA) studies using the high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips, the study of gene-gene interaction becomes a next challenge. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis has been widely used for the gene-gene interaction analysis. In practice, however, it is not easy to perform high order gene-gene interaction analyses via MDR in genome-wide level because it requires exploring a huge search space and suffers from a computational burden due to high dimensionality.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We propose dimensional reduction analysis, Gene-MDR analysis for the fast and efficient high order gene-gene interaction analysis. The proposed Gene-MDR method is composed of two-step applications of MDR: within- and between-gene MDR analyses. First, within-gene MDR analysis summarizes each gene effect via MDR analysis by combining multiple SNPs from the same gene. Second, between-gene MDR analysis then performs interaction analysis using the summarized gene effects from within-gene MDR analysis. We apply the Gene-MDR method to bipolar disorder (BD) GWA data from Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC). The results demonstrate that Gene-MDR is capable of detecting high order gene-gene interactions associated with BD.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>By reducing the dimension of genome-wide data from SNP level to gene level, Gene-MDR efficiently identifies high order gene-gene interactions. Therefore, Gene-MDR can provide the key to understand complex disease etiology.</p

Clinical significance of D-dimer levels during acute period in ischemic stroke

Background Initial D-dimer level is a well-known prognostic parameter in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, there have been no studies on the clinical significance of follow-up D-dimer levels. In this study, we evaluated the association between initial and follow-up D-dimer levels and early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with AIS. Methods We included consecutive patients with AIS who had a positive initial D-dimer test (> 0.55mg/L) between March 2021 and November 2022. The follow-up D-dimer test was performed on the 7th day after hospitalization and on the day of discharge if discharged earlier. END was defined as an increase of ≥ 2 in the total NIHSS score, or ≥ 1 in the motor NIHSS score within the first 7 days of admission. As medical conditions closely associated with the initial and follow-up D-dimer levels in AIS patients, we also evaluated the history of cancer, active cancer, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) that occurred during hospitalization together. Results A total of 246 patients with AIS were evaluated (median age: 87 years, male: 56.5%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the initial D-dimer level was closely associated with END after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06–2.05). The follow-up D-dimer level also showed a close correlation with END (aOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.16–2.20). Regarding the analysis of the association between D-dimer levels and underlying cancer or VTE, the initial D-dimer level showed a statistically significant positive relationship only with active cancer (P = 0.024). On the other hand, the follow-up D-dimer level was found to be statistically significantly associated with a history of cancer (P = 0.024), active cancer (P = 0.001), and VTE (P = 0.001). Conclusions Initial and follow-up D-dimer levels were associated with END in AIS patients. Particularly, the follow-up D-dimer level showed a clear correlation not only with END but also with the underlying cancer or the occurrence of VTE during the acute period

Patient Perception of Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery in an Endoscopy Screening Program in Korea

Purpose Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new method of accessing intracavitary organs in order to minimize pain by avoiding incisions in the body wall. The aim of this study is to determine patients' acceptance of NOTES in Korea and to compare their views about laparoscopic surgery and NOTES for benign and malignant diseases. Materials and Methods The target number of total subjects was calculated to be 540. The subjects were classified into 18 sub-groups based on age groups, gender, and history of prior surgery. The questionnaire elicited information about demographic characteristics, medical check-ups, diseases, endoscopic and surgical histories, marital status and childbirth, the acceptance of NOTES, and the preferred routes for NOTES. In addition, the subjects chose laparoscopic surgery or NOTES for a hypothetical cholecystectomy and rectal cancer surgery, and responded to questions regarding the acceptable complication rate of NOTES, the appropriate cost of NOTES, and the reason(s) why they did not select NOTES. Results: 486 of 540 patients (90.0%) who agreed to participate in this study completed the questionnaire. NOTES was preferred by the following patients: elderly; a history of treatment due to a disease; having regular check-ups; and a history of an endoscopic procedure (p<0.05). The most preferred route for NOTES was the stomach (67.1%). Eighty-four percent of the patients choosing NOTES responded that the complication rate of the new surgical method should be the same or lower than laparoscopic surgery. Vague anxiety over a new surgical method was the most common reason why NOTES was not selected in benign and malignant diseases (64% and 73%), respectively. Conclusion: Patients appear to be interested in the potential benefits of NOTES and would embrace it if their concerns about safety are met. We believe that qualified surgical endoscopists can meet these safety concerns, and that NOTES development has the potential to flourish

A Case of Inadvertent Anterior Chamber and Corneal Stromal Injection with Antibiotics during Cataract Operation

Purpose: To report a case of inadvertent anterior chamber and cornea stromal injection with high dose antibiotics and steroids during cataract operation. Methods: During cataract operation on a 78 year-old female patient, high dose gentamicin (20 mg/0.5 ml) and dexamethasone (2 mg/0.5 ml) were inadvertently injected into the anterior chamber and cornea stroma when making cornea edema for sealing of the incision sites. Anterior chamber irrigation with balanced salt solution (BSS) was immediately administered. On postoperative day one, extensive cornea edema was noted, and best-corrected visual acuity was 0.2. Descemet's membrane folds were observed around the corneal incision sites. Topical 5% NaCl and 1% prednisolone were started. Results: Four weeks postoperatively, corneal edema began to reduce significantly. At four months postoperatively, corneal edema fully resolved, and best-corrected visual acuity was 0.8. However, some Descemet's membrane folds still remained, and a decrease in the number of endothelial cells was noted by specular microscope. Conclusions: In this case involving anterior chamber and cornea stromal injection with high dose antibiotics and steroids, immediate anterior chamber irrigation with balanced salt solution seemed an appropriate management, and the patient's long-term visual acuity appears good. To prevent such mistakes, precise labeling of all solutions and use of different syringe needles should be considered.ope

New Measurement Technique for Complex Permittivity in Millimeter-Wave Band Using Simple Rectangular Waveguide Adapters

This research presents a novel methodology for measuring the complex permittivity of a material under test (MUT) in a millimeter-wave (mmWave) band by using two rectangular waveguide adapters. Contrary to the conventional Nicolson-Ross-Weir (NRW) method, the proposed complex permittivity measurement method does not require a material fabrication process for exact MUT insertion into a waveguide. In our complex permittivity measurement, simple commercial waveguide adapters are employed instead of large flange structures. The proposed complex permittivity measurement of a non-destructive MUT is achieved by combining the NRW method, the Gaussian weighting moving average filtering technique, a full-wave electromagnetic analysis, and an optimization technique. Furthermore, the proposed methodology is validated by fabricating a Teflon-based MUT and by measuring the complex permittivity of the MUT in the Ka band (26.5–40 GHz). The results indicate that the proposed methodology exhibits good agreement with the data sheet