Enhancement of Sensitivity on Miniaturized Thin-film Magnetoimpedance with Ellipsoidal Element

AbstractWe tried to control the distribution of the demagnetizing field inside magnetoimpedance elements fabricated using thin-film to gain higher sensitivity. Elements with quasi-ellipsoidal shape were adopted to modify the demagnetizing field distribution, because it is well known that the demagnetizing field is expected to be uniform in an ellipsoid. The larger impedance change and higher sensitivity were obtained in the ellipsoidal elements compared to those of the conventional rectangular elements. The observed results were analyzed by the calculations on the basis of the distribution of the demagnetizing field and the impedance profile without demagnetizing effect. The calculations well explained the experimental results: the improvement of sensitivity and the performance for the ellipsoidal elements is attributed to the uniform distribution of demagnetizing field. The experimental results demonstrate a potential and the calculation results contribute to optimum design, for a miniaturization of magnetoimpedance element in order to keep the higher sensitivity

Detection of vanadyl-nitrogen interaction in organs of the vanadyl-treated rat: electron spin echo envelope modulation study

AbstractESEEM spectroscopy was applied for the first time to organs of an animal, viz. the kidney and liver of the rat treated with vanadyl sulfate. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo coordination structure of vanadyl ions administrated, and to gain information concerning the insulin-mimic activity of vanadium. ESEEM measurements for kidney and liver performed at 77 K have established nitrogen coordination to a certain percentage of vanadyl ion in the organs. The rotios of nitrogen-coordinating vanadyl ion were estimated as 70–80% in the liver, and 50–55% in the kidney. Isotropic portions of the 14N HFC were estimated as |Aiso| ∼ 5.0 MHz for liver, and ∼ 5.2 MHz for kidney, indicating that the coordinating nitrogen is an amino nitrogen. Coordination of the Lys ϵ-amine or the N-terminal α-amine of a protein or (a peptide) to vanadyl ion in vivo is suggested

Compressor with Turning-Paired Vane and Piston

With the aim of energy saving of room air conditioners, we are addressing higher efficiency of the rotary compressor that is used most in the world. We focused on a new rotary compressor equipped with a mechanism to restrict the rolling motion of the piston, and performed the dynamics analysis. The new rotary compressor has a small pillar at the tip of the vane and constitutes a turning pair of vane and piston, and it limits the rolling motion of the piston. By means of limiting the piston rotation, the heat transfer to the suction process from the compression chamber will be suppressed, and we can expect higher compression efficiency. Before examining the compression efficiency, we performed the dynamics analysis of this new rotary compressor and examined the forces and dynamic behavior of the components, and the mechanical efficiency of the compressor. Then we have following results. (1)We can clarify the contact point between the vane tip and piston in the turning pair by considering the equilibrium of forces and moments acting on the vane. (2)By reducing the diameter of the pillar at the vane tip, the vane tip friction loss is reduced, and the mechanical efficiency is improved. (3)The new rotary compressor has less vane tip friction loss and on the other hand greater friction loss between the vane side and the cylinder in comparison to the rolling piston rotary compressors. As a result, both compressors have almost the same mechanical efficiency

海底パイプライン不安定延性破壊防止設計のための数値モデル開発

学位の種別: 課程博士審査委員会委員 : (主査)東京大学教授 粟飯原 周二, 東京大学教授 吉村 忍, 東京大学教授 高橋 淳, 東京大学准教授 川畑 友弥, 東京大学特任教授 酒井 信介, 東京大学教授 鈴木 英之, Eng.Mech.Corp.ColumbusDr. Gery WilkowskiUniversity of Tokyo(東京大学

Superoxide Anion Radical Scavenging Activities of Herbs and Pastures in Northern Japan Determined Using Electron Spin Resonance Spectrometry

Free radicals are not only destructive to the living cells but also reduce the quality of animal products through oxidation. As a result the superoxide anion radical (O2・-), one of the most destructive reactive oxygen species, is a matter of concern for the animal scientists as well as feed manufacturers to ensure the quality of product to reach consumers demand. The superoxide anion radical scavenging activities (SOSA) of water and MeOH extracts of 2 herbs and 9 pasture samples collected from lowland and highland swards were determined against a 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyroline-N-oxide-O2・-spin adduct based on a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction using electron spin resonance spectrometry. Both the water and MeOH extracted SOSA differed among the herbs and pastures. Species and altitudinal variations were observed between extraction methods. The herbs were higher in both water and MeOH extracted SOSA than the pastures except for water extracts of one pasture, white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Among the pastures, quackgrass (Agrophyron repens L.) showed higher SOSA in both the MeOH and water extracts, and timothy (Phleum pretense L.) showed higher MeOH extracted SOSA. It is apparent that the kind and amount of antioxidants differ among herbs and pastures. Animal health and quality of animal products could be improved by adequate selection and combining of herbs and pastures having higher SOSA

Electrical storm after cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient with nonischemic cardiomyopathy: Signal-averaged vector-projected 187-channel electrocardiogram-based risk stratification for lethal arrhythmia

AbstractWe describe treatment of atrial flutter and electrical storm presenting as incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) after implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. No prior arrhythmic event had occurred. Our treatment strategy, including amiodarone administration, was guided in part by signal-averaged vector-projected 187-channel electrocardiogram (SAVP-ECG)-based risk stratification for ventricular arrhythmia. Corrected recovery time (RTc) dispersion and Tpeak-end dispersion were used to evaluate transmural dispersion of repolarization. RTc and Tpeak-end dispersion increased during the period of electrical storm. Values were improved 2 years after CRT-D implantation, and the amiodarone was discontinued. The VT has not recurred despite discontinuation of the antiarrhythmic agent. SAVP-ECG-based risk stratification for ventricular arrhythmia proved useful for the management of antiarrhythmic therapy

What impact does postgraduate clinical training have on empathy among Japanese trainee dentists?

Background Enhancing empathy in healthcare education is a critical component in the development of a relationship between healthcare professionals and patients that would ensure better patient care; improved patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, patients’ medication self-efficacy, improved treatment outcomes, and reduced patient anxiety. Unfortunately, however, the decline of empathy among students has been frequently reported. It is especially common when the curriculum transitions to a clinical setting. However, some studies have questioned the significance and frequency of this decline. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of postgraduate clinical training on dental trainees’ empathy from cognitive, behavioral, and patients’ perspective. Methods This study included 64 trainee dentists at Okayama University Hospital and 13 simulated patients (SPs). The trainee dentists carried out initial medical interviews with SPs twice, at the beginning and the end of their clinical training. The trainees completed the Japanese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for health professionals just before each medical interview. The SPs evaluated the trainees’ communication using an assessment questionnaire immediately after the medical interviews. The videotaped dialogue from the medical interviews was analyzed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System. Results No significant difference was found in the self-reported empathy score of trainees at the beginning and the end of the clinical training (107.73 [range, 85–134] vs. 108.34 [range, 69–138]; p = 0.643). Considering the results according to gender, male scored 104.06 (range, 88–118) vs. 101.06 (range, 71–122; p = 0.283) and female 109.17 (range, 85–134) vs. 111.20 (range, 69–138; p = 0.170). Similarly, there was no difference in the SPs’ evaluation of trainees’ communication (10.73 vs. 10.38, p = 0.434). Communication behavior in the emotional responsiveness category for trainees in the beginning was significantly higher than that at the end (2.47 vs. 1.14, p = 0.000). Conclusions Overall, a one-year postgraduate dental training program neither reduced nor increased trainee dentists’ empathy levels. Providing regular education support in this area may help trainees foster their empathy