High-speed simulation of PCB emission and immunity with frequency-domain IC/LSI source models

Some recent results from research conducted in the EMC group at Okayama University are reviewed. A scheme for power-bus modeling with an analytical method is introduced. A linear macro-model for ICs/LSIs, called the LECCS model, has been developed for EMI and EMS simulation. This model has a very simple structure and is sufficiently accurate. Combining the LECCS model with analytical simulation techniques for power-bus resonance simulation provides a method for high-speed EMI simulation and decoupling evaluation related to PCB and LSI design. A useful explanation of the common-mode excitation mechanism, which utilizes the imbalance factor of a transmission line, is also presented. Some of the results were investigated by implementing prototypes of a high-speed EMI simulator, HISES. </p

MicroRNA-155 expression is independently predictive of outcome in chordoma.

BackgroundChordoma pathogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationships between microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression and the clinicopathological features of chordoma patients, and to evaluate the functional role of miR-155 in chordoma.MethodsThe miRNA expression profiles were analyzed using miRNA microarray assays. Regulatory activity of miR-155 was assessed using bioinformatic tools. miR-155 expression levels were validated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The relationships between miR-155 expression and the clinicopathological features of chordoma patients were analyzed. Proliferative, migratory and invasive activities were assessed by MTT, wound healing, and Matrigel invasion assays, respectively.ResultsThe miRNA microarray assay revealed miR-155 to be highly expressed and biologically active in chordoma. miR-155 expression in chordoma tissues was significantly elevated, and this expression correlated significantly with disease stage (p = 0.036) and the presence of metastasis (p = 0.035). miR-155 expression also correlated significantly with poor outcomes for chordoma patients (hazard ratio, 5.32; p = 0.045). Inhibition of miR-155 expression suppressed proliferation, and the migratory and invasive activities of chordoma cells.ConclusionsWe have shown miR-155 expression to independently affect prognosis in chordoma. These results collectively indicate that miR-155 expression may serve not only as a prognostic marker, but also as a potential therapeutic target in chordoma

Two Revision Surgeries on Cemented Custom-made Tumor Prostheses

We performed revision surgery in 2 patients for stem fracture of a cemented tumor prosthesis that occurred more than 25 years after the initial surgery. For revision, the global modular replacement system (GMRS) was used. However, as bone cement in the bone could not be adequately removed, stems with respective diameters of 11 and 12.5 mm were used. In revision surgery for cemented tumor prostheses, adequate removal of residual bone cement is optimal. However, when there is a risk of fracture, it may be appropriate to insert a thicker stem after reaming the femoral canal as much as possible, and then fix the stem using the cement-in-cement method

Encounter of Pepper-CPGE

In Japan, humanoid robots has been introduced in the medical and elderly care environment. The application program of Care Prevention Gymnastics Exercises for Pepper (Pepper-CPGE) made by Xing Company, Japan is a body-brain gymnastics recreation program for 40 minutes tailored to the elderly's functional level. It consists of moving, watching/healing, and playing. “Move the body” exercise and other active range of motion activities are done according to the music. Pepper-CPGE was introduced as a clinical trial at the Mifune hospital, beginning in May 2018. At the units where clinical trials are done, 80% of the patients are with mental illness diagnosis with decreased physical functions often moving by wheelchair only. When Pepper-CPGE was introduced, the following changes were observed : (1) communication between patients and nurses during rehabilitation care using Pepper-CPGE was increased ; (2) patients were interactive, engaged, and actively participated in the Care Prevention Gymnastic Exercises using Pepper-CPGE ; (3) patients had fun and enjoyed talking to Pepper-CPGE. Interventions using Pepper-CPGE appear to be an effective rehabilitation strategy to increase engagement and participation of elderly patients who require long-term care and rehabilitation

Interplay of thermal and non-thermal effects in x-ray-induced ultrafast melting

X-ray laser-induced structural changes in silicon undergoing femtosecond melting have been investigated by using an x-ray pump-x-ray probe technique. The experimental results for different initial sample temperatures reveal that the onset time and the speed of the atomic disordering are independent of the initial temperature, suggesting that equilibrium atomic motion in the initial state does not play a pivotal role in the x-ray-induced ultrafast melting. By comparing the observed time-dependence of the atomic disordering and the dedicated theoretical simulations, we interpret that the energy transfer from the excited electrons to ions via electron-ion coupling (thermal effect) as well as a strong modification of the interatomic potential due to electron excitations (non-thermal effect) trigger the ultrafast atomic disordering. Our finding of the interplay of thermal and non-thermal effects in the x-ray-induced melting demonstrates that accurate modeling of intense x-ray interactions with matter is essential to ensure a correct interpretation of experiments using intense x-ray laser pulses

多職種連携による作業療法活動への積極的動機付け

Patients with mental health problems in long-term hospitalization have severe impairments and disabilities in their daily social life, thereby needing constant assistance. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between the status of the improved duration of participation in occupational therapy activities through active motivation and interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing mental health and severe physical functional level as evaluated by the Global Assessment of Function（GAF）score. Subjects were１７５hospitalized patients in psychiatric units at a Psychiatric hospital in Kagawa Prefecture. The duration of participation in the occupational therapy group activities was divided into Groups A-０‐５, B-６‐１０, C-１１‐１５, and D-１６‐２０times per month. The number of the occupational therapy group activities per month was ２０ times in August ２０１７ and ２１ times in March２０１８, respectively. The number of classified four group participants before and after were calculated by the chi-square test with adjusted residuals. Comparing the number of participants in the four groups before and after ７ months by the active motivation, the number of participants was significantly decreased in group C but was increased in group D（χ２ = ６．８２, p <.０５）. Findings show the number of participants was increased because of the active motivation by interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced relations. However, the degree of GAF was not related to the duration of participation times. Moreover, it was clearly found that respect for individuality and patient’s will were critical motivational factors in effective patient participation