Quantum-based Mechanical Force Realization in Pico-Newton Range

We propose mechanical force realization based on flux quantization in the pico-Newton range. By controlling the number of flux quantum in a superconducting annulus, a force can be created as integer multiples of a constant step. For a 50 nm-thick Nb annulus with the inner and outer radii of 5 $\mu$m and 10 $\mu$m, respectively, and the field gradient of 10 T/m the force step is estimated to be 184 fN. The stability against thermal fluctuations is also addressed.Comment: 5 pages; 4 figure

An exergy approach to efficiency evaluation of desalination

This paper presents an evaluation process efficiency based on the consumption of primary energy for all types of practical desalination methods available hitherto. The conventional performance ratio has, thus far, been defined with respect to the consumption of derived energy, such as the electricity or steam, which are susceptible to the conversion losses of power plants and boilers that burned the input primary fuels. As derived energies are usually expressed by the units, either kWh or Joules, these units cannot differentiate the grade of energy supplied to the processes accurately. In this paper, the specific energy consumption is revisited for the efficacy of all large-scale desalination plants. In today's combined production of electricity and desalinated water, accomplished with advanced cogeneration concept, the input exergy of fuels is utilized optimally and efficiently in a temperature cascaded manner. By discerning the exergy destruction successively in the turbines and desalination processes, the relative contribution of primary energy to the processes can be accurately apportioned to the input primary energy. Although efficiency is not a law of thermodynamics, however, a common platform for expressing the figures of merit explicit to the efficacy of desalination processes can be developed meaningfully that has the thermodynamic rigor up to the ideal or thermodynamic limit of seawater desalination for all scientists and engineers to aspire to

A STUDY ON USERS’ AWARENESS OF MOVING-PICTURE ADS IN MOVINF-PICTURE CONTENTS WITH DIFFERENT ONLINE MEDIA CHARATERISTICS

Internet plays an important role in our lives and the number of internet users keeps increasing. As internet users are exposed to ads from online media while not knowing, advertising market’s interest in moving-picture ads increases. Thus, this study comparatively measured effects of moving-picture ads inserted in news-related moving-picture contents of media companies and those of moving-picture ads inserted in moving-picture contents of professional moving-picture UCC. Advertising effects were compared between media characteristics (news and UCC) and keyword relatedness (related or unrelated keyword) and interactions of the two factors were measured. As a result, there was a significant difference in media characteristics and keyword relatedness. As for media characteristics, advertising effects of news-related moving pictures were higher than those of professional moving-picture UCC in all items. As for keyword relatedness, executing ads of keyword related to moving-picture contents was verified to have higher advertising effects than executing ads of unrelated keywords. There was no significant difference in interactions between these two factors. As interest in the moving picture advertising market increases, the necessity to introduce a method to analyze effects of moving-picture ads is raised. As for evaluation of advertising effects of moving pictures of media companies, the theme to be dealt in this paper, it is still difficult to state that moving-picture ads are facilitated in the overall market of moving picture services. So under such circumstances that verification is hard to achieve, the attempt of this study is considered to be meaningful. Keyword: media companies, UCC, moving-picture contents, moving-picture ads, advertising effects, media, new

A New pH-ISFET Based Dissolved Oxygen Sensor

A new dissolved oxygen sensor based on pH-ISFET has been discussed. A platinum working electrode surrounding a pH-sensing gate of the pH-ISFET electrolyzes dissolved oxygen, resulting in a corresponding pH change. The pH-ISFET can determine dissolved oxygen concentration through detecting this pH change. --Summar

Bezold-Jarisch Reflex Induced by Dopamine during Isoflurane Anesthesia in Small Dogs

Background: Unlike other major reflexes contributing to hemodynamic homeostasis, the Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR) paradoxically decreases heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) despite hypotension. In the veterinary field, there are few reported cases of BJR induced by dopamine, which is often used to manage hypotension. Herein, 2 cases involving small dogs exhibiting BJR due to dopamine infusion during general anesthesia are described.Cases: Case 1: A 7-year-old, 7 kg, mongrel was referred for external skeletal fixator removal. The patient was premedicated with 0.3 mg/kg midazolam and 0.2 mg/kg butorphanol intravenously (IV). General anesthesia was induced with 6 mg/kg propofol and maintained with 1.6% isoflurane in oxygen. The patient was given 5 mL/kg/h of Hartmann’s solution IV. The respiratory rate (RR) was set to 9 breaths/min with a ventilator. The HR and MAP values were initially 120 bpm and 76 mmHg and gradually decreased to 70 bpm and 40 mmHg, respectively. The end-tidal CO2 partial pressure (ETCO2) was 39 mmHg, and the patient was administered 2.5 μg/kg glycopyrrolate IV. Then, 5 μg/kg/min dopamine was administered IV since the MAP did not improve. The HR, MAP, and ETCO2 increased to 113 bpm, 72 mmHg, and 47 mmHg, respectively. Subsequently, HR and MAP dramatically decreased to 50 bpm and 43 mmHg, respectively. A second-degree atrioventricular block was detected, prompting dopamine infusion discontinuation, and 2.5 μg/kg glycopyrrolate was again administered IV. Within 5 min, HR and MAP values normalized, and postoperative patient recovery was typical. Case 2: A 2-year-old, 8.6 kg, mongrel underwent surgery to correct a medial luxating patella of the right leg. The patient was premedicated with 0.3 mg/kg midazolam and 0.2 mg/kg butorphanol IV. Anesthesia was induced with 4 mg/kg propofol IV and maintained with 3% isoflurane in oxygen; 10 mL/kg/h of Hartmann’s solution was administered IV. Within 15 min, the patient’s HR and MAP values decreased from 120 to 107 bpm and 73 to 50 mmHg, respectively. The ETCO2remained approximately 39 mmHg, and RR decreased from 20 to 17 breaths/min. Dopamine was infused at a rate of 5 µg/kg/min. After 10 min, the MAP slightly increased from 50 to 57 mmHg, but the HR dramatically decreased from 107 to 62 bpm and the RR also dropped to 12 breaths/min. Further, a second-degree atrioventricular block was observed. Dopamine infusion was immediately discontinued, and 2.5 μg/kg glycopyrrolate was injected IV. As the HR returned to 94 bpm, the atrioventricular block disappeared, and the RR increased to 15 breaths/min. After general anesthesia was terminated, the patient recovered well.Discussion: Among drugs used for anesthesia, propofol and isoflurane may lower the MAP and HR. Therefore, HR or MAP decreases at the beginning of anesthesia are likely due to the drugs. Considering half-life, it is unlikely that propofol provoked sudden HR or MAP decreases at about 25 min post-induction. Isoflurane may also be ruled out since the hemodynamic disorder depended on dopamine injection. Sudden decreases in the HR, MAP, or RR after dopamine injection are not generally expected dopaminergic or adrenergic responses, which likely occur due to the vagal cardiopulmonary reflex suggesting the BJR resulting from activation of cardiac mechano- or chemoreceptors. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of dopamine-mediated BJR in young or middle-aged, small dogs. The BJR has been observed in older, larger dogs and humans. In the patients described, body condition score may be considered when estimating the cause of the BJR. Since they scored 8/9, it is possible that obesity increased the risk of the BJR. This report described the clinical features and treatment outcomes in young or middle-aged, obese, small-sized dogs, whose hypotension or bradycardia was exacerbated by dopamine.Keywords: Bezold-Jarisch reflex, dopamine, hypotension, bradycardia, canine.

Prognostic Value of Postoperative CEA Clearance in Rectal Cancer Patients with High Preoperative CEA Levels

PURPOSE: We determined the prognostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) clearance after tumor resection with serial evaluation of postoperative CEA levels in rectal cancer. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2004, we retrospectively reviewed 122 patients with rectal cancer whose serum CEA levels were measured on the preoperative day and postoperative days 7 and 30. Patients with preoperative CEA levels <5.0 ng/ml were excluded. An exponential trend line was drawn using the three CEA values. Patients were categorized into three groups based on R(2) values calculated through trend line, which indicates the correlation coefficient between exponential graph and measured CEA values: exponential decrease group (group 1: 0.9 < R(2) < or = 1.0), nearly exponential decrease group (group 2: 0.5 < R(2) < or = 0.9), and randomized clearance group (group 3: 0.5 < or = R(2)). We then analyzed the CEA clearance pattern as a prognostic indicator. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 57 months, the 5-year overall survival was 62.3% vs. 48.1% vs. 25% and the 5-year disease-free survival was 58.6% vs. 52.7% vs. 25% among groups 1, 2, and 3 (P = 0.014, P = 0.027, respectively) in patients with stage III rectal cancer. For those with stage II rectal cancer, the 5-year overall survival rate of group 1 was significantly better than groups 2 and 3 (88.8% vs. 74.1%, respectively, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: the postoperative pattern of CEA clearance is a useful prognostic determinant in patients with rectal cancer. Patients with a randomized pattern of CEA clearance after tumor resection should be regarded as having the possibility of a persistent CEA source and may require consideration of intensive follow-up or adjuvant therapy.ope

Analysis of Skin Humidity Variation Between Sasang Types

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between variations in skin humidity (SH) induced by perspiration across Sasang types and to identify novel and effective Sasang classification factors. We also analyzed the responses of each Sasang type to sweating-related QSCC II items. The results revealed a significant difference in SH across gender and significant differences in SH before and after perspiration between Tae-Eum and So-Eum men. In addition, Tae-Eum women showed significant differences in SH compared with women classified as another Sasang type. Furthermore, evaluation of the items related to sweating in the QSCC II and their relationship to each constitution revealed a significant difference between Tae-Eum and other Sasang types. Overall, the results of this study indicate that there is a distinct SH difference following perspiration between Tae-Eum and other Sasang types. Such findings may aid in Sasang typology diagnostic testing with the support of further sophisticated clinical studies