Factors of unpredictable shots concerning new soccer balls

AbstractThe configuration of new soccer balls has closely approached a perfect round shape by not only reducing the number of panels but also by eliminating roughness of the panel joints by utilizing thermal bonding process recently. Therefore, in a non-rotating or low-rotating moving shot, a soccer ball drops and curves, i.e. motion by the change of wake flow, which is called a knuckle ball effect. Factors of the knuckle ball effect on the new soccer balls were investigated in case of a non-rotating shot and a low-rotating one. A correlation between fluctuation of the wake and fluid forces was identified in a symmetric panel configuration of the ball. The asymmetric configuration of the ball panel was also investigated as a factor to bring unpredictable change of the ball flight path. The low-rotating ball changes its frontal area against the moving direction and it produces irregular lateral forces. Consequently, the factors which produced the knuckle ball effect were found to be different from the case of non-rotating shots and low rotating shots

Improved Morphology of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) Thin Films for All-Electrospray-Coated Organic Photovoltaic Cells

Spray coating technique has been established as a promising substitute for the traditional coating methods in the fabrication of organic devices in many reports recently. Control of film morphology at the microscopic scale is critical if spray-coated devices are to achieve high performance. Here we investigate electrospray deposition protocols for the fabrication of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films with a single additive system under ambient conditions at room temperature. Critical deposition parameters including solution composition, applied voltage, and relative humidity are discussed systematically. Optimized process for preparing homogenous PEDOT:PSS thin films is applied to all-electrospray-coated organic photovoltaic cells and contributes to a power conversion efficiency comparable to that of the corresponding all-spin-coated device

Effectiveness of vital staining with iodine solution in reducing local recurrence after resection of dysplastic or malignant oral mucosa

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of vital staining with iodine solution in reducing local recurrence after resection of dysplastic or malignant oral mucosa. The historical control group had dysplastic or malignant mucosal lesions resected solely on the evidence of direct inspection and palpation. In the vital staining group tissue was resected only after vital staining with iodine solution. Seven of 25 patients in the conventional group developed recurrent dysplastic or cancerous oral mucosa around the primary site, while no patient among 23 reported recurrence in the vital staining group (p < 0.01). Kaplan Meier assessment showed that the 5-year primary control rate was 100% in the vital staining group and 75% in the conventional group. Although this retrospective study has some limitations, the results suggest that vital staining with iodine may be useful in reducing the incidence of recurrence of dysplastic or cancerous epithelium at a primary site. Further well-controlled study is essential.ArticleBRITISH JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY. 50(2):109-112 (2012)journal articl

Increased abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus in gut microbiota is associated with moyamoya disease and non-moyamoya intracranial large artery disease

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disease endemic in East Asia. The p.R4810K mutation in RNF213 gene confers a risk of MMD, but other factors remain largely unknown. We tested the association of gut microbiota with MMD. Fecal samples were collected from 27 patients with MMD, 7 patients with non-moyamoya intracranial large artery disease (ICAD) and 15 control individuals with other disorders, and 16S rRNA were sequenced. Although there was no difference in alpha diversity or beta diversity between patients with MMD and controls, the cladogram showed Streptococcaceae was enriched in patient samples. The relative abundance analysis demonstrated that 23 species were differentially abundant between patients with MMD and controls. Among them, increased abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus > 0.003 and decreased abundance of Roseburia inulinivorans < 0.002 were associated with higher risks of MMD (odds ratio 9.6, P = 0.0024; odds ratio 11.1, P = 0.0051). Also, Ruminococcus gnavus was more abundant and Roseburia inulinivorans was less abundant in patients with ICAD than controls (P = 0.046, P = 0.012). The relative abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus or Roseburia inulinivorans was not different between the p.R4810K mutant and wildtype. Our data demonstrated that gut microbiota was associated with both MMD and ICAD

Natural evolution of desmoplastic fibroblastoma on magnetic resonance imaging: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) is a recently described tumor thought to arise predominantly from subcutaneous tissue or skeletal muscle. The natural evolution of this tumor on magnetic resonance imaging has never been described, to the best of our knowledge. We herein report a case of desmoplastic fibroblastoma arising in the thigh and show the longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging findings.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 60-year-old Japanese man presented with swelling of the medial side of his right thigh, and he complained of nighttime pain and slight tenderness. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 4 × 4 cm mass in the right thigh. Open biopsy was performed. The mass was diagnosed histologically as a benign fibrous tumor, and we maintained follow-up without surgical therapy. After one year, magnetic resonance imaging showed an increase in tumor size to 4 × 5 cm, but the histologic findings were the same as those obtained one year earlier. Resection was performed with narrow surgical margins. Pathologic diagnosis was desmoplastic fibroblastoma. Two years after surgery, the patient is free from pain and shows no signs or symptoms of recurrence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The natural evolution of desmoplastic fibroblastoma is characterized by no changes in patterns on magnetic resonance imaging despite increasing size. This finding is clinically helpful for distinguishing desmoplastic fibroblastoma with increasing pain from the desmoid tumor.</p

Current Performance and On-Going Improvements of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope

An overview of the current status of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope constructed and operated at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is presented. The basic design concept and the verified performance of the telescope system are described. Also given are the status of the instrument package offered to the astronomical community, the status of operation, and some of the future plans. The status of the telescope reported in a number of SPIE papers as of the summer of 2002 are incorporated with some updates included as of 2004 February. However, readers are encouraged to check the most updated status of the telescope through the home page, http://subarutelescope.org/index.html, and/or the direct contact with the observatory staff.Comment: 18 pages (17 pages in published version), 29 figures (GIF format), This is the version before the galley proo

General characterization of Antarctic micrometeorites collected by the 39th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition: Consortium studies of JARE AMMs (III)

From November 1998 to January 1999,the 39th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-39) undertook Japanese first large-scale collection of Antarctic micrometeorites (AMMs), with sizes larger than 10μm, at the Meteorite Ice Field around the Yamato Mountains in Antarctica (at three different locations, for a total of 24 collection sites). The number of collected AMMs larger than 40μm is estimated to be about 5000. Here we present the general characterization (i.e., micro-morphology and surface chemical composition using SEM/EDS) of &acd;810 AMMs chosen from 5 of the 24 sites. Additionally, the mineral composition of 61 out of 810 AMMs was determined by Synchrotron X-ray radiation. Preliminary results on mineralogical and chemical compositions show similarities with that of previous studies, even though a pronounced alteration of some AMMs is noticed. A correlation is found between the Mg/Si ratio at the sample\u27s surfaces of unmelted AMMs and the age of snow/ice in which the AMMs are embedded

Effectiveness of vital staining with iodine solution in reducing local recurrence after resection of dysplastic or malignant oral mucosa

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of vital staining with iodine solution in reducing local recurrence after resection of dysplastic or malignant oral mucosa. The historical control group had dysplastic or malignant mucosal lesions resected solely on the evidence of direct inspection and palpation. In the vital staining group tissue was resected only after vital staining with iodine solution. Seven of 25 patients in the conventional group developed recurrent dysplastic or cancerous oral mucosa around the primary site, while no patient among 23 reported recurrence in the vital staining group (p < 0.01). Kaplan Meier assessment showed that the 5-year primary control rate was 100% in the vital staining group and 75% in the conventional group. Although this retrospective study has some limitations, the results suggest that vital staining with iodine may be useful in reducing the incidence of recurrence of dysplastic or cancerous epithelium at a primary site. Further well-controlled study is essential.ArticleBRITISH JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY. 50(2):109-112 (2012)journal articl