New 60-cm Radio Survey Telescope with the Sideband-Separating SIS Receiver for the 200 GHz Band

We have upgraded the 60-cm radio survey telescope located in Nobeyama, Japan. We developed a new waveguide-type sideband-separating SIS mixer for the telescope, which enables the simultaneous detection of distinct molecular emission lines both in the upper and lower sidebands. Over the RF frequency range of 205-240 GHz, the single-sideband receiver noise temperatures of the new mixer are 40-100 K for the 4.0-8.0 GHz IF frequency band. The image rejection ratios are greater than 10 dB over the same range. For the dual IF signals obtained by the receiver, we have developed two sets of acousto-optical spectrometers and a telescope control system. Using the new telescope system, we successfully detected the 12CO (J=2-1) and 13CO (J=2-1) emission lines simultaneously toward Orion KL in 2005 March. Using the waveguide-type sideband-separating SIS mixer for the 200 GHz band, we have initiated the first simultaneous 12CO (J=2-1) and 13CO (J=2-1) survey of the galactic plane as well as large-scale mapping observations of nearby molecular clouds.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures, Accepted for publication in PASJ, version with high resolution figures is available via http://www.nro.nao.ac.jp/~nakajima/vst1_2sb.pd

The AMANOGAWA-2SB Galactic Plane Survey I: Data on the Galactic Equator

Using a waveguide-type sideband-separating receiver (2SB receiver) on the Tokyo-NRO 60-cm telescope (renamed the AMANOGAWA telescope), we carried out simultaneous observations in the 12CO(J = 2-1) and 13CO(J = 2-1) lines over the Galactic plane l = 10-245 deg along b = 0 deg with a 3.75 arcmin grid. Using the 12CO(J = 1-0) data of Dame et al. (2001), who used a beam size almost the same as ours, we show 12CO(J = 2-1)/12CO(J = 1-0) and 13CO(J = 2-1)/12CO(J = 2-1) intensity ratios on the l-v map and the intensity correlations among the three lines. As a result, a linear correlation between 12CO(J = 1-0) and 12CO(J = 2-1) and a curve correlation between 12CO(J = 2-1) and 13CO(J = 2-1), as produced by most of the data, are found. We investigate these correlations with simple radiative transfer equations to ascertain a number of restrictions on the physical quantities of molecular gas on a galactic scale.Comment: 22 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Geographic disparity of pathophysiological coronary artery disease characteristics: Insights from ASET trials

The geographical disparity in the pathophysiological pattern of coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown. To elucidate the geographical variance in the pathophysiological characteristics of CAD. Physiological indices derived from angiography-based fractional flow reserve pullbacks from patients with chronic coronary syndrome enrolled in the ASET Japan (n = 206) and ASET Brazil (n = 201) studies, which shared the same eligibility criteria, were analysed. The pathophysiological patterns of CAD were characterised using Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR)-derived indices acquired from pre-PCI angiograms. The diffuseness of CAD was defined by the μQFR pullback pressure gradient index. Significant functional stenoses pre-PCI (μQFR ≤0.80) were more frequent in ASET Japan compared to ASET Brazil (89.9% vs. 67.5%, p < 0.001), as were rates of a post-PCI μQFR <0.91 (22.1% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.013). In the multivariable analysis, pre-procedural μQFR and diffuse disease were independent factors for predicting a post-PCI μQFR <0.91, which contributed to the different rates of post-PCI μQFR ≥0.91 between the studies. Among vessels with a post-PCI μQFR <0.91, a consistent diffuse pattern of CAD pre- and post-PCI occurred in 78.3% and 76.7% of patients in ASET Japan and Brazil, respectively; only 6.3% (Japan) and 10.0% (Brazil) of vessels had a major residual gradient. Independent risk factors for diffuse disease were diabetes mellitus in ASET Japan, and age and male gender in Brazil. There was geographic disparity in pre-procedural angiography-based pathophysiological characteristics. The combined pre-procedural physiological assessment of vessel μQFR and diffuseness of CAD may potentially identify patients who will benefit most from PCI. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of endoscopic submucosal dissection versus transanal endoscopic microsurgery for large noninvasive rectal lesions

For almost 30\ua0years, transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has been the mainstay treatment for large rectal lesions. With the advent of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), flexible endoscopy has aimed at en bloc R0 resection of superficial lesions of the digestive tract. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the safety and effectiveness of ESD and full-thickness rectal wall excision by TEM in the treatment of large nonpedunculated rectal lesions preoperatively assessed as noninvasive.A systematic review of the literature published between 1984 and 2010 was conducted (Registration no. CRD42012001882). Data were integrated with those from the original databases requested from the study authors when needed. Pooled estimates of the proportions of patients with en bloc R0 resection, complications, recurrence, and need for further treatment in the ESD and TEM series were compared using random-effects single-arm meta-analysis.This review included 11 ESD and 10 TEM series (2,077 patients). The en bloc resection rate was 87.8\ua0\% (95\ua0\% confidence interval [CI] 84.3-90.6) for the ESD patients versus 98.7\ua0\% (95\ua0\% CI 97.4-99.3\ua0\%) for the TEM patients (P\ua0<\ua00.001). The R0 resection rate was 74.6\ua0\% (95\ua0\% CI 70.4-78.4\ua0\%) for the ESD patients versus 88.5\ua0\% (95\ua0\% CI 85.9-90.6\ua0\%) for the TEM patients (P\ua0<\ua00.001). The postoperative complications rate was 8.0 \% (95\ua0\%, CI 5.4-11.8\ua0\%) for the ESD patients versus 8.4\ua0\% (95\ua0\% CI 5.2-13.4\ua0\%) for the TEM patients (P\ua0=\ua00.874). The recurrence rate was 2.6 \% (95\ua0\% CI 1.3-5.2\ua0\%) for the ESD patients versus 5.2\ua0\% (95\ua0\% CI 4.0-6.9\ua0\%) for the TEM patients (P\ua0<\ua00.001). Nevertheless, the rate for the overall need of further abdominal treatment, defined as any type of surgery performed through an abdominal access, including both complications and pathology indications, was 8.4\ua0\% (95\ua0\% CI 4.9-13.9\ua0\%) for the ESD patients versus 1.8\ua0\% (95\ua0\% CI 0.8-3.7\ua0\%) for the TEM patients (P\ua0<\ua00.001).The ESD procedure appears to be a safe technique, but TEM achieves a higher R0 resection rate when performed in full-thickness fashion, significantly reducing the need for further abdominal treatment

The J-PARC heavy ion project

A project to study high-density nuclear matter using heavy ion collisions in a beam energy range of few GeV is being prepared at J-PARC. The goal of the project is to perform experiments with beam energies of 1-12 AGeV/c and the collision rate of 1011 Hz. The project is divided into two phases. For the first stage, measurements with a limited beam intensity will be performed with upgraded spectrometer of an on-going experiment. Full performance will be implemented at the second phase to study in detail the high density matter and light hypernuclei. Feasibility of measurements for both phases are being evaluated

Preprocedural physiological assessment of coronary disease patterns to predict haemodynamic outcomes post-PCI

Even with intracoronary imaging-guided stent optimisation, suboptimal haemodynamic outcomes post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be related to residual lesions in non-stented segments. Preprocedural assessment of pathophysiological coronary artery disease (CAD) patterns could help predict the physiological response to PCI. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between preprocedural pathophysiological haemodynamic patterns and intracoronary imaging findings, as well as their association with physiological outcomes immediately post-PCI. Data from 206 patients with chronic coronary syndrome enrolled in the ASET-JAPAN study were analysed. Pathophysiological CAD patterns were characterised using Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR)-derived indices acquired from pre-PCI angiograms. The diffuseness of CAD was defined by the pullback pressure gradient (PPG) index. Intracoronary imaging in stented segments after stent optimisation was also analysed. In the multivariable analysis, diffuse disease - defined by the pre-PCI μQFR-PPG index - was an independent factor for predicting a post-PCI μQFR <0.91 (per 0.1 decrease of PPG index, odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-2.34; p=0.022), whereas the stent expansion index (EI) was not associated with a suboptimal post-PCI μQFR. Among vessels with an EI ≥80% and post-PCI μQFR <0.91, 84.0% of those vessels had a diffuse pattern preprocedure. There was no significant difference in EI between vessels with diffuse disease and those with focal disease. The average plaque burden in the stented segment was significantly larger in vessels with a preprocedural diffuse CAD pattern. A physiological diffuse pattern preprocedure was an independent factor in predicting unfavourable immediate haemodynamic outcomes post-PCI, even after stent optimisation using intracoronary imaging. Preprocedural assessment of CAD patterns could identify patients who are likely to exhibit superior immediate haemodynamic outcomes following PCI