51 research outputs found
In vitro assessment of six aspiration catheters using a distal protection filter
Background: We assessed performance of 6 aspiration catheters for distal embolization using a distal protection filter in an in vitro experiment. In acute myocardial infarction, a distal protection filter is used for lesions likely to induce a distal embolism. Which aspiration cathether is most effective when used with a distal protection filter remains still unclear.Methods: A 0.5-cm3 bolus of gelatin as a model of stagnant pools of coronary plaque debris was captured in the distal protection filter and aspirated by 6 aspiration catheters. We measured and compared the length of the suspended embolus matter.Results: Among the 6 catheters evaluated, the use of the Export Advance catheter (Medtronic) resulted in significantly shorter lengths of the suspended embolus matter compared to the use of the TVAC II (Nipro), Thrombuster III SL (Kaneka), and Rebirth Pro (Goodman) catheters (p < 0.01). The residual embolus matter in all cases had drained distally to the distal protection filter when the filter was retrieved.Conclusions: The use of the Export Advance catheter showed better performance using a distal protection filter in this in vitro experiment, and its use might be more effective in preventing distal embolisms in combination with a distal protection filter
X-ray Radiation Damage Effects on Double-SOI Pixel Detectors for the Future Astronomical Satellite "FORCE"
We have been developing the monolithic active pixel detector "XRPIX" onboard
the future X-ray astronomical satellite "FORCE". XRPIX is composed of CMOS
pixel circuits, SiO2 insulator, and Si sensor by utilizing the
silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. When the semiconductor detector is
operated in orbit, it suffers from radiation damage due to X-rays emitted from
the celestial objects as well as cosmic rays. From previous studies, positive
charges trapped in the SiO2 insulator are known to cause the degradation of the
detector performance. To improve the radiation hardness, we developed XRPIX
equipped with Double-SOI (D-SOI) structure, introducing an additional silicon
layer in the SiO2 insulator. This structure is aimed at compensating for the
effect of the trapped positive charges. Although the radiation hardness to
cosmic rays of the D-SOI detectors has been evaluated, the radiation effect due
to the X-ray irradiation has not been evaluated. Then, we conduct an X-ray
irradiation experiment using an X-ray generator with a total dose of 10 krad at
the SiO2 insulator, equivalent to 7 years in orbit. As a result of this
experiment, the energy resolution in full-width half maximum for the 5.9 keV
X-ray degrades by 17.8 2.8% and the dark current increases by 89
13%. We also investigate the physical mechanism of the increase in the dark
current due to X-ray irradiation using TCAD simulation. It is found that the
increase in the dark current can be explained by the increase in the interface
state density at the Si/SiO2 interface.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Journal of
Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and System
Synchronization of Circadian Per2 Rhythms and HSF1-BMAL1:CLOCK Interaction in Mouse Fibroblasts after Short-Term Heat Shock Pulse
Circadian rhythms are the general physiological processes of adaptation to daily environmental changes, such as the temperature cycle. A change in temperature is a resetting cue for mammalian circadian oscillators, which are possibly regulated by the heat shock (HS) pathway. The HS response (HSR) is a universal process that provides protection against stressful conditions, which promote protein-denaturation. Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is essential for HSR. In the study presented here, we investigated whether a short-term HS pulse can reset circadian rhythms. Circadian Per2 rhythm and HSF1-mediated gene expression were monitored by a real-time bioluminescence assay for mPer2 promoter-driven luciferase and HS element (HSE; HSF1-binding site)-driven luciferase activity, respectively. By an optimal duration HS pulse (43°C for approximately 30 minutes), circadian Per2 rhythm was observed in the whole mouse fibroblast culture, probably indicating the synchronization of the phases of each cell. This rhythm was preceded by an acute elevation in mPer2 and HSF1-mediated gene expression. Mutations in the two predicted HSE sites adjacent (one of them proximally) to the E-box in the mPer2 promoter dramatically abolished circadian mPer2 rhythm. Circadian Per2 gene/protein expression was not observed in HSF1-deficient cells. These findings demonstrate that HSF1 is essential to the synchronization of circadian rhythms by the HS pulse. Importantly, the interaction between HSF1 and BMAL1:CLOCK heterodimer, a central circadian transcription factor, was observed after the HS pulse. These findings reveal that even a short-term HS pulse can reset circadian rhythms and cause the HSF1-BMAL1:CLOCK interaction, suggesting the pivotal role of crosstalk between the mammalian circadian and HSR systems
Position Sensorless Control for IPMSM Based on Extended EMF and Voltage Injection Synchronized with PWM Carrier
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