3-D topology optimization of single-pole-type head by using design sensitivity analysis

It is necessary to develop a write head having a large recording field and small stray field in adjacent tracks and adjacent bits in perpendicular magnetic recording systems. In this paper, a practical three-dimensional topology optimization technique combined with the edge-based finite-element method is proposed. A technique for obtaining a smooth topology is also shown. The optimization of single-pole-type head having a magnetic shield is performed by using the topology optimization technique so that the leakage flux in the adjacent bit can be reduced. A useful shape of the magnetic shield obtained by the proposed technique is illustrated.</p

Magnetic shield design of perpendicular magnetic recording head by using topology optimization technique

It is necessary to develop a recording head having large recording field and small stray field to adjacent tracks and adjacent bits in perpendicular magnetic recording system. In this paper, in order to decrease the leakage flux in the adjacent bit, the approach of magnetic shield design of perpendicular magnetic recording head for 200 Gb/in/sup 2/ is performed by using the topology optimization technique.</p

アビジン ケツゴウ タンパク ノ サイボウナイ キョクザイ ニツイテ : ウエスタン ブロッティング ヘンポウ ト サイボウ カガクテキ ホウホウ オ モチイテ

Cell lysates prepared from 3T3-L1 cells were separated by SDS-PAGE, transferred to PVDF membranes and incubated with peroxidase-conjugated avidin. Peroxidase-conjugated avidin interacted with bands of proteins with estimated molecular weights of 120, 74, and 72 kDa. This interaction was not limited to 3T3-L1 cells, because peroxidase-avidin also interacted with these 3 proteins in MC3T3-E1, YROS-1, Saos-2, MG63, SCCKN, and SCCTF cells although the staining intensity was different in each cell type. Cell lysates prepared from 3T3-L1 cells were also analyzed by avidin-biotin complex Western blotting method using the anti-Bax antibody. The antibody interacted with bands of proteins with estimated molecular weights of 120, 74, 72, and 25 kDa. However, only the 25-kDa band was detected with the anti-Bax antibody when the direct immunoblotting method was used. Peroxidase-conjugated avidin interacted with these 3 proteins in the mitochondria-containing fractions prepared from 3T3-L1 cells. However, these proteins were not detected in the fractions containing nucleus or peroxisome. FITC-avidin was also localized in mitochondria in the cultured cells. The localization of avidin-interacting proteins in mitochondria was confirmed by using rhodamine-avidin or by double staining with FITC-avidin and Mito-tracker. When attempting to use avidin-biotin complex immunoblotting and immunohistochemical procedures to detect the specific proteins in cultured cells, the avidin-interacting proteins demonstrated in the present study will be detected and will give non-specific staining if the corresponding concentrations of peroxidaseconjugated avidin are used. The present study also indicates that careful observation should be taken when using the avidin-biotin complex system in biochemical and histochemical examination

Right ventricular function evaluated by volumetric analysis during left heart bypass in a canine model of postischemic cardiac dysfunction

AbstractRight ventricular function during left heart bypass was evaluated by volumetric analysis with a conductance catheter in 12 dogs with postischemic cardiac dysfunction. The conductance catheter was used to assess the volumetric status of the right ventricle and thereby allowed a right ventricular pressure-volume curve to be obtained, in which transient volume loading on the right ventricle was applied. The following right ventricular properties during left heart bypass were assessed and compared with properties measured without left heart bypass, by means of load-independent parameters: maximum elastance, stroke work/end-diastolic volume relation, end-diastolic pressure/volume relation, and stroke work/end-diastolic pressure relation. The stroke volume derived from the conductance catheter and the electromagnetic flow probe showed good linear correlation (r2 = 0.733 to 0.975). After initiation of left heart bypass, maximum elastance did not change significantly, although volume intercept significantly increased, from 1.2 ± 7.3 to 3.6 ± 7.9 ml ( p < 0.05). End-diastolic pressure/volume relation was well fitted to the exponential curve (EDP = e (k1 · EDV+k2) ) and was shifted to the right and downward during left heart bypass; the slope k1 significantly decreased, from 0.12 ± 0.06 to 0.10 ± 0.07 ( p < 0.01). Stroke work/end-diastolic volume relation and stroke work/end-diastolic pressure relation were closely fitted to the linear regression, and their slopes were significantly increased during left heart bypass, from 0.14 ± 0.08 to 0.18 ± 0.08 ( p < 0.05) and from 0.22 ± 0.15 to 0.34 ± 0.19 ( p < 0.01), respectively. These results suggest that the decompression of the left ventricle and septal shifting by left heart bypass provide good diastolic compliance and good systolic performance because of afterload unloading of the right ventricle. Thus the left heart bypass improved the overall right ventricular performance, particularly at higher end-diastolic pressures, in dogs with postischemic cardiac dysfunction. (J THORAC CARDIOVASC SURG 1995;109:796-803

Oshika T. Contrast sensitivity and foveal microstructure following vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

PURPOSE. To evaluate contrast sensitivity (CS) in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) following vitrectomy and to investigate the relationship between CS and foveal microstructures with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS. Thirty-one eyes of 31 patients with ERM were included. We examined CS with a CSV-1000E chart, a logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and foveal microstructure by using SD-OCT before and at 6 months after surgery. From the CS data, the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) was calculated. Based on the OCT images, we quantified the mean thickness of the ganglion cell layer (GCL), the inner nuclear layer (INL), and the outer retinal layer (outer nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer [ONLþOPL]). The status of the photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction (IS/OS) and external limiting membrane (ELM) was also evaluated. RESULTS. Vitrectomy significantly improved logMAR BCVA and AULCSF. Even in patients with poor improvement of visual acuity (changes in logMAR BCVA by surgery was 0.2), postoperative AULCSF significantly increased by treatment (P &lt; 0.05). Postoperative AULCSF showed a significant correlation with preoperative (P &lt; 0.05) and postoperative (P &lt; 0.05) ONLþOPL thickness, whereas other parameters were not relevant. Postoperative logMAR BCVA significantly correlated with postoperative status of IS/OS (P &lt; 0.05) and preoperative ONLþOPL thickness (P &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. In patients with ERM, CS improved even though their visual acuity did not recover significantly by vitrectomy. CS was associated with the thickness of outer retinal layer

A Cryptographic Moving-Knife Cake-Cutting Protocol

This paper proposes a cake-cutting protocol using cryptography when the cake is a heterogeneous good that is represented by an interval on a real line. Although the Dubins-Spanier moving-knife protocol with one knife achieves simple fairness, all players must execute the protocol synchronously. Thus, the protocol cannot be executed on asynchronous networks such as the Internet. We show that the moving-knife protocol can be executed asynchronously by a discrete protocol using a secure auction protocol. The number of cuts is n-1 where n is the number of players, which is the minimum.Comment: In Proceedings IWIGP 2012, arXiv:1202.422

The Newton-Raphson method accelerated by using a line search - comparison between energy functional and residual minimization

A line search was combined with the Newton-Raphson method to accelerate the convergence of the iterative calculation in nonlinear magnetic field analysis. As a method for determining a step size for update, the minimization of an energy functional and a square of 2-norm of residual obtained from the finite-element discretization was investigated. It was demonstrated that the energy functional minimization is superior to the residual minimization from the viewpoint of computational cost. The line search is effective even in the magnetic vector potential formulation, which is said to be stable usually. </p

Association between Oral Health Status and Diabetic Nephropathy-Related Indices in Japanese Middle-Aged Men

Oral health status is known to be associated with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease. In Japan, around 40% of hemodialysis cases are patients with diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between oral health status and diabetic nephropathy-related indices in Japanese middle-aged men. Sixty-six men (age range: 55–64 years) with ≥20 remaining teeth and who received public medical checkups and oral examinations were enrolled. We examined correlations of age, body mass index, HbA1c, HDL-C, LDL-C, neutral fat, serum creatinine, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the number of remaining teeth or the community periodontal index (CPI) score (periodontal pocket < 4mm: 0, 4–6 mm: 1, ≥6 mm: 2). A positive correlation between the CPI score and serum creatinine and a negative correlation between CPI score and eGFR (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, r = 0.459, p < 0.01, and r = −0.460, p < 0.01, respectively) were observed. The mean eGFR in the CPI score 0 group was significantly higher than that in the CPI score 1/2 group (82.6 vs. 70.7, Student’s t-test, p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis using eGFR as a dependent variable and age, CPI score, body mass index, HbA1c, and neutral fat as independent variables suggested that low eGFR (<60) could be attributed to CPI score (OR = 3.169, 95% CI: 1.031–9.742, p = 0.044). These results suggest a possible association between periodontal status and renal function in Japanese middle-aged men. Periodontal condition is controlled by oral prophylaxis, and periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease have some common risk factors. Thus, periodontal management can contribute to the prevention of severe chronic kidney disease