Comparison of velocities observed by the HF radar and satellite altimeters in the upstream of the Kuroshio

Sea surface velocity in the upstream of the Kuroshio obtained by the HF radar is compared with the geostrophic velocity determined from the altimetry data along a satellite subtrack. Two velocities agree well when the geostrophic velocity is smoothed over the spatial scale of the HF velocity. In the Kuroshio area, this spatial scale is found nearly 70km, which is the same as the spatial smoothing scale of the HF radar. Meanwhile, in the offshore area where the smoothing scale of the HF radar is much smaller, the spatial scale of the HF velocity is rather increased to about 150km, which is consistent with the scale of the mesoscale eddies

Combined effect of DBM, PRP, and bone marrow fluid on bone union in a rat posterolateral fusion model

Abstract Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) promotes bone union through osteoinduction. We investigated whether adding demineralized bone matrix (DBM), derived naturally from biomaterial and with various growth factors, for osteoconductivity and bone marrow fluid for osteogenesis results in different bone unions. Eight-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five based on transplantation material: sham control (C group); DBM alone (D group); DBM + PRP (DP group); and DBM + PRP + bone marrow fluid (DPB group). After posterolateral fusion at L3-5, postoperative weekly CT imaging determined average number of bone union in facet joints (4 joints × 5 animals = 20 joints) and bone formation. Pathological evaluation and bone strength were assessed using 3-point bending two weeks postoperatively. Facet joint bone union at four weeks postoperatively was 4/20 (20%, DP group) and 8/20 (40%, DPB group) joints. Six weeks postoperatively, it was 7/20 (35%, D group), 12/20 (60%, DP group), and 16/20 (80%, DPB group). Eight weeks postoperatively, it was 13/20 (65%, D group), 17/20 (85%, DP group), and 20/20 (100%, DPB group), suggesting that DPB > DP > D > C. Bone formation and bone strength showed a similar DPB > DP > D > C group trend. Adding PRP and bone marrow fluid to DBM promotes bone union and strength