AIM:To evaluate the clinical significance of oxidative stress markers in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Sixty-four consecutive patients who were admitted to Kagoshima...AIM:To evaluate the clinical significance of oxidative stress markers in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Sixty-four consecutive patients who were admitted to Kagoshima University Medical and Dental Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study.All patients had chronic liver disease(CLD) due to infection with HCV.Thirty patients with HCV-related HCC,34 with HCV-related CLD without HCC(non-HCC),and 20 healthy volunteers(HVs) were enrolled.Possible associations between serum manganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD) and thioredoxin(TRX) levels and clinical parameters or patient prognosis were analyzed over a mean follow-up period of 31.7 mo.RESULTS:The serum MnSOD levels were significantly higher in patients with HCV-related HCC than in patients without HCC(P = 0.03) or HVs(P < 0.001).Similarly,serum TRX levels were also significantly higher in patients with HCV-related HCC than in patients without HCC(P = 0.04) or HVs(P < 0.01).However,serum levels of MnSOD and TRX were not correlated in patients with HCC.Among patients with HCC,the overall survival rate(OSR) was lower in patients with MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL than in patients with levels < 110 ng/mL(P = 0.01),and the OSR tended to be lower in patients with TRX levels < 80 ng/mL(P = 0.05).In addition,patient prognosis with HCC was poorest with serum MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL and serum TRX levels < 80 ng/mL.Furthermore,a multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model and serum levels of five factors(MnSOD,prothrombin time,serum albumin,serum α-fetoprotein(AFP),and serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin) revealed that MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL(risk ratio:4.12,95% confidential interval:1.22-13.88,P = 0.02) and AFP levels ≥ 40 ng/mL(risk ratio:6.75;95% confidential interval:1.70-26.85,P < 0.01) were independent risk factors associated with a poor patient prognosis.CONCLUSION:Serum MnSOD and TRX levels are potential clinical biomarkers that predict patient prognosis in HCV-related HCC.展开更多
AIM: To determine the prevalence of SLC25A13 mutations in the Thai population.METHODS: A total of 1537 subjects representing the Thai population were screened for a novel pathologic allele p.Met1? (c.2T > C) and si...AIM: To determine the prevalence of SLC25A13 mutations in the Thai population.METHODS: A total of 1537 subjects representing the Thai population were screened for a novel pathologic allele p.Met1? (c.2T > C) and six previously known common SLC25A13 mutations: [I] (c.851_854delGTAT), [II] (g.IVS11 + 1G > A), [III] (c.1638_1660dup), [IV] (p.S225X), [V] (IVS13 + 1G > A), and [XIX] (g.IVS16ins3kb) using a newly developed TaqMan and established HybProbe assay, respectively. Sanger sequencing was employed for specimens showing an aberrant peak to confirm the targeted mutation as well as the unknown aberrant peaks detected. Frequencies of the mutations identified were compared in each region. Carrier frequency and disease prevalence of citrin deficiency caused by SCL25A13 mutations were estimated.RESULTS: p.Met1? was identified in the heterozygous state in 85 individuals, giving a carrier frequency of 1/18, which suggests possible selective advantage of this variant. The question of p.Met1? homozygote lethality remains unanswered which may serve as an explanation as to why this homozygote has yet to be identified in patients/controls even with high allele frequency. The p.Met1? mutation has rarely been studied in populations other than Thai and Chinese; therefore, may have been overlooked. Development of the TaqMan assay in the present study would allow a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for mass screening. Heterozygous mutations: [XIX] and [I] were identified in 17 individuals, giving a carrier rate of 1/90 and a calculated homozygote rate of 1/33000. Two novel variants, g.IVS11 + 17C > G and c.1311C > T, of unknown clinical significance were identified at low frequency.CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the current underestimation of citrin deficiency and suggests the possible selective advantage of the p.Met1? allele.展开更多
The γ'precipitate in Inconel 718 Ni-base superalloy has been investigated using TEM. Based on a calculation of diffraction pattern. the orientation relations between precipitates and matrix are given in detail. T...The γ'precipitate in Inconel 718 Ni-base superalloy has been investigated using TEM. Based on a calculation of diffraction pattern. the orientation relations between precipitates and matrix are given in detail. The influence of solution temperature on growth of γ' precipitates was investigated. and a γ' precipitate free area near δ phase was found. The coarsening behaviour of γ' precipitates during short time aging is discussed展开更多
Trypanosomiasis afflicts about 6~7 million people globally and to a large extent impedes livestock production in Africa.Naturally,trypanosomal parasites undergo genetic mutation and have developed resistance over a wi...Trypanosomiasis afflicts about 6~7 million people globally and to a large extent impedes livestock production in Africa.Naturally,trypanosomal parasites undergo genetic mutation and have developed resistance over a wide range of therapies.The utilization of animals and plants products has presented therapeutic potential for identifying novel anti-trypanosomal drugs.This study evaluated toad venom for anti-trypanosomal potency in-vivo in Swiss mice.Toads were collected from July to August 2019.The acute oral toxicity and biochemical characterization of the toad venom were determined.The experimental mice were administered various doses(130 mg/kg,173 mg/kg and 217 mg/kg)of the toad venom crude extract and 0.75 mg/mL of Diamizan Plus standard drug for the treatment of trypanosomiasis,once daily for 3 days.The in-vivo anti-trypanosomal activity was evaluated by a curative test,after infecting the mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.The pre-patent period was 72 hours before treatment commenced.The overall results showed that trypanosomal load was highest in the control group while the group treated with Diamizan drug had the least trypanosomal load.As such,the mean trypanosomal load in relation to treatments showed a very high significant difference(P<0.05).Also,the mean trypanosomal load in Swiss mice in relation to the highest dosage of toad venom versus Diamizan drug showed a very high significant difference(P<0.05).The mean change in relation to the haematological parameters across treatments groups varied significantly(P<0.05)with the exception of Hb which showed no significant difference(P>0.05)across treatment groups.The over 50%reduction in the trypanosomal load in the 130 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group brings to bare the anti-trypanosomal potency of the toad venom.The anti-trypanosomal activity demonstrated by the toad venom has provided basis for development of new therapeutic agents from different toad species.The study recommends further studies(both in-vivo and in-vitro)followed by the c展开更多
In order to apply speech recognition systems to actual circumstances such as inspection and maintenance operations in industrial factories to recording and reporting routines at construction sites, etc. where hand-wri...In order to apply speech recognition systems to actual circumstances such as inspection and maintenance operations in industrial factories to recording and reporting routines at construction sites, etc. where hand-writing is difficult, some countermeasure methods for surrounding noise are indispensable. In this study, a signal detection method to remove the noise for actual speech signals is proposed by using Bayesian estimation with the aid of bone-conducted speech. More specifically, by introducing Bayes’ theorem based on the observation of air-conducted speech contaminated by surrounding background noise, a new type of algorithm for noise removal is theoretically derived. In the proposed speech detection method, bone-conducted speech is utilized in order to obtain precise estimation for speech signals. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally confirmed by applying it to air- and bone-conducted speeches measured in real environment under the existence of surrounding background noise.展开更多
Vector surveillance is very key in solving mosquito-borne health problems in Nigeria.To this end,the composition and distribution of mosquito vectors in a peri-urban community surrounding an institution of learning in...Vector surveillance is very key in solving mosquito-borne health problems in Nigeria.To this end,the composition and distribution of mosquito vectors in a peri-urban community surrounding an institution of learning in Lafia metropolis,Nasarawa State,Central Nigeria was carried out between December 2016 and June 2017.The Prokopack Aspirator was used to collect indoor resting mosquitoes between 6:00 a.m.and 9:00 a.m.from 30 randomly selected houses.Mosquitoes collected were knocked down and transferred into a well labelled petri-dish and taken to the laboratory for processing.A total of 664 mosquitoes were collected which spread across Culex quinquefasciatus 572(86.14%),Anopheles gambiae 88(13.25%)and Aedes aegypti 4(0.60%).The abundance of mosquitoes in relation to seasons,species,sex,abdominal conditions as well as transmission indices across seasons significantly varied(P<0.05).But,the distribution of mosquito in relation to house types showed no significant difference(P>0.05).The inhabitants of the area should ensure that all drainages flow through so as to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.Also,members of the community should always protect themselves by sleeping under insecticide treated bed nets.展开更多
The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of various adaptation measures in reducing the magnitude and uncertainty of future flood risks in Jakarta, a megacity in Indonesia. A flood inundation model ...The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of various adaptation measures in reducing the magnitude and uncertainty of future flood risks in Jakarta, a megacity in Indonesia. A flood inundation model and a flood damage costs model were developed to evaluate their effectiveness. Land use changes, land subsidence, and climate change were used to describe the future scenarios. The adaptation measures include both structural and nonstructural measures. The results show that recharge and retention ponds have the potential to reduce the magnitude and uncertainty of flood risks by 33.2% and 36.4%, respectively, which are higher than the potentials of the other structural adaptation measures. Among the nonstructural adaptation measures, managing land use zones could alleviate the magnitude of flood risks by 29.0%, with an uncertainty reduction of 19.9%. These findings will assist decision makers in selecting flood adaptation measures to address future environmental changes.展开更多
Radiation-shielding properties of metakaolin doped concrete samples were investigated in this report.The gamma photon mass attenuation coefficients and exposure buildup factor of the samples were determined theoretica...Radiation-shielding properties of metakaolin doped concrete samples were investigated in this report.The gamma photon mass attenuation coefficients and exposure buildup factor of the samples were determined theoretically using WinXcom and EXABCal software respectively for the energy range of 15 keV-15 MeV and fast neutron removal cross section for the concrete sample was evaluated.Results indicated that,oxides of silicon,aluminum,calcium and iron determined through the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis constitute more than 85%of the chemical composition of the concrete samples.The oxides contribute 85.46,86.47,87.55,88.75,and 86.15%of the total chemical oxides in MK00,MK05,MK10,MK15,and MK20 respectively.Densities of the prepared MK doped concrete were in the range of 2.575-2.667 g/cm3.Compressive stress of prepared MK doped concretes increased consistently with the curing period for each concrete sample.CS grew from 8.71-10.63,8.84-10.83,9.44-11.22,10.89-11.53,and 10.76-11.43 MPa for MK00,MK05,MK10,MK15,and MK20 respectively as the period extends from 7 to 28 days.Mass attenuation coefficient decrease steadily with an increase in energy up to about 0.1 MeV and the decrease become smaller beyond this energy with increasing energy for all the mixtures.Fast neutron removal cross section results indicate that MK10(0.07693 cm-1)has the highest value ofΣR followed by MK15(0.07628 cm-1)and MK20(0.07537 cm-1)while MK00(0.07380 cm-1)and MK05(0.07404 cm-1)have approximately the same value.It was found that MK10 concrete has the best gamma radiation and fast neutron shielding ability among the MK doped concrete under study.展开更多
Speech recognition systems have been applied to inspection and maintenance operations in industrial factories to recording and reporting routines at construction sites, etc. where hand-writing is difficult. In these a...Speech recognition systems have been applied to inspection and maintenance operations in industrial factories to recording and reporting routines at construction sites, etc. where hand-writing is difficult. In these actual circumstances, some countermeasure methods for surrounding noise are indispensable. In this study, a new method to remove the noise for actual speech signal was proposed by using Bayesian estimation with the aid of bone-conducted speech and fuzzy theory. More specifically, by introducing Bayes’ theorem based on the observation of air-conducted speech contaminated by surrounding background noise, a new type of algorithm for noise removal was theoretically derived. In the proposed noise suppression method, bone-conducted speech signal with the reduced high-frequency components was regarded as fuzzy observation data, and a stochastic model for the bone-conducted speech was derived by applying the probability measure of fuzzy events. The proposed method was applied to speech signals measured in real environment with low SNR, and better results were obtained than an algorithm based on observation of only air-conducted speech.展开更多
Aim:Blood lipid profiles changed following nonfocused ultrasound treatments for body contouring.The present study elucidates clinical effects of these devices on adipose tissue.Methods:Ultrasound treatments for 5 male...Aim:Blood lipid profiles changed following nonfocused ultrasound treatments for body contouring.The present study elucidates clinical effects of these devices on adipose tissue.Methods:Ultrasound treatments for 5 males and 5 females in a supine position,ages 37-67 years,were applied at 20 KHz and 3.0 W/cm2 in modulated emission.Whole abdomen was treated by an ultrasound handpiece for 30 min followed by a 6-min lymphatic drainage.Waist circumferences at the level of the umbilicus and body weight were measured before and immediately after treatment.Blood lipid profiles including total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,high-density lipoprotein,triglyceride(TG),nonesterified fatty acid(NEFA)and lipoprotein-a were measured at baseline,every 10 min during treatment,and 15,30,45,60,75,and 90 min after treatment completion.Results:NEFA showed statistically higher values after 10 min following treatment initiation.Subsequent values remained high despite some fluctuation,reaching a maximum at 90 min.In contrast,TG gradually decreased in concentration until the last measurement,especially for the first 30 min,with statistically significant reduction.Changes in other lipid profiles and lipoprotein-a were not significant.Conclusion:Changes in NEFA concentration were significant following ultrasound treatment,and suggest that metabolism of TGs stored within the adipocytes occurred immediately after treatment initiation.展开更多
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect localized heating of the feet has on physiological and psychological reactions of female in an air-conditioned environment in summer. In Japan, female office work...The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect localized heating of the feet has on physiological and psychological reactions of female in an air-conditioned environment in summer. In Japan, female office workers wear less clothing than their male counterparts. In an air-conditioned office space in summer, female conducts thermoregulation by putting on cardigans, etc. but this action does not greatly contribute to improving conditions for the legs and feet, the lower extremities of the body. The improvement of sensational and physiological temperature by localized warming of the body can contribute to a healthy working environment for female office workers, their safety, and a reduction in air conditioning’s energy expenditure. We used the indoor thermal environment evaluation index ETF to investigate the effect localized heating of the feet has on human physiological and psychological response in an air-conditioned environment in summer. The result of heating by means of heat conduction via the sole of the foot was expressed more strongly as a psychological effect than as a whole-body physiological effect. Heating by means of heat conduction via the sole of the foot was a thermal environment factor that compensates for a low temperature in whole-body thermal sensation and whole-body thermal comfort. The effect of heating due to heat conduction via the sole of the foot was expressed in the change in sole-of- the-foot skin temperature. Applying slight heat conduction by means of heating via the sole of the foot demonstrated the result of improved whole-body thermal sensation and whole-body thermal comfort.展开更多
Flow around the front pillar of an automobile is typical of a flow field with separated and reattached flow by a vortex system. It is known that the vortex system causes the greatest aerodynamic sound around a vehicle...Flow around the front pillar of an automobile is typical of a flow field with separated and reattached flow by a vortex system. It is known that the vortex system causes the greatest aerodynamic sound around a vehicle. The objective of the present study is to clarify the relationship between vortical structures and aerodynamic sound by the vortex system generated around the front pillar. The vortex system consists of the longitudinal and the transverse system. The characteristics of the longitudinal vortex system were investigated in comparison with the transverse one. Two vortex systems were reproduced by three-dimensional delta wings. The flow visualization experiment and the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) captured well the characteristics of the flow structure of the two vortex systems. These results showed that the longitudinal with the rotating axis along mean flow direction had cone-shaped configuration whereas the transverse with the rotating axis vertical to mean flow direction had elliptic one. Increasing the tip angles of the wings from 40 to 140 degrees, there first exists the longitudinal vortex system less than 110 degrees, with the transition region ranging from 110 to 120 degrees, and finally over 120 degrees the transverse appears. The characteristics of aerodynamic sound radiated from the two vortex systems were investigated in low Mach numbers, high Reynolds number turbulent flows in the lownoise wind tunnel. As a result, it was found that the aerodynamic sound radiated from both the longitudinal and the transverse vortex system was proportional to the fifth from sixth power of mean flow velocity, and that the longitudinal vortex generated the aerodynamic sound larger than the transverse.展开更多
Propionic acidemia is an autosomal recessive disorder that is due to deficiency in the enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase. Cardiomyopathy is a well-known phenomenon in propionic acidemia that it may rapidly progress to ...Propionic acidemia is an autosomal recessive disorder that is due to deficiency in the enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase. Cardiomyopathy is a well-known phenomenon in propionic acidemia that it may rapidly progress to death. Here we describe a case of propionic acidemia in a 27-year-old man who developed adult-onset secondary dilated cardiomyopathy. In early infancy he was diagnosed with propionic acidemia and was later noted to have mild mental retardation, mild renal failure, and optic nerve atrophy. Although he was in good energy status with a low-protein diet and carnitine supplementation, he was admitted to our university hospital with decompensate heart failure, which resulted in low-output cardiac syndrome with massive mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dyssynchrony. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and continuous hemodiafiltration followed by hemodialysis (HD) dramatically improved his clinical status.展开更多
While driving a car at high speed cruising, the mirror surface of side-view mirrors happens to vibrate. The vibration often leads to image blurs of objects reflected in the mirror. Once the phenomena happen, drivers c...While driving a car at high speed cruising, the mirror surface of side-view mirrors happens to vibrate. The vibration often leads to image blurs of objects reflected in the mirror. Once the phenomena happen, drivers cannot clearly identify the approaching vehicles from the rear. The paper aims to clarify the vibration modes of side-view mirror experimentally and to capture forces on the mirror surface induced by separating vortices around the mirror numerically. Experimental study clarified two findings. One is that the mirror has the primary natural frequencies of 25, 30 and 33 Hz. The other is that vibrations of the mirror increase in proportion to flow velocity and their frequencies have peak values at 120 and 140 km/h. The frequencies of the mirror vibration coincide completely with the primary natural frequencies. In order to capture the external forces vibrating the mirror surface, numerical study was performed by unsteady air-flow analyses. Relationships between flow velocity fluctuations close to the mirror surface and pressure fluctuations on the mirror surface were investigated. It was found that the two power spectra have peak values at the same frequency of 24.4 Hz at 120 km/h. This shows that flow velocity fluctuations with the frequency of 24.4 Hz affect directly pressure fluctuations on the mirror surface. Numerical analyses clarify that the frequencies of shedding vortices are 24.4 Hz at 120 km/h and 28.3 Hz at 140 km/h. The frequencies of mirror vibration are very close to those of flow fluctuations. This shows that the frequencies of the mirror vibration have much to do with the frequencies of the forces induced aerodynamically by vortex shedding. Therefore it follows that image blurs at high speed cruising are caused by resonance phenomena that the mirror surface resonates with the frequencies of shedding vortices around the mirror.展开更多
基金Supported by (in part) Grants from the Ministry of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan
文摘AIM:To evaluate the clinical significance of oxidative stress markers in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Sixty-four consecutive patients who were admitted to Kagoshima University Medical and Dental Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study.All patients had chronic liver disease(CLD) due to infection with HCV.Thirty patients with HCV-related HCC,34 with HCV-related CLD without HCC(non-HCC),and 20 healthy volunteers(HVs) were enrolled.Possible associations between serum manganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD) and thioredoxin(TRX) levels and clinical parameters or patient prognosis were analyzed over a mean follow-up period of 31.7 mo.RESULTS:The serum MnSOD levels were significantly higher in patients with HCV-related HCC than in patients without HCC(P = 0.03) or HVs(P < 0.001).Similarly,serum TRX levels were also significantly higher in patients with HCV-related HCC than in patients without HCC(P = 0.04) or HVs(P < 0.01).However,serum levels of MnSOD and TRX were not correlated in patients with HCC.Among patients with HCC,the overall survival rate(OSR) was lower in patients with MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL than in patients with levels < 110 ng/mL(P = 0.01),and the OSR tended to be lower in patients with TRX levels < 80 ng/mL(P = 0.05).In addition,patient prognosis with HCC was poorest with serum MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL and serum TRX levels < 80 ng/mL.Furthermore,a multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model and serum levels of five factors(MnSOD,prothrombin time,serum albumin,serum α-fetoprotein(AFP),and serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin) revealed that MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL(risk ratio:4.12,95% confidential interval:1.22-13.88,P = 0.02) and AFP levels ≥ 40 ng/mL(risk ratio:6.75;95% confidential interval:1.70-26.85,P < 0.01) were independent risk factors associated with a poor patient prognosis.CONCLUSION:Serum MnSOD and TRX levels are potential clinical biomarkers that predict patient prognosis in HCV-related HCC.
基金Supported by A joint grant from Mahidol University Faculty of Science and Ramathibodi Hospital Faculty of Medicine (Jensen LT and Wattanasirichaigoon D)Mahidol University (Wattanasirichaigoon D: 49/2556)+2 种基金the Pharmacogenomics Project,the collaborative project from the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Science and Mahidol University to Sukasem Cthe Medical Scholars Program of Mahidol University (Wongkittichote P)a recipient (Wattanasirichaigoon D) of Research Career Development Award,Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital
文摘AIM: To determine the prevalence of SLC25A13 mutations in the Thai population.METHODS: A total of 1537 subjects representing the Thai population were screened for a novel pathologic allele p.Met1? (c.2T > C) and six previously known common SLC25A13 mutations: [I] (c.851_854delGTAT), [II] (g.IVS11 + 1G > A), [III] (c.1638_1660dup), [IV] (p.S225X), [V] (IVS13 + 1G > A), and [XIX] (g.IVS16ins3kb) using a newly developed TaqMan and established HybProbe assay, respectively. Sanger sequencing was employed for specimens showing an aberrant peak to confirm the targeted mutation as well as the unknown aberrant peaks detected. Frequencies of the mutations identified were compared in each region. Carrier frequency and disease prevalence of citrin deficiency caused by SCL25A13 mutations were estimated.RESULTS: p.Met1? was identified in the heterozygous state in 85 individuals, giving a carrier frequency of 1/18, which suggests possible selective advantage of this variant. The question of p.Met1? homozygote lethality remains unanswered which may serve as an explanation as to why this homozygote has yet to be identified in patients/controls even with high allele frequency. The p.Met1? mutation has rarely been studied in populations other than Thai and Chinese; therefore, may have been overlooked. Development of the TaqMan assay in the present study would allow a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for mass screening. Heterozygous mutations: [XIX] and [I] were identified in 17 individuals, giving a carrier rate of 1/90 and a calculated homozygote rate of 1/33000. Two novel variants, g.IVS11 + 17C > G and c.1311C > T, of unknown clinical significance were identified at low frequency.CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the current underestimation of citrin deficiency and suggests the possible selective advantage of the p.Met1? allele.
文摘The γ'precipitate in Inconel 718 Ni-base superalloy has been investigated using TEM. Based on a calculation of diffraction pattern. the orientation relations between precipitates and matrix are given in detail. The influence of solution temperature on growth of γ' precipitates was investigated. and a γ' precipitate free area near δ phase was found. The coarsening behaviour of γ' precipitates during short time aging is discussed
文摘Trypanosomiasis afflicts about 6~7 million people globally and to a large extent impedes livestock production in Africa.Naturally,trypanosomal parasites undergo genetic mutation and have developed resistance over a wide range of therapies.The utilization of animals and plants products has presented therapeutic potential for identifying novel anti-trypanosomal drugs.This study evaluated toad venom for anti-trypanosomal potency in-vivo in Swiss mice.Toads were collected from July to August 2019.The acute oral toxicity and biochemical characterization of the toad venom were determined.The experimental mice were administered various doses(130 mg/kg,173 mg/kg and 217 mg/kg)of the toad venom crude extract and 0.75 mg/mL of Diamizan Plus standard drug for the treatment of trypanosomiasis,once daily for 3 days.The in-vivo anti-trypanosomal activity was evaluated by a curative test,after infecting the mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.The pre-patent period was 72 hours before treatment commenced.The overall results showed that trypanosomal load was highest in the control group while the group treated with Diamizan drug had the least trypanosomal load.As such,the mean trypanosomal load in relation to treatments showed a very high significant difference(P<0.05).Also,the mean trypanosomal load in Swiss mice in relation to the highest dosage of toad venom versus Diamizan drug showed a very high significant difference(P<0.05).The mean change in relation to the haematological parameters across treatments groups varied significantly(P<0.05)with the exception of Hb which showed no significant difference(P>0.05)across treatment groups.The over 50%reduction in the trypanosomal load in the 130 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group brings to bare the anti-trypanosomal potency of the toad venom.The anti-trypanosomal activity demonstrated by the toad venom has provided basis for development of new therapeutic agents from different toad species.The study recommends further studies(both in-vivo and in-vitro)followed by the c
文摘In order to apply speech recognition systems to actual circumstances such as inspection and maintenance operations in industrial factories to recording and reporting routines at construction sites, etc. where hand-writing is difficult, some countermeasure methods for surrounding noise are indispensable. In this study, a signal detection method to remove the noise for actual speech signals is proposed by using Bayesian estimation with the aid of bone-conducted speech. More specifically, by introducing Bayes’ theorem based on the observation of air-conducted speech contaminated by surrounding background noise, a new type of algorithm for noise removal is theoretically derived. In the proposed speech detection method, bone-conducted speech is utilized in order to obtain precise estimation for speech signals. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally confirmed by applying it to air- and bone-conducted speeches measured in real environment under the existence of surrounding background noise.
文摘Vector surveillance is very key in solving mosquito-borne health problems in Nigeria.To this end,the composition and distribution of mosquito vectors in a peri-urban community surrounding an institution of learning in Lafia metropolis,Nasarawa State,Central Nigeria was carried out between December 2016 and June 2017.The Prokopack Aspirator was used to collect indoor resting mosquitoes between 6:00 a.m.and 9:00 a.m.from 30 randomly selected houses.Mosquitoes collected were knocked down and transferred into a well labelled petri-dish and taken to the laboratory for processing.A total of 664 mosquitoes were collected which spread across Culex quinquefasciatus 572(86.14%),Anopheles gambiae 88(13.25%)and Aedes aegypti 4(0.60%).The abundance of mosquitoes in relation to seasons,species,sex,abdominal conditions as well as transmission indices across seasons significantly varied(P<0.05).But,the distribution of mosquito in relation to house types showed no significant difference(P>0.05).The inhabitants of the area should ensure that all drainages flow through so as to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.Also,members of the community should always protect themselves by sleeping under insecticide treated bed nets.
文摘The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of various adaptation measures in reducing the magnitude and uncertainty of future flood risks in Jakarta, a megacity in Indonesia. A flood inundation model and a flood damage costs model were developed to evaluate their effectiveness. Land use changes, land subsidence, and climate change were used to describe the future scenarios. The adaptation measures include both structural and nonstructural measures. The results show that recharge and retention ponds have the potential to reduce the magnitude and uncertainty of flood risks by 33.2% and 36.4%, respectively, which are higher than the potentials of the other structural adaptation measures. Among the nonstructural adaptation measures, managing land use zones could alleviate the magnitude of flood risks by 29.0%, with an uncertainty reduction of 19.9%. These findings will assist decision makers in selecting flood adaptation measures to address future environmental changes.
文摘Radiation-shielding properties of metakaolin doped concrete samples were investigated in this report.The gamma photon mass attenuation coefficients and exposure buildup factor of the samples were determined theoretically using WinXcom and EXABCal software respectively for the energy range of 15 keV-15 MeV and fast neutron removal cross section for the concrete sample was evaluated.Results indicated that,oxides of silicon,aluminum,calcium and iron determined through the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis constitute more than 85%of the chemical composition of the concrete samples.The oxides contribute 85.46,86.47,87.55,88.75,and 86.15%of the total chemical oxides in MK00,MK05,MK10,MK15,and MK20 respectively.Densities of the prepared MK doped concrete were in the range of 2.575-2.667 g/cm3.Compressive stress of prepared MK doped concretes increased consistently with the curing period for each concrete sample.CS grew from 8.71-10.63,8.84-10.83,9.44-11.22,10.89-11.53,and 10.76-11.43 MPa for MK00,MK05,MK10,MK15,and MK20 respectively as the period extends from 7 to 28 days.Mass attenuation coefficient decrease steadily with an increase in energy up to about 0.1 MeV and the decrease become smaller beyond this energy with increasing energy for all the mixtures.Fast neutron removal cross section results indicate that MK10(0.07693 cm-1)has the highest value ofΣR followed by MK15(0.07628 cm-1)and MK20(0.07537 cm-1)while MK00(0.07380 cm-1)and MK05(0.07404 cm-1)have approximately the same value.It was found that MK10 concrete has the best gamma radiation and fast neutron shielding ability among the MK doped concrete under study.
文摘Speech recognition systems have been applied to inspection and maintenance operations in industrial factories to recording and reporting routines at construction sites, etc. where hand-writing is difficult. In these actual circumstances, some countermeasure methods for surrounding noise are indispensable. In this study, a new method to remove the noise for actual speech signal was proposed by using Bayesian estimation with the aid of bone-conducted speech and fuzzy theory. More specifically, by introducing Bayes’ theorem based on the observation of air-conducted speech contaminated by surrounding background noise, a new type of algorithm for noise removal was theoretically derived. In the proposed noise suppression method, bone-conducted speech signal with the reduced high-frequency components was regarded as fuzzy observation data, and a stochastic model for the bone-conducted speech was derived by applying the probability measure of fuzzy events. The proposed method was applied to speech signals measured in real environment with low SNR, and better results were obtained than an algorithm based on observation of only air-conducted speech.
文摘Aim:Blood lipid profiles changed following nonfocused ultrasound treatments for body contouring.The present study elucidates clinical effects of these devices on adipose tissue.Methods:Ultrasound treatments for 5 males and 5 females in a supine position,ages 37-67 years,were applied at 20 KHz and 3.0 W/cm2 in modulated emission.Whole abdomen was treated by an ultrasound handpiece for 30 min followed by a 6-min lymphatic drainage.Waist circumferences at the level of the umbilicus and body weight were measured before and immediately after treatment.Blood lipid profiles including total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,high-density lipoprotein,triglyceride(TG),nonesterified fatty acid(NEFA)and lipoprotein-a were measured at baseline,every 10 min during treatment,and 15,30,45,60,75,and 90 min after treatment completion.Results:NEFA showed statistically higher values after 10 min following treatment initiation.Subsequent values remained high despite some fluctuation,reaching a maximum at 90 min.In contrast,TG gradually decreased in concentration until the last measurement,especially for the first 30 min,with statistically significant reduction.Changes in other lipid profiles and lipoprotein-a were not significant.Conclusion:Changes in NEFA concentration were significant following ultrasound treatment,and suggest that metabolism of TGs stored within the adipocytes occurred immediately after treatment initiation.
文摘The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect localized heating of the feet has on physiological and psychological reactions of female in an air-conditioned environment in summer. In Japan, female office workers wear less clothing than their male counterparts. In an air-conditioned office space in summer, female conducts thermoregulation by putting on cardigans, etc. but this action does not greatly contribute to improving conditions for the legs and feet, the lower extremities of the body. The improvement of sensational and physiological temperature by localized warming of the body can contribute to a healthy working environment for female office workers, their safety, and a reduction in air conditioning’s energy expenditure. We used the indoor thermal environment evaluation index ETF to investigate the effect localized heating of the feet has on human physiological and psychological response in an air-conditioned environment in summer. The result of heating by means of heat conduction via the sole of the foot was expressed more strongly as a psychological effect than as a whole-body physiological effect. Heating by means of heat conduction via the sole of the foot was a thermal environment factor that compensates for a low temperature in whole-body thermal sensation and whole-body thermal comfort. The effect of heating due to heat conduction via the sole of the foot was expressed in the change in sole-of- the-foot skin temperature. Applying slight heat conduction by means of heating via the sole of the foot demonstrated the result of improved whole-body thermal sensation and whole-body thermal comfort.
文摘Flow around the front pillar of an automobile is typical of a flow field with separated and reattached flow by a vortex system. It is known that the vortex system causes the greatest aerodynamic sound around a vehicle. The objective of the present study is to clarify the relationship between vortical structures and aerodynamic sound by the vortex system generated around the front pillar. The vortex system consists of the longitudinal and the transverse system. The characteristics of the longitudinal vortex system were investigated in comparison with the transverse one. Two vortex systems were reproduced by three-dimensional delta wings. The flow visualization experiment and the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) captured well the characteristics of the flow structure of the two vortex systems. These results showed that the longitudinal with the rotating axis along mean flow direction had cone-shaped configuration whereas the transverse with the rotating axis vertical to mean flow direction had elliptic one. Increasing the tip angles of the wings from 40 to 140 degrees, there first exists the longitudinal vortex system less than 110 degrees, with the transition region ranging from 110 to 120 degrees, and finally over 120 degrees the transverse appears. The characteristics of aerodynamic sound radiated from the two vortex systems were investigated in low Mach numbers, high Reynolds number turbulent flows in the lownoise wind tunnel. As a result, it was found that the aerodynamic sound radiated from both the longitudinal and the transverse vortex system was proportional to the fifth from sixth power of mean flow velocity, and that the longitudinal vortex generated the aerodynamic sound larger than the transverse.
文摘Propionic acidemia is an autosomal recessive disorder that is due to deficiency in the enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase. Cardiomyopathy is a well-known phenomenon in propionic acidemia that it may rapidly progress to death. Here we describe a case of propionic acidemia in a 27-year-old man who developed adult-onset secondary dilated cardiomyopathy. In early infancy he was diagnosed with propionic acidemia and was later noted to have mild mental retardation, mild renal failure, and optic nerve atrophy. Although he was in good energy status with a low-protein diet and carnitine supplementation, he was admitted to our university hospital with decompensate heart failure, which resulted in low-output cardiac syndrome with massive mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dyssynchrony. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and continuous hemodiafiltration followed by hemodialysis (HD) dramatically improved his clinical status.
文摘While driving a car at high speed cruising, the mirror surface of side-view mirrors happens to vibrate. The vibration often leads to image blurs of objects reflected in the mirror. Once the phenomena happen, drivers cannot clearly identify the approaching vehicles from the rear. The paper aims to clarify the vibration modes of side-view mirror experimentally and to capture forces on the mirror surface induced by separating vortices around the mirror numerically. Experimental study clarified two findings. One is that the mirror has the primary natural frequencies of 25, 30 and 33 Hz. The other is that vibrations of the mirror increase in proportion to flow velocity and their frequencies have peak values at 120 and 140 km/h. The frequencies of the mirror vibration coincide completely with the primary natural frequencies. In order to capture the external forces vibrating the mirror surface, numerical study was performed by unsteady air-flow analyses. Relationships between flow velocity fluctuations close to the mirror surface and pressure fluctuations on the mirror surface were investigated. It was found that the two power spectra have peak values at the same frequency of 24.4 Hz at 120 km/h. This shows that flow velocity fluctuations with the frequency of 24.4 Hz affect directly pressure fluctuations on the mirror surface. Numerical analyses clarify that the frequencies of shedding vortices are 24.4 Hz at 120 km/h and 28.3 Hz at 140 km/h. The frequencies of mirror vibration are very close to those of flow fluctuations. This shows that the frequencies of the mirror vibration have much to do with the frequencies of the forces induced aerodynamically by vortex shedding. Therefore it follows that image blurs at high speed cruising are caused by resonance phenomena that the mirror surface resonates with the frequencies of shedding vortices around the mirror.
