Since the conventional coherent transceiver is costly to be deployed in short-reach networks due to its complicated receiver structure, it is desired to simplify the structure itself. In this paper, ...we propose a simple polarization-diversity coherent receiver structure by exploiting the concept of the Stokes analyzer. Compared to the conventional architecture, the number of the photodiodes (PDs) is reduced from eight to six without relying on complicated analog circuits. In addition, splitters and combiners for dual-polarization (DP) signals can be replaced with only one polarization beam splitter or combiner (PBS/C). For evaluation of the proof-of-concept (PoC), we developed a prototype of the receiver using free-space optical components. We demonstrate the transmission of 120-Gb/s DP quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and DP 8-ary quadrature-amplitude modulation (8QAM) signals over a 100-km single-mode fiber (SMF). We believe that the demonstrated architecture could potentially be integrated monolithically on silicon-photonic or InP platforms to realize compact and low-cost coherent transceivers for short-reach applications.
This study examined the effect of ligation on the load–deflection characteristics of nickel–titanium (NiTi) orthodontic wire. A modified three-point bending system was used for bending the NiTi round ...wire, which was inserted and ligated in the slots of three brackets, one of which was bonded to each of the three bender rods. Three different ligation methods, stainless steel ligature (SSL), slot lid (SL), and elastomeric ligature (EL), were employed, as well as a control with neither bracket nor ligation (NBL). The tests were repeated five times under each condition. Comparisons were made of load–deflection curve, load at maximum deflection of 2000 μm, and load at a deflection of 1500 μm during unloading. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett's test were conducted to determine method difference (α = 0.05). The interaction between deflection and ligation was tested, using repeated-measures ANOVA (α = 0.05). The load values of the ligation groups were two to three times greater than the NBL group at a deflection of 1500 μm during unloading: 4.37 N for EL, 3.90 N for SSL, 3.02 N for SL, and 1.49 N for NBL (P < 0.01). For the EL, a plateau region disappeared in the unloading curve. SL showed the smallest load. The ligation of the bracket wire may make NiTi wire exhibit a significantly heavier load than that traditionally expected. NiTi wire exhibited the majority of its true superelasticity with SL, whereas EL may act as a restraint on its superelasticity.
BACKGROUND
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is highly expressed in the kidney and converts angiotensin (Ang) II to Ang-(1–7), a renoprotective peptide. Urinary ACE2 has been shown to be ...elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, the effects of antihypertensive agents on urinary ACE2 remain unclear.
METHODS
Of participants in the Tanno-Sobetsu cohort study in 2011 (n = 617), subjects on no medication (n = 101) and hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensive agents, including the calcium channel blockers amlodipine and long-acting nifedipine; the ACE inhibitor enalapril; and the Ang II receptor blockers losartan, candesartan, valsartan, telmisartan, and olmesartan, for more than 1 year (n = 100) were enrolled, and urinary ACE2 level was measured.
RESULTS
Glucose and hemoglobin A1c were significantly higher in patients treated with enalapril, telmisartan or olmesartan than in the control subjects. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was significantly higher in patients treated with enalapril than in the control subjects. Urinary ACE2 level was higher in the olmesartan-treated group, but not the other treatment groups, than in the control group. Urinary ACE2 level was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.211; P = 0.003), UACR (r = 0.367; P < 0.001), and estimated salt intake (r = 0.260; P < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis after adjustment of age, sex, and the correlated indices showed that the use of olmesartan was an independent predictor of urinary ACE2 level.
CONCLUSIONS
In contrast with other antihypertensive drugs, olmesartan may uniquely increase urinary ACE2 level, which could potentially offer additional renoprotective effects.
To determine if a prediction of epidemic cholera using climate data can be made, we performed autoregression analysis using the data recorded in Dhaka City, Bangladesh over a 20-year period ...(1983–2002) comparing the number of children aged <10 years who were infected with Vibrio cholerae O1 to the maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall. We formulated a simple autoregression model that predicts the monthly number of patients using earlier climate variables. The monthly number of patients predicted by this model agreed well with the actual monthly number of patients where the Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0·95. Arbitrarily defined, 39·4% of the predicted numbers during the study period were within 0·8–1·2 times the observed numbers. This prediction model uses the climate data recorded 2–4 months before. Therefore, our approach may be a good basis for establishing a practical early warning system for epidemic cholera.
We observed floral and leaf bud primordia in the buds of Japanese persimmon ‘Hiratane-nashi’ (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) grafted on several types of rootstocks by using a digital microscope. Seedling ...stocks and own-rooted trees increased number of leaf bud primordia in the buds, and the buds on these trees continued to grow till the beginning of September. In contrast, after the middle of June, the buds of MKR1 trees almost stopped growing, and floral primordia in the buds increased until late July. The developmental stages of floral and leaf bud primordia stopped after July 15 and August 4, respectively. There were no correlations between longitudinal diameter and number of floral primordia in seedling stocks and own-rooted trees. However, a positive correlation in MKR1 trees and a negative correlation in “Rootstock a” trees were found. These phenomena were considered that the decrease in activity of apical meristems in the axillary buds on MKR1 trees induced the occurrence of flower initiation whereas the increase on the other trees led undifferentiated primordia to leaf bud. Hence, larger buds of seedling stocks, own-rooted trees and “Rootstock a” trees did not always contain more floral primordia.
We have intensively investigated the field performance of ‘Hiratane-nashi’ and ‘Fuyu’ trees grafted on MKR1 for 10 years. The growth of shoots on MKR1 was inhibited and the shoots hardly showed ...secondary growth. As a result, the trees were dwarfed. Moreover, early fruit drop of the trees on MKR1 drastically decreased. Trees on D. kaki seedlings and “rootstock a” and own-rooted trees dropped a lot of their young fruit from the middle of May to the beginning of June, but fruit of trees on MKR1 scarcely dropped. The severity of early fruit drop varies with years, but the inhibitory effect of MKR1 on early fruit drop was stable. The fact that the amount of wood of MKR1 trees removed by winter pruning was the smallest in those of all trees seemed to contribute to the inhibitory effect. Fruit yield and yield efficiency of MKR1 trees were the highest, and their fruit-quality, including numbers of seeds, was similar to those of the other trees. Investigation of the field performance of ‘Soshu’, which easily produces secondary shoots and drops young fruit, and ‘Taishuu’ young tree revealed that MKR1 prevented the trees from producing secondary shoots and dropping young fruit, although the effects were smaller than those on the adult trees.
Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome (also known as Wilkie's syndrome, cast syndrome, or aorto-mesenteric compass syndrome) is an obstruction of the duodenum caused by extrinsic compression ...between the SMA and the aorta. The median age of patients is 23 years old (range 0-91 years old) and predominant in females over males with a ratio of 3:2. The symptoms are variable, consisting of postprandial abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, early satiety, anorexia, and weight loss and can mimic anorexia nervosa or functional dyspepsia. Because recurrent vomiting leads to aspiration pneumonia or respiratory depression via metabolic alkalosis, early diagnosis is required. The useful diagnostic modalities are computed tomography as a standard tool and ultrasonography, which has advantages in safety and capability of real-time assessments of SMA mobility and duodenum passage. The initial treatment is usually conservative, including postural change, gastroduodenal decompression, and nutrient management (success rates: 70%-80%). If conservative therapy fails, surgical treatment (
., laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy) is recommended (success rates: 80%-100%).
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