Hypomagnesemia as a predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients and the role of proton pump inhibitors: A cross‐sectional, 1‐year,retrospective cohort study

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and serum magnesium levels, and the role of hypomagnesemia and PPI use as a risk factor for mortality in hemodialysis patients. Methods An observational study, including a cross‐sectional and 1‐year retrospective cohort study. The study comprised 399 hemodialysis patients at a single center, and was conducted from January to September 2014. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the independent relationship between serum magnesium levels and baseline demographic and clinical variables, including PPI and histamine‐2 receptor antagonist use. Cox regression model was used to identify lower serum magnesium level and PPI as a predictor of 1‐year mortality. Findings Serum magnesium levels were lower with PPI use than non‐PPI use (2.39 ± 0.36 vs. 2.56 ± 0.39 mg/dL, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PPI use, low serum albumin levels, and low serum potassium and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels were significantly associated with low serum magnesium levels. A total of 29 deaths occurred during the follow‐up period. According to Cox regression analysis stratified by hs‐CRP, only high serum hs‐CRP levels (>4.04 mg/L) in association with low serum magnesium levels was an independent risk factor for 1‐year mortality (hazard ratio: 2.92; 95% CI: 1.53–6.40, P < 0.001). Discussion Serum magnesium levels are lower in PPI use. In the inflammatory state, a low serum magnesium level is a significant predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients.     

Lit-Sphere extension for artistic rendering

The Lit-Sphere model proposed by Sloan et al. (Proceedings of Graphics Interface 2001, pp. 143–150, 2001) is a method for emulating expressive artistic shading styles for 3D scenes. Assuming that artistic shading styles are described by view space normals, this model produces a variety of stylized shading scenes beyond traditional 3D lighting control. However, it is limited to the static lighting case: the shading effect is only dependent on the camera view. In addition, it cannot support small-scale brush stroke styles. In this paper, we propose a scheme to extend the Lit-Sphere model based on light space normals rather than view space normals. Owing to the light space representation, our shading model addresses the issues of the original Lit-Sphere approach, and allows artists to use a light source to obtain dynamic diffuse and specular shading. Then the shading appearance can be refined using stylization effects including highlight shape control, sub-lighting effects, and brush stroke styles. Our algorithms are easy to implement on GPU, so that our system allows interactive shading design.     

INTERACTIVE FUZZY PROGRAMMING BASED ON FRACTILE CRITERION OPTIMIZATION MODEL FOR TWO-LEVEL STOCHASTIC LINEAR PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS

In this article, we focus on two-level linear programming problems involving random variable coefficients in objective functions and constraints. Following the concept of chance constrained programming, the two-level stochastic linear programming problems are transformed into deterministic ones based on the fractile criterion optimization model. After introducing fuzzy goals for objective functions, interactive fuzzy programming to derive a satisfactory solution for decision makers is presented as a fusion of a stochastic approach and a fuzzy one. An illustrative numerical example is provided to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.     

Random fuzzy multi-objective linear programming: Optimization of possibilistic value at risk (pVaR)

This paper considers multiobjective linear programming problems (MOLPP) where random fuzzy variables are contained in objective functions and constraints. A new decision making model optimizing possibilistic value at risk (pVaR) is proposed by incorporating the concept of value at risk (VaR) into possibility theory. It is shown that the original MOLPPs involving random fuzzy variables are transformed into deterministic problems. An interactive algorithm is presented to derive a satisficing solution for a decision maker (DM) from among a set of Pareto optimal solutions. Each Pareto optimal solution that is a candidate of the satisficing solution is exactly obtained by using convex programming techniques. A simple numerical example is provided to show the applicability of the proposed methodology to real-world problems with multiple objectives in uncertain environments.     

Residual mode filters and H ∞ control for a class of infinite-dimensional discrete-time systems

An H _∞, control problem with measurement feedback.for infinite-dimensional discrete-time (IDDT) systems whose homogeneous parts are described by Riesz-spectra operators is considered. The aim is to construct a finite-dimensional stabilizing controller for the IDDT system that makes the H _∞ norm of the closed-loop transfer function less than a given positive number δ. For that purpose, we first formulate the IDDT system as an IDDT system in l² and derive a finite-dimensional reduced-order system for the IDDT system in l². A stabilizing controller that makes the H _∞ norm of the closed-loop transfer function less than another positive number is then constructed for the reduced-order model. The finite-dimensional controller together with a residual mode Jilter plays a role of a finite-dimensional stabilizing controller that makes the H _∞ norm of the closed-loop transfer function less than δ for the original IDDT system, if the order of the residual mode filter is chosen suficiently large.     

State difference feedback for stabilizing uncertain steady states of non-linear systems

Supposing a non-linear system is subjected to parametric uncertainties, the present paper aims at stabilizing its unstable steady states. A distinctive feature of the problem is that exact information about the steady state is unavailable. To cope with the difficulty, we have examined the applicability of the state difference feedback which uses the difference between the present state x(t) and the past state x(t-T). A rigorous stability analysis has been executed for the case where state deviations are controllable by a single input variable. The stability analysis has led to a favourable conclusion that if the number of unstable modes is just two, and if they are not associated with the origin in the complex plane, we are always able to find a controller which stabilizes the deviations from the unknown steady state. Design process is illustrated by using two kinds of pendulum systems.     

Development of a Compact-Sized Falling Needle Rheometer for Measurement of Flow Properties of Fresh Human Blood

A compact-sized falling needle rheometer with rapid operation and automatic flow analysis has been developed for viscometry of fresh human blood without anticoagulant. The volume of a fresh blood sample only needs to be 3 mL, and the measuring time is within 2 min after taking a blood sample from the human body. Measured flow properties of human blood are evaluated as a flow curve, that is, the relationship between the shear stress (τ) and shear rate (γ). Observed flow curves of fresh human blood show three typical fluid regions, that is, the Casson fluid region for a low shear rate range of 0 < γ > 140 s^?1, the transition region for a shear rate near 140 s^?1 < γ < 160 s^?1, and the Newtonian fluid region for a high shear rate range of 160 s^?1 < γ > 400 s^?1. Flow properties of human blood such as the yield stress (τ _y) in the Casson fluid region and the apparent viscosity (μ) in the Newtonian fluid region are measured, and they are compared between male and female blood. It is found that the range of human blood viscosity for males is (5.5 to 6.4) mPa · s, and for females is (4.5 to 5.3) mPa · s. The viscosities of male blood without anticoagulant show higher values than those of female blood. Human blood viscosities with anticoagulant show a lower value than that without anticoagulant. A linear relationship between the hematocrit value, that is, the volume percentage of red corpuscles in the human blood, and the apparent viscosity are observed for both male and female blood. This article is concerned with the flow analysis of fresh human blood viscosity without anticoagulant using a newly developed compact-sized falling needle rheometer.     

Future prospect of remote Cat-CVD on the basis of the production, transportation and detection of H atoms

The future prospect of remote Cat-CVD, in which the decomposition and the deposition chambers are separated, is discussed on the basis of the absolute density measurements of H atoms. It is now well recognized that uniform deposition is possible on a large area without plasma damages by Cat-CVD. However, we may not overlook the demerits in Cat-CVD. One of the demerits is the poisoning of the catalyzer surfaces by the material gases, both temporary and permanent. One technique to overcome this problem is remote Cat-CVD. The question is how to separate the decomposition and deposition areas. If the separation is not enough, there should be back diffusion of the material gases, which will poison the catalyzers. If the separation is too tight, radicals may not effuse out from the decomposition chamber. These problems are discussed and it is shown that SiO₂ coating to reduce the radical recombination rates on walls is promising. The possibility of the polytetrafluoroethene coating by Cat-CVD is also discussed.     

Recent situation of industrial implementation of Cat-CVD technology in Japan

Efforts of industrial application of Cat-CVD technology are surveyed. Recent movement of industrial implementation is also reviewed by showing examples in Japanese industry. Cat-CVD technology is originally developed as a new tool for fabricating semiconductor devices, however, recently, use of the technology is attempted in various fields such as chemical, mechanical and bio-technical engineering. It is shown that Cat-CVD has high feasibility as a fundamental technology of modern industries.     

Ultrashort X-ray pulse generation using subpicosecond electron linac

As a promising tool for ultrafast material analyses, we propose to utilize the X-ray pulse which may be generated in a quite simple manner using subpicosecond electron linacs. The properties of the X-ray were numerically studied with the EGS4 code. Verification of the X-ray generation was also conducted at the Nuclear Engineering Research Laboratory (NERL) linac and clear diffraction patterns of characteristic X-ray were obtained for typical single crystals.