The geodesic dynamic relaxation method for problems of equilibrium with equality constraint conditions

This paper presents an extension to the existing dynamic relaxation method to include equality constraint conditions in the process. The existing dynamic relaxation method is presented as a general, gradient‐based, minimization technique. This representation allows for the introduction of the projected gradient, discrete parallel transportation and pull back operators that enable the formulation of the geodesic dynamic relaxation method, a method that accounts for equality constraint conditions. The characteristics of both the existing and geodesic dynamic relaxation methods are discussed in terms of the system's conservation of energy, damping (viscous, kinetic, and drift), and geometry generation. Particular attention is drawn to the introduction of a novel damping approach named drift damping. This technique is essentially a combination of viscous and kinetic damping. It allows for a smooth and fast convergence rate in both the existing and geodesic dynamic relaxation processes. The case study was performed on the form‐finding of an iconic, ridge‐and‐valley, pre‐stressed membrane system, which is supported by masts. The study shows the potential of the proposed method to account for specified (total) length requirements. The geodesic dynamic relaxation technique is widely applicable to the form‐finding of force‐modeled systems (including mechanically and pressurized pre‐stressed membranes) where equality constraint control is desired. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical properties of alumina ceramics as a substrate of thin film solar cells

For full understanding of the optical properties of alumina ceramics which are used as a substrate of thin film c-Si solar cells, we carried out computer simulations of diffuse reflectance and measurements of angle-resolved reflectance. As the result of the computer simulations, we obtained a theoretical expression for the reflectance properties of alumina ceramics with flat surface. The expression can be applied for the measured reflectance of alumina ceramics with rough surface when an effect of surface condition was taken into account.     

A randomized controlled study of total parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition by elemental and polymeric diet as primary therapy in active phase of Crohn's disease

We performed randomized controlled study to compare the short-term therapeutic effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), elemental diet (ED) and polymeric diet (PD) given as primary therapy in active phase of Crohn's disease. In hospital for Crohn's disease, twenty-eight patients were given nutritional therapy: 9 patients by TPN, 10 by ED, and 9 by PD. Nutritional state, inflammatory reactions, disease activity and clinical remission rate were assessed two weeks and four weeks after treatment, and morphological findings were assessed before and after each nutritional therapy by radiographic and colonoscopic findings. Inflammatory reactions were more effectively controlled by TPN and ED than by PD, and early improvement achieved by TPN and ED was especially note-worthy. Clinical remission rate after treatment by TPN was highest in three types of nutritional approach, but no significant difference was seen at any point. In nutritional state, disease activity and morphological findings, comparable changes were effected without preference. These results suggest that nutritional therapy by total parenteral nutrition and elemental diet is superior to polymeric diet for treating active phase of Crohn's disease with marked inflammatory reactions.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in the early diagnosis of cavernous sinus thrombosis

The pathophysiology of preeclampsia has not been fully clarified. A variety of factors have been implicated with this disease including vasoactive peptides and hormones during the last 20 years. Inadequate generation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been one of the mechanisms discussed as to possibly contribute to the development of hypertension. In human pregnancy multiple studies of ANP-plasma-concentration in normal or hypertensive pregnancies showed conflicting results. The complexity of the clinical findings of hypertension in pregnancy makes it very difficult to carry out comparative clinical and biochemical studies in humans. In an animal experience genetic as environmental influences could be excluded. Therefore, the present study shows an experimental preeclampsia-like syndrome in the rat by reduction of the utero-placental flow. We observed a significant increase of plasma ANP in pregnant rats with experimentally induced hypertension. Furthermore, our results suggest that the ventricles could be an important source of ANP gene expression.     

Quantification of sphingosine derivatives in human platelets: inducible formation of free sphingosine

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of cystoid macular edema and anterior uveitis associated with the use of latanoprost. DESIGN: A retrospective review of patients treated with latanoprost in the authors' practice between September 1, 1996, and August 1, 1997, was performed. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-four patients and 163 eyes were studied. INTERVENTION: Patients presenting with signs and symptoms of ocular inflammation while receiving latanoprost were noted, and their response to the discontinuation of the drug was recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence and degree of anterior uveitis and cystoid macular edema were measured. RESULTS: Six (6.4%) of 94 patients (8 [4.9%] of 163 eyes) had anterior uveitis develop, and 2 (2.1%) of 94 patients (2 [1.2%] of 163 eyes) had cystoid macular edema develop while being treated with latanoprost. CONCLUSION: Although latanoprost is an effective ocular-hypotensive agent, the authors' experience with the drug has shown a significant incidence of anterior uveitis and cystoid macular edema. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to report the incidence of both cystoid macular edema and anterior uveitis associated with latanoprost therapy. Treating physicians should be aware of these potential complicating side effects of latanoprost.     

Improving the detection of requirements discordances among stakeholders

This paper introduces a technique to identify requirements discordances among stakeholders. This technique is validated in experiments. An extended version of the goal-oriented requirements elicitation method, named attributed goal-oriented analysis (AGORA), and its supporting tool are used. Two types of requirements discordances among stakeholders are defined: the first arises from the different interpretations by the stakeholders and the second is the result of different evaluations of preferences. Discordances are detected by the preference matrices in AGORA. Each preference matrix represents both preferences of each stakeholder and the estimated preferences of other stakeholders. A supporting tool for the AGORA method was developed. This tool is a groupware that seamlessly combines face-to-face meetings for goal elicitation and distributed individual sessions for scoring preference values. The experimental results showed that the proposed classification of discordances was sound and that the occurrences of the requirements discordances could be detected by preference matrices.     

Mutations of CLCN5 in Japanese children with idiopathic low molecular weight proteinuria, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis

We designed the present study to examine the cross-sectional relation between age-related lens opacities and vitamin C supplement use over a 10-12-y period before assessment of lens status in women without diagnosed cataract or diabetes. This design avoids biased measurement of nutrient intake that results when knowledge of lens opacities influences nutrition-related behavior or its reporting. The participants were 247 Boston-area women aged 56-71 y selected from the Nurses' Health Study cohort with oversampling of women with high or low vitamin C intakes. Lens opacities were graded with the Lens Opacification Classification System II. Use of vitamin C supplements for > or = 10 y (n = 26) was associated with a 77% lower prevalence of early lens opacities (odds ratio: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.60) at any lens site and a 83% lower prevalence of moderate lens opacities (odds ratio: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.85) at any lens site compared with women who did not use vitamin C supplements (n = 141) after adjustment for age and other potentially confounding variables. Women who consumed vitamin C supplements for < 10 y showed no evidence of a reduced prevalence of early opacities. These data, together with data from earlier experimental and epidemiologic studies, suggest that long-term consumption of vitamin C supplements may substantially reduce the development of age-related lens opacities.     

Enhancement of human parainfluenza virus-induced cell fusion by pradimicin, a low molecular weight mannose-binding antibiotic

Oligosaccharides, especially mannose residues, expressed on the cell surface, are thought to be important for virus-induced membrane fusion. We examined the effect of mannose-binding compounds, pradimicin derivative BMY-28,864 (PRM) and concanavalin A (Con A), on cell fusion of human parainfluenza type 2 virus (hPIV2)-infected HeLa cells. Syncytium formation of hPIV2-infected HeLa cells was suppressed in the presence of Con A. On the other hand, PRM enhanced cell fusion of hPIV2-infected HeLa cells. These effects were blocked by addition of mannose-rich mannan. However, PRM shows little effect on virus growth and the expression of viral glycoproteins on the cell surface in hPIV2-infected HeLa cells. Fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled pradimicin and Con A bound to both uninfected and hPIV2-infected mononuclear cells, indicating that these compounds have an affinity to several cellular component(s). In contrast to Con A, PRM had little affinity to the viral glycoproteins. It is inferred from these results that the enhancement of hPIV2-induced cell fusion is probably due to the interaction between PRM and cellular component(s).