The estimation of electromagnetic radiation from a digital IC is studied. In this estimation, digital IC output current which is calculated by using a linear equivalent circuit, was used. The calculated values of output current from a digital IC were in relatively good agreement with the measured values. In some cases, however, the calculated values were different from the measured values. This occurs when the nonlinear characteristics of a digital IC are large. By considering the nonlinear characteristics, the output current from a digital IC can be calculated more accurately.
Abstract Background Despite increasing reports of thiamine deficiency (TD) among cancer patients, there remain some patients with borderline thiamine concentrations (BTC). However, it is unclear whether such patients subsequently develop TD. Methods Here, we report cases of cancer patients progressing to TD within a short time period after presentation with BTC (24–28 ng/ml). Results Case 1 A 49-year-old female with lung cancer. During treatment for depression, the patient showed a decreased appetite, and a blood sample revealed BTC (25 ng/ml). Fourteen days later, she reported a continued loss of appetite, and despite the absence of the 3 classical signs of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE), additional testing showed a thiamine level of 23 ng/ml, leading to a diagnosis of TD. Case 2 A 65-year-old female developed depression during chemotherapy for angiosarcoma. Her blood sample revealed BTC (25 ng/ml). Seven days later, despite the absence of the classical signs of WE, a further testing revealed a thiamine level of 20 ng/ml. Case 3 A 41-year-old female developed depression during chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. No loss of appetite was observed, but a blood sample revealed BTC (25 ng/ml). Seven days later, despite the absence of the classical signs of WE or decreased appetite, further testing revealed a thiamine level of 19 ng/ml. Significance of results Depressed cancer patients with BTC may develop TD within a short time frame. To prevent TD, health-care professionals should maintain an awareness of its potential and the need for regular testing of thiamine level or prophylactic replacement therapy.
Proposes an orthodox method of extracting curvature features based on a curve fitting approximation. It enables us to obtain analog values of curvatures of a given curve. This means that a so-called gray zone between two categories can be identified and also that very shallow concavities can be detected. For this purpose, cubic B-splines are obtained using a least squares method with natural conditions at the end-points. The method was tested on synthesized noisy data sets such as 2/spl rarr/Z, 4/spl rarr/9 and 1/spl rarr/3. The results are so good that the method can be used to obtain analog features as intended. Demonstrative experimental results are shown for the data set for 1/spl rarr/3.
Background. The global point prevalence survey (Global-PPS) is the standard for the surveillance of prescribed antimicrobials among inpatients and provides data for the development of hospital antimicrobial stewardship programs. Aim. To evaluate the prevalence and quality of antimicrobial prescriptions using the universally standardized Global-PPS protocol in a non-acute care hospital in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Methods. Antimicrobial prescriptions for inpatients, staying at the hospital overnight, were surveyed on three separate week days in November 2018, January 2019, and May 2019. Information on the prescribed antimicrobials on the survey target day was obtained from the in-hospital pharmacy. Survey data were collected by physicians, based on the extracted information. Patient information was anonymized and entered in the Global-PPS Web application by physicians. We report the antimicrobial use prevalence, the indication for prescription, diagnosis, the most prescribed antimicrobials, and a set of quality indicators related to antimicrobial prescribing. Results. In total, 6.7% of the surveyed inpatients (120/1796) were prescribed antimicrobials on the survey day. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was the most commonly prescribed, with 20.0% of systemic antibiotic prescriptions (ATC J01). Of all antibiotics for systemic use, up to 58.4% were Watch antibiotics, as defined by the World Health Organization AWaRe classification. The most prescribed group of systemic antibiotics was non-penicillin beta-lactam antibiotics (34.4%), followed by penicillin antibiotics in combination with beta-lactamase inhibitors (25.6%), and sulfonamides with trimethoprim (20.8%). Healthcare-associated infections and medical prophylaxis were the most common indications reported in 69.3% and 26.3% of prescriptions, respectively. The most common diagnosis for systemic antibiotic prescriptions was pneumonia (49.6%). Reasons for antimicrobial prescriptions were indicated in the medical records for 67.1% of prescriptions, and the stop/review date was documented to be 50.3%. Compliance with local guidelines reached 66.7%. Conclusions. This study highlights important challenges related to antimicrobial prescription in a highly specific, non-acute care patient population.
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to understand the anatomical and functional connections between the paracentral lobule (PCL) and the primary motor cortex (M1) of the human brain. METHODS This retrospective study included 16 patients who underwent resection of lesions located near M1. Nine patients had lesions in the dominant hemisphere. Tractography was performed to visualize the connectivity between two regions of interest (ROIs)—the convexity and the interhemispheric fissure—that were shown by functional MRI to be activated during a finger tapping task. The number, mean length, and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the fibers between the ROIs were estimated. During surgery, subdural electrodes were placed on the brain surface, including the ROIs, using a navigation system. Cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs) were evoked by applying electrical stimuli to the hand region of M1 using electrodes placed on the convexity and were measured with electrodes placed on the interhemispheric fissure. To verify CCEP bidirectionality, electrical stimuli were applied to electrodes on the interhemispheric fissure that showed CCEP responses. Correlations of CCEP amplitudes and latencies with the number, mean length, and mean FA value obtained from tractography were determined. The correlations between these parameters and perioperative motor functions were also analyzed. RESULTS Fibers of 14 patients were visualized by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Unidirectional CCEPs between the PCL and M1 were measurable in all 16 patients, and bidirectional CCEPs between them were measurable in 14 patients. There was no significant difference between the two directions in the maximum CCEP amplitude or latency (amplitude, p = 0.391; latency, p = 0.583). Neither the amplitude nor latency showed any apparent correlation with the number, mean length, or mean FA value of the fibers obtained from tractography. Pre- and postoperative motor function of the hands was not significantly correlated with CCEP amplitude or latency. The number and mean FA value of fibers obtained by DTI, as well as the maximum CCEP amplitude, varied between patients. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated an anatomical connection and a bidirectional functional connection between the PCL, including the supplementary motor area, and M1 of the human brain. The observed variability between patients suggests possible motor function plasticity. These findings may serve as a foundation for further studies.
