542 research outputs found
Feasibility of apparent diffusion coefficient in predicting the technical outcome of MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids - a comparison with the Funaki classification
No full textPurposeTo investigate the feasibility of using an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) classification in predicting the technical outcome of magnetic resonance imaging-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids and to compare it to the Funaki classification.Materials and methodsForty-two patients with forty-eight uterine fibroids underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) before MRgHIFU treatment. The DW images were acquired with five different b-values. Correlations between ADC values and treatment parameters were assessed. Optimal ADC cutoff values were determined to predict technical outcomes, that is, nonperfused volume ratios (NPVr) such that three classification groups were created (NPVr of 80%). Results were compared to the Funaki classification using receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, with statistical significance being tested with the Chi-square test.ResultsA statistically significant negative correlation (Spearman's rho = -0.31, p-value 80%) and 1800 x 10(-6)mm(2)/s (NPVr 80%), ADC II (NPVr 30-80%) and ADC III (NPVr < 30%). Analysis of the whole model area under the curve resulted in values of 0.79 for the ADC classification (p-value = 0.0007) and 0.62 for the Funaki classification (p-value = 0.0527).ConclusionsLower ADC values prior to treatment correlate with higher NPV ratios. The ADC classification seems to be able to predict the NPV ratio and may even outperform the Funaki classification. Based on these results DWI and ADC maps should be included in the MRI screening protocol
On the construction of Wiener integrals with respect to certain pseudo-Bessel processes
No full textAbstractIn previous papers [T. Funaki, Y. Hariya, M. Yor, Wiener integrals for centered powers of Bessel processes, I, Markov Processes Related Fields (2006) (in press); T. Funaki, Y. Hariya, M. Yor, Wiener integrals for centered Bessel and related processes, II, Alea (2006) (in press)], the authors have shown that it is possible to define the Wiener-type integrals ∫01h(s)dR¯s, for every h∈L2([0,1],ds) and (R¯s) any centered Bessel process with dimension d>1. In this paper, various conditions are stated, showing that such a construction is possible for a large class of processes indexed by two square integrable Brownian functionals. In particular, some of the results previously obtained for the Bessel processes are thus recovered, and in fact shown to extend to certain processes of the form tf(Rtt)
The Core of a Normal Form Game
No full textDue to the externalities, in normal form games a deviation changes the payoff of all players inducing a retaliation by the remaining or residual players. The stability of an outcome depends on the expectations potential deviators have about this reaction, but so far no satisfactory theory has been provided. The present paper continues the work of Chander and Tulkens (1997) where deviators consider residual equilibria, but we allow coalitions to form, moreover introduce consistency between the residual solution and the solution of the original game. Optimistic and pessimistic considerations produce a pair of cores. These cores are compared to some existing cooperative concepts such as the gamma- and r-cores and the equilibrium binding agreements. In our final section we discuss the predominance of the grand coalition and suggest a generalisation of the normal form where such a precedence can be removed.externalities, residual game, cohesiveness, partition function
A modular approach to large-signal modeling of an interconnected AC/MTDC system
No full textY. Susuki, N. Kawamoto, Y. Ohashi, A. Ishigame, T. Funaki and S. D’Arco, "A Modular Approach to Large-Signal Modeling of an Interconnected AC/MTDC System," 2020 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe (ISGT-Europe), The Hague, Netherlands, 2020, pp. 945-949, doi: 10.1109/ISGT-Europe47291.2020.9248890.The so-called modular modeling of interconnected AC/MTDC (Multi-Terminal DC) systems aids their synthesis and analysis by decomposing it into structural modules (e.g. voltage-source converter, synchronous generator, AC line, DC line) and by exploring the patterns of interconnection that yield the overall performance of a system. In this paper, we introduce our idea on the modular modeling of large-signal dynamics for an interconnected AC/MTDC system. Effectiveness of the idea is shown with numerical simulations for a relatively simple configuration of three-terminal DC grid
Use of multiparametric MRI to characterize uterine fibroid tissue types
No full textBackground: Although the biological characteristics of uterine fibroids (UF) have implications for therapy choice and effectiveness, there is limited MRI data about these characteristics. Currently, the Funaki classification and Scaled Signal Intensity (SSI) are used to predict treatment outcome but both screening-tools appear to be suboptimal. Therefore, multiparametric and quantitative MRI was studied to evaluate various biological characteristics of UF. Methods: 87 patients with UF underwent an MRI-examination. Differences between UF tissues and myometrium were investigated using T2-mapping, Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) maps with different b-value combinations, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted imaging. Additionally, the Funaki classification and SSI were calculated. Results: Significant differences between myometrium and UF tissue in T2-mapping (p = 0.001), long-TE ADC low b-values (p = 0.002), ADC all b-values (p ' 0.001) and high b-values (p ' 0.001) were found. Significant differences between Funaki type 3 versus type 1 and 2 were observed in SSI (p ' 0.001) and T2-values (p ' 0.001). Significant correlations were found between SSI and T2-mapping (p ' 0.001; ρ s = 0.82), ADC all b-values (p = 0.004; ρ s = 0.31), ADC high b-values (p ' 0.001; ρ s = 0.44) and long-TE ADC low b-values (p = 0.004; ρ s = 0.31). Conclusions: Quantitative MR-data allowed us to distinguish UF tissue from myometrium and to discriminate different UF tissue types and may, therefore, be a useful tool to predict treatment outcome/determine optimal treatment modality
The gamma-core in Cournot oligopoly TU-games with capacity constraints
No full textIn cooperative Cournot oligopoly games, it is known that the alpha-core is equal to the beta-core, and both are non-empty if every individual profit function is continuous and concave (Zhao 1999b). Following Chander and Tulkens (1997), we assume that firms react to a deviating coalition by choosing individual best reply strategies. We deal with the problem of the non-emptiness of the induced core, the gamma-core, by two different approaches. The first establishes that the associated Cournot oligopoly TU(Transferable Utility)-games are balanced if the inverse demand function is differentiable and every individual profit function is continuous and concave on the set of strategy profiles, which is a step forward beyond Zhao's core existence result for this class of games. The second approach, restricted to the class of Cournot oligopoly TU-games with linear cost functions, provides a single-valued allocation rule in the gamma-core called NP(Nash Pro rata)-value. This result generalizes Funaki and Yamato's core existence result (1999) from no capacity constraint to asymmetric capacity constraints. Moreover, we provide an axiomatic characterization of this solution by means of four properties: efficiency, null firm, monotonicity and non-cooperative fairness.Cournot oligopoly TU-games; gamma-core; Balanced game; NP-value; Noncooperative fairness
A report of rock sampling for paleomagnetic investigations by participating in the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (1987)
No full textThe author participated in voyage 6 of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) in the 1986/1987 season in order to collect rock samples for the study of paleomagnetism. A total of 501 samples were obtained from Heard Island, Larsemann Hills, Vestfold Hills, Scullin Monolith and Davis Station areas. The samples were collected mainly with an engine core drill and partially with a hammer. The directions of the samples were determined by the sun and the magnetic compasses. The author was impressed by the efficient field operations of ANARE using small helicopters and portable field huts called Apple Hut
Simultaneous Overcoming Approach for Poor Wettability and Low Stability in Stomach by Simple Methods; Formulation Design and Development of Monoacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Inhibitor, S-309309
No full textN-[(4R)-5,7-difluoro-2\u27-(5-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4\u27-oxo-2,2\u27,3,4\u27,5\u27,7\u27-hexahydrospiro[1-benzopyran-4,6\u27-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin]-3\u27-yl]-2-(methanesulfonyl)acetamide (S-309309) is an anti-obesity drug developed by Shionogi & Co., Ltd. that has a monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitory effect. S-309309 has poor wettability, and the amount of the degradation product (4R)-3\u27-amino-5,7-difluoro-2\u27-(5-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,2\u27,3,7\u27-tetrahydrospiro[[1]benzopyran-4,6\u27-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin]-4\u27(5\u27H)-one (compound 8) increases over time under acidic conditions. In this study, we have tried to improve S-309309 wettability and suppress the amount of degradation product increased under acidic conditions. As a result of the study, we found that by mixing with a water-soluble polymer, the wettability of S-309309 and its dissolved concentration in fluid were increased, suggesting that its dissolution behavior should be enhanced. In addition, by encapsulating S-309309, the increase of degradation product amount was suppressed under acidic conditions, suggesting that the suppression of degradation product formation would be expected in the stomach after oral dosing. Overall, these results suggest that the drug property issues of S-309309 can be overcome by mixing S-309309 with a water-soluble polymer and encapsulation
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