Background: Factors that can predict the presence and number of noncalcified coronary plaques (NCP) in Japanese patients with zero coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) essentially remain undefined. Methods and Result...Background: Factors that can predict the presence and number of noncalcified coronary plaques (NCP) in Japanese patients with zero coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) essentially remain undefined. Methods and Results: We assessed independent predictors of the presence and number of segments with NCP in 111 Japanese patients with zero CACS who underwent 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography at our hospital. Thirty five patients (32%) had NCP, and 24 patients (22%) had ≥ 2 NCPs. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant predictors for the presence of NCP were age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 - 1.11, p = 0.021), male (OR: 3.61, 95% CI 1.40 - 9.35, p = 0.008) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.10, 95% CI 1.02 - 9.45, p = 0.046), and those for the presence of ≥ 2 NCPs were age (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.15, p = 0.007) and a current smoking habit (OR: 5.09, 95% CI 1.00 - 25.74, p = 0.049). Multiple linear regression analysis identified advanced age, male gender and diabetes mellitus as independent predictors of the number of NCPs. A novel score calculated from the above four predictors showed moderate accuracy for a diagnosis of NCP and ≥ 2 NCPs, with areas under receiver operating curves of 0.738 and 0.736, respectively. Conclusions: Male Japanese patients with zero CACS, advanced age, diabetes mellitus and a current smoking habit might have NCPs.展开更多
In the present paper, the influence of carbon nanofiber on interlaminar fracture toughness of CFRP investigated using MMB(Mixed Mode Bending) tests. Vapor grown carbon fiber VGCF and VGCF-S, and multi-walled carbon ...In the present paper, the influence of carbon nanofiber on interlaminar fracture toughness of CFRP investigated using MMB(Mixed Mode Bending) tests. Vapor grown carbon fiber VGCF and VGCF-S, and multi-walled carbon nanotube MWNT-7 has been employed for the toughener of the interlayer on the CFRP laminates. In order to evaluate the fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio of it, double cantilever beam (DCB) tests, end notched fracture (ENF) tests and mixed mode bending (MMB) tests have been carried out. Boundary element analysis was applied to the CFRP model to compute the interlaminar fracture toughness, where extrapolation method was used to determine the fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio. The interlaminar fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio can be extrapolated by stress distribution in the vicinity of the crack tip of the CFRP laminate. It was found that the interlaminar fracture toughness of the CFRP laminates was improved inserting the interlayer made by carbon nanofiber especially in the region where shear mode deformation is dominant.展开更多
文摘Background: Factors that can predict the presence and number of noncalcified coronary plaques (NCP) in Japanese patients with zero coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) essentially remain undefined. Methods and Results: We assessed independent predictors of the presence and number of segments with NCP in 111 Japanese patients with zero CACS who underwent 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography at our hospital. Thirty five patients (32%) had NCP, and 24 patients (22%) had ≥ 2 NCPs. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant predictors for the presence of NCP were age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 - 1.11, p = 0.021), male (OR: 3.61, 95% CI 1.40 - 9.35, p = 0.008) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.10, 95% CI 1.02 - 9.45, p = 0.046), and those for the presence of ≥ 2 NCPs were age (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.15, p = 0.007) and a current smoking habit (OR: 5.09, 95% CI 1.00 - 25.74, p = 0.049). Multiple linear regression analysis identified advanced age, male gender and diabetes mellitus as independent predictors of the number of NCPs. A novel score calculated from the above four predictors showed moderate accuracy for a diagnosis of NCP and ≥ 2 NCPs, with areas under receiver operating curves of 0.738 and 0.736, respectively. Conclusions: Male Japanese patients with zero CACS, advanced age, diabetes mellitus and a current smoking habit might have NCPs.
基金supported by the Program for Fostering Regional Innovation in Nagano, granted by MEXT, Japan
文摘In the present paper, the influence of carbon nanofiber on interlaminar fracture toughness of CFRP investigated using MMB(Mixed Mode Bending) tests. Vapor grown carbon fiber VGCF and VGCF-S, and multi-walled carbon nanotube MWNT-7 has been employed for the toughener of the interlayer on the CFRP laminates. In order to evaluate the fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio of it, double cantilever beam (DCB) tests, end notched fracture (ENF) tests and mixed mode bending (MMB) tests have been carried out. Boundary element analysis was applied to the CFRP model to compute the interlaminar fracture toughness, where extrapolation method was used to determine the fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio. The interlaminar fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio can be extrapolated by stress distribution in the vicinity of the crack tip of the CFRP laminate. It was found that the interlaminar fracture toughness of the CFRP laminates was improved inserting the interlayer made by carbon nanofiber especially in the region where shear mode deformation is dominant.