Difference In Transit Time Research Articles

Research of New Ultrasonic Domestic Gas Meter

In recent years, with the rapid development of science and technology, the ultrasonic flowmeter has been widely applied. It measures the flow of liquid by using the liquid velocity information of the ultrasonic transmits in the liquid. The advantages of the meter are non-contact, no pressure loss, low cost, simple structure, wide measuring scope. In this paper, by absorbing and referring to the domestic and foreign advanced technology, the author developed an ultrasonic domestic gas meter based on transit-time difference method and MSP430.And it can measure fluid flow accurately. Experiments show that the system is stable and reliable, test data has good repeatability. The system lays a good foundation in developing the high-performance ultrasonic flowmeter in the future.

Internal Filtration in a High-Flux Dialyzer Quantified by Mean Transit Time of an Albumin-Bound Indicator

Internal filtration in high-flux (HF) dialyzers significantly contributes to convective solute removal of molecules with poor diffusibility, but it is difficult to quantify. The aim of this study was to present the theory and to develop a method for measuring internal filtration and backfiltration in HF dialyzers, which also could be applied to patient studies. In a series of lab-bench experiments, the mean transit times (τd) of indocyanine green (ICG) passing the dialyzer were optically measured under different operating conditions and compared with mean transit times calculated from the known volume of the blood compartment (τV) using a mathematical model. τd was always larger than τV. The relative difference in mean transit times (1 - τV/τd) was related to the average cumulative filtration rate (Qfil). The internal filtration fraction Fb = Qfil/Qb was largely independent of blood flow (Qb) and not different from theoretical predictions obtained from a mathematical model. The dispersion of a nondiffusible indicator such as ICG can be used to quantify the magnitude of internal filtration and backfiltration in HF dialyzers using available technology. This information could be useful for testing the HF dialyzers in everyday situations.

Transit Time of Coronal Mass Ejections under Different Ambient Solar Wind Conditions

The speed [v(R)] of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) at various distances from the Sun is modeled (as proposed by Vrsnak and Gopalswamy in J. Geophys. Res. 107, 2002, doi: 10.1029/2001/JA000120 ) by using the equation of motion a drag=γ(v−w) and its quadratic form a drag=γ(v−w)|v−w|, where v and w are the speeds of the CME and solar wind, respectively. We assume that the parameter γ can be expressed as γ=αR β , where R is the heliocentric distance, and α and β are constants. We extend the analysis of Vrsnak and Gopalswamy to obtain a more detailed insight into the dependence of the CME Sun–Earth transit time on the CME speed and the ambient solar-wind speed, for different combinations of α and β. In such a parameter-space analysis, the results obtained confirm that the CME transit time depends strongly on the state of the ambient solar wind. Specifically, we found that: i) for a particular set of values of α and β, a difference in the solar-wind speed causes larger transit-time differences at low CME speeds [v 0], than at high v 0; ii) the difference between transit times of slow and fast CMEs is larger at low solar-wind speed [w 0] than at high w 0; iii) transit times of fast CMEs are only slightly influenced by the solar-wind speed. The last item is especially important for space-weather forecasting, since it reduces the number of key parameters that determine the arrival time of fast CMEs, which tend to be more geo-effective than the slow ones. Finally, we compared the drag-based model results with the observational data for two CME samples, consisting of non-interacting and interacting CMEs (Manoharan et al. in J. Geophys. Res. 109, 2004). The comparison reveals that the model results are in better agreement with the observations for non-interacting events than for the interacting events. It was also found that for slow CMEs (v 0<500 km s−1), there is a deviation between the observations and the model if slow-wind speeds (≈ 300 – 400 km s−1) are taken for the model input. On the other hand, the model values and the observed data agree for both the slow and the fast CMEs if higher solar-wind speeds are assumed. It is also found that the quadratic form of the drag equation reproduces the observed transit times of fast CMEs better than the linear drag model.

Quantitative Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Comparison Between Inflammatory and Fibrotic Lesions in Patients with Crohn's Disease

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in absolute blood flow between patients with Crohn's disease with inflammation or fibrosis using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Eighteen patients with fibrotic disease and 19 patients with inflammation were examined. Video sequences of contrast data were analyzed using a pharmacokinetic model to extract the arterial input and tissue residue functions with a custom software, enabling calculation of the absolute values for mean transit time, blood volume and flow. Feasibility of the examination was 89%. The fibrosis group had lower blood volume (0.9 vs. 3.4 mL per 100 mL tissue; p = 0.001) and flow (22.6 vs. 45.3 mL/min per 100 mL tissue; p = 0.003) compared with the inflammation group. There was no significant difference in mean transit time (3.9 vs. 5.5 s). In conclusion, absolute perfusion measurement in the gastrointestinal wall using contrast-enhanced ultrasound is feasible. There seems to be reduced blood volume and blood flow in patients with fibrotic disease.

ESOPHAGEAL MOTILITY IN TROUBLESOME BELCHING

Supragastric belches are the main determinants of troublesome belching symptoms. In supragastric belches, air is rapidly brought into the esophagus and is immediately followed by a rapid expulsion before it has reached the stomach. To evaluate the esophageal contraction and transit after wet swallows in patients with troublesome belching. Esophageal contraction and transit were evaluated in 16 patients with troublesome belching and 15 controls. They were measured at 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) by a solid state manometric and impedance catheter. Each subject swallowed five 5 mL boluses of saline. The amplitude, duration and area under the curve of contractions were similar in patients with troublesome belching and control subjects. The total esophageal bolus transit time was 6.2 (1.8) s in patients with troublesome belching and 6.1 (2.3) s in controls (P=0.55). The bolus presence time was longer in controls than in patients at 5 cm from the LES [controls: 6.0 (1.1) s, patients: 4.9 (1.2) s, P=0.04], without differences at 10, 15 and 20 cm from the LES. The bolus head advanced time was longer in patients than controls from 20 cm to 15 cm [controls: 0.1 (0.1) s, patients: 0.7(0.8)s, P=0.01] and from 15 cm to 10 cm [controls: 0.3 (0.1) s, patients: 1.6 (2.6) s, P=0.01] of the LES, without difference from 10 cm to 5 cm [controls: 0.7 (0.3) s, patients: 1.0 (1.1) s, P=0.37]. There was no difference in segment transit time. There was no difference in esophageal contractions between patients with troublesome belching and controls. The swallowed bolus went slower into the proximal and middle esophageal body in patients than in control, but cross the distal esophageal body faster in patients than in controls.

Polyphenols prevent obesity‐induced aortic vascular stiffness in C57BL/6 mice

Vascular stiffness and hypertension (HTN) increase in humans with aging, diabetes, and obesity. Our lab has shown that vascular stiffness precedes by 4–5 months the development of HTN in a model of high fat high sucrose (HFHS) diet‐induced obesity by measuring aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and blood pressure. Polyphenols may improve blood vessel function by reducing oxidants, inflammation, and vasodilation.PurposeTo determine if polyphenols can prevent HFHS diet‐induced vascular stiffness in a mouse model.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were fed HFHS diet for 8 months with a synthetic polyphenol, S17834, or resveratrol (130 mg/kg/day). PWV was calculated from the difference in pulse wave transit times between two sites along the aorta using ultrasound.Results and conclusionAfter 4 months HFHS diet significantly increased BW by 33% and PWV by &gt;;2‐fold (2.1±0.1 vs 4.8±0.7 m/s, n=6). Both polyphenols prevented the increase in PWV, but only one, S17834, slowed the increase in body weight. Similar results were found over 8 months. These results demonstrate that HFHS diet causes a significant increase aortic stiffness associated with obesity. Both S17834 and resveratrol inhibited the development of aortic stiffness caused by HFHS diet suggesting polyphenols may have therapeutic value in reducing vascular stiffness and subsequent HTN.Source:NIH RO1 HL105287, Servier.

Pharmacological comparison of peristaltic effects in rats and mice

IntroductionConscious rodent models are commonly used to assess the effects of new chemical entities on propulsion (transit) time in the gastrointestinal system. This study was designed to compare three compounds clinically known to cause constipative (morphine sulfate and propantheline bromide) and laxative (metoclopramide hydrochloride) effects on transit time in rats and mice and to note if there are differences between the species. MethodsCompounds were dosed in conscious rats and mice. At 0.5–2.0h post dosing (estimated time to maximal plasma concentration of each compound) animals were gavaged with an appropriate volume (based on weight) of 10% activated powdered carbon suspended in 5% gum arabic. Forty-five minutes following dosing the animals were sacrificed by CO2 asphyxiation and the small intestine was removed. The position of the leading edge of the charcoal was measured relative to the total length of the intestinal segment. ResultsThe compounds tested produced variable statistical differences in transit time between species. Morphine and propantheline produced dose-dependent increases in transit time, and metoclopramide decreased transit time, statistically significant in both rodent models. DiscussionThe present data demonstrate that at similar doses rats and mice can be used interchangeably for transit studies. Mice were more sensitive to transit changes at higher doses of the compounds tested.

Insuficiência renal crónica em hemodiálise: um fator de risco independente para angiodisplasias na enteroscopia por videocápsula na hemorragia digestiva obscura

IntroductionThe spectrum of small bowel pathology in terminal renal failure (TRF) - dialysis patients is not well characterized in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the wireless capsule enteroscopy (WCE) in the management of obscure digestive bleeding (ODB) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing haemodialysis, in comparison to a group of patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) >60 mL/min. Material and methodsThis prospective cohort study included 90 patients with ODB: 12 patients with CrCl <30mL/min undergoing haemodialysis and 78 patients with CrCl >60 mL/min, all referred for WCE in a single institution in a 12 month-period. Estimated CrCL using Cockcroft-Gault formula was determined in the day of WCE for all patients. Patient's demographic data and clinical characteristics, WCE findings and outcome (including specific therapy, transfusion requirements and hospital admissions due to recurrent bleeding or severe anemia) were assessed. ResultsPatients’ age and the clinical presentation of ODB (occult/overt) were similar in the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in gastric emptying and small bowel transit times, or in the ratio of incomplete/inconclusive exams. In patients undergoing haemodialysis, there were fewer normal WCE procedures (17% versus 46%, respectively, p=0,031) and a higher prevalence of small bowel angiodysplasias (58% versus 23%, respectively, p=0,011). By logistic regression analysis, CRF in haemodyalisis was found to be the only predictive factor for angiodysplasias in WCE (p=0,017, 95% CI 0,061-0,758). The group of patients undergoing haemodyalisis also had greater transfusion requirements and hospital admissions due to bleeding recurrence/severe anaemia during the follow-up period (average time, 7,5 months). ConclusionsThis prospective study demonstrated that haemodyalisis is an independent predictive factor for angiodysplasias in WCE for ODB.

Numerical analysis of experiments on the generation of shock waves in aluminium under indirect (X-ray) action on the facility

The dynamics of laser and X-ray radiation fields in experiments with cylindrical converter boxes (illuminators), which had earlier been carried out on the laser facility (the second harmonic of iodine laser radiation, ) was investigated in a sector approximation using the SND-LIRA numerical technique. In these experiments, the X-ray radiation temperature in the box was determined by measuring the velocity of the shock wave generated in the sample under investigation, which was located at the end of the cylindrical illuminator. Through simulations were made using the SND-LIRA code, which took into account the absorption of laser driver radiation at the box walls, the production of quasi-thermal radiation, as well as the formation and propagation of the shock wave in the sample under investigation. An analysis of the experiments permits determining the electron thermal flux limiter : for it is possible to match the experimental scaling data for X-ray in-box radiation temperature to the data of our simulations. The shock velocities obtained from the simulations are also consistent with experimental data. In particular, in the experiment with six laser beams (and a laser energy introduced into the box) the velocity of the shock front (determined from the position of a laser mark) after passage through a thick base aluminium layer was equal to , and in simulations to . In the experiment with four laser beams (for ) the shock velocity (measured from the difference of transit times through the base aluminium layer and an additional thin aluminium platelet) was equal to , and in simulations to .

1909 – General anxiety disorder - gender differences in responce to antidepressant treatment

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent clinical conditions (25%) causing high number of hospital admissions and utilization of health care. Recent clinical trials indicate that gender differences in responsiveness to drug therapy also occur. Several lines of inquiry have focused on explaining this gender-related difference due to the higher prevalence of these disorders in women. There is a pile of evidence of a physiologic component is based on gender differences in gastrointestinal transit time, visceral sensitivity, central nervous system pain processing, and specific effects of estrogen and progesterone on gut function as well as on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) circuitry in adult women., differences in autonomic nervous system, and reactivity. Decreased activity of HPA was observed in trait anxiety and anxiety disorders like panic disoerder or posttraumatic stress disorder. Twenty four patients high level of anxiety in general anxiety disorder participated in the study. ACTH and cortisol plasma concentrations were followed in regular intervals in patients who did not respond to 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment. Our findings show that highly anxious females exhibited lower cortisol release than highly anxious males, suggesting that high-anxiety in females may be associated with inability to respond to antidepressant treatment.

Role of Capsule Study in Evaluation of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Purpose: Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that accounts for one-third of the referrals to a gastroenterologist. Most patients diagnosed with IBS have had limited or no evaluation for pathology of the small bowel or for presence of abnormal transit time. Capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive method of imaging the small bowel and measuring transit time. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of small bowel mucosal pathology in diarrhea dominant or mixed bowel pattern IBS patient and to measure differences in transit time. Methods: Prospective study participants at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth qualified for Rome III criteria of diarrhea and mixed type IBS and had no alarm symptoms. Each patient underwent capsule study and images were evaluated by a gastroenterologist. Gastric transit time and small bowel transit time were determined by landmark identification using the GIVENTM capsule system. Post-hoc analysis was performed for transit time differences and two-tailed paired t-test was performed. P-values were determined using two tails. Results: 20 of the patients enrolled were alternating types and 30 were diarrhea dominant types. Two diarrhea types were excluded from study final transit time results, one due to obscured camera view and the other secondary to the capsule being inserted below the pylorus by endoscopy. No small bowel pathology was found in all patients. The mean gastric transit time for the alternating type was 46.9 minutes (SD 42.21) and for the diarrhea dominant type was 46.75 minutes (SD 50.94), P =0.9914. The mean for small bowel transit time was 261.9 minutes (SD 89.33) for alternating type and 178.21 minutes (SD 70.87) for diarrhea dominant type, P=0.0007. Conclusion: No small bowel pathology was found in all IBS patients and supports ACG position statement concerning evaluation of IBS patients. However, capsule endoscopy was able to document statistically significant small bowel transit time differences between IBS patients who had diarrhea predominate symptoms and alternating predominate symptoms. The use of capsule technology may help direct medical management in complex IBS patients.

Taste and Temperature in Swallowing Transit Time after Stroke

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is common in individuals after stroke. Taste and temperature are used in dysphagia rehabilitation. The influence of stimuli, such as taste and temperature, on swallowing biomechanics has been investigated in both healthy individuals and in individuals with neurological disease. However, some questions still remain unanswered, such as how the sequence of offered stimuli influences the pharyngeal response. The goal of the present study was to determine the influence of the sequence of stimuli, sour taste and cold temperature, on pharyngeal transit time during deglutition in individuals after stroke. Methods: The study included 60 individuals with unilateral ischemic stroke, 29 males and 31 females, aged 41–88 years (mean age: 66.2 years) examined 0–50 days after ictus (median: 6 days), with mild to moderate oropharyngeal dysphagia. Exclusion criteria were hemorrhagic stroke patients, patients with decreased level of consciousness, and clinically unstable patients, as confirmed by medical evaluation. The individuals were divided into two groups of 30 individuals each. Group 1 received a nonrandomized sequence of stimuli (i.e. natural, cold, sour, and sour-cold) and group 2 received a randomized sequence of stimuli. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study was performed to analyze the pharyngeal transit time. Four different stimuli (natural, cold, sour, and sour-cold) were offered. The images were digitalized and specific software was used to measure the pharyngeal transit time. Since the values did not present regular distribution and uniform variances, nonparametric tests were performed. Results: Individuals in group 1 presented a significantly shorter pharyngeal transit time with the sour-cold stimulus than with the other stimuli. Individuals in group 2 did not show a significant difference in pharyngeal transit time between stimuli. Conclusions: The results showed that the sequence of offered stimuli influences the pharyngeal transit time in a different way in individuals after stroke and suggest that, when the sour-cold stimulus is offered in a randomized sequence, it can influence the response to the other stimuli in stroke patients. Hence, the sour-cold stimulus could be used as a therapeutic aid in dysphagic stroke patients.

EVALUATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING SHELF-LIFE AND QUALITY BIOMARKERS OF IMPORTED AVOCADO FRUIT

ISHS XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Postharvest Technology in the Global Market EVALUATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING SHELF-LIFE AND QUALITY BIOMARKERS OF IMPORTED AVOCADO FRUIT

154 Observation of Whole Digestive Tract of a Human by a Single Passage of a Self-Propelling Capsule Endoscope

as history of small bowel surgical resection, there was a difference in orocecal transit time between the 8-hr outpatient capsule in the patient with small bowel surgery versus without (348 min vs. 310 min, p 0.0170, Mann-Whitney test). Overall, in the 12-hr capsule group 49% (53/108) were women with an average age 60 (median 65) comparable to the 8-hr group with 60% women and average age 60 (median 65). For the 12-hr group there was an overall positive finding in 10/108 (9%) beyond the 8-hour time frame, including small bowel lesions, such as angiectasias, bleeding anastomotic varices, heme at the distal small bowel, ulcerated mucosa at the terminal ileum and also outside the small bowel with heme in the colon, suggesting a missed colonic lesion or colonic ulcers in patients with IBD. Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the largest case series of 12-hour wireless capsule endoscopies to date. A 12-hour battery capsule may improve cecal intubation rate and orocecal transit time, especially in the inpatient setting. As a result, there is an increased yield in clinically relevant findings, including both heme and diagnostic lesions.

Effects of Land Cover and Fertilization Method on Water Flow and Solute Transport in Five Lysimeters: A Long‐Term Study Using Stable Water Isotopes

Land cover and agricultural management practices can significantly influence soil structure. However, little is known about how fertilizer applications and land cover affect soil hydrology and groundwater recharge over long time periods. The objective of this study was to use stable water isotopes as environmental tracers to provide additional information required for better understanding of water flow and solute transport processes in the unsaturated zone influenced by land cover and type of fertilizer applications. Five lysimeters containing undisturbed soil monoliths from the same agricultural field site were investigated over a period of 5 yr. Liquid cattle slurry and solid animal manure were applied to the maize (Zea mays L.) and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) lysimeters. The grass–clover lysimeter was treated with mineral fertilizer. Quantitative influence of land cover and type of fertilizer application on water flow and solute transport was evaluated for all lysimeters using a modified version of HYDRUS‐1D. The highest drainage was observed in the maize lysimeter treated with cattle slurry, and the lowest in the grass lysimeter treated with mineral fertilizer. Pronounced differences in water contents and estimated saturated hydraulic conductivities between the lysimeters were restricted to the upper 25 to 30 cm of the soil. In particular, the lysimeters treated with animal manure had higher porosities, indicating a higher content of organic matter. Main differences in discharge between the lysimeters were observed in spring and during the plant growth periods, indicating the importance of nonuniform, patchy infiltration patterns during snow melt and of root water uptake, respectively. Mean water flow velocities, transit times, and effective water contents were estimated from the stable water isotope data, providing evidence on the impact of land cover and type of fertilizer application. We found smaller mean transit times in the maize lysimeters and for soils with liquid cattle slurry applications. Simulations indicate that numerical modeling can reproduce the general trend of water flow and isotope transport. Despite differences in mean transit times, fitted dispersivities were all in the same range, suggesting similar soil structures in the five lysimeters. However, more data for calibration and more information about heterogeneous infiltration would be required to improve the model accuracy. In general, stable water isotopes clearly contributed an added value, elucidating differences in mean flow parameters between the lysimeters. Thus, they provided evidence of the impacts of land cover and fertilizer applications, which are not obvious from water balance and mean discharge rates alone.

Assessment of the Variation Associated with Repeated Measurement of Gastrointestinal Transit Times and Assessment of the Effect of Oral Ranitidine on Gastrointestinal Transit Times Using a Wireless Motility Capsule System in Dogs

This study aimed to evaluate the variation associated with repeated measurement of gastrointestinal (GI) transit times and the effect of oral ranitidine on GI transit times in healthy dogs using a wireless motility capsule (WMC) system. Eight privately owned healthy adult dogs were enrolled, and one developed diarrhea and was removed from the study. For the first 3 repetitions, each dog was fed a standard meal followed by oral administration of a WMC. For the 4th repetition, each dog was given ranitidine hydrochloride (75 mg PO every 12 hours) prior to and during assessment of GI transit times. Mean between-subject coefficients of variation for gastric emptying time (GET), small and large bowel transit time (SLBTT), and total transit time (TTT) were 26.9%, 32.3%, and 19.6%, respectively. Mean within-subject coefficients of variation for GET, SLBTT, and TTT were 9.3%, 19.6%, and 15.9%, respectively. Median GET, SLBTT, and TTT without ranitidine were 719, 1,636, and 2,735 minutes, respectively. Median GET, SLBTT, and TTT with ranitidine were 757, 1,227, and 2,083 minutes, respectively. No significant differences in GI transit times were found between any of the 4 repetitions. Under these experimental conditions, no significant effects of oral ranitidine on GI transit times were observed.

Prospective controlled study on the effects of polyethylene glycol in capsule endoscopy

To prospectively confirm whether a small amount of polyethylene glycol (PEG) ingested after swallowing endoscopy capsule improves image quality and completion rate. Forty-four consecutive patients referred to us for capsule endoscopy (CE) were randomized to two groups. All patients were restricted to clear fluids for 12 h before the examination. Patients in group A (22 cases) received no additional preparation, while those in group B (20 cases) ingested 500 mL of PEG within a 2 h period starting 30 min after swallowing the capsule. Clear fluids and meals were allowed 2 h and 4 h after capsule ingestion, respectively. Image quality was assessed as the percentage of visualized bowel surface area as follows: 1: < 25%; 2: 25%-49%; 3: 50%-74%; 4: 75%-89%; 5: > 90%. The small bowel record was divided into five segments by time, and the score for each segment was evaluated. All CE examinations were performed with the Pillcam SB capsule endoscopy system (Given Imaging Co. Ltd., Yoqnem). This study ended in December 2009, because sample size was considered large enough. A total of 44 patients were enrolled. Two patients in group B were excluded from the analysis because small bowel images could not be obtained from these patients; one had a full stomach, while the other presented with a massive gastric bleed. Thus, 22 patients from group A and 20 patients from group B completed the study. There was no significant difference in age (P = 0.22), sex (P = 0.31), and indication for CE. No significant adverse events occurred in any of the study patients. In group A, image quality deteriorated as the capsule progressed distally. However, in group B, image quality was maintained to the distal small bowel. In each of the five segments, the visibility score was significantly higher in group B than in group A (segment 1: 4.3 ± 0.7 vs 4.7 ± 0.5, P = 0.03; segment 2: 4.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.8 ± 0.4, P = 0.01; segment 3: 4.0 ± 1.0 vs 4.6 ± 0.7, P = 0.04; segment 4: 3.6 ± 1.1 vs 4.5 ± 0.6, P = 0.003; segment 5: 2.7 ± 1.0 vs 4.4 ± 0.8, P = 0.00004). Thus, the use of PEG during CE examination significantly improved image quality in all time segments, and this effect was more pronounced in the distal ileum. The completion rate to the cecum was not significantly different between groups A and B (81.8% vs 85.0%, P = 0.89). There was no difference in the gastric transit time between groups (36.2 ± 35.0 min vs 54.0 ± 56.6 min, P = 0.23), but the small bowel transit time was significantly longer in group A than in group B (246.0 ± 107.0 min vs 171.0 ± 104.0 min, P = 0.04). The ingestion of a small amount of PEG after the swallowing of an endoscopy capsule significantly improved CE image quality, but did not enhance the completion rate to the cecum.

Clinical Advantages of Eating Positions ofthe Mid-Neck on Swallowing Function

[Purpose] There is an established theory that slightly flexed neck positions are ideal for all patients with swallowing disorders. However, we noted that this theory needs further study of the effects of the mid-neck positions on the extended line from the trunk on swallowing function. [Subjects and Methods] Examinations were made using video fluorography (VF) recording of 10 swallowing disorder patients without aspiration in the upright seated position, and another 10 in the reclining position. We edited the recordings to obtain frame-by-frame static images, and examined time and extents of oral and the pharyngeal transits, and laryngeal elevation, using two-dimensional image analysis software. [Results] The results show there was a significantly longer oral transit time and a shorter pharyngeal transit time in the reclining position group compared to the upright seated group. However, there was no significant difference in either laryngeal transit time or the extent of laryngeal elevation. [Conclusions] The results suggest that apart from the uniform application of a slightly flexed neck position for all patients, the mid-neck angle adjustment is useful for making fine adjustment of oral and pharyngeal transit times in order to secure safe bolus transit in rehabilitation strategies.

The sound emission board of the KM3NeT acoustic positioning system

We describe the sound emission board proposed for installation in the acoustic positioning system of the future KM3NeT underwater neutrino telescope. The KM3NeT European consortium aims to build a multi-cubic kilometre underwater neutrino telescope in the deep Mediterranean Sea. In this kind of telescope the mechanical structures holding the optical sensors, which detect the Cherenkov radiation produced by muons emanating from neutrino interactions, are not completely rigid and can move up to dozens of meters in undersea currents. Knowledge of the position of the optical sensors to an accuracy of about 10 cm is needed for adequate muon track reconstruction. A positioning system based on the acoustic triangulation of sound transit time differences between fixed seabed emitters and receiving hydrophones attached to the kilometre-scale vertical flexible structures carrying the optical sensors is being developed. In this paper, we describe the sound emission board developed in the framework of KM3NeT project, which is totally adapted to the chosen FFR SX30 ultrasonic transducer and fulfils the requirements imposed by the collaboration in terms of cost, high reliability, low power consumption, high acoustic emission power for short signals, low intrinsic noise and capacity to use arbitrary signals in emission mode.

The Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Function in Acute Stroke Patients with Dysphagia

In this study, we investigated the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the treatment of 20 acute stroke patients with dysphagia. For both the treated and control groups, the basic facial stimulation training was conducted for 30 minutes, five times a week, for four weeks. NMES was performed on the treated group only, for 30 minutes each time. Both groups were evaluated according to the functional dysphagia scale (FDS) using a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). After the treatment was performed for four weeks, the FDS results of the treated group showed a significance difference in oral transit time in the oral phase and in the triggering of pharyngeal swallow fluid, laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure, nasal penetration, residue in valleculae, coating of pharyngeal wall after swallow fluid, and pharyngeal transit time in the pharyngeal phase. In addition, the treated group showed a significant difference in laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure, nasal penetration, and pharyngeal transit time in the pharyngeal phase after the treatment compared to the control group. The results of this study showed that neuromuscular electrical stimulation may be an effective method of treating dysphagia in acute phase stroke patients.