Ultra-dense, 1152-core, broadband multicore fiber link deployed in a metro network.

We have designed, developed, and deployed the world's first ultra-dense space division-multiplexing multicore fiber link in a conduit of a metro network. In a 10-mm-diameter fiber optic-cable, 288 4-core multicore fibers are arranged in 24 200-µm spiderweb collapsible ribbons. The multicore fibers are fusion-spliced to 576 fanout devices which provide conventional single-core interfaces at patch panels at both ends of the link.

Impact of Enteral Nutrition Within 24 Hours Versus Between 24 and 48 Hours in Patients With Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objectives: In patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), early enteral nutrition (EN) is recommended by major clinical practice guidelines, but the exact timing for the initiation of EN is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the database for a multicenter (44 institutions) retrospective study of patients with SAP in Japan. The patients were classified into 3 groups according to the timing of EN initiation after the diagnosis of SAP: within 24 hours, between 24 and 48 hours, and more than 48 hours.

Etiology and mortality in severe acute pancreatitis: A multicenter study in Japan.

Background/objectives: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a high mortality rate despite ongoing attempts to improve prognosis through a various therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to delineate etiology-based routes that may guide clinical decisions for the treatment of SAP.

Methods: Using data from a recent retrospective multicenter study in Japan, we analyzed the association between clinical outcomes, mainly in-hospital mortality and pancreatic infection, and various etiologies while considering confounding factors.

The Effect of an Invasive Strategy for Treating Pancreatic Necrosis on Mortality: a Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Infected acute necrotic collections (ANC) and walled-off necrosis (WON) of the pancreas are associated with high mortality. The difference in mortality between open necrosectomy and minimally invasive therapies in these patients remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted among 44 institutions in Japan from 2009 to 2013.

Impact of Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Severe Acute Pancreatitis on the Development of Invasive Candidiasis: A Large Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Objective: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is not generally recommended for patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) owing to the limited clinical benefits. Nonetheless, it is frequently administered in actual practice given the patients' critical condition and the lack of solid evidence showing adverse effects of antimicrobial prophylaxis. We evaluated herein an association between antimicrobial prophylaxis and invasive pancreatic candidiasis as an adverse effect in patients with SAP.

Large Volume Fluid Resuscitation for Severe Acute Pancreatitis is Associated With Reduced Mortality: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background And Aims: Although fluid resuscitation is critical in acute pancreatitis, the optimal fluid volume is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the volume of fluid administered and clinical outcomes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study at 44 institutions in Japan.

The Prognosis of Severe Acute Pancreatitis Varies According to the Segment Presenting With Low Enhanced Pancreatic Parenchyma on Early Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) according to the segment presenting with low enhanced pancreatic parenchyma (LEPP) on early contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of a multicenter, retrospective study conducted at 44 institutions in Japan. Patients diagnosed as having SAP according to the Japanese Severity Score between January 2009 and December 2013 were included.

Validation of the efficacy of the prognostic factor score in the Japanese severity criteria for severe acute pancreatitis: A large multicenter study.

Background: The Japanese severity criteria for acute pancreatitis (AP), which consist of a prognostic factor score and contrast-enhanced computed tomography grade, have been widely used in Japan.

Objective: This large multicenter retrospective study was conducted to validate the predictive value of the prognostic factor score for mortality and complications in severe AP patients in comparison to the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score.

Methods: Data of 1159 patients diagnosed with severe AP according to the Japanese severity criteria for AP were retrospectively collected in 44 institutions.

Continuous Regional Arterial Infusion of Protease Inhibitors Has No Efficacy in the Treatment of Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of continuous regional arterial infusion (CRAI) of protease inhibitors in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) including acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted among 44 institutions in Japan from 2009 to 2013. Patients 18 years or older diagnosed with SAP according to the criteria of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare study group (2008) were consecutively enrolled.

Temperature-dependent pinning or depinning of a 3He overlayer in a 3He-4He mixture film.

We report the results of a quartz crystal microbalance experiment at 100 MHz for a 3He-4He mixture film on a planar gold substrate. The results reveal temperature-dependent pinning or depinning of 3He overlayers above a critical oscillation velocity and indicate that the appearance of a macroscopic condensed state in the underlying 4He layer possibly affects the interfacial friction.

Changes of physical and biochemical properties of Cryptosporidium oocysts with various storage conditions.

Physical and biochemical properties of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst were examined after storage under various conditions. Oocyst-positive-fecal samples recovered from calves were either stored in a 2.0% potassium dichromate solution (Cr) or deionized water (W), or kept as a fecal pellet (P), and stored at 4 or 18 degrees C for a maximum of 100 days.

A new filter-eluting solution that facilitates improved recovery of Cryptosporidium oocysts from water.

Cryptosporidium is a zoonotic coccidian parasite associated with diarrhea, and the disinfectant-resistant oocysts are threats to public health even in industrialized countries. In order to make an accurate assessment of the risk to public health, a detection method that has a high recovery rate of oocysts in water is required. In this study, we developed a new filter-eluting solution that facilitates more efficient recovery of Cryptosporidium oocysts from different kinds of water samples.