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Compressibility effects on the velocity derivative flatness F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x are investigated by experiments with opposing arrays of piston-driven synthetic jet actuators (PSJAs) and direct numerical simulations (DNS) of statistically steady compressible isotropic turbulence and temporally evolving turbulent planar jets with subsonic or supersonic jet velocities. Experiments using particle image velocimetry show that nearly homogeneous isotropic turbulence is generated at the center of a closed box from interactions between supersonic synthetic jets. The dependencies of F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x on the turbulent Reynolds number R e λ and the turbulent Mach number MT are examined both experimentally and using DNS. Previous studies of incompressible turbulence indicate a universal relationship between F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x and R e λ . However, both experiments and DNS confirm that F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x increases relative to the incompressible turbulence via compressibility effects. Although F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x tends to be larger with MT in each flow, the F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x in the turbulent jets and the turbulence generated from PSJAs deviate from those in incompressible turbulence at lower MT compared with isotropic turbulence sustained by a solenoidal forcing. The PSJAs and supersonic planar jets generate strong pressure waves, and the wave propagation can cause an increased F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x , even at low MT. These results suggest that the compressibility effects on F ∂ u ′ / ∂ x are not solely determined from a local value of MT and depend on the turbulence generation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies mechanism of carrier transport through a silicon-oxide layer for solar cells. Method of the study; Results and discussion;

Presents a study that investigated the indium tin oxide (ITO) films deposited on single-crystal silicon wafers by the electron-beam-evaporation method by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) together with work-function and resistivity measurements. Background on ITO; Experimental details; Results of the study.

Discusses indium tin oxide (ITO)/silicon oxide/silicon junction solar cells produced by depositing ITO on a thin film silicon oxide-covered single-crystal Si substrate. Use of electron-beam evaporation method; Ways to decrease the amount of the metal indium; Cause of a decrease in the lattice constant of the films.

Presents a study that analyzed carrier transport mechanism of the silicon (Si) semiconductor solar cells with n-Si/indium tin oxide (ITO) junctions. Measurement of the current-voltage characteristics of the samples; Analysis of the conversion efficiency of the solar cells; Evaluation of the mechanism of charge transport of Si electrode covered with a thermally grown Si oxide layer where an ITO film is deposited.

Presents information on a study which investigated the electrical characterization of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) using a liquid Schottky barrier. Advantages of using the surface photovoltage method using a liquid Schottky barrier; Properties of a-Si:H and crystalline (c) Si contacts with redox couple of quinone-hydroquinone; Application of capacitance-voltage measurements in liquid Schottky barrier diodes.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of discontinuation of risedronate for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with glucocorticoid (GC). Methods: The participants were patients with SLE treated with prednisolone (PSL)≥2 mg/day and risedronate for at least three years. Lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were taken at baseline and 24 and 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, and bone turnover markers were evaluated at baseline, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. Results: A total of 36 patients were enrolled, 25 of whom discontinued risedronate. The mean age was 46.8±11.2 years, and 23 were female. The mean duration of GC treatment was 14.8±11.4 years, the mean dose of PSL was 7.8±3.9 mg/day, and the mean duration of risedronate was 5.8±2.4 years. Seventeen patients showed decreased lumbar spine BMD at 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, with a mean lumbar spine lumbar decrease of 1.42%±3.20% (p=0.034); 17 patients (71%) showed a decreased total hip BMD at 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, with a mean total hip BMD decrease of 0.99%±2.10% (p=0.021). Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b)<309 mU/dl at baseline was a risk factor for decreased total hip BMD at 48 weeks compared with serum TRACP-5b<309 mU/dl (56% vs 0%, p=0.0098). One patient developed a clinical fracture of the lumbar spine at 20 weeks. Conclusions: Discontinuation of risedronate treatment in patients with SLE who had received GC therapy led to decreases in lumbar spine and total hip BMD, particularly in patients with high baseline serum TRACP-5b levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of bacterial coinfection on patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence, clinical features, microbial distributions, and outcomes of patients with bacterial coinfection in a cohort of 433 hospitalized patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Eighty-five patients (19.6 %) were diagnosed with bacterial coinfection; the most frequent pathogens were Haemophilus influenzae (25 patients, 33.3 %), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (15 patients, 20.0 %), and Moraxella catarrhalis (13 patients, 17.3 %). The CURB-65 score and pneumonia severity index (PSI) were significantly higher in patients with bacterial coinfection (both P < 0.001). In addition, the proportion of patients with bacterial coinfection who met the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) severe pneumonia criteria was significantly higher ( P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three risk factors for bacterial coinfection in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia: alcoholism (odds ratio [OR], 5.12; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI), 1.60-16.4; P = 0.006), hospitalization for 2 days or more within 90 days preceding admission (OR, 2.02; 95 % CI, 1.03-3.98; P = 0.041), and residence in a nursing home or extended care facility (OR, 3.22; 95 % CI, 1.48-6.97; P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis for 30-day mortality showed that bacterial coinfection was a significant adverse prognostic factor (OR, 2.50; 95 % CI, 1.13-5.53; P = 0.023), independent of IDSA/ATS severe pneumonia, PSI, or healthcare-associated pneumonia. In conclusion, bacterial coinfection may have an adverse impact on severity and outcomes of pneumococcal pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a clarification of the response mechanisms of beach ground arthropods to the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami, a pit-fall trap survey was conducted in August and September 2012 and 2013 on four relatively flat sandy beaches in northern Tohoku region (i.e., northern Iwate to southern Aomori Prefecture) in Japan. At each beach surveyed, eight clean plastic cups with no baits were put for two days on each of the five beach zones (i.e., wrack, non-vegetated, short-herbaceous, tallgrass, and shrub zones). Among the ground arthropods in this study, we report the differences in susceptibility of two sandhoppers (Trinorchestia trinitatis and T. longiramus), which dominate on the beaches and play an important role as prey for beach predators, to the tsunami, through monitoring their population dynamics. Although the abundance of the two species increased with time after the disturbance, T. trinitatis had a higher population growth rate than T. longiramus. In 2012, these two talitrid amphipods were collected mostly in the wrack zone, where the seaweed and driftwood accumulated, and on the non-vegetated zone near the shoreline, whereas they occurred in all beach zones in 2013. Since T. trinitatis burrows near the beach surface during its reproductive period in spring, this species might have suffered a large impact from the tsunami's coastal erosion. On the other hand, our findings suggest that Trinorchestia species rapidly recolonize coastal regions in a short period of time (within a year), due to their reproductive ability and the accumulation of sea wrack, which provides food and habitat to these sandhoppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a clarification of the response mechanisms of beach ground arthropods to the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami, a pit-fall trap survey was conducted in August and September 2012 and 2013 on four relatively flat sandy beaches in northern Tohoku region (i.e., northern Iwate to southern Aomori Prefecture) in Japan. At each beach surveyed, eight clean plastic cups with no baits were put for two days on each of the five beach zones (i.e., wrack, non-vegetated, short-herbaceous, tailgrass, and shrub zones). Among the ground arthropods in this study, we report the differences in susceptibility of two sandhoppers (Trinorchestia trinitatis and T. longiramus), which dominate on the beaches and play an important role as prey for beach predators, to the tsunami, through monitoring their population dynamics. Although the abundance of the two species increased with time after the disturbance, T. trinitatis had a higher population growth rate than T. longiramus. In 2012, these two talitrid amphipods were collected mostly in the wrack zone, where the seaweed and driftwood accumulated, and on the non-vegetated zone near the shoreline, whereas they occurred in all beach zones in 2013. Since T. trinitatis burrows near the beach surface during its reproductive period in spring, this species might have suffered a large impact from the tsunami's coastal erosion. On the other hand, our findings suggest that Trinorchestia species rapidly recolonize coastal regions in a short period of time (within a year), due to their reproductive ability and the accumulation of sea wrack, which provides food and habitat to these sandhoppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionospheric blobs are localized plasma density enhancements, which are mainly produced by the transportation process of plasma. To understand the deformation process of a blob, observations of plasma parameters with good spatial-temporal resolution are desirable. Thus, we conducted the European Incoherent Scatter radar observations with high-speed meridional scans (60-80 s) during October and December 2013, and observed the temporal evolution of a blob during a substorm on 4 December 2013. This paper is the first report of direct observations of blob deformation during a substorm. The blob deformation arose from an enhanced plasma flow shear during the substorm expansion phase, and then the blob split into two smaller-scale blobs, whose scale sizes were more than ∼100 km in latitude. Our analysis indicates that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and dissociative recombination could have deformed the blob structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms ( DIHS/ DRESS) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome ( SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis ( TEN) represent contrasting poles of severe drug eruptions, and sequential reactivations of several herpesviruses have exclusively been demonstrated in the former. No previous studies, however, were extended beyond the acute stage. We sought to investigate whether herpesvirus reactivations could also be observed in SJS/ TEN and beyond the acute stage of both diseases. Methods Patients with SJS ( n = 16), SJS/ TEN overlap ( n = 2), TEN ( n = 10), and DIHS/ DRESS ( n = 34) were enrolled. We performed a retrospective analysis of Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV), human herpesvirus 6 ( HHV-6), and cytomegalovirus ( CMV) DNA loads sequentially determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction during a 2-year period after onset. Results Persistently increased EBV loads were detected in SJS during the acute stage and long after resolution, but not in others. In contrast, high HHV-6 loads were exclusively detected in DIHS/ DRESS during the acute stage. The dynamics of herpesvirus reactivation varied in DIHS/ DRESS according to the use of systemic corticosteroids: While EBV loads were higher in patients not receiving systemic corticosteroids, CMV and HHV-6 loads were higher in those receiving them. Conclusions Distinct patterns of herpesvirus reactivation according to the pathological phenotype and to the use of systemic corticosteroids were observed during the acute stage and follow-up period, which may contribute, at least in part, to the difference in the clinical manifestations and long-term outcomes. Systemic corticosteroids during the acute stage may improve the outcomes in DIHS/ DRESS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Previous studies have reported that the maturation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) mechanoreceptors occurs during the early stages of mastication, and indicated that TMJ mechanoreceptors lose their function when masticatory loading is decreased. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the resumption of proper TMJ loading during the early growth period could restore TMJ mechanoreceptor function. Designs: Ninety-nine 2-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into two groups and fed either pellets [control group (n =33)] or a liquid diet [experimental group (n =66)]. At 5 weeks of age, the experimental group was split into changing-diet (n =33) and liquid-diet (n =33) groups; the former was fed pellets instead of a liquid diet. TMJ mechanoreceptor activities were recorded from the trigeminal ganglion at 5, 7 and 9 weeks. The firing threshold and maximum instantaneous firing frequency of single TMJ units were measured in each group. Results: In the changing-diet group, the firing properties of TMJ units were recovered at 7 weeks. Conclusions: Proper TMJ loading during the early growth period can lead to the restoration of TMJ mechanoreceptor function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Estrogens have important roles in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. However, the significance of presurgical aromatase inhibitor treatment remains unclear. Therefore, we examined intratumoral concentration of estrogens and changes of clinicopathological factors in DCIS after letrozole treatment.Methods: Ten cases of postmenopausal oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive DCIS were examined. They received oral letrozole before the surgery, and the tumour size was evaluated by ultrasonography. Surgical specimens and corresponding biopsy samples were used for immunohistochemistry. Snap-frozen specimens were also available in a subset of cases, and used for hormone assays and microarray analysis.Results: Intratumoral oestrogen levels were significantly lower in DCIS treated with letrozole compared with that in those without the therapy. A great majority of oestrogen-induced genes showed low expression levels in DCIS treated with letrozole by microarray analysis. Moreover, letrozole treatment reduced the greatest dimension of DCIS, and significantly decreased Ki-67 and progesterone receptor immunoreactivity in DCIS tissues.Conclusion: These results suggest that estrogens are mainly produced by aromatase in DCIS tissues, and aromatase inhibitors potently inhibit oestrogen actions in postmenopausal ER-positive DCIS through rapid deprivation of intratumoral estrogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Estrogens have important roles in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. However, the significance of presurgical aromatase inhibitor treatment remains unclear. Therefore, we examined intratumoral concentration of estrogens and changes of clinicopathological factors in DCIS after letrozole treatment.Methods:Ten cases of postmenopausal oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive DCIS were examined. They received oral letrozole before the surgery, and the tumour size was evaluated by ultrasonography. Surgical specimens and corresponding biopsy samples were used for immunohistochemistry. Snap-frozen specimens were also available in a subset of cases, and used for hormone assays and microarray analysis.Results:Intratumoral oestrogen levels were significantly lower in DCIS treated with letrozole compared with that in those without the therapy. A great majority of oestrogen-induced genes showed low expression levels in DCIS treated with letrozole by microarray analysis. Moreover, letrozole treatment reduced the greatest dimension of DCIS, and significantly decreased Ki-67 and progesterone receptor immunoreactivity in DCIS tissues.Conclusion:These results suggest that estrogens are mainly produced by aromatase in DCIS tissues, and aromatase inhibitors potently inhibit oestrogen actions in postmenopausal ER-positive DCIS through rapid deprivation of intratumoral estrogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]