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Background: There are no known predictors of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) induction for single lung transplantation. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to clarify the relationship between variables and ECMO requirements in single lung transplantation. Methods: This study included adult patients who underwent cadaveric single lung transplantation be- tween 2010 and 2019. After general anesthesia, the transplanted lungs were ventilated in all cases. The analysis included 38 patients in the ECMO required (RQ) group and 12 patients in the ECMO non-required (FR) group. Comparisons were made between the two groups for data affecting ECMO implementation, and data that were significantly different were subjected to multivariate analysis. Results: Prior to anesthesia, the bicarbonate (HCO3-) value of the FR group was lower than that of the RQ group (24.6±2.7 vs. 29.7±5.3 mmol/L, p=0.005). Multivariate analysis showed that the cut-off bicarbon- ate value was 29.6. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the model was 0.869 (R2: 0.331), with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 88%. The odds ratio was 1.63 for every unit increase in the bicarbonate value (95%CI: 1.11-2.39, p<0.001). Further, the FR group had higher arterial blood pressure (mean: 79.0±11.5 vs. 68.9±8.3 mmHg, p=0.030), less blood loss (432±385 vs. 1,623±1,997 g, p<0.001), shorter operation time (417±44 vs. 543±111 min, p<0.001), and shorter ICU stay (11±9 vs. 25±38 days, p=0.039). Conclusion: Preoperative evaluation of bicarbonate could predict the need for ECMO for single lung transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional properties of matter, including dielectric and magnetic properties, are of great interest in physics and applications. Here, we investigate the dielectric properties and magnetoelectric effects in FeCo-MgF insulating nanogranular films. These films have a nanogranular structure in which Fe-Co alloy-based magnetic granules are dispersed in an Mg-F insulator-based matrix. Both a large dielectric constant of about 420 at 100 kHz and a large magnetoelectric effect of about 6.2% are obtained at room temperature. Insulating nanogranular films are a new class of multifunctional materials. The dielectric properties and the magnetoelectric effects originate in the nano-structure which consists of a magnetic metal and an insulator, and are explained by the spin-dependent tunneling charge oscillation between a pair of magnetic granules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth of Tl[sub 0.05]Ga[sub 0.95]As on GaAs (001) substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy has been performed at substrate temperatures of 230, 210, and 190°C under various As pressures. At a growth temperature of 230 °C, Tl droplets were observed on the surfaces after the growth under low As pressures, while no droplets were observed when As pressure was increased. On the other hand, when grown at 190 °C, no droplets were observed over the entire range of the As pressure examined. Except for a sample grown at 230 °C under the lowest As pressure, a clearly resolved peak appeared in addition to a substrate peak in each x-ray diffraction curve, indicating the existence of an epitaxial TlGaAs layer. However, the weak intensity of the diffracted peaks due to the TlGaAs layers suggested that single-crystalline growth is replaced by polycrystalline growth at some thickness, h[sub epi]. We estimated the epitaxial thickness, h[sub epi], through fitting theoretical simulation to the experimental diffraction curves, and found that h[sub epi] increases with increasing As pressure and with decreasing growth temperature. The effects of As pressure and growth temperature on Tl droplet formation and on h[sub epi] are discussed in terms of a competition between Tl-As and Tl-Tl bond formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical studies of electric dipole excitations in atomic nuclei e.g. the structure of pygmy dipole resonances and isovector giant dipole resonances are attracting much attention recently. In this article, we describe a technical development in the coincidence measurement of the excitation processes with the Grand Raiden high-resolution magnetic spectrometer and the γ -decay processes by the CAGRA and SC γ LLA efficient γ -detector arrays at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics at Osaka University. Specifically, we describe how we developed a new beamline (GRAF), for γ detection at the target position by placing the spectrometer at an angle of 4. 5 - 19. 0 ∘ and by transporting the primary beam to a well-shielded beam dump. Experimental conditions and representative data are shown for each of the two γ -detector arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The x-ray diffraction measurements of 2-propanol adsorbed on graphite have been taken over the temperature range 150–240 K and the coverage range 2.28–4.23 molecules/nm2. The analysis of the data by means of the least-squares fitting of the complete pattern suggests that 2-propanol dimers bound by hydrogen bonding are arranged to give a lamellar structure of the molecules on the surface. The melting of the solid monolayers occurs by a two-step process involving an intermediate phase, possibly a defective two-dimensional smectic liquid crystal. The results are compared with the melting behavior observed for the monolayers of n-propanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the magnetic properties of (cobalt...iron...)-aluminum oxide granular thin films prepared by a reactive sputtering method. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

The new mirror angle detector applying a variable capacitor and several hundreds MHz RF wave has been developed. It is composed of a rotary capacitor consisting of a rotary and stationary electrode, a RF feeder and RF circuits. Reflected RF wave at the rotary capacitor supposed to connect the rotation axis of the mirror comes back to the RF feeder and the phase change of reflected RF due to the overlap condition between the two electrodes tells us the rotation angle of the mirror. Application of a co-axial choke stub to the support of the stationary electrode has been utilized. As a result, cooling water can be supplied to the stationary electrode through the center conductor of the choke stub that can solve the cooling issue of the electrodes since it acts as a notch filter to isolate the electrode, electrically. In order to verify the design principle of the new mirror angle detector for the EC launchers, the mock-up of the detector and RF circuits were fabricated and tested. It was obtained that phase difference of the reflected RF wave at the rotation angle change of 14° was 26°, which was well agreed with the design value of 25.7°. It is concluded that the new angle detector is applicable to the ITER EC launcher steering mirror. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possible appearance of nuclear halos in ground and excited states close to the particle-decay threshold is of great importance in the investigation of nuclear structure and few-body correlations at the limit of stability. In order to obtain direct evidence of the halo structure manifested in nuclear excited states, we have considered a new method to measure the interaction cross sections of excited states. The combination of the transmission method and the recoil distance Doppler-shift method with a plunger device enables us to measure the number of interactions of the excited states in a target. Formulae to determine the interaction cross section are derived, and key issues to realize measurements are discussed. Dominant sources of errors are uncertainties in the excited-state lifetimes and γ -ray yields. We examine prototype experiments and perform simulations to study the impact of each uncertainty on the final result. This method provides a novel opportunity to perform cross section measurements on the excited states of rare isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular survival and death are at least partially regulated by the phosphorylation of proteins. A chaperon protein, 14-3-3ζ, regulates the activity of many proteins by covering the phosphorylation site within a 14-3-3 binding motif. Therefore, regulation of 14-3-3ζ activity may affect the fate of cells subjected to cold preservation and/or hypothermic oxygenated conditions. The present study assessed whether 14-3-3ζ protects cells from hypothermic oxygenation-induced injury and clarified its role in mitochondrial functions. Human renal tubular cell line HK-2 or 14-3-3ζ-overexpressed HK-2 (ζHK-2) cells were subjected to 72 hours of normoxic cold preservation in UW solution with or without antioxidants and hydroperoxides. Cellular death, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and MTT catabolism were evaluated. Deferoxamine treatment reduced cellular death and augmented ATP content in both cell types. These indices were higher in ζHK-2, regardless of deferoxamine treatment. Exposure to hydroperoxides did not affect cellular death in either cell type, whereas hydroperoxide supplementation significantly reduced ATP content, except for low-dose hydrogen peroxide in HK-2 cells. MTT assay at normal state showed higher values in ζHK-2 cells, whereas it was impaired by hydroperoxides in both cell types. These results suggest that accumulation of hydroperoxides as a byproduct of the augmented oxidative phosphorylation by 14-3-3ζ overexpression causes mitochondrial dysfunction. In conclusion, despite possessing many potentially protective functions, 14-3-3ζ exacerbates cellular injury under hypothermic oxygenated conditions. 14-3-3ζ accelerates mitochondrial functions together with iron-dependent oxidative damage. Although further investigations are necessary, upregulation of 14-3-3ζ could be a method to maintain mitochondrial function under hypothermic oxygenated conditions, as shown in hypothermic machine preservation of renal grafts, when appropriate antioxidant treatment is administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Very neutron-rich isotopes, including 30-32Ne, in the vicinity of N = 20 are known to exhibit ground states dominated by fp-shell intruder configurations: the "island of inversion. "Systematics for the Ne-isotopic chain suggest that such configurations may be in strong competition with normal shell-model configurations in the ground state of 29Ne. Purpose: A determination of the structure of 29Ne is thus important to delineate the extent of the island of inversion and better understand structural evolution in neutron-rich Ne isotopes. This is accomplished here through a combined investigation of nuclear and Coulomb-induced one-neutron removal reactions. Method: Cross sections for one-neutron removal on carbon and lead targets and the parallel momentum distribution of the 28Ne residues from the carbon target are measured at around 240 MeV/nucleon. The measurements are compared with reaction calculations combined with spectroscopic information from SDPF-M shell-model wave functions. Results: The deduced width of the inclusive parallel momentum distribution, 98(12) MeV/c (FWHM), suggests that the ground state of 29Ne has a spin parity of 3/2-. Detailed comparisons of the measured inclusive and partial cross sections of the two targets and the parallel momentum distribution of the carbon target with reaction calculations, combined with spectroscopic information from large-scale shell-model calculations, are all consistent with a 3/2- spin-parity assignment. Conclusions: The results indicate that 29Ne lies within the island of inversion and that the ground state of 29Ne is dominated by a 28Ne(01+) ⊗ 2p3/2 neutron configuration. Combined with recently measured interaction cross sections, it is concluded that 29Ne may exhibit a moderately developed halo-like distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to prevent hydrofoil colliding with cetaceans, the underwater speaker (UWS) has been installed to repel cetaceans. Yamada et al. (2012) analyzed and devised the UWS sound as it fits the cetaceans' acoustic properties to prevent the collision furthermore. The new UWS sound was devised and synthesized by Yamada et al. (2015) with expectation of avoiding collision with large cetaceans (Patent applied for, JP2014-171411). In this research project, the new UWS sound was investigated by the playback experiment on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and by sighting survey in the actual hydrofoil shipping service route. As a result, a physiological and behavioral change of the humpback whale was observed in the playback experiment of the new UWS sound, and the chance of hydrofoil encountering cetaceans of the new UWS sound was smaller than that of the previous UWS sound. Therefore, the improvement of the new UWS sound was confirmed. Lastly, we wish this research project would contribute toward the safer cruise of hydrofoil in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The underwater speaker (UWS) has been installed on high speed vessels; hydrofoils (HF) with low-noise during their cruises, to avoid sudden collisions with large cetaceans, while its performance has remained uncertain because of the problem in quality of the produced sound. Thus, we developed a sound source for the UWS by modulating the sound based on the audible range of major large cetaceans so as to increase its utilities. To investigate the audible sound frequency range of cetacean, we tried two procedures, (1) indirect-estimation from relationship between cetaceans audibility and vocalization, and (2) indirect-estimation from measurements on the cochlear basal membrane. We also synthesized the two new sound sources which we can potentially expect an avoidance with large cetaceans. Through several field experiments with deploy the new sounds we reached a tentative conclusion that the new sound was effective in terms of inducing the cetaceans' avoidance reaction and would be also expected to be applied to other low-noise vessels. (Patent applied for, JP2014-171411) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absolute grand total cross section for electron scattering from CO 2 is obtained in the energy range from 20 eV down to 9 meV with a very narrow electron energy width of 11 meV using the threshold-photoelectron source employing synchrotron radiation. Although the obtained grand total cross section shows the general features of the cross-section behavior known for the low-energy electron scattering from CO 2 , namely the marked rise below 2 eV and the resonance enhancement at about 4 eV, several new features were revealed, especially at the 2 Π u resonance. The energy position for the maxima of the grand total cross section at the 2 Π u resonance appeared to be lower than that has been known. Also found are clear oscillatory structures resolved on the broad enhancement of the grand total cross section at around the 2 Π u resonance. The present measurement also revealed a threshold feature due to the vibrational excitation of asymmetric stretch mode in the grand total cross section. The vibrational excitation cross section for asymmetric stretch mode at the threshold is estimated from the feature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross sections of ln-removal reactions from the neutron-rich nucleus 37Mg on C and Pb targets and the parallel momentum distributions of the 37Mg residues from the C target have been measured at 240 MeV/nucleon. A combined analysis of these distinct nuclear- and Coulomb-dominated reaction data shows that the 37Mg ground state has a small 1 n separation energy of 0.22 +0.12 -0.09 MeV and an appreciable p-wave neutron single-particle strength. These results confirm that 37Mg lies near the edge of the "island of inversion" and has a sizable p -wave neutron halo component, the heaviest such system identified to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The halo structure of Ne31 is studied using 1n-removal reactions on C and Pb targets at 230??MeV/nucleon. A combined analysis of the cross sections of these nuclear and Coulomb dominated reactions that feed directly the 30Neground-state reveals 31Ne to have a small neutron separation energy, 0.15+0.16-0.10??MeV, and spin-parity 3/2-. Consistency of the data with reaction and large-scale shell-model calculations identifies 31Ne as deformed and having a significant p-wave halo component, suggesting that halos are more frequent occurrences at the neutron drip line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one-neutron removal cross section from Ne, Mg, and Si on a Pb target have been measured at around 240 MeV/nucleon at the RIBF (RI-Beam Factory) at RIKEN. This main goal of the experiment was to extract the inclusive Coulomb breakup cross sections in order to probe possible halo structures through their enhanced low-energy E1 strengths - so-called soft E1 excitations. The results showed significant enhancement of the one-neutron removal Coulomb breakup cross section for Mg. This in turn provides evidence for the existence of halo structure in Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation and growth of Ru-Si islands were observed on a ruthenium-deposited Si(111) surface during successive cycles of heating for 30 s at 1423 K and cooling. Lateral and vertical growth is analysed. The large lattice mismatch of small Ru2Si3 islands with the Si substrate modulates a Volmer-Weber type growth mode. When the islands are large, Ru2Si3 crystals are situated on a metastable buffer layer. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present how radioactive Cs was deposited on wheat, rice, peach tree and soil after nuclear accident in Fukushima. The deposition of radioactive Cs was found as spots at the surface of the leaves, branch or trunk of the trees, as well as in soil using one of the imaging method, autoradiography. The deposited radioactive Cs was not easily washed out, even with the treatment of acid solution. When the wheat was harvested 2 months after the accident, high radioactivity of Cs was found only on the leaves developed and expanded at the time of the accident. In the case of the rice grain, most of the radioactivity was found in bran and the radioactivity was drastically reduced in milled rice. Most of the radioactive Cs accumulation in rice plants was estimated from the absorption of the Cs ion dissolved in water, rather than Cs adsorbed in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnesium (Mg) uptake of rice seedlings treated with different pH solutions was investigated using tracer of Mg. The application of Mg enabled the determination of Mg uptake amount within 15 min of the different pH treatments. The uptake amount of Mg and its distribution in rice plants were determined by using the imaging plate. The result demonstrated that the Mg uptake amount was approximately 3 μmol/15 min per plant in 0.27 mM Mg solution at pH 5.6, and this uptake decreased by 30 % at lower pH conditions (pH 4.5). On the contrary, the pH 6.5 condition induced the Mg uptake activity to 4.4 μmol/15 min. The inverse relationship found between proton concentration in nutrient solution and the Mg uptake amount within 15 min of treatment demonstrated that the low pH condition could inhibit the Mg uptake activity as a consequence of the competition between Mg and proton. It is concluded that under low pH conditions, regardless of other factors, there is a decrease of Mg uptake activity in rice roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of 19,20,22C has been investigated using high-energy (around 240 MeV/nucleon) one- and two-neutron removal reactions on a carbon target. Measurements were made of the inclusive cross sections and momentum distributions for the charged residues. Narrow momentum distributions were observed for one-neutron removal from 19C and 20C and two-neutron removal from 22C. Two-neutron removal from 20C resulted in a relatively broad momentum distribution. The results are compared with eikonal-model calculations combined with shell-model structure information. The neutron removal cross sections and associated momentum distributions are calculated for transitions to both the particle-bound and particle-unbound final states. The calculations take into account the population of the mass A -- 1 reaction residues and, following one-neutron emission after one-neutron removal, the mass A -- 2 two-neutron removal residues A_2C. The smaller contributions of direct two-neutron removal, that populate the A-2C residues in a single step, are also computed. The data and calculations are shown to be in good overall agreement and consistent with the predicted shell-model ground-state configurations and one-neutron overlaps with low-lying states in l8-21C. These suggest significant vs1/22 valence neutron configurations in both 20C and 22C. The results for 22C strongly support the picture of 22C as a two-neutron halo nucleus with a dominant vs1/22 ground-state configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine-grained sediment budgets based on the monthly bed level and net sediment flux monitoring from October 2006 to October 2007 are estimated to examine the relative contributions of tides and river discharge to mud transport on an intertidal flat adjacent to a river mouth in a semiclosed sound. The estimated sediment budgets are interpreted using the water mass balance equation and the horizontal tidal current pattern measured using high frequency (HF) radar. The intertidal flat accreted during normal discharge conditions are primarily attributable to the alongshore sediment flux toward the river mouth. However, the flat was eroded when the large offshore suspended sediment transport occurred on the flat during the large river discharge. The net alongshore tidal current causes alongshore sediment fluxes toward the river mouth on this intertidal flat adjacent to the river mouth. These findings may be specific to this site, but an adopted comprehensive approach may be applicable to other sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependence on atmospheric stability of flow characteristics adjacent to a very rough surface was investigated in a larch forest in Japan. Micrometeorological measurements of three-dimensional wind velocity and air temperature were taken at two heights above the forest, namely 1.7 and 1.2 times the mean canopy height h. Under near-neutral and stable conditions, the observed turbulence statistics suggest that the flow was likely to be that of the atmospheric surface layer (ASL) at 1.7 h, and of the roughness sublayer (RSL) at 1.2 h. However, in turbulence spectra, canopy-induced large coherent motions appeared clearly at both heights. Even under strongly stable conditions, the large-scale motions were retained at 1.2 h, whereas they were overwhelmed by small-scale motions at 1.7 h. This phenomenon was probably due to the enhanced contribution of the ASL turbulence associated with nocturnal decay of the RSL depth, because the small-scale motions appeared at frequencies close to the peak frequencies of well-known ASL spectra. This result supports the relatively recent concept that canopy flow is a superimposition of coherent motions and the ASL turbulence. The large-scale motions were retained in temperature spectra over a wider region of stability compared to streamwise wind spectra, suggesting that a canopy effect extended higher up for temperature than wind. The streamwise spacing of dominant eddies according to the plane mixing-layer analogy was only valid in a narrow range at near neutral, and it was stabilised at nearly half its value under stable conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Characteristic features of electric dipole transitions at low excitation energies (soft E1 excitation) for halo nuclei are presented. Energy spectra of soft E1 excitations in the one neutron halo nucleus 11Be and in the two neutron halo nucleus 11Li using the Coulomb breakup reactions are shown, which illustrate the mechanism of the soft E1 excitation in these cases. We also show recent experimental results on inclusive Coulomb breakup performed at the new-generation RI beam facility, RIBF, at RIKEN. There, we have obtained evidence for halo structure in the very neutron rich nucleus 31Ne, which is the heaviest halo ever known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Leaf growth is one of the first physiological processes affected by changes in plant water status under drought. A decrease in leaf expansion rate usually precedes any reduction in stomatal conductance or photosynthesis. Changes in leaf size and stomatal opening are potential adaptive mechanisms, which may help avoid drought by reducing transpiration rate, and can be used to improve rice genotypes in water-saving cultivation. The indica rice cultivar IR64 and four of its near-isogenic lines (NILs; BC3-derived lines) unique for leaf size traits, YTK 124 (long leaves), YTK 127 (broad leaves), YTK 205 (short leaves) and YTK 214 (narrow leaves), were compared in this study for changes in leaf growth and its water status. The plants were subjected to two soil water regimes, well-watered and progressive soil drying measured by the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW). Applied drought reduced leaf number, total leaf area, specific leaf area, plant biomass, tiller number, plant height, stomatal conductance, amount of water transpired, leaf relative water content, and leaf water potential more in IR64 and the NILs than in the respective controls; nonetheless, transpiration efficiency (TE) was slightly higher under drought than in the well-watered controls. NILs with broader leaves had higher biomass (and its individual components), less stomatal conductance, and higher TE under drought than NILs with narrow and shorter leaves. Under drought, leaf number was positively correlated with tiller number and plant height; nonetheless, root weight and total biomass, water transpired and TE, and plant height and TE were positively correlated with each other. However, a negative correlation was observed between stomatal conductance and the FTSW threshold at which normalized transpiration started to decline during soil drying. Overall, the IR64-derived lines with broader leaves performed better than NILs with narrow and short leaves under drought. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article related to the generation of novel human cell-based models for the loss of human neural progenitor cells (NPC) in disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) neurodevelopment and neuropsychiatric disorder.

Studies on bovine group B rotaviruses (GBRs) are limited. To date, only the VP6 gene of a single bovine GBR strain and the VP7 and NSP5 genes of a few bovine GBR strains have been sequenced and analyzed. In the present study, using a single-primer amplification method, we have determined the full-length nucleotide sequences of the VP1, VP2, VP4, VP6, NSP1 and NSP2 genes of three bovine GBR strains from eastern India. In all six of these genes, the bovine GBR strains shared high genetic relatedness among themselves but exhibited high genetic diversity with cognate genes of human, murine and ovine GBRs. Interestingly, as with group A rotaviruses, the bovine GBR VP1, VP2, VP6 and NSP2 genes appeared to be more conserved than the VP4 and NSP1 genes among strains of different species. The present study provides important insights into the genetic makeup and diversity of bovine GBRs, and also identifies a novel GBR VP4 genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the impact of dementia severity on repeat fallers among the institutionalized elderly. A secondary analysis of a dataset containing information on 466 residents (86 of whom were fallers) of nine care facilities around Tokyo was carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the baseline characteristics. Then, logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the risk factors between the non-fallers and fallers and between the single and repeat fallers. Finally, the relative risks that had an impact on the repeat fallers were calculated. Sixty-one persons (13.1%) were identified as single fallers and 25 (5.4%) were identified as repeat fallers. An unstable gait was a dominant risk factor. In addition, the person's sex and the facility type were identified as risk factors for the fallers, while severe dementia was identified as a risk factor for the repeat fallers. Nurses should recognize the combination of severe dementia and unstable gait as a warning sign for potential repeat fallers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human thioredoxin (TRX) is one of redox-active proteins that regulate reactive oxidative metabolisms. In recent study, we found that serum levels of TRX were elevated in asthmatic patients with exacerbation; however, few details are known about the physiological role of TRX in allergic inflammation, involving eosinophil infiltration. Objective: In the present study, we examined whether TRX modulated C-C chemokine-induced chemotaxis of human eosinophils. Methods: Eosinophils were isolated from subjects with mild eosinophilia by modified CD16 negative selection. After incubation with or without recombinant TRX, chemotaxis of human eosinophils was measured using Boyden chamber. Results: Preincubation with TRX suppressed eotaxin- and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)-induced chemotaxis of eosinophils. Although, TRX had no effect on the expression of C-C chemokine receptor 3, which is a receptor of eotaxin and RANTES, we demonstrated that the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, which play an important role in eosinophil migration, was attenuated by the treatment with TRX. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the elicited TRX is beneficial to reduce allergic inflammation through negative regulation of eosinophil functions and has potential in the treatment of allergic diseases, such as asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is life for more than half of humanity. It is the grain that has shaped the cultures, diets, and economies of billions of people in the world. Food security in the world is challenged by increasing food demand and threatened by declining water availability. More recently, the increase in area under biofuel crops at the cost of food crops is also threatening. Exploring ways to produce more rice with less water is essential for food security. Water-saving rice production systems, such as aerobic rice culture, system of rice intensification (SRI), ground-cover rice production system (GCRPS), raised beds, and alternate wetting and drying (AWD), can drastically cut down the unproductive water outflows and increase water-use efficiency (WUE). However, these technologies can sometimes lead to some yield penalty, if the existing lowland varieties are used. Other new approaches are being explored to increase water economy without compromise on yield. These include the incorporation of the C4 photosynthetic pathway into rice to increase rice yield per unit water transpired, the use of molecular biotechnology to develop rice varieties with improved water-use efficiency, transpiration efficiency (TE), drought tolerance, and the development of varieties for aerobic system, to achieve high and sustainable yields in nonflooded soil. Through the adoption of water-saving irrigation technologies, rice land will shift away from being continuously anaerobic to being partly or even completely aerobic. These shifts will produce profound changes in water conservation, soil organic matter turnover, nutrient dynamics, carbon impounding, weed flora, and greenhouse gas emissions. Although some of these changes can be positive, for example, water conservation and decreased methane emission, others might be negative, for example, release of nitrous oxide from the soil and decline in soil organic matter. The challenge will be to develop effective integrated natural-resource-management interventions, which would allow profitable rice cultivation with increased soil aeration, while maintaining the productivity, environmental safety, and sustainability of rice-based ecosystems. This chapter discusses the integrated approaches like genetics, breeding, and resource management to increase rice yield and to reduce water demand for rice production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies suggest a positive association between nutrient intake, hyperinsulinemia and risk of Benign prostatic hyperplasis (BPH). This study tests the hypothesis that a low-fat, high-fiber diet and daily exercise would lower serum insulin and reduce the growth of serum-stimulated primary prostate epithelial cells in culture. Serum samples were obtained from eight overweight men before and after the Pritikin residential, 2-week diet and exercise intervention and from seven men who were long-term followers of the low-fat, high-fiber diet and regular exercise lifestyle. The serum was used to stimulate primary prostate epithelial cells in culture. Growth was measured after 48 and 96 h and apoptosis after 96 h. At 48 h there was no significant difference in growth within the Pre, 2-week or Long-Term groups. At 96 h growth was significantly reduced in the 2-week (13%) and in the Long-Term (14%) groups compared to the Pre data. At 96 h, apoptosis was not significantly different among the three groups. Fasting insulin was reduced by 30% in the 2-week group and by 52% in the Long-Term group compared to the Pre data. Testosterone was unchanged in the 2-week group. The results of this study indicate that a low-fat, high-fiber diet and daily exercise lowers insulin and reduces growth of prostate primary epithelial cells and suggests that lifestyle may be an important factor in the development or progression of BPH. Future prospective trials should address the effects of this lifestyle modification on BPH symptomatology and progression.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2008) 11, 362–366; doi:10.1038/pcan.2008.6; published online 19 February 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The subgrade reaction coefficient of a foundation soil in an open pier has been identified using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) based on measurements taken during in situ horizontal loading tests on a pile. For the in situ tests, the surface clay layer was removed, and the diluvial clay layer was replaced by a rubble mound to reduce the length of the pile above the surface of the foundation deposit. The tests were carried out for both the existing diluvial clay deposit and the replacement rubble mound for purposes of comparing the identified subgrade reaction coefficients in Euler–Bernoulli’s beam equation with nonlinear springs. The measured deflection and the bending moment determined in the tests were used as input data for the inverse analysis. Analysis revealed that the identified subgrade reaction coefficient of the rubble mound is less than that of the diluvial clay under the same level of loading. The numerical results will provide useful information for the future design of open piers and their foundations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Unlabelled: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been used to detect bacteria adherent to failed orthopaedic implants, but some PCR assays have had problems with probable false-positive results. We used a combination of a Staphylococcus species-specific PCR and a universal PCR followed by DNA sequencing to identify bacteria on implants retrieved from 52 patients (92 implants) at revision arthroplasty. We addressed two questions in this study: (1) Is this method able to show the existence of bacterial DNA on presumed aseptic loosed implants?; and (2) What proportion of presumed aseptic or culture-negative implants was positive for bacterial DNA by PCR? Fourteen implants (15%) were believed infected, whereas 74 implants (85%) were believed aseptic. Each implant was sonicated and the resulting solution was submitted for dual real-time PCR assay and culture. All implants believed aseptically loose were culture-negative, but nine of the 74 (12%) had bacterial DNA by PCR; two (2.7%) were PCR-positive and also showed histologic findings suggestive of infection. Uniquely developed PCR and bacterial sequencing assays showed bacterial DNA on 12% of implants removed for presumed aseptic loosening. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical importance of bacterial DNA detected by PCR but not by conventional culture.Level Of Evidence: Level III, diagnostic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In our previous works, a new polishing approach and apparatus for silicon wafer edge treatment with ultrasonically assisted polishing (UAP) was proposed. In this paper, a novel polishing apparatus and method were presented for more effectively performing the edge polishing based on our previous works. The fundamental polishing characteristics of the novel method were demonstrated through a few experimental investigations carried out on the new apparatus. Because of an elliptic ultrasonic vibration of the polishing pad, abrasive particles within the slurry held by the pad impact the work surface at an extremely high acceleration. It leads to the high material removal rate and the good surface quality even at low rotational speed of the wafer or small supplying flow of slurry. The novel method is suitable for the fragile wafer edge polishing. By setting proper parameters, the surface roughness of wafer edge polished by the presented method is improved over 31.7% compared to that without UAP. The polishing effect of the novel polishing method can be further improved by applying high AC voltage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spherical submicron-sized powder of copper was synthesized through condensation from a vapor phase with a significantly high degree of supersaturation in thermal plasma. The degree of supersaturation was increased by the relatively high feed rate of raw copper powder. A high concentration of metal vapor was attained by using copper powder in Ar–H2 plasma, and relatively large particles of up to 0.1 μm in diameter were prepared. The powder feed rate, reactor pressure and gas flow rate of hydrogen were varied to examine their effects on the evaporation of the raw powder. Particle size and its distribution in the powder sample were evaluated by image analysis. The total amount of evaporated raw powder depended on the powder feed rate, the reactor pressure and hydrogen flow rate. The copper vapor concentration increased in proportion to the total amount of evaporation. Particle growth subsequently took place through heterogeneous condensation to form submicron-sized particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three rotavirus variants with a rearranged RNA segment derived from the NSP3 gene were isolated in three independent experiments of coinfection and multiple passages of simian rotavirus strain SA11 and single-VP7-gene- or NSP1-gene-substitution reassortants having genetic background of SA11. Sequence analysis indicated that the three rearranged NSP3 genes had almost identical sequences and genomic structures organized by partial duplication of the open reading frame in a head-to-tail orientation following the termination codon. The junction site of the original NSP3 gene (first copy) and the duplicated portion (second copy) was identical among the three rearranged genes, while a direct repeat, i.e., a homologous sequence between the first copy and second template for duplication, typically located at the junction site, was not detected. However, short similar sequences were present at the end of the first copy and beginning of the second copy. These findings suggest that rearrangement of the NSP3 gene may occur at a certain preferential site which is related to sequence similarity between 3′-untranslated region and a region near the 5′-end of ORF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our ability to predict beach erosion above the still water level (SWL) is still not satisfactory due to the lack of adequate technology to accurately measure the sediment concentration and velocity in very shallow water, including the swash zone where the beach face is intermittently covered with water and exposed to the atmosphere. A simple procedure is proposed here to improve our predictive capability for the particular case of scarping erosion caused by wind-generated waves above the SWL. If the slope at the steep scarp is larger than the limiting slope of the internal sediment friction, the steep face is assumed to be eroded due to the computed offshore sediment transport at the toe of the scarp. The bedload and suspended sediment transport at the toe of the scarp was computed using a time-averaged model that includes the steep bottom slope effect. The model was validated against a novel experiment in a multidirectional wave basin, where scarping was reproduced. The water level was raised in four steps to reproduce the shoreface erosion, berm overwash and berm erosion, successively. Horizontal and tilted berms were tested against similar normal incident irregular waves to compare the performance of the profile without and with ponding, respectively. For the tilted case, ponding appeared when the tilted berm was overtopped. No ponding was observed for the horizontal berm test even when the berm was overtopped. The predictability was estimated using the Brier skill score (BSS). The predictability of the scarping was good (BSS ≥ 0.6) for the horizontal berm test and fair (BSS ≥ 0.4) for the tilted berm test. This decrease in the predictability may be related to the ponding, which is not included in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare epidemiologic features and genetic characteristics of group A rotaviruses causing diarrhea in children and adults, a survey was conducted in Wuhan, China, during the period of Dec. 2000–May 2006. A total of 3839 stool specimens from diarrheal patients from eight hospitals were analyzed. Winter seasonality was observed for rotavirus diarrhea in both adults and children, showing overall rotavirus-positive rates of 9.0 and 23.9%, respectively. Throughout the study period, G3 was the most frequent G serotype in both adults and children (detection rates 86.2 and 87.8%, respectively), and was mostly associated with VP4 genotype P[8], VP 6 genotype II (subgroup II), and NSP4 genotype B. G3 rotaviruses were differentiated into eight electropherotypes, among which seven types were found in specimens from both adults and children. VP7 gene sequences of G3 rotaviruses from adults and children (6 and 4 strains, respectively), detected in different years and different hospitals, showed extremely high sequence identities (99–100%) to each other and to a few G3 rotavirus strains reported in Asia. However, lower sequence identities (82–96%) were observed to most of the human and animal G3 rotaviruses reported so far, including some Chinese strains. These findings indicate that in Wuhan, China, epidemic and genetic features of rotaviruses are similar in adults and children, and it has been suggested that G3 rotaviruses that might have originated from the same rotavirus were circulating among children and adults as prevailing viruses. In this study, two rotavirus strains, G9P[8] strain L169, derived from an adult, and G4P[6] strain R479, derived from a child, were isolated and genetically analyzed. The VP7 gene of L169 belongs to a major lineage of G9 rotaviruses that are globally widespread, but is distinct from G9 rotaviruses reported previously in China. The strain R479 had a VP7 gene which was divergent from most G4 human rotaviruses and showed an unusual dual subgroup specificity, I + II. The R479 VP6 gene does not belong to the main clusters of subgroup I and II rotaviruses phylogenetically, but is related to those of the porcine rotaviruses and some unusual human rotaviruses represented by the RMC321 strain isolated in eastern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Molecular-beam epitaxial growth of Tl x In1− x As has been performed on InAs substrates at substrate temperatures between 150 and 250°C. Optical microscopy revealed that Tl droplets decrease in size and in density with decreasing growth temperature, and vanish at lower temperatures than 175°C. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) revealed that Tl concentration shows almost flat depth profiles in the samples grown at 150–175°C, but shows concave profiles in the samples grown at 200–225°C. Electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) as well as SIMS showed that the Tl mole fraction x in the samples grown at 150–175°C increases up to 2.7% almost in proportion with Tl flux. X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy studies showed that monocrystalline growth is prevented if the beam equivalent pressure ratio of Tl/In is beyond 4%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Elemental concentration in each tissue of Japanese morning-glory ( Pharbitis nil) during the growth was analyzed by INAA. Plants were grown in water culture for 4 days under 12-hour light and 12-hour dark condition. During the growth, 10 plants in the same developmental stage were periodically harvested. Then the plants were separated into 9 tissues to determine elemental concentration and water content. There was an elemental specific profile within the plant tissue, for example, Na and K concentrations were high in root whereas Mg and Ca concentrations were high at the upper part of the plants. Among the elements studied, Ca and Mg showed rhythmical change in concentration, increased during the day and decreased during the night. This tendency was especially noted at shoot apex. However, water content in all of the tissue was increased about 6 hours prior to the light period and showed maximum in the middle of the light period. About 6 hour difference of water content movement to those of Ca and Mg concentration suggested that water movement drives more dynamic change of each elemental concentration within a plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unusual human rotavirus strain B219 was detected in a stool specimen from a 65-year old patient with diarrhea in Bangladesh during April 2002. Cloning and sequence analysis of five genes of the B219 strain indicated that this virus is genetically closely related to the ADRV-N strain, which caused an adult diarrhea outbreak in China, but distinct from groups A, B, and C rotaviruses known to cause diarrheal diseases in humans. Accordingly, rotavirus strains B219 and ADRV-N were considered to belong to a novel group of human rotavirus, and the ADRV-N-like novel human rotaviruses were suggested to be distributed to a geographically wider area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A concept of a single tube high RF power amplifier was developed for ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) plasma heating system. In the concept, a tetrode was used with a grounded cathode and input power to drive a control grid of the tetrode was provided by a switching circuit. As the new amplifier arrangement can eliminate a low power (10kW level) and an intermediate power (100kW level) tetrode amplifiers, their high voltage DC (HVDC) power supplies, and control and monitor system for these amplifiers and HVDC power supplies in a conventional high RF power source of the ICRF heating system, this new high RF power source is more flexible on frequency change and more mechanically reliable than the conventional one. A test amplifier composed of the tetrode and a field effect transistor (FET) switching circuit was constructed. The FET switching circuit was so compact that it could be mounted close to the tetrode socket. The maximum output RF power of 8.5kW was obtained with a plate efficiency of 82% at 70MHz. The feasibility of the single tube high RF power amplifier was experimentally proved. The plate efficiency of 82% could not be explained by the standard class-C amplification but by high efficiency amplification under assumptions of a flat-topped plate current pattern and double resonance of an output cavity at the fundamental frequency and the third higher harmonic frequency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reassortment is one of the major evolutionary mechanisms of the rotavirus genome. Preferential selection (assortment) of the NSP1 gene segment from either of the parental viruses after coinfection of these viruses has been reported as a notable finding in reassortment. To analyze genetic factors which are associated with preferential selection of the rotavirus NSP1 gene segment into progeny viruses, mixed infection and multiple passages were performed using two panels of rotaviruses, i.e., bovine rotavirus A5 clones, and simian rotavirus SA11 and five strains of SA11-based single NSP1 gene-substitution reassortants. In the first experiment, three A5 clones (A5-10, A5-13, and A5-16) that had genetically distinct NSP1 genes in the same genetic background were used. In coinfection of these A5 clones, it was noted that the A5-10 NSP1 gene, which encodes an incomplete protein product due to presence of a nonsense codon at an unusual position, was selected more preferentially than the A5-13 NSP1 gene with intact length and structure. The A5-16 NSP1 gene, with a deletion of 500 bp, was least efficiently selected. In the second experiment, we prepared two reassortants, SOF and SRF, which have NSP1 genes from rotavirus strains OSU and RRV, respectively, in the genetic background of SA11, which were used together with previously prepared reassortants SKF, SDF, and SNF, which had NSP1 genes from strains KU, DS1, and K9, respectively. Among the 6 NSP1 genes analyzed, the NSP1 gene from SKF was most preferentially selected, followed by SNF, SOF, SDF, SA11, and SRF, in that order. Although SOF exhibited less growth efficacy than SA11, the growth rates of other reassortants were similar to that of SA11. These findings suggest that for the occurrence of preferential selection of the NSP1 gene, production of the intact NSP1 protein may not be involved, but the presence of intact length of the NSP1 gene may be required. Furthermore, it was also found that genetic similarity based on primary structure of this gene is not related to the selectivity of the NSP1 gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epitaxial growth of nanometer-scale structures on non-single crystalline surfaces is proposed and demonstrated. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon was deposited onto an SiO2 surface by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Indium phosphide was deposited on the amorphous silicon by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition in the presence of colloidal gold particles as catalysts. Under specific growth conditions, the indium phosphide formed nanoneedles connected to a microcrystalline silicon film nucleated within the amorphous silicon during the growth of the nanoneedles. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of two different crystallographic structures: zinc-blende and wurtzite. Micro-photoluminescence measurements at room temperature showed two peaks with substantial blue-shifts with respect to that of bulk zinc-blende indium phosphide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the formation of highly robust long-chained alkylsiloxane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on aluminum oxide films prepared by atomic-layer deposition (ALD). The surface chemistry and the morphological characteristics of the SAMs were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, atomic-force microscopy, and contact-angle goniometry. The octadecylsiloxane-derived SAMs initially hydrolyze and deposit on the alumina surface as ∼1.8 nm thick, monolayer-high islands ≤50 nm in diameter. The size of these islands increases with time, likely through a surface-diffusion aggregation process. Coalescence of neighboring islands leads to a densely packed and robust monolayer on the alumina surface. The SAMs on ALD alumina are expected to be useful in a number of nanostructure applications where the combination of conformal alumina deposition and conformal coverage of the alumina by an organic layer is critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The steering mirrors of the ITER EC H&CD antenna (250mm×350mm×30mm) are designed to reflect 20MW millimeter (mm)-wave beams and to control their injection angle into plasma. The mirror would be exposed to high-energy neutrons and heat flux from plasma and also heated by incident wave beams. The result of thermo-mechanical analysis indicates that the mirror design with copper alloys (dispersion strengthened copper or copper chrome zirconium) plate with stainless steel (SS316) cooling tubes inside is considered to be acceptable. Since the mirror is rotated to change the injection angle of mm-wave beams, a flexible tube to supply cooling water into the steering mirror is necessary. A mock-up of the mirror for a 90° miter bend was fabricated and the mm-wave transmission with power/pulse length of 420kW/4.7s was carried out. Temperature increase agrees with the expected value. Ohmic loss is estimated to be 0.21% of the incident power, which agrees with the calculation based on the electrical resistivity of DSCu at 1.8×10−8 Ωm. The result also indicates 1MW, CW transmission capability of the miter bend. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: TlGaAs/GaAs multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structures were grown on GaAs substrates at a substrate temperature of 190°C by molecular-beam epitaxy. The MQW structures were intended to consist of four identical TlGaAs wells, each of which is sandwiched by GaAs barrier layers. X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the limits to Tl content and thickness of the TlGaAs well layer for forming the MQW structures. Successful growth of TlGaAs/GaAs MQW structures having nominal Tl contents of 6, 8, and 9% was confirmed for the three different well thicknesses of about 15, 10, and 5nm, respectively, while further increase in Tl content resulted in failure in forming MQW structures. The bounds for forming the MQW structures are discussed in terms of the epitaxial thickness of TlGaAs. The effect of the MQW structures on retarding the formation of Tl droplets is pointed out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]