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Experimental observations assisted by 2-D imaging diagnostics on the KSTAR tokamak show that a solitary perturbation (SP) emerges prior to a boundary burst of magnetized toroidal plasmas, which puts forward SP as a potential candidate for the burst trigger. We have constructed a machine learning (ML) model based on a convolutional deep neural network architecture for a statistical study to identify the SP as a boundary burst trigger. The ML model takes sequential signals detected from 19 toroidal Mirnov coils as input and predicts whether each temporal frame corresponds to an SP. We trained the network in a supervised manner on a training set consisting of real signals with manually annotated SP locations and synthetic burst signals. The trained model achieves high performances in various metrics on a test data set. We also demonstrated the reliability of the model by visualizing the discriminative parts of the input signals that the model recognizes. Finally, we applied the trained model to new data from KSTAR experiments, which were never seen during training, and confirmed that the large burst at the plasma boundary that can fatally damage the fusion device always involves the emergence of SP. This result suggests that the SP is a key to understanding and controlling of the boundary burst in magnetized toroidal plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Amazon rainforest is known as the "Green Ocean" for its maritime‐like convection and cloud microphysics during the wet season. Although previous studies suggest the dominant thermodynamic processes involved in deep convection may differ between land and ocean, a comprehensive understanding of the thermodynamics of Amazonian convection is lacking. Using 404,971 daytime precipitating cloud profiles from the CloudSat satellite, we observe a regime transition from congestus dominance to cumulonimbus dominance when convective available potential energy exceeds a threshold in Amazonia and also in shrublands, but not in oceanic regions. In addition, the cloud regime transition is linked to boundary layer moisture in the two continental regions, while it is linked to lower‐free‐tropospheric moisture in the oceanic region. As the dry season progresses in Amazonia and modifies the free‐tropospheric stability, a moderate plant water stress and increased incoming solar energy facilitate the initiation of deep convection and the onset of the wet season. Plain Language Summary: This paper presents new analyses of satellite observations that link the atmospheric energetics and vertical structure of daytime precipitating clouds, focusing on the unique features over the Amazon rainforest. The dominant cloud type over the Amazon rainforest is similar to the dominant cloud type observed in oceanic regions most time of the year, so it is often regarded as a "Green Ocean." However, here we show a continental cloud regime transition from midlevel cloud dominance to deep cloud dominance when atmospheric buoyant energy or boundary layer moisture exceeds a threshold in Amazonian rainforests. Key Points: The Amazon rainforest exhibits a cloud regime transition when daytime convective available potential energy exceeds a thresholdA moderate plant water stress and increased incoming solar energy facilitate deep convection and the onset of the wet seasonBoundary layer moisture is crucial for deep convection over land, while lower‐free‐tropospheric moisture is more important over ocean [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this Letter, the authors propose a face identification method using radar sensor data. They use a frequency‐modulated continuous wave radar sensor that utilises a centre frequency of 61 GHz and a bandwidth of 6 GHz. Then, they accumulate radar data by transmitting and receiving radar signals on human faces. Finally, they use a convolutional neural network (CNN) to distinguish radar signals reflected from different human faces. In this network, signals received from multiple antenna elements are synthesised in parallel to make the radar signals into an image that is the input form of the CNN. The accuracy of face recognition through the CNN is >98%. In addition, they also collect radar data when the same subjects wear cotton masks. Within their entire dataset, wearing a mask does not significantly affect the accuracy of the radar‐based face recognition method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Hydrothermal ultra-low-δ18O rocks Karelia, Russiacan be used to infer δ18O of glacial meltwaters. • Ultra-low-δ18O meteoric waters occur at low latitudes during Paleoproterozoic glaciations. • These require effective distillation of water isotopes over short transport distances. • GCM modeling demonstrates that this is better achieved if the area of open water is quite narrow around the equator. • Such Climate state is preferred to a partially frozen Slushball Earth state. Abstract Hydrothermally-altered rocks with ultra-low-δ18O and δD were discovered in Karelia, Russia, over 500 km along the Belomorian Belt of the Baltic Shield. The ages of low δ18O and δD values are 2.41 Ga and 2.29 Ga, corresponding to the first and third Paleoproterozoic Snowball earth glacial episodes. Paleogeographic reconstruction suggests low latitudes for Baltica throughout Paleoproterozoic ice ages, requiring an effective distillation of water isotopes over short transport distances. Here we summarize how to use hydrothermally altered rocks to infer δ18O value of altering meteoric waters, then use an idealized General Circulation Model to test climate states with variable amount of ice cover and to check the hydrologic possibility of ultra-low-δ18O precipitation at low latitudes. Our model results suggest that the low δ18O values in precipitation is best achieved if the area of open water is quite narrow around the equator between latitudes 5°S and 5°N, or the Jormungand climate state. The δ18O of precipitation is high (>−15‰) over open water where high-δ18O vapor from ocean mixes with low-δ18O atmospheric water vapor. As such, a position of about 5–10° north or south of the equator is needed in order to achieve low δ18O of precipitation from an open water source. Our results suggest a slushball climate state with wide areas of open water is less likely to produce ultra-low-δ18O rocks for the low latitude position of Baltica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • MEMS Lorentz force magnetometers (LFMs) targeting operation in ambient pressure. • Proposed devices based on radial contour mode piezoelectric-on-silicon disk resonators. • Single disk LFM with responsivity of 12.55 ppm/mT in air (among the highest in the literature). • Mechanically coupling a pair of disk enhances the responsivity to 21.20 ppm/mT. Abstract In this paper, we realize two unique design topologies for Lorentz force magnetometers (LFMs) based on radial contour (RC) mode piezoelectric-on-silicon disk resonators for the detection of out-of-plane magnetic fields (i.e. normal to the plane of fabrication). The proposed topologies take advantage of the strong electromechanical coupling from the piezoelectric Aluminum Nitride (AlN) layer to enhance the sensitivity of the devices while operating under ambient pressure, thus avoiding the need for vacuum encapsulation. Compared to previously reported modes, we show that RC mode provides a higher coupling efficiency. This ultimately leads to higher responsivity (defined here as the ratio of the pre-amplified output resonant current to the external magnetic field strength, normalized over the excitation current applied) compared to other modes previously reported. Having shown the advantages of the disk LFM, we then extend the advantages of a single disk LFM by mechanically coupling two disk resonators to increase the responsivity. We show that the quality (Q) factor, which determines the responsivity at resonance, does not degrade substantially by mechanically coupling the disks. The responsivity of our coupled disk LFM (21.20 ppm/mT) is 8 times higher compared to a state of art vacuum sealed LFM based on capacitive readout, but without the contraint of requiring vacuum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We suggest a type of "goggle" cell shape and discuss its switching mechanism in comparison with conventional shapes such as rectangular and elliptical shapes. For the goggle shapes, the dependence of the switching characteristics on the saturation magnetization, the free layer thickness, and the aspect ratio was studied. We found that the "L"-like astroid curve with an enlarged writing margin could be obtained from a goggle shape, especially when the aspect ratio is smaller than 2. This seems to be closely related with the kink formation. We also found that the writing margin could be improved further as the saturation magnetization and thickness of the free layer was optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, we present a Lorentz force magnetic field sensor based on a thin-film piezoelectricon-silicon (TPoS) CMOS-compatible resonator for the detection of an out-of-plane (perpendicular to the plane of fabrication) magnetic field. We here exploit the fundamental breathing mode of vibration in a suspended square plate, which is commonly referred to as the square-extensional (SE) mode. The symmetric stress profile of the SE mode avails stresses in the two orthogonal in-plane axes to be effectively coupled into a charge output through the piezoelectric transducers. This in turn enhances the output motional current from the device, which effectively determines the responsivity of the device. In this context, the responsivity has been defined as a ratio of output motional current to the external magnetic field, which has been further normalized against the input reference current of the device. The reported device has recorded a responsivity of 6950 ppm/T (lA/A.T) at a resonant frequency of 5.28 MHz and a reasonable mechanical quality (Q) factor of 1056 in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on healthcare access and usage among North Korean refugees in South Korea and mentions the methodology of study involving 329 refugees and comparison of health services accessed by refugees in North Korea and South Korea.

Background Reduction in renal mass after unilateral nephrectomy causes functional and structural changes in the remaining kidney. Aim We aimed to investigate the association between pre-donation serum uric acid ( SUA) concentration and the change in renal function after living kidney donation. Methods This retrospective study included 413 living kidney donors from a single centre. We collected medical history and laboratory findings at baseline and 6 months after donation. Renal function was assessed by calculating the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Main outcomes were the percentage change in eGFR from before to 6 months after donation and the percentage of patients whose eGFR decreased by >25% after donation compared with the pre-donation baseline value. Results Mean age was 40 ± 11 years, and eGFR was 106 ± 14 mL/min/1.73 m2. In women, the SUA concentration was linearly associated with the change in eGFR after donation independently of baseline eGFR (standardised coefficient - 0.16, P = 0.04). Multiple logistic analysis showed that a 59.5 μmol/L increase in baseline SUA concentration was associated with a 1.7-fold higher risk of a > 25% decrease in eGFR after donor nephrectomy (95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.5; P = 0.007) in women. In contrast, SUA concentration was not an independent risk factor of decrease in eGFR after donor nephrectomy in men. Conclusions Pre-donation SUA concentration is associated independently with the change in renal function after donor nephrectomy in women but not in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: The Model for End–Stage Liver Disease score and king's College Hospital (KCH) criteria are accepted prognostic models acute liver failure (ALF), while the use of (APACHE) scores predict to outcomes of emergency liver transplantation is rare. Materials and Methods: The present study included 87 patients with ALF who underwent liver transplantation. We calculated (KCH) criteria, as well as MELD, APACHE II, and APACHE III scores at the listing date for comparison with 3-month outcomes. Results: According to the Youden-Index, the best cut-off value for the APACHE II score was 8.5 with 100% sensitivity, 49% specificity, 24% positive predictive value (PPV), and 100% negative predictive value (NPV). Patients with <8.5 points had a significantly higher survival rate (P < .05). The proposed APACHE III cut-off was 80. The APACHE III score demonstrated the highest specificity and PPV (90% specificity, 50% PPV). The NPV was 92%. With a 90-point threshold the specificity increased to 98% with 75% PPV and 89% NPV. Only 1 of 4 patients with a score >90 survived transplantation (P = .001). MELD score and KCH criteria were not significant (P > .05). According to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, only the APACHE III score adequately describe the data. Conclusions: The APACHE III score was superior to KCH criteria, MELD score, and APACHE II score to predict outcomes after transplantation for ALF. It is a valuable parameter for pretransplantation patient selection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report on scanning micro-photoluminescence measurements on InAs quantum dots that were patterned using an in vacuo focused ion beam. The focused ion beam produced a square array of holes with an array spacing of 2μm, upon which multiple layers of InAs and GaAs were deposited. Two-dimensional mapping of the luminescence spatially and spectrally resolves the emission from individual dots. At some positions, multiple emission peaks are observed, which could have originated from (i) different exciton transitions of the same quantum dot, or (ii) different quantum dots. Power dependence measurements reveal that the emission increases linearly with power, and maps of the emission show that the positions of each peak are spatially separated, suggesting that the peaks are ground-state exciton emission from different dots. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are negative regulators of gene expression that play important roles in cell processes such as proliferation, development and differentiation. Recently, it has been reported that miRNAs are related to development of carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify miRNAs associated with terminal immortalization of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) and associated clinical traits. Hence, we performed miRNA microarray approach with early- (p6) and late-passage (p161) LCLs. Microarray data showed that nine miRNAs (miR-20b*, miR-28-5p, miR-99a, miR-125b, miR-151-3p, miR-151:9.1, miR-216a, miR-223* and miR-1296) were differentially expressed in most LCLs during long-term culture. In particular, miR-125b was up-regulated in all the tested late-passage LCLs. miR-99a, miR-125b, miR-216a and miR-1296 were putative negative regulators of RASGRP3, GPR160, PRKCH and XAF1, respectively, which were found to be differentially expressed in LCLs during long-term culture in a previous study. Linear regression analysis showed that miR-200a and miR-296-3p correlated with triglyceride and HbA1C levels, respectively, suggesting that miRNA signatures of LCLs could provide information on the donor's health. In conclusion, our study suggests that expression changes of specific miRNAs may be required for terminal immortalization of LCLs. Thus, differentially expressed miRNAs would be a potential marker for completion of cell immortalization during EBV-mediated tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) is a useful resource for population-based human genetic and pharmacogenetic studies. The principal objective here was to assess expression phenotype changes during long-term subculture of LCLs, and its clinical significance. Materials and methods: We searched for genes that were differentially expressed in 17 LCLs at late (p161) passage compared to early passage (p4) using microarray assay, then validated them by real-time RT-PCR analysis. In addition, we estimated correlations between expression phenotypes of 20 LCL strains at early passage and 23 quantitative clinical traits from blood donors of particular LCL strains. Results: Transcript sequences of 16 genes including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway-related genes (such as PTPN13, HERC5 and miR-146a) and carcinogenesis-related genes (such as XAF1, TCL1A, PTPN13, CD38 and miR-146a) were differentially expressed (>2-fold change) in at least 15 of the 17 LCL strains. In particular, TC2N, FCRL5, CD180, CD38 and miR-146a were downregulated in all 17 of the evaluated LCL strains. In addition, we identified clinical trait-associated expression phenotypes in LCLs. Conclusion: Our results showed that LCLs acquired expression phenotype changes involving expression of NF-κB pathway- and carcinogenesis-related genes during long-term subculture. These differentially expressed genes can be considered to be a gene signature of LCL immortalization or EBV-induced carcinogenesis. Clinical trait-associated expression phenotypes should prove useful in the discovery of new candidate genes for particular traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to radiographically evaluate the effect of surface macro-and microstructures within the coronal portion of the external hex implant at the marginal bone change after loading. The fifty-four patients included in the study were randomly assigned to treatment groups with rough-surface implants (TiUnite, n = 45), a hybrid of smooth and rough surface implants (Restore, n = 45) or rough-surface with microthreads implants (Hexplant, n = 45). Clinical and radiographic examinations were conducted at the time of implant loading (baseline) and at 1-year post-loading. A three-level mixed-effectancova was used to test the significance of the mean marginal bone change of the three implant groups from baseline to 1-year follow-up. At 1-year, significant differences were noted in marginal bone loss recorded for the three groups ( P < 0·0001). The rough surface with microthread implants had a mean crestal bone loss of 0·42 ± 0·27 mm; the rough surface implants, 0·81 ± 0·27 mm; and the hybrid surface implants, 0·89 ± 0·41 mm. Within the limitations of this study, a rough surface with microthreads at the coronal part of implant maintained the marginal bone level against functional loading better than implants without these two features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry sliding wear tests of hot-pressure sintered and wrought cobalt were carried out to compare their wear characteristics. Cobalt powders with average size of 1.5µm were electro-pressure sintered to make sintered-cobalt disk wear specimens. A vacuum-induction melted cobalt ingot was hot-rolled at 800°C to a plate, from which wrought-cobalt disk specimens were machined. The specimens were heat treated at various temperatures to vary grain size and phase fraction. Wear tests of the cobalt specimens were carried out using a pin-on-disk wear tester against a glass (83% SiO2) bead at 100N with the constant sliding speed and distance of 0.36m/s and 600m, respectively. Worn surfaces, their cross sections, and wear debris were examined by an SEM. The wear of the cobalt was found to be strongly influenced by the strain-induced phase transformation of ε-Co (hcp) to α-Co (fcc). The sintered cobalt had smaller uniform grain size and showed higher wear rate than the wrought cobalt. The higher wear rate of the sintered cobalt was explained by the more active deformation-induced phase transformation than in the wrought cobalt with larger irregular grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Versajet® (Smith and Nephew) is a hydrosurgical debridement tool that has been used in the debridement of burns. Versajet® debridement is expensive and time consuming; therefore, clear indications for its use in burns surgery are needed. A review of the literature followed by a prospective trial of ten consecutive burns patients was carried out to ascertain the indications for the use of Versajet® debridement in our department. Versajet® made an excellent tool at lower settings for cleaning late presentation paediatric scalds, the debridement of mixed-depth burns to allow dermal preservation and the debridement and/or excision of all thickness burns in anatomically difficult areas. Three indications for the use of Versajet® in our unit were developed: cleaning of late-presentation paediatric scalds to allow the application of Biobrane®, dermal preservation in mid-dermal paediatric burns and debridement of anatomically difficult burns. Each of these three indications is illustrated photographically with case reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a mailed questionnaire, we investigated the risk of renal cell cancer in relation to different types of alcoholic beverages, and to total ethanol in a large population-based case–control study among Swedish adults, including 855 cases and 1204 controls. Compared to non-drinkers, a total ethanol intake of >620 g month−1 was significantly related to a decreased risk of renal cell cancer (odds ratio (OR) 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–0.9; P-value for trend=0.03). The risk decreased 30–40% with drinking more than two glasses per week of red wine (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9), white wine (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–1.0), or strong beer (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–1.0); there was a clear linear trend of decreasing risk with increasing consumption of these beverages (P-values for trends <0.05).British Journal of Cancer (2007) 97, 429–433. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603890 www.bjcancer.com Published online 24 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eosinophils are recruited into the affected tissue of asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. IL-5 and IL-5R are highly expressed in the AD skin lesions, yet the reported levels of IL-8 are controversial. Method: We genotyped 17 singlenucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from five genes of the 1120 case-control samples (646 AD and 474 controls). We measured the serum IL-5 concentrations in 87 individuals [36 ADe (AD extrinsic), 18 ADi (AD intrinsic) and 33 controls] by ELISA, and compared the results among these groups. Result: The rs2522411SNP and haplotype T-A in the IL-5 gene were significantly associated with the ADe. The serum IL-5 concentration was higher in the ADe than that in the ADi patients without any correlation with the rs2522411SNP. In the IL-5RA gene, the rs334809SNP showed a weak association with AD, and the rs6771148SNP and the haplotype T-C-T of the three adjacent tagged SNPs had an effect on the blood eosinophil counts and the serum ECP levels in the AD patients. However, we could not detect any relationship between AD and the SNPs in the IL-8 and IL-8R genes. Conclusion: We found that the rs2522411SNP and the haplotype T-A in the IL-5 gene and the serum IL-5 levels were strongly associated with the allergic type of AD, but not with the nonallergic type of AD. The association of the rs6771148SNP and the haplotype T-C-T in the IL5RA gene with the blood eosinophil counts and the serum ECP levels indicates that the IL5RA gene has a role for controlling eosinophils in the peripheral blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role for T-helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine in the presence/absence of IL-12. It has been recently shown that human IL-18 plays a role in atopic dermatitis (AD) by enhancing IL-4 and IL-13 production and by stimulating the synthesis of IgE. Objective We wanted to evaluate the associations of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the haplotype in the IL-18 gene, hence we performed genotyping for the SNPs in the IL-18 gene in AD patients and normal controls. Method We genotyped three SNPs from the IL-18 gene for the 1120 case–control samples (646 AD patients and 474 normal controls). We measured the serum IL-18, IL-4 and IL-13 concentrations in 74 individuals (25 ADe, 25 ADi and 24 controls) by performing ELISA. Result The rs795467 SNP and haplotype T–T–C were significantly associated with AD, and especially between the ADe and normal control groups ( P=0.03 and 0.01). The serum IL-18 concentration was higher in the AD group than in the normal controls without any correlation with the rs795467 polymorphism. We did not find any correlations between the serum IL-18 levels and the SCORing atopic dermatitis index, the blood eosinophil counts and the ECP, and there was no correlation between the serum IL-18 levels and the serum IL-4 and IL-13 levels. Conclusion We found that the one SNP and the haplotype T–T–C were strongly associated with the allergic type of AD, but not with the non-allergic intrinsic type. These data support the hypothesis that IL-18 up-regulates IgE production, yet more experiments will be needed to prove the in vivo involvement of Th2 cytokine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontal disease involves multi-bacterial infections accompanied by inflammatory bone resorption lesions. The abundant T and B lymphocyte infiltrates are the major sources of the osteoclast differentiation factor, receptor activator for nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) which, in turn, contributes to the development of bone resorption in periodontal disease. In the present study, we found that the concentrations of RANKL and regulatory T cell (Treg)-associated cytokine, interleukin (IL)-10, in the periodontal tissue homogenates were correlated negatively, whereas RANKL and proinflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, showed positive correlation. Also, according to the fluorescent-immunohistochemistry, the frequency of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)/CD25 double-positive cells was diminished strikingly in the bone resorption lesion of periodontal disease compared to healthy gingival tissue, while CD25 or FoxP3 single positive cells were still observed in lesions where abundant RANKL+ lymphocytes were present. Very importantly, few or no expressions of FoxP3 by the RANKL+ lymphocytes were observed in the diseased periodontal tissues. Finally, IL-10 suppressed both soluble RANKL (sRANKL) and membrane RANKL (mRANKL) expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) activated in vitro in a bacterial antigen-specific manner. Taken together, these results suggested that FoxP3/CD25 double-positive Treg cells may play a role in the down-regulation of RANKL expression by activated lymphocytes in periodontal diseased tissues. This leads to the conclusion that the phenomenon of diminished CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells appears to be associated with the increased RANKL+ T cells in the bone resorption lesion of periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segmental dilatation of the ileum is one of the uncommon causes of intestinal obstruction. Preoperative diagnosis of segmental dilatation of the ileum is difficult. We report two cases of this condition that were diagnosed preoperatively by contrast studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The doping dependence of the bose condensation energy is investigated by using our SU(2) holon-pair boson theory. It is shown that the bose condensation energy U results from the interplay between the charge and spin degrees of freedom and that the doping dependence of U at T=0K is well fit by the relation, [formula] with Δ[sub 0], the spin gap at 0K; x, the hole doping concentration and α, a constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary¶Objects. Nestin is an intermediate protein and a well-known specific neural stem cell antigen. Some bone marrow stem cells can generate not only blood cells but also neurons and glial cells under specific culture conditions. Furthermore, in vitro cultured bone marrow stem cells also express nestin antigen. However, it is unclear whether cord blood cells also differentiate into neural cells or not. In this study, we investigated the expression of nestin on human cord blood monocytes (HCMNCs) and we discuss the relevance of this finding upon future therapeutic applications of HCMNCs in neurological diseases. Methods. HCMNCs were prepared from normal placenta after full-term normal delivery. Immunocytochemical staining and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for nestin and CD133 antigen were performed to confirm nestin and CD133 antigen expression in the HCMNCs. Results. Some nestin expressing HCMNCs were found. Immunocytochemical staining showed that some of the blood stem cell marker CD133 expressing cells co-expressed nestin. RT-PCR demonstrated nestin and CD133 mRNA in HCMNCs, but not in adult blood monocytes. Approximately, 60 ± 8% of CD133 expressing cells expressed nestin. Conclusion. In the present study, we found that more than 60% of CD133 expressing HCMNCs also express nestin antigen in their cytoplasm, which supports the idea that cord blood stem cells can adopt a neuronal fate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the history of immunotoxicology research involving experimental animals of immature ages dates back over several decades, there exist remarkably little data, to date, directly comparing the impact of developmental status on immunotoxicological risk. Given the size of the nonadult human population and the potential for differential vulnerability among the various ages, this represents a serious gap of knowledge in efforts to minimize environmentally linked health risks. This article frames the issues surrounding developmental immunotoxicological evaluations. In particular, the issues introduced include those of potential animal models, strain/genotype selection, gender, age of exposure, and age of assessment. Recent research results involving early exposure to lead (Pb) and other chemicals are discussed to highlight the nature of the decisions that are available and the potential cost-benefit associated with various approaches to evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Over the past decade, laparoscopy has emerged as a popular method of detecting extrapancreatic metastatic disease in patients presumed to have localized pancreatic cancer. Methods and results The English language literature on laparoscopic staging of pancreatic cancer was reviewed. Interpretation of this literature on staging laparoscopy is difficult because (1) there has been inconsistent use of high-quality computed tomography (CT) in prospective studies, (2) many studies have included patients with locally advanced disease, and (3) the R0/R1/R2 resection rates among patients staged by laparoscopy have not been reported, making it impossible to correlate laparoscopic findings with the R0 resection rate. Laparoscopy may prevent unnecessary laparotomy in a proportion of CT-staged patients presumed to have resectable pancreatic cancer. However, routine laparoscopy is performed on patients judged to have resectable disease by high-quality CT, this fraction of patients is between 4 and 13 per cent. Conclusion When state-of-the-art CT is available, the routine use of staging laparoscopy may not be easily justified from the data in the recent literature. Selective use of laparoscopy may be more appropriate and will probably be a more cost-effective staging approach. Criteria are presented for the selective use of laparoscopy in the staging of patients with localized pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between health-related quality of life (HQL) measures and patient preference for their health status was studied. Study subjects consisted of 132 patients at four hospitals who were scheduled for cataract surgery. Generic and disease-specific health status measures were determined in study subjects. The Medical Outcomes Study Short-form 36 (SF-36) item health status instrument was used to measure generic health status and the Visual Function 14 (VF-14) item visual health status instrument was used as the disease-specific health measure. Preference for general health and visual health was measured by assessing utilities assigned by patients to certain health states. Utilities assigned for general health were correlated with all categories of the SF-36 and VF-14 scores. Utilities assigned for visual health were correlated with four categories of the SF-36 (role limitation due to emotional health, general health, physical functioning, and vitality) and VF-14 scores. Utilities assigned for visual health were more strongly correlated with VF-14 scores than generic measures of health. Verbal ratings for visual health were correlated with Snellen visual acuity (SVA) (r = 0.20), utilities assigned for visual health (r = 0.58), VF-14 scores (r = 0.74), all categories of the SF-36 (r values ranging from 0.21 to 0.28), utilities assigned for general health (r = 0.19), and verbal ratings for general health (r = 0.29). Utility measures and verbal ratings for general and visual health were shown to be appropriate HQL measures. These measures were strongly correlated with other established generic and disease-specific health measures and should be included in the array of health status measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The survival of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without en bloc resection of the superior mesenteric–portal vein (SMPV) confluence for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head was compared. Methods To be considered for surgery, patients were required to fulfil the following computed tomography criteria for resectability: (1) absence of extrapancreatic disease, (2) no evidence of tumour extension to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or coeliac axis, and (3) a patent SMPV confluence. Tumour adherence to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) or SMPV confluence was assessed at operation and en bloc venous resection was performed when necessary to achieve complete tumour extirpation. Results Seventy-five consecutive patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 44 without venous resection and 31 with en bloc resection of the SMPV confluence. There were no perioperative deaths in either group; late (more than 6 months) occlusion of the reconstructed SMPV confluence contributed to the death of two patients. Median survival in the 31 patients who required venous resection at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy was 22 months, and that for the 44 control patients was 20 months (P=0·25). Conclusion Patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head who require venous resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy for isolated tumour extension to the SMV or SMPV confluence (in the absence of tumour extension to the SMA or coeliac axis) have a duration of survival no different from that of patients who undergo standard pancreaticoduodenectomy. These data suggest that venous involvement is a function of tumour location rather than an indicator of aggressive tumour biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report on photoluminescence measurements of vertically stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown by molecular beam epitaxy on focused ion beam patterned hole arrays with varying array spacing. Quantum dot emission at 1.24 eV was observed only on patterned regions, demonstrating preferential nucleation of optically active dots at desired locations and below the critical thickness for dot formation at these growth conditions. Photoluminescence measurements as a function of varying focused ion beam irradiated hole spacing showed that the quantum dot emission intensity increased with decreasing array periodicity, consistent with increasing dot density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-crystal silicon resonant bulk acoustic mass sensor with a measured resolution of 125 pg/cm2 is presented. The mass sensor comprises a micromachined silicon plate that is excited in the square-extensional bulk acoustic resonant mode at a frequency of 2.182 MHz, with a quality factor exceeding 106. The mass sensor has a measured mass to frequency shift sensitivity of 132 Hz cm2/μg. The resonator element is embedded in a feedback loop of an electronic amplifier to implement an oscillator with a short term frequency stability of better than 7 ppb at an operating pressure of 3.8 mTorr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependence of the switching field distribution of magnetic random access memory cells on film roughness, saturation magnetization, film thickness, and cell aspect ratio is discussed. We found that a flat interface between the tunnel oxide and the magnetic film is very important in suppressing switching field variation For free-layer materials, NiFe, CoNiFe, CoFeB, and lamellar structures are examined. By trying various compositions of these materials, we have improved switching characteristics with small saturation magnetization and small thickness. Good results with laniellar structures suggest that the suppression of the grain growth in the ferromagnetic layer is another effective way to get enhanced switching characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dependence of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) properties on seed layer, surface treatment and magnetic materials was investigated to improve TMR ratio. Roughness of tunnel oxide layer generated from seed layer roughness reduces TMR ratio as well as PA product owing to locally reduced oxide layer thickness. Crystallinity of seed layer is found to be important to enhance TMR ratio. Surface treatment with ion beam etching on a pinned layer Improves tunnel oxide uniformity providing higher TMR ratio. Also, highly polarized magnetic material increases TMR ratio but the effect of surface treatment is quite different depending on pinned layer material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Prospective data on the risk of recurrence among women with hormone recep-detor-positive early breast cancer who temporarily discontinue endocrine therapy to attempt pregnancy are lacking. METHODS We conducted a single-group trial in which we evaluated the temporary interruption of adjuvant endocrine therapy to attempt pregnancy in young women with previous breast, cancer. Eligible women were 42 years of age or younger; had had stage I, II, or III disease; had received adjuvant endocrine therapy for 18 to 30 months; and desired preg-nancy. The primary end point was the number of breast cancer events (defined as local, regional, or distant recurrence of invasive breast cancer or new contralateral invasive breast cancer) during follow-up. The primary analysis was planned to be performed after 1600 patient-years of follow-up. The prespecified safety threshold was the occur-prorenee of 46 breast cancer events during this period. Breast cancer outcomes in this treatment-interruption group were compared with those in an external control cohort consisting ofwomen who would have met the entry criteria for the current trial. RESULTS Among 516 women, the median age was 37 years, the median time from breast cancer diagnosis to enrollment was 29 months, and 93.4% had stage I or II disease. Among 497 women who were followed for pregnancy status, 368 (74.0°/o) had at least one pregnancy and 317 (63.8°6) had at least one live birth. In total, 365 babies were born. At 1638 patient-years of follow-up (median follow-up, 41 months), 44 patients had a breast cancer event, a result that did not exceed the safety threshold. The 3-year incidence of breast cancer events was 8.996 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3 to 11.6) in the treatment-interruption group and 9.296 (95% CI, 7.6 to 10.8) in the control cohort. CONCLUSIONS Among select women with previous hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer, temporary interruption of endocrine therapy to attempt pregnancy did not confer a greater short-term risk ofbreast cancer events, including distant recurrence, than that in the external control cohort. Further follow-up is critical to inform longerterm safety. (Funded by ETOP IBCSG Partners Foundation and others; POSITIVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02308085). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solitary perturbations (SPs) localized both poloidally and radially are detected within ~100 μs before the partial collapse of the high pressure gradient boundary region (called pedestal) of magnetized toroidal plasma in the KSTAR tokamak device. The SP develops with a low toroidal mode number (typically unity) in the pedestal ingrained with quasi-stable edge-localized mode (QSM) which commonly appears during the inter-collapse period. The SPs have smaller mode pitch and different (often opposite) rotation velocity compared to the QSMs. Similar solitary perturbations are also frequently observed before the onset of complete pedestal collapse, suggesting a strong connection between the SP generation and the pedestal collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of research on trends in conservation threats for Antarctica, including environmental disturbances and resource demands as of July 2012. Topics include how ocean acidification and regional warming present threats to Antarctic species and ecosystems, how climate change can facilitate the introduction of nonindigenous species, and how increases in tourism correlate with rises in pollution. Additional information is presented on policies restricting the exploitation of Antarctica's mineral resources.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) arising at the site of a nasal piercing has not been described before; we present a case of a 36-year-old female who presented with a BCC at such a site and the literature is reviewed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, FU Orionis-type stars are low-mass, pre-main-sequence stars. The members of this class experience powerful accretion outbursts and remain in an enhanced accretion state for decades or centuries. V1515 Cyg, a classical FUor, started brightening in the 1940s and reached its peak brightness in the late 1970s. Following a sudden decrease in brightness, it stayed in a minimum state for a few months, then started brightening for several years. We present the results of our ground-based photometric monitoring complemented with optical/near-infrared spectroscopic monitoring. Our light curves show a long-term fading with strong variability on weekly and monthly timescales. The optical spectra show P Cygni profiles and broad blueshifted absorption lines, common properties of FUors. However, V1515 Cyg lacks the P Cygni profile in the Ca ii 8498 Ă... line, a part of the Ca infrared triplet, formed by an outflowing wind, suggesting that the absorbing gas in the wind is optically thin. The newly obtained near-infrared spectrum shows the strengthening of the CO bandhead and the FeH molecular band, indicating that the disk has become cooler since the last spectroscopic observation in 2015. The current luminosity of the accretion disk dropped from the peak value of 138 L ⊙ to about 45 L ⊙, suggesting that the long-term fading is also partly caused by the dropping of the accretion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a novel approach to the seamless integration of plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) arrays into semiconductor layers and demonstrate their enhanced photoluminescence (PL) efficiency. Our approach utilizes focused ion beam-induced self-assembly of close-packed arrays of Ga NPs with tailorable NP diameters, followed by overgrowth of GaAs layers using molecular beam epitaxy. Using a combination of PL spectroscopy and electromagnetic computations, we identify a regime of Ga NP diameter and overgrown GaAs layer thickness where NP-array-enhanced absorption in GaAs leads to enhanced GaAs near-band-edge (NBE) PL efficiency, surpassing that of high-quality epitaxial GaAs layers. As the NP array depth and size are increased, the reduction in spontaneous emission rate overwhelms the NP-array-enhanced absorption, leading to a reduced NBE PL efficiency. This approach provides an opportunity to enhance the PL efficiency of a wide variety of semiconductor heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The prevalence of night-eating syndrome (NES) and depression is increasing worldwide. Although nurses, in particular, are exposed to work in an environment of irregular eating, shift work, and stressful settings, limited research exist. In fact, the prevalence of NES among Korean nurses has never been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NES as well as the association between NES and severity of self-reported depressive symptoms among South Korean female nurses. Study design: The Korea Nurses' Health Study, following the protocols of the Nurses' Health Study led by the Harvard University, collected data on Korean female nurses. Survey responses from 3617 participants were included, and 404 responses were analyzed in this cross-sectional study using propensity score matching. Methods: Descriptive, Spearman's and Cramer's correlations, propensity score matching, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression were conducted as statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of both NES and self-reported depressive symptoms among Korean female nurses were higher compared with nurses in prior studies. Nurses with NES were 1.65 times more likely to have greater severity of depressive symptoms than those without NES (95% confidence interval [1.19-2.10], odds ratio = 1.65) after adjusting for covariates including sociodemographic characteristics, health behavioural factors, and shift work. Conclusion: This study suggests significant association between NES and the severity of self-reported depressive symptoms among Korean female nurses after adjusting for covariates. Policy makers and hospital managers need to develop strategies to reduce depression and NES among nurses for enhancement of nurses' mental and physical health as well as for improvement of care quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature control of furnaces to be used with the PARC vibrating sample magnetometer can be greatly improved if a separate temperature controller is utilized. A control circuit that allows easy temperature programming and ramping is described, as well as sample holder modifications which permit accurate measurement of the sample temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel missense mutation (c.775T>C; p.ser259Pro) in the NROBI gene cause a late‐onset adrenal insufficiency without hypogonadism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new and more accurate technique is presented for determining the toroidal mode number n of edgelocalized modes (ELMs) using two independent electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) systems in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device. The technique involves the measurement of the poloidal spacing between adjacent ELM filaments, and of the pitch angle α* of filaments at the plasma outboard midplane. Equilibrium reconstruction verifies that α*is nearly constant and thus well-defined at the midplane edge. Estimates of n obtained using two ECEI systems agree well with n measured by the conventional technique employing an array of Mirnov coils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the low-mass pre-main sequence stars, a small group called FU Orionis–type objects (FUors) are notable for undergoing powerful accretion outbursts. V1057 Cyg, a classical example of an FUor, went into outburst around 1969–1970, after which it faded rapidly, making it the fastest-fading FUor known. Around 1995, a more rapid increase in fading occurred. Since that time, strong photometric modulations have been present. We present nearly 10 yr of source monitoring at Piszkéstető Observatory, complemented with optical/NIR photometry and spectroscopy from the Nordic Optical Telescope, Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, and Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. Our light curves show continuation of significant quasi-periodic variability in brightness over the past decade. Our spectroscopic observations show strong wind features, shell features, and forbidden emission lines. All of these spectral lines vary with time. We also report the first detection of [S ii ], [N ii ], and [O iii ] lines in the star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Although chemotherapeutic agents, such as paclitaxel, are effective treatments for the majority of breast cancer patients, recurrence is frequent and often leads to death. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets that sensitise tumour cells to existing chemotherapy agents.Methods: The levels of leukotriene B4 receptor-2 (BLT2) in multidrug-resistant MCF-7/DOX cells were determined using quantitative PCR and FACS analysis. The potential role of BLT2 in the paclitaxel resistance of MCF-7/DOX cells was assessed using a pharmacological inhibitor and small interfering RNA knockdown, and the BLT2-associated resistance mechanism was assessed.Results: The expression levels of BLT2 were markedly upregulated in MCF-7/DOX cells. The inhibition of BLT2 by pre-treatment with LY255283 or siBLT2 knockdown significantly sensitised MCF-7/DOX cells to paclitaxel and induced significant levels of apoptotic death, suggesting that BLT2 mediates paclitaxel resistance. We also demonstrated that BLT2-induced paclitaxel resistance was associated with the upregulation of P-glycoprotein. Finally, co-treatment with a BLT2 inhibitor and paclitaxel markedly reduced tumour growth in an MCF-7/DOX in vivo model.Conclusion: Together, our results demonstrate that BLT2 is a novel therapeutic target that sensitises drug-resistant breast cancer cells to paclitaxel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Although chemotherapeutic agents, such as paclitaxel, are effective treatments for the majority of breast cancer patients, recurrence is frequent and often leads to death. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets that sensitise tumour cells to existing chemotherapy agents.Methods:The levels of leukotriene B4 receptor-2 (BLT2) in multidrug-resistant MCF-7/DOX cells were determined using quantitative PCR and FACS analysis. The potential role of BLT2 in the paclitaxel resistance of MCF-7/DOX cells was assessed using a pharmacological inhibitor and small interfering RNA knockdown, and the BLT2-associated resistance mechanism was assessed.Results:The expression levels of BLT2 were markedly upregulated in MCF-7/DOX cells. The inhibition of BLT2 by pre-treatment with LY255283 or siBLT2 knockdown significantly sensitised MCF-7/DOX cells to paclitaxel and induced significant levels of apoptotic death, suggesting that BLT2 mediates paclitaxel resistance. We also demonstrated that BLT2-induced paclitaxel resistance was associated with the upregulation of P-glycoprotein. Finally, co-treatment with a BLT2 inhibitor and paclitaxel markedly reduced tumour growth in an MCF-7/DOX in vivo model.Conclusion:Together, our results demonstrate that BLT2 is a novel therapeutic target that sensitises drug-resistant breast cancer cells to paclitaxel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:A 6-month follow-up study.Objectives:To investigate the outcome of transanal irrigation (TAI) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify factors significantly related to clinical success.Setting:Survey for community-dwelling patients with SCI in South Korea.Methods:Between December 2010 and March 2012, TAI was initiated with 52 patients (41 men; age: 44.5±11.0 years) with neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD). At 1, 3 and 6 months after initiation, a telephone interview was conducted. Data were collected on patient-specific bowel management and TAI performance as a new procedure.Results:Only 18 patients (34%) used TAI for at least 6 months, which was a lower compliance rate than similar studies in some European countries. Relative to the compliant group, the noncompliant group contained a higher proportion of tetraplegia than paraplegia (P=0.031), and a higher proportion dependent on physical help (P=0.034). In all, 33 of the 52 patients (63.5%) complained of practical problems with the TAI procedure such as expulsion of the rectal catheter. Fifteen patients (28.8%) presented with adverse effects. The incidence of practical problems or adverse effects did not alter the frequency of patient-reported successful outcome.Conclusion:Korean participants showed a relatively lower compliance rate with TAI. We conclude that TAI, combined with adequate patient instruction and physical assistance, has potential as a management tool for NBD in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parabens have been shown to affect male rodent reproductive parameters, including testosterone levels and sperm production. In this study, we examined the effect of long-term exposure to butyl paraben (BP) on rat epididymal sperm DNA methylation. Adult male rats were exposed to BP (0, 10, 100 and 1000 mg kg−1 per day) according to OECD TG407 for a repeated 28-day oral toxicity study. Sperm DNA methylation was examined by differential display random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) following methylation-specific restriction digestion of DNA. Among the 57 RAPD amplicons, six were methylation specific. Of these, five amplicons increased by 1.4- to 3.8-fold in epididymal sperm DNA at testing dose of BP. This indicates that BP can cause DNA hypermethylation in germ cells from the mitotic through post-meiotic stage in adult rat testes. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the epigenetic modification of sperm DNA by parabens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Otoliths were used for the first time to successfully validate the age of members of the family Syngnathidae: the spotted pipefish Stigmatopora argus and the wide-bodied pipefish Stigmatopora nigra. Otolith increments were deposited daily in (1) known-age juveniles ranging in age from 0 to 31 days and (2) adults that had been stained with alizarin complexone, and a hatch mark was found on all otoliths which represented day 0. Otolith increment validation will allow development of growth models for S. argus and S. nigra, essential to understanding and managing these exclusive seagrass species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Probiotic treatment strategy based on the hygiene hypothesis, such as administration of ova from the non-pathogenic helminth, Trichuris suis, (TSO) has proven safe and effective in autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease. Objective: To study the safety and effects of TSO in a second autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), we conducted the phase 1 Helminth-induced Immunomodulatory Therapy (HINT 1) study.Methods: Five subjects with newly diagnosed, treatment-naive relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were given 2500 TSO orally every 2 weeks for 3 months in a baseline versus treatment control exploratory trial.Results: The mean number of new gadolinium-enhancing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions (n-Gd+) fell from 6.6 at baseline to 2.0 at the end of TSO administration, and 2 months after TSO was discontinued, the mean number of n-Gd+ rose to 5.8. No significant adverse effects were observed. In preliminary immunological investigations, increases in the serum level of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were noted in four of the five subjects. Conclusion: TSO was well tolerated in the first human study of this novel probiotic in RRMS, and favorable trends were observed in exploratory MRI and immunological assessments. Further investigations will be required to fully explore the safety, effects, and mechanism of action of this immunomodulatory treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]