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Abstract: We report on the fabrication and properties of all-MgB2 tunnel junctions with an MgO barrier. Superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) junctions were fabricated on C-plane sapphire substrates. MgB2 films were grown in an ultra-high vacuum in the 10−9 Torr range. The MgO insulating layer was evaporated using an electron-beam gun. SIS junctions of 30μm in diameter were fabricated by standard photolithography and Ar ion milling techniques. The critical temperature (T C) of the lower MgB2 layer after the SIS junction fabrication process was 36.7K, which remained the same as that of the bare MgB2 film. We observed tunneling behavior in the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the present junctions. A superconducting gap was clearly observed at around 2.7mV (=2Δ). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sea surface salinity reconstruction for the Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) suggests that the LGM-Eastern Arabian Sea was more saline (by ∼1.5 psu) than the Holocene due to weakened freshwater flux to the region, and intensified winter monsoons. Time-series of sedimentary organic-carbon (Corg), ∑alkenone and δ13C org for the last 100 kyr, together, indicate increased glacial productivity. Significantly reduced sedimentary-δ15N during the LGM indicates, however, diminished water column denitrification in spite of increased productivity. The distinct decoupling of denitrification from productivity during the LGM can be explained by vigorous ventilation of the thermocline as a result of simultaneously intensified formation of high-salinity water and deep-winter mixing in northern-Arabian Sea related to the extreme cold climate. The closely comparable time-series δ15N records across the Arabian Sea suggest basin-wide homogenisation of the isotopic signal. This probably resulted from combined monsoon-dependent surface water mixing, due to changes in the relative strength of reversing surface circulations, and intermediate water mixing, due to changes in north–south salinity gradient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An abstract of the article "Volume of umbilical veinous circulation just before delivery reflect the perinatal outcome," by M. Nakamura and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "The estimation of blood loss at delivery with the measurement of inferior vena cava diameter," by M. Koyano and colleagues is presented.

Abstract: We have measured the magnetic field dependence of the resistivity using a pulsed magnet for the as-grown films fabricated on the epitaxial Ti buffer layer grown on -plane ZnO and substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We will report the upper critical fields () along -axis and -plane. The anisotropy ratio were obtained from these values. The effects of Ti buffer layer on the and the anisotropy of film were discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report on the upper critical fields (H c2’s) of as-grown MgB2 thin films deposited on the epitaxial Ti buffer layer on c-plane ZnO substrates by using a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) apparatus. The H c2 was estimated from the magnetoresistance measurements under the pulsed magnetic field up to 37T. H c2(T) for both H ∥ ab-plane and H ∥ c-axis were measured to obtain the anisotropic superconducting properties. The results are successfully analyzed with the Gurevich theory of dirty two-gap superconductivity with a cleaner π band case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary:Noninfectious pulmonary dysfunction (NIPD) is a common and often fatal complication associated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). An insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been extensively studied in relation to cardiovascular and renal disease, and lung fibrosis. In pulmonary fibrosis, D-allele frequency is significantly higher than in the control population. We hypothesized that a similar mechanism exists between post-HSCT NIPD and pulmonary fibrosis in the absence of HSCT. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of NIPD and the ACE genotype polymorphism in 118 Japanese patients who underwent HSCT from HLA-identical sibling donors. NIPD occurred in 17 cases. Deletion/deletion genotype carriers were more common in the NIPD group than in the other 101 patients (41.2 vs 11.9%; hazard ratio, 5.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.67–16.21). There were no significant relationships between the clinical characteristics of patients and the development of NIPD. These findings suggest that the ACE genotype is associated with the development of NIPD following HSCT. This study is the first to report the relationship between genetic background and NIPD.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2005) 36, 617–620. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705105; published online 25 July 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform radiative magnetohydrodynamic calculations for the solar-quiet region to investigate the dependence of statistical flow on magnetic properties and the three-dimensional structure of magnetic patches in the presence of large-scale flow that mimics differential rotation. It has been confirmed that strong magnetic field patches move faster in the longitudinal direction at the solar surface. Consequently, strong magnetic patches penetrate deeper into the solar interior. The motion of the deep-rooted magnetic patches is influenced by the faster differential rotation in the deeper layer. In this study, we perform realistic radiative magnetohydrodynamic calculations using r2d2 code to validate that stronger patches have deeper roots. We also add large-scale flow to mimic the differential rotation. The magnetic patches are automatically detected and tracked, and we evaluate the depth of 30 000 magnetic patches. The velocities of 2.9 million magnetic patches are then measured at the photosphere. We obtain the dependence of these values on the magnetic properties, such as field strength and flux. Our results confirm that strong magnetic patches tend to show deeper roots and faster movement, and we compare our results with observations using the point spread function of instruments at the Hinode and Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Our result is quantitatively consistent with previous observational results of the SDO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report that Ti buffer layer improves the structural quality and superconducting properties of MgB2 film deposited on ZnO (0001) and Al2O3 (0001) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. It was found that Ti layers were grown epitaxially on the substrates and the MgB2 films were c-axis oriented with two types of in-plane orientations. The crystal quality measured by the rocking curve width of X-ray diffraction peak was improved and superconducting transition temperature increased as the buffer layer thickness increased on both substrates. The highest T c observed in this study was 37K and 35K in the film deposited on the Ti buffer layer 50nm thick with the ZnO and Al2O3 substrates, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigate the diagnostic potential of the spectral lines at 850 nm for understanding the magnetism of the lower atmosphere. For that purpose, we use a newly developed 3D simulation of a chromospheric jet to check the sensitivity of the spectral lines to this phenomenon as well as our ability to infer the atmospheric information through spectropolarimetric inversions of noisy synthetic data. We start comparing the benefits of inverting the entire spectrum at 850 nm versus only the Ca  ii 8542 Å spectral line. We found a better match of the input atmosphere for the former case, mainly at lower heights. However, the results at higher layers were not accurate. After several tests, we determined that we need to weight more the chromospheric lines than the photospheric ones in the computation of the goodness of the fit. The new inversion configuration allows us to obtain better fits and consequently more accurate physical parameters. Therefore, to extract the most from multiline inversions, a proper set of weights needs to be estimated. Besides that, we conclude again that the lines at 850 nm, or a similar arrangement with Ca  ii 8542 Å plus Zeeman-sensitive photospheric lines, pose the best-observing configuration for examining the thermal and magnetic properties of the lower solar atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The next generation of solar observatories aim to understand the magnetism of the solar chromosphere. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the polarimetric signatures of chromospheric spectral lines. For this purpose, we here examine the suitability of the three Fraunhofer Mg i b 1, b 2, and b 4lines at 5183.6, 5172.7, and 5167.3 Å, respectively. We start by describing a simplified atomic model of only six levels and three line transitions for computing the atomic populations of the 3p-4s (multiplet number 2) levels involved in the Mg i b line transitions assuming non-local thermodynamic conditions and considering only the Zeeman effect using the field-free approximation. We test this simplified atom against more complex ones finding that, although there are differences in the computed profiles, they are small compared with the advantages provided by the simple atom in terms of speed and robustness. After comparing the three Mg i lines, we conclude that the most capable one is the b 2line as b 1forms at similar heights and always shows weaker polarization signals, while b 4is severely blended with photospheric lines. We also compare Mg i b 2with the K i D 1and Ca ii 8542 Å lines finding that the former is sensitive to the atmospheric parameters at heights that are in between those covered by the latter two lines. This makes Mg i b 2an excellent candidate for future multiline observations that aim to seamlessly infer the thermal and magnetic properties of different features in the lower solar atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this publication, we continue the work started in Quintero Noda et al., examining this time a numerical simulation of a magnetic flux tube concentration. Our goal is to study if the physical phenomena that take place in it, in particular, the magnetic pumping, leaves a specific imprint on the examined spectral lines. We find that the profiles from the interior of the flux tube are periodically doppler shifted following an oscillation pattern that is also reflected in the amplitude of the circular polarization signals. In addition, we analyse the properties of the Stokes profiles at the edges of the flux tube discovering the presence of linear polarization signals for the Ca II lines, although they are weak with an amplitude around 0.5 per cent of the continuum intensity. Finally, we compute the response functions to perturbations in the longitudinal field, and we estimate the field strength using the weak-field approximation. Our results indicate that the height of formation of the spectral lines changes during the magnetic pumping process, which makes the interpretation of the inferred magnetic field strength and its evolution more difficult. These results complement those from previous works, demonstrating the capabilities and limitations of the 850-nm spectrum for chromospheric Zeeman polarimetry in a very dynamic and complex atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize theKID1&D2 lines in order to determine whether they could complement the 850 nm window, containing the Ca II infrared triplet lines and several Zeeman sensitive photospheric lines, that was studied previously. We investigate the effect of partial redistribution on the intensity profiles, their sensitivity to changes in different atmospheric parameters, and the spatial distribution of Zeeman polarization signals employing a realistic magnetohydrodynamic simulation. The results show that these lines form in the upper photosphere at around 500 km, and that they are sensitive to the line-of-sight velocity and magnetic field strength at heights where neither the photospheric lines nor the Ca II infrared lines are. However, at the same time, we found that their sensitivity to the temperature essentially comes from the photosphere. Then, we conclude that the KI lines provide a complement to the lines in the 850 nm window for the determination of atmospheric parameters in the upper photosphere, especially for the line-of-sight velocity and the magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Future solar missions and ground-based telescopes aim to understand the magnetism of the solar chromosphere. We performed a supporting study in Quintero Noda et al. focused on the infrared CaII 8542Å line and we concluded that it is one of the best candidates because it is sensitive to a large range of atmospheric heights, from the photosphere to the middle chromosphere. However, we believe that it is worth trying to improve the results produced by this line observing additional spectral lines. In that regard, we examined the neighbourhood solar spectrum looking for spectral lines which could increase the sensitivity to the atmospheric parameters. Interestingly, we discovered several photospheric lines which greatly improve the photospheric sensitivity to the magnetic field vector. Moreover, they are located close to a second chromospheric line which also belongs to the Ca II infrared triplet, i.e. the Ca II 8498Å line, and enhances the sensitivity to the atmospheric parameters at chromospheric layers. We conclude that the lines in the vicinity of the Ca II 8542Å line not only increase its sensitivity to the atmospheric parameters at all layers, but also they constitute an excellent spectral window for chromospheric polarimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To demonstrate the relationship between the timing of opening of the uterine isthmus and bleeding during pregnancy and caesarean section in patients with placenta previa.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at a single perinatal centre. All patients with placenta previa, diagnosed between 20 and 22 weeks of gestation, who were followed up at the study hospital and underwent caesarean section were enrolled. The condition of the uterine isthmus was examined every 2 weeks. The timing (in gestational weeks) of complete opening of the uterine isthmus was determined. Patients were divided into two groups: patients in whom the uterine isthmus opened before 25 weeks of gestation (EO-previa), and patients in whom the uterine isthmus opened after 25 weeks of gestation (LO-previa). The frequency of bleeding during pregnancy and the amount of intra-operative bleeding were compared between the two groups.Results: Forty-four cases of EO-previa and 55 cases of LO-previa were analysed. Complete placenta previa at delivery was observed more frequently in the EO-previa group than in the LO-previa group (88.6% vs 47.3%, p<0.001). An emergency caesarean section due to active bleeding was performed more frequently in the EO-previa group (48%) than in the LO-previa group (25%) (p=0.021). The frequency of massive haemorrage (>2500ml) during caesarean section was higher in the EO-previa group than in the LO-previa group (25% vs 9%, p=0.033).Conclusion: Placenta previa was associated with a high risk of bleeding leading to emergency caesarean section during pregnancy, and massive haemorrhage during caesarean section in patients in whom the uterine isthmus opened before 25 weeks of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the use of oral ribavirin for severe adenovirus infection after allogeneic marrow transplantation. Information on adenovirus-induced hemorrhagic cystitis; Clinical history of a patient who developed acute adenovirus infection after allogeneic marrow transplantation; Dose and the duration of oral ribavirin for the treatment of adenovirus infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Intestinal transplant-associated microangiopathy (i-TAM) is an important complication after allogeneic hematopoietic SCT. From 1997 to 2006, 87 of 886 patients with diarrhea after transplantation received colonoscopic biopsy. i-TAM, GVHD and CMV colitis were diagnosed histopathologically. The median duration from transplantation to the onset of diarrhea was 32 days (range: 9–130 days) and that from the onset of diarrhea to biopsy was 12 days (range: 0–74 days). The median maximal amount of diarrhea was 2 l/day (range: 130–5600 ml/day). Histopathological diagnosis included i-TAM (n=80), GVHD (n=26), CMV colitis (n=17) and nonspecific findings (n=2) with overlapping. Among 80 patients with i-TAM, abdominal pain was a major symptom, and only 11 patients fulfilled the proposed criteria for systemic TAM. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) among patients without resolution of diarrhea was 72% and i-TAM comprised 57% of NRM. NRM was 25% among patients without intensified immunosuppression, but was 52, 79 and 100% among those with intensified immunosuppression before diarrhea, after diarrhea, and before and after diarrhea, respectively. In conclusion, i-TAM is a major complication presenting massive refractory diarrhea and abdominal pain, which causes NRM. Avoiding intensified immunosuppression that damages vascular endothelium until the resolution of i-TAM may improve transplant outcome.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2009) 44, 43–49; doi:10.1038/bmt.2008.419; published online 12 January 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We designed a 5GHz miniaturized 10-pole Chebyshev-type bandpass filter (BPF) using superconducting microstrip quasi-spiral resonators (QSR) for international mobile telecommunication (IMT)-advanced receiving applications. When we considered the unloaded quality factor (Q u) of QSR, we found that a 10-pole QSR BPF using single-sided films and a 17-pole QSR BPF using double-sided films can be achieved an insertion loss in simulation of than 0.5dB. The 10-pole QSR filter was fabricated using a 300nm thick single-sided MgB2 film on a c-sapphire substrate by a thermal co-evaporation method. The Au ground plane of the filter was deposited on the other side of the substrate. Simulation and measurement profile data obtained from the passband were in close agreement. We found that the power-handling performance was equivalent to that of other miniaturized filters. We could design multi-pole filters using QSR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Post transplant immune disorders are problematic in cord blood transplantation (CBT) for adult patients, and optimal prophylaxis has not been established. We investigated whether intensive graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis using short-term methotrexate (MTX) has a prognostic impact on CBT. Post-CBT immune reactions were classified according to time course as pre-engraftment immune reaction (PIR), engraftment syndrome (ES) or acute GVHD. Between March 2001 and November 2005, a total of 77 patients underwent CBT at eight transplantation centers. Median age was 48 years (range, 18–69 years). Preparative regimens comprised myeloablative (n=31) or reduced-intensity (n=46). Acute GVHD prophylaxis included cyclosporine alone (n=23), tacrolimus alone (n=12), cyclosporine plus MTX (n=17), tacrolimus plus short-term MTX (n=23) or cyclosporine plus methylprednisolone (n=2). Cumulative incidences of PIR, ES and grade II–IV GVHD were 36, 12 and 23%, respectively. Short-term MTX exerted significant favorable effects on post-CBT immune reactions (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.31–0.98; P=0.04) in multivariate analysis. Overall survival rates for patients with and without short-term MTX at day 180 were 59% (95% CI, 42–73%) and 16% (95% CI, 6.6–30%) (P=0.0001), respectively. Short-term MTX could offer one optimal regimen to reduce immune reactions and improve outcomes in CBT.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2007) 39, 31–39. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705539; published online 20 November 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The intermetallic superconductor magnesium diboride (MgB2) is a promising candidate for use in superconducting electronic devices due to its high transition temperature (T c) and simple AlB2 type structure. Its application requires the development of a high-quality film fabrication process. We have previously reported the growth of MgB2 films deposited on MgO (100), SrTiO3 (100) and Al2O3 (0001) substrate using a co-evaporation method combined with a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) apparatus. In this paper, we report on the details of the transport properties of these as-grown MgB2 films. These film’s basal properties were investigated by XRD, RHEED, SQUID and the dc-4 probe method. Micro-bridges made using micro-processing methods such as photolithography and dry etching were used for transport measurements. All bridges were 10μm wide×30μm long to allow estimation of their critical current density using the dc-4 probe method. We discuss the relationship between critical current densities and the substrates used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The intermetallic superconductor magnesium diboride (MgB2) is a promising candidate for use in superconducting electronic devices because of its high transition temperature (T c). These applications require the development of a high-quality film fabrication process. We have previously reported the growth of MgB2 films deposited on MgO (100), SrTiO3 (100) and Al2O3 (0001) substrate using a co-evaporation method and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) apparatus. In this paper, we will report the correlation between structural properties and physical properties of as-grown MgB2 films deposited on MgO (100), ZnO (0001), and Si (111) substrate. The films’ basal properties have been confirmed by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), resistivity measurements and SQUID magnetometry. The details of the interfacial structure were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We will then discuss the most important parameters for fabricating high quality as-grown MgB2 films and junctions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Sea of Okhotsk were reconstructed based on alkenone unsaturation indices in two sediment cores. Alkenone-SSTs were found to range from 3 to 9 °C over the last 85 kyr with higher SST values in warm periods: Holocene and the oxygen isotope stage (OIS) 5a. In the last glacial periods (OIS 4 and 3), average alkenone SST was estimated to be 4 °C, which was 4 °C lower than the Holocene on average. However, alkenone SSTs around the last glacial maximum (LGM) are as high as those of the Holocene. The variation patterns of U37K′ in the Okhotsk Sea were found to be similar to those reported in the Sea of Japan [Org. Chem. 32 (2001) 57] over the last 30 kyr, although the SSTs were lower in the Sea of Okhotsk. The higher U37K′ values around the LGM may be a rather common phenomenon in semi-closed marginal seas such as the Japan Sea and the Okhotsk Sea, which are both adjacent to the northwestern Pacific. Such an anomaly in the LGM may have been caused by either a seasonal shift of coccolith blooming or a contribution from a different strain or species that produces alkenones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Okhotsk Sea plays a significant role in climatic and oceanic environmental change on regional and global scales. The fluctuation in pollen and spores abundances was investigated in order to reconstruct terrestrial and ocean environmental change during the Holocene. Fluctuation of the total abundance and assemblage of most of pollen and spores reflects terrestrial environmental change along the coastal area of the southern Okhotsk Sea. On the other hand, the abundance of Cryptomeria, Cyclobalanopsis and Castanopsis pollen from plants which are not currently growing in Hokkaido, is suggested to be a good proxy for the intensity of the Tsushima Current. Relatively warm pollen assemblages characterize Periods 1 (calendar age 7240–3050 yr BP) and 3 (150–0 yr BP) while a relatively cold pollen assemblage characterizes Period 2 (3050–150 yr BP). Three warm sub-periods 1a (7240–6500 yr BP), 1c (5900–4550 yr BP) and 1e (4300–3550 yr BP) are associated with relatively strong intensity of the Tsushima Current, transgression, and the occurrence of bivalves living in warm conditions. Continuous cooling started 3000 yr BP. The area remained so cold that the intensified Tsushima Current (2800–2400 and 1700–1400 yr BP) would have made little difference to terrestrial warming in the southern Okhotsk Sea. In the uppermost samples, a large increase in total abundance of pollen and spores may be partly attributed to the modern global warming effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Environmental conditions and productivity changes in the southeastern Okhotsk Sea have been reconstructed for the last 20 ka using planktonic and benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotope records and calcium carbonate, organic carbon and opal content data from two sediment cores. Species variability in benthic foraminiferal and diatom assemblages provides additional palaeoceanographic evidence. AMS radiocarbon dating of the sediments and oxygen isotope stratigraphy serve as the basis for the age models of the cores for the last 20 14C kyr and for correlation between environmental variations in the Okhotsk Sea, and regional and global climate changes. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the two cores (depth 1590 and 1175 m) varied with time, so that we could recognise seven zones with different species composition. Changes in the benthic foraminiferal assemblages parallel major environmental and productivity variations. During the last glaciation, fluxes of organic matter to the sea floor showed strong seasonal variations, indicated by the presence of abundant A. weddellensis and infaunal Uvigerina spp. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages changed with warming at 12.5–11 and 10–8 14C kyr BP, when productivity blooms and high organic fluxes were coeval with global meltwater pulses 1A and 1B. Younger Dryas cooling caused a decline in productivity (11–10 kyr BP) affecting the benthic faunal community. Subsequent warming triggered intensive diatom production, opal accumulation and a strong oxygen deficiency, causing significant changes in benthic fauna assemblages from 5.26–4.4 kyr BP to present time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate the potential value of ultrasound examination and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) at 35-37 weeks' gestation in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in non-small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses. This was a prospective study with singleton pregnancies who had routine ultrasound examination between 35-0 to 37-6 weeks' gestation including umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA PI) and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA PI) and CPR. The measurement of CPR at 35-37 weeks' gestation in non-SGA fetuses is not useful in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome and emergency delivery for NRFS. [Extracted from the article]

To assess the influence of abnormal cord insertion (CI) detected by first trimester ultrasonography on pregnancy outcome in monochorionic diamniotic (MC) twins. All pairs of twins were assigned to the abnormal CI group (twin pair with velamentous cord insertion (VCI) and/or marginal cord insertion (MCI) in one or both twins) or the normal CI group (twin pair with both normal CI). [Extracted from the article]

EP12.09: Umbilical vein blood flow at 11-13 weeks of gestation in twin pregnancy is associated with fetal growth To demonstrate the relationship between discordance of umbilical venous flow volume (UVF) at 11-13 SP +6 sp weeks' gestation and discordance of birth weight in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy. Subjects were divided into two groups; one was that the discordance of UVF was more than 75th percentile value (H-UVF) and the other was less than 75th percentile value (L-UVF). [Extracted from the article]

An abstract of the article "Relation between the timing at open uterine isthmus and hemorrhage in placenta previa," by M. Goto and colleagues is presented.