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Control of the charge state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center is crucial because of its instability and its transitions between the negative (NV–) and neutral (NV0) NV charge states under laser irradiation In this study, we fabricated an n-i-n junction, with an i-layer sandwiched between two phosphorus-doped n-layers; then, we measured the charge state of NV centers under steady state and laser irradiation in a known band structure where the Fermi energy changes gradually. The steady-state charge state measured by a nondestructive single shot exhibited stable NV– and NV0 signals when the Fermi level was even slightly above and below the transition level, respectively. This result indicates that the charge state can be significantly stabilized through band engineering. Both charge-state populations were observed only when the Fermi level was close to the transition level. Under continuous green laser irradiation, the ratio of NV– measured by the photoluminescence spectra changed gradually with the Fermi level in the depletion layer because of the balance between excitation from the laser and the supply of charge from the band. This outcome agrees reasonably with the calculated bands. Furthermore, we measured the PL spectra of the ensemble NV centers and discovered that their charge state can be well-controlled, as in the single NV center. The charge state of the i-layer at the interface can be stabilized by depositing a thin n-layer on the surface. These results would contribute significantly to improve sensor performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme cold events can have several consequences in different sectors, including human health, infrastructure, agriculture, and the economy. The frost events that affect central and northeastern Argentina are associated with stationary Rossby waves triggered by tropical heat sources and convection, which result in intense polar air advection. However, the processes responsible for these cold events include complex interactions between these wave trains and mechanisms at different atmospheric scales, such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), which can alter the temperature patterns. This study investigates the impacts of the MJO on air temperature and associated circulation in years with extreme occurrence frequency of cold events in central southern South America during the winter. The results showed that the MJO convection can enhance or weaken the temperature anomalies during winters with a maximum and minimum frequency of generalized frosts (GF) occurrence due to Rossby wave train propagation triggered in the tropical region. Moreover, the effect on the anomaly patterns in these events depends on the MJO phase. Our analysis shows that individual MJO phases can modulate the temperature anomalies even in an unfavorable basic state (as in winters with an extreme frequency of GF and emphasizes the importance of considering the MJO in the predictions of the temperature anomalies associated with GF over southeastern South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the climate in North and Northeast Brazil has undergone significant changes, which indicate potential risks for water and food security due to increasing temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and greater frequency of some extreme events. For example, there is evidence of changes in the strength of the hydrological cycles on North and Northeast Brazil river basins, but the magnitude and extension of the precipitation changes are highly dependent on the precipitation dataset under consideration and the methodology. Here, we analyze the precipitation trends in North and Northeast Brazil hydrological basins and the possible associated mechanisms and present the rainfall climatological cycles in these basins using multi-datasets. The results showed that, in most river basins, there is a clear distinction between the rainy and dry seasons, with a contrast between the basins of the North (which receive a higher amount of rainfall) and the Northeast Brazil (with low rainfall volume, especially in the Parnaíba and Eastern Northeast Atlantic basins). Moreover, the annual rainfall has undergone an increasing trend in western Brazil river basins and a decreasing trend in the eastern. This east–west dipole is associated with the strengthening (weakening) of the Walker and Hadley circulations in western (eastern) Brazil in recent decades. A multidecadal variability is seen to modulate the precipitation changes, which is in phase with the AMO cycle. CMIP6 detection and attribution experiments showed that both natural and anthropogenic factors can play a role in the recent changes observed in northern Brazil river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American Monsoon System (SAMS) is a major climatic feature of South America, and its domain extends from Amazon to La Plata basin. The SAMS region is vulnerable to variations of climate and precipitation patterns, which could impact economic activities and lead to potential societal consequences. In the face of a warming future scenario, the importance of the study of the past climate with numerical simulations is to evaluate the climate models and to assure the reliability of future projections. Here we investigate the Mid-Holocene SAMS, evaluating changes in strength, life cycle and associated dynamical mechanisms in ten Earth System Models simulations. Our results show that the SAMS was weaker in the Mid-Holocene than in the pre-industrial climate in December–January–February (DJF), but stronger in September–October–November (SON). This is probably a consequence of insolation variations in the Mid-Holocene, which contributed to changes in the moisture flux from the Atlantic Ocean to the continent, the strength of the upper-level atmospheric circulation, and the amount of precipitation over the SAMS region. Moreover, we suggest that the life cycle of the SAMS was altered during the Mid-Holocene, with an earlier onset and demise. Our results also indicate that Mid-Holocene SAMS changes are connected to precipitation variations near Northeast Brazil, in a dipole configuration of precipitation between western Amazon and Northeast Brazil, due to the influence of the Walker cell. Finally, this study highlights a need for improvement of the numerical models to better simulate the amount of precipitation over South America and the upper-level circulation over western Amazon in SON, which are crucial factors for a more realistic representation of the SAMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary ion mass spectra have been measured for the first time for a liquid ethanol target bombarded by 2.0 MeV He+ ions. Positive and negative ion spectra exhibit evidently a series of cluster ions of the forms [(EtOH)nH]+ and [(EtOH)n-H]-, respectively, in addition to light fragment ions from intact parent molecules. It was found that these cluster ions are produced only from liquid phase ethanol. Both positive and negative secondary ion spectra show similar cluster size distributions with almost the same decay slope. We also present for the first time the cluster ion distribution emitted from the liquid at different liquid temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of AlxGa1-xN buffers in the control of residual strain in GaN epitaxial layers grown on 6H-SiC (0001) substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy was investigated. The initial GaN layer on the AlxGa1-xN (x=0%–10%) buffer nucleates in two-dimensional form, which promotes a step-flow growth mode in subsequently grown GaN layers. As the Al content in the AlxGa1-xN (x∼20%) buffer was increased, GaN began to nucleate as incoherent polygonal islands, coalescing as the thickness increased to 15 nm. The overall residual strain induced in GaN is tensile ([variant_greek_epsilon]xx) for GaN grown directly on SiC and compressive (-[variant_greek_epsilon]xx) for GaN grown using an AlGaN buffer. The stiffness coefficient (-2C13/C33) of GaN on the AlxGa1-xN (x∼10%) buffer was estimated to be -0.53 assuming that the defect-induced hydrostatic stress of unstrained GaN (c0/a0) was constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) GaN nucleation on a gallium (Ga) induced 3×3-SiC (0001) surface was achieved by molecular-beam epitaxy. The Ga adsorbate on SiC (0001) revealed well-ordered [square_root_of_3]×[square_root_of_3]-R30° and 3×3 surface reconstructions with respect to Ga adatom coverage. The 3×3 surface was found to be highly reactive toward 2D GaN nuclei. This enhances the surface mobility of impinging adatoms during GaN growth, which promotes a step-flow growth mode. On the [square_root_of_3]×[square_root_of_3]-R30° surface, polygonal Stranski–Krastanov islands formed during the initial stages, coalescing as thickness increased. The GaN growth kinetics was found to depend on the Ga atomistic process of the reconstructed SiC (0001) surfaces. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: To investigate the clinical significance of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor (sTNF‐R) II/I ratio as an indicator of the diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s‐JIA), we measured the serum sTNF‐RI and II levels in 117 patients with s‐JIA, including 29 patients with MAS, 15 with Epstein–Barr virus‐induced haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV‐HLH), 15 with Kawasaki disease (KD) and 28 healthy controls (HCs). We determined their correlation with measurements of disease activity and severity. Furthermore, we measured serum interleukin (IL)‐18 levels in patients with EBV‐HLH and compared these in levels in patients with MAS. The sTNF‐RII/I ratio was elevated significantly in MAS and EBV‐HLH patients compared with those in the acute phase of s‐JIA and KD patients, whereas there were no significant differences between HCs and those in the acute phase of s‐JIA. The sTNF‐RII/I ratio increased profoundly as MAS developed and correlated positively with disease activity. Serum IL‐18 levels were elevated significantly in MAS patients compared with EBV‐HLH patients. The monitoring of serum IL‐18 and sTNF‐RII/I might be useful for the diagnosis of MAS and the differentiation between MAS and EBV‐HLH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charge state control of the nitrogen vacancy center (NV center) in diamond is important to the realization of applications such as magnetometers or quantum information processing, because only negatively charged NV centers have attractive spin properties. We fabricated p–i–n (p-type–intrinsic–n-type) junctions to investigate the charge state properties of the NV centers in an ultrapure i-layer with a low impurity concentration. The photoluminescence of the ensemble of NV centers demonstrated that the charge state can be modulated by external voltage across the p–i–n junction. The charge state of the NV centers was tuned towards NV − by applying a forward bias below the built-in voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed low-temperature specific heat measurements on slightly underdoped samples of monolayer cuprate superconductors (Ln = La, Eu, Ln-Bi2201) under magnetic fields . In La-Bi2201, the coefficient of -linear term in the electronic specific heat at shows dependence, as expected in -wave superconductors. In Eu-Bi2201, shows almost the same dependence as that of La-Bi2201 below T, while is suppressed above T and deviates downward from the curve of La-Bi2201. This result suggests the the gap and the electronic excitation spectrum near nodes are modified in Eu-Bi2201 except the region of the Fermi surface in the immediate vicinity of nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract for the article "Predicting fetal lung hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: parameters with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging" by M. Shimizu and others is presented.

We investigate the role of growth temperature on the optimization of lattice-matched In0.17Al0.83N/GaN heterostructure and its structural evolutions along with electrical transport studies. The indium content gradually reduces with the increase of growth temperature and approaches lattice-matched with GaN having very smooth and high structural quality at 450ºC. The InAlN layers grown at high growth temperature (480ºC) retain very low Indium content of ∽ 4 % in which cracks are mushroomed due to tensile strain while above lattice matched (>17%) layers maintain crack-free compressive strain nature. The near lattice-matched heterostructure demonstrate a strong carrier confinement with very high two-dimensional sheet carrier density of ∽2.9 × 1013 cm-2 with the sheet resistance of ∽450 Ω/ at room temperature as due to the manifestation of spontaneous polarization charge differences between InAlN and GaN layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopsis Objective Sodium laureth sulphate ( SLES) is an anionic detergent, which has been used globally for personal care products because of its mildness and good foaming ability. However, SLES is somewhat invasive and stimulatory to the skin, and many consumers with sensitive skin desire milder detergents for daily use skin cleansers. We enhanced the mildness of SLES by formulating it with sodium laureth carboxylate ( AEC) and lauryl glucoside ( LG). Methods In skin soak tests, 5% detergent solutions were applied to the forearms of 10 Japanese healthy volunteers for 30 min followed by washing with tap water once a day for 4 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, cutaneous capacitance measurements and visual analyses were performed. In a controlled usage study, 16 Japanese healthy volunteers used the test body cleanser for 4 weeks. Assessment of efficacy and mildness was conducted prior to the start of the study and at the end of week 4 by cutaneous conductance, dermoscopic evaluation of the stratum corneum and visual assessment by a dermatologist. Results In soak tests, cutaneous capacitance was significantly decreased on the soap-treated region and on the SLES-treated region. No significant decrease was identified on the SLES/ AEC/ LG-treated region with less induction of erythema or dryness. In the controlled usage study, no significant changes in cutaneous conductance or texture or damage of corneocytes on the forearm and lower thigh were found. However, visual assessment revealed a significant decrease in scaling and erythema on the lower thigh after 4 weeks of usage with an improvement of the discomfort of the consumer. The favourability rating of this formulated detergent in several questionnaire items was very good. Conclusion The newly formulated skin cleanser with the combination of anionic surfactants SLES and AEC and the non-ionic surfactant LG provides a mild surfactant with a satisfactory cleansing activity for body washing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitral valve regurgitation (MVR) is a common valvular disease in dogs. Hydrokinetic evaluation of the blood flow within the ventricles has become possible by vector flow mapping (VFM), which shows the blood flow within the ventricles in vector and vortex flows. Blood flow within the left ventricle of MVR dogs was compared at different stages of MVR and to that of normal dogs. 14 normal dogs and 40 clinical cases of MVR were used. Echocardiographic videos were collected and vectors and vortexes were analysed by VFM analysis using software. In diastole, reversal of vectors which formed vortexes was observed around the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve in the control group. In the MVR dogs, in addition to that, reversed vectors were also observed at the left ventricular free-wall which formed Vortexes along the Posterior Wall (PWv). As MVR became more severe, PWv occupied a wider range; however, it was not observed at the outflow tract, suggesting that it occurs to lower transfer effectiveness. Controlling transfer effectiveness may be considered to alleviate the exacerbation of the heart failure caused by MVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant growth-promoting fungus, Penicillium simplicissimum GP17-2, was evaluated for its ability to induce resistance against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco plants. Treatment with barley grain inoculum (BGI) of GP17-2 significantly enhanced fresh weight, dry weight and leaf number of A. thaliana and tobacco plants 6 weeks after planting. Two weeks after CMV inoculation, all plants treated with BGI of GP17-2 or its culture filtrate (CF) showed a significant reduction in disease severity compared with non-treated control plants, which exhibited severe mosaic symptoms by the end of the experiment. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated that CMV accumulation was significantly reduced in plants treated with GP17-2 or its CF relative to control plants. Based on RT-PCR, plants treated with GP17-2 (BGI or CF) also exhibited increased expression of regulatory and defence genes involved in the SA and JA/ET signalling pathways. These results suggested that multiple defence pathways in A. thaliana and tobacco were involved in GP17-2-mediated resistance to CMV, although neither the transgenic NahG line, nor the npr1, jar1 or ein3 mutants disrupted the response in A. thaliana. This is the first report to demonstrate the induction of systemic resistance against CMV by GP17-2 or its CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the WAS gene. Glomerulonephritis is a frequent complication, however, histopathological data from affected patients is scarce because the thrombocytopenia that affects most patients is a contraindication to renal biopsies. We found that WASp-deficient mice develop proliferative glomerulonephritis reminiscent of human IgA nephropathy (IgAN). We examined whether increased aberrant IgA production is associated with the development of glomerulonephritis in WASp-deficient mice. Serum IgA and IgA production by splenic B cells was increased in WASp-deficient mice compared to wild-type (WT) mice. A lectin-binding study revealed a reduced ratio of sialylated and galactosylated IgA in the sera from old WASp-deficient mice. Circulating IgA-containing immune complexes showed significantly higher titers in WASp-deficient mice compared to WT mice. These results indicate that the increased IgA production and aberrant glycosylation of IgA may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis in WAS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: Alcaligenes sp. NBRC 14130 was found as a strain hydrolysing a mixture of (±)- trans- and (±)- cis ethyl chrysanthemates to (1 R,3 R)-(+)- trans-chrysanthemic acid. The Alcaligenes cells also have hydrolytic activity for 6-aminohexanoate-cyclic dimer (6-AHCD, 1,8-diazacyclotetradecane-2,9-dione). The correlation of function on the enzyme from the Alcaligenes strain with hydrolysis activities for both ethyl chrysanthemate and 6-AHCD was demonstrated. Methods and Results: The esterase was purified to homogeneity. The purified esterase hydrolysed 20 mmol l−1 ester including the four stereoisomers to the corresponding (+)- trans acid with a 37% molar conversion of ethyl (+)- trans chrysanthemate. The esterase showed high hydrolytic activity for various short-chain fatty acid esters, n-hexane amide and 6-AHCD. The amino acid sequence of the Alcaligenes esterase was identical to that of Arthrobacter 6-AHCD hydrolase (EC 3.5.2.12) and similar to that of fatty acid amide hydrolase (EC 3.5.1.4) from Rattus norvegicus, having both serine and lysine residues of the catalytic site and the consensus motif Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly. Conclusion: The stereo-selective hydrolytic activity was found in Alcaligenes sp. NBRC14130 by screening of ethyl chrysanthemate-hydrolysing activity in micro-organisms, and the purified esterase also acted on fatty acid esters and amides. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study has demonstrated that there are great differences in the enzymatic properties, amino acid sequence and catalytic motif of esterases in both Alcaligenes and Arthrobacter globiformis with excellent stereo-selectivity for (+)- trans-ethyl chrysanthemate, but the amino acid sequence of Alcaligenes esterase is identical to that of Arthrobacter 6-AHCD hydrolase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differences in individual efficacy of two Sairei-to preparations (Sojyutu-Sairei-to and Byakujyutu-Sairei-to) on antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anticardiolipin antibody (ACLA) positive recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) was analyzed in 52 patients (a total of 61 treatment sessions). Patients who failed to respond to initial treatment with Sojyutu-Sairei-to were additionally treated with Byakujyutu- Sairei-to, and the time course of ANA and ACLA titers in these patients was analyzed. ACLA titers were decreased significantly by the treatment of Byakujyutu-Sairei-to, however, the percentage of successfully prevented abortion cases did not differ significantly between the Sojyutu-Sairei-to treatment group and the Byakujyutu-Sairei-to treatment group. ACLA titer was decreased in all 10 cases where abortion was successfully prevented by the treatment with Sojyutu-Sairei-to or Byakujyutu-Sairei-to. In the cases where both ANA and ACLA were decreased following treatment with Sojyutu-Sairei-to or Byakujyutu-Sairei-to, the percentage of cases rated as 'Kyo' and 'Rikan' were significantly higher in the Byakujyutu-Sairei-to group. These results indicate that Byakujyutu-Sairei-to is effective against ACLA positive RSA through the antibody-reducing activity, which differs from that of Sojyutu-Sairei-to in individual cases. On the basis of these results, Sairei-to therapy, which is superior to aspirin and heparin in terms of efficacy and safety, is recommended as the first-line therapy for RSA of autoimmune etiologies. Furthermore, to elevate the percentage of successfully prevented abortions, it is advisable to select one of the two Sairei-to preparations (Sojyutu-Sairei-to and Byakujyutu-Sairei-to) on the basis of differential diagnosis using the methods of Oriental medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The benefits of prolonging peginterferon and ribavirin after 48 weeks of treatment to maximize sustained virological responses (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1-infected patients remain to be understood. Aim To investigate whether extended treatment longer than 72 weeks may be superior to 72-week treatment. Methods A total of 120 treatment-naïve or retreated patients with HCV genotype 1 were treated with peginterferon-alpha-2b (1.5 μg/kg/week) plus weight-based ribavirin. We had 34 late responders, in whom HCV RNA first became undetectable at week 12–48, and randomized them into three groups receiving standard-dose peginterferon-alpha-2b plus low-dose ribavirin (200 mg/day) for extended 24 weeks (group A), receiving low-dose peginterferon-alpha-2b (0.75 μg/kg/week) plus low-dose ribavirin for extended 48 weeks (group B) or no extended treatment (group C), and evaluated the outcome according to their virological response. Results Multivariate analysis showed that the treatment for 96 weeks was identified as a significant, independent factor associated with SVR in HCV genotype 1-infected late responders in comparison with group A [odds ratio (OR), 10.002; P = 0.080] and group C (OR, 17.748; P = 0.025). Conclusion Extending the treatment duration from 48 weeks to 96 weeks improves SVR rates in genotype 1-infected patients with late virological response to peginterferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cross sections for the stopping of swift protons in liquid water have been measured for the first time by using a liquid water jet target of 50μm in diameter. The energy loss spectra of incident 2.0MeV protons were measured at scattering angles of 5.0–50 mrad. Experimental energy loss spectra have been successfully reproduced by Monte Carlo simulation calculations (GEANT4.9.1.p02 toolkit) by taking account of multiple scattering of projectile ions inside the liquid water target. The present stopping cross sections are found to be considerably smaller than other standard stopping power data, revealing e.g. about 11% deviation from those of SRIM2003. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: GaN films and AlGaN/GaN heterostructures grown on vicinal sapphire (0001) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are investigated. It is found that surface morphologies of GaN films depend on the vicinal angle, however, they are not sensitive to the inclination directions of the substrate. The optimized vicinal angle for obtaining excellent surface morphology is around 0.5°. This conclusion is also confirmed by characterizing the electrical property of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Surface morphologies of GaN films grown on vicinal sapphire (0001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is found that surface morphologies of GaN films depend not only on the vicinal angle and the inclination direction of the substrate, but also on the growth technique. However, the phenomenon concerning the surface step bunching during the growth is common and independent of the growth technique. Our experimental results give important hints to the precise control of the surface morphology in order to achieve high-quality device structures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new experimental technique has been developed for the investigation of secondary particle emission from liquid targets resulting from collision interactions with fast charged particles. Secondary ion mass spectra are presented for the first time for liquid water and 0.1M, 1M and 5M NaCl aqueous solutions bombarded by 2.0MeV He+ ions. The mass spectra exhibit a series of negative cluster ions of the form of XmYnR−, where X and Y stand for neutral molecules such as H2O, NaCl and NaOH and R− stands for a negative charged ion such as O−, OH− and Cl−. Intensities of negative ions are found to change significantly as a function of the concentration. The results imply evidently that the cluster structure in liquid targets changes drastically depending on the abundance of NaCl in solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To assess the efficacy of an open patch-graft technique under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in small dogs. Design and methods A retrospective analysis of 10 dogs with pulmonic stenosis. Records between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed. The effect of surgical correction was evaluated and perioperative parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Results The postoperative pulmonary pressure gradient was reduced in all seven surviving patients. Mean ± SE was 21.5 ± 7.4 mmHg (range 3.0–54.2 mmHg) and 6/7 dogs were < 40 mmHg at 3 months postoperatively. Comparing the data between those patients that survived and those that did not, the preoperative pressure gradient (P = 0.04) and volume of the Glucose-Insulin-Kalium solution used (P = 0.001) were significantly higher in those that did not survive. Conclusion Open patch-grafting can be performed in small-breed dogs and decreased the pulmonary pressure gradient in survivors at 3 months postoperatively. However, this technique is more invasive than balloon valvuloplasty and should be used cautiously in severely stenosed patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine whether chicken sperm express avian 13-defensin 3 (AvBD-3), an antimicrobial peptide, and retain it dur- ing the residence in the male and female reproductive tract. Immunocytochemistry to identify AvBD-3 was performed in the testis, epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculated sperm, and utero-vaginal junction of the ovi- duct of inseminated hens. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis was also performed to confirm the synthesis of AvBD-3 by testicular cells and ejaculated sperm. The immunoreaction products for AvBD-3 were identified in the elongated spermatids attached to the seminiferous epithelium and in the sperm in the lumen of seminifer- ous tubules. Immunoreaction products were found in the sperm in the epididymal ducts and ductus defer- ens. In the ejaculated sperm, immunoreaction products were distributed in the midpiece and cephalic region of the tail of sperm, but not in the head. The AvBD- 3 immunoreaction products were also identified in the sperm stored in the sperm storage tubules in the utero- vaginal junction. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed the expression of AvBD-3 mRNA in the testicu- lar tissue, but not in the ejaculated sperm. These re- sults suggest that AvBD-3 is synthesized by late stage of spermatids in the testis, and this molecule is retained by the sperm during the passage of male reproductive tract, and even in the sperm storage tubules of oviduct. The sperm AvBD-3 is assumed to play roles in protect- ing the sperm from the microbial infection and enable to survive in the male and female reproductive tracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of cardiovascular events and is often associated with the nondipping pattern of blood pressure (BP). We evaluated ambulatory BP, CKD, and the incidence of cardiovascular events in 811 older hypertensive patients. CKD and the dipping pattern increased the risk of cardiovascular events independent of the 24-hour systolic BP level (CKD: hazard ratio [HR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-4.54; nondippers: HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.19-3.91; extreme dippers: HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.17-4.83). However, after adjustment for covariates that included CKD, the risk in nondippers was insignificant (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 0.998-3.34; P=.051), while the risk in extreme dippers remained (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.26-5.32; P=.009) (CKD: HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.93-3.54; P=.081). Patients with CKD have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. CKD and other cardiovascular risk factors may account for some of the increased risk in nondippers, but it does not explain the higher risk in extreme dippers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objective was to investigate the transport of an anticancer agent carboplatin across the blood-brain barrier in combination with hyperbaric oxygenation treatment. An in vitro well-validated model of bovine brain capillary endothelial cells was used. 2. A transendothelial transport of doxorubicin, a known P-glycoprotein substrate, was enhanced 1.5-fold by verapamil for 2-h incubation at 37°C. A transendothelial permeability coefficient of carboplatin (1.29 × 10-3 cm min-1) was also increased 1.8-fold by verapamil. 3. Under the hyperbaric oxygenation conditions (at 0.2 MPa for the first 10 min), the transendothelial transport for 2 h of doxorubicin and carboplatin were increased 1.3- to 1.8-fold by hyperbaric oxygenation, like the suppressive effects of verapamil on P-gp function, without increase of the transport of lucifer yellow, a non P-glycoprotein substrate. 4. Combination of hyperbaric oxygenation treatment and verapamil could not further increase the permeability coefficients of these drugs that were already enhanced by either treatment, implying the P-glycoprotein-mediated carboplatin efflux transport similarly as doxorubicin. 5. Together with our reported high efficacy of carboplatin combined with hyperbaric oxygenation therapy on brain tumours, the present results suggest that carboplatin could be transported by P-glycoprotein, but that this efflux mechanism would be reduced by the hyperbaric oxygenation with the consequences of clinical efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Stainless steel of type SS316LN-IG (ITER Grade) is used for the branch pipeline connecting of the module coolant system and for other structures of ITER. One of the most important requirements for the branch pipeline connection is to recover various defects by welding. In the present study, characteristics of irradiated weldments were evaluated. SS316LN-IG specimens irradiated to helium contents of 3 and 10appm He were prepared by the first neutron irradiation. Thereafter, the SS316LN-IG specimens with three different combinations of un-irradiation and irradiation were welded by a tungsten inert-gas (TIG) welding method. These weldments were re-irradiated at 150°C up to a fast neutron fluence of about 7.5×1024 n/m2 (E >1MeV). Tensile tests of the weldments and the base material were carried out at 20 and 150°C after the re-irradiation. The results of the comparison before and after the re-irradiation showed that tensile properties of all weldment specimens with the different combinations were almost the same as those of the base materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the growth and electron transport studies of two-dimensional electron gases confined at the lattice-matched In0.17Al0.83N/GaN heterostructure on GaN templates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The two-dimensional sheet carrier density, 2.68×1013 cm−2, at room temperature is the manifestation of spontaneous polarization charge differences between the InAlN and the GaN layers. The heterostructure shows the Hall mobilities of 1080 and 3330cm2/Vs at 300 and 20K, respectively. The variable temperature Hall measurements in the range of 20–300K reveal that the mobility and sheet carrier density have been nearly independent of temperature below about 150K, a typical behavior of 2DEG structures. The achievement of high mobility can be attributed to the improvement of InAlN epitaxial growth conditions and reduced alloy disorder scattering of carriers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: Intermittent limb ischaemia prior to cardiac ischaemia is a cardioprotective stimulus. This study was to investigate whether this peripheral stimulus had any effects on basal coronary blood flow and resistance, and to explore its potential mechanisms by studying the effect of femoral nerve transection and Katp blockade by glibenclamide. Methods: Remote ischaemic preconditioning (rIPC) was induced by four 5-min cycles of lower limb ischaemia. Coronary resistance was measured using standard formulae and coronary blood flow in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) by a flow probe. In experiment 1, coronary ischaemia was induced by inflation of a cuff placed around the mid-LAD, and inflated until cessation of flow. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed using d p/d t and Tau at 1 and 30 min of ischaemia. Experiment 1: 20 pigs were randomized to control ( n = 6), rIPC ( n = 7) or femoral nerve transection + rIPC ( n = 7) groups. The femoral nerve was transected before the rIPC protocol. All data were collected at fixed heart rates of 120 bpm. Coronary resistance was decreased and flow was increased significantly by the rIPC stimulus ( P = 0.003, P = 0.016, paired t-test), and these changes were preserved after femoral nerve transection. Experiment 2: 19 pigs were randomized to control ( n = 5), rIPC ( n = 8) or glibenclamide-treated rIPC ( n = 6) groups. Data were collected at baseline, and during incremental pacing between 120 and 180 bpm. Results: Experiment 1: Coronary resistance was decreased and flow was increased significantly by rIPC stimulus ( P = 0.003, P = 0.016, paired t-test), and these changes were preserved after femoral nerve transaction. rIPC was associated with superior LV function (d p/d tmax) at 30 min, compared with controls and the rIPC + femoral nerve transaction group. Experiment 2: Coronary resistance was significantly lower, and LAD flow was significantly higher in rIPC group ( P < 0.0001, P = 0.0008, two-wayanova). These effects were reversed in the glibenclamide group. Conclusion: The rIPC stimulus leads to reduced coronary resistance and increased flow. This effect, while modified by glibenclamide appears to be a generic effect of remote ischaemia rather than a direct preconditioning effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: l-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is a neurotransmitter candidate. To map the DOPAergic system functionally, DOPA-induced c-Fos expression was detected under inhibition of central aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). In rats treated with a central AADC inhibitor, DOPA significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive nuclei in the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) and the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), and showed a tendency to increase in the supraoptic nuclei (SON), but not in the striatum. On the other hand, DOPA with a peripheral AADC inhibitor elevated the level of c-Fos-positive nuclei in the four regions, suggesting that DOPA itself induces c-Fos expression in the SON, PVN and NTS. In rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to lesion the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) pathway, DOPA significantly induced c-Fos expression in the four regions under the inhibition of peripheral AADC. However, under the inhibition of central AADC, DOPA did not significantly increase the number of c-Fos-positive nuclei in the four regions, suggesting that DOPA at least in part induces c-Fos expression through its conversion to DA. It was likely that the 6-OHDA lesion enhanced the response to DA, but attenuated that to DOPA itself. In conclusion, we proposed that the SON, PVN and NTS include target sites for DOPA itself. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the fabrication of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with high breakdown voltage by employing the metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) gate structure. SiO2, SiN, and TiO2 were used for the insulators. The gate leak current was significantly reduced by employing the MIS structure, and the breakdown voltage characteristics were improved. The breakdown voltage of the MIS–HEMTs increased non-linearly with the increase of gate-drain length L gd. The TiO2 insulator exhibited highest breakdown voltage of 2kV with the on-resistance of 15.6mΩcm2 for L gd =28μm. On the other hand, the breakdown voltage and on-resistance for SiN MIS–HEMT were found to be 1.7kV and 6.9mΩcm2, respectively. We demonstrated that AlGaN/GaN MIS–HEMTs are promising not only for high speed applications but also for high power switching applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tropic responses were examined in azalea Rhododendrom pulchrum and lily Lilium cv. ‘Casablanca’ flowers. Orientation of the flowers in these two species depicts several up/down characteristics, such as angle of the corolla opening, alignment or configuration of a specific petal at the top, plus direction in the curved tip of the pistil and stamen. Gravity was found to be the prime factor, with light as a secondary signal that determines gravitropism in the pistil of the azalea. Within the azalea, sedimented amyloplasts were observed throughout the cells along the inner layers below the epidermis. In lily flowers, no sedimented amyloplasts were found in style cells, and phototropic responses caused upward bending of the pistil. Responses of lily pistils to monochromatic light were consistent with the action spectrum for phototropism in the shoots of monocotyledonous plants. We discuss how these features may increase the fitness for pollination in these two species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Konno T, Shimizu M, Ino H, Fujino N, Hayashi K, Uchiyama K, Kaneda T, Inoue M, Masuda E, Mabuchi H (Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan). Phenotypic differences between electrocardiographic and echocardiographic determination of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in genetically affected subjects. J Intern Med 2005; 258: 216–224. In the molecular era, two types of phenotypic differences are recognized between electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); ECG abnormalities in carriers without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and normal ECG patterns in carriers with LVH. The goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of ECG for detecting carriers without LVH, and also to assess normal ECG patterns in carriers with LVH from the genetic standpoint of HCM. A matched case–control study in a university hospital and general hospitals in Japan. ECG and echocardiographic findings were analysed in 173 genotyped subjects (107 genetically affected, 66 unaffected) from families with disease-causing mutations in four genes. ECG abnormalities were found in 18 (54.5%) of 33 nonhypertrophic carriers, but only nine (13.6%) of 66 noncarriers ( P < 0.001). For detecting nonhypertrophic carriers, ST-T abnormalities showed the highest accuracy amongst the three major ECG criteria. In contrast, normal ECG patterns were found in eight (10.8%) of 74 carriers with LVH. The sensitivity of ECG for detecting carriers with LVH in families with the cardiac myosin-binding protein C, cardiac troponin T and cardiac troponin I gene mutations was 83%, 88% and 94% respectively. These findings suggest that ECG may have favourable diagnostic value even for detecting nonhypertrophic carriers. Furthermore, diagnostic value of ECG may differ according to the genes involved. Our data may contribute to interpretation of phenotypic differences between ECG and echocardiography from the viewpoint of molecular genetics of HCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: PRKAR1A gene encodes the type 1A regulatory subunit of protein kinase A. The mutation of this gene causes Carney complex which is an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia syndrome characterized by spotty pigmentations, endocrine overactivity and cardiac myxoma. We hypothesized that cardiac myxoma may be associated with PRKAR1A gene mutation and determined whether mutation in the PRKAR1A gene is the cause of familial and sporadic cardiac myxoma. Methods: We studied seven patients (three males and four females) with cardiac myxoma. Two of them had familial cardiac myxoma complicated with Carney complex. The other five patients were characterized as sporadic cardiac myxomas. We analyzed the PRKAR1A gene of all patients by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–single-strand conformation method, followed with direct sequence analysis. Results: We identified a novel mutation (494delTG) in exon 4A of the PRKAR1A gene in the patients with Carney complex. A 16-year-old proband had a left atrial myxoma, pituitary adenoma and skin pigmentation. His father also had left atrial myxoma and skin pigmentation. In contrast, no mutations in the PRKAR1A gene were identified in the other five patients with sporadic cardiac myxomas. Conclusions: These results suggest that mutation of the PRKAR1A gene may be associated with familial cardiac myxoma in Carney complex but may not be associated with sporadic cardiac myxoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: GaN films and GaN/AlN super-lattice structures (SLs) grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (RF-MBE) on vicinal sapphire (0001) substrates are characterized by various techniques. It is found that the surface morphologies of GaN films are greatly improved by using such kinds of substrates and well-ordered stepped GaN surfaces are realized by RF-MBE growth. The step feature changes from a monolayer step to a multi-layer macro-step morphology, depending on the vicinal angle. High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and photoluminescence results suggest the high structural and optical qualities of the GaN films. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscope observations illustrate the abrupt interface and good periodicity of GaN/AlN SLs, which agree well with the HRXRD results. It is promising that the vicinal substrate is a good choice for the high-quality III-nitride films and their heterostructure growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Brugada syndrome is an inherited cardiac disorder caused by mutations in the SCN5A gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel alpha-subunit, and potentially leads to ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. We report a case of a novel SCN5A mutation associated with Brugada syndrome. A 51-year-old man suffered from recurrent nocturnal syncopal attacks due to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. His electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in V1-V3 leads, but there was no evidence of structural heart disease. DNA sequence analysis of SCN5A in this patient revealed a missense mutation (R282H) in the S5-pore region of domain I. This mutational change was not present in 100 healthy Japanese controls. In the patient's family, a 36-year-old brother had died suddenly. Genetic analysis identified two other carriers of the R282H mutation, who had ST-segment elevation and slightly increased QRS widths, but they experienced no syncopal episodes or ventricular fibrillation. Electrophysiological investigation of the R282H mutant channel expressed in cultured cells showed a severe reduction in sodium current density and a mild positive shift of activation curve. R282H did not enhance intermediate inactivation. Single-channel conductance of R282H was slightly decreased compared with WT. The electrophysiological characteristics of the R282H channel are suggested to be closely related to the clinical phenotype of Brugada syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between structural changes and hyaluronic acid (HA) content in muscular atrophy is unknown. The objective of our study was to conduct multifaceted evaluations of the change in muscle extensibility in muscular atrophy, in terms of morphological aspects as well as from a biochemical viewpoint, including changes in intercellular substances. Using a muscular atrophy model of the soleus muscle in the cast-fixed limbs of Wistar rats, we examined changes in HA accompanying muscular atrophy. Compared with controls, the cast-fixed limbs showed histological evidence of muscular atrophy and electron microscopy indicated destruction of the fasciae. Measurement of the HA level in muscle tissue from cast-fixed rats indicated a reduction in concentration per unit of weight. In contrast, serum HA concentrations increased in the cast-fixed group compared with the control group, suggesting that HA present in the fasciae was released into the blood stream during muscular atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Body growth in vertebrates is chiefly regulated by the GH/IGF axis. Pituitary growth hormone (GH) stimulates liver insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) production. During fasting, plasma IGF-I levels decline due to the development of liver GH resistance, while GH levels generally increase. In mammals, decreased insulin during fasting is thought to cause liver GH resistance. However, the sequence of events in the GH/IGF axis response to fasting is not well characterized, especially in non-mammalian vertebrates. We assessed the time course of the GH/IGF axis response to fasting and increased ration in chinook salmon. Fish were placed on Fasting, Increased, or Control rations, and sampled daily for 4 days and at more widely spaced intervals through 29 days. Plasma IGF-I, GH, insulin, and 41kDa IGF binding protein (putative salmon IGFBP-3), and liver IGF-I gene expression were measured. Control and Increased ration fish did not differ strongly. Plasma IGF-I and 41kDa IGFBP were significantly lower in Fasted versus Control fish from day 4 onward, and liver IGF-I gene expression was significantly lower from day 6 onward. Liver IGF-I gene expression and plasma IGF-I levels were correlated. Plasma insulin was lower in Fasted fish from day 6 onward. There was a trend toward increased GH in Fasted fish on days 1–2, and GH was significantly increased Fasted fish from day 3 onward. Fasted GH first increased (days 1–3) to a plateau of 10–20ng/ml (days 4–12) and then increased dramatically (days 15–29), suggesting that the GH response to fasting had three phases. The early increase in GH, followed by the decrease in plasma IGF-I after 4 days, suggests that GH resistance developed within 4 days. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM) which can be used in magnetic fields up to 15 kOe has been developed. A surface magnetic image in the ferromagnetic SmCo5 film was measured under magnetic fields perpendicular to the sample with the SHPM. The observed images describe domain transitions consistent with the magnetization curve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Low-temperature metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) thin films, as low as 370 °C, was successfully achieved. Influence of the crystalline nature of PbTiO3 seeds on crystalline and ferroelectric properties of PZT thin films were investigated. The orientation of PZT thin films and its degree were strongly influenced by those of PbTiO3 seeds. PbTiO3 seeds were very useful to decrease growth temperature of PZT films. The PZT film was successfully obtained at 370 °C only when PbTiO3 seeds were used, exhibiting remanent polarization (2Pr) of 4.2 μC/cm2 and coercive field (2Ec) of 63 kV/cm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Self-assembled PbTiO3 nanoislands were successfully prepared on Pt/SiO2/Si(100), Pt/SrTiO3(111)(110) and Pt/MgO(111)(110) substrates by MOCVD. Pyramidal-shape nanoislands were observed for PbTiO3 on Pt/SiO2/Si, Pt/SrTiO3(111) and Pt/MgO(111). On Pt/SrTiO3 (110) and Pt/MgO(110), triangular-prism-shaped islands were observed. Size and direction of nanoislands on Pt/SiO2/Si were formed randomly. On the other hand, nanoislands on Pt/SrTiO3 and Pt/MgO substrates were arranged in an orderly direction. Piezoresponse force microscope measurements showed that nanoislands on these various substrates had piezo- and ferroelectricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the relation between QT variables and disproportion of left ventricular wall hypertrophy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Design: Retrospective analysis of the results of echocardiography and electrocardiography. Setting: University hospital (tertiary referral centre). Patients: 70 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were divided into four groups according to the distribution of left ventricular wall hypertrophy on cross sectional echocardiography: group A-hypertrophy confined to the interventricular septum; group B-hypertrophy confined to the interventricular septum and left ventricular anterior wall; group C-hypertrophy confined to the interventricular septum, left ventricular anterior wall, and lateral free wall; group D-hypertrophy involving all portions of the left ventricle. Main outcome measures: QT intervals and QT dispersion in precordial six lead ECGs. Results: There were no significant differences in the maximum left ventricular wall thickness among the four groups, and maximum and minimum QTc intervals also did not differ. QTc dispersion was increased significantly in groups A and B compared with groups C and D. Dispersions of the interval from the J point to the end of the T wave (JTc dispersions) in groups A and B were also increased significantly compared with groups C and D. By linear regression analysis, QTc and JTc dispersions correlated with the ratio of the interventricular septal thickness to left ventricular posterior wall thickness (p = 0.0152 and p = 0.0075, respectively). Conclusions: QT dispersion may be affected by not only electrical inhomogeneity but also by morphological inhomogeneity of the left ventricle in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon(Si)-doping was employed to improve the film quality of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure by radio frequency plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. By Si doping during the buffer-layer growth, the electrical and structural characteristics of the films were improved. The electron mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas increases without changing the sheet carrier density. The full-width at half-maximums of (1 0 1¯ 2) X-ray rocking curves reduces. By the atomic force microscopy measurements, smooth surface morphology with micro-steps lower than unit cell height is found. We consider that the improvement of the film quality was caused by the reduction of the nano-pipes due to the growth-mode change into step-flow mode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bisphenol A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is widely used in many consumer products. We previously showed the sulfoconjugation of bisphenol A catalyzed by a human thermostable phenol sulfotransferase, ST1A3. The estrogenic potency of bisphenol A sulfate was compared with that of bisphenol A by an E-screen assay using human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. An increase in the expression level of an estrogen-responsive pS2 gene was also examined using MCF-7 cells after exposure to bisphenol A and its sulfate for their estrogenicity. Bisphenol A sulfate did not exhibit estrogenic effects at 0.1 μm (E-screen assay) and 1 mm (pS2 gene expression) compared with bisphenol A, which exhibited the effects at 3 nm (E-screen assay) and 1 μm (pS2 gene expression), respectively. We have therefore evaluated major roles of cytosolic phenol sulfotransferase in the human liver. Bisphenol A sulfation in human liver cytosols was inhibited by more than 90% by p-nitrophenol and quercetin, a typical substrate and specific inhibitor of phenol sulfotransferase, respectively. These results indicated that the estrogenicity of bisphenol A was abolished through its sulfation catalyzed by a human hepatic thermostable phenol sulfotransferase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type has been reported in various internal organs. Here a case is reported of MALT lymphoma developing in the cerebellopontine (CP) angle in a patient with Sjögren syndrome, and the concept of MALT lymphoma of the CNS is introduced. Pathologically, the tumor showed inflammatory features of reactive lymphocytic infiltration with follicle formation, but there were slightly atypical lymphocytes and plasmacytes with B-cell markers. These cells invaded reactive follicles, showing follicular colonization, and showed aberrant expression indicating their neoplastic nature. A review of the literature revealed eight cases of MALT lymphoma originating from the dura mater and one from the CP angle. The average age of patients was 50 years (range 28–66 years), and all patients were female. The tumors were slow to develop and the patients were cured after surgical removal and/or additional therapies. It is proposed that MALT lymphoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor of the CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. For laser collimation of neutral F atoms, a resonance transition cycle between the metastable and the upper excited states (3s [sup 4] p[sub 5/2] arrow left and right 3p [sup 4] D[sup 0] [sub 7/2]) can be used as a two-level closed system. We have determined the lifetime of the metastable state (3s [sup 4]P[sub 5/2]) in F atoms by measuring the decay curve of the fluorescence intensity as a function of distance from the plasma source. Combining the measured velocity of F radicals from the Doppler shift of the fluorescence peak, we have obtained the lifetime of the F metastable state as 3.7 +/- 0.5 mu s. With this short metastable lifetime of F radicals, the simple Doppler cooling method using spontaneous light force is not practical for laser collimation off radicals. Use of stimulated light force may be necessary to collimate F radical beams in a short distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conductance in ferromagnetic Ni point contacts has been investigated by using break junction techniques. We successfully kept each conductance plateau for about a minute. Reversible switching of the quantized conductance by the application of the magnetic field was observed. These results suggest that the mechanical aspect of quantum point contacts (QPC) formation and the local magnetic property around Ni QPC can affect the conductance quantization in Ni QPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]