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Purpose: There have been many reports suggesting that glaucoma patients with visual field defects may have decreased silent reading ability compared with individuals without glaucoma. This study used an eye tracking system to assess the ability of glaucoma patients to silently read horizontally scrolling text. Methods: Glaucoma patients who met the following criteria were recruited: age of ≤ 70 years, at least one eye with a 10 − 2 threshold on standard automated perimetry, a mean deviation value of n 4.0 dB or less, and corrected decimal visual acuity of 0.7 or better in both eyes. Using heat map images created from data from an eye tracking system operating during presentation of a video in which a sentence scrolled horizontally from right to left, reading time, average gaze position, and average fixation time (AFT) were compared between normal eyes (23 individuals, 46 eyes) and glaucomatous eyes (25 patients, 45 eyes). Four styles of sentences (large slow, large fast, small slow, and small fast) were scrolled in the top or bottom sections of the screen. Results: Primary open-angle glaucoma was the most common type of glaucoma in 34 eyes (75.6%), followed by secondary glaucoma in six eyes (13.3%). In comparison with normal eyes, the reading time among right eyes was significantly longer in glaucomatous eyes when reading large fast text that was shown in the bottom area and left glaucomatous eyes showed a leftward shift in gaze position in the top, bottom, or both sections with all four sentence types. There was no significant difference in AFT between glaucomatous and normal eyes across the four sentence styles. In the left eye with inferior visual field loss, text presented at the top consistently showed a correlation with leftward shift of the gaze position across all scenarios. Conclusion: Glaucoma patients with central visual field defects in their left eyes may experience greater difficulty reading horizontally scrolling text than individuals with normal eyes. Key message: What is known: • There have been many reports that glaucoma patients with visual field defects have decreased silent reading ability compared with individuals without glaucoma. What is new: • This study used an eye tracking system to objectively evaluate the silent reading abilities of patients with glaucoma (affected eyes) when presented with horizontally scrolling text. • Heat map analysis showed that glaucomatous left eyes tended to follow the text in a more leftward direction compared with normal left eyes. • Glaucoma patients with central visual field defects in their left eyes may experience greater difficulty reading horizontally scrolling text than individuals with normal vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the previous paper [Liq Cryst. 2020; 48(6): 873–887], we demonstrated that the thickness of free-standing smectic films can be accurately determined from microscopic reflective images, solely utilising the colour information on the image. Even after full vectorisation of the computational code, however, it took ca. 0.1 ms per data point, leaving a big room of improvement to realise a true real-time 2D thickness mapping. Here, we show that the processing speed can be enhanced by a factor of 350 by using a lookup table scheme based on a modified hierarchical triangular partitioning of the colour space. A one-million-pixel image can now be captured and processed in 1 s, offering a clear path to a true video rate 2D thickness mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare clinical success rates and reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication use following suture trabeculotomy ab interno (S group) or microhook trabeculotomy (μ group). Methods: This retrospective review collected data from S (n = 104, 122 eyes) and μ (n = 42, 47 eyes) groups who underwent treatment between June 1, 2016, and October 31, 2019, and had 12-month follow-up data including IOP, glaucoma medications, complications, and additional IOP-lowering procedures. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate treatment success rates defined as normal IOP (> 5 to ≤ 18 mm Hg), ≥ 20% reduction of IOP from baseline at two consecutive visits, and no further glaucoma surgery. Results: Schlemm's canal opening was longer in the S group than in the μ group (P < 0.0001). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of all eyes showed cumulative clinical success rates in S and µ groups were 71.1% and 61.7% (P = 0.230). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of eyes with preoperative IOP ≥ 21 mmHg showed cumulative clinical success rates in S and μ groups were 80.4% and 60.0% (P = 0.0192). There were no significant differences in postoperative IOP at 1, 3, and 6 months (S group, 14.9 ± 5.6, 14.6 ± 4.5, 14.6 ± 3.9 mmHg; μ group, 15.8 ± 5.9, 15.2 ± 4.4, 14.7 ± 3.7 mmHg; P = 0.364, 0.443, 0.823), but postoperative IOP was significantly lower in the S group at 12 months (S group, 14.1 ± 3.1 mmHg; μ group, 15.6 ± 4.1 mmHg; P = 0.0361). There were no significant differences in postoperative numbers of glaucoma medications at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (S group, 1.8 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.5, 2.0 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.5; μ group, 2.0 ± 1.6, 2.0 ± 1.6, 2.1 ± 1.6, 2.2 ± 1.7; P = 0.699, 0.420, 0.737, 0.198). Conclusion: S and µ group eyes achieved IOP reduction, but μ group eyes had lower clinical success rates among patients with high preoperative IOP at 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel deep learning-based sensor was developed for flocculation control in WWTPs. • ConvNeXt was found to be the most accurate model for image regression inference. • The basis of regression inference is visually explained using MoRAM. • A prototype sensor was constructed using a GPU-powered EdgeAI device. • Control performance of the sensor was demonstrated using real wastewater samples. In sludge dewatering of most wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the dose of polymer flocculant is manually adjusted through direct visual inspection of the flocs without the aid of any instruments. Although there is a demand for the development of automatic control of flocculant dosing, this has been challenging owing to the lack of a reliable flocculation sensor. To address this issue, this study developed a novel image sensor for measuring the degree of flocculation (DF) based on deep learning. Two types of sludge samples were used in the laboratory-scale flocculation tests: excess sludge and mixtures of excess sludge and raw wastewater. To search for a deep learning regression model suitable for DF inference, ten models, including convolutional neural networks, vision transformers, and a multilayer perceptron MLP mixer, were comparatively analysed. The ConvNeXt and MLP mixer models showed the highest accuracies with coefficients of determination (R2) greater than 0.9. The region contributing to the DF inference in the flocculation images was visualised using a modulus-weighted, gradient-weighted regression activation map. A prototype of the flocculation sensor was constructed using an inexpensive EdgeAI device. This device comprises a single-board computer and an integrated graphical processing unit (GPU) and is equipped with a quantised ConvNeXt model. The maximum inference speed of the sensor was 12.8 frames per second (FPS). The flocculation control tests showed that the sensor could control the DF to the target value by adjusting the polymer flocculant dose. Therefore, the flocculation sensor can provide a data-driven approach to the management of the flocculation process, thereby facilitating the automation of WWTPs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A practical method to rapidly obtain the 2D thickness distribution in free-standing smectic films is developed based on the colour information of reflected image of the film. The red(R), green(G) and blue(B) colour coordinates from each pixel of a colour camera is normalised by the local intensity and is then quantitatively analysed in reference to the theoretical reflection spectra evaluated as a function of the film thickness. Results from the optical system employing a standard stereomicroscope can clearly discriminate a single-layer step over a wide range of thicknesses and provide thickness values with a precision better than 1 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical simulation of a single-reed instrument with a pressure chamber is conducted to examine the interaction among the flow, reed oscillation, and acoustic propagation. The flow and acoustic fields are predicted using the three-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes equations, whereas the one-dimensional dynamic beam equation is solved for reed oscillation. The deforming geometry in the aeroacoustic field is expressed by the volume penalization method as an immersed boundary technique. The results showed that the waveforms of the tip opening and far-field acoustic spectra agreed well with those measured experimentally. The three-dimensional flow configuration near the tip opening was visualized, and the measurement of the instantaneous volume flow rate at the tip opening revealed that 30%–40% of the total flow rate passed through the side opening. The spectral tendencies of the time derivatives of the flow rate for different tip openings were consistent with that of the far-field sound, indicating that the slope of the flow rate waveform significantly affects the generated sound's harmonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a cavity flow with acoustic radiation, self-sustained oscillations are controlled by a continuously or intermittently driven plasma actuator with elongated electrodes in the streamwise direction, which induces spanwise non-uniformity of the incoming boundary layer. To evaluate the control effects, wind tunnel experiments and compressible flow simulations were conducted. As indicated by sound pressure measurements at the fundamental frequency, the sound reduction level afforded by the intermittent control may be higher than that provided by the continuous control, although both have the same power consumption. In particular, the sound reduction was highest at a certain intermittent frequency (i.e., effective frequency) under a constant driving voltage and duty ratio. To clarify the mechanism for the influence of the intermittent frequency on the control effects, the time variation of the incoming boundary layer and cavity flow during the intermittent period was investigated. The oscillations remained weak under the control of the effective intermittent frequency, while the attenuation and amplification of the oscillations were repeated in the actuator-on and actuator-off durations, respectively, under the control of intermittent frequencies lower than the effective frequency. The amplification rate of the oscillations was found to be correlated with the quality factor of the radiated sound without control. The relationship between the effective frequency and characteristic time for this amplification is also discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the selection mechanism of a predominant mode in acoustic radiation from the recorder, the jet oscillations predicted by direct aeroacoustic simulations are analyzed based on a proposed formula for hydrodynamic and acoustic jet displacements. The displacements are well represented by the formula, taking into account the non-zero initial amplitude around the windway exit and variations of oscillation center with streamwise position for jet displacement. The analysis is applied to the jet oscillations in two different recorders with a straight- and an arch-shaped windway, where the shift of the predominant mode from the first to the second mode occurs for the straight-shaped recorder at a lower jet velocity compared to the arch-shaped recorder. The analytical results present the influence of the recorder shape on the amplification rate of the hydrodynamic jet displacement, the acoustic feedback effects and the phase relation between the hydrodynamic jet displacement and acoustic pressure in the resonator, along with the jet offset to the edge. Compared to the arch-shaped recorder, the convex curve of the amplification rate with the non-dimensional frequency based on the windway height for the straight-shaped recorder is located in the higher-frequency region, which contributes to the predominance of the higher mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) play a pivotal role in hepatic function and homeostasis. LSEC dysfunction has been recognized to be closely involved in various liver diseases, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but not much is known about the fate of the scavenger receptors in LSECs during NASH. Fc gamma receptor IIb (FcγRIIb), known as a scavenger receptor, contributes to receptor-mediated endocytosis and immune complexes clearance. In this study, to elucidate the fate of FcγRIIb in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we examined FcγRIIb levels in NAFLD biopsy specimens by immunohistochemistry, and investigated their correlation with the exacerbation of biological indexes and clinicopathological scores of NASH. The FcγRIIb expression levels indicated significant negative correlations with serum levels of blood lipids (triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol), type 4 collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are involved in hepatic lipid metabolism disorder, fibrosis, and inflammation, respectively. However, there was no significant difference of FcγRIIb expression levels among the pathological grades of NAFLD. During NAFLD progression, inflammation and fibrosis may influence the expression of FcγRIIb and their scavenger functions to maintain hepatic homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isochrony principle is a well-known phenomenon whereby the speed of human arm movement is regulated to increase as its trajectory distance increases. However, the relationship between the trajectory planning and the isochrony phenomenon has never been sufficiently explained. One computational study derived the algorithm for estimating the optimal movement segmentation and its duration based on the framework of the minimum commanded torque change criterion. By extending this finding, we can consider the hypothesis that the human arm trajectory is generated based on the minimum commanded torque change criterion to ensure that the duration average of the commanded torque changes (DCTCs) are equivalent between certain movement segmentations, rather than to satisfy the isochrony phenomenon. To test this hypothesis, we measured the behavioral performance of hand movement tasks in which subjects write eight-shaped and double-elliptical-shaped trajectories including two similar shaped arcs of different sizes (hereafter called large and small loops). Our results indicate that the human arm movement is planned in such a manner that the DCTCs for the large and small loops are equivalent during writing of the double-elliptical-shaped trajectories regardless of the arc size. A similar tendency was also observed for the data during the eight-shaped movements, although the ratio of the DCTCs slightly changed depending on the arc size conditions. Thus, our study provides experimental evidence that the isochrony phenomenon is ensured through the computational process of trajectory planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the effects of freestream turbulence on cavity tones, flow and acoustic fields were directly predicted for cavity flows with various intensities of freestream turbulence. The freestream Mach number was 0.09 and the Reynolds number based on the cavity length was 4.0 × 104. The depth-to-length ratio of the cavity, D/L, was 0.5 and 2.5, where the acoustic resonance of a depth-mode occurs for D/L = 2.5. The incoming boundary layer was laminar. The results for the intensity of freestream turbulence of Tu = 2.3% revealed that the reduced level of cavity tones in a cavity flow with acoustic resonance (D/L=2.5) was greater than that without acoustic resonance (D/L=0.5). To clarify the reason for this, the sound source based on Lighthill’s acoustic analogy was computed, and the contributions of the intensity and spanwise coherence of the sound source to the reduction of the cavity tone were estimated. As a result, the effects of the reduction of spanwise coherence on the cavity tone were greater in the cavity flow with acoustic resonance than in that without resonance, while the effects of the intensity were comparable for both flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Control of minor loss around a curvature by flow control using a plasma actuator. • Direct aeroacoustic simulations for reduction mechanism of minor loss. • Discussion of intermittent control condition considering power consumption of plasma actuator. • Three-dimensional flow field around a curvature in a duct under acoustic excitation. In this study, simulations based on the three-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes equations were conducted to clarify a control method with a plasma actuator to reduce the acoustic power loss in the oscillatory flow under acoustic excitation (acoustic oscillatory flow) in a curved duct. The acoustic power loss for the curved duct exceeds that for the straight duct, particularly at a high acoustic Reynolds number based on the amplitude of the velocity fluctuations in the duct. Flow control by a plasma actuator, which was installed near the curvature in the straight section, was applied to suppress the periodically occurring flow separation around the curvature, which leads to energy loss in the baseline flow. The plasma actuator was intermittently driven at the same frequency as the acoustic oscillatory flow. It was thus demonstrated in the present numerical simulations that the acoustic power loss around the curvature was reduced by the flow control with the plasma actuator. Furthermore, efficient control conditions for the number of plasma actuators and the driving voltage are discussed considering the power consumption of the plasma actuator, although the power efficiency of the control needs to be improved for actual application. Moreover, the relatively effective intermittent control conditions of the phase and duty ratio for the reduction of acoustic power loss are presented with the predicted flow fields around the curvature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxobolus toyamai has long been known as a gill parasite of the common carp Cyprinus carpio in Europe, Asia and North America. Recently, a controversy was raised regarding whether this organism was synonymous with Thelohanellus toyamai because of ambiguity regarding the validity of the second stunted polar capsule. In the present study, detailed morphological examinations were conducted to reconfirm the presence of the small polar capsule of M . toyamai . The addition of potassium hydroxide or the application of drying treatment to fresh spores resulted in the extrusion of long and short polar filament from the spores. Transmission electron microscopy of M . toyamai plasmodia revealed that the polar filament coiled inside the small capsule. Molecular analysis of the 18S rDNA identified that the present myxosporean isolate was the same organism as the American and Japanese isolates that have previously been registered as T . toyamai and M . toyamai , respectively (99.5–99.8% similarities). These results demonstrate that the second small polar capsule was indeed present in the myxosporean isolate, which indicates that M . toyamai is a valid scientific name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since Kudoa septempunctata in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) was indicated to cause food poisoning in humans, other Kudoa species are suspected to have pathogenic potential. Recently, a myxosporean possibly associated with food poisoning in humans consuming raw Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis, was identified as Kudoa neothunni. This is a known causative myxosporean of post-harvest myoliquefaction in yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares. Regardless of the significant differences in the 28S rDNA sequence and the pathological character (with/without myoliquefaction) between the two T. orientalis and T. albacares isolates, they were considered intraspecific variants of K. neothunni. However, the light and low-vacuum electron microscopic observations in the present study revealed that there were two morphotypes; pointed- and round-type spores, which were significantly differentiated by the ratio of suture width to spore width. Furthermore, the two morphotypes were genetically distinguishable by the 28S rDNA sequence analysis. This morphological and molecular evidence validates that the two Kudoa types are separate species, and thus the pointed- and round-types are referred to as K. neothunni and Kudoa hexapunctata n. sp., respectively. K. neothunni was detected solely from T. albacares, whereas K. hexapunctata n. sp. was found not only from T. orientalis but also from T. albacares. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Unicapsula seriolae (Myxozoa; Multivalvulida) was found in the trunk muscle of Malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus caught off Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Numerous filamentous or sesamoid brown to black lesions were observed in the skeletal muscle. Histopathological observation indicated that the lesions were myxosporean plasmodia encapsulated by a fibrous layer, accompanied by melanin deposition. Spores having one large and two rudimentary polar capsules were subspherical in shape and 6.6×6.9μm in size. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that spores were composed of three spore valves. Morphological characteristics were consistent with U. seriolae, which is reported to cause myoliquefaction in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi in Australia. Molecular analysis of the SSU and LSU rDNA supported identification of the species as U. seriolae. This is the first report of Unicapsula in Japan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carotenoids have attracted attention in food and healthcare industries owing to their ability to quench ROS. Here, we present a method for the determination of anti-oxidative property against singlet oxygen (1O2), which plays an important role in skin aging. We quantified the bimolecular1O2quenching rate constant, and the amount of1O2molecules that can be quenched by a single anti-oxidative molecule before degradation, for five materials. We have defined the anti-oxidative property against1O2as the product of these two constants. It was revealed that anti-oxidative properties of astaxanthin and lycopene were the highest among the materials investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early 1980s, Bauer and associates reported that nodulation potential in primary roots of soybean seedlings following inoculation with rhizobia was significantly reduced in developmentally younger regions. They suggested that this phenomenon might be due to a fast-acting regulatory mechanism in the host that prevented excessive nodulation. However, the molecular mechanism of this fast-acting regulatory response remains uncertain. Here, we sought to elucidate components of this regulatory mechanism by investigating the expression of the NSP1 and NSP2 genes that encode a GRAS transcription factor required for nodule initiation. First, we confirmed that younger regions of Lotus japonicus roots also show a reduction in nodule numbers in response to Mesorhizobium loti. Then, we compared the expression levels of NSP1 and NSP2 in developmentally younger regions of primary roots. After inoculation with M. loti, expression of NSP1 was transiently induced whereas that of NSP2 was significantly down-regulated 1 d after inoculation. This result implicates that down-regulation of NSP2 might cause a fast-acting regulatory mechanism to prevent further nodulation. Next we overexpressed NSP2 in wild-type plants. Overexpression resulted in the clustering of nodules in the upper region of the root but strong suppression of nodulation in the lower region. In contrast, overexpression of NSP2 in har1 hypernodulating mutants resulted in an increased number of nodule primordia even in the root tip region. These results indicate that HAR1 negatively regulates NSP2-induced excessive nodule formation in the developmentally younger regions of roots. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Henneguya cartilaginis n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) is described from wild masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou masou in Hokkaido, Japan. H. cartilaginis n. sp. produced white cysts, up to 3mm in size, in the head of masu salmon. Infected fish exhibited cranial protrusion due to the cysts. Spores (11.4 × 8.6μm) of H. cartilaginis n. sp. were egg-shaped with the posterior end more pointed and possessed two caudal appendages (34.2μm average length). Histological observations revealed that large plasmodia possessing fine fibrous pseudopodia on the surface developed in the head cartilage. H. cartilaginis n. sp. resembles H. cerebralis, which was described from the cranial cartilage of Kosogol grayling Thymallus nigrescens in Mongolia. However, they were distinguishable by spore morphology. Molecular analysis of the 18S rDNA sequences indicated that H. cartilaginis n. sp. was most closely related to Henneguya zschokkei, H. nuesslini and H. salminicola of salmonid fish, with genetic similarities of 95.3%, 95.1% and 93.9%, respectively. Based on these differences in spore morphology, molecular data, the site of infection and geographical distribution, the present species is considered to be a new species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the nitrate-removal activity of a biofilm attached to a perlite carrier. The study examined the nitrogen removal activity of the biofilm attached to a perlite carrier derived from an aerobic bioreactor using batch experiments under continuous aeration conditions. It notes that a bacteria similar to Thauera spp. were detected during the clone library analysis of the biofilm.

CoII and CoIII complexes containing nitrite and tridentate aromatic amine compounds [bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (Me2bpa) and bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpa)] have been prepared as models of the catalytic center in Co-substituted nitrite reductase: [CoII(Me2bpa)(NO2)Cl]2 · acetone (2), CoII(Me2bpa)(NO2)2 (3), CoII(bpa)(NO2)Cl (4), CoII(bpa)(NO2)2 (5), CoIII(Me2bpa)(NO2)(CO3) (6), and CoIII(bpa)(NO2)3 (7). The X-ray crystal structure analyses of these CoII and CoIII complexes indicated that the geometries of the cobalt centers are distorted octahedral and the Me2bpa and bpa with three nitrogen donors exhibit mer- (2, 3, and 7) and fac-form (4 and 6). The coordination mode of nitrite depends on the cobalt oxidation state, to CoII through the oxygen (nitrito coordination, O- and O,O-coordination) and to CoIII through nitrogen (nitro coordination, N-coordination mode). These findings are consistent with the results of their IR spectra, except that another oxygen of the O-coordinated nitrito group in 3 might interact weakly with CoII according to its IR spectrum. Reductions of the nitrite in 2, 3, 4, and 5 to nitrogen monoxide were not accelerated in the presence of proton, perhaps due to the nitrito coordination in these CoII complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite to NO by CuMe2bpaCl2, which is a model for the active site of copper-containing nitrite reductase, incorporated into collagen film was investigated. The 77-K EPR spectrum of CuMe2bpaCl2 in the collagen matrix revealed the typical axial signals (g // =2.26, g ⊥ =2.05, A // =16.4mT) of a tetragonal Cu2+ chromophore. The redox potential, which is related to the Cu+/Cu2+ couple, was −63mV (∆E =72mV) at pH 5.5. In the presence of nitrite, an increase in the cathodic current was observed in the cyclic voltammogram of CuMe2bpaCl2 in the collagen matrix. Upon reaching −300mV, a linear generation of NO was observed for the CuMe2bpaCl2/collagen film-coated electrode. The relationship between the rate of NO generation and the nitrite concentration in solution was analyzed using the Michaelis–Menten equation, where V max =3.16nM s−1 and K m =1.1mM at pH 5.5. The current increase and the reaction rate were dependent on the pH of the solution. The mechanism of nitrite reduction by the copper complex in the collagen matrix was the same mechanism as that of the enzyme in aqueous solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The fluid-acoustic interactions in a flow over a two-dimensional rectangular cavity are investigated by directly solving the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. The upstream boundary layer is turbulent. The depth-to-length ratio of the cavity is 0.5. Phase-averaged flow fields reveal the mechanism for the acoustic radiation. Large-scale vortices form in the shear layer that separates from the upstream edge of the cavity. When a large-scale vortex collides with the downstream wall, the low-pressure fluid in the vortex spreads along the downstream wall. As a result, a local downward velocity is induced by the local pressure gradient, causing the upstream fluid to expand. Finally, an expansion wave propagates to the outside of the cavity. The large-scale vortices originate from the convective disturbances that develop in the shear layer. The disturbances grow due to the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, similar to the growth of those in a laminar cavity flow. To clarify the mechanism for the generation of the initial convective disturbances, computations for backward-facing step flows with an artificial acoustic source are also performed. As the artificial acoustic waves become more intense, the initial convective disturbances in the shear layer become more intense while the spatial growth rate of these disturbances does not change. This means that the initial convective disturbances in the shear layer are induced by the acoustic waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We propose a new method for the change point detection in dynamic brain networks. • This method combines Bayesian inference and dynamical model-based network analysis. • We applied the method to mathematically modeled data and to empirical EEG data. • The method succeeded in detecting the change points of the dynamic brain networks. Recent neuroscience studies have suggested that cognitive functions and learning capacity are reflected in the time-evolving dynamics of brain networks. However, an efficient method to detect changes in dynamical brain structures using neural data has yet to be established. To address this issue, we developed a new model-based approach to detect change points in dynamical network structures by combining the model-based network estimation with a phase-coupled oscillator model and sequential Bayesian inference. By giving the model parameter as the prior distribution, applying Bayesian inference allows the extent of temporal changes in dynamic brain networks to be quantified by comparing the prior distribution with the posterior distribution using information theoretical criteria. For this, we used the Kullback-Leibler divergence as an index of such changes. To validate our method, we applied it to numerical data and electroencephalography data. As a result, we confirmed that the Kullback-Leibler divergence only increased when changes in dynamical network structures occurred. Our proposed method successfully estimated both directed network couplings and change points of dynamical structures in the numerical and electroencephalography data. These results suggest that our proposed method can reveal the neural basis of dynamic brain networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Coupled computations to predict aeroacoustically driven thermoacoustic phenomena. • Three-dimensional interaction between cavity flow and plates (stack) in the cavity. • Contribution to aerodynamic noise suppression and energy harvesting. • More effective thermoacoustic heat pump in a cavity flow with a higher Mach number. • Effects of recirculation in cavity flows on thermoacoustic heat pump phenomena. Computations of coupled phenomena between the fluid and acoustic interactions in the cavity flow and heat conduction in the flat plates (stack) installed in the cavity were performed to investigate the flow conditions for an effective thermoacoustic heat pump driven by acoustic radiation in cavity flows. This research presents the first computational approach for an aeroacoustically excited thermoacoustic heat pump. The effects of the freestream Mach number on the thermoacoustic heat pump were investigated by conducting computations with Mach numbers 0.087 and 0.26, where intense self-sustained oscillations occurred. Sound pressure levels of the cavity tone and power of the related velocity fluctuations in the shear layer were reduced by the installation of the stack compared with the cavity flow without a stack, particularly at a lower Mach number. A steeper temperature gradient along the stack was acquired at a higher Mach number, and thermoacoustic heat pump effects were confirmed in the predicted acoustic oscillatory flow between the stack plates. The computational results present that the interaction between the recirculation flows in the cavity and the stack cause the heating of the flow around the cold top end of the stack. The thermoacoustic heat pump effects are reduced due to the interaction. The present computational method is expected to be useful for investigating the utilization of aerodynamical sound energy through conversion to heat energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The photoexcited state of linear trans-quinacridone pigment nanoparticles, prepared by a reprecipitation method, was analyzed by time-resolved spectroscopy. The analysis showed that the S1 state of the linear trans-quinacridone nanoparticles undergoes a quantitative, non-radiative relaxation to the ground state with a time constant of about 100ps. By contrast, the S1 state of the molecular dispersion state (dilute solution state) was relatively long-lived (21ns). This, together with the intersystem crossing to T1 observed in the molecular dispersion state, clearly distinguished the nanoparticles from the molecular dispersion state. By comparing the two in terms of lightfastness, the nanoparticles were found to be much more lightfast than the molecular dispersion state. It was speculated that the superior lightfastness of the linear trans-quinacridone pigment nanoparticles was not due to the molecular structure but the facilitated S1 relaxation by the aggregation of the molecules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nitrate and ammonium removal from purified swine wastewater using biogas and air was investigated in continuous reactor operation. A novel type of reactor, a semi-partitioned reactor (SPR), which enables a biological reaction using methane and oxygen in the water phase and discharges these unused gases separately, was operated with a varying gas supply rate. Successful removal of and was observed when biogas and air of 1L/min was supplied to an SPR of 9L water phase with a and removal rate of 0.10g/L/day and 0.060g/L/day, respectively. The original biogas contained an average of 77.2% methane, and the discharged biogas from the SPR contained an average of 76.9% of unused methane that was useable for energy like heat or electricity production. Methane was contained in the discharged air from the SPR at an average of 2.1%. When gas supply rates were raised to 2L/min and the nitrogen load was increased, concentration was decreased, but accumulated in the reactor and the and removal activity declined. To recover the activity, lowering of the nitrogen load and the gas supply rate was needed. This study shows that the SPR enables nitrogen removal from purified swine wastewater using biogas under limited gas supply condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

THz time-domain spectroscopy is used to measure the frequency dependent (0.2-2.0 THz) complex refractive index of a pure liquid crystal (LC), 4'-n-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), and its LC colloids with SiO2 particles. While the refractive index of the pure LC is found to vary markedly due to distinct orientated domains within the sample, the LC colloids provide us with very stable and reproducible spectra, from which we can reliably deduce the optical constants of pure 5CB using effective medium theory. While the absorption coefficient is found to be very small, the refractive index of 5CB decreases considerably over our probe frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated photoresponsive behavior of azobenzene-containing liquid crystals dispersed with glycerol or water droplets. At an initial state, Saturn ring and hedgehog defects were formed around the glycerol and water droplets, respectively, indicating that homeotropic anchoring was induced by adsorption of the azobenzene molecules onto the droplets. For the glycerol droplets, we observed structural transformation between Saturn ring and boojums on irradiation with ultra-violet and visible light. For the water droplets, an inter-droplet distance varied by changes of the defect size on the irradiation. These phenomena would result from modulation of anchoring conditions by the photoisomerization of the adsorbed dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study analyzed the community structures of anaerobic microflora producing hydrogen under extreme thermophilic conditions by two culture-independent methods: denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and clone library analyses. Extreme thermophilic microflora (ETM) was enriched from cow manure by repeated batch cultures at 75°C, using a substrate of xylose, glucose, lactose, cellobiose, or soluble starch, and produced hydrogen at yields of 0.56, 2.65, 2.17, 2.68, and 1.73 mol/mol-monosaccharide degraded, respectively. The results from the DGGE and clone library analyses were consistent and demonstrated that the community structures of ETM enriched with the four hexose-based substrates (glucose, lactose, cellobiose, and soluble starch) consisted of a single species, closely related to a hydrogen-producing extreme thermophile, Caldoanaerobacter subterraneus, with diversity at subspecies levels. The ETM enriched with xylose was more diverse than those enriched with the other substrates, and contained the bacterium related to C. subterraneus and an unclassified bacterium, distantly related to a xylan-degrading and hydrogen-producing extreme thermophile, Caloramator fervidus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-sustained oscillations with acoustic feedback take place in a flow over a two-dimensional two-step configuration: a small forward-backward facing step, which we hereafter call a bump, and a relatively large backward-facing step (backstep). These oscillations can radiate intense tonal sound and fatigue nearby components of industrial products. We clarify the mechanism of these oscillations by directly solving the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The results show that vortices are shed from the leading edge of the bump and acoustic waves are radiated when these vortices pass the trailing edge of the backstep. The radiated compression waves shed new vortices by stretching the vortex formed by the flow separation at the leading edge of the bump, thereby forming a feedback loop. We propose a formula based on a detailed investigation of the phase relationship between the vortices and the acoustic waves for predicting the frequencies of the tonal sound. The frequencies predicted by this formula are in good agreement with those measured in the experiments we performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous study we have demonstrated that an adaptive mesh refinement scheme can be effectively used to investigate the orientation profiles of a nematic liquid crystal around a spherical particle when the characteristic size of the defect core is much smaller than the particle radius. We have also shown that the dynamics of a nematic liquid crystal can be properly treated to reproduce the experimentally observed structural transition from the hedgehog to the Saturn ring configuration induced by an external field. As a preliminary study for the quantitative investigation of this transition, we study in this article how the choice of the criterion for mesh refinement/unrefinement influences the stability of the hedgehog under an external field in our numerical system. The severer is the criterion for mesh refinement to produce a larger number of fine grids, the weaker field can induce the transition. Nevertheless, the dependence of the critical field strength on the criterion for mesh refinement is weak and the criterion can be systematically controlled. Therefore our numerical scheme is shown to be safely applied to the quantitative study on the stability of the hedgehog configuration under an external field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We attempted to prepare microcapsules by absorbing n-pentadecane as the phase change material (PCM) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as the shell material into oil absorbable polymer particles. We could prepare the microcapsules containing PCM with the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) shell. In the experiment, the volume of methyl methacrylate monomer and the soaking time for oil absorbable polymer particles to soak into MMA were changed stepwise. With the increase in the volume of MMA absorbed, the diameters and mechanical strength of microcapsules were increased. Furthermore, it was found that the amount of PCM leaking from the microcapsules was decreased with the volume of MMA absorbed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Anaerobic treatment of undiluted cow dung (15% total solids), so-called dry fermentation, produced hydrogen (743 ml-H2/kg-cow dung) at an optimum temperature of 60°C, with butyrate and acetate formation. The hydrogen production was inhibited by the addition of NH4 + in a dose-dependent manner. A bacterium with similarity to Clostridium cellulosi was detected in the fermented dung by a 16S rDNA analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new myxosporean parasite was found in the body cavity and caudal peduncle of the freshwater goby Rhinogobius sp. Orange type (OR) collected from the Nagara River, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Infected fish exhibited substantial swelling of the abdomen caused by large parasitic cysts approximately 10 mm in size, formed in the visceral cavity. The cyst was a compacted aggregate of several smaller cysts, similar to a bunch of grapes in appearance. Histological examination showed that plasmodia developed within the renal capsule, and finally occupied the visceral cavity. Spores were ovoid with an attenuated anterior end. Sutural ridges were conspicuous with several folds on the edge. Average spore size was 11.9 (10.5–13.5) μm long, 9.0 (8.0–10.0) μm wide, and 6.5 (6.0–7.0) μm thick. Two equal polar capsules were 5.5 (4.5–6 0) μm long and 3.0 (2.5–4.0) μm wide. Partial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences of the myxosporean were distinct from those of other myxozoan species in GENBANK. A new species name, Myxobolus nagaraensis, is proposed for this parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined hydrogen production from a dairy cow waste slurry (13.4 g of volatile solids per liter) by batch cultures in a temperature range from 37 to 85°C, using microflora naturally present within the slurry. Without the addition of seed bacteria, hydrogen was produced by simply incubating the slurry, using the microflora within the slurry. Interestingly, two peaks of fermentation temperatures for hydrogen production from the slurry were observed at 60 and 75°C (392 and 248 ml H2 per liter of slurry, respectively). After the termination of the hydrogen evolution, the microflora cultured at 60°C displayed hydrogen-consuming activity, but hydrogen-consuming activity of the microflora cultured at 75°C was not detected, at least for 24 days. At both 60 and 75°C, the main by-product was acetate, and the optimum pH of the slurry for hydrogen production was around neutral. Bacteria related to hydrogen-producing moderate and extreme thermophiles, Clostridium thermocellum and Caldanaerobacter subterraneus, were detected in the slurries cultured at 60 and 75°C, respectively, by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses, using the V3 region of 16S rDNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase behaviour of a dichiral liquid crystalline compound with an optically isotropic cubic phase, 2-{4-[(R)-2-fluorohexyloxy]phenyl}-5-{4-[(S)-2-fluoro-2-methyldecanoyloxy]phenyl}pyrimidine, (R,S)-FPPY, was investigated under pressures up to 100 MPa using a polarizing optical microscope equipped with a high pressure optical cell and a high pressure differential thermal analyser. (R,S)-FPPY exhibits the isotropic liquid (I)-chiral smectic C (SmC*)-optically isotropic cubic (Cub)-chiral smectic X (SmX*)-crystal (Cr) transition sequence on cooling at pressures up to about 13 MPa, in which the SmC*-Cub transition occurs with an associated endothermic peak. The heating process of the (R,S)-FPPY crystals showed the Cr-SmX*-Cub-I and Cr-SmX*-SmC*-I phase sequences under pressures below and above about 50 MPa, respectively. The triple point for the SmX*, Cub and isotropic liquid phases was estimated to be about 52±1 MPa, 143.0±0.5°C, indicating the upper limit of pressure for the formation of the cubic phase. On the other hand, the phase behaviour of (R,S)-FPPY in the cooling mode changed drastically at pressures above 13-14 MPa: after the I-SmC* transition, the SmC* phase remained without the SmC*-Cub transition on cooling, but the subsequent heating showed the SmC*-Cub-I phase sequence in the intermediate pressure region between 14 and about 50 MPa, and the reversible SmC*-I transition in the high pressure region. It is concluded that the cubic phase appears reversibly in the low pressure region and appears only on heating in the intermediate pressure region, but that it disappears completely in the high pressure region. The SmC* phase is thermodynamically metastable at low pressures below 50 MPa and is stable at higher pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource recycling and the proper treatment of animal waste to reduce its environmental impact are currently important issues for the livestock industry. A microbial fuel cell (MFC), a new type of bioreactor, is expected to play roles in both waste-water purification and energy recovery. However, the generation of electricity from cow waste has not yet been examined. In this study, using an MFC, we examined the possibility of generating electricity from dairy-cow waste slurry, and analyzed the properties of the treated slurry as liquid manure for resource recycling. The MFC treatment of the slurry generated electricity in a dose-dependent manner, and the maximum power output by the MFC from a 1 g of chemical oxygen demand/L slurry was 0.34 mW/m2. After the MFC treatment, 84% of the biological oxygen demand in the slurry was removed and three essential fertilizer elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) were retained at 84, 70, and 91% levels, respectively. The amount of ammonia nitrogen in the slurry, as an element of fast-release fertilizer, was increased by 1.9-fold. Although the treated slurry displayed properties that made it preferable as liquid manure, further studies to improve the electrical power output by the MFC are required for practical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The VIOS (Vascular Improvement with Olmesartan medoxomil Study) study is a randomized, parallel study to determine the relative effects of suppressing the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with the angiotensin receptor antagonist olmesartan medoxomil versus suppressing sympathetic drive with the β-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol on remodeling of the subcutaneous small resistance vessel. Remodeling of small resistance vessels may be the earliest pathologic finding associated with hypertension. It may predate the onset of clinically apparent hypertension. METHODS: In this study, 100 patients with stage I hypertension are characterized at baseline before being treated for 1 year to obtain a goal BP of less than 140/90mm Hg as defined by Joint National Committee (JNC)-7. Resistance vessel remodeling is determined using the gluteal fat biopsy technique in the hypertensive patients and a group of normotensive healthy volunteers. Additionally, efforts will be made to define whether noninvasive hemodynamic parameters, retinal vessel measurement changes, or biologic markers may predict and track the underlying vascular morphologic and physiologic changes induced by either regimen during the 12-month treatment period. RESULTS: The primary endpoint will be the degree of vascular remodeling as obtained from percutaneous biopsy of gluteal subcutaneous resistance vessels in each of two treatment arms compared with the normal volunteers. The design of the study and the pertinent baseline characteristics of these patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension are presented. CONCLUSION: The suppression of the RAS by the blockade of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors may demonstrate remodeling effects on the ubiquitous small resistance vessels similar to that seen in the myocardium and renal glomeruli, thus affording more complete end-organ protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The pressure-scanning differential thermal analyzer (DTA) measurements of the cubic (Cub)–smectic C (SmC) transition of thermotropic cubic mesogens of 1,2-bis-(4-n-octyloxybenzoyl)- and 1,2-bis-(4-n-dodecyloxybenzoyl)hydrazine, BABH(8) and BABH(12), were performed at isothermal condition using a high-pressure differential thermal analyzer. BABH(8) showed the same endothermic peak of the Cub–SmC transition in the pressurizing process as on heating at isobaric condition. On the other hand, BABH(12) showed only the cubic phase between the crystal and the isotropic liquid under pressures up to 16–17MPa, but a high-pressure smectic C (SmC(hp)) phase was induced instead of the cubic phase under higher pressure. The Cub–SmC(hp) phase transition with a small exothermic peak occurred in the pressurizing process and the transition was observed reversibly. The Cub–SmC(hp) phase transition was in accordance with the morphological and structural observations mentioned before. The strange phenomenon of the inversion of sign of the Cub–SmC transition heat of BABH(n) homologues can be explained by the “Alkyl-chains as entropy reservoir” mechanism proposed by Saito et al. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: We estimated the value of power Doppler (PD) imaging analysis for the quantitative assessment of renal cortical blood flow (RCBF) in chronic two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) hypertensive dogs. Methods: To evaluate the correlation between RCBF and PD signals, RCBF and the mean pixel intensity (MPI) of PD signals were simultaneously obtained at same region in renal cortex under progressive constriction of left main renal artery in five mongrel dogs. RCBF was measured by electrolytic hydrogen gas clearance method, and PD images were transferred to computer and analyzed by the image-analysis software Openlab. To assess the value of quantitative PD imaging analysis on RCBF in renovascular hypertension, in six mongrel dogs with chronic 2K-1C hypertension, PD images in both of clipped kidneys (CK) and non-clipped kidneys (NK) were obtained and analyzed before and 60 minutes after the intravenous infusion of captopril or sodium nitroprusside at 10-minute intervals. Results: There was a linear correlation between RCBF and MPI (r= 0.878, P < 0.0001). MPI in both CK and NK significantly increased after the infusion of captopril, while no significant change was observed in both CK and NK after the infusion of sodium nitroprusside, despite similar reduction of mean arterial blood pressure. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the acute inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme increased RCBF in both CK and NK of chronic 2K-1C dogs. The quantitative analysis of PD flow signals in kidney is noninvasive and a useful method to evaluate regional changes of renal tissue blood flow in various renal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase transition behaviour of three homologous discotic mesogens, the hexa‐ n ‐alkoxyanthraquinones HOAQ( n ), n indicating the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy group, was investigated under hydrostatic pressures up to 500&ThickSpace;MPa using a high pressure differential thermal analyser. The T vs. P phase diagrams of HOAQ(6), HOAQ(8) and HOAQ(9) were constructed for solution‐ (Cr 0 ) and melt‐crystallized (Cr 1 ) samples of the compounds. HOAQ(6) shows the reversible Cr 0 –rectangular columnar phase (Col r )–hexagonal columnar phase (Col h )–isotropic liquid (I) phase sequence at atmospheric pressure. The stable Col r phase of HOAQ(6) has a decreased temperature range with increasing pressure and then the Col r phase disappears under pressures above about 350&ThickSpace;MPa; instead the Cr 0 –Col h –I phase sequence is exhibited. For HOAQ(8), the solution‐grown sample exhibits the stable Cr 0 –Col h –I phase sequence at atmospheric pressure. Applying pressure to the solution‐grown sample induces the formation of the stable Col r phase in the pressure region between 10 and 350&ThickSpace;MPa, leading to the Cr 0 –Col r –Col h –I phase sequence. The pressure‐induced Col r phase disappears under higher pressures. The melt‐cooled sample of HOAQ(8) shows the formation of the metastable crystal (Cr 1 ), unknown mesophase (X) and Col r phases at lower temperatures under atmospheric pressure, and exhibits the reversible Cr 1 –X–Col r –Col h –I phase sequence on subsequent thermal cycles. The metastable phase sequence was observed under pressures up to 100&ThickSpace;MPa, but the phase transitions were too small to be detected under higher pressures. In HOAQ(9) the stable Cr 0 –Col h –I phase sequence is observed at all pressures, while the melt‐cooled sample shows the metastable Cr 1 –Col r –Col h –I phase sequence under pressures up to 300&ThickSpace;MPa. The metastable Col r phase disappears under higher pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy (SFVS) has been used to probe the chirality of a polymer thin film. The polymer used has a π─electron conjugated structure in the main chain, and a chiral center in the side chains that is close to the main chain, giving rise to the helically twisted main chain. The vibrational modes probed are stretches associated with the main chain. As expected for chiral responses, we find that the chiral SFVS spectra are identical for the two enantiomers, and the signal vanishes for the racemic polymer. We also confirm experimentally that the chiral nonlinear susceptibilities for SFVS for the two enantiomers have opposite signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the value of ipsilateral adrenalectomy with radical nephrectomy, by investigating the clinical aspects of adrenal involvement and adrenocortical function in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).The demographic, clinical and pathological data of adrenal involvement were reviewed in 247 patients with RCC. To evaluate adrenocortical function, 14 patients (adrenalectomy in eight, adrenal-sparing in six) had a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test before and 2 weeks after surgery.There was adrenal involvement with RCC in seven of the 247 (2.8%) patients (a solitary adrenal metastatic tumour in four and direct extension into the adrenal gland in three). All adrenal involvement was detectable on abdominal computed tomography before surgery, and these patients had a large primary renal tumour of> pT2 and/or distant metastasis. Plasma cortisol levels declined significantly more in response to the rapid ACTH stimulation test in those treated by adrenalectomy than in those with spared adrenal glands at 2 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the groups before surgery.These results suggest that unconditional ipsilateral adrenalectomy with radical nephrectomy for RCC should be avoidable, and thus preserve the reserve of adrenocortical function, as preoperative imaging, especially thin-slice multidetector helical computed tomography, can detect adrenal involvement with RCC in most cases. Unilateral adrenalectomy might cause an irreversible impairment of the reserve of adrenocortical function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxobolus burl Egusa, 1985, is a well-documented myxosporean parasite that causes the scoliosis of cultured yellowtail Serbia quinqueradiata. A similar parasite has been described as Myxobolus acanthogobbb Hoshina, 1952, from the brain of the yellowfin goby Acanthogobius flavimanus, although this parasite is not associated with skeletal abnormalities in host fish. The present study aimed to re-examine the identification of these two parasites by morphological and molecular analyses. Morphological characteristics (e.g. presence of the intercapsular processes and several folds on the sutural ridges) and spore dimensions were not distinguishable between the two species and were consistent with those in the original descriptions. Molecular analysis indicated that small subunit rRNA gene sequences shared 100% identity between the two parasites. Consequently, it can be concluded that M. buri is synonymous with M. acanthogobii, and thus this parasite can be reassigned as M. acanthogobii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nomenclature inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) generally defines ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). However, we sometimes find patients who cannot be diagnosed as UC or CD, because of the presence of both characteristics. These cases have been reported as indeterminate colitis (IC) since the first report in 1978. In our department, we have experienced IBD since 1993 (366 cases of CD), but only three cases were diagnosed as IC. Of the three, we report here the clinical and pathological features of a patient who was followed up since the diagnosis.The case was a 19-year-old Japanese woman without any particular past history. In December 1997, she was admitted to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain, high fever, diarrhea and fresh blood in the stool. Based on the findings of various tests, we made a diagnosis of IC, and started to treat her with prednisolone intravenous injection (i.v) at a dose of 40 mg per day. Because symptoms and signs of inflammation relapsed frequently, it was judged that there was a relative indication for surgical operation. She underwent subtotal colectomy with end-to-end ileorectal anastomosis on 6 January 2002. On the histopathological examination of surgical specimens, several characteristics of both UC and CD were observed. Therefore, we finally diagnosed this case as IC. After operation, she has not experienced a relapse so far and maintained fair physical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been noted that optimists adopt active coping strategies and pessimists employ passive coping strategies. Although active coping strategies are known as adaptive, these strategies under an uncontrollable situation are considered as maladaptive according to the goodness of fit hypothesis. The present study aimed to examine the effect of coping strategies adopted by both optimists and pessimists under a controllable and an uncontrollable situation. Participants were 32 optimists and 32 pessimists selected by the Life Orientation Test. Controllability of aversive situations was operated by ratios of answerable anagram tasks. Main findings were as follows. Optimists tended to adopt active coping strategies and showed lower subjective stress than pessimists. Under a controllable situation, coping strategies adopted by optimists were correlated with subjective stress significantly, while pessimists showed no relationship between coping strategies and stress. These results indicated that high stress shown by pessimists was due to the low efficacy of adopted coping strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A unified approach is proposed which provides both microscopic and phenomenological description of the first-order phase transition accompanied by the formation of thermodynamically stable bubbles of the new phase. A procedure is proposed for selecting the probable states whose contribution in the thermodynamic behavior of the system is dominant. This technique makes it possible to take into account fluctuation of any scales and to obtain a closed expression for the parameters of the new phase formation, in particular its dimensions, lifetime and time of relaxation towards a thermodynamically stable state. The feasibility of experimental observation the parameters dependence of the new phase bubble on the governing quantities is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]