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A radio link directly probing the inner solar corona offers the possibility to characterize solar wind properties, including velocity, density, turbulence, and even the axial ratio. In this study, we leveraged radiometric data obtained during a joint superior solar conjunction of the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission and the JAXA Akatsuki mission. Our objective is to ascertain the solar wind velocity by analysing Doppler-shift timeseries of radio signals exchanged between the two spacecraft and two distinct ground stations. We conducted a cross-correlation analysis to determine the travel time of large-scale plasma density fluctuations as they intersect with the downlink signals of both spacecraft. This method is applied to the data collected on 2021 March 13 and 2021 March 14. The analysis of the March 13 data has shown that the two Doppler residuals timeseries present a clear correlation at a time-lag of 2910 s. Using the knowledge of the relative distance between the two probe-ground station lines of sight at the closest approach to the Sun, we estimated the solar wind velocity to be |$421\pm 21$| km s−1. Following the same procedure for the second experiment, we estimated the solar wind speed velocity to be |$336\pm 7$| km s−1. These results are compatible with the sampling of the slow solar wind at heliographic latitudes of |$-22^\circ$| and |$-26^\circ$|⁠ , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preparatory study is underway to investigate the feasibility study of high-energetic, non-thermal electron distribution function measurements using a vertical-viewing electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostic on JT-60SA. The system is designed to detect broad ECE spectra (70–260 GHz) due to the second, third, and fourth harmonics using a focusing optics system with four quasi-optical mirrors in the upper port of JT-60SA. A Gaussian beam optics design is performed in vacuum, and ray tracing calculations are performed in plasma using the TRAVIS code to investigate density characteristics. A ceramic viewing dump is also designed to reduce the effects of multiple reflections from the opposing vacuum vessel surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The request for new and/or more accurate data of independent fission product yields (FPY) and other distributions of pre- and post-neutron fragments constitutes a priority on an international level. The prompt emission model codes nowadays employed are refined enough to answer this request with the condition of using reliable distributions Y(A,TKE) of pre-neutron fragments. Up to now in the majority of cases such distributions were determined by experimental data. Y(A,TKE) from theoretical calculations can extend the use of prompt emission model codes to fissioning systems for which the experimental information is very scarce or completely missing. Such Y(A,TKE), recently obtained from four-dimensional Langevin model calculations in the frame of multi-modal fission, is tested by its use (as input) in the deterministic prompt emission model code DSE, for the case of 239Pu(nth,f). The obtained prompt emission results (e.g. prompt neutron multiplicity distributions ν(A), ν(TKE)) succeed to describe the experimental data and the independent FPY agree with the experimental data, too. Although visible differences between these results and those obtained with a an experimental Y(A,TKE) distribution exist. The present investigations have also emphasized other interesting aspects, e.g. concerning the pre-neutron fragments which contribute to the pronounced peaks and dips in the structure of both the mass yield Y(Ap) and the isotonic yield Y(Np) of post-neutron fragments, in connection with the role played by the even–odd effect in fragment charge, as well as how the position and magnitude of pronounced peaks and dips are influenced by the Y(A,TKE) distribution. Independent FPY separately for each number "n" of emission sequences leading to the last residual fragment Y(Ap = A-n), reported for the first time, have shown how and which of these components contribute to the structure of total Y(Ap). The crucial role of the energy partition in fission is revealed again by showing that a good choice of the RT parameterization can lead to very close results to those obtained with a TXE partition based on modeling at scission. On the contrary the use of an unique RT value for all fragmentations can alter -in some fission cases—the sawtooth shape of ν(A) and its agreement with experimental data, despite the refinement of the prompt emission treatment itself and of a reliable Y(A,TKE) distribution employed in calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is known to recur after surgery. The treatment choice for recurrent ECRS, such as oral steroids or biological agents, must be chosen carefully, and identifying the lesion location may be useful. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative course of ECRS patients and assess the relationship between endoscopic lesion location and postoperative oral steroid use. Methods: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery from April 2018 to March 2020 were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of oral steroid use after surgery. The primary endpoint was the lesion location on endoscopic findings during surgery: middle turbinate, middle meatus, superior turbinate, superior meatus, nasal septum, and sphenoethmoidal recess. Subjective symptoms, blood tests, and computerized tomography (CT) findings (Lund‐Mackay score) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. Results: Among 264 patients, 88 were diagnosed histologically with ECRS (mean 48.98 ± 1.40 years, 67 males/21 females). Twenty‐three patients were steroid‐using, 65 were steroid‐free, and six stopped attending their appointments. Patients with sphenoethmoidal recess lesions were significantly more likely to require steroids (p = 0.019). There was a significant association between steroid use and younger age (p = 0.041), olfactory dysfunction (p = 0.021), and all sinuses (Frontal sinus: p < 0.001, Anterior ethmoid sinus: p = 0.002, Posterior ethmoid sinus: p = 0.011, Maxillary sinus: p = 0.018, Sphenoid sinus: p = 0.034, Total score: p < 0.001). Conclusion: A sphenoethmoidal recess lesion was a risk factor for requiring postoperative steroids. Young age, olfactory dysfunction, and preoperative severe CT findings were also significant risk factors. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:2511–2516, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was formerly confirmed by experiment that hypervelocity impacts on aluminum plates cause microwave emission. In this study, we have carried out experiments in order to clarify the mechanism of the emission. The microwave is detected by heterodyne detection scheme at 22 and 2 GHz with an intermediate frequency bandwidth of 500 and 120 MHz, respectively. A nylon projectile is accelerated using a light-gas gun to impact a target. First, aluminum plates with ten different thicknesses ranging from 1 to 40 mm were used as a target, and microwave signals were detected. The experimental results are statistically analyzed assuming a Gaussian distribution of the emitted power. The standard deviation of pulse voltage is calculated to show the existence of two kinds of signals: sharp pulse and thermal noise. It is shown that the emitted energy and the dispersion have a relation with the extent of the target destruction. Next, nylon projectiles are impacted on different metals such as aluminum, iron, and copper. These results suggest that microcracks are essential to microwave emission. Finally, in order to clarify the mechanism of charging and discharging across the microcracks, the experimental results are compared with this model for the following factors: (1) the thermally excited electrons and the emitted power, and (2) the bond dissociation energy of target material and emitted power. The analytical results suggest that electrons are excited thermally and by transition from a crystalline state to an atomic state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Background: b Emerging evidence suggests the prognostic impact of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs). THE GENETIC SUBTYPES AND THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT SIGNATURES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DISTINCT OUTCOMES IN PERIPHERAL T-CELL LYMPHOMA Ninety-two nTFHLs included 85 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomas (AITLs), four nPTCL with TFH phenotypes, two follicular T-cell lymphomas, and one unclassifiable nTFHL. [Extracted from the article]

We present neutrino capture cross sections on 13C at supernova neutrino energies, up to 50 MeV. For both charged-current and neutral-current reactions partial cross sections are calculated using the statistical Hauser-Feschbach method. Coherent elastic neutrino scattering cross section for a 13C target is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive interactions are known to play important roles in ecological divergence but have received less attention than negative interactions in studies on intertidal communities. Here, we show that growth of the mat‐forming green alga Pseudocladophora conchopheria on the shells of a intertidal gastropod (Lunella coreensis) provides them with benefits for living in intertidal rocky habitats. We found that P. conchopheria covered a large proportion of the shell surface in all L. coreensis inhabiting an exposed rocky shore habitat, but none or only a small proportion of the shell surface in L. coreensis inhabiting a damp boulder shore habitat. Thermal exposure experiment showed that L. coreensis originating from the boulder shore habitat had a higher mortality rate and temperatures inside the shell than those originating from the exposed rocky shore habitat. These differences disappeared when P. conchopheria was removed from the shell or was dried out, indicating that an increased coverage and dampness of the alga suppressed the increase in temperature inside the shell. These support the hypothesis that the growth of P. conchopheria on L. coreensis shells suppresses thermal stress in the hosts; the benefits of P. conchopheria may enable the hosts to exploit habitats where considerable thermal stress is present during air exposure. This paper reveals that algae Pseudocladophora conchopheria on the shells of intertidal gastropods (Lunella coreensis) suppress thermal stress in the hosts, allowing them to live in stressful environments and enabling them to utilize a diverse range of habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Several gene variants identified in bronchial asthmatic patients are associated with a decrease in pulmonary function. The effects of this intervention on pulmonary function have not been fully researched. Objective We determined the effects of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids ( ICSs) on decreased pulmonary function in asthmatic Japanese patients with variants of IL13 and STAT4 during long-term treatments with low to mild doses of ICS. Methods In this study, 411 patients with bronchial asthma who were receiving ICSs and living in Japan were recruited, were genotyped, and underwent pulmonary function tests and fibreoptic examinations. The effects of 2 years of high-dose ICSs administered to asthmatic patients who were homozygous for IL13 AA of rs20541 or STAT4 TT of rs925847 and who progressed to airway remodelling were investigated. Results High-dose ICS treatment increased the pulmonary function of patients homozygous for IL13 AA of rs20541 but not of patients homozygous for STAT4 TT of rs925847. The increased concentrations of the mediators IL23, IL11, GMCSF, hyaluronic acid, IL24, and CCL8 in bronchial lavage fluid ( BLF) were diminished after high-dose ICS treatment in patients homozygous for IL13 AA of rs20541. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance IL13 AA of rs20541 and STAT4 TT of rs925847 are potential genomic biomarkers for predicting lower pulmonary function. The administration of high-dose ICSs to asthmatic patients with genetic variants of IL13 AA may inhibit the advancement of airway remodelling. The genetic variants of STAT4 TT did not respond to high-dose ICSs. Therefore, using medications other than ICSs must be considered even during the initial treatment of bronchial asthma. These genetic variants may aid in the realization of personalized and phenotype-specific therapies for bronchial asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new planar Ni compound refractive lens for high energy X-rays (116 keV). The lens is composed of identical plano-concave elements with longitudinal parabolic grooves manufactured by a punch technique. In order to increase the lens transmission, the thickness of the single lens at the parabolic groove vertex was reduced to less than 5 μm and the radius of curvature was reduced to about 20 μm. The small radius of curvature allowed us to reduce the number of single elements needed to get the focal length of 3 m to 54 single lenses. The gain parameter has been significantly improved compared to the previous lenses due to higher transmission, but the focused beam size and its gain are not as good as expected, mostly due to the aberrations caused by the lens shape imperfections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated a conspicuous mating behaviour of simultaneously hermaphroditic land snails, the so-called shooting of love-darts, whereby a snail pushes its love-dart(s) into its mating partner. It has been shown that a specific mucus coating the love-dart is transferred into the partner’s blood and it suppresses subsequent matings in the darted individual inEuhadra quaesita. However, how the dart mucus suppresses subsequent matings is still unclear. In the present study, we tested a hypothesis for the underlying mechanisms: sperm donors reduce physical vigour in mating partners through injection of the dart mucus. In observational experiments, we found that neither locomotion behaviour nor food consumption differed between snails artificially injected with the mucus and snails injected with a control solution. These findings show that the dart mucus can suppress subsequent matings in the partners without affecting physical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amoebiasis has rarely been reported in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, although it is a world-wide infection and extremely common. We present a case of intestinal amoebiasis unexpectedly revealed by colonoscopy after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from a human leukocyte antigen-mismatched unrelated donor for acute myeloid leukemia arising from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and successfully treated by metronidazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the history of the cord blood banking system has lengthened, the number of cord blood units (CBUs) cryopreserved for years has increased. The global expansion of cord blood banking resulted in active international exchange of CBUs. To determine whether long-term cryopreservation and international shipment of CBUs affect the quality of the units and outcome after transplantation, we retrospectively analyzed the quality of 95 CBUs and the hematologic recovery of 127 patients with hematological malignancy following single-unit cord blood transplantation. Of the 127 CBUs used to transplant, 42 units were cryopreserved for long periods (5-11.8 years), and 44 units were shipped from distant countries. We found that length of cryopreservation and origin of CBUs did not affect the ratio of viable total-nucleated cells after thawing. Also, neutrophil engraftment was not affected by long-term cryopreservation (> 5 years) or origin (from distant countries), (hazard ratio, 0.91 and 1.2; P=0.65 and 0.41; respectively). The number of CD34+ cells before freezing (> 1.4 cells/kg recipient) was the only factor that enhanced neutrophil engraftment (hazard ratio, 1.8; P<0.01). This suggests that length of cryopreservation and origin need not be prioritized over the CD34+ cell dose when selecting CBUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In leukemogenesis, Notch signaling can be up and downregulated in a context-dependent manner. The transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split-1 (Hes1) is well-characterized as a downstream target of Notch signaling. Hes1 encodes a basic helix-loop-helix-type protein, and represses target gene expression. Here, we report that deletion of the Hes1 gene in mice promotes acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development induced by the MLL-AF9 fusion protein. We then found that Hes1 directly bound to the promoter region of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene and downregulated the promoter activity. FLT3 was consequently upregulated in MLL-AF9-expressing immortalized and leukemia cells with a Hes1- or RBPJ-null background. MLL-AF9-expressing Hes1-null AML cells showed enhanced proliferation and ERK phosphorylation following FLT3 ligand stimulation. FLT3 inhibition efficiently abrogated proliferation of MLL-AF9-induced Hes1-null AML cells. Furthermore, an agonistic anti-Notch2 antibody induced apoptosis of MLL-AF9-induced AML cells in a Hes1-wild type but not a Hes1-null background. We also accessed two independent databases containing messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles and found that the expression level of FLT3 mRNA was negatively correlated with those of HES1 in patient AML samples. These observations demonstrate that Hes1 mediates tumor suppressive roles of Notch signaling in AML development, probably by downregulating FLT3 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regime shifts are characterized by sudden, substantial and temporally persistent changes in the state of an ecosystem. They involve major biological modifications and often have important implications for exploited living resources. In this study, we examine whether regime shifts observed in 11 marine systems from two oceans and three regional seas in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) are synchronous, applying the same methodology to all. We primarily infer marine pelagic regime shifts from abrupt shifts in zooplankton assemblages, with the exception of the East Pacific where ecosystem changes are inferred from fish. Our analyses provide evidence for quasi-synchronicity of marine pelagic regime shifts both within and between ocean basins, although these shifts lie embedded within considerable regional variability at both year-to-year and lower-frequency time scales. In particular, a regime shift was detected in the late 1980s in many studied marine regions, although the exact year of the observed shift varied somewhat from one basin to another. Another regime shift was also identified in the mid- to late 1970s but concerned less marine regions. We subsequently analyse the main biological signals in relation to changes in NH temperature and pressure anomalies. The results suggest that the main factor synchronizing regime shifts on large scales is NH temperature; however, changes in atmospheric circulation also appear important. We propose that this quasi-synchronous shift could represent the variably lagged biological response in each ecosystem to a large-scale, NH change of the climatic system, involving both an increase in NH temperature and a strongly positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation. Further investigation is needed to determine the relative roles of changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure patterns and their resultant teleconnections in synchronizing regime shifts at large scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify the clinical, electrophysiological, histological, and genetic characteristics of a Japanese family with a muscle cramp syndrome.Methods: Fourteen patients (eight men, six women) were studied in four generations of a single family. Electrophysiological examinations were performed in four cases and muscle and nerve biopsies were performed on the propositus.Results: The mode of inheritance seemed to be autosomal dominant. The cramps occurred during both exertion and at rest, and during sleep. Electromyographic examination indicated a neurogenic aetiology. There was a decreased number of large myelinated fibres in the sural nerve, and fibre type grouping in the quadriceps femoris muscle biopsy.Conclusions: The autosomal dominant muscle cramp syndrome in this family is probably caused by a polyneuropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]