Search

In recent years, the application of positron emission tomography (PET) for the dose range verification of proton therapy has been proposed. However, the positron distribution is determined by the nuclear reaction cross section; hence, PET may not accurately reflect the dose range primarily influenced by ionization. Consequently, a proton dose range verification system based on scattered proton measurements has been suggested owing to the similarity in the reaction cross section between Rutherford scattering and ionization. While previous investigations have only verified the feasibility of dose range estimation through simple simulations, the objective of this study is to demonstrate this feasibility through experimental investigation. In this paper, we established an experimental framework for capturing scattered protons and introduced an algorithm that compares measured signal patterns with a reference database to estimate the dose range. A therapeutic beam was irradiated onto the abdominal region of a human phantom, and scattered protons were measured using scintillation detectors placed on the phantom surface. Consequently, the dose range was estimated with error margins of 4.22 ± 3.68 and 0.60 ± 1.03 mm along the beam axis and perpendicular directions to the Bragg peak, respectively. While providing the same level of Bragg peak positioning accuracy as conventional methods, our system features small size, cost-effectiveness, and system simplicity. One notable limitation of our method is the challenge in achieving precise detector positioning, which is crucial for accurate dose range estimation. Future research will focus on improving detector-position accuracy and exploring advanced algorithms for signal analysis to further refine dose range estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the incidence of laryngeal penetration and aspiration in elderly patients who underwent supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy for laryngeal cancer. Method: A retrospective analysis of dynamic videofluoroscopic swallowing studies was performed in patients who had received supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy as a treatment for laryngeal cancers. Digital analysis of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies included measurements of displacement and timing related to swallowing safety. Results: Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies from 52 patients were analysed. All participants were male and over 65 years old. Studies were performed five years after surgery. Among 52 videofluoroscopic swallowing studies, analysis showed that elevated pharyngeal constriction ratio (pharyngeal constriction ratio more than 0.0875, odds ratio = 5.2, p = 0.016), reduced pharyngoesophageal sphincter opening time (pharyngoesophageal sphincter open less than 0.6 seconds, odds ratio = 11.6, p = 0.00018) and reduced airway closure time (airway close less than 0.6 seconds, odds ratio = 10.6, p = 0.00057) were significantly associated with aspiration. Conclusion: Deteriorated pharyngeal constriction, shortened airway closure and reduced pharyngoesophageal sphincter opening time are key factors for predicting laryngeal penetration or aspiration after supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the structures and expansion behavior of double-Shockley stacking faults (DSFs) formed in heavily nitrogen-doped 4H-SiC during annealing. Heavily doped epilayers prepared as specimens were successively annealed. Various types of DSFs showing different shapes and dislocation contrasts were found in photoluminescence and synchrotron X-ray topography images. Taking account of every possible stacking sequence forming DSFs, the structures of various types of DSFs were determined from observations by plan-view transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cross-sectional high-angle annular dark-field scanning TEM. We found that a bounding dislocation enclosing a DSF splits into two partial dislocations (PDs), and their Burgers vectors are identical, while the distance of the two PDs depended on their core structures (30° Si-, 30° C- or 90° C-core). We also discussed the contrast rule for the dislocation consisting of two PDs in the synchrotron X-ray topography images and the mobile PDs for the DSF expansion in the epilayers with different nitrogen concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The effects of iron deficiency on the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum iron levels and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss prognosis and its usefulness as an independent prognostic marker for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: The audiological and haematological data, including hearing recovery and serum iron levels, of 103 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss evaluated between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Results: The overall complete recovery rate was 16.5 per cent. Initial higher hearing threshold was associated with poor idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss prognosis. Serum iron levels were significantly higher in the complete recovery group than in the non-complete recovery group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The possibility of complete recovery from idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was significantly lower with lower serum iron levels, suggesting that the serum iron level might be a novel prognostic marker for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core light-harvesting complexes (LH1) in bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) b-containing purple phototrophic bacteria are characterized by a near-infrared absorption maximum around 1010 nm. The determinative cause for this ultra-redshift remains unclear. Here, we present results of circular dichroism (CD) and resonance Raman measurements on the purified LH1 complexes in a reaction center-associated form from a mesophilic and a thermophilic Blastochloris species. Both the LH1 complexes displayed purely positive CD signals for their Qy transitions, in contrast to those of BChl a-containing LH1 complexes. This may reflect differences in the conjugation system of the bacteriochlorin between BChl b and BChl a and/or the differences in the pigment organization between the BChl b- and BChl a-containing LH1 complexes. Resonance Raman spectroscopy revealed remarkably large redshifts of the Raman bands for the BChl b C3-acetyl group, indicating unusually strong hydrogen bonds formed with LH1 polypeptides, results that were verified by a published structure. A linear correlation was found between the redshift of the Raman band for the BChl C3-acetyl group and the change in LH1-Qy transition for all native BChl a- and BChl b-containing LH1 complexes examined. The strong hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions between BChl b and nearby aromatic residues in the LH1 polypeptides, along with the CD results, provide crucial insights into the spectral and structural origins for the ultra-redshift of the long-wavelength absorption maximum of BChl b-containing phototrophs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents equilibrium mechanics and a finite element model for analysing a scissor structure that contains pivots with zero bending stiffness representing structural instability. The pivot at the centre of each structural unit, which is a feature of scissor structures, can be used to transfer the displacement between the units. It cannot, however, transfer the rotation between these units, and the angular stiffness must be considered independently for each unit. To construct a general model of the scissor structure, a scissor unit was developed using the left and right boundary connections of adjacent units to simulate a periodically symmetric structure. The proposed method allows us to obtain an accurate distribution of the internal forces and deflections without the use of special elements to account for central pivots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobility of graphene transferred on a SiO2/Si substrate is limited to ∼10 000 cm2V-1s-1. Without understanding the graphene/SiO2 interaction, it is difficult to improve the electrical transport properties. Although surface structures on SiO2 such as silanol and siloxane groups are recognized, the relation between the surface treatment of SiO2 and graphene characteristics has not yet been elucidated. This paper discusses the electrical transport properties of graphene on specific surface structures of SiO2 prepared by O2-plasma treatments and reoxidization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated current-voltage characteristics (IVCs) of intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJs) for c-axis oriented La[SUB1.85]Sr[SUB0.15]CuO[SUB4] thin films. We fabricated IJJs with two kinds of structures. One was a mesa structure with a junction area of 22- 194 μm[SUP2] fabricated by using conventional photolithography and Ar-ion milling, and the other was a microbridge structure with a junction area of 1.1- 3.6 μm[SUP2] fabricated by using a focused-ion-beam technique. The mesa-type IJJs exhibited resistively-shunted-junction-like IVCs with no hysteresis. The temperature dependence of their critical current followed the Ambegaokar-Baratoff relation. IVCs of the microbridge-type IJJs, on the other hand, exhibited voltage jump and clear hysteresis. The different behaviors between the mesa-type and the microbridge-type IJJs were explained by the different numbers of grain boundaries involved in the IJJs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trappin‐2/pre‐elafin is an endogenous inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase involved in inflammation, innate immunity and vascular remodelling, which consist of the complex pathological process of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Objectives: To clarify the potential role of trappin‐2 in SSc. Methods: Serum trappin‐2 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 51 SSc and 18 healthy subjects. Trappin‐2 expression was evaluated in SSc lesional skin and cultured endothelial cells treated with FLI1 siRNA by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription‐real‐time PCR and/or immunoblotting. Friend leukaemia virus integration 1 (Fli1) binding to the PI3 promoter was assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Results: Since serum trappin‐2 levels inversely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in SSc patients with renal dysfunction, SSc patients with normal renal function were analysed. Although serum trappin‐2 levels were comparable between diffuse cutaneous SSc, limited cutaneous SSc and control subjects, the prevalence of digital ulcers or elevated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was significantly higher in SSc patients with elevated serum trappin‐2 levels than in those with normal levels. Furthermore, serum trappin‐2 levels were significantly increased in SSc patients with digital ulcers or elevated RVSP compared to those without. Moreover, serum trappin‐2 levels positively correlated with RVSP values in SSc patients. Importantly, trappin‐2 expression was enhanced in small vessels of SSc lesional skin. In cultured endothelial cells, trappin‐2 expression was elevated by gene silencing of FLI1 at mRNA and protein levels and Fli1 occupied the PI3 promoter. Conclusions: Endothelial trappin‐2 up‐regulation partially due to Fli1 deficiency can be associated with the development of SSc vasculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We compared the effectiveness of promoting bone healing between two teriparatide preparations for atypical femoral fracture (AFF). A total of 45 AFFs were included in this study, and we compared the duration of bone union. Teriparatide administered by daily injection enhanced bone union more than weekly administration in complete AFFs.Introduction: The efficacy of teriparatide for atypical femoral fracture (AFF) has been recently reported. Although two different teriparatide preparations can be used to treat osteoporosis in Japan, daily or weekly injection, all previous reports on the effectiveness of teriparatide for AFF only examined daily injection formulations. Therefore, we compared the promotion of bone healing between the two teriparatide preparations for AFF.Methods: A total of 45 consecutive AFFs in 43 Japanese patients were included in this study. They received either a daily 20-μg teriparatide injection (daily group; n = 32) or a once-a-week 56.5-μg teriparatide injection (weekly group; n = 13). We compared the clinical background and duration of bone union between these two groups.Results: When all patents were included, the fracture healing time was not significantly different between the two groups. Only patients with complete AFFs had significantly fewer daily bisphosphonate or denosumab injections than the weekly group (P < 0.05). The fracture healing time in the daily group (6.1 ± 4.1 months) was significantly shorter than that in the weekly group (10.1 ± 4.2 months) (P < 0.05). Even if the influence of bisphosphonate or denosumab usage was excluded, a similar significant difference was observed in the fracture healing time (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups among patients with incomplete AFFs.Conclusions: Daily teriparatide injections enhance bone union more than weekly injections in complete AFF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined low frequency noise of direct current (dc) superconducting quantum interference devices on bicrystal substrates. Description of dc superconducting quantum interference devices; Methodology of the study; Results and discussion.

Examines the crystallographic orientation of chromium underlayer and a Co[sub84]Cr[sub14]Ta[sub2] alloy magnetic thin film. Processing parameters upon which the results of the effect of deposition conditions on the magnetic properties of the media depend on; Coercive anisotropy of the films; Differences between the crystallography of the untextured sample and that of the textured sample parallel to and perpendicular to texture grooves.

SUMMARY: In this paper, we present a novel flexible sensor array manufacturing process that involves transfer printing methods using a chip mounter with a vacuum collet. We successfully transfer‐printed continuously very fragile microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)‐based 5‐mm‐long, 1‐mm‐wide, 5‐μm‐thick high‐aspect‐ratio ultrathin PZT (1.9 μm)/Si (3 μm) strain sensors onto a polyimide based flexible printed‐circuit (FPC) substrate with etched Cu wiring. Then, we connected the sensors to the Cu wiring by printing insulating and conductive pastes using a screen printer. The output voltage based on the deformation behavior of the test plate was generated from the flexible piezoelectric strain sensor array attached to the plate. Therefore, the developed piezoelectric sensor array is capable of easily performing the distribution measurement of the strain leading to damage such as cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the operation of a coincidence photon detector with a short timing jitter consisting of two superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SSPDs) and a single flux quantum (SFQ) circuit. By utilizing the timing discrimination capability of the SFQ coincidence circuit, the full width at half maximum timing jitter of the entire coincidence photon detector was evaluated as 32.3 ps, which is 36 ps less than that of the standard commercial time correlated single photon counting module, and the timing jitter of the SSPD was estimated as ∼15 ps. Owing to the short timing jitter characteristics, our coincidence photon detector could correctly capture the effect of pulse-width broadening by insertion of an optical bandpass filter. We have also demonstrated that our coincidence photon detection clearly shows Hong-Ou-Mandel interference with a weak coherent pulse. These results are a crucial step to realizing high timing resolution coincidence measurements, ushering in a technology for timing measurement based multi-photon quantum interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background/Purpose: The relationships between the skin components and these mechanical roles are still unclear. To clarify these relationships, we investigated spatial mapping of the mechanical behavior of cultured skin equivalents (SEs) using optical coherence tomography (OCT)‐based straingraphy. Methods: We built a strain relaxation test system combined with OCT and developed an algorithm that could visualize a time‐dependent strain distribution, named dynamic‐optical coherence straingraphy (D‐OCSA). Using this system, we analyzed how the spatial mechanical changes in the SEs depended on the culture duration. For quantitative analysis of viscoelastic behavior, we defined a relaxation attenuation coefficient of strain rate, which indicates the ratio of viscosity and elasticity in the Klevin‐Voight model. Results: By culturing for 4 days in comparison to culturing for 1 day, the strain relaxation attenuation coefficient of the whole skin, especially at the region of the dermal‐epidermal junction (DEJ), significantly increased in the negative direction. In tissue slices taken for microscopy, several cracks were observed in the SEs cultured for 4 days. Conclusion: This study is the first to provide quantified evidence that the DEJ is a dynamically specialized region. An OCT‐based straingraphy system (D‐OCSA) would be beneficial for evaluating the quality of SEs, as well as functional analysis of their mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Antimicrobial peptides have attracted much attention as a member of disease-associated molecules in systemic sclerosis (SSc), which is pathologically characterized by immune abnormalities, vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis. Objective To investigate the potential contribution of one of the antimicrobial peptide psoriasin to the development of SSc. Methods Psoriasin expression in the skin samples and sera derived from SSc patients and its correlation with clinical parameters were analysed. Psoriasin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with skin samples from SSc patients and healthy controls. Serum levels of psoriasin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 51 SSc patients and 19 healthy controls and assessed for the association with clinical symptoms. Results The expression of psoriasin was elevated in the epidermis of SSc lesional skin. Serum psoriasin levels were higher in SSc patients, especially in diffuse cutaneous SSc patients with disease duration of <6 years, than in healthy controls. With respect to clinical association, SSc patients with interstitial lung disease, telangiectasia and pitting scars had significantly augmented levels of serum psoriasin than those without each of these symptoms. In the subgroup of patients with interstitial lung disease, the elevation of serum psoriasin levels was associated with higher ground-glass opacity scores. Furthermore, serum psoriasin levels were decreased after the treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse as compared to baseline values. Conclusion Our findings indicate a possible contribution of psoriasin to the development of clinical symptoms associated with vascular and epithelial abnormalities and inflammation in SSc, further supporting the roles of antimicrobial peptides in the SSc pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of piperidinium ionic liquids (ILs) equipped with an oxygen atom-containing alkyl side chain on the positively charged nitrogen atom were systematically synthesized and their physical properties investigated. The thermal stability, viscosity, electrochemical window, and ion conductivity were influenced significantly by changing the position of the oxygen atom in the alkyl chain. Although the lowest viscosity was recorded for 1-((2-methoxyethoxy)methyl)-1-methylpiperidin-1-ium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([PP1MEM][Tf2N]), 1-methyl-1-(2-propoxyethyl)piperidin-1-ium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([PP1PE][Tf2N]) can be recommended as the best IL as an electrolyte due to its low viscosity and high thermal and electrochemical stability among the seven ILs tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Radiation-induced oral mucositis is the most common side effect of radiotherapy in head and neck cancer; however, effective modalities for its prevention have not been established. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Hangeshashinto (TJ-14), a Japanese herbal medicine, for preventing radiation-induced mucositis and elucidated its effect on inflammatory responses, including inflammatory cell chemotaxis and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression, in an animal model. Methods: Syrian hamsters, 8-9 weeks old, were enrolled in this study. Animals were irradiated with a single 40 Gy dose to the buccal mucosa. Hamsters freely received a treatment diet mixed with 2% TJ-14 or a normal diet daily. The therapeutic effect was determined based on the visual mucositis score, body weight, and histological examination of infiltrated neutrophils and COX2 expression. Results: TJ-14 significantly reduced the severity of mucositis. The percentage with severe mucositis (score ≥3) was 100% in the untreated group and 16.7% in the TJ-14 group ( P < 0.05). There was no difference in body weight change between the groups; however, weight gain in the untreated group tended to be suppressed compared to that in the TJ-14 group during the peak period of mucositis. In addition, TJ-14 inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils and COX2 expression in irradiated mucosa ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: TJ-14 reduced the severity of mucositis in an animal model by suppressing the inflammatory response. Because TJ-14 is inexpensive and its safety is established, it is a promising candidate for the standard treatment of radiation-induced mucositis in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction tests were conducted with a direct-acting automotive valvetrain to evaluate the effect of the axial cross-sectional shape of the cam on friction using various cam shapes from concave to convex. The results revealed that friction levels could be understood as a function of the contact ratio between the cam and mating valve lifter regardless of the cam cross-sectional shape. A flat shape with a high contact ratio was found to have the lowest level of friction. Compared to a convex-shaped cam of the same height, a concave cam tended to show higher friction because of the lower contact ratio with the valve lifter. The results of finite element method (FEM) calculations also showed that the higher contact pressure of concave cams in the contact area was a factor that caused greater friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To test the hypothesis that treatment with a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor would reverse ventricular repolarization heterogeneity, a predictor of cardiovascular mortality, in people with Type 2 diabetes. Methods We retrospectively analysed changes in indices of ventricular repolarization before and after treatment with a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor in 46 people with Type 2 diabetes. Results Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor treatment reduced HbA1c concentration [62±13 mmol/mol (7.7±1.2%) vs 59±16 mmol/mol (7.5±1.4%)], body weight (77.8±13.9 vs 74.7±12.5 kg) and systolic blood pressure (133±18 vs 126±12 mmHg) in the study participants. Heart rate and QTc interval were not changed by sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor treatment, but QTc dispersion was significantly reduced (median, 48.8 vs 44.2 ms). Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor treatment reversed QTc dispersion more in participants who had larger QTc dispersion before the treatment. Changes in systolic blood pressure (Spearman's ρ= 0.319; P=0.031), but not in HbA1c concentration, were correlated with changes in QTc dispersion after sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor treatment. Conclusions The findings suggest that sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor treatment reverses ventricular repolarization heterogeneity in people with Type 2 diabetes, independently of its effect on glycaemic control. The favourable effect on ventricular repolarization heterogeneity could be the mechanism by which empaglifozin reduced cardiovascular events in a recent study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-stacked intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJs) on a Bi[sub 2]Sr[sub 2]CaCu[sub 2]O[sub 8 + δ](Bi-2212) whisker with a submicron hole are micromachined by a 3D focused ion beam (FIB) etching method. The junction area, the number of elementary junctions, and the loop area of the SQUIDs are 3, 20, and 0.42 µm², respectively. The SQUIDs show typical I-V characteristics of IJJs with a critical current I[sub c] of 12 µA at 4.2 K. The modulation parameter Β[sub L]( = 2I[sub C]L / Φ[sub 0]) is 6.4, and the inductance L of the SQUID is ll20pH. That includes the inductances of the elementary junction around a SQUID loop. In a strong magnetic field, the Fraunhofer pattern is obtained and well fitted to the calculated value from the junction size, ΔB = Φ[sub 0] / tW; t is the interlayer distance, and W is the junction width. In a low magnetic field, approximately 10% of the I[sub C] modulation corresponding to the value of β[sub L] is observed. Eighty G of the modulation period approximately agrees with the value calculated from the SQUID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We theoretically study the spin-polarized current flowing through a Josephson junction (JJ) in a spin injection device. When the spin-polarized current is injected from a ferromagnet in a superconductor (SC), the charge current is carried by the superconducting condensate (Cooper pairs), while the spin-up and spin-down currents flow in equal magnitude but in the opposite direction in a SC, because of no quasiparticle charge current in the SC. This indicates that not only the Josephson current but also the spin current flow across JJ at zero bias voltage, thereby generating Joule heating by the spin current. The result provides a new method for detecting the spin current by measuring Joule heating at JJ. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report successful fabrication and characteristics of submicron-size tunneling junctions using c-axis YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7-y] (YBCO) thin films of 800 nm thickness and Bi[sub 2]Sr[sub 2]CaCu[sub 2]O[sub 8+δ](Bi-2212) single-crystal whiskers. The junctions were made using a three-dimensional focused-ion-beam etching method. First, a microbridge was patterned in a required junction width by normal direction etching. By tilting the sample stage up to 90°, two grooves on the bridge were etched from the lateral direction in order to create the required junction size. The 60 K YBCO junctions did not show any degradation of critical current density (J[sub c]) down to an in-plane area of 0.5 μm2 and showed current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the collective switching transition from the zero voltage state to the resistive state. For Bi-2212 stacks smaller than 1 μm2, we identified some of the features of charging effects on the I-V characteristics. &! copy; 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This retrospective study evaluated the effect of clinical background and treatment line on time to treatment failure (TTF) in advanced/metastatic breast cancer (AMBC) patients receiving F500 in Japan (UMIN 000015168). Methods: Patients who commenced F500 treatment were registered at 16 sites in Japan. Correlations between baseline clinicopathological factors, treatment line, and TTF were investigated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. TTF data were analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Data for 1072 patients were available; 1031 patients (96.2%) were evaluable for efficacy. F500 was administered as first-line treatment in 2.0%, second-line in 22.7%, third-line in 26.7%, and ≥fourth-line in 48.6% patients. Median TTF was 5.4 months. Multivariate analysis found that earlier F500 use (first and second vs. third vs. ≥fourth line; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.86; P < 0.001), longer period from AMBC diagnosis to F500 use (≥3 vs. <3 years; HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.51-0.70; P < 0.001), and no prior palliative chemotherapy administered for unresectable or metastatic breast cancer (no vs. yes; HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.80; P < 0.001) were associated with significantly longer TTF. Among 691 patients, where information on histologic/nuclear grade was available, a low grade was also associated with a longer TTF, but this finding was not maintained among patients with recurrent breast cancer ( N = 558). Among women with recurrent breast cancer, a longer DFI between a patient's initial breast cancer diagnosis and their recurrence was associated with a longer TTF on F500 therapy. Conclusions: Our study showed that treatment period of F500 was longer when used in earlier-line treatment. For patients on F500, TTF was also longer for patients who had not received prior palliative chemotherapy and for those who had a longer period from their AMBC diagnosis to F500 use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Few studies have examined why some patients with dementia stop attending medical consultations. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate factors associated with discontinuous clinic attendance. Methods Participants were 988 patients with dementia from university hospital (UH) clinics and affiliated local hospital (LH) clinics. We compared continuous and discontinuous attenders on cognitive and affective functions and activities of daily living (ADL), and also compared UH and LH patients (UH: continuous, n = 176; discontinuous, n = 207; LH: continuous, n = 418; discontinuous, n = 187). Results The total annual rate of discontinuation was 8.0%, and the mean period of attendance before discontinuation was 2.2 ± 2.4 years (UH, 2.8 ± 3.0; LH, 1.5 ± 1.3, P < 0.01). Scores for the Mini-Mental State Examination, Hasegawa Dementia Scale - Revised, Geriatric Depression Scale, apathy scale, Abe's behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) score, and ADL were significantly worse in the discontinuous group than the continuous group for both UH and LH patients ( P < 0.01). The best predictor of discontinuation was ADL decline (UH and LH) and Abe's BPSD score (UH). The most common reason for discontinuation was returning to the family doctor (39.1% for UH), and cessation of hospital attendance at their own discretion (35.3% for LH). Conclusions We identified the main reasons for discontinuation of attendance as returning to the family doctor and cessation of hospital attendance at their own discretion. The best predictors of discontinuation were ADL decline and worsening BPSD. There were significant differences in discontinuation between UH and LH patients with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study marks the first epidemiological evaluation of the prevalence and burden of chronic neuropathic pain (NeP) in an Asian population. The objective of this nationwide cross-sectional study was to identify the characteristics of individuals with NeP, detect the NeP features that affect their quality of life (QOL), and demonstrate the negative effects of NeP on social and daily living as well as comorbidities including depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.Methods: We mailed a cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological survey to a random nationwide sample of 10,000 Japanese adults over 20 years old.Results: The response rate was 54.4% (2445 men, 2992 women; mean age, 53.4 years). Prevalence of chronic pain was 16.6%, and prevalence of NeP was 3.2% as detected by the PainDETECT. Participants with NeP showed significantly lower quality of life according to scores on the EuroQol-5 Dimensions scale (p < 0.001), higher levels of psychological distress on the Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale (p < 0.001), poorer sleep quality (p < 0.001), and more workdays lost (p < 0.001) than did participants without NeP. Linear regression modelling showed that widespread pain, thermal hyperalgesia and pressure-induced pain had strong associations with lower QOL, with regression coefficients of -0.046 (p < 0.001), -0.038 (p < 0.001), and -0.040 (p < 0.001), respectively.Conclusions: This study is the first to report the prevalence of NeP in an Asian population using a validated questionnaire. This study provides compelling evidence that chronic NeP is more strongly associated with poorer QOL, mental health and social well-being than CP without a neuropathic component.Significance: This population-based nationwide epidemiological study revealed the prevalence, characteristics, and negative effects of chronic pain with neuropathic components in Asian society. The prevalence of neuropathic pain was 3.2% with PainDETECT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give the complete solution to the local diffeomorphism classification problem of generic singularities which appear in tangent surfaces, in as wider situations as possible. We interpret tangent geodesics as tangent lines whenever a (semi-)Riemannian metric, or, more generally, an affine connection is given in an ambient space of arbitrary dimension. Then, given an immersed curve, we define the tangent surface as the ruled surface by tangent geodesics to the curve. We apply the characterization of frontal singularities found by Kokubu, Rossman, Saji, Umehara, Yamada, and Fujimori, Saji, Umehara, Yamada, and found by the first author related to the procedure of openings of singularities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background LL-37 is an antimicrobial peptide with pleiotropic effects on the immune system, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling. These are cardinal pathological events in systemic sclerosis ( SSc). Objectives To elucidate the potential role of LL-37 in SSc. Methods The expression of target molecules was evaluated by immunostaining and quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction in human and murine skin. The mechanisms regulating LL-37 expression in endothelial cells were examined by gene silencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Serum LL-37 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results In SSc lesional skin, LL-37 expression was increased in dermal fibroblasts, perivascular inflammatory cells, keratinocytes and, particularly, dermal small vessels. Expression positively correlated with interferon-α expression, possibly reflecting LL-37-dependent induction of interferon-α. In SSc animal models, bleomycin-treated skin exhibited the expression pattern of CRAMP, a murine homologue of LL-37, similar to that of LL-37 in SSc lesional skin. Furthermore, Fli1+/− mice showed upregulated expression of CRAMP in dermal small vessels. Fli1 binding to the CAMP ( LL-37 gene) promoter and Fli1 deficiency-dependent induction of LL-37 were also confirmed in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. In the analysis of sera, patients with SSc had serum LL-37 levels significantly higher than in healthy controls. Furthermore, serum LL-37 levels positively correlated with skin score and the activity of alveolitis and were significantly elevated in patients with digital ulcers compared with those without. Conclusions LL-37 upregulation, induced by Fli1 deficiency at least in endothelial cells, potentially contributes to the development of skin sclerosis, interstitial lung disease and digital ulcers in SSc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the intrinsic noise temperatures of YBa[sub2]Cu[sub3]O[sub7-δ] (YBCO) Josephson devices on bicrystal substrates and the upper frequency limit for their operation. Information on YBCO Josephson devices; Analysis of the difference between the radiation on and radiation off states; Examples of terahertz applications.

Provides information on a study that investigated magnetic and noise properties of oriented CoCrTa/Cr media sputtered at different temperatures. Experimental procedure; Results and discussion on the study.

Presents a study that examined delta-M, vertical component and media noise of nickel phosphide- and chromium-underlayer for longitudinal recording. Details of the experiment; Results and discussions; Summary.

Presents a study that discussed high-resolution transmission-electron microscopy observed nanoscale differences in the grain separation, defect structures, and crystallography of similar media and their effect on media noise. Details of the experiment; Media microstructures; Conclusions.

Discusses a study which detailed the measurement of critical current densities and upper critical fields for a single crystal of a high T[subc] oxide superconductor. Way of measuring the current densities and critical fields; Scale of the critical current density; Process of growing single-crystal samples.

We have demonstrated highly pure single-photon emissions from an InAs/InP quantum dot at the wavelength of 1.5 μm. By applying quasi-resonant excitation, one exciton is deterministically generated in an excited state, which then relaxes to the exciton ground state before recombining to emit a single photon. The photon-correlation function of the emission from the exciton ground state exhibits a record g(2)(0) value of (4.4±0.2) ×10-4 measured using high-performance super-conducting single-photon detectors, without any background subtraction. This single-photon source with extremely low multi-photon emission probability paves the way to realize long distance quantum key distribution and low error-rate quantum computation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) is one of the candidates of focal plane detector for future satellite missions such as LiteBIRD. For the space use of MKIDs, the radiation tolerance is one of the challenges to be characterized prior to the launch. Aluminum (Al) MKIDs with 50 nm thickness on silicon substrate and on sapphire substrate were irradiated with a proton beam of 160 MeV at the heavy ion medical accelerator in Chiba. The total water-equivalent absorbed dose was $$\sim $$ 10 krad which should simulate the worst radiation absorption of 5 years observation at the Lagrange point L2. We measured characteristics of these MKIDs before and after the irradiation. We found no significant changes on resonator quality factor, responsivity, and recombination time of quasi-particles. The change on electrical noise equivalent power was also evaluated, and no significant increase was found at the noise level of $$O(10^{-18})$$ W/ $$\sqrt{ \mathrm{Hz} }$$ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Facial skin pigmentation is one of the most prominent visible features of skin aging and often affects perception of health and beauty. To date, facial pigmentation has been evaluated using various image analysis methods developed for the cosmetic and esthetic fields. However, existing methods cannot provide precise information on pigmented spots, such as variations in size, color shade, and distribution pattern. The purpose of this study is the development of image evaluation methods to analyze individual pigmented spots and acquire detailed information on their age-related changes. Methods To characterize the individual pigmented spots within a cheek image, we established a simple object-counting algorithm. First, we captured cheek images using an original imaging system equipped with an illumination unit and a high-resolution digital camera. The acquired images were converted into melanin concentration images using compensation formulae. Next, the melanin images were converted into binary images. The binary images were then subjected to noise reduction. Finally, we calculated parameters such as the melanin concentration, quantity, and size of individual pigmented spots using a connected-components labeling algorithm, which assigns a unique label to each separate group of connected pixels. Results The cheek image analysis was evaluated on 643 female Japanese subjects. We confirmed that the proposed method was sufficiently sensitive to measure the melanin concentration, and the numbers and sizes of individual pigmented spots through manual evaluation of the cheek images. The image analysis results for the 643 Japanese women indicated clear relationships between age and the changes in the pigmented spots. Conclusion We developed a new quantitative evaluation method for individual pigmented spots in facial skin. This method facilitates the analysis of the characteristics of various pigmented facial spots and is directly applicable to the fields of dermatology, pharmacology, and esthetic cosmetology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiSiN crystals are synthesized by direct reaction between LiN and SiN with the molar ratio LiN/SiN of 10:1. Reaction is performed at 1073 K for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere of 700 Torr. The lattice constant determined by the X-ray powder diffraction method is 4.718 Å. Four broad Raman peaks are observed at 196, 286, 580, and 750 cm. By analogy with LiMgN, the broad peak at 580 cm with a half width of 140 cm is attributed to homogenously random distribution of Li and Si atoms. The band gap of LiSiN is found to be a direct gap of about 2.5 eV by optical absorption and photoacoustic spectroscopy methods. Comparison with the conventional cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, this gap value is close to d-d transition energy of Mn in LiMnO (1.63 eV or 2.00 eV) and that of Co in LiCoO (2.1 eV), suggesting that LiSiN is a possible cathode material. The 5 × 5 mm-sized lithium secondary battery of LiSiN cathode/propylene carbonate + LiClO electrolyte/Li anode structure shows a discharge capacity of 2.4 μAh cm for a discharge current of 1.0 μA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There were several reports suggesting α-adrenoceptor antagonists are effective to treat neuropathic pain. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to introduce drug delivery system for dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons; (2) to elucidate the effects of α-adrenoceptor antagonists in acute, subacute or chronic phase and (3) to determine which subtype of adrenoceptor was mainly involved.Method: We used 130 male Sprague-Dawley rats. After root constriction, rats received three local injections of α-adrenoceptor antagonists around DRG. We administered the non-selective α-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine for 3 consecutive days from day 0, 4 or 11 after the surgery, and the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist silodosin, the more preferred α1-adrenoceptor than prazosin and the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine for 3 consecutive days from day 0 after the surgery.Results: Phentolamine and yohimbine continually attenuated pain behaviour. Prazosin at high dose attenuated pain behaviour, however, prazosin at low dose did not attenuate pain behaviour every experimental day. Silodosin had no analgesic effect. Phentolamine injections from day 4 after surgery attenuated pain behaviour that had been established on the 3rd experimental day until the 28th post-operative day, although effect of phentolamine wore off. Phentolamine injections from day 11 after surgery temporarily attenuated pain behaviour that had been established on the 3rd, 7th and 10th experimental days.Conclusions: This study showed α-adrenoceptor antagonists could suppress pain behaviour via α2-adrenoceptor in acute phase and temporary attenuate pain behaviour in chronic phase. These findings presented potentials sympathetic nerve blockade contributed to treat neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The total mercury content of Quaternary sediments over the last 1.1 Ma from IODP Site U1308 drilled in the North Atlantic Ocean has changed, varying with periodicities of 100 000 and 41 000 years. The Hg content of the sediment increased during glacial periods, associated with increases in ice-rafted debris (IRD), and correlates positively with the total organic carbon (TOC) content and inversely with the absolute abundance of surface-dwelling nannoplankton species. TOC/total nitrogen ratios and δ13Corg values of TOC indicate that the TOC deposited during glacial periods was marine and associated with increased Hg deposition. These observations suggest that marine Hg is incorporated into the organic matter produced by deep-dwelling phytoplankton in the lower photic zone. Mercury- and IRD-bearing icebergs flowed out to this area during glacial periods melt, increasing the Hg content of photic water, and depositing IRD on the ocean floor, where increased marine Hg during glacial periods was consumed by deep-dwelling phytoplankton. Therefore, the change in the sediment Hg content from the North Atlantic Ocean is controlled by climatic change and can be used as a chemical indicator of Northern Hemisphere ice sheet variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]