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Resume But de l’etude La sphincterotomie interne laterale reste la technique standard des fissures anales chroniques, meme si d’autres techniques se sont revelees efficaces. L’incontinence fecale est une complication documentee de la sphincterotomie. Nous decrivons, ici, une technique de sphincterotomie interne posterieure ouverte avec lambeau cutane. Le but de cette etude etait d’analyser les resultats de cette technique chirurgicale. Methodes Il s’agit d’une etude retrospective observationnelle a un bras. La sphincterotomie interne posterieure ouverte + lambeau cutane etait faite pour fissure associee a une stenose anale. La technique comportait une incision posterieure du sphincter interne jusqu’a pouvoir passer 4 doigts dans le canal. L’incision etait refermee en anastomosant la muqueuse a la peau perineale. Ensuite, une incision arciforme etait faite pour creer un lambeau cutane qui etait avance dans le canal anal. Le suivi postoperatoire etait fait par des consultations cliniques et appels telephoniques. L’incontinence anale etait evaluee par le score de Cleveland Clinic Faecal Incontinence (CCFI). Resultats La sphincterotomie interne posterieure ouverte + lambeau cutane etait faite chez 143 patients, dont l’âge moyen etait de 50 ± 16 ans. Les taux de succes et de recidive apres sphincterotomie interne posterieure ouverte + lambeau cutane etaient respectivement de 99 % et 0,7 %, avec un suivi median de 16,3 annees. Un patient a presente une incontinence aux selles liquides 6 mois apres la chirurgie. Le score CCFI postoperatoire moyen etait de 0,5 ± 0,9. Conclusion Cette etude montre que la sphincterotomie interne posterieure ouvert + lambeau cutane est une technique efficace dans la prise en charge des fissures anales avec stenose, grâce a un taux eleve de reussite, et faible de recidives ou complications a type d’incontinence fecale.

The Telescope Array (TA) experiment is designed to detect air showers induced by ultra high energy cosmic rays. The TA ground Surface particle Detector (TASD) observed several short-time bursts of air shower like events. These bursts are not likely due to chance coincidence between single shower events. The expectation of chance coincidence is less than 10 − 4 for five-year's observation. We checked the correlation between these bursts of events and lightning data, and found evidence for correlations in timing and position. Some features of the burst events are similar to those of a normal cosmic ray air shower, and some are not. On this paper, we report the observed bursts of air shower like events and their correlation with lightning.

TARA (Telescope Array Radar) is a cosmic ray radar detection experiment colocated with Telescope Array, the conventional surface scintillation detector (SD) and fluorescence telescope detector (FD) near Delta, Utah, U.S.A. The TARA detector combines a 40 kW, 54.1 MHz VHF transmitter and high-gain transmitting antenna which broadcasts the radar carrier over the SD array and within the FD field of view, towards a 250 MS/s DAQ receiver. TARA has been collecting data since 2013 with the primary goal of observing the radar signatures of extensive air showers (EAS). Simulations indicate that echoes are expected to be short in duration (~10 microseconds) and exhibit rapidly changing frequency, with rates on the order of 1 MHz/microsecond. The EAS radar cross-section (RCS) is currently unknown although it is the subject of over 70 years of speculation. A novel signal search technique is described in which the expected radar echo of a particular air shower is used as a matched filter template and compared to waveforms obtained by triggering the radar DAQ using the Telescope Array fluorescence detector. No evidence for the scattering of radio frequency radiation by EAS is obtained to date. We report the first quantitative RCS upper limits using EAS that triggered the Telescope Array Fluorescence Detector., Comment: 21 pages, 30 figures

Cosmic rays in the energy range $10^{18.0}$ - $10^{18.5}$ eV are thought to have a light, probably protonic, composition. To study their origin one can search for anisotropy in their arrival directions. Extragalactic cosmic rays should be isotropic, but galactic cosmic rays of this type should be seen mostly along the galactic plane, and there should be a shortage of events coming from directions near the galactic anticenter. This is due to the fact that, under the influence of the galactic magnetic field, the transition from ballistic to diffusive behavior is well advanced, and this qualitative picture persists over the whole energy range. Guided by models of the galactic magnetic field that indicate that the enhancement along the galactic plane should have a standard deviation of about 20$^\circ$ in galactic latitude, and the deficit in the galactic anticenter direction should have a standard deviation of about 50$^\circ$ in galactic longitude, we use the data of the Telescope Array surface detector in $10^{18.0}$ to $10^{18.5}$ eV energy range to search for these effects. The data are isotropic. Neither an enhancement along the galactic plane nor a deficit in the galactic anticenter direction is found. Using these data we place an upper limit on the fraction of EeV cosmic rays of galactic origin at 1.3% at 95% confidence level.

Objective We report a case of the clinical course and pathologic findings for a kidney transplant recipient with plasma cell–rich rejection (PCRR) accompanied by antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). Methods A 29-year-old man with end-stage renal disease caused by lupus nephritis received an ABO-compatible living kidney transplant. Results Eighteen months after transplantation, the patient presented with proteinuria and increased serum creatinine. An episode biopsy revealed severe tubulointerstitial infiltration with plasma cells accompanied by peritubular capillaritis and positive findings on immunofluorescent C4d staining. Donor-specific antibodies were positive for DR52, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with PCRR accompanied by ABMR. Treatment was initiated with high-dose steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, gusperimus hydrochloride, muronmonab antibody CD3, and rituximab. However, ABMR persisted and allograft failure developed 20 months after onset. Conclusions We argue that PCRR accompanied by ABMR is a subtype of PCRR that can progress to allograft failure owing to persistent ABMR.

A series of experimental studies on ion-beam-induced swelling of silicon carbide (SiC), a promising ultra-hard materials, have shown that the swelling height varies with irradiation parameters, such as ion type, fluence, and beam energy. In order to confirm the feasibility of the swelling effect as a fabrication process for 3D micro-nanostructures, the effect of beam energy on swelling of the SiC substrate and a two-step irradiation method were investigated by using Ar beams in charge states of 1+, 4+, and 7+. The swelling height increases linearly with the fluence of the Ar beam up to n ≈ 5 × 1015/cm2. In addition, the swelling height obtained by using Ar7+ ions is enhanced by about fivefold as compared with that for Ar1+. Multi-step swelling structures were fabricated through a two-step irradiation. A different irradiation pattern was used in each step, and the additivity of swelling height was confirmed. To understand the swelling behavior, the effect of irradiation is characterized by SRIM-2013 and the Rutherford backscattering-channeling technique.

The Telescope Array experiment studies ultra high energy cosmic rays using a hybrid detector. Fluorescence telescopes measure the longitudinal development of the extensive air shower generated when a primary cosmic ray particle interacts with the atmosphere. Meanwhile, scintillator detectors measure the lateral distribution of secondary shower particles that hit the ground. The Middle Drum (MD) fluorescence telescope station consists of 14 telescopes from the High Resolution Fly’s Eye (HiRes) experiment, providing a direct link back to the HiRes measurements. Using the scintillator detector data in conjunction with the telescope data improves the geometrical reconstruction of the showers significantly, and hence, provides a more accurate reconstruction of the energy of the primary particle. The Middle Drum hybrid spectrum is presented and compared to that measured by the Middle Drum station in monocular mode. Further, the hybrid data establishes a link between the Middle Drum data and the surface array. A comparison between the Middle Drum hybrid energy spectrum and scintillator Surface Detector (SD) spectrum is also shown.

The stability of the gain of the photomultiplier (PMT) camera for the Fluorescence Detector (FD) of the Telescope Array experiment was monitored using an 241 Am loaded scintillator pulsers (YAP) and a diffused xenon flasher (TXF) for a selected set of 35 PMT-readout channels. From the monitoring of YAP pulses over four years of FD operation, we found slow monotonic drifts of PMT gains at a rate of −1.7~+1.7%/year. An average of the PMT gains over the 35 channels stayed nearly constant with a rate of change measured at −0.01±0.31(stat)±0.21(sys)%/year. No systematic decrease of the PMT gain caused by the night sky background was observed. Monitoring by the TXF also tracked the PMT gain drift of the YAP at 0.88±0.14(stat)%/year.

A neutron-sensitive ZnS/10B2O3 ceramic scintillator detector was developed as an alternative to a 3He-gas-based detector for use in a plutonium canister assay system. The detector has a modular structure, with a flat ZnS/10B2O3 ceramic scintillator strip that is installed diagonally inside a light-reflecting aluminium case with a square cross-section, and where the scintillation light is detected using two photomultiplier tubes attached at both ends of the case. The prototype detectors, which have a neutron-sensitive area of 30 mm×250 mm, exhibited a sensitivity of 21.7–23.4±0.1 cps/nv (mean±SD) for thermal neutrons, a 137Cs gamma-ray sensitivity of 1.1–1.9±0.2×10−7 and a count variation of less than 6% over the detector length. A trial experiment revealed a temperature coefficient of less than −0.24±0.05%/°C over the temperature range of 20–50 °C. The detector design and the experimental results are presented.

A position-sensitive tubular scintillator-based neutron detector is proposed as an alternative to a 3 He-gas-based detector. The detector has a neutron-detecting element constructed from rolled ZnS/ 6 LiF scintillator screens that sandwich wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibre coils (SFC element). Multiple SFC elements are enclosed in an aluminium tube in a row to form a one-dimensional position-sensitive neutron detector. The design of the WLS fibre coil, which was determined by performing basic experiments, comprised two 0.75-mm-diameter WLS fibres wound in parallel at a pitch of 1.5 mm. A 64-element detector with a pixel size of 22 mm×20 mm (width×length) successfully demonstrated the detection principle. The tubular shape of the new detector is similar to the usual 25-mm-diameter 3 He tube, making this an alternative detector with the potential to be installed in a vacuum tank for inelastic-neutron-scattering instruments.

A scintillator-based neutron-counting imaging detector with a sub-100-μm spatial resolution was developed for energy-selective neutron imaging. The detector head of the detector comprised a thin ZnS/6LiF scintillator screen, a fibre-optic taper and crossed wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibre arrays. A high spatial resolution was achieved by constructing the scintillator with a thickness of 100 μm and placing it in contact with the fibre-optic taper at a magnification ratio of 3.1:1. WLS fibres with a diameter of 100±5 μm (mean±SD) were specially made, and their dye content was optimized for use in crossed WLS-fibre arrays. The developed detector had a pixel size of 34 μm×34 μm, and exhibited spatial FWHM resolutions of 80±7 μm and 61±6 μm in the x and y directions, respectively. A small prototype detector demonstrated the capability of neutron imaging using Bragg edges of a Cu/Fe sample when using the pulsed-neutron source in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex.

We present a measurement of the energy spectrum of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays performed by the Telescope Array experiment using monocular observations from its two new FADC-based fluorescence detectors. After a short description of the experiment, we describe the data analysis and event reconstruction procedures. Since the aperture of the experiment must be calculated by Monte Carlo simulation, we describe this calculation and the comparisons of simulated and real data used to verify the validity of the aperture calculation. Finally, we present the energy spectrum calculated from the merged monocular data sets of the two FADC-based detectors, and also the combination of this merged spectrum with an independent, previously published monocular spectrum measurement performed by Telescope Array’s third fluorescence detector [T. Abu-Zayyad et al., The energy spectrum of Telescope Array’s middle drum detector and the direct comparison to the high resolution fly’s eye experiment, Astroparticle Physics 39 (2012) 109-119, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2012.05.012 , Available from: ]. This combined spectrum corroborates the recently published Telescope Array surface detector spectrum [T. Abu-Zayyad, et al., The cosmic-ray energy spectrum observed with the surface detector of the Telescope Array experiment, ApJ 768 (2013) L1, http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/768/1/L1 , Available from: ] with independent systematic uncertainties.

Characteristics of air-shower-triggered atmospheric families detected in the hybrid experiments together with emulsion chamber and AS-array at high mountains are compared with those of simulations. The analysis of families accompanied by air-showers with N e ≥ 10 7 shows that the experimental family-energy distribution favors a proton-dominant chemical composition of primary cosmic-rays but the lateral distribution favors a heavy-dominant composition. Thus no simulations can describe the overall characteristics of the data of hybrid experiments.

The Telescope Array(TA) experiment located at western desert in Utah USA (N39.3,W112.9) is designed for observation of air shower from extreme high energy cosmic rays. The TA detector consists of 2 types of detector to enable a cross check on systematic difference from the two main methods of observation for the energy region. One is a Fluorescence detector (FD) for detecting fluorescence light from air shower and another is surface detector (SD) array for detecting air shower particles at ground level. Each SD consists of 2 layers of plastic scintillator with 3m 2 of surface and more sensitive to electromagnetic component in air shower. The full operation using 3FD stations and full SD array has started. Here we present the updated status of Telescope Array experiment.

The TA observatory is a hybrid detector system consisting of both a surface detector array as well as a set of fluorescence detectors. The observatory will measure the energy spectrum, anisotropy and composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays. The surface detectors are being deployed and the array should be complete by the end of February, 2007. We will soon be collecting hybrid data at the Telecope Array.

Longitudinal and lateral characteristics of the families detected by emulsion chambers in the hybrid experiment with AS-array at Mt. Chacaltaya are studied in detail. Although many groups discuss about an increase of the heavy component in primary cosmic-rays beyond the knee region, it is shown that the observed characteristics of the families accompanied by large shower size, N e > 10 6 , can not be explained by an increase of heavy primaries alone. It is necessary to assume some changes of nuclear interaction in order to explain the observed characteristics of the air-showers accompanied by families.

A possibility to use an image scanner is studied for the measurement of high energy atmospheric families detected in Chacaltaya emulsion chambers. Possible methods to remove noise spots and to identify shower spots in the X-ray films applying image processing techniques are discussed. Shower-spot darkness measured using an image scanner are compared with those measured by the usual photometric method. Also discussed is tracking of shower spots in successive layers of the emulsion chambers using neural-network techniques.

An experiment using an air shower array, a hadron calorimeter and an emulsion chamber is under way at Mt. Chacaltaya (5200 m, Bolivia). One of the highest energy events, having a halo (∼ 1 cm) in the centre of the family together with many γ -ray and hadron showers, is analyzed in detail. Available data for the event are on the halo ( E h a l o = 750 TeV) and on the high energy particles of electron/photon components by the emulsion chamber, and on the characteristics of the accompanied air shower ( N e = 7.0 × 10 7 , s = 0.59 ) by the air shower array. The diagram of the air shower size and the total energy of electron/photon components in the family, which shows discrepancy between the experimental data and simulated events (QGSJET code for nuclear collisions) in our previous reports, is discussed including the present event.

This work compares the response properties of ortho, meta and para diallyl phthalate (DAP) resin plates and their copolymer plates cast under the same curing conditions. The plates were irradiated with fission fragments and alpha-particles. After irradiation, the plates were etched with a potassium hydroxide, ethanol and water (PEW) solution or an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide. Enlarged nuclear tracks were observed and counted using an optical microscope. All plates were found to have a detection efficiency of almost 100% for fission fragments, and yet were found to be insensitive to alpha-particles. From the experimental results of finish in curing, ease in cutting, etching speed and heat resistance, the ortho-based plates have been found to be superior to the meta- or para-based plates as a fission track detector.

An experiment of an air shower array, a hadron calorimeter and an emulsion chamber is under way at Mt. Chacaltaya (5,200 m). Analysis of a halo event, detected by hybrid detectors, is presented. The data available for the event are on the halo ( E halo = 750 TeV), on the height of the interaction, the energy of the electron/photon and hadronic components from the emulsion chamber, on low energy hadrons from the hadron calorimeter, and on the characteristics of the accompanied air shower ( Ne = 7.0 × 10 7 , s = 0.59) using the air shower array. The structure and origin of the event is discussed based on the observed data of various components obtained by the hybrid detectors. The event is compared to simulated events, which support the conclusion that nuclear interactions change their characteristics in the high energy region resulting in a stronger energy subdivision.

We have previously shown the involvement of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) in inducing running behavior. Stimulation of kainate (KA)-type glutamate receptors in the unilateral VMH of the rat exclusively elicited stereotyped running behavior. However, the neural pathways or functional connections of the VMH neurons involved in the running activity are yet to be elucidated further. In this study we examined whether the subthalamic locomotor region (SLR) is involved in the expression of the running activity originating in the VMH. The multiunit activity (MUA) in the ipsilateral SLR was significantly increased by KA injection into the VMH of urethane-anesthetized animals. Concomitant injection of 6,7-dinitroquioxalline-2,3-dione (DNQX, a KA-type glutamate receptor antagonist) with KA blocked this change in the MUA. Unilateral pre-injection of either kynurenate (non-selective glutamate receptor antagonist), D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5, an NMDA-type glutamate receptor antagonist) or DNQX into the SLR blocked the expression of the running activity induced by KA injection into the ipsilateral VMH. Results from the present study suggest that communication between KA-sensitive efferents from the VMH to glutamatergic pathways acting via NMDA and non-NMDA receptors in the SLR may underlie expression of running behavior originating in the VMH.

Accumulation and fragmentation of hyaluronic (HA) accompanies the inflammatory changes in the periodontium and gingival crevicular fluid are involved in periodontitis, but the mechanism for this is unknown. Recently, three human hyaluronan-synthase (HAS1, 2, and 3) genes have been cloned and characterised as synthesising hyaluronans of different molecular weights. Both HAS1 and HAS2 synthesise high molecular-weight HA, whereas HAS3 produces lower molecular weight HA. In the present study the regulation of HAS genes by cytokines in cultured human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells was investigated using a novel real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction detection system. Human PDL cells derived from premolars were cultured with or without tumour necrosing factor (TNF)-alpha (1-100 ng/ml), interleukin (IL)-1beta (0.1-10 ng/ml) and interferon (IFN)-gamma (1-100 ng/ml). Expression of HAS mRNA was assessed in cultured cells treated with these cytokines for 0-24 h. The expression of HAS2 mRNA was enhanced about 4.5- and 2.2-fold at maximum after 3-h stimulation with 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha and 1 ng/ml IL-1beta, respectively, whereas IFN-gamma exerted little effect on HAS2 or HAS3 mRNA expression during the experiment. Expression of HAS3 mRNA was increased by about 14- and 10-fold after 3-h stimulation with 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha and 1 ng/ml IL-1beta, respectively. These results suggest that TNF-alpha and IL-1beta regulate HAS expression, and consequently may result in an accumulation of HA and an increase in HA of a lower molecular-weight.

cDNAs for hyaluronic acid synthases (HAS2 and HAS3) were cloned from a cDNA library of cultured rabbit synovial membrane cells. The cDNA encoding the open reading frame of rabbit HAS2 and HAS3 was 1659 nucleotides in length with a predicted molecular mass of about 63 kDa. The amino acid sequence showed that the rabbit HAS2 was 98.7 and 98.4%, and HAS3 was 98.2 and 97.5% identical with human and mouse forms of the proteins, respectively. The predicted sequences for hyaluronic acid (HA) binding motifs and the catalytic domains related to beta 1-4 and beta 1-3 linkages, essential for HA synthesis, were almost conserved in both rabbit HAS2 and HAS3, similarly to human and mouse HASs. RT-PCR analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that the mRNA of HAS2 was highly expressed in the synovial membrane and articular cartilage, whereas the expression of HAS3 mRNA was slightest in these tissues. Thus, it is demonstrated that rabbit HASs are highly conserved in sequence content as compared to the human and mouse homologues described previously, and that HAS2 is predominantly expressed in the synovial membrane and articular cartilage, but HAS3 is not.

An experiment of an air shower array, a hadron calorimeter (8 m 2 ) and an emulsion chamber (8 m 2 , 15 cm Pb) is under way at Mt. Chacaltaya (5200 m above sea level, Bolivia), in order to study the hadron interactions and the primary cosmic rays in the energy region exceeding 10 15 eV. The number of particles in the hadronic component in the air shower, which is detected by the hadron calorimeter, is not compatible with that obtained by simulations, indicating that violation of the Feynman scaling law is stronger at 10 16 eV than the one assumed in the simulations. The average mass number of the primary cosmic rays, estimated from the distribution of the number of hadrons in the air shower, is A >= 2.8 ± 0.5 at 10 16 eV.

Thermal ring-opening polymerization of uniform macrocyclic ethylene terephthalate dimer was examined at various temperatures above its melting point. From SEC study, it can be indicated that the polymerization proceeded through chain reaction, not through a typical polycombination reaction. Maximum molecular weight of the polymer obtained under optimum reaction conditions reached to a sufficiently high level of more than 20,000 (Mw). It is noteworthy that this new reaction for synthesizing poly(ethylene terephthalate) progresses without any catalyst under atmospheric pressure.

The heat capacity measurements were carried out on a glassy sample of GeSe 2 using an adiabatic calorimeter in the temperature range from 13 to 300 K. The heat capacity data were compared with those previously measured on the crystalline GeSe 2 . The heat capacity value of the glassy GeSe 2 was smaller than that of the crystalline GeSe 2 below about 60 K, vice versa above it. The crossing phenomenon of the heat capacity curves was discussed on the basis of the density-of-states in the lattice vibrations, and a difference was pointed out in the long-range ordering in their layered structures.

Excessive mechanical load is thought to be responsible for the onset of osteoarthrosis (OA), but the mechanisms of cartilage destruction caused by mechanical loads remain unknown. In this study we applied a high magnitude cyclic tensile load to cultured chondrocytes using a Flexercell strain unit, which produces a change in cell morphology from a polygonal to spindle-like shape, and examined the protein level of cartilage matrixes and the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. Toluidine blue staining, type II collagen immunostaining, and an assay of the incorporation of [35S]sulfate into proteoglycans revealed a decrease in the level of cartilage-specific matrixes in chondrocyte cultures subjected to high magnitude cyclic tensile load. PCR-Southern blot analysis showed that the high magnitude cyclic tensile load increased the mRNA level of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and TIMP-1 in the cultured chondrocytes, while the mRNA level of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was unchanged. Moreover, the induction of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expression was observed in the presence of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. These findings suggest that excessive mechanical load directly changes the metabolism of cartilage by reducing the matrix components and causing a quantitative imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs.

It is proposed that concurrent-flow flame spread over solid fuel beds will be steady under conditions where heat and momentum losses to the sides of the fuel samples and/or surface radiative losses are significant. These losses are argued to be unavoidable because the flame length will grow until these losses balance the heat and momentum generation rates. Approximate relations (with no adjustable parameters or necessity for supplemental measured quantities such as heat fluxes or pyrolysis times) are derived for steady spread rates in the presence of these losses for laminar and turbulent flow, buoyant and forced convection, and thin and thick fuels. Experimental tests of these relations were conducted for upward flame spread over thermally thin fuels. Varying pressures, oxygen mole fractions, and diluents were employed to cover a seven-decade range of the Grashof number. These experiments generally support the validity of the proposed mechanisms.

We have observed flares of TeV-gamma rays from Mrk501 in 1997 using three telescopes of the Utah Seven Telescope Array at Dugway, Utah. Determination of the energy spectrum from such Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) is very important, because the gamma-ray spectrum is expected to steepen around 10 TeV from objects like Mrk501 by the interaction of the infrared photons. We have developed the method to estimate energies of the gamma rays by stereoscopic analysis using multiple telescopes. The differential index of the energy spectrum obtained is well expressed by −2.5 between 700 GeV and 3 TeV. This spectrum seems to become steeper above several TeV.

Three-dimensional (3D) image processing for analysis of track etching in a Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) was performed. A SSNTD in contact with boron nitride films was exposed to epithermal and thermal neutrons. In chemical etching process, sequential images of etch-pits on the surface of the SSNTD were obtained with a developed observation system. By use of a digital-image-processing technique, 3D images were reconstructed from data on sequential surface images of the track detector for particles released due to 10 B ( n , α ) 7 Li reactions.

We have investigated the field dependence of extraordinary Hall coefficient R s and resistivity ρ in FeAg granular alloys. We found a deviation from the linear scaling relation between R s ( H )/ ρ ( H ) and ρ ( H ) in agreement with the results reported for Co-based granular alloys, suggesting that the deviation from the linear scaling relation is common to granular systems.

X-ray spectra of laser-produced highly charged gold-ion plasma have been studied theoretically. Based on a precise non-empirical multi-configuration Dirac-Fock calculation, a new model NISEM (Non-Interacting Spectator Electron Model) is proposed to take into account the effect from numerous spectator satellite lines. In the framework of NISEM, experimental spectra are reproduced reasonably well by the present theory.

The data acquisition system of the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA) is described. The AGASA array covers an area of about 100 km2 and has been operated since 1990 to study the origin of extremely high energy cosmic rays. In the early stage of our experiment, AGASA was divided into four sub-arrays called branches for topographical reasons so that air showers were observed independently at each branch. In December 1995, we have improved the data acquisition system and unified the four branches into a single detection system. By this unification, the effective detection area of the AGASA increases by about 1.7 times in the early stage.

The magnetoresistivity and Hall resistivity of Pd/Co multilayers have been investigated down to 4.2 K, focusing on the difference between samples with in-plane and perpendicular magnetization. At 4.2 K, a sign change of the extraordinary Hall coefficient as a function of Co thickness is observed at ∼ 2 A . For a Co layer thickness of 2 A, an anomaly is found in the temperature dependence of both resistivity and Hall coefficient near 250 K, suggesting a magnetic phase transition in an alloyed interface region.

We report a systematic study of the magnetoresistance, Hall effect, thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power in a Co 15 Cu 85 granular alloy produced by liquid quenching. All of the properties exhibit a large field dependence correlated with the giant magnetoresistance effect, which are discussed in comparison with similar experiments on magnetic multilayers and Co Ag granular alloys. A clear difference has been observed between the temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity under zero-field-cooled and field-cooled conditions, in correlation with similar behavior reported for the magnetization.

S | Carcinogenesis & Cancer Genetics 074 Bullous leukemia cutis in a patient with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia Q Jiang, S Siu, S Onder Alpdogan, A Gochoco, J Gong, J Lee and J Sahu 1 Dermatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 2 Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA and 3 Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare neoplasm of mature T lymphocytes. Cutaneous involvement, e.g., leukemia cutis (LC), is a characteristic symptom of T-PLL and appears in up to one-third of cases. LC may follow, precede or occur concomitantly with the diagnosis of systemic leukemia, however, vesiculo-bullous LCs are rare. So far, few were reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but none in T-PLL. T-PLL is a relatively unknown disease in the field of dermatology, and moreover, variable leukemic cutaneous manifestations, especially the non-specific lesions of bullous LC, make it clinically difficult to distinguish from other non-specific lesions. We report here a case of leukaemia cutis with vesiculo-bullous lesions in a patient who was recently diagnosed with T-PLL and has been on chemotherapy. A skin biopsy specimen showed dense infiltration of small lymphocytes in the dermis, and subsequent immunogenotyping confirmed the presence of leukemia cells in the same patterns of previous biopsies of the lymph node. To our knowledge, this is the first report of vesiculo-bullous LC in a patient with T-PLL. LC is an indicator of poor prognosis and often requires more aggressive therapies. Proper diagnosis of LC is essential because it can alter the appropriate treatment for a patient. S14 Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2016), Volume 136 075 Ephrin-A loss in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression and metastasis J Zheng, B Perez White, N Kaplan, A Petty, Z Zhao, K Honda, M Denning, M Blumenberg, S Getsios and B Wang 1 Dermatology, Northwestern U., Chicago, IL, 2 Case Western Reserve U., Cleveland, OH, 3 Loyola U., Chicago, IL and 4 New York U., New York, NY Glycophosphatidylinositol-linked ephrin-A proteins target EphA receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) to promote keratinocyte differentiation and maintain tissue homeostasis. Accordingly, genetic ablation of EphA2, a major epidermal EphA subtype, increases susceptibility to chemically induced skin carcinogenesis in mice. Defining the corresponding role of ligands for EphA2 in skin cancer has been more cumbersome as the three ephrin-A genes (efna1, efna3, efna4) proximal to the epidermal differentiation complex gene cluster are each prominently expressed in skin. We met this challenge by engineering a triple efnA1/3/4 knock-out mouse (efnA-TKO mice) that reflects the pattern of reduced efnA gene expression found in mouse and human cutaneous SCCs. Skin tumors were evident earlier and grew faster in mice lacking these three ephrin-A ligands or EphA2. While histologically benign papillomas were prominent in EphA2-deficient mice, efnA-TKO mice developed invasive squamous cell carcinomas that metastasized to the lymph nodes and lungs within 25 weeks of DMBA-TPA treatment. Using primary mouse and human cell culture models, we found that ephrin-A proteins operate within the epidermis by targeting EphA2 to limit keratinocyte migration. We also illustrated a key tumor suppressive role for ephrin-A ligands in the surrounding tumor microenvironment by re-introducing isogenic tumor cell lines into the skin of wild-type or efnA-TKO mice. Importantly, the invasive phenotype of efnA-TKO mouse tumor cell lines was normalized by genetic reintroduction of efnA3. Integrating our findings from human tumors, mouse models, and primary cell cultures provides strong support for the notion that ephrins operate within tumor cells and also in the microenvironment to suppress skin cancer growth and metastasis. 076 Senescent fibroblasts enhance squamous cell carcinoma progression through secretion of Chemerin and activation of MAPK pathway V Farsam, A Basu, M Gatzka, M Wlaschek, N Treiber, MA Mulaw, T Lucas, S Kochanek and K Scharffetter-Kochanek 1 Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany, 2 Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany and 3 Department of Gene Therapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany Aging is associated with an increased risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) partly due to the accumulation of mutations in stem/progenitor cells and partly due to the acquisition of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) by senescent fibroblasts in dermal stroma. However, the mechanisms underlying the SASP-induced cSCC progression are not sufficiently understood. We investigated the SASP effect of senescent human dermal fibroblasts on cSCC cell motility in vitro using Transwell migration assay. Conditioned media (CM) of senescent fibroblasts significantly increased the migration of cSCC lines in comparison to young CM. Using RT-qPCR and specific ELISA, high levels of Chemerin transcripts and protein were found in senescent compared to young fibroblasts. An increase in Chemerin immunostaining in dermal fibroblasts of skin sections from old healthy individuals were observed as opposed to almost absent Chemerin immunostaining in young skin. Enhanced expression of Chemerin receptor CCRL2 was detected in cSCC lines when compared to normal keratinocytes. Increased CCRL2 was also confirmed with immunostaining of skin biopsies derived from patients suffering from cSCC. Recombinant human (rh) Chemerin enhanced the migration of cSCC lines in a concentration-dependent manner, while silencing Chemerin in senescent fibroblasts via siRNAs reduced cSCC migration. Chemerin was found to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Of note, inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway with chemical inhibitors impaired SASP-induced migration of cSCC cells in response to senescent fibroblast CM and rh Chemerin. In aggregate, these previously unreported data suggest that senescent fibroblasts may facilitate tumor progression through Chemerin-mediated activation of MAPK pathway in cSCC cells. 077 The role of intra-abdominal adipose tissue in UVB-induced skin cancer J Bernard and B Bullard Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Recent research suggests that a high-fat diet (HFD) and/or obesity (increased adiposity) are key players in the pathogenesis and prognosis of many common cancers. However the molecular changes induced by adipose tissue (AT) that actually enhance cancer development are poorly understood. Our previous studies indicated that decreasing visceral (intraabdominal) AT by surgical removal of the parametrial fat pads inhibited UVB-induced carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice fed a HFD indicating that the parametrial AT from mice fed a HFD played a role in skin carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate how a HFD may influence the intrinsic properties of the parametrial AT to induce UVB-induced skin tumor formation. We developed a system where molecules released and filtered from AT (fat tissue filtrate) stimulate JB6 P cell proliferation and transformation. The mouse BALB/c skin epithelial JB6 P cell line is a well-characterized model for neoplastic transformation that is responsive to tumor promoter-induced transformation growth in soft agar and is uniquely suited for studying tumor promotion and promotion-relevant molecular events in vitro. Our data demonstrate that fat tissue filtrate made from the parametrial ATof obese mice fed a HFD had 160% more transforming activity than that from mice fed a LFD (P

We report the first result on the cosmic ray energy spectrum above 3 × 1018 eV measured by the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA) from July 1990 to February 1994. The analysis method and the energy resolution of the AGASA experiment are described in some detail. The flattening of the spectrum around 1019 eV (ankle) is observed with a significance of 2.9σ. If we express the differential energy spectrum of cosmic rays of energy E (in eV) with an ankle energy Ea as J(E) = κ( E E a ) −γ m −2 s −1 sr −1 eV −1 , γ for 1018.5 eV ≤ E ≤ Ea is in good agreement with that from the previous experiment and is 3.2 ± 0.1. The slope γ above Ea depends strongly on the value Ea. For the case Ea = 1019 eV, κ = (2.3−0.2+0.1) × 10−33 and γ = 2.3−0.3+0.5 for 1019 eV ≤ E ≤ 1020 eV. If Ea = 1018.8 eV, then κ = (1.0 ± 0.1) × 10−32 and γ = 2.7−0.4+0.2 for 1018.8 eV ≤ E ≤1020 eV, after correcting for both the statistical error and the energy resolution of the present experiment. If we interpret the present results assuming an extragalactic origin for cosmic rays above 1019 eV, the observed data is consistent with either a homogeneous and isotropic distribution of sources or with localized sources at redshift of greater than ∼ 0.1. A (1.7–2.6) × 1020 eV event was observed on December 3, 1993 from the direction of l = 131° and b = −41°. This shower energy is a factor 3 larger than the second highest energy event.