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This paper reports four cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw, a rare malignant bone tumor in the oral and maxillofacial region. Two patients were males and two were females. The age at the first visit ranged 55–69 years (average age, 63.8 years). Three and one patients had a tumor in the mandible and the maxilla, respectively. One mandibular patient had a history of radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer. Radiologically, two cases were of the osteolytic type, and two were of the osteosclerotic type. Two cases of the osteolytic type were diagnosed as malignant tumors, while the other two cases of the osteosclerotic type were as benign lesions (e.g., epulis osteoplastica and osteomyelitis). Pathologically, three and one cases were classified as conventional (osteoblastic type) and secondary (radiation-induced) osteosarcomas, respectively. All patients underwent surgical tumor resection without any adjunctive treatments. Consequently, one patient had no recurrence for 14 years after surgical treatment and the other three had local recurrence and/or distant metastasis, resulting in unfavorable outcomes despite further treatments. Osteosarcoma should be included as a differential diagnosis for bone-forming lesions of the jaw. Furthermore, complete surgical resection combined with adjuvant therapies would be necessary to improve the treatment outcome of jaw osteosarcomas.

Objective This study aimed to identify specific RAS-GAPs involved in RAS activation squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the tongue, and to investigate the role of RAS signaling in tongue SCC progression. Subjects and methods We analyzed mutations in K-RAS, H-RAS, and N-RAS genes by PCR-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), and relative levels of mRNA of three genes encoding RAS-GAPs (RASAL1, NF1, and DAB2IP) by real-time reverse transcriptional-PCR (RT-PCR) in 20 cases of tongue SCCs. To examine if the interaction between RAS-GAPs and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) activated the RAS signaling pathway, we evaluated the expression of p-ERK1/2, a kinase located downstream of RAS, by immunohistochemistry. Finally, the association between p-ERK1/2 overexpression and clinicopathological factors was examined in 45 cases of tongue SCCs. Results No mutations were detected in K-RAS, H-RAS, and N-RAS genes in 20 cases of tongue SCC. The levels of mRNA of RASAL1, NF1 and DAB2IP were downregulated in 80.0 %, 31.6 % and 25.0 %, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between RASAL1 downregulation and p-ERK1/2 overexpression (p = 0.014), suggesting that RAS/ERK signaling pathway was controlled by RASAL1 in tongue SCC. Furthermore, we showed that p-ERK1/2 was overexpressed more frequently in advanced-staged tumors than in early-staged ones. Conclusions The findings of the present study suggest that activation of the RAS/ERK signaling pathway, which is triggered by RASAL1 downregulation, is involved in the progression of tongue SCC.

Desmoplastic fibroma of bone (DFB), a bone tumor, is considered to be an osseous counterpart of desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF). Herein, we report a case of DFB with CTNNB1 point mutation. The 5-year-old male patient had complained of trismus and pain in the jaw. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the left mandible. Radical treatment involved surgical resection. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of a bundle-like proliferation of uniform spindle-shaped cells with abundant collagenous stroma, which resembled DF. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed intranuclear accumulation of β-catenin in the tumor cells. Based on clinical and histologic analysis, we diagnosed the patient as having DFB. We examined the CTNNB1 and APC sequence and found an A-to-G transition at codon 41 of CTNNB1; i.e., Thr was substituted by Ala. Our findings suggest that the dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is related to the tumorigenesis of some cases of DFB. This hypothesis indicates that there are some cases of DFB in which nuclear positive expression of β-catenin is useful for diagnosis.

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the time-course changes in the size of metastatic lymph nodes and determine their relationship with the histological features of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Methods Thirteen metastatic lymph nodes from 13 OSCC patients were examined in this study. The cervical lymph nodes were periodically followed up with ultrasonographic examination and diagnosed as metastatic when the minimum axis of the nodes (size) reached ≥8 mm in three-dimensional measurements. Enlargement patterns of the metastatic nodes were compared with the histological features and proliferative activity of tumor cells by Ki-67 immunostaining of the primary tumors and nodes. Results The enlargement patterns of the metastatic lymph nodes were classified into two types: rapid enlargement (RE), which involved rapid increase in node size, and slow enlargement (SE), which involved slow increase and fluctuation in size. No significant differences in histological findings between the RE and SE types were observed in the primary tumors or metastatic nodes. On the other hand, Ki-67 scores in primary tumors and metastatic foci were associated with the enlargement pattern of the metastatic nodes, wherein metastatic nodes of the RE type showed significantly higher Ki-67 scores than those of the SE type. Conclusions The proliferative activity of primary tumors can be a valuable marker for predicting the speed of enlargement of metastatic lymph nodes. In addition, it may aid in reaching a decision regarding follow-up duration in N0 neck cancer patients.

Early visual processing functions as a set of spatiotemporal image filters. Our ability to sense changes in retinal images is determined by these filters along the temporal axis. In this study, we developed a paradigm to identify the kernel of the temporal filters based on ocular following responses (OFRs) to two-frame apparent motion stimuli. We first conducted two experiments to acquire fundamental data. In the first experiment, in which a quarter wavelength step of a sinusoidal grating was presented with various inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs), we found that OFRs were reversed by the ISI, which is consistent with previous findings. In the second experiment, a quarter wavelength step of a sinusoidal grating was applied with various durations of the initial image frame (motion onset delays; MODs); we found that longer exposure to the initial image reduced OFRs. Parameters of motion energy model involving temporal filters were optimized so that the model could reproduce the dependence of OFRs on ISIs and MODs. We were then able to successfully obtain quantitative estimates of the biphasic temporal filters with optimal frequencies in 6-8Hz. This method is completely objective and will thus be applicable to a wide range of human subjects and model animals.

Objectives Metastasis of multiple regional lymph nodes and extracapsular spread in the metastatic nodes are found to be negative prognostic factors for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), and many studies on the prediction of nodal metastasis according to the clinicopathologic and cellular/molecular features of cancer cells have been conducted. However, studies on the factors related to multiple nodal metastasis are not available. In this study, we carried out morphometric analysis of the nuclear polymorphism of cancer cells and determined its predictive value for multiple nodal metastases of OSCC. Study Design Twenty-six patients with OSCCs were included in this study. Of these 26 patients, 6 had no nodal metastasis, 7 had 1 or 2 metastatic nodes, and 13 had 3 or more metastatic nodes (up to 16 metastatic nodes per patient). Results First, we examined differences in the T category, histologic differentiation, and invasion pattern of primary tumors among the 3 groups (no metastasis vs 1–∼2 metastatic nodes vs ≥ 3 metastatic nodes). However, we could not find a clear relationship between the number of metastatic nodes and these clinicopathologic factors. Next, we determined whether or not the nuclear polymorphism of cancer cells was related to nodal metastasis. The area and perimeter of 50 nuclei in each tumor were measured by the image analysis software Image J. The nuclear polymorphism index was given by the formula: [(perimeter of nucleus)2 /(area of nucleus)]. The indices of nuclear polymorphism were 16.49 ± 0.79 in 6 tumors without metastasis; 16.46 ± 0.69 in 7 tumors with 1 to ∼2 nodal metastases; and 18.46 ± 1.29 in 13 tumors with 3 or more nodal metastases. The tumors with 3 or more nodal metastases showed a statistically higher value of nuclear polymorphism compared with the other 2 groups. Conclusions The results suggested that nuclear polymorphism be a predictive factor for multiple metastasis of cervical lymph nodes in OSCC.

The damage of inferior alveolar nerve causes some functional problem including numbness of lower lip and drooling. During segmental mandibulectomy, inferior alveolar nerve commonly resected, therefore, it is ideal to reconstruct the nerve to get better functional result. Sensory recovery was assessed after mandibular reconstruction using free fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap in thirteen cases. In six cases, the mental nerve reconstruction was performed simultaneously, and in seven cases, the mental nerve reconstruction was not performed. In the case that the mental nerve was reconstructed simultaneously, unilateral mental nerve reconstruction was performed in five cases, and bilateral mental nerve reconstruction was performed in one cases. More than one year after the reconstruction, sensory recovery was assessed and compared between the group that the mental nerve was reconstructed and the group that was not reconstructed. Our results showed almost a normal sensory recovery of the lips on the reconstructed side more than one year after the reconstruction in reconstructed group. In contrast, sensory recovery was poor in non-reconstructed group and non-reconstructed side. These results showed that mental nerve reconstruction at the same time as mandibular reconstruction affects the postoperative mandibular function. The sural nerve can be harvested from the same donor site of the free fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap and such mental nerve reconstruction with nerve grafting can be completed within an hour. Most cases of mandibular reconstruction using a free fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap transfer can therefore be candidates for mental nerve reconstruction at the time of mandibular reconstruction.

In this paper, we report the fabrication of small-molecule-based thin-film layers with a thickness of several tens of nanometers on a release layer by bar coating and subsequent stacking onto other organic layers by the developed film transfer method using driving belts and rollers as a prototype roll-to-roll technique. We use novel thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials in this process, achieving multilayered organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with high external quantum efficiency (EQE), which is comparable to those of OLEDs prepared by conventional vacuum deposition. The developed film transfer method shows great potential to realize OLEDs with high efficiency at low cost.

The effect that grain size has on magnetization in cobalt substituted NiZn polycrystalline bulk ferrite has been studied and the magnetic domain has been visualized by taking measurements with a Photoemission Electron Microscope (PEEM). Complex permeability shows that magnetization with a grain size smaller than ~6 μm is dominated only by the spin rotation and the magnetic domain wall motion contributes when the grain size is larger. PEEM measurements show that the small grain induces the small magnetic domain and it becomes larger when the grain is large, which is a result that agrees with the magnetization process. At the same time, the presence of a domain wall across the grain boundary has been confirmed regardless of the grain size. This suggests the possibility of there being a magnetic coupling between the grains related to the effect that the microstructure has on magnetic domain structure and magnetization in cobalt substituted NiZn ferrite.

Organic nanostructures can enhance the device performance of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, because a significantly large area of a donor/acceptor heterointerface can be prepared. In this study, we improved the performance of OPV cells composed of cupper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/fullerene (C 60 ) by introducing a pentacene nanometer-sized grain layer into an anode/CuPc layer. The smallest featured grain sizes are as small as 100 nm, resulting in the formation of ragged heterojunctions. We show that power conversion efficiency is enhanced up to 20% compared with that of conventional planar heterojunctions.

The connection between divorce and suicide risk in Asia is unclear. To understand the contribution of cultural transitions to suicide among the divorced, we compare age- and sex-specific suicide rates among divorced men and women from five Pacific Rim populations: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the state of Victoria in Australia. On a cultural spectrum, we consider Hong Kong and Taiwan to lie between the more individualistic Australian culture and the more collectivistic Japanese and Korean cultures. Coefficients of aggravation (COA) are also compared. Suicide rates were found to be higher among the divorced than among other marital status groups in all five populations, but this difference was small in Victoria. The effect of divorce was significantly greater for men than for women only in Japan and South Korea. In the other populations, divorced men and women were at equal risk. Age trends in suicide rates for the divorced groups differed across populations. The COAs for the divorced group aged 40 or younger in the East Asian populations were higher than the COAs for older divorced groups, though this was not the case in the Victorian population. Suicide patterns among the divorced in the East Asian populations can be understood in terms of the legacy of Confucian traditions. Gender differences in Japan and South Korea may reflect either gender inequality (male dominance in formal interactions and emotional dependence in domestic life within a deteriorating Confucian family support system) or unique socio-cultural factors among married women. Divorced East Asian groups aged 40 or younger may be at a higher risk of suicide due to individual-level cultural ambivalence combined with a desire for systemic-level emotional interdependence. Social welfare regimes in the four East Asian populations need to fill the vacancy left by retreating traditional family systems. Research implications are discussed.

A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model for dynamic response analysis of seismic-induced motions is developed using the modal analysis and substructure methods. The developed model and an impedance function method are applied to an offshore platform with a pile–soil foundation system. The Newmark β method is used as a time integration scheme. The displacement and bending stresses at selective nodal points on the structure are computed for various maximum seismic accelerations and the shear-wave velocities of soil. Using a reliability index obtained by the Monte Carlo Simulation method, we successfully performed a reliability evaluation at the critical points of the structure for various seismic motions and soil conditions.

Objective The clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness of oral antimicrobial prophylaxis with levofloxacin (LVFX) on endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was evaluated. Materials and methods Ninety-three patients undergoing ESS were prospectively enrolled in the present study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, LVFX and flomoxef (FMOX). Two hundred milligrams of LVFX was orally given 2 hours before the start of surgery and 6 hours after the end of surgery, which was followed by the administration of 200 mg every 12 hours for 2 days. One gram of FMOX was dissolved in 100 ml of physiological saline and given intravenously at the induction of anesthesia and 6 hours after the end of surgery, followed by infusion twice daily for 2 days. Results There were no statistically significant differences between 2 groups in terms of age, sex, systemic complications, surgical procedures, the duration of the operation, the length of hospitalization, the amount of blood loss, body temperature, or the number of white blood cells or C-reactive protein. Although no statistical significance was observed in the bacterial resistance between the two antibiotics, LVFX seems to show a low rate of resistance pattern change as compared to FMOX. The present study demonstrated that no patients treated with LVFX or FMOX were afflicted with postsurgical infection. Conclusion Oral administration of LVFX is a simple, cost-effective and safe alternative to intravenous prophylaxis in ESS based on clinical efficacy and bacteriological study.

We examined the effects of stimulus size and location on the mouse optokinetic response (OKR). To this end, we recorded initial OKRs elicited by a brief presentation of horizontally moving grating patterns of different vertical widths and locations in the visual field. Large-field stimuli generated large sustained OKRs, whereas visual stimuli of narrower vertical widths elicited weaker sustained responses at the later period (400-500 ms after the onset of stimulus motion). However, even stimuli of only 5 degrees vertical width elicited detectable transient responses at the initial open-loop period (100-200 ms after the onset of stimulus motion). Presenting 5 degrees -width stimuli at different vertical locations (-10 degrees to +35 degrees relative to the horizon) revealed the spatial distribution of optokinetic sensitivity across the retina. The most sensitive part of the visual field was located at +25 degrees . In addition, we examined the vertical orientation of the eye under our stereotaxic set-up. We observed the optic disc using a hand-held fundus camera and determined the ocular orientation. All eye orientations were distributed in the range of +20-30 degrees relative to the horizon (25.2+/-2.5 degrees ). Thus, the direction of the most sensitive visual field matched the angle of eye orientation. These findings indicate that the spatial distribution of visual field sensitivity to optokinetic stimuli coincides with the distribution of retinal ganglion cell density.

Efficient organic photovoltaic tandem cells consisting of P3HT:bis[60]PCBM and P3HT:[70]PCBM active layers and our original transparent conductive oxide interlayer are presented. The short circuit current and conversion efficiency are estimated to be more than 6 mA/cm 2 and 5% from simulations of devices with the thicknesses of both layers optimized. We clarify that actual devices fabricated utilizing nanoscale phase separation in the active layers and interlayer with indium tin oxide sandwiched by MoO 3 and LiF buffer layers exhibit characteristics almost the same as those simulated for the ideal tandem cell. This is attributed to improve the efficiencies of carrier transport in the active layers and recombination in interlayer.

Polycrystalline ferrite materials with the chemical composition of Ni 0.49 Zn 0.49 Co 0.02 Fe 1.90 O x have been fabricated using the conventional ceramic sintering method. Grain sizes have been adjusted from ∼2.2 to ∼13.5 μm with changing sintering conditions. From the measurements of the complex permeability, it is suggested that the permeability is dominated only by the spin rotation at mono-domain state and both domain wall and spin rotation contribute at multi-domain state. At mono-domain state, the core loss has been drastically decreased similar to the other work. The measurement result for the loss angle indicates that the low loss state can be maintained up to the higher magnetic field with smaller grain size in spite of the mono-domain state. The simplified wire-wounded type inductors have been also fabricated and characterized. The results have shown that the inductor fabricated with the smaller grain size has a better performance in the quality value under relatively higher current.

Investigating the effect of solvent on the fabrication of photo-active layers in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester, we found the short-circuit current density ( J SC ) and fill factor (FF) of a cell with a photo-active layer made using materials dissolved in a mixture of o -dichlorobenzene with chloroform to be slightly higher than those of a cell made using the same materials dissolved only in chlorobenzene. Evaluating the absorption spectra, surface morphology, charge mobility, and solubility of photo-active films made using different solvents, we concluded that the higher J SC and FF were due to a larger interfacial area between the photo-active materials in the layer.

Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica is a rare hereditary skin disease of infancy in which minor trauma causes blister formation. We report a rare case of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica (recessive) with a stenosis of the larynx due to epiglottic deformity. We performed a tracheotomy, and we detained a trachea aperture in the long term this time. In a characteristic of a disease though stimulation to the trachea causes the erosion on a trachea mucous membrane, postoperative course was uneventful and we are going to observe it in future.

Ocular following responses (OFRs) were elicited in monkeys at short latencies ( approximately 50ms) by applying motion in the form of successive 1/4-wavelength steps to each of two overlapping vertical sine-wave gratings that had different spatial frequencies. In the first experiment, the two sine waves had spatial frequencies in the ratio 3:5 and moved in opposite directions. The initial OFRs showed a highly nonlinear dependence on the relative contrasts of the competing sine waves. On average, when the contrast of one was less than a third of that of the other then the one with the lower contrast became ineffective - as though suppressed - and the OFR was entirely determined by the sine wave of higher contrast: winner-take-all. In a second experiment, the two sine waves had spatial frequencies in the ratio 3:7 and moved in the same direction (though at different speeds). The initial OFRs again showed a highly nonlinear dependence on the relative contrasts of the competing sine waves, with a winner-take-all outcome when the contrasts of the two sine waves were sufficiently different. In both experiments, the nonlinear dependence on the relative contrasts of the competing sine waves was well described by a contrast-weighted-average model with just two free parameters. These findings were very similar to those of [Sheliga, B.M., Kodaka, Y., FitzGibbon, E.J., Miles, F.A., 2006c. Human ocular following initiated by competing image motions: evidence for a winner-take-all mechanism. Vision Res. 46, 2041-2060] on the human OFR, indicating that the monkey is a good animal model for studying the nonlinear interactions that emerge when competing motions are used.

We describe a case of CEOT of the mandible, which underwent malignant transformation and developed metastatic tumors of the lung after repeated local recurrence. The primary tumor revealed typical histological features of benign CEOT showing sheets of polyhedral epithelial cells associated with abundant eosinophilic amyloid-like materials. On the other hand, the locally recurrent tumors had malignant features, such as increased nuclear pleomorphism with frequent mitotic figures and vascular invasion of tumor cells, as well as increased proliferative activity assessed by immunostaining for Ki-67. Chemotherapy was carried out against the pulmonary metastatic lesions, which showed a drastic response after 3 courses of intravenous administration of cisplatin (CDDP). To date, a total of 6 courses of CDDP and 6 courses of nedaplatin (CDGP) have been done, and the remaining pulmonary tumors have been dormant. This suggests that platinum derivatives could be a chemotherapeutic agent of choice against this rare tumor.

We examined the vertical linear vestibuloocular reflexes (LVORs) elicited by constant linear acceleration (0–0.5 g for >95 ms) during transient fore–aft translation in three monkeys. In the dark condition, small but consistent downward ocular responses to forward translation were observed (latencies >41 ms) when the initial vertical eye positions were at 0°, although eye movements following backward translation were inconsistent among animals. These downward ocular responses showed the following three characteristics: they were independent of vertical gaze eccentricities, their magnitudes were almost proportional to the forward acceleration, and they were reduced by the large-field (not the spot) visual information. These characteristics revealed that the downward ocular responses to forward translation were the tilt LVORs. In addition, we recognized that the translational LVOR, which depended on vertical gaze eccentricities, was working at the same time. Our data suggest that constant linear acceleration during forward translation evokes the tilt LVOR, as well as the illusory tilting perception.

We present a study of dark air-exposure degradation of organic solar cells based on photoactive blends of the conjugated polymer, poly[2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MDMO-PPV) with [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Photovoltaic devices were fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass with or without a layer of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), and were studied without encapsulation. Photovoltaic performance characteristics were measured as a function of time for different ambient conditions (under white light irradiation and in the dark, and under air, dry oxygen and humid nitrogen atmospheres). It was found that a key cause of degradation under air exposure is light independent and results from water adsorption by the hygroscopic PEDOT:PSS layer. Measurements of the charge mobility and hole injection after air exposure showed that the degradation increases the resistance of the PEDOT:PSS/blend layer interface.

Bi,Si oxides-doped NiZnCu ferrite composite material has been fabricated with different sintering times. The microstructure of the samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The complex permeability has been measured up to 1 GHz by the impedance analyzers. The complex permeability has been simulated based on the magnetic circuit model, and the result was compared with the experimental results. In the low-frequency region, the real part of the permeability of the composite material is lower than the one of non-doped NiZnCu ferrite, on the other hand it is higher than non-doped sample in the high-field region. The peak position of the imaginary part is shifted to higher frequency in the composite material. It was found that the complex permeability spectrum of the composite material was described by the magnetic circuit model, and the Bi,Si oxides-doped NiZnCu ferrite composite material has a great potential for the high-frequency operation.

Our previous study showed that the saliency of a target increases the gain of smooth pursuit initiation. In this study, we examined the interocular transfer of this effect in five humans. A square red frame surrounding the target was used as a cue to indicate the initial target position. In the cue condition, the responses were similar, irrespective of the eye to which the cue was presented, and were significantly larger than in the no-cue condition. The result suggests that central pathways that receive input from both eyes mediate the effect of saliency on smooth pursuit initiation.

Single Y 2 O 3 or multiple CeO 2 /YSZ/CeO 2 buffer layers, and subsequent YBCO films with various thicknesses (∼70–1800 nm) are deposited on the cube textured Ni tapes using pulsed laser ablation. The two types of buffers have comparable, good biaxial textures, and maintain these features regardless of the NiO layer which forms and increases during the YBCO deposition. X-ray φ -scan FWHM and T c of YBCO films appear to be insensitive to the change of YBCO thickness and selected buffer. The degradation of local texture, evidenced by the electron back scatter diffraction in SEM, and the associated surface roughness may be the reason of J c dropping as YBCO thickness increases.

Through the use of fine granules and granules prepared by the extrusion granulation method, we investigated the relationship between micromeritical properties and dispensability, and assessed the particle size distribution and content uniformity (mesh cut assay) of these fine granules and granules. The results showed that the dispensability of fine granules and granules, prepared by the extrusion granulation method, could be assessed according to previously reported standards established for granules prepared by the fluidized bed granulation method. In other words, the dispensability of these fine granules and granules was fine when the PM index was > 120, the ML index was > 140 and Carr's fluidity index was between 80 and 90. Also, the advantages associated with granules prepared by this method are superior drug content uniformity (even at contents of about 0.1%) and narrow particle size distribution.

Sensorimotor association is an essential aspect of behavior. The dorsal part of the premotor cortex (PMd) is known to have an important role in sensorimotor association. Although it is suggested that the partially segregated groups of neurons are involved in sensorimotor association in different sensory modalities, it is not yet clear whether these groups occupy the PMd to the same or different extent. Therefore, we performed a functional magnetic resonance imaging study to compare activated regions in the PMd during simple reaction-time tasks with visual and auditory cues. Eight normal volunteers performed two simple reaction time tasks with a conventional on–off design; one is with a visual cue and the other is with an auditory cue. In both tasks, two regions in the left primary motor area (M1) (4a and 4p) and the bilateral PMd were activated. The two activated regions in the left M1 occupied the same areas in both the visual and the auditory tasks. However, in the PMd, the activated regions were situate medially during the visual task and laterally during the auditory task, along the precentral sulci. There was no overlap of significantly activated regions between two tasks, and areas specifically activated during the visual task were observed in the middle of the precentral sulci, bilaterally. The results suggest that the distribution of PMd subregions involved in sensorimotor association differ when the sensory cues are in different modalities.

During tissue morphogenesis and tumor invasion, epithelial cells must undergo intercellular rearrangement in which cells are repositioned with respect to one another and the surrounding mesenchymal extracellular matrix. Using three-dimensional aggregates of squamous epithelial cells, we show that such intercellular rearrangements can be triggered by activation of beta1 integrins after their ligation with extracellular matrices. On nonadherent substrates, multicellular aggregates (MCAs) formed rapidly via E-cadherin junctional complexes and over time became compacted spheroids exhibiting a more epithelial phenotype. After MCAs were replated on culture substrates, the spheroids collapsed to yield tightly arranged cell monolayers. Cell-cell contact induced rapid elevation in E-cadherin levels, which was due to an increase in the metabolic stability of junctional receptors. During MCA remodeling of cell-cell adhesions, and monolayer formation, their E-cadherin levels fell rapidly. Similar behavior was obtained regardless of which ECM ligand-collagen type I, fibronectin, or laminin 1-MCAs were seeded on. In contrast, when seeded onto a matrix elaborated by squamous epithelial cells, cells in the MCA attached, spread, lost cell-cell junctions, and dispersed. Analysis identified laminin 5 as the active ECM ligand in this matrix, and MCA dispersion required functional beta1 integrin and specifically alpha3beta1. Furthermore, substrate-immobilized anti-integrin antibody effectively reproduced the epithelial-mesenchymal-like transition induced by the laminin 5 matrix. During the early stages of aggregate rearrangement and collapse, cells on laminin 5 substrates, but not those on collagen I substrates, exhibited intense cortical arrays of F-actin, microspikes, and fascin accumulation at their peripheral surfaces. These results suggest that engagement of specific integrin-ligand pairs regulates cadherin junctional adhesions during events common to epithelial morphogenesis and tumor invasion.

We studied the effects of horizontal smooth pursuit on the ocular tracking responses to brief perturbations of a textured background in humans. When the subject was fixating a stationary spot, a brief perturbation (60°/s, 40 ms) of the background in any one of four directions (right, left, up, down) elicited a small tracking response. When the subject was pursuing a target moving against the stationary background, the same background perturbation elicited a larger response when in the same direction as the pursuit, but a smaller response when its direction was opposite to the pursuit; the response to vertical background perturbations was also enhanced during pursuit. When the subject was pursuing while the target and background were moving together, the same background perturbations elicited the larger responses regardless of their direction. These results indicate that the sensitivity to background motion is increased during smooth pursuit. However, when pursuit is executed against a stationary background – the usual situation in everyday life – the system is selectively insensitive to the reafferent visual input associated with pursuit, thereby reducing the potentially adverse effect of the background on pursuit performance.

Transport critical current density J c J is investigated as a function of the external magnetic field perpendicular to a sample surface, and the trapped magnetic field and magnetisation in a remanent state after a removal of external field are also investigated at 77 K on screen-printed Ag-Bi2223 composite tape. The hysteresis behaviour in J c J between increasing and decreasing fields is observed in a zero-field-cooled sample and explained by the influence of trapped magnetic flux in the grains on intergranular (transport) current. Such hysteresis in J c J causes decreases in the trapped field and in magnetisation with increasing B ex ∗ , defined as the maximum field in a field loop for measuring J c J values. The experimental results give the full flux penetration field B p for the grains to be nearly equal to 9 mT. The use of a critical state model and the value of B p =9 mT results in the intragranular critical current density J c G being ∼5000 A/mm 2 , which is about 50 times higher than the transport current density (∼85 A/mm 2 at 77 K and self-field) of the sample. The study shows that strong pinning in the grains does not lead to a high transport critical current density unless further improvement for grain connectivity is made.

The properties of natural human interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) molecules dissolved in protein-denaturing and non-denaturing solvents were examined by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography on a gel permeation column. IFN-gamma and tritium-labeled IFN-gamma molecules formed either dimers (90.5%) with the molecular mass of 60 kDa or probably tetramers (9.5%) with the molecular mass of approximately 100 kDa in non-denaturing solvents, and no monomer was detected. These oligomers were dissociated in protein-denaturing solvents such as 6 M guanidine hydrochloride, and IFN-gamma existed as monomers. There is no effect on formation of the monomer based on the dissociation of oligomers by acid treatment at pH 4.0. The monomers in protein-denaturing solvents formed dimers by association when applied to a column equilibrated with a non-denaturing solvent of phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. In conclusion, natural human IFN-gamma forms oligomers, particularly dimers, in non-denaturing solution, and this oligomer formation is a reversible reaction.

Offshore structures, when provided with large deck areas, may be utilized for new purposes other than the conventional oil and gas exploration works. They may be used as airports, power stations, waste treatment plants, etc. Since these structures have very heavy dead loads, reaction forces on the base foundation become severe and necessitate very firm foundation system. If the reaction forces can be reduced by some method, the concept of large offshore structures may become popular. This paper investigates the dynamic response and reliability analysis of such a structure under the action of sea waves, currents and earthquakes. The severe reaction forces on the foundation system have been reduced by adopting large-diameter members of buoyancy-type near the sea bottom. The equation of motion of the structure is obtained by the substructure method. The response analysis is carried out using frequency-domain random-vibration approach. Sensitivity studies are performed to study the effects of parametric uncertainties on the response values. The long-term behavior of the offshore structure is examined with first-passage probabilities of level crossing of extreme responses and reliability indices.

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine whether there were any differences in responses to patients with suicidal ideation among specialties in general hospitals. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in 2007. The subjects of the study were chief physicians at 75 emergency departments, 69 internal medicine departments and 154 psychiatry departments in 161 general hospitals with psychiatric beds in Japan. Results The physicians in internal and emergency medicine reported making arrangements for needed counseling services and recommending to patients that they talk to the people around them, whereas those in psychiatric departments reported asking patients to promise not to commit suicide (no-suicide contract) and making a next appointment for them. Conclusions Internists and emergency physicians are likely to take different approaches when responding to patients with suicidal ideation than psychiatrists.

In this study, the lattice distortion in the NiZnCu ferrite co-fired with silver (Ag) was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using the synchrotron radiation source. The simplified multilayer chip inductor (MLCI) with ∼1.3 mm of width, ∼1.98 mm of length and ∼0.54 mm of height was fabricated by a conventional multilayering technique. Synchrotron experiments were carried out at BL10XU beam line in the SPring-8. It was found that the lattice constant of the ferrite varied depending on place and the value closer to the sample centre (closer to the internal Ag conductor) was larger than one from the edge. The ferrite co-fired at higher temperature also shows larger lattice constant than one at lower temperature. This result is an evidence to show that the lattice of the ferrite has been distorted through the co-firing with Ag and it is enhanced by the higher sintering temperature.

The looming associated with forward and backward motion of the observer has been shown to elicit vergence eye movements with short-latency (approximately 80 ms) in human subjects. We studied the vergence eye movements elicited by looming in three monkeys (Macaca fuscata). The animals faced a large tangent screen onto which a random dot pattern was back-projected. The movements of both eyes were recorded with an electromagnetic induction technique. Fifty milliseconds after a centering saccade, this first pattern was replaced with a new one that showed the same image viewed from a slightly different distance. This looming step (two-frame movie) included both radial optic flow and a size change. As expected from the optical geometry, centrifugal flow coupled with enlargement (signaling forward motion) increased the vergence angle, whereas the converse combination decreased the vergence angle. In both cases, the optimal step-change in apparent viewing distance was 2%. The latency of these vergence responses was very short and similar to those induced when disparity steps are applied to such large patterns (approximately 60 ms). We suggest that these two systems act in synergy to help maintain binocular alignment during forward and backward motion of the observer.

Using a scanning Hall sensor magnetometry with an active area 50 μm×50 μm, we investigate the self-field distribution at 77 K due to DC transport currents subjected to the programmed current sequence in zero external field on the surfaces of Ag-sheathed (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox monofilamentary and multifilamentary tapes. We derive the field slope from the measured magnetic profile and relate it to the current distribution in the superconductor. The results for the monofilamentary tape are well explained by the Bean model on the assumption of an elliptical superconductor core, which claims that the current distribution is assigned to Jc, −Jc and/or 0 in the superconductor and the border of the current distribution forms concentric ellipsoids with the same aspect ratio of the sample. There is a resemblance in the self-field distribution and accordingly the current distribution between the monofilamentary tape and the multifilamentary tape. The multifilaments behave as a solid superconductor under DC transport currents so that the current distribution cannot be equalized in the filaments.

A quantitative analysis of simple spike activity of Purkinje cells (P-cells) in the cerebellum of awake monkeys suggested their possible contribution in motor control. Simple spike activities of ventral parafloccular P-cells were recorded during short-latency ocular following responses. The relationship between the firing frequency of these P-cells and the simultaneously recorded eye movements during ocular following was analyzed by using a linear time-series regression method. The result suggests that ventral parafloccular P-cells contribute to the dynamic (velocity and acceleration) rather than the static (position) control of eye movements.

Previous studies have indicated that corticostriatal glutamatergic pathways are implicated in the regulation of neuroleptic catalepsy. To obtain a better understanding of the way in which dopamine (DA) and glutamate interact within the caudate-putamen (CP) in the development of catalepsy, we investigated the regional distribution within the rat CP of the cataleptogenic effect of haloperidol and its antagonism by D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D(-)AP5), a selective antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor subtype. Bilateral injections of haloperidol (3 micrograms/side) into the rostral ventromedial (VM) CP induced potent catalepsy with a short latency after the injection. In contrast, only a weak cataleptic response, of slower onset, was observed after haloperidol injections into the rostral ventrolateral (VL), rostral dorsomedial (DM), or rostral dorsolateral (DL) CP, or into the nucleus accumbens. D(-)AP5 (5 micrograms/side) injected bilaterally into the dorsorostral CP (DM and DL) strongly inhibited the catalepsy induced by systemic haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and this effect lasted longer when the drug was injected into the DM than when it was injected into the DL. D(-)AP5 did not affect haloperidol-induced catalepsy when injected into the ventrorostral (VM and VL) or intermediate dorsal CP. D(-)AP5 injected into the DM, the region most sensitive to the anticataleptic effect of the drug, had no effect on basal levels of DA and its metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, or on the modification of these levels by haloperidol in either the DM or VM. These findings suggest that, while the catalepsy resulting from DA receptor blockade by haloperidol originates mainly from the VM, the expression of this phenomenon depends on an intact glutamatergic transmission within the dorsorostral CP. In the development of neuroleptic catalepsy, the mesencephalostriatal DAergic and corticostriatal glutamatergic pathways seem to be functionally linked through an indirect, rather than a direct, interaction.

The carrier doping dependence of electronic structure is investigated by means of heat capacity and V NMR measurements in titanium and vanadium oxide compounds. The effective electron masses are enhanced near the metal-insulator transition boundary in Ca1−xYxVO3 and Sr1−xLaxTiO3, indicating a s ignificant increase in electron correlations with carrier filling. The hyperfine field of 51V is found to be 246 kOe in the magnetically ordered state of YVO3. The nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate of 51V in Ca1−xVYxO3 at least for x