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Routine exercise has been established as an effective way to improve overall health. The value of exercise has been established in many diseases, however, there are no studies investigating the impact of exercise for individuals with primary immunodeficiency disease (PID). The purpose of this study was to investigate exercise perceptions and behaviors in individuals diagnosed with PID. An online survey was distributed over a four-week period. Of the 264 responses collected, most were females, 45–54 years old. Respondents reported a measurable loss of function impairing their daily activities due to loss of mobility/physical activity (41.32%), or loss of lung/pulmonary function (40.08%,). They felt exercise decreased stress level and improved their mental well-being (46.25%). Some indicated they participate in exercise (33.20%), while 36.84% had not participated in exercise for at least 1 year. Exercise was limited primarily due to fatigue (86.97%). Exercise is important for those with chronic medical conditions. Most individuals living with PID can participate in low/moderate physical activity, but struggle with vigorous physical activity, since fatigue is the greatest barrier. Respondents view exercise as beneficial, and would like to increase participation in an exercise program.

Although 53BP1 has been established well as a mediator in DNA damage response, its function in mitosis is not clearly understood. We found that 53BP1 is a mitotic-binding partner of the kinases Plk1 and AuroraA, and that the binding with Plk1 increases the stability of 53BP1 by accelerating its interaction with the deubiquitinase USP7. Depletion of 53BP1 induces mitotic defects such as chromosomal missegregation, misorientation of spindle poles and the generation of extra centrosomes, which is similar phenotype to USP7-knockdown cells. In addition, 53BP1 depletion reduces the levels of p53 and centromere protein F (CENPF), interacting proteins of 53BP1. These phenotypes induced by 53BP1 depletion were rescued by expression of wild-type or phosphomimic mutant 53BP1 but not by expression of a dephosphomimic mutant. We propose that phosphorylation of 53BP1 at S380 accelerates complex formation with USP7 and CENPF to regulate their stability, thus having a crucial role in proper centrosome positioning, chromosomal alignment, and centrosome number.

The objectives of this study were to survey elementary school students regarding the environmental conditions of their elementary schools and to assess the relationship between air pollution and allergic disease using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Therefore, this study was designed as a cross-sectional study. In this study, seven elementary schools were selected and they were classified into three categories. The selection included one school with no traffic-related or other pollutants, three with traffic-related pollutants, and three with traffic-related and other pollutants from industrial and filling station sources. The ISAAC questionnaire survey was given to all of the students except to those in the 1st grade who were presumed to be less likely to be exposed to the school environment than the remainder of the students attending those seven schools. The assessment of allergic disease was conducted on a total of 4,545 students. Three school zones with critical exposure were selected within each school and they were evaluated based on the levels of black carbon (BC), PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3. There was a significant increase in the risks based on the odds ratios of treatment experiences (within 1 year) for allergy-related diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (a) in the school group with traffic-related pollutants and the school group with complex pollutants were 2.12 (1.41-3.19) and 1.59 (1.06-2.37), respectively, in comparison to the school groups with no exposure to pollutants. This was determined based on the odds ratio of symptoms and treatment experiences for allergy-related diseases by group based on the home town zone as a reference. Also, in the case of atopic dermatitis, the odds ratio of treatment experiences (within 1 year) was 1.42 (1.02-1.97), which indicated elevated risks compared to the students in the S1 school. A regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the substances and the symptomatic experiences within the last year. There were significant increases in the odds ratio of the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis and the BC and SO2 in the complex pollution areas. The results of the assessment of the relationship between atopic dermatitis-associated symptoms and O3 showed that the odds ratio increased with statistical significance.

Cathelicidin is a pleiotropic host defense peptide secreted by epithelial and immune cells. Whether endogenous cathelicidin is protective against ulcerative colitis, however, is unclear. Here we sought to delineate the role of endogenous murine cathelicidin (mCRAMP) and the therapeutic efficacy of intrarectal administration of mCRAMP-encoding plasmid in ulcerative colitis using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-challenged cathelicidin-knockout (Cnlp(-/-)) mice as a model. Cnlp(-/-) mice had more severe symptoms and mucosal disruption than the wild-type mice in response to DSS challenge. The tissue levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, myeloperoxidase activity and the number of apoptotic cells were increased in the colon of DSS-challenged Cnlp(-/-) mice. Moreover, mucus secretion and mucin gene expression were impaired in Cnlp(-/-) mice. All these abnormalities were reversed by the intrarectal administration of mCRAMP or mCRAMP-encoding plasmid. Taken together, endogenous cathelicidin may protect against ulcerative colitis through modulation of inflammation and mucus secretion.

The acoustic level of a hard disk drive is an important specification. This is especially so for enterprise HDD which is required to operate under a high spinning speed. In order to reduce the acoustics level of a HDD, an in depth understanding behind the mechanisms whereby the noise is being generated in a HDD should be established. This paper will study the acoustics characteristics of a high speed permanent magnet brushless DC motor (PM BLDC) and investigate the physics underlying the generation of noise associated with a motor. An analysis procedure of the PM BLDC motor noise generating mechanisms is proposed. Through finite element analysis and experimental verification, the results indicate that the major noise source for the high speed PM BLDC motor is due to the presence of electromagnetic (EM) torque ripples. Furthermore, it has been observed that the noise radiated by a HDD can be amplified when its structural dynamics are close to the frequency components of the noise source. Finally, a methodology which discusses the steps involved in the prediction of motor radiated noise will be presented.

Survivin is a dual regulator of cell proliferation and cell viability overexpressed in most human tumors. Although strategies to lower survivin levels have been pursued for rational cancer therapy, the molecular circuitries controlling survivin expression in tumors have not been completely elucidated. Here, we show that stimulation with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) results in increased survivin expression in prostate cancer cells. This response is independent of de novo gene transcription, changes in mRNA expression or modifications of survivin protein stability. Instead, IGF-1 induced persistence and translation of a pool of survivin mRNA, in a reaction abolished by the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor, rapamycin. Forced expression of the mTOR target p70S6K1 reproduced the increase in survivin expression in prostate cancer cells, whereas acute ablation of endogenous p70S6K1 by small interfering RNA downregulated survivin levels. Rapamycin, alone or in combination with suboptimal concentrations of taxol reduced survivin protein levels, and decreased viability of prostate cancer cells. Therefore, IGF-1/mTOR signaling elevates survivin in prostate cancer cells via rapid changes in mRNA translation. Antagonists of this pathway may be beneficial to lower an antiapoptotic threshold maintained by survivin in prostate cancer.

Eutectic PbSn flip chip solder joint was subjected to 5×103 A/cm2 current stressing at 150°C and 3.5 × 104 A/cm2 current stressing at 30°C. The under bump metallurgy (UBM) on the chip was sputtered Ni/Cu, and the substrate side was a thick Cu trace. It was shown through in-situ observation that the local temperature near the entrance of electrons from the Al interconnect to the solder became higher than the rest of the joint. The accelerated local Ni UBM consumption near the entrance was also observed. Once the Ni was consumed at a location, a porous structure formed, and the flow of the electrons was blocked there. It was found that the formation of the void and the formation of the porous structure were competing with each other. If the porous structure formed first, then the void would not be able to nucleate there. On the other hand, if the void could nucleate before the UBM above lost its conductivity, then the joint would fail by the void formation-and-propagation mechanism.

The RET proto-oncogene encodes two major isoforms, RET9 and RET51, which differ at the carboxyl-terminal. Loss-of-function mutations in RET result in gut aganglionosis while gain of function mutations result in cancer syndromes. From studies on transgenic mice, RET9 is important for early development of the kidney and the enteric nervous system. Little is known about the function of RET isoforms in later life. Here we report the expression of RET isoforms and its signalling complex, GDNF and GFRalpha1, in foetal and adult human kidneys. We found their expression in both the developing and the adult renal collecting system. We further show that only RET51 but not RET9 could promote the survival and tubulogenesis of mIMCD3 (mouse inner medullary collecting duct) cells in collagen gel. Our results agree with the hypothesis that RET51 signalling is related to differentiation events in later kidney organogenesis. In addition, it may also have a function in the adult kidney. We further extend our study by showing increased RET and GDNF expression in collecting duct cysts of polycystic kidney patients. This suggests that GDNF/RET signalling may contribute to proliferation of the collecting duct epithelium in an autocrine/paracrine manner.

The concentrations and activity ratios of the radionuclides aroundthe nuclear facilities located in Taejon were determined. The concentrationsand activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the downstream decreased with increasingdistances from the point of discharge and reached the reference value after4 km. The concentrations of uranium isotopes in the brook around LWR fuelfabrication facilities were lower than those in the downstream around HWRand LWR fuel fabrication facilities, while the activity ratios of 234U/238U in the brook were higher than those in the downstream.The concentrations of uranium isotopes in the ground water measured quarterlywere variable depending on the sampling time. The concentrations of the grossalpha of airborne particulates collected around the nuclear facilities werefound to be in the narrow range of 0.02 to 0.10 mBq/m3 with a meanvalue of 0.05 mBq/m 3 . Both the concentrations and activity ratios of 137Cs, 239,240Pu and 90 Sr around the nuclearfacilities were not very different from the worldwide fallout. The concentrationsof uranium isotopes in the soil samples around the nuclear facilities werevery close to natural background levels.

An accurate and reliable analytical technique of uranium isotopes in highly contaminated soil samples was developed and applied to the IAEA reference samples. The conventional TBP method of uranium isotopes is insufficient to completely purify uranium from actinides such as plutonium and americium isotopes in highly contaminated soil samples. For overcoming the demerits of the conventional TBP extraction method, sample materials were decomposed with HNO3 and HF, and uranium isotopes were purified by TBP extraction and anion exchange columns and extraction chromatography. Among the purifying methods of uranium, with a TRU Spec resin column after TBP solvent extraction, uranium was completely separated from the radionuclides in a highly contaminated samples. With the modified TBP extraction method, it was found that the concentrations of uranium isotopes were consistent with the reference values reported by the IAEA.

The reaction of nitric oxide with ZSM-5 zeolite ion-exchanged by Co(II) (Co-ZSM-5) has been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. When dehydrated Co-ZSM-5 reacts at room temperature with nitric oxide, the ESR spectrum of Co(II) atg = 5.5, which is only observable below 45 K, is greatly reduced and a new59Co hyperfine octet forms at gavg = 2.11. The overall Co(II) ESR intensity decreases by about 50% which suggests formation of some diamagnetic cobalt complex. Mononitrosyl cobalt complexes such as Co(I)-NO+ or less probably Co(III)-(NO)− are suggested as possible precursors of a dintrosyl cobalt complex. The octet indicates hyperfine interaction with59Co and is associated with a cobalt dinitrosyl complex. FTIR bands at 1813 and 1896 cm−1 confirm a dinitrosyl species and a broad band from 1600–1800 cm−1 is tentatively interpreted as a mononitrosyl species. The visible spectrum for dehydrated Co-ZSM-5 shows a tetrahedral Co(II) band from 500–700 nm with three components which disappears after NO adsorption at room temperature. We suggest that Co(0)-(NO) 2 2+ forms after NO adsorption onto Co(II)-ZSM-5 zeolite on the basis of ESR and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.

The cumulative depositions of137Cs,90Sr and fallout Pu in the volcanic ash soil of Korea were determined. The average accumulated depositions of137Cs,90Sr and fallout Pu in the volcanic soil were much higher than those in other forest sites of Korea. From depth profiles, it was found that137Cs,90Sr and239,240Pu in the volcanic soil are more mobile than those in other forest sites of Korea, and that the downward movement of90Sr is faster than137Cs and239,240Pu. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of137Cs and those of90Sr and239,240Pu. The activity ratios of238Pu/239,240Pu and241Pu/239,240Pu in soils are close to those observed in the cumulative deposit from the global fallout of nuclear weapon testings.

This paper describes a parallel computing system and a software algorithm for real-time interaction between a human user and a synthesized, humanlike, moving image. The realistic humanlike agent on a monitor can recognize the palm position and finger motion (finger sign) of the user. She/he then tracks and gazes at the hand position to change her/his facial expression in response to the finger sign in real time. This visual software agent (VSA) is expected to play an important role in building an advanced human interface. We regard this type of interactive agent as avisual software robot. To achieve real-time image recognition and image synthesis, we have developed a parallel visual computer system the transputer network with visual interface to transputers (TN-VIT). The imagesynthesis speed of the TN-VIT is about 24 frames/s, including finger-sign recognition. Some samples of synthesized images and experimental results are shown.

The deconvolution process of X-ray photoemission spectra for O 1s and Ru 3d, X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry reveal that the RuOx films (x = 2.0 – 2.2) deposited at a O2 partial pressure less than 30% show (110)-oriented grains, whereas the RuOx films (x = 2.3 – 2.4) deposited at a 40–50% O2 partial pressure show amorphous and (101)-oriented grains due to the excess O interstitials and RuO3 or RuO4. These differences in the crystal phases of RuOx influence the crystal structure of BaTiO3 deposited on these RuOx bottom electrodes, resulting in a higher dielectric constant and a lower dissipation factor for tetragonal BaTiO3/RuOx (x = 2.1) than amorphous BaTiO3/RuOx (x = 2.4).

Successful hematopoietic cell transplantation in a child with sickle cell disease and systemic lupus erythematosus

Two theorems are given on the topology of geodesically complete space-times which satisfy the energy condition. Firstly, the condition that a compact embedded 3-manifold in space-time be dentless is defined in terms of causal structure. Then it is shown that a dentless 3-manifold must separate space-time, and that it must enclose a compact portion of space-time. Further, it is shown that if the dentless 3-manifold is homeomorphic toS3 then the part of space-time that it encloses must be simply connected.

This paper describes a method for obtaining ultrathin frozen sections of fixed and unfixed tissues using a slightly modified LKB Cryokit. With these modifications, the specimen temperature is maintained at −180°C, the knife is stabilized at −100°C and the temperature within the Cryokit chamber is regulated to −120°C.

TIPLER has given a new definition for a black hole1. These objects had previously been properly defined only in asymptotically flat spacetimes2, but it seems unlikely that our Universe is one of these. One of the well known properties of a black hole, proved in asymptotically flat spacetimes, is that its ‘surface area’ can never decrease. By means of this new definition Tipler has shown that this area theorem may well not be true in our Universe. However, Tipler's definition is complicated, and it is not obvious that it corresponds to our usual concept of a black hole. I show here that it is equivalent to a definition that is both simpler and more clearly a formalisation of what we mean by a black hole.