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Examines manufacturing firms' restructuring behavior in the Asia-Pacific Basin and focuses on Japanese multinational enterprises (MNE) and the intrafirm division of labor between the Japanese parents and their Asian affiliates. Pattern of restructuring behavior; Time lag in the production transfer; Gaps in the stages of economic development.

Shows how the genetic variance of a quantitative trait changes in a self-fertilizing population under repeated cycles of truncation selection. Genetic variance; Change in linkage disequilibrium; Numerical examples.

The field-induced superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) in two-dimensional (2D) systems is a famous example of a quantum phase transition. However, an emergence of an anomalous metallic state induced by field has been a long-standing problem in 2D superconductors. While theories predicted that the emergence is attributed to strong phase fluctuations of the superconducting order parameter due to quantum fluctuations, usual resistance measurements have not probed them directly. Here, using Nernst effect measurements, we uncover superconducting fluctuations in the vicinity of the field-induced metallic state in an amorphous MoxGe1-x thin film. The field range where the vortex Nernst signals are detectable remains nonzero toward zero temperature, and it locates inside the metallic state defined by the magnetoresistance, indicating that the metallic state results from quantum vortex liquid (QVL) with phase fluctuations due to quantum fluctuations. Slow decay of transport entropy of vortices in the QVL with decreasing temperature suggests that the metallic state originates from broadening of a quantum critical point in SIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. Acquired factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency due to an autoantibody against FXIII is a very rare, yet potentially life-threatening bleeding disorder. As the standard coagulation tests (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time) are normal, the specialized tests are required to make an accurate diagnosis. Here, we report a case of acquired FXIII deficiency with severe bleeding symptoms. A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of severe bleeding tendency after a tooth extraction. Laboratory findings showed that routine coagulation studies were normal, but factor XIII (FXIII) activity was low (3%). The presence of FXIII inhibitor was detected with dot blotting studies. Although the bleeding tendency was very severe, it was successfully controlled by infusion of FXIII concentrates combined with immunosuppressive treatment (oral prednisolone). Fibrin cross-linking study showed the significant delay of the γ-chain dimer and α-chain polymer formation. Western blotting revealed the marked decrease in FXIII-A level. The mixing study of FXIII activity measured using amine-incorporation assay showed the incomplete inhibition pattern. There seems to be little agreement as to the treatment strategy of acquired FXIII deficiency. In this patient, the use of FXIII concentrates was very useful in the initial treatment of bleeding symptom. The use of steroids was also effective in increasing FXIII activity without any serious complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To clarify the relationship between lipid levels and ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in diabetic individuals.Research Design and Methods: The Japan Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus Study is a prospective cohort study of 4,014 type 2 diabetic patients (1,936 women; mean +/- SD age 67.4 +/- 9.5 years). Lipid and glucose levels and other factors were investigated in relation to occurrence of IHD or CVD.Results: IHD and CVD occurred in 1.59 and 1.43% of participants, respectively, over a 2-year period. The relation of lower HDL or higher LDL cholesterol to occurrence of IHD in subjects <65 years old was significant. Lower HDL cholesterol was also significantly related to CVD in subjects >or=65 years old and especially in those >75 years old (n = 1,016; odds ratio 0.511 [95% CI 0.239-0.918]; P < 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression analysis with onset of CVD as a dependent variable showed the same result.Conclusions: Lower HDL cholesterol is an important risk factor for not only IHD but also CVD, especially in diabetic elderly individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neutron transport calculations have been carried out to assess the capability of zirconium borohydride (Zr(BH4)4) and zirconium hydride (ZrH2) as advanced shield materials, because excellent shields can be used to protect outer structural materials from serious activation. The neutron shielding capability of Zr(BH4)4 is lower than ZrH2, even though the hydrogen density of Zr(BH4)4 is slightly higher than that of ZrH2. High-Z atoms are effective in neutron shielding as well as hydrogen atoms. The combination of steel and Zr(BH4)4 can improve the neutron shielding capability. The combinations of (Zr(BH4)4 +F82H) and (ZrH2 +F82H) can reduce the thickness of the shield by 6.5% and 19% compared to (water+F82H), respectively. The neutron flux for Zr(BH4)4 is drastically reduced in the range of neutron energy below 100eV compared to other materials, due to the effect of boron, which can lead to a reduction of radwaste from fusion reactors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: We prospectively assessed whether the combined measurements of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and A1C were effective for predicting type 2 diabetes.Research Design and Methods: Study participants included 6,736 nondiabetic Japanese men aged 40-55 years. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed in those who had an FPG >or=126 mg/dl or who were being treated with an oral antidiabetic agent or insulin. The models including FPG, A1C, and both were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves.Results: During the 4-year follow-up period, we confirmed 659 diabetes cases. In multivariate analysis, both FPG and A1C were independently associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. The model including both FPG and A1C had a greater AUROC curve than that including FPG alone (0.853 vs. 0.818; P < 0.001) or A1C alone (0.853 vs. 0.771; P < 0.001).Conclusions: The combined measurement of FPG and A1C was effective for predicting type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method to make Pt nanometer-spaced electrodes that are free of metallic particles and stable at ambient conditions. The nanogaps are fabricated using feedback-controlled electromigration to form few-atom contacts. When performing this procedure at elevated temperatures (>420 K), the Pt contacts undergo self-breaking so that nanometer separated electrode pairs are formed. Once cooled down to lower temperatures, the nanogaps stabilize and can be characterized in detail. We find that current-voltage characteristics can be well fitted to a Simmons model for tunneling and gap-size fluctuations at room temperature determined from these fits stay within 0.6 Å for at least 50 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Because skeletal muscle is one of the target tissues for insulin, skeletal muscle mass might be associated with type 2 diabetes. Serum creatinine is a possible surrogate marker of skeletal muscle mass. The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum creatinine level is associated with type 2 diabetes.Research Design and Methods: The study participants were nondiabetic Japanese men (n = 8,570) aged 40-55 years at entry. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed if fasting plasma glucose was >or=126 mg/dl or if participants were taking oral hypoglycemic medication or insulin.Results: During the 4-year follow-up period, 877 men developed type 2 diabetes. Lower serum creatinine was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The multiple-adjusted odds ratio for those who had serum creatinine levels between 0.40 and 0.60 mg/dl was 1.91 (95% CI 1.44-2.54) compared with those who had levels between 0.71 and 0.80 mg/dl.Conclusions: Lower serum creatinine increased the risk of type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In renal transplantation, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is related to production of reactive oxygen species. In addition to its antihypertensive action due to nonselective beta-adrenergic blocking activity, carvedilol has potent antioxidant activity. This study was designed to investigate the effects of carvedilol on I/R injury in rats. On postoperative days 2 and 4, serum creatinine levels were higher among the control and the metoprolol treatment groups compared with the carvedilol treatment group (P < .005). However, there were no significant differences on postoperative day 7. In conclusion, increased antioxidant modulation by carvedilol attenuated renal I/R injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Here, we report a drastically improved anticorrosive characteristic of magnesium alloy composites with the introduction of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Highly depressed corrosion of nanotube-filled magnesium composite in salt water is due to the formation of stable oxide films along the grain boundaries of magnesium. Our results indicate that carbon nanotube acted as effective multifunctional filler to improve both mechanical and anticorrosive performances of magnesium alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the assignment of genes from human chromosome 18 to the porcine. The article discusses several aspects involved in the research including the selection of gene, radiation hybrid mapping and chromosome assignments. The analysis of assignment of genes to porcine using carthagene is also discussed.

A high-repetition and high-energy transversely excited atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for a collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostic has been developed to establish a diagnostic method of confined α particles in burning plasmas. To excite a single-transverse and single-longitudinal mode, a continuous wave seed laser was injected to an unstable resonator with a cavity length of ∼4.4 m. Pulse energy of 10 J with a repetition rate of 10 Hz has been achieved in the single-mode operation. Pulse energies of 18 J with a repetition rate of 10 Hz and 36 J with single shot operation have also been achieved in the multimode operation. These results give a prospect for the CTS diagnostic on International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which requires single-mode energy of 20 J with repetition rate of 40 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the DNA sequences of the coding regions, single nucleotide polymorphism and chromosomal assignments of porcine coat color-related genes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for SNP discovery on the reference DNA panel were designed from BAC sequences. Nucleotide polymorphism were detected by aligning reverse-PCR sequences from each sample of several breeds.

Background Delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is not well controlled in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with oxaliplatin (L-OHP)-based chemotherapy. Whether adding a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist to a first-generation 5HT3 antagonist (1st-5HT3RA) and dexamethasone (DEX) is beneficial in patients on L-OHP-based chemotherapy is controversial. It is unclear whether palonosetron (PALO) or aprepitant (APR) is more effective in controlling delayed CINV. We, therefore, investigated whether PALO+DEX (PALO group) or 1st-5HT3RA+DEX+APR (APR group) was more effective in controlling delayed CINV, as well as risk factors for delayed CINV, in patients with CRC treated with L-OHP-based chemotherapy. Methods We pooled data from two prospective observational studies in Japan and one phase III clinical trial and compared the incidence of CINV between the PALO and APR groups using propensity score-matched analysis. Risk factors for CINV were identified using logistic regression models. Results Among the 404 eligible patients, those in the PALO group showed a higher incidence of delayed CINV than those in the APR group (nausea: 43.4% vs. 32.4%, P = 0.061; vomiting: 12.5% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.017). The logistic regression analysis identified alcohol consumption, motion sickness, and PALO+DEX regimen as independent risk factors for delayed nausea, and female sex and PALO+DEX regimen as those for delayed vomiting. Conclusions Treatment with the three antiemetics, including APR, was more effective in controlling delayed CINV than prophylactic treatment with the two antiemetics, including PALO. Thus, patients with CRC receiving L-OHP-based chemotherapy should be treated with three antiemetics, including APR. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nrf2 is a transcription factor associated with cancer growth and chemotherapy resistance. Nrf2 expression levels may be associated with prognosis of lung cancer, but previous results have been inconsistent. Methods The expression of Nrf2 in 1037 surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Nrf2 positivity was defined based on the intensity of stained nucleus of tumor cells on the tissue microarray: negative, weakly positive and strongly positive. The correlations between the Nrf2 expression and the prognosis, clinicopathological features and driver oncogene alterations were analyzed. Results The Nrf2 expression was negative in 236 (23%) of 1037 tumors, weakly positive in 444 (43%) and strongly positive in 357 (34%). The proportion of Nrf2-positive tumors was significantly higher in patients with pathological stage I (81%), tumors with EGFR mutations (87%) or KRAS mutations (87%), tumors without ALK fusions (78%) or ROS1 fusions (78%). The Nrf2 expression was not associated with the age, gender and smoking status. In multivariate analysis (Logistic regression model), pathological stage I, positive EGFR or KRAS mutation status were significant predictors of Nrf2 positivity. The increased expression of Nrf2 was associated with longer overall survival regardless of driver oncogene status. In multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazards model), advanced age, male gender, advanced pathological stage and negative EGFR mutation status were significant unfavorable prognostic factors. Conclusions LADs that positively express Nrf2 have unique clinicopathological features. The increased expression of Nrf2 is a favorable prognostic marker in surgically resected LAD. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding AMED. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfission chambers, which are pencil sized ionization chamber containing fissile material inside, will be installed in the vacuum vessel as neutron monitors for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). We have performed first measurements of the detector installed between the vacuum vessel and toroidal coils on JT-60U. The technical validity as a neutron monitor, such as magnetic field effect and electromagnetic noises from the plasma and heating devices, has been investigated. The detector had an excellent linearity with a 235U fission chamber as a neutron monitor on JT-60U with the standard deviation of 3% except for some noise signals. The electromagnetic noises were caused by neutral beam injection (NBI) breakdowns, probably due to long wiring between the detector and the preamplifier. In case of plasma disruption, improper signals have not been observed. The magnetic field effect also has not been observed up to 2 T. In JT-60U, we confirmed availability of the micro fission chamber as a neutron monitor over three decades of neutron source strength up to 1.3×1016 neutrons/s with 1 ms temporal resolution. The biggest weakness in the detector was its noise sensitivity to NBI breakdowns. Therefore, by suppressing the electromagnetic noise, microfission chambers can be available as neutron monitors for ITER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-electron tunneling through a quantum dot is detected by means of a radio-frequency single-electron transistor. Poisson statistics of single-electron tunneling events are observed from frequency domain measurements, and individual tunneling events are detected in the time-domain measurements. Counting tunneling events gives an accurate current measurement in the saturated current regime, where electrons tunnel into the dot only from one electrode and tunnel out of the dot only to the other electrode. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic thin films were sputter-deposited onto glass substrates in an N2/CF4 mixture discharge gas using a polyimide (Kapton) target. FTIR observation showed that the thin films contained imide bases. The compositions of the films determined by XPS depended on CF4 concentration in the gas and F included films were obtained. The surface energy of the thin films measured by the contact angle method ranged between 17 and 64 mJ/m2. The dielectric constant of the thin films at 1 MHz was measured and the lowest dielectric constant &epsiv; was approximately 2.0. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Field emission transmission electron microscopy has revealed the presence of atomic filaments extending from the open edge of a graphite cage formed in a glow-discharge plasma. The filaments are vapor grown, presenting complicated deformations such as curling, waving, and looping in the free space. The filaments correspond well to one carbon atom in diameter, strongly indicating that they are linear chains of carbon atoms, the presence of which was earlier suggested by Smalley et al. [Science 269, 1550 (1995)]. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demonstrates a chimeric gene transcripts in the bone marrow cells in a patient with isolated granulocytic sarcoma (GS). Composition of the extramedullary tumor of immature GS; Demonstration of several karyotype abnormalities in GS patients; Immunohistochemical features of the obtained specimen of th patient under study.

Examines the deposition of cobalt-platinum-carbon (CoPt-C) thin films with chemical composition of Co[sub 50]Pt[sub 15]C[sub 35]. Range of grain sizes in magnetic thin films; Comparison of the coercivity between Co-C and CoPt-C thin films on coercivity; Application of Co-C based materials for magnetic recording media.

Investigates the growth of III-V based magnetic(gallium manganese arsenide)/nonmagnetic(aluminum arsenide) semiconductor superlattices (SL) by low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy. Characterization of the SL; Evidence of quantum confinement effect; Formation of the subbands in the SL.

Presents information on a study which reports on the effects of Pt addition on the magnetic and microstructural properties of cobalt-carbon thin films. Experimental procedure of the study; Results of the study; Conclusions.

Examines the transient absorbance of doped poly(methyl methacrylate) with pyrene or biphenyl polymers. Calculation of excitation wavelength at laser ablation conditions; Changes in absorbance due to transient species and scattering by ablated fragments; Number of photons absorbed in doped polymer films.

Observes the phase transmission of C70 crystal by transmission electron microscopy at low temperature. Index of the spots appearing in the electron diffraction (ED); Measurement of the lattice constant a; Estimation of the ED of the low-temperature phase; Detection of an intermediate state in the temperature range.

The article offers information on the establishment of cell panel for detecting antibodies against human platelet antigen (HPA) 2b located on Glycoprotein Ib (CD42). Topics include immune thrombocytopenia caused due to alloantibodies against HPA such as fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia; detecting platelet antibodies using human leukocyte antigen; and association of functional antibodies with thrombosis or haemostatic defect.

Aim To evaluate the image quality of bone–vessel fused volume-rendering (VR) images reconstructed by three-dimensional "black bone" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on the fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition cycled phases (FIESTA-C) sequence and time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA). Materials and methods Seventeen patients were analysed in this retrospective study. All patients underwent both MRI techniques including FIESTA-C and TOF-MRA and computed tomography angiography (CTA). MRI- and CT-based bone–vessel VR images were reconstructed. Visual depictions of frontal and parietal branches from the superficial temporal artery (STA) were independently scored by three experienced radiological technologists using a four-grade system. Results In the visual evaluation, the scores of the both right and left frontal branches in MRI-based VR image were significantly larger those at CT (p <0.01, respectively). The scores of both the right and left parietal branches tended to be larger in MRI-based than that in CT-based VR imaging, but were not significantly so (p =0.06, 0.13 respectively). In the interobserver agreement analysis, κ values were all good (range: 0.6–0.76) for STA branch evaluation in MRI-based VR images. Conclusion MRI bone–vessel fused VR imaging can non-invasively depict STA frontal branches with better visibility compared to the CT-based VR imaging. This technique may be useful for the preoperative evaluation of donor branches for STA–middle cerebral artery bypass surgery. Highlights • Completely non-invasive bone-vessel fused image can be obtained using black-bone MRI. • Clearer visualization of STA was achieved by black-bone MRI based image than CTA. • Bone-vessel fused image by Black-bone MRI can replace CTA in preoperative planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the image quality of bone-vessel fused volume-rendering (VR) images reconstructed by three-dimensional "black bone" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on the fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition cycled phases (FIESTA-C) sequence and time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA).Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients were analysed in this retrospective study. All patients underwent both MRI techniques including FIESTA-C and TOF-MRA and computed tomography angiography (CTA). MRI- and CT-based bone-vessel VR images were reconstructed. Visual depictions of frontal and parietal branches from the superficial temporal artery (STA) were independently scored by three experienced radiological technologists using a four-grade system.Results: In the visual evaluation, the scores of the both right and left frontal branches in MRI-based VR image were significantly larger those at CT (p<0.01, respectively). The scores of both the right and left parietal branches tended to be larger in MRI-based than that in CT-based VR imaging, but were not significantly so (p=0.06, 0.13 respectively). In the interobserver agreement analysis, κ values were all good (range: 0.6-0.76) for STA branch evaluation in MRI-based VR images.Conclusion: MRI bone-vessel fused VR imaging can non-invasively depict STA frontal branches with better visibility compared to the CT-based VR imaging. This technique may be useful for the preoperative evaluation of donor branches for STA-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As shown here, decoy cells in urine are not specific for BK polyoma virus and can be found in other urinary viral infections. Immunostaining, electron microscopy and molecular studies are advised when decoy cells are seen, to clarify the infective agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]