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Highlights: [•] Mouth level exposure to smoke constituents was estimated using filter analysis. [•] Calibration curves for 41 out of 47 smoke constituents were generated. [•] 780 smokers were recruited in Japan to estimate MLE to selected smoke constituents. [•] Most of measured MLE were positively correlated with ISO Tar. [•] Most of measured MLE were negatively correlated with HCI yields per mg nicotine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report on a recent calculation of the properties of the DNN system, a charmed meson with two nucleons. The system is analogous to the $${{\bar {K}}NN}$$ system substituting a strange quark by a charm quark. Two different methods are used to evaluate the binding and width, the Fixed Center approximation to the Faddeev equations and a variational calculation. In both methods we find that the system is bound by about 200 MeV and the width is smaller than 40 MeV, a situation opposite to the one of the $${{\bar {K}}NN}$$ system and which makes this state well suited for experimental observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments of the Slow Positron Facility at the Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) are reported. We have modified the converter/moderator assembly for slow positron beam production, yielding an increase of an order of magnitude in the intensity of the beam. The first observation of the photodetachment of the positronium negative ion (Ps), and the installation of a reflection high-energy positron diffraction (RHEPD) station and the initial data obtained are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prototype of a $\bar K$ nuclear cluster, K-pp, has been investigated using effective $\bar KN$ potentials based on chiral SU(3) dynamics. Variational calculation shows a bound state solution with shallow binding energy B(K-pp) = 20 ± 3 MeV and broad mesonic decay width $\Gamma (\bar KNN\, \to \,\pi YN)\, = \,40 - 70\,{\rm{MeV}}$. The $\bar KN(I = \,0)$ pair in the K-pp system exhibits a similar structure as the Λ(1405). We have also estimated the dispersive correction, p-wave $\bar KN$ interaction, and two-nucleon absorption width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of polidocanol sclerotherapy in pain relief for painful venous malformations (VMs). Thirty-one patients with painful VMs underwent polidocanol sclerotherapy. Pain intensity was assessed with an 11-point verbal numerical rating scale. Sclerotherapy was technically successful in 58 (98.3%) of 59 sessions. Twenty-six (89.7%) out of 29 patients experienced an improvement in pain after sclerotherapy at follow-up, a mean of 46 months after treatment. The mean pain score improved from 6.6 + or - 2.5 before treatment to 2.4 + or - 2.9 after treatment (P <.001). The factors that significantly influenced the therapeutic effect were size of lesion (P = .008), margin of lesion (P = .006), and stasis of sclerosant (P = .032). Adverse events included hypotension and bradycardia during the procedure. No major complication occurred. Polidocanol sclerotherapy is safe and most efficacious in providing pain relief for patients with small VMs (equal to or less than 10 cm in diameter), VMs with a well-defined margin, and VMs with good stasis of sclerosant during sclerotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated small lung and pleural nodules and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, these findings were not conclusive for metastases. Whole-body fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and CT (FDG-PET/CT) performed 15 days after right nephrectomy showed intense FDG uptake in the aforementioned lesions (lung and pleural nodules, mediastinal lymph nodes). Unexpectedly, focal increased FDG uptake was found in the right infraspinatus muscle. FDG-PET/CT was considered useful for evaluating distant metastases and thus portending the aggressive nature of sarcomatoid RCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electromagnetic mean squared radii, and , of are calculated in the chiral unitary model. We describe the excited baryons as dynamically generated resonances in the octet meson and octet baryon scattering. We evaluate values of and for the on the resonance pole and obtain their complex values. We also consider obtained by neglecting decay channels. For the latter case, we obtain negative and larger absolute electric mean squared radius than that of typical ground state baryons. This implies that has structure that is widely spread around p. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The electric mean squared radii 〈r2〉E of Λ(1405) are calculated in the chiral unitary model. We describe the Λ(1405) as a dynamically generated resonance fully in the octet meson and octet baryon scattering. We also consider “Λ(1405)” as a bound state of $\bar{K}N$. For the later “Λ(1405),” we obtain negative and larger absolute value of electric mean squared radius than that of ordinary baryons, which implies that Λ(1405) have structure of widely spread K− around p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present paper reports preparation procedure and characterization of micrometer-sized polyethylene (PE)-based hybrid particles containing various amounts of Mg(OH)2 powder treated with different amounts of methylhydrogen polysiloxane (MHS). The PE-based hybrid particles were fabricated by an environmentally-friendly and aqueous solvent evaporation method by employing different kinds of surfactants. The shape, microstructure and other properties of the resultant PE-based hybrid particles were dependent markedly on the changes in composition of raw materials, especially for the amount of MHS used for the treatment of Mg(OH)2 and the kind of surfactant. The particles fabricated by using 1wt% MHS-treated Mg(OH)2 (ST-1) powder and polyoxyethylene (10) octylphenyl ether (Triton X-100) as a surfactant showed spherical shape and their primary particle sizes were about 4–10μm, irrespective of the additive amount of ST-1 powder. These particles showed superior properties in terms of the actual content of MHS-treated Mg(OH)2 powder incorporated inside the hybrid particles, particle size distribution and particle shape, in comparison with other particles fabricated by using 5wt% MHS-treated Mg(OH)2 (ST-5) powder and polyoxyethylene (8) octylphenyl ether (Triton X-114) as a surfactant. This is due to good affinity (average contact angle was 19.4°) between the ST-1 powder and the aqueous phase, i.e. a continuous phase, dissolving Triton X-100. Furthermore, a composite fabricated by employing these PE-based hybrid particles showed uniform and homogeneous distribution of ST-1 powder in the PE matrix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to predict mainstream smoke constituent yields for conventional filter cigarette brands on sale in Japan between 2004 and 2005. Mainstream smoke was generated under ISO machine smoking conditions. Developed functional relationships indicate the validity of benchmarking even for a market which is characterized by a diversity of tobacco blend types. Smoke yields were in general well predicted by linear regression with “tar” (R 2 ⩾0.7). Blend-type-sensitive analytes like tobacco-specific nitrosamines showed improved prediction relationships after blend stratification or regressing against nitric oxide (NO, R 2 >0.7). Relationships calculated from 83 exploratory brands were validated with a subset of 23 validation brands. Seventy-five to one-hundred percent of the validation brand yields were inside the 95% prediction intervals. The mean-relative prediction error over all analytes was 24% after stratification. Smoke constituents yields analyzed in 2002 from 96 Japanese market products were well predicted and indicate the model validity over time. Similar relationships were observed when comparing American blended filter cigarette yields from Japan and worldwide markets. Consistent with reported results from previous benchmark studies and market surveys mainstream smoke constituent yields are well predictable when “tar” (and NO) yields are known. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The photo-induced K* vector meson production is investigated for the study of the Λ(1405) resonance. This reaction is particularly suited to the isolation of the second pole in the Λ(1405) region which couples dominantly to the &Kmacr;N channel. We obtain the mass distribution of the Λ(1405) which peaks at 1420 MeV, and differs from the nominal one. Combined with several other reactions, like the π-p→K0πΣ which favours the first pole, this detailed study will reveal a novel structure of the Λ(1405) state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We study the K+p→π+K+n reaction with some kinematics suited to the production of the Θ+ resonance recently observed. We show that, independently of the quantum numbers of the Θ+, a resonance signal is always observed in the K+ forward direction. In addition, we also show how a combined consideration of the strength at the peak, and the angular dependence of polarization observables can help determine the Θ+ quantum numbers using the present reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of heat treatment on silica aerogel has been studied by a positron age–momentum correlation technique and infrared measurement. A difference was observed between the momentum distributions of the electrons on the first layers of the silica aerogel grain surfaces and the electrons in the grains in an as-supplied sample, but not in the sample heat treated at 800 °C. A large change in the S parameter for the momentum distribution of the electrons on the first layer occurs around 200 °C. This change correlates well with that of the infrared spectra, which show oxidation of the methoxyl groups at temperatures above around 200 °C. This correlation reveals that those groups are mainly located on the first layer of the silica grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core/shell microspheres of polymethylmethacrylate coated with Al2O3 or a mixture of Al2O3 and SiO2 nanoparticles have been successfully prepared by a mechanofusion system. The microspheres were then subjected to removal of PMMA by firing in air, followed by sintering at 1600°C for 3 h. The shell structure was destroyed after the sintering when the shell layer consisted of only Al2O3. The addition of SiO2 was found to be effective for maintaining the original shell structure, while the shell size expanded slightly and a hole was formed in each hollow microsphere during the removal process of PMMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palliative duodenal stenting was attempted in three patients with severe duodenal stenosis due to tumor invasion. Two methods were applied for duodenal stenting: the conventional method, which inserts the Ultraflex (stent for esophageal stenosis) along the guidewire under fluoroscopy, and a new method that uses a snare and an endoscope to guide the esophageal stent. The conventional method is often unsuccessful, because the delivery tube is too short, but the latter method appears to be a safe and effective duodenal stenting technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]