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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.--Full list of authors: Pingel, N. M.; Dempsey, J.; McClure-Griffiths, N. M.; Dickey, J. M.; Jameson, K. E.; Arce, H.; Anglada, G.; Bland-Hawthorn, J.; Breen, S. L.; Buckland-Willis, F.; Clark, S. E.; Dawson, J. R.; Denes, H.; Di Teodoro, E. M.; For, B-Q; Foster, Tyler J.; Gomez, J. F.; Imai, H.; Joncas, G.; Kim, C-G; Lee, M-Y; Lynn, C.; Leahy, D.; Ma, Y. K.; Marchal, A.; McConnell, D.; Miville-Deschenes, M-A; Moss, V. A.; Murray, C. E.; Nidever, D.; Peek, J.; Staveley-Smith, L.; Tepper-Garcia, T.; Tremblay, C. D.; Uscanga, L.; van Loon, J. Th; Vazquez-Semadeni, E.; Allison, J. R.; Anderson, C. S.; Ball, Lewis; Bell, M.; Bock, D. C-J; Bunton, J.; Cooray, F. R.; Cornwell, T.; Koribalski, B. S.; Gupta, N.; Hayman, D. B.; Harvey-Smith, L.; Lee-Waddell, K.; Ng, A.; Phillips, C. J.; Voronkov, M.; Westmeier, T.; Whiting, M. T.; Stanimirovic, S., We present the most sensitive and detailed view of the neutral hydrogen ( HI ) emission associated with the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), through the combination of data from the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and Parkes (Murriyang), as part of the Galactic Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (GASKAP) pilot survey. These GASKAP-HI pilot observations, for the first time, reveal HI in the SMC on similar physical scales as other important tracers of the interstellar medium, such as molecular gas and dust. The resultant image cube possesses an rms noise level of 1.1 K ( 1.6mJy beam−1 ) per 0.98km s−1 spectral channel with an angular resolution of 30′′ ( ∼10pc ). We discuss the calibration scheme and the custom imaging pipeline that utilises a joint deconvolution approach, efficiently distributed across a computing cluster, to accurately recover the emission extending across the entire ∼25deg2 field-of-view. We provide an overview of the data products and characterise several aspects including the noise properties as a function of angular resolution and the represented spatial scales by deriving the global transfer function over the full spectral range. A preliminary spatial power spectrum analysis on individual spectral channels reveals that the power law nature of the density distribution extends down to scales of 10 pc. We highlight the scientific potential of these data by comparing the properties of an outflowing high-velocity cloud with previous ASKAP+Parkes HI test observations. c The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Astronomical Society of Australia., The Australian SKA Pathfinder is part of the Australia Telescope National Facility which is managed by CSIRO. Operation of ASKAP is funded by the Australian Government with support from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy. ASKAP uses the resources of the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre. Establishment of ASKAP, the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory and the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre are initiatives of the Australian Government, with support from the Government of Western Australia and the Science and Industry Endowment Fund. We acknowledge the Wajarri Yamatji people as the traditional owners of the Observatory site. Pipeline development was tested on the OzSTAR supercomputer under the project code, oz145, which is available through Swinburne University’s Centre of Astrophysics and Supercomputing. This research was supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) through grant DP190101571. N.M.-G. acknowledges the support of the ARC through Future Fellowship FT150100024. G. A. and J. F. G. acknowledge support from the State Agency for Research (10.13039/501100011033) of the Spanish MCIU, through grants AYA2017-84390-C2-1-R and PID2020-114461GB-I00 (co-funded by FEDER) and the ‘Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa’ award for the Instituto de Astrofsica de Andaluca (SEV-2017-0709). C. E. M. is supported by an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship under award AST-1801471.

Gravitational Water Vortex Power (GWVP) plants are considered one of the most favourable micro-hydro extraction methods suitable for rural communities in mountain areas. Many researchers have focused on enhancing the performance of GWVP plants since it is less efficient than other commercial hydro turbines. This study mainly focuses on optimization of vortex turbine situated in conical vortex basin using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis. The basic turbine blade design was modified with inclination, height, vertical twist, and horizontal curvature. CFD results were analysed at each step concerning air-water interface, pressure, and velocity while identifying the relationship of flow behaviour with performance. A similar blade inclination with the conical basin enhanced performance, and the increasing of blade height also showed good performance. Vertical twist and horizontal curvature were investigated separately, and the horizontal curvature blade showed slightly better performance than the vertical twisted blade recording the highest efficiency as 40.4%.

Panax ginseng Meyer is one of the important medicinal plants in the world, particularly in Asian countries. Ginseng encounters many stress exposure during its long cultivation period. However, the molecular mechanism of stress resistance is still poorly understood in spite of its importance. In this study, pathogenesis-related protein 6 (PR6), also called proteinase inhibitor (PI), was isolated from ginseng embryogenic callus, named PgPR6. The small size of PR6, containing an open reading frame of 219 bp encoding 72 amino acids, the typical characteristic of PR6 protein, shares the highest sequence similarity to PR6 of Theobroma cacao (69% identity). Sequence and structural analysis indicated that PgPR6 belongs to class Kunitz-type PI family. This is the first report pertaining to the identification of PR6 gene from the P. ginseng genome. The high-level expression of PgPR6 was observed in root as revealed by quantitative real-time PCR. The temporal expression analysis demonstrated that PgPR6 expression was highly up-regulated by signaling molecules, heavy metals, mechanical wounding, chilling, salt, sucrose, and mannitol stress, indicating that PgPR6 may play an important role in the molecular defense response of ginseng to a various range of environmental stresses.

Summary This study was designed to assess the effect of soil acidification on the extractability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) distributed across various soil organic matter fractions. Phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene (each at 3.2 mg kg−1 soil) were applied to a natural soil and to an artificially acidified soil, and the samples were incubated for 10 days. Several solvents were tested for the recovery of PAHs from soil, and n-hexane was the best for extraction efficiency. Soil was treated with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD), pyrophosphate or pyrophosphate-HPCD in sequence followed by the recovery of residual PAHs in n-hexane. Recovery of PAHs by a single-step non-exhaustive n-hexane extraction from acidified soil was significantly less than that from the original non-acidified soil (P = 0.023). Based on the sequential extraction, the pool of n-hexane extractable PAHs was classified operationally into four fractions: one portion that is shared with HPCD (HS), one shared with pyrophosphate (PS) and one with both HPCD and pyrophosphate (HPS), and one that is not shared (US). The sum of PAHs recovered from acidified soil was significantly less than that for non-acidified soil when compared for PS fractions (5.37 and 14.42%, respectively, with P = 0.003) or US fractions (47.76 and 54.00%, respectively, P

We report the correlation between the magnetic properties and lattice parameter of Fe x Co 100-x alloys as a function of constituent concentration. The saturation magnetization increases with Fe content and has a maximum value at approximately x = 70 at.%. However, collapse in relative saturation magnetization is observed at approximately 30 at.% to 70 at.% of Fe in FexCo100-x alloys. The collapse is due to the formation of Co-Co and Fe-Fe antibonding states instead of Fe-Co bonds. The lattice parameter also shrinks at approximately 30 at.% to 70 at.% of Fe. This shrinkage is due to an increase in the number of nearest neighbor antisite atoms, which then leads to a decrease in the long range order parameter.

Summary Background Metformin use has been associated with a decreased incidence and mortality of various cancers. Aim To evaluate the association between metformin use and gastric cancer. Methods We randomly selected 100 000 type 2 diabetic patients from the 2004 Korean National Health Insurance claim database, and assessed gastric cancer incidence among 39 989 patients (aged 30–97 years) who were regularly treated with anti-diabetic drugs and followed-up from 2004 to 2010. In total, 26 690 patients had used metformin out of 32 978 diabetics who had not regularly used insulin (insulin non-users), and 5855 patients had used metformin out of 7011 regular insulin users. Results Patients who used metformin showed a lower incidence of gastric cancer than those who did not use metformin, in insulin non-users (P = 0.047, log-rank test). However, in patients on regular insulin, there was no difference of gastric cancer incidence according to metformin use. In insulin non-users, the adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) for metformin use was 0.73 (95% confidential interval [CI], 0.53–1.01) with borderline statistical significance (P = 0.059). Duration of metformin use was associated with the reduction in gastric cancer risk (AHR, 0.88; 95% CI 0.81–0.96, P = 0.003), especially in patients who used metformin for more than 3 years (AHR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.37–0.87; P = 0.009). Conclusion Metformin use >3 years in type 2 diabetics who do not use insulin is associated with a significantly reduced gastric cancer risk.

Summary Background Operative link on gastritis assessment (OLGA) and Operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) staging systems have been proposed for gastric cancer (GC) risk estimation. Aim To validate the OLGA and OLGIM staging systems in a region with high risk of GC. Methods This retrospective study included 474 GC patients and age- and sex-matched health screening control persons in a cancer centre hospital. We classified gastritis patterns according to the OLGA and OLGIM systems using the histological database that a pathologist prospectively evaluated using the updated Sydney system. GC risk according to the OLGA and OLGIM stages was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results More GC patients had OLGA stages III–IV (46.2%) than controls (26.6%, P

Summary Background Helicobacter pylori eradication is recommended for early gastric cancer (GC) patients after resection. Aim To evaluate whether H. pylori eradication improves glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) in GC patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy. Methods This randomised, double-blind trial was performed in tertiary care setting. Distal GC patients with H. pylori infection were randomised to receive proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy or placebo. The histology was evaluated using the updated Sydney system before and at 36 months after surgery. The endpoints were the comparison of atrophy and IM score changes between the allocated groups and according to final H. pylori status. Results Overall, 190 patients were randomised to the treatment and placebo groups. For lesser curvature of the corpus, mean atrophy and IM scores did not differ between the treatment and placebo groups. However, the H. pylori-eradicated patients had significantly lower mean scores than the H. pylori-persistent patients regarding atrophy (0.55 ± 0.95 vs. 1.05 ± 1.10 respectively; P = 0.0046) and IM (0.66 ± 0.99 vs. 1.05 ± 1.16 respectively; P = 0.0284). The percentage change from baseline was more marked in the H. pylori-negative than in the H. pylori-positive groups (−58.6% vs. −11.0% for atrophy and −60.5% vs. −35.6% for IM respectively). For greater curvature, mean atrophy score was lower in the H. pylori-negative group than in the H. pylori-positive group (0.14 ± 0.50 vs. 0.41 ± 0.75 respectively; P = 0.0281). The percentage change was −36.4% vs. 86.3%. Conclusion Helicobacter pylori eradication in GC patients is beneficial, as reflected by lower scores of atrophy and IM at 36 months after subtotal gastrectomy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01002443).

Sequential template electrochemical synthesis of multisegment nanowires with magnetic and non-magnetic segments has been extremely significant for barcoding, multiplexing and biosensing applications [1]–[3]. Especially, hard magnetic segment with high saturation magnetization and remenance materials are more convenient for multiplexing biological applications. In the present article we have synthesized three different types of magnetic barcode nanowires Co[Ni/Pt/Fe]P/Au by electrochemical deposition technique using a polycarbonate membrane with a diameter of 50 nm and functionalized with DNA for multiplexing analysis. Before synthesis of barcode nanowires, we first synthesized single segment of hard magnetic nanowires. The length of the nanowires was found to be around 6 $\mu \text{m}$ . We compared the magnetic properties of all the synthesized materials and found to be the CoPtP magnetic nanowires have higher saturation and remenence. In order to demonstrate the decoding of barcode nanowires using the magnetoresistance sensor in flow cytometry, we calculated the spatial distribution of the stray magnetic field produced by the barcode nanowire by means of finite element method (FEM) using the commercial Maxwell software. The CoPtP shows higher spatial variation compared to the CoFeP and CoNiP, which means CoPrP is most advantageous composition for the hard magnetic segment. Our main aim for synthesis of this type of nanowires is for the application of multiplex bioanalysis by magnetic method.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of complex exercise program on physical fitness, derivatives reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels of adolescents with intellectual disabilities, and to sugesst exercise programs to promote the health and physical development of such adolescents. Methods: Sixteen students with intellectual disabilities were divided into 2 groups (Age: 13.37 ± 2.36 yrs, Height: 155.63 ± 9.72 cm, Weight: 63.24 ± 11.25 kg); exercise group (n=8), control group (n=8). The exercise group performed the complex exercise program 60 minutes a day, 3 times a week over a 12-week period. Then, the control group maintained their activities of daily living. Before and after the completion of the training program, and physical fitness were measured and blood samples were assessed. Results: The results of the study indicate that the 12-weeks complex exercise program increased significantly health- and skill-related. Furthermore, the d-ROM levels decreased more significantly in the exercise group than in the control group, and the BAP levels decreased after completion of the exercise program in the exercise group. Conclusion: This study proved that the complex exercise program improved physical fitness, and reduced the d-ROM levels of the adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, it may enhance the health and physical development of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Magnetic properties and Rockwell hardness of 1Cr-0.5Mo steel have been investigated as a function of isothermal aging time. Our results showed that coercivity, hysteresis loss and Rockwell hardness in the aged samples decreased as aging time increased. This phenomenon was analyzed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A significant diffusion of Cr and Mo atoms formed M₂C and M?C carbides, lowering the matrix strength. M₂C and M?C carbides partially segregated inside grains, diffused into grain boundaries, and finally resulted in a soft ferrite matrix and a hard grain boundary. The magnetic and mechanical softening of the matrix is likely to govern the properties of the sample more than the hardening of the grain boundary by carbide precipitations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Therapeutic guidelines have not yet been established for low-grade gastric adenomas/dysplasias (LGD), which have a low risk of progression to high-grade adenomas/dysplasias (HGD) or to invasive carcinomas. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for HGD/carcinoma that indicate a need for resection in biopsy-proven LGD lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 236 LGD lesions from 208 consecutive patients treated with endoscopic resection (ER) were retrospectively studied between 2004 and 2008. The Vienna classification was used for histological diagnosis. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 236 LGD lesions, the final pathology diagnosed 9 (3.8 %) as invasive carcinoma (category 5), 71 (30.1 %) as HGD (category 4), 148 (62.7 %) as LGD (category 3), and 8 (3.4 %) as negative/indefinite for dysplasia (category 1/2). Lesions ≥ 1 cm were classified as HGD/carcinoma in 39.4 % of patients (65/165). Multivariate analysis indicated that size of ≥ 1 cm (OR 1.93 [95 % CI, 1.06 - 3.52]), depressed morphology (OR 3.81 [95 % CI, 1.22 - 11.9]), and erythema (OR 2.49 [95 % CI, 1.31 - 4.72]) were significantly associated with HGD/carcinoma. The OR increased to 47.6 (95 % CI, 4.27 - 530.65) when the risk factors were all positive. The sensitivity and negative predictive value for ≥ 1 risk factors were 93.8 % and 90.9 %, respectively. As the number of risk factors of a lesion increased, the specificity and positive predictive value also increased. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection can be recommended if a low-grade dysplastic lesion has at least one of the following risk factors: depressed morphology, surface erythema, or a size of 1 cm or greater. For lesions that have none of the three risk factors, follow-up endoscopy is recommended.

This study was conducted to simulate pollutant loads to stream reaches and to estimate its delivery downstream using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The Chungju Dam basin of the Han River in South Korea was selected as the study area and divided into 11 sub-basins where hydrological and water quality data are available for the SWAT simulation. The calibration and validation revealed that the simulated stream flows and pollutant loads were in good agreement with the observations, where a '7-day window' approach was adopted for pollutants sampled and collected every eight days. The transport ratio defined as pollutant loads delivered to downstream as to upstream discharge loads may represent qualitative characteristics of pollutant movement along stream segments. For the period from 1980 to 2009, pollutant loads from the study area were simulated and resulting transport characteristics were evaluated in terms of rainfall amount, flow rate, and sub-basin reach. Transport ratio appeared to be relatively constant for larger rainfall events greater than 100 mm, while high variation was observed for smaller rainfall events. For 10 of 11 sub-basins, it was observed that the majority of pollutant loads runoff occurred during larger rainfall events. The exception was the Jechoen-A sub-basin, in which point source pollutants seemed to contribute substantial portion of nitrogen and phosphorus loads. Considering dominant contribution of larger rainfall events to pollutant loads runoff, the constant delivery ratio during large stream flow may represent the overall transport characteristics of the pollutants in stream reaches. Based on the transport ratio of each sub-basin, the overall pollutant transport ratio to the Chungju Dam was estimated. Downstream reaches showed higher delivery ratios than upstream areas, which may indicate that sub-basins of downstream have greater impacts on the overall basin pollutant runoff as compared to the headwater sub-basins. This study characterized overall pollutant transport that may be useful in indentifying critical locations for restoration in the Chungju Dam basin.

To identify transcriptional profiles predictive of the clinical benefit of cisplatin and fluorouracil (CF) chemotherapy to gastric cancer patients, endoscopic biopsy samples from 96 CF-treated metastatic gastric cancer patients were prospectively collected before therapy and analyzed using high-throughput transcriptional profiling and array comparative genomic hybridization. Transcriptional profiling identified 917 genes that are correlated with poor patient survival after CF at P

Direct-injection diesel engines have become prime candidates for future transportation needs owing to their high thermal efficiency. However, the increase in nitrogen oxides (NO x) within local high-temperature regions and the increase in particulate matter within the diffusion flame region during diesel combustion are problematic and must be resolved. The utilization of NO x-absorbing catalysts, based on the concept of NO x storage and release, is one of the most promising techniques able to reduce NO x emissions within net oxidizing gas conditions. This type of NO x removal system, called the lean NO x trap (LNT) catalyst, absorbs NO x under lean exhaust gas conditions and releases NO x under rich conditions. This technology provides the advantage of high NO x conversion efficiency; however, the correct amount of reducing agent must be supplied within the catalytic converter under appropriate conditions in order to guarantee a high NO x reduction efficiency. In this research, the performance characteristics of an LNT, using a hydrogen-enriched gas as a reductant, were examined via various injection strategies and rich exhaust gas conditions. Although the hydrogen concentration of hydrogen-enriched gas also affects the LNT performance, the composition of hydrogen-enriched gas was fixed as a similar composition to that for the ideal re-forming of diesel fuel. The NO x reduction efficiency is closely connected to the injection timing and duration of reductant flow. When the injection was introduced 1.5 s after throttling, the LNT NO x conversion was maximized. However, the LNT NO x conversion decreased when the injection timing was earlier or later than 1.5 s. Because the actual rich duration of the exhaust gas is limited at a specific point during the rich operation for 3 s, the LNT NO x conversion was maximized when the hydrogen-enriched gas was injected at the minimum air-to-fuel ratio observed at the LNT inlet. By optimizing the control of this flow, the system encounters only a 1.9 per cent fuel penalty while maintaining a 90 per cent NO x reduction efficiency.

Recently, designers and engineers of pump stations realized that the efficiency and performance of a pumping station does not depend only on the performance of selected pumps but also on proper design of intake sumps. Most recurring problems faced in a pumping station are related to the sump design or intake design rather than pump design. Swirl angle parameter and free surface vortex formation are important parameters that determine the quality of flow ingested by sump. For swirl angle parameter, the hydraulic institute prescribes the method that needs to be employed for estimating this parameter. On the other hand, the free surface vortex formation also leads to a decrease in the efficiency of pump intake and pump especially when the vortex rope rotates opposite to impeller rotation. In this study, both numerical and experimental analysis of a rectangular pump sump was carried out to predict swirl angle and free surface vortices formation. The swirl angle experimentally was obtained using a traditional swirl meter installed at the suction pipe in rectangular single pump intake. The objective was to obtain the average tangential velocity at different suction pipe diameter. For free surface vortices the objective was to observe the different vortex formation, air entrance and location. The swirl angle and average tangential velocity estimated by CFD simulation was in agreement with experimental results. The four types of free surface vortices (Surface swirl, Surface dimple, air bubbles and full air core to intake) was also observed clearly in ANSYS CFX.

Coagulation with both metal coagulants and clays can effectively remove algal cells from water. Pre‐polymerized inorganic coagulants (e.g., polyaluminium chloride, PACl) normally contain high positive charge and the charge neutralization is one of algal removal mechanisms by coagulation, then, a better performance of PACl in the removal of algae is expected. The excellent algal removal efficiency by bentonite (Bent) and montmorillonite KSF (Mont‐KSF) was observed in this study but for the turbidity reduction, Bent did not perform as well as Mont‐KSF and then the most suitable clay to be considered is Mont‐KSF. It has been proposed that the maximum algal removal efficiency by clays would be achieved when the particle size of clays is close to that of algal cells. However, under this study conditions, the particle size alone does not correlate the good removal efficiency of Bent and Mont‐KSF. It is thus proposed that the nature of microstructure of clay particles could contribute to good algal remo...

An analysis of the 524 nucleotide long segment in the 16SrDNA mitochondrial gene of Maurolicus japonicus revealed that there are two major haplotypes (E and H) and two minor haplotypes (I and J), which comprise 63·6, 27·2, 4·6 and 4·6% of the population, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of the major haplotype E is identical to that of the most common haplotype in Maurolicus walvisensis (63·6% of the population). The other haplotypes of M. japonicus are almost identical to that of the haplotype E with only a single (haplotypes I and J) or three nucleotide differences (haplotype H). Phylogenetic trees of all the 16SrDNA haplotypes found thus far in the Maurolicus taxa show that the relationships among the haplotypes of M. japonicus and M. walvisensis are indistinguishable but that they are clearly distinctive from those of Maurolicus muelleri. Examination of the morphometric characteristics of specimens reveals similarities among the individuals of different haplotypes of M. japonicus and also between M. japonicus and M. walvisensis in almost all characteristics. The results suggest that despite the current ocean-wide allopatric distribution between M. japonicus and M. walvisensis, the two taxa are conspecific as M. japonicus.

The Co-based ribbons with different length were annealed in different magnetic field and GMI profiles were investigated in order to clarify the influence of ribbon size on GMI effect. The GMI ratio decreased with the decreasing in length and also decreased with increasing annealing field. While, the slope of GMI profiles inclined and the field range showing linearity was broadened. It shows prospect to low field sensor, especially for a navigation sensor.

The current treatment for metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) consists of cisplatin and/or fluorouracil (5-FU) based combination chemotherapy, but cisplatin-based regimens are associated with considerable toxicity. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a noncisplatin-, non-5-FU-containing regimen, docetaxel/irinotecan in MGC. Chemo-naive patients with MGC received docetaxel (30 mg m(-2)) and irinotecan (70 mg m(-2)) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. The 48 eligible patients (median age 56 years) received a median of four cycles of docetaxel/irinotecan (range 1-18). Of the 46 patients in whom efficacy could be evaluated, 21 showed a partial response (response rate=45.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 31.3-60.1%). At a median follow-up of 15.0 months, the median time to progression was 4.5 months (95% CI 3.8-5.2 months) and overall survival was 8.2 months (95% CI, 5.8-10.6 months). Grade 3/4 neutropenia developed in 57.4% of patients, and febrile neutropenia/neutropenic infection in 19.1%. Nonhaematological toxicities were moderate; grade 3/4 diarrhoea occurred in 19.1% of patients, however, was manageable by a dose reduction. There was one possible treatment-related death. In conclusion, weekly docetaxel/irinotecan is a promising outpatient regimen in MGC, with appropriate dose modification.

Modification in exchange bias of a NiFe/FeMn/NiFe trilayer, on introduction of a nonmagnetic Al layer at the top FeMn/NiFe interface, is investigated in multilayers prepared by rf magnetron sputtering. The introduction of Al layer leads to vanishing of bias of the top NiFe layer. But the bias for the bottom NiFe layer increases steadily with increasing Al layer thickness and attains bias (230 Oe) which is greater than that of the trilayer without the Al layer (150 Oe). When the top NiFe layer thickness is varied, exchange bias has highest value at 12 ㎚ thickness for 1 nm thicknes of Al layer. Ion beam etching of the top NiFe layer also leads to an enhancement in bias for the bottom NiFe layer.

A phenomenological model to describe the transverse differential susceptibility in the field-annealed CoFeBSi amorphous ribbon is developed. The exchange bias between surface crystalline layer and amorphous bulk is described by means of an exchange bias field. The model allows one to calculate the external field dependence of the transverse differential susceptibility. It is shown that so-called valve at low frequencies and asymmetric two- peak behavior at high frequencies appear in the transverse susceptibility if the orientation of the exchange bias deviates from the ribbon axis. The calculated results are in a qualitative agreement with the magnetoimpedance profiles observed in experiments and allow one to conclude that the exchange interaction between the surface crystalline layer and amorphous bulk is antiferromagnetic coupling.

Effect of low energy ion beam etching on exchange bias in NiFe/FeMn/NiFe trilayer is investigated in multilayers prepared by rf magnetron sputtering. Stepwise etching and magnetization measurement of FeMn layer in an NiFe/FeMn bilayer show increase of bias as etching proceeds and FeMn thickness decreases. The bias show a maximum around 7 nm FeMn thickness and then fall sharply below 5 nm, broadly in line with the exchange bias variation at increasing FeMn thickness but in reverse order, particularly at low FeMn thickness. Progressive etching of top NiFe layer in the NiFe/FeMn/NiFe trilayer shows an initial gradual increase in bias followed by a sharp increase below 7 nm thickness of top NiFe layer, with a maximum at 2 nm thickness for both NiFe layers and greater bias for seed NiFe layer.

Chromosome rearrangement has been considered to be important in the evolutionary process. Here, we demonstrate the evolutionary relationship of the rearranged human chromosome 12 and the corresponding chromosome XII in apes (chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, orangutan, and gibbon) by examining PCR products derived from the breakpoints of inversions and by conducting shotgun sequencing of a gorilla fosmid clone containing the breakpoint and a “duplicated segment” (duplicon). We confirmed that a pair of 23-kb duplicons flank the breakpoints of inversions on the long and short arms of chimpanzee chromosome XII. Although only the 23-kb duplicon on the long arm of chimpanzee chromosome XII and its telomeric flanking sequence are found to be conserved among the hominoids (human, great apes, and gibbons), the duplicon on the short arm of chimpanzee chromosome XII is suggested to be the result of a duplication from that on the long arm. Furthermore, the shotgun sequencing of a gorilla fosmid indicated that the breakpoint on the long arm of the gorilla is located at a different position 1.9 kb from that of chimpanzee. The region is flanked by a sequence homologous to that of human chromosome 6q22. Our findings and sequence analysis suggest a close relationship between segmental duplication and chromosome rearrangement (or breakpoint of inversion) in Hominoidea. The role of the chromosome rearrangement in speciation is also discussed based on our new results.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of hand-assisted distal gastrectomy (HALDG) for gastric cancer. This study prospectively enrolled 16 patients who underwent HALDG for early gastric cancer and matched them individually by sex, age, and body mass index to patients who underwent laparoscopically assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) or open distal gastrectomy (ODG). Surgical outcomes were compared among the surgical methods. The mean operating time was the longest for the HALDG group, whereas wound size of the HALDG group was intermediate between that of the LADG and the ODG groups. The other surgical outcomes, such as the number of harvested lymph nodes, were not different among the groups. According to the findings, HALDG may not be as beneficial for patients with early gastric cancer as has been previously suggested. However, because of easier hand–eye coordination, HALDG may be an excellent bridge learning technique as a surgeon gains experience in laparoscopic gastrectomy.

GaMnN magnetic thin films were grown using a single GaN precursor of Et2Ga(N3)NH2C(CH3)3, and their structural and magnetic properties were investigated. The GaN layers were grown with c-axis texture orientation. The films, however, revealed a great improvement in the crystallinity upon in-situ and ex-situ annealing at higher temperatures. Incorporation of Mn, however, randomized the growth direction as revealed by investigations of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. For high Mn flux, a cubic second phase, Mn3GaN, has precipitated. It is a structure seldom observed in other conventional molecular beam epitaxy growth. It, however, offered a high conductivity to the GaMnN matrix. The precipitated films showed a uniaxial anisotropy in the magneto-transport. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Cytokeratin19 (KRT19) is widely used as a biomarker for the detection of disseminated tumors. Using an LC-MS/MS proteomics approach, we found that KRT19 was upregulated in HER2-overexpressing cells and tissues. KRT19 expression was induced by HER2-downstream ERK at the transcriptional level. Another HER2-downstream kinase, Akt, was found to phosphorylate KRT19 on Ser35 and induce membrane translocation of KRT19 and remodeling of KRT19 from filamentous to granulous form. KRT19 phosphorylated by Akt could bind HER2 on the plasma membrane and stabilized HER2 via inhibition of proteasome-mediated degradation of HER2. Silencing of KRT19 by shRNA resulted in increased ubiquitination and destabilization of HER2. Moreover, treatment of KRT19 antibody resulted in downregulation of HER2 and reduced cell viability. These data provide a new rationale for targeting HER2-positive breast cancers.

We determined nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (about 1.6 kb) for 35 chimpanzee, 13 bonobo, 10 gorilla, 16 orangutan, and 23 gibbon individuals. We compared those data with published sequences and estimated nucleotide diversity for each species. All the ape species showed higher diversity than human. We also constructed phylogenetic trees and networks. The two orangutan subspecies were clearly separated from each other, and Sumatran orangutans showed much higher nucleotide diversity than Bornean orangutans. Some gibbon species did not form monophyletic clusters, and variation within species was not much different from that among species in the subgenus Hylobates.

A comparative study of the solid-state reaction (SSR) in a series of Ti/Ni multilayered films (MLF) with a bilayer period of 0.65–22.2 nm and constant Ti to Ni sublayer thickness ratio has been performed by magneto-optical (MO) spectroscopy as well as x-ray diffraction (XRD). The spectral and sublayer-thickness dependences of the MO properties of the Ti/Ni MLF were explained on the basis of the electromagnetic theory. A threshold nominal Ni-sublayer thickness of about 3 nm in the as-deposited Ti/Ni MLF is necessary for observing the equatorial Kerr effect. Such a fact is explained by the formation, by solid-state reaction, of nonmagnetic alloyed regions between pure components. The SSR in the Ti/Ni MLF caused by the low temperature annealing leads to a formation of an amorphous Ti/Ni alloy and takes place mainly in Ti/Ni MLF with “thick” sublayers. In the case of Ti/Ni MLF, MO turns out to be more sensitive in determining the thickness of the reacted zone, while XRD is more useful for the structural analy...

Retardation parameters (Rf) for sulfolane and thioalne were estimated using reference values and experimentally as they were mainly observed at an aquifer underneath a waste disposal site near Brisbane, Australia. Three soil aquifer materials e.g. clay, silty clay and sand were used as sorbents. At first, Rf was obtained employing Koc–Kow and solubility parameter, respectively, while experimental coefficients were determined from both batch and flow-through column tests. Additionally, Rf was observed at a single- and bi-solute system through the column test. There was not found any significant difference in Rf between Koc–Kow and solubility parameters, but the retardation coefficient was significantly dependent on organic carbon content for solubility parameter. In contrast, using Koc–Kow, the coefficient correspondingly varied with an amount of clay content contained in each soil. In the same manner, the batch-determined parameters were more subject to clay content. On the other hand, the column-determined parameters can be comparable with the desk-derived values. In a bi-solute system, they did not influence each other concerning retardation coefficients while they flew though the column simultaneously. It was concluded that there was a large discrepancy in retardation coefficient of batch- against both reference-oriented estimation and column-determined values.

This study was conducted to delineate a plume occurred in hazardous waste disposal site in Brisbane, Australia. At first, levels of conductivity observed during Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) loggings were initially indicative that possible contaminants are depth-variably presented with showing the highest at approximately 200 mS cm−1 in 9 m deep from some of locations. Subsequently, CPT rig and HydroPunch were used to collect depth-discrete groundwater samples in the area where CPT loggings had been undertaken. However, it was not capable of sampling the representative groundwater samples due to the cone refusal where the residual clay is layered at nominal depth through the aquifer. Alternatively, a number of temporary wells were installed after each of locations was penetrated using a modified steel cone functioned by CPT rig. The samples taken from those of wells were characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) and gas chromatography filame ionization detector (GCFID), which revealed th...

A novel single precursor, bis(dimethylgallium-di-μ-isopropoxo)zinc which contains zinc, gallium, and oxygen in the 1: 2: 4 ratio, has been developed for the chemical vapor deposition of zinc gallate, ZnGa 2 O 4 , a prospective low voltage phosphor material for field emission display (FED). The precursor is a solid at room temperature and has a low melting point and a reasonably high vapor pressure when heated at about 50 °C. It was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in its frozen state and by X-ray crystallography. In the low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) reaction, the precursor is thought to undergo β-hydrogen elimination and partial dissociation producing a film that is a mixture of zinc gallate, gallium oxide, and zinc oxide. In the film, zinc gallate is the dominant phase and the amount of zinc oxide is minimal. The films deposited were characterized by XPS, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Possible mechanisms of the CVD reaction have been discussed to explain the peculiarities of the film composition.

Anaerobic biodegradability for sulfolane and thiolane was investigated in soil and anaerobically digested sludge. Biochemical methane potential was periodically quantified to assess biodegradability of microorganisms degrading the compounds prepared in the closed glass vessel. Relatively lower concentration of thiolane adopted in the test was hardly degraded in the soil. Moreover, its degradation was hindered in anaerobic digest sludge. In constrast, sulfolane was readily decomposed in both the soil and the anaerobic sludge. It is concluded that subsequent occurrence hindered in anaerobic digest sludge. In constrast, sulfolane was readily decomposed in both the soil and the anaerobic sludge. It is concluded that subsequent occurrence of thiolane as one of intermediates generated from the reduction of sulfolane would retard the remediation of the concerned area polluted with sulfolane and thiolane.

To evaluate the clinical and radiologic features of biliary stricture after blunt abdominal trauma and to report the results of endoscopic stent placement.Medical records and radiologic findings were reviewed in five patients with biliary stricture after blunt abdominal trauma. The level, length, and contour of the strictures were analyzed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Computed tomographic (CT) scans were also reviewed to determine the presence of biliary dilatation, configuration of the injured bile duct, and ancillary abdominal findings. Results from endoscopic stent placement were evaluated in all patients.Stricture occurred in the suprapancreatic portion of the common bile duct in four patients and in the intrapancreatic portion in one patient. At ERCP, the stricture contour was concentric and smooth in three patients, eccentric and smooth in one, and abruptly terminated in one. CT showed abrupt narrowing of the common bile duct with dilatation of the proximal portion in all patients. Endoscopic stent placement was successful in all patients.Patients with biliary stricture after blunt abdominal trauma exhibit a delayed onset of symptoms. A correct diagnosis may be difficult on the basis of findings from CT or ERCP alone without a clinical history or evidence of contusions at other sites.

Undifferentiated germ cells have the capacity to develop into sperm capable of fertilizing oocytes and contributing genetic material to subsequent generations. The most primitive prepubertal undifferentiated germ cells include gonocytes and undifferentiated spermatogonia, including spermatogonial stem cells (SSC). Gonocytes, present in the testis at birth, differentiate into SSC, which maintain spermatogenesis for the remainder of the male's life. Because of their capacity to contribute to lifelong spermatogenesis, undifferentiated germ cells are attractive targets for genetic modification to produce transgenic animals, including cattle. To maximize the efficiency of genetic modification of bovine gonocytes and SSC, effective enrichment techniques need to be developed. Selection of bovine gonocytes using differential plating was improved 8-fold (P0.001) when using a combination of extracellular matrix proteins, including laminin, fibronectin, collagen type IV, and gelatin, compared to using laminin and gelatin alone. Selected cells labeled with PKH26 formed colonies of donor-derived germ cells after transplantation into recipient mouse testes, indicating putative stem cell function. Significantly more colonies (P0.001) per 1 × 10(5) viable transplanted cells were formed from isolated nonadherent cells (203 ± 23.2) compared to adherent (20 ± 2.7) or Percoll (45.5 ± 4.5) selected cells. After selection, some gonocytes were transduced using a lentiviral vector containing the transgene for the enhanced green fluorescent protein. Transduction efficiency was 17%. Collectively, these data demonstrate effective methods for the selection and genetic modification of bovine undifferentiated germ cells.

A current of 1 A has been stabilized by locking the magnetic resonance frequency of Cs atoms placed at the center of a solenoid. Two auxiliary windings are used to obtain at the center of the solenoid a field uniformity better than 0.5 ppm in a 2 cm radius sphere, in agreement with the calculations. The variations of the external field and the effect of temperature changes are compensated for by two auxiliary feedback systems using a flux gate magnetometer and an adjustment of the locking frequency, respectively. The current fluctuation, including the noise of the current measuring system is 0.1 ppm and the current drift for 6 h is less than 0.2 ppm.

The effects of Mg codoping on the structural, electronic transport, and magnetic properties of GaMnN films are investigated. Mg was shown to compete with Mn for incorporation into the growing films at impingement, and to replace Mn. The partial replacement of Mn by Mg in GaMnN has resulted in an increase of conductivity of the region. The enhanced transport property due to the highly efficient dopant Mg resulted in a remarkable increase of the saturation magnetization, indicating an interaction between Mn and Mg for the carrier-mediated ferromagnetism. The increased carrier population by Mg codoping enabled a full mediation among the Mn atoms, and consequently, suppressed the paramagnetic rise in the temperature-dependent magnetization measurement.

GaMnN and Mg-codoped GaMnN films were grown in molecular beam epitaxy using a GaN single precursor. The structural, electrical, and magnetic properties were examined. The Mg-codoped GaMnN layers revealed room-temperature ferromagnetism. Codoping with Mg reduces the Mn incorporation, but increases the conductivity of the GaMnN films. At the same time, the saturation magnetization and coercivity have increased at room temperature. As this improvement was obtained with much reduced Mn concentration of ∼0.3%, the crucial role of the carriers for carrier-induced ferromagnetism in magnetic semiconductors is observed.

GaMnN growth on GaAs (100) using a GaN single precursor via molecular beam epitaxy was undertaken. The grown layers revealed p-type conduction. It is confirmed that p-GaMnN reveals room temperature ferromagnetism with hysteresis loop having a coercivity of ∼100 Oe. The segregated phase showing a transition temperature of ∼200 K is assigned to Mn3GaN, and which enhances the conductivity of the surrounding GaMnN region. As a consequence, the GaMnN layer with segregation revealed an anomalous Hall effect at room temperature proving magnetotransport in GaMnN phase. The enhanced conductivity of GaMnN by the highly conductive second phase also revealed the importance of the role of the free carriers in the carrier-mediated ferromagnetism.

The Barkhausen noise (BN) profile of Fe81B13.5Si3.5C2 Metglas changes from single to double peaks with applied tensile stress. The second harmonics during the magnetization process under various stresses confirm that the single and double peaks on the BN profiles can be attributed to domain nucleation/annihilation. The variation of the initial permeability with tensile stress indicates that the volume fraction of longitudinal domains along the stress direction increased up to a stress of 20 MPa (stage I) and then it remained constant with further stressing, v∥ (σ) ≈ 1 (stage II). The total BN activity during a half (B-H) loop with tensile stress, transient also at about 20 MPa, can be characterized by a (BN)tot ∞ eβσrelationship, where the exponents are β1 = 1.761 × 10−2 and β2 = 1.758 × 10−3 for stages I and II, respectively. An analysis of (BN)tot in stage II showed that the number of domains involved in the domain nucleation/annihilation is proportional to σ1/2.

The mode of C-ring formation in ergot alkaloid biosynthesis was probed by synthesizing two potential intermediates, compounds 6 and 7, in deuterated form from the prenylated indole 8. Both compounds were incorporated into the ergot alkaloid elymoclavine by washed mycelia of Claviceps sp., strain SD 58, but only the formation of 7, and not 6, could he demonstrated in the cultures. Hence it is proposed that only 7 is an intermediate in ergot alkaloid biosynthesis, whereas 6 is not on the pathway but can he converted into 7 when added to the cultures

The reversible susceptibility spectra are measured for rectangular Co66Fe4NiB14Si15 samples with various easy-axis angles, α, relative to the sample axis. A phenomenological method is proposed for the reversible spectra to separate the relaxation processes of domain-wall motion and magnetization rotation. The separation provides a method for measuring the static susceptibilities and the relaxation frequencies for the two reversible magnetization processes. The α and the longitudinal stress dependence show that the separated spectra with relaxation frequencies near 360 kHz and 1.6 MHz correspond to relaxations of domain-wall motion and to magnetization rotation, respectively.