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Scattered sunlight from the interplanetary dust (IPD) cloud in our solar system presents a serious foreground challenge for spectrophotometric measurements of the extragalactic background light (EBL). In this work, we report on inferred measurements of the absolute intensity of the zodiacal light (ZL) using the novel technique of Fraunhofer line spectroscopy on the deepest 8542 Å line of the near-infrared Ca ii absorption triplet. The measurements are performed with the narrow band spectrometer (NBS) on board the Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment sounding rocket instrument. We use the NBS data to test the accuracy of two ZL models widely cited in the literature, the Kelsall and Wright models, which have been used in foreground removal analyses that produce high and low EBL results respectively. We find a mean reduced χ 2 = 3.5 for the Kelsall model and χ 2 = 2.0 for the Wright model. The best description of our data is provided by a simple modification to the Kelsall model, which includes a free ZL offset parameter. This adjusted model describes the data with a reduced χ 2 = 1.5 and yields an inferred offset amplitude of 46 ± 19 nW m−2 sr−1 extrapolated to 12500 Å. These measurements elude to the potential existence of a dust cloud component in the inner solar system whose intensity does not strongly modulate with the Earth’s motion around the Sun.

Development of an electron cyclotron heating (ECH) mirror antenna and MW gyrotrons for power modulation experiments in GAMMA 10 has been started in order to generate and control the high heat flux and to make the edge-localized mode (ELM)-like intermittent heat load pattern for divertor simulation studies. A peak heat flux of more than 10 MW/m2 on the GAMMA 10 axis has been obtained during ECH injection within the available power of ECH. This value almost corresponds to the steady-state heat load of the divertor plate of ITER. However, we need a substantial upgrade of the heating power to approach the ITER level ELM energy density. We carry out a design study for a mirror antenna and higher power gyrotrons in order to generate higher intermittent heat flux in GAMMA 10 tandem mirror for future divertor simulation studies.

In this paper, detailed results of the heat flux measurements are presented and the improvement of heat flux evaluation method is also discussed. We measured the heat flux in the case that additional heating with electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH). The heat flux reaches about 17 MW/m2 in the case with ECRH power 380kW. It is found that solving one-dimensional inverse heat conduction problems provides a possibility of improving time response of the heat flux measurement under the condition of changing heat flux in 20Hz.

A computational code for the electromagnetic field in the cavity of high-power gyrotrons is developed. The gyrotron mechanism is described by a self-consistent set of equations taking into account the dependence of the axial structure of microwave oscillations on the relativistic electron beam in the cavity. The parameters of the electron beam are calculated using the EGUN electron trajectory code, and the effects of the space charge and the velocity spread of the electron beams are considered. The computational code includes a time-dependent description of the electromagnetic field and a self-consistent analysis of the electron beams. The equations are solved using a second-order predictor-corrector scheme. The calculations of the present study are carried out for a 1-MW gyrotron developed for the GAMMA10/PDX tandem mirror (80 kV, operating mode: TE94 mode, 35.45 GHz). The calculations reveal that, using a triode-type electron gun, stable excitation of the desired mode can be realized in standard startup...

Electron cyclotron heating (ECH) power modulation experiments in GAMMA 10 tandem mirror have been carried out in order to generate and control the high heat flux and to make the ELM (edge localized mode) like intermittent heat load pattern for divertor simulation studies. The maximum energy density obtained by the use of present mirror antenna systems is about 0.08 MJ/m2 and is still far lower than that of ITER ELM. To achieve the generation of higher heat flux, the development of a new mirror antenna has carried out in order to concentrate the heating power on the axis. The calculated e-folding radius of power density has been improved from 63 mm for the present mirror to 40 mm for the new mirror antenna.

The high power and long pulse operation of the gyrotron as well as efficient transmission of its output are quite important for achieving improved plasma performances. A 28 GHz 1 MW gyrotron developed for GAMMA 10/PDX achieved an output power of 1.38 MW in 2015 experiment after the power supply was improved. Furthermore, a new 28/35 GHz dual-frequency gyrotron (2 MW 3 s and 0.4 MW CW) for QUEST, NSTX-U, Heliotron J and GAMMA 10/PDX has been fabricated, after the preliminary test of a double-disk sapphire window installed in the gyrotron was performed. In the first experimental test, the oscillation of the main mode was confirmed at a frequency of 28.036 GHz with a Gaussian-like beam and an output power of 1.22 MW.

Aim: The automated TEMPO system (bioMerieux) is based on the most probable number (MPN) method for the enumeration of micro-organisms in foods. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the TEMPO system as a diagnostic tool in comparison with the standard method in processed soy products. Methods and Results: A verification study was conducted using artificially contaminated soy product samples such as soy protein isolate, water-soluble soy polysaccharides, soy milk and processed soy food. Five types of micro-organisms were analysed using the automated MPN method (total aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast and mould and Staphylococcus aureus) vs the standard plate method. The results from each of the methods were highly correlated (r > 0·95). Naturally contaminated processed soy products on the market were also studied. There were no discrepancies observed between the respective methods. Conclusions: TEMPO methods were equivalent to the corresponding standard plate methods with very good rates of agreement. Significance and Impact of the Study: The automated MPN method is more practical and reliable for in-house microbiological testing in processed soy products.

We have grown single crystals of WTe2 by a self-flux method and evaluated the quality of the crystals. A Hall bar-type device was fabricated from an as-exfoliated film on a Si substrate and longitudinal resistance Rxx was measured. Rxx increased with an applied perpendicular magnetic field without saturation and an extremely large magnetoresistance as high as 376,059 % was observed at 8.27 T and 1.7 K.

We have experimentally investigated the optical effect on the transport properties of superconductor-semiconductorsuperconductor (S-Sm-S) junctions composed of a two-dimensional electron gas in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure and NbN superconducting electrodes. Illumination at λ 800 nm onto the whole junction area increases Andreev reflection (AR) probability at S-Sm interfaces. To explore this origin, we performed scanning photovoltage measurements by using an optical microscope. The obtained image plots of the photovoltage show that the illumination brings about the photovoltage at the S-Sm interfaces. This result implies that the illumination modulates the barrier height between S and Sm, which results in a modulation of AR probability.

The oscillation of photoluminescence peak energies is observed in InAs quantum tubes depending on the magnetic flux through the tube. The oscillation is shown to be due to the Aharonov-Bohm effect of a charged exciton in a quantum tube. No quadratic shift in photoluminescence peak energies is observed, which is a characteristic feature of a thin quantum tube with a single channel surrounding the magnetic flux through the tube., Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures

application/pdf, The optical transition energies of neutral and charged excitons in a quantum tube are calculated as a function of the Aharonov–Bohm magnetic flux U. The oscillation amplitude of the ground state energy of the electron–hole relative motion is shown to be larger in a quantum tube than a quantum ring with strong confinement in the axis direction. We find a double maxima structure in the optical transition energy for a quantum tube with radius R = 0.5 in units of the effective Bohr radius because of the difference in the U dependencies between the single electron energy and the relative-motion energy of a charged exciton state.

Emergency revascularization of acute carotid artery occlusion is still controversial. We treated 15 patients (13 men and two women, mean age of 67.3 years) with acute atherosclerotic carotid occlusion by endovascular procedures and evaluated the usefulness of this treatment. All of the patients were evaluated with emergency MRI and MRA before treatment. Intracranial tandem arterial occlusion due to distal embolism was observed in nine patients, and contralateral carotid stenosis (>70%) was observed in seven. The mean NIHSS score of the patients was 15.4±7.4 (mean±SD) before treatment. Treatment modality included local intraarterial fibrinolysis (LIF), percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), and carotid artery stenting (CAS). A protective balloon was successfully placed in the distal carotid artery through the plaque before recanalization in seven patients. Three patients were treated with LIF+PTA, five with PTA+CAS, six with LIF+PTA+CAS, and one with PTA only. Successful recanalization of the carotid artery was obtained in 14 of the 15 patients, and distal tandem middle cerebral artery occlusion was also successfully recanalized in eight of the nine patients. GOS was four or five in eight patients (good outcome group) and 1–3 in seven patients (poor outcome group). Mean NIHSS score of the 15 patients was (6.9 ± 7.4) after treatment. Preoperative NIHSS score (10.3 ± 7.4) in the good outcome group was significantly lower than that (21.3 ± 5.4) in the poor outcome group. The protective balloon technique, PTA with stenting, seems to be useful for acute revascularization of urgent carotid occlusion. Simultaneous treatment of the intracranial tandem occlusive lesion is essential to achieve good clini-cal results. Patients with acute carotid occlusion with NIHSS scores of less than 16 could be good candidates for this advanced treatment.

To determine whether abnormal EKG findings could be predictive factors for death after a stroke event.Patients with acute cerebral infarction who were 35 to 98 years old during April 1996 through November 2000 were analyzed (n = 216). A standard 12-lead EKG was recorded for each patient after acute cerebral infarction. The authors prospectively investigated the association between abnormal EKG findings and the risk for death after stroke over a 1-year period.Using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, the authors found age (hazard ratio of mortality per year 1.10, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.15, p0.001), sex (female; hazard ratio of mortality 3.42, 95% CI 1.43 to 8.19, p = 0.006), and the presence of Q-waves in more than two leads (hazard ratio of mortality 2.75, 95% CI 1.23 to 6.14, p = 0.013) were independently associated with death after stroke.The presence of Q-waves in more than two leads could be a predictive factor for death after acute cerebral infarction.

It is not known whether ascending fractional pulse pressure (PPf) is related to large artery function. This study was to evaluate whether PPf is associated with large artery function by augmentation index. A total of 190 subjects were enrolled (age range: 50 to 78 years) who had normal contractions, no local asynergy, and no history of myocardial infarction. The ascending aortic pressure was measured using a fluid-filled system. To quantify the relative magnitude of the pulsatile to mean artery pressure, we normalised the pulse pressure to the mean pressure and referred to this value as PPf and the association between the PPf and the augmentation index was investigated. Augmentation index showed significant associations with PPf by univariate analysis (R = 0.690, P < 0.001). The associations between PPf and the factors influencing large artery function were examined by multivariate analysis, and PPf revealed significant associations with age, mean aortic pressure, heart rate and type 2 diabetes (R2 = 0.477, P < 0.001). The results were that ascending aortic PPf is closely associated with large artery function detected by augmentation index.

Hem-O-Lok clips are radiopaque on computed tomography in patients who have undergone laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy., Background and Objectives: Hem-o-lok clips are safe and reliable for controlling the renal vasculature. We retrospectively evaluated the CT appearance of Hem-o-lok clips in patients who had undergone laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) or nephroureterectomy (LRU) as well as their appearance on ex vivo CT scans. Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2006, 19 patients underwent LRN or LRU, and their CT images were reviewed within 5 postoperative months. The Hem-o-lok clips were radiopaque in all of the patients’ CT images, and their radiodensity value was 222 Hounsfield Units (HU). To confirm that Hem-o-lok clips are radiopaque on CT images, an ex vivo CT scan was performed. Results: We confirmed that these clips are radiopaque on CT images and that they have a radiodensity of 223 HU. Conclusion: We conclude that the Hem-o-lok clips are radiopaque on CT images. It is important for urologists and radiologists to be aware of the CT appearance of Hem-o-lok clips when following up patients who have undergone LRN or LRU.

We used two montane lakes (4.5 and 7.8 ha) in a before-after control-impact pair experimental design to measure the responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and their prey to 5 years of inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen (liquid ammonium polyphosphate and urea ammonium nitrate) additions. Epilimnetic total phosphorus (TP) concentration, euphotic zone chlorophyll a concentration, limnetic macrozooplankton biomass, and annual trout yield increased significantly in the fertilized lake. Chlorophyll a concentration and zooplankton biomass varied directly with epilimnetic TP. Trout yield varied as TP0.5. Fertilization increased trout reproductive output, growth, and yield but did not alter yearling survival or the mean age of mature fish. Prey utilization by trout did not change. DeltaC data indicated that trout in the fertilized lake obtained 65% of their body carbon from benthic insects and 35% from zooplankton. Increased biomass of Hesperodiaptomus accounted for most of the zooplankton response. Benthic insect emergence decreased with increasing water depth but was greater at a given depth in the fertilized lake. Resources accounted for smaller proportions of the variance of consumer biomass with increasing trophic level.

Real-space mappings of a Hall photovoltage are performed by local laser excitation using optical microscope setup with a spatial resolution of about 2μm. The obtained images of broad and narrow strips presumably reflect the diffusion of the optically created electrons in the bulk and the edge states. The image near a current contact is considered to reflect the potential gradient near the contact.

We performed infrared magneto-photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy on an InAs-inserted-channel InGaAs/InAlAs heterostructure. Series of Landau levels were clearly observed in the infrared PL spectra. From the energy separation between σ+ and σ− components of PL, the electron–hole g-factor in each Landau level were determined. We discuss the obtained Landau fan-diagram from the points that nonparabolicity of conduction band structure and penetration of electron wavefunction into InGaAs layer.

By using telescience techniques, we developed and tested a system for remotely conducting intracellular recordings, an indispensable method for biomedical studies. As a representative experiment we chose to study on the adenosine-induced responses of Xenopus oocyte. Experimental materials were placed in a room simulating an orbital laboratory. The experiment was controlled and monitored by a principal investigator (PI) from another room simulating a ground control room. The two rooms were connected by a telecommunication simulator that could impose the communication delay and limit the data transfer rate. The PI inserted one or two microelectrodes into an oocyte using remote control on the micro-manipulators and on the platform of microscope with stereoscopic pictures observed through a head mounted display. By inserting one electrode, we could successfully study the adenosine responses at various concentrations. Then, we tried to perform the “voltage clamp” recordings by inserting two electrodes into one oocyte. Though insertion of two electrodes was troublesome, we finally succeeded the voltage clamp recordings. Result indicate the usefulness of the telescience for conducting intracellular recordings in space.

Temporally and spatially resolved soft x-ray and end-loss-electron analyses of the electron cyclotron heated plasmas are carried out by using a semiconductor detector array and an electrostatic energy analyzer in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. The flux and the energy spectrum of the end loss electrons are measured by a multi-grid energy analyzer. Recently, the electron cyclotron heating power modulation experiments have been started in order to generate and control the high heat flux and to make the edge localized mode-like intermittent heat load pattern for the divertor simulation studies by the use of these detectors for electron properties.

In the hot ion mode of the tandem mirror GAMMA 10/PDX experiments, increases in the flux and temperature of end-loss electrons were observed after the excitation of Alfvén ion cyclotron (AIC) modes. The increase of the electron temperature in the central cell is directly observed using a Thomson scattering system, confirming electron heating due to the electron Landau damping of AIC modes.

The telescience testbed experiments were carried out to test and investigate the tele-manipulation techniques in the intracellular potential recording of amphibian eggs. Implementation of telescience testbed was set up in the two separated laboratories of the Tsukuba Space center of NASDA, which were connected by tele-communication links. Manipulators respective for a microelectrode and a sample stage of microscope were moved by computers, of which command signals were transmitted from a computer in a remote control room. The computer in the control room was operated by an investigator (PI) who controlled the movement of each manipulator remotely. A stereoscopic vision of the microscope image were prepared by using a head mounted display (HMD) and were indispensable to the intracellular single cell recording. The fertilization potential of amphibian eggs was successfully obtained through the remote operating system.

The automated TEMPO system (bioMerieux) is based on the most probable number (MPN) method for the enumeration of micro-organisms in foods. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the TEMPO system as a diagnostic tool in comparison with the standard method in processed soy products.A verification study was conducted using artificially contaminated soy product samples such as soy protein isolate, water-soluble soy polysaccharides, soy milk and processed soy food. Five types of micro-organisms were analysed using the automated MPN method (total aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast and mould and Staphylococcus aureus) vs the standard plate method. The results from each of the methods were highly correlated (r0·95). Naturally contaminated processed soy products on the market were also studied. There were no discrepancies observed between the respective methods.TEMPO methods were equivalent to the corresponding standard plate methods with very good rates of agreement.The automated MPN method is more practical and reliable for in-house microbiological testing in processed soy products.

Marked fingerlings of kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka that were sterilized by treatment with 17∝-methyltestosterone and released into an oligo–mesotrophic coastal montane lake (Salsbury Lake, British Columbia) showed greater longevity than untreated control groups. Some hormone-treated kokanees survived to age 7, 2 years beyond the apparent maximum lifespan of untreated fish. The proportion of hormone-treated fish among recovered fish that were older than age 3 was significantly greater than the proportion ofhormone-treated fish stocked, but this difference lessened with increasing hormone dosage, Despite increased longevity, the ultimate size of hormone-treated kokanees did not increase beyond that of untreated fish in this lake.

In this study the hemodynamic status and treatment modality of aggressive dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) was evaluated. Of 145 intracranial dAVFs treated in our clinic, there were 38 aggressive lesions presenting with hemorrhage, infarction, seizures, and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. They included 3 (5% of all cavernous sinus lesions) cavernous sinus, 24 (44%) transverse-sigmoid and superior sagittal sinus, and 11 (46%) direct cortical types of dAVFs. Of these 38 aggressive lesions, retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage was disclosed in 35 lesions, and retrograde sinus drainage in 3. Eighteen cases were treated only with endovascular procedures, 7 with surgical interventions, and 13 with combined endovascular and surgical procedures. Angiographic results were complete obliteration in 66% of the cases, subtotal and partial obliteration in 34%. Clinical outcome was GR (good recovery) in 58% of cases, MD (moderate disability) in 18%, SD (severe disability) in 13%, VS (vegetative state) in 8%, and D (death) (due to acute cardiac infarction) in 3%. Symptomatic procedural complication occurred in 3 cases. In conclusion, aggressive dural AVF resulted from retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage. Combined surgical and endovascular treatment played the leading part in the management of this aggressive type of lesion.

In this study the hemodynamic status and treatment modality of aggressive dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) was evaluated. Of 145 intracranial dAVFs treated in our clinic, there were 38 aggressive lesions presenting with hemorrhage, infarction, seizures, and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. They included 3 (5% of all cavernous sinus lesions) cavernous sinus, 24 (44%) transverse-sigmoid and superior sagittal sinus, and 11 (46%) direct cortical types of dAVFs. Of these 38 aggressive lesions, retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage was disclosed in 35 lesions, and retrograde sinus drainage in 3. Eighteen cases were treated only with endovascular procedures, 7 with surgical interventions, and 13 with combined endovascular and surgical procedures. Angiographic results were complete obliteration in 66% of the cases, subtotal and partial obliteration in 34%. Clinical outcome was GR (good recovery) in 58% of cases, MD (moderate disability) in 18%, SD (severe disability) in 13%, VS (vegetative state) in 8%, and D (death) (due to acute cardiac infarction) in 3%. Symptomatic procedural complication occurred in 3 cases. In conclusion, aggressive dural AVF resulted from retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage. Combined surgical and endovascular treatment played the leading part in the management of this aggressive type of lesion.

L10–FePt(001) single-crystal films were grown epitaxially on SrTiO3(001), MgAl2O4(001), and MgO(001) substrates. Their uniaxial magnetic anisotropy Ku and the order structure were examined for the film thickness t range of 2–14 nm. All series of films show large Ku of 4 × 107 erg/cm3 in the thickness range higher than 10 nm, with order parameter S of 0.8 and saturation magnetization Ms of 1120 emu/cm3. Ku decreased gradually as t decreased. The Ku reduction was considerable when t decreased from 4 nm to 2 nm. No marked difference in the thickness dependence of Ku was found in any series of films, although the lattice mismatch between FePt and the substrates was markedly different. Ku reduction showed good agreement with the reduction of S for the films on MgAl2O4 and MgO. The Ku ∼ S2 plot showed an almost linear relation, which is in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Transmission electron microscopy images for a FePt film on MgO substrate revealed that the lattice mismatch between FePt(001) and...

The connective tissue-type mast cells present in the submandibular gland (SMG) and peritoneal cavity of rats were found to express kininogens (KGs), the expression of which was demonstrated by Western blotting, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), RT–PCR Southern blotting, and light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. In the SMG, the analysis of cDNA amplified by RT–PCR revealed that the molecular species of mRNAs expressed were high-molecular-weight (HMW)-K KG and T-I KG. Light microscopic immunocytochemistry exclusively localized the KG protein(s) in the mast cells present in the SMG. The signals in the mast cells were very strong, but no positive reaction was observed in the granular convoluted tubular cells, acinar cells or striated duct cells. As determined by using electron microscopy, extremely strong labelling with immunogold was observed in the secretory granules of the mast cells, but no labelling in their nucleus or cytoplasm. Analysis by Western blotting and RT–PCR Southern blotting indicated that both protein and mRNA of KGs were present in the mast cells separated from the peritoneal cavity, indicating de novo synthesis of KG in these cells. Preliminary experiments implied that the connective tissue-type mast cells in other rat tissues also expressed KG.

Summary Aims To investigate association between leisure-time physical activity at weekends and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods Prospective examination of 6013 Japanese men aged 35–60 years who were free of DM, impaired fasting glycaemia, or hypertension at study entry. Type 2 DM was defined by a fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 7.0 mmol/l or a 2-h post-load plasma glucose level ≥ 11.1 mmol/l. Data on physical activity obtained from questionnaires consisted of overall leisure-time physical activity weekly and leisure-time physical activity at weekends. Results During the 59 966 person-years follow-up, 444 cases developed Type 2 DM. Regular physical exercise at least once a week was associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 DM. After adjustments for age, body mass index, daily alcohol consumption, smoking habits, blood pressure levels and a parental history of Type 2 DM, men who engaged in regular physical exercise at least once a week had a relative risk of Type 2 DM of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.61–0.93) compared with men engaging in exercise less often. Even vigorous activity only once a week at weekends was associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 DM. Men who engaged in vigorous activity at least once a week at weekends had a multiple-adjusted relative risk of Type 2 DM of 0.55 (95% CI, 0.35–0.88) compared with sedentary men. Conclusions Regular physical exercise at least once a week and vigorous activity even only once a week at weekends are associated with a decreased risk of Type 2 DM.

Summary Aims To assess the impact of cigarette smoking on the incidence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in middle-aged Japanese men. Methods The study enrolled 6250 men aged 35–60 years and free of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and hypertension at entry. Type 2 DM was defined by a fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 7.0 mmol/l or physician-diagnosed Type 2 DM. Results Four hundred and fifty cases of Type 2 DM were confirmed during the 60 904 person-years follow-up. After adjustment for multiple covariates, including age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity, parental history of diabetes and the level of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and haematocrit, the relative risk of Type 2 DM among current smokers compared with non-smokers was 1.47 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–1.92). Men who smoked > 30 cigarettes/day had a multivariate-relative risk of 1.73 (95% CI 1.20–2.48) compared with non-smokers. The number of cigarettes smoked daily and the pack-year values were positively related to the development of Type 2 DM in a dose-dependent manner (P for trends = 0.0026 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions A cigarette smoking habit is an independent risk factor for Type 2 DM.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between high normal blood pressure or hypertension and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a large Japanese cohort. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We enrolled 7,594 Japanese men aged 35-60 years who did not have diabetes or impaired fasting glucose at study entry. Type 2 diabetes was defined as a fasting plasma glucose level of > or = 126 mg/dl or a 2-h postload plasma glucose level of > or = 200 mg/dl. High normal blood pressure was defined as no history of hypertension and a systolic blood pressure of > or = 130 and < 140 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of > or = 85 and < 90 mmHg. Subjects were considered to have hypertension if they had a systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mmHg, if they had a diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg, or if they were taking anti-hypertensive medications. RESULTS: We confirmed 600 cases of type 2 diabetes during the 72,946 person-years of follow-up. Both high normal blood pressure and hypertension were associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Compared with normotensive men, men with high normal blood pressure had a multiple adjusted relative risk (RR) of 1.39 (95% CI 1.14-1.69), and men with hypertension had a multiple adjusted RR of 1.76 (1.43-2.16). Even among lean men (BMI < 22.7 kg/m2), men with high normal blood pressure had a multiple adjusted RR of 1.71 (1.20-2.42), and men with hypertension had a multiple adjusted RR of 2.02 (1.34-3.05) compared with normotensive men. CONCLUSIONS: High normal blood pressure and hypertension are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between daily alcohol consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes in a large Japanese cohort. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We enrolled 6,362 Japanese men aged 35-61 years who did not have diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, or liver cirrhosis at study entry. Type 2 diabetes was defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level > or =126 mg/dl or was diagnosed by a physician. Data on alcohol consumption were obtained from questionnaires. We confirmed 456 cases of type 2 diabetes during the 62,016 person-years of follow-up. RESULTS: The relationship between daily alcohol consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes among lean men and among men with a higher BMI was paradoxical. Among lean men (BMI < or =22.0 kg/m2), heavy drinking was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Men who consumed > or =50.1 ml/day of alcohol had a relative risk (RR) of 2.48 (95% CI 1.31-4.71) compared with nondrinkers after adjusting for age, BMI, regular physical exercise, parental history of diabetes, smoking habits, and FPG level. However, among men with a BMI > or =22.1 kg/m2, moderate drinking (29.1-50.0 ml/day) was associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Daily moderate drinkers had a multiple adjusted RR of 0.58 (0.39-0.87) compared with nondrinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Among men with a BMI > or =22.1 kg/m2, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, but among lean men (BMI < or =22.0 kg/m2), heavy alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether impaired fasting glucose (IFG) increased the risk for hypertension in two large Japanese cohorts during the different time periods. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We prospectively investigated two Japanese cohorts: a 1980s population, comprising 4,130 normotensive and nondiabetic men aged 35-60 years entered between 1981 and 1983, and a 1990s population, comprising 4,319 normotensive and nondiabetic men aged 35-60 years entered between 1991 and 1992. Data on lifestyle factors were obtained from questionnaires. IFG was defined as a fasting plasma glucose level > or = 110 and < 126 mg/dl. RESULTS: During the 4-year observation period, 708 cases of hypertension were confirmed in the 1980s and 848 cases were confirmed in the 1990s. In both the 1980s and 1990s populations, IFG was associated with the risk of hypertension. The frequency of IFG in men in the 1990s group was twice as high as that in the 1980s group. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of hypertension was 1.54 (95% CI, 1.01-2.34) for men with IFG in the 1980s population and 1.73 (1.31-2.29) in the 1990s population, compared with those without IFG in the two populations. In the 1990s population, among lean men with a BMI < or = 23 kg/m2, men with IFG had a multivariate-adjusted OR of hypertension of 2.31 (1.46-3.65) compared with those without IFG. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated direct correlation between IFG and hypertension and greater incidence of this hypertension in the 1990s group than in the 1980s group.

We present an optical evidence for Aharonov–Bohm (AB) effect in InAs quantum tubes fabricated by a selective area-metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. The oscillations of the photoluminescence peak energies are observed in quantum tubes depending on the magnetic flux through the tube. These oscillations in energies are shown to be due to the AB effect of a charged exciton in a quantum tube by a theory based on the effective-mass approximation.

To study the dynamic interaction between blood cells and endothelial cells in the pulmonary microcirculation, we developed a method for observing leukocytes and erythrocytes in the microcirculation of perfused rat lungs by confocal laser scanning microscopy. We examined the behavior of leukocytes in the microcirculation of rat lungs exposed to hyperoxia, because oxygen toxicity is known to be associated with leukocyte infiltration and endothelial cell damage. Rats were divided into two groups: control (21% O2) and hyperoxia (90% O2 for 48 hours). Lungs were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution equilibrated with 21% O2 and 5% CO2 through an artificial lung. Leukocytes stained with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester and erythrocytes stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate were added to the perfusate, and images of the cells were observed and recorded with a confocal laser scanning microscope and a high-speed video camera. The mean velocities of erythrocytes (Vr) in arterioles, capillaries, and venules of the control group were 1.52, 0.50 and 1.61 mm/sec, respectively. Also in the control group, the velocities of the leukocytes were divided by the mean velocities of the erythrocytes in the same arterioles, capillaries and venules (Vw/Vr) and the results were 0.96, 0.97, and 0.98, respectively. The Vw/Vr values for arterioles in the hyperoxia group were not significantly different from those in the control group, but the Vw/Vr values for capillaries and venules were 27% and 37% lower than their respective control values. Leukocyte sequestration was seen mainly in capillaries in the hyperoxic group. These results suggest that an increase in adhesion in capillaries and venules, such as that caused by adhesion molecules, might play a key role in the behavior of leukocytes in the pulmonary microcirculation during hyperoxia.

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the development of hypertension in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Parathyroidectomy (PTX) or sham surgery was performed on 6-week-old male SHR, and 3 weeks later human PTH (hPTH) or saline was infused subcutaneously over 2 weeks using a minipump. PTX significantly attenuated the development of hypertension and reduced serum vitamin-D concentrations. PTX also augmented the depressor response to acetylcholine before N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), although it remained unchanged after L-NNA. The cardiovascular reactivity to exogenous noradrenaline and angiotensin II was not affected by PTX. The chronic administration of hPTH reversed these effects. We conclude that PTH plays an important role in the development of hypertension, through modulating the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, in young SHR.

The feasibility of intracellular recordings under constraints for experimental conditions in outer space were tested at a telescience testbed of the National Space Development Agency of Japan. We attempted to study the dose-response relationship of adenosine-induced potential changes in the Xenopus oocyte. The testbed simulated the distance from a ground control room to oocytes in an orbital laboratory; signals were delayed and compressed from one "station" to other. A microelectrode was inserted into the oocyte using remote control on the manipulator and on the xyz-planes of the platform with stereoscopic pictures observed through a head mounted display. When the transfer rate of the visual signals was decreased from 1.5 Mbps to 128 Kbps, insertion of the electrode became almost impossible because of reduced picture quality. Once the electrode was inserted, however, dose-dependent adenosine responses could be observed with little trouble.

After inoculating mice with herpes simplex virus (HSV) by a corneal or intravitreal route, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in the cervical lymph nodes and spleen was assayed. The spleen and cervical lymph nodes were removed at various points till 2 weeks after inoculation, and CTL activity was assayed in a groups: (A) mice intravitreally inoculated with HSV, and (B) mice with topical application of HSV. The reactivity of delayed type sensitivity was determined by the thickness of the mouse ear pinna on the 6th day in both groups. CTL activity in the spleen was at the same level in both groups. Up to 10 days after inoculation CTL activity in the cervical lymph nodes in group (A) was lower than in group (B). The reactivity of delayed type sensitivity in group (A) was lower than in group (B). These results indicate that an anterior chamber associated immune deviation (ACAID)-like phenomenon occurred after HSV inoculation into the vitreous cavity.

We study the optical effects on superconductor-normal metal superconductor (S-Sm-S) junctions composed of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure and NbN superconducting electrodes. When the whole junction area was illuminated at ? = 800 nm, we observe a reduction in the normal resistance due to an increase in the sheet carrier density of the 2DEG, and the enhancement of the Andreev reflection probability. To reveal its origin, we performed scanning photo-voltage measurement by employing an optical microscope. The obtained image plots show maxima and minima of the photo-voltage change along the S-Sm interfaces. Those structures are considered to reflect the modulation of the barrier height at S-Sm interface and the increase in the scattering by photo-generated carriers. It is demonstrated that the scanning photo-voltage measurement is one of the most powerful tools as a local probe of the transport properties of S-Sm-S junctions.