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Background: Published findings on breast cancer risk associated with different types of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) are inconsistent, with limited information on long-term effects. We bring together the epidemiological evidence, published and unpublished, on these associations, and review the relevant randomised evidence. Methods: Principal analyses used individual participant data from all eligible prospective studies that had sought information on the type and timing of MHT use; the main analyses are of individuals with complete information on this. Studies were identified by searching many formal and informal sources regularly from Jan 1, 1992, to Jan 1, 2018. Current users were included up to 5 years (mean 1·4 years) after last-reported MHT use. Logistic regression yielded adjusted risk ratios (RRs) comparing particular groups of MHT users versus never users. Findings: During prospective follow-up, 108 647 postmenopausal women developed breast cancer at mean age 65 years (SD 7); 55 575 (51%) had used MHT. Among women with complete information, mean MHT duration was 10 years (SD 6) in current users and 7 years (SD 6) in past users, and mean age was 50 years (SD 5) at menopause and 50 years (SD 6) at starting MHT. Every MHT type, except vaginal oestrogens, was associated with excess breast cancer risks, which increased steadily with duration of use and were greater for oestrogen-progestagen than oestrogen-only preparations. Among current users, these excess risks were definite even during years 1–4 (oestrogen-progestagen RR 1·60, 95% CI 1·52–1·69; oestrogen-only RR 1·17, 1·10–1·26), and were twice as great during years 5–14 (oestrogen-progestagen RR 2·08, 2·02–2·15; oestrogen-only RR 1·33, 1·28–1·37). The oestrogen-progestagen risks during years 5–14 were greater with daily than with less frequent progestagen use (RR 2·30, 2·21–2·40 vs 1·93, 1·84–2·01; heterogeneity p Interpretation: If these associations are largely causal, then for women of average weight in developed countries, 5 years of MHT, starting at age 50 years, would increase breast cancer incidence at ages 50–69 years by about one in every 50 users of oestrogen plus daily progestagen preparations; one in every 70 users of oestrogen plus intermittent progestagen preparations; and one in every 200 users of oestrogen-only preparations. The corresponding excesses from 10 years of MHT would be about twice as great.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has curative potential against hematological malignancies. However, there are concerns about the associated risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM). We performed a retrospective single-center study to assess changes in outcomes after allo-HSCT and causes of NRM over three 5-year periods. The rates of 2-year NRM and overall survival (OS) were 16% and 59%, respectively. We found a significant decrease in NRM (P

Association between pretransplant iron overload determined by bone marrow pathological analysis and bacterial infection

Background:Patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at risk of serious infections (SIs) due to the impact of the disease itself and treatments that modulate immune system. Though the epidemiology of RA has been well-established by developing many targeted DMARDs (tDMARDs) including biologics and targeted synthesized DMARDs, LN is a very rare disease. Therefore, a large sample size with a significant number of cases is required to determine the exact risk of SIs in LN.Objectives:To compare the incidence rates of SIs resulting in an inpatient claim in adult patients with LN compared with RA with or without tDMARDs using hospital claims data in Japan.Methods:LN and RA were identified using claims data provided by Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd (Tokyo, Japan) between April 2008 and June 2019 which was extracted 5thSeptember 2019. Data between January 2010 and December 2018 was used for analysis. Patients with LN and RA were identified using modifications to algorithms developed before [1, 2]. LN patients were required to have continuous insurance claim for both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and LN for ≥ 6 months after index date and then RA patients had continuous insurance claim for RA for ≥ 6 months after index date. First incident SIs were defined as those that resulted in an inpatient claim for a pre-specified set of ICD-10 code. Incidence rates (IRs) were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results:The LN, RA, RA treated with tDMARDs and RA treated without tDMARDs cohorts included 6,403, 108,317, 16,450, and 91,867 patients, respectively. As anticipated, the LN and RA cohorts were predominantly female and the RA cohort was generally older than the LN cohorts. IRs per 1,000 person-year(PY) [95% CI] for pneumocystis carini pneumonia were 28.2 [26.0-30.4] in LN, 8.5 [8.2-8.8] in RA, 12.6 [11.7-13.5] in RA with tDMARDs and 7.7 [7.4-8.0] in RA without tDMARDs. IRs per 1,000 PY for septicaemia infection were 23.3 [21.3-25.3] in LN, 12.1 [11.7-12.4] in RA, 13.3 [12.3-14.2] in RA with tDMARDs and 11.8 [11.5-12.2] in RA without tDMARDs. IRs per 1,000 PY for cytomegalovirus infection were 13.4 [11.9-14.9] in LN, 4.4 [4.2-4.6] in RA, 6.2 [5.6-6.8] in RA with tDMARDs and 4.1 [3.8-4.3] in RA without tDMARDs. IRs per 1,000 PY for tuberculosis were 7.2 [6.0-8.3] in LN, 6.7 [6.5-7.0] in RA, 18.2 [17.1-19.3] in RA with tDMARDs and 4.4 [4.2-4.7] in RA without tDMARDs.Conclusion:In this population-based analysis of claims data from Japan, the IRs of SI such as pneumocystis carini pneumonia, septicemia infection and cytomegalovirus infection were higher in LN than in RA. And also, the incidence of tuberculosis in RA treated with tDMARDs was highest among these cohorts. These findings demonstrate the relative contribution of age, immunosuppressive therapies and disease-related factors in LN and RA.References:[1]Pawar A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019 Apr;78(4):456-464. [2] ChibnikLB et al. Lupus, 2010. May;19(6):741-3.Table 1.Description of study populationLNRAtDMARDsNon tDMARDsN%N%N%N%Age (years) 18-34170026.690158.3182811.171877.8 35-44174327.21666215.4281617.11384615.1 45-54156324.42995527.7445227.12550327.8 55-64139721.85268548.6735444.74533149.3Gender Female538584.17841972.41265376.96576671.6 Male101815.92989827.6379723.12610128.4Table 2.IRs per 1,000 PY [95% CI] of SI for LN and RA patientsLN total PY = 22065RA total PY = 365033tDMARDsNon tDMARDstotal PY = 60999total PY = 304034Pneumocystis carinipneumonia28.2 [26.0-30.4]8.5 [8.2-8.8]12.6 [11.7-13.5]7.7 [7.4-8.0]Septicaemia23.3 [21.3-25.3]12.1 [11.7-12.4]13.3 [12.3-14.2]11.8 [11.5-12.2]Cytomegalovirusinfection13.4 [11.9-14.9]4.4 [4.2-4.6]6.2 [5.6-6.8]4.1 [3.8-4.3]Tuberculosis7.2 [6.0-8.3]6.7 [6.5-7.0]18.2 [17.1-19.3]4.4 [4.2-4.7]Mycosis5.1 [4.1-6.0]2.7 [2.6-2.9]4.6 [4.1-5.1]2.4 [2.2-2.5]Aspergillosis4.7 [3.8-5.6]2.7 [2.5-2.9]2.1 [1.7-2.5]2.8 [2.6-3.0]Herpes3.3 [2.5-4.0]2.4 [2.2-2.6]2.9 [2.5-3.3]2.3 [2.1-2.5]Disclosure of Interests:Mariko Nio Employee of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kosei Tajima Employee of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Naofumi Sugaya Employee of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tomoyuki Ishiwata Employee of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tatsuhiko Iwase Employee of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., hiroyuki kato Employee of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Misato Hashizume Employee of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

A 69‐year‐old woman visited our hospital complaining of right chest pain. Chest computed tomography showed a 55 × 45 mm tumor in the right upper lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed displaced anomalous B 1 and B 2 +3 arising from the right main bronchus, and the patient was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma by transbronchial lung biopsy from the displaced B 2 +3. Three‐dimensional computed tomography with multiplanar reconstruction revealed a displaced anomalous B 1 and B 2 +3 branching directly from the right main bronchus, respectively, and abnormal distribution of the aberrant pulmonary vein (V 2) descended dorsally to the right main bronchus and emptied into the left atrium. Video‐assisted right upper lobectomy with nodal dissection was successfully performed. Attention should be paid to the anomalous bronchus and pulmonary vessels for safer lung cancer operations, especially for video‐assisted thoracic surgery.

Switchable mirrors based on magnesium–yttrium alloy thin films were prepared by a direct-current magnetron sputtering method. The changes in the film thickness of the mirrors due to hydrogenation and dehydrogenation have been investigated using atomic force microscopy and X-ray reflectometry. As a result of first hydrogenation of a switchable mirror, the thickness was expanded by ~15%, while as a result of dehydrogenation, the thickness was compressed by only ~2%. From the switching processes, the thickness changed by ~2% on the following optical switching. This small change may cause high switching durability of Mg–Y switchable mirrors.

Pd-capped magnesium–yttrium alloy switchable mirrors were found to have high switching durability of over 10,000 cycles between reflective and transparent states. However, the durability decreased with the decreasing Pd thickness. Switchable mirrors with various Pd thicknesses were then prepared by a direct-current magnetron sputtering method, and the degradation in durability was studied by observing the distribution of each element of the switchable mirrors from the film surface to the substrate. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that Pd with a short sputtering time (corresponding to layer thickness of 3 nm) resulted in surface oxidation of Mg and Y, and no Pd was present at the surface. The deposited Pd was alloyed with the Mg–Y layer and after taking the sample out from the vacuum chamber a Pd-rich layer appeared between the surface oxides and the Mg–Y layers. With increasing deposition time, a Pd layer was formed on the oxide layer and the Pd layer thickness increased. The mirror with switching durability of over 10,000 cycles had a sufficiently thick Pd top layer of ~7 nm and a very thin oxide layer. This thick Pd layer is believed to be the reason for the high switching durability.

Plasma cell neoplasms can present as a single lesion (solitary plasmacytoma) or as multiple lesions (multiple myeloma). Solitary plasmacytoma is a rare plasma cell neoplasm. There are 2 separate entities, dependent on the location of the lesion originating in either bone or extramedullary soft tissue. It is defined as a proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells without evidence of significant bone-marrow plasma-cell infiltration. We present a 71-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a solitary plasmacytoma of the bone located in the right third rib after surgical resection. A chest roentgenogram showed a solitary expanding lesion in the right third rib. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an osteolytic chest wall tumor. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and CT (PET-CT) showed no abnormal uptake in the whole body, except for the third rib lesion. The patient underwent complete en-bloc resection of the chest wall including ribs, muscle, and parietal pleura. The patient is asymptomatic without any recurrence after one and a half years of follow up.

Anaphylactic shock is a rare, but potentially lethal complication, combining life-threatening circulatory failure and massive fluid shifts. Treatment guidelines rely on adrenaline and volume expansion by intravenous fluids, but there is no solid evidence for the choice of one specific type of fluid over another. Our purpose was to compare the time to achieve target mean arterial pressure upon resuscitation using adrenaline alone versus adrenaline with different resuscitation fluids in an animal model and to compare the tissue oxygen pressures (PtiO2) with the various strategies. Twenty-five ovalbumin-sensitised Brown Norway rats were allocated to five groups after anaphylactic shock induction: vehicle (CON), adrenaline alone (AD), or adrenaline with isotonic saline (AD+IS), hydroxyethyl starch (AD+HES) or hypertonic saline (AD+HS). Time to reach a target mean arterial pressure value of 75 mmHg, cardiac output, skeletal muscle PtiO2, lactate/pyruvate ratio and cumulative doses of adrenaline were recorded. Non-treated rats died within 15 minutes. The target mean arterial pressure value was reached faster with AD+HES (median: 10 minutes, range: 7.5 to 12.5 minutes) and AD+IS (median: 17.5 minutes, range: 5 to 25 minutes) versus adrenaline alone (median: 25 minutes, range: 20-30 minutes). There were also reduced adrenaline requirements in these groups. The skeletal muscle PtiO2 was restored only in the AD+HES group. Although direct extrapolation to humans should be made with caution, our results support the combined use of adrenaline and volume expansion for resuscitation from anaphylactic shock. When used with adrenaline the most effective fluid was hydroxyethyl starch, whereas hypertonic saline was the least effective.

Switchable mirrors based on magnesium–yttrium alloy thin films were prepared using a direct-current magnetron sputtering method. The optical switching durability between reflective and transparent states using a gasochromic method has been investigated. Pd-capped Mg1−zYz (0.14 0.5. The mirrors with the Y composition in the wide range of 0.27–0.70 have visible transmittance values of about 35% in the transparent state. The difference in visible transmittance between the reflective and transparent states decreased with z, especially over 0.7. In the transparent state, all prepared switchable mirrors had relatively flat optical transmittance spectra in the visible range and showed nearly neutral color appearance. Thus, the optimal Y composition is in the range of 0.5–0.7 for switchable mirrors with high switching durability and large dynamic range between the reflective and transparent states.

SUMMARYDietary manipulation is one promising approach to reducing methane (CH4) emissions from forage-fed ruminants. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding two concentrations of tannins from Mimosa spp. on rumen fermentation, methanogenesis and energy partitioning in goats. Adult male goats were used in three trials where three diets with increasing concentrations of tannins (control, low-tannin and high-tannin) were fed in a switch-over design. The control diet consisted of 0·65 timothy hay, 0·20 crushed maize and 0·15 soybean meal; low- and high-tannin diets contained 0·975 and 0·950 of the control diet, respectively, mixed with 0·025 and 0·050 of a commercial compound containing tannins with mean crude protein (CP) of 147 g/kg dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) 19 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Total contents (DM basis) of tannins (hydrolysable and condensed) in the control, low- and high-tannin diets were 0, 2·8 and 5·6 g/kg DM, respectively. The tannin source contained 37 and 76 g/kg DM of condensed and hydrolysable tannins, respectively (DM basis). The DM (664 g/d) and GE intakes (19·0 MJ/d) were similar among diet groups. Digestibilities of all dietary components in the high-tannin diet were lower (P P P 4 energy excretion was 0·98, 0·87 and 0·76 MJ/d for goats on control, low- and high-tannin diets, respectively, whereas their corresponding values for CH4 conversion ratio were 0·079, 0·069 and 0·060 of GE intake. These results suggest that natural tannins, even at a low concentration (2·8 g/kg DM of the diet), reduce CH4 emissions, and tree leaves containing appreciable amounts of tannins may potentially be exploited as natural feed additives in ruminants.

The dehydrogenation process of hydrogenated switchable mirrors using magnesium–nickel alloy thin film was studied in situ using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Ellipsometric angles Ψ and Δ of the switchable mirrors varied drastically as a result of dehydrogenation, which is a transformation from transparent to reflective states. The process was analyzed by dividing into the following three phases. The first phase was the dehydrogenation process of a thin Mg 4 Ni layer with several nanometers at a hydrogenated Pd/Mg 4 Ni interface. The second phase was the dehydrogenation processes of the hydrogenated Mg 4 Ni layer, which proceeded from the Pd/Mg 4 Ni interface to the substrate. The final phase was the desorption process of hydrogen, which was absorbed in Mg 4 Ni as solid solution and the dehydrogenation process was terminated.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is typically characterized by severe affective dysregulation leading to impulsive behaviors. Accordingly, preliminary data suggest the hypothesis that BPD patients could have a specific and altered pattern of subjective emotional response to stimuli. The nature of the emotional response in BPD can be compared with other affective disorders and provide further insight on the nosological proximity with other psychiatric disorders.Subjective emotional response was investigated in 19 patients with DSM-IV BPD with no current depressive episode and in 19 healthy control subjects by using the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). The intensity of arousal, valence and dominance was rated in response to 60 images categorized as pleasant, unpleasant and neutral by using a self-assessment instrument. ANOVA of multiple factors was used for between-groups comparisons.The obtained pattern showed that BPD patients considered the unpleasant and neutral images as less aversive than controls, but the activation that these images induced was higher. Patients showed significantly greater arousal than controls for unpleasant and neutral images (p0.05) but presented greater valence (more positive emotion) for these images (p0.05). In addition, BPD patients showed lower dominance (greater insecurity and dyscomfort) for positive images (p0.05).The subjective emotional response pattern of BPD patients suggests a trait of vulnerability to pleasant stimuli and is similar to the pattern found in depressive patients in previous studies. This supports the evidence that BPD could in part be related with the spectrum of the affective temperament and affective disorders.

Optical switching processes of Mg-Ni based switchable mirrors were studied "in situ" using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Ellipsometric angles psi and Delta of the switchable mirrors varied drasticall ...

Trace elements may play an important role in bipolar disorders. The objective of this study is to determine serum copper and zinc, blood lead and cadmium and urine lead, cadmium and thallium concentrations in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorders and to compare these levels with those of a healthy control group.A total of 25 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 29 healthy subjects participated in this study. Serum copper and zinc concentrations were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry; the blood lead and cadmium concentrations were measured by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction; urine lead, cadmium and thallium concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Median blood and urine lead and cadmium levels were significantly higher among the bipolar patients than among the control group: Blood lead (μg/dL): patient median: 3.00 (IQR: 1.40-4.20); control median (μg/dL): 2.20 (IQR: 0.90-3.00) p=0.040. Blood cadmium (μg/L): patient median: 0.39 (IQR: 0.10-1.15); control median: 0.10 (IQR: 0.10-0.17) p0.001. The median of cadmium (μg/L) in patients who smoked (1.20 IQR: 0.44-2.30) was higher than that in non-smokers (0.12 IQR: 0.10-0.34) p0.001. There was a statistically significant increase (p=0.001) in zinc levels among patients in the manic phase (mean 111.28, SD: 33.36 μg/dL) with respect to the control group (mean 86.07, SD: 12.39 μg/dL).The results suggest that there could be higher levels of some toxic trace elements in the group of patients with bipolar disorder than in the healthy control group.

To improve the visible transmittance of switchable mirrors based on Mg–Y alloys in the transparent state using antireflection layers, optical indices n and κ of the hydrogenated switchable mirrors were evaluated using spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range of 310 to 1650 nm. The Y composition z in the Mg1 − zYz alloys was varied between 0.51 and 0.7. The evaluated spectra both n and κ in the visible range increased with decreasing wavelength and increasing Y composition. Furthermore, the wavelength where the k value increased sharply was increased with Y composition. As a result of estimation of the effect of antireflection (AR) coating, it is expected that a switchable mirror using Mg0.39Y0.61 covered with AR layer with the refractive index of ~ 2.3 and ~ 50 nm thickness improved to be Tvis of over 60%, while the switchable mirror without AR had Tvis of 34%. Thus, it is concluded that AR layer is effective to improve Tvis in the transparent state.

A higher number of infused CD34 + cells has a positive impact on the clinical outcome after related PBSC transplantation

During individual human ontogenesis, toward the end of their maturation process, erupting teeth stabilize a distinct distance between the jaws which we call the vertical dimension of the face. The principles that underlie the individuality of vertical dimension are debated contentiously in all disciplines of dentistry. Cephalometric analyses are used to measure and identify the VD in diagnosis and treatment planning. In this paper, a standardized database is used to find possible skeletal references to help establish more individualized standards for lower facial height (after Ricketts) to assist in clinical decisions.

We investigated the improvement in characteristics of a capacitor motor wedged with soft ferrite materials to conserve the electrical energy consumed by induction motors. However, a method of estimating the loss in a capacitor motor is necessary to obtain an optimum design for a motor with magnetic wedges. Consequently, we propose a reluctance network analytical (RNA) model that we used to estimate the loss in the capacitor motor. The no-load characteristics, load characteristics, and characteristics with the locked rotor were calculated based on the RNA model, and we estimated the equivalent winding resistance of the rotor for the equivalent circuit model of a capacitor motor.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship of cranial base angle (CBA) and its influence on the craniofacial morphology remains unclear. The articular mobility of the cranium because of sutures and synchondroses suggests that the individual behavior of cranial base during ontogenic development determines the variable position and relation of the craniofacial structures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between cranial base angle and the morphology of different craniofacial structures in three-dimensionally reconstructed skulls of a European caucasic adult population. METHOD: Several three-dimensional angular and linear measurements obtained from cone beam computerized tomography scanning images of 302 skulls from the Weisbach collection at the Vienna Natural History Museum were analyzed and correlated. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between CBA and different craniofacial structures including positive correlations with the inclination and spatial rotation of vomer bone, the inclination of the maxilla, and posterior occlusal plane. The vertical dimension of the total and the lower facial height showed a negative correlation; similar negative results were observed with occlusal plane height to Sella-Nasion plane, and the sagittal facial dimensions. CONCLUSION: The CBA shows an interesting interrelation with other structures on the three-dimensional morphology of craniofacial architecture.

The hydrogenation and dehydrogenation switching processes of Pd thin films were analyzed by measuring in situ in real time the variation in ellipsometric Ψ and Δ during hydrogenation and dehydrogenation using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The hydrogenation proceeded from the film surface and a mixture layer of metal and hydride was formed at the surface. With time elapse, the thickness of the mixture layer increased rapidly. After the whole Pd metal layer transformed to the mixture layer, the concentration of hydride in the mixture layer increased. Finally, the concentration reached 1; the whole Pd in the mixture layer was hydrogenated, and the hydrogenation of Pd was complete. On the other hand, the dehydrogenation proceeded in a way completely opposite to the hydrogenation process; the concentration of hydride in the mixture layer decreased, Pd metal layer was formed at the interface between the film and the substrate, and the whole layer returned to Pd metal. The dehydrogenation proceeds much faster than hydrogenation.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) [1,2] is the main cause of Adult T-cell leukemia ⁄ lymphoma (ATLL) [3] and HTLV-I associated myelopathy ⁄ Tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM ⁄ TSP) [4,5]. From the long-term epidemiological observation, the HTLV-I carriers are clustered in limited groups in the world, i.e., Southwestern Japanese, native Oceanians, Amerindians in Andes and Northeast British Colombia, North Iranians as well as Central Africans and their descendants in the Caribbean basin and South America [6]. According to evidence obtained from a biennial nationwide surveillance of adult T-cell leukemia ⁄ lymphoma (ATLL) carried out in Japan since 1986, the annual incidence is estimated to be 700 within approximately one million HTLV-I carriers in Japan [7]. The affected individuals mainly inhabit the southern and northern ATLL endemic areas. Among 3499 ATLL patients newly diagnosed during the last ten years from 1988 to 1997 [8], approximately 70% were born in the southwestern districts of Kyushu and Shikoku, and 10% in the northern districts of Hokkaido and Tohoku (Fig. 1). This epidemic pattern of ATLL is still continuous up until now. The main reasons of unique geographical clustering of ATLL in Japan might be linked to a history of old Japanese migration with unique geographical clustering of HTLV-I carriers in Japanese archipelago due to the natural transmission routes of mother-to-child through breast milk and man-to-woman through semen [9,10]. In the ATLL endemic areas in Japan a systematic prevention trial against HTLV-I transmission through breast milk from HTLV-I carrying mothers to newborn babies, e.g., strong recommendation to pregnant women with HTLV-I to completely stop breast milk and ⁄ or to raise their babies by short-term breast feeding [11,12]. Clinically contrasting HTLV-I related diseases

To examine the antidazzle effect of switchable mirrors, mirrors based on a magnesium–nickel alloy were prepared on three kinds of transparent substrates with different surface roughness. The mirrors prepared using a direct-current magnetron sputtering method have nearly the same surface morphology and roughness as the underlying substrates. The diffuse fraction of the total reflectance of the mirrors increases with surface roughness of the mirrors. Thus, by utilizing substrates with rough surfaces, the specular reflectance of the mirrors decreases and consequently it is possible to prepare switchable mirrors with an antidazzle effect.

ARTICLE I NFO The all-solid-state switchable mirror based on magnesium-nickel thin film was fabricated on the flexible sheet of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to reduce process cost and make handling easy for practical application of smart window. The device has the multilayer of Mg4Ni/Pd/Al/Ta2O5/HXWO3/indium tin oxide (ITO) on PET sheet. Each material of the Mg4Ni, Pd, Al, Ta2O5 ,H XWO3 and ITO layers in the device work as an optical switching layer, a proton injector, a buffer layer, a solid electrolyte, an ion storage layer and a transparent conductor, respectively. The effect of the sheet resistance of ITO on the optical switching property of the device was investigated. The optical switching speed of the device on the PET sheet became fast decreasing with the sheet resistance of ITO. The device on the PET sheet with the lower sheet resistance of 35 Ω/sq of ITO showed faster switching speed of 10 s from the reflective state to the transparent one and higher durability than those of the device with other sheet resistances. We expect that the device with lower sheet resistance of ITO made better switching property in the view point of low power consumption operation.

Electronic structures and carrier transport properties were studied based on ab-initio calculations for Au/ZnO/Au and Mg/ZnO/Mg two-probe models. Quantum-mechanically stable structures were obtained by density functional calculations. Electron transmission spectra and current-voltage characteristics were calculated based on a non-equilibrium Green function method with the relaxed structures. It was found that the electronic structures of the idealized models were a Schottky contact for the Au/ZnO/Au interface and an ohmic contact for the Mg/ZnO/Mg interface.

Tungsten oxide thin films with protons intercalated during deposition (Hx WO3) were prepared using reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering in a gas mixture of argon, oxy-gen, and hydrogen. The as-deposited films were tungsten bronze. The concentration of intercalated protons, given by the x -values in Hx WO3, was evaluated by electrochemically ejecting protons from the films. The x -value was proportional to the hydrogen flow ratio at the deposition. The dispersion of the extinction coefficient (κ) of the films was estimated by analyzing the experimental spectra measured with spectroscopic ellipsometry using the model composed of a homogeneous tungsten bronze layer with an additional surface roughness layer. As a result of this analysis, the κ -value increases strongly with intercalated protons, and a linear dependence existed between the x -value and κ -value. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the x -value of the Hx WO3 films using this dependence without ejecting protons. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Thin buffer layers of hydrogen diffusive metals such as Ti, Nb, and V were inserted between a Mg4Ni thin film and a Pd top layer, which were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. Their optical, electrochemical properties, and switching durability were investigated using both gasochromic and electrochromic switching methods. It has been proved that Ti, Nb, and V buffer layers can protect the migration of Mg to surface of thin film during the switching processes, and also service as a protection layer against the oxidization of Mg. These metal buffer layers do not affect the hydrogenation of Mg–Ni alloy mirrors system when switching with hydrogen gas or electrochromic, rather, its dehydrogenation speed is accelerated greatly. Switching cyclic number of those metal buffer layer inserted mirrors achieved 400–500 cycles which was enhanced ca. 3 times than non-inserted one.

In this paper, we show gasochromic and electrochromic switching properties of Pd top capped magnesium–titanium (Mg–Ti) thin films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. These films show excellent switchable mirror properties. By exposing to 4% H 2 in Ar, Pd (4 nm)/Mg 0.82 Ti 0.18 (40 nm) film changed from the metallic state to the transparent state drastically within 5 s. By exposing to air, it goes back to the metallic state within 60 s. The transmittance spectrum in the hydride state is quite flat in the wavelength range from 400 to 2500 nm. It looks complete color neutral and its chromaticity coordinates are x =0.326 and y =0.340. Simple electrochromic device of Mg–Ti thin film using a liquid electrolyte works very well. It can be switched between the mirror state and the color-neutral transparent state.

Magnesium-niobium (Mg-Nb) thin films with a palladium (Pd) top layer were prepared on glass substrates by means of DC magnetron sputtering deposition, at room temperature. A Mg-Nb thin film with a Pd top layer can be switched to a transparent state from a mirror-like state by loading with 4% hydrogen gas. The optical properties of Mg(1-x)Nbx thin film switchable mirrors, with x ranging from 0.13 to 0.37, coated with a Pd layer were investigated using a UV-Vis-NIR optical photometer. The optical transmittance of the hydride states decreased with an increasing Nb fraction. Mg-Nb thin film switchable mirrors show color-neutral characteristics in the hydride state. The degradation mechanism of Mg-Nb thin films when loading hydrogen (H) gas was studied using X-ray photoelectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) methods. We showed that Mg-Nb-H thin films are transparent, color-neutral semiconductors with a band cap of 2.2 ± 0.2 eV.

Background: Cigarette smoking is the major cause of lung cancer (LC). Although the time to first cigarette (TTFC) of the day is a distinct indicator of nicotine dependence, little information is available on its possible relation to LC. Patients and methods: This case-control study includes a total of 1572 incident LC cases and 1572 non-cancer controls visiting for the first time the Aichi Cancer Center Hospital between 2001 and 2005. We estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for TTFC using a logistic regression model after adjustment for several potential confounders. Results: TTFC was inversely associated with the risk of LC. This association was consistent across histological subtypes of LC. For all LCs considered among ever smokers and after accurate allowance for smoking quantity and duration, besides other relevant covariates, compared with TTFC >60 min, the adjusted ORs were 1.08 (95% CI, 0.73-1.61) for TTFC of 31-60 min, 1.40 (0.98-2.01) for 6-30 min and 1.86 (1.28-2.71) for within 5 min (Ptrend < 0.001). Statistically marginally significant heterogeneity by histological subtype was observed (Pheterogeneity, 0.002). Conclusions: Nicotine dependence, as indicated by the TTFC, is associated with increased risk of LC and is therefore an independent marker of exposure to tobacco smoking.

Reduction of the iron loss and copper loss of induction motors has been thoroughly studied in a conventional sense. However, the fact that no method for estimating the harmonic loss due to the materials or dimensions of a motor has yet been established, has been an obstacle to harmonic loss reduction. We proposed an evaluation index Ew2 for the harmonic loss that is caused by slots of a capacitor motor, which is a kind of a single-phase induction motor. Ew2 is calculated from effective value of electromotive force with a virtual coil of the rotor surface. On no load, we found that Ew2 was effective as an evaluation index for the harmonic loss. In this paper, we calculate Ew2 on load and examine the propriety of using Ew2 as a harmonic loss evaluation index.

Studies carried out to compare sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique (SF 6 ), rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) with in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) for estimation of methane (CH 4 ) production from ruminant feeds. Five diets viz., alfalfa hay (D 1 ), corn silage and soybean meal (SBM) (91:9, D 2 ), Italian ryegrass hay and SBM (92:8, D 3 ), rice straw and SBM (91:9, D 4 ) and Sudan grass hay and SBM (92:8, D 5 ) were evaluated for methane output by all the three techniques. RUSITEC has underestimated the methane output from all the diets compared with that of SF 6 , whereas the methane output estimated by IVGPT was very close to that of SF 6 . Therefore IVGPT seems to be a suitable tool for establishing a database on the methanogenic potential of ruminant diets.

Summary Objective Apoptosis of chondrocytes plays a pivotal role in cartilage degeneration. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine and has been assumed to cause the degradation of human cartilage. To investigate the mechanisms of TNF-α-mediated apoptosis of human chondrocytes from a point of view of the balance between the caspase-cascade and the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), although both of them are induced with TNF-signals. Methods The expression of TNF-receptors (TNF-Rs) in normal human articular chondrocyte (NHAC-kn) was examined with immunocytochemistry. Subconfluent cultures of NHAC-kn were tested with TNF-α and/or actinomycin D (actD), and the induction of apoptosis was evaluated by the frequency of apoptotic cells visualized with nuclear staining using Hoechst 33342. The activation of caspases and the expression of IAPs were examined with Western blot analyses. Results NHAC-kn expressed TNF-R1 and -R2. When NHAC-kn was treated with TNF-α (10ng/ml) and actD (0.2μg/ml) for 24h, the frequency of apoptotic cells increased to more than 25%. TNF-α alone, however, induced the apoptosis insufficiently (up to 8.3%), even when used at the concentration of 100ng/ml for 48h. In apoptotic human chondrocytes induced with TNF-α (10ng/ml) and actD (0.2μg/ml), the caspase-3, -8, and -9 were activated and the protein expression of XIAP and c-IAP1 decreased. Conclusions In apoptotic human chondrocytes induced with TNF-α and actD, the balance between caspase activation and IAPs' expression lay with the executioner caspase (caspase-3) and led to decreased expression of XIAP and c-IAP1.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of temperature and pH on in vitro nutrient degradability, volatile fatty acid profile and methane production. The fermenter used was the semi-continuous system, known as the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC). Sixteen cylinders were used at one time with a volume of 800 ml, the dilution rate was set at 3.5%/hour, the infused buffer being McDougall's artificial saliva. Basal diet (9.6 g DM) used in RUSITEC consisted of (DM) 6.40 g Timothy hay, 1.86 g crushed corn and 1.34 g soybean meal. The food for the fermentation vessel was provided in nylon bags, which were gently agitated in the liquid phase. The experiment lasted for 17 d with all the samples taken during the last 5 d. Treatments were allocated at random to four vessels each and were (1) two temperature levels of 39°C and 41°C (2) two pH levels of 6.0 and 7.0. The total diet contained (g kg -1 DM) 957 OM, 115 CP and 167 MJ kg -1 (DM) GE. Although increase in temperature from 39°C to 41°C reduced degradation of major nutrients in vitro, it was non-significant. Interaction effect of temperature with pH also reflected a similar trend. However, pH showed a significant (p

A reduced incidence of graft versus host disease (GvHD) has been documented among Japanese allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) patients, as the Japanese are genetically more homogeneous than western populations. To clarify whether this ethnic difference affects the results of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), we conducted a nationwide survey to compare clinical outcomes of allogeneic PBSCT (n = 214) and BMT (n = 295) from a human leucocyte antigen-identical-related donor in Japanese patients. The cumulative incidence of grades II-IV acute GvHD was 37.4% for PBSCT and 32.0% for BMT. The cumulative incidence of extensive chronic GvHD at 1 year was significantly higher after PBSCT than BMT (42% vs. 27%; P < 0.01). The organ involvement patterns of GvHD were different between the two groups. By multivariate analyses, the incidence of chronic GvHD was significantly increased in PBSCT, whereas the stem cell source did not affect the incidence of acute GvHD, transplant-related mortality, relapse or survival. We concluded that Japanese PBSCT patients have an increased risk of chronic GvHD compared with BMT patients, but the incidence of acute GvHD was still lower than in western populations. Thus, the choice of haematopoietic stem cell source should be considered based on data for individual ethnic populations.