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Gas-Controlled Heat Pipes (GCHPs) are devices based on generating and maintaining, at millikelvin level, a thermodynamic liquid-vapour equilibrium of a fluid. For this reason, GCHPs have been studied for more than thirty years for research and applications in thermal metrology. Capabilities have been constantly improved and adapted by National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and accredited laboratories. Activities include study of vapour pressure curves of pure elements and substances, thermometers’ non-uniqueness up to 960 °C, calibrations between −20 °C and 900 °C with millikelvin uncertainties, studies of innovative pressure controllers allowing regulation better than 10−6 from below 1000 Pa up to 400 kPa. GCHPs operating at different temperature ranges have also been connected to a common pressure line in the so-called “Temperature Amplifier” configuration. This review paper presents an almost complete report about the several models of GCHPs, materials and working fluids, techniques adopted in different temperature/pressure ranges. All involved NMIs using GCHP are here included, with detailed bibliography.

Previously, the authors have published work describing a pure Ni fixed point within alumina crucibles. The success of this study stimulated working with the Ni–Ag monotectic point in alumina crucibles. Similar to eutectic points, the Ni–Ag monotectic temperature is an invariant point but it differs from a eutectic reaction in such a way that the monotectic phase change takes place from Ni–Ag liquid solution to Ni–Ag solid solution and Ag rich Ni–Ag liquid solution. In the phase diagram references, the Ni–Ag monotectic phase transition temperature is assigned to be about 20 $$^{\circ }$$ C below the pure Ni melting/freezing point. As is the case for pure Ni, mechanical stability is one of the concerns. Therefore, proper cell design is necessary to avoid breakage of the alumina crucible. The techniques used for the fabrication and measurement of the pure Ni cell were applied to the Ni–Ag cell as well. The cells have been successfully fabricated and the temperature measurement at the fixed point was carried out for more than 20 thermal cycles in total. A Pt/Pd thermocouple was used to measure the temperature and was calibrated from the tin point to the gold point to measure the ITS-90. Freezing plateaus are realized with the technique of “recurrent offset freezing method with reserved solid”. The duration of each freezing plateau is a minimum of 30 min. The monotectic transformation temperature for the best performed cell is determined as 1428.27 $$^{\circ }$$ C with a combined uncertainty of ±0.06 $$^{\circ }$$ C ( $${k}=1$$ ).

Two Au fixed points filled using metal of different nominal purities in carbon crucibles have been developed at the National Research Council Canada (NRC). The primary motivation behind this project was to provide the means for direct thermocouple calibrations at the Au freezing point ( $$1064.18~^\circ \hbox {C}$$ ). Using a Au fixed point filled with the metal of maximum available purity [99.9997 % pure according to glow discharge mass spectroscopy (GDMS)], multiple freezing plateaus were measured in a commercial high-temperature furnace. Four Pt/Pd thermocouples constructed and calibrated in-house were used to measure the freezing plateaus. From the calibration at Sn, Zn, Al and Ag fixed points, the linear deviation function from the NIST-IMGC reference function (IEC 62460:2008 Standard) was determined and extrapolated to the freezing temperature of Au. For all the Pt/Pd thermocouples used in this study, the measured EMF values agree with the extrapolated values within expanded uncertainty, thus substantiating the use of 99.9997 % pure Au fixed point cell for thermocouple calibrations at NRC. Using the Au fixed point filled with metal of lower purity (99.99 % pure according to GDMS), the effect of impurities on the Au freezing temperature measured with Pt/Pd thermocouple was further investigated.

Oral appliances (OAs) have demonstrated efficacy in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but many different OA devices are available. The Japanese Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine supported the use of OAs that advanced the mandible forward and limited mouth opening and suggested an evaluation of their effects in comparison with untreated or CPAP. A systematic search was undertaken in 16 April 2012. The outcome measures of interest were as follows: Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), lowest SpO2 , arousal index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the SF-36 Health Survey. We performed this meta-analysis using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Five studies remained eligible after applying the exclusion criteria. Comparing OA and control appliance, OA significantly reduced the weighted mean difference (WMD) in both AHI and the arousal index (favouring OA, AHI: -7.05 events h(-1) ; 95% CI, -12.07 to -2.03; P = 0.006, arousal index: -6.95 events h(-1) ; 95% CI, -11.75 to -2.15; P = 0.005). OAs were significantly less effective at reducing the WMD in AHI and improving lowest SpO2 and SF-36 than CPAP, (favouring OA, AHI: 6.11 events h(-1) ; 95% CI, 3.24 to 8.98; P = 0.0001, lowest SpO2 : -2.52%; 95% CI, -4.81 to -0.23; P = 0.03, SF-36: -1.80; 95% CI, -3.17 to -042; P = 0.01). Apnea Hypopnea Index and arousal index were significantly improved by OA relative to the untreated disease. Apnea Hypopnea Index, lowest SpO2 and SF-36 were significantly better with CPAP than with OA. The results of this study suggested that OAs improve OSA compared with untreated. CPAP appears to be more effective in improving OSA than OAs.

Summary Immunotherapy is not generally used in Japan and very few medical institutions perform it. For radical treatment, immunotherapy should be selected. However, subcutaneous immunotherapy has not yet gained acceptance. Japanese cedar pollinosis is a seasonal allergic rhinitis that is indigenous to Japan and occurs with a nationwide mean prevalence of 25%. Clinical research on sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis has made progress and it should come into practical use within 2–3 years. If sublingual immunotherapy becomes practical, it should provide a new treatment option for Japanese cedar pollinosis.

A Pd–C eutectic fixed point has been produced using a molybdenum disilicide element, electrically heated furnace that was built in-house. The eutectic fixed point was measured with two Pt/Pd thermocouples calibrated at the fixed points of Sn, Zn, Al, Ag, and Au. An ITS-90 temperature of (1490.69 ± 0.88) °C (k = 2) was obtained for the inflection point of the melting plateau. Diffusion of Pd into the thermowell and onto the thermocouple protection tube was observed.

Background Urinary decoy cells develop after renal transplantation and their appearance is attributable primarily to the proliferation of polyomavirus types BK and JC. We measured the levels of these 2 viruses that cause decoy cells to appear in the urine. Patients and Methods BK and JC virus levels were quantified in 1182 urine samples from 335 renal transplant patients using a multiplex Taqman real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Forty-four samples were excluded from analyses because both viruses were present at ≥10 4 copies/mL. We analyzed the relationship between viral load and the presence of urinary decoy cells. Results Decoy cells were observed in 237 of 1138 urine samples (21%) and the BK and JC viruses were positive in 205 (18%) and 455 (40%) samples, respectively. Decoy cells were observed in 0%, 21%, 67%, 87%, 100%, and 96% of urine samples when the BK viral load was 4 , 10 4 –10 5 , 10 5 –10 6 , 10 6 –10 7 , 10 7 –10 8 , and ≥10 8 copies/mL, respectively; and in 1%, 13%, 41%, 59%, 87%, and 97% of urine samples when the JC viral load was 4 , 10 4 –10 5 , 10 5 –10 6 , 10 6 –10 7 , 10 7 –10 8 , and ≥10 8 copies/mL, respectively. Conclusions BK virus more frequently triggered the appearance of decoy cells than did JC virus at equivalent viral titers.

The bare aluminum alloy (A5052) honeycomb is compressed in the longitudinal direction of the cell. Effect of the cell shape and the foil thickness on crush behavior is investigated by the numerical simulation using an explicit FEM code DYNA3D. Impact experiment using a drop-hammer apparatus whose impact velocity is 10 m/s and the corresponding quasi-static one are also performed. In the impact experiment, compressive stress increases with the hammer travel due to the air enclosed in the honeycomb cells. However, the nominal stress at the incipient compression is very similar for both the cases. In computation, numerical model of one ‘Y’ cross-sectional column is used and the impact velocity is 10 m/s. Internal angle of branch in ‘Y’ cross-section ranges from 30° to 180°. The numerical result shows that the cyclic buckling mode takes place in every case and that the crush strength is higher for smaller branch angle. It increases with the foil thickness. However, when the crush strength is evaluated with respect to the net cross-section of the material part only, it attains the maximum value when the cell shape is of regular hexagon. Numerical results are well consistent with the corresponding experimental ones.

The Na(+) receptor that exists in the hepatoportal region plays an important role in postprandial natriuresis and the regulation of Na(+) balance during NaCl load. Thus it would be considered that a dysfunction of the hepatic Na(+) receptor might result in the elevation of arterial pressure under a condition of high NaCl diet. To elucidate this hypothesis, arterial pressure was continuously measured during three weeks of high NaCl diet (8% NaCl) in four groups of rats: (i) intact rats, (ii) rats with hepatic denervation (HD), (iii) rats with sinoaortic denervation (SAD), and (iv) rats with SAD+HD. During a 1-week normal NaCl diet period, there was no difference in arterial pressure among the four groups. A high NaCl diet had no influence on arterial pressure in intact or HD rats; however, it significantly increased by 11 +/- 3 mmHg in SAD rats. The addition of HD to SAD had no synergistic effect on arterial pressure; i.e., in SAD+HD rats, mean arterial pressure increased by 13 +/- 1 mmHg. In conclusion, sinoaortic baroreceptor, but not hepatic Na(+) receptor, has a significant role in the long-term regulation of arterial pressure on a high NaCl diet.

To investigate the mechanism of arterial pressure (AP) regulation during hypergravity, the AP response to gravitational force was examined in conscious rats and the AP was found to increase, depending on the degree of gravity load induced by centrifugation. At 20 s after application of 2, 3, or 5 G, the AP increased by 9+/-2, 20+/-3, or 24+/-3 mm Hg, respectively. The AP increase during first 60 s was suppressed by vestibular lesion or pretreatment with hexamethonium, suggesting that the vestibular system and sympathetic nerve system be involved, respectively, in the afferent and efferent pathways. To further examine the central pathway of this response, Fos expression in the brain was examined after exposure to 5 G for 90 min. Intense Fos expression was seen in the medial vestibular nucleus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, autonomic nuclei in the brain stem in intact rats, but not in rats with vestibular lesion. To examine the involvement of the diencephalic nuclei in this pressor response, AP was measured under hypergravity in rats with midcollicular transection. In these rats, the AP change was minimal at 2, 3, and 5 G, indicating that nuclei rostral to the transection level were involved in the pressor response. These results indicate that output from the vestibular system project to the diencephalon, and activation of diencephalic nuclei is indispensable to the pressor response via the sympathetic nerve system.

In order to define the sequence of forebrain activation involved in osmoregulation, central activation in response to intracerebroventricular injection of NaCl solution (10 microl of 0.15, 0.5, or 1.5 M) was detected using manganese-contrasted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in anesthetized rats. Changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RNA) were also measured, and the time courses of forebrain activation and RNA changes compared. NaCl injection resulted in rapid activation of the subfornical organ (SFO), organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT), and periventricular regions and the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), then of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON). The delay in activation in the PVN and SON showed a wide variation from 0 to 5.78 min, and the average delay in the PVN (2.88+/-0.34 min) and SON (2.90+/-0.39 min) was significantly greater than that in the SFO (0.40+/-0.10 min) and OVLT (0.74+/-0.13 min). NaCl (1.5 M) injection elicited a rapid, large increase in RNA, which consisted of two components, an early rapid increase at 99 s after injection (160+/-27%) and a slower increase at 9 min after injection (209+/-34%). These results suggest that the PVN and SON are activated not only by the afferent input from the SFO and OVLT but also by diffusion of the hypertonic stimulus to these regions and probably by their intrinsic osmosensitivity. The PVN might be responsible for the second slower component of the RNA response, but cannot be responsible for the first component.

Gravity acts on the circulatory system to decrease arterial blood pressure (AP) by causing blood redistribution and reduced venous return. To evaluate roles of the baroreflex and vestibulosympathetic reflex (VSR) in maintaining AP during gravitational stress, we measured AP, heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in four groups of conscious rats, which were either intact or had vestibular lesions (VL), sinoaortic denervation (SAD), or VL plus SAD (VL + SAD). The rats were exposed to 3 G in dorsoventral axis by centrifugation for 3 min. In rats in which neither reflex was functional (VL + SAD group), RSNA did not change, but the AP showed a significant decrease (-8 ± 1 mmHg vs. baseline). In rats with a functional baroreflex, but no VSR (VL group), the AP did not change and there was a slight increase in RSNA (25 ± 10% vs. baseline). In rats with a functional VSR, but no baroreflex (SAD group), marked increases in both AP and RSNA were observed (AP 31 ± 6 mmHg and RSNA 87 ± 10% vs. baseline), showing that the VSR causes an increase in AP in response to gravitational stress; these marked increases were significantly attenuated by the baroreflex in the intact group (AP 9 ± 2 mmHg and RSNA 38 ± 7% vs. baseline). In conclusion, AP is controlled by the combination of the baroreflex and VSR. The VSR elicits a huge pressor response during gravitational stress, preventing hypotension due to blood redistribution. In intact rats, this AP increase is compensated by the baroreflex, resulting in only a slight increase in AP.

To test the hypothesis that the aortic wall is stretched without increasing aortic pressure (AP) during microgravity (microG), the AP, intrathoracic pressure (ITP), and aortic diameter (AD) were measured in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats during 4.5 s of microG produced by freefall. A smooth and immediate reduction in gravity (G) occurred during freefall, microG being achieved 100 ms after the start of the drop. Acute microG elicited an immediate increase in AD, which was not accompanied by an increase in AP. However, the ITP decreased during microG resulted in an increase in the calculated transmural pressure (TP = AP-ITP) of the aortic wall. A simple linear regression analysis showed that the slopes of the plot of AP vs. AD differed at 1 G and microG, whereas those for the plot of TP vs. AD did not. Thus, the increase in AD during microG was accounted for by the increase in TP. These results suggest that a decrease in ITP, resulting in an increase in TP of the aorta, is a key issue in understanding cardiovascular responses to microG.

Aims: The isolation of various genes that are expressed in a region specific manner is considered useful for research in molecular pathology. In situ hybridisation (ISH) was used in a screening procedure to isolate these genes efficiently, using colon cancer as a model. Methods: Suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) between colon cancer tissue samples and corresponding non-cancerous tissues was performed. Genes showing high expression in the cancers were selected using macro-DNA array analysis. As a final screening procedure, conventional ISH was performed to isolate genes expressed specifically in colon cancers. Results: Sixty nine clones were selected by SSH and macro-DNA array analyses. These clones were then analysed by ISH to examine their expression patterns. ISH screening revealed that all the clones screened showed more intense signals in colon cancers than in non-cancerous tissues. Among them, RACK 1, which is a protein kinase C receptor and a homologue of the G protein β subunit, was expressed intensely in colon cancer cells. RACK 1 expression was evaluated in multiple samples by ISH, and the results confirmed that RACK 1 was universally overexpressed in cells of all 11 colon cancers examined. Conclusions: Many genes, including RACK 1, expressed in colon cancer cells can be isolated efficiently by this method, and their precise expression pattern can be evaluated. These results indicate that ISH is an excellent technique for systemic screening of genes expressed in a region specific manner.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) as an alternative to cisplatin plus S-1 (CS) in first-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Patients and methods: In this randomized, open-label, multicenter phase III study, patients were randomly assigned to receive SOX (80–120 mg/day S-1 for 2 weeks with 100 mg/m 2 oxaliplatin on day 1, every 3 weeks) or CS (S-1 for 3 weeks with 60 mg/m 2 cisplatin on day 8, every 5 weeks). The primary end points were noninferiority in progression-free survival (PFS) and relative efficacy in overall survival (OS) for SOX using adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with stratification factors; performance status and unresectable or recurrent (+adjuvant chemotherapy) disease. Results: Overall, 685 patients were randomized from January 2010 to October 2011. In per-protocol population, SOX (n= 318) was noninferior to CS (n=324) in PFS [median, 5.5 versus 5.4 months; HR 1.004, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.840–1.199; predefined noninferiority margin 1.30]. The median OS for SOX and CS were 14.1 and 13.1 months, respectively (HR 0.958 with 95% CI 0.803–1.142). In the intention-to-treat population (SOX, n=339; CS, n= 337), the HRs in PFS and OS were 0.979 (95% CI 0.821–1.167) and 0.934 (95% CI 0.786–1.108), respectively. The most common ≥grade 3 adverse events (SOX versus CS) were neutropenia (19.5% versus 41.8%), anemia (15.1% versus 32.5%), hyponatremia (4.4% versus 13.4%), febrile neutropenia (0.9% versus 6.9%), and sensory neuropathy (4.7% versus 0%). Conclusion: SOX is as effective as CS for AGC with favorable safety profile, therefore SOX can replace CS. Clinical trial number: JapicCTI-101021.

A robust fixed point using pure nickel contained in an alumina crucible has been developed for thermocouple calibrations. It was observed that a deep supercool often caused the freezing plateau to be short and have a large slope. A procedure for realizing the pure nickel fixed points was developed that reserved a small amount of nickel in the solid state to act as a seed for nucleation of the freeze. This procedure was found to allow freezing plateaus that were suitably long and flat to make them useful for calibrating thermocouples. Using a calibrated Pt/Pd thermocouple, the freezing temperature of nickel was determined to be \(1455.22\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) with a \((k = 2)\) uncertainty of \(0.8\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\).

Purpose: To clarify the Doppler sonographic features of the lingual artery in normal subjects and to evaluate those of patients with cancer of the tongue. Material and Methods: Sixty-seven volunteers and 12 patients with cancer and/or leukoplakia of the tongue were examined with an intraoral sonographic probe. The visibility of the deep lingual artery was determined on transverse and anteroposterior images. On the transverse images, the vascular index, which was defined as the number of colored pixels, was measured on bilateral lingual arteries. Thereafter, the degree of symmetry was evaluated for normal subjects and patients. Results: In normal subjects, between younger and older volunteers, there were no significant differences in visibility of the trunk but differences were found between the two groups for the dorsal branches. The vascular indices of the right and left sides were not different. The characteristic Doppler sonographic feature was vasculature in and around the tumors in the patients with cancer of the tongue. The symmetry indices of the cancer patients were significantly different from those of normal subjects. Conclusion: Doppler sonography should be an important procedure for evaluation of tongue neoplasms.

Aluminum oxide dispersion strengthened copper (DSCu), used as the heat sink, and AISI 316L(N) type stainless steel (SS), used for cooling pipes, were metallurgically joined to be used as first wall of plasma facing components. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) was proposed as the joining fabrication technique in the first-wall/blanket components. In this study, fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests were carried out for the fracture strength evaluation of HIPed joints. Permissible crack lengths during fabrication of first-wall components were evaluated from the results of the fracture toughness tests. In crack growth rate tests, the crack prepared in the DSCu propagated, turned at the HIPed interface, and propagated along it. Therefore, it was found that the crack provided in the DSCu heat sink did not propagate through the SS cooling pipe.

A new type lenticular lens screen has developed. It realizes both high contrast and fine lenticular lens pitch that prevent appearing a moire between lenticular lens and pixel of projector. It use a new principal to enhance contrast, which is an application of the difference between light pass of image light and that of ambient light.

This paper describes the method for automatic remeshing of the distorted hexahedral finite elements and its application in metal forming processes. It first generates a regular mesh inside the bounding box that circumscribes the given volume to be meshed. Secondly extra elements of the regular mesh that lie outside the volume are removed from the regular mesh. Then, the geometric features of the old mesh (i.e. sharp edges and corners nodes) are determined by established criteria and corresponding features of the new mesh are traced down to guarantee geometric consistency between the two meshes. After that, a Boundary Element Layer (BEL) is constructed to form new hex mesh. By classification of all surface nodes of the regular mesh into face nodes, edge nodes and corner nodes and by the corresponding treatment to different types of surface nodes, the resulted new mesh gives much-improved hex elements that best suit local geometry. Finally a smoothing process is done to reposition the edge nodes, face nodes and internal nodes sequentially before the new mesh is exported for use in continued calculation. The density of the new mesh can be controlled to be adaptive to strain gradient during smoothing.

Fishbone-like burst modes (FBs) and toroidal Alfven eigenmodes (TAEs) excited by energetic ions were observed for the first time in CHS heliotron/torsatron plasmas heated by co-injected neutral beams, where the rotational transform is increased by the induced beam driven current. FBs of m = 3/n = 2 (where m, n are the poloidal and toroidal mode numbers) induce a pulsed increase in the energetic ion loss flux. FBs of m = 2/n = 1 induce sawtooth oscillations in the latter half of a discharge where the plasma β becomes high. Only when the beam velocity exceeds about half of the central Alfven velocity and the net plasma current is induced to the required level are TAEs with n = 1 and n = 2 excited; these are localized in the plasma core region, where the magnetic shear is appreciably reduced by the net plasma current. So far, TAE induced energetic ion loss has not been observed.

Toroidal Alfv{acute e}n eigenmodes (TAEs) of low toroidal mode number, n=1 and 2, are observed in neutral-beam-heated plasmas in the compact helical system heliotron/torsatron. The observed frequency is proportional to the computed TAE frequency and lies near the lower bound of the innermost TAE gap. The modes are excited only when the beam velocity exceeds about half the central Alfv{acute e}n velocity and when the net plasma current induced by coinjected neutral beams is in the required range. The modes are localized in the plasma core region, between 0.2 and 0.6 of the plasma minor radius. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society }

Fracture toughness and crack propagation tests were performed to investigate the effect of HIP temperature and fracture behavior of HIPed DS-Cu/SS joints. Test specimens of DS-Cu/SS HIPed joints were manufactured by bonding flat plates of DS-Cu and SS under HIP temperatures of 980°C, 1030°C and 1050°C. J Q of the joint at HIP temperature of 1050°C was larger than the other two joints. For the crack propagation test, two types of test specimens were prepared. One had a notch along the HIPed interface and the other in DS-Cu and normal to the interface. The crack in the former specimen propagated along the interface. On the other hand, the crack in the latter specimen propagated in the DS-Cu perpendicular to the loading direction, stopped at the interface, and then exfoliated along the HIPed interface. In the fracture tests, the crack was observed propagating in DS-Cu side at approximately 5–10 μm away from the interface.

We have examined how various challenges to brain acid-base homeostasis, resulting in extracellular acidosis, after N -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-evoked depolarizations in vivo . Repeated stimuli were produced by perfusion of 200 μM NMDA for 2 min through a microdialysis probe implanted into the striatum of halothane anesthetized rats. Hypercapnia reduced NMDA-evoked responses in a concentration-dependent manner, with 7.5 and 15 % CO 2 in the breathing mixture reducing the depolarization amplitude to 74 % and 64 % of that of the initial stimuli, respectively. Application of 50 mM NH 4 + progressively reduced dialysate pH, and a further acidification was observed when NH 4 + was discontinued. Perfusion of NMDA after NH 4 + application evoked smaller depolarizations (56 % of the corresponding control, 5 min after NH 4 + removal), and this effect persisted for over 1 h. Perfusion of acidic ACSF did not alter the amplitude of NMDA-evoked depolarization, despite changes in dialysate pH confirming that exchange/buffering of acid equivalents took place between the perfusion medium and the surrounding tissue. This negative result probably reflected the remarkable capacity of the brain to buffer H + . Together, these results demonstrate that extracellular acidosis, such as that associated with excessive neuronal activation or ischemia, inhibits NMDA-evoked responses in vivo .

Four Type A thermocouples and two Type C thermocouples were calibrated at the Au fixed point and Co-C and Pd-C eutectic fixed points. The thermocouples were exposed to 1330 °C for a total of 100 hours. The maximum drift due to the exposure was found to be 4.8 °C. The fixed-point calibration EMF of these thermocouples deviated by less than 0.86% from the temperature specified by the standards ASTM E230-2003 for Type C and GOSTR 8.585-2001 for Type A. The length of one of Type A thermocouples A52 is longer than the others by 150mm. Making use of this provision it was possible to place annealed part of A52 to the temperature gradient part of calibration arrangement every time. Therefore observed aging effect was as low as 0.5 °C compared to the other thermocouples., M. Gotoh was a visiting scientist at the time of publication, Ninth International Temperature Symposium, 19–23 March 2012, Los Angeles, California, USA, Series: AIP Conference Proceedings; no. 1552

Pyrethroid pesticides have relatively weak toxicity and have generally and widely been used not only as agricultural pesticides but also as household pesticides and insecticides. However, the toxicities of pyrethroids in humans due to their long‐term accumulation have not been elucidated sufficiently. On the other hand, pyrethroids have shown neuropathies in animal studies. Research has been made to eliminate or reduce high‐concentration pyrethroids that were contained in agricultural products. However, any sufficient study has not been performed to eliminate trace amounts or low concentrations of pyrethroid pesticides contained in drinking water.

Spring water is usually used for drinking by people living near springs. However, we have as yet no comprehensive reports on the quality of spring water for use as drinking water in terms of trace elements. In this study, we analysed the concentrations of fifteen trace elements in six spring water samples by ICP‐MS and evaluation of their effects on human health.

We have measured the vapour pressure of caesium over the temperature range 370 ?C to 660 ?C using a pressure-controlled heat pipe. The equation log (p/Pa) = a + b/T + c log(T/K) + dT + eT2 with the coefficients a = 34,573 234, b = -4979,5799 K, c= -9,323 424 7, d = 4,473 313 2 ? 10-3 K-1 and e = -8,684 092 ? 10-7 K-2 fits the data to within ?8 mK over the entire range. In addition, the non-uniqueness of the ITS-90 appears to be less than ?1,5 mK over the same temperature range based on the data from three thermometers.

Certain anti-cancer agents are known to induce apoptosis in human tumour cells. However, these agents are intrinsically cytotoxic against cells of normal tissue origin, including myelocytes and immunocytes. Here we show that a naturally occurring flavone of citrus origin, tangeretin (5,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone), induces apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells, whereas the flavone showed no cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The growth of HL-60 cells in vitro assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation or tetrazolium crystal formation was strongly suppressed in the presence of tangeretin; the IC50 values range between 0.062 and 0.173 microM. Apoptosis of HL-60 cells, assessed by cell morphology and DNA fragmentation, was demonstrated in the presence of > 2.7 microM tangeretin. Flow cytometric analysis of tangeretin-treated HL-60 cells also demonstrated apoptotic cells with low DNA content and showed a decrease of G1 cells and a concomitant increase of S and/or G2/M cells. Apoptosis was evident after 24 h of incubation with tangeretin, and the tangeretin effect as assessed by DNA fragmentation or growth inhibition was significantly attenuated in the presence of Zn2+, which is known to inhibit Ca(2+)-dependent endonuclease activity. Ca2+ and Mg2+, in contrast, promoted the effect of tangeretin. Cycloheximide significantly decreased the tangeretin effect on HL-60 cell growth, suggesting that protein synthesis is required for flavonoid-induced apoptosis. Tangeretin showed no cytotoxicity against either HL-60 cells or mitogen-activated PBMCs even at high concentration (27 microM) as determined by a dye exclusion test. Moreover, the flavonoid was less effective on growth of human T-lymphocytic leukaemia MOLT-4 cells or on blastogenesis of PBMCs. These results suggest that tangeretin inhibits growth of HL-60 cells in vitro, partially through induction of apoptosis, without causing serious side-effects on immune cells. Images Figure 2 Figure 6 Figure 10

We carried out a time course study of cerebral superoxide scavenging activity using a modified microdialysis technique. Twelve cats were divided into two groups; six were the reperfusion injury models, and six were cold injury models. In the reperfusion injury model, dialysates were collected during 60 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion and at 300 minutes during reperfusion. In the cold injury model, dialysates were collected 240 minutes after the injury. Regional cerebral blood flow on the injured side decreased during occlusion in the reperfusion injury model and 60 minutes after injury in the cold injury model. In the reperfusion model, superoxide scavenging activity, as determined with electron spin resonance, increased in the first 30 minutes and decreased 300 and 330 minutes after occlusion. In the dialysate, albumin increased 180 minutes after cold injury, which may show the progress of vasogenic edema. An increase in water content was observed on the injured side of both models, and a correlation between water content and superoxide scavenging activity was found in the reperfusion injury model. By this technique, a method of detecting the alteration of superoxide scavenging activity in the extracellular space of the brain was established.

Plakoglobin is a cytoplasmic protein localized in both adherens junctions and desmosomes. Little is known about its function, but it may play a role in maintaining cell junction integrity. A partly homologous protein, β catenin, is localized mainly in adherens junctions and plays a key role in cell adhesion by associating with cadherins, a family of Ca 2+ dependent cell-to-cell adhesion molecules. Recently the product of APC, a tumor suppressor gene, was found to associate with β catenin. Tn this study we demonstrated that plakoglobin also associates with APC and that tyrosine phosphorylated plakoglobin associates with cadherins but not with APC. These results suggest that plakoglobin could play a role in mediating the signals of APC by mutual interaction and that this may be regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation.

Using the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping method and a high molecular cut-off membrane, we measured the superoxide scavenging activity in dialysates obtained from microdialysis. The activity in the dialysates of the Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) solution and feline serum were measured in vitro, and the recovery rate was calculated to be 12.88 ± 0.9% in Cu,Zn-SOD solution and 21.52 ± 4.38 in feline serum, which was significantly different. This difference was believed to originate from the higher osmotic pressure due to proteins in the serum and substances other than Cu,Zn-SOD that acted as antioxidants in the serum. In an in vivo study, microdialysis probes were implanted into the cerebral hemispheres in 6 cats. The sequential changes of superoxide scavenging activity were measured for 16 h and during induced cardiac arrest. No significant difference was observed and the microdialysis technique itself did not seem to cause the significant alteration of the activity in the extracellular space, although at cardiac arrest, the activity varied widely. This method can be used to study the reaction against superoxide injury in further experiments involving brain insult.

We evaluated the magnetic resonance images of the patients with intention tremor. Five patients out of seven had some atrophic structures or changes in signal intensity in the cerebello-rubral thalamic tract. Moreover, the T2-weighted images of the patients group detected the dentate and red nuclei more poorly than those of our control group. From these results, the etiological significance of the tract was confirmed and the mechanism of the intention tremor onset was discussed.

Two Co–C eutectic fixed points were constructed for thermocouple calibration. The eutectic fixed points were measured with a Pt/Pd thermocouple calibrated at the freezing temperatures of Sn, Zn, Al, Ag, and Au. A temperature of (1323.99 ± 0.52)◦C(k = 2) was determined via thismethod. The cell design allowed filling to be accomplished in a single step. Each cellwas held above 1300 ◦C for at least 42 h and was subjected to at least 20 melt/freeze cycles with no mechanical failure occurring.abstract