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Aims The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aggressive lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin and ezetimibe in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as compared with those with other classification of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including non-STEMI (NSTEMI) and unstable angina pectoris (UA). Methods This is a post hoc sub-analysis of the HIJ-PROPER study. In the original study, ACS patients with dyslipidemia were randomized to either pitavastatin + ezetimibe therapy or pitavastatin monotherapy. In the present analysis, we divided HIJ-PROPER participants into the STEMI group (n=880) and NSTEMI + UA group (n=841). Cardiovascular events were analyzed between the two groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of major advanced cardiovascular events (MACE; all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, unstable angina pectoris, and ischemia-driven revascularization) Result During median follow-up period of 3.4 years, the cumulative incidence of the primary endpoint in STEMI group was 31.9% in the pitavastatin+ezetimibe therapy, compared with 39.7% in the pitavastatin-monotherapy (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62–0.97; p=0.02). However, there was no effect of pitavastatin+ezetimibe therapy on the primary endpoint in the NSTEMI + UA group. Concerning the individual components of the primary endpoint in STEMI group, the percentage of occurrence of all-cause death was significantly lower in the pitavastatin+ezetimibe therapy compared to pitavastatin mono-therapy (14 patients (3.2%) vs. 31 patients (6.9%), respectively; HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.23–1.84, p=0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that use of ezetimibe and prevalence of diabetes mellitus at baseline were independent predictors of primary endpoints in STEMI group (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63–0.99; p=0.04 for use of ezetimibe, HR 1.54; 95% CI, 1.22–1.94, p=0.0003 for diabetes mellitus). Conclusion Patients with pitavastatin+ezetimibe therapy as compared with pitavastatin-monotherapy had lower cardiovascular event in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Kaplan-Meier curves for primary endpoint Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background This study aimed to elucidate whether high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) at 3-month follow-up for patients receiving contemporary lipid-lowering therapy after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) could predict cardiac events. Methods The HIJ-PROPER study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial comparing intensive lipid-lowering therapy (pitavastatin + ezetimibe) and conventional lipid-lowering therapy (pitavastatin monotherapy) after ACS. For the present analysis, the entire cohort was divided into three groups according to HDL-C levels at 3-month follow-up (Group 1, HDL-C ≤43 mg/dL; Group 2, 43–53.6 mg/dL; Group 3; HDL-C ≥53.6 mg/dL). Baseline characteristics and the incidence of the primary endpoint (a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, unstable angina pectoris, or ischemia-driven revascularization) were compared among the three groups. Results The primary endpoint was reported in 34.8%, 30.1%, and 24.6% of patients in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 3 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–1.9; p=0.001). Irrespective of the treatment regimen, Group 1 had a significantly higher rate of the primary endpoint than Group 3 (pitavastatin + ezetimibe therapy: HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.12–2.22; p=0.01 and pitavastatin monotherapy: HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.05–1.98; p=0.02). These trends remained even after adjustment for baseline characteristics and lipid profiles. Conclusions Lower levels of HDL-C at 3-month follow-up are associated with higher incidence of the cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome receiving contemporary lipid-lowering therapy. HDL-C levels and Cardiovascular events Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the most important arbovirus vectors in the world. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate and compare the infestation pattern of these species in a neighbourhood of Recife, Brazil, endemic for arboviruses in 2005 (T1) and 2013 (T2). METHODS Infestation, distribution and relative abundance of these sympatric species were recorded by egg collection using a network of 59 sentinel ovitraps (s-ovt) at fixed sampling stations for 12 months in T1 and T2. FINDINGS A permanent occupation pattern was detected which was characterised by the presence of egg-laying females of one or both species with a high ovitrap positivity index (94.3 to 100%) throughout both years analysed. In terms of abundance, the total of eggs collected was lower (p < 0.005) in T2 (146,153) than in T1 (281,103), although ovitraps still displayed a high index of positivity. The spatial distribution showed the presence of both species in 65.1% of the 148 s-ovt assessed, while a smaller number of traps exclusively contained Ae. aegypti (22%) or Ae. albopictus (13.2%) eggs. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our comparative analysis demonstrated the robustness of the spatial occupation and permanence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus populations in this endemic urban area.

Aedes aegypti control requires integrated actions adapted to local conditions. In endemic countries, breeding sites in the dwellings are important mosquito sources that should be controlled using safe larvicides. The major goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and persistence of three Bti- and one pyriproxyfen-based products toward Ae. aegypti larvae from a reference colony and to a colony previously exposed to Bti (RecBti). For this purpose, labeled doses of products were tested in ovitraps (OVT-2L), water containers (WCN-50L) and roof water drains (RWD-5L) that were colonized weekly with 100 larvae and kept under semifield conditions. Persistence was recorded for a maximum period of 12 weeks. All products provided residual activity (mortality ≥80%) for 12 weeks in OVTs and RWDs. In WCNs, persistence was shorter between six and nine weeks for Bti- and pyriproxyfen-based products. The performance of Bti products for RecBti larvae was similar to larvae from the reference colony, reinforcing the low risk of resistance selection to that compound. Products were effective to prevent Aedes larvae breeding with a persistence of 12 weeks in most breeding sites. Data support their effectiveness to protect such sites as part of a broader set of mosquito control practices.

The aim of the present study was to assess the bioremediation of estuarine sediments contaminated with diesel oil. The following two experiments were performed: natural attenuation (NA) and stimulated natural attenuation (SNA), using rhamnolipid as biosurfactant. Sediment samples were accommodated into glass columns and then contaminated with diesel oil on the top. The column profiles were separated into surface, middle, and bottom for the analyses. The 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) prioritized by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were monitored for 349 days. Those with three and four rings showed increasing concentrations through the operation period in the middle and bottom samples, particularly between days 111 and 338, and in the SNA experiment. Those with five and six rings were also detected in the deeper portions of the columns, suggesting the percolation of PAHs with a high molecular weight. Total organic carbon was reduced by 91 and 89 % in the NA and SNA samples, respectively, although no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between the two treatments. The analyses by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis indicated a slight shift in the microbial community structure over the experiments. Microorganisms belonging to the γ-Proteobacteria phylum were the main bacteria involved. The archaeal community exhibited dominance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens, indicating the obligate anaerobic biodegradation of intermediate compounds from hydrocarbon degradation.

QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM USED IN LABORATORY OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING The Program 5-S (senses) is a tool for quality control that has been used during the last seven years in a laboratory of education and research of civil engineering for undergraduate and graduate students. This paper presents and discusses the results of experience with this program at the Laboratory of Environmental Sanitation of the Federal University of Pernambuco (LSA-UFPE). A special emphasis was given to the main difficulties and the many benefits obtained for the teaching-learning process. Aware of the new demands of the labor market imposed on the engineering and related professionals, the LSA-UFPE seeks to extend its area of activity. In this perspective, is not restricted to analytical and experimental activities, seeking to develop in the students the cognitive skills, specialized techniques and behavioral and attitudinal abilities, as follow: cooperation, initiative, entrepreneurship, motivation, responsibility, participation, discipline and permanent attitude of learning to learn.

Our objective was to determine: 1) whether the checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) del5395 (g.27417113-27422508 del, NC_000022.11) is a founder mutation in the Latvian population, 2) if there is an association between CHEK2 del5395 mutation and cancer risk, and 3) and whether the CHEK2 del5395 mutation impacts cancer predisposition in Chernobyl disaster liquidators (the civil and military personnel who were called upon to deal with consequences of the 1986 nuclear disaster) as well as geriatric populations. We recruited 438 breast cancer patients, 568 colorectal cancer patients, 399 ovarian cancer patients, 419 prostate cancer patients, 526 healthy blood donors, 480 Chernobyl disaster liquidators and 444 geriatric cancer-free participants. DNA samples were isolated from blood samples and subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The truncation of del5395 was estimated by fragment size of the multiplex PCR.All groups were compared to the healthy blood donors using Fisher’s exact test. All p values were two-sided and the odds ratios (OR) calculated by two-by-two table. In cancer groups, the del5395 mutation was most frequently observed in the ovarian cancer group (1.00%, OR = 1.32). In control groups, the del5395 mutation was most frequent (0.76%) in the healthy donors, which exceeded its frequency in the Chernobyl liquidators group and the geriatric group by 0.01 and 0.08%, respectively. For all groups, the OR appeared to be >1 only in ovarian cancer patients. However, OR rates showed no statistical significance in either cancer or control groups, with the p value fluctuating within the range of 0.39-1.00. The CHEK2 gene del5395 is a founder mutation in the Latvian population, which, however, does not have a direct impact on genetic predisposition toward colorectal, breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of phase-contrast radiography for assessing root morphology of mandibular third molars in comparison with conventional radiography. Methods: We studied 37 extracted mandibular third molars. One oral surgeon compared the number of roots and root curvature of the extracted teeth on conventional radiographs with those on phase-contrast images. Results: The number of roots and root curvature on conventional images differed significantly from those on phase-contrast images. Conclusions: Our results suggest the possibility that phase-contrast radiography is more useful than conventional radiography for assessing the root morphology of mandibular third molars.

Introduction Genomic instability (GIS) is a major tumorigenesis driving factor. Both - amplification of ERBB2 in breast cancer, and acute or cycling tumour hypoxia have been shown to result in increased GIS. Data concerning effects of chronic and mild hypoxia on GIS in cancer cells are conflicting and scarce. Therefore the aim of this study was to explore effects of chronic mild hypoxia (cmH) on GIS in HER2-positive breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3. Material and methods State of GIS was characterised by proportion of micronuclei containing cells (immunostaining with anti-tubulin and DAPI), chromosomal breakpoints, copy number alterations (Illumina CytoSNP12 v2-1 Bead Chip), expression of genome stability related genes (qPCR); relative telomere length (RTL) (qPCR) after prolonged cultivation of SK-BR-3 (three passages) in hypoxia (2% O2) or normoxia (control). Results and discussions Prolonged exposure to cmH resulted in significant 3.3-fold increase of micronuclei containing cells (hypoxia vs normoxia: 25.38 and 5.86 micronuclei per 1000 cells). Initial adaptation to cmH manifested as contraction of genome and decrease of chromosomal breakpoints (normoxia vs hypoxia: DNA index 2.06 and 1.90; breakpoint count: 4573 and 2678). Further cultivation in cmH resulted in additional reduction of DNA index (1.89) and increase in number of breakpoints (3037). CmH increased expression of ATM dependent DDR genes, significantly decreased expression of dsDNA-break reparation genes (H2AFX, BRCA1, FANCD2) and had no significant effect on aneuploidy–related gene expression. Initial exposure to cmH resulted in major increase of RTL (from 1.1 to 7.8), but further culture in hypoxia showed gradual decrease of RTL (down to 1.3). Low expression levels of telomerase (TERT) through all passages did not change significantly. Conclusion Initial adaptation to hypoxia was characterised by increased RTL, contraction of genome and decrease of genomic heterogeneity. Initial selection of hypoxia-fit SK-BR-3 subpopulations was followed by increased formation of chromosomal rearrangements. CmH in SK-BR-3 activated ATM-CHEK2 branch of DDR and decreased expression of genes involved in reparation of dsDNA breaks. Low expression levels of TERT through all passages did not change significantly and did not correlate with the RTL.

A perpendicular anisotropy master medium (PAMM) is proposed. The PAMM is composed of CoPt film with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and large saturation magnetization. The magnetization distributions of PAMM and conventional master media (using an FeCo soft magnetic layer) were analyzed by using micromagnetic simulation. It was found that the peak-to-valley value of the recording field and the recording field gradient at the edge of the patterned magnetic film of PAMM were larger than those of the conventional master medium. Furthermore, the peak-to-valley value of the recording field and the recording field gradient of PAMM did not depend on the strength of the printing field. The printing characteristic of PAMM is twice that of the conventional master medium. Furthermore, the optimum printing field for PAMM is 1 kOe lower than that of the conventional master medium. As a result, PAMM is expected to improve the printing characteristic of the bit printing method.

A new approach to dengue vector surveillance based on permanent egg-collection using a modified ovitrap and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis(Bti) was evaluated in different urban landscapes in Recife, Northeast Brazil. From April 2004 to April 2005, 13 egg-collection cycles of four weeks were carried out. Geo-referenced ovitraps containing grass infusion, Bti and three paddles were placed at fixed sampling stations distributed over five selected sites. Continuous egg-collections yielded more than four million eggs laid into 464 sentinel-ovitraps over one year. The overall positive ovitrap index was 98.5% (over 5,616 trap observations). The egg density index ranged from 100 to 2,500 eggs per trap-cycle, indicating a wide spread and high density of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) breeding populations in all sites. Fluctuations in population density over time were observed, particularly a marked increase from January on, or later, according to site. Massive egg-collection carried out at one of the sites prevented such a population outbreak. At intra-site level, egg counts made it possible to identify spots where the vector population is consistently concentrated over the time, pinpointing areas that should be considered high priority for control activities. The results indicate that these could be promising strategies for detecting and preventing Ae. aegypti population outbreaks.

A directional coupler using a CoFeB magnetic/polyimide dielectric hybrid transmission line was fabricated and evaluated under a large-signal transmission condition from 0.5 to 2 W. The device consists of a [polyimide (1μm)/CoFeB (1μm)/polyimide (1μm)] sandwich between upper Cu coupled lines (3μm thick and 12μm wide) and a lower Cu ground plane (3μm). The electromagnetic coupling between the top main line and the sub-line is composed of the electric field coupling due to the stub capacitors and the magnetic field coupling through the inner magnetic film. The fabricated CoFeB magnetic thin film directional coupler exhibited excellent large-signal transmission characteristics even at a rating power of 2 W in a real cellular phone application. In addition, such a large-signal characteristic was acceptable for a wideband frequency of 0.8 to 2.4 GHz, which was mainly due to the non-resonance operation.

The magnetization distribution in the patterned magnetic layer of master media and soft underlayer (SUL) resulting from perpendicular magnetic duplication utilizing the bit printing method was calculated by using micromagnetic simulation. As a result, it was found that the magnetizations of the magnetic layer of the master form a vortex structure. The magnetization distributions of the magnetic layer of the master and the SUL do not depend on the saturation magnetization and thickness of the SUL, but only on the duplication field. The peak-to-peak value of the recording field and the recording field gradient at the edge of the magnetic pattern of the master are almost independent of the saturation magnetization and thickness of the SUL. However, these values decrease slightly when the SUL thickness is reduced by less than 10 nm and the distance between master and SUL is increased.

In this study, we evaluated the use of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor to treat crude glycerol obtained from cottonseed biodiesel production. The laboratory-scale UASB reactor (7.0 L) was operated at ambient temperature of 26.5°C with chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations between 0.5 and 8.0 g/L. The volatile fatty acid contents, pH, inorganic salt contents and biogas production were monitored during a 280-day experimental period. Molecular biology techniques were used to assess the microbial diversity in the bioreactor. The reactor achieved COD removal efficiencies of up to 92% except during one phase when the efficiency decreased to 81%. Biogas production remained stable throughout the experimental period, when the fraction converted to methane reached values as high as 68%. The profile of the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands suggested slight changes in the microbial community during reactor operation. The overall results indicated that the crude glycerol from biodiesel production can serve as a suitable substrate for anaerobic degradation with a stable reactor performance and biogas production as long as the applied organic loads are up to 8.06 kg COD/m3·d.

To compare cancer-specific survival rates for familial and sporadic prostate cancer patients.Gleason score and age at diagnosis of familial group and sporadic group were compared by χ(2) and t-test. Cancer-specific survival rates were analyzed by the Kaplan - Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Statistically significant level was set at p0.05.Among 1175 prostate cancer patients, familial group consisted of 215 (18.3%) patients, the sporadic group consisted of 960 (81.7%) patients. The familial group patient's mean age at diagnosis (58.9 years old, 95% confidence interval (CI) 57.8-60.1) was significantly younger than that of sporadic group patients (67.2 years old, 95% CI 66.7-67.6) (p0.0001). Comparing Gleason score between familial group and sporadic group revealed no statistically significant difference. The analysis showed that 92% (95% CI 0.88-0.97) of familial group patients had a 10-year cancer-specific survival rates, which was a significantly better outcome than that of sporadic group with 69% (95% CI 0.60-0.78) 10-year cancer-specific survival rates (p = 0.0237).The study data demonstrate statistically significant difference between familial group and sporadic group concerning age and cancer-specific survival rates, but not Gleason score.

We extend our model of three-dimensional cosmic-ray propagation without energy change to that including energy change due to reacceleration and ionization energy loss. We assume that there is no boundary in both the radial spread of the disk and the latitudinal spread of the halo, and that the three critical parameters, the diffusion coefficient D, the gas density n, and the cosmic-ray source density Q, depend on both the space position r and the rigidity R of the cosmic-ray particle. It is possible to apply the weighted slab technique to the transport equation, even including the energy change process, if the diffusion coefficient is separable in r and R, i.e., D(; R) = (v/c)RαD(), and combining it with the first-pole approximation in the path length distribution, we can obtain the analytical solution rather easily. We show that the rigidity dependence of the secondary-to-primary ratio behaves as R-α in the high-energy region and as vRα in the low-energy region. We compare our numerical results with experimental data in both the low- and the high-energy regions and find that our model reproduces all components over the wide energy range 1 GeV nucleon-1 to 100 TeV nucleon-1, with the adoption of appropriate scale heights in D, n, and Q. We also confirm that the reacceleration process actually occurs during the propagation in the Galaxy and that its magnitude is comparable with that expected from reasonable numerical choices for three parameters, D, n, and the velocity of the hydromagnetic turbulence vM.

This study evaluated the performance of the EIE-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos (EIE-LVC) kit and to compare it with that of the IFI-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos (IFI-LVC) kit. Four groups of dogs were studied: group 1 (G1), dogs with clinical signs indicative of CVL and testing positive for the parasite (n = 25); group 2 (G2), dogs with only a presumed diagnosis of CVL (n = 62); group 3 (G3), dogs that had never lived in an area where CVL is endemic and never received a blood transfusion (n = 16); group 4 (G4), dogs carrying other parasites: such as babesiosis (n = 4), ehrlichiosis (n = 6) and demodicosis (n = 1). G1 and G3 were used for the calculation of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The EIE-LVC showed a sensitivity of 72% (IC 95%: 50.4-87.1%) and a specificity of 87.5% (IC 95%: 60.4-97.8%). The value of the kappa index was 0.975 (CI 95%: 0.926-1.024), which represents an excellent fit. For IFI-LVC, the sensitivity was 68.0% (CI 95%: 46.4-84.3%) and the specificity 87.5% (CI 95%: 60.4-97.8%). When the tests were conducted in parallel, sensitivity was 92.0% (CI 95%: 72.5-98.6%) and specificity 75.0% (CI 95%: 47.4-91.7%). However, when conducted consecutively, the tests showed a sensitivity of 48.0% (CI 95%: 28.3-68.2%) and a specificity of 100.0% (CI 95%: 75.9-99.4%). The analysis of clinically suspected dogs using IFI-LVC and EIE-LVC kits in parallel, revealed that 26/62 animals were positive. Cross-reaction was observed in a dog with demodicosis. These results lead to the following conclusions: (1) the performance of the EIE-LVC kit is not statistically different from the IFI-LVC and (2) the kits must be used in parallel if higher sensitivity is required, reducing the number of false-negative results.

A dual He/Ar gas counter for simultaneous measurements of conversion electron and X-ray Mossbauer spectra (CEMS and XMS) has been developed and applied to characterization of thin stainless steel films and thick-coated steel. For thin stainless steel films, three depth-selective CEMS spectra were simultaneously obtained by detecting the electrons with three different energy ranges (1 to 3 keV, 3 to 6.5 keV, and 6.5 to 12 keV). The iron oxide layer (4 nm in thickness) on stainless steel was clearly observed by detecting high-energy electrons (>6.5 keV). Ferromagnetic phase was produced by a magnetron Ar sputtering of austenitic stainless steel, and the average hyperfine magnetic field increased from 25 to 28 T by thermal treatment. The magnetic phase was partially converted into austenite (γ-phase) at 500 °C. In the case of thick-coated steel, where the coating was produced by electrochemical sulfurization, CEMS and XMS spectra were simultaneously obtained by detecting all the resonant electrons above 3 keV as well as X-rays between 3 and 6.5 keV. The area ratios of the subspectra assigned to the austenite and ferrite phases were different in the CEMS and the XMS spectra. This suggests that austenite and ferrite at the surface had selective reactivity with the sulfurizing agent. It was shown that the phase analysis of the surface, interface, and substrate was simply and effectively realized by using a dual He/Ar gas flow counter.

We report the single-pass second harmonic generation (SHG) of the picosecond Ti:sapphire laser with a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide. We demonstrate a conversion efficiency of 37% for the 9-mW fundamental input power at 820 nm. This laser source can provide three types of pulsed modes such as picosecond, nanosecond, and contiuous wave, by adjusting the power of the pumping source. We compare the conversion efficiency in each mode, and clearly show that SHG efficiency depends on the pulsewidth, that is, the peak power of the laser source. As the temperature of the PPLN rises, the fundamental wavelength for phase-matching becomes longer. We indicate that the rate is about 0.06 nm/K. q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background and Objectives Serological screening for Chagas’ disease in the blood banks of South America is carried out by using two different assays that generally show a high number of inconclusive results. To establish a combination of two tests that can minimize the number of inconclusive results, we compared a recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with two conventional tests. Materials and Methods Serum samples from chagasic patients (n = 112), from non-chagasic individuals (n = 143) and from patients with other diseases (n = 32) were tested using three assays: recombinant ELISA (Rec-ELISA); conventional ELISA (Con-ELISA); and the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test. Results When we evaluated the data by matching the Rec-ELISA and the IHA test, 52 inconclusive results were obtained. When Rec-ELISA and Con-ELISA were matched, only four inconclusive results were observed. Conclusions Our investigation indicates that the use of two ELISAs with different antigen preparations provides an effective test combination for blood bank screening of Chagas’ disease.

We have made precise theoretical calculations for both 2p 3/2 →4f X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and 4d→2p 3/2 resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) by electric quadrupole excitations at the L 3 edge of light rare-earth elements, by means of atomic model with full multiplet effects. The calculation is based on the second-order optical formula, and the effect of the incident photon polarization is taken into account. It is shown that the 4d-4f interaction plays a more important role in 4d→2p 3/2 RXES than the 4f-4f interaction does. Moreover, the calculated results of 4d→2p 3/2 RXES show the strong polarization dependence, and it is originated from the spin multiplicity, which is derived from the 4d-4f interaction, of the RXES final states.

The restitution characteristics of a fiber racket string in the axial direction are analyzed by considering the viscoelasticity of yams. An impact test apparatus is developed so that one side of the string is fixed on a load cell and the other side is fixed on a hammer. The hammer moves along the slide rail. When it strikes, the impact speed of the hammer is measured with a laser sensor, and the coefficient of restitution is obtained. In the experimental range for all samples, the coefficient of restitution decreases as the impact speed increases. A dynamic restitution model considering the tensile nonlinear viscoelasticity of materials is proposed. Good agree ment is obtained between the experimental and theoretical values. Also, the repulsion of tennis racket strings can be evaluated with the parameters of this model.

The electronic structures of Ce compounds have been investigated by means of resonant soft X-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) excited at resonant energy range of Ce 3d → 4f absorption. Polarization dependence of the RXES shows information on concerning electronic states. In CeO 2, the Ce 4f → 3d RXES spectra are interpreted as electronic structures hybridized between 4f0 and [Formula: see text] states. Peaks appearing in the spectra are attributed to bonding, nonbonding, and antibonding states between those states, while the spectra of CeRh 3 cannot be explained by only using the hybridization between 4f0 and [Formula: see text] states. The spectra have large broad Raman peak, especially when the excitation photon energy is set at satellite of Ce 3d → 4f absorption. We attribute the origin of the broad Raman peak to hybridization states involving electron–hole pairs.

We analyzed data from the Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 1999. We chose this dataset as it has data on both serum Mg levels and bone health. Among participants who had blood samples obtained (N=1,509), 210 older adults had reported fracture(s). Variables included in our linear regression models for BUA were age, sex, blood levels of hemoglobin, albumin, and creatinine. For logistic regression models for self-reported fracture, BUA measurement was included in addition to the above covariates. Our study revealed that self-reported fracture cases (N=210, female 56%, mean age 72.6 ± 6.2) and controls (N=1,352, female 47%, mean age 71.8 ± 5.2) had similar mean serum Mg levels (2.20 ± 0.19 vs. 2.18 ± 0.19 mg/dL). Fracture cases had significantly lower mean BUA compared to controls (54 ± 21 vs. 61 ± 19, p

The Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 1999 dataset was used for analyzing risk factors of self-reported fracture. Patient survey data was available for 2038 patients, including: 290 self-reported fractures, demographic, smoking & alcohol use status, past medical history, current medication use, and dietary recall data. Variables, including dietary intakes, medication or supplement, were examined for a significant association with PUD. Association between PUD and fracture was used to build a multi-variable logistic regression model. Variables included in the logistic regression models were age, sex, use of supplements, PUD, GI medication use, total calorie intake, folic acid intake, magnesium intake, and phosphate intake. The results show PUD is associated with self-reported fracture with crude odds ratio(OR) of 1.71 (95% CI, 1.22–2.40, p=0.0017). Similarly, GI medication use is associated with self-reported fracture with crude OR=1.96 (95% CI, 1.41–2.72, p

We report measurements of branching fractions of ? lepton decays to final states with a KS0 meson using a 669fb-1 data sample accumulated with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. The inclusive branching fraction is measured to be B(?-?KS0X-??)=(9. 15�0.01�0.15)�10-3, where X- can be anything; the exclusive branching fractions are B(?-??-KS0??)=(4.16�0. 01�0.08)�10-3, B(?-?K-KS0??)=(7.40�0. 07�0.27)�10-4, B(?-??-KS0?0??)=(1. 93�0.02�0.07)�10-3, B(?-?K-KS0?0??)=(7. 48�0.10�0.37)�10-4, B(?-??-KS0KS0??)=(2. 33�0.03�0.09)�10-4, B(?-??-KS0KS0?0??) =(2.00�0.22�0.20)�10-5, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. For each mode, the accuracy is improved over that of pre-B-factory measurements by a factor ranging from five to ten. In ?-??-KS0KS0?0?? decays, clear signals for the intermediate states ?-??-f1(1285)?? and ?-?K*- KS0?0?? are observed. � 2014 American Physical Society.

We search for the charmless B0 decay with final state particles p???-? using the full data sample that contains 772�106BB? pairs collected at the ?(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. This decay is predicted to proceed predominantly via the b?s? radiative penguin process with a high energy photon. No significant signal is found. We set an upper limit of 6.5�10-7 for the branching fraction of B0?p???-? at the 90% confidence level. � 2014 American Physical Society.

The e+e-??+?-?0?bJ (J=0,1,2) processes are studied using a 118fb-1 data sample acquired with the Belle detector at a center-of-mass energy of 10.867 GeV. Unambiguous ?+?-?0?bJ (J=1,2), ??b1 signals are observed, and indication for ??b2 is seen, both for the first time, and the corresponding cross section measurements are presented. No significant ?+?-?0?b0 or ??b0 signals are observed, and 90% confidence level upper limits on the cross sections for these two processes are obtained. In the ?+?-?0 invariant mass spectrum, significant non-? signals are also observed. We search for the X(3872)-like state (named Xb) decaying into ??(1S); no significant signal is observed with a mass between 10.55 and 10.65GeV/c2. � 2014 American Physical Society.

The fluorescence intensities of poly(2-benzoyl-1,4-phenylene) (PBP) and poly(2-trifluoroacetyl-1,4-phenylene) (PTFAP) in chloroform and dioxane solutions were found to decrease on addition of phenols. The fluorescence intensity diminishes in proportion to the acidity of phenols. Similar phenomena were observed on addition of acetic acid and a fluorinated alcohol. However, when the poly(p-vinylphenol) (PVPh) was added to these polymer solutions, the fluorescence intensity increased with an increasing amount of PVPh. These results suggest that hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl group of PBP or PTFAP and the OH group of phenols has opposite effects on fluorescence in the two cases. The strong hydrogen bonding with small phenol compounds in the excited state may increase the restriction of the bond rotation between the phenyl rings of the polymer and result in decreasing of π-electron conjugation and the fluorescence intensity. On PVPh addition to the polymer solution, the PVPh chain may wrap around PBP or...

Aims: Aggressive natural killer (NK) cell leukaemia will be categorized as a distinct entity in the new WHO classification of malignant lymphomas. However, its non-leukaemic features remain unclear. We therefore investigated the morphological and immunophenotypic features of this lymphoma. Methods and results: Four cases with aggressive NK cell lymphoma were morphologically and immunohisto-chemically studied. All cases followed an aggressive course with death occurring within about 3 months of initial presentation. In these cases, the neoplastic cells disseminated throughout systemic lymph nodes and invaded various tissues and organs. The lymphoma cells were large cells showing nuclear irregularity and a pattern of sinusoidal invasion in lymph nodes. Apoptosis and coagulation necrosis were both frequently observed. Haemophagocytosis was observed in all cases. Neoplastic cells in paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from these patients had CD3(Cd3e) + CD56(123C3) + granzyme + TIA-1 + EBERT + CD43(MT1) - CD45RO(UCHL-1) - CD57(Leu7) - CD20(L26) - phenotypes. In the two cases where tissue was available for immunohistochemical study in frozen sections, neoplastic cells showed CD56(Leu19) + perforin + Fas ligand(FasL) + CD2(Leu5b) - CD3(Leu4) - CD4(Leu3) - CD5(Leu1) - CD7(Leu9) - CD8(Leu2) - βF1 - TCRδ1 - phenotypes. CD16(Leu11b) was positive in one case. Conclusions: Natural killer cell lymphomas appear to represent a non-leukaemic counterpart of aggressive natural killer cell leukaemia, a relationship similar to that in adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma. Awareness and diagnosis of this aggressive lymphoma is important because of its fulminant course.

Escherichia coli O157 isolates from cattle in Japan (n = 91) and in the USA (n = 415) were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of endonuclease-cleaved genomic DNA, location of the stx genes and bacteriophage typing. Three isolates from cattle in Japan with high similarity to isolates from cattle in the USA were found. Isolates from cattle farms in Japan and the USA may share a common source.

The hypernucleus \(\)Be is investigated in an α-α-Λ three-body model using the Faddeev formalism. We use an α-α interaction in which the Pauli-forbidden states are correctly taken into account and we employ some phenomenological potentials between the α and Λ particles. We obtained two bound states for \(\) and \(\), and three resonance states of \(\). We studied the properties of these states by calculating the components and the expectation values of the potential for each partial wave. It is found that a few channels dominate in the α (α, Λ) and \(\) states, so that the alpha-clusters or the 8Be core are still alive in the nucleus. In a case where the two alpha particles are fixed on an axis the contour plots of the distribution of the Λ particle are shown. With the assistance of these plots one can visually understand that some of them are shell-model-like states while others are well developed cluster-model-like states. For the structure of \(\)Be, it is concluded that the Λ particle is loosely coupled in S- and P-wave orbits about the 8Be(0+) and 8Be(2+) core states. Finally, we discuss a redundant state in the Faddeev amplitude which could arise from the treatment of symmetrization.

A perpendicular anisotropy master medium (PAMM) has been proposed for magnetic printing, and it is expected to improve the printing characteristics of the servo signal. In this study, we experimentally performed magnetic printing by using the PAMM, which is composed of CoPt magnetic film, with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and large saturation magnetization. It is clarified that the optimum printing field for PAMM is 3.5 kOe, which is 0.5 kOe lower than that of conventional master medium, and that the output signal from the slave medium printed by PAMM is about twice larger than that of the conventional master medium. Furthermore, the printing characteristics for PAMM can be further improved with thicker magnetic film.

A total of 77 Escherichia coli O157[ratio ]H7 (H−) isolates from cattle in Japan were investigated by molecular biological methods. Most of these isolates (43 isolates) possessed the stx2 gene, but not stx1. Fifteen bacteriophage types and 50 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles were observed. One isolate was indistinguishable from the human outbreak strain by these methods. This indicates that cattle must be considered as a possible source of human E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 infection in Japan.

A total of 46 Escherichia coli O157[ratio ]H7 isolates were obtained from sequential faecal samples from seven cattle collected over periods of 2 months. Nine closely related genetic subtypes, determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types using three kinds of restriction endonuclease were observed among the isolates. Distinguishable, but closely related genetic subtypes can be isolated from one farm, or from one cow, should be considered when undertaking an epidemiological survey.

A very compact solar neutron detector is made by using scintillation fiber and multi-anode photomultipliers. Signals from the 512 channels of the photomultipliers are read-out by CMOS circuitry which has been developed for a KEK B-factory experiment. The circuitry consumes only 5 W of power. The energy resolution for protons is obtained by exposing the detector to the RIKEN accelerator beam and it turns out to be 4.1% for protons at 95 MeV. The sensor will be used for observations on solar neutrons to elucidate the ion acceleration mechanism at the solar surface and also to provide information on-line to the cosmonauts about the impending arrival of strong radiations from the Sun.

Conclusion(s):This study shows the joint angles required in two conditions of rising-up motion. In both conditions, an approximately 50◦ flexion angle of the trunk and hip joints might be required at the end of the motion. The upper body could maintain an upright position by flexing the trunk and hip joints to the same extent. In the rotating rising condition, a sufficient range of motion (ROM) might be required not only for trunk rotation but also for the internal rotation of the shoulder and flexion of the elbow for a smooth rising-up motion. Implications: The characteristics of joint movement shown in this study might help physical therapists in setting the target levels of ROM in the joints for therapies targeted at achieving the motion of rising from a supine position.

Broadband non-linearly chirped fiber Bragg gratings were fabricated by using a step-chirped phase mask. These gratings were used to construct a third-order dispersion compensator with a bandwidth of over 6 nm around the zero dispersion wavelength. The dispersion slope is sufficient for compensating a 60-km-long dispersion-shifted fiber.

The present status of standard neutron fields in the YAYOI reactor are reviewed. The research topics using the standard neutron fields are also introduced on the development of advanced nuclear measurement technique in application of the latest technology on lasers, optical fibers and digital signal processing.