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SrB4O7 (SBO) has recently received much attention as a wavelength-conversion material which can operate into the deepest ultraviolet wavelengths (125 nm). The utilization of SBO for semiconductor lithography and laser ablation requires fully transparent crystals. Here, we show the growth of SBO crystal fibers with near-stoichiometric composition by the μ-pulling-down method. SrB2xO3x+1 ceramics sintered with various values of x were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The melting point of the SBO ceramics was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as 1017 °C, and the heat of fusion was 63.3 J/g. Furthermore, we observed SBO crystal fibers grown with various x values by optical microscopy. As a result, even when the deviation from stoichiometric composition was ± −0.1 mol % SrO (x = 2 ± 0.004), SrB2O4/SrB6O10 appeared. Also, DSC curves of SBO ceramics exhibited only one melting peak. These results demonstrate that SBO shows no solid-solution width and that the stoichiometric composition is e...

We validated a motion field imaging (MFI) assay with human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs) as a model to assess multiple cardiac liabilities by comparing the guinea-pig Langendorff heart with hiPS-CMs using 4 reference compounds and 9 internal compounds. We investigated repolarization duration, beating rate (BR), conduction speed, contractility, and inhibitory profile of three cardiac ion channels: hERG, Cav1.2, and Nav1.5. For repolarization, the contraction-relaxation duration (CRDc) of hiPS-CMs was generally consistent with the QTc interval of Langendorff heart. However, 2 internal compounds shortened CRDc despite QTc prolongation in Langendorff heart. Cardiac ion channel profiling revealed that hiPS-CMs could not be used to detect QTc prolongation when the value of Cav1.2 IC50 / hERG IC50 for a compound was between 1 and 10, whereas hiPS-CMs showed responses largely consistent with Langendorff heart when Cav1.2 IC50 / hERG IC50 was below 1 or above 10. The accuracy of hiPS-CMs for the BR was not high, mainly because the BR of hiPS-CMs was increased by an inhibition of Cav1.2. The hiPS-CMs were highly sensitive to conduction speed and contractility, able to detect QRS widening caused by Nav1.5-inhibition, as well as decreased LVdP/dtmax caused by the inhibition of Cav1.2 and/or Nav1.5. In conclusion, the MFI assay with hiPS-CMs would be useful for evaluating multiple cardiac liabilities. The ion channel profile helps to interpret the results of MFI assay and correctly evaluate cardiac risks. Therefore, an integrated cardiac safety assessment with MFI and ion channel profiling is recommended.

We used motion field imaging to characterize the conduction and contraction of a sheet of cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPS-CMs). A hiPS-CMs sheet of 2.8 mm × 2.8 mm allowed us to simultaneously measure the conduction and the contraction properties in the same cells. Pharmacological responses in the hiPS-CMs of four typical cardiac functional modulators, Na+ channel blocker (lidocaine), Ca2+ channel blocker (diltiazem), gap-junction inhibitor (carbenoxolone), and β-adrenergic stimulator (isoproterenol), were investigated, and the results were compared to those found using the isolated guinea-pig heart model perfused by the Langendorff method. The conduction speed of excitation waves in hiPS-CMs was decreased by lidocaine, diltiazem, and carbenoxolone, and increased by isoproterenol, and these results were in accordance with the changes in the conduction parameters of electrocardiogram (QRS duration, PR interval, and P duration) in the Langendorff guinea-pig heart model. The maximum speeds for contraction and relaxation, which respectively represent the contraction and relaxation kinetics of hiPS-CMs, were decreased by lidocaine and diltiazem, and increased by isoproterenol. These results also corresponded to alterations in the contractile and relaxation parameters found by measuring left ventricular pressure (LVdP/dtmax and LVdP/dtmin) in the Langendorff guinea-pig heart model. From these lines of evidence, it was suggested that hiPS-CMs enable us to evaluate the cardiac toxicities associated with conduction disturbance or contractile dysfunction, and thereby would be useful as an integrated assessment of cardiac function.

SrB4O7 (SBO) receives much attention as solid-state ultraviolet lasers for micro-machining, photochemical synthesis, and laser spectroscopy. For the application of SBO, the SBO crystals require the control of twinning to amplify the conversion light. We also expected that the inhibitation of the SrB2O4 appearance was essential. Here, we show the growth of SBO crystals along the c-axis through the micro-pulling-down method while alternating the application of electric fields (E). Without the application, single crystals were grown. At E ≧ 400 V/cm no needle domains of SrB2O4 inside SBO crystals existed, however, composition planes were formed and twin boundaries did not appear. In contrast, the inversion of surface morphology emerged, and the convex size was especially large at 1000 V/cm. These results demonstrate that convection is generated perpendicular to the growth front by alternating the application of electric fields. This surface morphological change contradicts the conventional concept of growth through the micro-pulling-down method. The distance from seed crystals vs. grain density plot also showed that the density did not decrease with a sufficient slope. Consequently, we concluded that the selection of the c-axis as growth faces is not fruitful to fabricate twins, and the selection of the growth condition, under which geometrical selection strongly affects, is the key.

Introduction The preclinical in vivo assay for QT prolongation is critical for predicting torsadogenic risk, but still difficult to extrapolate to humans. This study ran preclinical tests in cynomolgus monkeys on seven QT reference drugs containing the drugs used in the IQ-CSRC clinical trial and applied exposure-response (ER) analysis to the data to investigate the potential for translational information on the QT effect. Methods In each of six participating facilities in the J-ICET project, telemetered monkeys were monitored for 24 h following administration of vehicle or 3 doses of test drugs, and pharmacokinetic profiles at the same doses were evaluated separately. An individual rate-corrected QT interval (QTca) was derived and the vehicle-adjusted change in QTca from baseline (∆∆QTca) was calculated. Then the relationship of concentration to QT effect was evaluated by ER analysis. Results For QT-positive drugs in the IQ-CSRC study (dofetilide, dolasetron, moxifloxacin, ondansetron, and quinine) and levofloxacin, the slope of the total concentration-QTca effect was significantly positive, and the QT-prolonging effect, taken as the upper bound of the confidence interval for predicted ∆∆QTca, was confirmed to exceed 10 ms. The ER slope of the negative drug levocetirizine was not significantly positive and the QTca effect was below 10 ms at observed peak exposure. Discussion Preclinical QT assessment in cynomolgus monkeys combined with ER analysis could identify the small QT effect induced by several QT drugs consistently with the outcomes in humans. Thus, the ER method should be regarded as useful for translational prediction of QT effects in humans.

High-form pentlandite of composition Fe 4.93 Ni 4.06 S 8.01 first crystallizes by peritectic reaction between liquid and monosulfide solid-solution at 870 ± 3 °C (865 ± 3 °C for high-form pentlandite with Fe=Ni in at.%) in the Fe–Ni–S system; it forms a limited solid-solution from Fe 5.08 Ni 3.93 S 7.99 to Fe 3.81 Ni 5.24 S 7.96 including the ideal composition Fe 4.50 Ni 4.50 S 8.00 at 850 °C. The solid solution grows rapidly to extend its field toward the Ni-rich side with decreasing temperature and connects with β 2 (44.7 at.% S) in the Ni–S join at 806 ± 3 °C (peritectic between liquid and Ni 1– x S). Below the peritectic temperature, high-form pentlandite (metal-rich composition) crystallizes directly from liquid. This crystallization continues to the eutectic (746 ± 3 °C for the high form with Fe=Ni) with decreasing temperature, and the high-form solid solution grows still more. Crystallization of the monosulfide solid-solution and high-form pentlandite solid solution from liquid finishes at 762 ± 3 °C and 739 ± 3 °C, respectively. The high-form pentlandite solid solution extended from the Ni–S join is maintained at 700 and 650 °C and coexists with monosulfide solid-solution and/or with liquid (870 to 739 °C), and/or with β 1 or its solid solution (800 to 503 °C), and/or with γ (762 to 579 °C). In geological processes such as the formation of Ni-Cu ore deposits, pentlandite can crystallize as the high form from liquid (sulfide magma) by peritectic and eutectic reactions at comparatively high temperatures from 870 to 739 °C (Fe–Ni–S system). Pentlandite is also produced by the breakdown of the high form at the pseudoeutectoid (or ternary eutectoid). Pentlandite can further be formed by exsolution from monosulfide solid-solution below 600 °C, and from the ternary β 1 phase.

As funding for malaria control increased considerably over the past 10 years resulting in the expanded coverage of malaria control interventions, so did the need to measure the impact of these investments on malaria morbidity and mortality. Members of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership undertook impact evaluations of malaria control programs at a time when there was little guidance in terms of the process for conducting an impact evaluation of a national-level malaria control program. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), as a member of the RBM Partnership, has provided financial and technical support for impact evaluations in 13 countries to date. On the basis of these experiences, PMI and its partners have developed a streamlined process for conducting the evaluations with a set of lessons learned and recommendations. Chief among these are: to ensure country ownership and involvement in the evaluations; to engage stakeholders throughout the process; to coordinate evaluations among interested partners to avoid duplication of efforts; to tailor the evaluation to the particular country context; to develop a standard methodology for the evaluations and a streamlined process for completion within a reasonable time; and to develop tailored dissemination products on the evaluation for a broad range of stakeholders. These key lessons learned and resulting recommendations will guide future impact evaluations of malaria control programs and other health programs.

Concerted efforts from national and international partners have scaled up malaria control interventions, including insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, diagnostics, prompt and effective treatment of malaria cases, and intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scale-up warrants an assessment of its health impact to guide future efforts and investments; however, measuring malaria-specific mortality and the overall impact of malaria control interventions remains challenging. In 2007, Roll Back Malaria's Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group proposed a theoretical framework for evaluating the impact of full-coverage malaria control interventions on morbidity and mortality in high-burden SSA countries. Recently, several evaluations have contributed new ideas and lessons to strengthen this plausibility design. This paper harnesses that new evaluation experience to expand the framework, with additional features, such as stratification, to examine subgroups most likely to experience improvement if control programs are working; the use of a national platform framework; and analysis of complete birth histories from national household surveys. The refined framework has shown that, despite persisting data challenges, combining multiple sources of data, considering potential contributions from both fundamental and proximate contextual factors, and conducting subnational analyses allows identification of the plausible contributions of malaria control interventions on malaria morbidity and mortality.

High temperature in situ observation of melting and crystallization of spherical Si droplets on a substrate with a porous surface was carried out for the first time using an original in situ observation apparatus. The contact angle between the Si melt and the substrate was measured to be 160°, with the Si melt forming spherical droplets on the substrate. During crystallization, a ring-like pattern was observed on the surface of the spherical Si melt droplets due to crystal growth at low levels of supercooling. The solidified spherical Si crystals consisted of single or twin grains. This demonstrates that high-quality spherical Si crystals can be prepared easily and stably by using a Si melt-repelling substrate.

Growth of plate potassium niobate (KNbO3; KN) crystal from stoichiometric melt has been investigated by a micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. KN plate crystal with 1-2 mm×4-5 mm×35 mml dimensions was successfully grown using a platinum crucible with rectangular die of 4 mm×1 mm having a hole of 0.5 mm in diameter in its center. Obtained KN plate crystal did not contain K4Nb6O17 phase, coexisting with the potassium niobate phase when crystallization follows the phase equilibrium diagram. It appeared that sufficient supercooling was attained during the growth, and that the potassium niobate phase was stabilized in the melt. The parameters necessary for the reproducible growth of KN plate crystal were associated with a solid–liquid interface during the growth. Phase transition temperatures of the grown plate crystal agreed well with previously reported data, and sharp transitions were observed.

Porous ceramic substrates that repel Si melt have been developed, and spherical Si crystals have been easily grown using these substrates. Spherical Si crystals grown at cooling rates of less than 100 K/h consist of either single crystals or fewer than three grains. In each of the spherical Si crystals obtained in repeated growth experiments using the same substrate, the carbon and oxygen concentrations were consistently below the specification values for Si in solar cells. Degradation of the porous substrate was also examined to check whether it is possible to reuse the substrate.

Pyrolysis of tetrabromosilane (SiBr 4 ) was carried out by passing vaporized SiBr 4 with hydrogen over a substrate heated to less than 1000 °C. The substrate was then placed in a reaction furnace equipped with a flow system and the exhaust gas containing the reactants and products was analyzed versus temperature. SiBr 4 began to decompose at 800 °C simultaneously with the evolution of tribromosilane (SiHBr 3 ), which was followed by the deposition of silicon in a crystalline form. The conversion of SiBr 4 increased with increasing reaction temperature. No reaction occurred in the absence of H 2 . An experiment with tetrachlorosilane (SiCl 4 ) under the similar conditions led to a decrease in SiCl 4 concentration at temperatures greater than 900 °C. This demonstrates that decomposition of SiBr 4 is energetically favorable compared to that of SiCl 4 , as predicted from the Ellingham diagrams for the reactions of Br- and Cl-containing species. Thus, Si production from bromosilanes is an alternative to the process using SiHCl 3 , the so-called Siemens method, which is the main technology for Si production currently.

Anti-angiogenic drugs that target Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signaling pathways caused hypertension as an adverse effect in clinical studies. Since the hypertension may limit the benefit provided for patients, the demand for non-clinical research that predicts the clinical risk of the hypertension has risen greatly. To clarify whether non-clinical research using rats can appropriately estimate the clinical risk of hypertension caused by VEGF signal inhibitors, we investigated the hemodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics (PK) of the VEGF signal inhibitors cediranib (0.1, 3, and 10 mg/kg), sunitinib (5, 10, and 40 mg/kg), and sorafenib (0.1, 1, and 5 mg/kg) in telemetered rats and examined the correlation between the non-clinical and the clinical hypertensive effect. The VEGF signal inhibitors significantly elevated blood pressure (BP) in rats within a few days of the initiation of dosing, and levels recovered after dosing ended. The trend of the hypertension was similar to that in clinical studies. We found that the AUC at which BP significantly increased by approximately 10 mmHg in rats was comparable to the clinical AUC at which moderate to severe hypertension occurred. These results represent correlations between the non-clinical and the clinical hypertensive effect of VEGF signal inhibitors, suggesting that non-clinical research using telemetered rats would be an effective approach to predict the clinical risk of hypertension caused by VEGF signal inhibitors.

Treatment processes of the kerf loss silicon using a chemical approach, hydrobromination reaction, have been investigated. Since the kerf loss silicon is generated in the cutting process of silicon ingot using a diamond wire saw, the sample in a form of wet cake was composed of fine particles of silicon kerf, cutting lubricant, and metallic impurities. The removal efficiency of lubricant and metal impurities using acetone and acid solutions, respectively, were examined by thermal and elemental analyses. The heat treatment was necessary, rather than the washing with acetone, for complete removal of the lubricant from the sample. After being treated successively with organic solvent (acetone) and acid (HNO 3 and HCl), the dry sample obtained at each step was exposed to HBr gas in a flow reactor heated at 400 °C. The reactivity was evaluated with respect to the conversion of HBr. The HBr conversion was much higher with the use of kerf silicon that did not experience acid treatment. Furthermore, the metal impurity concentration without acid treatment after the reaction was much lower than that with acid treatment. Further, to examine the impact of abrasive grain on the purity of the obtained products, diamond particles were intentionally added to the silicon sample. The presence of diamond gave little influence on the metal impurities in products, indicating that the operation of hydrobromination can eliminate the important steps adopted in the traditional purification process for kerf loss silicon with the acid treatment of metallurgical approach.

Chemical processes occurring in the vapor deposition of silicon from a mixture of bromosilanes (SiHBr3:SiBr4 = 1:4) with hydrogen gas have been monitored by means of online gas chromatography, and the obtained deposits were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques. The deposition of silicon occurred at 900 ºC, accompanied by the larger consumption of SiBr4 than SiHBr3. The numerous rugged rod-like deposits of poly-silicon were grown appearing the crystal diffractions of (111), (220), (311), and (331) planes. The diameter of deposits mainly ranged from 2 to 4 um and their lengths extended to about 10 um.

Our previous study has shown that the corrected QT (QTc) interval of the electrocardiogram is longer during the dark period than during the light period in telemetered common marmosets. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities in the changes of QTc interval associated with the light–dark cycle. Telemetry transmitters were implanted in six common marmosets to continuously record the electrocardiogram. The QT intervals obtained were corrected for the RR interval by applying individual probabilistic QT-rate correction formulae. Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability was performed to quantify each autonomic nervous function. Changes in QTc intervals and autonomic nervous tones were associated with the light–dark cycle. Parasympathetic nervous activity and QTc intervals significantly increased by approximately 10 ms during the dark period. Atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, suppressed the increased parasympathetic tone and QTc prolongation during the dark period. In contrast, propranolol, a β-adrenoceptor antagonist, decreased the sympathetic activity and increased QTc intervals during the light period. These results suggest that the parasympathetic nerve functions prolong QTc intervals during the dark period, while the sympathetic nerve functions shorten them during the light period in common marmosets. Keywords:: common marmoset, autonomic nervous activity, heart rate variability, power spectral analysis, QT interval prolongation

Hydrobromination of three types of silicons (reagent grade silicon (RG-Si), metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si), and kerf loss silicon (KL-Si)) has been investigated in a flow reactor with and without abrasive grains of silicon carbide (SiC) under various conditions. All the silicons reacted with HBr to form bromosilanes around 400 °C, irrespective of the presence or absence of SiC. The reactivity of each Si sample was evaluated with respect to the conversion of HBr, while the purity of products was analyzed after hydrolyzing them to silicon dioxide. Metal impurities such as Al, Fe, and Ni in the starting materials were dramatically reduced in the hydrolyzed products. The addition of SiC did not cause any increase in impurities. Rather, it resulted in an improvement of the reaction kinetics in a temperature region of 350–400 °C, probably as a result of better heat transfer in the reactant owing to the high thermal diffusivity of SiC. This demonstrates that the bromination reaction is effective to extract pure silicon from kerf loss waste even where SiC is present.

INTRODUCTION: Despite concerted efforts to scale up tuberculosis control with large amounts of international financing in the last 2 decades, tuberculosis continues to be a social issue affecting the world's most marginalized and disadvantaged communities. This includes prisoners, estimated at about 10 million globally, for whom tuberculosis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has emerged as the single largest international donor for tuberculosis control, including funding support in delivering tuberculosis treatment for the confined population. METHODS: The Global Fund grants database, with an aggregate approved investment of $21.7 billion in 150 countries by the end of 2010, was reviewed to identify tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus/tuberculosis grants and activities that monitored the delivery of tuberculosis treatment and support activities in penitentiary settings. The distribution and trend of number of countries with tuberculosis prison support was mapped by year, geographic region, tuberculosis or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis burden, and prison population rate. We examined the types of grant recipients managing program delivery, their performance, and the nature and range of services provided. RESULTS: Fifty-three of the 105 countries (50%) with Global Fund-supported tuberculosis programs delivered services within prison settings. Thirty-two percent (73 of 228) of tuberculosis grants, representing $558 million of all disbursements of Global Fund tuberculosis support by the end of 2010, included output indicators related to tuberculosis services delivered in prisons. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of these grants were implemented by governments, with the remaining by civil society and other partners. In terms of services, half (36 of 73) of grants provided diagnosis and treatment and an additional 27% provided screening and monitoring of tuberculosis for prisoners. The range of services tracked was limited in scope and scale, with 69% offering only 1 type of service and less than one-fifth offering 2 types of service. CONCLUSIONS: This study is a preliminary attempt to examine Global Fund investments in the fight against tuberculosis in prison settings. Tuberculosis services delivered in prisons have increased in the last decade, but systematic information on funding levels and gaps, services provided, and cost-effective delivery models for delivering tuberculosis services in prisons are lacking.

Baumstarkite, ideally AgSbS 2 , was found as aggregates of euhedral crystals in the Koryu mine, Hokkaido, Japan. The optical properties, chemical composition, and cell parameters of this mineral are presented. The compositional ranges are from 1.8 to 7.0 at.% As (7.4 to 28.2 mol.% AgAsS 2 ). The unit cell of a sample with 10 mol.% AgAsS 2 is triclinic, P 1 with a 7.778(1), b 8.326(1), c 8.814(1) A, α 100.90(1), β 104.01(1), γ 90.06(1)°, and V 543.2(1) A 3 ; these values are in very good accordance with those of the type mineral as well as those of synthetic material.

Lifetime of an indium tin oxide (ITO) target is an important characteristic in the production of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Increasing the sintering density of the ITO target is assumed to lead to an increased lifetime. So far, it has been clarified that the carbon concentration in In2O3 powder, the raw material of ITO targets, influences remarkably the target lifetime. In this study, with the aim of reducing the concentration of carbon in In2O3 powder, the synthesis of In2O3 powder containing dissolved Sn by a dry process was performed.

Reactions of metallurgical-grade silicon (MG-Si) with gaseous hydrogen bromide (HBr) has been monitored by means of online gas chromatography in a flow reactor system. The formation of tri-bromosilane started to occur at 380 °C, accompanied by the consumption of HBr. The conversion of HBr into bromosilanes increased with an increase in reaction temperature and reached a maximum at 440 °C. An increase of the HBr concentration in a HBr-N2 mixed gas led to an increase in the consumption of MG-Si, while it reduced the selectivity of the tri-bromosilane formation. An increase in total flow rate of the reaction gas caused a dramatic decrease in the HBr conversion and enhanced the selectivity of the tri-bromosilane formation. The rate constant for overall bromination reaction at 400 °C was measured to be 0.46 s−1. Concentrations of impurities in the product were much less than those in MG-Si. Moreover, kerf loss silicon was subjected to the bromination reaction under the optimized conditions.

An elongate field of high-form pentlandite solid-solution, Fe 5.65 Ni 3.35 S 7.85 , β 2 (Ni 4± x S 3 ), occurs in the system Fe–Ni–S at 650°C. This solid solution coexists with monosulfide solid-solution, β 1 (Ni,Fe) 3± x S 2 and γ (Fe,Ni). Pentlandite with a composition Fe 5.60 Ni 3.40 S 7.82 first appears as a stable phase at 625°C owing to the phase transition of the most Fe-rich high-form pentlandite with the same composition. It grows as a limited solid-solution, from Fe 5.64 Ni 3.36 S 7.82 to Fe 3.25 Ni 5.75 S 7.92 at 600°C and from Fe 5.68 Ni 3.32 S 7.85 to Fe 2.43 Ni 6.57 S 7.85 at 500°C owing to a continuous phase-transition, exsolution and breakdown (pseudoperitectoid and pseudo-eutectoid) of the high-form solid-solution and the exsolution and breakdown (pseudo-eutectoid) of β 1 . The compositional range of the solid solution is also increased by the exsolution of monosulfide solid-solution below 625°C. Pentlandite coexists with high-form pentlandite (625° to 503°C), monosulfide solid-solution (below 625°C), γ (below 617°C) and β 1 (579° to 484°C). High-form pentlandite still remains stable below 520°C, but breaks down to pentlandite, high-form godlevskite and β 1 at 503° ± 3°C and Fe 1.04 Ni 7.96 S 6.93 (eutectoid). Phase β 1 also breaks down to pentlandite, heazlewoodite and γ at 484° ± 3°C and Fe 0.26 Ni 2.87 S 2.00 (eutectoid). The assemblages with pentlandite and high-form godlevskite or heazlewoodite first appear at 568° ± 3°C or 498° ± 3°C, respectively. In this study, we show that pentlandite in the Ni–Cu ores can form at temperatures from 625° to 500°C or less owing to the phase transition, exsolution and eutectoid of the high-form pentlandite solid-solution, monosulfide solid-solution and β 1 . These are the primary phases that would crystallize from sulfide magma (liquid in the system Fe–Ni–S) between around 1000° and 750°C.

OBJECTIVES To map the extent and scope of public-private mix (PPM) interventions in tuberculosis (TB) control programmes supported by the Global Fund. METHODS We reviewed the Global Fund's official documents and data to analyse the distribution, characteristics and budgets of PPM approaches within Global Fund supported TB grants in recipient countries between 2003 and 2008. We supplemented this analysis with data on contribution of PPM to TB case notifications in 14 countries reported to World Health Organization in 2009, for the preparation of the global TB control report. RESULTS Fifty-eight of 93 countries and multi-country recipients of Global Fund-supported TB grants had PPM activities in 2008. Engagement with 'for-profit' private sector was more prevalent in South Asia while involvement of prison health services has been common in Eastern Europe and central Asia. In the Middle East and North Africa, involving non-governmental organizations seemed to be the focus. Average and median spending on PPM within grants was 10% and 5% respectively, ranging from 0.03% to 69% of the total grant budget. In China, India, Nigeria and the Philippines, PPM contributed to detecting more than 25% TB cases while maintaining high treatment success rates. CONCLUSION In spite of evidence of cost-effectiveness, PPM constitutes only a modest part of overall TB control activities. Scaling up PPM across countries could contribute to expanding access to TB care, increasing case detection, improving treatment outcomes and help achieve the global TB control targets.

Horomanite and samaniite are found in the interstices among grains of silicate minerals in lherzolite from the Horoman peridotite massif, Samani-cho, Hokkaido, Japan. The mean analytical data for the horomanite, as determined by electron-probe micro-analysis (EPMA), are Cu: 0.43, Fe: 41.82, Ni: 23.76, Co: 0.52 and S: 33.29 for a total of 99.82 wt%. The empirical formula is (Fe5.77Ni3.12Co0.07Cu0.05)Σ9.01S8.00. Crystallographic data for the horomanite acquired by X-ray single-crystal (precession) and powder (Gandolfi) diffraction methods. They revealed a tetragonal symmetry, space group P4/mmm, a = 8.707 A, c = 10.439 A, V = 791.4 A3, and Z = 4.The mean chemical composition of samaniite obtained by EPMA is Cu: 16.90, Fe: 34.60, Ni: 15.48, Co: 0.16, and S: 32.87 for a total of 100.01 wt%. The empirical formula is Cu2.08(Fe4.84Ni2.06Co0.02)Σ6.92S8.00. The crystallographic data for samaniite, which were obtained by X-ray single-crystal and powder-diffraction methods, are tetragonal symmetry, space group P42/mnm, a = 10.089, c = 10.402A, V = 1058.9A3, and Z = 4.

Potassium niobate (KNbO3; KN) is a well known ferroelectric material with perovskite structure. Recently, this crystal has been given much attention as an environmentally friendly material as well as surface acoustic waves (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices. It is, however, very difficult to grow KN crystals because KN melts incongruently. In this paper, KN crystal fibers have been successfully grown from stoichiometric melt by micro pulling down (μ-PD) method, and parameters necessary for the reproducible growth of KN fiber have been revealed. Dielectric properties of grown fiber crystal were also measured.

Background Resource allocation and integration of services have been of interest recently to achieve health-related Millennium Development Goals. This paper analyses the extent to which countries receiving funding in HIV were able to invest in activities in the area of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Methods The authors screened the Global Fund grants data with an aggregate investment of US$16 billion in 140 countries to identify indicators revealing typical SRH services. The analysis focused on the ‘Top Ten’ internationally agreed indicators and used international guidelines and frameworks to define services for SRH and opportunities for ‘linkage’ between HIV and SRH services. Results As of December 2008, 238 of all HIV grants (n=252) from 133 countries included 1620 service delivery indicators related to SRH. The budgets amounted to US$9.1 billion with US$5.9 billion committed and US$4 billion disbursed. Services included (1) prevention of mother to child transmission for 445 000 HIV-positive pregnant women, (2) 5.7 million care and support services, (3) 1.2 billion condoms delivered, (4) 4.4 million episodes of sexually transmitted infections treated, (5) 61 million counselling and testing encounters, and (6) 11.6 million behavioural change communication (BCC) outreach services for people at high risk and 64.5 million BCC activities for the general population, including youth. Information on the linkage and integration of SRH–HIV services was limited. Conclusion Around 94% of HIV programmes supported SRH-related activities. However, there is a need to systematically capture data on SRH–HIV service integration to understand the benefits of linking these services.

The aims of this study were to determine a suitable method to correct the ventricular repolarization period against the RR interval in isolated perfused Langendorff guinea pig heart and to clarify the reliability of this model using several drugs. QT and RR intervals from an electrocardiogram and the epicardial monophasic action potential duration (MAP(90)) were measured. Two drugs clinically known to be QT-prolonging (E-4031, moxifloxacin) and two known to be non-QT-prolonging (verapamil, zatebradine) were used for the study. To determine a method of correcting the ventricular repolarization period against RR interval, heart rates were slowed with 0.3 µM zatebradine, a specific bradycardiac agent, and then accelerated with atrial pacing to obtain a wide range of MAP(90)/RR relationships. An exponential rate-correction model elicited the most appropriate algorithm for the relationship among the four models tested. Based on linear regression analysis, the exponential showed superior dissociation of corrected MAP(90)s against RR intervals than generic Bazett's and Fridericia's formulae. E-4031 and moxifloxacin prolonged the corrected QT (QTc) intervals and MAP(90) under atrial pacing at a cycle length of 0.25 sec (MAP(90(pacing))) dose-dependently; verapamil and zatebradine failed to prolong them, indicating that the reliability of this model was excellent. MAP(90(pacing)) prolongation by moxifloxacin, the positive compound in the clinical "Thorough QT/QTc Study", was seen at around QTc-prolonging concentrations in clinic, suggesting that the sensitivity would be appropriate for QT evaluation. We therefore concluded that the isolated guinea pig heart model is sufficiently sensitive and useful for assessing the potential QT prolongation of drugs.

Magnesium hydroxide powder is used as a flame retardant in resin cable and wire sheathing. To be considered effective as a flame retardant, magnesium hydroxide needs to consist of primary particles having a diameter of 0.5-1.5 μm and has to be less cohesive with a small specific surface area of 5 m2·g-1. However, magnesium hydroxide obtained from seawater and slaked lime slurry consists of polycrystalline secondary particles with an average diameter of about 3 μm that result form scale-shaped primary particles and have a high specific surface area of over 10 m2·g-1, making magnesium hydroxide highly hygroscopic and thus unsuitable for application as a flame-retardant. In this study, a mechanism for reducing the specific surface area of polycrystalline magnesium hydroxide powder was investigated to reduce its hygroscopicity. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area was found to change depending on the drying rate and could be reduced upon dehydration at a low drying rate. A mechanism for reducing the BET specific surface area of magnesium hydroxide was identified: when magnesium hydroxide was dehydrated at a low drying rate, the decreasing drying period increased and the supersaturation of magnesium hydroxide by the moisture remaining in the pores was prolonged. Consequently, the primary particles of magnesium hydroxide grew larger, and the number of 3-10 nm sized pores, particularly 3-5 nm pores, in the polycrystalline secondary particles significantly decreased, thereby reducing the BET specific surface area.