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We perform a numerical study of the unitary regime as a function of disorder concentration in the imaginary part of the elastic scattering cross-section for the compound $Sr_2RuO_4$ in the flat band non-disperse limit. By using a self-consistent tight-binding (TB) method, we find a couple of families of Wigner probabilistic functions that help to explain macroscopically the distribution between Fermion dressed quasiparticles and Cooper pairs, and also the position of nodes in the order parameter for $Sr_2RuO_4$. Therefore, we are able to show that a TB model for the $\gamma$ sheet numerically shows 4 point nodes in a flat $\gamma$ sheet limit or 4 quasi-point nodes for strong dispersion $\gamma$ sheet limit in the reduced phase scattering space (RPS)., Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, 44 references

In this work, in order to investigate the origin of the anomalous polarization dynamics observed in the normal conducting state of the organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2, we performed optical pump probe measurements by varying the probe pulse energy from to 1.59 eV. We found that the polarization-dependent transient signal was most enhanced at , which was close to the intramolecular excitation energy of the BEDT-TTF molecules but is not exactly matched. This difference is linked to the formation of an energy gap at the Fermi energy at low temperatures, which results in an increase or decrease in pump-induced absorption between the states near the Fermi energy and the intramolecular excited states depending on probe polarization. In other words, the intramolecular excitation at 1.41 eV, which has a strong polarization dependence, serves as a probe of the dynamics involved in gap formation. A simple calculation shows that the size of the gap is , which is close to that of the BEDT-TTF based Mott insulators. It is suggested that the gap arises from the phase-separated Mott state caused by photoinduced modulation of effective electron correlation.

An addendum to the International Conference on Harmonisation E9 (ICH E9) guidance document (Statistical Principles for Clinical Trials) is currently under development. The aim of the addendum is to promote harmonized standards on the choice of estimand (a well-defined measure of the treatment effect that is being estimated) in clinical trials and to describe a consensual framework for planning, conducting, and interpreting sensitivity analyses of clinical trial data.In order to help understand current practices relating to the choice of estimands and sensitivity analyses for clinical trials, the ICH E9 working group developing the addendum conducted a survey with a primary focus on clinical trials involving drugs, vaccines, and biologics. The survey was distributed electronically between May 19, 2015, and June 11, 2015, to various stakeholder groups within ICH, including industry, regulatory, and academic communities. A total of 1305 respondents participated.Of the 1305 respondents 547 (42%), 344 (26%) and 283 (22%) were from Europe, USA and Japan respectively. Over half of the respondents work in pharmaceutical companies, and approximately a quarter of respondents noted oncology as the primary therapeutic area they work in. Over half of the respondents (595, 55%) noted the treatment effect being estimated was 'in the entire target population of patients regardless of whether they will take treatment as instructed'. The most common methods for handling missing data in primary analyses were mixed-models repeated measures (555, 56% respondents) and last observation carried forward (549, 55% respondents). The majority of respondents (816, 83%) noted they conducted sensitivity analyses to estimate treatment effects in different ways compared to the primary analysis by using alternative assumptions (627, 78%) and/or using alternative statistical methods (616, 76%).The survey results have provided useful information to the ICH E9 working group on current practices on the choice of primary estimands for measuring treatment effects in confirmatory clinical trials, and approaches used to select sensitivity analyses.

As a series study that discusses local instability by atomic elastic stiffness, B ij a = Δ σ i a / Δ e j , molecular dynamics simulations of simple shear on Fe perfect lattice are performed to discuss twin deformation. In the simulation of extremely low temperature of 0.1 K, many twin boundaries are nucleated in a periodic slab cell of stacked ( 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 2 ) planes just after the stress drop or elastic limit under shear. The 1st eigenvalue η a ( 1 ) of the 6 × 6 matrix B ij a shows fluctuation in each ( 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 2 ) planes just before the elastic limit. At the stress-strain peak, η a ( 1 ) 0 or unstable layers emerge and twin deformation occurs at these unstable “band” in the simulation cell. The period of the η a ( 1 ) fluctuation is almost constant even if the cell size is expanded in the [ 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 2 ] and [1 1 ¯ 0] direction, while the unstable band arrays tilt normal to the diagonal line of the simulation cell, under the cell expansion in the [1 1 1] direction. At the elevated temperature of 300 K, the simultaneous periodic band never appears but a few unstable bands appear locally in time sequence and bring twinning there.

BACKGROUND: Given the phenotypic similarities between rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) (hereafter, RA-ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, we hypothesized that the strongest risk factor for the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the gain-of-function MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950, would also contribute to the risk of ILD among patients with RA. METHODS: Using a discovery population and multiple validation populations, we tested the association of the MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950 in 620 patients with RA-ILD, 614 patients with RA without ILD, and 5448 unaffected controls. RESULTS: Analysis of the discovery population revealed an association of the minor allele of the MUC5B promoter variant with RA-ILD when patients with RA-ILD were compared with unaffected controls (adjusted odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8 to 5.2; P = 9.7×10-17). The MUC5B promoter variant was also significantly overrepresented among patients with RA-ILD, as compared with unaffected controls, in an analysis of the multiethnic case series (adjusted odds ratio, 5.5; 95% CI, 4.2 to 7.3; P = 4.7×10-35) and in a combined analysis of the discovery population and the multiethnic case series (adjusted odds ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.9 to 5.8; P = 1.3×10-49). In addition, the MUC5B promoter variant was associated with an increased risk of ILD among patients with RA (adjusted odds ratio in combined analysis, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.8 to 5.4; P = 7.4×10-5), particularly among those with evidence of usual interstitial pneumonia on high-resolution computed tomography (adjusted odds ratio in combined analysis, 6.1; 95% CI, 2.9 to 13.1; P = 2.5×10-6). However, no significant association with the MUC5B promoter variant was observed for the diagnosis of RA alone. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the MUC5B promoter variant was associated with RA-ILD and more specifically associated with evidence of usual interstitial pneumonia on imaging. Copyright © 2018 Massachusetts Medical Society.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of physical therapy in women diagnosed with chronic constipation using functional training of the pelvic floor (biofeedback). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2009 to March 2010, 67 women with chronic constipation were prospectively evaluated. The patients were evaluated and the constipation score proposed by Agachan et al. was applied. Then, they were sent to biofeedback. These patients were divided into 2 groups: with anismus (group I: mean age of 46.90 years old) and without anismus (group II: mean age of 44.89 years old) and diagnosed by anorectal electromanometry. The treatment was performed with different exercises for each group, associated with some hygieno-dietetic directions. At the end of treatment, the constipation score was reapplied. RESULTS: Pre-biofeedback constipation score in group I was 15.04 (standard deviation - SD=2.48) and post-biofeedback constipation score was 3.39 (SD=1.62) (pOBJETIVO: Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito do tratamento fisioterapêutico, em mulheres diagnosticadas com constipação crônica, utilizando treinamento funcional do assoalho pélvico (biofeedback). CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: No período de março de 2009 a março de 2010, foram avaliadas, prospectivamente, 67 mulheres com constipação intestinal. As pacientes foram avaliadas e o escore de constipação, proposto por Agachan et al., foi aplicado; então, foram encaminhadas ao biofeedback. Essas pacientes foram divididas em 2 grupos: com anismus (56 pacientes do grupo I: média de idade 46,90 anos) e sem anismus (11 pacientes do grupo II: média de idade 44,89 anos), diagnosticadas pela eletromanometria anorretal. Para o tratamento, foram estipulados exercícios diferentes para cada grupo, associados com orientações higienodietéticas. Ao fim do tratamento, foi reaplicado o escore de constipação. RESULTADOS: O escore de constipação do grupo I, na avaliação pré-biofeedback, foi 15,04 (desvio padrão - DP=2,48) e, no pós-tratamento, foi 3,39 (DP=1,62) (p

It has long been known that several embryos are needed to establish and maintain pregnancy during early gestation in pigs. In this study, we assessed whether co-transfer of parthenogenotes with a single embryo was sufficient to maintain development of the embryo. Embryos were recovered at morula and early blastocyst stages from gilts that had been artificially inseminated. Parthenogenotes were produced from oocytes matured in vitro, activated by electrical stimulation, and then cultured for 110h. Those that had developed to morula- or blastocyst-like stages at 110h post-activation were transferred to recipient pigs either with or without morula or blastocyst stage embryos. Parthenogenotes that were transferred to recipients in the absence of embryos were viable up to 30 days post-activation and formed limb-buds; at 40 days, however, all were dead or degenerate. Among pigs that received both parthenogenotes and a single embryo, seven of nine (77.8%) delivered a normal piglet at full-term. This study therefore demonstrates that parthenogenotes can be used in place of embryos to establish pregnancy and promote development of a single co-transferred embryo. This method may be applied to rescue high value porcine embryos that are difficult to produce, such as transgenic cloned embryos, or for embryos frozen as a genetic resource.

We investigated the influence of male flower production, floral synchrony and inter-tree distances on male reproductive success in a miniature seed orchard of Cryptomeria japonica. We used six microsatellite markers to determine the paternity of each seed. In the seed orchard, the average pollen contamination and clonal self-fertilization rates were 38.7% and 1.7%, respectively. The level of male reproductive success of constituent clones varied from 0.0 to 15.7%. Five clones showing the highest male reproductive success contributed ca. 30% of all analyzed seeds as a pollen donor after excluding contamination by external sources of pollen. The statistical analyses showed that male reproductive success was strongly influenced by male flower production of each clone and, possibly, by their distance to the mother trees. The linear regression which included male flower production and floral synchrony as independent variables, however, accounted for only 14.7% of variation of male reproductive success, suggesting that other factors such as pollen competition might also influence male reproductive success. Since we found no significant correlation between male reproductive and female reproductive successes, it may be better to equalize male and female reproductive successes independently

Evergreen fir Abies mariesii growing at the tree line (near 2 500 m altitude) on Mt. Norikura (36°61'N, 137°33'E, 3 026 m altitude) in Central Japan is exposed to harsh winter stresses. To protect against these stresses, the deep-oxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle pigments increased, because the needles contained large amounts of zeaxanthin, which resulted in an increase of non-radiative thermal dissipation from the antenna system. Not only the antenna system but also the inactivated photosystem (PS) 2 reaction centre (RC) might contribute to the heat dissipation of absorbed excess photon energy. In addition, a decrease in the PS2 activity during winter was derived from the degradation of the PS2 RCs. Thus the needles acclimated to the strong sunlight during the harsh winter. Under such conditions, only the abaxial side of A. mariesii needles occasionally changed colour from green to reddish-brown in early spring. Since this needle damage was only observed in shoots that protruded from the snow surface, this phenomenon might be caused by the interaction between the strong sunlight reflected from the snow surface and the long period of sub-zero temperatures. We also examined how the photoprotective functions of A. mariesii growing at the tree line of a temperate zone mitigate the interactive stresses of high photon flux density and sub-zero temperature in harsh winter.

We have constructed and demonstrated levitating transporter models composed of the superconductor bulks (HTS bulks) and permanent magnets. The dynamic characteristics of lift force, lateral force and magnetic stiffness are very important for the design of superconducting devices such as a levitation system. The electromagnetic phenomenon should be clarified through the accurate analyses of the magnetic field and shielding current distributions within HTS bulks. In this study, we developed a new simulation program based on the three-dimensional hybrid finite element and boundary element (3D hybrid FE-BE) method, which combines with the fast multipole method (FMM). By using the FMM, it is possible to solve the large-scale problem with a reduction of the required memory size and improvement of the accuracy. This simulation program can consider the anisotropic and nonlinear E-J characteristics of HTS bulks. The results of experiment and numerical simulation are in good agreement

Biosynthetic genes of kasugamycin (KSM), an aminoglycoside antibiotic produced by Streptomyces kasugaensis, forms a cluster within the chromosome. A cloned 22.4-kb cluster region contains almost all the enzyme-coding genes required for KSM biosynthesis together with kac338, a gene for KSM acetyltransferase, and kasKLM, a set of genes encoding an ABC transporter, both of which participate in KSM self-resistance as well as kasT encoding a KSM-synthesis-specific transcriptional activator of the biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, rpoZ, encoding a 90-amino acid omega (ω) subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP), is required for the simultaneous production of KSM and aerial mycelium, and rpoZ-disrupted wild-type S. kasugaensis produces neither KSM nor aerial mycelia. Transcriptional analysis of the biosynthetic genes and forcible expression of kasT in the mutant revealed that the presence of rpoZ, which results in formation of RNAP carrying the ω subunit, facilitates initiation of kasT transcription and is thus crucial for KSM production.

Destruxin E (DE), a cyclodepsipeptide isolated from fermentation broths of Metarhizium sp. MA324, inhibited the growth of v-Ki-ras-expressed pMAM-ras-REF (rasREF) cells in the suspension (anchorage-independent) culture (a) more strongly than that in the substratum-attached (anchorage-dependent) culture (b) or that of v-Ki-ras-unexpressed pMAM-ras-REF (REF) cells in the substratum-attached culture (c); the IC(50) values of DE were 0.07 microM (a), 0.4 microM (b), and 1.2 microM (c). DE arrested G1 phase cell cycle progression of rasREF cells in the substratum-attached culture (b). In rasREF cells treated with DE for 72 h in suspension culture (a), the levels of cyclin D1, cyclin A, p27(Kip1), and hyperphosphorylated Rb were decreased, but the levels of cdk4, cdk6, cdk2, p16(INK4a), and p21(Cip1) were not affected. Among these effects, the decrease in cyclin D1 was prominent. DE decreased the level of cyclin D1 in rasREF cells in the suspension culture (a) at 0.1 microM and in the substratum-attached culture (b) at 1 microM, while the level of cyclin D1 in REF cells in the substratum-attached culture (c) was not decreased at 1 microM. The extent of growth inhibition correlated with the decrease in cyclin D1. The level of cyclin D1 mRNA of rasREF cells in the suspension culture (a) was also decreased by DE. DE decreased cyclin D1 mRNA, resulting in inhibition of anchorage-independent growth of rasREF cells.

A model correctly predicting the observed atmospheric γ radiation from radon progeny adsorbed onto the surface of rain and snow enables monitoring of precipitation rates to better than 0.3 mm/h. This model predicts that the surface (volume) deposition of radon progeny yields γ-ray flux rates proportional to the 2/5 (3/5) power of rain rates, respectively. The γ-ray rates observed were proportional to the 0.45 power for rain, but for snow which does not form spherical droplets a linear relationship was observed with proportionality constant dependent upon snow type. Atmospheric γ radiation was measured at one site in Mitaka, Japan since 1999 and more recently at another site a distance 220 m from the first using 12.9 cm3 NaI detectors. Correlation coefficients ranging from 0.85 to 0.95 and improving with elevation were obtained when data were fit with predominantly surface adsorption model and an age correction factor for the 30 min half-life of dominant radon progeny. Measurement of atmospheric γ radiation from radon progeny naturally adsorbed by rain at 20 m above ground (moderate building height) may serve as a reliable, live monitor of precipitation rates limited only by counting statistics. The regional applicability of this technique has been confirmed and will most likely have global and remote applicability.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is recognized as a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Involvement of the inflammation is indispensable as the EPS emission factor. We experienced the surgery of the EPS-like case that emits it to the hemodialysis (HD) patient without the PD. Patient: In November 1996 the patients, a 47-year old male developed end-stage renal failure due to chronic nephritis and started HD. Before and during HD, he complicated alcohol liver cirrhosis with ascites. In September 2001 he had intestinal obstructive symptoms and recovered with repeated puncture and drainage of ascites. Abdominal CT examination revealed the intestine oppression by the ascites with thick tunic formation. At May 2002, he underwent a laparotomy. Thick capsules formed surroundings to the ascites. This capsules covered parietal peritoneum and intestine surface and oppressed the intestine. The total ablation of small intestine was succeeded. Ascites examinations IL-6 20,350 pg/mL FDP 80 micro-g/mL TAT 1090 micro-g/L, was suspected to conjecture the involvement of inflammation and coagulate-fibrinolysis. Histology of peritoneum showed absence of mesothelium but not fibrosis and sclerosis. Discussion: EPS is caused by the inflammation on the deteriorated peritoneum, resulting in encapsulation after the accumulation of inflammatory products such as fibrin. Even if there is not the peritoneum deterioration, chronic inflammation and stimulation that continues for long-time causing EPS-like findings with encapsulation. The encapsulating ileus findings irrespective of the peritoneum deterioration should call with encapsulated peritonitis (EP).

Data taken at 6–20 m above ground from March through June of 2002 was used to confirm that the background subtracted atmospheric γ radiation (GRR) was directly related to precipitation rates. An anomalous increase in GRR (AGR) shortly after lightning strokes several times that expected from only the observed precipitation was concurrently observed at two sites separated by a distance of 220 m. The increase in activity in the detector environment subsequently decayed with a half-life of about 50 min. A model, which assumes the presence of an ensemble of radioisotopes produced by proton and photon-induced nuclear reactions in the atmosphere, fits the observed 50 min (33 min) decay half-life without (with) rain with correlation coefficients of 0.98. The possibilities that energetic protons and to a lesser extent brehmsstrahlung resulting from ions accelerated in electric fields during positive lightning produce this delayed activity and that AGR may be used as a remote monitor of lightning as well as the rel...

In this paper we will provide a prescription for evaluating properties of liquid metals from measured diffraction data. This is investigated for liquid alkali, noble and typical polyvalent metals near the melting point. First, we have calculated the pair and triplet correlation entropies. Then, we have calculated the self-diffusion coefficient D using the excess entropy (ion configurational entropy). By means of D , we estimate the viscosity coefficient η and the surface tension γ . Predicted values of D , η and γ are reasonable in size in comparison with available experimental data.

When operating space robots, safety and reliability are the most important issues-even at the expense of dexterity and swiftness. This makes it very stressful for operators to teleoperate space robots, especially since they cannot be repaired during operation, unlike ground robots. Furthermore, operators have to quickly analyze a large amount of information about the target objects and immediately make decisions on how to proceed. The majority of this information is presented visually, including digital values, status displays, 3D computer simulation, and camera images. Therefore, we developed an audio feedback system that can convey some of this information in order to improve the operator's decision-making and avoid accidents. We used an eye-mark-recorder to assess the performance of this system. Audio systems for information presentation have previously only been proposed for ground-based operation systems. This is the first case in which sound has been utilized for space robot operation, even though sound does not actually exist in space.

We study the angular dependence of E–J characteristics and dissipative properties due to thermal disturbance in the Bi-2223/Ag multifilamentary tape in the low-voltage region. In order to simulate the dissipative properties, we take into account the analytical expressions of the E–J characteristics as a function of temperature, external magnetic field and field direction, which agree well with the experimental data. It is shown that the simulation results of the dissipative properties agree with the experimental data semi-quantitatively. The relationship between the current sharing rate and its contribution to the temperature increase is also discussed, based on the simulation. These results are crucial for high-Tc superconducting power application systems with a persistent current mode where even low-power dissipation is detrimental to the performance.

A hybrid comprising an autophagy-inducing peptide (AIP) and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) connected via heterodimeric leucine zippers was generated and delivered into cells. The hybrid successfully induced autophagy without significant cell death, while the same AIP directly connected to a CPP caused both autophagy and significant cell death.

Background X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a humoral immunodeficiency caused by disruption of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene. Typical XLA patients suffer recurrent and severe bacterial infections in childhood. Methods Flow cytometric analysis of the peripheral monocytes using the anti-BTK antibody was used to characterize a 27 year old male patient with mild hypogammaglobulinemia (IgG, 635 mg/dl; IgM, 11 mg/dl; IgA, Results Flow cytometric analysis of cytoplasmic BTK protein in peripheral monocytes indicated that the patient presents a rare case of adult-onset XLA and that his mother is an XLA carrier. Sequencing of the BTK gene revealed a deletion of AG in the codon for Glu605 (AGT), resulting in an aberrant stop codon that truncates the BTK protein in its kinase domain. Conclusions This case suggests that some XLA cases may remain undiagnosed because they only show mild hypogammaglobulinemia and they lack repeated infections in childhood. Flow cytometric analysis is a powerful method to screen these patients.

We examined the normal propagation characteristics of Bi-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes as a function of magnetic field direction. Anisotropic current transport characteristics were estimated by taking into account the effect of the misorientation of the grains. Anisotropic normal zone propagation properties were examined based on the numerical simulation, and showed that the thermal properties were influenced by the anisotropic current transport characteristics.

The development of large and precise space antennas is one of the most important topics in constructing space infrastructures. We evaluated an approach to assembling large and accurate space antennas which uses space robots. The assembly mechanism was launched together with the ETS-VII, the first telerobotic satellite from Japan, and its performance, including fully automatic assembling, was verified. The assembling-type antenna and the results of antenna assembly experiments are discussed.

Biological and biochemical activities of resormycin were studied using unicellular green algae, Selenastrum capricornutum (abbreviated as Selena.), as a test organism. Resormycin inhibited the growth in vitro of Selena. more strongly in the dark than in the light. A weaker but more photo-stable derivative, (+/-)-2,3-dihydro-resormycin, showed more long-lasting activity against Selena. in the light. Resormycin started killing Selena. only after exposure for 2 days and longer, even at high concentrations. Resormycin at concentrations near IC50 rapidly inhibited incorporation of 3H-leu, but not 3H-UR or 3H-TdR, into the TCA insoluble fraction of Selena. Herbicidal activity of resormycin was confirmed using some crops and weeds.

Two chronic dialysis patients with massive ascites caused by cirrhosis were treated by infusion of their ascites directly into the blood circuit. This stabilized their hemodynamics during dialysis, facilitating the control of weight gain and ascites, and thus markedly improving their general condition. Long-term use of this therapy was able to prevent the accumulation of ascitic fluid. Interestingly, fever occurred when this therapy was performed with hemodialysis, but not with hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration, suggesting that a pyrogen in the ascites was removed by filtration.

We present the anisotropy of current transport characteristics in Bi-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes as a function of temperature and external magnetic field. Angular dependence of the critical current and the glass-liquid transition magnetic flux density are well described by the model, taking into account the misorientation of grains with constant effective anisotropy factor, γ. Furthermore, γ increases apparently as temperature and/or critical current increases due to the weak-link properties.

We previously reported that a 7.6-kb DNA fragment from Streptomyces kasugaensis M338-M1, a kasugamycin (KSM) producer, included KSM acetyltransferase gene (kac338) and some other genes possibly involved in KSM biosynthesis. As an extension of that study, a 10-kb SacI-KpnI DNA fragment, located approximately 5-15-kb upstream of kac33, was cloned and a 4.2-kb SacI-EcoRI fragment therefrom was sequenced, revealing one incomplete (designated ORF J) and three complete open reading frames (designated kasK, kasL and kasM). The coding frames of kasK, L and M overlap one another with terminator/initiator ATGA sequence. RT-PCR analysis of a DNA region including kasKLM indicated the presence of one transcript that is long enough to span the three genes. The kasK gene potentially encodes an ATP-binding protein of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. Homology search for the deduced KasK protein shows similarity to other ABC transporters involved in self-resistance of a mithramycin and possibly doxorubicin producer strain. The kasL and kasM genes encode different integral membrane proteins, both having six putative transmembrane helices. An expression plasmid for kasKLM (pTV-KLM) was constructed and these genes were expressed in E. coli JM 109, which had been sensitive to KSM. The transformant acquired resistance to KSM, suggesting that KasK, L and M proteins as a set in S. kasugaensis M338-M1 pump out KSM to protect the producer from its toxic metabolite.

We have investigated current transport characteristics in a mixed state of Bi-2223/Ag multifilamentary tape by varying the angle between the external magnetic field and the tape surface. It was shown that the so-called glass-liquid transition magnetic field, which is an important parameter for applications of persistent current mode, as well as the critical currents, was dominated by the c-axis component (perpendicular to the tape surface) of the external magnetic field in a wide range of the field direction.

Adaptation to partial failure is one of the most important requirements for space robotics, since space robots cannot be repaired after they have been launched. We propose a decentralized autonomous control algorithm for hyper-redundant manipulators that uses parallel processing with low-performance processors to achieve this adaptation. In this paper, a number of manipulator joints are locked at a certain angle in a computer simulation and the adaptability of the control algorithm to these failures is assessed. The control algorithm successfully continues its positioning task at a rate of more than 90%, even after half of its joints have failed. The control algorithm is also compared with behavior-based control architecture.

A phase I trial of the combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) with cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed a very promising response rate of 54% in previously untreated NSCLC patients. This study was conducted to confirm the activity and toxicities of CPT-11 and cisplatin combination for previously untreated NSCLC in a multi-institutional phase II study. Seventy patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC received CPT-11 60 mg m(-2) intravenously (i.v.) on days 1, 8 and 15, and cisplatin 80 mg m(-2) (i.v.) on day 1 every 4 weeks. Assessments were made of response, survival and toxicities. Sixty-nine were eligible, and evaluable for toxicities and survival, and 64 patients evaluable for response. Thirty-three patients (52%; 95% confidence interval 39-64%) achieved an objective response, with one complete response (2%) and 32 partial responses (50%). The median duration of response was 19 weeks and the overall median survival time was 44 weeks. The 1-year survival rate was 33%. The major toxic effects were leucopenia and diarrhoea. Grade 3 or 4 leucopenia, neutropenia, and diarrhoea occurred in 32 patients (46%), 53 patients (80%), and 13 patients (19%) respectively. A combination of CPT-11 and cisplatin is very effective against non-small-cell lung cancer with acceptable toxicities.

症例は79歳の女性で,1996年4月26日,下痢と腹痛を主訴に当院を受診腹部は膨満しており,腹部単純X線写真で多発性の鏡面像を認めた.腸閉塞の診断で同日入院.入院後直ちにイレウスチューブを挿入,3日後大量の排便を認め,腹部単純X線写真でも鏡面像は消失していた.イレウスチューブの先端はS状結腸に達しており,抜去しながらの造影で横行結腸肝弯曲部に蟹爪状陰影を認めた.大腸内視鏡検査で腸重積を整復,盲腸に2'型大腸癌を認めた.生検結果はGroup Vで,盲腸癌を先進部とした横行結腸の腸重積と診断した,5月8日右半結腸切除術を施行した.上行結腸は後腹膜より遊離し,小腸と共通の腸間膜を有していた.病理組織学的には中分化腺癌で,深達度はss,リンパ節転移は認あられなかった.大腸癌による成人大腸腸重積は,回盲部とS状結腸が好発部位とされ,総腸間膜症を伴った横行結腸の腸重積は検索しえた範囲ではこれまで2例が報告されているのみである.

A 42-year-old man showed prominent blistering lesions of the mouth and esophagus in addition to a few bullous lesions of the skin. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy revealed distinct linear deposition of IgG and C3 at the epidermal basement membrane zone where slight deposition of IgA and IgM was also observed. In direct immunoelectron-microscopic examination, antibody was detected in the sublamina densa of the basement membrane zone. Immunoblot analysis with dermal extracts demonstrated that the patient’s serum contained circulating IgG antibodies against the 290-kD protein, which comigrated with type VII collagen. The lesions healed without any scars. The results of these studies corresponded to the laboratory findings in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), although the clinical features were distinct from classic EBA.

A strip-like two-dimensional readout single-sided detector using pMOS pixels is being developed at KEK, as part of the R&D for the BELLE experiment. It may be used in upgrades of the vertex detector. The pMOS pixel is composed of a double drain pMOS transistor, providing direct amplification on site, implanted in the n-well collecting electrode of the detecting silicon pin diode. We first briefly review the concept and principle of the pMOS pixel detector, before presenting simulation and test performed on the prototypes with a beam of minimum ionizing particles.

Cisplatin (CDDP)-containing chemotherapy has become the mainstay of clinical trials in unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the role of chemotherapy in the routine management of NSCLC remains controversial. We conducted a phase I study with the combination carboplatin (CBDCA), CDDP, and etoposide (Etop) in unresectable NSCLC. CBDCA, at a starting dose of 80 mg/m2, on day 1, was combined with a fixed dose of CDDP (80 mg/m2, day 1) and Etop (80 mg/m2, days 1-3). Escalation was performed after four patients entered at each dose level. If no World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 toxicity developed after the first cycle in more than half of the patients or WHO grade 3/4 toxicity in more than two thirds, the dose was escalated. The maximum tolerated dose was established at 300 mg/m2 for CBDCA. Thrombocytopenia and leukopenia were the dose-limiting toxicities. No grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicities were seen. The recommended dose of CBDCA to be combined with CDDP (80 mg/m2, day 1) and Etop (80 mg/m2, days 1-3) is 280 mg/m2. This trial suggests that our combination chemotherapy may be effective in patients with advanced NSCLC. A multicenter phase II study based on these findings is now under way.

A pMOS pixel to be used in a striplike two-dimensional readout single-sided detector has been developed and tested. It is originally proposed for upgrades of the vertex detector of the BELLE experiment at the KEK B-factory: in order to overcome low signal-to-noise ratio of the double-sided silicon strip detector to be used presently. This device gathers the pMOS transistor amplification with the typical silicon pin diode used in particle detection. In a 100/spl times/100 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ n-type collecting electrode a double drain pMOS transistor is implanted, providing (1) a two-dimensional readout and (2) direct signal amplification. With the subdivision in pixels, which lowers the detector capacitance, a high signal-to-noise ratio is expected. The two-dimensional readout and the low noise advantages of this structure can be used for detection of any electromagnetic radiation as well as high energy charged particles. Nuclear physics, space and astrophysics instrumentation, are also potential field of application for the pMOS pixel. We briefly review here the principle of the structure and describe the test of the prototypes in detail.

The Japan society of proctology (since 1967 coloproctologogy ) was established by proctologists in practice on March 21.1940 Its meeting was held annually since that time.This year 50th meeting is celebrated. At present, the number of members are about 5000 from vaious fields.The society has issued regularly its journals since 1940. Also it collaborated with many domestic and international societies concerned.In prospect, as the coloproctolgy will develop in many aspects to a large extent, the society will have to contribute much more in coming years.

In this article we review our recent studies on molecular spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics of small jet-cooled molecules and van der Waals complexes in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) wavelength region ( lambda =200-115 nm) performed using tunable, intense, and coherent VUV light, a so-called tunable VUV laser, generated by a two-photon resonance four-wave sum or difference frequency mixing (2PR-4WSM or 2PR-4WDM) scheme in non-linear media of Sr, Mg, Hg, Xe and Kr. We introduce our progress in high-resolution spectroscopy of electronically excited CO, Cl2, HgRg(Rg=Ne, Ar, Kr), XeRg, Xe2 and photodissociation dynamics of NO2 and OCS. We also describe the generation principle and the characteristic features of the tunable VUV laser and the practical procedure for generating the VUV laser for spectroscopic applications. Emphasis is placed on how the combination of the VUV laser and the free jet expansion techniques is promising for the derivation of precise and substantial information regarding the level structure and the dynamical processes characteristic of highly excited molecular species excited in the VUV wavelength region.