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Background Compared with stable angina, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) phenotype is related with the elevated inflammatory activity. However, time-dependent change of inflammatory level and its prognostic implication has not been fully understood according to the disease entity. Methods We enrolled total 4,263 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with serial measurement of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at on-admission and 1-month post-PCI. The risks of MACE (a composite of death, MI or stroke), and major bleeding were evaluated up to 4 years after procedure. Results Compared with the non-AMI group (n=1,887), the AMI group (n=2,376) showed the significant decrease of hs-CRP during 1 month (∇0.5 vs. ∇0.1 mg/L; P Conclusion In PCI-treated patients, patients presented with AMI showed the greater values of inflammatory activity and its prognostic implication during the early phase, but combined inflammatory risk appeared similar across the disease entity during the late phase. This result may support that clinical benefit of post-PCI anti-inflammatory treatment would be constant regardless of the disease entity during the stabilized phase. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Peripheral artery disease (PAD) increase the risk of comorbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD). Objectives We evaluate influence of PAD on prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods We analyzed all consecutive patients included in our dedicated local registry for PCI between January 2011 and December 2016. Presence of PAD was defined by decreased ankle-brachial index ( Results Among the 4,747 patients who underwent the PCI, 12.9% (n=610) of PAD were identified. Old age (>60 years), renal dysfunction, reduced ejection fraction, and presence of PAD were predictors with both MACE and major bleeding event. Among them, presence of PAD was an independent risk factor of MACE and major bleeding (MACE, HR 8.26, 95% CI 2.33- 29.41, p=0.036; major bleeding, HR 3.11, 95% CI 1.10–10.63, p=0.040, respectively). The MACE and major bleeding rate at 5-year was significantly increased in patients with PAD (MACE, 30.0% vs. 15.8%, log rank test p Conclusion Presence of PAD was strongly associated with higher rate of long-term MACE and major bleeding. These findings could have a clinical relevance in requiring individualized pharmacologic strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background With advances in treatment of ischemic heart disease and cancer treatment, use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in cancer survivors and patients with active cancer (AC) is expanding. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of cancer on survival and major cardiovascular events (MACE) in a long-term, single-center cohort of patients treated with PCI. Methods Patients treated with PCI between January 2010 and December 2017 were grouped as follows: controls (patients without cancer), stable cancer (SC), and AC. AC was included patients with cancer diagnosed within the past 6 months, patients who had cancer-related therapy within the past 6 months, active metastatic disease, or active recurrence of the cancer. The primary endpoints were 5-year survival and a secondary endpoint was 5-year MACE. Results A total of 6,743 patients (age 66±12 years, 68.4% men) treated with PCI were included: 6,404 (95.0%) controls, 245 (3.6%) SC, and 94 (1.4%) AC. Predominant malignancies were gastrointestinal (37.4%), lung (22.7%), and genitourinary cancer (14.7%). No differences were observed between patients with AC, SC and controls regarding 5-year MACE (total MACE, 33.2% vs. 28.1% vs. 17.5%, p=0.072; cardiac death, 13.6% vs. 9.1% vs. 6.7%, p=0.066; non-fatal myocardial infarction, 2.9% vs. 7.5% vs. 7.8%, p=0.820; revascularization, 17.9% vs. 17.6% vs. 11.6%, p=0.794, respectively). Patients with AC and SC had reduced 5-year survival compared with controls (62.0% vs. 81.5% vs. 89.8%, p Conclusions Cumulative incidence of 5-year survival was discriminated by concurrent status of cancer following PCI. Individualized decision making is needed in the routine practice of PCI regarding concurrent cancer-specific treatment and prognosis. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Most studies on endosymbiotic dinoflagellate algae (genus Symbiodinium) associated with scleractinian corals focus on tropical and sub-tropical reefs. Their diversity in outlying, non-reef coral communities at high latitudes is still not fully documented. In this study, we analyzed the Symbiodinium diversity associated with five scleractinian species collected at eight sites around Jeju Island (South Korea, 33.4°N) between 5 and 15 m depth. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of amplified internal transcribed spacer region 2 distinguished five Symbiodinium types. We observed a high level of specificity between host genera and Symbiodinium spp. despite existing in an environment with large seasonal oscillations in temperature and light. Psammocora albopicta and Psammocora profundacella were associated with C1 and Montipora millepora with C17. Alveopora japonica was associated exclusively with an unusual F-type, the only known clade F representative functionally important to a scleractinian coral. Oulastrea crispata was associated with Symbiodinium boreum (type D15), occasionally co-occurring with type C3 (in 4 % of specimens). In addition to increasing the knowledge of Symbiodinium diversity in high-latitude coral communities, this study constitutes an important baseline upon which the effects of projected environmental change in the near future can be assessed. A better understanding of high-latitude coral communities is critical for understanding how a warming planet will affect the tempo and mode of shifts in the composition of temperate marine communities.

To explore a potential of pH-sensitive polymer-liposome complexes for the tumor-specific combinatorial delivery of anticancer agents and siRNA, conventional liposomes (ConL), polymer-liposome complexes (PLC) and polymer-cationic liposome complexes (PCLC) were prepared. Pluronic P104-based multiblock copolymer (MBCP-2) was included as pH-sensitive polymer. Physicochemical properties, release under different pH, cytotoxicity and in vitro cellular uptake of DOX-loaded liposomes were investigated. From the release test, an acidic pH was determined to be an important factor for release from the PLC vehicles. The novel PLC vehicle itself showed low cytotoxicity demonstrating suitable viability. Observing cellular uptake of DOX by confocal microscopy imaging, a greater amount of DOX was delivered to cells with the pH-sensitive polymer- anchored vehicles than that with free DOX and ConL. It was verified that the novel vehicles could effectively deliver both DOX and GFP-siRNA. Novel pH-sensitive PCLC have a potential for targeted therapy of anticancer agents and gene therapy under acidic tumor microenvironment.

A significant improvement of output power and external quantum efficiency (EQE) for nonpolar a-plane (11-20) GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on r-plane sapphire substrates has been demonstrated by using embedded pyramid-shape air-gap arrays on hexagonally patterned SiO $_{2}$ layer. The air-gap structure was realized based on asymmetrical growth behavior of a-plane epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) GaN along ${+}{\rm c}$ -axis and ${-}{\rm c}$ -axis. The output power and EQE of the a-plane LEDs with the air-gaps on patterned SiO $_{2}$ have increased by more than 50% when compared to those of the conventional a-plane LEDs. Theoretical fit to the measured EQE suggested that the significant improvement of EQE was mainly attributed to the increase in light extraction efficiency (EXE). Light emission pattern analysis and ray-tracing simulation revealed that the air-gap arrays on top of patterned SiO $_{2}$ enlarged the guided-light scattering at the air-gap surface due to the significant refractive index contrast with the GaN layer, followed by the improvement of EXE of nonpolar a-plane LEDs.

Masonry infill piers are panel segments between openings and Reinforced Concrete (RC) columns. Reconnaissance experience shows that piers are significant structural members in low-rise RC buildings. This chapter presents a simplified assessment model of masonry infill piers. The proposed model establishes a triple linear curve to describe a load deformation envelope curve for masonry infill piers. Masonry infill is considered as a non-structural member in low-rise RC building. The construction sequence in the previous tests first used a cast-in-place RC frame, followed by laying the masonry infill. Engineers have known that the seismic behavior of an RC frame with a brick infill can be simulated as the behavior of an RC frame plus the behavior of an equivalent diagonal strut. For a conservative consideration, engineers only model the infill piers on the compressive side assuming it is under a single curvature deflection.

HbA(1c) variability has been shown to be an independent risk factor for nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between HbA(1c) variability and microalbuminuria development in patients with type 2 diabetes. We also intended to test the applicability of serially measured HbA(1c) over 2 years for this risk assessment.Between 2003 and 2005, we recruited 821 middle-aged normoalbuminuric individuals with type 2 diabetes and followed them through to the end of 2010. The average follow-up time was 6.2 years. We defined microalbuminuria as a urine albumin to creatinine ratio of 30 mg/g (3.4 mg/mmol) or higher. HbA(1c) variability was calculated by the SD of serially measured HbA(1c). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between HbA(1c) SD quartile and development of microalbuminuria.The incidence of microalbuminuria for the overall population was 58.4, 58.6, 60.8 and 91.9 per 1,000 person-years for Q1- to Q4-adjusted HbA(1c) SD, respectively (p for trend = 0.042). Compared with patients in Q1, those in Q4 were about 37% more likely to develop microalbuminuria. The HR derived from a series of 2 year HbA(1c) measurements was similar to that from data collection for longer than 4 years.In addition to mean HbA(1c) values, HbA(1c) variability, even measured as early as 2 years, is independently associated with the development of microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The surface energy of a conventional homeotropic polyimide (PI) alignment layer was altered via ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, and the pretilt angle of the PI was changed along with the surface energy. The surface energy can be controlled by either UV exposure time or irradiation intensity. A switchable liquid crystal Fresnel lens (LCFL) was created by the UV-treated alignment layers to form a Fresnel zone-distribution hybrid alignment, vertically aligned and hybrid aligned LC in the odd and even zones, respectively. The LCFL was made polarization-independent by circular buffing, and it had a diffraction efficiency of ∼22% at a low driving voltage of ∼1.2 V.

In this study, 15 reinforced concrete corbels with shear span-to-depth ratio greater than unity were tested. Test results indicate that the shear strength of corbels increases with increase in compressive strength of concrete, parameter of main reinforcement and parameter of vertical stirrups. The shear strength of corbels also increases with decrease in shear span-to-depth ratio. An analytical model for determining the shear strength of reinforced concrete corbels is also proposed in this paper. Both the shear strengths predicted by the proposed model and the approach of the ACI code are compared with available test results. The comparison shows that the proposed model can predict more accurately the shear strength of reinforced concrete corbels than the approach of the ACI code.

Results of investigation of the tribological contact characteristics of R18 tool steel in interface with AZ91D magnesium alloy hardened with SiC disperse powder filler and by severe plastic deformation (SPD)—specifically, equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP)—are presented. It is established that introduction of the SiC powder filler into the magnesium alloy increases the friction coefficient and reduces the wear rate. The size and volume of the powder filler particles, the normal load, and the relative sliding velocity influence these tribological characteristics. SPD of the original material leads to reduction of the molecular component of the friction coefficient.

Multivariate methods were used to compare meristic and morphometric characters of Ammodytes personatus from four populations in Korea (3) and Japan (1). ANCOVA showed the slopes of head length (Japan > East > South > West) and body depth (South > Japan > East > West) relative to total length to differ significantly among populations. Vertebrae and fin rays’ numbers differed significantly among populations, the former ranging between 64 and 67 (mode = 65, 66) in the East population, 62–67 (63, 64) in the West population and 62–64 (62, 63) in the South population in Korea. PCA and CDA, based on 14 morphometric characters, showed that scores plotted on axes 1-2 and 2-3 separated the three Korean populations but overlapped between the South and Japanese populations. These results suggest that the Korean A. personatus may comprise at least two populations.

This paper describes the development and life history of a Korean native dung beetle, Copris ochus (Motschulsky), based on laboratory studies of beetles collected from the subtropical island of Je-Ju. The species is brood-caring and has an annual life cycle. Females lay a single batch of eggs in late summer or early autumn. Larvae develop to the 3rd instar and enter diapause before the onset of winter. Diapause is terminated by low winter temperatures that also prevent pupation until spring. Parents and progeny emerge together in mid-summer and undergo a period of intensive feeding before oviposition in late summer or early autumn. Some adults are present early in May–June and may represent insects that overwintered without breeding, or adults that emerged early because of the premature death of their offspring. Males and females co-operate in construction a brood chamber that is provisioned with fresh dung for oviposition. The chamber is commonly formed at depths of 22–35 cm below the surface an...

We report a Korean case, consistent with a biochemical diagnosis of trifunctional protein (TFP) deficiency, in which molecular diagnosis revealed a novel mutation in the alpha-subunit of TFP and the rare combination of two intergenic region (C/C and G/G) polymorphisms.

An energetic charged particle moving parallel to the surface of an overlayer system was studied. This system was composed of a thin film on the top of a semi-infinite substrate. Based on the dielectric response theory, the induced potential was formulated by solving the Poisson equation and matching the boundary conditions. The stopping force was built-up using the energy-momentum conservation relations and the extended Drude dielectric functions with spatial dispersion. Surface (vacuum–film) and interface (film–substrate) excitations were included in the formulations of the interaction between charged particles and the overlayer system. Results of the wake potential were presented for protons moving parallel to a vacuum–copper–silicon system. Dependences of the induced potential and the stopping force on film thickness, distance of the proton from surface, and proton velocity were investigated.

Nano-grained BaTiO3 ceramics were synthesized by sintering BaTiO3 nano-powders; these powders were coated with Mn-materials. The phase transition and physical features of the BaTiO3 ceramics were investigated as a function of the sintering temperature and the amount of coating materials. With increasing the sintering temperature and/or the amount of the coating materials, the formation of a tetragonal phase was increased; this seems to be due to grain growth and grain boundary chemical features. The relation of the dielectric features of the nano-grained BaTiO3 ceramics with the structural variation is discussed in terms of process parameters.

Microzooplankton (35‐157 µm, rotifers and nauplii) and macrozooplankton (>157 µm, cladocerans and copepods) grazing on bacteria and phytoplankton were evaluated at two stations along the Nakdong River. The lower site was more eutrophic with much higher chlorophyll a concentration and total zooplankton biomass (105 µg C L ‐1 ) than the upper site (13.2 µg C L ‐1 ). At both sites bacterial carbon was lower than phytoplankton carbon and mean microzooplankton biomass was higher than macrozooplankton biomass. However, biomass specific clearance rates were higher for the macrozooplankton in contrast to the community clearance rates which were higher for the microzooplankton. Carbon ingestion rates were about ten times higher for the lower station (up to 40 µg C L ‐1 d ‐1 for phytoplankton and 5 µg C L ‐1 d ‐1 for bacteria). Here a mean community clearance rate for the microzooplankton of 44.6% d ‐1 was reached.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may induce immunological disorders in the host such as the presence of cryoglobulinemia or serum autoantibodies. The pathogenesis of these phenomena remains unclear but may reflect the host's genetic predispositions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between these immunological manifestations and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C. The presence of serum cryoglobulin and autoantibodies (antinuclear antibody, antismooth muscle antibody, antimitochondrial antibody, antiliver-kidney-microsomal antibody) was determined in 122 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C. HLA class I and class II antigens were measured by microlymphocytotoxicity assay or by DNA typing in 122 chronic hepatitis C patients and 228 healthy controls. Of the 122 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 52 (43%) had cryoglobulinemia and 48 (39%) had serum autoantibodies. A significant difference in HLA frequency was noted for DR3, which was found in 36.5% of patients with cryoglobulinemia compared with 8.6% of patients without cryoglobulinemia and 11.3% of healthy controls. A significant difference in HLA frequency was also noted for DR4, which was found in 45.8% of patients with serum autoantibodies compared with 17.6% of patients without serum autoantibodies and 19% of healthy controls. Our results suggest the existence of HLA-linked susceptibility genes (DR3 or DR4) for the development of cryoglobulinemia or serum autoantibodies in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C.

UNLABELLED Preservative agents determining the shelf life of cosmetic products must have effective antimicrobial activity while meeting safety requirements for topical use. In this study, we determined the antimicrobial activity of 1,2-hexanediol against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests have shown that 1,2-hexanediol exhibits broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with MICs of 0·5-2% (v/v). The bactericidal concentration of 1,2-hexanediol was ranging from 1 to 2 × MIC as demonstrated by time-kill curve assay. A membrane depolarization assay showed that 1,2-hexanediol disrupted the cytoplasmic membrane potential. A checkerboard assay indicated that the effective concentration of 1,2-hexanediol was reduced up to 0·25-0·5 × MIC when combined with macelignan and octyl gallate against Gram-positive bacteria. However, this combination was not effective against Gram-negative bacteria. A turbidity reduction assay demonstrated that the combination of a high concentration of 1,2-hexanediol with food-grade antimicrobial compounds could trigger lytic activity towards Bacillus cereus cells. The remaining cell turbidity was 24·6 and 22·2% when 2% of 1,2-hexanediol was combined with 8 mg l(-1) octyl gallate or with 32 mg l(-1) macelignan respectively. This study showed that food-grade antimicrobial compounds may be used in combination with 1,2-hexanediol to increase its efficacy as a preservative agent in cosmetics. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The antimicrobial activity of 1,2-hexanediol against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was potentiated with food-grade antimicrobials including xanthorrhizol, macelignan, panduratin A and octyl gallate, which have already been reported to display anti-inflammatory and other beneficial activities related to cosmetics. Therefore, the combination of 1,2-hexanediol and these food-grade antimicrobial agents would have benefits not only for increasing the antimicrobial activity but also in cosmetics use.

The kidney is an important site of endothelin&hyphen;1 &lpar;ET&hyphen;1&rpar; production and is particularly susceptible to ET&hyphen;1 action. Infusion of ET&hyphen;1 in rats induces both functional and morphological alterations in the kidneys. Increased plasma level of ET&hyphen;1 has been reported in patients with chronic renal failure. However, there are still no reports on the plasma and urinary ET&hyphen;1 levels in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis &lpar;FSGS&rpar;. In the present study, we have measured the plasma concentration and urinary excretion rate of ET&hyphen;1 in 15 patients with nephrotic syndrome due to FSGS, and observed the serial changes of plasma and urinary ET&hyphen;1 in nephrotic rats with FSGS, induced by repeated injection with puromycin aminonucleoside &lpar;PAN&rpar;. ET&hyphen;1 was measured with radioimmunoassay. The results showed that plasma ET&hyphen;1 concentration in FSGS patients was significantly higher than in normal controls &lpar;P < 0.05&rpar;, and that urinary ET&hyphen;1 excretion rate was also significantly higher in FSGS patients than in normal controls &lpar;P < 0.01&rpar;. In FSGS patients, the plasma and urinary ET&hyphen;1 was significantly correlated &lpar;P < 0.05&rpar;, and the urinary ET&hyphen;1 excretion rate was significantly correlated with the amount of proteinuria &lpar;P < 0.05&rpar; and the glomerular sclerosing score &lpar;P < 0.01&rpar;. In the ten rats with PAN&hyphen;induced FSGS, serial examination showed a significant increase in plasma ET&hyphen;1 after 8 weeks of injections, while the urinary ET&hyphen;1 excretion rate showed a biphasic increase that showed a peak after 4 to 6 weeks. The same changes in plasma and urinary ET&hyphen;1 levels were not observed in control rats injected with normal saline at the same frequency. Our results suggest that ET&hyphen;1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of FSGS in both humans and rats. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 15:59–63, 2001. © 2001 Wiley&hyphen;Liss, Inc.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have an increased risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Consensus interferon (CIFN) offers sustained clinical efficacy to patients studied in the Western countries. This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial in 75 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C compared treatment with CIFN or placebo to determine whether CIFN had efficacy and safety in Chinese patients similar to that in Western patients.Patients were randomized to receive CIFN (3 microg or 9 microg) or placebo given subcutaneously 3 times/wk for 24 wk, followed by 24 wk of observation. Efficacy was assessed by normalization of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and clearance of serum HCV RNA concentrations to undetectable levels by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.There was a greater benefit with CIFN 9 microg than with CIFN 3 microg or placebo. At the end of 24 wk of treatment, the ALT response was 64%, 38.5%, and 8.4% for the 9-microg, 3-microg, and placebo-treated groups, respectively. After an additional 24 wk of observation, sustained ALT responses were 44%, 23.1%, and 12.5% for the 9-microg, 3-microg, and placebo-treated groups, respectively. HCV RNA clearance at the end of treatment was 56%, 42.3%, and 4.2%; and after 24 wk of additional observation, 40%, 11.5%, and 0% for the 9-microg, 3-microg, and placebo-treated groups, respectively. There were no unexpected adverse reactions to CIFN.The results show that administration of CIFN subcutaneously at 9 microg 3 times a week is safe and can effectively reduce serum ALT and HCV RNA concentrations in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Portal lymphoid aggregates/follicles (lymphoid A/F) is a characteristically histological finding in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We assessed the prevalence of lymphoid A/F in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C and evaluated the correlation of this phenomenon with clinical, biochemical, immunological, virological, and other histological features of these patients.Eighty-nine Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled and portal lymphoid A/F was evaluated in liver biopsy. Clinical, biochemical, immunological, histological, and virological data, including serum HCV RNA titer and HCV genotype and the response to interferon therapy, were compared between patients with and without portal lymphoid A/F.Twenty-nine (33%) of 89 patients with chronic hepatitis C had portal lymphoid A/F. Patients with lymphoid A/F had a significantly higher frequency of HCV genotype 1b infection (p = 0.039) and had a significantly higher mean score of bile duct damage, periportal necroinflammation, and portal inflammation in liver histologies when compared with patients without lymphoid A/F. No significant difference in sex distribution, mean age, history of blood transfusion, serum liver biochemistry, presence of serum autoantibodies/cryoglobulinemia, serum viral titer, and response to interferon therapy was noted between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed HCV genotype 1b infection and periportal necroinflammation were significant independent predictors associated with portal lymphoid A/F.The presence of portal lymphoid A/F in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C was significantly correlated with HCV genotype 1b infection and periportal necroinflammation.

Intrinsic excitonic transitions in GaN have been studied using a variety of spectroscopic measurements. Sharp spectral structures associated with intrinsic free excitons could be observed in photoluminescence, reflection, and absorption spectra. The energy positions of excitonic transitions in GaN epitaxial layers were found to be influenced by the residual strain resulting from lattice-parameter and thermal-expansion mismatches between the epilayers and the substrates. The values of the four principal deformation potentials of wurtzite GaN were derived by using the strain tensor components determined by x-ray measurements. The observation of spectral features involving the emission of LO phonons in absorption and photoluminescence excitation spectra at energies above exciton resonances indicate that a phonon-assisted indirect excitation process, which simultaneously generates a free exciton and a LO phonon, is a very significant and efficient process in GaN. The lifetime of the free excitons is found to be longer than the relaxation time of LO-phonon emission but much shorter than that of acoustic-phonon emission.

Two-dimensional multiple-quantum magic angle spinning (MQMAS) NMR and MAS NMR of 11B at various magnetic fields, were applied to elucidate the structure of vitreous (glassy) boron trioxide (v-B2O3), vitreous boron trisulfide (v-B2S3) and crystalline boron trisulfide (c-B2S3). These techniques, when combined with computer simulations of the resulting spectra, provide the isotropic chemical shifts and the quadrupole parameters, as well as a quantitative measure of the intensities of various boron resonances. The MAS NMR of v-B2O3 produced overlapping anisotropic lineshapes corresponding to the -1/2--1/2 transition in two distinct types of BO3 units with 3(+/-0.08):] intensity ratio. A combination of MAS and the multiple-quantum method resulted in a better resolved, isotropic 11B spectrum of v-B2O3. A remarkable enhancement of resolution of the MQMAS NMR proved instrumental in finding and identifying various impurities present in v-B2S3 and c-B2S3. In addition to the resonances from boron in two types of BS3 groups, four other structural units, BOS2, BO2S, BO3 and BS4, were elucidated from the spectra of vitreous and crystalline samples. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as the magnitude of the B0 and B1 fields, on the resolution of the MAS and MQMAS techniques are also shown.

Based on test results made of normal-strength reinforced concrete, Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 352 has developed design recommendations for joints of special moment frames including requirements of moment strength ratio, shear strength, confinement, and development length. Due to the interests of the reinforced concrete industry in using high-strength reinforcement for special moment frames, ACI-ASCE Committee 352 appointed a task group to review available test data in the past 30 years and constructed an unified database of 357 beam-column joints made with normal-strength and high-strength concrete. Based on the database investigation and experimental verification, we concluded that current ACI 318 design provisions can be extended to include the use of high-strength reinforcement with modifications in the requirements of joint effective area, confinement, and development lengths. Provided information can be referred for further updating the design recommendations of beam-column joints for high-strength reinforcement.

To check the pathologic changes of focal adenomyosis after heat therapy using radiofrequency and to evaluate which approach--endometrial ablation or direct heat therapy--is better for adenomyosis. To evaluate whether the timing of the procedure and the menstrual cycle are related to pathologic outcomes after heat therapy.This study included nine women who underwent total hysterectomy for adenomyosis (diameter,or = 6 cm). Six fresh uteri were excised in the midline and subjected to radiofrequency heat therapy at the center of the adenomyomas (direct heat therapy) and three uteri were subjected to endometrial ablation. Thereafter, 1 cm(3) myometrial tissue was obtained at 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm away from the endometrium. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against cytokerain-19 (CK-19), actin, and estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) was performed to evaluate CK-19 (endometrial epithelium marker), actin (myometrial marker) and ER/PR (checking the state of the menstrual cycle), respectively.After endometrial ablation, cauterized tissues were not noted 2 cm away from the endometrium. All tissues between the endometruim and center of adenomyosis were cauterized after direct heat therapy. During the uterine proliferative phase, unlike the secretory phase, subendometrial layers were cauterized 10 min after direct cauterization.Direct heat therapy is more effective than endometrial ablation in adenomyosis, and heat is conducted effectively when the patients are in the proliferative phase.

A nonlinear model is developed which describes the rotational response of automotive serpentine belt drive systems. Serpentine drives utilize a single (long) belt to drive all engine accessories from the crankshaft. An equilibrium analysis leads to a closed-form procedure for determining steady-state tensions in each, belt span. The equations of motion are linearized about the equilibrium state and rotational mode vibration characteristics are determined from the eigenvalue problem governing free response. Numerical solutions of the nonlinear equations of motion indicate that, under certain engine operating conditions, the dynamic tension fluctuations may be sufficient to cause the belt to slip on particular accessory pulleys. Experimental measurements of dynamic response are in good agreement with theoretical results and confirm theoretical predictions of system vibration, tension fluctuations, and slip.

A theoretical model is derived that describes the planar, non-linear response of a continuous band circulating about two rotating wheels. A closed form analysis of the non-linear steady response leads to elliptic integral solutions for the equilibrium band geometry and tension. These solutions, which are evaluated over a wide range of band/wheel designs, are also used to evaluate the extent of band/wheel contact and the effect of self-equilibriating wheel torques. The equations of motion are linearized about the equilibrium solution, and equilibrium stability and the free linear response are predicted from a discretized model. Results of a companion experimental study support theoretical predictions of steady and dynamic response. In particular, results indicate that band/wheel systems maintain stability at high translation speeds.

We present a study of the optical properties of highly strained CdSe/ZnSe quantum well system. A variety of CdSe/ZnSe samples containing single quantum well or multiple quantum wells grown by molecular beam epitaxy has been studied by using low‐temperature photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence excitation, and photoreflectance measurements. The strong PL signals associated with excitonic emissions from the samples show that the CdSe/ZnSe heterostructure system is promising in the development of laser diodes and light‐emitting diodes operating in the blue‐green range. Linewidth narrowing of PL spectra with decreasing well width is observed and attributed to alloy formation at the interface due to lateral interdiffusion. The PL signal intensities and the pressure coefficients of interband transitions are also found to depend on the well width, which can be explained in terms of strain relaxation induced misfit dislocations and the critical thickness in the heterostructure system. Our results suggest that the critical thickness for a CdSe layer coherently grown on ZnSe is less than four monolayers.

Mechanical alloying followed by hot extrusion has been used to produce very fine-grained NiAl-based alloys containing oxide dispersoids. The dispersoids affect the progress of recrystallization during hot extrusion and contribute to the preservation of the 〈110〉 deformation fiber texture. The 〈110〉 texture enables the activation of 〈110〉 〈100〉 and 110 〈110〉 slip systems. The occurrence of 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 slip dislocations satisfies the von Mises criterion for general plasticity and is postulated to contribute to notable room-temperature compressive ductility of the mechanically alloyed (MA) materials. Another factor likely affecting the compressive ductility is the predominant occurrence of low-angle grain boundaries. The attractive dislocation — dispersoid interactions lead to a ductility trough observed at 800 K in the MA materials. The MA NiAl materials are strong at both ambient and elevated temperatures due to fine grain and the presence of dispersoids and interstitial atoms.

In order to evaluate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of Chinese patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, a short-term, randomized, double-blind controlled, cross-over study was done with long-term follow up. In the first part of the study, 12 patients were randomly chosen to receive either UDCA 600 mg/day for 3 months followed by a placebo for 3 months or a placebo for 3 months followed by UDCA for 3 months. The clinical symptoms of pruritus improved when the patients were receiving UDCA but became worse when receiving a placebo. Mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), total bilirubin, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase all decreased below the baseline values when receiving UDCA treatment and all increased above the baseline values when receiving the placebo. The difference was statistically significant. In the second part of the study, 19 patients received long-term UDCA treatment (mean 20 months). The clinical symptoms of pruritus improved in 90% of the pruritic patients. Serum levels of ALPase, gamma-GT and ALT fell significantly from the pretreatment values, 6, 12 and from the mean 20 months after UDCA treatment. Serum levels of total bilirubin fell significantly 6 and 12 months after UDCA treatment but did not reach statistical significance at the last follow up. No patient lost antimitochondrial antibody and elevated immunoglobulin levels did not improve significantly, but the Mayo clinical risk score improved significantly after long-term UDCA treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We report low-temperature photoluminescence studies of GaAs/GaAs 1-x P x strained quantum-well samples grown by gas-source molecular-beam epitaxy as a function of pressure. We have found that the transitions between the lowest Γ-confined electron and hole states shift toward higher energy with increasing pressure, and also that the pressure coefficients of the transitions depend on the alloy concentrations and the quantum-well structures. From the observation of the pressure-induced crossover of the lowest Γ-confined electron state in the wells against the conduction-band (001) X minima in the barriers, we are able to determine the valence-band offset for the GaAs/GaAs 0.68 P 0.32 heterostructure

This paper describes a three-dimensional finite element-strain energy method for characterizing vibration coupling effects on damping of laminated composites. The analysis was performed on graphite-epoxy laminated cantilever beams in two stacking sequences: (i) 12-ply symmetric laminates [12(θ)], and (ii) 12-ply antisymmetric laminates [6(θ)/6(−θ)]. Thus, the effects of vibration coupling between bending and twisting in symmetric laminates, and between extension and bending in antisymmetric laminates on damping were studied. A modal strain energy method was applied in a finite-element formulation to solve for the natural frequencies, mode shapes and energy dissipation of the laminates. The coupling energy dissipation was separated from the non-coupling energy dissipation by the decomposition of the total energy dissipation in order to study its contribution to damping. The results of the first three modes, which includes two flexural modes and one torsional mode, are presented. The resulting torsional damping data are generally higher than the flexural damping data. The coupling effects on damping in flexural modes were found to be more significant than those in torsional modes, and such effects appear to be dependent upon the fibre angle and the vibration mode of interest. The coupling effects appear to increase damping in flexural modes, and were found to be maximized at a fibre angle around 30°. The non-coupling energy dissipation was found to be more dominant for the flexural modes at a fibre angle of 90°, and it appears to be more dominant at a fibre angle of 0° in torsional modes, however.

Twenty patients with acute post-transfusion hepatitis C were prospectively followed after blood transfusion. All had seroconversion of serum antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. They were randomly allocated to two groups. Ten patients received a subcutaneous injection of recombinant interferon (IFN) α-2b, 3 million units (MU) thrice weekly for 3 months; this was generally 8 weeks after the first post-transfusional elevation of serum alanine transaminase (ALT). Ten patients without specific treatment were selected as a control group. During the 3 month period, nine (90%, 95% CI = 54–99%) patients in the IFN-treated group normalized serum ALT level, while only three (30%, 95% CI = 8–65%) in the control group normalized the serum ALT spontaneously (P < 0.01). Two (25%) of eight patients who initially showed a complete response to IFN-treatment had serum ALT elevated again. After a 6 month follow-up, five (63%, 95% CI = 26–90%) of eight patients in the IFN-treated group and four (44%, 95% CI = 15–77%) of nine patients in the control group normalized serum ALT (P= 0.40). Among the nine patients who normalized serum ALT during IFN treatment, eight had undetectable serum HCV RNA and one showed a decreased level. Two patients had detectable serum HCV RNA accompanied by elevated serum ALT again after completion of the IFN treatment. After 6 months follow-up four (50%, 95% CI = 17–83%) of eight patients lost their serum HCV RNA in the IFN-treated group and two (22%, 95% CI = 4–60%) of nine patients spontaneously lost their HCV RNA in the control group (P= 0.25). All patients tolerated the IFN treatment well but had minor side effects such as fever, rigor, malaise, leukopenia, myalgia, headache and hair loss. In conclusion, recombinant IFN α-2b injections in patients with acute post-transfusion hepatitis C can successfully suppress the viral RNA and lead to normalization of serum ALT. Whether this regimen can prevent the development of chronicity needs further evaluation.