Search

An accurate estimation of the distance between the robot and the respective object is highly demanded in the robotics field. Proximity sensors such as laser scanners and sonar are mainly used to calculate distance. This research paper proposes a pair of Web cameras for distance measurement, by using stereo vision. A comparison of the accuracy of the calculations was done for 3 zones: left, right and center. This separation allows identifying possible distortion or camera failure at the edge of the image. As a result of the research, an accuracy of 71.939% was achieved. Also defined parameters which can help to improve the precision of object coordinates in 3D.

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV [SARS-COV-2]) was detected in humans during the last week of December 2019 at Wuhan city in China, and caused 24 554 cases in 27 countries and territories as of 5 February 2020. The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of transmission of 2019-nCoV through human passenger air flight from four major cities of China (Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou) to the passengers' destination countries. We extracted the weekly simulated passengers' end destination data for the period of 1-31 January 2020 from FLIRT, an online air travel dataset that uses information from 800 airlines to show the direct flight and passengers' end destination. We estimated a risk index of 2019-nCoV transmission based on the number of travellers to destination countries, weighted by the number of confirmed cases of the departed city reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). We ranked each country based on the risk index in four quantiles (4th quantile being the highest risk and 1st quantile being the lowest risk). During the period, 388 287 passengers were destined for 1297 airports in 168 countries or territories across the world. The risk index of 2019-nCoV among the countries had a very high correlation with the WHO-reported confirmed cases (0.97). According to our risk score classification, of the countries that reported at least one Coronavirus-infected pneumonia (COVID-19) case as of 5 February 2020, 24 countries were in the 4th quantile of the risk index, two in the 3rd quantile, one in the 2nd quantile and none in the 1st quantile. Outside China, countries with a higher risk of 2019-nCoV transmission are Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Canada and the USA, all of which reported at least one case. In pan-Europe, UK, France, Russia, Germany and Italy; in North America, USA and Canada; in Oceania, Australia had high risk, all of them reported at least one case. In Africa and South America, the risk of transmission is very low with Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt, Mauritius and Brazil showing a similar risk of transmission compared to the risk of any of the countries where at least one case is detected. The risk of transmission on 31 January 2020 was very high in neighbouring Asian countries, followed by Europe (UK, France, Russia and Germany), Oceania (Australia) and North America (USA and Canada). Increased public health response including early case recognition, isolation of identified case, contract tracing and targeted airport screening, public awareness and vigilance of health workers will help mitigate the force of further spread to naïve countries.

An analysis is made of the sound produced by vorticity generated as high pressure fluid is forced through an aperture in the wall of a duct in the presence of an exterior baffle plate. The aperture typically behaves as a ‘pressure release’ opening when the flow is ideal and irrotational, corresponding to the traditional interpretation of the action of a finger hole of a woodwind instrument, although theoretical predictions that neglect vorticity are irrelevant in practice except at very high frequencies. The theory of vortex sound is applied to derive an approximate nonlinear equation for the volume flux through the baffled aperture that generalises Cummings's empirical equation for a jet exhausting through a fully open orifice in a large wall. The equation takes account of the impingement of the jet on the baffle and of the nonlinear ‘inertial blocking’ of the aperture flow. Application is made to the problem of compression wave generation by a high-speed train entering a tunnel fitted with an entrance hood whose windows are partially ‘closed’ by the presence of a side-wall of a railway cutting or embankment. Theoretical predictions are found to be in good agreement with measurements made at model scale at train speeds ∼ 300 – 400 km / h .

A low-background gamma-ray detector of NaI(Tl) comprising a core surrounded by an annulus was developed for nuclear astrophysics experiments with radioactive ion beams, mostly for detailed studies of low-energy radiative capture reactions that involve proton and alpha particles. Monte Carlo simulations using EGS4 were performed to calculate the full-energy detection efficiency. The background was satisfactorily reduced as designed. The best S / N ratio for very low-event rate was obtained using the annulus in anticoincidence with the core. A consideration of an experiment of astrophysical interest, the 19 Ne(p,γ) 20 Na reaction, is also briefly discussed.

2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOE(2)) is an endogenous metabolite of 17beta-estradiol and a proposed inhibitor of tumor growth and angiogenesis. However, 2-MeOE(2) is also an inhibitor of microtubule assembly and other microtubule inhibitors, e.g. colcemid and diethylstilbestrol, induce aneuploidy and cell transformation in cultured mammalian cells. To assess the in vitro carcinogenicity and related activity of 2-MeOE(2), the abilities of this metabolite to induce cell transformation and genetic effects were studied simultaneously using Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) fibroblasts. Growth of these cells was reduced by treatment with 2-MeOE(2) at 0.1-1.0 microg/ml in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of SHE cells with 2-MeOE(2) at 0.3 or 1.0 microg/ml for 2-48 h also resulted in a concentration- and treatment time-related increase in the mitotic index and the percentage of multinucleated cells. Treatment with 2-MeOE(2) at 0.1-1.0 microg/ml for 48 h induced a statistically significant increase in the frequencies of morphological transformation of SHE cells in a concentration-dependent manner. A statistically significant increase in the frequencies of somatic mutations at the Na(+)/K(+) ATPase or hprt locus was also observed in cells treated with 2-MeOE(2) for 48 h at 0.1 or 0.3 microg/ml, respectively. Treatment of SHE cells with 2-MeOE(2) at 0.3 or 1.0 microg/ml for 24 h induced chromosome aberrations, mainly breaks, exchanges and chromosome pulverization. The incidence of chromosome aberrations was not affected by co-treatment with alpha-naphthoflavone, an inhibitor of 2-hydroxylase that inhibits oxidative conversion of 2-MeOE(2) to 2-hydroxyestradiol, but the incidence was slightly increased by co-treatment with L-ascorbic acid. Numerical chromosomal changes in the near diploid range and in the tetraploid and near tetraploid ranges were also detected in 2-MeOE(2)-treated cells. These findings indicate that 2-MeOE(2) has cell transforming and genotoxic activities in cultured mammalian cells and potential carcinogenic activity.

A search for {sigma} hypernuclear states in p -shell hypernuclei has been performed with the Moby Dick spectrometer and the low energy separated beam (LESB-2) at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (BNL AGS). Unlike some previously published reports, no narrow states have been observed for targets of {sup 6}Li and {sup 9}Be in (K{sup -}, {pi}{sup {+-}}) reactions, either for bound state or continuum regions. Together with the previously reported J=0 , T=1/2 bound state in {sup 4}{sub {sigma}} He , these results demonstrate the crucial role of isospin in {sigma} hypernuclei. (c) 1999 The American Physical Society.

We have observed a clear peak below the {Sigma}{sup +} -production threshold in the {sup 4}He( K{sup {minus}},{pi}{sup {minus}}) reaction at 600 MeV/c and {theta}{sub K{pi}}=4{sup {circ}} . This is confirmation of the existence of the bound state of {sup 4}{sub {Sigma}}He , which was reported in the {sup 4}He(stopped K{sup {minus}},{pi}{sup {minus}}) reaction. As in the case of stopped kaons, no such peak was found in the {sup 4}He(K{sup {minus}} ,{pi}{sup +}) spectrum. Quantitatively reliable parameters for this level have been established. The binding energy and the width of the bound state are 4.4{plus_minus}0.3(stat){plus_minus}1(syst ) MeV and 7.0{plus_minus}0.7(stat){sup +1.2}{sub {minus}0.0}(syst) MeV, respectively. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}

A series of experiments were made to investigate the early stage of the rapid-proton process. Specifically, the nuclear reaction chain at N=11 was discussed, including a recent result on 25 Si. A discussion with nova model calculations using the present experimental results is also made.

An ISOL-based radioactive nuclear beam facility is just about to come into operation at INS. The present status of the INS radioactive nuclear beam project is reported. The capability of the facility and possible experiments are also discussed, including research programs of nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics.

Hypernuclear mass spectra of ${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{10}$B, ${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{12}$C, ${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{28}$Si, ${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{89}$Y, ${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{139}$La, and ${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{208}$Pb were measured by the (${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{+}$,${\mathit{K}}^{+}$) reaction with an energy resolution of 2 MeV (FWHM). The experiment was carried out with a 1.06 GeV/c ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{+}$ beam from the KEK 12-GeV PS and with the superconducting kaon spectrometer (SKS). For light hypernuclei, core-excited states were resolved for the first time. For heavy hypernuclei, peak structure reflecting \ensuremath{\Lambda} shell structure was observed. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Experimental studies on bottled neutrons have been carried out using a supermirror turbine facility and are compared with the results of numerical simulations. The gravity effects for 1 m elevation and fall with guides are observed. Measured exhausting and storage lifetimes agree with the numerical results, which indicate the collision loss probability of about 10 −4 to be expected in the bottle studied.

A superconducting kaon spectrometer has been installed in the north experimental hall of the KEK 12-GeV proton synchrotron. The spectrometer was designed to serve for nuclear physics experiments with meson beams in the 1 GeV/c region, particular emphasis being laid on study of Λ-hypernuclei via (π+, K+) reactions. In order to obtain Λ-hypernuclear data with better statistics and energy resolution, it was designed to have a good momentum resolution of 0.1% FWHM and a large acceptance of 100 msr. It consists of a large superconducting dipole magnet, tracking chambers, and trigger counters that can efficiently select kaons from large background of pions and protons. The overall energy resolution for scattering is realized together with a beam-line spectrometer in the K6 beam line, the momentum resolution of which was also designed to be better than 0.1% FWHM. A good energy resolution of better than 2 MeV FWHM has been confirmed in π−-12C elastic scattering and in the (π+,K+) reaction on 12C.

A spectroscopic study of Λ hypernuclei by the ( π + , K + ) reaction has been performed for the wide hypernuclear mass range using a new superconducting kaon spectrometer (INS-SKS) at the KEK 12 GeV PS. A Λ 12 C spectrum with 2 MeV (FWHM) energy resolution was measured and core excited states of Λ 12 C were clearly identified for the first time. It is discussed that the excitation energies and cross sections of these states will be closely related with the choice of ΛN interaction models as well as hypernuclear structure. Hypernuclear spectra of Λ 10 B, Λ 28 Si, Λ 89 Y, Λ 139 La and Λ 208 Pb were also obtained and binding energies of a Λ hyperon were deduced for each Λ orbital. The mass number dependence of the Λ binding energies is, within the present experimental errors, consistent with a calculation based on the Woods-Saxon potential.

A spectroscopic study of the $_{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ hypernucleus by the (${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}, {K}^{+}$) reaction has been performed using a new superconducting kaon spectrometer (INS-SKS) at the KEK 12 GeV Proton Synchrotron with an energy resolution of 2 MeV (FWHM). In addition to two prominent peaks which correspond to the $s$ and $p$ orbitals of a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ hyperon, for the first time two smaller peaks were clearly observed at excitation energies of 2.6 and 6.9 MeV. These two peaks are interpreted as states where the $^{11}\mathrm{C}$ excited core and a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ hyperon in the $s$ orbit are weakly coupled. The excitation energies and the cross sections of these peaks provide information on the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}N$ interaction.

Generation of the compression wave by a train entering a tunnel is investigated by model experiments. In the model experiments, the train and the tunnel are represented by an axisymmetric model, a three-dimensional mirror image model and a three-dimensional model. The experimental results indicate that the effect of the three-dimensionality of the train nose shape is approximately 2 % for the pressure gradient of the compression wavefront when the train nose is streamlined, hence without large flow separation around the train nose. Furthermore, the relationship between the pressure gradient of the compression wavefront and the train position in a cross-section at the tunnel portal is clarified.

The first measurement of two-nucleon pion absorption in 4 He at 1 GeV/ c has been performed at the KEK 12 GeV proton synchroton. Both the (π + , pp) and (π + , pn) modes were measured and clearly identified, even at this energy. An isospin dependence was obtained which was different from that in the Δ-energy region.

This paper discusses an selective ant colony optimization algorithm. The proposed algorithm introduces the exclusive mechanism which utilizes the static evaluation of ACO. It reduces not only the calculation time, but also the total number of steps for the selection, while keeping the quality of solutions. Simulation results using benchmark data prove the validity of the proposed algorithm.

The computer-controlled instrument for the magnetic measurement of the SKS sector-type superconductivity magnet at KEK is described. The sector-shaped field is measured to a precision on the order of 10/sup -4/ of the maximum field by assemblies of Hall elements. The authors discuss the field measuring instrument, the concept of how to control the instrument and read data, and preliminary results on field mapping. >

A sector-type superconducting spectrometer magnet, called SKS, for nuclear physics experiments in the 1-GeV/c region has been constructed and installed at KEK. It has a maximum central magnetic field of 3 T in a magnet gap of 50 cm, required by properties of high resolution and large acceptance. From another requirement to be movable around a target at a cold state, a flexible transfer line is adopted. The maximum rated current of 500 A is selected to make the heat losses as as small as possible. A small refrigerator is used for thermal insulations at 80 and 20 K in combination with a medium one at 4 K. >

The ionization alpha , electron attachment eta and other electron transport coefficients for SF6 and perfluorocyclobutane (c-C4F8) gas mixtures have been calculated by a three-term Boltzmann equation method over the E/N range 283-707 Td. A set of electron collision cross-sections that gives transport parameters in agreement with measurements for the pure gases is used. The calculation is performed for important experimental conditions, i.e. the steady-state Townsend (SST), pulsed Townsend (PT) and time-of-flight (TOF) methods. It is found that the greater the reduction in E/N the more pronounced is the peak of eta values of mixtures, e.g. at E/N=283 Td the peak appears at the SF6 partial pressure k around 20%, though alpha values show monotonical variation with k, at a fixed E/N for the E/N range studied here. As a result, the E/N value at which alpha = eta , i.e. the limiting E/N of 20% SF6 and 80% c-C4F8, can exceed the values for the respective pure gases. This fact suggests that this combination may be one desirable synergistic mixture since the limiting E/N is an important parameter for predicting the dielectric characteristics in electronegative gases.

The {sup 20}Ne(p,t)h{sup 18}Ne reaction has been studied in order to investigate the properties of {sup 18}Ne excited states. A missing 3{sup +} state of {sup 18}Ne, which could have a great influence on the {sup 17}F(p,{gamma})h{sup 18}Ne reaction rate, was searched for, but the existence of this state was not clearly verified. The spins and parities of the 5.11- and 5.15-MeV states were assigned tentatively by angular distribution measurements, as 2{sup +} and 3{sup {minus}}, respectively. We were able to resolve the doublets at 4.5, 5.1, and 6.3 MeV clearly for the first time due to our high precision system, which allowed us to determine the widths of some critical states above the proton threshold of {sup 18}Ne more precisely. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}

The atomic mass excess of {sup 187}Ir is determined to be {minus}39.725{plus minus}0.007 MeV from the measured {ital Q} value of {minus}1.521{plus minus}0.006 MeV for the {sup 187}Os({sup 3}He,{ital t}){sup 187}Ir reaction. The result is compared with some predicted values.

The atomic mass excesses of {sup 181}Re and {sup 181}Os were determined to be {minus}46.519{plus minus}0.016 and {minus}43.49{plus minus}0.20 MeV from the measured {ital Q} value of {minus}26.480{plus minus}0.014 MeV for the {sup 185}Re({alpha},{sup 8}He){sup 181}Re(g.s.) reaction and the known beta-decay {ital Q} value. The results were compared with some predicted values.

We developed hydrolytic microneedles as a transdermal drug delivery system to overcome the shortcomings of existing microneedle-systems: long-term stay of broken needles in the skin and high cost for safe disposal of used needles. The present microneedles spontaneously dissolve by hydrolysis in human skin as well as in the (boiled) water. We verified their basic utility through experiments.

In order to clarify the pathogenesis of hypercalcemia in multiple myeloma, we measured plasma levels of parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-beta), intact PTH and, serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in fifteen patients of multiple myeloma. We also measured serum levels of inorganic phosphorus (iP) and alkalinephosphatase activity (ALP). No significant differences in iP (3.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 4.0 +/- 2.2 mg/dl), ALP (150 +/- 28 vs. 335 +/- 305 IU/l) 1,25(OH)2 D (31.5 +/- 17.0 vs. 23.3 +/- 11.2 pg/ml) or TNF-alpha (7.8 +/- 2.1 vs. 8.0 +/- 2.0 pg/ml) were observed between normocalcemic and hypercalcemic patients. Plasma iPTH levels in hypercalcemic patients were significantly lower than those in normocalcemic patients (28.5 +/- 9.4 vs. 16.3 +/- 5.6 pg/ml, p = 0.01). Plasma levels of TNF-beta were less than 15.6 pg/ml in all subjects. On the other hand, the frequency of patients with abnormally high plasma levels of PTHrP was significantly greater (2/9 for normocalcemia vs 5/6 for hypercalcemia, chi 2 = 5.20, p = 0.02) in patients with hypercalcemia than in normocalcemic patients. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship between plasma PTHrP levels and corrected serum calcium levels (cCa) was observed using Spearman's correlation analysis by rank in fifteen myeloma cases (rs = 0.66, p = 0.013). These results suggest that PTHrP might be involved in the elevation of serum calcium levels in hypercalcemic myeloma patients. However, a few cases exhibit normocalcemia despite elevated plasma PTHrP levels or hypercalcemia without high plasma PTHrP levels. Therefore, further studies are necessary to elucidate the pathogenesis of hypercalcemia in multiple myeloma.

Although urban parks provide various benefits, the area and number of such parks in Nagasaki City is below the national standard. This study aimed at identification of areas lacking urban parks and selection of their location in Nagasaki City by using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Satellite Remote Sensing and incorporated slope considerations into the analysis. As a result of the study, we were able to find the areas with insufficient urban parks and provide guidelines for their selection of optimum location.

Thermal properties of PZT detectors were studied in a temperature range from 5 to 50 degrees. The sensitivity of a disk-shaped detector was flat in sensitivity, where as we found an anomalous sensitivity at 44 degree in spherical shaped one. The detectors of both disk-shaped and spherical forms were warmed up in water, into which an electron beam was irradiated. By applying corrections for the thermal properties, we have obtained experimental results consistent with previous data.

(1)Understand images of breast specimens with microcalcifications obtained by use of micro-focus CT. (2)Learn the relationship between mammographic features, pathologic characteristics, and micro-focus CT images. (3)Learn the usefulness of three-dimensional images in understanding of detailed structures and patterns of microcalcifications without cutting the specimen.Microcalcifications are one of the important sign for early detection of breast cancer by use of mammography, and has resulted in the detection of nonpalpable cancer. However, it is difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant microcalcifications, thus causing high false-positive rate. Micro-focus CT employs a x-ray tube of a focal spot size less than 10 microns, and has high spatial resolution, thus resulting in more accurate visualization of structures of microcalcifications. We investigated the relationship between micro-focus CT images of breast specimens with microcalcifications, mammographic features and pathologic characteristics. Micro-focus CT imaging was comparable to pathologic images in terms of resolution and contrast. Microcalcifications were more clearly detected in micro-focus CT imaging than specimen radiographs. Three-dimensional imaging on microcalcifications provided a tool for studying the shape and distribution of calcifications. Micro-focus CT for breast imaging was very useful for understanding of structures and patterns of microcalcifications without cutting the specimen.

Objective: To study dysferlin gene mutations and genotype-phenotype correlations in Japanese patients with Miyoshi myopathy (MM). Background: MM is an autosomal recessive distal muscular dystrophy that arises from mutations in the dysferlin gene. This gene is also mutated in families with limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B. Methods: The authors examined 25 Japanese patients with MM. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral lymphocytes of the patients. The PCR products of each of 55 exons were screened by single strand conformation polymorphism or direct sequencing from the PCR fragments. Results: The authors identified 16 different mutations in 20 patients with MM; 10 were novel. Mutations in Japanese patients are distributed along the entire length of the gene. Conclusions: Four mutations (C1939G, G3370T, 3746delG, and 4870delT) are relatively more prevalent in this population, accounting for 60% of the mutations in this study. This study revealed that the G3370T mutation was associated with milder forms of MM and the G3510A mutation was associated with a more severe form.

The ground state and low-lying levels of the unbound ${}^{11}\mathrm{N}$ nucleus were investigated with the three-neutron pickup reaction ${}^{14}\mathrm{N}{(}^{3}\mathrm{He}{,}^{6}\mathrm{He}{)}^{11}\mathrm{N}.$ The energies and widths of these, experimentally observed, levels are compared with other measurements and calculations. Angular distributions were measured for the first time for this reaction. The distorted-wave Born approximation analysis confirms the spin assignments for the lowest levels.

The first acceleration test of a radioactive nuclear beam was performed in a radioactive beam facility at INS. The /sup 19/Ne beam was produced by bombarding a LiF target with 30 MeV protons from an SF cyclotron, and ionized by a ECR ion source. We succeeded to accelerate the /sup 19/Ne/sup 2+/ ions to 0.72 MeV/u by heavy-ion linacs. The intensity delivered to a secondary target is not yet enough. Further improvements will be done to perform experiments using accelerated radioactive nuclei.

Superlattice type photodiodes of a GaAs-Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As structure were studied at room temperature. A combination of potential-well width and barrier width was sensitive to the charge multiplication factor. Using a diode with a 10 nm well and a 15 nm barrier, the detector characteristics were investigated from a point of view of achieving a high gain. This type of photodiode was confirmed to be sensitive to Cherenkov light generated in water. Effects of carrier doping up to 10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/ at room temperature on the multiplication rate is discussed.

Acoustic detectors were developed using a piezo ceramic compound PZT. The shape of the PZT detector was essential to obtain a high sensitivity. A detector of a spherically shaped shell structure, whose size was 50 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick, was fabricated. Its sensitivity was calibrated to be about 40 mV/Pa at 54 kHz. Using the hydrophone, acoustic signals generated by an electron-induced cascade shower in water was detected. Experimental results were compared with simulation data and confirmed consistency.

An experiment demonstrating the production of double-Lambda hypernuclei in (K(-),K(+)) reactions on (9)Be was carried out at the D6 line in the BNL alternating-gradient synchrotron. The technique was the observation of pions produced in sequential mesonic weak decay, each pion associated with one unit of strangeness change. The results indicate the production of a significant number of the double hypernucleus (4)(double Lambda)H and the twin hypernuclei (4)(Lambda)H and (3)(Lambda)H. The relevant decay chains are discussed and a simple model of the production mechanism is presented. An implication of this experiment is that the existence of an S = -2 dibaryon more than a few MeV below the double Lambda mass is unlikely.

An experiment demonstrating the production of double-Lambda hypernuclei in (K(-),K(+)) reactions on (9)Be was carried out at the D6 line in the BNL alternating-gradient synchrotron. The technique was the observation of pions produced in sequential mesonic weak decay, each pion associated with one unit of strangeness change. The results indicate the production of a significant number of the double hypernucleus (4)(double Lambda)H and the twin hypernuclei (4)(Lambda)H and (3)(Lambda)H. The relevant decay chains are discussed and a simple model of the production mechanism is presented. An implication of this experiment is that the existence of an S = -2 dibaryon more than a few MeV below the double Lambda mass is unlikely.

Measles pneumonitis, as well as encephalitis, is the most important complication associated with mortality in measles. Many medications including steroids and vitamin A have been applied to pediatric measles pneumonitis. However, the efficacy of such medication has not yet been established. This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of surfactant replacement therapy in pediatric measles pneumonitis. Five patients (aged 1-2 years) with measles pneumonitis were transferred to our emergency center. On the transferred day, Surfactant-TA was administered by intratracheal method. After administration of surfactant, PaO2/FIO2 increased from 63.6 +/- 11.0 (mean +/- SE) to 206.2 +/- 54.1 in an hour and to 163.8 +/- 34.8 in 24. At the same time, the CO2 elimination and the dynamic compliance were improved. Because of these effects, the peak inspiratory pressure employed in mechanical ventilation could be reduced. It is concluded that surfactant replacement therapy can prevent the patients with measles pneumonitis from hypoxemia and ventilation-induced lung injury. However, further study is needed to maintain the improved oxygenation. Recently, it is reported that the effect of exogenous surfactant on oxygenation and activity of pulmonary neutrophils is regulated by the amount and/or concentration of administered surfactant. Therefore, it is an urgent issue to find out the optimum amount and concentration of exogenous surfactant used clinically.

We have developed a Multiple-Sampling and Tracking Proportional Chamber (MSTPC) for the measurement of reactions involving unstable nuclei. We have measured the 8Li(α, n)11B reaction directly and exclusively by using the MSTPC, and obtained a new data of the total cross section.

We isolated and characterized the human NeuroD-related factor (NDRF)/NeuroD2/KW8 gene. The NDRF gene consisted of two exons and one intron. NDRF had one transcriptional starting point, and in its 5'-flanking region, no TATA box was detected, but 16 E boxes (CANNTG) were present. RNA blotting analysis revealed that HIT-T15 and D283 cells expressed a 3.3 kb band of the NDRF transcript. Promoter analysis by luciferase assay demonstrated that luciferase activity changed between -120 and -195, and between -451 and -564, both regions wherein a single E box existed. Radiation hybrid mapping showed that NDRF linked the marker SHGC-36242 with a LOD score of 8.53 and was located on 17q12-22.

The atomic mass excesses of $^{86}\mathrm{Zr}$ and $^{88}\mathrm{Mo}$ were determined to be -77.807\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.031 and -72.703\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.021 MeV from the measured Q values of -40.136\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.030 and -43.278\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.020 MeV for the $^{90}\mathrm{Zr}$(\ensuremath{\alpha}${,}^{8}$He${)}^{86}$Zr(g.s.) and $^{92}\mathrm{Mo}$(\ensuremath{\alpha}${,}^{8}$He${)}^{88}$Mo(g.s.) reactions. The results were compared with some predicted values.

In order to clarify the flow dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique with retrospective cardiac gating was used to measure the quantitative flow velocity of CSF in the aqueduct in patients with NPH after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH-NPH group, n = 17), idiopathic NPH (1-NPH group, n = 2), asymptomatic ventricular dilatation or brain atrophy (VD group, n = 7) and healthy volunteers (control group, n = 19). Intracranial pressure (ICP) and pressure volume response (PVR) were also measured during the shunt operation in six of the SAH- NPH group. The maximum CSF flow velocity (Vmax) in the aqueduct was significantly larger in the SAH-NPH group (9.21 +/- 4.12 cm/sec, mean +/- SD) than in the control group (5.27 +/- 1.77, p0.001) and the VD group (4.06 +/- 1.81, p0.005). Vmax was not different between the control and VD groups. There was a positive correlation between the PVR and the peak CSF flow velocity in the SAH-NPH group. These findings suggest that the changes of CSF flow velocity in the SAH-NPH group might be caused by a moderate decrease of intracranial compliance. The CSF flow study using MRI is useful to differentiate NPH from brain atrophy or asymptomatic ventricular dilatation and also to estimate the intracranial compliance.

In order to clarify the flow dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique with retrospective cardiac gating was used to measure the quantitative flow velocity of CSF in the aqueduct in patients with NPH after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH-NPH group, n = 17), idiopathic NPH (1-NPH group, n = 2), asymptomatic ventricular dilatation or brain atrophy (VD group, n = 7) and healthy volunteers (control group, n = 19). Intracanial pressure (ICP) and pressure volume response (PVR) were also measured during the shunt operation in six of the SAH-NPH group. The maximum CSF flow velocity (Vmax) in the aqueduct was significantly larger in the SAH-NPH group (9.21 ± 4.12 cm/sec, mean ± SD) than in the control group (5.27 ± 1.77, p < 0.001) and the VD group (4.06 ± 1.81, p < 0.005). Vmax was not different between the control and VD groups. There was a positive correlation between the PVR and the peak CSF flow velocity in the SAH-NPH group. These findings suggest that the changes of CSF flow velocity in the SAH-NPH group might be caused by a moderate decrease of intracranial compliance. The CSF flow study using MRI is useful to differentiate NPH from brain atrophy or asymptomatic ventricular dilatation and also to estimate the intracranial compliance.

A 76-year-old woman was found to have acute aseptic meningoencephalitis with meningial irritation, disturbance of consciousness, elevation of cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid, and swelling of a right temporal-lobe lesion on a CT scan of the head. Muscle weakness in the lower extremities and urinary dysfunction developed and progressed gradually. The protein content of cerebrospinal fluid was high, and the distal latencies of F waves were prolonged, which suggested that the inflammation extended to the nerve roots. Sjögren's syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of atrophy of the labial salivary glands; invasions of lymphocytes and plasma cells to the intercellular space; and elevation of the titers of serum antinuclear antibody, anti-SS-A antibody, and anti-SS-B antibody. The patient had no xerosis. Aseptic meningoencephalitis was the first manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome. In recent years, several cases in which Sjögren's syndrome was associated with aseptic meningitis have been reported. However, we know of no previous report of such a case in a patient of this age. Aseptic meningoencephalitis can be the first manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome.

A Radioactive beam facility using a thick target, an ISOL and heavy ion linacs will soon come into operation at INS, University of Tokyo. The status of the project together with experimental programs are reported.