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We demonstrate radio-frequency tuning of the energy of individual CdTe/ZnTe quantum dots (QDs) by Surface Acoustic Waves (SAWs). Despite the very weak piezoelectric coefficient of ZnTe, SAW in the GHz range can be launched on a ZnTe surface using interdigitated transducers deposited on a c-axis oriented ZnO layer grown on ZnTe containing CdTe QDs. The photoluminescence (PL) of individual QDs is used as a nanometer-scale sensor of the acoustic strain field. The energy of QDs is modulated by SAW in the GHz range and leads to the characteristic broadening of time-integrated PL spectra. The dynamic modulation of the QD PL energy can also be detected in the time domain using phase-locked time domain spectroscopy. This technique is, in particular, used for monitoring complex local acoustic fields resulting from the superposition of two or more SAW pulses in a cavity. Under a magnetic field, the dynamic spectral tuning of a single QD by SAW can be used to generate single photons with alternating circular polarization controlled in the GHz range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To clarify the usefulness and accuracy of segmental adrenal venous sampling (sAVS) on localisation and functional diagnosis of various adrenal lesions in primary aldosteronism.Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients (n=162) who underwent adrenalectomy and 138 patients indicated for medication following sAVS were analysed retrospectively. Based on immunohistopathological diagnosis, the positive predictive value (PPV) of computed tomography (CT)-detectable aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) was calculated. Moreover, endocrinological and sAVS characteristics were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively among APA, CT-undetectable aldosterone-producing nodules (APNs), multiple aldosterone-producing micronodules (MAPM), and medication groups.Results: The PPV of APA by sAVS was 137/141 (97.1%; 95% confidence interval, 92.9-99.2%). Compared to the medication cases, the APA group showed stronger disease activity clinically and significant differences in adrenal hormones, such as a higher aldosterone level and aldosterone-to-cortisol ratio, and lower cortisol levels in the adrenal central vein and aldosterone maximum tributaries on the dominant side after cosyntropin stimulation. The APA group shows focal aldosterone hypersecretion, such as mean number of aldosterone elevated segments (1.7 ± 0.7 versus 2 ± 0.9, p=0.003) and presence of aldosterone-not-elevated segments (93% versus 41%, p<0.001). Clinically and in terms of sAVS, APN and MAPM showed similar characteristics to APA and to the medication cases, respectively.Conclusion: sAVS can localise functionally active tissues of CT-detectable and CT-undetectable lesions enabling decisions on surgical or medical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are toxic by-products of fungi contaminating maize and other crops; they can be carried over into milk, meat and eggs when livestock eat aflatoxin-contaminated feed or fodder. People who consume such animal products are exposed to the toxins. To assess the aflatoxin contamination status in marketed raw milk and associated risk factors in peri-urban Nairobi, we conducted a census of raw milk retailers in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya. Structured questionnaires were filled in by face-to-face interviews with all retailers who agreed to participate in this study. Small portions of milk were purchased from each respondent and tested for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) using competitive enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) tests. Geographic coordinates of each eligible retailer were recorded. A total of 350 milk retailers were visited and 344 were plotted on a map. Of these, 250 retailers answered the questionnaire and a milk sample from each of 200 retailers underwent cELISA analysis for AFM1. Four types of businesses were found: kiosks (71%), dairy shops (21%), street or mobile vendors (3%) and grocery stands (1%); for 4% the business type was not identified. Milk was mainly sourced directly from dairy farms (59%) or from intermediate distributors (35%). Most retailers sold less than 20 litres per day of raw milk. The mean daily milk consumption of the milk retailers' households was 940 ml for adults and 729 ml for children. Although 58% of retailers had heard about aflatoxins and the majority of them agreed that aflatoxins could be present in milk, only 29% believed that "milk safety cannot be solely judged by sight or taste" and only 6% that "milk is not completely safe even after boiling". The cELISA test found the mean concentration of AFM1 was 128.7 parts per trillion (ppt) (median=49.9; 95% confidence interval=3.0-822.8) with a maximum of 1675 ppt. Overall, 55% of samples exceeded the European Union maximum level of 50 ppt and 6% exceeded the recommended maximum level of the United States Food and Drug Administration of 500 ppt. Compared to milk from street vendors, a significantly higher amount of AFM1 was detected in milk from kiosks and dairy shops, especially when the milk was sourced from farms without an intermediate distributor. Our findings indicate the need to better understand and manage aflatoxin in milk in Nairobi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report mechanically stacked InGaP (1.9 eV)/GaAs (1.42 eV)/InGaAsP (1.0 eV) triple junction solar cells fabricated with an advanced bonding technique using Pd nanoparticle arrays. High quality InGaP/GaAs tandem top and InGaAsP bottom cells are grown on GaAs and InP substrates, respectively using solid-source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The InGaAsP bottom cell has an open circuit voltage ( V oc ) of 0.49 V, which indicates that high performance InGaAsP solar cells can be fabricated using solid-source MBE. A fabricated triple junction solar cell has a high efficiency of 25.6% with a high V oc of 2.66 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To determine associations between antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter coli, 155 isolates were obtained from the feces of apparently healthy grow-finish pigs in Japan. In addition, data on the use of antibiotics collected through the national antimicrobial resistance monitoring system in Japan were used for the analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors to antimicrobial resistance in C. coli in pigs for the following antimicrobials: ampicillin, dihydrostreptomycin, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, and enrofloxacin. The data suggested the involvement of several different mechanisms of resistance selection. The statistical relationships were suggestive of co-selection; use of macrolides was associated with enrofloxacin resistance (OR=2.94; CI95%: 0.997, 8.68) and use of tetracyclines was associated with chloramphenicol resistance (OR=2.37; CI95%: 1.08, 5.19). The statistical relationships were suggestive of cross-resistance: use of macrolides was associated with erythromycin resistance (OR=9.36; CI95%: 2.96, 29.62) and the use of phenicols was associated with chloramphenicol resistance (OR=11.83; CI95%: 1.41, 99.44). These data showed that the use of antimicrobials in pigs selects for resistance in C. coli within and between classes of antimicrobials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: A randomized controlled trial was performed to compare the short-term effects of alendronate (ALN) and ECT on pain and quality of life (QOL) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Back pain and QOL [Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8)] significantly improved at 1, 3, and 6 months in both groups, with greater improvements in the ALN group than in the ECT group. These results suggested that ALN reduced back pain and improved QOL more markedly than ECT in postmenopausal osteoporotic women with back pain. Introduction: Intramuscular ECT is known to reduce pain via the central nervous system. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was performed to compare the short-term effects of ALN and ECT on pain and QOL in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: One hundred and 94 postmenopausal osteoporotic women with back pain (mean age 79.8 years, range 60-96 years) were randomly divided into two groups: the ALN group (35 mg weekly) and the ECT group (intramuscular 20 units a week). The duration of the study was 6 months. The trial was completed in 97 (100%) women of the ALN group and 96 (99.0%) women of the ECT group. Urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), face scale score (FSS, back pain), and SF-8 (QOL) were monitored. Results: Urinary NTX levels significantly decreased at 3 months in the ALN group, but not in the ECT group. Serum ALP levels significantly decreased at 6 months in the both groups, with a greater reduction in the ALN group. The FSS and SF-8 significantly improved at 1, 3, and 6 months in both groups, with greater improvements in the ALN group than in the ECT group. Conclusions: ALN suppressed bone turnover, reduced back pain, and improved QOL more markedly than ECT in postmenopausal osteoporotic women with back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural control of adjacent flexible structures has been shown to be effectively accomplished using the connected control method (CCM), which uses an auxiliary structure to provide a reaction force. A perceived constraint of the CCM is the ineffective control of structures with similar dynamics. However, the writers have presented a modified CCM mechanism in which dampers are connected between dynamically similar structures with a difference in connection height using cantilever structures. The research described in this paper extends the CCM to couple two dynamically similar structures and determines optimal stiffness and damping in the connector link. A two-degree-of-freedom building model is developed for the optimal design of the connected control devices. The optimal solutions of the connector stiffness and damping take into account the presence of fixed points in the systems transfer functions. Analytical results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method and design. Experimental tests then verify the response reduction capabilities of the proposed optimal design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary:This article describes the first case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a healthy donor at 14 months after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-primed peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvest. In September 2001, a healthy 61-year-old female was given G-CSF prior to PBSC harvest for her brother with multiple myeloma. In spite of successful engraftment, the recipient died from a disease relapse. In November 2002, the donor, admitted with high fever and leukocytosis with 98.5% blastoid cells, was diagnosed as having AML (M1). Her leukemia cells were positive for CD13, CD33, and G-CSF receptor without chromosomal abnormality and responded to G-CSF in vitro. During chemotherapy, she died of progressive pneumonia. If our case is truly the first, the incidence of leukemia in donors may not be higher than that of naturally occurring leukemia. However, efforts towards an international long-term study, or at least to report every case similar to ours, would be required to be conclusive.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2004) 33, 661-665. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1704394 Published online 29 December 2003 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective(s): With the advance of systemic therapy, long-term survivors have increased and importance of long-term local control of bone metastases has increased in recent years. The purpose of this study was to search for factors affecting local control of bone metastatic lesions in external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for cases with long-term survival of ≥1-year.Materials/methods: Between December 2010 and April 2019, 349 lesions (vertebral body, 214; pelvic, 73; rib/ sternal, 22; extremity, 35; skull, 6) in 259 patients received EBRT, and survived for ≥1-years after EBRT. Local control was evaluated by follow-up CT. Doses of EBRT were 8-50 Gy (median 30 Gy).Results: One and three-year control rates at EBRT sites were 95% and 86%, respectively. Local recurrence was observed in 9.7% (34 lesions in 31 patients). Sex, age of > 70, bone metastases other than vertebrae, bone metastases from unfavorable primary tumor sites (hepatobiliary/pancreatic/colorectal/thyroid/renal cell carcinoma), and without bone modified agents (BMAs) and/or systemic therapy (ST) after EBRT were statistically significant poor local control factors (P = 0.036, 0.038, 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in control rates according to EBRT dose (≤30 Gy vs. > 30 Gy), bone cortex destruction and without ST before EBRT (P = 0.623, 0.887, and 0.568, respectively). In multivariate analysis, bone metastases other than vertebrae, bone metastases from unfavorable primary tumor sites and without BMAs were significant unfavorable factors for local control (P = 0.011, 0.0004, and 0.028, respectively).Conclusion: EBRT dose escalation of > 30 Gy did not seem to be useful. Although further studies are needed, primary tumor and bone metastatic sites were associated with local control. In addition, the use of BMAs is useful in terms of local control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is widely prevalent in Japanese dairy farms. To control BLV infections in Japan, segregating or managing cows according to their proviral load (PVL) is a rational strategy. This study was conducted to establish a quantitative procedure for estimating blood PVL per microliter using a statistical model to offer a cost-effective alternative to the conventional quantitative real-time PCR method. In total, 250 Holstein cows infected with BLV were identified from 10 commercial dairy farms. Information on age was collected and blood samples were tested for white blood cell and lymphocyte counts and PVL using PCR. Generalized linear models with quasi-Poisson errors were used to estimate PVL by selecting age, logarithm of lymphocyte count, and their interaction term as explanatory variables. To evaluate the model, blood samples of 92 BLV-infected Holstein cows from 2 other commercial dairy farms were tested, and measured PVL values were compared with estimated PVL values by the model. The logPVL per microliter was modeled by positive associations with log lymphocyte count and age and a negative association with the interaction term. In the evaluation, measured PVL values had a strong correlation with estimated PVL values (Spearman's ρ = 0.87). In conclusion, our model provides a cost-effective and more rapid alternative to the conventional method to facilitate test and segregation or management of BLV-suspected cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV), which causes enzootic bovine leukosis and immunosuppression, is widely prevalent on Japanese dairy farms. However, in the absence of a national eradication scheme with compensation programs, it is important to estimate BLV-associated economic losses to raise farmers' awareness. Mastitis (includes both clinical and subclinical) is a common disease in the dairy industry and the most common reason for culling. We hypothesized that immunosuppression due to BLV predisposes subclinical mastitis. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to trace Holstein cows at 9 commercial dairy farms in the Nemuro and Kushiro regions of Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, where monitoring of BLV proviral load is routine. Information regarding Dairy Herd Improvement data, parity number, and delivery day was collected at each farm. Cows with no confirmed infection with BLV during lactation were defined as non-infected. Low-proviral-load and high-proviral-load (H-PVL) cows were defined as those in which proviral load was below and over 2,465 copies/50 ng of DNA, respectively, or 56,765 copies/105 cells, respectively, throughout the lactation period. Survival analysis was performed using the frailty model to estimate the hazard ratio of subclinical mastitis for BLV infection status using data from 1,034 dairy cows after adjusting for parity number and delivery season as confounding factors. Kaplan–Meier survivor curves demonstrated that half of the H-PVL cows developed subclinical mastitis within 52 d after calving. The hazard ratio of subclinical mastitis for H-PVL cows was 2.61 times higher than that of non-infected cows. In 2017, there were 264,443 clinical mastitis cases in Hokkaido. Using field and published data, annual economic losses were estimated using Monte Carlo simulation. The economic loss due to mastitis associated with BLV infection per H-PVL cow was $418.59 (¥43,952), with the annual economic loss in Hokkaido Prefecture due to mastitis caused by BLV infection estimated at $6,097,225 (¥640,208,633). In summary, H-PVL cows were more susceptible to subclinical mastitis than non-infected and low-proviral-load cows, and mastitis due to BLV infection was projected to cause significant economic losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The occurrence of radio signal fading events caused by ionospheric absorption plays an important role in the performance of radio-communication systems. It is necessary to know the magnitude and time-scale of such events in order to specify technical parameters of the communication system to be used. Generally, fading events are associated with solar flares, which are characterized by sudden increase in the solar X-ray flux that causes an increase in the ionization in the lower ionosphere. The abrupt increase of ionization causes the absorption of radio waves propagating in the Earth–ionosphere wave-guide and is reported as radio signal fading events. A simple experiment to monitor the behavior of lower ionosphere has been carried out at the Southern Space Observatory-SSO/INPE (29.43°S, 53.8°W), located in southern Brazil. The experiment is basically a computer controlled radio receiver that records the received signal strength of Amplitude Modulated (AM) radio signals in the HF (High Frequencies) range. We analyzed data of the 6MHz beacon signal that has been transmitted by a broadcasting radio station located about 400km from the observation site. In this work we present initial results of daily variation of the received signal strength and fading events associated with solar flares observed in the 6MHz signal monitored by the experiment during 2001. X-ray solar flux data from the GOES-8 satellite were used to identify X-ray solar bursts associated with solar flares. Based on the one-year data collected by the experiment, a statistical summary of fading occurrences and their correlation with solar flares, as well as the distributions of time-scales and magnitudes of such events are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The iron-silicon-aluminum alloys (particularly Sendust) have been widely used in applications requiring high saturation flux density, low coercive force and high electrical resistivity. For this reason they have been promising for magnetic thin film heads, however, they are too hard and brittle to be made into thin films by rolling, or into three-dimensional products of complex shape by mechanical working or a conventional powder metallurgy process. The reduction in the size and weight of devices that can be accomplished through the use of Sendust has had an important effect on technical development. In this report, magnetic characteristics of Sendust ring samples produced by the powder metallurgy process with spray drying were investigated. After gas-atomized Sendust powders were mixed with paraffin compounds, these powders were granulated by the spray drying method using organic binder consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and plasticizer in the range from 0.1 to 0.5 wt% of PVA, in order to improve the powder flowability and mechanical strength of compacted bodies. Results show that the present method is an excellent process for producing near-net-shaped parts with high performance and high dimensional precision after sintering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonatal exposure to anaesthetics such as sevoflurane has been reported to result in behavioural deficits in rodents. However, while oxidative injury is thought to play an underlying pathological role, the mechanisms of neurotoxicity remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin protects against long-term memory impairment produced by neonatal sevoflurane exposure in mice.Methods: Postnatal day six mice were divided into four groups; (1) non-anaesthesia, (2) intraperitoneal apocynin (50 mg kg(-1)) treatment, (3) 3% sevoflurane exposure for 6 h, and (4) apocynin treatment combined with sevoflurane exposure. Superoxide concentrations and NADPH oxidase expression in the brain were determined using dihydroethidium fluorescence and immunoblotting, respectively. Cleaved caspase-3 immunoblotting was used for the detection of apoptosis, and cytochrome c immunoblotting was performed to evaluate mitochondrial function. Long-term cognitive impairment was evaluated using the fear conditioning test in adulthood.Results: Sevoflurane exposure increased concentrations of superoxide (109%) and the NADPH oxidase subunit p22phox (39%) in the brain, and apocynin abolished these increases. Neonatal sevoflurane exposure caused learning deficits in adulthood. Apocynin also maintained long-term memory function in mice given neonatal sevoflurane exposure, and it reduced apoptosis and decreased cytochrome c concentrations in the brains of these mice.Conclusions: Apocynin reduces neuronal apoptosis and protects against long-term memory impairment in mice, neonatally exposed to sevoflurane by reducing superoxide concentrations. These findings suggest that NADPH oxidase inhibitors may protect against cognitive dysfunction resulting from neonatal anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the causes of inaccurate continuous intra-arterial blood gas monitoring data. Background on the condition; Ways of addressing the problem.

This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study investigated the brain regions underlying language task performance in adult second language (L2) learners. Specifically, we identified brain regions where the level of activation was associated with L2 fluency levels. Thirty Japanese-speaking adults participated in the study. All participants were L2 learners of English and had achieved varying levels of fluency, as determined by a standardized L2 English proficiency test, the Versant English Test ( Pearson Education Inc., 2011 ). When participants performed the oral sentence building task from the production tasks administered, the dorsal part of the left inferior frontal gyrus (dIFG) showed activation patterns that differed depending on the L2 fluency levels: The more fluent the participants were, the more dIFG activation decreased. This decreased activation of the dIFG might reflect the increased automaticity of a syntactic building process. In contrast, when participants performed an oral story comprehension task, the left posterior superior temporal gyrus (pSTG) showed increased activation with higher fluency levels. This suggests that the learners with higher L2 fluency were actively engaged in post-syntactic integration processing supported by the left pSTG. These data imply that L2 fluency predicts neural resource allocation during language comprehension tasks as well as in production tasks. This study sheds light on the neural underpinnings of L2 learning by identifying the brain regions recruited during different language tasks across different modalities (production vs. comprehension). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The cosmic noise absorption is presented in terms of two-dimensional images obtained from the imaging riometers operated at the Southern Space Observatory (geographic coordinate: 29.4°S, 53.1°W), in São Martinho da Serra, Brazil, Concepcion (geographic coordinate: 36.5°S, 73.0°W) and Punta Arenas (geographic coordinate: 53.0°S, 70.5°W) in Chile, which belong to the South American Riometer Network and are located at the central and periphery regions of the South American Magnetic Anomaly. Correlations are performed between the maximum cosmic noise absorption observed at these stations and the energetic electron flux in two energy channels (>30 and >300keV) and the proton flux in three energy channels (80–240, 800–2500 and >6900keV) as measured by the Medium Energy Proton and Electron Detector, during a moderate geomagnetic storm that occurred on September 3, 2008. The results show high correlations between the cosmic noise absorption detected at São Martinho da Serra and the flux of protons with energy between 80 and 240keV, and the flux of electrons with energies higher than 300keV, while an additional ionization at Concepcion was correlated with electrons of energies higher than 30keV. The cosmic noise absorption detected at Punta Arenas was probably caused by the increase of the protons flux with energy between 80 and 240keV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, an upgrade of the technique for estimating the Quiet Day Curve (QDC) as proposed by Tanaka et al. (2007) is suggested. To validate our approach, the QDC is estimated from data acquired by the Imaging Riometer for Ionospheric Studies (IRIS) installed at the Southern Space Observatory (SSO/CRS/CCR/INPE - MCT, 29°4' S, 53°8'W, 480ma.s.l.), São Martinho da Serra - Brazil. The evaluation was performed by comparing the difference between the QDCs derived using our upgrade technique with the one proposed by Tanaka et al. (2007). The results are discussed in terms of the seasonal variability and the level of magnetic disturbance. Also, the cosmic noise absorption (CNA) images for IRIS data operated at SSO was built using both the techniques aiming to check the implications of the changes in the methods of QDC determination on the CNA that resulted from it [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor concerning the importance of arterial blood pressure monitoring for managing patients during anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is an important cause of renal dysfunction after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) is a potent endogenous natriuretic, diuretic, and vasorelaxant peptide. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of hANP on renal function in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Forty patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were randomized to receive a continuous infusion of either hANP (0.01-0.05 microg/kg/min) (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) immediately before aortic cross-clamping. The infusion of hANP or placebo continued for 48 hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood and urine samples were taken before surgery, at admission to the intensive care unit, and on days 1, 2, and 3 postoperatively, for measurement of serum concentrations of sodium, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and plasma concentrations of ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Urine volume and urinary concentrations of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), sodium, and creatinine were also measured. The mean plasma concentration of ANP was significantly higher in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean plasma BNP concentration was significantly lower in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean serum concentrations of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were significantly (p < .05) lower in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean urine volume and mean creatinine clearance were significantly (p < .05) higher in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean urinary NAG/creatinine ratio was significantly (p < .05) lower in the hANP group than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative and postoperative infusion of low-dose hANP preserved renal function in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic hANP infusion on perioperative renal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the anticorrelation between ozone and UV-B radiation. The data were collected at the Southern Space Observatory (OES/CRSPE/INPE – MCT), located in the southern part of Brazil, and analyzed by linear and first order exponential fits. The UV-B radiation (280–315 nm) was measured by the UV-B radiometer (Eko Instruments – model MS-210W) and the total ozone column was measured by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) installed on board of NASA''s Earth Probe satellite. The UV-B radiation measurements employed for correlation analysis (from July 1999 to December 2001) had fixed solar zenith angles and were taken on days with clear sky. The mathematical behavior of correlations at different angles was observed and correlation coefficients were determined by linear and first order exponential fits. High correlation coefficient values were obtained for both fits studied and the differences between them can be considered small. The values for linear fits varied from R2=0.64 (SZA 55°) to 0.90 (SZA 30° and 35°) and for exponential fits varied from R2=0.63 (SZA 55°) to 0.85 (SZA 30° and 35°). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hypergravity (2G) exposure elevated the nociceptive threshold (pain suppression) concomitantly with evoked neuronal activity in the hypothalamus. Young Wistar male rats were exposed to 2G by centrifugal rotation for 10 min. Before and after 2G exposure, the nociceptive threshold was measured as the withdrawal reflex by using the von Frey type needle at a total of 8 sites of each rat (nose, four quarters, upper and lower back, tail), and then rats were sacrificed. Fos expression was examined immunohistochemically in the hypothalamic slices of the 2G-treated rats. When rats were exposed to 2G hypergravity, the nociceptive threshold was significantly elevated to approximately 150 to 250% of the 1G baseline control levels in all the examination sites. The 2G hypergravity remarkably induced Fos expression in the paraventricular and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus. The analgesic effects of 2G hypergravity were attenuated by naloxone pretreatment. Data indicate that hypergravity induces analgesic effects in rats, mediated through hypothalamic neuronal activity in the endogenous opioid system and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Discusses a study which investigated whether serum E-selectin levels are connected with clinical significance in patients with other hematologic malignancies. Characteristics of selectins; Role of E-selectins in mediating tissue-specific homing of T cells into skin.

The E-cadherins are a family of cell-cell adhesion molecules. These molecules exhibit Ca[sup 2+] dependent cell adhesion and are expressed on epithelial cells. E-cadherin levels in serum are known to be significantly elevated in patients with epithelial carcinomas. We determined serum Ecadherin levels in 30 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) using an enzyme immunoassay and then investigated whether E-cadherin is expressed on lymphoma cells in lymph nodes of three cases selected to analyze from 15 cases of serum E-cadherin levels over mean + 2SD with monoclonal antibody immunohistochemistry. Results indicated that E-cadherin antigen is expressed on the lymphoma cells in these three patients with NHL, and that soluble E-cadherin might be released into blood from lymphoma cells. Expression of E-cadherin may contribute to the morphological appearance of some malignant lymphoma, although no conclusion can be drawn based on such small number of patients analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-cadherin is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates Ca[sup 2+]-dependent intracellular adhesion in normal epithelial cells. E-cadherin levels in serum are known to be significantly elevated in patients with epithelial carcinomas. However, the role of E-cadherin in haematopoietic cells is less clear. In this study, serum E-cadherin levels were therefore determined in patients with acute or chronic leukaemia, malignant lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndromes. Significant elevation of serum E-cadherin levels was detected in patients with haematological malignancies, and between types of acute leukaemias or subtypes of myelodysplastic syndromes, stages of malignant lymphoma, and phases of chronic leukaemia, respectively,compared with those in healthy adult volunteers. These findings suggest that E-cadherin might be expressed in malignant haematopoietic cells and might be useful as a diagnostic indicator in haematological malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the recovery of post-tetanic count and train-of-four responses at the great toe and thumb accelerographically after the administration of vecuronium 0.2 mgkg-1 . Sixty adult patients scheduled for anaesthesia with nitrous oxide and isoflurane were studied. The times to the return of the first post-tetanic twitch were comparable at the great toe and thumb (mean (SD) times: 30.0 (6.5) min and 35.0 (8.5) min, respectively). Recovery of post-tetanic count followed similar time courses at the great toe and thumb. Also, time to the return of the first twitch of the train-of-four did not differ significantly at the great toe and thumb (47.5 (9.6) min vs. 49.7 (10.5) min). Similarly, time to the return of the second, third and fourth twitches of the train-of-four did not significantly differ at the great toe and the thumb. However, the value of the first twitch of the train-of-four, expressed as a proportion of control twitch, was significantly higher than that at the thumb between 50 min and 110 min after the vecuronium injection, and the train-of-four ratio at the great toe was significantly higher than that at the thumb between 60 min and 100 min after the vecuronium injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the global atmospheric electric circuit is important to understand the climate system and this can be done by monitoring the atmospheric electric field worldwide. In this way, continuous measurements of atmospheric electric field are being recorded by the Atmospheric electric FIeld Network in South America (AFINSA). The main objective of this network is to obtain the daily curve of atmospheric electric field variations under fair weather conditions for each station, through monthly, seasonal and annual averages. These curves are called 'standard curves'. In this paper, we compare and analyze the monthly, seasonal and annual standard curves for each sensor location. The results indicate significant similarities and differences between the annual standard curve and the Carnegie curve. The similarities, with correlation r ≥ 0.9 for most stations, are associated with a global representation of the global electrical circuit and the differences due to local effects, such as 'Austausch' effect and pollution. • A new network to monitor the atmospheric electric field on the ground. • Global and local contribution are found in the electric field standard curves. • Annual standard curves have a high correlation with the 'universal' Carnegie curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a severe unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve neuropraxia following use of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in a 71-year-old female patient with CREST syndrome. She required amputation of the 5th phalanx of foot because of gangrene due to Raynaud's syndrome. Anesthesia was induced with propofol, and a size 3 PLMA was inserted. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide for 2 h and the operation was performed uneventfully. On removal of PLMA, the cuff volume was measured to 40 ml. The patient did not complain of respiratory discomfort shortly after PLMA removal. However, the next day she developed dysphagia and hoarseness. Laryngoscopic examination revealed unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Cricothyrotomy was required because of suspected silent aspiration pneumonia. The pharyngolaryngeal complications improved with a mobile vocal cord but slight hoarseness after 2 months. We considered the patient's CREST syndrome with a potential of tissue ischemia, and the high intracuff pressure of the PLMA due to nitrous oxide influx, to be the cause of severe recurrent laryngeal nerve neuropraxia in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 33-year-old male with refractory relapsed central nervous system lymphoma underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from an HLA-identical sibling after reduced-intensity conditioning chemotherapy. The preparative regimen for allo-HSCT consisted of fludarabine and busulfan. Cyclosporine (CsA) and short-term methotrexate were used as prophylaxis for acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Although CsA was quickly reduced to induce a graft-versus-lymphoma (GVL) effect, no symptoms of GVHD and GVL effect were evident. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was performed on day +40 following transplantation. The patient developed acute GVHD (grade III) after DLI, and lymphoma regression was observed after the occurrence of GVHD. Four months after transplantation, complete remission was achieved with extensive chronic GVHD, and the patient continues to be disease free at 15 months after transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that cell surface carbohydrates have been shown to be very important cancer-associated antigens. Antigens that are synthesized by a series of glycosyltransferese; Normal reference value of serum CSLEX antigens level.

Waveguide avalanche photodiodes exhibiting both wide bandwidth and high gain bandwidth product have been developed. An absorption layer includes a p-type quasi-field-formed layer and a multiplication layer consists of InAlAs with a low ionisation rate ratio. Optimisation of the design yielded superior performance such as a wide bandwidth of 36.5 GHz, a gain band width of 170 GHz and a high quantum efficiency of 0.75 A/W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An asymmetric waveguide avalanche photodiode (APD) has been developed. Asymmetric waveguide structures are effective for achieving robustness under high input power operations, and high quantum efficiencies of 94% for 1.55 µm and 90% for 1.31 µm were achieved. A gain–bandwidth product of 110 GHz and a maximum 3 dB-down bandwidth of 20 GHz were also achieved. A high receiver sensitivity of -30.2 dBm at 10 Gbit/s for a receiver module with integrated TIA has also been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-capacity fibre-optic systems are required to realize high-throughput communication networks for the exploding demand of versatile digital multimedia services. These systems require a number of optical modules in their line cards, such as light sources, optical receivers and optical switches. To make them scalable, compactness and low-cost capability are quite important factors. The article describes an extremely compact optical receiver module with this kind of ease-of-use receptacle interface and broadband feed through launcher that the author has developed. Its wide bandwidth and high-sensitivity performance is also demonstrated.