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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a distinguishing feature of mammals, and in most mammals includes an articular disc that buffers the loads placed on it by mastication. The disc is well developed in mammals with significant lateral masticatory jaw movements but is absent in toothless mammals, including extant monotremes, although histological studies of developing monotremes have shown rudimentary discs that fail to mature. Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) grind their food between keratinous pads in the maxillae and lower jaws and are the only edentulate mammals that masticate their food. In this study, we characterize the anatomy of the TMJ of the adult platypus to see if we can reconcile the anatomy, including the absence of the articular disc, with the mandibular movements observed in video recordings. We studied the gross anatomy of the maxillofacial region and the microstructure using microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) and histological examination. Platypuses had well‐developed masticatory muscles but lacked an articular disc between the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa. The surface of the glenoid fossa was slightly concave than that of the condylar head was correspondingly slightly convex. The pre‐ and postglenoid processes were not well developed. Micro‐CT showed dense trabecular bone in the anterior part of the condyle, where the lateral pterygoid muscle attached. Histological analysis showed that the surfaces of the condyle and glenoid fossa consisted of dense, avascular and thickened fibrous connective tissue. In addition, well‐developed synovial folds were present. These anatomical characteristics are consistent with both anterior and lateral movements of the mandible, while the thick layer of connective tissue substitutes for a disc by absorbing the mechanical stresses associated with mastication. The failure of the disc primordium to develop cannot be attributed to a lack of muscle development, but the distribution of stresses in the toothless platypus jaw is likely to be different from those in a masticating eutherian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum sensors based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are expected to demonstrate a wide variety of applications. For high-sensitivity quantum sensors with NV center ensembles, uniform manipulation of the electron spins of the NV centers in large volumes is required. In addition, a broad microwave frequency bandwidth for manipulating the NV centers' electron spin is necessary for vector magnetometry and measurement under a finite static magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate a broadband microwave antenna for uniform manipulation of millimeter-scale volumes of diamond quantum sensors. The simulation shows that the current is distributed at both edges of the loop coil of a single copper plate due to the skin effect. The loop coil acts like a Helmholtz coil, which realizes uniformity in the z-direction of the microwave magnetic field (B1). The plate structure has a higher mechanical stability, durability, and a larger heat capacity than the Helmholtz coil, due to its large volume. The antenna achieves a higher performance than previously reported antennae, with a maximal B1 of 4.5 G, a broad bandwidth of 287 ± 6 MHz, and a peak-to-peak variation of 9.2 % over a 3.1 mm3 cylinder volume. These performances show that the presented antenna is suitable for manipulating solid-state spin ensembles for high-sensitivity quantum sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text is a report on clinical imaging and electrophysiology in the field of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). It is authored by a large number of researchers from various institutions. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the current research and findings in the field, covering topics such as imaging techniques, electrophysiological measurements, and their applications in diagnosing and monitoring ALS and FTD. [Extracted from the article]

Ξ− atomic X-ray spectroscopy is one of the most useful methods for investigation of the Ξ–nucleus strong interaction. Since the X-ray energy is shifted and/or broadened due to the Ξ–nucleus strong interaction compared to those calculated from electromagnetic interaction alone, the measurement of the energy shift, Δ E , and the width, Γ, give us information on the Ξ–nucleus potential. A serious problem in the measurement is the significant background derived from in-flight Ξ− decay. A novel method of identifying stopped Ξ− events using the nuclear emulsion was developed to realize the first Ξ− atomic X-ray spectroscopy experiment as the J-PARC E07 experiment, which also aimed at searching for ΛΛ and Ξ− hypernuclei in the emulsion. The X-rays emitted from Ξ− Br and Ξ− Ag atoms were measured using germanium detectors. No clear peaks were observed in the obtained spectra. However, we succeeded in reducing the background to 1/170 by this method employing coincidence measurements using nuclear emulsion and X-ray detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution measurement method based on X-ray microscopy was developed to analyze double-strangeness hypernuclear events with a complex topology in a nuclear emulsion. In a feasibility study performed on α -decay events in emulsions, the resolution of the X-ray microscopy in the focal plane was found to be 0.2 μ m , which shows an improvement by ∼ 2.4 times to that of the optical microscopy used for conventional analysis. The extent to which the emulsion underwent modification as a result of X-ray irradiation was also evaluated. The modification mainly occurred in the form of a change in its thickness; however, this affection was adequately small to perform X-ray imaging if the duration of the irradiation was sufficiently short. Stereo imaging with X-ray microscopy improved the resolution by ∼ 2.5 times to 0.28 μ m along the optical axis compared with the depth of field of the optical microscope, 0.7 μ m . We applied the developed method to the study of a double-strangeness hypernuclear event. The uncertainty on the position of the vertex point and the binding energy of the Ξ - and 14 N system was improved from 3 μ m to 0.04 μ m and ± 3 MeV to ± 0.86 MeV, respectively. The binding energy was deduced to be - 1.23 ± 0.86 MeV , and this result indicates that a Ξ - atomic state is produced in the observed event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paramagnetic defects in the magnesium-oxide (MgO) thin-film grown on a silicon (Si) substrate (MgO|Si) by a molecular beam epitaxy method are reported. These thin films have been used as an MgO tunnel barrier material for the spin-injection to Si from Fe. According to the crystallinity evaluation, the MgO film possessed a (001) oriented structure. We investigated the paramagnetic defects and impurities of several MgO|Si samples by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The EPR spectra showed a strong isotropic signal with a g-value of 2.002 and six weak satellite peaks which were assigned to oxygen vacancies of highly oriented MgO(001) (F+ center) coupled with 25Mg nuclei (I=5/2). The spin area density of MgO (thickness=1.6 nm), which can be used as a tunnel barrier for spin injection, was determined to be 7×1013 cm-2. This value corresponds to 1% of O atoms replaced with vacancies. The identification of the paramagnetic centers and the quantitative estimation of their concentration in MgO films is important and may pave the way for highly efficient spin injection from Fe to Si via an MgO tunnel barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine if responses given to each question of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS22), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires are influenced by the radiological parameters. Methods: Patients enrolled in a multi-centre prospectively collected adult spinal deformity database who had complete SRS22, ODI and SF-36 data at baseline and at one-year follow-up were analysed. The presence of a differential item function of each question within each score in relation to radiological parameters was analysed using a mixed Rasch model with the radiological threshold value(s) determined. Results: Of those patients analysed (n = 1745; 1406 female, average age 51.0 ± 19.8 years), 944 were surgically and 801 were non-surgically treated. For the SRS22, questions (Q) 3, 5 and 18 were sensitive to almost all radiological parameters and the overall score was found sensitive to the Cobb angle. For the ODI, Q3, 6, 9 and 10 were not sensitive to any radiologic parameters whereas Q4 and 5 were sensitive to most. In contrast, only 3 of the SF-36 items were sensitive to radiological parameters. Conclusions: 78% of the SRS-22, 60% of the ODI and 8% of the questions in the SF-36 are sensitive to radiological parameters. Sagittal imbalance is independently associated with a poor overall outcome, but affects mental status and function more than pain and self-image. The assembly of questions responsive to radiological parameters may be useful in establishing a connection between changes in radiologic parameters and HRQL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The x-ray fluorescence holography technique is applied to perovskite (Ba0.9Ca0.1)TiO3 ferroelectrics in order to investigate the local structures around the Ca and Ba ions at the A-site. While the A-site atomic images around the Ba ion can be well understood based on the BaTiO3 structure, those around the Ca ion are located at the closer positions to the emitter. Furthermore, the shape of the atomic image around the Ca ion is elongated in the radial direction. These features clearly show the local lattice contraction around the Ca ion and a significant displacement of the Ca ions from the ideal position. On the basis of the detailed analysis of the position and the shape of the atomic image around the Ca ion, it is found that the Ca ions are displaced by ∼0.36 Å in the ⟨ 111 ⟩ direction, and the surrounding Ba ions are displaced by ∼0.22 Å in the ⟨ 100 ⟩ direction. The present results indicate that the doped Ca ions activate the A-site polarization of this compound, which can lead to an enhancement of the ferroelectric and piezoelectric performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the architecture of the versatile nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer with software-defined radio technology and its application to the dynamically controlled pulsed magnetic fields. The pulse-field technology is the only solution to access magnetic fields greater than 50 T, but the NMR experiment in the pulsed magnetic field was difficult because of the continuously changing field strength. The dynamically controlled field pulse allows us to perform NMR experiment in a quasi-steady field condition by creating a constant magnetic field for a short time around the peak of the field pulse. We confirmed the reproducibility of the field pulses using the NMR spectroscopy as a high precision magnetometer. With the highly reproducible field strength, we succeeded in measuring the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1, which had never been measured by the pulse-field NMR experiment without dynamic field control. We also implement the NMR spectrum measurement with both the frequency-sweep and field-sweep modes and discuss the appropriate choices of these modes depending on the magnetic properties of the sample to be measured. This development, with further improvement at a long-duration field pulse, will innovate the microscopic measurement in extremely high magnetic fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide, which has photocatalytic activity, is used as a white pigment in cosmetics. With cosmetics containing zinc oxide, some sebum on the skin is broken down by the UV rays of the sun. In this study, in order to suppress the photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide, zinc oxide was added to an aqueous solution of sodium pyrophosphate and shaken, so that novel white pigment coated with zinc phosphate having no photocatalytic activity was prepared for use in cosmetics. The chemical composition, powder properties, photocatalytic activity, hue (visible light reflectance and L* a* b* values), and smoothness of the resulting powder material were studied. Part of the zinc oxide reacted to zinc phosphate by this pyrophosphate treatment. The photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide was suppressed by this zinc phosphate coating. The resulting sample had sufficiently high reflectance in the visible light region and a high L* value in the L*a*b* color space. The treated samples had lower static friction resistance than the original zinc oxide. Judging from the results of photocatalytic activity, L* value, and smoothness, the optimum conditions were the molar ratio P/Zn of 1/4 for 6 h of shaking the mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out new CO(J = 2â€"1) observations toward the mixed-morphology supernova remnant (SNR) W49B with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. We found that CO clouds at ∼10 km sâˆ'1 show a good spatial correspondence to the synchrotron radio continuum as well as to an X-ray deformed shell. The bulk mass of molecular clouds accounts for the western part of the shell, not the eastern shell, where near-infrared H2 emission is detected. The molecular clouds at ∼10 km sâˆ'1 show higher kinetic temperatures of ∼20â€"60 K, suggesting that modest shock heating occurred. The expanding motion of the clouds with Î" V ∼ 6 km sâˆ'1 was formed by strong winds from the progenitor system. We argue that the barrel-like structure of Fe-rich ejecta was possibly formed not only by an asymmetric explosion, but also by interactions with dense molecular clouds. We also found a negative correlation between the CO intensity and the electron temperature of recombining plasma, implying that the origin of the high-temperature recombining plasma in W49B can be understood to be the thermal conduction model. The total energy of accelerated cosmic-ray protons W p is estimated to be ∼2 Ă— 1049 erg by adopting an averaged gas density of ∼650 ± 200 cmâˆ'3. The SNR ageâ€" W p diagram indicates that W49B shows one of the highest in situ values of W p among gamma-ray-bright SNRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although immunotherapy is thought to be a promising cancer treatment, most patients do not respond to immunotherapy. In this post hoc analysis of a phase 1/2 study, associations of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), PD-L2, and HLA class I expressions with responses to dendritic cells (DCs)-based immunotherapy were investigated in patients with advanced sarcoma. Methods: This study enrolled 35 patients with metastatic and/or recurrent sarcomas who underwent DC-based immunotherapy. The associations of PD-L1, PD-L2, and HLA class I expressions in tumor specimens, which were resected before immunotherapy, with immune responses (increases of IFN-γ and IL-12) and oncological outcomes were evaluated. Results: Patients who were PD-L2 (+) showed lower increases of IFN-γ and IL-12 after DC-based immunotherapy than patients who were PD-L2 (−). The disease control (partial response or stable disease) rates of patients who were PD-L1 (+) and PD-L1 (−) were 0% and 22%, respectively. Disease control rates of patients who were PD-L2 (+) and PD-L2 (−) were 13% and 22%, respectively. Patients who were PD-L1 (+) tumors had significantly poorer overall survival compared with patients who were PD-L1 (−). No associations of HLA class I expression with the immune response or oncological outcomes were observed. Conclusions: This study suggests that PD-L1 and PD-L2 are promising biomarkers of DC-based immunotherapy, and that addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to DC-based immunotherapy may improve the outcomes of DC-based immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Objectives in scoliosis corrective surgery include restoration of normal sagittal and coronal parameters to achieve patient satisfaction. HRQLs improvements remain limited after corrective surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HRQL subclass variability specific to the sagittal and coronal correction in adult scoliosis surgery. Methods: This multi-centre prospective analysis of consecutive adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients, from five European centres, only included multilevel instrumentation for scoliosis. d-(delta) values for each parameter represented pre to post-operative changes. Parameters included demographics, baseline, 1- and 2-year. HRQL outcomes (Oswestry disability index (ODI), Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 and Short Form (SF36)), sagittal correction including relative spinopelvic alignment (dRSA) and coronal correction including major Cobb (dCobb) angles. Results: A total of 353 patients reached 1-year and 2-year follow up. All HRQL total scores significantly improved postoperatively, including ODI, SRS-22 and SF36. HRQL subclasses which displayed persistent improvements correlated to dRSA included sex-life, self-image, fatigue, vitality, social functioning. The only HRQL subclass improvement that correlated with dCobb was self-image. Conclusion: Adult scoliosis surgery improves overall HRQL, having a minimal effect on each variable. Importantly, greater coronal deformity correction affects only greater self-image scores, whereas with greater sagittal correction there are many greater HRQL sub-class impacts. Correction and restoration of coronal balance is one of the surgical goals in adult scoliosis but the degree to which Cobb angle is corrected, apart from self-image, does not correlate with gains in sub-classes of HRQL. These results need to be taken into account when planning surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we describe the analysis of the thermodynamic properties of cryogenic hydrogen using classical molecular dynamics (MD) and path integral MD (PIMD) method to understand the effects of the quantum nature of hydrogen molecules. We performed constant NVE MD simulations across a wide density-temperature region to establish an equation of state (EOS). Moreover, the quantum effect on the difference of molecular mechanism of pressure-volume-temperature relationship was addressed. The EOS was derived based on the classical mechanism idea only using the MD simulation results. Simulation results were compared with each MD method and experimental data. As a result, it was confirmed that although the EOS on the basis of classical MD cannot reproduce the experimental data of saturation property of hydrogen in the high-density region, the EOS on the basis of PIMD well reproduces those thermodynamic properties of hydrogen. Moreover, it was clarified that taking quantum effects into account makes the repulsion force larger and the potential well shallower. Because of this mechanism, the intermolecular interaction of hydrogen molecules diminishes and the virial pressure increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, and its standard treatment is a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. A poor response to chemotherapy causes unfavorable oncological outcomes. We investigated the correlation between osteoclast differentiation in biopsy specimens and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in resected specimens. Forty-nine patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent surgical treatment at our institution between 1999 and 2018 were enrolled. Using medical records, we investigated the age, sex, tumor size, location, subtype, staging, chemotherapy agents (doxorubicin, cisplatin, ifosfamide, and methotrexate), number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy courses, number of osteoclasts in biopsy specimens, and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to the Rosen and Huvos classification (Grade I-IV) in resected specimens. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors predictive of a good response in resected specimens after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A good response (Grade III/IV) was detected in 25, while a poor response (Grade I/II) was detected in 24. According to the multivariate analysis, ≥ 46 years old (odds ratio [OR], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–0.45; p < 0.01) and ≥ 5 mature osteoclasts in a biopsy specimen (OR, 36.9; 95% CI, 6.03–225; p < 0.01) were significantly associated with the neoadjuvant chemotherapy efficacy. The accuracy for predicting a good response to chemotherapy based on ≥ 5 osteoclasts in a biopsy specimen in patients < 46 years old was 85%. The number of mature osteoclasts in biopsy specimens is a simple factor for predicting the efficacy of chemotherapy before treatment, although further studies will be required to determine the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across Far East Asia, aspermic Fasciola forms are found endemically. They have abnormal spermatogenesis and oogenesis, and it is presumed that their progeny are produced parthenogenetically and clonally. Because of this, they are also termed parthenogenic Fasciola forms. Currently, there is no evidence that they do indeed reproduce parthenogenetically and clonally. In this study, the multilocus genetic type (MLG) in 12 microsatellite markers of adult flukes and their subsequent progeny larvae were analysed using two laboratory aspermic Fasciola triploid strains. The MLGs of adults and their larvae were identical for all markers evaluated, suggesting that these strains reproduce their progeny clonally. The deviation between theoretical and actual frequency within the larvae genotype of the Fh_6 locus resulted in the inability for self-fertilization within individual adult flukes. These findings strongly suggested that aspermic Fasciola forms reproduce their progeny by means of parthenogenesis, possibly gynogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induction of tumor cell death is the therapeutic goal for most anticancer drugs. Yet, a mode of drug-induced cell death, known as immunogenic cell death (ICD), can propagate antitumoral immunity to augment therapeutic efficacy. Currently, the molecular hallmark of ICD features the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by dying cancer cells. Here, we show that gemcitabine, a standard chemotherapy for various solid tumors, triggers hallmark immunostimualtory DAMP release (e.g., calreticulin, HSP70, and HMGB1); however, is unable to induce ICD. Mechanistic studies reveal gemcitabine concurrently triggers prostaglandin E2 release as an inhibitory DAMP to counterpoise the adjuvanticity of immunostimulatory DAMPs. Pharmacological blockade of prostaglandin E2 biosythesis favors CD103+ dendritic cell activation that primes a Tc1-polarized CD8+ T cell response to bolster tumor rejection. Herein, we postulate that an intricate balance between immunostimulatory and inhibitory DAMPs could determine the outcome of drug-induced ICD and pose COX-2/prostaglandin E2 blockade as a strategy to harness ICD. Most chemotherapeutic agents, including gemcitabine, do not elicit immunogenic cell death, a phenomenon associated with the release of damage-associated molecule patterns (DAMPs). Here, the authors show that gemcitabine-treated dying cancer cells express hallmark DAMPs but their immunogenic properties are hindered by the concomitant release of the inhibitory DAMP PGE2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Achieving an adequate level of patient's satisfaction with results is one of the goals of adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. However, it is unclear whether the same factors affect satisfaction in all patient populations. Patients' age influences the postoperative course and prevalence of complications after ASD surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors predicting satisfaction 2 years after ASD surgery in younger and older patients. Methods: A total of 119 patients under 40 years old, 155 patients 40 to 65 years old, and 148 patients over 65 years old at surgery who were followed for a minimum of 2 years after surgery were included. Multivariate analysis was used to determine independent related factors with maximum AUC for satisfaction 2 years after surgery in each group. A propensity-matched cohort under equivalent demographic and clinical characteristics was used to confirm the results. Results: Logistic regression analyses revealed satisfaction among the under-40 group corresponded to prior spine surgery, complications, and self-image. That among the 40-to-65 group corresponded to neurologic complication, revision surgery, pain, and sagittal vertical axis restoration. Among the over-65 group satisfaction correlated with revision surgery, standing ability, and lumbar lordosis index restoration. Propensity score matching confirmed that sagittal alignment correction led to substantial satisfaction. Conclusions: In younger patients, avoiding complications and improving patients' self-image were essential for substantial satisfaction levels. In older patients, revision, standing ability, as well as sagittal spinopelvic alignment restoration, were the key factors. Surgeons should consider the differences in goals of each patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton therapy is a rapidly increasing modality to treat cancerous tumors, but large-scale implementation, and therefore widespread availability for patients, is hindered by the size and upfront investment for treatment facilities. Superconducting technology can enable more compact, and therefore more affordable treatment systems, by increasing the magnetic field in the magnets for the proton accelerator (typically a cyclotron) and in the beam guidance up, over, and into the patient (the gantry). In this article, we discuss research at Varian Medical Systems Particle Therapy GmbH on various superconducting technologies for potential application in future, more compact cyclotrons and gantries. We discuss which technologies are feasible, and to what extent. We demonstrate why certain conductor choices are made, and show the development of novel new conductor and magnet technologies that will be required to enable the next generation of cryogen-free, conduction-cooled compact treatment systems. We conclude that superconductivity is certainly required for the next generation of proton treatment systems, but also that the amount of compactness that can eventually be achieved is not solely determined by the magnetic field strength that is generated in the magnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes is the most important prognostic factor for overall survival of skin cancer patients. The sonographic technique of freehand real‐time tissue elastography (RTE), which displays tissue rigidity as a colour overlay of the tissue image, was developed. Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the benefit of RTE for detecting lymph node metastases of skin cancer non‐invasively before operation. Methods: We first selected lymph nodes of skin cancer patients which had already been diagnosed by biopsy as being reactive or metastatic, and then retrospectively collected images of RTE and B‐mode and colour Doppler ultrasound on those lymph nodes performed preoperatively. Twenty‐one lymph nodes from 12 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 23 lymph nodes from 14 patients with malignant melanoma (MM) and 14 lymph nodes from six patients with extramammary Paget disease (Paget) were investigated. Elastographic images were assessed on a scale of one to four according to the percentage of high elasticity (hard) area (HEA) in the lymph node. Results: In all three skin cancers, lymph nodes evaluated as grade 3 or 4 by RTE were metastatic. All lymph nodes evaluated as grade 1 or 2 by RTE were reactive in SCC, whereas some lymph nodes evaluated as grade 1 or 2 were metastatic in MM and Paget. Conclusion: Real‐time tissue elastography may aid in distinguishing reactive lymph nodes from metastatic ones especially in SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We investigate the relation between the morphology and thermoelectric properties of iodine-doped pentacene thin films grown on the glass substrate. The electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power factor are enhanced with decreasing the film thickness and growth temperature due to the volumetric increase in the thin film phase relative to the bulk phase in the film. The 115 and 190 nm thin films grown at room temperature, whose majority phase is the thin film phase, exhibit high power factor of 1.3×10-5 W m-1 K-2. Also, we demonstrate an improved stability of thermoelectric properties by covering the iodine-doped film with a polyimide tape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is theoretically possible to combine several Hall bars in arrays to define quantum standards with perfectly quantized resistance values. We have thus developed and fabricated quantum Hall array resistance standards (QHARS) made of a large number N (N= 100, 50) of Hall bars placed in parallel using a triple connections technique. The Hall resistance of these quantum standards is found to be very well quantized. On the i = 2 Hall plateau, the resistance of specific good arrays stays equal to R[sub K]/2N within 5 parts in 10[sup 9] for supplying currents up to 2 mA at a temperature of 1.3 K. The mean longitudinal resistance of the Hall bars which constitute the arrays has been determined through the analysis of the array equivalent electrical circuit. This measurement shows that the carrier transport in the Hall bars is dissipationless. This work, therefore, demonstrates the efficiency of the multiple connections technique and consequently that QHARS are likely to extend the quantum Hall effect metrological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the chronic damage associated with pregnancies before and after the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Using childbearing-aged female SLE patient data registered at the Okayama and Showa University Hospitals, a nested case-control analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between pregnancy and chronic damage using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Results: Pregnancy occurred in 22 patients before and 13 patients after the diagnosis of SLE in 104 eligible patients. Live births occurred in 82% (33/40) and 50% (9/18) of the pregnancies before and after the diagnosis of SLE, respectively. After matching age and disease duration, 33 case patients with chronic damage (SDI ≥ 1) and 33 control patients without chronic damage (SDI = 0) were selected. Hypertension was more frequent in cases than in controls (48% vs. 24%, p = 0.041). Pregnancies before and after the diagnosis of SLE were comparable between cases and controls (before the diagnosis: nine case patients and eight control patients; after the diagnosis: three case patients and five control patients; p = 1.00). Even after adjusting for hypertension using multivariate analysis, the pregnancies before and after the diagnosis were not significant predictors for chronic damage (odds ratio = 1.48 (95% confidence interval 0.33–6.65)), p = 0.60 of the pregnancy before the diagnosis; odds ratio = 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.13–4.74), p = 0.78 of the pregnancy after the diagnosis). Conclusion: Pregnancies, either before or after the diagnosis of SLE, did not show any differences in chronic damage. Our results help alleviate fears regarding childbearing in female patients with SLE and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nucleation and growth of austenite during continuous heating in plain carbon martensite is simulated using classical nucleation and diffusion growth theories assuming that austenite is nucleated on cementite particles at prior austenite grain boundaries and martensite packet, block, and interlath boundaries. A critical nucleus model on the spherical substrate was modified to take into account the influence of the boundary energy on which cementite particles formed. Simulations were carried out using the particle size distribution of cementite measured in an Fe-0.2 mass pct C alloy heated to near eutectoid temperature (Ae1). Austenite nucleation stopped in a very short time regardless of boundary site or particle size of cementite due to the fast decrease in carbon supersaturation and the depletion of nucleation sites. The fraction of austenite nucleated on cementite at prior austenite boundaries and martensite packet boundaries etc was much greater than that nucleated on cementite at interlath boundaries. While cementite particles dissolved quickly after austenite was nucleated, a large proportion of cementite particles at lath boundaries remained undissolved until they disappeared at 30 °C to 40 °C above Ae1. The evolution of austenite grain size was also simulated after austenitization was completed, and compared with experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation of enhancers and promoters generally inhibits gene transcription. DNA methylation occurs predominantly at the dinucleotide CpG, a methyl group that is covalently bonded to cytosine. We have previously demonstrated tissue-restricted expression of the uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) in common carp. Here, we characterized the methylation status of the upstream region of the transcriptional initiation site of the carp Ucp1 gene in the liver, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle, and scales. In addition, we explored the direct role of methylation on Ucp1 transcription. Ucp1 expression was higher in the liver than that in other tissues including the kidney, skeletal muscle, and scales. The extent of methylation at nt –2178 and nt –2103 was lower in the liver and kidney than that in the brain, skeletal muscle, and scales. In addition, methylation at the upstream proximal-region of the Ucp1 gene was generally less frequent in the liver compared with that in the other organs. The transcriptional activation assay using the CpG-free luciferase-based reporter suggested that the methylation of the distal and proximal regions of the carp Ucp1 gene did not affect Ucp1 transcription. Unexpectedly, mutation of cytidylic acid to guanylic acid at nt –108 decreased Ucp1 promoter activity. The present results reveal that the status of DNA methylation of the upstream region of the carp Ucp1 gene is different among different tissues, but suggest that the DNA methylation do not directly repress the transcription of Ucp1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the thermoelectric (TE) properties of melt-grown higher manganese silicides MnSiγ, dissipation of MnSi precipitates that deteriorate the electrical conductivity is required. We have investigated the effects of light cobalt (Co) substitution on TE properties and MnSi precipitates of MnSiγ. A 4% substitution of Mn with Co is an effective approach to eliminate MnSi precipitates from melt-grown MnSiγ, which is confirmed by powder x-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy measurements. Furthermore, this light Co substitution leads to increase of the hole carrier concentration, resulting in a great increase in the electrical conductivity from 24 × 103 S/m to 54 × 103 S/m at 700 K. The resulting power factor exhibits 1.9 × 10−3 W/mK2 around 700 K. Moreover, the lattice thermal conductivity is greatly decreased by partial Co substitution compared with that of Co-free MnSiγ. Consequently, the dimensionless figure-of-merit zT of (Mn1−xCox)Siγ samples increases from 0.27 for x = 0 to 0.50 for x = 0.04 in the vicinity of 800 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined the establishment of ultrathin yttrium barrium copper oxide epitaxial films in situ on strontium titanium oxide and magnesium oxide substrates by means of ozone-incorporating activated reactive evaporation. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Presents a study which determined the initial magnetization curve and magnetic relaxation on the silver-sheathed tape of bismuth-lead-strontium-calcium-copper-oxygen. Details on the fabrication process used; Characterization of the tape; Results of the initial magnetization.

Describes the behavior of magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the magnetorestriction constants over the composition diagrams in both the ruthenium-free and the ruthenium-added FeGaSi alloys. Origin of the soft magnetism of the FeGASi alloy; Ruthenium-content dependence of the magnetic properties; Measurement of magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

Presents a study which investigated the soft magnetic properties of the FeGaSi alloy films with the addition of ruthenium element. Effects of ruthenium addition in an FeGaSi alloy on soft magnetic properties and thermal stability; Effect of an additive element on saturation magnetic induction of the alloy films; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Focuses on a study that investigated magnetic and other properties of cobalt-base amorphous alloy films prepared by sputtering. Details of the experiment; Effects of sputtering parameters on film composition in alloy sputtering; Permeability and multilayered structure.

Presents a study which investigated iron-based crystalline alloys in search for soft magnetic materials with high saturation magnetization by means of sputtering technique. Analysis of the magnetic properties of FeGASi and FeAlGe; Effects of cobalt addition these systems; Discussion on various systems of iron-based crystalline alloy films.

Countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) in a pressurized water reactor hot-leg pipe geometry with a 190-mm pipe diameter was investigated experimentally and numerically at the COLLIDER test facility of the Technical University Munich in the past 3 years. This paper summarizes the most important CCFL findings learned from the COLLIDER test facility and tries to explain the reasons for obtaining different descriptions, results, and conclusions at different CCFL experimental investigations. The factors that can affect CCFL experimental results are explained in detail including some scale effects. The necessary preconditions to compare two sets of data from different CCFL experimental investigations are discussed in detail. The difference among CCFL-related limits/curves is clarified taking data at the COLLIDER as an example. The limits included the limit of the transition from a supercritical into a subcritical flow (SSTL); the onset of CCFL limit (iCCFL) inside the hot-leg pipe; the onset of CCFL limit (eCCFL) at the entrance of the steam generator; the deflooding limit (CCFLd); the CCFL characteristics curve (CCFLch), which predicts the water delivery rate after the onset of iCCFL; and the onset of hysteresis limit. It will be shown that among these limits only SSTL, CCFLch, and eCCFL are original limits while the rest are derivatives of them. In particular, it will be shown that the iCCFL limit is a combination of the SSTL and CCFLch limits. The effect of scale upon the eCCFL's mechanism (whether a water accumulation or droplet entrainment at the entrance to the steam generator) is clarified via a comparison to a 50-mm CCFL facility at Kobe University. This paper tests the scalability of interface distribution at quasi-stationary conditions (i.e., points along the CCFLch curve) via a comparison of time-averaged interface distributions obtained at similar inlet conditions ( at the COLLIDER 190-mm and Kobe 50-mm channels. The comparison will show that interface distributions (which are directly linked to the pressure drop and interfacial momentum transfer) cannot be scaled at the bend/riser/entrance region because of the influence of the channel diameter upon occurring CCFL mechanism. Meanwhile, the water level gradient can be similar at the horizontal part, but not the relative water depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Serologically active clinically quiescent (SACQ)-SLE is a subtype of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); most SACQ-SLE patients relapse. Although complement and/or anti-dsDNA level fluctuations during SACQ status are reportedly not useful for predicting relapse, they might be useful in specific clinical settings. We aimed to assess the correlation between future relapse and progressive reductions in serum complement levels following remission in patients with hypocomplementemia. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients aged ≥15 years who were treated with ≥20 mg/day of prednisolone for remission induction. After achieving remission, the patients treated with prednisolone tapered to ≤15 mg/day without relapse and followed by hypocomplementemia (first hypocomplementemia point) were analyzed. The primary outcome was the relapse during the first 24 months. Results Seventy-six patients were enrolled; 31 (40.8%) relapsed. A ≥10% reduction after the first hypocomplementemia point in serum C3, C4, and CH50 levels was found in 10, 21, and 16 patients, respectively. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for relapse were 2.32 (0.92–5.12) for serum C3 levels and 2.46 (1.18–5.01) for serum C4 levels. Progressive reductions in serum C3 and C4 levels had relatively high specificity (93.3% and 82.2%) but limited sensitivity (22.6% and 41.9%) for predicting relapse. However, simultaneous progressive reduction in C3 levels and increase in anti-dsDNA antibody levels had the highest specificity (97.8%), and simultaneous progressive reduction in C4 levels or increase in anti-dsDNA antibody levels had the highest sensitivity (71.0%). Conclusion Simultaneous progressive reductions in complement levels and increases in anti-dsDNA antibody levels may indicate future relapse SACQ-SLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative tumor marker levels and imaging findings of patients diagnosed with mucinous ovarian tumors and to determine the utility of these parameters as predictors of malignant cases. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 20 women with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and 27 women with mucinous borderline tumor of intestinal type registered between November 1, 2006, and April 30, 2016, and of 47 women with mucinous cystadenoma registered between September 1, 2011, and April 30, 2016. The mucinous ovarian tumors were divided into three groups: benign group, borderline group, and malignant group. Preoperative tumor markers and imaging findings were compared among the three study groups. Results: In patients with definitive diagnoses of benign tumors and malignant tumors, the area under the curve (AUC) of CA125 was the highest, and the AUC of number of septa was second. In patients with definitive diagnoses of mucinous borderline tumors and mucinous carcinomas, the AUC of CA125 was the highest, and the AUC of CA72-4 was second. Conclusion: In mucinous tumors, measurements of CA125 and CA72-4 levels were helpful to distinguish malignant from benign tumors. The number of septa was a significant predictor of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had refractory episodes of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and was successfully treated with rituximab. She was positive for anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody and had typical cranial and longitudinally extended spinal lesions but no optic nerve involvement. There is no established treatment for NMOSD/SLE overlap cases. Our experience suggests that rituximab may be effective for patients with combined SLE and anti-AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient seismic noise or microtremor observations used in spatial auto-correlation (SPAC) array methods consist of a wide frequency range of surface waves from the frequency of about 0.1 Hz to several tens of Hz. The wavelengths (and hence depth sensitivity of such surface waves) allow determination of the site S-wave velocity model from a depth of 1 or 2 m down to a maximum of several kilometres; it is a passive seismic method using only ambient noise as the energy source. Application usually uses a 2D seismic array with a small number of seismometers (generally between 2 and 15) to estimate the phase velocity dispersion curve and hence the S-wave velocity depth profile for the site. A large number of methods have been proposed and used to estimate the dispersion curve; SPAC is the one of the oldest and the most commonly used methods due to its versatility and minimal instrumentation requirements. We show that direct fitting of observed and model SPAC spectra generally gives a superior bandwidth of useable data than does the more common approach of inversion after the intermediate step of constructing an observed dispersion curve. Current case histories demonstrate the method with a range of array types including two-station arrays, L-shaped multi-station arrays, triangular and circular arrays. Array sizes from a few metres to several-km in diameter have been successfully deployed in sites ranging from downtown urban settings to rural and remote desert sites. A fundamental requirement of the method is the ability to average wave propagation over a range of azimuths; this can be achieved with either or both of the wave sources being widely distributed in azimuth, and the use of a 2D array sampling the wave field over a range of azimuths. Several variants of the method extend its applicability to under-sampled data from sparse arrays, the complexity of multiple-mode propagation of energy, and the problem of precise estimation where array geometry departs from an ideal regular array. We find that sparse nested triangular arrays are generally sufficient, and the use of high-density circular arrays is unlikely to be cost-effective in routine applications. We recommend that passive seismic arrays should be the method of first choice when characterizing average S-wave velocity to a depth of 30 m (Vs30) and deeper, with active seismic methods such as multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) being a complementary method for use if and when conditions so require. The use of computer inversion methodology allows estimation of not only the S-wave velocity profile but also parameter uncertainties in terms of layer thickness and velocity. The coupling of SPAC methods with horizontal/vertical particle motion spectral ratio analysis generally allows use of lower frequency data, with consequent resolution of deeper layers than is possible with SPAC alone. Considering its non-invasive methodology, logistical flexibility, simplicity, applicability, and stability, the SPAC method and its various modified extensions will play an increasingly important role in site effect evaluation. The paper summarizes the fundamental theory of the SPAC method, reviews recent developments, and offers recommendations for future blind studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]