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Global warming-induced changes in the pattern and amount of precipitation are important from the viewpoint of long-term stability of geo-structures. In this paper, the effectiveness of in-plane drainage provided by permeable geosynthetic reinforcement was evaluated as a means to relieve the rainfall infiltration effect on GRS walls backfilled with marginal soil. A series of laboratory tests were performed using a reduced-scale model geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) wall (constructed with due consideration of the similitude law) with different rainfall characteristics and backfill soils. Layers of nonwoven geotextiles were used as reinforcement as well as in-plane drainage media. The results showed that the inclusion of internal drainage facilitated the dissipation of pore water pressure, thereby reducing the wall facing displacement. The discharge water volume and volumetric water content data measured in the reinforced soil zone supported the observation. The degree to which the internal drainage improves the deformation behavior of the GRS wall during rainfall was found to depend on the rainfall characteristics and the backfill soil type. Practical implications of the findings are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radioactive aerosol generated by the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) decommissioning process can be inhaled by workers and deposited inside the human body, resulting in internal exposure. Because internal exposure, unlike external exposure, is difficult to measure directly, it is all the more necessary to assess the dose workers receive as a result of internal exposure. Precise assessment of the internal exposure necessitates actual measurements in the work environment such as the workers' respiration rate, kind of nuclide and amount of captured nuclide. However, in the event of difficulties in securing these measurements, the internal exposure dose can be estimated based upon the recommended values by the ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) such as the intake fraction and particle size. In this study, 5 μm was selected as the particle size as recommended by the ICRP, and both heavy and light respiratory rates were used in the calculation. With respect to the nuclides contained in the radioactive aerosol and their concentrations, the data captured for the aerosol in the melting facility on the Kozloduy NPP premises in Bulgaria were applied to estimate workers' internal exposure. As a result, each worker was found not to have received more than 20 mSv/yr, which is the maximum annual permissible dose for workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using deep-level-transient spectroscopy, we have investigated deep levels in heavily Al-doped ZnSe layers grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. The Al concentration of the ZnSe layers lies in the range of 5×1018–9×1018 cm-3. The ZnSe:Al layers exhibit two electron-trap centers with the thermal activation energies of 0.16 eV (ND1) and 0.80 eV (ND2). ND2 is a dominant trap center with a trap density of 3×1016 cm-3, while the trap density of ND1 is estimated to be 2×1015 cm-3. However, ND2 shows anomalous behaviors, different from isolated point defects, in the following points: (1) the emission peak of ND2 moves to the low temperature side with increasing filling pulse duration; (2) the emission peak of ND2 is broader than theoretically calculated one for an isolated point defect; and (3) the capacitance-transient curve is nonexponential. It is observed by high-resolution x-ray diffraction that heavy Al doping results in the relaxation and plastic deformation of the ZnSe lattice. These behaviors can be ascribed to extended defects with a broad energy spectrum. By assuming a Gaussian distribution of deep levels due to extended defect, the broad emission peak is successfully simulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure, magnetic properties, and magnetostriction of Sm[sub 0.5]R[sub 0.5](Fe[sub 1-x]Co[sub x])[sub 2] compounds (R = Nd, Pr) have been investigated by using x-ray diffraction analysis, ac initial susceptibility, vibrating sample magnetometer, and standard strain techniques. It was found that the (Sm[sub 0.5]Nd[sub 0.5])Fe[sub 2] compound with MgCu[sub 2]-type cubic structure possesses low magnetocrystalline anisotropy and high ratio of magnetostriction to magnetocrystalline anisotropy. When Co is substituted for Fe, the Curie temperature of (Sm[sub 0.5]Nd[sub 0.5])(Fe[sub 1-x]Co[sub x])[sub 2] alloys exhibit a peak at x = 0.25 and the saturation magnetization increases with increasing Co content when x<0.25 and decreases when x≥0.5. The microstructure of (Sm[sub 0.5]Pr[sub 0.5])(Fe[sub 1-x]Co[sub x])[sub 2] alloys is nearly a single phase in the range of 0.75≤x≤1. The saturation magnetization and magnetostrictiom of the alloys exhibit a peak at x = 0.25 and x = 0.5, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closed-cell carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced Al composite foams were successfully fabricated by the combination of friction stir welding and heat treatment. The microstructure and elemental composition of the CNTs/Al composite foams were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis (SEM/EDS). Simultaneously, the mechanical properties of the CNTs/Al composite foams were investigated by the quasi-static compression test. The results show that when the rotation speed is 1000 rpm matching with the welding speed of 300 mm/min, the surface morphology of the precursor is smooth and dense. TiH2 and CNTs can be mixed evenly in the aluminum matrix by the strong stirring of the stirring needle. The pore size and pore morphology of the CNTs/Al composite foams are highly sensitive to change in holding time. The precursor of composite foam occurs with sufficient expansion with highly spherical pores at 680 °C for 15 min. Simultaneously, due to the intense stirring of the pin tool, most CNTs are embedded in the Al foam matrix, and some entangled CNTs have become flat while maintaining the structural integrity. In the stress-strain curves, CNTs/Al composite foams have higher yield stress and wider plateau region than pure Al foam. Both compressive property and energy absorption capacity of CNTs/Al composite foams have a tendency to increase with decreasing porosity and increasing the strain rate. The peak stresses of CNTs/Al composite foams are in the range of 8.5–10.3 MPa at the strain rate of 0.01 mm/s, which are 3–4 times higher than that of pure Al foam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and the leading cause of death in Asian and African countries. Aberrant accumulation of lncRNAs is one of the major causes of tumorigenesis in HCC. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) is identified as an oncogene in multiple types of tumors. However, the role of SNHG16 in HCC is poorly understood. Herein, we show that SNHG16 is up-regulated and associated with poor prognosis in HCC. We also demonstrate that SNHG16 interacts with miR-302a-3p and decreases its expression. Moreover, our results indicate that SNHG16/miR-302a-3p axis regulates expression of the FGF19 in liver cancer cells. Finally, we investigated the biological function of SNHG16 in HCC and showed that SNHG16 promotes liver cancer cell proliferation via the SNHG16/ miR-302a-3p/FGF19 axis. Collectively, these data suggest that SNHG16 might be a predictive biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a model for the photovoltaic effect of the grain boundary caused by a scanning laser beams. Features of the model; Background on theoretical assumptions in developing the model; Significance of grain boundaries to semiconductors.

Presents a study that investigated the magnetic properties of an iron-base amorphous alloy which contains additional insoluble silver. Measurement of the saturation magnetization of the sample; Determination of the coercive force; Analysis of the electrical resistivity of the samples.

The goal of the present paper is to investigate the phase stability and soft magnetic properties of amorphous CoNbZr films when Pd is added. The CoNbZrPd films deposited on Si wafers exhibited amorphous structures independent of the amount of Pd. On the addition of 4.34% Pd, excellent soft magnetic characteristics of the films were observed with a coercive force of 0.54 Oe and an anisotropy field of 11 Oe, whereas a coercive force of 1 Oe and an anisotropy field of 3.5 Oe were shown in the film without the addition of Pd. The increased anisotropy field and low coercive force of the films may be attributed to the occupancy of Pd in preferred sites parallel to an external magnetic field applied during the deposition process. A permeability of about 1100 was constant at operation frequencies ranging up to 100 MHz, which can be explained by the Landau-Lifshitz formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teeth undergo postnatal organogenesis relatively late in life and only complete full maturation a few years after the crown first erupts in the oral cavity. At this stage, development can be arrested if the tooth organ is damaged by either trauma or caries. Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) are a treatment alternative to conventional root canal treatment for immature teeth. These procedures rely on the transfer of apically positioned stem cells, including stem cells of the apical papilla (SCAP), into the root canal system. Although clinical success has been reported for these procedures, the predictability of expected outcomes and the organization of the newly formed tissues are affected by the lack of an available suitable scaffold that mimics the complexity of the dental pulp extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we evaluated 3 methods of decellularization of human dental pulp to be used as a potential autograft scaffold. Tooth slices of human healthy extracted third molars were decellularized by 3 different methods. One of the methods generated the maximum observed decellularization with minimal impact on the ECM composition and organization. Furthermore, recellularization of the scaffold supported the proliferation of SCAP throughout the scaffold with differentiation into odontoblast-like cells near the dentinal walls. Thus, this study reports that human dental pulp from healthy extracted teeth can be successfully decellularized, and the resulting scaffold supports the proliferation and differentiation of SCAP. The future application of this form of an autograft in REPs can fulfill a yet unmet need for a suitable scaffold, potentially improving clinical outcomes and ultimately promoting the survival and function of teeth with otherwise poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether indoor painting aggravates preexisting allergic diseases remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of new classroom painting on aggravation of asthma, allergic rhinitis ( AR), and atopic dermatitis ( AD) in children. Studied school was previously painted with conventional water-based paint 20 years ago and had natural ventilation system. We identified a total of 172 children aged 10-12 years with allergic diseases in 17 classrooms, which were allocated to newly painted rooms with low-volatile organic compounds ( VOC), water-based paint, or existing rooms. After painting, there was no intervention or internal airflow to influence indoor air environment in both classrooms. We prospectively assessed the symptom severity and serious events of allergic diseases between both classrooms at baseline and after one and eight weeks after painting. At one and eight weeks, there were no significant changes in the Childhood Asthma Control Test scores, the fractional nitric oxide levels, lung function in asthmatic children in either classroom. There were also no significant changes in the severity score of AR or AD, or serious events in all allergic diseases. These findings suggest classroom painting with this new paint at the levels encountered in this study might not be a major aggravating factor for school-aged children with allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (F- HLH or FHL) is a potentially fatal immune dysregulation syndrome with a heterogeneous genetic background. Most recently, STXBP2 has been identified as the causative gene of type 5 FHL ( FHL5) with a worldwide distribution. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of FHL5 in Korea. About 50 Korean pediatric patients with HLH who lacked pathogenic mutations in PRF1, UNC13D, or in STX11 from the previous series of 72 patients with HLH were analyzed for STXBP2 mutations by conventional sequencing analyses. As a result, we found one patient with two novel mutations of STXBP2: c. 184A>G and c. 577A>C. c. 184A>G (p. Asn62Asp) was located within a highly conserved region of the STXBP2 protein and predicted to be deleterious. c. 577A>C in exon 7 resulted in incomplete splicing mutation with exon 7 skipping concurrent with exon 7-retained transcript with p. Lys193Gln substitution. The frequency of FHL5 was ∼1% (1/72) in Korean pediatric patients with HLH. This is the first study on FHL5 in Korea, and the data from a nationwide patient cohort provide another piece of genetic profiles of FHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To investigate whether serum leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein (LRG) levels are elevated in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and determine their correlation with disease activity parameters.Method: We enrolled 39 patients with AOSD, 47 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 39 controls. Forty-five serum samples from the patients with AOSD were assayed for LRG using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comprehensive AOSD activity was determined by a modified Pouchot score.Results: Serum LRG levels were significantly elevated in patients with AOSD (128.8±40.8 ng/mL) compared to those in patients with RA and in controls (33.9±15.2 ng/mL, p<0.001 and 22.4±6.1 ng/mL, p<0.001, respectively). Patients with active AOSD had significantly higher LRG levels than those with inactive disease (141.4±31.3 ng/mL vs. 79.8±37.1 ng/mL, p=0.002). Serum LRG levels were positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP; γ=0.387, p=0.015), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; γ=0.370, p=0.026), ferritin (γ=0.687, p<0.001) levels, and the modified Pouchot score (γ=0.756, p<0.001). Serum LRG levels decreased significantly after treatment in all six patients with active AOSD who had follow-up evaluations (p=0.007). The best cut-off value for LRG to distinguish AOSD from RA was 67.9 ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 97.9%.Conclusions: Serum LRG levels were increased in patients with AOSD and correlated well with disease activity measures. LRG may be a useful biomarker for distinguishing AOSD from RA and for monitoring the disease activity of AOSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Periostin is a matricellular protein, and its synthesis in airway epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts is induced by interleukin ( IL)-4 and IL-13. The significance of periostin as a biomarker of TH2-induced airway inflammation, and (importantly) as a measure of the response to TH2-targeted therapy, has recently been emphasized. We explored the relationship between periostin and airway hyperresponsiveness ( AHR) in asthmatic children. Methods The study included 83 children aged 6-15 years in an asthmatic group ( n = 54) and healthy controls ( n = 29). We measured the periostin levels in serum and performed methacholine and mannitol provocation challenges. The responses to mannitol were expressed as the provocative dose causing a 15% fall in the FEV1 (the PD15 dose). Results Of the 54 subjects with asthma, all had positive methacholine bronchial provocation test ( BPT) results and 38 had positive mannitol BPT results. Children with asthma had significantly higher periostin levels than controls [76.0 (65.0-91.8) vs 71.0 (57.5-80.0) ng/mL; P = 0.017]. Periostin levels were significantly correlated with both the methacholine PC20 and mannitol PD15 values. Conclusion Serum levels of periostin, a new biomarker induced by IL-13, were higher in asthmatic children, and were associated with AHR to methacholine and mannitol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of herbicide dose on rice-weed competition were investigated to develop a combined model, which can be utilised to estimate an optimum herbicide dose for a given weed density in paddy rice cultivation. Field studies were conducted in Suwon for rice- Echinochloa crus-galli competition and Iksan for rice- Eleocharis kuroguwai during 2007. The competitive effect of the weeds E. crus-galli and E. kuroguwai decreased with increasing doses of flucetosulfuron and azimsulfuron, respectively, in the same manner as the standard dose-response curve. The combination of the rectangular hyperbolic model and the standard dose-response curve adequately described the complex effects of herbicide dose and weed competition on rice yield. Parameter estimates were used with the model to predict rice yield and estimate the doses of flucetosulfuron and azimsulfuron required to restrict rice yield loss caused by E. crus-galli and E. kuroguwai, respectively, to an acceptable level. For a rice yield of 5.0 t ha−1, the model recommended flucetosulfuron doses of 8.7, 13.4 and 20.1 g a.i. ha−1 when infested with E. crus-galli at 12, 24 and 48 plants m−2 respectively. For a rice yield of 5.2 t ha−1, the model recommended azimsulfuron doses of 3.9, 7.5 and 12.6 g a.i. ha−1 when infested with E. kuroguwai at 24, 48 and 96 plants m−2 respectively. The theoretical outputs of the combined model appear robust and indicate there are opportunities for reduced herbicide use in the field. These now require evaluation under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a method to produce biodiesel from wet wastewater sludge. Xylene was used as an alternative cosolvent to hexane for transesterification in order to enhance the biodiesel yield from wet wastewater sludge. The water present in the sludge could be separated during transesterification by employing xylene, which has a higher boiling point than water. Xylene enhanced the biodiesel yield up to 8.12%, which was 2.5 times higher than hexane. It was comparable to the maximum biodiesel yield of 9.68% obtained from dried sludge. Xylene could reduce either the reaction time or methanol consumption, when compared to hexane for a similar yield. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) content of the biodiesel increased approximately two fold by changing the cosolvent from hexane to xylene. The transesterification method using xylene as a cosolvent can be applied effectively and economically for biodiesel recovery from wet wastewater sludge without drying process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The purposes of this study were to isolate and characterize stem cells from inflamed pulp tissue of human functional deciduous teeth ( iSHFD) and to evaluate the influence of fibroblastic growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on the regenerative potential. Materials and methods We successfully isolated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the inflamed dental pulp tissue of human deciduous teeth and demonstrated that their regenerative potential could be enhanced by the application of FGF-2 (20 ng ml−1) during ex vivo expansion. Isolated stem cells expanded in FGF-2 were characterized using a colony-forming assay, proliferation, migration, in vitro differentiation, in vivo ectopic transplantation assay, and gene expression profiling. Results MSCs isolated from the inflamed pulp tissue of functional deciduous teeth potentially possess the qualities of those from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. FGF-2 applied to iSHFD during expansion enhanced the colony-forming efficiency of these cells, increased their proliferation and migration potential, and reduced their differentiation potential in vitro. However, the ectopic transplantation of iSHFD/FGF-2 in vivo increased the formation of dentin-like material. Conclusion FGF-2 expansion of stem cells from inflamed pulp tissues of human deciduous teeth can be a good source of stem cells for future clinical applications and a novel way of using discarded inflamed tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical impact of antimicrobial resistance on the outcome of pneumococcal bacteraemia has remained unclear. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for mortality and determine the impact of antimicrobial resistance on clinical outcomes. A total of 150 adult patients with pneumococcal bacteraemia were identified over a period of 11 years at Seoul National University Hospital. Of the 150 patients, 122 (81·3%) had penicillin-susceptible (Pen-S) strains and 28 (18·7%) penicillin-non-susceptible (Pen-NS) strains; 43 (28·7%) had erythromycin-susceptible (EM-S) strains and 107 (71·3%) erythromycin-non-susceptible (EM-NS) strains. On multivariate analysis, elevated APACHE II score [odds ratio (OR) 1·24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·14–1·34, P<0·001) and presence of solid organ tumour (OR 2·99, 95% CI 1·15–7·80, P=0·025) were independent risk factors for mortality. Neither erythromycin resistance nor penicillin resistance had a significant effect on clinical outcomes. However, for the 76 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, the time required for defervescence was significantly longer in the EM-NS group than in the EM-S group (5·45±4·39 vs. 2·93±2·56, P=0·03 by log rank test). In conclusion, antimicrobial resistance does not have an effect on mortality in adult patients with pneumococcal bacteraemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bi0.85Eu0.15FeO3/Bi3.2Y0.8Ti3O12 bilayer thin films were prepared on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates using the sol-gel process and annealed by rapid thermal annealing in various annealing environments (ambient atmosphere and oxygen). The multiferroic/ferroelectric bilayer thin films were composed of 0.8-\mum thickness Bi0.85Eu0.15FeO3 and 0.2-\mum thickness of Bi3.2Y0.8Ti3O12 thin film. The effects of annealing atmospheres (ambient atmosphere and oxygen) on the growth and properties of thin films were investigated. The results show that the intensities of the (117) diffraction peak of Bi3.2Y0.8Ti3O12 film and (110) diffraction peak of Bi0.85Eu0.15FeO3 annealed in oxygen is stronger than those annealed in an ambient atmosphere. The Bi0.85Eu0.15FeO3/Bi3.2Y0.8Ti3O12 bilayer thin films annealed in the oxygen atmosphere exhibit the maximum remanent polarization (2\mbi Pr) and remnant magnetization (2Mr) of 26 \muC/cm^2 and 3.44 emu/g, respectively. The improved magnetic and ferroelectric properties can be attributed to the elimination of defects, such as oxygen vacancy and vacancy complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 1013–1017 The blaCMY-10 gene responsible for β-lactam resistance was located on a new complex class 1 integron within a conjugative plasmid. The sul1-type class 1 integron, containing an aadA2a gene cassette, was identified upstream of blaCMY-10. A unique gene array ( yqgF– yqgE–gshB– orf97-– orf105) was identified downstream of blaCMY-10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of sclerosing liver haemangioma with pericapillary smooth muscle proliferation in a 63-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain. Because the tumour showed atypical features on CT and MRI, a correct diagnosis could not be made until surgery. In this report, the atypical radiological findings are illustrated and correlated with pathological findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated optical properties and electrical properties of electrically degraded ZnSe layers by heavy Al doping, where their electron concentrations lie in the range of 7×1017–6×1018 cm-3. Low-temperature photoluminescence exhibits two dominant radiative trap centers of 1.97 eV (RD1) and 2.25 eV (RD2), which are ascribed to VZn-related complex defects. Deep-level-transient spectroscopy shows two electron-trap centers at 0.16 eV (ND1) and 0.80 eV (ND2) below the conduction-band minimum. On the other hand, it is found that RD2 is dominant in relatively lightly doped ZnSe:Al layers below 7×1018 cm-3 and RD1 is dominant in more heavily doped layers near 1×1019 cm-3, while ND1 and ND2 are independent of Al doping concentration and their trap densities are estimated be below 3×1016 cm-3. This indicates that RD1 and RD2 cause the carrier compensation in heavily doped ZnSe:Al layers. Their electron transport mechanism can be explained by ionized-impurity scattering mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have investigated the electrical properties for one typical set of Al-doped ZnSe layers: one is conductive (type I) and the other is resistive (type II). The two types of ZnSe:Al layers are grown on different substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy under the same conditions: type I is on a 15° tilted (001) GaAs substrate and type II is on an exact (001) substrate. In capacitance-voltage curves, it is found that the measured capacitance in type II is 20 times smaller than that of type I. Moreover, it is estimated that the net-doping density of type II (∼1015 cm-3) is two orders of magnitude lower than that of type I (∼1017 cm-3). Frequency-dependence measurements of capacitance indicate that type II suffers from deep levels more seriously than type I. In photoluminescence spectra, it is shown that strong deep-level emission peaks exist at the energies of 2.03 and 2.24 eV, but their emission features are almost the same in types I and II. In photocapacitance spectra, it is found that electron-trap centers exist in the midgap region, located at 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 eV below the conduction-band minimum, and the photocapacitance generated in the midgap of type II is seven times larger than that of type I. Moreover, it is estimated that the total density of the three trap centers in type II (∼1017 cm-3) is similar to the net-doping density of type I. Consequently, it is suggested that the midgap trap centers contribute to the carrier compensation in ZnSe:Al layers and induce the different electrical properties in types I and II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regeneration of structurally/functionally competent tooth root cementum is a critical step for the successful restoration of periodontal attachment. In this study, we tested whether a poly-glutamic acid-rich domain and glutaminecontaining transglutaminase substrate can be used to target biologically active peptides to the mineralized root matrix and to bind such peptides covalently to the organic matrix. As a biologically active model molecule, the integrin-binding motif, RGD, was used. The effects of immobilization of such synthetic peptides to the dentin matrix on cementoblastic adhesion in vitro and cementogenesis in vivo were studied. In vitro, cementoblastic adhesion improved significantly when the dentin surface contained covalently bound peptides. In vivo, this bound peptide significantly increased cementum formation compared with that attained in control conditions. Transglutaminase-catalyzed covalent binding of bioactive peptides targeted to mineralized collagenous dentin matrix via the poly-glutamate domain can be readily achieved. This approach offers potential for clinical use in periodontal regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of BiFeO3 (BF) doping on the phase transition temperatures especially of lead-free piezoelectric materials were studied. Up to 20 mole% of BFO was doped in (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT) and BaTiO3 (BT) ceramics synthesized by solid state reactions. In BNT, ferroelectric transition temperature (TC) increased with doping but depolarization temperature (Td) was almost independent of BF contents. In BT, however, TC decreased with BF doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate sintering behavior of silver/palladium electrode powders with TiO 2 nano-particle addition and their matching characteristics to a piezoelectric ceramics, Pb(Zr, Ti)O 3 . The electro-mechanical properties of the piezoelectric multilayer devices with the silver-TiO 2 particle electrode was studied. The densification of the electrodes was investigated as a function of sintering temperature and the reaction between the ceramic matrix and electrodes was studied by employing mechanical bonding test and scanning electron microscopy. The densification of the nanoparticle TiO 2 -added electrode paste followed the TiO 2 solid state diffusion-controlled mechanism upon sintering process. Reaction between ceramic and electrode layers with the TiO 2 nano-particle powder allows internal stress to be reduced and mechanical bonding strength to be increased. High adhesive strength and good electrical conductivity of more than 10 4 /Ω cm could be obtained in the multilayer ferroelectric structure being in form of stacking ceramics layer and electrode layer containing the nano-particles. In order to understand the effectiveness of the nano-TiO 2 doped electrode for multilayer device, the multilayer ceramic actuators containing Ag-based electrode with nano-sized TiO 2 powder were fabricated and evaluated each other. Both the samples exhibited similar piezoelectric and dielectric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently perovskite niobates were paid much attention as lead-free piezoelectric materials to replace lead-based Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 or relaxor systems which cause much environmental problems. Piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of electromechanical coupling coefficient and quality factor in (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 ceramic were studied. Dielectric properties of niobates including Ag ion; AgNbO3 and (Ag0.5Na0.5)NbO3 were studied. Phase transitions and dielectric relaxations were studied from the frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constant measurements. The piezoelectric properties were hardly observed in silver niobate systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

s.h. jeong, i.k. bae, s.b. kwon, j.h. lee, j.s. song, h.i. jung, k.h. sung, s.j. jang and s.h. lee. 2005.Among 365Escherichia coliisolated in 2003, 31 cefotaxime-resistant isolates were obtained from clinical specimens taken from adults hospitalized in Busan, Korea. Six extended-spectrumβ-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates were investigated further to determine the mechanism of resistance.These isolates were analysed by antibiotic susceptibility testing, pI determination, plasmid profiles, transconjugation test, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), enterobacterial repetitive consensus (ERIC)-PCR and DNA sequencing. All six of these isolates were found to contain the CTX-M-type ESBL genes. Five clinical isolates and their transconjugants produced CTX-M-3. One clinical isolate (K17391) and its transconjugant (trcK17391) produced CTX-M-15. Five clinical isolates also produced another TEM-1. One clinical isolate (K12776) also contained another TEM-52. CTX-M-3 ESBL gene was responsible for the resistance to piperacillin, cephalothin, cefotaxime, cefepime and aztreonam. CTX-M-15 or TEM-52 was especially responsible for the resistance to ceftazidime.These results appear to represent thein vivoevolution of CTX-M-typeβ-lactamase genes (blaCTX-M-3 → blaCTX-M-15) under the selective pressure of antimicrobial therapy (especially ceftazidime). PCR-RFLP is a reliable method to discriminate CTX-M-15 gene from CTX-M-3 gene. ERIC-PCR analysis revealed that dissemination of CTX-M-3 was not due to a clonal outbreak of a resistant strain but to the intra-species spread of resistance to piperacillin, cephalothin, cefotaxime, cefepime and aztreonam in Korea.This is the first report of the occurrence of CTX-M-1 cluster ESBLs in Korea. A more comprehensive survey of these ESBL types from Korea is urgently needed because of thein vivoevolution of CTX-M-15 from CTX-M-3. The emergence of these CTX-M-type ESBLs suggests that diagnostic laboratories should screen for ESBLs with ceftazidime as well as cefotaxime; they should still perform clavulanate synergy tests on resistant isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanthanides (La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+ and Eu3+) doped Bi4Ti3O12 (BIT) films fabricated on p-type Si(100) substrates by a sol-gel spin coating process. The films were characterized by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. Memory windows calculated from the measured C-V hysteresis curves were approximately 3.5, 0.85, 0.8, and 0.54 V for La-, Nd-, Sm-, and Eu-doped BIT films with a sweep voltage of ± 10 V, respectively. The effects of lanthanides substitution for Bi3+ in the perovskite layer on the electrical properties, such as C-V and I-V characteristics, have been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatics, which may result from inflammation or remodeling, is expressed as the concentration of methacholine that causes a 20% fall in FEV[sub 1] in the concentration-response curve (PC[sub 20]). A decrease in PC[sub 20] may be due to a steeper curve (hyperreactivity) and/or a curve shift to the left (hypersensitivity). Our purpose was to analyze the relation of airway sensitivity and reactivity to airway pathological changes. The PC[sub 6], as sensitivity parameter, and the slope between PC[sub 20] and PC[sub 40] as reactivity parameter, were calculated. Total and differential cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and percentage of epithelial shedding, basement membrane thickness, and submucosal thickness on bronchial biopsy, were measured. The PC[sub 6] showed a correlation with the baseline FEV[sub 1]%. The slope was significantly correlated with the basement membrane thickness, and also demonstrated a strong association with submucosal thickness. The PC[sub 20] showed a correlation with the baseline FEV[sub 1]% and the degree of epithelial shedding. These results suggest that the airway sensitivity and reactivity measurements reflect the degree of airway caliber and remodeling, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections after middle ear surgery has recently increased at our hospital. Most of these infections were thought to be hospital-acquired when medical personnel in contact with an MRSA-infected patient may have inadvertently transmitted the pathogen to other patients. To prevent further transmission it is essential that such sources of MRSA infection and transmission routes be selected out and eradicated. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether the strains of MRSA isolated from infected patients are identical to those obtained from medical personnel in order to prove a reciprocal transmission of organisms between medical personnel and patients. Surveillance bacterial cultures from the anterior nares and hands of medical personnel working in the Department of Otolaryngology, Korea University Guro Hospital, were performed at two different time points: 6 December 1994 and 17 June 1996. Ribotyping with Southern blot technique was used to compare 12 MRSA strains from medical carriers with 60 strains identified from the otorrhea of MRSA-infected patients undergoing middle ear surgery. As result, six different MRSA strains were identified (types I, II, III, IV, V and VI) from ribotyping with EcoR1. One distinct subtype, type I strain, was the most frequently identified strain in both medical carriers and patients. Results also showed that 6 MRSA isolates from 10 medical carriers and 20 from 30 patients contained type I ribotype at first culture. Two medical carriers’ isolates and 13 isolates from 30 patients shared the same type I strain at the second surveillance culture. In all, 41 out of 72 MRSA strains (56.9%) shared an identical ribotype pattern. Postoperative MRSA infection rates after treatment of medical carriers and the application of rigorous preventive procedures decreased from 11.9 to 5.7% after first culture and 9.0 to 7.7% following second cultures. These findings confirm that MRSA transmission can occur between medical personnel and patients and that effective preventive measures can reduce the postoperative infection rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the influence of heat treatments on the electrical properties of ZnO films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. We note that the electrical resistance of the ZnO films is significantly changed by the heat treatments: the electrical resistance increases with the increase of ambient temperature, but above a critical temperature the resistance decreases with the increase of temperature, irrespective of ambient gases. On the other hand, it is found that the large amount of photocurrent is generated in the ZnO films, exposed to white sources: the photocurrent decreases with the increase of the obtained resistance, and the current increases with the decrease of the resistance. Also, it is shown that the x-ray diffraction linewidth of the ZnO films is significantly decreased by the heat treatments. These indicate that the increase/decrease of the electrical resistance is ascribed to the annihilation/formation of the residual donor-type defects in the ZnO films by the heat treatments. It is suggested that the increase of the electrical resistance is due to the annihilation of Zni-complex defects, while the decrease of the electrical resistance is due to the formation of VO-complex defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most common metastatic sites from gastric cancer are the liver, intra-abdominal lymph nodes, ovary and peritoneal cavity. Cutaneous metastasis of gastric cancer is rare, and most cutaneous metastases are typically solitary, nodular, have a firm consistency, and are red or hyperpigmented. Thus, cutaneous metastasis is easily distinguished from other skin disease. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman with cutaneous metastasis of gastric cancer, whose facial skin showed painless pruritic eczema, resembling acute dermatitis. She had earlier undergone a total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in our hospital. After 14 months, she developed eczematous facial lesions; the presumptive diagnosis was acute dermatitis. However, skin biopsy unexpectedly revealed cutaneous metastasis of gastric cancer. After 6 months of systemic chemotherapy with capecitabine and cisplatin, the cutaneous metastasis was markedly improved and a clinically complete remission was accomplished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the case study of a patient with pathologically proven dendriform pulmonary ossification and rare earth pneumoconiosis confirmed by analytical transmission electron microscopy. Dendriform pulmonary ossification is a rare condition characterised by branching bony spicules which usually contain marrow and are found in the lung parenchyma associated with pulmonary fibrosis. Rare earth pneumoconiosis is an uncommon occupational disease caused by the inhalation of dust containing rare earth metals. A 38 year old man presented with a non-productive cough which had lasted several months. There was nothing significant in his past medical history with no history of smoking or the use of alcohol or illicit drugs. A chest radiograph showed diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates in the whole lung fields. Both lungs were overinflated. An open lung biopsy of the left lung showed that the lung surface was irregular and the lungs appeared emphysematous and mottled with anthracotic pigmentation.

This letter reports the experimental in-plane thermal conductivity of microfabricated, free-standing, single-crystal silicon thin films with periodically arranged through-film micropores. The experimental data suggest that strong size effects exist even in micro-sized porous silicon structures, particularly at low temperatures. Even at room temperature, all porous membranes show thermal conductivity values lower than expected by porosity and bulk phonon mean free path of silicon, and small-pore membranes have smaller thermal conductivity compared to the large-pore ones despite that they have close porosity values. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laser diode which includes II-VI device structure directly grown on III-V device structure is proposed. This idea makes possible one-chip-multiple-wavelength operation in the visible wavelength region by the vertical integration of individual light emitters, which is demonstrated by a ZnCdSe/ZnSe/ZnMgBeSe quantum-well structure for a blue-green light emitter grown by molecular beam epitaxy directly on a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition grown InGaP/InGaAlP device wafer for a red light emitting device. The feasibility of the II-VI/III-V complex light emitter is demonstrated by optical-pumping experiments. Optically pumped lasing at 504 and 664 nm is achieved from II-VI and III-VI laser structures on one chip simultaneously at room temperature with a threshold power of 115 and 84 kW/cm[SUP2], respectively. The present results clearly show the feasibility of epitaxial integration of II-VI and III-V laser structures, which will stimulate the investigation of multifunctional optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]