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Dear Editor, Gültekin and Güven[1] demonstrated an association between optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and in-hospital mortality related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). REFERENCES 1 Gültekin H, Güven M. Optic nerve sheath diameter, intensive care unit admission and COVID-19-related-in-hospital mortality. [Extracted from the article]

The structure of excited states in the neutron-rich nucleus 31 Mg, which is in the region of the “island of inversion” associated with the neutron magic number N = 20 , is studied by β – γ spectroscopy of spin-polarized 31 Na. Among the 31 Mg levels below the one neutron separation energy of 2.3 MeV, the spin values of all five positive-parity levels are unambiguously determined by observing the anisotropic β decay. Two rotational bands with K π = 1 / 2 + and 1 / 2 − are proposed based on the spins and energies of the levels. Comparison on a level-by-level basis is performed between the experimental results and theoretical calculations by the antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD) plus generator coordinate method (GCM). It is found that various nuclear structures coexist in the low excitation energy region in 31 Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Printing electronics has led to application areas which were formerly impossible with conventional electronic processes. Solutions are used as inks on top of large areas at room temperatures, allowing the production of fully flexible circuitry. Commonly, research in these inks have focused on organic and metal-oxide ink materials due to their printability, while these materials lack in the electronic performance when compared to silicon electronics. Silicon electronics, on the other hand, has only recently found their way in solution processes. Printing of cyclopentasilane as the silicon ink has been conducted and devices with far superior electric performance have been made when compared to other ink materials. A thermal annealing step of this material, however, was necessary, which prevented its usage on inexpensive substrates with a limited thermal budget. In this work, we introduce a method that allows polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) production directly from the same liquid silicon ink using excimer laser irradiation. In this way, poly-Si could be formed directly on top of paper even with a single laser pulse. Using this method, poly-Si transistors were created at a maximum temperature of only 150 °C. This method allows silicon device formation on inexpensive, temperature sensitive substrates such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate or paper, which leads to applications that require low-cost but high-speed electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excited states in the light nucleus 9Be are studied through β-delayed neutron decays from spin-polarized 9Lig.s.. The neutron transitions via 5Heg.s. from the 2.43-, 2.78-, 4.704-, 5.59-, and 7.94-MeV states in 9Be are observed for the first time, and the spins and parities (Iπ's) of the excited states in 9Be are assigned from β-n coincidences and measurements of the β-decay asymmetries. The spin parity, Iπ, of the 2.43-MeV state is assigned to be 5/2-, which is consistent with the reported value. The present results suggest that the Iπ values of the 2.78-, 4.704-, 5.59-, and 7.94-MeV states are 3/2-, 1/2-, 5/2-, and 3/2-, respectively, which are different from early reported values. However, shell-model calculations of the p shell are in overall good agreement with the present results, except for the Iπ values of the 2.78- and 4.704-MeV states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 70-year-old woman was referred to our institution for the diagnosis and treatment of an anorectal lesion detected on colonoscopy performed at a previous hospital for hematochezia. (d) Positive p16 immunohistochemical staining suggested human papillomavirus infection. gl Anal canal cancer (ACC) is a rare disease that accounts for only 0.3% of all malignancies and is strongly associated with high-risk HPV (HPV-16 and HPV-18). [Extracted from the article]

An undersowing system with additional intercropping of flowering plants was assessed in field trials in Germany and Japan to estimate regulating effects on pests and possible negative effects on white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). In particular, we tested cabbage undersown with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and cabbage undersown with wheat plus additional sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima L. Desv.) intercropping. Counts of the aphid species Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer), as well as related predators on cabbage plants, were determined. Abundance of Phyllotreta spp. flea beetles and their feeding damage on cabbage plants were recorded and cabbage yield was compared. In both countries, trials showed that wheat undersowing reduced the abundance of M. persicae but not B. brassicae. The occurrence of natural enemies on cabbage plants was not significantly affected by any of the companion plants. Additional sweet alyssum intercropping increased the abundance of adult hoverflies at the German but not at the Japanese location. However, it also significantly increased flea beetle infestation on cabbage plants at both locations. Neither wheat undersowing nor additional sweet alyssum intercropping significantly reduced cabbage harvest weight. In conclusion, adding companion plants can be a promising method to improve pest control in vegetable crops. However, intercropping crucifer crops with sweet alyssum may not be recommended in regions where flea beetles are a relevant pest because of the observed enhancing effect on them. In contrast, to prove the positive effect of wheat undersowing on white cabbage, results from further years of investigation are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level structure of 31Mg, which is located close to the region of the N = 20 "island of inversion" in the nuclear chart, has been studied by β-γ spectroscopy with spin-polarized 31Na. In 31Mg, shape coexistence is expected as a result of subtle competition between the spherical mean field and the nuclear correlation which favors deformed configurations. In the present work, our unique method utilizing the anisotropic β decay of spin-polarized 31Na enables us to firmly assign the spins of all positive-parity excited levels in 31Mg below the neutron separation energy at 2.3 MeV. Furthermore, by constructing a very detailed decay scheme, including two newly found levels, the spins of negative-parity levels are restricted. The examination of the spectroscopic information shows that the deformed rotational bands with Kπ=1/2+ and 1/2-, which have very similar structures to those observed in a higher excitation energy region of 25Mg, appear as the ground-state and low-lying bands, respectively, in 31Mg. The experimental levels of 31Mg are compared, on the level-by-level basis, with two types of theoretical calculations. These are, first, the antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD) plus generator coordinate method (GCM) and, second, the shell model with the EEdf1 interaction, which is microscopically derived from chiral effective field theory. It is understood that 8 levels among the experimental 11 levels are the members of four types of largely deformed rotational bands and 2 levels are of spherical nature. The 1/2+ 2.244-MeV level is successfully reproduced by the shell-model calculation with a dominant 4p4h configuration. The present work clearly demonstrates that various structures coexist in a low excitation energy region of 31Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of the presence of a selective insecticide, pyridalyl, in aqueous solutions of honey as food for adults of diamondback moth ( DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.) and its larval parasitoid Cotesia vestalis (Halliday) on their performances. We used a commercial formulation of pyridalyl which contained 10% pyridalyl. Survival times of DBMs reared with honey solution with pyridalyl at 10 000-fold dilution were not significantly different from those of DBMs reared with pure honey solution. However, at 1000-fold and 100-fold dilutions of pyridalyl in honey solution, survival times were significantly shorter than those with honey solution alone. By contrast, survival times of C. vestalis reared with honey solution with pyridalyl at 1000-fold and 100-fold dilution were not significantly different from those of C. vestalis reared with pure honey solution. Offering honey solution with pyridalyl at 100-fold dilution to C. vestalis did not affect its parasitization ability or offspring sex ratio. The novel aspects of the use of selective pesticides to control DBMs using C. vestalis are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-weight relationships ( LWR) using 3876 individuals were determined for 39 species sampled in estuarine systems in the main Hawaiian Islands, including 33 species of fish from 21 families, five species of crustaceans (prey) from two families, and one mollusk species. For 17 species, LWRs were estimated for the first time. For another 14 species their LWRs were newly reported for Hawaiian waters, including seven introduced taxa that are well established in the islands' estuaries. The LWRs for all taxa include juvenile and sub-adult size ranges commonly encountered in Hawaiian estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new laser spectroscopic method named 'OROCHI (Optical RI-atom Observation in Condensed Helium as Ion catcher)' has been developed for deriving the nuclear spins and electromagnetic moments of low-yield exotic nuclei. In this method, we observe atomic Zeeman and hyperfine structures using laser-radio-frequency/microwave double-resonance spectroscopy. In our previous works, double-resonance spectroscopy was performed successfully with laser-sputtered stable atoms including non-alkali Au atoms as well as alkali Rb and Cs atoms. Following these works, measurements with Rb energetic ion beams were carried out in the RIKEN projectile fragment separator (RIPS). In this paper, we report the present status of OROCHI and discuss its feasibility, especially for low-yield nuclei such as unstable Au isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-spin states in the odd-odd nucleus 136La, which is located close to the β-stability line, have been investigated in the radioactive-beam-induced fusion-evaporation reaction 124Sn(17N,5n). The use of the radioactive beam enabled a highly sensitive and successful search for a new isomer [14+, T1/2 = 187(27) ns] in l36La. In the A = 130-140 mass region, no such long-lived isomer has been observed at high spin in odd-odd nuclei. The 136La level scheme was revised, incorporating the 14+ isomer and six new levels. The results were compared with pair-truncated shell model (PTSM) calculations which successfully explain the level structure of the Πh11/2 ⊗ vh11/2-1bands in 132La and 134La. The isomerism of the 14+ state was investigated also by a collective model, the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) model, which explains various high-spin structures in the medium-heavy mass region. It is suggested that a new type of collective structure is induced in the PTSM model by the increase of the number of Πg7/2 pairs, and/or in the CNS model by the configuration change associated with the shape change in 136La. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B TYPE: b Abstract Publication B TOPIC: b Signs and Symptoms of Chest Diseases B PURPOSE: b The rumbling rhonchi (RR) are low-pitched continuous rales implying bronchial secretion. B METHODS: b The lung sounds were recorded and analyzed by LSA 2018 (Kenz-Medico, Tokyo) and Easy LSA2018 (H. Nakano) from lung sounds of asthmatic patients with (n=41) and without (n=57) RR. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction/Background Physical inactivity is associated with low levels of physical functioning and adverse outcomes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, only a few studies have examined physical activity (PA) on both non-HD and HD days. This study aimed to clarify the association between physical functioning and patients stratified by levels of PA on non-HD and HD days. Material and method A total of 269 Japanese HD outpatients (mean age, 64.3 ± 11.6 years; 139 women) were enrolled in this study. Clinical characteristics, physical functioning [handgrip strength (HGS), leg strength (LS), maximum gait speed (MGS), and one-leg standing time (OLS)] and PA were collected and measured. PA was evaluated with an accelerometer as the number of steps per day for a consecutive 7-day period consisting of four non-HD days and three HD days. Patients were categorized into the following three PA groups by using each median value of PA for non-HD and HD days: (1) High/high group (high PA on both non-HD and HD days), (2) High/low group (high PA on either non-HD or HD day), and (3) Low/low group (low PA on both non-HD and HD days). Analysis of covariance was performed to assess associations between groups and physical functioning, with adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index. Results Low PA was associated with lower physical functioning (all, P trend <0.001). Specifically, both the Low/Low group and High/low group had significantly lower HGS, slower MGS, and poorer OLS compared to the High/High group, even after adjusting for covariates (Fig. 1). Conclusion PA on both non-HD and HD days was associated with physical functioning, suggesting that PA must be managed in HD patients on both non-HD and HD days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The doubly-odd nucleus 136La is theoretically studied in terms of a large-scale shell model. The energy spectrum and transition rates are calculated and compared with the most updated experimental data. The isomerism is investigated for the first 14+ state, which was found to be an isomer in the previous study [Phys. Rev. C 91, 054305 (2015)]. It is found that the 14+ state becomes an isomer due to a band crossing of two bands with completely different configurations. The yrast band with the (νh-111/2⊗πh11/2) configuration is investigated, revealing a staggering nature in M1 transition rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]