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Hypothesis and background Humeral retroversion is defined as the orientation of the humeral head relative to the distal humerus. Because none of the previous methods used to measure humeral retroversion strictly follow this definition, values obtained by these techniques vary and may be biased by morphologic variations of the humerus. The purpose of this study was 2-fold: to validate a method to define the axis of the distal humerus with a virtual cylinder and to establish the reliability of 3-dimensional (3D) measurement of humeral retroversion by this cylinder fitting method. Methods Humeral retroversion in 14 baseball players (28 humeri) was measured by the 3D cylinder fitting method. The root mean square error was calculated to compare values obtained by a single tester and by 2 different testers using the embedded coordinate system. To establish the reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and precision (standard error of measurement [SEM]) were calculated. Results The root mean square errors for the humeral coordinate system were <1.0 mm/1.0° for comparison of all translations/rotations obtained by a single tester and <1.0 mm/2.0° for comparison obtained by 2 different testers. Assessment of reliability and precision of the 3D measurement of retroversion yielded an intratester ICC of 0.99 (SEM, 1.0°) and intertester ICC of 0.96 (SEM, 2.8°). Discussion and conclusion The error in measurements obtained by a distal humerus cylinder fitting method was small enough not to affect retroversion measurement. The 3D measurement of retroversion by this method provides excellent intratester and intertester reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neutron diffraction studies were performed on the spinel oxide system Mg x Co1−x Cr x Fe2−x O4 (x =0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0) as a function of temperature. Presence of magnetic long-range order at low temperatures was confirmed from the evolution of Bragg reflections with the decrease of temperature. Magnetic structural properties were determined from the Rietveld analysis of neutron diffraction data recorded in the temperature range 10–810K. Sublattice and net magnetic moments for various compositions at various temperatures were found out from the analysis. The transition temperatures were also determined for all the compositions. A decreasing ferrimagnetic order with increasing substitution was revealed from the decreasing ordered sublattice moments. Huge diffuse signals around the 111 Bragg diffraction line were observed in the neutron patterns of the composition x =1.0 below the Curie temperature indicating the existence of magnetic spin clusters. Hysteresis and low field dc magnetization measurements were done on the compositions x =0.75 and 1.0. Thermo-magnetic irreversibility in the zero-field cooled and field cooled magnetization together with a shallow transition below Curie temperature was also observed. The various observations suggest a canted ferrimagnetic ordering in the composition range x ≤0.75 and a semi-spin glass like behavior at x =1.0. A super-paramagnetic behavior below the paramagnetic state is also suggestive from the observed features. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The spectroscopic properties of Er2O3-doped PbO–Ga2O3–GeO2 glasses were investigated. The measured lifetime and stimulated emission cross-section of the 4I13/2 level were 4.73±0.05ms and 6.8×10−21 cm2, respectively. The measured lifetime and stimulated emission cross-section were 0.31±0.02ms and 1.9×10−21 cm2 for the 4I11/2 level, respectively. The lifetimes of 4I13/2 levels were almost constant up to the Er3+ concentration of ∼1.3×1020 cm−3. The constant α (6) for energy migration of the 4I13/2 level was considerably higher than that of the 4I11/2 level. On the other hand, the coefficient of cooperative upconversion for the 4I13/2 level was 104 times smaller than that for the 4I11/2 level at the concentration of 2.57×1020 cm−3. These results suggest that the contribution of the migration-accelerated energy transfer among Er3+ ions to the non-radiative transition from the 4I13/2 level is larger than that from the 4I11/2 level, whereas the non-radiative transition from the 4I11/2 level is mainly due to the cooperative upconversion effect via 4I11/2:4I11/2 → 4 F7/2:4I15/2 process. The obtained results also indicate that the PbO–Ga2O3–GeO2 glass is a good candidate for short optical fiber amplifiers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Starch retrogradation can be evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, which can estimate the crystallinity of starch. It is well known that the crystallinity is reflected in the mechanical properties of foods and materials. Crystallinity should be also related to the structural dynamics of starch, but there are no reports on the relationship between these properties. In this study, we used quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) to investigate changes in the molecular dynamics of cooked rice starch during retrogradation. The width of the measured QENS narrowed with retrogradation. The elastic incoherent structure factor (EISF) increased, which indicated that the molecular dynamics are spatially suppressed upon retrogradation. However, the width of the quasi-elastic scattering component was independent of retrogradation in the measured Q -range. Analysis of EISF with a bimodal continuous diffusion model, where low and high mobilities are assumed to correspond to crystalline and amorphous phases, respectively, showed that the fraction of the low-mobility component increases with retrogradation. The suppression of the molecular dynamics during retrogradation was correlated with the crystallinity evaluated by XRD. The molecular dynamics of the crystalline region that appeared after gelatinization and retrogradation were different from that of raw rice starch. These results suggest that molecular dynamics reflect the state of retrogradation and can be used to monitor retrogradation of starch in foods. [Display omitted] • A new method to evaluate the molecular dynamics of cooked rice was developed. • The molecular dynamics of cooked rice were spatially suppressed by retrogradation. • Raw starch and retrograded starch were structurally and dynamically different. • The correlation between starch crystallinity and molecular dynamics was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between the urinary levels of prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGF2α), nerve growth factor (NGF) and substance P, and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in patients with suprapontine brain diseases. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 114 patients in the chronic phase of a brain disease and 27 healthy controls with no brain disease or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The OAB symptoms were assessed with the OAB symptom score and the subjects were then classified into 5 groups: healthy control, patients without LUTS, increased bladder sensation (IBS), OAB dry, and OAB wet. Urinary mediator concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and normalized to the urinary creatinine concentration, and then compared among the 5 groups. Results: The urinary PGE2 level was significantly higher in patients with brain diseases than in healthy controls, even in the patients without any OAB symptoms, and compared with patients without LUTS, a significant increase in the urinary PGE2 was observed in patients with OAB dry or wet (P = .004 or .015, respectively). The PGF2α level showed a significant increase in OAB wet compared with patients without LUTS (P = .001). The urinary levels of NGF and substance P were not significantly associated with OAB as a result of this type of brain disease. Conclusion: The urinary PGE2 level was putatively elevated in patients with suprapontine brain diseases and associated with the presence of OAB. The PGF2α level may also be associated with OAB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To examine the nature of thermal motions of the CH4 molecules in the methane deuterohydrate (8CH4·46D2O), the scattering length density distribution was observed by the maximum entropy method (MEM) using neutron powder diffraction data measured in the temperature range of 7–185K. We drew the scattering-length density distribution as three dimensional graphic images and used the same isosurface level for all temperatures. The negative scattering length density, corresponding to the H atoms of CH4, was observed only in the large cage. The positive scattering length density attributed to the C atom of CH4 was observed at the center of each cage. With an increase in temperature, the negative and positive scattering length densities in the large cage disappear. The positive scattering length density remains at the center of the small cage regardless of temperature. These results strongly indicate that the motions of CH4 depend on the cage size and geometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We measured neutron diffraction profiles of powdered KOD-doped D2O ice to investigate the formation and growth of ice XI, a deuterium-ordered phase of ice, from ice Ih, a disordered phase. During the measurements, the ice was annealed at 57K for about 17h, and then warmed up and kept at 68K for about 55h, which are below the transition temperature . The diffraction profiles for the doped ice at 57K did not change with time and were close to those for ice Ih with the deuterium-disordered arrangement. However, when the temperature increased from 57 to 68K, the diffraction profiles changed. We carried out the Rietveld analysis with the parameters for a two-phase model to obtain the structural evidence of the appearance and the growth of ice XI. The analysis provided evidence of ice XI as space group Cmc21 at 68K. The temporal increase of the mass fraction of ice XI showed that nucleation of ice XI began just after warming up to 68K. Then, ice XI grew for several days in the doped ice. This study provides first structural observations of the growth of ice XI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Crystal structures of carbon dioxide deuterohydrate were studied by neutron powder diffraction at temperatures from 10 to 200K. Maps of scattering length density distribution were obtained using a maximum entropy method (MEM), which clarified the motion of CO2 molecules in the hydrate. In small cages, the carbon atom of the CO2 molecule is at the center of the cage, and the oxygen atoms of CO2 revolve freely around the carbon atom. In large cages, the carbon atom also is at the center of the cage, but the oxygen atoms tend to revolve around the carbon atom along the plane parallel to the hexagonal facets of the cage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effectiveness of differential diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examination by perflubutane (Sonazoid®:Daiichi-Sankyo, Tokyo). CEUS was performed on 183 patients with gallbladder polypoid lesions.It consists of 10 adenocarcinomas, 2 adenomas, 129 benign polyps and 42 adenomyomatosis (fundal type). For benigndiseases, we examined cases where the size was 6 mm or more and could be observed for more than one year. Ultrasound was performed using TUS-A500 (Aplio 500) (Canon MedicalSystems. Tokyo) and prosound alpha10 (Hitachi Aloka Medical,Ltd.Tokyo). First, the largest cross section of a lesion was visualized using B-mode and infusion of Sonazoid. The characteristics and behavior of blood flow in the lesion in the early vascular phase were examined over approximately 30 sec. Thereafter, observation was continued accordingly for about 3 min. Sonazoid infusion using contrast harmonic imaging and real-time perfusion Imaging. Gallbladder carcinoma showed hypervascular staining and "eruption sign" was apparent in 60%. The "eruption sign" showed an image of a vigorously boiling water that was splashing up from the entire lesion. Blood flow imaging revealed irregular size and buckling, including tortuous vessels and erratic blood flow in 70%. Gallbladder adenoma showed "eruption sign" was apparent in 50%. The irregular size, tortuous vessels and eruption signs of blood flow imaging were 83.3% as an index of neoplastic. Gallbladder benign polyp, staining was scattered within them, and "flicker sign" was observed in 93.8%. The "flicker sign" showed an image of bubbling pre-boiled hot water. Five cases (3.9%) showed a diffused and hypervascular staining pattern. The staining time was shorter than gallbladder carcinoma. Blood flow image showed normal vessels without buckling. Linear blood flow of the stalk of gallbladder polyp was also characteristic. Gallbladder adenomyomatosis (fundal type), staining was scattered and mild flicker signs were observed in 85.7%. Blood flow at the surface of the prominence and internal Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus was observed clearity. CEUS can clarify the hemodynamics and blood flow images and are useful for the differential diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]