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Background Whether coronary plaque characteristics assessed in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in association with the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) have predictive value for coronary events is unclear. We aimed to examine the predictive value of the CACS and plaque characteristics for the occurrence of coronary events. Methods Among 2802 patients who were analyzed in the PREDICT registry, 2083 with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied using post hoc analysis. High-risk plaques were defined as having ≥2 adverse characteristics, such as low computed tomographic attenuation, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign. An adjudicative composite of coronary events (cardiac death, nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, and coronary revascularization ≥3 months after indexed CCTA) were analyzed. Results Seventy-three (3.5%) patients had coronary events and 313 (15.0%) had high-risk plaques. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that high-risk plaques remained an independent predictor of coronary events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–3.34, P ​= ​0.0154), as well as the log-transformed CACS (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11–1.39, P ​= ​0.0002) and the presence of obstructive stenosis (adjusted HR 5.63, 95% CI 3.22–10.12, P 0.0001). In subgroup analyses, high-risk plaques were independently predictive only in the low CACS class ( Conclusion This study shows that assessment of adverse features by coronary plaque imaging independently predicts coronary events in patients with suspected CAD and a low CACS. Our findings suggest that the clinical value of high-risk plaques to CACS and stenosis assessment appears marginal.

Background Transthoracic oesophagectomy is associated with major morbidity and mortality, which may be reduced by goal-directed therapy (GDT). The aim of this multicentre, RCT was to evaluate the impact of intraoperative GDT on major morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing transthoracic oesophagectomy. Methods Adult patients undergoing transthoracic oesophagectomy were randomised to receive either minimally invasive intraoperative GDT (stroke volume variation 90 mm Hg by pressors as necessary) or haemodynamic management left to the discretion of attending senior anaesthetists (control group; systolic BP >90 mm Hg alone). The primary outcome was the incidence of death or major complications (reoperation for bleeding, anastomotic leakage, pneumonia, reintubation, >48 h ventilation). A Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine whether the effects of GDT on morbidity and mortality were independent of other potential confounders. Results A total of 232 patients (80.6% male; age range: 36–83 yr) were randomised to either GDT (n=115) or to the control group (n=117). After surgery, major morbidity and mortality were less frequent in 22/115 (19.1%) subjects randomised to GDT, compared with 41/117 (35.0%) subjects assigned to the control group {absolute risk reduction: 15.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.7–27.2%); P=0.006}. GDT was also associated with fewer episodes of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.18 [95% CI: 0.05–0.65]), respiratory failure (OR: 0.27 [95% CI: 0.09–0.83]), use of mini-tracheotomy (OR: 0.29 [95% CI: 0.10–0.81]), and readmission to ICU (OR: 0.09 [95% CI: 0.01–0.67]). GDT was independently associated with morbidity and mortality (hazard ratio: 0.51 [95% CI: 0.30–0.87]; P=0.013). Conclusions Intraoperative GDT may reduce major morbidity and mortality, and shorten hospital stay, after transthoracic oesophagectomy. Clinical trial registration UMIN000018705

The electrocardiogram of a 14-year-old boy with recurrent palpitation showed a wide QRS regular tachycardia with a right bundle branch block and right-axis deviation of 226 beats per minute. Verapamil infusion terminated the tachycardia after a few minutes. Electrophysiological study revealed that this tachycardia was considered as a reentrant tachycardia associated with the anterograde left posterior accessory pathway (AP) and retrograde right septal AP. Radiofrequency application was performed and eliminated both APs, and there was no recurrence of wide QRS tachycardia.

The mechanism by which the fetal membrane detaches after parturition in cattle is poorly understood, but the upregulation of placentomal prostaglandin and estrogen synthesis are considered to be important. This study investigated whether enhanced glucocorticoid exposure affected the functional maturation of placentomes at induced parturition. Placentomes were collected immediately after spontaneous (beef; n = 5, dairy; n = 5) or induced parturition in beef and dairy cattle. Parturition was induced conventionally using prostaglandin F2α (beef; n = 7, dairy; n = 6) or dexamethasone (beef; n = 6) or with a combination of triamcinolone acetonide (a long-acting glucocorticoid) and a high dose of betamethasone (TABET treatment, beef; n = 6, dairy; n = 9). Gene expression levels and protein localization in placentomes were analyzed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Compared with the conventional methods, TABET treatment resulted in upregulated PTGS2 expression in cotyledons. The expression levels of PTGS2 and PGES were positively correlated in both cotyledons and caruncles. TABET treatment also upregulated the expression of CYP17A1, but not of CYP19A1, in cotyledons. The results revealed, for the first time, that PLA2G4A was localized in microvascular endothelial cells in the cotyledonary villi and the maternal septum. PTGS2 and PGES were colocalized in mononucleated cells of the cotyledonary villi and caruncle epithelial cells adjacent to the chorionic plate. TABET treatment upregulated the expression of placentomal genes involved in PGE2 synthesis and the conversion of pregnenolone to androstenedione. Thus, enhanced glucocorticoid exposure might partially facilitate the functional maturation of placentomes at induced parturition in cattle.

Permittivity measurement and microwave heating characteristics of rod-shaped SiC (fragmented SiC fiber) mixed with SiO2 or Al2O3 were investigated, comparing with the mixtures of other two kinds of SiC materials. Rod-shaped SiC mixtures had larger permittivity (both real and especially imaginary parts) than the other SiC mixtures, and a broad peak of loss factor (er”) appeared around 1 GHz. Effective permittivity of mixtures was not successfully fitted by Maxwell-Garnett mixing law to the rod-shaped SiC mixtures but well fitted to other kinds of SiC mixtures. The microwave heating ability of rod-shaped SiC mixtures were much superior to that of other SiC mixtures, as expected from the larger loss factors. However, differences were observed between the mixture of rod-shaped SiC with SiO2 and with γ-Al2O3 in heating behavior and in the mixture permittivity. Interactions of the rod SiC are considered different between SiO2 and γ-Al2O3 and influenced the experimental heating data.

The identification of predictive factors is imperative for identifying patients with optimal responses to nivolumab. We aimed to determine whether body composition parameters can predict treatment outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with nivolumab.We performed a multicenter retrospective chart review of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC treated with nivolumab between 2017 and 2020. Computed tomography images and anthropometric measures were used to determine the skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous adipose index, visceral adipose index (VAI), and body mass index. Objective response, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were the main outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) for low-index groups compared with high-index groups were calculated for these outcomes.Our study comprised 114 patients with a median follow-up period of 23.1 months. Low SMI and low VAI were significantly associated with poor disease control [OR: 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-0.97] and poor response (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15-0.94), respectively. Low SMI independently predicted poor OS (HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.16-3.67), poor PFS (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.04-2.92), and increased incidence of irAEs (OR: 6.00, 95% CI: 1.04-34.61). Low VAI independently predicted poor PFS (HR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.15-3.73).The SMI and VAI are predictive factors of nivolumab therapy in patients with HNSCC. Body composition indices should be assessed before nivolumab treatment for achieving optimal responses to nivolumab.

Fatigue cracking in steel girder web penetration details is so dangerous that it can break steel girders completely. In 2006, one-meter-long crack was detected in Yamazoe Bridge. Since a number of highway bridges have such web penetration details in Japan, it is of urgent importance to grasp these fatigue strength properties and develop effective retrofitting methods. In previous studies, we investigated fatigue cracking behavior through fatigue tests using small girder specimens with web penetration details and effects of large attachment retrofitting methods against fatigue cracking in web penetration details through fatigue tests using a large girder specimen with web penetration details in which cross beam lower flanges are connected to lower surface of a slot by welding. However these methods cannot prevent fatigue crack initiation perfectly. In this study, we investigate effects of weld bead removal and small angle steel attachment retrofitting method against fatigue cracking in web penetration details through fatigue tests using a large girder specimen. As a result, it has been verified that weld bead removal and small angle steel attachment method can prevent fatigue crack initiation perfectly in the web penetration details with a slot.

Single crystal growth of ScAlMgO4 boules with 10 mm up to 4 in. (c.a. 101.6 mm) in diameter by Czochralski technique was demonstrated. Some high quality ScAlMgO4 single crystal boules with 2-inches (c.a. 50.8 mm) in diameter were successfully grown without dislocation, which was revealed by X-ray rocking curve and X-ray topography measurements for the c-plane wafers. After a GaN template was formed on a substrate cut out from a grown ScAlMgO4 boule by using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy, a thick GaN film was epitaxially grown on the template using hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). At the cooling stage after the growth in the HVPE process, the thick grown GaN film was separated by itself from the ScAlMgO4 substrate due to high cleavability of ScAlMgO4, which makes it possible the reuse of the substrate. The free-standing GaN grown on the reused ScAlMgO4 substrate showed the same quality as a GaN fabricated on a fresh ScAlMgO4 substrate. The reuse of ScAlMgO4 substrates is beneficial for saving the GaN films fabrication cost. The fabrication of a free-standing GaN substrate with 2 in. in diameter and 1 mm in thickness on ScAlMgO4 substrates was demonstrated to be more high-yield than the fabrication on a sapphire substrate. The growth method shown in this study is very promising, and it opens an efficient way to obtain GaN free-standing wafers and to reduce the production cost of GaN wafers.

X-ray diffraction analysis through high-resolution X-ray rocking curve measurement and X-ray topography was performed on Czockralski (CZ) -grown ScAlMgO4 (SAM) substrates. An extremely narrow rocking curve width of 0.002° (7.2 arcsec) was obtained, and the three-dimensional (3D) configuration of dislocations in the interior of the SAM crystal structure was analyzed through 3D section topography. Burgers vectors of dominating dislocations with slip planes of (0001) were determined to be parallel to the a-axis of the SAM crystal, and the dislocations were found to form clusters.

Objective The first revision of “Japanese Clinical Practice Guideline for Head and Neck Cancer” was made in 2013 by the clinical practice guideline committee of Japan Society for Head and Neck Cancer, in response to the revision of the TNM classification. Methods 34 CQs (Clinical Questions) were newly adopted to describe the diagnosis and treatment methods currently considered most appropriate, and offered recommendation grade made by the consensus of the committee. A comprehensive literature search was performed for studies published between 2001 and 2012 using PubMed. Qualified studies were analyzed and the results were evaluated, consolidated and codified by all the committee members. Results Elective neck dissection (ND) does contribute to improvement in survival and should be performed for patients with high-risk tongue cancer. At present, no research has clearly demonstrated the utility of superselective arterial infusion chemotherapy. However, depending on the site and stage of the cancer, combination with radiotherapy may be useful for preserving organ function or improving survival rate. Concurrent CDDP chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy contributes to improvement of survival rate as an adjuvant therapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in patients at high risk of recurrence. The anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab (Cmab) has an additive effect with radiotherapy. However, the indication must be carefully considered since this treatment has not been compared with the standard treatment of chemoradiotherapy. Cmab has been shown to have an additive effect with chemotherapy (CDDP/5-FU) in patients with unresectable metastatic or recurrent cancer. Preoperative and postoperative oral care may reduce the risk of postoperative complications such as surgical wound infection and pneumonia in head and neck cancers. Rehabilitation soon after ND for cervical lymph node metastasis is recommended for maintaining and restoring shoulder function. Conclusions In this article, we described most relevant guidelines and CQs for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer in Japan. These guidelines are not intended to govern therapies that are not shown here, but rather aim to be used as a guide in searching for the most appropriate treatment for individual patient.

High-voltage silicone rubber composite insulators are widely used for outdoor insulation in power transmission lines. Silicone rubber, which is used as a housing material, gradually degrades with long-term use in the field. Therefore, to accurately determine the lifetime of composite insulators, it is essential to evaluate this degradation. This paper describes the results of depth profiling, which shows the change in the chemical composition caused by degradation, using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A remote LIBS system was constructed for application in in-situ degradation diagnostics. Field-aged insulators were irradiated with second harmonic Nd:YAG laser pulses at a distance of 10. The emission from the plasma was received by a telescope, and a spectroscopic analysis was performed. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was performed for a comparative study. The emission intensity ratio of silicone to aluminum, which forms an alumina trihydrate filler, decreased by approximately 30% at the degraded surface compared to the undegraded bulk. A reduction in silicones at the degraded surface up to a depth of 300 was confirmed by LIBS and EDX measurements. These results show that remote LIBS using the ratio of silicone to aluminum as an index is a promising method for the in-situ diagnostics of composite insulators.

Objective/background The prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (pNTM) disease, including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), varies widely according to geographic region. However, the factors that influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence remain unknown. This study was undertaken to examine whether environmental or occupational factors or host traits could influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence. Methods We collected laboratory data on pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) and pNTM from two hospitals in the West Harima area of Japan and five hospitals in Kyoto City, Japan from 2012 to 2013. We estimated microbiological pNTM disease prevalence by multiplying all pTB cases in each area with the ratio of pNTM cases and pTB cases at the survey hospitals in each area. We administered a standardized questionnaire to 52 patients and 120 patients with pulmonary MAC (pMAC) disease at Ako City Hospital and Kyoto University Hospital, respectively. Results The estimated prevalence of microbiological pNTM disease in the West Harima area (85.4/100,000 population-years) was significantly higher than that observed in Kyoto City (23.6/100,000 population-years; p

The Matsushiro district in the northern part of Ngano Prefecture, Central Japan, experienced a severe earthquake swarm associated with ground uplift and groundwater outflow during a period from 1965 to 1967. Geochemistry and isotope geochemistry of surface water and groundwater in the swarm area have been investigated. Water samples for the analyses were obtained from saline springs and streams, fresh water from streams and a shallow well, and, from seven wells of up to 600 m deep drilled in the Matsushiro fault zone. The results of analyses of water from the deep wells in the fault zone indicate a linear increase in dissolved Na, K, Al, Cl, Br, B and SiO 4 , and isotopic ratios of δD, δ 18 O and δ 13 C. The hydrogen and oxygen isotopic ratios of the well water indicate a mixing between the surface water and isotopically heavy water exemplified by the “andesitic water” of Giggenbach (1992). Assuming that the isotopically heavy water has δD similar to the “andesitic water”, the geochemistry of deep-seated brine is reproduced from the analytical data of well water. The reproduced composition of deep-seated brine is enriched in Na, Ca, Cl and HCO 3 and has total dissolved solids comparable to seawater. The water of the reproduced composition is estimated to occupy a deep part (> 3 km below surface) of the fault zone. Available data show that the geochemical regime in the Matsushiro fault zone has remained unchanged since the swarm event. The reproduced composition of water is concluded to be similar to the brine triggering the swarm of earthquakes. The composition of the reproduced water is not as saline as the deep-seated fluid derived from dehydration of a subducting oceanic plate which results in water having a Cl content about twice that of the seawater. The relatively low-salinity nature comparable to seawater is one of the characteristics of mid-crustal fluid in volcanic fields.

We performed remotely measured, with a 5-m optical path, the chlorine concentration of a sea salt attached to stainless steel (SS) located at the side wall of a narrow gap (width ~ 50 mm) by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in two configurations. One uses mirrors for transmitting laser pulses in air, while the other uses multimode fiber. A compact optical device was developed to access the surface of SS for focusing laser pulses and collecting laser-induced plasma. With the configuration in which laser pulses pass through the fiber, the chlorine spectrum could be detected by fiber-coupled LIBS. In addition, with the configuration in which laser pulses pass through air, chlorine concentrations from 0 to 100 mg/m2 could be evaluated quantitatively by using the calibration data of chlorine emission intensity. These results show that the proposed system enables the measurement of chlorine at the surface of SS remotely, instantly, and quantitatively.

Introduction Mechanisms of detachment of fetal membrane after parturition in cattle are poorly understood. Glucocorticoids trigger the initiation of parturition and may facilitate the placental maturation. We compared the disappearance of trophoblast binucleate cells (BNCs) and expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGFB) in term placentomes between spontaneous and induced parturition to investigate the influences of glucocorticoids on the placental maturity. Methods Cows were delivered spontaneously (SP group) or after the administration of prostaglandin (PG) F 2 α (PG group); dexamethasone, PGF 2 α, and estriol (DEX group); and triamcinolone acetonide, PGF 2 α, and betamethasone (BET group) and placentomes were collected immediately after parturition. The number of BNCs in hematoxylin and eosin stained section was examined. Protein localization and mRNA levels of TGFB and its receptor (TGFBR) were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR, respectively. Results TGFB1 is characteristically localized in the maternal septum in caruncle in contrast to TGFB2 and TGFB3, which are mainly found in cotyledonary villi and maternal epithelial cells. TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 colocalized in BNCs. The number of BNCs was lower in the SP group than in PG and DEX groups. mRNA levels of TGFB1 , TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 in the SP group differed from PG and DEX groups. There was no difference between SP and BET groups in all analyses. Discussion These results indicate that parturition inductions using PGF 2 α or dexamethasone were not able to induce disappearance of BNCs and change of TGFB signaling. Results in the BET group suggest that investigation into types, dose, and dosage schedule of glucocorticoids may facilitate placental maturation.

The penetration profile of chlorine in a reinforced concrete (RC) specimen was determined by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The concrete core was prepared from RC beams with cracking damage induced by bending load and salt water spraying. LIBS was performed using a specimen that was obtained by splitting the concrete core, and the line scan of laser pulses gave the two-dimensional emission intensity profiles of 100 × 80 mm2 within one hour. The two-dimensional profile of the emission intensity suggests that the presence of the crack had less effect on the emission intensity when the measurement interval was larger than the crack width. The chlorine emission spectrum was measured without using the buffer gas, which is usually used for chlorine measurement, by collinear double-pulse LIBS. The apparent diffusion coefficient, which is one of the most important parameters for chloride penetration in concrete, was estimated using the depth profile of chlorine emission intensity and Fick's law. The carbonation depth was estimated on the basis of the relationship between carbon and calcium emission intensities. When the carbon emission intensity was statistically higher than the calcium emission intensity at the measurement point, we determined that the point was carbonated. The estimation results were consistent with the spraying test results using phenolphthalein solution. These results suggest that the quantitative estimation by LIBS of carbonation depth and chloride penetration can be performed simultaneously.

The Japan Society for Head and Neck Surgery (JSHNS) started a board certification system for head and neck surgeons in 2010. To become certified, the following qualification and experiences are required: (1) board certification as otorhinolaryngologist, (2) 2 years of clinical experience in a board-certified training facility, (3) clinical care of 100 patients with head and neck cancer under the supervision of board-certified faculty and (4) surgical experience in 50 major head and neck surgical procedures, including 20 neck dissections, under the supervision of board-certified faculty. The following scientific activities are also required during the preceding 5 years: (1) two clinical papers on head and neck cancers presented at major scientific meetings, (2) one clinical paper on head and neck cancer published in a major journal, (3) attendance at two annual meetings of JSHNS and (4) enrolment in three educational programs approved by JSHNS. The qualifying examination consists of multiple choice tests and oral examinations. A total of 151 head and neck surgeons were certified in 2010 followed by 43 in 2011 and 34 in 2012, while the membership of JSHNS dramatically increased from 1201 in 2007 to 1748 in 2013. Although the board certification system for head and neck surgeons was started only recently, it has encouraged many residents and fellows as well as established head and neck surgeons. We believe that this system will contribute to further advancement in the clinical practice for head and neck cancers in Japan.

This study was performed to elucidate the changes in IFNT messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in in vivo-fertilized and parthenogenetic bovine embryos and their interferon-τ (IFNT) secretion amounts during the elongation phase. We assessed the induction capability of maternal recognition of pregnancy by parthenogenetic embryos and attempted cotransfer of in vivo-fertilized and parthenogenetic embryos. The expression level of IFNT mRNA in in vivo-fertilized embryos peaked on Day 18 after estrus, and the highest amount of uterine IFNT was observed on Day 20. Transfer of 10 parthenogenetic embryos produced a detectable amount of uterine IFNT. Transfer of one or three parthenogenetic embryos inhibited luteolysis. An increase in ISG15 mRNA levels in peripheral granulocytes was induced by the transfer of three parthenogenetic embryos. Cotransfer of three parthenogenetic embryos significantly improved the pregnancy rate on Day 40 in code 3 in vivo-fertilized embryos compared with single transfer without parthenogenetic embryos (65% vs. 35%). However, the pregnancy rate on Day 90 (35%) in cotransfer of code 3 in vivo-fertilized embryos did not differ from that upon single transfer (29%), because the cotransfer group had a higher incidence of pregnancy loss than with single transfer (47% vs. 17%) after Day 40. Cotransfer did not affect the pregnancy rate of code 2 in vivo-fertilized embryos. The incidence of pregnancy loss was higher in cotransfer of code 2 in vivo-fertilized embryos than in single transfer (30% vs. 7%). In conclusion, parthenogenetic embryos in the elongation phase secreted IFNT, enabling induction of maternal recognition of pregnancy. The present study revealed that enhancement of the maternal recognition of pregnancy using parthenogenetic embryos promoted the viability of poor-quality embryos until Day 40 of gestation. However, the incidence of pregnancy loss increased after Day 40 in the cotransfer of parthenogenetic embryos. A technique for promoting the full-term survival of poor-quality embryos is needed.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) has been reported to cause acute coronary disease. However, the efficacy of anti-platelet therapy for ET is unclear since there are individual differences in the platelet function of ET patients. Here we report a case of a 62-year-old man with ET who was admitted to our hospital because of acute coronary syndrome. He underwent coronary angioplasty. Dual anti-platelet therapy with aspirin (81mg/day) and clopidogrel (75mg/day) was subsequently initiated. We evaluated platelet reactivity in P2Y12 reaction units, and subsequently determined anti-platelet drugs and corresponding doses.

The atmospheric corrosion test and residual stress measurement were performed to evaluate the effect of laser irradiation on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) initiation. Second-harmonic Nd:YAG laser pulses (pulse width: 10 ns) were irradiated on a type-304L stainless-steel plate. The specimens were placed in a chamber at 353 K with RH=35% for the corrosion test. When laser energies were 30 and 300 mJ, cracks caused by SCC or pitting were observed on the surface of the specimens. The cracks were classified into two types on the basis of cumulative probability distribution; one of the types is related to the laser irradiation condition. The mean maximum crack depths were about 27 and 52 μm when laser energies were 30 and 300 mJ, respectively. These values were the same as the depth at which the tensile residual stress was induced from the surface of the specimen by laser irradiation. These results suggest that the maximum stress corrosion crack depth was caused by the tensile residual stress induced by laser irradiation, and that the crack stopped propagating when the crack depth was larger than several dozen μm in this test set. When laser pulses of 300 mJ energy were irradiated on the surface of the specimen by shot peening, the tensile stress was induced up to 20 μm from the surface, and the compressive stress was observed at a larger depth. These results show that the laser irradiation is less effective in obtaining tensile residual stress of the specimen compared to when laser pulses are irradiated on the specimen treated by shot peening. The depth of tensile stress obtained by laser irradiation is much shorter than that of compressive stress obtained by shot peening.

Threshold pressure Pcth, a parameter controlling rock's sealing performance in cases of CO2 geological sequestration, was studied in a supercritical CO2–water system under conditions of 1000 m depth. To provide a constraint to the variation range of rocks’ Pcth, the correlation between Pcth and permeability, k, was examined using sintered compacts composed of mono- and bi-dispersed spherical silica particles. The Knudsen number estimated for supercritical CO2 at 1000 m depth indicated that CO2 transmuted into a non-continuum at k < 0.1μD in the closest-packing structure. Future studies should consider whether the concept of Pcth is applicable in this situation.

The actin-like protein ParM forms the cytomotive filament of the ParMRC system, a type II plasmid segregation system encoded by Escherichia coli R1 plasmid. We report an 8.5Å resolution reconstruction of the ParM filament, obtained using cryo-electron microscopy. Fitting of the 3D density reconstruction with monomeric crystal structures of ParM provides insights into dynamic instability of ParM filaments. The structural analysis suggests that a ParM conformation, corresponding to a metastable state, is held within the filament by intrafilament contacts. This filament conformation of ParM can be attained only from the ATP-bound state, and induces a change in conformation of the bound nucleotide. The structural analysis also provides a rationale for the observed stimulation of hydrolysis upon polymerisation into the filament.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in the single-pulse or orthogonal double-pulse configuration was performed for the measurement of the concentration of chlorine, which induces the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking (SCC), attached to stainless-steel (UNS S30403). The chlorine spectra were measured for samples sprayed with synthetic seawater with chlorine concentrations from 0.1 to 1.0 g/m2. The chlorine emission intensity decreased between chlorine concentrations of 0.4 and 1.0 g/m2 as determined in the single-pulse measurement. The chlorine concentration dependence of the chlorine emission intensity in the single-pulse configuration was unchanged even when the laser energy was set between 30 and 100 mJ. On the other hand, the chlorine emission intensity increased linearly versus chlorine concentration from 0.1 to 1.0 g/m2 with the orthogonal double-pulse configuration. The results suggest that LIBS is promising for the inspection of the environmental condition for SCC initiation, which can occur when the chlorine concentration is greater than or equal to 0.8 g/m2.

Considering the importance of thorium data and concerning about the accuracy of Th232 cross section library, a series of experiments on thorium critical core with different neutron spectra has been implemented at Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA). Reactivity worth of control rod and thorium sample was measured after the cores experimentally achieved critical state. In order to verify the accuracy of thorium cross section library, calculations of effective multiplication factor, control rod worth, reactivity worth of Th plates for the same core configurations were done by MVP code ( Nagaya et al., 2005 ) using JENDL-4.0 library ( Shibata et al., 2011 ). From the comparison between the measured and calculated results, the calculations are found to overestimate effective multiplication factor about (0.90 ± 0.01–0.99 ± 0.01)%. By comparing the measured Th sample worth with the calculated one, Th capture underestimation is reassured. Sensitive study on reactivity worth evaluation was conducted and it suggests that Th capture cross section is needed to be adjusted at thermal energy range to provide more reliable evaluation for thorium based fuel core design and safety calculation.

The ion-shadow method, an ion milling process using carbon particles as the mask material, is investigated as a means of preparing resistance random access memory (ReRAM) samples for in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). With a milling time of 1 hour (Ar+, 5 kV, 1 mA), multiple long needles (> 5 μm), on which there are miniaturized ReRAM devices comprising a ReRAM insulating layer sandwiched by two metallic electrodes, are formed on the substrate. Device sizes of up to several hundreds of nm are easily obtained with the method. The internal part of small devices (i.e., up to 100 nm) can be observed by TEM. Electrical measurements using an in situ TEM holder demonstrate that sufficient electric contact is obtained without any electric shortage between the electrodes due to re-deposition of milled material. The ion-shadow method is confirmed to be a quick and easy method suitable for in situ TEM experiments, especially for ReRAM devices which are highly susceptible to destruction during the switching operation.

Exogenous growth factors may increase the efficiency of embryo development in vitro . The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I on porcine embryo development. Porcine embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization were cultured for seven days in the presence of IGF-I (50, 100 or 150 ng/ml). Subsequently, relative transcript abundance (RA) of IGF-related genes ( IGFR1 , IGFBP2 , and IGFBP3 ), glucose transporter genes ( SLC2A4 and SLC2A8 ), and apoptosis-related genes ( BAX and BCL-XL ) was analyzed. No differences were observed in the cleavage rate on day 2 post insemination (pi) and blastocysts rate on day 7 pi between IGF-treated and control embryos. IGF-I treatment did not affect RA of IGFR1 , IGFBP3 , and SLC2A4 genes, but decreased RA of IGFBP2 and SLC2A8 genes. The percentage of TUNEL-positive nuclei in blastocysts did not differ between the experimental groups. However, RA of BAX and BCL-XL genes decreased in response to all IGF-I concentrations, whereas the BCL-XL / BAX RA ratio was enhanced when embryos were cultured in medium containing 150 ng/ml of IGF-I. These results indicate that IGF-I did not stimulate in vitro development of porcine embryos through the IGF signaling system, nor did IGF-I stimulate RA of glucose transporter genes. However, IGF-I at the highest dose was able to increase the BCL-XL/BAX transcript expression ratio. This may indicate that the primary role of IGF-I during the first days of embryo development in the pig is associated with anti-apoptotic actions rather than with growth stimulation.

The purpose of this study is to examine the CO 2 sorption amount for Kimachi sandstone and Berea sandstone in water-saturated and air-dry states using pressure decay method (manometric method) at 50° and pressures of up to 20 MPa and to provide useful information for assessing the effect of water saturation state on sorption behavior of CO 2 in host reservoir rocks.

Dawsonite-bearing carbonate veins are abundant in a compact mudstone layer of the lower part of the Izumi Group, SW Japan. The mode of occurrence of the veins probably indicates fracturing and mineral sealing associated with upwelling of CO 2 -rich fluid evolved in the reservoir beneath. The carbonate veins studied here can be a natural support to fracturing and healing of mudstone caprock in the CO 2 geological storage.

This paper overviews studies being conducted in the National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) on the fluid-rock mechanical interaction associated with CO 2 geological storage (CGS). Our studies include the extension of TOUGH-FLAC simulator developed in LBNL to CGS under the geologic conditions of Japan where the young sedimentary basins underlain by so-called “soft rocks” are postulated to be the place of CO 2 storage. Experimental studies and basic studies on the petrophysical properties of “soft rocks” are also the important parts of the whole research program to elucidate their mechanical behaviors under the conditions in and around a CO 2 reservoir and its caprock.

The results of neurophysiological research have indicated the important role of neuromodulation in behavior decisions during fighting between male crickets. To understand such a dynamic behavior generation mechanism, we attempt to construct a neuromodulation model of behavior selection for the fighting behavior of a cricket. In this paper, we propose a dynamic system model of neuromodulation with the efficacy based on neurophysiological knowledge, facts, and hypotheses from the viewpoint of synthesis. The efficacy of the sensory processing center is introduced to our previous model and its dynamics is influenced by the frequency of the interactions with the other cricket. Utilizing an extended neuromodulation model, computer simulations related to a multiple-individual environment were carried out, and the results are discussed. In particular, the properties related to the standard deviation of the value of octopamine in several population density cases are discussed.

Resistive random access memory (ReRAM) properties in which the resistance of the insulating material drastically changes by voltage application have recently attracted much attention. In this work, molybdenum oxide prepared by thermal oxidation of Mo films was studied to investigate its potential as a material exhibiting ReRAM switching. The samples oxidized between 400 and 600 °C were composed of MoO 3 and were switchable. Current-to-voltage curves, which were measured in air at room temperature by using a Pt–Ir probe as the top electrode, indicated the yielding of both the monopolar and bipolar switching properties. The resistance on-off ratio was between 10 and 10 2 .

Human P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is encoded by ABCB1 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B member 1), is expressed in the blood brain barrier and protects the brain from many kinds of drugs and toxins including glucocorticoids by acting as an efflux pump. We examined whether functional polymorphisms of ABCB1 give susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD). The five functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), A-41G (rs2188524), T-129C (rs3213619), C1236T (Gly412Gly: rs1128503), G2677A/T (Ala893Ser/Thr: rs2032582), and C3435T (Ile1145Ile: rs1045642) were genotyped in 631 MDD patients and 1100 controls in the Japanese population. A tri-allelic SNP, G2677A/T, was genotyped by pyrosequencing and the remaining SNPs were genotyped by the TaqMan 5'-exonuclease allelic discrimination assay. The minor T3435 allele was significantly increased in MDD patients than in the controls (χ(2) = 4.5, df = 1, p = 0.034, odds ratio [OR] 1.16, 95% confidential interval [CI] 1.01-1.34). Homozygotes for the T3435 allele was significantly more common in patients than in the controls (χ(2) = 7.5, df = 1, p = 0.0062, OR 1.43, 95%CI 1.11-1.85). With respect to the other 4 SNPs, there was no significant difference in genotype or allele distribution. In the haplotype-based analysis, the proportion of individuals with the TT1236-TT3435 haploid genotype was significantly increased in patients than in controls (χ(2) = 8.5, df = 1, p = 0.0037, OR 1.50, 95%CI 1.14-1.98). Our results suggest that the T3435 allele or carrying two copies of this allele confers susceptibility to MDD in the Japanese population.

Purpose To analyze the outcome in T1–2 hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) patients treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT). Patients and Methods A total of 103 patients with T1–2 hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radical RT between March 2000 and June 2008 at our institution were analyzed. Pre-RT neck dissection (ND) was performed in 26 patients with advanced neck disease. Chemotherapy was used concurrently with RT in 14 patients. Sixty patients were associated with synchronous or metachronous malignancies. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 41 months. Results The 3-year overall and cause-specific survival rates were 70% and 79%, respectively. The 3-year local control rates were 87% for T1 and 83% for T2 disease. The ultimate local control rate was 89%, including 7 patients in whom salvage was successful. The ultimate local control rate with laryngeal preservation was 82%. Tumors of the medial wall of the pyriform sinus tended to have lower control rates compared with tumors of the lateral or posterior pharyngeal wall. Among patients with N2b–3 disease, the 3-year regional control rates were 74% for patients with pre-RT ND and 40% for patients without ND. The 3-year locoregional control rates were as follows: Stage I, 100%; Stage II, 84%; Stage III, 67%; Stage IVA, 43%; Stage IVB, 67%. Forty-two patients developed disease recurrence, with 29 (70%) patients developing recurrence within the first year. Of the 103 patients, 6 developed late complications higher than or equal to Grade 3. Conclusions Definitive RT accomplished a satisfactory local control rate and contributed to organ preservation.

Objective The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) mediates cellular cholesterol efflux through the transfer of cholesterol from the inner to the outer layer of the cell membrane and regulates extracellular cholesterol levels in the central nervous system. Several lines of evidence have indicated lipid and myelin abnormalities in schizophrenia. Method Initially, we examined the possible association of the polymorphisms of the ABCA1 gene ( ABCA1 ) with susceptibility to schizophrenia in 506 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV) and 941 controls. The observed association was then subject to a replication analysis in an independent sample of 511 patients and 539 controls. We further examined the possible effect of the risk allele on gray matter volume assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 86 patients with schizophrenia (49 males) and 139 healthy controls (47 males). Results In the initial association study, the 1587 K allele (rs2230808) was significantly more common in male patients with schizophrenia than in male controls. Although such a significant difference was not observed in the second sample alone, the increased frequency of the 1587 K allele in male patients remained to be significant in the combined male sample of 556 patients and 594 controls. Male schizophrenia patients carrying the 1587 K allele had a smaller amount of gray matter volume than those who did not carry the allele. Conclusion Our data suggest a male-specific association of the 1587 K allele of ABCA1 with susceptibility to schizophrenia and smaller gray matter volume in schizophrenia.

We report the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces with a hierarchical morphology by self-organized anodizing process. Simply by anodizing of niobium metal in hot phosphate–glycerol electrolyte, niobium oxide microcones, consisting of highly branched oxide nanofibers, develop on the surface. The size of the microcones and their tip angles are controlled by changing the applied potential difference in anodizing and the water content in the electrolyte. Reduction of the water content increases the size of the microcones, with the nanofibers changing to nanoparticles. The size of microcones is also reduced by increasing the applied potential difference, without influencing the tip angle. The hierarchical oxide surfaces are superhydrophilic, with static contact angles close to 0°. Coating of the anodic oxide films with a monolayer of fluoroalkyl phosphate makes the surfaces superhydrophobic with a contact angle for water as high as 175° and a very small contact angle hysteresis of only 2°. The present results indicate that the larger microcones with smaller tip angles show the higher contact angle for water.

For electrolytic capacitor application of the single-phase Ti alloys containing supersaturated silicon, which form anodic oxide films with superior dielectric properties, porous Ti–7 at% Si columnar films, as well as Ti columnar films, have been prepared by oblique angle magnetron sputtering on to aluminum substrate with a concave cell structure to enhance the surface area and hence capacitance. The deposited films of both Ti and Ti–7 at% Si have isolated columnar morphology with each column revealing nanogranular texture. The distances between columns are ∼500 nm, corresponding to the cell size of the textured substrate and the gaps between columns are 100–200 nm. When the porous Ti–7 at% Si film is anodized at a constant current density in ammonium pentaborate electrolyte, the growth of a uniform amorphous oxide film continues to ∼35 V, while it is limited to less than 6 V on the porous Ti film. The maximum voltage of the growth of uniform amorphous oxide films on the Ti–7 at% Si films is similar for both the flat and porous columnar films, suggesting little influence of surface roughness on the amorphous-to-crystalline transition of growing anodic oxide under the high electric field. Due to the suppression of crystallization to sufficiently high voltages, the anodic oxide films formed on the porous Ti–7 at% Si film shows markedly improved dielectric properties, in comparison with those on the porous Ti film.

Aim of the study Emblica officinalis Gaertn., commonly known as amla, is a rich dietary source of vitamin C, minerals and amino acids, and also contains various phenolic compounds. Amla extract is also known to exhibits potent antioxidant properties and to provide protection for human dermal fibroblasts against oxidative stress, and therefore it is thought to be useful for natural skin care. In this study, we investigated the effects of amla extract on human skin fibroblasts, especially for production of procollagen and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), in vitro . Materials and Methods Mitochondrial activity of human skin fibroblasts were measured by WST-8 assay. Quantification of procollagen, MMPs, and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) released from human skin fibroblasts were performed by immunoassay technique. Results and Conclusions Amla extract stimulated proliferation of fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner, and also induced production of procollagen in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Conversely, MMP-1 production from fibroblasts was dramatically decreased, but there was no evident effect on MMP-2. TIMP-1 was significantly increased by amla extract. From these results, it appears that amla extract works effectively in mitigative, therapeutic and cosmetic applications through control of collagen metabolism.

Objectives The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between shear stress distribution and coronary plaque rupture by means of a new color-mapping program of shear stress with 3-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Background Various in-vitro studies have demonstrated that shear stress of the vascular lumen is one of the important determinants of coronary plaque vulnerability. However, the in-vivo relationship between shear stress and plaque rupture is still unclear. Methods In the present study, 3-dimensional IVUS was used to obtain spatial information on luminal geometry from 20 patients with acute coronary syndrome having a distinct ulcerative lesion. These 3-dimensional contours for each lumen were first reconstructed into mesh polygons, and then analyzed by means of a program for calculating the fluid dynamics. The flow was considered to be a constant laminar one. Then, colorized mappings of the distribution of the streamline, blood pressure, and shear stress were performed. The original luminal contour for each ruptured lesion was obtained by smoothing and extrapolation. Results All patients had a coronary plaque rupture in the proximal or top portion of the plaque hill. In the color mapping, localized elevation of blood pressure and shear stress could be observed on each plaque surface. The shear stress concentration was frequently correlated with the plaque rupture site (kappa = 0.79). Conclusions Although the absolute value of shear stress is not sufficient to directly provoke mechanical destruction of the fibrous cap, localized high shear stress might be a trigger of fibrous cap rupture.

SummaryA 73-year-old female underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because of stable angina. An elective PCI for the RCA lesion was first performed with deploying sirolimus eluting stents (SES). Three weeks later, PCI was also provided in the residual LAD lesion. Eight months later, she presented with new angina. CAG revealed an in-stent restenosis in the mid LAD and a large eccentric saccular coronary aneurysm (17mm×9mm) at the proximal RCA. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed absence of stent struts around the orifice of aneurysm, which suggested a fracture of SES stent. The entry of coronary aneurysm was finally sealed with a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent. This report documented a rare case of late giant coronary artery aneurysm associated with a fracture of SES.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered to be one of the greenhouse gases that may contribute most to global warming on the earth. Disposal of CO2 from stationary sources into subsurface structures has been suggested as a possible means for reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. However, much remains to be done in the issues regarding the safety and reliability of CO2 geological sequestration. In this study, we have developed a simulation code by using the mathematical model of two phase flow in porous media to analyze the flow dynamics in the subsurface. The equation of state for CO2 covering the fluid region from the triple point to the supercritical region is employed to model the states of CO2 gas, liquid and supercritical state. The correct understanding of the CO2 state under the geological formation condition is an important factor to predict the injection pressure and CO2 fluid permeation because the fluid density has a great effect on the injection behavior. The numerical simulation was implemented under several geological conditions including gas, liquid and supercritical states to examine the optimal injection condition. Comparing the numerical results obtained using the equation of state for CO2 with those obtained using the ideal gas equation, it has been shown that the difference in the injection pressure appears to be significant near the condition of the critical point of CO2 and the phase equilibrium curves between the gas and liquid states. The numerical simulation has been implemented to examine the effect of the reservoir condition on the injection behavior. The injection pressure is decreased at the lower reservoir temperature and higher hydrostatic pressure condition. The CO2 permeation is also strongly affected by the reservoir condition, and the spatial CO2 saturation becomes higher with increasing reservoir temperature. It has been demonstrated that the simulation code developed in this study may be useful to provide knowledge required to select the reservoir condition for CO2 geological sequestration.

The angular distribution and energy spectra of energetic protons emitted from a 5-μm thick copper tape target irradiated by p-, circularly-, and s-polarized 55-fs laser pulses with intensity of 8 – 9 × 10 18 W / cm 2 are measured. The protons are found in the rear target normal direction while the hot electrons are found in the laser propagation direction. The maximum energy of protons is equal to 1.34 MeV for p-polarized irradiation. The energy spectrum of protons depends strongly on the total amount of electrons but it does not so strongly depend on the electron angular distribution under our experiment conditions. Two-dimensional particle in cell simulations also show the maximal proton acceleration for the p-polarized pulse, less efficient acceleration for the circular polarization, and lower acceleration efficiency in the case of the s-polarization, which is related to the electron acceleration efficiency at the front side of the target.

Desmoglein 3 is a desmosomal protein of the cadherin family. Our cDNA expression profile demonstrated that desmoglein 3 was highly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung but not detected in pulmonary adenocarcinoma or normal lung. To investigate the clinical significance of desmoglein 3 in lung cancer, we surveyed its expression in primary non-small-cell lung cancers and neuroendocrine tumors. We used immunohistochemical analysis to examine the expression of desmoglein 3 by using tissue microarrays containing samples from 300 surgical non-small-cell lung cancer and 183 lung neuroendocrine tumor. Staining status was determined based on the sum of the distribution score (0, 1, or 2) and the intensity score (0, 1, 2, or 3) of the staining signal. Follow-up was available for 346 cases (median follow-up of 2.8 years). We determined the survival statistical significance of desmoglein 3 by using the log-rank test, and we plotted Kaplan-Meier curves. Negative immunohistochemical staining with desmoglein 3 was associated with shorter survival for all lung cancer patients regardless of the histologic subtype (5-year survival of 20.9% versus 49.5%, P < .001) in our series. In patients with atypical carcinoid tumors, lacking desmoglein 3 expression showed a 5-year survival of 0% compared with 36.8% for desmoglein 3-positive cases (P < .001). Desmoglein 3 status indicated a poor prognosis in lung cancers and portends a more aggressive behavior for atypical carcinoid tumors.

We report the experimental results of proton acceleration as well as the simple one-dimensional model which explains our experimental data. The proton acceleration experiment is carried out with a TW short pulse laser irradiated on a tantalum thin-foil target (3 μm thickness) with an intensity of ∼ 3 × 10 18 W cm −2 . Accelerated protons exhibit a typical energy spectrum with two quasi-Maxwellian components with a high energy cut-off. We can successfully explain the higher energy part as well as the cut off energy of the proton spectrum with the simple-one-dimensional model based on the strong charge separation regime, which is the extension of the model proposed originally by [M. Passoni et al., Phys. Rev. E 69 (2004) 026411].

Objective : To investigate the expression of Sox9 protein in the process of cartilage formation after periosteal grafting using the rat periosteum graft model. Materials and Methods : Periostea taken from twenty 7-week-old rats were immediately grafted into the suprahyoid muscles. Grafted tissues were harvested 0, 7, 14, and 21 days after grafting and examined by microscopy and immunohistochemistry using CD44, type 2 collagen, and Sox9 antibodies as markers. Results : Periosteal cells expressed CD44 after 7 days and Sox9 after 14 days. The Sox9-positive cells showed chondrogenic differentiation with type 2 collagen expression by 21 days after grafting. Endochondral ossification was also seen 21 days after grafting. Sox9 was not detected in hypertrophic chondrocytes. Conclusion : These findings suggested that Sox9 may be related to chondrogenic differentiation of periosteal cells in grafted periosteum.