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In this research a machine learning framework was developed for cotton yield estimation using multi-temporal remote sensing data collected from unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The proposed machine learning model was based on an artificial neural network (ANN) and used three types of crop features derived from UAS data to predict the yield, namely; multi-temporal features including canopy cover, canopy height, canopy volume, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), excessive greenness index (ExG); non-temporal features including cotton boll count, boll size and boll volume, and irrigation status as a qualitative feature. The model provided low residual values with predicted yield values close to the observed yield values (R2 ~ 0.9). ANN model performance was compared with support vector regression (SVR) and random forest regression (RFR). Comparison results revealed that ANN model outperforms SVR and RFR. Additionally, redundant features were removed using correlation analysis, and an optimal subset of features was obtained that included canopy volume, ExG, boll count, boll volume and irrigation status. Moreover, the relative significance of each feature in the optimal input feature subset was determined using sensitivity analysis. It was found that canopy volume and ExG contributed around 50% towards the corresponding yield. Finally, further analysis was performed to investigate how early in the growing season the model can accurately predict yield. It was observed that even at 70 days after planting the model predicted yield with reasonable accuracy (R2 of 0.72 over test set). This study revealed that UAS derived multi-temporal data along with non-temporal and qualitative data can be combined within a machine learning framework to provide a reliable estimation of crop yield and provide effective understanding for crop management.

To explore the differences in mean treatment costs between home-based care and hospital-based care in enteral nutrition patients in Japan.Using claims data from September 2013 to August 2014, we analyzed patients with recorded reimbursements for enteral nutrition at home or in a hospital. Treatment costs were compared using a panel data analysis with an individual fixed effects model that adjusted for the number of comorbidities and fiscal year. Costs were compared for all patients, as well as for specific diseases (pneumonia, sequelae of cerebrovascular disease, and dementia).The study sample comprised 7,783 patients with a cumulative total of 33,751 person-months of data. The mean patient age was 84.4 years for home-based care, 83.7 years for hospital-based care. The panel data analysis found that the cost estimates for hospital-based care were consistently higher than those for home-based care; the difference in adjusted treatment costs were $4,894 for all patients, $5,315 for pneumonia patients, $4,481 for sequelae of cerebrovascular disease patients, and $4,519 for dementia patients (all P 0.001). Hospital-based care was still more expensive even when long-term care services were included in home-based care treatment cost estimates.Home-based care was consistently and substantially cheaper than hospital-based care in enteral nutrition patients in Japan.

Assessing plant population of cotton is important to make replanting decisions in low plant density areas, prone to yielding penalties. Since the measurement of plant population in the field is labor intensive and subject to error, in this study, a new approach of image-based plant counting is proposed, using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS; DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Shenzhen, China) data. The previously developed image-based techniques required a priori information of geometry or statistical characteristics of plant canopy features, while also limiting the versatility of the methods in variable field conditions. In this regard, a deep learning-based plant counting algorithm was proposed to reduce the number of input variables, and to remove requirements for acquiring geometric or statistical information. The object detection model named You Only Look Once version 3 (YOLOv3) and photogrammetry were utilized to separate, locate, and count cotton plants in the seedling stage. The proposed algorithm was tested with four different UAS datasets, containing variability in plant size, overall illumination, and background brightness. Root mean square error (RMSE) and R2 values of the optimal plant count results ranged from 0.50 to 0.60 plants per linear meter of row (number of plants within 1 m distance along the planting row direction) and 0.96 to 0.97, respectively. The object detection algorithm, trained with variable plant size, ground wetness, and lighting conditions generally resulted in a lower detection error, unless an observable difference of developmental stages of cotton existed. The proposed plant counting algorithm performed well with 0–14 plants per linear meter of row, when cotton plants are generally separable in the seedling stage. This study is expected to provide an automated methodology for in situ evaluation of plant emergence using UAS data.

Modern agriculture and food production systems are facing increasing pressures from climate change, land and water availability, and, more recently, a pandemic. These factors are threatening the environmental and economic sustainability of current and future food supply systems. Scientific and technological innovations are needed more than ever to secure enough food for a fast-growing global population. Scientific advances have led to a better understanding of how various components of the agricultural system interact, from the cell to the field level. Despite incredible advances in genetic tools over the past few decades, our ability to accurately assess crop status in the field, at scale, has been severely lacking until recently. Thanks to recent advances in remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can now quantify field scale phenotypic information accurately and integrate the big data into predictive and prescriptive management tools. This review focuses on the use of recent technological advances in remote sensing and AI to improve the resilience of agricultural systems, and we will present a unique opportunity for the development of prescriptive tools needed to address the next decade's agricultural and human nutrition challenges.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between economic security and self-rated health for elderly Japanese residents living alone. A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. N City, H. Prefecture, Japan. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 2,985 elderly residents living alone, aged ≥70 years, of which, 1,939 (65.0%) were returned and treated as valid responses. The survey included questions about gender, age, number of years spent in N City, self-rated health, economic security, number of years spent living alone, reason for living alone, life satisfaction, cooking frequency, frequency of seeing a doctor, long-term care service usage, as well as whether they enjoyed their lives, participated in social organizations. Of the respondents, 1,563 (80.6%) reported that they were economically secure, and 376 (19.4%) responded that they were insecure. The odds ratio predicting poor self-rated health for the economically insecure participants was significantly high (odds ratio: 3.19, 95%, Confidence Interval (CI): 2.53−4.02, and P < 0.001). Similarly, the adjusted odds ratio for poor self-rated health was significantly high for the economically insecure participants in multivariate analyses controlling for factors such as age, gender, cooking frequency, and social participation (adjusted odds ratio: 2.21, 95%, CI: 1.70−2.88, and P < 0.001). Furthermore, a similar trend was observed in stratified analyses based on gender and age groups. Economic security predicted self-rated health independently of confounders, including social participation and cooking frequency, among the elderly Japanese living alone in communities.

This study evaluated the effects of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist on gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility and residue rates by examining GI transit time and lumen using capsule endoscopy.GI motility and lumen were assessed by capsule endoscopy before and after liraglutide administration in 14 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Gastric transit time in the group with diabetic neuropathy (DN) was 1:12:36±1:04:30h before liraglutide administration and 0:48:40±0:32:52h after administration (nonsignificant difference, P=0.19). Gastric transit time in the non-DN group was 1:01:30±0:52:59h before administration and 2:33:29±1:37:24h after administration (significant increase, P=0.03). Duodenal and small intestine transit time in the DN group was 4:10:34±0:25:54h before and 6:38:42±3:52:42h after administration (not significant, P=0.09) and, in the non-DN group, 3:51:03±0:53:47h before and 6:45:31±2:41:36h after administration (significant increase, P=0.03). The GI residue rate in the DN group was 32.1±24% before administration and 90.0±9.1% after administration (significant increase, P0.001), and increased in all patients; in the non-DN group, it was 32.1±35.3% before and 78.3±23.9% after administration (significant increase, P0.001), and also increased in all patients.Liraglutide causes delayed gastric emptying and inhibits duodenal and small intestine motility. However, these GI movement-inhibiting effects may be decreased or absent in patients with DN-associated dysautonomia.

The objective of this effort was to evaluate current commercially-available sensor technology (three sonic ranging and two NDVI sensors) for use in a ground-based platform for plant phenotyping and crop management decisions. The Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver from Trimble provided a high level of accuracy during our tests. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data collected using the GreenSeeker sensors were more consistent and presented less variability when compared to the Decagon SRS sensor. The consistency could be due to the GreenSeeker system averaging readings of more rows. The tests also indicated that although sonic ranging sensor technology may be employed to obtain average plant height estimates, the technology is still a limiting factor for high-accuracy measurements at the plant level.

Crop height is a very important attribute to assess overall crop condition, irrigation, and estimation of terminal yield. In this study, a novel method to monitor crop height of Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) using an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is proposed. UAS data were acquired seven times over the growing season and each aerial acquisition included over 200 images with significant image overlap at an altitude of 50 m above ground. Ortho-mosaic image and 3D point cloud were generated by applying the Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithm to the images. Ground control points (GCPs) were installed around the study area and they were surveyed using a real time kinematic (RTK) GPS unit for accurate geo-referencing of the geospatial data products. A Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Digital Surface Model (DSM) were generated from the 3D point cloud data, and a Crop Height Model (CHM) was then created by subtracting DTM from DSM. Uniform crop grids along the center line of each variety were defined for further processing. The maximum CHM value within each individual grid was taken to represent crop height of the grid, and average of all grid heights over the whole area of each variety was calculated as crop height of individual variety. These measurements were compared with manual crop height measurements. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between field measurements and the proposed approach was 0.33 m. In addition, the height estimates from both field measurement and the proposed approach could be used to derive a growth curve by fitting a sigmoidal curve. The residual RMSEs between the observed and predicted value of the curve established from UAS and field measurements were calculated as 0.05 m and 0.1 m, respectively. The growth curve results showed that the proposed approach indicated less RMSE and generated more reliable growth curves for monitoring sorghum height.

Objective: To analyze the polymorphism -1171 5A / 6A rs3025058 of the MMP-3 gene and the risk for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Study Design: This is a cohort study. All patients attended the Urogynecology and Vaginal Surgery Section of the FMABC, from 2014 to 2016 and they were randomly recruited by the researchers at the first medical appointment. We selected 112 patients with symptomatic POPs and 180 patients with normal pelvic floors. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 5A / 6A of MMP-3 was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analysis of the restriction fragments in both groups. Chi-squared test was used to compare the frequencies of polymorphisms between the groups. For those characteristics with statistical relevance, the crude odds ratio (OR) and its respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated; and, by logistic regression, were adjusted for each of the other characteristics, obtaining the adjusted OR. Hardy-Weinberg gene balance was determined using Pearson's Chi-squared test. Values of p

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images have great potential for various agricultural applications. In particular, UAV systems facilitate timely and precise data collection in agriculture fields at high spatial and temporal resolutions. In this study, we propose an automatic open cotton boll detection algorithm using ultra-fine spatial resolution UAV images. Seed points for a region growing algorithm were generated hierarchically with a random base for computation efficiency. Cotton boll candidates were determined based on the spatial features of each region growing segment. Spectral threshold values that automatically separate cotton bolls from other non-target objects were derived based on input images for adaptive application. Finally, a binary cotton boll classification was performed using the derived threshold values and other morphological filters to reduce noise from the results. The open cotton boll classification results were validated using reference data and the results showed an accuracy higher than 88% in various evaluation measures. Moreover, the UAV-extracted cotton boll area and actual crop yield had a strong positive correlation (0.8). The proposed method leverages UAV characteristics such as high spatial resolution and accessibility by applying automatic and unsupervised procedures using images from a single date. Additionally, this study verified the extraction of target regions of interest from UAV images for direct yield estimation. Cotton yield estimation models had R2 values between 0.63 and 0.65 and RMSE values between 0.47 kg and 0.66 kg per plot grid.

Background Dermatological diseases have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL), affecting mental and physical health. Leprosy patients usually present with a worse QoL compared with those affected by other conditions. Reactions, neural damage, and pain are some of the consequences that contribute to the lower QoL. However, due to the wide spectrum of the disease, symptoms vary according to leprosy's subtype. This study aimed to compare the QoL between paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy patients. Individuals were also compared considering the presence of reactions and a correlation between questionnaires was performed. Methods A total of 104 patients with leprosy aged 18 years old and over were selected. QoL was assessed by the Brazilian-Portuguese validated versions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and the Dermatology Life Quality Life Index (DLQI). Results Multibacillary patients showed a more impaired physical function, worse bodily pain, lower score of SF-36, and higher interference of skin on the performance of daily activities when compared to the paucibacillary group. Individuals without reactions presented lower bodily pain and less effect of the skin on clothing choices compared to those with reactions. The SF-36 domains exhibited weak correlations with most DLQI questions, and the linear regression model showed that 32% of changes in QoL were related to the skin aspect. Conclusions Multibacillary leprosy patients have a worse QoL when compared to paucibacillary patients. Reactions played a small role in the QoL of our cohort of patients.

Background Objectives Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection has been increasing in both general population and immunocompromised patients in Japan. This study aimed to identify the incidence and clinical characteristics of NTM infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis and assessed 11 RA patients, who were all female, complicated with NTM (mean age, 66.6 years) at our institute. We examined Steinbrocker Stage and Class, disease duration, positivity of anti-CCP antibody and rheumatoid factor, HAQ-DI, DAS28-ESR, NTM species, radiological features, methotrexate use and dosage, prednisolone use and dosage, biological agent use, and anti-NTM therapy. Results Average values obtained with SD were as follows: age (years), 66.6±8.0; Steinbrocker Stage I, 1; II, 0; III, 1; and IV, 9; Class 1, 2; 2, 5; 3, 4; and 4, 0; disease duration (months), 274.9±126.9; positivity of anti-CCP antibody, 80.0%; positivity of rheumatoid factor, 100%; HAQ-DI, 1.35±0.72; DAS28-ESR, 3.61±0.90; detection by sputum culture, 81.8%; NTM species, M. avium, 8 cases and M. intracellulare, 3 cases; bronchiectasis, 90.9%; interstitial pneumonia, 0%; methotrexate use and dosage (mg/week); 63.6% and 7.4±3.4; prednisolone use and dosage (mg/day); 81.8% and 4.3±2.0; biological agent use, 45.5%; and anti-NTM therapy, 36.4%. Conclusions At our institute, RA patients complicated with NTM were long-standing, had high disease activities and worse HAQ-DI. In all five patients (45.5%) who were treated with biologics, 3 who had preceding episodes of NTM infection were treated with anti-NTM therapy before treatment with biologics, and the other 2 who had asymptomatic NTM infection after treatment with biologics were not treated with anti-NTM therapy thereafter. In RA patients who are treated with biologics, it is necessary to perform sputum cultures constantly to detect possible NTM infections. This finding is important in the management of RA complicated with NTM. Disclosure of Interest None declared

A 20 nm-thick AlON buffer layer consisting of Al2O3, graded AlON, AlN, and thin Al2O3 amorphous films was used to grow AlN on a sapphire substrate by molecular beam epitaxy with radio frequency plasma for nitrogen source (RF-MBE). Mirror-smooth AlN layers were successfully obtained using this new AlON buffer layer. The total threading dislocation densities of AlN layers are comparable to those reported for the high-quality AlN layers grown by RF-MBE using the conventional low-temperature (LT) buffer layer.

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors with 0.125 μm gate length were rf stressed at 10 GHz. Depth resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) was employed to investigate the role of defects in devices that exhibited typical mean time to failure (MTTF) compared to those that suffered from infant mortality. The CL spectra exhibited both laterally and vertically localized defect emission within the channel of devices that failed early, indicating the presence of an increased concentration of VGa-based defects within the device. Additionally, residual compressive stress was observed in all devices after electrical stress.

We created an information and communication technology system to monitor the feeding of grazing cattle, comprising the following elements: (1) actuators, including an audio player, feeder, and stanchion (an equipment for locking cattle neck during feeding); (2) wireless nodes with Wi-Fi connectivity to control the actuators; (3) Internet protocol (IP)-addressed cameras with Wi-Fi connectivity; (4) a wireless access point enabling the wireless nodes and IP cameras to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi; and (5) a Web server that communicates with the wireless nodes and delivers a control graphical user interface for use by farmers. Farmers can call cattle towards an IP camera and feed them by using a smartphone without being physically present on the farm. Next, we constructed a received signal strength-based location system for grazing cattle. This included monitoring the location of cattle on pastures in mountainous areas, where issues to be considered included low energy consumption for battery operation and radio propagation degradation due to the undulating topography of the pastures. To evaluate the proposed algorithm, an experimental study was conducted in a pasture with an area of 2 km2. We also provided a means to view the locality on a smartphone by creating an application that connects to this system. In this study, we created two systems controllable via a smartphone, one system to call cattle and the other to monitor their locations. These systems could be very useful to farmers in controlling and monitoring cattle grazing.

We report 2 instances in which reactional borderline leprosy manifested itself as an immune reconstitution phenomenon in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We discuss the clinical, laboratory-based, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of both patients. Furthermore, we review similar reports from the literature.

An extremely high-resolution image system called the Ultra High Definition TV (UHDTV) system, with more than 4000 scanning lines is being developed by the Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK). This system provides audio and video with an acute sense of reality so that viewers feel as if they are actually at the site of the filming. UHDTV cameras, projectors, disk recorders, and three-dimensional sound systems have already been developed. UHDTV programs were demonstrated at the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, and the system worked successfully there during the six-month run. This paper presents two aspects of the newly developed UHDTV transmission systems: an optical transmission system with dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) technology for contribution, and a codec system based on MPEG-2 for program distribution. A live transmission of uncompressed material with a 260-km single-mode fiber was also performed. For program distribution, some experiments were conducted at bit rates of 200 to 640 Mbits/sec via experimental satellite transponders or IP networks. These transmission experiments demonstrate the feasibility of using UHDTV in future broadcasting.

SUMMARY A case with WDHA syndrome due to VIPoma is reported. Injection of somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 was followed by prompt suppression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels (VIP), decreased stool volume, and restoration of the serum potassium concentration to normal. Long-term treatment with SMS 201-995 for up to 20 weeks produced excellent clinical control and a decrease in tumour size. No adverse effects were noted except for localized pain at the site of injection. This was overcome by using a continuous subcutaneous infusion pump which also enabled the effective daily dosage to be reduced and thereby adverse reactions to be avoided.

Objectives: This study was performed to determine whether multiparous pregnant women are prone to influenza. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted at 19 centres located throughout Japan, targeting all 6694 postpartum women within 7 days after birth before leaving the hospital. All women gave birth during the study period between March 1, 2015, and July 31, 2015. Data regarding vaccination and influenza infection in or after October 2014, age, previous experience of childbirth, and number and ages of cohabitants were collected. Results: Seventy-eight percent (n = 5,197) of women given questionnaires responded. Of these, 2,661 (51%) and 364 (7.0%) women reported having been vaccinated and having contracted influenza, respectively. Multiparous women had a higher risk of influenza regardless of vaccination status (8.9% [121/1,362] vs. 5.7% [74/1,299], relative risk [95% confidence interval], 1.80 [1.36 to 2.38] for vaccinated and 9.3% [112/1,198] vs. 4.3% [57/1,328], 2.18 [1.60 to 2.97] for unvaccinated women) compared to primiparous women. The risk of influenza increased with increasing number of cohabitants: 4.8% (100/2,089), 7.5%, (121/1,618), 9.0%, (71/785), and 10.4% (58/557) for women with 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 cohabitants, respectively. Conclusions: Family size is a risk factor for influenza infection in pregnancy.

OBJECT The management of spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage remains controversial, particularly the surgical indications. Endoscopic surgery was evaluated for the treatment of spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage. METHODS The records of 69 patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated by endoscopic surgery (n = 10) were compared with patients treated by conventional surgical hematoma evacuation (n = 10) under the same surgical indications. RESULTS The surgical procedure time, duration of ventricular drainage, extent of hematoma evacuation, necessity for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt, surgical complications, and outcome at discharge and at 3 months after onset were compared. The extent of hematoma evacuation was greater in the endoscopic group (95.2 %) than in the craniectomy group (90.6 %) but without significant difference. The endoscopic technique (64.5 min) took significantly less time than the craniectomy method (230.6 min, p < 0.0001). The period of ventricular drainage was significantly shorter in the endoscopic group (2.6 days) compared to the craniectomy group (12.3 days, p < 0.01). CSF shunt surgery was required in no patient in the endoscopic group compared to three in the craniectomy group. CONCLUSION Endoscopic hematoma evacuation is a rapid, effective, and safe technique for the removal of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage. Reduction of the mass effect can be accomplished with low risk of recurrent hemorrhage. Release of obstructive hydrocephalus in the early stage may improve the patient's outcome and decrease the requirement for permanent shunt emplacement.

A rare case of untreated tongue carcinoma survived for 15 years is presented. A 43-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our department with a 1.8 cm × 1.0 cm white and red non-indurated lesion of the left border of the tongue. The histological examination showed a diagnosis of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. We informed the patient and her family that she had a Stage I tongue carcinoma and needed to receive treatment immediately. However, they refused treatment. Fifteen years later, the patient presented again, complaining of a 55 mm × 40 mm painful gradual-growth swelling of the same site as before, and the clinical stage was T3N2aM0 (Stage IV). The patient agreed to receive radical surgery following preoperative chemoradiotherapy this time. Currently the patient has been free of recurrence for 4 years. Clinical and immunohistochemical features of this rare case are presented and discussed.

A free-prefabricated auricular composite graft was applied in two patients who underwent extended hemilaryngectomy. Good phonatory and respiratory functions were obtained without any significant aspiration. Although this reconstructive method is a two-staged procedure involving microsurgical techniques, we believe that it provides a good physiologic reconstruction of the larynx and trachea.

We conducted a retrospective case note review to assess whether or not gallbladder aspiration can be applied as a temporary measure for the treatment of acute cholecystitis in average-surgical-risk patients. Gallbladder aspiration was performed in 79 consecutive average-surgical-risk patients with acute cholecystitis, who had no indications of emergent surgery and who complained of severe colicky pain. Elective surgery became possible in 92% of patients by gallbladder aspiration. The percentage reached 97 when percutaneous cholecystostomy was added (four patients). Emergent surgery was needed in one patient suffering bile leakage following gallbladder aspiration. Colicky pain was controlled soon after the procedure in most cases. Neither major complications nor mortalities were observed in the following surgical therapies. It is suggested that gallbladder aspiration might be applied as a temporary measure for acute cholecystitis in average-surgical-risk patients, although early surgery should remain the primary choice of therapy in such patients.

In order to examine the process of thrombosis formation in artery and vein, the reactions of the arterial and venous endothelial surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the photothrombosis model.Thirty-nine rats were divided into the following 4 groups: 1) Sham group (n = 5) without illumination, 2) group A (n = 10) irradiated for 1 min, 3) group B (n = 10) irradiated for 5 min, 4) group C (n = 14) irradiated for 10 min at the level of the left common carotid artery and internal jugular vein.SEM provided no evidence of damage or adhesion of blood platelets to the endothelium of either the artery or vein in shams or group A animals. In group B, evidence of damage to endothelial cell membrane (e.g., plasmalemmal pits, crater-like structures associated with tears between endothelial cells, and decreased number of microvilli) was obtained in the arterial wall but not in the vein. In group C, there was extensive or widespread adhesion of blood platelets and other cells, tears between arterial endothelial cells, and a decrease in the number of microvilli in the artery but not in the vein (p0.05).Cell membrane injuries, tears between the endothelial cells, and endothelial detachment occur before adhesion of blood platelets and thrombus formation in the blood vessel occlusion model by photochemical reaction. These changes occur significantly earlier in the artery than in the vein.

The brine shrimp Artemia is one of the most studied animals in the world. A large part of the knowledge of this crustacean is based on cysts harvested from two main sources; the Great Salt Lake, UT (GSL), and the San Francisco Bay salterns, CA (SFB), USA. Artemia populations from these habitats are recognized to belong to a single zygogenetic species, Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906. However, the GSL Artemia has been in doubt for more than a century about the existence of parthenogenetic reproduction. By using morphological, reproductive, and molecular analyses, we report that commercial GSL cyst lots contained two different brine shrimp species; a parthenogenetic (60%) and a zygogenetic (A. franciscana) (40%). From this finding, at least three hypotheses can be drawn. The parthenogenetic Artemia is native of GSL, or it was introduced to GSL, or foreign parthenogenetic cysts were mixed with A. franciscana cysts and canned for commercial distribution. Researchers using brine shrimp cysts from GSL should therefore pay careful attention to the correct identity of the species under study. The potential of an easy and unnoticed introduction of parthenogenetic Artemia into America is discussed.

A silicone formulation of ganciclovir (GCV-pellet) was developed to enhance the cytotoxic effects of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase suicide gene therapy. The effectiveness of this drug delivery system was assessed in a rat 9L gliosarcoma model. The GCV-pellets (1 mm in length and in diameter) used in this experiment contained a total amount of 0.15 mg of GCV. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GCV was gradually released over a period of 7 days. Five days after stereotactic tumor inoculation into the right caudate nucleus, a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vector expressing herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) (T1, 2x10(6) pfu) was administered at the same location. The survival rate of the group treated with the GCV-pellet was compared with that of the T1 group injected intraperitoneally (IP) with GCV (30 mg/kg/day for 7 days). The GCV-pellet-treated group had a significantly prolonged survival (a median of more than 80 days) compared with the GCV IP group (a median of 65 days) and with control groups (P0.05). The control groups (untreated or receiving only the virus vector) had a survival of 35-38 days. The survival rate of the GCV-pellet group over 80 days was 75%, and all the rats that survived more than 80 days and did not show tumors upon histological examination of the brain were deemed cured. No toxic effects or immunological reactions were observed histologically around the pellet in brain sections from the rats treated with the GCV-pellet. After GCV-pellet inoculation into the tumor, drug concentrations were kept at 1-10 microg/g tissue for 3-4 days. When the same dose of GCV (0.15 mg) in aqueous solution was injected into the tumor, GCV concentrations reached a peak of 0.5 mg/g tissue after 30 min and decreased below measurable level within 12 h. After IP injections of 3 mg GCV, GCV concentrations in the tumor reached a peak of 5.7 microg/g tissue after 30 min and also decreased below measurable level within 12 h. This sustained release of a low and effective GCV dose with the silicone formulation significantly prolonged survival in combinations with HSV-tk expression if compared to IP administration of GCV. Histological examination suggests that the treatment appears to be safe.

We previously proposed a Magnetic-Flux-Control transformer (MFC transformer). The MFC transformer has simple construction and high reliability because it consists of only a core and its windings. The MFC transformer can control output voltage and net inductance easily and continuously.For wide application and practical use, it is necessary to establish a design method for the MFC transformer. In this paper, we present an analytical method for the MFC transformer using Reluctance Network Analysis (RNA) and examine the characteristics of an MFC transformer.

This study of patients with Helicobacter pylori infection and low-grade MALT lymphoma aimed to investigate: 1) the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy on the serum gastrin level, 2) whether changes of the serum gastrin level after therapy could predict the prognosis of patients with this tumour, and 3) the relationship between the gastric H. pylori load, the serum gastrin level and the status of MALT lymphoma.Thirteen patients with documented low-grade MALT lymphoma and H. pylori infection were enrolled and received H. pylori eradication therapy as the sole initial treatment. The presence of H. pylori, the serum gastrin level, the endoscopic findings, the pathologic features of the biopsies and resected specimens, and the endoscopic ultrasonography findings were evaluated before and after therapy. Follow-up was carried out every 3-6 months.H. pylori eradication was eventually achieved in all 13 patients. The pretreatment fasting serum gastrin level decreased from 177.1 +/- 107.4 pg/ml to 129.2 +/- 78.1, 96.4 +/- 66.6 and 80.1 +/- 42.7 pg/ml after 0-3, 3-6 and 6-9 months, respectively (all P0.05). Successful eradication of H. pylori was followed by a decrease of the fasting serum gastrin level and complete regression of initial low-grade MALT lymphoma was observed in all patients. However, two patients subsequently developed recurrent high-grade MALT lymphoma or high-grade lymphoma. In one of them, the serum gastrin level rose again above the pretreatment value. In the other, however, the fasting gastrin level fell throughout the study period. The median fasting serum gastrin level before H. pylori eradication therapy was higher in the patients with tumours of the gastric body (203.4 +/- 108.9 pg/ml) than in those with tumours of the antrum and angulus (89.3 +/- 28.0 pg/ml) (P = 0.06).Hypergastrinaemia may be associated with an increased risk of gastric MALT lymphoma.

Rising demand for electric power has heightened the need for flow control in existing power systems.An orthogonal core has merit for a power controller, including simple construction and high reliability, because it consists of only a pair of cores and their windings. The orthogonal core can control net inductance of secondary windings easily and continuously.This paper presents an orthogonal core phase shifter for flow control in an electric power system. The phase shifter is constructed with the variable inductors and transformers. For reduction of harmonic currents, the orthogonal core utilizes wedge gaps and tertiary windings. In this paper, we examine the fundamental characteristics of the orthogonal core phase shifter.

Boiling behavior of liquid 3He below 1 K was visualized as shadowgraph image. A light source and a video camera (or still camera) were arranged at room temperature. The light was guided to the 3He cell by an optical fiber, and the shadowgraph image was transferred to the camera by an image fiber. The 3He bubble formed on the heated copper surface was spheroid-like due to the low surface tension. The size at departure from the surface and the relative bubble formation rate were measured as a function of heat flux. The previously obtained heat transfer curve could be explained qualitatively by this boiling behavior.

Study design: A case report of an upper thoracic spinal subdural hemorrhage which was managed successfully by conservative treatment. Objectives: Spinal subdural hemorrhage is rare and can cause serious neurologic symptoms. Surgery is the most common treatment and is believed to prevent further neurologic injury. A case of an upper thoracic spinal subdural hemorrhage which was managed successfully by conservative therapy is reported. Setting: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan. Methods: A 29-year-old woman presented with acute severe back pain. She experienced acutely developed weakness of both lower extremities, hypesthesia below T6 and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging performed on the day of hospital admission revealed the existence of a subdural hematoma in the upper thoracic spine. Muscle strength of the lower extremities was grade 0 on admission, but improved slightly on day 1. The decision was made to manage the patient nonoperatively by corticosteroid and diuretic administration. Results: Improvement was gradual but progressive. Muscle strength was grade 4 out of 5 on the 28th day. Magnetic resonance imaging at 3 months except for mild urinary retention. Conclusions: Spinal subdural hemorrhage can be treated nonoperatively by correlating magnetic resonance image findings with the clinical condition. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 657–661.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal cells with a stable twisted state were prepared. Dynamic processes of molecular reorientation in a stable twisted state under an applied electric field have been investigated by observing the optical transmittance and polarization switching current with simultaneous observation of the texture change.

Ollier’s disease is characterized by the hamartomatous proliferation of cartilage cells, producing masses termed chondromas. A patient presented with Ollier’s disease which was found to be associated with diffuse gliomas. Investigating this disease is crucial as there is a high risk of sarcomatous transformation of the skeletal lesions as well as an increased risk of developing extra-osseous malignancies.

A stereo PIV (SPIV) acquisition and analysis system was developed to measure three velocity components in planar flow fields. The analysis software is based on a third order mapping function method. The system was calibrated by imaging a square grid in three measurement planes with two Kodak Megaplus cameras oriented at 30 · to the bisector between them. The camera images were dewarped into real coordinates by employing a set of transform matrices computed for each calibration plane. Bias and rms errors were determined by comparing displacements measured directly with displacements estimated from the dewarping and recombination algorithm. The bias errors in the directions parallel with the measurement plane were negligible while the bias in the z direction was about 0.6 pixel. The rms errors, 0.2-0.3 pixels, were largest in the z direction. These errors were thought to result from limitations in the calibration method. The SPIV system was tested in a two-dimensional oblique jet with Reynolds number of 1800. The three dimensional results were taken in a vertical (x, y) plane parallel with the jet span. The SPIV results were compared with LDV data and two-dimensional PIV data obtained in a vertical (y, z) plane of the same jet. The SPIV measurements yielded accurate values for the in-plane mean and rms velocity components. The measured out-of-plane mean component was underestimated due to the bias error mentioned above. The rms component was accurate in part of the field but overestimated in another part due to local variations in rms error. It is expected that in the future, the out-of-plane errors can be minimized by improving the calibration and transformation procedures.