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Background: Previous research studies have assessed the relationship between attention to social information and peripheral (e.g., plasma and salivary) oxytocin (OT) levels in typically developing (TD) children and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A relationship between them was observed in TD children, but not in children with ASD. However, this relationship remains unexamined in other age groups. To clarify whether this lack of association is maintained throughout development in individuals with ASD, we aimed to assess the relationship between salivary OT levels and attention to social information in adolescents and adults with and without ASD. Methods: We recruited male adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 17) and TD participants (n = 24). Using the all-in-one eye-tracking system Gazefinder, we measured the percentage fixation time allocated to social information. We also measured the salivary OT levels and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) of participants. Subsequently, we confirmed group differences and conducted a correlation analysis to investigate the relationships between these three measures. Results: Salivary OT levels did not show any significant difference between the ASD and TD groups and were negatively correlated with the AQ in the whole-group analysis, but not in within-group analysis. Individuals with ASD had significantly lower percentage fixation times than did TD individuals for eye regions in human faces with/without mouth motion, for upright biological motion, and for people regions in the people and geometry movies. The percentage of fixation for geometric shapes in the people and geometry movies was significantly higher in the ASD than in the TD group. In the TD group, salivary OT levels were positively correlated with percentage fixation times for upright biological motion and people and negatively correlated with inverted biological motion and geometry. However, no significant correlations were found in the ASD group. Conclusions: Our exploratory results suggest that salivary OT levels in adolescents and adults with ASD are less indicative of attention to social stimuli than they are in TD adolescents and adults. It is suggested that their association is slightly weaker in adolescents and adults with ASD and that this attenuated relationship appears to be maintained throughout development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectra of N,N-dimethly-p-nitroaniline have been measured in various solvents. The Raman-Stokes shift of the band assigned to the NO2 stretching mode excited at 488 nm was found to be linearly dependent on the π-π* absorption band center. Furthermore, it is found that the Raman-Stokes shift of the NO2 stretching mode is dependent upon the excitation wavelength. The extent of the shift when excited at 355 versus 488 nm is almost linearly dependent on the vibrational bandwidth of the NO2 mode. The phenomenon is interpreted as the result of the solvation state selective excitation of the vibrational mode as in the case of phenol blue [Yamaguchi et al., J. Chem. Phys. 109, 9075 (1998); 109, 9084 (1998)]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interacting nature between impurity hydrogen atoms and vacancy-type defects in single crystal ZnO was investigated by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. In order to clarify the observation of their thermal behavior, the sample was implanted with 1 H + using an electrostatic accelerator. After the implantation, the positron lifetime became shorter, which suggests that the hydrogen atoms were captured by zinc vacancies ( V Zn ) to form vacancy-hydrogen complexes ( V Zn +  n H). The complexes decompose by heat treatment: most of the hydrogen atoms gradually dissociate from V Zn +  n H in the temperature range 393–773 K. It was also suggested that large vacancy clusters were formed by the agglomeration of smaller clusters during the process of stepwise isochronal annealings at temperatures from 773 to 1073 K, and their decomposition took place at 1173–1373 K. Temperature-dependent thermal behaviors of hydrogen atoms and vacancy-type defects in ZnO are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employed X-ray diffraction using collimated X-rays to quantitatively evaluate the local hydrogen concentration behavior in metals. Hydrogen concentrating around a crack tip significantly accelerates crack propagation, i.e., hydrogen embrittlement. In order to clarify the mechanism leading to this, the local hydrogen concentration behavior, i.e., at a crack tip, was evaluated by numerical analysis and experimental measurements. Although thermal desorption analysis can be used to evaluate the total hydrogen content in metals, it cannot be applied to local areas. Microprint methods, which use chemical reactions between hydrogen and coated elements cannot quantitatively evaluate the hydrogen content. The present study takes account of hydrogen-induced strain, and X-ray diffraction in a confined area was employed to detect variations in lattice spacing before and after hydrogen charging. Using X-ray diffraction applied to a small area, we demonstrate that the hydrogen concentrates in the vicinity of the crack, i.e., at the elastic–plastic boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The effect of adiponectin on colorectal carcinogenesis has been proposed but not fully investigated. We investigated the effect of adiponectin deficiency on the development of colorectal cancer. Methods: We generated three types of gene-deficient mice (adiponectin-deficient, adiponectin receptor 1- deficient, and adiponectin receptor 2-deficient) and investigated chemical-induced colon polyp formation and cell proliferation in colon epithelium. Western blot analysis was performed to elucidate the mechanism which affected colorectal carcinogenesis by adiponectin defi- ciency. Results: The numbers of colon polyps were significantly increased in adiponectin-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet. However, no difference was observed between wild-type and adiponectin- deficient mice fed a basal diet. A significant increase in cell proliferative activity was also observed in the colonic epithelium of the adiponectin-deficient mice when compared with wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet; however, no difference was observed between wild-type and adiponectin-deficient mice fed a basal diet. Similarly, an increase in epithelial cell proliferation was observed in adiponectin receptor 1-deficient mice, but not in adiponectin receptor 2-deficient mice. Western blot analysis revealed activation of mammalian target of rapamycin, p70 S6 kinase, S6 protein and inactivation of AMP-activated protein kinase in the colon epithelium of adiponectin-deficient mice fed with high-fat diet. Conclusions: Adiponectin suppresses colonic epithelial proliferation via inhibition of the mammalian target of the rapamycin pathway under a high-fat diet, but not under a basal diet. These studies indicate a novel mechanism of suppression of colorectal carcinogenesis induced by a Western-style high-fat diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Resonance Raman spectra of p-nitroaniline (pNA) have been measured in various states of water. The relative intensities of two bands assigned to the NO2 stretching mode show a large temperature dependence along the 30.4MPa isobar between ambient temperature and 669K. Along the supercritical isotherm at 668.5K, the higher frequency band shifts by 8cm−1 over the accessible density range (0.3–1.7ρ c). We also performed density-functional calculations of the Raman spectra of water clusters of pNA. The calculated changes in electronic structure and Raman spectra with cluster size are used to rationalize these experimental observations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have investigated the relationship between current distribution and transport AC losses in coaxial multi-layer HTS transmission cables and clarified that the same layer current in conducting layers can reduce the transport AC losses effectively. It can be, however, considered that magnetization losses are much larger than the transport AC losses in a large transport current. Therefore, we analytically investigated effective current and magnetic field distributions for reducing total AC losses in an HTS transmission cable with a large transport current. The total AC losses in the case of the same applied magnetic field in the conducting layers were much smaller than those of the same layer current in the conducting layers. This result means that inhomogeneous current distribution is more effective for reducing the total AC losses than homogeneous current distribution. The total AC losses decreased with the electrical insulation thickness between the conducting and shielding layers; the electrical insulation thickness is one of the important parameters in terms of reducing the total AC losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A direct numerical simulation (DNS) of aerodynamic sounds is performed by using a compressible CFD scheme with node-by-node finite elements. Although the computational simulations of aerodynamic sounds generated from three-dimensional objects with complex boundary shapes are required in various industrial applications, such simulations involve a lot of difficulties regarding instability in numerical schemes and enormous computational costs. In this paper, the present authors have combined the C-CUP (CIP-Combined Unified Procedure, CIP: Constrained Interpolation Profile) method and the CIVA (Cubic Interpolation with Volume/Area Coordinates) method with the Free Mesh Method (FMM) in order to achieve efficient simulation of aerodynamic sounds using unstructured computational grids of finite elements on parallel computers. As a numerical example, the edge tone is successfully computed using the present method with parallel computing with Hitachi SR8000 supercomputer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The attenuated anti-secretory activity of H2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) during continuous administration is referred to as the tolerance phenomenon. However, it is not clarified whether Helicobacter pylon infection affects the occurrence of tolerance to H2RA. It is also not clarified whether the tolerance phenomenon occurs to a new H2RA, lafutidine. Aim: To investigate the occurrence of the tolerance phenomenon in subjects with and without H. pylon infection during the continuous administration of lafutidine and famotidine. Subjects and Methods: Subjects were 20 healthy male volunteers (seven H. pylon positive and 13 H. pylon negative cases). All subjects were examined by ambulatory intragastric pH monitoring five times without medication, on the first and 15th day of the administration of 20 mg b.d. famotidine and 10 mg b.d. lafutidine in a cross-over fashion. Results: The tolerance phenomenon was not observed in H. pylon-positive subjects during the 15-day-long administration of both H2RAs. In contrast, the tolerance phenomenon was observed in H. pylon negative subjects, which has been previously reported. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that H. pylon infection affects the tolerance phenomenon during continuous administration of H2RAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fast, non-destructive beam-profile monitor was developed using an oxygen gas-sheet target in the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba synchrotron. The size of the gas-sheet target was 85 mm in width and 1.3 mm in thickness, of which the density was 1×10-4 Pa. The base vacuum in the ring was not deteriorated by this gas-sheet target, and was on the order of 10-8 Pa. In typical cases, carbon ion beams are accelerated from 6 to 290–430 MeV/n for cancer therapy, in which the intensity is 2.5×108 particles/bunch. For these beams, two-dimensional beam profiles were successfully measured within the time (∼100 ns) of the bunch separation. This article describes both the technical and physical aspects of the monitor together with some results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An oxygen molecular sheet beam was generated using the nozzle beam method, focused with multi-pole magnets, and was then used as the target of a non-destructive beam-profile monitor. The method used for focusing the sheet beam with multi-pole magnets is based on the fact that an oxygen molecule has a magnetic moment as large as two Bohr magnetons and a spin of 1. Using focusing magnets, the density of an oxygen sheet beam at the median plane increased up to about twice compared with the value obtained without focusing magnets. The principle of focusing and the focusing multi-pole magnets have been studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It has been reported that tumor suppressor gene p53 regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, but the relation between them in endometrial carcinoma remains unclear. We investigated VEGF expression in 11 endometrial carcinoma cell lines and the effect of p53 gene transfection on VEGF expression in the p53-mutated endometrial carcinoma cell line, HEC-50B. Immunoblotting for detecting VEGF, p53, and β-actin was performed. Wild type p53 gene was transfected using the SuperFect method. The mean VEGF value of 0.8 ± 0.3 (n = 6) in p53 wild-type group was significantly lower than the 1.6 ± 0.8 (n = 5) that was found in the p53 mutant group (P < 0.05). Levels of VEGF in the culture medium were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). VEGF levels in the p53 gene-transfected HEC-50B cells and the conditioned medium were decreased at 48 h after p53 gene transfection. VEGF expression was downregulated by p53 in endometrial carcinoma cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the fabrication of high-field superconducting permanent dipole magnet. Magnetic field strength; Application of the magnet in particle accelerators; Magnetic and mechanical design.

We describe a case of malignant endocrine tumor of the pancreas associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. A 66-year-old woman with familial von Recklinghausen's disease was admitted to our hospital with weight loss and lower abdominal pain. Endoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor in the second part of the duodenum. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a heterogeneous low-density tumor, measuring 20 x 15 mm, in the head of the pancreas, and metastatic lymphadenopathy. Angiography showed faint tumor staining without encasement or apparent increase in vascularity. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Macroscopically, there was a solid tumor, measuring 20 x 18 mm, in the head of the pancreas. Histologically, a malignant endocrine tumor was shown, with direct invasion to the duodenum, and lymph node metastases. This is the thirteenth case of pancreatic malignant tumor and the fourth case of pancreatic endocrine tumor associated with von Recklinghausen's disease reported in the world literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Aims To assess the possible contribution of a genetic factor to diabetic retinopathy. Methods (CA)n repeat length was investigated in the 5′ upstream region of the gene coding for aldose reductase (AR), which is a key enzyme of the polyol pathway and plays a role in hyperglycaemia-induced tissue damage, in Japanese patients with Type 2 DM. Results The dinucleotide repeat length was significantly associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (P = 0.029, Mann–Whitney U-test); i.e. shorter alleles were more prevalent in the PDR group than in the control group. Conclusions (CA)n repeat length, rather than a specific allele, in the 5′ upstream region of the AR gene is associated with diabetic retinopathy. These data suggest that the AR locus plays a role in genetic susceptibility to diabetic retinopathy and that dinucleotide repeats in genomic DNA may be related to disease predisposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryAim To clarify the association of several clinical parameters, including plasma fibrinogen level, with diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods A total of 294 Japanese patients with Type 2 DM were studied; 53 patients with no diabetic retinopathy (NDR), 90 with background diabetic retinopathy (BDR), and 151 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess variables independently associated with diabetic retinopathy in two settings: presence of retinopathy of any severity and presence of advanced retinopathy. Results The following parameters were identified as independent factors associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy (NDR vs. BDR + PDR): type of therapy (P < 0.0005), log-transformed plasma fibrinogen level (P < 0.05), mean blood pressure (P < 0.05), and duration of diabetes (P < 0.05). The independent variables associated with advanced retinopathy were type of therapy (P < 0.00005), age (P < 0.0005) and nephropathy (P < 0.05). Body mass index, smoking and hypertensive status, HbA1c and total cholesterol levels were not independently associated. Conclusions These data suggest that in patients with Type 2 DM, an increased blood viscosity due to high fibrinogen level as well as an elevated intravessel pressure play a role in the development of diabetic retinopathy, and that the progression to PDR is influenced or accompanied by the deterioration of renal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents research which reported a transition from ionic to covalent bonding in a quantum-dot artificial molecule probed by microwave excitations. What quantum dots are; Connecting such dots to current and voltage contacts; Effects of the strength of inter-dot coupling; Demonstration of controllable quantum coherence; Practical applications of research.

Unlabelled: The clinical course of 48 children with chronic hepatitis C (33 boys, 15 girls; mean age: 12.2 years) was monitored for more than 3 years to clarify its natural course. All patients were positive for the second-generation antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and for serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. All but one patient had a history of blood transfusion. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had been abnormal for more than 1.5 years. Spontaneous remission defined as a biochemical remission lasting more than 1 year in association with the disappearance of serum HCV RNA, occurred in 4 (8.3%), however, in 25%, HCV RNA was still detectable in the liver even after its disappearance from serum. In this patient, the level of antibody to HCV core antigen (anti-HCV core) did not decrease significantly and serum HCV RNA eventually reappeared. The serum titre of HCV RNA in the 4 children with spontaneous remission was lower than in the remaining 44 children. Spontaneous remission may occur in children with chronic hepatitis C in whom the serum titre of HCV RNA is low and serum level of anti-HCV core decreases significantly. Assessment of the intrahepatic HCV RNA is necessary to confirm complete remission.Conclusion: A low serum titre of HCV RNA and a significant decrease in the serum titre of anti-HCV core were associated with spontaneous remission in children with chronic hepatitis C. Intrahepatic HCV RNA assessment is necessary to confirm complete remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical course of 48 children with chronic hepatitis C (33 boys, 15 girls; mean age: 12.2 years) was monitored for more than 3 years to clarify its natural course. All patients were positive for the second-generation antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and for serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. All but one patient had a history of blood transfusion. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had been abnormal for more than 1.5 years. Spontaneous remission defined as a biochemical remission lasting more than 1 year in association with the disappearance of serum HCV RNA, occurred in 4 (8.3%), however, in 25%, HCV RNA was still detectable in the liver even after its disappearance from serum. In this patient, the level of antibody to HCV core antigen (anti-HCV core) did not decrease significantly and serum HCV RNA eventually reappeared. The serum titre of HCV RNA in the 4 children with spontaneous remission was lower than in the remaining 44 children. Spontaneous remission may occur in children with chronic hepatitis C in whom the serum titre of HCV RNA is low and serum level of anti-HCV core decreases significantly. Assessment of the intrahepatic HCV RNA is necessary to confirm complete remission.Conclusion A low serum titre of HCV RNA and a significant decrease in the serum titre of anti-HCV core were associated with spontaneous remission in children with chronic hepatitis C. Intrahepatic HCV RNA assessment is necessary to confirm complete remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 25 Gbaud/s 4‐level pulse amplitude modulation (4‐PAM) of a 1.3 μm electroabsorption modulator integrated with a distributed feedback (DFB) laser is demonstrated for the first time. The linearities of the electroabsorption DFB (EADFB) laser and the directly modulated laser are evaluated to investigate the applicability of the PAM format to these devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 1.3 µm, 50 Gbit/s electroabsorption modulator integrated with a DFB laser for future parallel LAN, the total data rate of which is over 100 Gbit/s, is developed. Very clear eye openings after 40 km transmission under 50 Gbit/s operation on singlemode fibre are demonstrated for eight wavelengths with discrete packages for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-performance 1.3 µm InGaAlAs electroabsorption modulator integrated with a DFB laser for the metro-area 100 Gbit/s Ethernet system (100GBASE-LR4 and -ER4) has been developed. 40 km transmission under 25 Gbit/s operation on singlemode fibre that is required for 100GBASE-ER4 application at 40°C is demonstrated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate background charge fluctuation in a GaAs quantum dot device by measuring 1/f noise in the single-electron tunneling current through the dot. The current noise is understood as fluctuations of the confinement potential and tunneling barriers. The estimated potential fluctuation increases almost linearly with temperature, which is consistent with a simple model of the 1/f noise. We find that the fluctuation increases very slightly when electrons are injected into excited states of the quantum dot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-electron tunneling through a quantum dot is detected by means of a radio-frequency single-electron transistor. Poisson statistics of single-electron tunneling events are observed from frequency domain measurements, and individual tunneling events are detected in the time-domain measurements. Counting tunneling events gives an accurate current measurement in the saturated current regime, where electrons tunnel into the dot only from one electrode and tunnel out of the dot only to the other electrode. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate rf transport through an AlGaAs/GaAs single-electron transistor (SET). The presented rf-SET scheme provides a transmission coefficient proportional to the admittance of the device, which is desirable for impedance analysis as well as for high-sensitivity charge detection. The impedance of a SET, including the small tunneling capacitance, is successfully analyzed at the high frequency of 643 MHz, and is compared with a simple model. The ability to measure the impedance of a SET would expand the measurable regime of single-electron tunneling behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The levels of relatedness among strains of Erysipelothrix serovar 7 isolated from dogs with endocarditis were estimated by performing DNA-DNA hybridization experiments with the type strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Erysipelothrix tonsillarum. All the canine strains exhibited more than 81 % hybridization with the type strain of E. tonsillarum but less than 13 % hybridization with the type strain of E. rhusiopathiae. Based on DNA-DNA hybridization results we confirmed that serovar 7 of the isolates from dogs with endocarditis were conclusively identified as E. tonsillarum. These results strongly indicate that some strains of genomic E. tonsillarum are a canine pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first compact electroabsorption modulators integrated with distributed-feedback (EADFB) laser array module using flip-chip interconnects have been fabricated for a 400 Gbit/s transceiver. Eight 50 Gbit/s EADFB lasers and an optical multiplexer were monolithically integrated on one chip in an area of only 3.2 x 4.8 mm. The flip-chip interconnects provide a higher modulation bandwidth. Clear eye opening was achieved for all eight lanes under 50 Gbit/s operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first compact electroabsorption modulators integrated with distributed‐feedback (EADFB) laser array module using flip‐chip interconnects have been fabricated for a 400 Gbit/s transceiver. Eight 50 Gbit/s EADFB lasers and an optical multiplexer were monolithically integrated on one chip in an area of only 3.2 × 4.8 mm. The flip‐chip interconnects provide a higher modulation bandwidth. Clear eye opening was achieved for all eight lanes under 50 Gbit/s operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first 25 Gbaud/s four‐level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) of a 1.3 μm directly modulated laser (DML) is achieved and a 10 km transmission over a single‐mode fibre (SMF) with clear eye openings is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first uncooled operation (5-85°C) at 50 Gbit/s of a 1.3 μm electroabsorption modulator integrated with a DFB laser is achieved and 10 km transmission on singlemode fibre with very clear eye openings is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first uncooled operation (5–85°C) at 50 Gbit/s of a 1.3 µm electroabsorption modulator integrated with a DFB laser is achieved and 10 km transmission on singlemode fibre with very clear eye openings is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 1.26 µm ridge waveguide laser diode with an InGaAs metamorphic buffer on a GaAs substrate grown by metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy has been successfully developed. This laser has achieved the highest operating temperature (173°C) for continuous-wave operation reported for a metamorphic laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor in response to the comments by several doctors to the article "Helicobacter pylori infection and its prevention of the tolerance phenomenon during the administration of receptor antagonists," by the authors and colleagues which was previously published in vol.20, issue 2004 of the "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics" journal.

Summary Background Prominent infiltration of eosinophils in airway mucosa is the pathognomonic sign of asthma. The role of airway epithelial cells in eosinophil infiltration, however, has not been fully elucidated. Objective The aim of this study is to develop a new in vitro transmigration system composed of airway epithelial cells and extracellular matrix, and to investigate the role of airway epithelial cells in eosinophil infiltration. Methods A layer of type I collagen gel was formed in Netwell™, and BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells were cultured on the gel. Then the wells covered with epithelial monolayer were filled with medium, inverted, and new upper chambers were constructed on the gel side by applying a ring cap. After further incubation with or without exogenous cytokines for 48 h, eosinophils or neutrophils were loaded in upper chambers (the gel side) and cells transmigrated to lower chambers (the epithelial cell side) were counted. Immunohistochemical analyses were also performed. Results While a simple collagen gel hardly promoted eosinophil migration even in the presence of eotaxin or RANTES, significant numbers of eosinophils migrated to lower chambers in the presence of the epithelial cells. Replacement of medium in the lower chamber (the epithelial cell side) with fresh medium, addition of exogenous eotaxin or RANTES in the upper chamber (the gel side), or pre-treatment of eosinophils with anti-CCR3 all inhibited transmigration. We found that the epithelial cells produced and deposited extracellular matrix proteins such as type IV collagen onto the type I collagen gel. Separately, we found that type IV collagen itself was capable of enhancing eotaxin-induced eosinophil migration in a standard chemotaxis assay. Neutrophils also efficiently migrated in the present transmigration system. Pre-treatment of epithelial cells with TNF-α and IL-4 enhanced eosinophil transmigration, while that of neutrophils was enhanced by TNF-α but... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodic multilayer structures of poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s have been fabricated by a self-assembly method on flat surfaces and round surfaces of optical fibers. Alternating multilayers consisting of poly{1,4-[2-(5-carboxypentyloxy)-5-methoxyphenylene]vinylene} (CPMOPPV) and poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) were adsorbed onto the positively charged substrates. The optical properties of the periodic multilayer structures of CPMOPPV/PPV have been studied. Periodic multilayers with microring geometry have also been fabricated around the quartz fibers. Their optical properties have been studied, and yellow electroluminescence from a light-emitting device with microring geometry has been observed. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an edge-magnetoplasmon (EMP) Mach-Zehnder (MZ) interferometer in a quantum Hall system. The MZ interferometer, which is based on the interference of two EMP beams traveling in chiral one-dimensional edge channels, is constructed by tailoring edge channels with functional devices such as splitters and delay lines. We measured 1 GHz EMP beams transmitted through the interferometer while tuning the phase evolution along two interference paths using tunable delay lines. Clear interference patterns as a function of the phase difference ensure the MZ interference. Moreover, the MZ interferometry is applied to evaluate the EMP transport through an attenuator interposed in one of the paths. This technique will be useful for investigating the functionalities of devices in plasmonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetite (Fe3O4) was doped with radioactive 111mCd and 111In ions as impurities, and their residence sites and thermal stability were investigated by means of time-differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) spectroscopy. Well-defined TDPAC spectra unequivocally show their sites: Cd ions are stably located only in the tetrahedral A site in all the temperature range of the present observation (77 K-873 K); In ions also specifically occupy the A site at low temperature, but at high temperature part of them select the B site in a reversible fashion. The energy difference between the A and B sites for the accommodation of In was experimentally determined to be 0.119 (9) eV by assuming a Boltzmann distribution for the populations of the 111In probe in the respective sites. The element-dependent thermal stabilities observed for Cd and In were well corroborated by density functional theory calculations. The successful observation of thermally activated site-tosite displacement of impurity In ions in Fe3O4 is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis of patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is poor (median overall survival [OS] 10–13 mo), and effective treatments are needed. The cell-adhesion molecule Nectin-4 is expressed in a majority of HNCs. EV is a Nectin-4–directed antibody–drug conjugate approved as monotherapy in previously treated locally advanced or metastatic (la/m) urothelial carcinoma (UC) and, in the US, with pembrolizumab for previously untreated la/mUC ineligible for cisplatin. EV was evaluated in previously treated HNC in EV-202 (NCT04225117). In this open-label phase 2 study, pts with la/m solid tumors enrolled in tumor-specific cohorts. In this cohort, pts had HNC not amenable to curative-intent treatment, radiographic progression on/after the last regimen, progression/relapse/discontinuation for toxicity after 1 platinum-based therapy for la/m disease, and ≤2 lines of cytotoxic therapy in the la/m setting. Pts had received prior programmed cell death protein 1/ligand 1 (PD-1/L1) inhibitor unless contraindicated. Pts received intravenous EV 1.25 mg/kg on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-d cycle (C) until disease progression or discontinuation criteria were met. Primary endpoint was confirmed objective response rate (ORR) per investigator assessment. Secondary endpoints were duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS) per investigator assessment; OS; and safety/tolerability. Exploratory endpoints included immunogenicity, pharmacokinetic parameters, and pt-reported outcomes. As of April 11, 2022, 46 pts were enrolled; median follow-up was 9.3 mo. Median age was 65 y, 87.0% of pts were men, and 52.2% had ≥3 prior lines of systemic therapy in the metastatic setting. Forty-five pts had SCC; 1 had adenocarcinoma. Confirmed ORR was 23.9%; DCR was 56.5%. Median time to response was 1.7 mo. Median DOR was not estimable. Median PFS and OS were 3.9 and 6.0 mo, respectively. Common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were alopecia (28.3%), fatigue (26.1%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (23.9%). Grade ≥3 TRAEs occurring in >1 pt were anemia and decreased neutrophil count (both n=2). TRAEs of special interest were skin reactions (45.7%), peripheral neuropathy (32.6%), dry eye (6.5%), and hyperglycemia (4.3%). No antitherapeutic antibodies against EV were detected. Serum EV decreased substantially from end-of-infusion concentrations before subsequent doses in C1, while plasma concentration of free monomethyl auristatin E (drug component of EV) remained high between days 1 and 15 of C1. Median global pain assessment score was 4/10 at baseline, with numeric reduction in scores (indicating pain improvement) in C3 and beyond. EV demonstrated antitumor activity with manageable AEs in pts with heavily pretreated HNC post-platinum and PD-1/L1 inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edge magnetoplasmon (EMP) transport in gated and ungated quantum Hall systems is investigated by time-of-flight measurements. We measured the velocity, the amplitude, and the broadening of the EMP pulse injected by applying a voltage pulse to an Ohmic contact. We show that the transverse width of EMPs in the ungated sample is determined by the potential profile in the edge region, independent of the filling factor. In the gated sample, on the other hand, EMPs are confined by the innermost incompressible strip and their transverse width depends on the filling factor and the bulk electron density. We also find that scattering of EMPs by the bulk electrons is modified by the presence of the gate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]