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Background: Recently, it has become evident that RNA editing-related changes are important in the modulation of neuronal information processing. Alternatively edited transcripts, when meagerly present, are hard to detect. Significant functional consequences may result, however, from small differences in editing efficiency. Moreover, it is difficult to evaluate the ratio of edited transcripts. The glycine receptor alpha3 subunit (GlyR alpha3) is expressed in the spinal cord, and transcripts of GlyR alpha3 are susceptible to RNA editing. The physiological role of this editing is still unclear. To analyze changes in RNA editing in various animal models, we need reliable and practical ways to detect and quantitate GlyR alpha3 RNA editing. Results: We identified and assessed different ways of detecting edited RNA transcripts, including direct sequencing, denaturing high performance chromatography (DHPLC), allele-specific real-time PCR with TaqMan probes, and PCR with allele-specific primers. Using PCR with allele-specific primers on standard PCR products for edited and nonedited GlyR alpha3, we were able to detect as little as a 0.5% incidence of edited transcripts. We were able to detect a 5% incidence of RNA editing using direct sequencing and 2% using DHPLC. We could accurately determine the ratio of edited to non-edited RNA using DHPLC, direct sequencing, and allele-specific real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. Conclusion: We demonstrated exact and sensitive methods of detecting RNA editing. In prepared samples, we showed means of quantitating the incidence of editing of a particular site. The demonstrated methodologies should be very useful when extended to the evaluation of other types of RNA editing and single base mutations.

The critical current and index value of Bi-2223/Ag superconductor is evaluated in high magnetic field. The Bi-2223/Ag conductor has reached enough potential to realize high field applications over 1 GHz NMR spectrometer.

The fabrication and properties of a testing coil composed of six pancake-coils with a YBCO coated conductor are discussed. Findings reveal that the coil generates magnetic field up to 0.65 T at 65 K in zero external magnetic field.

A study is conducted to develop Nb3Sn superconductors made by the powder-in-tube (PIT) process for application to particular accelerator magnets, high field magnets and many other fields. The composition and the microstructure of Nb(sub 3)Sn layer in the wires with Nb and Ta sheath are examined.

Operation of a 920-MHz high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magnet at Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory (TML) is described and discussed.

Research involving a high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magnet is reported. The work was accomplished at the Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory at the National Institute for Materials ScienceTsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

A superconducting NMR 900 MHz magnet was developed and its operation is described.

The manufacture of bronze route Nb3Sn conductors for 1 GHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers is discussed, and the Jc of 15% bronze conductors was matched to that of tube processed Nb3Sn conductors.

Background: Food boluses in the pharynx without enough bolus formation sometimes cause aspiration among older adults; however, the relationship between food bolus‐forming ability and incidence of aspiration pneumonia is unclear. Objective: To investigate the relationship between food bolus‐forming ability and incidence of aspiration pneumonia by evaluating the condition of chew‐swallow managing food transported into the pharynx. Methods: A prospective observational study conducted in a nursing home for the elderly between April 2016 and February 2018. Seventy‐three residents who swallowed thickened liquids and consistent boluses without aspiration were included. Food boluses were graded into three categories in the pharynx using videoendoscopic evaluation. Boluses that retained their original shape were defined as Grade 1. A mixture of large and small boluses was defined as Grade 2. Boluses that had completely transformed into a paste were defined as Grade 3. The relationship between the bolus formation grade and incidence of aspiration pneumonia over 6‐month follow‐up was investigated. Results: Seventeen residents developed aspiration pneumonia. The incidence rate of aspiration pneumonia was highest among residents with Grade 1 boluses, at an incidence rate of.187 cases per person‐month (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.097‐0.359). Cox regression showed residents with Grade 1 boluses had a hazard ratio of 4.548 (1.393‐14.85) for incidence of aspiration pneumonia compared with residents who had Grade 2 or 3 boluses. Conclusion: Insufficient food bolus‐forming ability predicted high incidence of aspiration pneumonia. Healthcare professionals should evaluate the food bolus‐forming ability, as well as swallowing function, to prevent aspiration pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to propose and test the graphical peak analysis method [discharge current transient spectroscopy (DCTS)] for determining the densities and emission rates of traps in a dielectric thin film from the transient discharge current I[sub dis](t) in a capacitor at a constant temperature, different from thermally stimulated current (TSC). It is theoretically demonstrated that DCTS can distinguish among traps with close emission rates. Experimentally, the densities and emission rates of five traps in Pb(Zr, Ti)O[sub 3] thin films are determined using DCTS. Here, these five emission rates are between 1×10[sup -3] s[sup -1] and 7×10[sup -2] s[sup -1]. One kind of trap, which was determined by TSC under the assumption of one emission rate, is found to be distinguished into five kinds of traps with close emission rates by DCTS. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the characterization of yttrium, barium, copper and oxygen thin films prepared by laser deposition at partial oxygen pressure. Methods; Results; Discussion.