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Preliminary assessment of carbon in forest soils of Papua New Guinea (PNG) was done for 53 sites. Simple soil-landscape model was constructed to explain how soil carbon relates to landscape position and landform processes. Despite limitations of the soil survey, sufficient data have been obtained to indicate that the amount of carbon in forest soils surveyed so far is related primarily to their carbon-complexing capacity (CCC) which, in turn, depends on their geological parent material and parent rock. Soils were grouped into six categories based on their carbon content. The six categories ranged from very low 0–50 t/ha to extremely high 601–1,000 t/ha. Amalgamating the areas of mapped geological units on the basis of their likely CCC and their median carbon content has enabled the total carbon content of all forest soils in PNG to be estimated as 7,727 × 106 t. This figure is approximate and will be modified as more results are obtained and more sophisticated GIS-based landscape analysis is undertaken. The total carbon in forest biomass, as measured in this National Inventory and estimated for roots, is 4,006 × 106 t. Thus, the total carbon in PNG’s forests at present is estimated to be 11,733 × 106 t, with 66% stored in the soil and 34% in the biomass. The high proportion of ecosystem carbon held in the soil emphasises the importance of implementing soil conservation measures to maintain the total carbon resource in PNG’s forests.

A newly developed laser system is adopted in this study as a surface preparation method for corroded steel structures. To investigate the thermal effects of laser beam on steel material, carbon steel plates are treated by two different laser processing parameters. Then the surface condition, heat-affected zone, and iron oxide on laser-treated specimens are evaluated using optical microscope, SEM-EDX, and XRD. Moreover, a severely corroded steel member was used as laser irradiation target to verify the cleaning effects of laser beam. Results show that surface morphologies are varied according to laser processing parameters. Due to thermal effects, iron oxide was formed after laser irradiation, and higher laser power induced deeper heat-affected zone. The application of laser treatment for corroded steel member showing desirable surface cleanliness after laser irradiation. The laser surface treatment could be an alternative surface preparation method for steel structures in the construction field.

Background: Abatacept (ABT) is clinically used as the only T-cell modifier available for rheumatoid arthritis treatment and has shown similar efficacy as tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and a safer profile, especially a lower infection ratio in registry data. Latourte et al. recently published the results of perioperative complications of orthopaedic and other types of surgery in patients using ABT. However, they did not compare the complication rates with those in patients who received csDMARDs. It remains unknown whether ABT is associated with more postoperative complications than conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate whether ABT is associated with more adverse events after orthopaedic surgery compared with csDMARDs and, if so, to identify significant risk factors for those events. Methods: A retrospective multicenter nested case–control study was performed in 18 institutions. Patients receiving ABT were matched individually with patients receiving csDMARDs and/or steroid. Serious adverse events were defined as surgical site infection, delayed wound healing, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, flare-up, serious infection in other organs. The incidence rates of serious adverse events in both groups were compared with Mantel-Haenzel test. Risk factors for serious adverse events in the ABT group were analyzed by logistic regression model. Results: A total of 3358 cases were collected. After inclusion and exclusion, 2651 patients were selected for matching, and 194 patients in 97 pairs were chosen for subsequent comparative analyses between the ABT and control groups. No between-group differences were detected in the incidence rates of each adverse event or in the combined incidence rate of adverse events. The odds ratio of the history of serious infection for serious adverse events was 12.6 (95%CI 1.12–141, P=0.04) in patients who received ABT and underwent orthopaedic surgery. Conclusions: Compared with csDMARDs and/or steroid without ABT, adding ABT to the treatment does not appear to increase the incidence rates of postoperative adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. A history of serious infection is a significant risk factor for both infection and other serious adverse events, and such patients should be treated with particular caution. Reference [1]Latourte A, et al. Safety of surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated by abatacept: data from the French Orencia in Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry. Rheumatology (Oxford)2017Apr 1;56(4):629–637. Disclosure of Interest: H. Ito Grant/research support from: BMS, ONO Pharmaceutical, S. Tsuji: None declared, M. Nakayama: None declared, Y. Mochida: None declared, K. Nishida: None declared, H. Ishikawa: None declared, T. Kojima: None declared, T. Matsumoto: None declared, A. Kubota: None declared, T. Mochizuki: None declared, K. Sakuraba: None declared, I. Matsushita: None declared, A. Nakajima: None declared, R. Hara: None declared, A. Haraguchi: None declared, T. Matsubara: None declared, K. Kanbe: None declared, N. Nakagawa: None declared, M. Haraguchi: None declared, S. Momohara: None declared

This chapter includes important information relating to design optimization for thermal power plants such as Rankine cycle, thermal power cycle, and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants. Firstly, descriptions of the basic cycles of steam turbine plants are provided, including the Rankine cycle, reheat cycle, and regenerative cycle, along with a calculation of thermal efficiency in thermal power plants. Secondly, descriptions of different steam turbine types are provided, including condensing turbine, back pressure turbine, extraction condensing turbine, and mixed pressure turbine. Thirdly, descriptions relating to steam turbine cycles used for industrial purposes are provided, such as steam-turbine cycles for petrochemical plants, gas- and steam-turbine combined cycle, cogeneration cycle. In addition, descriptions relating to ultra-supercritical (USC) thermal power plants, advanced-USC thermal power plants, and IGCC power plant are provided.

The aim of this paper is to report the study of hepatogenous photosensitization in buffaloes during two outbreaks provoked by ingestion of Brachiaria decumbens in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Ten young buffaloes in outbreak 1 and seven buffaloes in outbreak 2 were intoxicated by B. decumbens. Nine clinically healthy buffaloes raised under the same conditions as the sick animals served as the control group. All animals were subjected to clinical examination, and serum was collected to measure gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), direct bilirubin (DB), indirect bilirubin (IB) and total bilirubin (TB) as indicators of liver function and urea and creatinine as indicators of renal function. Histopathology of liver fragments from five different animals was carried out. During the outbreaks and every two months for one year, samples of grass from paddocks where the animals got sick were collected for quantitative evaluation of the saponin protodioscin, combined with observations of pasture characteristics and daily rainfall. Clinical signs included apathy, weight loss, restlessness, scar retraction of the ears and intense itching at the skin lesions, mainly on the rump, the tail head, neck and hindlimbs, similar to the signs observed in other ruminants. Only the GGT enzyme presented significantly different (P

High-pressure phase relations in the system NaAl 3 Si 3 O 11 –CaAl 4 Si 2 O 11 were examined at 13–23 GPa and 1600–1900 °C, using a multianvil apparatus. A Ca-aluminosilicate with CaAl 4 Si 2 O 11 composition, designated CAS phase, is stable above about 13 GPa at 1600 °C. In the system NaAl 3 Si 3 O 11 –CaAl 4 Si 2 O 11 , the CAS phase dissolving NaAl 3 Si 3 O 11 component coexists with jadeite, corundum and stishovite below 22 GPa, above which the CAS phase coexists with Na-rich calcium ferrite, corundum and stishovite. At 1600 °C, the solubility of NaAl 3 Si 3 O 11 component in the CAS solid solution increases with increasing pressure up to about 50 mol% at about 22 GPa, above which the solubility decreases with pressure. The maximum solubility of NaAl 3 Si 3 O 11 component in the CAS phase increases with temperature up to around 70 mol% at 1900 °C at 22 GPa. The dissociation of NaAlSi 2 O 6 jadeite to NaAlSiO 4 calcium ferrite plus stishovite occurs at about 22 GPa. Lattice parameters of the CAS phase with the hexagonal Ba-ferrite structure change with increase of the NaAl 3 Si 3 O 11 component: a -axis decreases and c -axis slightly increases, resulting in decrease of molar volume. Enthalpies of the CAS solid solutions were measured by high-temperature drop-solution calorimetry techniques. The results show that enthalpy of hypothetical NaAl 3 Si 3 O 11 CAS phase is much higher than the mixture of NaAlSi 2 O 6 jadeite, corundum and stishovite and is close to that of the mixture of NaAlSiO 4 calcium ferrite, corundum and stishovite. When we adopt the Na:Ca ratio of 75:25 of the natural Na-rich CAS phase in a shocked Martian meteorite, Zagami, the phase relations determined above suggest that the natural CAS phase crystallized from melt at pressure around 22 GPa and temperature close to or higher than 2000–2200 °C. The inferred P , T conditions are consistent with those estimated using other high-pressure minerals in the shocked meteorite.

Phase relations in CaAl4Si2O11 were examined at 12–23 GPa and 1000–1800 °C by multianvil experiments. A three-phase mixture of grossular, kyanite and corundum is stable below about 13 GPa at 1000–1800 °C. At higher pressure and at temperature below about 1200 °C, a mixture of grossular, stishovite and corundum is stable, indicating the decomposition of kyanite. Above about 1200 °C, CaAl4Si2O11 CAS phase is stable at pressure higher than about 13 GPa. The triple point is placed at 14.7 GPa and 1280 °C. The equilibrium boundary of formation of CAS phase from the mixture of grossular, kyanite and corundum has a small negative slope, and that from the mixture of grossular, stishovite and corundum has a strongly negative slope, while the decomposition boundary of kyanite has a small positive slope. Enthalpies of the transitions were measured by high-temperature drop-solution calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation of CaAl4Si2O11 CAS phase from the mixture of grossular, kyanite and corundum was 139.5 ± 15.6 kJ/mol, and that from the mixture of grossular, stishovite and corundum was 94.2 ± 15.4 kJ/mol. The transition boundaries calculated using the measured enthalpy data were consistent with those determined by the high-pressure experiments. The boundaries in this study are placed about 3 GPa higher in pressure and about 200 °C lower in temperature than those by Zhai and Ito [Zhai, S., Ito, E., 2008. Phase relations of CaAl4Si2O11 at high-pressure and high-temperature with implications for subducted continental crust into the deep mantle. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 167, 161–167]. Combining the thermodynamic data measured in this study with those in the literature, dissociation boundary of CAS phase into a mixture of Ca-perovskite, corundum and stishovite and that of grossular into Ca-perovskite plus corundum were calculated to further constrain the stability field of CAS phase. The result suggests that the stability of CAS phase would be limited at the bottom of transition zone and top of the lower mantle, when sediments are subducted into the deep mantle. It is also suggested that CAS phase may be stable at the depth of the upper part of the lower mantle, when partial melting of basalt occurs at the depth.

In general, discrete-time controls have become more and more preferable in engineering because of their easy implementation and simple computations. However, the available discretization approaches for the systems having time delays increase the system dimensions and have a high computational cost. This paper presents an effective discretization approach for the continuous-time systems with an input delay. The approach enables one to transform the input-delay system into a delay-free system, but retain the system dimensions unchanged in the state transformation. To demonstrate an application of the approach, this paper presents the design of an LQ regulator for continuous-time systems with an input delay and gives a state observer with a Kalman filter for estimating the full-state vector from some measurements of the system as well. The case studies in the paper well support the efficacy and efficiency of the proposed approach applied to the vibration control of a three-story structure model with the actuator delay taken into account.

Previously, we identified a peroxisome-specific isoform of Lon protease using subcellular proteomics. In the present study, we investigated changes in the level of the Lon protease in peroxisomes during recovery from peroxisomal proliferation induced by di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) to elucidate the function of peroxisomal Lon protease (PSLP). Following a 2-week treatment with DEHP, the level of PSLP was monitored for 15 days. The amount of protease was greatly increased after the 2-week treatment, followed by a further increase 3 days after cessation of the treatment. Afterward, it decreased and reached the control level on day 15. On the other hand, level peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes induced to express by DEHP started to decrease soon after discontinuation of treatment. The results suggest that PSLP functions to degrade beta-oxidation enzymes induced by DEHP during recovery from perxisomal proliferation.

Many temporarily functioning proteins are generated during the replacement of nucleoproteins in the nuclei of late spermatids and seem to be degraded in the nucleus. This study was designed to clarify the involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system in the nucleus of rat developing spermatids. Thus, we studied the nuclear distribution of polyubiquitinated proteins (pUP) and proteasome in spermiogenic cells and sperm using postembedding immunoelectron microscopy. We divided the nuclear area of late spermatids into two regions: (1) a dense area composed of condensed chromatin and (2) a nuclear pocket in the neck region. The latter was located in the caudal nuclear region and was surrounded by redundant nuclear envelope. We demonstrated the presence of pUP in the dense area and nuclear pocket, proteasome in the nuclear pocket, and clear spots in the dense area of rat spermatids. Using quantitative analysis of immunogold labeling, we found that fluctuation of pUP and proteasome levels in late spermatogenesis was mostly synchronized with disappearance of histones and transitional proteins reported previously. In the nuclei of human sperm, pUP was detected in the dense area, whereas proteasome was in the nuclear vacuoles and clear spots. These results strongly suggest that pUP occur in the dense nuclear area of developing spermatids and that the ubiquitin-proteasome system is more actively operational in the nuclear pocket than dense area. Thus, the nuclear pocket might be the degradation site for temporarily functioning proteins generating during condensation of chromatin in late spermatids.

Rehabilitation of patients who have undergone bilateral maxillectomy is difficult because of extensive loss of bone and soft tissue. In this clinical report, prosthodontic rehabilitation of oral function in a bilateral maxillecitomy patient combined with a new fibular osteocutaneous flap, which was designed to have two oronasal slits for the retention of an obturator prosthesis, was described. A 58-year-old man with a maxillary alveolar carcinoma underwent bilateral maxillectomy. The defect was reconstructed using a vascularized fibular bone wrapped circumferentially with a peroneal flap, which was fixed with miniplates between the right malar prominence and cut edge of the left zygoma remaining two slits anterior and posterior to the graft. Two and half weeks after the surgery, a delayed surgical obturator was delivered and an obturator prosthesis was delivered 6 weeks after the surgery. This obturator prosthesis could be extended into the slits to engage the tissue undercuts, and was stable during use. Mastication, deglutition, articulation and the mid-facial profile of the patient were rehabilitated. After installation of the obturator prosthesis, relining of the prosthesis base was carried out alongside the healing process of the graft, and adjustment of occlusions and high-pressure spots was carried out. No clinical disorders were observed either in the grafted tissue or the obturator prosthesis with a 3-year prognosis. Newly designing a fibular osteocutaneous flap combined with tissue-borne obturator prosthesis is one successful approach to the restoration of oral function, and increases the patient's quality of life after bilateral maxillectomy.

We investigated the localization of several markers for lysosomes and aggresomes in the chromatoid bodies (CBs) by immunoelectron microscopy. We found so-called aggresomal markers such as Hsp70 and ubiquitin in the core of the CBs and vimentin and proteasome subunit around the CBs. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) was also found in the CBs. In tubulovesicular structures surrounding the CBs, lysosomal markers were detected but an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal (KDEL) was not. Moreover, proteins located in each subcellular compartment, including the cytosol, mitochondria, and nucleus, were detected in the CBs. Signals for cytochrome oxidase I (COXI) coded on mitochondrial DNA were also found in the CBs. Quantitative analysis of labeling density showed that all proteins examined were concentrated in the CBs to some extent. These results show that the CBs have some aggresomal features, suggesting that they are not a synthetic site as proposed previously but a degradation site where unnecessary DNA, RNA, and proteins are digested.

Ion beam sputter deposition (IBSD) method was employed to find optimum conditions for the formation of epitaxial β-FeSi2 films on Si(100) substrate. It was found that crystal structure of the films as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is dependent on the substrate temperature as well as on the deposited thickness of sputtered Fe. The film with best crystal properties was obtained either at 873 K with the deposited Fe thickness of 15 nm, or at 973 K with the deposited Fe thickness of 30 nm. The obtained results indicate the importance of Fe and/or Si diffusion in determining the crystal properties of β-FeSi2 film.

Sputter etching (SE) is a suitable treatment of Si surface to synthesize highly oriented β-FeSi2 films on the substrate, although SE produces amorphous layers in the surface. We have investigated the effect of surface amorphous layer on orientational ordering of formed β-FeSi2 and the optimum energy of Ne+ SE for highly oriented β-FeSi2 film. The energy ranges from 1 to 10 keV. The X-ray diffraction analysis clarified that amorphous layer prevents an epitaxial growth of β-FeSi2 film, and that post-irradiation annealing is effective to form highly oriented β-FeSi2 film, especially for low Ne+ energies. Transmission electron microscopy clarified that surface structure of Si substrate is epitaxially recrystallized with annealing after 3 keV SE, whereas polycrystalline surface forms with annealing after 10 keV SE. Low-energy SE and post-irradiation annealing is suitable for highly oriented β-FeSi2 film formation.

The tribological performance of industrial vacuum bearings for space use was experimentally evaluated. The bearings selected for investigation were an 8 mm bore deep-groove ball bearing lubricated with a sputtered MoS2 film and one lubricated with an ion-plated Ag film, commercially available from three Japanese bearing manufacturers. Based on survey results of tribological requirements for existing satellite mechanisms, four types of bearing tests were defined and conducted: a vacuum test at room temperature, an atmosphere resistance test, a thermal vacuum test, and a vibration test. In addition to these tests, the variation in the tribological performance of the industrial bearings was also investigated. The results of more than 80 tests demonstrated that the industrial vacuum bearings had sufficient lubrication lives with low frictional torque and the data were reasonably repeatable, indicating a potential for space use.

We studied temporal changes in the subcellular localization and levels of a moonlighting protein, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), in spermatogenic cells and mature sperm of the rat by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The PHGPx signals were detected in chromatoid bodies, clear nucleoplasm, mitochondria-associated material, mitochondrial aggregates, granulated bodies, and vesicles in residual bodies in addition to mitochondria, nuclei, and acrosomes as previously reported. Within mitochondria, PHGPx moved from the matrix to the outermost membrane region in step 19 spermatid, suggesting that this spatiotemporal change is synchronized with the functional change of PHGPx in mitochondria. In the nucleus, PHGPx was associated with electron-lucent spots and with the nuclear envelope, and PHGPx in the latter region increased after step 16. In early pachytene spermatids, PHGPx signals were noted in the nuclear material exhibiting a very similar density to chromatoid bodies and in the intermitochondrial cement, supporting the previous proposal that chromatoid bodies originate from the nucleus and intermitochondrial cement. The presence of PHGPx in such various compartments suggested versatile roles for this protein in spermatogenesis. Quantitative immunoelectron microscopic analysis also revealed dynamic changes in the labeling density of PHGPx in different subcellular compartments as follows: 1). Total cellular PHGPx rapidly increased after step 5 and reached a maximum at step 18; 2). mitochondrial labeling density increased after step 1 and achieved a maximum in steps 15-17; 3). nuclear labeling density suddenly increased in steps 12-14 to a maximum; 4). in cytoplasmic matrix, the density remained low in all steps; and 5). the labeling density in chromatoid bodies gradually decreased from pachytene spermatocytes to spermatids at step 18. These spatiotemporal changes in the level of PHGPx during the differentiation of spermatogenic cells to sperm infer that PHGPx plays a diverse and important biological role in spermatogenesis.

Ion beam sputter deposition method under ultra-high vacuum conditions was employed to form β-FeSi2 thin films on Si(1 0 0) substrate. We investigated the effect of three different kinds of surface treatment of Si on the crystal structure of FeSi2 film, which was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. The films formed on a substrate treated by thermal etching (TE) consisted of β-FeSi2 with various crystal orientations. The films formed with sputter etching (SE) and wet etching methods also consisted of β-FeSi2, but with comparatively strong (1 0 0) preferential orientation. From TEM observations, the films formed with TE method were composed of coalesced β-FeSi2 islands, whereas those formed with SE method were almost continuous.

The surface composition and chemical states of β-FeSi2 on a Si(1 0 0) substrate after exposure to the ambient atmosphere was investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation (SR-XPS). The analysis revealed that about 70% of the Si substrate was covered with β-FeSi2. In addition, it was found that a SiO2 overlayer with a thickness of about 1 nm covered the whole surface of the sample. These results suggest that Si was segregated during the IBSD process and that the readily formed SiO2 layer behaved as a protective layer against further oxidation of β-FeSi2 surface.

We studied the subcellular localization of the mitochondrial type of NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD1) in rat was immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy and by biochemical methods, including immunoblotting and Nycodenz gradient centrifugation. Antibodies against a 14-amino-acid peptide at the C-terminus of mouse ICD1 was prepared. Immunoblotting analysis of the Triton X-100 extract of heart and kidney showed that the antibodies developed a single band with molecular mass of 45 kD. ICD1 was highly expressed in heart, kidney, and brown fat but only a low level of ICD1 was expressed in other tissues, including liver. Immunofluorescence staining showed that ICD1 was present mainly in mitochondria and, to a much lesser extent, in nuclei. Low but significant levels of activity and antigen of ICD1 were found in nuclei isolated by equilibrium sedimentation. Immunoblotting analysis of subcellular fractions isolated by Nycodenz gradient centrifugation from rat liver revealed that ICD1 signals were exclusively distributed in mitochondrial fractions in which acyl-CoA dehydrogenase was present. Immunofluorescence staining and postembedding electron microscopy demonstrated that ICD1 was confined almost exclusively to mitochondria and nuclei of rat kidney and heart muscle. The results show that ICD1 is expressed in the nuclei in addition to the mitochondria of rat heart and kidney. In the nuclei, the enzyme is associated with heterochromatin. In kidney, ICD1 distributes differentially in the tubule segments.

The localization of NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (cytosolic type, ICD2) in rat kidney peroxisomes was studied using an immunoelectron microscopic technique. Rat kidneys were perfusion-fixed in a fixative consisting of 4% paraformaldehyde, 0.2% glutaraldehyde and 0.1 M Hepes-KOH buffer (pH 7.4) for 10 min. Fixed tissue slices were embedded in LR White resin. Thin sections were stained for ICD2 with a combination of anti-ICD2 and protein A-gold probe (15 nm). Signals for ICD2 were found to be present in the peroxisomes of the proximal tubules but not in the cytoplasmic matrix. Within the peroxisomes, ICD2 was detected in the peripheral dense matrix where catalase was present but not in the central clear matrix to which D-amino acid oxidase was confined. The results showed that in the rat kidney ICD2 was confined to the peroxisomes and located in the peripheral dense matrix as catalase.

An immunofluorescence staining method for Epon-embedded materials is described. Rat kidney and liver were fixed by perfusion with 1% glutaraldehyde for 10 min. Tissue slices were embedded in Epon. Semithin sections with thicknesses ranging from 1,000 to 100 nm were cut and mounted on clean glass slides. Epoxy resin was removed by treatment with 10% sodium ethoxide. Sections were digested with 0.05% trypsin and then treated with sodium borohydride. Sections were immunostained for leucine aminopeptidase (plasma membrane), catalase (peroxisomes), 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (mitochondria), cathepsin D (lysosomes), and LGP107 (lysosomal membrane) using Cy(2)- or Alexa 546-labeled secondary antibodies. In 1,000-nm-thick sections, non-specific fluorescence remained and such fluorescence decreased as the sections became thinner. Clear specific fluorescence was obtained in the sections with thicknesses ranging from 250 to 100 nm with Alexa 546-labeled antibody (red fluorescence) but was not specific enough with Cy(2)- or Alexa 430-labeled antibody (green fluorescence). Sodium borohydride greatly abolished autofluorescence of glutaraldehyde. The present method made it possible to obtain signals in cross-sections of biological materials with a thickness of 250-100 nm, which are difficult to obtain in optical section using a confocal laser microscope.

A delay-locked loop (DLL) must have a large delay line to work over a wide range of frequency. This makes the layout area larger. A hierarchy delay line solves this problem. But coarse and fine delay changing at the same time causes jitter. This DLL and voltage down converter (VDC) avoids the jitter problem.

The aim of the present work was to investigate if infuse and ethanolic extracts (aqueous, butanolic and wax fractions) of Rubus brasiliensis Martius (Rosaceae) induce anxiolytic effect. The extracts were administered to male Wistar rats and Swiss mice per oral route, at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, 30 min before the behavioral evaluation in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Both infuse and wax ethanolic fraction at the dosage 150 mg/kg, vo, increased the number and the percentage of open arm entries of rats and mice. The aqueous and butanolic fractions, obtained from ethanolic extract, failed to induce anxiolytic effect. The treatment of mice with flumazenil (Ro 15-1788), 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/kg, i.p., 15-min before the administration of infuse or wax fraction, 150 mg/kg, vo, blocked the infuse or wax fraction-induced anxiolytic effect. The LD50 for the wax fraction was 1000 mg/kg. In conclusion, the infuse and wax ethanolic fraction of R. brasiliensis present anxiolytic effect in rats and mice. In addition, it is suggested that the anxiolytic effect may be attributed at least to one liposoluble principle with low acute toxicity which may be acting as an agonist on GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of the formation of the widespread mucous-plugging observed in autopsied lungs from patients with bronchial asthma. We performed morphometric analysis of airways of autopsied lungs from eight patients with bronchial asthma (Group BA), and compared it with those of six chronic bronchitics (Group CB) and four control patients (Control). The following parameters were measured in paraffin sections: volume proportion of bronchial glands to bronchial wall (Gland%); goblet cell granules to total epithelial layer (Goblet %); intraluminal mucus expressed as the mucus occupying ratio (MOR); volume ratio of intraluminal mucus continuous with goblet cells to total intraluminal mucus (Vc/Vtol %); and surface ratio of the contact surface of intraluminal mucus continuous with goblet cells to the total luminal surface (Sc/Stot %). Gland%, Goblet %, and MOR or inflammatory cell numbers in the airway walls both from Group BA and CB were larger than those from the Control group. However, no significant differences were observed between Group BA and CB in Gland%, Goblet %, MOR or inflammatory cell numbers, except for the eosinophil number: i.e. 23 +/- 3, 22 +/- 3 and 6 +/- 2% in Gland%; 22 +/- 9, 5 +/- 4 and 2 +/- 2% in Goblet%; 10 +/- 3, 18 +/- 3 and 0.3 +/- 0.5% in MOR; 199 +/- 68, 10 +/- 3 and 2 +/- 2 cells. mm-2 in eosinophil number of the peripheral airways from Groups BA, CB and Control, respectively. In contrast, marked and significant increases were observed both in Vc/Vtot% and Sc/Stot% in Group BA compared to Groups CB and Control both in central and peripheral airways: i.e. Vc/Vtot% in the peripheral airways was 53 +/- 5, 4 +/- 3 and 0.8 +/- 0.8% from Groups BA, CB and Control, respectively (BA vs CB or BA vs Control, p < 0.01 each). These findings suggest that the continuity of goblet cells and intraluminal mucus or lack of full release of mucus, from goblet cells, is peculiar to asthmatic airways, and may contribute to the formation of mucous-plugs.

To clarify the role of PDGF A-chain in hypertensive vascular hypertrophy of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), we studied levels of PDGF A-chain gene expression and transcription factors related to the gene in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of SHRs in vivo. RNase protection assay and in situ hybridization showed that PDGF A-chain mRNA levels in VSMCs of SHRs were twofold higher than in those of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. Gel retardation assays showed that levels of Sp1 and AP-2 in VSMCs of SHRs were twofold more abundant than in those of Wistar-Kyoto rats. Treatment with four pharmacologically different species of antihypertensive drugs for 2 wk decreased the levels of both PDGF A-chain mRNA and Sp1, but not AP-2 level in VSMCs of SHRs with regression of aortic hypertrophy, indicating that increases in levels of both PDGF A-chain mRNA and Sp1 in VSMCs of SHRs were associated with high blood pressure. These results suggest that high blood pressure is a stimulus which upregulates PDGF A-chain gene expression in VSMCs of SHRs, resulting in an autocrine enhancement in hypertensive vascular hypertrophy, and that the activation of the gene may be mediated through increases in Sp1 in these cells.

We focus on the excitation and propagation properties of surface plasmon polariton (SPP). We have developed a SPP excitation device in combination with a grating structures fabricated by using the scanning probe lithography. Perturbation approach was used to investigate the coupling properties of SPP with a spatial harmonic wave supported by a metallic grating. A phase shift grating SPP coupler has been fabricated and the optical property was evaluated by the Fraunhofer diffraction formula. We have been experimentally confirmed the induced stop band by diffraction measurement. We have also observed the wavenumber shift of the resonance condition of SPP owing to effect of a phase shift., {"references":["V.M.Agranvich and D.L.Mills, \"Surface Polaritons\", New York,\nNorth-Holland Publishing Company, 1982, p93.","P.Avoulis, T.Heltel and R.Martel,\"Atomic force microscope tip-induced\nlocal oxidation of silicon: kinetics, mechanism, and nanofabrication\"\nAppl. Phys. Lett. 71 (1997) pp.285-287.","T. Nakada, M. Haraguchi, Y. Nakagawa, M. Fukui, T. Okamoto, T. Isu\nand G. Shinomiya, \"Fabrication of a grating coupler in Surface Plasmon\nPolariton (SPP) waveguide by Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM)\nlithography\", Technical Digest of the 7th Asia-Pacific Conference on\nNear-Field Optics, Jeju, 2009, p70.","A. Sommerfeld: OPTIK 3rd edition (1965).","B.Fischer, N.Marschall, and H.J.Queisser: Surface Sci., 34 (1973) 50.","M Yamashita, M Tsuji,\"Simple Theory for Surface-Plasmon-Polariton\nResonance on Sinusoidal Metal Surface:Application to SERS\" J. Phys.\nSoc. Jpn., 52 (1983) pp.2462-2471."]}

A protease activation mutant of Sendai virus, TR-5, was investigated as a candidate for a live vaccine. Vaccination with TR-5 which had been activated by chymotrypsin beforehand (active TR-5) elicited protective immunity against otherwise lethal challenge infection with wild-type Sendai virus in DBA/2, C3H and ICR strains of mice. Less of the active TR-5 was required to confer protection on mice compared with an ordinary ether-inactivated Sendai virus vaccine (split vaccine). The protective immunity elicited by TR-5 lasted longer and the booster effect was more prominent compared to the split vaccine. No seroconversion was observed with contact mice when housed in a cage with mice vaccinated with the active TR-5. The overall results show that the active TR-5 is an effective and safe live vaccine of Sendai virus in mice.

The linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control in a discrete-time form for the systems having an input delay is applied to the active vibration suppression of a flexible cantilever beam to solve the instability problem of its boundary control due to a delayed boundary feedback. The dynamic equation of an Euler-Bernoulli beam with a delayed control input is first described, and then is discretized and transformed into a standard state-space equation, which does not contain the time delay apparently. An LQG controller is designed for the standardized system. In the proposed method, the dimensions of the state vector after the standardization keep the same as those of the original time delay systems, although the other existing discrete-time control approaches for systems with an input delay may increase the dimensions of the control system. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach is a feasible and effective way to solve the instability problem of the boundary control due to the time delay existing in the boundary feedback.

A study was undertaken to investigate, in Swiss outbreed mice, the possible effect of the indolizidine swainsonine (SW, isolated from I. carnea) on lymphoid tissues and to observe the immunomodulatory effects of SW and/or the aqueous fraction (AF) of I. carnea on peritoneal macrophage activity (e.g. macrophage spreading, phagocytosis, and hydrogen peroxide release). The peritoneal macrophages of mice treated with AF did not show any differences in their activity. Similarly, no statistical differences were observed in both cellularity and relative weight of lymphoid tissues when the treated animals were compared to the controls. The histopathology revealed the presence of vacuolar lesions on pancreas, liver and kidneys of mice treated with 7.0 g AF/kg. SW did not significantly affect phagocytosis. Conversely, an enhancement of both spreading activity and phorbol myristate-acetate solution-induced H2O2 production of peritoneal macrophages in mice treated with SW was observed. No statistical differences observed in lymphoid weight and cellularity of mice from all groups.

We report a case of small cell esophageal carcinoma (SCEC) with multiple liver metastases treated with some success by chemotherapy with irinotecan (CPT-11) plus cisplatin (CDDP). Radiologic and endoscopic examination of a 75-year-old man with multiple liver tumors disclosed a 4.0-cm type 2 tumor in the middle third of the esophagus. An endoscopically obtained biopsy specimen was diagnosed as undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. Multiple liver metastases were confirmed but lymph node metastases and distant metastases other than those in the liver were not detected. After six courses of chemotherapy with CPT-11 plus CDDP, the primary lesion showed complete response and liver metastases showed partial response. However, because all lesions almost immediately relapsed or progressed, arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastases and radiation for the primary lesion were given as second-line treatment. The primary lesion showed complete response with radiation. Arterial infusion chemotherapy prevented the progression of liver metastases once, but the patient died of liver failure at last. No distant lesions including metastatic lymph nodes were confirmed over the course of his illness, and the patient survived for a year after first diagnosis. Although the prognosis of SCEC is quite unfavorable due to highly aggressive behavior, a better prognosis is possible with effective chemotherapy and second-line treatment is important in improving prognosis.

Surface plasmon polaritons are electromagnetic modes with a locally enhanced electric field. These modes are expected to become the key for the development of photonics of the 21 st century and thus the applications of surface plasmon polaritons have become a worldwide target to be studied. In particular, localized surface plasmons (LSP's) have been widely studied as a key electromagnetic mode to develop nano-photonic technology. One of the benefits of mastering the physical properties of the LSP comes from its application to nonlinear optics. Little is known of nonlinear optical response of the LSP, although it is quite significant to develop optical devices, for example, an optical switch, based on nonlinear optical phenomena because of the LSP excitation. This chapter has succeeded to present the phenomena of optical switching and optical bistability by using a modified nonlinear Mie theory for a Ag nano-sphere coated with a CdS film. This simulation takes a long time and is achieved along a radius axis. It is therefore not easy to understand circumstances over the whole of the concentric shell. To overcome this disadvantage, the nonlinear optical response of a Ag sphere coated with CdS films is demonstrated using finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulations. This chapter first introduces numerical results of the nonlinear optical response of a Ag sphere coated with CdS films. Secondly, the fabrication process of a Ag sphere coated with CdS films is described. Thirdly, the experimental results of the linear and the nonlinear optical responses of samples fabricated are given.

We have numerically analyzed a coupling between a Gaussian light and spheroids by using a FDTD method. Complex whispering gallery modes (WGM) in the spheroids can be explained as a combination of various WGM's of a sphere.

The localization of ubiquitin (UB) signals in the acrosomes of rat spermiogenic cells was investigated by immunoelectron microscopy using two anti-UB antibodies: UB1, reacting with ubiquitinated proteins and free UB; and FK1, recognizing polyubiquitinated proteins but not monoubiquitinated proteins or free UB. Labeling of UB by UB1 (UB1 signal) was detected in the acrosomes at any stage of differentiation. In step 1 spermatids, UB1 signals were detected on the cytoplasmic surface and in the matrix of transport vesicles located between the trans-Golgi network and the acrosome. Weak signals were detected in acrosomal granules within acrosome vesicles that had not yet attached to the nucleus. In step 4–5 spermatids, the acrosome vesicles had enlarged and attached to the nucleus. Strong gold labeling was noted in a narrow space between the outer acrosomal membrane and the developing acrosomal granule, where a dense fibrous material was observed on routine electron microscopy, whereas the acrosomal granule was weakly stained by UB1 antibody. In step 6–8 spermatids, UB1 signals were detected in the fibrous material that expanded laterally to form a narrow electronless dense zone between the acrosomal granule and the outer acrosomal membrane. Labeling in the acrosomal granule increased. In step 9–11 spermatids, UB1 signals were confined to the narrow zone from the tip of the head to the periphery of the ventral fin. The matrix of the acrosome was weakly stained. In epididymal sperm, UB1 labeling in the acrosome decreased without any pretreatment, whereas staining was noted in a spot in the neck region and in the dorsal fin after trypsin digestion. On the other hand, the staining pattern with FK1 was quite different from that with UB1. The trans-Golgi network was weakly stained but the cis-Golgi network was strongly stained. The dense fibrous material just beneath the outer membrane was never stained with FK1. The results suggest that UB on the surface of transport vesicles is involved in anterograde transport from the Golgi apparatus to the acrosome. The physiological role of UB in acrosomes is not clear. Two candidates for monoubiquitinated proteins in the acrosome, which have a UB-interacting motif, were found by cyber screening.

The expression of cathepsin H (CH) in differentiating rat spermatids was studied by an immunoelectron microscopic technique. Cathepsin H was detected in the acrosome throughout differentiation steps but cathepsins B, D, and L and lysosomal membrane protein (LGP107) were not. Early in the formation of the acrosome, CH signals were observed in Golgi vesicles but not in acrosomal vesicles. At steps 3–4, CH signals were associated with a fibrous material attached to the inner surface of the vesicle membrane on the Golgi side. At steps 5–6, this fibrous material accumulated to form an electron-dense sheet to which CH signals were confined. The rest of the acrosome was negative for the enzyme. At steps 11–12, the CH-positive fibrous sheet expanded from the apical to the ventral side of the sperm head. After step 16, the surface of outer dense fibers in the flagellar axoneme and reticulated bodies were stained for CH. In epididymal sperm, CH signals were detected in the acrosome as well as on the surface of the outer dense fibers running from the middle to the principal piece. By immunofluorescence staining, CH was found to be localized to the acrosome, middle piece, and principal piece.

A multicolour projection display with a bright screen and large information capacity has been developed using nematic-cholesteric (NC) liquid crystals (LCs). Through investigation of light scattering in the focal-conic state of the LC layer, the authors found that the transmittance depends on the light wavelength, because of diffraction scattering, and that the colour of light transmitted through the layer can be controlled by the birefringence and the thickness of the LC layer. A 640-*400-pixel multicolour projection display was fabricated using a two-layered LC panel, each layer passing green and red light under the focal-conic state. The Munsell chroma value was 6 for both of the projected colours. The projector also provides excellent white and black, because of the high transmittance of the nematic state and the subtractive mixture of complementary colours. >

At SORTEC, the 1 GeV SR source facility has been successfully upgraded. The ultrahigh vacuum of the storage ring was completely recovered. At present, the maximum beam lifetime reached 25 h at 500 mA and 80 h at 200 mA. Machine studies are continuing for investigation of the beam behavior at various stored beam currents of up to 500 mA, by using the merit of the full energy injection scheme. In this paper, the performance of RF accelerating system, ion clearing effects and vacuum characteristics are described. As a result, It is shown that the lifetime predicted from the theoretical considerations has been almost attained. >

This preliminary investigation, involving 422 patients, tested the hypothesis that rate of eating is associated with obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes or hyperlipidaemia at all ages. The patients' eating habits were determined using a questionnaire, and the patients were classified as quick, normal or slow eaters. The body mass indices of the three groups were compared. The body mass indices of the male patients who ate quickly (25.4 ± 0.2 kg/m2) were significantly higher than those of the patients who ate at a normal rate (24.4 ± 0.3 kg/m2) or slowly (24.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2). No difference between body mass indices in the female groups was found. It was speculated that rate of eating affects body weight in male patients with type 2 diabetes or hyperlipidaemia.