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In this paper, fault diagnosis and tolerant control methods are proposed for an open-switch fault in a Vienna rectifier. The proposed diagnosis method uses only the input currents to detect an open-switch fault without any additional hardware. In the proposed tolerant control, the offset voltage is used to restore the input currents when an open-switch fault occurs in a Vienna rectifier. In addition, the proposed tolerant control considers the balance of the neutral-point voltage. This method can improve the total harmonic distortion of the current and mitigate the DC-link voltage ripple. The effectiveness of the proposed open-switch fault diagnosis and tolerant control method is verified by simulated and experimental results.

BackgroundRadiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) has increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Other cardiac manifestations such as conduction disturbance and valvular diseases were also suggested as co-morbidities in r-axSpA patients, however, the risk of these cardiac manifestation in r-axSpA were seldomly evaluated in large cohort.ObjectivesTo compare the incidences of aortic regurgitation, atrial fibrillation (AF), and atrioventricular (AV) block II–III between r-axSpA patients and the general population (GP).MethodsNational Health Insurance Services data were used. R-axSpA patients (N = 8,877) and the age- and sex-matched GP (N = 26,631) were followed from August, 2006 to December, 2019. Incidence rates and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of aortic regurgitation, AF, and AV block II–III were compared between these groups. Ten year incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis.ResultsIncidence rates of aortic regurgitation, AV block II–III, and AF in the r-axSpA group were 0.42, 0.21, and 4.0 per 1000 person-years, respectively. In the r-axSpA group, the SIR for aortic regurgitation was highest among 40–49-year-old men (4.11). Incidence rates of aortic regurgitation and AF were higher in the r-axSpA group than in the GP group (both p < 0.001), whereas the difference was insignificant for AV block II–III. In multivariate analysis, HRs for aortic regurgitation and AF were higher in the r-axSpA group than in the GP group (HR (95% confidence interval) = 2.55 (1.49–4.37) and 1.20 (1.04–1.39), respectively), but the difference was insignificant for AV block II–III.ConclusionCompared with the GP, r-axSpA patients are at increased risk of aortic regurgitation and AF, but not AV block II–III. These patients should be carefully monitored for occurrence of aortic regurgitation and AF.References[1]Agca R, Heslinga SC, Rollefstad S, et al. EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 76: 17-28.[2]Szabo SM, Levy AR, Rao SR, et al. Increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis: a population-based study. Arthritis Rheum 2011; 63: 3294-3304.[3]Morovatdar N, Watts GF, Bondarsahebi Y, et al. Ankylosing Spondylitis and risk of Cardiac Arrhythmia and Conduction Disorders: A systematic review and meta analysis. Curr Cardiol Rev 2021.[4]Bengtsson K, Forsblad-d’Elia H, Lie E, et al. Risk of cardiac rhythm disturbances and aortic regurgitation in different spondyloarthritis subtypes in comparison with general population: a register-based study from Sweden. Ann Rheum Dis 2018; 77: 541-548.[5]Dik VK, Peters MJ, Dijkmans PA, et al. The relationship between disease-related characteristics and conduction disturbances in ankylosing spondylitis. Scand J Rheumatol 2010; 39: 38-41.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Renin is essential for renal development and in adult kidneys vitamin D deficiency increases renin gene expression. We aimed to determine whether maternal vitamin D deficiency upregulates fetal renal renin expression, and if this is sustained. We also examined growth and the long-term renal effects in offspring on a normal diet. Female Sprague–Dawley rats in UVB-free housing were fed either vitamin D deficient chow (DEF) or normal chow from 4 weeks and mated with vitamin D replete males at 10 weeks. Fetuses were collected at E20 or dams littered and the pups were weaned onto normal chow. Kidney mRNA levels for renin, (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR], transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β1), and nephrin were determined in E20 fetuses and in male offspring at 38 weeks. Renal function was assessed at 33 weeks (24 h, metabolic cage) in both sexes. Renal mRNA expression was upregulated for renin in fetuses (P< 0.05) and was almost doubled in adult male offspring from DEF dams (P< 0.05). Adult males had reduced creatinine clearance, solute excretion and a suppressed urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio (P< 0.05). Female adult DEF offspring drank more and excreted more urine (P< 0.05) but creatinine clearance was not impaired. We conclude that maternal vitamin D depletion upregulates fetal renal renin gene expression and this persists into adulthood where, in males only, there is evidence of sodium retention and compromised renal function. Importantly these effects occurred despite the animals being on a normal diet from the time of weaning onwards.

Background/Aim Little is known about exposures to low radiation doses in the first trimester of pregnancy and deterministic adverse effects in the offspring, and risks are extrapolated from catastrophic events or from exposures to radiotherapy. The study aimed to assess the foetal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to radiodiagnostic procedures with abdominal or lumbar irradiation. Methods In a prospective cohort design, we studied the foetal and neonatal outcomes in 115 singleton pregnant women who required abdominal or lumbar radiodiagnostic procedures without the administration of radionucleotides, and in 527 age-matched (±2 years) control pregnant women. Results In the exposed group, lumbar spine radiography (33.9%), plain abdominal radiography (16.5%) and upper gastrointestinal tract radiography with abdominal irradiation (15.7%) were the most common radiodiagnostic procedures. Major congenital malformations were identified in two (1.9%) babies born in the exposed group and in two (0.4%) babies born in the control group (odds ratio = 4.7; 95% confidence interval 0.7–33.6; P = 0.15). The rest of the foetal and neonatal outcomes was similar in the two groups except by a marginally higher rate of admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit among babies born to exposed women (odds ratio = 2.9; 95% confidence interval 1.0–9.4; P = 0.06). Conclusion Our results indicate that X-ray and computed tomography scan exposure involving abdominal irradiation without the administration of radionucleotides is not associated with adverse foetal and neonatal deterministic outcomes. Efforts are required to reduce the use of radiodiagnostic procedures for general check-ups in childbearing age women.

Many of the effects of resveratrol are consistent with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), which play key roles in the regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis, and in the control of oxidative stress. We investigated whether resveratrol has protective effects on the kidney in type 2 diabetes.Four groups of male C57BLKS/J db/m and db/db mice were used in this study. Resveratrol was administered via gavage to diabetic and non-diabetic mice, starting at 8 weeks of age, for 12 weeks.The db/db mice treated with resveratrol had decreased albuminuria. Resveratrol ameliorated glomerular matrix expansion and inflammation. Resveratrol also lowered the NEFA and triacylglycerol content of the kidney, and this action was related to increases in the phosphorylation of AMPK and the activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α signalling and of the key downstream effectors, the PPARα-oestrogen-related receptor (ERR)-1α-sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1). Furthermore, resveratrol decreased the activity of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt phosphorylation and class O forkhead box (FOXO)3a phosphorylation, which resulted in a decrease in B cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)-associated X protein (BAX) and increases in BCL-2, superoxide dismutase (SOD)1 and SOD2 production. Consequently, resveratrol reversed the increase in renal apoptotic cells and oxidative stress, as reflected by renal 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), urinary 8-OH-dG and isoprostane concentrations. Resveratrol prevented high-glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in cultured mesangial cells through the phosphorylation of AMPK and activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α signalling and the downstream effectors, PPARα-ERR-1α-SREBP1.The results suggest that resveratrol prevents diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice by the phosphorylation of AMPK and activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α signalling, which appear to prevent lipotoxicity-related apoptosis and oxidative stress in the kidney.

Lipomatous haemangiopericytoma (a fat-forming solitary fibrous tumour) is a rare soft-tissue tumour histologically characterized by haemangiopericytomatous vasculature and the presence of mature adipocytes. We report the CT and MRI findings of a case of lipomatous haemangiopericytoma involving the perineum. CT showed a well-circumscribed soft-tissue density mass containing a small area of fat density and a punctuate calcification. On MR images, the mass was mostly isointense to the muscle on T(1) weighted images, with heterogeneous signal intensity on T(2) weighted images, and showed strong contrast enhancement except for the fatty and dense collagenous components. This is the first case report of imaging findings of a lipomatous haemangiopericytoma in the radiological literature. Although rare, lipomatous haemangiopericytoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of fat-containing, hypervascular soft-tissue tumours with variable signal intensity on T(2) weighted images.

The Waxy (Wx) gene product controls the formation of a straight chain polymer of amylose in the starch pathway. Dominance/recessiveness of the Wx allele is associated with amylose content, leading to non-waxy/waxy phenotypes. For a total of 113 foxtail millet accessions, agronomic traits and the molecular differences of the Wx gene were surveyed to evaluate genetic diversities. Molecular types were associated with phenotypes determined by four specific primer sets (non-waxy, Type I; low amylose, Type VI; waxy, Type IV or V). Additionally, the insertion of transposable element in waxy was confirmed by ex1/TSI2R, TSI2F/ex2, ex2int2/TSI7R and TSI7F/ex4r. Seventeen single nucleotide polymorphims (SNPs) were observed from non-coding regions, while three SNPs from coding regions were non-synonymous. Interestingly, the phenotype of No. 88 was still non-waxy, although seven nucleotides (AATTGGT) insertion at 2,993 bp led to 78 amino acids shorter. The rapid decline of r 2 in the sequenced region (exon 1–intron 1–exon 2) suggested a low level of linkage disequilibrium and limited haplotype structure. K s values and estimation of evolutionary events indicate early divergence of S. italica among cereal crops. This study suggested the Wx gene was one of the targets in the selection process during domestication.

The performance of Xpert(®) MTB/RIF assay, an automated nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) that was developed for the detection of tuberculosis (TB), has been evaluated in various clinical settings. However, few studies have compared Xpert with other NAATs, especially its performance using lower respiratory tract specimens (LRTS).To compare the practical diagnostic performance of the Xpert assay with that of the AdvanSure™ TB/NTM RT-PCR kit in the detection of pulmonary TB (PTB), using LRTS obtained through bronchoscopy.Of 249 patients included, 105 had culture-confirmed PTB. Using culture as reference, the overall sensitivity of Xpert and AdvanSure was respectively 92.4% and 83.8%. When acid-fast bacilli smear results were taken into consideration, the sensitivity of Xpert for smear-positive and smear-negative LRTS was respectively 100% and 88.9%, while that of the AdvanSure was 100% and 76.4%. Xpert showed better results than AdvanSure in terms of sensitivity in smear-negative LRTS (P = 0.012), but no difference in smear-positive LRTS.Xpert may be advantageous in the detection of PTB using LRTS, particularly in low microbiological burden settings.

To evaluate the respondent burden and patient-perceived content validity of the Parkinson's disease (PD)-specific health status questionnaire PDQ-39, and the linguistic validity of its revised Swedish version.Eighteen PD patients completed the revised Swedish version of the PDQ-39. Respondent burden was assessed by recording the time taken to complete the questionnaire. Content and linguistic validity was evaluated qualitatively.Patients with mild, moderate and advanced PD needed a mean time of 9.5, 11.3 and 20.1 min, respectively, to complete the PDQ-39. One-third of the patients identified irrelevant items and 50% identified important health-related areas that were missing. Revisions had eliminated previous linguistic problems with the Swedish PDQ-39.Undue respondent burden challenged the appropriateness of the PDQ-39 among patients with more advanced disease. Overall content validity was acceptable but compromised by lack of important content areas. Observations supported the linguistic validity of the revised Swedish PDQ-39.

In recent industry, with the miniaturization and high-precision of machine part, the development of mold manufacturing technology for mass production is accompanied by the development of new technology such as IT and BT In this study, the spiral type injection mold with a thickness is made to. investigating the influence of injection molding parameter and the flow length is measured through an experiment. Besides, Taguchi method is used in this experiment and the obtained data are analyzed using ANOVA method.

In this study, warpage characteristics of mobile phone cover through injection molding process were investigated using design of experiments in injection molding process. Warpage in plastic injection molding has a significant effect on quality of product. Effects of injection time, packing pressure, packing time, mold temperature and melt temperature on the warpage of mobile phone cover were considered by numerical analysis and experiment with Taguchi method. The degree of warpage for the injection molded part was measured by using three dimensional coordinate measurement machine. It was shown that temperature control factor has more significant effect on the warpage of mobile phone cover than pressure control factor.

Although the internet may play a role in providing proper teratogen-risk counselling for pregnant women, the experience with this type of service has not been reported. We aimed to compare the pregnancy outcome of women counselled by the internet to women that received typically in-clinic teratogen risk counselling in the clinic. In a prospective cohort design, 1,011 patients were counselled in the clinic and 235 patients were counselled via the internet. Teratogen risk counselling was provided according with the information obtained from medical literature and specialised software. Information about pregnancy outcome (delivery, spontaneous abortion, or termination of pregnancy and major malformations) was obtained from 903 (89.3%) patients from the clinic group and 141 (60%) from the internet group. The amount of alcohol, cigarettes smoked, and millirads of X-ray were greater ( p < 0.05) in patients counselled by internet than in clinic. The rate of deliveries, ongoing pregnancies, pregnancy terminations, and spontaneous abortions were similar between clinic and internet (chi2 = 1.32; p = 0.7). Of 498 babies born to mothers counselled in the clinic, major malformations were identified in 3.6%. Of 67 babies born to mothers counselled by internet, major malformations were present in 1.5% ( p = 0.6). Teratogen-risk counselling by internet and clinic seems to have a similar efficacy in pregnancy outcome.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including insertion/deletions (indels) serve as useful and informative genetic markers. The availability of high-throughput and inexpensive SNP typing systems has increased interest in the development of SNP markers. After fragments of genes were amplified with primers derived from 110 soybean GenBank ESTs, sequencing data of PCR products from 15 soybean genotypes from Korea and the United States were analyzed by SeqScape software to find SNPs. Among 35 gene fragments with at least one SNP among the 15 genotypes, SNPs occurred at a frequency of 1 per 2,038 bp in 16,302 bp of coding sequence and 1 per 191 bp in 16,960 bp of noncoding regions. This corresponds to a nucleotide diversity (theta) of 0.00017 and 0.00186, respectively. Of the 97 SNPs discovered, 78 or 80.4% were present in the six North American soybean mapping parents. The addition of "Hwaeomputkong," which originated from Japan, increased the number to 92, or 94.8% of the total number of SNPs present among the 15 genotypes. Thus, Hwaeomputkong and the six North American mapping parents provide a diverse set of soybean genotypes that can be successfully used for SNP discovery in coding DNA and closely associated introns and untranslated regions.

The magnetic properties of Ge/MnAs digital alloys on GaAs (001) substrates, grown by molecular beam epitaxy, were investigated using a Quantum Design SQUID magnetometer. The Ge (1 nm)/MnAs (0.15 nm) digital alloy showed ferromagnetism up to 334 K with a coercive field of 576 Oe at room temperature, as determined from temperature-dependent magnetization and hysteresis loop measurements. The ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases of a Ge7/(Mn0.5As0.5)1 superlattice, investigated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method yielded a ferromagnetic ground state with a high spin magnetic moment of Mn (3.45 μB) which induces only very small magnetic moments on its neighboring As or Ge atoms.

The percentages of sperm motility and normal acrosome on the liquid boar semen diluted and preserved at 4°C with lactose hydrate, egg yolk and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (LEN) diluent were significant differences according to preservation day and incubation time, respectively. The sperm motility steadily declined from 96.9% at 0.5 h incubation to 78.8% at 6 h incubation at 1 day of preservation. However, the sperm motility rapidly declined after 4 day of preservation during incubation. The normal acrosome steadily declined from 93.3% at 0.5 h incubation to 73.8% at 6 h incubation at 1 day of preservation. However, the normal acrosome rapidly declined after 3 day of preservation during incubation. The rates of sperm penetration and polyspermy were higher in 5 and 10×10 6 sperm/ml than in 0.2 and 1×10 6 sperm/ml. Mean numbers of sperm in penetrated oocyte were highest in 10×10 6 sperm/ml compared with other sperm concentrations. The rates of blastocysts from the cleaved oocytes (2-4 cell stage) were highest in 1×10 6 sperm/ml compared with other sperm concentrations. In conclusion, we found out that liquid boar sperm stored at 4°C could be used for in vitro fertilization of pig oocytes matured in vitro. Also, we recommend 1×10 6 sperm/ml concentration for in vitro fertilization of pig oocytes. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 10 : 1369-1373)

The magnetic and thermal properties of NiFe/[IrMn-Mn]/CoFe with Mn additions have been studied. As-deposited CoFe pinned layers with [IrMn-Mn]layer had dominantly larger exchange biasing field ( ) and blocking temperature ( ) than those with pure I M used. The and improved with 76.8-78.1 vol% Mn, but those of the NiFe/IrMn/CoFe dropped considerably with more addition of 0.6 vol % Mn. The average x-ray diffraction peak ratios of fcc [(111)CoFe, NiFe]/(111)IrM textures for the Mn inserted total vol of 75.5, 77.5, and 79.3% were about 1.4, 0.8, and 0.6, respectively. For the sample without Mn inserted layer, the between IrMn and CoFe layers was almost zero, but it increased to 100 Oe after annealing of 250 . For as-grown two multilayers samples with ultra-thin Mn layers of 77.5 and 78.7 vol %, the s were 259 and 150 Oe, respectively. In case of IrMn with 77.5 vol% Mn, the was increased up to 475 Oe at 350 but decreased to 200 Oe at 450 , respectively. The magnetic properties and thermal stabilities of NiFe/[IrMn-Mn]/CoFe multilayer were enhanced with Mn additions. In applications where higher and are required, proper contents of Mn can be used. be used. used.

The effects of different fuel sources used in grilling on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of mackerel were Investigated. Oak and sawdust charcoals were used as fuel sources. The content of saturated fatty acids was increased during grilling. Histidine was the mest predominant amino acid; grilling significantly increased glutamic acid. Mackerel shows a high inosine 5'-monophosphate content that is increased during grilling. Oak charcoal and sawdust charcoal contained high levels of potassium and sodium, respectively. Potassium content was increased at the surface moscle of oak charcoal grilled mackerel (OM). The flavor preference for OM was significantly (p Les effets de differentes sources de combustibles (charbon de bois de chene ou de sciure) utilises dans le grillage sur les caracteristiques physicochimiques et sensorielles des maquereaux sont evalues. Le procede de grillage augmente les teneurs en acides gras satures, en acide glutamique et en inosine 5'-monophosphate. L'analyse sensorielle montre une preference pour le maquereau grille au charbon de bois de chene.

IrMn pinned spin valve (SV) films with stacks of Ta/NiFe/IrMn/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/NiFe/Ta were prepared by dc sputtering onto thermally oxidized Si (111) substrates at room temperature under a magnetic field of about 100 Oe. The annealing cycle number and temperature dependence of exchange coupling field (H), magnetoresistance (MR) ratio, and coercivity (H) were investigated. By optimizing the process of deposition and post thermal annealing condition, we obtained the IrMn based SV films with MR ratio of 3.6%, H of 1180 Oe for the pinned layer. The H is stabilized after the second annealing cycle and it is thought that this SV reveals high thermal stability. The H maintained its strength of 600 Oe in operation up to 24 and decreased monotonically to zero at 27.>..

The top-type tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) multilayer films with a structure of Ta5/NiFelO/ Ta5/NiFe10/FeMn10/NiFe2,/CoFe2/Al 2 O 3 1/CoFe3/NiFe20 (thickness in nm) with in-situ natural AlO x oxidation were deposited by a sputtering system with a base pressure of 10 -9 Torr. Junctions with sizes from 4 to 80 μm 2 were fabricated by using a conventional photolithography process. The as-deposited junction showed TMR of 16% at room temperature with resistance of 14-15 Ω, dependent on junction area.

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It has been established that a crack has an important effect on the dynamic behavior of a structure. This effect depends mainly on the location and depth of the crack. To identify the location and depth of a crack on a structure, a method is presented in this paper which uses hybrid neuro-genetic technique. Feed-forward multi-layer neural networks trained by back-propagation are used to learn the input (the location and depth of a crack)–output (the structural eigenfrequencies) relation of the structural system. With this trained neural network, genetic algorithm is used to identify the crack location and depth minimizing the difference from the measured frequencies.

We report measurements of the mass density, Omega_M, and cosmological-constant energy density, Omega_Lambda, of the universe based on the analysis of 42 Type Ia supernovae discovered by the Supernova Cosmology Project. The magnitude-redshift data for these SNe, at redshifts between 0.18 and 0.83, are fit jointly with a set of SNe from the Calan/Tololo Supernova Survey, at redshifts below 0.1, to yield values for the cosmological parameters. All SN peak magnitudes are standardized using a SN Ia lightcurve width-luminosity relation. The measurement yields a joint probability distribution of the cosmological parameters that is approximated by the relation 0.8 Omega_M - 0.6 Omega_Lambda ~= -0.2 +/- 0.1 in the region of interest (Omega_M 0) = 99%, including the identified systematic uncertainties. The best-fit age of the universe relative to the Hubble time is t_0 = 14.9{+1.4,-1.1} (0.63/h) Gyr for a flat cosmology. The size of our sample allows us to perform a variety of statistical tests to check for possible systematic errors and biases. We find no significant differences in either the host reddening distribution or Malmquist bias between the low-redshift Calan/Tololo sample and our high-redshift sample. The conclusions are robust whether or not a width-luminosity relation is used to standardize the SN peak magnitudes.

Haemangioma is an extremely rare tumour of the ovary. We describe the CT and MRI findings of a heavily calcified ovarian haemangioma in a 69-year-old woman presenting with adnexal torsion. CT showed a well-circumscribed mass with extensive punctate calcifications, located posterior to the uterus. MR images showed dark signal intensities of the mass on both T(1) and T(2) weighted images, with poor enhancement of the mass on contrast-enhanced T(1) weighted images. MR images also demonstrated a beak-like protrusion from the adnexal mass, representing the adnexal torsion. This is the first case report of a heavily calcified ovarian haemangioma in the English literature. Although rare, ovarian haemangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a heavily calcified adnexal mass.

Several studies have reported an association between depression and folic acid deficiency. We investigated whether intake of prenatal multivitamins containing folic acid (MVandFA) was associated with decreased rates of depression among pregnant women. A questionnaire was given to 1,314 low-risk pregnant women. Of them, 1,277 (97.2%) women completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of depression was 8.1%. Of 652 participants who did not take MVandFA, 9.4% had depression, whereas 6.9% of 624 women who had MVandFA had depression (p = 0.11). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, family history of depression (adjusted OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.9-7.3) and premenstrual syndrome (adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.8-4.8) were identified as risk factors for depression during pregnancy. In conclusion, intake of MVandFA was not associated with lower rates of depression during pregnancy whereas family history of depression and personal history of premenstrual syndrome were significant risk factors.

The ultimate fate of the universe, infinite expansion or a big crunch, can be determined by measuring the redshifts, apparent brightnesses, and intrinsic luminosities of very distant supernovae. Recent developments have provided tools that make such a program practicable: (1) Studies of relatively nearby Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) have shown that their intrinsic luminosities can be accurately determined; (2) New research techniques have made it possible to schedule the discovery and follow-up observations of distant supernovae, producing well over 50 very distant (z = 0.3 -- 0.7) SNe Ia to date. These distant supernovae provide a record of changes in the expansion rate over the past several billion years. By making precise measurements of supernovae at still greater distances, and thus extending this expansion history back far enough in time, we can distinguish the slowing caused by the gravitational attraction of the universe's mass density Omega_M from the effect of a possibly inflationary pressure caused by a cosmological constant Lambda. We report here the first such measurements, with our discovery of a Type Ia supernova (SN 1997ap) at z = 0.83. Measurements at the Keck II 10-m telescope make this the most distant spectroscopically confirmed supernova. Over two months of photometry of SN 1997ap with the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes, when combined with previous measurements of nearer SNe Ia, suggests that we may live in a low mass-density universe. Further supernovae at comparable distances are currently scheduled for ground and space-based observations.

To reduce magnetization switching field ( H sw ) of submicrometer-sized magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), amorphous ferromagnetic Co 70.5 Fe 4.5 Si 15 B 10 free layered MTJs were studied and compared to Co 75 Fe 25 and Ni 80 Fe 20 free layered MTJs. As a CoFeSiB film has a low saturation magnetization ( M s = 560 emu / cm 3 ) and a high anisotropy constant ( K u = 2800 erg / cm 3 ), although CoFeSiB free layered MTJs had a slightly lower tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio than that of CoFe free layered MTJ, the MTJs exhibited much lower H sw than that of CoFe free layered MTJ, and higher sensitivity than that of CoFe and NiFe free layered MTJs. Results of micromagnetic simulation on magnetization switching processes confirmed that the magnetization in CoFeSiB free layered MTJ switched almost uniformly. Moreover, the surface roughness became more uniform and breakdown voltage increased by inserting CoFeSiB into free layer. The CoFeSiB free layered MTJ structures were found to be beneficial for the switching characteristics such as reducing H sw and increasing the sensitivity in micrometer-sized elements.

Two different chemorepellents, GTP and lysozyme, both produce transient depolarizing somatic receptor potentials and backward swimming (at micromolar concentrations) in Parameium. Behavioral adaptation occurs after 10 min in either repellent and the cells regain normal forward swimming. This is very specific for each repellent. Cells that have behaviorally adapted to 0.1 μM lysozyme (for 10 min) show forward swimming in lysozyme, a decreased amplitude of lysozyme-induced depolarizations and a 10-fold decrease in the estimated number of surface binding sites for 3H-lysozyme (by Scatchard analysis). All of these changes are reversible after 10 min in the absence of lysozyme. The lysozyme-adapted cells have normal responses to other depolarizing stimuli such as 8 mM Ba++, 40 mM K+, 10 mM Na+ and 10.0 μM GTP and to the hyperpolarizing chemoattractant, 5 mM acetate. Their surface binding of 32P-GTP was also unaffected. GTP-adapted cells show dramatic decreases in 32P-GTP surface binding sites and in the frequency of GTP-induced depolarizations but no changes in 3H-lysozyme binding or lysozyme-induced backward swimming. These results suggest that lysozyme and GTP have separate high affinity surface receptors on the somatic membrane that are specifically down-regulated during chemosensory adaptation.

NK cells express several inhibitory receptors that recognize class I MHC molecules expressed on target cells. The NK cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs) provide a key regulatory function for NK cells via specific interaction with MHC/peptide complexes, but the molecular details for recognition of class I MHC molecules by KIRs still remain unclear. Here we report cDNA cloning and expression of p58 KIRs and a p50 killer cell activatory receptor (KAR) from a Korean blood donor and demonstrate direct binding between recombinant soluble p58 KIRs and recombinant soluble HLA-C molecules. We identified three p58/p50 killer cell receptors (KAR-K1, KIR-K6, and KIR-K7), which are homologous to p50 cl-39, p58 47.11, and p58 cl-6, respectively. Native gel shift assay revealed that p58 KIR-K6 and KIR-K7 bind both HLA-Cw3 and HLA-Cw6 molecules, but p50 KAR-K1 binds neither of the HLA-C molecules. However, binding of HLA-C molecule by p58 KIR is affected by the antigenic peptide bound on the MHC molecule, suggesting that the p58 KIR binding to the HLA-C molecule may be dependent on the peptide. In addition, the binding interaction requires the presence of both p58 Ig domains, suggesting that the binding mode of HLA-C and p58 KIR may have some similarity to that of the neonatal Fc receptor and the Fc fragment of Ab and may be distinct from that of TCR and MHC.

We have developed a technique to systematically discover and study high-redshift supernovae that can be used to measure the cosmological parameters. We report here results based on the initial seven of >28 supernovae discovered to date in the high-redshift supernova search of the Supernova Cosmology Project. We find a dispersion in peak magnitudes of sigma_{M_B} = 0.27 this dispersion narrows to sigma_{M_B,corr} = 0.19 after "correcting" the magnitudes using the light-curve "width-luminosity" relation found for nearby (z

Chemosensory adaptation is seen in Tetrahymena thermophila following prolonged exposure (ten minutes) to micromolar concentrations of the chemorepellents lysozyme or guanosine triphosphate (GTP). Since these cells initially show repeated backward swimming episodes (avoidance reactions) in these repellents, behavioral adaptation is seen as a decrease in this repellent-induced behavior. The time course of this behavioral adaptation is paralleled by decreases in the extents of surface binding of either [ 32 P]GTP or [ 3 H]lysozyme in vivo. Scatchard plot analyses of repellent binding in adapted cells suggests the behavioral adaptation is due to a dramatic decrease in the number of surface binding sites, as represented by decreased Bmax values. The estimated KD values for nonadapted cells are 6.6 μM and 8.4 μM for lysozyme and GTP binding, respectively. Behavioral adaptation and decreased surface receptor binding are specific for each repellent. The GTP adapted cells (20 μM for ten minutes) still respond behaviorally to 50 μM lysozyme and bind [ 3 H]lysozyme normally. Lysozyme adapted cells (50 μM for ten minutes) still bind [ 32 P]GTP and respond behaviorally to GTP. All the behavioral and binding changes seen are also reversible (deadaptation). Neomycin was shown to be a competitive inhibitor of [ 3 H]lysozyme binding and lysozyme-induced avoidance reactions, but it had no effect on either [ 32 P]GTP binding or GTP-induced avoidance reactions. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that there are two separate repellent receptors, one for GTP and the other for lysozyme, that are independently downregulated during adaptation to cause specific receptor desensitization and consequent behavioral adaptation.

The Supernova Cosmology Project has discovered over twenty-eight supernovae (SNe) at 0.35 = 0.2, we find that H_0^G < 70 km/s/Mpc in a Lambda=0 universe and H_0^G < 78 km/s/Mpc in a flat universe, correcting the distant and local SN apparent magnitudes for light curve width. Lower results for H_0^G are obtained if the magnitudes are not width corrected.

A 49-year-old white man with blood group AB, D+ was found to have alloanti-Jk(a) and -K when he developed a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Given that his stem cell donor was blood group O, D+, Jk(a+), K-, rituximab was added to his conditioning regimen of fludarabine and melphalan to prevent hemolysis of engrafting Jk(a+) donor red blood cells. The patient proceeded to receive a peripheral blood stem cell transplant from a matched unrelated donor with no adverse events. To our knowledge, this is the first case of successful management of major non-ABO incompatibility caused by anti-Jk(a) in a patient receiving an allogeneic HSCT reported in the literature.

We have developed a new tool for measurement of the cosmological parameters: a systematic search-and-study technique for high-redshift supernovae. In the first years of this Supernova Cosmology Project, we have discovered over 27 supernovae. Using a “batch” search strategy, almost all were discovered before maximum light and were observed over the peak of their light curves. The spectra and light curves indicate that almost all were Type Ia supernovae at redshifts z = 0.35 – 0.65. These high-redshift supernovae can provide a distance indicator and “standard clock” to study the cosmological parameters q 0 , Λ, Ω 0 , and H 0 . This presentation and the following presentation of Goldhaber et al . (1996), will discuss observation strategies and rates, analysis and calibration issues, the sources of measurement uncertainty, and the cosmological implications, including bounds on q 0 , of the first 7 high-redshift supernovae from our ongoing search. This is one of the most direct approaches to cosmological measurements, and could become a standard method in the field.

In vitro activity of LB20304 against 1,231 clinical isolates was evaluated and compared with those of ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, lomefloxacin, and ofloxacin. LB20304 demonstrated the most potent activity against gram-positive bacteria. It was 32- to 64-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin G resistant). LB20304 was also highly active against most members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Its activity was more potent than those of sparfloxacin, ofloxacin, and lomefloxacin and comparable to that of ciprofloxacin. The protective activities of LB20304 against systemic infections caused by gram-positive bacteria in mice were superior to those of ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin. Against infections by gram-negative bacteria, LB20304 was slightly less active than ciprofloxacin.

Most studies on the half-lives of environmental contaminants have been based on small sample sizes and a limited number of repeated measurements. In this paper, we address issues of study design and sample size for half-life studies. Useful guidelines are provided for choosing the number of repeats and the optimal time interval between repeats for estimating an individual's half-life with a given level of precision, while minimizing the cost of the study. In addition, sample size and power considerations for studies comparing two population half-lives are investigated. An example is presented using data from a study on polychlorinated biphenyls and breast cancer.

Mixed finite element methods are considered to approximate the solution of fully nonlinear second order parabolic problems in divergence form in Rd, d ≤ 3. Existence and uniqueness of the approximation are proved. Optimal order error estimates in L ∞ (J; L 2 (Ω)) and in L ∞ (J; H( div ;Ω)) are demonstrated for the relevant variables.

Exchange bias by inserting a submonolayer of Mn between two neighboring IrMn layers in NiFe/[IrMn–Mn]/CoFe multilayers was investigated. As-deposited CoFe pinned layers with an [IrMn–Mn] layer resulted in larger exchange biasing field (Hex) and blocking temperature (Tb) than when pure Ir22Mn78 was used. Hex and Tb improved with content of 76.8–78.1 vol % Mn, but Hex and Tb of NiFe/IrMn/CoFe dropped considerably with addition of more than 0.6 vol % Mn. The Hex obtained for as-grown two multilayer samples with 77.5 and 78.7 vol % Mn, were 259 and 150 Oe, respectively. In the case of IrMn with 77.5 vol % Mn, Hex increased to 475 Oe at 350 °C but decreased to 200 Oe at 450 °C. The magnetic properties and thermal stabilities of the NiFe/[IrMn–Mn]/CoFe multilayer were enhanced by suitable additions of Mn. In applications where higher Hex and Tb were required, the proper contents of Mn could be used.

We have begun a program to discover high-redshift supernovae ( z ≈ 0.2–0.6), and study them with follow-up photometry and spectroscopy. We report here our first discovery, a supernova at z = 0.458 (SN1992bi) and the ongoing analysis on several new supernova candidates found in a recent search (Dec 93 – March 94). The photometry for SN1992bi closely matches the lightcurve calculated for its redshift from the template of well-observed nearby Type la supernovae giving a best fit value for the deceleration parameter: q o = 0.1 ± 0.3 (±0.55) (with Λ = 0), where the first uncertainty is due to the photometry of the distant supernova and the second reflects the estimated intrinsic width of the Type la absolute magnitude distribution based on nearby supernovae. If there is significant host galaxy extinction then q o would be larger than this best fit value. We describe the main sources of measurement error inherent in such a measurement of qo , and ways to reduce these errors.

A search for cosmological supernovae has discovered a number of a type la supernovae. In particular, one at z = 0.458 is the most distant supernova yet observed. There is strong evidence from measurements of nearby type Ia supernovae that they can be considered as 'standard candles'. We plan to use these supernovae to measure the deceleration in the general expansion of the universe. The aim of our experiment is to try and observe and measure about 30 such distant supernovae in order to obtain a measurement of the deceleration parameter q{sub 0} which is related to {Omega}. Here {Omega} is the ratio of the density of the universe to the critical density, and we expect a measurement with an accuracy of about 30%.

Bottom IrMn-based spin valves through exposure of part of the CoFe pinned layer to O2 with the structure Ta30/NiFe20/IrMn70/CoFet/oxidation/CoFe(30−t)/Cu20/CoFe30/Ta35 (all thickness in angstroms) (oxidation indicates exposure to different O2 flows) were deposited by dc magnetron sputtering on thermally oxidized Si (111) substrates. Within the range of O2 flows (0.4–2.8 sccm) studied, the value of the magnetoresistance (MR) ratio is seen to be quite low at a relatively large t of >16 A and a exchange coupling field (Hex) decreases when the O2 exposed CoFe surface is too close to IrMn. Under optimal conditions, a MR ratio of 8.6% with Hex∼275 Oe for the bottom single spin valve and a MR ratio 12.2% with Hex∼268/220 Oe for the dual spin valve are obtained. X-ray reflectivity data show smoother interfaces for the spin valves subjected to O2 exposure. The enhanced MR ratio coupled with the lower interlayer coupling field (Hint), sheet resistance, and magnetic moment of the specular spin valve can be attributed to an enhanced specularity as a result of smoother interfaces after O2 exposure.Bottom IrMn-based spin valves through exposure of part of the CoFe pinned layer to O2 with the structure Ta30/NiFe20/IrMn70/CoFet/oxidation/CoFe(30−t)/Cu20/CoFe30/Ta35 (all thickness in angstroms) (oxidation indicates exposure to different O2 flows) were deposited by dc magnetron sputtering on thermally oxidized Si (111) substrates. Within the range of O2 flows (0.4–2.8 sccm) studied, the value of the magnetoresistance (MR) ratio is seen to be quite low at a relatively large t of >16 A and a exchange coupling field (Hex) decreases when the O2 exposed CoFe surface is too close to IrMn. Under optimal conditions, a MR ratio of 8.6% with Hex∼275 Oe for the bottom single spin valve and a MR ratio 12.2% with Hex∼268/220 Oe for the dual spin valve are obtained. X-ray reflectivity data show smoother interfaces for the spin valves subjected to O2 exposure. The enhanced MR ratio coupled with the lower interlayer coupling field (Hint), sheet resistance, and magnetic moment of the specular spin valve can be attribute...

Little is known about exposures to low radiation doses in the first trimester of pregnancy and deterministic adverse effects in the offspring, and risks are extrapolated from catastrophic events or from exposures to radiotherapy. The study aimed to assess the foetal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women exposed to radiodiagnostic procedures with abdominal or lumbar irradiation.In a prospective cohort design, we studied the foetal and neonatal outcomes in 115 singleton pregnant women who required abdominal or lumbar radiodiagnostic procedures without the administration of radionucleotides, and in 527 age-matched (± 2 years) control pregnant women.In the exposed group, lumbar spine radiography (33.9%), plain abdominal radiography (16.5%) and upper gastrointestinal tract radiography with abdominal irradiation (15.7%) were the most common radiodiagnostic procedures. Major congenital malformations were identified in two (1.9%) babies born in the exposed group and in two (0.4%) babies born in the control group (odds ratio = 4.7; 95% confidence interval 0.7-33.6; P = 0.15). The rest of the foetal and neonatal outcomes was similar in the two groups except by a marginally higher rate of admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit among babies born to exposed women (odds ratio = 2.9; 95% confidence interval 1.0-9.4; P = 0.06).Our results indicate that X-ray and computed tomography scan exposure involving abdominal irradiation without the administration of radionucleotides is not associated with adverse foetal and neonatal deterministic outcomes. Efforts are required to reduce the use of radiodiagnostic procedures for general check-ups in childbearing age women.

The seeds of Korean Coriandrum sativum were extracted with petroleum ether and the chemical composition, larvicidal effects and antioxidant activity were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), which revealed the chemical composition of the petroleum ether extract of the seeds of C. sativum. Thirty seven components, representing 100% of the total extract were identified. The extract was dominated by linalool, a major component. The major components of petroleum ether extract are linalool (53.79%), 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate, (E)- (10.41%), hotrienol (7.82%), 3,7-Dimethylocta-1, 7-dien-3,6-diol (7.54%), 3,7-Octadiene-2,6-diol, 2,6-dimethyl- (5.87%), 7-Oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes, 1-methyl-4-(2-methyloxiranyl)- (4.73), and 5-Isopropenyl-2-methylcyclopent-1-enecarboxaldehyde (1.45%). The petroleum ether extract of the seeds had significant toxic effects against the larvae of Aedes aegypti with an LC50 value of 20.57 ppm and an LC90 value of 47.35 ppm. The petroleum ether extract from the C. sativum seeds was investigated for scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical activity and the reducing power and the results demonstrate that the petroleum ether extract from the C. sativum seeds has potential as a natural antioxidant and thus inhibit unwanted oxidation process. The aforementioned data indicates that the major compounds may play an important role in the toxicity and also act as natural antioxidant. Key words: Aedes aegypti, antioxidant activity, chemical composition, Coriandrum sativum, larvicidal activity.

The utility of WBC cell population data (CPD) for the differential diagnosis of viral infection from normal control, bacterial infection, and tuberculosis in children was investigated.A data set of 602 total whole-blood samples were analyzed on the DxH 800 System for complete blood cell count (CBC) with leukocyte differential from children with the following sample breakdown: 77 confirmed diagnoses of viral infections (Epstein-Barr virus; 30, influenza A; 19, rota virus; 11, other viruses;17), 54 normal control, 71 bacterial infection, 17 TB patients, and 383 with various diseases. The mean (MN) and standard deviation (SD) of the volume (V), conductivity (C), five light-scatter measurements, and 14 calculated parameters were obtained for the leukocytes.Using a combination of the CBC and CPD parameter values, a decision rule, composed of 21 parameters, for the screening of viral infection in children was developed. Using this decision rule, 74 of 77 (96.1%) viral infections, two of 54 (3.7%) normal samples, one of 17 (5.9%) TB, and six of 71 (8.5%) bacterial infection samples were identified. The sensitivity was 96.1%, and specificity for normal control was 96.3% with an overall specificity of 93.7%. Fifty-nine samples of 383 samples (15.4%) collected from in-patient children with various diseases without confirmation of viral infection were included in this decision rule.In conclusion, the implementation of leukocytes CPD parameters can be useful in the detection of viral infection in children.