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Centromere‐associated protein E (CENP‐E) is a kinesin motor protein essential for mitosis and a new target for anticancer agents with less side effects. To rationally design anticancer drug candidates based on structure, it is important to determine the three‐dimensional structure of the CENP‐E motor domain bound to its inhibitor. Here, we report the first crystal structure of the CENP‐E motor domain in complex with a non‐hydrolysable ATP analogue, adenylyl‐imidodiphosphate (AMPPNP). Furthermore, the structure is compared with the ADP‐bound form of the CENP‐E motor domain as well as the AMPPNP‐bound forms of other kinesins. This study indicates that helix α4 of CENP‐E participates in the slow binding of CENP‐E to microtubules. These results will contribute to the development of anticancer drugs targeting CENP‐E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase-I analysis of historical data from a statistical process is a strategic problem in Statistical Process Monitoring and control. Before the establishment of process stability, it is challenging to model historical data. Consequently, a distribution-free approach is a natural choice in Phase-I monitoring. Existing distribution-free Phase-I control charts are suitable for detecting instability in location and scale parameters only and are often insensitive in complex processes involving skewness or shape parameters. A new Phase-I control chart is proposed to identify more general shifts, including location, scale and skewness. The proposed Phase-I scheme is efficient in such a situation. The proposed Phase-I scheme uses subsamples, and the plotting statistic is based on the omnibus multi-sample linear rank statistic corresponding to the location, scale and skewness shifts. The new scheme can identify subsamples that are not in control, and it can also indicate one or more process parameters where a deviation has occurred. The encouraging performance of the proposed scheme is established with a large-scale numerical study based on Monte-Carlo in detecting shifts of various nature in a comprehensive class of situations. An illustration based on monitoring the waiting time data from a customer service centre is given. Some concluding remarks and some future research problems are also offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 1200 genes have been shown in the database to be expressed predominantly in the mouse testes. Advances in genome editing technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system have made it possible to create genetically engineered mice more rapidly and efficiently than with conventional methods, which can be utilized to screen genes essential for male fertility by knocking out testis-enriched genes. Finding such genes related to male fertility would not only help us understand the etiology of human infertility but also lead to the development of male contraceptives. In this study, we generated knockout mice for 12 genes (Acrv1 , Adgrf3 , Atp8b5 , Cfap90 , Cfap276 , Fbxw5 , Gm17266 , Lrrd1 , Mroh7 , Nemp1 , Spata45 , and Trim36) that are expressed predominantly in the testis and examined the appearance and histological morphology of testes, sperm motility, and male fertility. Mating tests revealed that none of these genes is essential for male fertility at least individually. Notably, knockout mice for Gm17266 showed smaller testis size than the wild-type but did not exhibit reduced male fertility. Since 12 genes were not individually essential for male fertilization, it is unlikely that these genes could be the cause of infertility or contraceptive targets. It is better to focus on other essential genes because complementary genes to these 12 genes may exist. • Knockout mice of 12 testis-enriched genes were generated with the CRISPR/Cas9 system. • Knockout mice for Gm17266 exhibit smaller testis size than the wild-type. • Twelve testis-enriched genes are individually dispensable for male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A concern has been raised that the persistent COVID-19 infection in an immunocompromised host can be the source of the SARS-CoV-2 variants. This is the case of a 61-year-old man in complete remission of a follicular lymphoma after six cycles of rituximab and bendamustine with additional two cycles of rituximab completed eight months prior to the episode of COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient's respiratory failure was long-lasting, and required mechanical ventilation until day 75. Acquired immunity tested negative throughout the observational period. The viral RNA was detectable until day 100 while the infectious virus was isolated until day 79. Seven haplotypes were identified and the non-synonymous mutations accumulated in the spike gene which included E484Q and S494P. In the management of COVID-19 cases with suppressed immune statuses, initial evaluation of existing immunity and monitoring for infectiousness throughout the clinical course including the convalescent stage may be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the reconfiguration problem of integer linear systems. In this problem, we are given an integer linear system I and two feasible solutions s and t of I , and then asked to transform s to t by changing a value of only one variable at a time, while maintaining a feasible solution of I throughout. Z (I) for I is the complexity index introduced by Kimura and Makino (Discrete Applied Mathematics 200:67–78, 2016), which is defined by the sign pattern of the input matrix. We analyze the complexity of the reconfiguration problem of integer linear systems based on the complexity index Z (I) of given I. We then show that the problem is (i) solvable in constant time if Z (I) is less than one, (ii) weakly coNP-complete and pseudo-polynomially solvable if Z (I) is exactly one, and (iii) PSPACE-complete if Z (I) is greater than one. Since the complexity indices of Horn and two-variable-par-inequality integer linear systems are at most one, our results imply that the reconfiguration of these systems are in coNP and pseudo-polynomially solvable. Moreover, this is the first result that reveals coNP-completeness for a reconfiguration problem, to the best of our knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red thin-film phosphors were fabricated based on a ZnO:(La,Eu)OF nanocomposite structure where (La,Eu)OF nanoparticles were dispersed in a ZnO film matrix. The films were deposited on glass substrates by a sol-gel method at a low temperature of 600 °C using trifluoroacetic acid as a fluorine source. Doping gallium into the films suppressed the grain growth of ZnO, increased the optical band gap, and decreased electrical resistivity, which indicates that Ga[SUP3+] was selectively incorporated into the ZnO lattice. Eu[SUP3+] was practically doped in the LaOF lattice. As a result, strong red emissions due to the [SUP5]D[SUB0] → [SUP7]F[SUB2] transition of Eu[SUP3+] were observed in both photo- (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. The efficiency of ultraviolet light excitation at 274 nm was promoted by the charge transfer from O[SUP2-] to Eu[SUP3+] in PL. Ga doping was found to increase the CL intensity of the film, which was attributed to suppression of charge accumulation on the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Greater variability in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is associated with mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the association between eGFR variability and cardiovascular (CV) mortality and/or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the CKD population is not very clear. This study aimed to clarify whether such an association exists. Methods: We analyzed a final cohort of 2869 eligible Asian patients with CKD. Patients were stratified into three groups according to eGFR variability during the first year and were followed-up for a median of 3.15 years. Primary CV composite endpoints were hospitalization or death due to CV events, and renal composite endpoints were doubling of serum creatinine levels or ESKD. Multivariate Cox hazard models adjusted for classical risk factors and eGFR slope were used to examine the CV and renal risk associated with eGFR variability. Results: CV endpoints were observed in 14 (2.89%), 25 (5.69%), and 41 (10.79%) patients and renal endpoints were observed in 165 (27.6%), 235 (39.0%), and 298 patients (50.9%) in the lowest, intermediate, and highest tertiles of eGFR variability, respectively. Patients in the highest tertile were at a significantly higher risk for CV events (hazard ratio 1.90; 95% confidence interval 1.03–3.71) than those in the lowest tertile. However, there was no association between eGFR variability and renal endpoints. Conclusions: Variability in eGFR can predict CV outcomes among patients with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Over 38% of adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients were <50 years old. • The detection rate was higher for bacteria (40%) than viruses (13%). • The proportion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections was higher in young CAP patients. • The case fatality rate was 14% among hospitalized adult CAP patients. • Drowsiness on admission and SpO 2 <90% were independent risk factors for mortality. Abstract Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among adults worldwide. However, the distribution of the etiology of CAP varies from one country to another, with limited data from rural areas. Methods A prospective hospital-based study on adult CAP was conducted in Leyte, Central Philippines from May 2010 to May 2012. Blood, sputum, and nasopharyngeal samples obtained from patients were used to identify pathogens using standard microbiological culture methods and PCR. Results Of the 535 patients enrolled, 38% were younger than 50 years old. More than half of the patients had an underlying disease, including pulmonary tuberculosis (22%). The detection rate was higher for bacteria (40%) than viruses (13%). Haemophilus influenzae (12%) was the most commonly detected bacterium and influenza virus (5%) was the most commonly detected virus. The proportion of CAP patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was higher in the younger age group than in the older age group. Among CAP patients, 14% died during hospitalization, and drowsiness on admission and SpO 2 <90% were independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusions Bacterial infections contribute substantially to the number of hospitalizations among CAP patients in rural Philippines. This study also highlights the importance of treatment of tuberculosis in reducing the burden of adult CAP in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Roots of the higher plants can assimilate inorganic nitrogen by an enzymatic reduction of the most oxidized form (+6) nitrate to the reduced form (−2) glutamate. For such reactions, the substrates (originated from photosynthates) must be imported to supply energy through the reductant-generating systems within the root cells. Intensive studies over last 70 years (reviewed here) revealed the precise mechanisms of nitrate-to-glutamate transformation in roots with elaborate searches of 15N-tracing, enzymes involved, the reductant-supplying system, and nitrate signaling. In the 1970s, the tracing of 15N-labeled nitrate and ammonia in the roots demonstrated the sequential reduction and assimilation of nitrate to nitrite, ammonia, glutamine amide, and then glutamate. These reactions involve nitrate reductase (NADH-NR, EC 1.7.1.1) in the cytosol, nitrite reductase (ferredoxin [Fd]-NiR, EC 1.7.7.1), glutamine synthetase (GS2, EC 6.3.1.2), and glutamate synthase (Fd-GOGAT, EC 1.4.7.1) in the plastids. NADH for NR is generated by glycolysis in the cytosol, and NADPH for Fd-NIR and Fd-GOGAT are produced by the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP). Electrons from NADPH are conveyed to reduce NIR and Fd-GOGAT through Fd-NADP+ reductase (FNR, EC 1.6.7.1) specifically in the roots. Physiological and molecular analyses showed the parallel inductions of NR, NIR, GS2, Fd-GOGAT, OPPP enzymes, FNR, and Fd in response to a short-term nitrate supply. Recent studies proposed a molecular mechanism of nitrate-induction of these genes and proteins. Roots can also assimilate the reduced form of inorganic ammonia by the combination of cytosolic GS1 and plastidic NADH-GOGAT. Highlights • Roots reduce and assimilate inorganic nitrate to organic glutamate by the organ-specific isoenzymatic reactions. • Root enzymes of nitrate-to-glutamate assimilation require the specific reductant-supplying system. • Nitrate assimilation and reductant-supply are induced by nitrate via a molecular mechanism 'nitrate signaling'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a model that allows a consistent description of growth evolution on nonplanar surface by molecular beam epitaxy and metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy. Basic equations for epitaxial growth; Formulation for a nonplanar surface; Anisotropy of growth rate.

Focuses on a study that investigated the influence of negative ions on the structure in radio frequency glow discharges in SiH[sub4]/H[sub2] by spatiotemporal optical emission spectroscopy. Method used to synthesize thin films; Description of the experimental apparatus used; Minimum sustaining voltages in various gases measured.

Presents a study that analyzed temperature dependencies of Hall mobility of nondoped and nitrogen-doped n-type β-silicon carbide films using a conventional theoretical model. Kinds of films used in the experiment; Equations for piezoelectric-mode lattice scattering; Calculation of conductivity mobilities for impurity scattering.

The confinement properties of an electron to a two-dimensional quantum disk surrounded with a finite-height potential barrier are investigated. It is shown that since the confining barrier is distorted by a centrifugal potential arising from nonzero electron angular momentum, the electron can tunnel out through a thin part of the distorted barrier, which takes place when the radius of the disk is smaller than a critical radius. It is found that since the barrier for zero electron angular momentum is deformed by a centripetal potential characteristic of two dimensions, although no electron leaks out at any radii, bound-energy levels ascend as the disk radius decreases and become tied up at the top of the confining potential well, resulting in high density of states. Some experimental methods are outlined to observe those leaky and confining phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of NH4Cl concentration (0.1-1600 mM), temperature (5.0-35.0°C), pH (3.0-11.0), conidial density (2.5 × 105-1.0 × 107 conidia/ml), and conidial maturation (0-21 days) on the conidial germination of the early phase (EP) ammonia fungus Amblyosporium botrytis were investigated. The optimum NH4Cl concentration for conidial germination was 300 mM. No germination was observed above 1000 mM NH4Cl, while low NH4Cl concentration (0.1-30 mM) retarded the conidial germination. The conidia did not germinate in distilled water. The effective pH ranges for the conidial germination were from 5.0 to 9.0 with optimum at 8.0. Germination was possible from 5.0°C to 35°C with the optimum at 15°C. These results demonstrate that ammonium-nitrogen concentration and pH are principal factors in the conidial germination of A. botrytis. It is expected that the obtained physiological characteristics of A. botrytis are suitable to colonize in nitrogen-enriched soil as the EP ammonia fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the covalent linkage of two bent bisanthracene amphiphiles with a biphenyl spacer bearing hydrophilic pendants, we synthesized a new molecular clip with a C-shaped conformation. The molecular clip provides an acyclic, open cavity surrounded by four anthracene panels in water. In contrast to previous clip- and tweezers-like compounds as well as cage-shaped compounds, the C-shaped polyaromatic cavity displays unusual wide-ranging capturing abilities toward not only planar perylene-based pigments and cylindrical single-walled carbon nanotubes but also highly branched macromolecules (carbazole dendrimers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the covalent linkage of two bent bisanthracene amphiphiles with a biphenyl spacer bearing hydrophilic pendants, we synthesized a new molecular clip with a C-shaped conformation. The molecular clip provides an acyclic, open cavity surrounded by four anthracene panels in water. In contrast to previous clip- and tweezers-like compounds as well as cage-shaped compounds, the C-shaped polyaromatic cavity displays unusual wide-ranging capturing abilities toward not only planar perylene-based pigments and cylindrical single-walled carbon nanotubes but also highly branched macromolecules (carbazole dendrimers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theory is developed for fractional quantum Hall effect in terms of composite (c)-bosons (fermions) without useing Laughlin's results about the fractional charge. Here the c-particle (fermion, boson) is defined as a bound composite fermion (boson) containing a conduction electron and an even (odd) number of fluxons (elementary magnetic fluxes). The Bose-condensed c-bosons, each containing an electron and an odd number m of fluxons at the filling factor ν=1/ m is shown to generate the Hall conductivity plateau value m e / h, where the density of c-particles, $n_{\phi }^{(m)}$ , either bosonic or fermionic, with m fluxons is given by $n_{\phi }^{(m)}=n_{\mathrm {e}}/m$ , n = electron density. The only assumption is that any c-fermion carries a charge magnitude equal to the electron charge e. The quantum Hall state is shown to be more stable at ν=1/3 than at ν=1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unusual quantum Hall effect (QHE) in graphene is described in terms of the composite (c-) bosons, which move with a linear dispersion relation. The 'electron' (wave packet) moves easier in the direction [1 1 0 c-axis] ≡ [1 1 0] of the honeycomb lattice than perpendicular to it, while the 'hole' moves easier in [0 0 1]. Since 'electrons' and 'holes' move in different channels, the particle densities can be high especially when the Fermi surface has 'necks'. The strong QHE arises from the phonon exchange attraction in the neighborhood of the 'neck' surfaces. The plateau observed for the Hall conductivity and the accompanied resistivity drop is due to the superconducting energy gap caused by the Bose-Einstein condensation of the c-bosons, each forming from a pair of one-electron-two-fluxons c-fermions by phonon-exchange attraction. The half-integer quantization rule for the Hall conductivity: (1/2)(2 P−1)(4 e / h), P=1,2,..., is derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr-doped (Gd x Y 1− x ) 3 Ga 5 O 12 crystals ( x =0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00) were grown by the micro-pulling-down method and examined for their possible application as red and infrared scintillating detectors in medical field. Although Cr:(Gd 0.75 Y 0.25 ) 3 Ga 5 O 12 and Cr:Gd 3 Ga 5 O 12 had similar X-ray diffraction patterns, other samples showed some change in lattice constant. All the crystals had broad emission bands in the red and infrared region when excited by either 450 nm photons or X rays. These bands were associated with 4 T 2 →A 2 transitions. Moreover, redshift of the emission-peak wavelengths ( 4 T 2 → 4 A 2 ) and absorption peaks ( 4 A 2 → 4 T 1 and 4 T 2 ) was observed with increase of Gd content ( x ) in Cr-doped (Gd x Y 1 −x ) 3 Ga 5 O 12 due to the change of the crystal fields. The crystals had scintillation emissions in the wavelength region suitable for the real time dose monitoring in radiation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses how diverse stances toward nuclear energy were produced and reproduced among Japanese labour unions from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s, and how these stances of the formative period influenced the subsequent development of inter-union politics before and after the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in 2011, based on content analysis of union bulletins and other materials of pro- and anti-nuclear energy unions. This article asks three research questions: (i) what factors contributed to proor anti-nuclear energy stances of labour unions?; (ii) what elements constituted or framed unions' arguments on the issue of nuclear energy?; and (iii) what impact did these stances and arguments formed in the early period have on the subsequent development of inter-union politics over nuclear energy, especially in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster? The paper shows union ideologies and institutional integration were the factors influencing unions' stances on nuclear energy. It also analyses the worldviews of pro- and anti-nuclear energy unions based on the three policy styles of technological enthusiasts, moralists and cost-benefiters. The Fukushima disaster reinforced the previously formed division of union ideologies, but considerably weakened the discourse of technological enthusiasm stressed by pro-nuclear energy unions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rigid tribranched scaffold with three anthracene panels was synthesized using a stereocontrolled 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene core. Grinding a mixture of the rigid scaffold and perylene leads to the quantitative formation of a spherical assembly containing stacked perylene molecules in water. The wrapped perylenes exhibit unusual Y-type excimer-like emission (λmax = ∼500 nm) at room temperature. In contrast, an analogous assembly from a flexible tribranched scaffold and perylene shows E-type emission (λmax = ∼610 nm) from the wrapped perylenes under the same conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new molecular capsule with a flexible fluorescent shell was formed by the quantitative self-complementary assembly of amphiphilic, U-shaped polyaromatic subunits in water. The capsule can fully encapsulate a variety of non-fluorescent monoterpene compounds (e.g., menthone, menthol, and p-menthane) in the hydrophobic cavity and act as a fluorescent supramolecular probe for recognizing the structural identity of the analytes by emissive signals in water at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxidation of styrenes is efficiently catalyzed by micelle-like molecular capsules providing Mnporphyrins in water at room temperature. In contrast to usual Mn-porphyrin catalysts, the encapsulated Mnporphyrin catalysts show higher reactivities (up to 1350 TON for 1 h) even without the addition of imidazole ligands. Spectroscopic studies and competitive-binding experiments demonstrate that the efficient catalytic cycle stems from the enforced proximity of the catalyst and substrates as well as the smooth replacement of the products by substrates in the hydrophobic cavity of the capsule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general relation between entropy and an evolutionary superoperator is derived based on the theory of the real-time formulation. The formulation establishing the relation relies only on the framework of quantum statistical mechanics and the standard definition of the von Neumann entropy. Applying the theory of the imaginary-time formulation, a similar relation is obtained for the entropy change due to the change in reservoir temperatures. To show the usefulness of these formulas, we derived the expression for the entropy production induced by some dissipation in an open quantum system as the exemplary model system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The confinement of water in organic self-assemblies with nanometer-sized pores is ubiquitous in nature. Water pools in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles have been intensively studied as a representative model of such confined water. However, the freezing and melting behavior of such water pools is poorly understood owing to their poor structural stability under phase transition. In the present work, the melting of iced water pools accompanied by a reconstruction of AOT reverse micelles was studied with infrared spectroscopy. For all AOT reverse micelles tested ( R w : 1.2–4.4 nm), a characteristic ice–water coexistence phase was observed during melting. The results provide experimental evidence of the previously proposed core–shell structure of the water pool. For larger frozen reverse micelles ( R w > 2.3 nm), shifts of the υ (OH) bands were observed. The spectra of the shifted υ (OH) bands were similar to those for the melted water pools in the smaller micelles. The mechanism of the reconstruction of AOT reverse micelles from their frozen states and the corresponding transient changes in the local environments were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalization of the polyaromatic shell of a micelle-like molecular capsule was accomplished by simple functionalization of the amphiphilic subunits composed of a bent bis-anthracene framework and two trimethylammonium groups. In aqueous solutions, functionalized subunits assemble spontaneously and quantitatively into spherical capsules providing anthracene shells with external diameters of 2-3 nm through hydrophobic and aromatic-aromatic interactions. The shape and size of the functionalized capsules remain similar to the original, but the emissive intensities increase significantly (up to 5-fold) by attaching cyano or phenylethynyl groups. Furthermore, the shell-functionalization drastically enhances the host-guest photophysical properties (up to 8-fold) in the cavities of the capsules, as estimated by emission intensities from the encapsulated fluorescent dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New porphyrin sensitizers based on donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) approach have been designed, synthesized, characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and their photovoltaic properties explored. N,N'-Diphenylamine acts as donor, the porphyrin is the π-spacer, and either carboxylic acid or cyanoacryclic acid acts as acceptor. All compounds were characterized by using 1H NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, UV-visible emission spectroscopies as well as electrochemical methods. The presence of aromatic groups between porphyrin π-plane and acceptor group push the absorption of both Soret and Q-bands of porphyrin towards the red region. The electrochemical properties suggests that LUMO of these sensitizers above the TiO2 conduction band. Finally, the device was fabricated using liquid redox electrolyte (I-/ I3 -) and its efficiency was compared with that of a leading sensitizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr-doped (Gd X Y 1 − X ) 3 Al 5 O 12 ( X = 0, 0.25, 0.50) crystals prepared by the micro-pulling down method were investigated to develop a infra-red scintillator for implantable patient dosimeter in radiation therapy. In order to evaluate their optical and scintillation performance, the following properties were measured: (i) transmittance between ultra-violet and near-infra red region, (ii) photoluminescence spectra under Xe-lamp excitation, and (iii) X-ray excited radio-luminescence spectra. Cr:Y 3 Al 5 O 12 and Cr:(Gd 0.25 Y 0.75 ) 3 Al 5 O 12 crystals showed increased transmittance of 80%, while Cr:(Gd 0.50 Y 0.50 ) 3 Al 5 O 12 had a lower transmittance of 40% due to its polycrystalline structure. In addition, all the Cr:(Gd X Y 1− X ) 3 Al 5 O 12 crystals showed sharp scintillation luminescence peaks ascribed to Cr 3+ d–d transitions. Therefore, these results suggested that Cr:Y 3 Al 5 O 12 and Cr:(Gd 0.25 Y 0.75 ) 3 Al 5 O 12 crystals can be candidate materials for the dosimeter use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Yb-doped Gd3Al2Ga3O12 (Yb:GAGG) crystal was grown by a micro-pulling down method. [•] Crystal structure and average chemical composition of Yb:GAGG was examined. [•] Yb:GAGG crystal was highly transparent in infra-red region from 650 to 1200nm. [•] Yb:GAGG showed infra-red scintillation peaks at 1030nm under X-ray excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freezing of water pools inside aerosolsodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles has been investigated. Previousfreezing experiments suffer from collision and fusion of AOT micellesand resultant loss of water from the water pool by shedding out duringthe cooling process. These phenomena have restricted the formationof ice to only when the radius of the water pool (Rw) is below 1 nm, and only amorphous ice has been observed.To overcome the size limitation, a combination of rapid cooling anda custom-made cell allowing thin sample loading is applied for instantaneousand homogeneous freezing. The freezing process is monitored with attenuatedtotal reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) measurements. A coolingrate of ca. −100 K/min and a sample thickness of ca. 50 μmovercomes the limitations mentioned above and allows the crystallizationof water pools with larger radii (Rw>1 nm). The corresponding ATR-IR spectra of the frozen water poolswith Rw< 2.0 nm show similar featuresto the spectrum of metastable cubic ice (Ic). Further increaseof the radius of the water pool (Rw>2.0 nm), unfortunately, drastically decreased the integrated areaof the ν(OH) band observed just after freezing, indicating thebreakup of the micellar structure and shedding out of the water pool.In addition, it was revealed that Icice can also be formedin flexible organic self-assembled AOT reverse micelles for at least Rw≤ ca. 2 nm, as well as in inorganicand solid materials with a pore radius of ca. 2 nm. The dependenceof the phase transition temperature on the curvature of the reversemicelles is discussed from the viewpoint of the Gibbs–Thomsoneffect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nd and Yb doped CaYAlO4 crystals have been grown by the micro-pulling down method. The segregation coefficient along the growth direction and the radial dopant distribution were measured by using electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA). The X-ray induced luminescence spectra in the spectral range from 300 to 1500nm were measured: Nd and Yb doped CaYAlO4 showed intense peaks at 990 and 1045nm, respectively. These crystals would be promising materials for near infrared emission scintillators. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Aim The existence of other primary tumors during the treatment and management of gastric cancer ( GC) is an important issue. The present study investigated the prevalence and management of synchronous colorectal neoplasms ( CRN) in surgically treated GC patients. Methods Of 381 surgically treated GC patients, 332 (87.1%) underwent colonoscopy to detect CRN before surgery or within a year after surgery. Results CRN were synchronously observed in 140 patients (42.2%). Adenoma was observed in 131 patients (39.4%). Endoscopic resection was done in 18 patients with adenoma. Colorectal cancer ( CRC) was observed in 16 patients (4.8%), superficial CRC in 13 and advanced CRC in three patients. Endoscopicresection of superficial CRC was carried out in seven patients, whereas simultaneous surgical resection of CRC was done in nine patients. CRN were more frequently observed in men. CRC was more frequently observed in GC patients with distant metastasis, albeit without significance. The overall survival of GC patients with CRN or CRC was poorer than that of patients without CRN or CRC. Conclusion Synchronous CRN were commonly associated with GC and screening colonoscopy should be offered to patients with GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterovirus 68 ( EV68) infection occasionally manifests with fatal outcomes. However, detection of EV68 in serum and its clinical outcomes are yet to be determined. In this study, we retrospectively tested stored serum samples collected from pediatric pneumonia patients whose nasopharyngeal specimens were positive for EV68. Of total 28 nasopharyngeal sample-positive patients, EV68 was detected in serum samples among 12 (43%) patients aged between 1 and 4 years. Our results suggest that EV68 can cause viremia by which the virus may exhibit systemic manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we consider a logic circuit (i.e., a combinatorial circuit consisting of gates, each of which computes a Boolean function) computing a symmetric Boolean function , and investigate a relationship between two complexity measures, energy and fan-in of , where the energy is the maximum number of gates outputting “1” over all inputs to , and the fan-in is the maximum number of inputs of every gate in . We first prove that any symmetric Boolean function of variables can be computed by a logic circuit of energy and fan-in , and then provide an almost tight lower bound where is the maximum numbers of consecutive “0”s or “1”s in the value vector of . Our results imply that there exists a tradeoff between the energy and fan-in of logic circuits computing a symmetric Boolean function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Detection of Enterovirus 68 (EV68) has recently been increased. However, underlying evolutionary mechanism of this increasing trend is not fully understood. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 5,240 patients with acute respiratory infections in the Philippines from June 2009 to December 2011. EV68 was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting for 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR), viral protein 1 (VP1), and VP4/VP2. Phylogenetic trees were generated using the obtained sequences. Results: Of the 5,240 tested samples, 12 EV68 positive cases were detected between August and December in 2011 (detection rate, 0.23%). The detection rate was higher among inpatients than outpatients (p<0.0001). Among VP1 sequences detected from 7 patients in 2011, 5 in lineage 2 were diverged from those detected in the Philippines in 2008, however, 2 in lineage 3 were not diverged from strains detected in the Philippines in 2008 but closely associated with strains detected in the United States. Combined with our previous report, EV68 occurrences were observed twice in the Philippines within the last four years. Conclusions: EV68 detections might be occurring in cyclic patterns, and viruses might have been maintained in the community while some strains might have been newly introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atroposelective formation: Selective formation of a molecular capsule was demonstrated from an amphiphilic cis‐atropisomer bearing three anthracene rings and four sulfonate groups through hydrophobic and aromatic–aromatic interactions. The dimeric capsule binds small guest molecules; the resultant host–guest complexes exhibit ground‐state charge‐transfer interactions accompanied by changes in host emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atropselektive Bildung: Ein amphiphiles cis ‐ Atropisomer mit drei Anthracenringen und vier Sulfonatgruppen bildet über hydrophobe und Aren ‐ Aren ‐ Wechselwirkungen eine molekulare Kapsel. Die dimere Kapsel bindet kleine Gastmoleküle, und die entstehenden Wirt ‐ Gast ‐ Komplexe zeigen Charge ‐ Transfer ‐ Wechselwirkungen, die mit Änderungen der Wirt ‐ Emission einhergehen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. However, molecular characteristic of HRSV is still unknown in the Philippines. Objective: To describe the molecular epidemiology of circulating HRSV detected in the Philippines. Study design: From May 2008 to April 2012, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from infants and children aged between 7 days and 14 years who were hospitalized with severe pneumonia. HRSV was detected by nested PCR targeting M2 gene, and C-terminus of the G gene was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Result: Out of total 2150 samples, 19.3% (n =415) were positive for HRSV, and 65.0% of them (n =270) were identified as HRSV-A and 35.0% (n =145) as HRSV-B. There were two major HRSV outbreaks: between June 2008 and February 2009, and between June and March 2012. Majority of HRSV strains detected during the former outbreak were HRSV-A (97.5%, 203/208) whereas during the later outbreak, both HRSV-A (54/158, 34.2%) and HRSV-B (104/158, 65.8%) were detected. All HRSV-A strains were classified as genotype NA1 and all HRSV-B as genotype BA, which had 60-nucleotide duplication in secondary hypervariable region of the G gene. Among HRSV-B positive samples, there were 2 distinct clusters with unique amino acid changes and low homology in compared to other strains in BA, suggesting emergence of new variant of HRSV-B. Conclusion: The study provides an overview of the genetic variation in circulating HRSV viruses in the Philippines along with identification of possibly a novel variant of HRSV-B. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aromatic micelles: Hydrophobic and aromatic–aromatic interactions promoted the spontaneous formation of micelle‐inspired molecular capsules with large aromatic shells from bent bisanthracene amphiphiles (see picture). The micellar capsules could accommodate fluorescent‐dye guests in water, and the resultant nanocomposites exhibited strong fluorescence through efficient energy transfer from the host shells to the encapsulated guests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatische Micellen: Hydrophobe und Aren ‐ Aren ‐ Wechselwirkungen vermitteln die spontane Bildung micellartiger molekularer Kapseln mit großen aromatischen Schalen aus gebogenen Bisanthracen ‐ Amphiphilen (siehe Bild). Die micellaren Kapseln können in Wasser Fluoreszenzfarbstoffe aufnehmen, und die resultierenden Nanokomposite zeigen starke Fluoreszenz aufgrund eines effizienten Energietransfers von der Schale zum verkapselten Gastmolekül. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the modulus function MODm of n variables can be computed by a thresh-old circuit C of energy e and size s = O(e(n/m)1/(e-1)) for any integer e ≥ 2, where the energy e is defined to be the maximum number of gates outputting "1" over all inputs to C, and the size s to be the number of gates in C. Our upper bound on the size s almost matches the known lower bound s = ω(e(n/m)1/e). We also consider an extreme case where threshold circuits have energy 1, and prove that such circuits need at least 2(n-m)/2 gates to compute MODm of n variables [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We created a system that allows the visualization of breath sounds (visual stethoscope). Aim We compared the visual stethoscope technique with auscultation for the detection of bronchial intubation in pediatric patients. Methods In the auscultation group, an anesthesiologist advanced the tracheal tube, while another anesthesiologist auscultated bilateral breath sounds to detect the change and/or disappearance of unilateral breath sounds. In the visualization group, the stethoscope was used to detect changes in breath sounds and/or disappearance of unilateral breath sounds. The distance from the edge of the mouth to the carina was measured using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. Results Forty pediatric patients were enrolled in the study. At the point at which irregular breath sounds were auscultated, the tracheal tube was located at 0.5 ± 0.8 cm on the bronchial side from the carina. When a detectable change of shape of the visualized breath sound was observed, the tracheal tube was located 0.1 ± 1.2 cm on the bronchial side (not significant). At the point at which unilateral breath sounds were auscultated or a unilateral shape of the visualized breath sound was observed, the tracheal tube was 1.5 ± 0.8 or 1.2 ± 1.0 cm on the bronchial side, respectively (not significant). Conclusions The visual stethoscope allowed to display the left and the right lung sound simultaneously and detected changes of breath sounds and unilateral breath sound as a tracheal tube was advanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ce-doped Gd3Al3Ga2O12 (Ce:GAGG) crystal shows good scintillation performances, especially high light yield. However, its scintillation decay contains slower components. Such phenomenon is due to the delayed radiative recombination process which is caused by trapping effects in the transport stage of scintillation mechanism. Various defects including oxygen vacancy can give rise to shallow traps in the forbidden gap of the material which can cause such phenomena. To study the influence of such oxygen defects, 0.2-mol% Ce-doped GAGG single crystals were grown by Floating Zone method using growth atmosphere with different oxygen concentrations. The optical and scintillation properties of the crystals were examined. The light yield and emission wavelength of these samples did not depend on the oxygen content in the growth atmosphere. On the other hand, scintillation decays of the samples grown under the high oxygen concentrations (100 and 40% oxygen) were faster than that of the sample grown under the lower concentration (20%). Oxygen content in the growth atmosphere thus appears an important parameter in the optimization of the growth process of these materials (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial flatworms of the family Rhynchodemidae were collected from fungal sporocarps. The frequency of flatworms on sporocarps differed among fungal species. Gut content analysis showed that the flatworms preyed upon fungivorous Collembola or other arthropods on the sporocarps. Fungal materials were observed in flatworm guts but only on the body surface and in the gut of Collembola prey. Basidiospores were observed on the surfaces of the flatworms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reports on the development of a micro electro mechanical system microphone consisting of a piezoresistive cantilever and a micro HR (Helmholtz resonator) for use as an ultrasonic proximity sensor. The resonance frequency of the HR was designed to be equal to that of the cantilever. Therefore, the HR increases the sensitivity of the microphone to ultrasonic waves. The dimensions of the fabricated HR and the cantilever are 1.2 mm × 1.2 mm × 0.6 mm and 130 &mgr;m × 40&mgr;m × 0.3 &mgr;m, respectively. At a resonance frequency of 22.6 kHz, the cantilever with the HR detected ultrasonic waves with 14 times greater sensitivity than that of the cantilever without the HR. We demonstrated that the fabricated sensor is capable of measuring distances between 0.5 and 6.0 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Karyopherin alpha 2 (KPNA2) and karyopherin beta 1 (KPNB1) constitute nuclear transport protein complexes involved in nuclear import and are significant in tumor progression. Although high KPNA2 expression was associated with poor prognosis in solid tumors, the relationship between KPNA2 and KPNB1 expression and their prognostic role in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to correlate the expression of KPNA2 and KPNB1 with various features, including clinicopathological characteristics in 130 patients with GC and survival in 94 patients with invasive lesions extending to the submucosa or deeper. Results: High expression of KPNA2 and KPNB1 was found in 25% and 36% of the patients, respectively. Both were significantly related to tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, and Ki-67 expression. KPNA2 expression was significantly related to that of KPNB1 (p < 0.001). Patients with high KPNB1 expression had poorer prognosis than those with low expression (p = 0.027), as was also observed in case of KPNA2 (p < 0.001). Patients with high expression of both KPNA2 and KPNB1 accounted for 18% and had a poorer prognosis than those with high expression of either and those with low expression of both (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that high expression of both KPNA2 and KPNB1 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with GC (hazard ratio, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.64–2.73, p = 0.001). Conclusion: KPNA2 expression was correlated with KPNB1 expression, and high co-expression of KPNA2 and KPNB1 may represent a strong prognostic biomarker in GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four early-phase (EP) and one late-phase (LP) ammonia fungi were co-cultured with three non-ammonia fungi on urea, ammonium, nitrite and nitrate agar media at different pH values (5.5, 7.0 and 9.0). The early stage EP species Amblyosporium botrytis and Ascobolus denudatus showed deadlock competition with the non-ammonia fungi Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum on urea agar medium, and neutral intermingling or weak competing deadlock on ammonium, nitrite and nitrate agar media in all pH conditions. The late stage EP species, Coprinopsis phlyctidospora and Lyophyllum tylicolor, showed antagonistic deadlock and invaded the region containing mycelia of the non-ammonia fungi, P. citrinum and Trichoderma viride, on urea, nitrite and nitrate agar media in all pH conditions. The LP species, Hebeloma vinosophyllum, showed competing deadlock with Asp. niger and P. citrinum on urea medium and weak competition on nitrite and nitrate agar media at pH 9.0. These findings suggest that the successive occurrence of ammonia fungi is partly due to changes in the interactions between ammonia fungi and non-ammonia fungi based on changes in inorganic nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-fetoprotein-producing carcinoma (AFPC)/hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) are uncommon in the stomach. Composite tumors consisting of these carcinomas and their histologic phenotypes are not well known. Between 2002 and 2007, to estimate the prevalence of composite tumors consisting of tubular adenocarcinoma, AFPC/HAC and NEC, we reviewed specimens obtained from294 consecutive patients treated surgically for gastric cancer. We examined histological phenotype of tumors of AFPC or NEC containing the composite tumor by evaluating immunohistochemical expressions of MUC2, MUC5AC,MUC6, CDX2, and SOX2. Immunohistochemically, AFPC/HAC dominantly showed the intestinal ormixed phenotype, and NEC frequently showed the gastric phenotype. In the composite tumor, the tubular and hepatoid components showed the gastric phenotype, and the neuroendocrine component showed the mixed type. The unique composite tumor predominantly showed the gastric phenotype, and the hepatoid and neuroendocrine components were considered to be differentiated from the tubular component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-fetoprotein-producing carcinoma (AFPC)/hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) are uncommon in the stomach. Composite tumors consisting of these carcinomas and their histologic phenotypes are not well known. Between 2002 and 2007, to estimate the prevalence of composite tumors consisting of tubular adenocarcinoma, AFPC/HAC and NEC, we reviewed specimens obtained from294 consecutive patients treated surgically for gastric cancer. We examined histological phenotype of tumors of AFPC or NEC containing the composite tumor by evaluating immunohistochemical expressions of MUC2, MUC5AC,MUC6, CDX2, and SOX2. Immunohistochemically, AFPC/HAC dominantly showed the intestinal ormixed phenotype, and NEC frequently showed the gastric phenotype. In the composite tumor, the tubular and hepatoid components showed the gastric phenotype, and the neuroendocrine component showed the mixed type. The unique composite tumor predominantly showed the gastric phenotype, and the hepatoid and neuroendocrine components were considered to be differentiated from the tubular component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]