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The tachinid fly Drino inconspicuoides (Diptera: Tachinidae) is an ovolarviparous endoparasitoid whose larvae develop in the host haemocoel and avoids the host immune system. In this study, we investigated the immune evasion mechanisms of this species during infestation in the host Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We discovered a unique 'cloak' that surrounded D. inconspicuoides larvae that penetrated into the host and determined through genomic polymerase chain reaction analysis that this structure originated from the host rather than the tachinid. The 'cloak' contained both haemocytes and fat body cells from the host, with the haemocytes assembling around the larvae first and the fat body cells then covering the haemocyte layer, following which the two mixed. Living D. inconspicuoides larvae that were wrapped in the 'cloak' were not melanized whereas encapsulated dead larvae were melanized, suggesting that this structure contributes to the avoidance of host immune reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop monotonically convergent free-time and fixed end-point optimal control theory (OCT) in the density-matrix representation to deal with quantum systems showing dissipation. Our theory is more general and flexible for tailoring optimal laser pulses in order to control quantum dynamics with dissipation than the conventional fixed-time and fixed end-point OCT in that the optimal temporal duration of laser pulses can also be optimized exactly. To show the usefulness of our theory, it is applied to the generation and maintenance of the vibrational entanglement of carbon monoxide adsorbed on the copper (100) surface, CO/Cu(100). We demonstrate the numerical results and clarify how to combat vibrational decoherence as much as possible by the tailored shapes of the optimal laser pulses. It is expected that our theory will be general enough to be applied to a variety of dissipative quantum dynamics systems because the decoherence is one of the quantum phenomena sensitive to the temporal duration of the quantum dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have constructed free-time and fixed end-point optimal control theory for quantum systems and applied it to entanglement generation between rotational modes of two polar molecules coupled by dipole-dipole interaction. The motivation of the present work is to solve optimal control problems more flexibly by extending the popular fixed time and fixed end-point optimal control theory for quantum systems to free-time and fixed end-point optimal control theory. As a demonstration, the theory that we have constructed in this paper will be applied to entanglement generation in rotational modes of NaCl–NaBr polar molecular systems that are sensitive to the strength of entangling interactions. Our method will significantly be useful for the quantum control of nonlocal interaction such as entangling interaction, which depends crucially on the strength of the interaction or the distance between the two molecules, and other general quantum dynamics, chemical reactions, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We have identified a novel long-period stacking/order (LPSO) phase in a Mg-Ni-Y alloy, which provides novel LPSO structural features regarding both the stacking/order aspects; the 12R-type stacking sequence and the in-plane modulation of approximately 7 × (1 2 ¯ 10) h c p with respect to the fundamental hexagonal-closed-packed Mg structure. The ideal 7 M model for the present 12R-type LPSO phase is constructed based on the ordered arrangements of the L1 2 -type Ni 6 Y 8 clusters embedded in the local ABCA stacking layers, resulting in the stoichiometry Mg 77 Ni 9 Y 12 (Mg 78.6 Ni 9.2 Y 12.2) that appears to be extremely close to the experimentally determined composition Mg 78.4 Ni 9.0±0.2 Y 12.6±0.3 (at.%). This in turn suggests the robustness of the solute cluster with a specific ratio (Ni 6 Y 8), emerging the pseudo-binary formation behaviors of the LPSO phase in the Mg ternary alloys. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A novel type of the long-period stacking/order structure has been determined. • Combined use of electron diffraction/microscopy and first principles calculations. • 12R-type stacking sequence and the in-plane order of approximately 7 × (1 2 ¯ 10) h c p . • Robust L1 2 -Ni 6 Y 8 cluster rules the LPSO phase formation as a pseudo-binary system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 34-year-old primigravid woman was referred to our centre at 11 SP +5 sp weeks of gestation for perinatal care as a triplet pregnancy. She was conceived pregnancy with ovulation induction and artificial insemination with husband's semen and was diagnosed dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and plays an important role in various cancers. However, the function of TFEB in oral squamous cell carcinomas has not been examined. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of TFEB in oral squamous cell carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Expression levels of TFEB were examined in six different human oral squamous carcinoma cells: HSC2, HSC3, HSC4, SAS, OSC20, and SCC25. Knockdown of TFEB using small interfering RNA in HSC2 and HSC4 cells was performed. Cell morphology was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Cell proliferation, invasion, and adhesion were analyzed. Results: Expression levels of TFEB were high in HSC2, moderate in HSC4 and SCC25, and low in HSC3 and OSC20 cells. Knockdown of TFEB did not affect proliferation of HSC2 and HSC4 cells, but did induced enlargement of lysosomes and endosomes in HSC4 cells. TFEB silencing reduced invasion and migration of these HSC cell squamous carcinoma cells; however, increased cell adhesion was also observed. Conclusion: TFEB knockdown reduces invasion and migration of cancer cells, likely through lysosomal regulation. Taken together, TFEB influences cell invasion and migration of oral squamous cell carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although 3-field lymph node dissection (3-FLD) is often performed for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the clinical effects of cervical lymph node dissection in addition to mediastinal and abdominal dissections on postoperative complications remain unclear. A total of 367 ESCC patients who underwent curative esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer in our hospital from 2010 to 2015 were included in the study: 157 patients who underwent 2-field lymph node dissection (2-FLD) and 210 patients who underwent 3-FLD. Clinicopathological parameters and postoperative complications based on the Clavien-Dindo classification were compared between the two groups.We performed propensity score matching (PSM) analyses to compare the groups with wellbalanced backgrounds. In terms of patient background, clinical T (p<0.001), N (p<0.001), and M (p=0.002) stage of tumor was significantly more advanced; therefore, preoperative treatment was more frequently performed in the 3-FLD group than in the 2-FLD group (91.0% vs. 79.0%, P<0.001). However, perioperative parameters including operation time, blood loss, and the number of dissected mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes did not differ between the groups. In terms of postoperative complications, the occurrence rate of pneumonia increased significantly in patients with 3-FLD compared to 2-FLD (grade III or higher: 10.5% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.025). Although the duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was longer in the 3-FLD group than in the 2-FLD group (median 3 days vs. 2 days, P=0.025), other postoperative parameters (including the highest level of postoperative serum C-reactive protein, intensive care unit stay, re-operation rate, and postoperative hospital stay) were similar between the groups. After PSM, the differences in the background between the groups disappeared. PSM analysis showed that there was no significant difference in each complication between the groups. The duration of SIRS tended to be longer in the 3-FLD group than in the 2-FLD group, but the difference was not significant. The field of lymphadenectomy negatively impacted the short-term outcome in ESCC patients in terms of pneumonia and inflammatory response. However, because the results of the PSM analyses indicate that the short-term outcome was similar between the two groups, 3-FLD could be as feasible as 2-FLD in ESCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Cathepsin K was initially discovered as an osteoclast-specific cysteine proteinase, but the enzyme is also expressed in various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas. This study aimed to clarify the function of cathepsin K in oral squamous cell carcinomas. Materials and Methods Expression levels of cathepsin K were examined in six types of cell carcinomas. Carcinomas overexpressing cathepsin K were constructed. Effects of cathepsin K overexpression and treatment with odanacatib, a specific cathepsin K inhibitor, on cell invasion, migration and adhesion were analysed. Results Different levels of cathepsin K were expressed in carcinomas. Cathepsin K was predominantly localised in lysosomes. Cathepsin K overexpression impaired the proliferation of carcinomas. Invasion analysis showed that cathepsin K overexpression enhanced invasion and migration of carcinomas, whereas inhibition of cathepsin K by odanacatib caused the opposite effects in carcinomas. Cathepsin K overexpression also increased cell adhesion and slightly increased surface expression of the adhesion receptor CD29/integrin β1. Conclusions The enhanced invasion of carcinomas resulting from cathepsin K overexpression is probably due to the increased cell migration and adhesion. Thus, cathepsin K is implicated not only in protein degradation but also in invasion, migration and adhesion of oral squamous cell carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) for advanced rectal cancer (RC) is a well-evidenced therapy; however, some RC patients have no therapeutic response. Patient selection for NCRT so that non-responsive patients are excluded has been subjective. To date, no molecular markers indicating radiation sensitivity have been reported.Methods:We irradiated six colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and identified HCT116 cells as radiation-sensitive and HCT15 and DLD-1 cells as radiation resistant. Using a microarray, we selected candidate radiation sensitivity marker genes by choosing genes whose expression was consistent with a radiation-resistant or sensitive cell phenotype.Results:Among candidate genes, cellular retinol binding protein 1 (CRBP1) was of particular interest because it was not only induced in HCT116 cells by tentative 10 Gy radiation treatments, but also its expression was increased in HCT116-derived radiation-resistant cells vs parental cells. Forced expression of CRBP1 decreased the viability of both HCT15 and DLD-1 cells in response to radiation therapy. We also confirmed that CRBP1 was epigenetically silenced by hypermethylation of its promoter DNA, and that the quantitative methylation value of CRBP1 significantly correlated with histological response in RC patients with NCRT (P=0.031).Conclusions:Our study identified CRBP1 as a radiation-sensitive predictor in RC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-pressure hydrogen jet released into the air has the possibility of igniting in a tube without any ignition source. The mechanism of this phenomenon, called spontaneous ignition, is considered to be that hydrogen diffuses into the hot air caused by the shock wave from diaphragm rupture and the hydrogen-oxidizer mixed region is formed enough to start chemical reaction. Recently, flow visualization studies on the spontaneous ignition process have been conducted to understand its detailed mechanism, but such ignition has not yet been well clarified. In this study, the spontaneous ignition phenomenon was observed in a rectangular tube. The results confirm the presence of a flame at the wall of the tube when the shock wave pressure reaches 1.2–1.5 MPa in more than 9 MPa burst pressure and that ignition occurs near the wall, followed by multiple ignitions as the shock wave propagates, with the ignitions eventually combining to form a flame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylation of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1) gene, a tumor suppressor gene, has been studied in various cancers; however, there is no information regarding Barrett esophagus cancer. In this study, the clinical significance of CDO1 methylation in Barrett esophagus adenocarcinoma (BEA) was clarified. CDO1 gene promoter methylation was analyzed for DNA from the patient's specimens using quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Thirty-eight BEA patients who underwent resection were identified between 2000 and 2014. Hypermethylation of CDO1 gene was demonstrated to be frequently recognized even at early stage in BEA by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. In BEA, there is a robust prognostic difference between stage I and stage II/III/IV with regard to 5-year relapse-free survival (P = 0.0016) and 5-year overall survival (P = 0.0024), and the tumor size separated by 7 cm was also a prognostic factor. There was significant difference in CDO1 gene methylation according to the tumor size (P = 0.036). BEA patients with CDO1 gene methylation were shown marginally significantly poorer prognosis (P = 0.054) than otherwise patients. In conclusion, higher CDO1 gene methylation was seen in BEA at earlier stage than in squamous cell carcinoma, and it may account for aggressive phenotype of BEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated the crystal growth of cobalt ferrite on core γ-Fe[sub2]O[sub3] by the performing transmission electron microscopy observation, and magnetic measurements of core γ-Fe[sub2]O[sub3] and modified particles. Characteristics of cobalt treated iron oxides; Materials and methods used; Formation of (Co,Fe²+)Fe[sub2]O[sup4]; Discussion on the crystal growth of (Co,Fe²+)Fe[sub2]O[sup4] on the core materials.

Cantilevered pipes conveying fluid with an end mass exhibit rich post-critical nonlinear behaviors and have attracted the interest of many researchers. In the present paper, we focus on non-planar motions due to nonlinear interactions between two unstable oscillatory modes. By applying the orthogonality condition between the eigenfunction and its adjoint function to governing equations, evolution equations governing mixed-mode non-planar motions are analytically derived. In a certain range of flow velocity, mixed-mode non-planar motion can be produced. In this region, second- and third-mode oscillations are in distinct planes, which intersect perpendicularly. In particular, three-dimensional non-contacting measurements were conducted to verify the theoretical predictions, and hidden nonlinear modal interactions were extracted from experimental data. We observed mixed-mode non-planar motion that qualitatively agrees with the theoretical predictions. Moreover, in further experiments with a long pipe for future study, a sequence of bifurcating non-planar motions was observed. • Mixed mode non-planar motion can be produced in a cantilevered pipe with an end mass. • Non-planar mixed mode self-excited vibration was observed in experiments. • For a long pipe with end mass, some complex non-planar motions were observed in experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first twin was diagnosed SCD by postnatal computed tomography (CT). Spondylocostal dysostosis (SCD) is a rare congenital disorder characterised by vertebral segmentation and formation defect. Despite not having a prenatal diagnosis of SCD, we remade images of 3D ultrasound from the data during pregnancy, and then we got findings like as CT. [Extracted from the article]

After birth, the large neonate was diagnosed as BWS by protruding tongue and little abdominal wall defects. Furthermore, swollen gallbladder, left hydrnephrosis, left-sided inferior vena cava, goiter and ventricular septal defect was suspected with sonography and MRI. Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a congenital overgrowth syndrome, characterised by macroglossia, abdominal wall defect and overgrowth as three main signs, and has a relative risk of fetal tumour. [Extracted from the article]

A tritium imaging plate technique has been applied to visualize hydrogen distribution and examine hydrogen solubility and diffusivity in a proton-conducting oxide, Y-doped BaCeO 3 (BaCe 0.9 Y 0.1 O 3 − α ). Tritium charging of the BaCe 0.9 Y 0.1 O 3 − α specimens was carried out by a gas absorption method using partially tritiated water vapor (HTO, 3 kPa, T/H ~ 10 − 6 ) at temperatures ranging from 673 K to 873 K for a given time. After charging, tritium distributions of the surface and cross section of the halved specimens were visualized using an imaging plate technique. From the tritium concentration and distributions of the surface and cross section, hydrogen solubility and hydrogen (tritium) diffusivity of the BaCe 0.9 Y 0.1 O 3 − α specimens were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties of ternary Co–Fe–Ni alloys. The solution-treated Co50Fe40Ni10 alloy was composed of only the α′-phase having a B2 structure with a low degree of order, whereas the Co50Fe40Ni10 alloy annealed at 873 K consisted of a dual phase, i.e., an α′-matrix and a γ-phase with a face-centered cubic structure that primarily covered the grain boundaries of the α′-matrix and precipitated finely in the grain interior. The orientation relationship between the α′-matrix and the γ-phase is determined to be and , i.e., N–W relationship. The volume fraction of the γ-phase was estimated to be about 26%. Substituting Ni at 10 at% increased the yield, tensile strength, and total elongation. It is noteworthy that the Co50Fe40Ni10 alloy annealed at 873 K had a high tensile strength of 1005 MPa and high total elongation of over 12%. The origin of the dramatic improvement in the ductility is attributed to the considerably ductile γ-phase, which suppresses intergranular and cleavage fracture. High strengthening is also originated from both the solid-solution strengthening of Ni and the grain refinement of the α′-matrix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An alternative method is proposed for generating efficiently the entangled states in semiconductor quantum dots by using the spatial phase. The method does not rely on the frequently used dipole–dipole interaction among the qubits at all. It was found that as a result of breaking the selection rule by the spatial phase it enables one to create the entanglement that can never be realized when closely located identical quantum dots are used as qubit gates. In this paper generation of entanglements in two- and three-qubit systems is investigated. The experimental setup based on our approach is much clearer and simpler than that based on the dipole-dipole interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The helicity modulus in a quasi-one-dimensional classical XY model is calculated with the Monte Carlo method in connection with recent experiments on liquid He in quasi-one-dimension. The helicity modulus, which is closely related to superfluid density, is strongly reduced by phase slippage. However, the effect of phase slippage is not necessarily probed in a dynamical experiment. Two methods to calculate the helicity modulus that are not affected by phase slippage are proposed: One is to use a boundary condition that prohibits phase slippage and the other is to restrict the Monte Carlo sampling to samples without phase slippage. It is then found that the helicity modulus can survive at such a high temperature as the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperature (in films) or the bulk transition temperature (in bars) even in the one-dimensional limit. A remarkable difference in the number of thermal vortex excitations between the cases with a film and a bar is then pointed out. The relevance of the present results to recent experiments on the superfluidity of quasi-one-dimensional He is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inner ear malformations may cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, the correlation between the small lateral semi-circular canal (LSCC) and SNHL is controversial. Purpose: To determine whether there is a correlation between the two using CT-based measurement. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the high-resolution CT images of the temporal bone obtained from consecutive patients. A total 136 ears of 68 patients (25 men and 43 women; age range 20-85 years, mean 49.8 years) were included in this study. Patients who were clinically suspected to have otosclerosis were also excluded. Two radiologists independently measured the width and cross-sectional area of the bony island of LSCC. We evaluated the correlation between LSCC bone island width or cross-sectional area and hearing level in all cases using Pearson correlation co-efficients. In addition, we compared hearing levels among the patient group with normal-sized LSCC (≧mean-SD), small LSCC (Results: A total 136 ears of 68 patients (25 men and 43 women; age range 20-85 years, mean 49.8 years) were included in this study. No significant correlation was shown between LSCC bony island width or cross-sectional area and hearing level (P > 0.05). No significant difference in hearing levels were found among groups of the normal-sized, small and very small LSCC (P > 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that there is no correlation between isolated small LSCC and SNHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamic quantities of a classical XY model defined on a quasi-one-dimensional lattice measuring L× L× L (where L≫ L) are calculated using the Monte Carlo method. It is found that the onset temperature of the helicity modulus decreases as the system approaches the one-dimensional limit, L≫ L, whereas that of the square of magnetization persists as the bulk transition temperature. In addition, we briefly discuss the recent torsional oscillator experiment on the filling of nanopores with liquid He in the light of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An extension of free-time and fixed end-point optimal control theory (FRFP-OCT) to monotonically convergent free-time and fixed end-point multi-target optimal control theory (FRFP-MTOCT) is presented. The features of our theory include optimization of the external time-dependent perturbations with high transition probabilities, that of the temporal duration, the monotonic convergence, and the ability to optimize multiple-laser pulses simultaneously. The advantage of the theory and a comparison with conventional fixed-time and fixed end-point multi-target optimal control theory (FIFP-MTOCT) are presented by comparing data calculated using the present theory with those published previously [K. Mishima, K. Yamashita, Chem. Phys. 361, (2009), 106]. The qubit system of our interest consists of two polar NaCl molecules coupled by dipole–dipole interaction. The calculation examples show that our theory is useful for minor adjustment of the external fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Piezoelectric ultrasonic microsensors have been fabricated using sol–gel derived PZT (Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) thin films on micromachined silicon dioxide diaphragms which are made from a normal silicon wafer instead of the conventional SOI (silicon on insulator) wafer. Layered structure of the PZT capacitor part on the diaphragm has been modified in order to allow the diaphragm to cause a static deflection for sensitivity enhancement by controlling the total lateral stress in the diaphragm. Sensors having an island-like structure in the PZT layer have shown an adequate static deflection due to a lateral stress caused by silicon dioxide film and revealed over 2 times higher sensitivity than conventional sensors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

HOP homeobox (HOPX) is an unusual homeobox gene encoding three spliced transcript variants, among which the only HOPX-β promoter harbors CpG islands. The characteristics of its promoter methylation was analyzed using bisulfite sequencing and quantitative-methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (Q-MSP), and the effects of HOPX expression were also examined. HOPX-β expression was silenced in all gastric cancer cell lines tested; its expression could be restored by treatment with demethylating agent. On Q-MSP, HOPX-β hypermethylation (cut-off value of 3.55) was found in 84% (67 out of 80) of primary tumor tissues and 10% (8 out of 80) of the corresponding normal tissues and could discriminate normal from tumor tissues (P<0.0001). The prognosis of the advanced cases with HOPX-β hypermethylation was as poor as those with stage IV disease when cut-off value was set at 11.28. This finding was validated in an independent cohort of 90 advanced gastric cancers. The HOPX-β hypermethylation was also an independent prognostic factor (P=0.029) on multivariate analysis. Exogenous HOPX expression significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion as well as enhanced apoptosis. Taken together, HOPX-β promoter methylation is a frequent and cancer-specific event in gastric cancer. Quantitative assessment of HOPX-β methylation has great clinical potential as a marker of tumor aggressiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the possibility of using internal molecular vibrational and rotational modes of an open-shell molecule for one of the most important quantum algorithms: the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm. The molecular system of interest is one of the representative open-shell molecules: 14N16O. The gate pulses are constructed by utilizing multi-target optimal control theory (MTOCT). The gate fidelities of each quantum gate are more than 95.23%. Upon implementing the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm combining these elementary gates, we obtained fidelity of at least 94.76%. This indicates that vibrational and rotational qubits of the open-shell 14N16O molecule are about as promising for processing quantum algorithms as those of the closed-shell molecule 12C16O that we studied earlier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The decoherence is one of the most crucial obstacles for quantum computing, entanglement, and quantum information science, as, for example, the quantum computing is usually processed in pure state. Therefore, from the chemical interest, it is very important to investigate one of the most important decoherence mechanisms of molecules, intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR), from the viewpoint of quantum computing and entanglement in detail. We have found that the molecules well described by local mode picture is more suitable to maintain coherence than those well described by normal mode picture for quantum computing if the vibrational modes of polyatomic molecules are utilized for qubits. A representative light–heavy–light molecule that can be well described by local mode picture, water molecule (H2O), is adopted for calculation examples and discussion. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of the axillary node (AN) has become standard therapy for early breast cancer patients with a metastasis-positive sentinel node (SN). However, about half of the patients with metastasis in the SN have no metastasis in the other AN. Late-phase three-dimensional computed tomographic lymphography (3D-CT LG) of the breast can show the axillary lymphatic architecture from the SN into the venous angle. These nodes are classified into five groups. For the sake of aesthetics, video-assisted breast surgery (VABS) was used to sample the second and third nodes shown by 3D-CT LG. For marking the SN on the skin, 3D-CT LG was performed the day before the surgery. Iopamiron 300 (2 ml) was injected subcutaneously. A 16-channel multidetector-row helical CT image was reconstructed to produce a 3D image of the lymph ducts and nodes. A biopsy of the SN was performed by the dye-staining method using Visiport-aided endoscopy for VABS. Stained nodes were located by following the dye in the lymph ducts on a video monitor. For SN-metastasis-positive patients, standard AN dissection was performed under video assistance. Since July 2002, the authors have performed SN biopsy for 186 patients as well as 3D-CT LG and VABS SN biopsy for 146 patients. Five chained-node groups were shown. Even in the multiple SN case, the lymph ducts were converging into the second node. The second and third nodes beyond the SN were detected and sampled in 82 patients (56.2%) by VABS assisted with 3D-CT LG. Sentinel node metastasis ( n = 40) involved SN metastasis alone in 21 cases (52.5%) and SN, second-node, and third-node metastasis in eight cases. A reviewed lymphoid path by 3D-CT LG confirmed that metastasis occurred in order of lymph flow. The use of 3D-CT LG-guided VABS SN biopsy of the second and third nodes will predict SN metastasis alone and help to obviate the need for dissection of more nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the findings of a study concerning prognostic significance of peritoneal tumour cells identified at surgery for colorectal cancer. The study included 226 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent elective resection and clinical variables were analysed for their prognostic significance. Moreover, the study determines that the presence of intraperitoneal tumour cells (IPCs) is a significant prognostic factor in patients with stage III colorectal cancer.

Abstract: In this paper, we numerically constructed general-purpose phase-correct global quantum gates by using intermolecular rotational modes of two polar molecules coupled by dipole–dipole interaction to encode two qubits and implement the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm. The calculations were based on the multi-target optimal control theory (MTOCT). The molecular systems we examined were NaCl–NaBr, NaCl–NaCl, and NaBr–NaBr polar molecular systems. The rotational states in the ground vibrational state of the ground electronic state of these pairs were taken as two qubits. When implementing the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm by combining these elementary gates, we obtained a maximum probability 97.95% for NaBr–NaBr system with the interval R =5.0nm in the repulsive configuration, which is the best performance of the two-state Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm compared with intramolecular vibrational–vibrational, vibrational–rotational, and electronic–vibrational qubits reported so far. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes optical amplification properties in a polymeric waveguide doped with Tb–Al nanoclusters. The Tb–Al nanocluster is a promising fluorescent material for polymeric waveguides, which can be uniformly dispersed in polymer matrices while restraining the concentration quenching of Tb3+. Under the continuous optical pumping by 488nm laser light, optical amplification for the green emission of Tb3+ was achieved. The optical gain coefficients were estimated to be as high as 0.25 and 0.56mm−1 at the Tb–Al nanocluster concentrations of 4.5 and 5.0wt%, respectively. Taking into account our previous works for the polymeric waveguide doped with Eu–Al nanocluster, the rare-earth-metal nanocluster is believed to be a promising candidate for various photonic applications such as multicolor polymer lasers and waveguide-type optical amplifiers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Detailed relations between lymph nodes and lymph flow can be clarified by three-dimensional computed tomographic (3D-CT) lymphangiography. Systematic collection of lymph nodes based on 3D-CT lymphangiography can decrease unnecessary lymph node dissection and attendant complications. To mark the sentinel lymph node (SLN) on the skin, 3D-CT lymphangiography was performed the day before the surgery. Iopamiron 300 (2 ml) was injected subcutaneously. A 16-channel multidetector-row helical CT scan image was reconstructed to produce a 3D image of lymph ducts and lymph nodes. Biopsy of SLN was performed by a dye-staining method using Visiport-aided endoscopy. Stained lymph nodes were located by following the dye in the lymph ducts on a video monitor. For SLN-metastasis-positive patients, standard axillary lymph node dissection (levels 1 and 2) was performed with video assistance. Since December 2001, video-assisted breast surgery has been performed for 180 patients, SLN biopsy for 150 patients, and 3D-CT lymphangiography for 110 patients. Findings show that SLN-positive metastasis ( n = 31) was accompanied by SLN metastasis alone in 14 patients. One-node metastasis, except for SLN, was observed in seven patients, two-node metastasis in three patients, and metastasis involving more than three nodes in seven patients. Review of the lymphoid path using 3D-CT lymphangiography confirmed that metastasis occurred in order of lymph flow. Absence of metastasis in the second and third SLNs, even in patients with SLN metastasis, obviates the need for dissection of more nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botrytis cinerea field isolates collected in Japan were screened for resistance to Qo inhibitor fungicides (QoIs). Of the 198 isolates screened, six grew well on a medium containing azoxystrobin, a QoI, when salicylhydroxamic acid, an alternative oxidase inhibitor, was present. The resistance mutation in the cytochrome b gene ( cytb) was characterized. All QoI-resistant isolates had the same mutation (GGT to G T) in cytb that led to the substitution of glycine by alanine at position 143 of cytochrome b, which is known to confer QoI resistance in plant pathogens. To detect this mutation, a hybridization probe assay based on real-time PCR amplification and melting curve analysis was developed. Using DNA samples prepared from aubergines coinfected with QoI-resistant and QoI-sensitive B. cinerea isolates, two similar peak profiles with their corresponding melting temperatures were obtained. This result suggests that QoI-resistant and QoI-sensitive isolates may compete equally in terms of pathogenicity, and the assay may be used to assess the population ratio of mutant and wild-type isolates. However, the hybridization probe did not anneal to PCR products derived from the DNA samples of some QoI-sensitive isolates. Structural analysis of cytb revealed that B. cinerea field isolates could be classified into two groups: one with three introns and the other with an additional intron (Bcbi-143/144 intron) inserted between the 143rd and 144th codons. All 88 isolates possessing the Bcbi-143/144 intron were azoxystrobin-sensitive, suggesting that the QoI-resistant mutation at codon 143 in cytb prevents self-splicing of the Bcbi-143/144 intron, as proposed in some other plant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The STG-22™ is the only continuous blood glucose monitoring system currently available. The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy and reliability of the STG-22™ for continuously monitoring blood glucose level in post-surgical patients. Methods: Fifty patients scheduled for routine surgery were studied in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. After admission to the ICU, the STG-22™ was connected to the patients. An attending physician obtained blood samples from a radial arterial catheter. Blood glucose level was measured using the ABL™800FLEX immediately after blood collection at 0, 4, 8, and 16 h post-admission to the ICU (total of 200 blood glucose values). Results: The correlation coefficient ( R2) was 0.96. In the Clarke error grid, 100% of the paired measurements were in the clinically acceptable zone A and B. The Bland and Altman analysis showed that bias±limits of agreement (percent error) were 0.04(0.7)±0.35(6.3) mmol (mg/dl) (7%), −0.11(−2)±1.22(22) (15%) and −0.33(−6)±1.28(23) (10%) in hypoglycemia (<70(3.89) mmol (mg/dl), normoglycemia (3.89(70)–10(180) mmol (mg/dl), and hyperglycemia (>10(180) mmol (mg/dl), respectively. Conclusions: The STG-22™ can be used for measuring blood glucose level continuously and measurement results are consistent with intermittent measurement (percentage error within 15%). Therefore, the STG-22™ is a useful device for monitoring in blood glucose level in the ICU for 16 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a simplified procedure for the analysis of the phonon-induced lifetimes of surface states. The model includes information about the electron and phonon structure and is thus more reliable than procedures based on phonon Debye models. We apply the model to calculate the lifetime broadening of Cu(111) and Al(001) surface states. The obtained Eliashberg functions and lifetimes are in reasonable agreement with previous detailed studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we extend our previous theoretical work on the partitioning of entangling interactions of two-level bipartite or two-mode physical and chemical systems to three-level systems. The partitioning is based on the rotating wave approximation (RWA) usually employed for the research on the interaction between physical and chemical systems, and electromagnetic fields. We propose a method of creating the Bell states from the initial separable state in the presence of complicated entangling interactions in three-level bipartite systems. The point is to annihilate the laser-matter and entangling interactions between the Hilbert space of interest and that outside of it by using the rapidly rotating terms in RWA. The procedure proposed in this work will be one of the guidelines of the entanglement generation in the presence of complicated entangling interactions in molecular systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a diode-pumped microcavity dye laser composed of a top organic reflector and a bottom inorganic reflector. The top organic reflector consists of alternate thin films of cellulose acetate and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) doped with coumarin 540A to construct a distributed-feedback (DFB) resonator. Pumped directly by an InGaN-based blue laser diode (LD) with a pulse duration of 4 ns, the microcavity dye laser exhibited a single-mode oscillation at 563 nm with a threshold pump LD power of 290 mW/pulse. The emission of the microcavity dye laser was measured through an optical fiber, resulting in a peak power of 2.5 mW for a pump LD power of 320 mW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we investigate the entanglement degrees of angular momenta of atoms and molecules. We demonstrate theoretically and numerically the guidelines, how to prepare maximally entangled states and how the entanglement of the angular momenta changes by changing the quantum numbers of atoms and molecules. We show that the entanglement degree reduces to the Clebsch–Gordan coefficients frequently encountered in angular momentum theory. The maximally entangled states found in this manner are useful for quantum computers and quantum information science. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video-assisted breast surgery (VABS) is a less invasive and aesthetically better option for benign and malignant breast diseases and for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The authors have performed 150 VABS procedures since December 2001. They have examined the usefulness of three-dimensional computed tomographic (3D-CT) lymphography for detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) precisely, as well as the cosmetic and treatment results of VABS. In this study, VABS was performed with a 2.5-cm skin incision in the axilla or periareola (1 cm in the axilla for SLNB), using a retraction method, for mammary gland resection, SLNB, axillary lymph node dissection, and breast reconstruction under video assistance. On the day before the surgery, 3D-CT lymphography was performed to mark SLN on the skin. Above the tumor and near the areola, 2 ml of Iopamiron 300 was injected subcutaneously. A 16-channnel multidetector-row helical CT scan image was taken after 1 min and reconstructed to produce a 3D image. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed by the VABS technique using the Visiport. The VABS procedure was performed for 19 benign and 131 malignant diseases, and 115 SLNBs (74 with 3D-CT) were performed. The SLNs were shown precisely by 3D-CT lymphography, as proved by a case of lymph node metastasis, in which accurate relationships between lymph ducts and SLNs were shown. These were classified into four patterns: a single duct to single node (40 cases), multiple ducts to a single node (13 cases), a single duct to multiple nodes (1 case), and multiple ducts to multiple nodes (12 cases). The SLNB procedure can be performed safely by 3D-CT lymphography and less invasively by VABS. The findings show that 3D-CT lymphography is useful for performing precise SLNB using VABS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor which focuses on the degree of IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration in retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) in association with multifocal fibrosclerosis (MFS) is presented.

Abstract: In this paper, we theoretically investigate the entanglement of bipartite or two-mode physical and chemical systems interacting with general static entangling interactions together with external electromagnetic fields. The theoretical method employed is based on the rotating wave approximation (RWA) frequently used in the study on the interaction between systems of interest and electromagnetic fields. We have found that the general entangling interactions can be partitioned into three kinds in terms of RWA. Using the partitioning, we propose one method of creating the Bell states from the initial separable state in the presence of complicated entangling interactions. It turns out that the laser phase affects the relative phase of each basis set of the Bell states. The present work will be useful for the realization of entanglement manipulation in the presence of complicated entangling interactions in molecular systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. High rates of overall- and event-free survival have been reported in patients with intracranial germinoma treated by radiotherapy. We report the long-term results after treatment initially with chemotherapy, but without radiation. Patients and method. Five patients with an intracranial germinoma were treated with 2 cycles of etoposide and cisplatin, without radiotherapy. All achieved complete remission; 3 suffered recurrence within 2 years and were again treated with 2 cycles of etoposide and cisplatin followed by radiotherapy. Results. At long-term follow-up, each of the 5 patients was in complete remission without further recurrence. Each patient with a neurohypophyseal germinoma who presented with endocrinopathy had initially recovered endocrinological function. Conclusion. In a patient with a germinoma chemotherapy, and restriction of radiation to those with recurrence may allow restoration of hypophyseal function damaged by the intracranial germinoma without compromising long term survivial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have used density functional theory to investigate hydrogen adsorption and diffusion on a W(110) surface. Hydrogen adsorption structures were examined from low coverage to one monolayer, and a threefold hollow site was found to be the most stable site at all coverages. In contrast to previous assertions, the work function decrease is not due to electron transfer from the hydrogen atoms to the W surface, but due to electron depletion at the vacuum region above the hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen atoms can diffuse via short-bridge sites and long-bridge sites at a coverage of θ =1.0. Although the calculated activation energy for hydrogen diffusion via a short-bridge site is as small as 0.05eV, field emission microscope experiments have shown that the activation energy for hydrogen diffusion is about 0.20eV, which agrees fairly well with our calculated value of the activation energy via a long-bridge site. This discrepancy can be related to hydrogen delocalization on the W(110) surface, which has been suggested by electron energy loss spectroscopy experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective follow-up and retrospective review of 174 patients surgically treated for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the type of leg pain syndrome associated with lumbar spinal stenosis is correlated with outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although classifying patients based on their leg pain syndrome is useful in planning surgical decompression, there is no validated method of classification and its prognostic significance remains unknown. METHODS: Based on the type of leg pain, the patients were classified into 2 groups: unilateral and bilateral. Improvement in functional status was evaluated using the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale; the symptoms were rated on a visual analog scale and the change from baseline to 2-year evaluation was noted. Associations between score changes and baseline variables were examined using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The type of leg pain was independently associated with improvements in function and leg symptom scores but was not associated with improvement in the back pain score. After surgery, patients with unilateral leg pain had significantly greater improvements in function and leg symptoms than patients with bilateral leg pain. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, the preoperative type of leg pain predicts function and leg symptom outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Channel prediction is the key requirement in adaptive transmission techniques such as adaptive modulation, adaptive coding and adaptive power control. This paper presents a novel self organizing map (SOM) based channel predictor for the downlink of an orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) system. The proposed predictor uses a Kalman trained-SOM backed mixtures of experts (ME) modular neural network. The performance of the predictor is evaluated on an OFDMA system with a system delay where a channel prediction is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Laser-assisted multiphoton rovibrational excitation of a diatomic molecule due to an ion impact is studied using elliptically polarized radiation, taken in the dipole approximation. The laser molecule interactions are treated non-perturbatively. The utility of our formalism is illustrated by computing the cross-sections for vibration–rotation transitions νj → ν′j′ under ion–molecule collision. Results pertaining to the affect of laser parameters (polarization, frequency and intensity) which strongly effect the dynamics of the collision are also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have obtained several charge-transfer complexes of CnDTP-TTF (n =5,6). The C5DTP-TTF salts are the κ-type semiconductor with high room-temperature conductivities, whereas β′′-(C6DTP-TTF)2(GaCl4)0.66 shows the metallic behavior down to 40K. In order to improve the conductivity by increasing the bandwidth, we have applied a pressure and synthesized a series of the selenium analogues, CnDTP-STF (n =5,6). In this report, crystal structures and conducting behaviors of CnDTP-TTF salts, and the attempt of increasing the bandwidths are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The non-uniform temperature and abundance distribution in the central region of A3571 is investigated. Our previous analysis of ASCA data suggested that the cluster experiences a relatively large scale group infall. By the advantage of XMM-Newton’s high angular resolution, we are able to investigate dynamical structures down to the 100kpc scale. We found several cool and hot patchy regions within the angular extend of 6′ from the center. There is a significant temperature difference among patchy clumps of about 2keV in the ambient ICM, which has an average temperature of 7.1keV. Referring to the abundance map of the same region, we found a variation of metalicity ranging from 0.28 to 0.65 times solar, while the average value is 0.33 times solar. Using the temperature, metalicity and galaxy distribution, as well as the pressure and entropy maps, we discuss the dynamical structure of the ICM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective follow-up of 83 patients who had decompressive laminotomy with or without fusion for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis between September 1992 and September 1998. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of the correlation between patient satisfaction and both the severity of postoperative symptoms and walking ability. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In clinical studies of surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, patient satisfaction often is an item in the outcome questionnaire. However, little is known about the relationship of patient satisfaction to postoperative symptoms or functioning. METHODS: Patients completed standardized preoperative and follow-up questionnaires about symptom severity, walking ability, and their satisfaction with the results of surgical treatment. The significance of the correlation of patient satisfaction with the severity of postoperative symptoms and walking ability was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean length of follow-up was 39 months (range 12-84 months). The final questionnaire of a series was answered by 77 patients (93% of the cohort). By univariate analysis, the correlations of patient satisfaction with postoperative back pain, leg pain, numbness, subjective difficulty in walking, and walking ability were statistically significant (Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient: 0.58, 0.57, 0.53, 0.64, and 0.43, respectively). Postoperative walking ability was a weaker correlate of patient satisfaction than the severity of postoperative symptoms. By multivariate regression analysis, the only independent correlate was subjective difficulty in walking. CONCLUSIONS: In the evaluation of patient satisfaction as an outcome in patients operated on for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, we should keep in mind that postoperative functioning is a weak correlate of satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe some acrylic Cherenkov detectors read out by gateable fine-mesh photomultipliers, used in laser spectroscopy experiments of metastable antiprotonic helium (p¯He+) atoms carried out at the LEAR and AD facilities at CERN. The atoms were produced by stopping pulsed antiproton beams in a helium target. Charged particles emerging from the antiproton annihilations produced Cherenkov light in the detector, the time envelope of which consisted of a strong flash from the promptly-annihilating antiprotons, followed by a much longer but less intense tail from the delayed annihilations of the metastable atoms. The photomultiplier was turned off during the initial light flash by reversing the electric potential on its dynodes, thus allowing only the delayed annihilations to be recorded as an analog pulse. The atoms were irradiated with a laser pulse tuned to the characteristic wavelength which stimulated antiproton transitions from a metastable state to a state with a short lifetime against annihilation. The resonance condition between the laser beam and the atom was thus revealed as a sharp spike superimposed on the Cherenkov light pulse. We tested Cherenkov radiators of various sizes and different types of photomultipliers in order to (i) suppress the spurious afterpulsing in the photomultiplier signal caused by the strong flash of Cherenkov light during the prompt annihilation, (ii) evaluate the background caused by π+→μ+→e+ decay, and (iii) optimize the linearity, dynamic range, and response time of the detector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the molecular biological features of large flat tumors or laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) of the colon and rectum. METHODS: The cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression level of LSTs was assessed immunohistochemically and compared with that of exophytic colorectal tumors. COX-2 expression in the dysplastic epithelial cells and the interstitial cells was evaluated independently. RESULTS: Sixty-five LSTs and 65 exophytic tumors were randomly selected from the archives, and 61 and 59, respectively, were successfully analyzed. LSTs showed significantly more intense COX-2 protein expression in the dysplastic epithelial cells than the exophytic tumors ( P > 0.0001). COX-2-positive interstitial cells were also observed more frequently in LSTs than in the exophytic tumors ( P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of COX-2 protein may play a crucial role in the tumorigenesis of colorectal LSTs. Chemoprevention, using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or selective COX-2 inhibitors may be effective for treating this unique neoplasm, which sometimes defies endoscopic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]