The total cross sections were measured for coherent double neutral-pion photoproduction on the deuteron at incident energies below 0.9 GeV for the first time. No clear resonance-like behavior is ...observed in the excitation function for Wγd=2.38–2.61 GeV, where the d⁎(2380) dibaryon resonance observed at COSY is expected to appear. The measured excitation function is consistent with the existing theoretical calculation for this reaction. The upper limit of the total cross section is found to be 0.034 μb for the dibaryon resonance at Wγd=2.37 GeV (90% confidence level) in the γd→π0π0d reaction.
Proposed is an electrical spectrum synthesis technique that converts low-speed signals to a high-speed signal using transmitter-side digital signal processing (DSP) and an ultra-broadband electrical ...bandwidth doubler. The transmitter-side DSP converts a high-speed signal to low-speed upper and lower sideband signals, down- and up-converts the low-speed signals into baseband signals, and adds and subtracts the in-phase and the quadrature components of the baseband signals. The digital pre-processed low-speed signals output from digital-to-analogue converters are multiplexed to the high-speed signal by the bandwidth doubler, which consists of analogue multiplexers designed and fabricated using in-house indium phosphide heterojunction bipolar transistor technologies. A 120 GBaud quadrature phase shift keying signal has been successfully generated by using the proposed technique as a demonstration of a high-speed optical transmitter.
Combining nine tree growth proxies from four sites, from the west coast of Norway to the Kola Peninsula of NW Russia, provides a well replicated (> 100 annual measurements per year) mean index of ...tree growth over the last 1200 years that represents the growth of much of the northern pine timberline forests of northern Fennoscandia. The simple mean of the nine series, z-scored over their common period, correlates strongly with mean June to August temperature averaged over this region (r = 0.81), allowing reconstructions of summer temperature based on regression and variance scaling. The reconstructions correlate significantly with gridded summer temperatures across the whole of Fennoscandia, extending north across Svalbard and south into Denmark. Uncertainty in the reconstructions is estimated by combining the uncertainty in mean tree growth with the uncertainty in the regression models. Over the last seven centuries the uncertainty is < 4.5% higher than in the 20th century, and reaches a maximum of 12% above recent levels during the 10th century. The results suggest that the 20th century was the warmest of the last 1200 years, but that it was not significantly different from the 11th century. The coldest century was the 17th. The impact of volcanic eruptions is clear, and a delayed recovery from pairs or multiple eruptions suggests the presence of some positive feedback mechanism. There is no clear and consistent link between northern Fennoscandian summer temperatures and solar forcing.
The tooth is mainly composed of dentin and enamel. Identification of dentin-producing odontoblasts and enamel-producing ameloblasts using reporter techniques is useful to study tooth development and ...regeneration with tissue engineering. Ameloblasts express Amelogenin, Ameloblastin, Enamelin, and Amelotin, whereas odontoblasts express Dentin sialophosphoprotein (Dspp) and Dentin matrix protein1 (Dmp1). Although there are several transgenic lines using promoter elements or bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) to label odontoblasts and ameloblasts, there is a possibility that the expression patterns vary from the endogenous genes. Here, we established 2 lines of mice where tdTomato was knocked into the second exon of X-chromosomal Amelogenin (Amelx), and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was knocked into the second exon of Dspp. tdTomato and GFP were highly expressed on secretory ameloblasts and secretory and fully differentiated odontoblasts, respectively. In addition, DSPP and AMELX were not produced in the dentin matrix and enamel matrix of Dspp
GFP/GFP
and Amelx
tdTomato
male mice (as representative of AmelxtdTomato/Y hemizygous male mice), respectively. Moreover, micro–computed tomography analysis of Amelx
tdTomato
male mice revealed a notable reduction in enamel volume but increased dentin mineral density. Dspp
GFP/GFP
mice had reduced dentin mineral density. To identify odontoblasts and ameloblasts from developing tooth, we examined the expression of mesenchymal cell surface molecules CD90, CD166 and epithelial cell surface molecules CD49f, Epcam1 with fluorescence on odontoblasts and ameloblasts in these mice. We found that GFP+ odontoblasts and tdTomato+ ameloblasts in tooth germ from 0.5-d-old DsppGFP/+ mice and Amelx
tdTomato
male mice were enriched in CD45−/Ter119−/Epcam1−/CD90+/Integrin α4+cell fractions and CD45−/Ter119−/Epcam1+/CD49f+/CD147+ cell fractions, respectively. By using antibodies against mesenchymal and epithelial cell surface molecules and fluorescence, we can easily distinguish odontoblasts from ameloblasts and isolate each cell for further studies. These mice would serve as useful models for tooth development and regeneration as well as provide concurrent observation for the differentiation processes of odontoblasts and ameloblasts in vivo and in vitro.
To quantify and study the densification and plastic deformation under Vicker's indentation we prepared a series of simple soda-lime-silicate glasses with different modifying ion contents and four ...glasses with constant silica content but potassium and/or barium substituted for sodium and/or calcium. The densification and plastic deformation in these glasses were determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) by measuring each sample twice, i.e., once immediately following indentation, and once after annealing to relax the densified volume. The results show that the densified volume of the glasses decreases approximately linearly with the bulk modulus, and the plastic deformation volume with silica mole fraction. These results have important implications in the prediction of hardness and crack resistance (i.e. load for crack initiation) from composition.
► The indentation induced densified volume of model silicate glasses decreases linearly with the bulk modulus. ► The plastic deformation decreases approximately linearly with silica content, depending on the type of modifying oxide. ► The volume recovery ratio increases approximately linearly with silica content.
The present study was conducted to investigate the role of proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinase 20 (MMP20) in regulating the initial formation of the enamel mineral structure during the secretory ...stage of amelogenesis, utilizing Mmp20-null mice that lack this essential protease. Ultrathin sagittal sections of maxillary incisors from 8-wk-old wild-type (WT), Mmp20-null (KO), and heterozygous (HET) littermates were prepared. Secretory-stage enamel ultrastructures from each genotype as a function of development were compared using transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Raman microspectroscopy. Characteristic rod structures observed in WT enamel exhibited amorphous features in newly deposited enamel, which subsequently transformed into apatite-like crystals in older enamel. Surprisingly, initial mineral formation in KO enamel was found to proceed in the same manner as in the WT. However, soon after a rod structure began to form, large plate-like crystals appeared randomly within the developing KO enamel layer. As development continued, observed plate-like crystals became dominant and obscured the appearance of the enamel rod structure. Upon formation of these plate-like crystals, the KO enamel layer stopped growing in thickness, unlike WT and HET enamel layers that continued to grow at the same rate. Raman results indicated that Mmp20-KO enamel contains a significant portion of octacalcium phosphate, unlike WT enamel. Although normal in all other respects, large, randomly dispersed mineral crystals were observed in secretory HET enamel, although to a lesser extent than that seen in KO enamel, indicating that the level of MMP20 expression has a proportional effect on suppressing aberrant mineral formation. In conclusion, we found that proteolysis of extracellular enamel matrix proteins by MMP20 is not required for the initial development of the enamel rod structure during the early secretory stage of amelogenesis. Proteolysis by MMP20, however, is essential for the prevention of abnormal crystal formation during amelogenesis.
Background Gastric cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in Japan. In 2004, there were 50 562 deaths from gastric cancer; they accounted for 15.8% of the total number of cancer deaths. ...Since 1983, under the Health Service Law for the Aged, gastric cancer screening has been conducted nationwide for all residents aged 40 years and over. Methods On the basis of the standardized method developed for the Japanese Guidelines for Cancer Screening, the efficacies of various methods for gastric cancer screening were evaluated and the guideline was developed. Results Four methods for gastric cancer screening were evaluated: photofluorography, endoscopy, serum pepsinogen testing and Helicobacter pylori antibody testing. On the basis of the analytic framework involving key questions, 1715 articles, published from January 1985 to February 2005, were selected using MEDLINE, the Japanese Medical Research Database and other methods. After the systematic literature review, 10 articles were identified as direct evidence and 49 articles as indirect evidence. The studies that evaluated mortality reduction from gastric cancer included five case–control and two cohort studies for radiographic screening. On the basis of the balance of benefits and harms, the recommendations for population-based and opportunistic screening were formulated. Gastric cancer screening using photofluorography was recommended for both screening programs. The other methods were not recommended for population-based screening due to insufficient evidence. Conclusions The guideline for gastric cancer screening guideline was developed based on the previously established method. Gastric cancer screening using photofluorography is recommended for population-based and opportunistic screening in Japan.
There is no consensus on the benefit of arthroscopically assisted reduction of the articular surface combined with fixation using a volar locking plate for the treatment of intra-articular distal ...radial fractures. In this study we compared the functional and radiographic outcomes of fluoroscopically and arthroscopically guided reduction of these fractures. Between February 2009 and May 2013, 74 patients with unilateral unstable intra-articular distal radial fractures were randomised equally into the two groups for treatment. The mean age of these 74 patients was 64 years (24 to 92). We compared functional outcomes including active range of movement of the wrist, grip strength and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores at six and 48 weeks; and radiographic outcomes that included gap, step, radial inclination, volar angulation and ulnar variance. There were no significant differences between the techniques with regard to functional outcomes or radiographic parameters. The mean gap and step in the fluoroscopic and arthroscopic groups were comparable at 0.9 mm (standard deviation (SD) 0.7) and 0.7 mm (SD 0.7) and 0.6 mm (SD 0.6) and 0.4 mm (SD 0.5), respectively; p = 0.18 and p = 0.35). Arthroscopic reduction conferred no advantage over conventional fluoroscopic guidance in achieving anatomical reduction of intra-articular distal radial fractures when using a volar locking plate.
We conducted this study to test the hypothesis that acidic solutions undersaturated with respect to enamel and supersaturated with respect to fluorapatite can enhance enamel remineralization by ...reducing preferential remineralization of the outer lesion and promoting mineral ion penetration. We used quantitative microradiography to assess mineral changes in artificial surface-softened and subsurface lesions in human enamel in vitro, induced by such an acidic solution and by a neutral remineralizing solution. For surface-softened lesions, the extent of remineralization was similar for both solutions, although preferential remineralization of the outer lesion was observed with the neutral solution. For subsurface lesions, preferential remineralization of the outer lesion was not observed with either solution. However, the extent of subsurface lesion remineralization by the acidic solution was significantly greater than that observed with the neutral solution. Results obtained are noted to reflect inherent differences in lesion type and the properties of the solutions studied.
To examine whether the parameters of impedance measured by the broadband frequency forced oscillation technique (FOT) were reflected by changes in lung compliance induced by emphysema and fibrosis, ...we retrospectively compared the parameters of FOT and pulmonary functions, including static lung compliance (Cst), in obstructive lung disease (OLD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).
The data of 18 patients with OLD (16 with COPD, two with asthma COPD overlap), 11 with ILD, and 24 healthy volunteers, whose respiratory impedance was measured using a MostGraph-01 and other pulmonary functions including Cst and lung resistance (R
) were measured on the same day and were retrospectively collected and compared.
The parameters of resistance, reactance, and resonant frequency showed good correlations with ventilation unevenness (
=0.63, -0.89, 0.77, respectively) and lung elastic resistance (
=0.59, -0.80, 0.73, respectively) in all groups (N=53). These indices were significant determinants of increased respiratory resistance and more negative shift of respiratory reactance (Xrs) at lower frequency (
<0.001). Decreased functional residual capacity was also a determinant of Xrs at 5 Hz (X5) (
<0.05). The differences in mean X5 in the expiratory phase relative to those in the inspiratory phase (within-breath changes in X5) were associated with airflow obstruction (
<0.002) and lung elastic resistance (
<0.001). However, no significant correlations between Cst and any parameters of respiratory impedance were observed.
These findings suggest that the impedance parameters measured by FOT are reflected by airway obstruction, ventilation unevenness, and lung resistance, but hardly reflected by changes in lung compliance due to emphysema or fibrosis in both CLD and ILD.
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