An Ice Tracking System (ITS) is under development which will automatically extract ice kinematic information from time sequential imagery over Canadian waterways. NOAA AVHRR data are routinely collected at the Ice Centre Environment Canada (ICEC) and are a valuable data source for operational ice analysis and forecasting. For this study AVHRR data were collected between January and February 1992 over the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. The requirement for cloud-free data limited its use. Multiple images over short time intervals were available for a one to two day period, however these were followed by gaps of three to four days. On days when imagery was available synoptic conditions were always similar favouring a southeasterly ice drift. The east coast of Canada is a very difficult ice environment in which to extract accurate ice motion. The ice regime consists mainly of young ice types exhibiting very dynamic behaviour. To the NOAA sensor the ice cover can appear viscous and featureless. The inaccuracies in the extracted ice kinematic information was attributed to positional errors with the input data and the inability of the tracking algorithm to identify correctly the same features on time sequential images. Geocoding inaccuracies, a result of the systematic geocoding process, had an average error of 2.7 km. Algorithm inaccuracies, a result of incorrect matching, had an average error of 2.45 km.

Four microseconds long Ar3+ beam with injection energy of 15 keV/u has been injected into the Digital Accelerator of the High-Energy Accelerator Research Organization. Beam production, transportation, and injection are described as well as machine properties. Results of a free running experiment under static magnetic field and longitudinal confinement and acceleration under a fast ramping magnetic field are presented in detail with a brief discussion on the beam lifetime.

The correlation of stress in Silicon Carbide (SiC) crystal and frequency shift in micro- Raman spectroscopy was determined by an experimental method. We applied uniaxial stress to 4H- and 6H-SiC single crystal square bar specimen shaped with (0001) and (11-20) faces by four point bending test, under measuring the frequency shift in micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed that the linearity coefficients between stress and Raman shift were -1.96 cm-1/GPa for FTO(2/4)E2 on 4H-SiC (0001) face, -2.08 cm-1/GPa for FTO(2/4)E2 on 4H-SiC (11-20) face and -2.70 cm-1/GPa for FTO(2/6)E2 on 6H-SiC (0001) face. Determination of these coefficients has made it possible to evaluate the residual stress in SiC crystal quantitatively by micro-Raman spectroscopy. We evaluated the residual stress in SiC substrate that was grown in our laboratory by utilizing the results obtained in this study. The result of estimation indicated that the SiC substrate with a diameter of 6 inch remained residual stress as low as ±15 MPa.

A seroprevalence survey on measles, mumps, rubella and varicella was conducted on healthcare workers (HCWs) at Shimane University Hospital, Japan utilizing an enzyme immunoassay. Of 1811 HCWs tested, 91·8% were seropositive to measles, 92·1% to mumps, 89·5% to rubella and 96·3% to varicella. Sex-related differences in seroprevalence were found in rubella (males vs. females: 84·7 vs. 92·2%, P < 0·001). Moreover, males aged 30–39 years were most susceptible to rubella (22·4%), which may be attributed to the design of childhood immunization programmes in Japan. Individuals aged ⩽29 years were more susceptible to measles (14·3%) and mumps (10·9%), compared to other age groups. There were no significant sex- and age-related differences in varicella seroprevalence. The physician occupational group was more susceptible to rubella, but no significant occupational-related difference was observed in the other diseases. Susceptible subjects, with negative or equivocal serological results were given a vaccine which induced seroconversion in most vaccinees. Seroconversion occurred more frequently in the equivocal group than in the negative group. These findings provide a new insight for the seroprevalence survey of vaccine-preventable diseases in Japanese HCWs with special reference to vaccine efficacy.

The new species of Zanclea sango sp. nov. is described from Okinawajima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, south-western Japan. The new hydrozoan species is associated with at least three scleractinian corals (Pavona divaricata, P. venosa and Psammocora contigua). Zanclea sango sp. nov. is a polymorphic hydroid and the hydrorhiza grows between the coral skeleton and calicoblastic ectoderm. The hydrocaulus and hydrorhiza are surrounded by perisarc. Newly released medusae are almost spherical, with four perradial exumbrellar nematocyst pouches including stenoteles, and two long marginal tentacles with cnidophores containing macrobasic euryteles. Zanclea sango sp. nov. is allied to Zanclea gilii Boero et al., 2000 and Zanclea margaritae Pantos & Bythell, 2010, but it is distinguished by its cnidome, the presence of a perisarc around hydrorhiza, and lower host-specificity. According to a hypothetical Zanclea phylogeny, the ancestral species of Zanclea had an opportunistic association with some benthic organisms, such as algae or bivalves, and its hydrorhiza was covered by a perisarc. Later, some species established specific associations with benthic animals, after which the hydrorhiza lost the perisarc and became directly covered with host tissue. Among Zanclea inhabiting corals, the present species, with multiple coral host species and a perisarc around the hydrorhiza, seems to retain more ancestral character states than Z. gilii and Z. margaritae, which have specific coral host species and no perisarc around the hydrorhiza.

Three-dimensional organic field-effect transistors with multiple sub-micrometer channels are developed to exhibit high current density and high switching speed. The sub-micrometer channels are arranged perpendicularly to substrates and are defined by the height of a multi-columnar structure fabricated without using electron-beam-lithography technique. For devices with dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, extremely high current density exceeding 10 A/cm2 and fast switching within 200 ns are realized with an on-off ratio of 105. The unprecedented performance is beyond general requirements to control organic light-emitting diodes, so that even more extensive applications to higher-speed active-matrices and display-driving circuits can be realized with organic semiconductors.

The phage types and antimicrobial susceptibilities of 226 isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi from imported cases in Japan between 2001 and 2006 were investigated. Most (93·8%) had travelled to Asian countries, particularly South East Asia. Twenty-one phage types were identified with E1 (30·5%), UVS (15·9%) and B1 (9·3%) being the most common. The frequency of multidrug-resistant strains reached 37·0% in 2006 with phage types E1 and E9 predominating. Almost half (48·2%) of the isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and two isolates displayed high-level fluoroquinolone resistance. Three mutations, two in gyrA and one in parC, were identified in both isolates.

The occultation of a 9.1 magnitude star by asteroid (22) Kalliope and its satellite Linus was successfully observed in Japan in 2006 November 7.826 UT. This was the first definite observation of an occultation of a satellite of an asteroid that was discovered previously by other means. As a result the position of the satellite relative to Kalliope was obtained to be d = 0.246 ± 0.011 (arcsec), and P = 313.8 ± 2.7 (deg), where d is the angular distance and P is the position angle. The derived size for Kalliope is (209 ± 40)km × (136 ± 26)km (with the major axis in position angle of (8 ± 17) deg), and that for Linus is (33 ± 3) km. From the observations, the occulted star is also found to be a close double star whose separation is about 0.7 mas in position angle of about 300 deg, and the magnitudes of the components are found to be almost the same (~9.9 mag).

A novel selective and bottom-up deposition process from supercritical CO2 is proposed and demonstrated. Supercritical CO2 fluids are dense media, and a deposition precursor dissolving wherein can easily condences in hollow/concave features. By combining this capillary condensation phenomenon with proper reaction chemistry, it was realized to deposit Ru an Cu in holes and trenches structures preferentially. The capillary condensation occurs better in the narrower features, we call this method “gtopography-sensitive” selective deposition technique.

Two patients who received supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy to treat laryngeal cancers, underwent intra-operative electromyography analysis. After the lesion was removed and the electrodes were inserted into the remaining intrinsic laryngeal muscles, the depth of anaesthesia was carefully reduced. Gentle tactile stimulations were applied to the pharynx to trigger the reflex movement of the remaining arytenoids. Recordings were made when reflex movement was achieved.

Case one: Electromyography (EMG) of the remaining arytenoid demonstrated clear phase differences indicating reciprocal activities between the adductor group (lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, interarytenoid muscle) and the abductor muscle (posterior cricoarytenoid muscle). Case two: EMG of the remaining arytenoid demonstrated reciprocal activities between the interarytenoid muscle and the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. Activity of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle was not evident because the muscle was excised during removal of the paraglottic space. Mobility of the arytenoid was attributed to interaction between the interarytenoid muscle and posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. Reciprocal interaction between the interarytenoid muscle and posterior cricoarytenoid muscle alone is also capable of maintaining post-operative laryngeal functions after supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy.

Summary

Background and objective: Continuous spinal analgesia (CSA) offers considerable pain relief, and has been used in various procedures such as for surgery and cancer pain control. In Japan, portable and disposable infusion kits are increasingly employed for continuous epidural analgesia and CSA. In CSA, the use of a microcatheter is expected to reduce the incidence of spinal headache previously encountered with larger catheters. However, the flow rate of disposable infusion kits is reduced when used in conjunction with a microcatheter.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the influence of catheter length on the flow rate of two different devices: 20- or 91-cm 28-G microcatheters connected to balloon- or syringe-type infusion pumps were examined (50 mL, 1 mL h−1). There were four groups each of 10 experiments: Group A: balloon-type infuser, 91 cm catheter; Group B: balloon-type infuser, 20 cm catheter; Group C: syringe-type infuser, 91 cm catheter; Group D: syringe-type infuser, 20 cm catheter.

Results: The mean flow rate in Group A was significantly less than that in Group B and the mean flow rate in Group C was significantly less than Group D (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results indicated that the use of a shorter microcatheter achieves a better flow rate during CSA.


The stability of B atom near the Si(100)/SiO2 interface during annealing is studied by using ab initio calculation to investigate the atomic scale mechanism of B segregation at the Si(100)/SiO2 interface. Contrary to the experimental observations showing that B atoms segregate into SiO2, B atoms are found to be stable in Si free of defects. But authors can rephrase differently this sentence. On the other hand, when an O vacancy exists in SiO2, the B atom is trapped by the O vacancy and becomes quite stable in SiO2.

Background. Many studies have suggested a possible aetiological role for obstetric complications in the development of schizophrenia. We focused on prenatal physical growth in schizophrenia, a contentious issue in the literature.

Methods. We compared gestational age at birth, birth weight (BW) and birth head circumference (BHC) between 312 schizophrenics and 517 controls, and between 187 schizophrenics and their matched healthy siblings. Information on obstetric histories was obtained from the Maternal and Child Health Handbooks (i.e. contemporaneous records).

Results. Gestational age at birth was significantly earlier in the schizophrenics than in the controls (P = 0·017). Pre-term birth (gestational age of 36 weeks or less) was more common in schizophrenics than in controls (8·0% v. 3·4%, P = 0·005, odds ratio 2·5). Low BW (2500 g or less) was more frequent in schizophrenics than in controls (9·6% v. 4·6%, P = 0·005, odds ratio 2·2). The schizophrenics had significantly lighter BW (P = 0·0003) and tended to have smaller BHC (P = 0·081) compared with controls. However, multiple regression analysis showed that there was no significant difference in BW or BHC between the schizophrenics and controls when gestational age and maternal weight were controlled. There was no significant difference in BW or BHC between schizophrenics and their siblings, although the schizophrenics tended to be born at earlier gestational age than their siblings.

Conclusions. Our results suggest that prematurity at birth is associated with a risk of developing schizophrenia in adulthood. When gestational age and maternal body weight were allowed for, there was no evidence that schizophrenics tend to have lower mean BW or smaller BHC.

In the present paper, we stress the importance of the magnetic field in the problem of acceleration and collimation of astrophysical jets, and discuss our proposed generic picture for such “central gravitator + jets + lobes” systems and inherent interpretations of the various observational characteristics of such systems: Mechanisms are proposed for (1) the enhanced liberation of gravitational energy at the central object, (2) the transfer of a part of the liberated energy along the large-scale magnetic field by large-amplitude, torsional Alfvén wave trains that form collimated jets (we call this a sweeping pinch process), (3) the dumping of the transferred energy at the end of the jets when they impinge on the denser region outside the border of the “cavity” from which the mass contracted to the central condensation (central gravitator + accretion disk, as well as the larger-scale condensation surrounding them), and (4) the formation of wiggled jets and lobes as helical kinks and the tucked-up magnetic field produced in the sweeping pinch process, respectively.

Massive stars in a certain mass range (20 – 40M⊙) may form low mass black holes after supernova explosions. In such massive stars, fall back of ~ 0.1M⊙ materials onto a black hole is expected due to a deep gravitational potential or a reverse shock propagating back from the outer composition interface. We study hydrodynamical disk accretion onto a new-born low mass black hole in a supernova using the SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) method.

Prototypes of magnetic actions in producing and shedding the X-ray-emitting high temperature plasmas in various astrophysical objects are witnessed in the spatially-resolved form on the Sun by the Solar X-ray Satellite “Yohkoh”. The most prominent of those are arcade flarings seen as powerful arcade flares in active regions with strong magnetic field. Larger scale fainter X-ray arcade formation observed at high latitudes, shedding a large amount of mass and energy as CME's (coronal mass ejections) also belongs to this category. Since some features found by the new observation by Yohkoh are incompatible with the so-called “classical model of arcade flarings”, we advance an alternative model based on the quadruple magnetic sources in the photosphere.

Hemispherical silicon quantum dots (QDs) have been self-assembled with an areal density as high as ~2−1011 cm−2 on SiO2/Si(100) and quartz substrates by controlling the early states of low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of pure silane. It is found that, for the thermally-oxidized Si QDs, when the mean Si dot height is decreased from 6.3 nm to 1~2 nm, the photoluminescence (PL) peak energy is increased from 1.2 to 1.4 eV at room temperature while the optical absorption edge determined by photothermal deflection spectroscopy is shifted from 1.9 to 2.5 eV. In addition to the observed Stokes shift as large as 0.7−1.1 eV, a weak temperature dependence of the broad luminescence band and non-exponential luminescence decay with a mean life time of sub-msec even at room temperature suggest that localized, radiative recombination centers existing presumably in the SiO2/Si dot interface are responsible for the efficient PL from the Si QDs. From the change in room temperature PL by SiO2 thinning and removal in a dilute HF solution, it is demonstrated that the surface passivation of Si QDs plays an important role for the efficient light emission at room temperature.