Circular Polarization of the Astrophysical Gravitational Wave Background.

The circular polarization of gravitational waves is a powerful observable to test parity violation in gravity and to distinguish between the primordial or the astrophysical origin of the stochastic background. This property comes from the expected unpolarized nature of the homogeneous and isotropic astrophysical background, contrary to some specific cosmological sources that can produce a polarized background. However, in this work we show that there is also a non-negligible amount of circular polarization in the astrophysical background, generated by Poisson fluctuations in the number of unresolved sources, which is present in the third-generation interferometers with signal-to-noise ratio larger than 2. We also explain in which cases the gravitational wave maps can be cleaned from this extra source of noise, exploiting the frequency and the angular dependence, in order to search for signals from the early Universe. Future studies about the detection of polarized cosmological backgrounds with ground- and space-based interferometers should account for the presence of such a foreground contribution.

Close association between metal allergy and nail lichen planus: detection of causative metals in nail lesions.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus (LP) is a common skin disorder of unknown aetiology that affects the skin, mucous membranes and nails. Although metal allergies have been implicated in the development of oral LP (OLP), the contribution of these allergies to nail LP (NLP) has yet to be studied in detail. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the link between metal allergy and NLP. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 115 LP patients with respect to the contribution of metals to either NLP or OLP. We also attempted to detect the specific metals involved in these nail lesions. RESULTS: Of the 79 patients that received a metal patch test (PT), 24 (30%) were positive for at least one of the metal compounds tested. Notably, the prevalence of positive reactions to metals in the NLP patients was significantly higher as compared with the OLP patients (59% vs. 27%, P < 0.05). Among the 10 PT-positive patients with NLP, improvement of the skin lesions was seen in six of the patients after removal of dental materials containing causative metals or systemic disodium cromoglycate therapy. On the other hand, only 3 of 16 PT-positive patients with OLP exhibited improvement after the removal of dental materials. Causative metals in the dental fillings/braces were detected in the involved nail tissues. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that metal allergies are more closely associated with NLP vs. OLP, and that deposited metals in the nail apparatus contribute to the development of lichenoid tissue reactions in the nail bed and matrix.

The effect of magmatic activity on hydrothermal venting along the superfast-spreading East pacific rise.

A survey of hydrothermal activity along the superfast-spreading (approximately 150 millimeters per year) East Pacific Rise shows that hydrothermal plumes overlay approximately 60 percent of the ridge crest between 13 degrees 50' and 18 degrees 40'S, a plume abundance nearly twice that known from any other rige portion of comparable length. Plumes were most abundant where the axial cross section is inflated and an axial magma chamber is present. Plumes with high ratios of volatile ((3)He, CH(4), and H(2)S) to nonvolatile (Mn and Fe) species marked where hydrothermal circulation has been perturbed by recent magmatic activity. The high proportion of volatile-rich plumes observed implies that such episodes are more frequent here than on slower spreading ridges.

Scrubbing technique for needleless connectors to minimize contamination risk.

This study aimed to investigate the appropriate scrubbing technique for needleless connectors to minimize contamination risk. To demonstrate a highly effective scrubbing technique to physically eliminate bacteria, needleless connectors were contaminated with Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores and then scrubbed. The study showed that the highest bacterial elimination rate was achieved by scrubbing an access port in a straight line with an alcohol cotton swab, applying a force that was almost equal to an arterial compression haemostasis to the access port, and repeating this procedure once using a new alcohol cotton swab.

Two antiprothrombin antibodies against prothrombin and prothrombin-phosphatidyl serine show partial but not total identity.

Recently, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using prothrombin (PT) as the antigen has become a widely used test. Two ELISA methods for the detection of antiprothrombin antibody have been used extensively: one method employs PT as an antigen (aPT), and the other employs PT and phosphatidyl serine (aPT/PS) as antigens along with Ca. However, the results obtained by the two methods are not necessarily consistent with each other even using the same samples, suggesting the possibility that aPT and aPT/PS are different antibodies. We conducted an investigation to determine whether aPT and aPT/PS are identical or different antibodies. Five patients who were positive for both tests become negative to aPT after absorption with an aPT-ELISA plate or fluid-phase PT; however, they retained reactivity to aPT/PS after the same absorption procedure. These results suggest that aPT and aPT/PS are partially identical, yet still different antibodies. However, further examination employing more samples may be needed to verify our hypothesis including clarification of the clinicopathological significance of these antibodies in the future.

Fluorophotometric assessment of rabbit corneal epithelial barrier function after rigid contact lens wear.

PURPOSE: The effect of overnight wear of graded rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses on the rabbit corneal epithelial barrier function was assessed by fluorophotometry. METHODS: RGP lenses with optimal fitting were worn by rabbits for 24 h. The values of oxygen transmissibility (Dk/L) of lenses used were 0, 10, 27, 43, 84, and 109 x 10(-9) (cm/s)(ml O2/ml mm Hg); lens thickness (0.15 mm) and diameter (14.0 mm) were standardized. Corneal epithelial barrier function was measured by a slit-lamp fluorophotometer. Corneal surface lesions by fluorescein staining were observed by a slit-lamp biomicroscope with the aid of fluorescein filter paper and were scored. Corneal epithelial structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: After 24-h wear of RGP lenses, fluorescein uptake by the cornea increased, and this increase depended on the Dk/L value of lenses worn; mean +/- standard error, 1,601+/-454 (Dk/L 0), 347+/-226 (Dk/L 10), 144+/-42 (Dk/L 27), 100+/-25 (Dk/L 43), 56+/-18 (Dk/L 84), 51+/-15 (Dk/L 109), and 49+/-4 ng/ml (control). There was a significant correlation between the fluorophotometric value and the biomicroscopic scores of corneal lesions. SEM showed progressive desquamation of epithelial superficial and wing cells for lower-value Dk/L lens groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated for the first time that overnight wear of Dk/L 84 and 109 lenses does not alter the barrier function of the rabbit corneal epithelium. In contrast, wear of a PMMA lens greatly alters the corneal epithelial barrier function. It is suggested that RGP lenses with a Dk/L >80 can provide safe overnight wear, based on the epithelial barrier function.

Kurasoins A and B, new protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors produced by Paecilomyces sp. FO-3684. II. Structure elucidation and total synthesis.

The structures of new protein farnesyltransferase inhibitors, kurasoins A and B, were elucidated by NMR study. Kurasoins A and B are acyloin compounds having in common a 3-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-butanone moiety, to which p-hydroxyphenyl and 3-indolyl moieties respectively, are connected at C-4. The structures were confirmed by total synthesis.

Synthesis, properties and microbiological activity of hydrophobic derivatives of vitamin B12.

Long chain alkylcobalamins and long chain acyl-cyanocobalamins, two types of hydrophobic derivatives of vitamin B12, were synthesized. It was shown by TLC and determination of the partition coefficient between organic and aqueous phases that the hydrophobicity of alkylcobalamins and acyl-cyanocobalamins increased with the chain length of the alkyl or acyl group introduced into cobalamin. Long chain alkylcobalamins were easily converted to aquacobalamin by photoirradiation, but the first-order rate constant of photolysis decreased with the length of an alkyl group. Long chain acyl-cyanocobalamins were gradually hydrolyzed to cyanocobalamin in neutral or alkaline solution with the pseudo-first order rate constant increasing with the pH of the solution. Stabilization of acyl-cyanocobalamins toward hydrolysis was achieved by introducing a methyl group into the alpha-position of an acyl group. All the long chain alkylcobalamins tested supported the growth of Escherichia coli 215, a cobalamin- or L-methionine-auxotroph, and Lactobacillus leichmannii, although their activity as cobalamin was at most 28% and 15% that of cyanocobalamin for E. coli 215 and L. leichmannii, respectively.

Comparison of 0.5% cyclopentolate plus 0.5% tropicamide and 1% cyclopentolate alone for mydriasis of dark irides.

We studied the mydriatic and cycloplegic effect of a single dose of a combination of 0.5% cyclopentolate hydrochloride and 0.5% tropicamide in 20 healthy subjects with dark brown irides. The mean change in dilatation with the combination drop was 3.5 mm, compared with 0.6 mm with 1% cyclopentolate alone (p less than 0.001). In 92% of 26 eyes studied the difference in refraction between the combination drop and 1% atropine was +1.00 dioptre or less. The combination drop safely provided satisfactory mydriasis and cycloplegia in 20 minutes, allowing for rapid and accurate examination of these patients.

2D potential measurements by applying automatic beam adjustment system to heavy ion beam probe diagnostic on the Large Helical Device.

Two-dimensional potential profiles in the Large Helical Device (LHD) were measured with heavy ion beam probe (HIBP). To measure the two-dimensional profile, the probe beam energy has to be changed. However, this task is not easy, because the beam transport line of LHD-HIBP system is very long (∼20 m), and the required beam adjustment consumes much time. To reduce the probe beam energy adjustment time, an automatic beam adjustment system has been developed. Using this system, required time to change the probe beam energy is dramatically reduced, such that two-dimensional potential profiles were able to be successfully measured with HIBP by changing the probe beam energy shot to shot.