Fast electrical control of single electron spins in quantum dots with vanishing influence from nuclear spins.

We demonstrate fast universal electrical spin manipulation with inhomogeneous magnetic fields. With fast Rabi frequency up to 127 MHz, we leave the conventional regime of strong nuclear-spin influence and observe a spin-flip fidelity >96%, a distinct chevron Rabi pattern in the spectral-time domain, and a spin resonance linewidth limited by the Rabi frequency, not by the dephasing rate. In addition, we establish fast z rotations up to 54 MHz by directly controlling the spin phase. Our findings will significantly facilitate tomography and error correction with electron spins in quantum dots.

Anaerosphaera massiliensis sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from the stool of a 39-year-old Pygmy.

Anaerosphaera massiliensis strain Marseille-P4592T (= CSURP4592T; = CCUG72452T) is a new species isolated from the stool of a 39-year-old male Pygmy from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Enterobacter timonensis sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from a fresh human stool specimen.

Enterobacter timonensis strain mt20T (= CSUR P2201T, = DSM101775T) is a new species isolated from a fresh human stool specimen.

Enterococcus mediterraneensis sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from the stool of a 39-year-old Pygmy.

Enterococcus mediterraneensis strain Marseille-P4358T (= CSURP4358T) is a new species isolated from the stool of a 39-year-old male Pygmy from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dorea phocaeensis sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from the stool of a healthy 29-year-old male.

Dorea phocaeensis strain Marseille-P4003T (= CSURP4003T; = CCUG71359T) is a new species isolated from the stool of a healthy 29-year-old male from France.

Acidaminococcus provencensis sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from a fresh human stool specimen.

Acidaminococcus provencensis strain Marseille-P4266T (= CSURP4266T) is a new species isolated from a fresh human stool specimen.

QT intervals as an index of high serum calcium in hypercalcemia.

The relationship between QT interval and serum calcium concentration (s-Ca) was examined in 9 hypercalcemic (s-Ca greater than 11 mg/dl) patients. Three QT intervals corrected by Bazett's formula were used for the analysis: the intervals from the beginning of the QRS to the onset (QoTc), the apex (QaTc), and the end of T wave (QeTc). The measurements of s-Ca and other electrolytes were made on the blood sample taken on the same day of the electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. The normal range of s-Ca and three QTc intervals was determined in 50 outpatients with no cardiac disease. Three QT intervals in the hypercalcemic patients were significantly shortened with a diminution in the s-Ca. The QTc intervals showed significant negative correlation with s-Ca. Sensitivity of QoTc, QaTc, and QeTc in predicting high s-Ca was 83%, 57%, and 39%, respectively, and specificity was 100%, 100%, and 89%. The PQ interval tended to be prolonged in the case of hypercalcemia, but the change was statistically insignificant. These observations suggest that QT intervals can serve as an indicator of high s-Ca and that the QoTc seems to be a good indicator of the three QTc's.

The effect of gravity on plant germination.

An axis clinostat was constructed to create micro and negative gravity also a rotated flat disk was constructed with different rotation rates to give increased gravity, by centrifugal force up to 48 g. Rice seeds were grown on agar in tubes at the constant air temperature of 20 degrees C under an average light condition of 110 micromol/m2/sec(PPF). Humidity was not controlled but was maintained above 90%. Since the tube containers were not large enough for long cultivation, shoot and root growth were observed every 12 hours until the sixth day from seeding. The lengths of shoots and roots for each individual plant were measured on the last day. The stem lengths were increased by microgravity but the root lengths were not. Under the negative gravity, negative orthogeotropism and under microgravity, diageotropism was observed. No significant effect of increased gravity was observed on shoot and root growth.

A new relative referencing method for crop monitoring using chlorophyll fluorescence.

The measurement of plant chlorophyll fluorescence has been used for many years as a method to monitor a plant's health status. These types of methods have been mostly relegated to the laboratory. The newly developed Relative Referencing Method allows for the measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence under artificial lighting conditions. The fluorescence signal can be determined by first taking a reference signal measurement, then a second measurement with an additional fluorescence excitation source. The first signal can then be subtracted from the second and the plant's chlorophyll fluorescence due to the second lighting source can be determined. With this simple approach, a photosynthesizing plant can be monitored to detect signs of water stress. Using this approach experiments on tomato plants have shown that it was possible to detect water stress, while the plants were continuously illuminated by fluorescent lamps. This method is a promising tool for the remote monitoring of crops grown in a CELSS-type application.

The geometric accuracy of frameless stereotactic radiosurgery using a 6D robotic couch system.

The aim of this paper is to assess the overall geometric accuracy of the Novalis system using the Robotic Tilt Module in terms of the uncertainty in frameless stereotactic radiotherapy. We analyzed the following three metrics: (1) the correction accuracy of the robotic couch, (2) the uncertainty of the isocenter position with gantry and couch rotation, and (3) the shift in position between the isocenter and central point detected with the ExacTrac x-ray system. Based on the concept of uncertainty, the overall accuracy was calculated from these values. The accuracy in positional correction with the robotic couch was 0.07 +/- 0.22 mm, the positional shift of the isocenter associated with gantry rotation was 0.35 mm, the positional shift of the isocenter associated with couch rotation was 0.38 mm and the difference in position between the isocenter and the ExacTrac x-ray system was 0.30 mm. The accuracy of intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery with the Novalis system in our clinic was 0.31 +/- 0.77 mm. The overall geometric accuracy based on the concept of uncertainty was 0.31 +/- 0.77 mm, which is within the tolerance given in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine report no. 54.

Development of a compliant surgical adhesive derived from novel fluorinated hexamethylene diisocyanate.

We have recently developed a novel compliant surgical adhesive, based on urethane chemistry, that imparts excellent in vivo performance, except for a potential carcinogenic problem associated with aromatic diisocyanates. In this article, a chronic histopathologic study was conducted by implantation of adhesives in subcutaneous and hepatic tissues for up to 20 months. Neither carcinogenic episodes nor tissue abnormalities were found. Based on the structure-carcinogenic potential relationship of diisocyanates, fluorinated hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) was found to be noncarcinogenic, despite its high nucleophilic reactivity. The fluorinated HMDI based adhesive was defined as the most reliable adhesive, with best in vivo performance, including ensured nontoxicity.

Effect of vapor pressure deficit on spinach growth under hypobaric conditions.

The effect of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of air during photoperiod on spinach growth under low total pressure was examined. Spinach plants grown under atmospheric pressure were transplanted into a pressure-reduced growth chamber and cultured hydroponically for eight days. The air temperature in the growth chamber was kept at 25 degrees C during the light period and 20 degrees C during the dark period. In the control, the total pressure was 101 kPa and the VPD was 0.95 kPa. The low pressure treatment had a total pressure of 25 kPa and a VPD of 0.95 kPa. The low pressure and high humidity treatment had a total pressure of 25 kPa, and a VPD of 0.48 kPa. The VPD during the dark period was consistent for all treatments at 0.44 kPa. O2 and CO2 partial pressures were constant at 21 kPa and 40 Pa, respectively. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) on a plant bed inside the growth chamber was 250 micromoles m-2 s-1 on a plant bed. Relative growth rate (RGR) of spinach in the low pressure and high humidity treatment was significantly greater than in the control. There was no significant difference in RGR between the control and the low pressure treatment. The low pressure and high humidity treatment also had increased leaf area. These results showed that the effect of pressure alone was not significant on RGR, but the combination of low pressure with high humidity was important.

[Serum lipid states in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction: comparison between patients aged 60 to 79 and 80 years and over].

Recently, the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the elderly patients has increased. The clinical features have not been extensively studied, so this study attempted to clarify the clinical course and prognosis of elderly patients with AMI. The patients were divided into two groups, those over 80 years old and those between 60 and 79 years old. The clinical symptoms, electrocardiographic findings, complications, and short-term prognosis were compared. The serum lipid levels were compared between the AMI groups and age-matched control groups consisting of subjects without sclerotic heart disease. There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms between the two groups, electrocardiographic findings, incidence of complications, and mortality. The total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and atherogenic index were significantly higher in the 60-79 years old AMI group, but no significant difference was observed in the 80 years and over AMI group compared to the control group. The HDL cholesterol level of the 60-79 years old AMI group was significantly lower, but no significant difference was observed in the 80 years and over group. There was no significant difference in triglyceride level in either AMI group. Therefore, in patients aged 60-79 years hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease, but the relationship between serum lipid and AMI is not positively established in patients older than 80 years. These results suggest that the significance of hyperlipidemia in patients over 80 years old should be reconsidered.

[Effect of thyroid hormone on the beta-receptor of cardiac myocytes isolated from rat ventricle].

INTRODUCTION Most of the symptoms in hyperthyroidism, such as an augmented metabolism, tachyarrhythmias and increased myocardial contractility, resemble those of increased sympathetic beta-adrenergic receptor are a major concern, but the exact mechanisms of the effects remain to be clarified. In the present study, the direct effects of triiodothyronine(T3) on the spontaneous beating and beta-receptor in relation to protein synthesis of the cultured ventricular myocytes were investigated. METHODS The cardiac myocytes were prepared from neonatal rat ventricle by enzymatic digestion and incubated at 37 degrees C in the atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. The culture medium used was DME containing 5% fetal bovine serum and was renewed daily. The spontaneous beating frequencies of the myocytes were measured by the use of optical-video system. The cultured myocytes showed spontaneous beating dependent on Ca2+ concentration about 48 hours after the isolation. Although the beating was irregular and unstable at the beginning, it became regular and steady on the 3rd culture day. The experiments measuring spontaneous beating frequency were performed using the cells of this stage. In these experiments, the effects of T3 on the spontaneous beating frequency were studied after a 15-20 minute incubation with various concentrations of T3 (1 x 10(-10)-1 x 10(-7)M). The spontaneous beating was enhanced by isoproterenol and suppressed by Ca antagonists. The cardiac beta-receptors were identified using the hydrophilic radioligand 3H-CGP-12177 which labels specifically cell surface bound beta-receptors. The effects of T3 on protein synthesis in cultured myocytes were studied by measuring 3H-leucine uptake. RESULTS I. The effects of T3 on the spontaneous beating The effects of T3 on the spontaneous beating were investigated in two different ways. Firstly, the direct effect of T3 was studied by incubating the cells in the medium containing variable concentration of T3. T3 increased the beating frequency dose-dependently, and the maximal accelerating action was observed at the concentration of 10(-8)M. T3 at this concentration increased the spontaneous beating frequency from 131 +/- 25 min to 157 +/- 35 min after the treatment. Higher concentration of T3 induced arrhythmias and seemed to be toxic. Therefore, in the following experiments the concentration of 10(-8)M was used. The cardiac myocytes were incubated in either T3 containing or T3 free medium for 10 days. The incubation medium was renewed every day, and the change in the beating frequency was monitored continuously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Development of photosynthesis and respiration measurement system using mass spectrometry.

A closed gas-exchange system was developed to measure gross photosynthesis and respiration discriminately and simultaneously. The system developed in this study included a high performance mass spectral analyzer for gas measurements. The gas-exchange system consisted of a 3L assimilation leaf chamber, a 1L flexible metallic bag, gas supply apparatus, and a lighting system. The lights were turned on and gas measurements were started after the initial 12CO2 concentration level was increased to 500 ppm. The 13CO2 gas was added to the chamber 10 min after the start of the light period. The lights were turned off 15 min after the addition of 13CO2. The 12CO2 and 13CO2 concentrations in the chamber during the light and dark periods were measured for pothos and maize leaves. The 13CO2 absorption rate by the leaves was larger than that for 12CO2 during the light period. It was assumed that the 13CO2 absorbed by photosynthesis was not evoluted by respiration during the first 25 min from the start of the light period. Based on this assumption, gross photosynthetic rate and respiration rate were estimated by calculating the difference in uptake rates of 12CO2 and 13CO2 during the light period.

Discriminating and continuous measurement of photosynthesis and respiration by monitoring 13CO2 and 12CO2 as tracers.

The simultaneous and discriminative measurement of the photosynthesis and the respiration of the plant was attained by simultaneous monitoring of 13CO2 and 12CO2 by artificial control of 13CO2 abundance of ambient air. The principle of the measurement is based on the following physiological processes. 6CO2 + 12H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O, 6(13C)O2 + 12H2O --> (13C6)H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O, 6CO2 + 12H2(18O) --> C6H12O6 + 6(18O)18O + 6H20. Assuming that respiratory consumption of the new born carbon substrate fixed by photosynthesis is negligible during the measurement, the photosynthetic CO2 consumption VPCO2 and the respiratory CO2 production VRCO2 are measured according to the estimation (1) or (2), (1) for closed method, VPCO2 = k(V0 - V t)¿ F13CO2 + (F12CO2/F13CO2)F13CO2 ¿, VRCO2 = k(V0 - V t)¿ F12CO2 - (F12CO2/F13CO2)F13CO2 ¿, (2) for open method, VPCO2 = kVE ¿ (FI13CO2 - FE13CO2) + (F12CO2/F13CO2)(FI13CO2 - FE13CO2) ¿, VRCO2 = kVE ¿ (FI12CO2 - FE12CO2) - (F12CO2/F13CO2)(FI13CO2 - FE13CO2) ¿ where V0 is initial volume of growth chamber including attached flexible bag, FICO2 is the inlet or initial gas concentration of CO2 and FECO2 is the ambient gas concentration of CO2 in the chamber, V and VE are the sampling rate of mass spectrometer and the ventilation rate of the growth chamber respectively, k is the STPD conversion factor = ¿273(PB-PH2O)/760(273+tE)¿, tE(degrees C) is the ambient gas temperature. In the closed method, the gas container of the growth chamber is circulated, resulting FECO2 is varied according to the balance of consumption and production of CO2, while in the open method VE is controlled to keep FECO2 at a constant value. Both (1) and (2) methods were examined and evaluated on the measurements of komatsuna and maize.

Pharmacological properties of T-3762, a novel fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent in parenteral use. III. Chemical structures and dermovascular permeability-increasing activities.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics and chemically related compounds including the pazufloxacin methanesulfonate named T-3762 were examined for their ability to increase cutaneous vascular permeability following intradermal injection in dogs. A positive skin reaction was produced by the injection of a compound with a substituent of the piperazinyl, 4-piperizyl, 3-aminopyrolizinyl or 3-aminocyclobutyl group at the 7-position (C-7) of the quinolone skeleton at a minimum concentration of 101.8 microg/ml or less. Substitution at position 1, 6 or 8 of the ring nucleus hardly affected the activity of the compounds with the C-7 substituted piperazinyl group. The compounds with 7-positioned substituents other than the piperazinyl group showed relatively weak activity, and in particular those with the 1-aminocyclopropyl group including T-3762 were barely positive in concentrations of more than 500 microg/ml. An analysis of the three-dimensional models of the compounds with the C-7 substituted, nitrogen-containing groups revealed that the range of the geometrically optimum distance between the nitrogen and the carbon atoms was from 2.98 to 4.98 A for highly active compounds and from 2.47 to 2.65 A for weakly active compounds. In conclusion, the C-7 substituted piperazine moiety of the molecules of already-known fluoroquinolone antibiotics may be responsible for the ability to increase cutaneous vascular permeability, whereas T-3762 is practically inactive because the free amino nitrogen of the 1-aminocyclopropyl group is conformationally present at a shorter distance from the carbon atom at position 7 of the ring nucleus.

Change in heart rate variability preceding ST elevation in a patient with vasospastic angina pectoris.

A case of vasospastic angina (VSA) in a 62-year-old man with frequent ST elevation throughout the day was reported. His coronary angiogram showed that intracoronary methylergometrine had induced total occlusion due to a vasospasm. Analysis by Holter monitoring suggested that the autonomic nervous system would contribute differently to the initiation of the coronary spasm depending on whether the VSA attacks occurred during the daytime or at night. During the nighttime, the high-frequency power (HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz) decreased during the 2 min before ST elevation, and the heart rate increased immediately before ST elevation. The low-frequency power (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) and the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF) did not significantly change before ST elevation. In contrast, each of the heart rate variability components and the heart rate did not significantly change before ST elevation during the daytime. Thus, the pathophysiology of VSA during the daytime and nighttime seems to be different in its relation to autonomic tone. During the nighttime, vagal withdrawal may be a component of the mechanisms leading to VSA, while during the daytime, a change in autonomic tone may not play a major role in this case.

Role of circadian rhythmicity in the heart rate variability preceding non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.

The difference in sympathovagal activity preceding non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) was examined between patients with and without a circadian rhythm. Thirty-three patients' Holter monitoring data (41 NSVT episodes) were analyzed regarding the frequency domain measures (low-frequency component [LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz], high-frequency component [HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz], and the ratio of LF to HF [LF/HF]) for each 15-min average from 120 min before each episode of NSVT. The presence of a circadian rhythm was accepted when the rhythm adaptation was significant by cosinor analysis and the acrophase was located at night (22.00-06.00h) in HF (HF-positive group, n=17), and during the daytime (10.00-20.00h) in LF/HF (LF/HF-positive group, n=12). The negative groups were identified by the absence of a circadian rhythm (HF-negative group, n=16; LF/HF-negative group, n=21). The serial changes in the HF power before NSVT were significantly different between the HF-positive and -negative groups (p<0.05). The HF increased from 75-60 min before NSVT in the HF-positive group, whereas the HF decreased from 60-45 min in the HF-negative group. The serial changes in the LF/HF ratio were not significantly different between the LF/HF-positive and -negative groups. Thus, the circadian rhythmicity of vagal activity seems to have an important role in the genesis of NSVT.