Fast-ion Dα spectroscopy diagnostic at KSTAR.

A fast-ion Dα (FIDA) diagnostics system was installed for core and edge measurements on KSTAR. This system has two tangential FIDA arrays that cover both blue- and redshifted Dα lines (cold: 656.09 nm) in active views along the neutral beam 1 A centerline. The spectral band is 647-662.5 nm, and it covers the Doppler shift of the emission from the maximum energy of the neutral beam (100 keV). A curved filter strip with a motorized stage adequately prevents saturation of the electron multiplying charge-coupled device signal by the cold Dα line from the plasma edge. From comparisons of the measured spectra and FIDASIM modeling code, the FIDA spectra are well matched quantitatively. Moreover, the first measurements show that the FIDA radiance agrees with the neutron rate in the time trace during external heating and perturbation. In addition, responses are observed in the core FIDA radiance during the edge-localized mode cycle.

Calibration methods of X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer on KSTAR.

The detailed calibration methods and procedure for the X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer (XICS) in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research device are investigated. A cross comparison from two different diagnostics including the XICS and charge exchange spectrometer is the best option, in particular, when both systems can be operated simultaneously.

The analysis of scalp irritation by coacervates produced in hair shampoo via FTIR with focal plane array detector, X-ray photoelectron microscopy and HaCaT cells.

OBJECTIVE: Coacervates are inevitably formed on scalp on using hair washing products. Our goal was to analyse the coacervates in detail to identify the part responsible for scalp stimulation. METHODS: Shampoo that increases coacervate formation was applied to in vitro skin and was washed. The residue was then analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-focal plane array (FTIR-FPA) and X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS). And HaCaT cells were used for irritant test of coacervate. RESULTS: Through this research, it was confirmed that the coacervate was a macromolecule structurally similar to a cationic polymer and contains an anionic surfactant. Its anionic surfactant was structurally semi-stable so that it released onto scalp when it absorbs moisture. CONCLUSION: Coacervate releases sulphate bonding into the matrix when it is exposed to water. Thus, the scalp stimulation would be expected.

Experimental results from an X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer utilizing multi-wire proportional counter for KSTAR.

The inconsistency of the first experimental results from the X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer for the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research device utilizing a multi-wire proportional counter (MWPC) is clarified after improving the photon-count rate of the data acquisition system for the MWPC and ground loop isolator for the whole spectrometer system. The improved MWPC is successfully applied to pure Ohmic plasmas as well as plasmas with high confinement modes.

Emphysematous phenotype is an independent predictor for frequent exacerbation of COPD.

SETTING: Frequent exacerbation is an important phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while emphysema is associated with many comorbidities and lung function decline. OBJECTIVE: To investigate unique features of frequent exacerbators and test the hypothesis that emphysematous phenotype is associated with frequent exacerbations of COPD. METHODS: A total of 380 COPD patients were recruited from 16 hospitals in Korea from June 2005 to April 2012 for analysis. We searched for independent predictors of frequent exacerbators in comparison with non-exacerbators. RESULTS: As the severity of emphysema increased, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC (forced volume capacity) worsened; hyperinflationary features characterised by higher total lung capacity (TLC) were observed (P < 0.05). Frequent exacerbators had lower body mass index (BMI), higher St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, higher residual volume (RV)/TLC, more severe airflow limitation (lower FEV1 and FEV1/FVC), lower carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, lower serum protein levels and a higher emphysema index than non-exacerbators (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, frequent exacerbators were independently associated with a higher emphysema index, lower serum protein levels and higher RV/TLC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data show that the severity of emphysema, severe static hyperinflation and serum lower protein levels are independent predictors of frequent exacerbations in COPD patients.

Magnetism in single metalloorganic complexes formed by atom manipulation.

The magnetic properties of molecular structures can be tailored by chemical synthesis or bottom-up assembly at the atomic scale. We used scanning tunneling microscopy to study charge and spin transfer in individual complexes of transition metals with the charge acceptor, tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). The complexes were formed on a thin insulator, Cu2N on Cu(100), by manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. The Cu2N layer decouples the complexes from Cu electron density, enabling direct imaging of the TCNE molecular orbitals as well as spin-flip inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy. Results were obtained at low temperature down to 1 K and in magnetic fields up to 7 T in order to resolve splitting of spin states in the complexes. We also performed spin-polarized density functional theory calculations to compare with the experimental data. Our results indicate that charge transfer to TCNE leads to a change in spin magnitude, Kondo resonance, and magnetic anisotropy for the metal atoms.

Living-donor liver transplantation in patients with concurrent active tuberculosis at transplantation.

SETTING: Although active tuberculosis (TB) is a contraindication for liver transplantation (LT), LT may be the only possible treatment option in patients with irreversible liver failure and concurrent TB. OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome of LT in patients with concurrent TB and liver failure. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes of nine LT recipients with concurrent TB in Korea, an intermediate TB burden country. RESULTS: The primary causes of living-donor LT (LDLT) in nine patients were anti-tuberculosis drug-induced fulminant hepatic failure (n = 4) and end-stage liver disease (n = 5). The sites of active TB were the lungs (n = 5), lymph nodes (n = 3) and pleura (n = 1). After LDLT, most patients were treated with less hepatotoxic drugs, including fluoroquinolones, ethambutol and cycloserine; none was treated with pyrazinamide. One patient experienced acute rejection, probably attributable to an interaction between rifampicin and cyclosporine. All nine patients, including one taking rifabutin, successfully completed anti-tuberculosis treatment and have been followed up for a median of 926 days after LDLT, without relapse of TB. CONCLUSION: When properly managed, the prognosis of LDLT recipients with concurrently active TB at transplantation is very favourable. The current protocol, which considers active TB an absolute contraindication for LT, should be modified or relaxed, particularly for patients with LDLT.

Culturally competent methods to promote organ donation rates among African-Americans using venues of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

BACKGROUND: The diversity of the nation is one of society's greatest assets, but this feature is overshadowed by the disproportionate burden of disease that exists among America's minorities. Evidence of the disparate health status has been documented in low life expectancy, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, and kidney disease as well as a plethora of disorders that necessitate organ transplantation. Many minorities have been reluctant to register to become organ donors. This circumstance can be alleviated by educating the public regarding the necessity of organ transplantation. We have developed a "unique" collaborative outreach program designed to promote acceptance of organ donation in African-Americans (AAs). Our outreach curriculum at Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has resulted in increased registrations and awareness regarding the need and positive perceptions toward donation. METHODS: We developed a culturally sensitive outreach program: cultural sensitivity indicates how culture has the ability to influence communication between patients and health providers. An "Outreach Promotional Contest" was strategically targeted toward 28 Ohio BMVs to promote and assist in an outreach educational program regarding organ donation/registry. RESULTS: The consequence/results has been an increase of 3.4% in the BMV locations. The one BMV, with the highest increase was attended predominantly by AAs which moreover, won first place in the contest (6.425%; P < .05). CONCLUSION: To increase the number of people willing to register, we believe that both community education regarding the need and importance, as well as culturally sensitive promotion of organ donation, is the best way to increase organ donor registries particularly among minority populations.

Effects of the surface pH on interfacial interactions of collagen-elastin matrix.

This study is aimed to elucidate the effects of surface pH of bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) on their binding property to calcium and protein. It is hypothesized that the binding affinities of the BHV for calcium and protein are surface pH dependent. To test this hypothesis, collagen-elastin matrix (CEM) made of varying ratios of collagen and elastin were used as calcifiable matrices to simulate the calcium binding process of BHV. The calcium binding profiles of CEM, whose surface pHs were adjusted at 3.4, 5.0 or 7.4, were examined by either incubating CEM in the buffer solutions containing various calcium concentrations or implanting CEM in the rat subcutaneous model. The amounts of calcium and protein bound to CEM decreased as the surface pH of CEM decreased. The calcium level in the CEM (pH 7.4) was 2.32+/-0.8 as compared with 1.23+/-0.35 (microg/mg) in CEM (pH 3.4). The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) was in a reciprocal relationship with the surface pH. This study demonstrated that the affinity of CEM for calcium is surface pH dependent and provided basic information about the role of surface properties in BHV calcification.

Synthesis and biological activity of conformationally controlled 2-PAM derivatives.

A series of conformationally controlled 2-PAM derivatives were prepared from 2-acetylpyridine and 2,3-pyrido[b]cycloalkenones in two steps and their reactivities towards parathion poisoned AChE were evaluated. The most planar 2,3-pyrido[b]cyclohexanone oxime methiodide showed an activity comparable to 2-PAM implying E-syn is that the most active conformation of 2-PAM in the biological system.

Synthesis of the quinoline-linked triazolopyrimidine analogues and their interactions with the recombinant tobacco acetolactate synthase.

Acetolactate synthase (ALS) is the first common enzyme in the biosynthesis of L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine. Triazolopyrimidine sulfonamide (TP) is a mixed-type inhibitor of ALS with respect to both pyruvate and thiamine pyrophosphate. In this study, we synthesized new substituted quinoline-linked TP analogues and several TP analogues which contained either unsubstituted aminoquinolines or amino isoquinolines. In addition, we examined the interactions of both the wild-type and the sulfonylurea-resistant recombinant tobacco ALS enzymes in a highly pure and active form with the quinoline-linked TP analogues, respectively. The wild-type tobacco ALS was extremely sensitive to inhibition by the quinoline-linked TP analogues. In contrast, the mutant tobacco ALS was insensitive to both the quinoline-linked triazolopyrimidine and the sulfonylurea herbicides. The results indicate that the ability of the quinoline-linked TP analogues to inhibit ALS is highly sensitive to substitution at the ortho position (C-7) and to the position of the ring nitrogen around the sulfonamide functionality (C-8).

Surgical treatment of mandibular prognathism in collaboration with orthodontic treatment in Korea.

Mandibular prognathism is defined by John Hunter as follows: "The lower jaw projecting too far forward so that the foreteeth pass before those of the upper jaw, therefore disfigurement and malocclusion are two of the main facial characteristics." Other distinguishing features are the coexistence of class III malocclusion, incomplete closure of lip, deviation of the midline, and decrease of labiomental fold. Generally, the functional occlusal relationship and balanced facial harmony cannot be obtained by surgical or orthodontic treatment alone. Its success depends on careful conjoint, supplementary diagnostic, and treatment planning. As a cardinal principle the authors made the following combined surgical and orthodontic treatment plans: (1) Orthodontic treatment relocates and decompensates the malpositioned teeth (remove the masking effect of teeth) and, therefore, skeletal deformity is exposed maximally. (2) Surgical treatment eliminates the maximally exposed skeletal defect. Therefore, dramatic facial balance and functional occlusal relationship are obtained. Treatment planning includes the pre- and postoperative orthodontic treatment, lateral cephalometric prediction tracing (LCPT), and model surgery with dental cast. The authors made it easy with the use of an acrylic dental wafer to coordinate exact occlusal relationship after surgery. We treated mandibular prognathism by using Dautrey's modification of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) (10 cases) and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) (5 cases) and sometimes additional genioplasty (2 cases). IVRO was used in those cases where (1) the amount of setback was more than 10 mm and (2) where there was a flat gonial angle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)