Measurement of type-I edge localized mode pulse propagation in scrape-off layer using optical system of motional Stark effect diagnostics in JT-60U.

Propagation of plasma ejected by type-I edge localized mode (ELM) has been measured in scrape-off layer (SOL) of the JT-60U tokamak, using optical system of motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostics as beam emission spectroscopy (BES) diagnostics through a new technique developed. This MSE/BES system measures Dalpha emission from heating neutral beam excited by collisions with the ejected plasma, as well as background light (e.g., bremsstrahlung). While spatio-temporal change in the beam emission gives information on propagation of the ejected plasma, the background light that is observed simultaneously in all spatial channels veils the information. In order to separate the beam emission and the background light, a two-wavelength detector is newly introduced into the MSE/BES system. The detector observes simultaneously at the same spatial point in two distinct wavelengths using two photomultiplier tubes through two interference filters. One of the filters is adjusted to the central wavelength of the beam emission for the MSE diagnostics, and the other is outside the beam emission spectrum. Eliminating the background light, temporal change in the net beam emission in the SOL has been evaluated. Comparing conditionally averaged beam emission with respect to 594 ELMs in a discharge at five spatial channels (0.02-0.3 m outside the main plasma near equatorial plane), radial velocity of the ELM pulse propagation in SOL is evaluated to be 0.8-1.8 km/s (approximately 1.4 km/s for least-mean-squared fitting).

Observation of an energetic-particle-driven instability in the wall-stabilized high-beta plasmas in the JT-60U tokamak.

We have observed a bursting mode in the high-beta plasmas above the ideal beta limit without a conducting wall. The mode frequency is chirping down as the mode amplitude increases, and its initial value is close to the precession frequency of the trapped energetic particle from the perpendicular neutral beams. The mode structure is radially extended with a peak around the q = 2 surface. This mode can finally trigger the resistive wall mode (RWM) despite enough plasma rotation for RWM stabilization. It is concluded that the mode is driven by trapped energetic particles. The mode is attributed to the interaction between the trapped energetic particles and a marginally stable mode in the wall-stabilized high-beta_{N} region.

A transcriptionally active maize MuDR-like transposable element in rice and its relatives.

Two Mu-like transposable elements were cloned from a rice genomic library using a partial cDNA clone that exhibits high homology to the mudrA gene of the maize element MuDR. Database searches led to the identification of six other sequences that carried highly homologous terminal inverted repeats (TIRs). All the rice elements possessed approximately 200-bp TIRs, and four were flanked by 9-bp target-site duplications (TSDs). The longer of the two cloned elements, OsMu4-2, could potentially encode a protein colinear with a MURA-like transposase, but it had stop codons in the coding region indicating that it is a pseudogene. All the other elements had large internal deletions. Direct dinucleotide repeats were found in two elements at positions flanking the deleted regions, suggesting that the deletions arose via the interrupted-gap-repair mechanism. Sequences related to empty sites of insertion were found in OsMu4-2 and one of the elements identified in the databases. These results provide evidence that the rice OsMu element was active and transposed in the past. Analysis of OsMu4-2 cDNAs revealed two types of transcripts produced by alternative splicing. Genomic Southern analysis suggested that OsMu4-2 was conserved in rice species with the A genome, but a deleted version was unique to japonica subspecies. Some wild rice species harbored paralogous copies of the OsMu element.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in an STS region linked to the Ncc-tmp1A locus are informative for characterizing the differentiation of chromosome 1A in wheat.

Homoeoalleles of Ncc confer nucleus-cytoplasm (NC) compatibility on NC hybrids of wheat with the D plasmon of Aegilops squarrosa. To dissect the chromosomal region containing Ncc, a RAPD marker linked to the Ncc-tmplA locus, which is located on chromosome 1A of T timopheevi, was sequenced and converted to a PCR-based sequence-tagged-site (STS) marker. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between T timopheevi and T turgidum. were detected in a 509-bp genomic DNA fragment. Based on the SNPs, the STS alleles in 164 accessions from emmer wheat, timopheevi wheat and two einkorn wheats, T. urartu and T. boeoticum were surveyed by PCR-RFLP analysis. The sequence comparisons and PCR-RFLP analyses revealed nine alleles based on six SNPs. These SNPs were highly conserved within each group of wheat, and all groups could be distinguished by particular combinations of the SNPs. All accessions of T. urartu had one unique STS allele as compared with the others. Our results indicate that the SNPs in the STS marker linked to the Ncc-tmplA locus would be informative for studies of the differentiation of chromosome 1A in wheat.

Identification of paternal mitochondrial DNA sequences in the nucleus-cytoplasm hybrids of tetraploid and hexaploid wheat with D and D2 plasmons from Aegilops species.

Mitochondrial (mt) DNA structures were studied in 12 nucleus-cytoplasm (NC) hybrids of tetraploid and hexaploid wheat in which nuclear genomes of the recurrent paternal wheat parents were combined with D and D2 plasmons from Aegilops species. RFLP analysis of 15 mtDNA regions indicated the presence of the paternal sequences in six regions encompassing 11 structural genes in all the NC hybrids. PCR-RFLP analysis showed that one region (a nad3-orf156 region) consisted of a mixture of the maternal, paternal and novel paternal-like sequences. The presence of unexpectedly high levels of the paternal sequences was confirmed by random PCR cloning and sequencing of this region. PCR-RFLP analysis of the random clones further showed that the relative stoichiometry of the maternal and paternal sequences varied depending on the plasmons from the maternal parents and the nuclear backgrounds of the paternal parents. Our results suggest that the differential amplification of the paternal mtDNA sequences is under the control of NC interaction in these NC hybrids.

Measurement of natural plasma flow along the field lines in the scrape-Off layer on the JT-60U divertor tokamak

The plasma profile and parallel plasma flow in the scrape-off layer (SOL) were systematically measured using reciprocating Mach probes installed at the outer midplane and near the divertor magnetic null (x point) in the JT-60U tokamak with a single null divertor. For the ion vertical drift due to the toroidal magnetic field gradient (ion nablaB drift) directed towards the divertor, SOL plasma flow along the magnetic field lines away from the divertor ("flow reversal") was discovered at the midplane far from the divertor. A quantitative evaluation of the ion "Pfirsch-Schluter flow," wherein the parallel flow is naturally produced in a toroidal plasma, was consistent with the measurement.

Volume measurement using tissue characterization of three-dimensional endoscopic ultrasonographic images.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Although it is time-consuming to measure the volume of lesions using three-dimensional endoscopic ultrasonography (3D-EUS), the technique is suitable for tissue characterization, as it allows images of multiple areas to be obtained simultaneously in uniform conditions. The present study tested automatic volume measurement using tissue characterization based on 3D-EUS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine polygonal sections of resected spleen (volume 0.66 +/- 0.19 cm3) were immersed in water, and 40 radial 3D-EUS images were obtained. For tissue characterization, the methods of co-occurrence matrix and gray-level difference and discriminant analysis were used. Each spleen section was also measured using 3D-EUS. The volume of tissue identified as spleen using tissue characterization and the volume calculated on the basis of the 3D-EUS images were both compared with the actual volume measured beforehand. Measurements using tissue characterization and 3D-EUS were carried out for every third image. In three clinical cases of cancer the volume of the lesion was measured using tissue characterization and 3D-EUS. RESULTS: The mean volume of the nine splenic sections estimated using tissue characterization was 1.2 +/- 0.41 cm3 (mean +/- SD), while the mean volume estimated with 3D-EUS imaging was 1.1 +/- 0.30 cm3 (mean +/- SD). The volumes measured using tissue characterization were on average 13% larger than those obtained with 3D-EUS. Linear regression analysis showed a high degree of correlation between the two sets of measurements (r=0.97, P<0.00005), and also showed a high correlation between the volumes obtained using tissue characterization and the actual volume (r=0.93, P<0.0005). However, the volumes calculated using 3D-EUS images were larger than the actual volume (61% on average), and the volumes estimated using tissue characterization were also greater than the actual volume. The overestimation reflected the fact that measurement was only carried out in every third 3D-EUS image. In the clinical cases, the mean value for "true" tumor tissue as determined on EUS imaging represented 73% of the volume interpreted as cancer using tissue characterization. CONCLUSIONS: There was a good correlation between the volume measured with 3D-EUS and the volume obtained using tissue characterization. The tissue characterization volumes were only relatively slightly larger than the volumes measured using 3D-EUS, suggesting that there may be some promise for this application of tissue characterization.

Homoeoallelic gene Ncc-tmp of Triticum timopheevii conferring compatibility with the cytoplasm of Aegilops squarrosa in the tetraploid wheat nuclear background.

A nuclear gene, Ncc-tmp1A, of Triticum timopheevii is required for the nucleus-cytoplasm (NC) compatibility in tetraploid NC hybrids with the cytoplasm of Aegilops squarrosa. A euploid NC hybrid of T. durum was previously produced by introgressing the gene from chromosome 1A of T. timopheevii. To examine the possible presence of a functional homoeoallele in the G genome of T. timopheevii, segregation of seed viability was studied as a marker phenotype in BC1s involving the two types of NC hybrids, (Ae. squarrosa)-T. timopheevii and (Ae. squarrosa)-T. turgidum. The result of these test crosses suggested that the G genome possesses a functional homoeoallele Ncc-tmp1G. Segregation of two RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers that were closely linked to Ncc-tmp1A was further studied among the viable BC1s obtained from a test cross of (Ae. squarrosa)-T. timopheevii x T. turgidum. Some viable BC1 segregants without the markers were obtained, suggesting a limited degree of transmission of chromosome 1G carrying Ncc-tmp1G. However, a similar RAPD analysis of BC1s obtained after backcrosses of reciprocal F1s of T. timopheevii/T. turgidum with T. turgidum showed random marker segregation. Thus, it was concluded that Ncc-tmp1A is not required for compatibility with its own cytoplasm. Southern blot analysis of the euploid NC hybrid using RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) markers on the homologous group 1 chromosomes showed that Ncc-tmp1A locates in the centromeric region.

Computational analysis of disparity modulation sensitivity: an explanation in terms of a Bayesian surface reconstruction.

Sensitivity to binocular disparity modulation has been shown to have a bandpass nature. This paper presents a computational account for the disparity modulation function (DMF) in terms of a Bayesian surface reconstruction. The Bayesian approach suggests that prior assumptions about surface structure will affect the perception of disparity modulation. Taking into account a prior constraint of surface smoothness being imposed on the perceived surfaces, we propose that computing the first derivatives of the surfaces determines the bandpass shape of the DMF. Based on this idea, we derive an analytical prediction of the DMF. It is then shown that the prediction gives a good fit to the empirical data. Implications for possible mechanisms underlying the DMF are discussed.

The effect of age on retrieval of local anesthetic solution from the epidural space.

UNLABELLED: We conducted this prospective study to determine whether advancing age is correlated with retrieval of local anesthetic solution from the epidural space. Three hundred forty-six patients (ASA physical status I or II, 20-93 yrs of age, 177 female and 169 male patients) undergoing epidural anesthesia were enrolled. The epidural space was identified by a loss of resistance technique using air, and a catheter was introduced 3 cm. Three milliliters of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine was injected as a study dose by hand at a rate of 1 mL/s with the patient in the supine position. The syringe was immediately aspirated to retrieve the local anesthetic solution. A retrieved volume of 0.5 mL or more with a glucose concentration less than 6 mg/dL was defined as retrieval positive, and a volume of less than 0.5 mL was defined as retrieval negative. There was a significant correlation between age and retrieval volume among all the patients (Y = 0.008X-0.222, P < 0.0001) with a significant increase in the positive retrieval incidence and volume from the patients in their 50s (11%, 0.6 +/- 0.3 mL) to the patients in their 60s (26%, 1.0 +/- 0.6 mL) (P < 0.05 for both). The incidence of positive retrieval and the retrieval volume were greater in the patients in their 60s and older (30%, 1.1 +/- 0.63 mL) than in the younger than 60 (10%, 0.6 +/- 0.3 mL) (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001). The glucose concentration was 2.3 +/- 1.2 mg/dL in the positive cases. We conclude that there is a weak positive correlation between age and the local anesthetic solution retrieved from the epidural space. IMPLICATIONS: We conducted a study in 346 patients to determine whether advancing age could be correlated with retrieval of local anesthetic solution from the epidural space. We found a weak positive correlation between advanced age and the amount of solution retrievable from the epidural space. Further studies are required to determine whether this phenomenon may call for dose adjustments in patients aged more than 60 yrs.

RAPD markers linked to the nuclear gene from Triticum timopheevii that confers compatibility with Aegilops squarrosa cytoplasm on alloplasmic durum wheat.

Alien cytoplasms cause a wide range of phenotypic alterations in the nucleus-cytoplasm (NC) hybrids in the Triticeae. Nuclear genomes of timopheevii wheat (Triticum timopheevii and Triticum araraticum) are fully compatible with the cytoplasm of Aegilops squarrosa, while those of a majority of emmer or durum wheat cultivars and more than half the wild emmer wheats are incompatible, and a maternal 1D chromosome is required to restore seed viability and male fertility in the NC hybrids. A euploid NC hybrid of Triticum durum cv. Langdon with Ae. squarrosa cytoplasm produced by introgressing the NC compatibility (Ncc) gene from T. timopheevii was used to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to it. After a survey of 200 random decamer primers, four markers were selected, all of which were completely linked in 64 individuals of a SB8 mapping population. One marker was derived from a single locus, while three others were from interspersed repetitive sequences. Also, the hybrid chromosomes and those of the parental T. durum had identical C-banding patterns. RAPD-PCR analysis of 65 accessions from wild and cultivated tetraploid wheat species showed the exclusive presence of the markers in timopheevii wheat. In conclusion, the chromosomal region flanking Ncc of T. timopheevii is highly conserved in the genome of this group of tetraploid wheats.

Callus induction, regeneration of haploid plants and chromosome doubling in ovule cultures of pot gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii).

Gynogenetic plants of pot gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) were successfully produced from cultures of unpollinated ovulesin vitro. Genotypic variations in the number of ovules that formed callus were found among the lines tested. One particularly responsive genotype was found among 17 genotypes tested where the frequency of callus-forming ovules was 17.5%. Four genotypes formed no callus at all. The frequency of shoot formation from the callus varied from 0-19.6% in nine genotypes. Ploidy was determined by flow cytometry, and 37 (80.4%) regenerants were haploid, seven (15.2%) were diploid, and two (4.3%) were mixoploid with both haploid and diploid cells. The doubling of chromosomes was achieved by treatment with 0.05% colchicine for 2-6 din vitro, and 24.2-34.1% of treated haploid plants were found to have been diploidized.

Determination of the distance between the laryngoscope blade and the upper incisors during direct laryngoscopy: comparisons of a curved, an angulated straight, and two straight blades.

We compared visibility and dental complications from a variety of blades during tracheal intubation. Ninety-eight patients who received tracheal intubation were enrolled. They were divided into two groups: Study 1 (n = 50) and Study 2 (n = 48). Four laryngoscopic evaluations were planned for each patient using Miller and Wisconsin straight blades with different heel heights, a Macintosh curved blade, and a Belscope angulated straight blade (Study 1: Miller No. 3, Wisconsin No. 3, Macintosh No. 4, and Belscope medium; and Study 2: Miller No. 2, Wisconsin No. 2, Macintosh No. 3, and Belscope medium, respectively). All laryngoscopies were performed by the same anesthesiologist. The distance between the blade and the upper central incisors was measured when the optimum visibility of the glottis was obtained. The visibility was determined according to the Cormack and Lehane grading. Analysis of the distance between the blade and upper incisors was performed using the results of the 44 patients (166 distances) in Study 1 and the 48 patients (181 distances) in Study 2 who had a visibility of two or better. The Belscope blade provided a significantly greater visual field than the other types of blade. Two patients sustained a fracture of the central incisor and subluxation of the central incisor, respectively, during laryngoscopy in which a Wisconsin blade was used. The average incidence of dental injury was 1/191. The Belscope blade may contribute to a reduced likelihood of upper dental injuries during laryngoscopy.

End-tidal sevoflurane concentrations for laryngeal mask airway insertion and for tracheal intubation in children.

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane, a new inhalational anesthetic agent characterized by a low blood-gas partition coefficient and nonpungent odor, appears suitable as an induction agent for children. The laryngeal mask airway is a new device for maintaining airway patency during anesthesia. This study was conducted to determine the sevoflurane concentrations required for insertion of a laryngeal mask (MACLMI) and for tracheal intubation (MACTI) in children. METHODS: Forty-two patients, aged 1-9 yr, scheduled for surgery during general anesthesia were randomly assigned into two groups: MACLMI (n = 21) and MACTI (n = 21). After the predetermined end-tidal concentration had been established and maintained for 20 min, laryngeal mask insertion or tracheal intubation was attempted without neuromuscular relaxants or other adjuvants. Each concentration at which laryngeal mask insertion or tracheal intubation was attempted was predetermined by the up-and-down method (with 0.5% as a step size). RESULTS: Sevoflurane MACLMI was 2.00 +/- 0.28%. Sevoflurane MACTI was 2.83 +/- 0.34%, significantly greater than MACLMI. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal mask insertion can be performed at a lesser sevoflurane concentration than that required for tracheal intubation.

Determination of end-tidal sevoflurane concentration for tracheal intubation and minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration in adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine both the concentration of sevoflurane required for tracheal intubation (MACEI) and its minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) in adults. The study group consisted of 86 elective surgical patients, ASA physical status I or II, aged 16-59 yr. There was no premedication administered. For MACEI determination, after establishing and maintaining the predetermined end-tidal concentration for 20 min, tracheal intubation was attempted using a cuffed tracheal tube without muscle relaxant or other adjuvants. Each concentration at which tracheal intubation was attempted was predetermined as follows: 2.5%, 3.0%, 3.5%, 4.0%, 4.5%, 5.0%, 5.5%, 6.0%, 6.5%, and 7.0%. For MAC determination, the patients examined were basically the same as those for MACEI determination, except for those who received muscle relaxant or other adjuvants because they were "not intubated smoothly." After establishing and maintaining the predetermined end-tidal concentration for 20 min, skin incision was attempted. Each concentration at which skin incision was attempted was predetermined as follows: 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0%. The MACEI of sevoflurane was 4.52% (95% confidence limits, 3.91%-5.21%), and the ED95 for tracheal intubation was 8.07%. The MAC of sevoflurane was 1.58% (95% confidence limits, 1.14%-1.98%), and the AD95 (anesthetic ED95) was 2.96%. The MACEI/MAC ratio was 2.86 (95% confidence limits, 2.63-3.43). Anesthesia induction followed by tracheal intubation can be accomplished in adults when sevoflurane is administered as a sole anesthetic, but in excess of 8% end-tidal concentration.

Intraoperative combined administration of indomethacin and buprenorphine suppositories as prophylactic therapy for post-open-cholecystectomy pain.

Buprenorphine and indomethacin are quite different pharmacologically. The objective of this study was to determine the analgesic effect from their combined administration in suppository form. Eighty patients undergoing open cholecystectomy under nitrous oxide-oxygen-sevoflurane anesthesia, in addition to epidural anesthesia using lidocaine, were divided into four groups: Group A received buprenorphine 0.4 mg and indomethacin 50 mg; Group B, buprenorphine 0.4 mg; Group C, indomethacin 50 mg; and Group D, no drug. The drugs were administered after induction of general anesthesia. One patient was withdrawn because of the administration of the wrong drug. Patients in Group A required fewer analgesics, had a longer period of analgesic effect from the end of surgery, and enjoyed a better pain score. This group also included more patients who required no analgesics. We conclude that the combined administration of opioid and nonopioid suppositories may provide far better prophylactic analgesia than a single drug.

A "bubble-tip" (Airguide) tracheal tube system: its effects on incidence of epistaxis and ease of tube advancement in the subglottic region during nasotracheal intubation.

Epistaxis and tubal obstruction in the subglottic region are difficulties encountered during nasotracheal intubation. Trauma to the nasal airway must be avoided, especially in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. In addition, smooth passage of the tracheal tube through the larynx is desired. The tip of an Airguide tracheal tube system has a soft, round, glossy balloon head which should be less traumatic to the nasal mucosa than other more commonly used tubes. We, therefore, determined whether the Airguide reduces the incidence of epistaxis and increases smooth passage of the tracheal tube in the subglottic region during nasotracheal intubation. Sixty-six patients were divided into two groups, Airguide (n = 39) and Standard (n = 27). Each group was divided into two subgroups, topical epinephrine application as a mucosal decongestant and non-epinephrine. The incidences of epistaxis and smooth passage were compared between the two groups. The Airguide group had a significantly lower incidence of epistaxis (9/39 vs 13/26; P < 0.05; bleeding was not checked in one patient in the Standard group) and provided a significantly smoother passage in the subglottic region than the Standard group (tube impingement in the subglottic region, 0/39 vs 11/27; P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the incidence of epistaxis between the subgroups with and without topical application of epinephrine. The Airguide helps to minimize epistaxis and increases navigability in the subglottic region during nasotracheal intubation.