Improving the depth resolution of STEM-ADF sectioning by 3D deconvolution.

Although the possibility of locating single atom in three dimensions using the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) has been discussed with the advent of aberration correction technology, it is still a big challenge. In this report we have developed deconvolution routines based on maximum entropy method (MEM) and Richardson-Lucy algorithm (RLA), which are applicable to the STEM-annular dark-field (ADF) though-focus images to improve the depth resolution. The new three-dimensional (3D) deconvolution routines require a limited defocus-range of STEM-ADF images that covers a whole sample and some vacuum regions. Since the STEM-ADF probe is infinitely elongated along the optical axis, a 3D convolution is performed with a two-dimensional (2D) convolution over xy-plane using the 2D fast Fourier transform in reciprocal space, and a one-dimensional convolution along the z-direction in real space. Using our new deconvolution routines, we have processed simulated focal series of STEM-ADF images for single Ce dopants embedded in wurtzite-type AlN. Applying the MEM, the Ce peaks are clearly localized along the depth, and the peak width is reduced down to almost one half. We also applied the new deconvolution routines to experimental focal series of STEM-ADF images of a monolayer graphene. The RLA gives smooth and high-P/B ratio scattering distribution, and the graphene layer can be easily detected. Using our deconvolution algorithms, we can determine the depth locations of the heavy dopants and the graphene layer within the precision of 0.1 and 0.2 nm, respectively. Thus, the deconvolution must be extremely useful for the optical sectioning with 3D STEM-ADF images.

Correction: Identification of Novel Pre-Erythrocytic Malaria Antigen Candidates for Combination Vaccines with Circumsporozoite Protein.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159449.].

Turnover do carbono em sangue e plasma, nas fases crescimento e postura, de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) / Turnover of carbon in blood and plasma, growth stages and posture, japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

O estudo objetivou avaliar o turnover do 13C no sangue e plasma de codornas japonesas utilizando a técnica de isótopos estáveis, para a obtenção do patamar de equilíbrio isotópico que servirá de fundamento para estudos de rastreabilidade. Foram utilizadas 300 aves durante o período experimental de 1-42 e 49-97 dias de idade. Os tratamentos da primeira fase foram constituídos de dietas à base de arroz (C3), contendo ou não farinha de carne e ossos bovinos e um com dieta à base de milho (C4). Nessa primeira fase foi analisado o turnover do sinal isotópico do matrizeiro à base de dietas C4 para dietas à base de C3, como também as diferenças isotópicas das dietas contendo ou não farinha de origem animal. Na segunda fase houve uma substituição de dietas, ou seja, as aves no tratamento C4 da primeira fase passaram a consumir dieta C3, e o tratamento que antes consumia dieta C3 passou para dieta C4. Para determinar a taxa de turnover e o percentual estimado de participação da farinha na composição do material coletado, foi empregado o modelo de diluição isotópica utilizando valores do δ13C. A comparação entre as meias-vidas do sangue e plasma da primeira fase revelou o enriquecimento do δ13C na dieta; já na segunda fase foi possível observar as velocidades de incorporação após a troca das dietas...

The study aimed to evaluate the turnover of 13C in the blood and plasma of Japanese quail using the technique of stable isotopes to obtain the level of isotopic equilibrium that will be the foundation for studies of traceability. A total of 300 birds during the experimental period of 1-42 and 49-97 days of age. The first phase of the treatments consisted of diets based on rice (C3), with or without meat and beef bones and a diet based on corn (C4). This was first examined the turnover signal farm matrix isotope-based diets based diets C4 to C3, as well as isotopic differences of diets with or without animal meal In the second stage there was a substitution of diets, or C4 treatment of the first stage passes to consume C3-based diet than before treatment and diet consumed C3 to C4 diet. To determine the turnover rate and the estimated percentage of participation of flour in the composition of the collected material was used isotope dilution model using δ13C values. A comparison of the half-lives of blood and plasma from the first phase discloses the enrichment of dietary δ 13C, in the second phase was observed after incorporation speeds exchange diets...

Changes in cerebral blood flow estimated after stellate ganglion block by single photon emission computed tomography.

The validity of the hypothesis that the cerebral vasculature is under the control of sympathetic innervation was investigated using brain scintigraphy imaging before and after stellate ganglion block (SGB). The experiment with HM-PAO showed a definite increase in the blood flow of the brain on the block side on both by the dynamic images and the SPECT images. The tympanic temperature (Tty) of the block side decreased significantly after SGB, compared to the unblock side in this study, as had been reported before. This change in Tty coinsided with the increase in cerebral blood flow as mentioned above. This study demonstrated that the cerebral vasculature is under the control of sympathetic innervation, the pathway of which is relayed and/or passes through the stellate ganglion. We conclude that SGB increases intracerebral blood flow and can also exert secondary effects systemically due to CNS blood flow changes as have been previously reported.

[Reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Dementia Behavior Disturbance Scale].

Since behavioral disturbance among patients with dementia is a great burden for their caregivers, quantification of behavioral disturbance is essential in determining disease severity and assessing the impact of the disease on caregivers. However, the method of its quantification for objective assessment is not established yet. We studied the reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Dementia Behavior Disturbance Scale (DBD Scale) which was originally developed by Baumgarten et al. We also studied the relationship between DBD scores and the degree of burden felt by caregivers. Our subjects consisted of 27 cases with dementia (mean age 77.7 years), and 17 cases of patients with neurological disorders without dementia (76.8 years), and 10 institutionalized patients with dementia (82.3 years). The test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and inter-rater reliability were very good; the coefficient of correlation between DBD scores at the two interviews was 0.96, the coefficient of internal consistency was 0.95, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.71 +/- 0.10. DBD scores correlated significantly with SPMSQ errors and caregivers' burden; r = 0.54 and 0.53, respectively. Our results indicate that the DBD Scale is highly reliable, and may be useful for objective assessment of behavioral disturbance and caregivers' burden.

Effects of body and head positions on bilateral difference in tympanic temperatures.

We have examined the nonparallel changes in tympanic membrane temperatures (Tty) from the two ears in response to various changes in body and head positions. Upon assuming a lateral recumbent position, the Tty on the lower side increased while that on the upper side decreased. Pressure application over a wide area of the lateral chest only caused inconsistent and obscure asymmetric changes in Tty. A lateral flexion of the head with the subject sitting upright and a rotation of the head to the side in a supine position induced an increase in the Tty on the lower side compared to that on the upper side. The temperature and blood flow of the forehead often decreased on the lower side and increased on the upper side, although such responses were not always concomitant with the asymmetric changes in Tty. A dorsal flexion of the head with the subject in a reclining position caused a slight increase in the Tty, whereas raising the head upright induced a slight decrease in them. Two additional experiments were carried out with single photon emission computed tomography using 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime as tracer, and a slight, relative decrease in counts was noted in the right hemisphere during rotation of the head to the right. These results would strongly suggest that unilateral increases and decreases in Tty could have been caused by one-sided decreases and increases, respectively, in blood flow to the brain and/or the tympanic membrane, induced by a vasomotor reflex involving vestibular stimulation.

Frequency analysis of first heart sound for the elderly.

Frequency analysis of first heart sound in elderly and expired cases was performed to reveal changes of the cardiovascular system accompanying aging. The vibration was analyzed for isometric contraction phase or 0.06 seconds following the main vibration of first sound by means of fast Fourier transform technique, and main frequency was compared. Mean main frequencies were 43.0 +/- 15.4 cps (mean +/- SD) in 21 cases from 54 years to 69 years, 41.4 +/- 12.6 cps in 34 cases from 70 years to 79 years, 40.0 +/- 14.4 cps in 19 cases from 80 years to 89 years, and 44.2 +/- 4.5 cps in 4 cases from 90 years to 94 years. It was 44.4 +/- 8.0 cps in 6 cases with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on ECG, and 37.2 +/- 7.5 cps in 18 cases without LVH. It was 35.7 +/- 6.5 cps in 9 cases who expired and 32.6 +/- 5.8 cps in cases of those who died within a year. Though mean main frequencies were almost equal in these groups, it is higher than that of younger subjects, which suggests stiffness of the cardiovascular system of the aged. It was suggested that the stiffness of the cardiovascular system is greater than the increase in cardiac weight of elderly subjects with LVH. Mean main frequency was low in subjects who dies within a year, which may be due to cardiomegaly.

B lymphocyte differentiation and suppressor activity by T lymphocytes derived from neonatal and sucking piglets.

The capacity of porcine neonatal T and B lymphocytes was studied employing a protein A haemolytic plaque assay. Only a few peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from newborn piglets differentiated into immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing cells on stimulation by pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Newborn PBL also suppressed the differentiation of adult PBL into Ig-producing cells. This suppressive effect existed in T-cell enriched populations and appeared to be equally effective in the generation of IgG and IgM-producing cells. When newborn B lymphocytes were cocultured with T lymphocytes from adults in the PWM system, their differentiation into IgG and IgM-producing cells was enhanced. No such enhancement was seen in cocultures of newborn T and B lymphocytes. The generation of Ig-producing cells in PBL from suckling piglets increased with ageing, and reached about half the adult mean at six weeks old. On the other hand, the suppressor activity of T lymphocytes was observed throughout the suckling period, although it gradually decreased with ageing and was not consistently demonstrated by five weeks of age.