Demagnetizing factors of the rectangular rod and cylinder magnetized uniformly along the long axis are found to be expressed by the simple and approximate expressions 1/(2n+1) and 1/[2(2n/(π)1/2) +1], respectively, where n is the dimensional ratio. The error which is the difference of the value evaluated by 1/(2n+1) from the value evaluated by the exact expression of the demagnetizing factor is less than 5.48% for the rectangular rod with n<70. The error of the value evaluated by the expression 1/[2(2n/(π)1/2) +1] for the cylinder is also found to be less than 4.25% for n<100.

This study was designed to determine baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) to hypotensive and hypertensive stimuli during the early follicular (EF), preovulation (PreOV), and midluteal (ML) phases of the menstrual cycle and to test the hypothesis that cardiovagal reflex responses to hypertensive stimuli would be altered depending on the plasma estradiol levels in healthy women. In addition, these results were compared with those of male volunteers. Fifteen healthy women with regular menstrual cycles and thirteen male volunteers were recruited. Cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity was defined as the slope of the linear portion relating R-R interval and systolic blood pressure triggered by bolus injections of nitroprusside and phenylephrine, from the overshoot phase of the Valsalva maneuver, and during spontaneous fluctuations. Three measurements were averaged in each test as a representative at each phase, and the order of phases was counterbalanced. Baroreflex sensitivities by the phenylephrine pressor test and Valsalva maneuver during the PreOV phase were significantly greater than those during the EF and ML phases but were similar to those of men. Depressor test sensitivities by nitroprusside and down-sequence spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity during the EF phase were significantly greater than those of the ML phase and of men. Significant correlations were observed between plasma estradiol concentrations and baroreflex sensitivities assessed by phenylephrine and the Valsalva maneuver. Our results indicate that baroreflex control of HR is altered during the regular menstrual cycle, and estradiol appears to exert cardiovagal modulation in healthy women.

The optical damage of 1 mol % Sc2O3-doped LiNbO3 was approximately two times smaller than an optical grade LiNbO3 measured as a function of Ar+ (λ=488 nm) irradiation time. Severe Ar+ beam distortion observed in the undoped LiNbO3 was not present in the Sc2O3-doped LiNbO3. There was negligible shift in the OH− absorption band but a 10 nm blue shift was observed in the absorption edge, indicating that Sc3+ and Mg2+ incorporation may proceed by a different mechanism. This is the first of reported results, to the authors’ knowledge, of a trivalent dopant increasing the damage resistance level in LiNbO3.

No abstract

Cancer-testis (CT) antigens were identified as a group of highly attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy because of their expression in a variety of malignant tumors but solely in the testis among the normal adult tissues. To evaluate the potential of two members of this family, MAGE-A4 and NY-ESO-1 antigens, for cancer vaccine in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), we examined the expression of these antigens and T cell infiltration in tumor tissue, and evaluated their prognostic significance. One hundred fifty-seven patients with NSCLC were studied. Reverse transcription-PCR was performed to evaluate MAGE-A4 and NY-ESO-1 expression. Immunohistochemistry was performed for NY-ESO-1 expression and T cell infiltration into the tumor site. Survival analysis was also performed. MAGE-A4 and NY-ESO-1 were expressed in 40 of 141 (28.4%) and 13 of 157 (8.3%) NSCLC respectively. Both CT antigens were more frequently expressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) than in adenocarcinoma. An inverse correlation was found between MAGE-A4 expression and patient survival in advanced stage cancers. Combined infiltration of both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells into tumor nest predicted better survival. There was no correlation, however, between lymphocyte infiltration and antigen expression in the tumor. MAGE-A4 expression in advanced group and T cell infiltration may provide prognostic information. Lastly, these CT antigens, especially MAGE-A4, may represent potential targets for cancer immunotherapy in patients with NSCLC.

We conclude that heart rate responses to both lowering and elevating blood pressure were depressed by propofol anaesthesia, and 60 min was required for their full recovery after discontinuation of propofol infusion.

No abstract

Lithium niobate single crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios were grown by the Czochralski method from melts having compositions varying between 45.5–58 mol % Li2O. Their optical damage resistance was characterized by measurement of the photoinduced birefringence change. Their crystal quality was characterized by x-ray topography and x-ray rocking curves. The photoinduced birefringence change increased with an increase in the Li content of the crystal. The Li-poor crystals, which were richer in Nb content than the crystal with the congruent composition, showed the smallest birefringence change, in spite of the fact that the x-ray rocking curve width of these Li-poor crystals was much wider than the congruent crystal. It is concluded that the optical damage resistance of undoped LiNbO3 is increased with an increase in the Nb content of the crystal, and that the crystal quality, as represented by x-ray rocking curve peak width, has no correlation with the optical damage resistance.