Zinc Contents of Mafic Micerals in Granitic Rocks, with Special Reference to Ore Chemistry

In order to know the reason why the Cu/Zn-Pb ratios of skarn-type deposits related with the ilmenite-series granitic rocks are markedly higher than those related with the magnetite-series, comparative mineralogical studies were carried out for the two types of granitic rocks in the Chugoku district. An attention was focused on the be-havior of Zn during the crystallization of granitic magma, because Zn contents of mafic minerals can be obtained by non-destructive electron microprobe analyses. Microscopic observation indicats that no sphalerite occurs in the magnetite-series granitic rocks, which im-plies that the magmas corresponding to the granitic rocks were undersaturated in respect to ZnS. Electron micro-probe analyses revealed that the Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of mafic minerals such as biotite and hornblende in the ilmen-ite-series granitic rocks are remarkably higher than those in the magnetite-series, and the Zn contents are posi-tively correlated with the Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios in the ilmenite-series granitic rocks. Also the Zn/Fe rations seem to be slightly higher in the ilmenite-series granitic rocks. In contrast, the correlation between Zn contents and Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios is ambiguous in magnetite-series granitic rocks. With a progress of crystallization differentiation, therefore, Zn may be removed more effectively in the il-menite-series granitic magma, and the contents may be growing scarce in the fractionated ilmenite-series granitic magma. On the other hand, magnetite-series granitic magma probably increases the Zn-contents in the advanced stage of the crystallization. The hydrothermal fluids genetically related to the fractionated magnetite-series grani-tic magma are likely to be enriched in Zn, being favorable for the formation of Zn-rich deposits

Parent-Mediated Toilet Training for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Teleconsultation: A Case Report

In defecation training, parent-mediated intervention via teleconsultation is helpful because the number of instructions for establishing defecation habits is limited. In the case report of the present study, defecation training was conducted based on gradual target setting and differential reinforcement through teleconsultation via email for a Caucasian 5-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who lived in Greece. As a result of the intervention, namely the gradual target setting and differential reinforcement, in-bowl defecations increased at home

Band engineering of a magnetic thin film rare earth monopnictide

Realizing quantum materials in few atomic layer morphologies is a key to both observing and controlling a wide variety of exotic quantum phenomena. This includes topological electronic materials, where the tunability and dimensionality of few layer materials have enabled the detection of $Z_2$, Chern, and Majorana phases. Here, we report the development of a platform for thin film correlated, topological states in the magnetic rare-earth monopnictide ($RX$) system GdBi synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy. This material is known from bulk single crystal studies to be semimetallic antiferromagnets with Neel temperature $T_N =$ 28 K and is the magnetic analog of the non-$f$-electron containing system LaBi proposed to have topological surface states. Our transport and magnetization studies of thin films grown epitaxially on BaF$_2$ reveal that semimetallicity is lifted below approximately 8 crystallographic unit cells while magnetic order is maintained down to our minimum thickness of 5 crystallographic unit cells. First-principles calculations show that the non-trivial topology is preserved down to the monolayer limit, where quantum confinement and the lattice symmetry give rise to a $C=2$ Chern insulator phase. We further demonstrate the stabilization of these films against atmospheric degradation using a combination of air-free buffer and capping procedures. These results together identify thin film $RX$ materials as potential platforms for engineering topological electronic bands in correlated magnetic materials

UDFS in shoulder surgeries

The purpose of this study was to clarify the difference in onset timing and incidence of undiagnosed finger symptom (UDFS) between various shoulder surgical procedures. In this study, UDFS symptoms included the following four symptoms in the fingers ; edema, limited range-of-motion, skin color changes, and abnormal sensations. UDFS cases were defined as those presenting with at least one UDFS. In result, the incidence rate of UDFS cases was 7.1% overall (58 / 816 shoulders), 7.4% (32 / 432) in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), 9.0% (11 / 122) in open rotator cuff repair (ORCR), 1.4% (2 / 145) in arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD), 13.2% (5 / 38) in open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), 11.1% (3 / 27) in humeral head replacement, 4.8% (1 / 21) in anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty, and 12.9% (4 / 31) in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty cases. The Rate was significantly higher with ARCR compared to ASD (p < .01). About onset timing in weeks postoperatively, the ORIF group had a statistically earlier symptom onset than the Rotator cuff repair (ARCR + ORCR) group (2.4 weeks vs. 6.0 weeks, p < .01). When classifying the onset timing into before and after the removal of the abduction pillow, the ORIF group showed a statistically higher rate of onset before brace removal than the Rotator cuff repair groups (p < .01). Differences in UDFS among shoulder surgeries were demonstrated in this study

Clinical significance of the expression of connexin26 in colorectal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Connexin26 (Cx26) is one of the connexins (Cxs) family members which form gap junction channels. Cx26 is considered to be a tumor suppressor gene. However, recent studies revealed that over expression of Cx26 is associated with a poor prognosis in several human cancers. This study investigated the correlation between Cx26 expression and the clinicopathological features and P53 expression in colorectal cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and fifty-three patients who underwent a curative resection were studied. Tissue samples were investigated by immunohistochemical staining using antibodies for Cx26 and P53. Moreover, apoptotic cells were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cx26 expression was found in 83 cases (54.2%) and P53 expression in 71 cases (46.4%). A correlation was observed between the Cx26 expression and recurrence, histology, and p53 expression (P < 0.05). Cx26 positive tumors had significantly longer survival than Cx26 negative tumors (P < 0.05). A multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that Cx26 expression was an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was observed between Cx26 and AI.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study suggests that Cx26 expression is an independent prognostic factor in patients that undergo a curative resection of colorectal cancer.</p

Circulating levels of ciliary neurotrophic factor in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been shown to decrease food intake in mouse models of obesity and to improve insulin sensitivity. It is well known that tight regulation of glucose metabolism is essential for successful gestational outcomes (e.g. fetal growth), and that abnormal insulin resistance is associated with preeclampsia (PE). To investigate the possibility that CNTF might be involved in the regulation of insulin resistance during pregnancy, circulating levels of CNTF were assessed in non-pregnant, normal pregnant, postpartum, and pregnant women with PE. Sera from healthy non-pregnant women (n10), pregnant women (n30:1st trimester;n10, 2nd trimester n10;3rd trimester;n10), postpartum women (n10), and patients with PE (n11) were studied with Western blotting. Circulating CNTF was detected by Western blotting, and the levels of CNTF in pregnant women were decreased as compared with those in non-pregnant women, and tended to decrease as pregnancy progressed. A significant decrease was found in PE as compared with normal pregnancy. Circulating CNTF might be associated with physiological and abnormal insulin resistance during pregnancy.</p

Studies of the efficacy and safety of methotrexate at dosages over 8 mg/week using the IORRA cohort database

The maximum dosage of methotrexate (MTX) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) formally approved in Japan is 8 mg/week. We intended to examine the efficacy and safety of MTX at dosages over 8 mg/week in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients using the large Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis (IORRA) cohort database. Among 9,122 patients registered in the IORRA database from the October 2000 survey to the October 2007 survey, 5,201 patients who had been treated with MTX were selected. We attempted to overcome the drawbacks innate to nonrandomized studies by using longitudinal analyses and multifactorial logistic regression analyses. Cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from the October 2007 survey indicated that dosages of MTX higher than 8 mg/week were used in 27.5% of patients treated with MTX. Longitudinal analyses based on data from three consecutive phases showed that final Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) values were significantly lower [n = 260, mean difference 0.563, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.438–0.688, P < 2.2 × 10−22, two-sided paired t test] than initial values when MTX was increased from 8 mg/week or lower to over 8 mg/week. In addition, longitudinal analyses based on data from two consecutive phases indicated decreases in DAS28 values of 0.26 ± 1.04 (n = 690, P = 6.78 × 10−11, two-sided paired t test) when MTX dosages were increased from 8 mg/week or lower to over 8 mg/week, compared with decreases of 0.07 ± 0.89 (n = 2,125, P = 0.000307) when the dosage was maintained at 8 mg/week. The decreases in DAS28 values were significantly larger in the former than the latter (P = 2.27 × 10−6, two-sided unpaired t test). Concerning safety of MTX at dosages over 8 mg/week, we performed logistic regression analysis in which the objective variable was the existence or nonexistence of self-reported side-effects and the explanatory variable was the MTX dosage in the former phase, with adjustments made for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), steroid administration, folic acid administration, concomitant pulmonary diseases, and renal dysfunction. The results indicated that MTX dosages over 8 mg/week did not have any association with either severe or severe + moderate side-effects. These data regarding both efficacy and safety of MTX at dosages over 8 mg/week in Japanese RA patients would provide the basis for use of the drug at dosages currently not formally approved by the Japanese government

O PAPEL DA MADEIRA NAS CONSTRUÇÕES COM VISTAS À SUSTENTABILIDADE

O conceito de Sustentabilidade é derivado do debate sobre o desenvolvimento sustentável, cujo marco inicial foi a primeira Conferência Internacional das Nações Unidas sobre o Ambiente Humano, realizada em 1972 em Estocolmo. Atualmente nossa sociedade enfrenta a necessidade de dar resposta a uma exigência social que tem grandes implicações no nosso sistema produtivo, em particular no setor dos materiais de construção. Entre os vários materiais considerados como tendo excelentes credenciais ambientais a madeira é um exemplo, pois é fonte renovável de recursos e possui como principal atributo a sua capacidade de redução na quantidade de CO2 na atmosfera. Neste estudo são analisadas algumas vantagens deste material e a sua contribuição para uma construção com vistas à Sustentabilidade