On the Apparent Activation Energy for Clustering in Dilute Al-Zn Alloys

The clustering phenomenon was observed when dilute Al-Zn alloys were annealed at temperatures higher than the solvus of the G.P.zones. In this report the apparent activation energy for clustering is estimated and compared with the experimental results. The estimated value of the apparent activation energy for clustering in several Al-Zn alloys comes to 0.51 eV, which is larger than the effective migration energy 0.43 eV of Zn atoms in Al-Zn alloys

Comparative Study of 5-Day and 10-Day Cefditoren Pivoxil Treatments for Recurrent Group A β-Hemolytic Streptococcus pharyngitis in Children

Efficacy of short-course therapy with cephalosporins for treatment of group A β-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis is still controversial. Subjects were 226 children with a history of at least one episode of GABHS pharyngitis. Recurrence within the follow-up period (3 weeks after initiation of therapy) occurred in 7 of the 77 children in the 5-day treatment group and in 1 of the 149 children in the 10-day treatment group; the incidence of recurrence being significantly higher in the 5-day treatment group. Bacteriologic treatment failure (GABHS isolation without overt pharyngitis) at follow-up culture was observed in 7 of the 77 children in the 5-day treatment group and 17 of the 149 children in the 10-day treatment group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups. A 5-day course of oral cephalosporins is not always recommended for treatment of GABHS pharyngitis in children who have repeated episodes of pharyngitis

Pelvimetry with smaller radiation field by CC･DR system- An examination on applying to lateral radiography of the pelvis (Guthmann) ―

100万画素CCDカメラを用いたI.I.-DR装置(CC･DRシステム)をX線骨盤計測に適用するため,被曝線量をはじめとするいくつかの点を検討した｡照射野内の被曝線量は従来の高感度Screen-Film システムであるG12/HRSと同等以下に抑えることが可能であった｡また,CC･DRシステムの9インチ円形照射野は一般的に用いられている大角フィルム面積の1/3であり,胎位の95%を占めるといわれている頭位の撮影においては胎児の生殖腺はもちろん, 赤色骨髄を多く含む脊椎への被曝を大幅に低減できた｡また,新たに開発された距離計測ソフトウェアーの正確度は良好で,通常lmm以下の誤差で測定が可能であることを確認した。その他,装置に標準装備されている自動露出機構の特性についても報告し,最後に撮影時の留意点についても検討した｡To apply CC･DR system (image intensifier digital radiography system including one million pixel CCD camera)to X-ray pelvimetry, We examined exposure dose of X-ray, radiation field, and accuracy of X-ray pelvimetry by the system. The hazards of radiation by CC･DR system were less than those of radiation by G12/HRS which is high sensitive screen-film system. 9 inch round radiation field by CC・DR system was one third of the area of 14×14 inch film. In cephalic presentation which occurs in about 95% of pregnancies, the damages of radiation by CC･DR system to fetal gonads and spinal bones including bone marrow much were less than those by usual X-ray examination. The accuracy of a distance measuring software devised newly for pelvimetry was reliable, and we could measure diameters with less than 1 mm deviations. Also we report the characteristics of automatic exposure controller annexed to this TV system and enumerate points to which we pay attention on taking a radiograph. Furthermore, It is expected that CC･DR system was useful to apply to superio-interior pelviography (Martius)

Predicting the Start of the Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Female Adult Biting Season Using the Spring Temperature in Japan

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) is distributed widely and is common in much of Japan. In Japan, female adults begin to bite in between April and June, except in the southern subtropics where the mosquito has no dormant period. It is difficult to estimate the first Ae. albopictus biting day because it varies annually depending on the location. Over several years, we surveyed the mosquitoes at different locations that covered a range of warmer to cooler areas of Japan. We found an association between the timing of first biting day by Ae. albopictus and spring temperature. In spring months, the strongest correlation was found with mean April temperatures, followed by March. Based on these data, it may, therefore, be possible to apply a simple formula to predict the timing of the first biting day at various geographical locations in Japan. Forecasting maps were created using a simple prediction formula. We found that the first biting day for Ae. albopictus changed depending on early spring temperatures for each year. There was an approximate 20-d difference in first biting day between years with warmer and cooler springs. This prediction model will provide useful insight for planning and practice of Ae. albopictus control programs, targeting larvae and adults, in temperate regions globally.ArticleJournal of Medical Entomology.54(6):1519-1524(2017)journal articl

Bilateral Renal Cell Carcinoma and its Treatment

A report is presented on two cases of bilateral renal cell carcinoma together with a review of the literature. Bilateral renal cell carcinoma is rare and there is much controversy concerning its treatment. Our current experience supports conservative therapy for bilateral renal cell carcinoma

Geospatial analysis of invasion of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus: competition with Aedes japonicus japonicus in its northern limit area in Japan

The mosquito Aedes albopictus, indigenous to Southeast Asia and nearby islands, has spread almost worldwide during recent decades. We confirm the invasion of this mosquito, first reported in Yamagata city in northeast Honshu, Japan in 2000. Previously, only Ae. japonicus japonicus had been collected in this place, but 2 years later, the population of Ae. albopictus had increased, so more than 80% of the total number of larval colonies there consisted of this species. In contrast to Yamagata’s new residential area, now infested by Ae. albopictus, the original mosquito remains in the city but its habitats are generally closer to the surrounding mountains, where the normalized difference vegetation index is higher. The factors affecting the distribution of both species in Yamagata city were studied using geographical information systems (GIS) based on data derived from field surveys, aerial photographs, satellite images and digital maps. The range of Aedes mosquito habitats was estimated and visualised on polygon maps and no significant differences were noted when the polygon area was calculated by GIS software in comparison with the satellite images. Although Ae. j. japonicus was expected to be rapidly overrun by Ae. albopictus, this did not happen. Currently, both species coexist; not only in separate sites, but also simultaneously in various water bodies, where larvae from both species have frequently been seen. However, the competitive relationship between these two Aedes species within a warming environment is an issue that should be closely monitored