Flow measurements via two-particle azimuthal correlations in Au + Au collisions at sqrt [s(NN)]=130 GeV

Two-particle azimuthal correlation functions are presented for charged hadrons produced in Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (sqrt [s(NN)]=130 GeV). The measurements permit determination of elliptic flow without event-by-event estimation of the reaction plane. The extracted elliptic flow values (v2) show significant sensitivity to both the collision centrality and the transverse momenta of emitted hadrons, suggesting rapid thermalization and relatively strong velocity fields. When scaled by the eccentricity of the collision zone epsilon, the scaled elliptic flow shows little or no dependence on centrality for charged hadrons with relatively low p(T). A breakdown of this epsilon scaling is observed for charged hadrons with pT >1.0 GeV/c.

Female preponderance of Parkinson's disease in Japan

A male preponderance of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been reported in European countries and the USA. To verify this issue in Japanese patients with PD, we examined the age- and gender-specific prevalence of PD in Yamagata Prefecture (population 1,244,040), Japan. The prevalence of PD was 61.3/100,000 men and 91.0/100,000 women, showing that women were significantly more affected by PD than men (p < 0.001). Contrary to the findings in Europe and the USA, the results indicate a female preponderance of PD among the Japanese population.

Measurement of Lambda and Lambda(macro) particles in Au+Au collisions at the square root of S(NN) = 130 GeV

We present results on the measurement of Lambda and Lambda(macro) production in Au+Au collisions at square root of (S (NN) = 130 GeV with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The transverse momentum spectra were measured for minimum bias and for the 5% most central events. The Lambda;/Lambda ratios are constant as a function of p(T) and the number of participants. The measured net Lambda density is significantly larger than predicted by models based on hadronic strings (e.g., HIJING) but in approximate agreement with models which include the gluon-junction mechanism.

Net charge fluctuations in Au + Au interactions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV

Data from Au + Au interactions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV, obtained with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider, are used to investigate local net charge fluctuations among particles produced near midrapidity. According to recent suggestions, such fluctuations may carry information from the quark-gluon plasma. This analysis shows that the fluctuations are dominated by a stochastic distribution of particles, but are also sensitive to other effects, like global charge conservation and resonance decays.

Measurement of analyzing power for proton-carbon elastic scattering in the coulomb-nuclear interference region with a 22-GeV/c polarized proton beam

The analyzing power for proton-carbon elastic scattering in the Coulomb-nuclear interference region of momentum transfer, 9.0x10(-3)<-t<4.1x10(-2) (GeV/c)(2), was measured with a 21.7 GeV/c polarized proton beam at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron of Brookhaven National Laboratory. The ratio of hadronic spin-flip to nonflip amplitude, r(5), was obtained from the analyzing power to be Rer(5)=0.088+/-0.058 and Imr(5)=-0.161+/-0.226.

Deformities of the elbow in achondroplasia

Lack of full extension of the elbow is a common abnormality in patients with achondroplasia. We studied 23 patients (41 elbows) clinically and radiologically. Extension of the elbow was assessed clinically and the angle of posterior bowing of the distal humerus was measured from lateral radiographs.

There was limited extension of the elbow in 28 (68.3%) and the mean loss of extension was 13.1°. Posterior bowing of the humerus was seen in all elbows with a mean angle of 17.0°. There was a positive correlation between these two measurements. Posterior bowing greater than 20° caused a loss of full elbow extension. Posterior dislocation of the radial head was seen in nine elbows (22.0%). The mean loss of extension of the elbows was 28.7° which was significantly greater than that of these elbows in which the head was not dislocated (8.7°), although posterior bowing was not significantly different between these two groups (19.3° and 16.3°).

Posterior bowing of the distal humerus is a principal cause of loss of extension of the elbow. Posterior dislocation of the radial head causes further limitation of movement in the more severely affected joints.

Centrality dependence of pi(+/-), K(+/-), p, and (-)p production from sqrt[s(NN)] = 130 GeV Au + Au collisions at RHIC

Identified pi(+/-), K(+/-), p, and (-)p transverse momentum spectra at midrapidity in sqrt[s(NN)] = 130 GeV Au+Au collisions were measured by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC as a function of collision centrality. Average transverse momenta increase with the number of participating nucleons in a similar way for all particle species. Within errors, all midrapidity particle yields per participant are found to be increasing with the number of participating nucleons. There is an indication that K(+/-), p, and (-)p yields per participant increase faster than the pi(+/-) yields. In central collisions at high transverse momenta (p(T) > or =2 GeV/c), (-)p and p yields are comparable to the pi(+/-) yields.

Transverse-mass dependence of two-pion correlations in Au+Au collisions at square root[s(NN)] = 130 GeV

Two-pion correlations in square root[s(NN)] = 130 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC have been measured over a broad range of pair transverse momentum k(T) by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC. The k(T) dependent transverse radii are similar to results from heavy-ion collisions at square root[s(NN)] = 4.1, 4.9, and 17.3 GeV, whereas the longitudinal radius increases monotonically with beam energy. The ratio of the outwards to sidewards transverse radii (R(out)/R(side)) is consistent with unity and independent of k(T).

Measurement of single electrons and implications for charm production in Au+Au collisions at square root[s(NN)] = 130 GeV

Transverse momentum spectra of electrons from Au+Au collisions at square root[s(NN)] = 130 GeV have been measured at midrapidity by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The spectra show an excess above the background from photon conversions and light hadron decays. The electron signal is consistent with that expected from semileptonic decays of charm. The yield of the electron signal dN(e)/dy for p(T) > 0.8 GeV/c is 0.025+/-0.004(stat)+/-0.010(syst) in central collisions, and the corresponding charm cross section is 380+/-60(stat)+/-200(syst) microb per binary nucleon-nucleon collision.

Type 2 diabetes is not a risk factor for asymptomatic ischemic brain lesion--the Funagata study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to clarify whether type 2 diabetes (DM) is a risk factor for asymptomatic (silent) ischemic brain lesion, which is controversial at present.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The subjects (n=187), who showed normal results on both neurological and neuropsychological examinations, underwent a 75-g OGTT and were examined by brain MRI on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) images. Their brain MRIs were evaluated quantitatively with the ischemia rating scale defined here. The subjects were grouped based on their glucose tolerance: normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n=48), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n=62), and DM (n=65). The subjects with DM were further divided based on their duration of illness: 20 with short duration (short DM: 1.3+0.8 years) and 45 with long duration (long DM; 8.9+/-5.4 years). Ages were matched among the groups.

RESULTS

The percentages of individuals with asymptomatic ischemic brain lesion were 81% in NGT, 74% in IGT, 65% in short DM, and 78% in long DM. No significant difference was observed among the groups in terms of the percentage. Namely, even in individuals with a long history of DM without clinical stroke, the prevalence of asymptomatic ischemic brain lesion was not different from that of the other groups. Multiple regression and multiple logistic regression analyses showed that age and hypertension were significant independent risk factors for asymptomatic ischemic brain lesion, whereas hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and glucose intolerance, including IGT, short DM and long DM, were not.

CONCLUSION

DM is not a risk factor for asymptomatic ischemic brain lesion.

Rayleigh-Bénard convection with an inclined upper boundary

We report experiments on thermally driven convection of a high-Prandtl-number fluid with an inclined upper boundary. For an inclined angle greater than the critical value, we observed a few new convection patterns, in which laterally migrating convection cells and plumes appear simultaneously and a large-scale flow is induced from the inclined upper boundary. The plumes induced from the inclined upper boundary activate the temperature fluctuations, resulting in the formation of a large-scale horizontal heat transfer with a lateral scale larger than that of each convection cell. The critical angle for the onset of the lateral migration of the cells is determined by comparing the two length scales: the height difference in one convection cell imposed by the inclined upper boundary and the thickness of the viscous boundary layer.

Odontogenic infection pathway to the submandibular space: imaging assessment

The aims of this study were to determine the pathways of odontogenic infection spread into the submandibular space and their relationship to the clinical symptoms. Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images of 33 patients with submandibular involvement were analyzed. The spread of infection was evaluated by lateral asymmetry of the shape and density of the fascial spaces and tissues, and by obliteration of the interfascial fat spaces. Imaging findings were classified into three types: in 19 patients (57.6%), infection spread through the mylohyoid muscle or sublingual space (type I). In five patients (15.2%), infection spread through the bony structures of the mandible with periosteal reaction or perforation of the cortical plate (type II) and was associated with relatively mild symptoms. In four patients (12.1%), infection spread from the masticatory space (type III). Seven of 11 patients with dysphagia or fever showed submandibular involvement spreading into the parapharyngeal space. CT and MR imaging clearly demonstrated different pathways of the spread of odontogenic infection into the submandibular space, which influenced the manifestation of clinical symptoms.

Suppression of hadrons with large transverse momentum in central Au+Au collisions at root square[s(NN)] = 130 GeV

Transverse momentum spectra for charged hadrons and for neutral pions in the range 1 GeV/c<p(T)<5 GeV/c have been measured by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC in Au+Au collisions at root square[s(NN)] = 130 GeV. At high p(T) the spectra from peripheral nuclear collisions are consistent with scaling the spectra from p+p collisions by the average number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The spectra from central collisions are significantly suppressed when compared to the binary-scaled p+p expectation, and also when compared to similarly binary-scaled peripheral collisions, indicating a novel nuclear-medium effect in central nuclear collisions at RHIC energies.

Colour Doppler sonographic analysis of blood-flow velocity in the human facial artery and changes in masseter muscle thickness during low-level static contraction

Muscle oedema, which can be seen as a thickness increment by ultrasonography, is important in provoking pain and fatigue during low-level contraction. Although oedema is related to the balance of inflow and outflow of blood, there are no data on the correlation between muscle thickness change and blood-flow. Blood-flow velocities in the facial artery and the muscle thickness changes were measured by colour Doppler ultrasonography in 30 healthy volunteers during 20 min contraction with 10% of maximum force. Thickness and velocity changes both reached a peak in the initial phase of contraction. The initial change of thickness did not correlate with the velocity in the facial artery, while those immediately after exercise showed a high correlation. The velocity changes in the facial artery might depend on both the general response to contraction and local metabolic or mechanical factors in the contracted masseters.

The effect of gap arthroplasty on temporomandibular joint ankylosis: an experimental study

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the functional and anatomical changes after gap arthroplasty release of unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Five adult sheep weighing an average of 57 kg were used. All right joints were operated. Ankylosis was induced in the right TMJ by articular damage, disk removal and placement of a bone graft plus immobilization wire. At 3 months the gap arthroplasty were performed. All TMJs were examined functionally, radiologically, macroscopically and histologically. Functionally, the range of jaw movements decreased following induction of ankylosis (P<0.0001), increased immediately on release but was reduced again at 3 months after release (the vertical movement, no statistically significant difference; the right movement, P<0.001; the left movement, P<0.0001). Histologically, all operated joints showed fibrous adhesions across the gap, and further, the articular surface was irregular with osteophytes and with bony islands in the gap. This appearance is more consistent with a fibrous reankylosis than a functioning pseudo joint. This study shows that the gap arthroplasty for TMJ ankylosis did not restore the TMJ functionally and histologically to the preexisting state.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 in synovial lavage fluid of patients with disorders of the temporomandibular joint

We examined the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in synovial lavage fluid of patients with disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and explored the possible correlationship between MMP-2 activity and radiological changes. We studied 86 patients and 10 healthy volunteers. An arthrogram and a double contrast arthrotomogram were taken to evaluate intra-articular morphological changes. The patients were divided into three groups: no abnormality (n = 36), internal derangement (n = 39), and osteoarthritis (n = 11). Samples of synovial fluid were studied by gelatin zymography, and we sought a correlation between the band detected and radiological findings. ProMMP-2 was detected in all samples and active MMP-2 was detected in 9/36 with no abnormality, 14/39 with internal derangement and 5/11 with osteoarthritis. No active form of MMP-2 was detected in the control group. The incidence of active MMP-2 was high in the internal derangement group and highest in the osteoarthritis group, which suggests that active MMP-2 plays an important part in the development of conditions of the TMJ.

Unilateral mandibular condylectomy in lambs

The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the degree of regeneration of the mandibular condyle after unilateral condylectomy in 10-week-old lambs. The lambs were killed three months after the operation, and the joints examined radiologically and histologically. Scoring systems were used to assess the radiological changes and histological regeneration of the condyle. All joints showed regeneration of the condylar head postoperatively. The maximum degree of regeneration occurred on the medial side rather than the central or lateral areas. There was a significant correlation among the medial, central, and lateral planes (P<0.05). The reformed articular cartilage was irregular and thin (P<0.01), and the disc was thick in the central plane (P<0.01) compared with the control joints. The temporal bone was normal. This study shows that unilateral condylectomy in the growing period results in some condylar regeneration particularly on the medial side and reformation of some irregular and thin articular cartilage.

Measurement of the midrapidity transverse energy distribution from square root of [(s)NN] = 130 GeV Au + Au collisions at RHIC

The first measurement of energy produced transverse to the beam direction at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory is presented. The midrapidity transverse energy density per participating nucleon rises steadily with the number of participants, closely paralleling the rise in charged-particle density, such that <E(T)>/<N(ch)> remains relatively constant as a function of centrality. The energy density calculated via Bjorken's prescription for the 2% most central Au+Au collisions at square root[s(NN)] = 130 GeV is at least epsilon(Bj) = 4.6 GeV/fm(3), which is a factor of 1.6 larger than found at sqrt[s(NN)] = 17.2 GeV ( Pb+Pb at CERN).

Preparation of nanoparticles composed with bioinspired 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer

The poly(L-lactic acid) nanoparticles immobilized with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer, which has excellent blood compatibility, were prepared by a solvent evaporation technique using the water-soluble amphiphilic MPC polymer as an emulsifier and a surface modifier. The diameter and zeta-potential of the obtained nanoparticles strongly depended on the concentration of the MPC polymer. When the nanoparticles were prepared in 1.0 mg/ml of an MPC polymer aqueous solution, the diameter was 221 nm which was determined by atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis indicated that the phosphorylcholine groups of the MPC unit were located at the surface of the nanoparticles, that is, the MPC polymer was immobilized on the PLA particles and the surface zeta-potential was -2.5 mV. Various hydrophobic fluorescence probes could permeate through the MPC polymer layer and adsorb on the PLA surface. The amount of bovine serum albumin adsorbed on the nanoparticles was significantly smaller compared with that on the conventional polystyrene nanoparticles. It is suggested that the nanoparticles immobilized with the MPC polymer have the potential for use as both a novel drug carrier and diagnostic reagent which can come in contact with blood components.

Costochondral grafts in reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint after condylectomy: an experimental study in sheep

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of costochondral grafts in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in sheep. Five pure-bred adult Merino sheep were used. The condyle alone was resected and replaced with a costochondral graft from the 13th rib. The sheep were killed 3 months after operation. The range of jaw movements before and after operation and at death were recorded. The joints were examined radiologically, macroscopically, and histologically. A new condylar head with normal configuration and function developed. Histologically, the chondrocytes were arranged in a fashion similar to that of a normal joint. All inferior joint spaces showed fibrous adhesions between the condylar head and disc. This study showed that, when such grafts are used to replace the condyle in an otherwise normal sheep TMJ, they fused to the ramus and reconstituted a nearly normal, fully functional joint.

Effect of partial immobilization on reconstruction of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint with an autogenous costochondral graft:an experimental study in sheep

The purpose of this study was to show the effect of partial immobilization of a costochondral graft reconstruction of an ankylosed temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in five adult sheep. Ankylosis was induced in all right TMJs. At three months, a graft was inserted and partially immobilized. Three months after the second operation, four sheep were killed by an overdose with pentothal. One sheep was killed at one month because of infection. Functionally, the body weight, which decreases with ankylosis, did not recover after insertion of the graft and the range of jaw movements got worse. Histologically, the grafts were well attached to the mandibular rami in three of four joints. In one joint, the graft showed signs of resorption and a foreign body reaction. We conclude that, if the reconstructed joint is partially immobilized, then there will be a degree of reankylosis. There was also a high failure rate.

Randomized clinical trial of primary treatment for temporomandibular joint disk displacement without reduction and without osseous changes: a combination of NSAIDs and mouth-opening exercise versus no treatment

OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy for disk displacement without reduction is unknown. This study compared this treatment method with nontreatment controls.

METHODS

Sixty patients with painful disk displacement without reduction and without osseous changes were randomly divided in 2 groups, consisting of NSAID and physical therapy and a nontreated control group. Both groups were observed at 2 weeks and, for those patients who did not show any improvement, again at 4 weeks.

RESULTS

There was 60% improvement in the treatment group compared with 33% in the control group during the entire 4 weeks of the study. The number needed to treat for benefit was 3.75, with a 95% CI 2.103 to 65.935.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of NSAID and physical therapy for 4 weeks is effective as a primary treatment of patients with disk displacement without reduction and without osseous changes.

Centrality dependence of charged particle multiplicity in Au-Au collisions at square root of (s)NN = 130 GeV

We present results for the charged-particle multiplicity distribution at midrapidity in Au-Au collisions at square root of [s(NN)] = 130 GeV measured with the PHENIX detector at RHIC. For the 5% most central collisions we find dN(ch)/d eta(vertical line eta = 0) = 622+/-1(stat)+/-41(syst). The results, analyzed as a function of centrality, show a steady rise of the particle density per participating nucleon with centrality.