The Super-Kamiokande experiment

Super-Kamiokande has accumulated data on atmospheric neutrinos and solar neutrinos for 1117–1289 live days. We present updated results on the flavor ratio, the zenith angle distribution of atmospheric neutrinos and the zenith angle distribution of upward going muons. We also present results on the energy spectrum and the day–night variation of solar neutrinos. The data on atmospheric neutrinos show clear evidence of neutrino oscillation.     

Recovery process of respiratory muscle strength in patients following stroke: A Pilot Study

Objective: To determine the recovery process of respiratory muscle strength during 3 months following stroke, and to investigate the association of change in respiratory muscle strength and physical functions. Additionally, we compared respiratory muscle strength with those of healthy subjects. Method: In this prospective, observational study, 19 stroke patients and 19 healthy subjects were enrolled. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), motricity index, trunk control test, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and functional independence measure were assessed at 1, 2, and 3 months from stroke onset in stroke patients. MIP and MEP were assessed at arbitrary times in healthy subjects. Repeated one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to compare the change in respiratory muscle strength in each period in stroke patients. Pearson''s correlation coefficient was computed for changes in respiratory muscle strength and physical functions. Student''s t-test was used to compare respiratory muscle strength between stroke patients at 3 months from onset and healthy subjects. Results: MIP was significantly increased at 3 months compared to 1 month. MEP was significantly increased in 2 months and 3 months, compared to 1 month. MIP changes associated with 6MWT changes. Compared to healthy subjects, MIP and MEP at 3 months were significantly lower in stroke patients. Conclusion: Respiratory muscle strength significantly increased during 3 months following stroke. However, the trend of recovery may be different. MIP changes may associated with walking endurance changes. During 3 months following stroke, respiratory muscle strength did not recover to healthy subjects.     

Rotational analysis for the Doppler-free photoelectron spectrum of water using the spectator model

A photoelectron spectrum of H(2)O has been recorded at a resolution of 2 meV under Doppler-free conditions. Complex rotational structures appear in the individual vibrational states of the electronic X?(+ 2)B(1) and A?(+ 2)A(2) states in H(2)O(+). The rotational structures are analyzed and well reproduced using a spectator orbital model developed for rotationally resolved photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Use of zwitterionic micelles in the eluent: a new approach for ion chromatographic (IC) analysis of ions in biological fluids with direct sample injection

The problem of column performance degradation due to irreversible binding of proteins encountered in ion chromatographic (IC) analysis of ions in protein-containing samples was overcome by using zwitterionic micelles (e.g., Zwittergent-3–14) as a portion of the eluent. A zwitterionic micellar eluent showed high ability for solubilization of proteins, and, hence, the protein-containing samples could be analyzed without need for deproteinization. On the other hand, the zwitterionic micelle was insensitive to conductivity but interacted with the analyte ions, due mainly to its unique configuration of charges (namely, the zwitterionic micelle containing both positively and negatively charged groups but carrying no net charge). Using a zwitterionic micellar eluent, the analyte ions could be detected selectively and sensitively, and moreover, the selectivity for the analyte ions was unique. A conventional anion-exchange column conditioned with a Zwittergent-3-14 micellar eluent was applied for the analysis of real biological samples (serum and urine) with direct sample injection. The results of the successful detection of inorganic anions (Cl^–, SO₄ ^2–, NO₂ ^–, Br^–, and NO₃ ^–) have demonstrated the usefulness of this new IC approach for the analysis of biological samples.     

Determination of total acidity and of divalent cations by ion chromatography with n-hexadecylphosphocholine as the stationary phase

An ion chromatographic (IC) method is reported for simultaneous determination of total acidity (H+), Ba2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in aqueous samples. A standard ODS silica column modified by coating with n-hexadecylphosphocholine was used as the separation column. Water alone was used as the eluent, with conductivity detection of the sample ions. An excess of sodium iodide was added to each sample so that both H+ and divalent cations were always eluted with iodide as the counterion. The elution order was Ba2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and H+ with H+ being eluted much later than the divalent cations. Acetic acid and several other weak acids could also be separated because all the protons were transposed from acetic acid (HAc) to HI by the sodium iodide. Detection limits for 100 microl injection, S/N=3 were in the low micromolar range for the divalent cations and approximately 0.3 mM for H+/I-. This method was used successfully for simultaneous determination of total acidity, magnesium and calcium in HCl-type of hot-spring water.     

Regional Chest Wall Volume Changes During Various Breathing Maneuvers in Normal Men

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the regional chest wall volume changes during various breathing maneuvers in normal men with an optical reflectance system (OR), which tracks reflective markers in three dimensions. Methods: Chest wall volume was measured by the OR system [V_L(CW)], and lung volume was measured by hot wire spirometry [V_L(SP)] in 15 healthy men during quiet breathing (QB), during breathing at a rate of 50 tidal breaths/min paced using a metronome (MT: metronome-paced tachypnea), and during a maximal forced inspiratory and expiratory maneuver (MFIE maneuver). Results: There were few discrepancies between V_L(CW) and V_L(SP) for QB and MT. In the MFIE maneuver, however V_L(CW) was often underestimated compared with V_L(SP), particularly during forced maximal expiration, because of pulmonary rib cage volume changes. Furthermore, the regional chest wall volume changes were affected by breathing maneuver alternation. In the pulmonary and abdominal rib cage, inspiratory reserve volume was larger than expiratory reserve volume, respectively, and in the abdomen, expiratory reserve volume was larger than inspiratory reserve volume. Conclusion: Alternation of breathing maneuvers affects regional chest wall volume changes.