A case report of selective IgA deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis and anti-IgA antibody induced anaphylactic transfusion]

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), usually confined to the nasopharynx, trachea, and larynx, occasionally can progress to extensive bronchopulmonary disease. Most cases of bronchopulmonary and laryngeal papillomatosis are cytologically benign and do not undergo malignant transformation; however, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can arise in RRP in the absence of known risk factors such as radiation and smoking. In this study, the authors investigated molecular genetic alterations occurring in a case of metastasizing SCC that arose in long-standing bronchopulmonary papillomatosis. Genomic DNA from tracheal papillomata, tracheobronchial papillomata, SCC of the lung, and a lymph node metastasis was extracted. The physical state of the human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV-11) DNA was investigated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Molecular genetic alterations of the host genome were studied by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction-amplified gene fragments and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Episomal and integrated forms of HPV-11 sequences were detected in histologically benign tumors, but only the integrated form of the viral DNA could be found in malignant tissue samples. Molecular genetic studies revealed that an allelic loss of the interferon-beta gene (IFNbeta-1) and an endogenous type of mutation of the p53 antioncogene were found only in the malignant lesions. Mutations were not observed in the ras, neu, or multiple tumor suppressor (MTS1/p16) genes in any specimens. The authors' data indicated that the p53 genetic mutation was associated with integration of HPV-11 in histologically malignant lesions. This association may promote a progressive genetic instability that can lead to the development and clonal expansion of malignant lesions in RRP.     

Production of artistic images with “ART PROCESSOR”

“ART PROCESSOR” is a compact image processing system using a microprocessor. It can produce artistic pictures like oil painting from realistic pictures like photographs. We will present the image processing system and the algorithm to create artistic pictures in this paper.     

Design and construction of the cooperation support agent for face-to-face class and e-learning

E-learning study mainly helps acquisitions of knowledge. However, the effect acquired from dialog on a face-to-face class is not expectable. Thus, Blended-learning which combined a face-to-face class and e-learning attracts attention. Although the blend of ideal Blended-learning should be used by learners on consideration of their capabilities and learning records, the realization is difficulty. In this paper, we proposed and built a mobile agent system which offers cooperation support with a face-to-face class and e-learning. The mobile agents operating autonomously indicate the learner＇s weak points and contents which should be learned from a learning plan （learning policy） given by the contents creator and a personal learning record. Therefore, the mobile agents can support the Blended-learning by creating the personal learning result data in consideration of personal capability and personal learning records.     

Seismic reflector imaging by prestack time migration in the Kakkonda geothermal field, Japan

We show that a prestack migration method improves the S/N ratio of seismic reflection profiling in the Kakkonda geothermal field where seismic reflection data are of poor quality. We use non-iterative prestack time migration (PSTM), which does not require multiple iterations to determine the velocity structure for prestack time migration. The optimum constant migration velocity can be determined at each image point from a migration velocity analysis based on primary diffraction patterns. Our results delineate a strong reflector beneath a zone of high seismicity. According to the correspondence between the fracture distribution, the distribution of microearthquakes, and geothermal structure, this reflector is interpreted to be a zone of low-angle fractures saturated with hydrothermal fluids, and to be strongly controlled by the geothermal structure.     

The influence of antioxidants on electrical tree generation in XLPE

In conjunction with previous experiments studying the effect of decomposition products of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and antioxidants (AOs) in cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation on electrical tree generation, the authors conducted experiments investigating tree inhibition by phenolic AOs. The experiments were conducted using XLPE slabs containing four different phenolic AOs. Among the specimens containing these AOs, the specimen containing 4,4é‐thio‐bis(3‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) was found to show the highest tree inception voltage. To examine the reasons for the significant increase in tree inception voltage in this specimen, further experiments were carried out on XLPE specimens containing both phenolic AO and a sulfur‐containing AO. The results demonstrated that the tree inception voltages of specimens containing both phenolic AO and sulfur‐containing AO were higher than those of the specimens containing only one of these two types of AOs. The roles of antioxidants in XLPE dielectrics are discussed with reference to the mechanisms of autoxidation of polymeric materials. The great increase in the tree inception voltage of XLPE specimens containing 4,4é‐thio‐bis(3‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) appears to be due to a synergistic effect between the phenolic AO and the sulfur‐containing AO. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(3): 1–7, 2001