The most distal part of the circular muscle layer functions as the internal anal sphincter, which constitutes a high pressure zone at rest, but maintains a relaxed state during defecation. To elucidate such sphincter mechanisms of the smooth muscle cells, the circular muscle layer in the canine anal canal was examined within 2 cm from the anal verge. Both the mechanical and intracellular electr...

Our goal was to explore the factors influencing the visualization of anterior peritoneal reflections (APRs) using rectal MRI. We evaluated the usefulness of rectal MRI in measuring the distance from the anal verge to the APR and determining the relationship between the APR and the rectal tumor. Clinical and imaging data from 319 patients who underwent surgery after MRI examination between Octob...

We report on a study of the optical conductivity of single crystals of the high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu4O8 in which superconductivity is suppressed by random substitution of Cu with Zn. The a-axis infrared spectrum, which is a direct measure of the charge dynamics in the CuO2 planes, is dominated by a bound state at ø120 cm21. This indicates that the low-energy electronic states are on the ver...

We demonstrate that Higgs discovery at the LHC is possible in the context of the NMSSM even for those scenarios such that the only strongly produced Higgs boson is a very SM-like CP-even scalar which decays almost entirely to a pair of relatvely light CP-odd states. In combination with other search channels, we are on the verge of demonstrating that detection of at least one of the NMSSM Higgs ...

As early as 1783, the almost forgotten philosopher, metaphysicist, and psychologist Ferdinand Ueberwasser (1752– 1812) designated himself “Professor für empirische Psychologie und Logik” (professor of empirical psychology and logic) at the University of Münster, Germany. His position was initiated and supported by the minister and educational reformer Franz von Fürstenberg (1729–1810), who cons...

The distance between the anal verge and lower edge of rectal cancer is one of the most important factors affecting the feasibility of sphincter-preserving resection.The aim of the study was to assess the risk of permanent stoma after resection of rectal tumour depending on the distance between the tumour and the anal verge.Material and methods. The retrospective analysis covered 884 patients af...

Gregory Koblentz is a Junior Fellow with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Project at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. The missile competition in South Asia is on the verge of a new and dangerous phase that threatens to disrupt the delicate strategic balance of the subcontinent. India and Pakistan already have stockpiles of ballistic missiles, along with the associ...