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The latest version of the SONIC code with the extended thermal force model that is capable to treat collisionality dependence of the force has been applied to the interpretative simulation of L‐mode discharge of JT‐60 U to investigate the impact of kinetic correction of the thermal force on the scrape‐off layer (SOL) plasma properties. As a first attempt, we have selected an L‐mode attached discharge #39090 (Ip = 1.6 MA, Bt = 3.1 T, and PNBI = 4.5 MW), where n‾e$$ {\overline{n}}_e $$ = 2.08 × 1019 m−3, n‾e/nGr$$ {\overline{n}}_e/{n}_{Gr} $$ = 0.392 with deuterium plasmas. It has been found that the peak values of SOL impurity density are reduced by a factor of 2, with the kinetic correction, because the thermal force is reduced by the low collisionality of SOL plasma between the X‐point and the (inner and outer) midplane. On the other hand, the profiles near the divertor plates are unaffected by the kinetic correction due to the highly collisional condition. The kinetic correction is found more pronounced for the higher charge states impurity due to the charge dependence of the parallel impurity force balance. Overall effects due to the kinetic correction on the total impurity radiation and the divertor heat load are confirmed to be a few % in the present discharge condition of JT‐60U. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An acoustic gas thermometry system, which introduces a one-liter quasi-spherical resonator (QSR) made of oxygen-free copper, built at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ/AIST), has been employed to measure thermodynamic temperatures from the triple point of water down to the triple point of mercury. The measurement adopted a thermostatic bath operated down to 263.15 K and a new one that can operate down to lower temperatures. The present acoustic gas thermometry system measured the speed of sound in argon on the isothermal curves of the triple point of water, 268.15 K, 263.15 K, 253.15 K, 243.15 K and at the triple point of mercury under the pressure range from 500 kPa down to around 60 kPa. Based on the measured speed of sound, the thermodynamic temperatures at the mentioned isotherms were determined relatively from the speed of sound at the triple point of water. Using the measured thermodynamic temperature T, the difference between T and the temperature T90, based on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90), (T − T90), along with the associated uncertainties, u(T − T90), were determined to be − 0.4 ± 1.1 mK for 268.15 K, − 1.0 ± 0.9 mK for 263.15 K, − 1.9 ± 0.9 mK for 253.15 K, − 2.5 ± 0.9 mK for 243.15 K and − 2.7 ± 0.9 mK for 234.3156 K. The present (T − T90) values were found to be consistent in all cases within the estimated uncertainty with the currently reported values existing in overlapping temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-field transport in the scrape-off-layers (SOLs) and divertors in tokamaks is of a similar size to the poloidal component of the parallel flow, thereby significantly impacting the plasma transport there. However, its direct observation has been challenging because the drift velocity (102–103 m/s) is significantly below the detection limit of conventional diagnostics. To realize cross-field ion flow measurement, a variety of systematic uncertainties in the system must be narrowed down. Here, we develop a conceptual design of the Doppler spectrometry that enables us to measure the impurity flows with 102-m/s accuracy based on an in situ wavelength-calibration technique developed in the astrophysics field, the iodine-cell method. We discuss its properties and applicability. In particular, the scaling relation between wavelength accuracy and various spectroscopic parameters is newly presented, which suggests the high importance of the wavelength resolution of the system. Based on transport simulations for the JT-60SA divertor, the feasibility of the system is assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A real-time processing system for the two-color CO2 laser interferometer on the JT-60SA has been developed for density feedback control. The system has a novel feature that can detect fringe jumps due to off-normal events, such as loss detection due to displacement of the beam axis and changes in the laser wavelengths. Because a phase change due to the JT-60SA plasma is smaller than π/2, corresponding to the line-integral electron density NL of ∼ 6 × 1 0 19 m−2 in a short interval of 500 ns, the threshold of the fringe jump detection is decided to be π/2. Hence, off-normal events can be detected from a fringe jump, leading to the abort of the real-time feedback control. In the density feedback control of the JT-60SA plasma, the system is employed as a density monitor, with NL being successfully controlled at 16.8% ± 6.6% lower than the reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A calibration scheme for making oceanographic thermometers traceable to the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) in the range from 1 °C to 32.5 °C was established. The calibration scheme involves two phases: a first phase, in which a working reference thermometer is calibrated by comparison against an ITS-90 traceable standard platinum resistance thermometer (SPRT) in a commercial water bath, and a second phase, in which up to 24 oceanographic thermometers are simultaneously calibrated against the calibrated working reference thermometer in an ad hoc previously developed water bath. Finally, an uncertainty budget was made for both calibration phases and resulted in 1.5 mK and 3.5 mK for the first and the second phases, respectively, which satisfy the requirements of the oceanographic community for the accurate monitoring of ocean temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with FeAlSi free layers and investigated the tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) properties at low temperature. We observed TMR ratio increase with temperature decrease, and confirmed the TMR ratio of 179.9% at 10 K. The conductance dependence on bias voltage was measured, and a clear peak at low bias voltage similar to Fe/MgO/Fe MTJs was observed. This behavior can be explained by considering the majority band of Fe(001), and Δ5 electrons tunneling in FeAlSi/MgO/CoFeB MTJs at low bias voltage. We also investigated tunnel anisotropic magneto-resistance (TAMR) and clearly observed a TAMR peak similar to Fe/MgO/Fe MTJs, where the TAMR ratio of FeAlSi/MgO/CoFeB MTJs was 1.0% comparable to 1.1% in Fe/MgO/Fe MTJs. We concluded that electron tunneling was caused by the interfacial resonance states originating from spin orbit coupling in the FeAlSi/MgO/CoFeB MTJs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) has been developed as a means of decreasing the incidence of surgical wound complications. We refined the procedure for totally laparoscopic colectomy with transvaginal specimen extraction using the reduced port surgery technique with the ultimate goal of attenuating damage to the abdominal wall. We herein report this innovative technique and its short- and long-term outcomes. Methods: We prospectively collected data on seven patients who underwent totally laparoscopic colectomy using transvaginal specimen extraction with a 10-mm-long abdominal incision for right-sided colon cancer from January 2014 to December 2021. Two 5-mm ports were used in the procedure without laparotomy. Transverse transabdominal posterior colpotomy was then performed. We introduced a GelPOINT Mini advanced access platform (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA) into the transvaginal route for the insertion of a laparoscope, forceps, and stapling device. Lymph node dissection and transection of the ileum and distal colon were performed with transvaginal assistance. A specimen was then extracted transvaginally. Intracorporeal functional end-to-end anastomosis was conducted using a linear stapler through the vagina. After the removal of GelPOINT Mini, the vaginal incision was closed transvaginally. Results: Seven patients successfully underwent this procedure. Median operative time was 219 min (range 174–255 min), median blood loss was 23 ml (range 10–37 ml), median number of harvested lymph nodes was 21 (range 17–35 lymph nodes) and median margins were 17.0 cm (range 9.0–25.0 cm) for the proximal margin and 9.5 cm (range 5.0–13.0 cm) for the distal margin. There were no complications more severe than Clavien–Dindo Grade II and there was no mortality. The median frequency of use intravenous analgesics from postoperative day 1 to discharge was once. Two patients did not require analgesics. A node-positive patient developed recurrence at the lung and paraaortic lymph nodes. Conclusions: This procedure appears to be feasible, safe, and oncologically acceptable for selected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nuclear emulsion film is a three-dimensional tracking device that is widely used in cosmic-ray and high-energy physics experiments. Scanning with a wide angle acceptance is crucial for obtaining track information in emulsion films. This study presents a new method developed for wide angle acceptance and high-speed track recognition of nuclear emulsion films for neutrino–nucleus interaction measurements. The nuclear emulsion technique can be used to measure tracks of charged particles from neutrino interactions with a low momentum threshold. The detection of the particles with a wide angle acceptance is essential for obtaining detailed information on the interactions in the sub- and multi-GeV neutrino energy region. In the new method developed for a neutrino interaction measurement in J-PARC called NINJA, the angle acceptance is covered up to |tan θ x (y)| < 5.0 (80% of all solid angles) with |$150\, \mathrm{m^2/year}$|⁠. This method can also be used to improve the angle accuracy and recognition efficiency of the tracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The voltage noise characteristic and sensitivity of magnetic tunnel junction sensors are crucial for ultralow field detection. In this work, we used a soft magnetic material electrode Co70.5Fe4.5Si15B10 as a sensing layer to improve the sensitivity. Then, a bias field along the easy axis of a free layer was applied to improve the linearity and manipulate the sensitivity of magnetic tunnel junction sensors. More importantly, random telegraph noise was suppressed by the bias field, resulting in hysteresis-free performance. The highest sensitivity of 3.9%/Oe and the best field detectivity of 4.5nT/√Hz at 10 Hz without hysteresis have been achieved. The sensors showed excellent performance with CoFeSiB electrodes, indicating that it is an effective way to improve the performance of sensors by introducing the bias field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the effect of Al doping on the magnetic properties of the CoFeB alloy. Comparative measurements of the saturation magnetization, the Gilbert damping parameter α and the exchange constant as a function of the annealing temperature for CoFeB and CoFeAlB thin films are presented. Our results reveal a strong reduction of the magnetization for CoFeAlB in comparison to CoFeB. If the prepared CoFeAlB films are amorphous, the damping parameter α is unaffected by the Al doping in comparison to the CoFeB alloy. In contrast, in the case of a crystalline CoFeAlB film, α is found to be reduced. Furthermore, the x-ray characterization and the evolution of the exchange constant with the annealing temperature indicate a similar crystallization process in both alloys. The data prove that CoFeAlB fulfills the requirements to be considered an attractive candidate for spin torque switching purposes and a reduction of the switching current in comparison with CoFeB is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a denoising autoencoder based neural network (NN) method to determine a spectral line intensity with an uncertainty lower than the uncertainty determined by fitting the spectral line. The NN method processes the measured raw spectral line shape, providing a single Gaussian shape based on the training dataset, which consists of synthetically prepared Doppler shift and broadening free spectral lines in the present work. It is found that the uncertainty reduction level significantly depends on the training dataset. Limitations originating from the training dataset are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study that aimed to determine whether image-enhanced endoscopies (IEEs) improve the visibility of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) compared to white light imaging (WLI). The study analyzed 50 lesions and found that texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) improved SNADET visibility compared to WLI, particularly during underwater observation. The findings suggest that TXI may be useful for the detection and assessment of the lateral extent of SNADETs. [Extracted from the article]

Patients with advanced salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) are treated with surgery and radiotherapy, as current systemic therapies are largely ineffective. As such, current treatment frequently leads to poor long-term survival due to locoregional recurrence or metastases. We have shown that salivary gland cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy and drive tumor progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of therapeutic inhibition of mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) on resistance of CSCs to cisplatin, a prototypic platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent. Viability assays determined the effect of several inhibitors of PI3k/mTOR signaling (e.g., temsirolimus, BKM120, AZD8055, PF4708671) and/or cisplatin on survival of human MEC cells. The impact of mTOR inhibitors and/or cisplatin on MEC stemness was examined with salisphere assays, flow cytometry for ALDH/CD44 (CSC markers for MEC), and Western blots for Bmi-1 expression (marker of stem cell self-renewal). Salivary gland MEC patient-derived xenografts were used to examine the effect of cisplatin and/or temsirolimus on CSCs in vivo. We observed that cisplatin induced mTOR and S6K1 phosphorylation, increased the number and size of MEC salispheres, and induced Bmi-1 expression and the fraction of CSCs in MEC models in vitro. Cisplatin also increased the fraction of CSCs in vivo. In contrast, mTOR inhibition (e.g., temsirolimus) blocked cisplatin-induced Bmi-1 expression and salisphere formation in vitro. Remarkably, temsirolimus slowed down tumor growth and decreased the fraction of CSCs (P < 0.05) even in presence of cisplatin in a short-term in vivo experiment. Collectively, these results demonstrate that therapeutic inhibition of mTOR ablates cytotoxic-resistant CSCs, and they suggest that a combination of an mTOR inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy might be beneficial to patients with salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the occurrence of floods, the government generally tries to determine the extent of the continuously changing inundation (water) area as a disaster response for planning evacuations and designing drainage systems. One of the most common methods to identify this area during the daytime involves the interpretation of aerial optical images and videos that are obtained using an airplane, helicopter, or satellite. However, these aerial approach methods have not been established convincingly for their use during the night time. Therefore, to identify the water area at night, two hand-held optical sensors were used in this study, namely: an ultrasensitive camera (Sony SL camera α7S), and a thermal infrared camera (Optris thermography PI640). The night-time aerial performance was evaluated using a helicopter, along with a supplementary night-time examination on the ground. Herein, we targeted river water areas during normal conditions. As a result, it was determined that the water area could be identified clearly with an ultrasensitive camera that has an ISO sensitivity between 51200 and 102400. The thermal infrared camera was able to identify the water area to have a higher temperature than that of the surrounding area. However, in some cases, the water area boundaries were not clear. Thus, as the thermal infrared camera was susceptible to varying conditions, supplemental use of an ultrasensitive camera was determined to be effective for the identification of inundation (water) areas at night. The significance of this study is established by the fact that the studied sensors can be easily transported in a helicopter or mounted on a UAV for night-time applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel magnetizing technique for permanent magnets (PMs) embedded in interior permanent magnet (IPM) motors has been proposed as a safer and more effective process than the conventional processes using copper pulse-coils. In the new process, the high temperature superconducting (HTS) bulk magnet, emitting an intense magnetic field of over 3 T, was employed to activate the rotor and PMs inside. A magnetic pole containing the HTS bulk magnet was scanned on the surface of the IPM rotor, resisting against the extremely strong attractive force between the magnet and rotor. Following experiments in the past, numerical simulation studies have been conducted to evaluate the magnetic field-trapping performances of the PMs. In this study, the numerical analysis of the magnetization behaviours was conducted for the PMs embedded in the rotor of the commercial air-conditioner motor in a hybrid car. The simulation results showed us that the demagnetized Nd-Fe-B plates in the rotor were fully magnetized in the intense static magnetic fields on the magnetic pole containing the HTS bulk magnet. The magnetizing behaviour in this peculiar magnetizing operation was made understandable by estimating the anisotropic easy-direction of the PM plates embedded in the rotor. The novel activation method for PM is characterized as a no-shock and no-heating method, which would promote the degree of freedom in the IPM motor design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent experiments suggest that Mg condensation at threading dislocations induces current leakage, leading to degradation of GaN-based power devices. To investigate this, we perform first-principles total-energy electronic-structure calculations for various Mg and dislocation complexes. We find that threading screw dislocations (TSDs) indeed attract Mg impurities, and that the electronic levels in the energy gap induced by the dislocations are elevated toward the conduction band as the Mg impurity approaches the dislocation line, indicating that the Mg-TSD complex is a donor. The formation of the Mg-TSD complex is unequivocally evidenced by atom probe tomography in which Mg condensation around the [0001] screw dislocation is observed in a p–n diode. These findings provide a picture in which the Mg, being a p-type impurity in GaN, diffuses toward the TSD and then locally forms an n-type region. The appearance of this region along the TSD results in local formation of an n–n junction and leads to an increase in the reverse leakage current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new acoustic gas thermometry (AGT) system, which introduces a 1-L quasi-spherical resonator (QSR) made of oxygen-free copper, was built at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ/AIST). The inner surface of the new QSR was machined using a diamond-turn tool. Improvement in the pressure measurement was introduced to allow direct measurement of the gas pressure in the resonator. The new AGT system was evaluated based on the measurement of the speed of sound in argon at the triple point of water and the melting point of gallium under the pressure range from 700 kPa down to 50 kPa. Based on these speed of sound measurements, the thermodynamic temperatures at the melting point of gallium were determined. The speed of sound measurements at isotherms of 283.15 K and 293.15 K were also conducted, and the related thermodynamic temperatures were determined. Based on the measured thermodynamic temperature T, the values of difference between T and the temperature T90 based on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90), (T − T90), along with the associated uncertainties, were calculated. The (T − T90) obtained in the present work were 1.3 ± 0.7 mK, 2.7 ± 0.8 mK, and 4.1 ± 0.8 mK for T90 of 283.15 K, 293.15 K, and 302.9146 K, respectively. These values were found to be in agreement within the estimated uncertainty with the currently reported values that exist in temperature range overlapping with the present work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 48-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial (the TWICE study) conducted in Japanese primary osteoporosis patients with a high risk of fractures demonstrated that a 28.2-μg twice-weekly regimen of teriparatide can provide comparable efficacy to a 56.5-μg once-weekly regimen of teriparatide, while also improving safety. Introduction: While a 56.5-μg once-weekly regimen of teriparatide has high efficacy for osteoporosis, treatment continuation rates are low, with one of the major causes being adverse drug reactions such as nausea or vomiting. The TWICE study was therefore conducted to investigate whether a twice-weekly regimen with 28.2-μg teriparatide can provide comparable efficacy to the 56.5-μg once-weekly regimen while improving safety. Methods: A 48-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial was conducted in Japan. Patients with primary osteoporosis aged ≥ 65 years at high risk of fractures (n = 553) were randomly allocated to the 28.2-μg twice-weekly group (n = 277) or the 56.5-μg once-weekly group (n = 276). The primary endpoint was the percentage change in lumbar spine (L2–L4) bone mineral density (BMD) at final follow-up. Results: The percentage changes in lumbar spine (L2–L4) BMD at final follow-up in the 28.2-μg twice-weekly and 56.5-μg once-weekly groups were 7.3% and 5.9%, respectively; the difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) in percentage change was 1.3% (0.400–2.283%). Since the lower limit of the 95% CI was above the pre-specified non-inferiority margin (− 1.6%), non-inferiority of the 28.2-μg twice-weekly group was demonstrated. Adverse drug reactions were significantly less frequent in the 28.2-μg twice-weekly group (39.7% vs 56.2%; p < 0.01); the incidence of major adverse drug reactions was lower, and the number of subjects who discontinued due to adverse drug reactions was less in the 28.2-μg twice-weekly group. Conclusions: A 28.2-μg twice-weekly regimen of teriparatide can provide comparable efficacy to a 56.5-μg once-weekly regimen while improving safety. Clinical trial registration: JapicCTI-163477. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of IgA vasculitis in a patient with heart involvement. The patient had a history of heavy smoking and experienced dyspnea when lying down. The patient underwent surgery, including coronary artery bypass surgery and mitral valvuloplasty, to treat heart failure. The article also mentions that the patient had microscopic hematuria during the acute phase of IgA vasculitis, but exhaustive serologic testing did not identify any obvious triggers for the condition. The article emphasizes the importance of identifying triggers for adult IgA vasculitis. [Extracted from the article]

In this article, a procedure involving 2-stage alveolar distraction osteogenesis using eccentric distraction devices for the augmentation of resorbed transplanted iliac bone following mandibular tumor resection is presented. A 6-month consolidation period was allowed between the first and second distractions, and endosseous implants were placed 4 months after the second distraction. Computerized tomographic images obtained before the implantation revealed that, 10 months after the first distraction, the bone generated still showed lower density compared with the basal bone, but the bone from both distractions showed enough maturity for implantation. It may be concluded that 2-stage alveolar distraction osteogenesis can be a useful and safe procedure for excessive alveolar lengthening if a sufficiently long consolidation period is allowed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complement component 3 (C3) and IgA depositions were observed in the vessel walls (Figure 1d and e), confirming IgA vasculitis. Therefore, clinicians should consider IgA vasculitis even in adults if they notice palpable purpura and abdominal pain. Also has a high recurrence rate of 32%, despite typically having a good prognosis.[2] If is generalized as a childhood disease, it may be overlooked during differential diagnosis. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Parotid gland carcinoma is a rare and complicated histopathological classification. Therefore, assembling a sufficient number of cases with long-term outcomes in a single institute can present a challenge. Method: The medical records of 108 parotid gland carcinoma patients who were treated at Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan, between 1983 and 2014 were reviewed. The survival outcomes were analysed according to clinicopathological findings. Results: Forty-six patients had low clinical stage tumours (I–II), and 62 patients had high clinical stage tumours (III–IV). Fifty-two, 10 and 46 patients had low-, intermediate- and high-grade tumours, respectively. Twenty-seven of 65 cases had positive surgical margins. In high clinical stage and intermediate- to high-grade tumours, adjuvant radiation therapy was correlated with local recurrence-free survival (p = 0.0244). Intermediate- to high-grade tumours and positive surgical margins were significantly associated with disease-specific survival in multivariate analysis (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0058). Conclusion: The results of this study show that adjuvant radiation therapy is useful for improved local control in patients with high clinical stage and intermediate- to high-grade tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of atmospheric sulfur (S) deposition and recovery of terrestrial ecosystems from acidification are matters of concerns in Asia. The Lake Ijira catchment (IJR) is located in the downwind region of the Chukyo Industrial Area in central Japan and has historically experienced large-scale deposition of S and nitrogen (N) from the atmosphere. Long-term monitoring data on the river water (RW) chemistry since 1988 were assessed with intensive-survey datasets on the input-output material budgets and S isotopic analysis (δ34S). Previous studies have suggested that IJR was acidified and N-saturated, which was triggered by climatic anomalies (cold summer and drought summer) in the mid-1990s. Analysis shows that with a decline in NO3- concentrations, RW pH recovered to its original level in the early 2000s. Reductions in atmospheric deposition, diminished effects of climatic anomalies, and forest management practices, have all contributed to RW chemistry recovery. Although the SO42- concentration in the RW has declined continuously after the peak in 1994, the mean SO42- output significantly exceeded the input; the 5-year means from 2010 to 2014 are 2.5 kmolc ha−1 year−1 and 0.86 kmolc ha−1 year−1, respectively. The mean δ34S values of SO42- in rainwater and soil solution at 20 cm depth were 4.3 ‰ and 3.5 ‰, respectively, and that in the RW was −13.2‰. The contributions of groundwater S to the RW S were estimated to range from 75 to 91%. Geological S with significantly low δ34S values largely contributed to the discrepancy of the input-output budget, while atmospheric S appeared to accumulate in soil as organic S. The tree-ring δ34S profile recorded historical changes in the atmospheric inputs in the region. With recovery of the RW, the relative contribution of atmospheric S became smaller. However, most of the atmospheric S is still retained in soil. Over the last few decades, RW chemistry has sensitively responded to changes in the atmospheric environment, including the atmospheric deposition of S and N and climatic anomalies, and as future changes are likely, long-term monitoring is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which measured the electron densities in CH[sub4]/H[sub2]/Ar and CCl[sub2]F[sub2]/O[sub2] electron cyclotron resonance discharges of semiconductors. Experimentation details; Assessment on surface morphologies through scanning electron microscopy; Functions of microwave power.

Leukoencephalopathies encompass all clinical syndromes that predominantly affect brain white matter. Genetic diagnosis informs clinical management of these patients, but a large part of the genetic contribution to adult leukoencephalopathy remains unresolved. To examine this genetic contribution, we analyzed genomic DNA from 60 Japanese patients with adult leukoencephalopathy of unknown cause by next generation sequencing using a custom‐designed gene panel. We selected 55 leukoencephalopathy‐related genes for the gene panel. We identified pathogenic mutations in 8 of the 60 adult leukoencephalopathy patients (13.3%): NOTCH3 mutations were detected in 5 patients, and EIF2B2, CSF1R, and POLR3A mutations were found independently in 1 patient each. These results indicate that cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) caused by NOTCH3 mutations is the most frequent adult leukoencephalopathy in our cohort. Moreover, brain imaging analysis indicates that CADASIL patients who do not present typical phenotypes may be underdiagnosed if not examined genetically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry requires magnetic sensors exhibiting highly linear output within a dynamic range as wide as ±1 kOe. A simple model predicts that the magneto-conductance (G-H) curve in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is perfectly linear, whereas the magneto-resistance (R-H) curve inevitably contains a finite nonlinearity. We prepared two kinds of MTJs using in-plane or perpendicularly magnetized synthetic antiferromagnetic (i-SAF or p-SAF) reference layers and investigated their sensor performance. In the MTJ with the i-SAF reference layer, the G-H curve did not necessarily show smaller nonlinearities than those of the R-H curve with different dynamic ranges. This is because the magnetizations of the i-SAF reference layer start to rotate at a magnetic field even smaller than the switching field (Hsw) measured by a magnetometer, which significantly affects the tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) effect. In the MTJ with the p-SAF reference layer, the G-H curve showed much smaller nonlinearities than those of the R-H curve, thanks to a large Hsw value of the p-SAF reference layer. We achieved a nonlinearity of 0.08% FS (full scale) in the G-H curve with a dynamic range of ±1 kOe, satisfying our target for automotive applications. This demonstrated that a reference layer exhibiting a large Hsw value is indispensable in order to achieve a highly linear G-H curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has been developing a 300 L calibration bath to calibrate 24 oceanographic thermometers (OT) simultaneously and thereby reduce the calibration work load necessary to service more than 180 OT every year. This study investigated characteristics of the developed 300 L calibration bath using a SBE 3plus thermometer produced by an OT manufacturer. We also used 11 thermistor thermometers that were calibrated to be traceable to the international temperature scale of 1990 (ITS-90) within 1 mK of standard uncertainty through collaboration of JAMSTEC and NMIJ/AIST. Results show that the time stability of temperature of the developed bath was within $$\pm 1 \,\hbox {mK}$$ . Furthermore, the temperature uniformity was $$\pm 1.3 \,\hbox {mK}$$ . The expanded uncertainty ( $$k=2$$ ) components for the characteristics of the developed 300 L calibration bath were estimated as 2.9 mK, which is much less than the value of 10 mK: the required specification for uncertainty of calibration for the OT. These results demonstrated the utility of this 300 L calibration bath as a device for use with a new calibration system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High lateral density quantum dot (QD) structures are self-formed by growing GaAs/InAs short-period superlattices (SLs) on InP (411)A substrates by gas source molecular beam epitaxy. Multilayer QD structures sandwiched with InP barrier layers showed a strong photoluminescence emission. The 1.3–1.6 μm wavelength emission was easily obtained and precisely controlled by regulating the SL period as well as the number of InAs monolayers (layer thickness). This wavelength control can be understood by considering the carrier confinement along the growth direction as well as the effective well depth change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A calibration apparatus for contact surface thermometers was developed. Temperature of the upper surface of a copper cube of the calibration apparatus was used as reference surface temperature, which was estimated at around $$50\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ , $$100\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ , and $$150\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ by not only two conventional industrial platinum resistance thermometers (IPRTs) but also five small-sized platinum resistance thermometers (SSPRTs) calibrated based on the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). These thermometers were inserted horizontally into the copper cube and aligned along the center axis of the copper cube. In the case of a no-load state without anything on the upper surface, the temperature profile inside the copper cube linearly decreased from the lower part to the upper surface, which suggests that the heat conduction inside the copper cube can be regarded as a one-dimensional steady state. On the other hand, in the case of a transient state just after the contact surface thermometer was applied to the upper surface, the temperature profile became a round shape. We obtained good agreement between the curvature of the temperature profiles and the results estimated by using an error function used for a one-dimensional transient heat conduction problem. The temperature difference between the estimated temperature by linear extrapolation using two IPRTs and that by extrapolation using the error function was within $$0.2\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ in the transient state at around $$150\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ . Over 10 min after the contact surface thermometer was applied, the temperature profile showed a linear shape again, which indicated that linear extrapolation using two IPRTs was well for the estimation of the reference surface temperature because the heat conduction state inside the copper cube came back to the one-dimensional steady state. Difference between the surface temperature and temperature detected by the contact surface thermometer was also observed after the contact surface thermometer touched on the upper surface. The difference was over $$0.1\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ at several minutes after the contact surface thermometer touching on the reference surface and was suppressed with passing time in the transient state and became negligible over 10 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the stability of four capsule-type standard platinum resistance thermometers (CSPRTs) has been checked by evaluating behavior of the calibrated values at each cryogenic fixed point of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) below 273.16 K since around 2005. Performance of three capsule-type RhFe resistance thermometers (RIRTs) has been also observed at the triple points of Ne and $$e\hbox {-}\hbox {H}_{2}$$ . It is confirmed that CSPRTs and RIRTs are stable within the uncertainty of calibration at each low-temperature fixed point for a past decade except for one CSPRT. The resistance of the CSPRT was clearly affected by the accidental mechanical shock at TPW, although the variation of its calibration values was unclear at the triple points of Ar, $$\hbox {O}_{2}$$ and Ne and was still within the uncertainty at the triple points of Hg and $$e\hbox {-}\hbox {H}_{2}$$ . And the CSPRT shows stable behavior after re-calibration again. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with a perpendicularly magnetized synthetic antiferromagnetic (p-SAF) reference layer for magnetic sensor applications. The MTJs exhibited linear tunnel magnetoresistance curves to out-of-plane applied magnetic fields with dynamic ranges more than ±2.5 kOe, which are wider than those in CoFeB/MgO/CoFeBMTJs reported to date. The performance metrics of MTJ sensors, i.e., sensitivity and nonlinearity, depend significantly on the anisotropy field of the free layer. We explained the dependences by a simple model based on the Stoner-Wohlfarth and Slonczewski models, which gives us a guideline to design the sensor performance metrics. These findings demonstrated that MTJs with a p-SAF reference layer are promising candidates for wide-dynamic-range magnetic sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In a 2-year randomized, placebo-controlled study of 665 Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis, once-yearly administration of zoledronic acid (5 mg) reduced the risk of new morphometric vertebral fractures. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of once-yearly intravenous infusion of ZOL in Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis. Methods: This was a two-year multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study (ZONE Study). Subjects were 665 Japanese patients between the ages of 65 and 89 years who had prevalent vertebral fracture. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive once-yearly intravenous infusion of 5 mg of ZOL or placebo at baseline and 12 months. Results: The 2-year incidence of new morphometric vertebral fracture was 3.0 % (10/330 subjects) in the ZOL group and 8.9 % (29/327) in the placebo group ( p = 0.0016). The 24-month cumulative incidence of new morphometric vertebral fracture was 3.3 % in the ZOL group versus 9.7 % in the placebo group (log-rank test: p = 0.0029; hazard ratio: 0.35; 95 % confidence interval: 0.17-0.72). The cumulative incidence of any clinical fracture, clinical vertebral fracture, and non-vertebral fracture was significantly reduced in the ZOL group by 54, 70, and 45 %, respectively, compared to the placebo group. At 24 months, ZOL administration increased bone mineral density in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip ( t test: p < 0.0001). No new adverse events or osteonecrosis of the jaw were observed in this study. Conclusions: Once-yearly administration of ZOL 5 mg to Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis reduced the risk of new morphometric vertebral fractures and was found to be safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-speed liquid (water) jet has distinctive characteristics in surgical applications, such as tissue dissection without thermal damage and small blood vessel preservation, that make it advantageous over more conventional instruments. The continuous pressurized jet has been used since the first medical application of water jets to liver surgery in the 1980s, but exhibited drawbacks partly related to the excess water supply required and unsuitability for application to microsurgical instruments intended for deep, narrow lesions (endoscopic instrumentation and catheters) due to limitations in miniaturization of the device. To solve these issues, we initiated work on the pulsed micro-liquid jet. The idea of the pulsed micro-liquid jet originated from the observation of tissue damage by shock/bubble interactions during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and evolved into experimental application for recanalization of cerebral embolisms in the 1990s. The original method of generating the liquid jet was based on air bubble formation and microexplosives as the shock wave source, and as such could not be applied clinically. The air bubble was replaced by a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser-induced bubble. Finally, the system was simplified and the liquid jet was generated via irradiation from the Ho:YAG laser within a liquid-filled tubular structure. A series of investigations revealed that this pulsed laser-induced liquid jet (LILJ) system has equivalent dissection and blood vessel preservation characteristics, but the amount of liquid usage has been reduced to less than 2 $$\upmu $$ l per shot and can easily be incorporated into microsurgical, endoscopic, and catheter devices. As a first step in human clinical studies, we have applied the LILJ system for the treatment of skull base tumors through the transsphenoidal approach in 9 patients (7 pituitary adenomas and 2 chordomas), supratentorial glioma (all high grade glioma) in 8 patients, including one with fine perforating vessel involvement, and cerebrovascular disease (1 arteriovenous malformation and 2 intracerebral hemorrhages) in 3 patients. Precise dissection and mass reduction of the tumor were obtained in all tumor cases except for one chordoma with significant fibrosis. Small arteries down to 100 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ were preserved, allowing subsequent microsurgical devascularization. Veins were also preserved occasionally. The arachnoid membrane and the tumor capsule were resistant to the LILJ except for one case with prolonged exposure. No complications related to use of the LILJ system were observed. No disturbance of the surgical field by splashing, aerosol, or dissemination of pathological tissue occurred with placement of the optimal suction system. The Ho:YAG LILJ system enhances the advantages of commercialized pressure-driven continuous liquid jet instrumentation in terms of small vessel preservation and accessibility in confined spaces for minimally invasive neurosurgery, and solves some of the drawbacks involved with excessive liquid use and size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiative divertor plasmas for JT-60SA with a full tungsten (W) wall, which is one of options in future, have been simulated with a SOL/divertor integrated code, SONIC. A conventional modified-coronal radiation (MCR) model with a finite confinement time is used for both Ar and W for the purpose of wide-range parameter surveys for the divertor plasma to obtain the required conditions ( qt ≤ 10 MW/m2, nSepe-mid = 3∼8×1019 m-3, Prad< ∼ 30 MW), saving the calculation time. At low W density ratio ( nW / ni = 1×10-5), due to low radiative power from W ions, Ar density ratio ( nAr/ ni ≥ 1.0 × 10-3) and a strong gas puff (Γp ≥ 3.0×1022 s-1) are inevitable to suppress the divertor heat flux down to 10 MW/m2. Increasing nW/ ni to 1×10-3 in the divertor region, the divertor heat load becomes low and the operative regions are expanded. While, the W production shall be suppressed since the W radiation is increased with replacement of Ar radiation and the particle recycling decreased. A Monte-Carlo module (IMPMC) implemented in SONIC for Ar seeding reveals that the spatial distribution of Ar ions is predominantly determined by shell structures of the Ar ions. The consistency between IMPMC and MCR calculations is demonstrated for the averaged n Ar/ n i ratio, the electron density and temperature profiles on the divertor target and typical parameter such as the divertor heat load. It shows that the detailed analysis with IMPMC model can be speedily obtained, using a steady state solution obtained by MCR model as an initial state. (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique is able to detect a slope deformation around landslide (e.g., Singhroy et al., 2004; Une et al., 2008; Riedel and Walther, 2008; Sato et al., 2014). Geospatial Information Authority (GSI) of Japan has been performing the InSAR analysis regularly by using ALOS/PALSAR data and ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 data throughout Japan. There are a lot of small phase change sites except for crustal deformation with earthquake or volcano activity in the InSAR imagery. Most of the phase change sites are located in landslide area. We conducted field survey at the 10 sites of those phase change sites. As a result, we identified deformation of artificial structures or linear depressions caused by mass movement at the 9 sites. This result indicates that InSAR technique can detect on the continual deformation of landslide block for several years. GSI of Japan will continue to perform the InSAR analysis throughout Japan. Therefore, we will be able to observe and monitor precursory slope deformation around landslide areas throughout Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the facilities and activities at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) which is located in Osaka University in Japan.

The state-of-the-art of plate forging processes for forming complicated parts without cutting and finishing in Japan was reviewed. For cups having comparative large thickness and plates having complicated cross-sectional shapes, plate forging is more useful than conventional billet forging due to due to comparatively small change in shape. In plate forging, forging processes such as upsetting, extrusion and ironing are included in the sequence of conventional stamping composed of shearing, bending and deep drawing in order to control metal flow in plates. Plate forging has the advantages of higher performance, larger productivity, lower cost, etc. Plate forging processes are classified into desired functions of products, local thickening, local thinning, formability improvement and forming of gears and plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The MOVEST study evaluated the efficacy and safety of monthly oral ibandronate versus licensed monthly IV ibandronate in Japanese osteoporotic patients. Relative BMD gains after 12 months were 5.22 % oral and 5.34 % IV, showing non-inferiority of oral to IV ibandronate (primary endpoint). No new safety concerns were identified. Introduction: The randomized, phase 3, double-blind MOVEST (Monthly Oral VErsus intravenouS ibandronaTe) study evaluated the efficacy and safety of monthly oral ibandronate versus the licensed monthly intravenous (IV) ibandronate regimen in Japanese patients with osteoporosis. Methods: Ambulatory patients aged ≥55 years with primary osteoporosis were randomized to receive oral ibandronate 100 mg/month plus monthly IV placebo, or IV ibandronate 1 mg/month plus monthly oral placebo. The primary endpoint was non-inferiority of oral versus IV ibandronate with respect to bone mineral density (BMD) gains at the lumbar spine after 12 months of treatment. Results: Four hundred twenty-two patients were enrolled with 372 patients in the per-protocol set (183 and 189 in the oral and IV ibandronate groups, respectively). The relative change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD values for the oral and IV ibandronate groups, respectively, was 5.22 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 4.65, 5.80) and 5.34 % (95 % CI 4.78, 5.90). The least squares mean difference between the two groups was −0.23 % (95 % CI −0.97, 0.51), showing non-inferiority of oral ibandronate to IV ibandronate (non-inferiority limit = −1.60). Changes in BMD values at other sites, and bone turnover marker levels in the oral ibandronate group, were comparable with those of the IV group. The safety profile was similar to that previously demonstrated; no new safety concerns were identified. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the non-inferiority of oral ibandronate 100 mg/month to IV ibandronate 1 mg/month (licensed dose in Japan) in increasing lumbar spine BMD in Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

$$^{3}$$ He interpolating constant-volume gas thermometer scales are compared using different virial coefficients and gas densities for a temperature range of 3 K to the triple point of Ne (24.5561 K). The differences between the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) and the interpolation scale, which follows the definition of the ITS-90 but uses the second and third virial coefficients of the recent ab initio calculations, have maxima of about 0.08 mK and 0.13 mK for gas densities of $$168\,\hbox {mol}{\cdot }\hbox {m}^{-3}$$ and $$278\,\hbox {mol}{\cdot }\hbox {m}^{-3}$$ , respectively. The differences between the ITS-90 and the interpolation scale using only the ab initio second virial coefficient have maxima of about 0.08 mK and 0.14 mK for the same respective sequence of gas densities. The ITS-90 temperatures obtained in eight runs with gas densities from $$127\,\hbox {mol}{\cdot } \hbox {m}^{-3}$$ to $$278\,\hbox {mol}{\cdot }\hbox {m}^{-3}$$ agree with a polynomial of the resistance of a rhodium-iron resistance thermometer within 0.2 mK. To calculate the temperature profile along the pressure-sensing tube connecting the low temperature part of the constant-volume gas thermometer to room temperature, a calculation model is proposed that takes into account not only the thermal conductivity of the tube wall but also the radiative heat transfer between the tube and the vacuum jacket enclosing it. The calculation results of this model approximate the measured profile better than the conventional calculations that neglect the radiative heat transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal inflammation is associated with spontaneous preterm birth and respiratory impairment among premature infants. Recently, molecular hydrogen (H2) has been reported to have a suppressive effect on oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of H2 on fetal lung injury caused by maternal inflammation. Cell viability and the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contained in ordinal or H2-rich medium (HM) using a human lung epithelial cell line, A549. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Control, LPS, and HW + LPS groups. Rats were injected with phosphate-buffered saline (Control) or LPS intraperitoneally (LPS) on gestational day 19 and provided H2 water (HW) ad libitum for 24 h before LPS injection (HW + LPS). Fetal lung samples were collected on day 20, and the levels of apoptosis, oxidative damage, IL-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The number of apoptotic cells, and levels of ROS and IL-6 were significantly increased by LPS treatment, and repressed following cultured with HM in A549 cells. In the rat models, the population positive for cleaved caspase-3, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, IL-6, and VEGF was significantly increased in the LPS group compared with that observed in the Control group and significantly decreased in the HW + LPS group. In this study, LPS administration induced apoptosis and oxidative damage in fetal lung cells that was ameliorated by maternal H2 intake. Antenatal H2 administration may decrease the pulmonary mobility associated with inflammation in premature infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 12-month extension phase of DIRECT in Japanese subjects with osteoporosis showed that total 3 years of denosumab treatment in Japanese postmenopausal women and men with osteoporosis was associated with low fracture rates, persistent bone turnover marker (BTM) reductions, continuous bone mineral density (BMD) increases, and a favorable overall benefit/risk profile. Introduction: The DIRECT trial demonstrated that 2 years of treatment with denosumab 60 mg subcutaneously every 6 months significantly reduced the incidence of vertebral fracture compared to placebo in Japanese postmenopausal women and men with osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of denosumab treatment for up to 3 years. Methods: This study includes a 2-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase and a 1-year open-label extension phase in which all subjects received denosumab. The data correspond to 3 years of denosumab treatment in subjects who received denosumab (long-term group) and 1 year of denosumab treatment in subjects who received placebo (cross-over group) in the double-blind phase. Results: Eight hundred and ten subjects who completed the double-blind phase enrolled into the extension phase, and 775 subjects completed the study. All subjects received denosumab with daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D. The cumulative 36-month incidences of new or worsening vertebral fractures and new vertebral fractures were 3.8 and 2.5 %, respectively, in the long-term group. In this group, the BMD continued to increase, and the reduction in BTMs was maintained. In the cross-over group, comparable BMD increases and BTMs reductions to those of in their first year of the long-term group were confirmed. Adverse events did not show a notable increase with long-term denosumab administration. One event of osteonecrosis of the jaw occurred in the cross-over group. Conclusions: Three-year denosumab treatment in Japanese subjects with osteoporosis showed a favorable benefit/risk profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]