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Control of the charge state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center is crucial because of its instability and its transitions between the negative (NV–) and neutral (NV0) NV charge states under laser irradiation In this study, we fabricated an n-i-n junction, with an i-layer sandwiched between two phosphorus-doped n-layers; then, we measured the charge state of NV centers under steady state and laser irradiation in a known band structure where the Fermi energy changes gradually. The steady-state charge state measured by a nondestructive single shot exhibited stable NV– and NV0 signals when the Fermi level was even slightly above and below the transition level, respectively. This result indicates that the charge state can be significantly stabilized through band engineering. Both charge-state populations were observed only when the Fermi level was close to the transition level. Under continuous green laser irradiation, the ratio of NV– measured by the photoluminescence spectra changed gradually with the Fermi level in the depletion layer because of the balance between excitation from the laser and the supply of charge from the band. This outcome agrees reasonably with the calculated bands. Furthermore, we measured the PL spectra of the ensemble NV centers and discovered that their charge state can be well-controlled, as in the single NV center. The charge state of the i-layer at the interface can be stabilized by depositing a thin n-layer on the surface. These results would contribute significantly to improve sensor performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme cold events can have several consequences in different sectors, including human health, infrastructure, agriculture, and the economy. The frost events that affect central and northeastern Argentina are associated with stationary Rossby waves triggered by tropical heat sources and convection, which result in intense polar air advection. However, the processes responsible for these cold events include complex interactions between these wave trains and mechanisms at different atmospheric scales, such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), which can alter the temperature patterns. This study investigates the impacts of the MJO on air temperature and associated circulation in years with extreme occurrence frequency of cold events in central southern South America during the winter. The results showed that the MJO convection can enhance or weaken the temperature anomalies during winters with a maximum and minimum frequency of generalized frosts (GF) occurrence due to Rossby wave train propagation triggered in the tropical region. Moreover, the effect on the anomaly patterns in these events depends on the MJO phase. Our analysis shows that individual MJO phases can modulate the temperature anomalies even in an unfavorable basic state (as in winters with an extreme frequency of GF and emphasizes the importance of considering the MJO in the predictions of the temperature anomalies associated with GF over southeastern South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the climate in North and Northeast Brazil has undergone significant changes, which indicate potential risks for water and food security due to increasing temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and greater frequency of some extreme events. For example, there is evidence of changes in the strength of the hydrological cycles on North and Northeast Brazil river basins, but the magnitude and extension of the precipitation changes are highly dependent on the precipitation dataset under consideration and the methodology. Here, we analyze the precipitation trends in North and Northeast Brazil hydrological basins and the possible associated mechanisms and present the rainfall climatological cycles in these basins using multi-datasets. The results showed that, in most river basins, there is a clear distinction between the rainy and dry seasons, with a contrast between the basins of the North (which receive a higher amount of rainfall) and the Northeast Brazil (with low rainfall volume, especially in the Parnaíba and Eastern Northeast Atlantic basins). Moreover, the annual rainfall has undergone an increasing trend in western Brazil river basins and a decreasing trend in the eastern. This east–west dipole is associated with the strengthening (weakening) of the Walker and Hadley circulations in western (eastern) Brazil in recent decades. A multidecadal variability is seen to modulate the precipitation changes, which is in phase with the AMO cycle. CMIP6 detection and attribution experiments showed that both natural and anthropogenic factors can play a role in the recent changes observed in northern Brazil river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the generation mechanisms of micro-cracks (MCs) in an ultra-thin AlN/GaN superlattice (SL) structure grown on Si(110) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The SL is intended to be used as an interlayer (IL) for relaxing tensile stress and obtaining high-quality crack-free GaN grown on Si substrates. It is found that the MCs can be generated by two different mechanisms, where large mismatches of the lattice constant (LC) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) play key roles in the issue. Different MC configurations (low-density and high-density MCs) are observed, which are considered to be formed during the different growth stages (SL growth and cooling down processes) due to the LC and the CTE effects. In-situ and ex-situ experimental results support the mechanism interpretations of the MCs generation. The mechanism understanding makes it possible to optimize the SL IL structure for growing high-quality crack-free GaN films on Si substrates for optical and electronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of drinking water by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) emitted from manufacturing plants, fire-fighting foams, and urban waste streams has received considerable attention due to concerns over toxicity and environmental persistence; however, PFASs in ambient air remain poorly understood, especially in the United States (US). We measured PFAS concentrations in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 5 locations across North Carolina over a 1 year period in 2019. Thirty-four PFASs, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic, perfluoroalkane sulfonic, perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic and sulfonic acids were analyzed by UHPLC/ESI-MS/MS. Quarterly averaged concentrations ranged from <0.004–14.1 pg m−3. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) ranged from <0.18 to 14.1 pg m−3, comparable to previous PM2.5 measurements from Canada and Europe (<0.02–3.5 pg m−3). Concentrations above 1 pg m−3 were observed in July–September at Charlotte (14.1 pg m−3, PFOA), Wilmington (4.75 pg m−3, PFOS), and Research Triangle Park (1.37 pg m−3, PFOS). Notably, PM2.5 has a short atmospheric lifetime (<2 weeks), and thus, the presence of PFOS in these samples raises questions about their sources, since PFOS production was phased out in the US ∼20 years ago. This is the first US study to provide insights into ambient PFAS concentrations in PM2.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have suggested that a cyclonic vortex, which has the same signed vorticity as that of background shear, can lead to dissimilar heat transfer enhancement, i.e. more heat transfer than momentum transfer. However, it has not yet been known how the cyclonic vortex achieves dissimilarity, or if other types of vortices would also lead to dissimilarity. In order to tackle these problems, we introduce a straight vortex tube into laminar plane Couette flow under various conditions and numerically investigate heat and momentum transfer therein. The essential process for dissimilarity is isolated from complex ingredients of realistic flow to consider the interaction of a vortex with background shear. It is found that introduction of a strong spanwise anti-cyclonic vortex, which has the opposite signed vorticity to that of background shear, can realize more dissimilar heat transfer than the known cyclonic vortex as a consequence of the long-term interaction with the background flow, whereas the spanwise cyclonic vortex achieves larger dissimilarity in the early stage of its time evolution. The physical mechanisms of dissimilarity due to these vortices are elucidated by interpreting the distribution of the streamwise pressure gradient and the resulting difference between temperature and streamwise velocity around the vortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium fujikuroi is the pathogen of rice bakanae disease and has been intensively studied for gibberellin (GA) production. F. fujikuroi is phylogenetically subclassified into G- and F-groups, which differ in GA and fumonisin production. A higher amount of GA is produced by the G-group than the F-group. A previous study found that the GA production difference between the G-group strain Gfc0801001 and the F-group strain Gfc0825009 was due to the GA gene cluster. In this study, higher expression of P450–1 and P450–4 in the GA gene cluster were detected in G-group strains than in F-group strains. The nucleotide sequence of the bidirectional promoter region between P450–1 and P450–4 and expression of P450–1 and P450–4 were compared between G- and F-group strains. The promoter sequence was identical among G-group strains while nucleotide substitutions were detected at various locations in F-group strains. Most F-group strains did not share the same substitutions. These results combined with the ancestral position of the F-group in the phylogenetic tree suggest that the population carrying highly expressed sequence generates the G-group rather than the low expression of P450–1 and P450–4 in the F-group due to a specific mutation occured in G-group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American Monsoon System (SAMS) is a major climatic feature of South America, and its domain extends from Amazon to La Plata basin. The SAMS region is vulnerable to variations of climate and precipitation patterns, which could impact economic activities and lead to potential societal consequences. In the face of a warming future scenario, the importance of the study of the past climate with numerical simulations is to evaluate the climate models and to assure the reliability of future projections. Here we investigate the Mid-Holocene SAMS, evaluating changes in strength, life cycle and associated dynamical mechanisms in ten Earth System Models simulations. Our results show that the SAMS was weaker in the Mid-Holocene than in the pre-industrial climate in December–January–February (DJF), but stronger in September–October–November (SON). This is probably a consequence of insolation variations in the Mid-Holocene, which contributed to changes in the moisture flux from the Atlantic Ocean to the continent, the strength of the upper-level atmospheric circulation, and the amount of precipitation over the SAMS region. Moreover, we suggest that the life cycle of the SAMS was altered during the Mid-Holocene, with an earlier onset and demise. Our results also indicate that Mid-Holocene SAMS changes are connected to precipitation variations near Northeast Brazil, in a dipole configuration of precipitation between western Amazon and Northeast Brazil, due to the influence of the Walker cell. Finally, this study highlights a need for improvement of the numerical models to better simulate the amount of precipitation over South America and the upper-level circulation over western Amazon in SON, which are crucial factors for a more realistic representation of the SAMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 3D microfabrication method has been developed, which uses only a single femtosecond laser pulse and a hologram. For the microfabrication inside transparent materials, the optical axial elongation of the fabricated structure is a major problem that has thus far limited design flexibility, especially for the direction along the optical axis. By controlling the light intensity distribution profile and using the adequate focal length of the hologram, this problem was solved and homogeneous and elongation-free 3D microfabrication was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary ion mass spectra have been measured for the first time for a liquid ethanol target bombarded by 2.0 MeV He+ ions. Positive and negative ion spectra exhibit evidently a series of cluster ions of the forms [(EtOH)nH]+ and [(EtOH)n-H]-, respectively, in addition to light fragment ions from intact parent molecules. It was found that these cluster ions are produced only from liquid phase ethanol. Both positive and negative secondary ion spectra show similar cluster size distributions with almost the same decay slope. We also present for the first time the cluster ion distribution emitted from the liquid at different liquid temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine whether dietary chicken-breast extract (CBEX), a rich source of histidine-containing dipeptides, could modify exercise-induced changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function. After 5 weeks of dietary CBEX, SR Ca2+-handling ability was examined in the vastus lateralis muscles of rats subjected to high-intensity running for 2.5 min. Dietary CBEX caused an approximately 15% and 45% increase (p < .01) in muscle carnosine and anserine concentrations, respectively. In resting muscles, depressions in SR Ca2+-ATPase activity were evoked by dietary CBEX without concomitant changes in SR Ca2+ uptake and release rates. The data confirm that high-intensity exercise depresses SR Ca2+ handling. In spite of the same run time, SR Ca2+ handling was reduced to a lesser degree in muscles of CBEX-containing-chow-fed rats than in standard-chow-fed rats (p < .05). These results suggest that dietary CBEX might attenuate deteriorations in SR Ca2+-handling ability that occur with high-intensity exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of AlxGa1-xN buffers in the control of residual strain in GaN epitaxial layers grown on 6H-SiC (0001) substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy was investigated. The initial GaN layer on the AlxGa1-xN (x=0%–10%) buffer nucleates in two-dimensional form, which promotes a step-flow growth mode in subsequently grown GaN layers. As the Al content in the AlxGa1-xN (x∼20%) buffer was increased, GaN began to nucleate as incoherent polygonal islands, coalescing as the thickness increased to 15 nm. The overall residual strain induced in GaN is tensile ([variant_greek_epsilon]xx) for GaN grown directly on SiC and compressive (-[variant_greek_epsilon]xx) for GaN grown using an AlGaN buffer. The stiffness coefficient (-2C13/C33) of GaN on the AlxGa1-xN (x∼10%) buffer was estimated to be -0.53 assuming that the defect-induced hydrostatic stress of unstrained GaN (c0/a0) was constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) GaN nucleation on a gallium (Ga) induced 3×3-SiC (0001) surface was achieved by molecular-beam epitaxy. The Ga adsorbate on SiC (0001) revealed well-ordered [square_root_of_3]×[square_root_of_3]-R30° and 3×3 surface reconstructions with respect to Ga adatom coverage. The 3×3 surface was found to be highly reactive toward 2D GaN nuclei. This enhances the surface mobility of impinging adatoms during GaN growth, which promotes a step-flow growth mode. On the [square_root_of_3]×[square_root_of_3]-R30° surface, polygonal Stranski–Krastanov islands formed during the initial stages, coalescing as thickness increased. The GaN growth kinetics was found to depend on the Ga atomistic process of the reconstructed SiC (0001) surfaces. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the growth and transport properties of two-dimensional electron gas confined at the AlN/GaN heterointerface grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. The sheet carrier density was found to be highly dependent on the barrier thickness of AlN grown on a doped or undoped GaN layer. The carrier sheet density monotonously increased from 0.8×10[sup 12] to 1.1×10[sup 13] cm[sup -2] as the AlN barrier thickness on a semi-insulating GaN layer increased from 15 to 25 Å due to spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization. An AlN barrier of 35 Å in thickness grown on n-GaN gave the highest sheet carrier density, which was 4.3×10[sup 13] cm[sup -2]. In thin AlN barrier layers, the sheet carrier density was low due to surface depletion. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetization switching was observed in real time in voltage-control spintronics memory (VoCSM), which utilizes a hybrid writing method that combines spin–orbit torque and voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA). VCMA lowers the switching energy barrier between parallel and antiparallel states, leading to a reduction in the write current and acceleration of magnetization switching. Real-time observation revealed that this acceleration of magnetization switching was accomplished by reducing the incubation and switching times. Using this writing method, high write durability was realized over 1013 write cycles using 2-ns write pulses. These results indicate that VoCSM realizes high speed and highly reliable switching with low power consumption and has the potential to shape next-generation computing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the deep-level traps in Si-doped GaN epitaxial layers by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition on c-oriented and m-oriented free-standing GaN substrates. The c-oriented and m-oriented epitaxial layers, grown at a temperature of 1000 °C and V/III ratio of 1000, contained carbon atomic concentrations of 1.7×1016 and 4.0×1015 cm–3, respectively. A hole trap was observed at about 0.89 eV above the valence band maximum by minority carrier transient spectroscopy. The trap concentrations in the c-oriented and m-oriented GaN epitaxial layers were consistent with the carbon atomic concentrations from secondary ion mass spectroscopy and the yellow luminescence intensity at 2.21 eV from photoluminescence. The trap concentrations in the m-oriented GaN epitaxial layers were lower than those in the c-oriented GaN. Two electron traps, 0.24 and 0.61 eV below the conduction band (EC) minimum, were observed in the c-oriented GaN epitaxial layer. In contrast, the m-oriented GaN epitaxial layer was free from the electron trap at EC – 0.24 eV, and the trap concentration at EC – 0.61 eV in the m-oriented GaN epitaxial layer was lower than that in the c-oriented GaN epitaxial layer. The m-oriented GaN epitaxial layer exhibited fewer hole and electron traps compared to the c-oriented GaN epitaxial layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: To investigate the clinical significance of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor (sTNF‐R) II/I ratio as an indicator of the diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s‐JIA), we measured the serum sTNF‐RI and II levels in 117 patients with s‐JIA, including 29 patients with MAS, 15 with Epstein–Barr virus‐induced haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV‐HLH), 15 with Kawasaki disease (KD) and 28 healthy controls (HCs). We determined their correlation with measurements of disease activity and severity. Furthermore, we measured serum interleukin (IL)‐18 levels in patients with EBV‐HLH and compared these in levels in patients with MAS. The sTNF‐RII/I ratio was elevated significantly in MAS and EBV‐HLH patients compared with those in the acute phase of s‐JIA and KD patients, whereas there were no significant differences between HCs and those in the acute phase of s‐JIA. The sTNF‐RII/I ratio increased profoundly as MAS developed and correlated positively with disease activity. Serum IL‐18 levels were elevated significantly in MAS patients compared with EBV‐HLH patients. The monitoring of serum IL‐18 and sTNF‐RII/I might be useful for the diagnosis of MAS and the differentiation between MAS and EBV‐HLH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of piperidinium ionic liquids (ILs) equipped with an oxygen atom-containing alkyl side chain on the positively charged nitrogen atom were systematically synthesized and their physical properties investigated. The thermal stability, viscosity, electrochemical window, and ion conductivity were influenced significantly by changing the position of the oxygen atom in the alkyl chain. Although the lowest viscosity was recorded for 1-((2-methoxyethoxy)methyl)-1-methylpiperidin-1-ium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([PP1MEM][Tf2N]), 1-methyl-1-(2-propoxyethyl)piperidin-1-ium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([PP1PE][Tf2N]) can be recommended as the best IL as an electrolyte due to its low viscosity and high thermal and electrochemical stability among the seven ILs tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage-control spintronics memory (VoCSM) is a spintronics-based memory that uses the voltage-control-magnetic-anisotropy (VCMA) effect as a selection method and the spin-Hall effect as a write method, and is a candidate for future nonvolatile main memory because of its advantages such as high density, low energy consumption, and robustness against read disturbance. In this paper, we demonstrate VoCSM with a self-aligned heavy-metal electrode, which is the most desirable in mass production and can expect the lowest critical current ( IC) due to its narrow electrode structure. We obtain the value of IC of around 400~\mu \textA for a magnetic tunnel junction of size 35~\mathrm nm \times 245 nm by using a self-aligned heavy-metal electrode. The value is lowered to one-third that of the conventional VoCSM structure and is comparable with that of spin-transfer torque writing. Moreover, IC decreased due to the VCMA effect and reached 260~\mu \textA for \textV\mathrm {MTJ} = -0.8 V. We also found that the diffusion spin current from the lateral region, which is the concern matter of this structure, did not contribute very much to the switching due to the extremely short spin diffusion length of the heavy-metal electrode. It indicates that VoCSM with a self-aligned heavy-metal electrode may lead to the production of high-density and low-energy-consumption memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daptomycin (DAP) is widely used in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. The emergence of DAP non-susceptible MRSA strains during therapy is a major concern in clinical settings. Recent studies revealed that MRSA spontaneously reverts to a subsequent methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strain. However, it is not clear whether DAP non-susceptible MRSA has the ability to revert to a susceptible strain. We obtained an MRSA strain pair, DAP non-susceptible strain and subsequent DAP susceptible strain, from a patient. To understand the underlying mechanism by which DAP non-susceptible MRSA reverts to a susceptible strain, we performed genetic and phenotypic analysis in the strain pair. Although whole-genome analysis revealed four missense mutations, including L826F in mprF, in both strains, the net cell-surface charge was similar between the DAP non-susceptible and susceptible strains. However, the thickness of the cell wall was higher in the DAP non-susceptible strain, which was decreased to the same level as the control after reversion to the DAP susceptible strain. Moreover, the non-susceptible strain showed higher mRNA expression of the two-component system (TCS), such as VraSR, yycG and GraS, with the up-regulated transcription levels of cell-wall biosynthesis-related genes. The expression levels of those genes were decreased after reversion to the susceptible strain. These results indicated that DAP non-susceptibility due to up-regulation of the TCS and cell-wall biosynthesis-related genes may be reversible by the discontinuation of DAP, leading to reversion to the DAP susceptible phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality InGaN/GaN multiple-quantum wells (MQWs) with different In fractions varying from 0.04 to 0.30 have been grown on Ga-polarity GaN by N[sub 2] plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy (rf-MBE). High-resolution x-ray diffraction results have indicated that the high interface quality and good reproducibility of the InGaN QW have been achieved. Photoluminescence spectra reveals the superior and intense luminescence properties of InGaN MQWs from ultraviolet (∼388 nm) to green-yellow (∼528 nm) range. We have shown that the Ga-polarity GaN underneath is the key parameter for the successful growth of InGaN MQWs by rf-MBE. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid writing scheme that combines the spin Hall effect and voltage-controlled magnetic-anisotropy effect is investigated in Ta/CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB/Ru/CoFe/IrMn junctions. The write current and control voltage are applied to Ta and CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB junctions, respectively. The critical current density required for switching the magnetization in CoFeB was modulated 3.6-fold by changing the control voltage from -1.0V toþ1.0 V. This modulation of the write current density is explained by the change in the surface anisotropy of the free layer from 1.7 mJ/m2 to 1.6 mJ/m2, which is caused by the electric field applied to the junction. The read disturb rate and write error rate, which are important performance parameters for memory applications, are drastically improved, and no error was detected in 5×108 cycles by controlling read and write sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are generated via nonenzymatic glycation of dentinal collagen, resulting in accumulation of AGEs in dentin tissue. Since accumulated AGEs cause crosslinking between amino acid polypeptides in the collagen molecule and modify mechanical properties of dentinal collagen, the authors assumed that there would be a significant interaction between the generation of AGEs and progression of caries in dentin. To confirm such an interaction, spectroscopic imaging analyses (i.e., nanosecond fluorescence lifetime imaging and second harmonic generation light imaging) were performed in addition to biochemical and electron microscopic analyses in the present study. Seven carious human teeth were fixed in paraformaldehyde and cut longitudinally into 1-mm sections using a low-speed diamond saw for the following analyses. In transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, nondecalcified specimens were embedded in epoxy resin and sliced into thin sections for observation. For the immunohistochemical analysis, the specimens were paraffin embedded after decalcification for 2 wk and sectioned with a microtome. Resultant sections were stained with anti-AGE and anticollagen antibodies. The demineralized specimens were used for spectroscopic analyses without additional treatment. For Western blotting analysis, specimens were separated into carious and sound dentin. Each specimen was homogenized with a bead crusher and an ultrasonic homogenizer and then treated with hydrochloric acid. In carious dentin, the collagen fibers showed an amorphous structure in the TEM image, and the AGEs were localized in the areas of bacterial invasion in the immunostaining image. The total amount of AGEs in carious dentin was higher than in sound dentin in Western blotting. The ultrastructure of type I collagen and total amount of AGEs varied markedly in the dentinal caries region. The fluorescence lifetime was shorter in the carious area than that in the sound areas, indicating an increase of AGEs in the carious area. The increase of AGEs could influence the progression of dentinal caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Fluid leakage out of mechanical equipment such as gearboxes, hydraulic systems, or fuel tanks could cause serious problems and thus should be avoided. Seals are extremely useful devices for preventing such fluid leakages. We have developed a theoretical approach for calculation of the leak rate of stationary rubber seals and the friction force for dynamic seals. The theory is based on a recently developed theory of contact mechanics, which we briefly review. To test the theory, we have performed both simple model experiments and experiments on engineering seal systems. We have found good agreement between the calculated and measured results, and hence our theory has the potential to improve the future design of efficient seals. We briefly review the processes that determine rubber friction on lubricated smooth and rough substrate surfaces. We present experimental friction results for lubricated surfaces, obtained using a simple Leonardo da Vinci setup. The data is analyzed using the Persson rubber friction and contact mechanics theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fundamental science, as well as all communications and navigation systems, are heavily reliant on the phase, timing, and synchronization provided by low-noise and agile frequency sources. Although research into varied photonic and electronic schemes have strived to improve upon the spectral purity of microwave and millimeter-wave signals, the reliance on conventional electronic synthesis for tuning has resulted in limited progress in broadband sources. Using a digital-photonic synthesizer architecture that derives its time-base from a high-stability optical reference cavity, we generate frequency-agile and wideband microwave signals with exceptional dynamic range and with a fractional frequency instability of 1 × 10−15 at 1 s. The presented architecture demonstrates digitally controlled, user defined and broadband frequency tuning from RF to 100 GHz with orders-of-magnitude improvement in noise performance over room-temperature electronic wide-bandwidth synthesis schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clearances of a passenger platform at a railway station should be appropriately maintained for safety of both trains and passengers. In most Japanese railways clearances between a platform and a train car is measured precisely once or twice a year. Because current measurement systems operate on a track, the closure of the track is unavoidable. Since the procedure of the closure of a track is time-consuming and bothersome, we decided to develop a new system to measure clearances without the closure of a track. A new system is required to work on a platform and the required measurement accuracy is less than several millimetres. We have adopted a 3D laser scanner and stop-and-go operation for a new system. The current systems on a track measure clearances continuously at walking speed, while our system on a platform measures clearances at approximately ten metres intervals. The scanner controlled by a PC acquires a set of point data at each measuring station. Edge points of the platform, top and side points of two rails are detected from the acquired point data. Finally clearances of the platform are calculated by using the detected feature points of the platform and the rails. The results of an experiment using a prototype of our system show that the measurement accuracy by our system would be satisfactory, but our system would take more time than the current systems. Since our system requires no closure of a track, we conclude that our system would be convenient and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2-binding protein ( WFA+-M2 BP) is a new liver fibrosis glycobiomarker with unique fibrosis-related glyco-alteration. WFA+-M2 BP is also a useful surrogate marker for the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and for the liver functional reserve. Aim To evaluate the diagnostic ability of WFA+-M2 BP for liver fibrosis in the clinical setting and the clinical utility of WFA+-M2 BP for predicting the efficacy of direct-acting anti-viral ( DAA) treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients. Methods The study included 159 genotype 1 hepatitis C patients who received DAA-based treatment (telaprevir or simeprevir) combined with pegylated-interferon alpha plus ribavirin (108 telaprevir- and 51 simeprevir-based triple treatment). The relation between baseline serum WFA+-M2 BP and treatment efficacy was evaluated. Results The serum WFA+-M2 BP level significantly increased with the progress of liver fibrosis. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified 2.17 as the cut-off index ( COI) for WFA+-M2 BP for diagnosing advanced fibrosis. The sustained virological response ( SVR) rate was significantly, negatively correlated with the serum WFA+-M2 BP level. Multiple logistic regression analysis found a low serum WFA+-M2 BP level (<2.17 COI) to be independently associated with SVR (odds ratio, 4.35, P = 0.027). Even for prior nonresponders and patients with the interleukin-28B minor allele or histological advanced fibrosis, treatment outcome was favourable for patients with a low serum WFA+-M2 BP level. Conclusion Serum WFA+-M2 BP is a non-invasive liver fibrosis marker useful for predicting the efficacy of DAA-based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present umbrella-shaped diamond microstructures with metal mirrors at the bottom in order to improve the amount of collected photons from nitrogen vacancy centers. The metal mirrors at the bottom are self-aligned to the umbrella-shaped diamond microstructures which are selectively grown through holes created on a metal mask. By the finite-difference time-domain simulations, we found that the umbrella-shaped microstructures, which have an effect similar to solid immersion lens, could collect photons more efficiently than bulk or pillar-shaped microstructures. Improvement of the fluorescence intensity by factors of from 3 to 5 is shown experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed low-temperature specific heat measurements on slightly underdoped samples of monolayer cuprate superconductors (Ln = La, Eu, Ln-Bi2201) under magnetic fields . In La-Bi2201, the coefficient of -linear term in the electronic specific heat at shows dependence, as expected in -wave superconductors. In Eu-Bi2201, shows almost the same dependence as that of La-Bi2201 below T, while is suppressed above T and deviates downward from the curve of La-Bi2201. This result suggests the the gap and the electronic excitation spectrum near nodes are modified in Eu-Bi2201 except the region of the Fermi surface in the immediate vicinity of nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Clinical profiles, outcomes of isolated fetal complete atrioventricular block: a retrospective review of 14 cases at a single institution" by K. Murakami and others is presented.

An abstract for the article "Predicting fetal lung hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: parameters with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging" by M. Shimizu and others is presented.

The authors report the results of an indirect comparison of the standards of absorbed dose to water in high-energy photon beams from a clinical linac and 60Co radiation beam performed between the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Three ionisation chambers were calibrated by the NMIJ in April and June 2013 and by the ARPANSA in May 2013. The average ratios of the calibration coefficients for the three ionisation chambers obtained by the NMIJ to those obtained by the ARPANSA were 0.9994, 1.0040 and 1.0045 for 6-, 10- and 15-MV (18 MV at the ARPANSA) high-energy photon beams, respectively. The relative standard uncertainty of the value was 7.2`× 10-3. The ratio for 60Co radiation was 0.9986(66), which is consistent with the results published in the key comparison of BIPM.RI(I)-K4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the characterization results of GaN films and AlGaN/GaN heterostructure grown on 4-inch Si(110) substrates by MOCVD using an ultra-thin AlN/GaN superlattice interlayer (SL IL) structure. The structure optimization of the SL IL, characterizations of the GaN film quality and the strain state are carried out. The SL IL is found to play an important role in controlling the strain states in GaN films. A crack-free GaN film up to 2 μm thick is achieved by inserting one SL IL. High-quality GaN is obtained with the FWHM values of (002) and (102) diffraction peaks from a 2 μm-thick GaN film being as narrow as 427 arcsec and 665 arcsec, respectively. A flat surface morphology of GaN with monolayer steps is obtained. Based on the SL IL technique, AlGaN/GaN heterostructure is grown with 2DEG mobility and sheet carrier density being ∼1500 cm2/Vs and 1.2 × 1013 cm−2. A high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) is fabricated and good DC characteristics are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia (extreme tetralogy of Fallot) was diagnosed in a 6-month-old male Kaninchen Dachshund. Thoracic radiography revealed moderate right heart enlargement. Echocardiography revealed eccentric hypertrophy of the right ventricle, a large ventricular septal defect, shunting of blood from the right to the left ventricle through the defect, and one great vessel at the heart base, but no clear evidence of a pulmonary trunk, left or right pulmonary artery or an ascending aorta. Cardiac catheterisation demonstrated arterial blood flow into the lungs, but there was no flow of blood through the main pulmonary artery. Echocardiography, cardiac catheterisation and cardiac computed tomography failed to reveal a patent ductus arteriosus or a large aortopulmonary collateral artery. Of the diagnostic modalities used, cardiac computed tomography proved most useful in confirming the presence of an overriding aorta. The dog has been maintained by medical treatment for 16 months. The case report describes the imaging modalities used to achieve a final diagnosis and highlights the complementary information obtained from them. Use of these and other modalities in the future may permit the evolution of criteria to determine the prognosis in dogs and other animal species with such cardiac disorders and to inform the choice between medical and surgical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we first investigated the expressions of Jagged1, Notch2, the receptor activator of nuclear factor–kappa B ligand (RANKL), and interleukin (IL)-6 in areas of root resorption during experimental tooth movement in rats in vivo. We then assessed the effects of compression force (CF) with or without GSI (an inhibitor of Notch signaling) on Jagged1, RANKL, and IL-6 release from human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. Twelve male 6-wk-old Wistar rats were subjected to an orthodontic force of 50 g to induce mesially tipping movement of the upper first molars for 7 d. The expression levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, Jagged1, Notch2, IL-6, and RANKL proteins in the dental root were determined using an immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, the effects of the CF on Jagged1, IL-6, and RANKL production were investigated using hPDL cells in vitro. The effects of the cell-conditioned medium obtained from the hPDL cells subjected to CF (CFM) and Jagged 1 on osteoclastogenesis of human osteoclast precursor cells (hOCPs) were also investigated. Under the conditions of experimental tooth movement in vivo, resorption lacunae with multinucleated cells were observed in the 50 g group. In addition, immunoreactivity for Jagged1, Notch2, IL-6, and RANKL was detected on day 7 in the PDL tissue subjected to the orthodontic force. In the in vitro study, the compression force increased the production of Jagged1, IL-6, and RANKL from the hPDL cells, whereas treatment with GSI inhibited the production of these factors in vitro. The osteoclastogenesis increased with the CFM and rhJagged1, and the increase in the osteoclastogenesis was almost inhibited by GSI. These results suggest that the Notch signaling response to excessive orthodontic forces stimulates the process of root resorption via RANKL and IL-6 production from hPDL cells. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In steel members strengthened with carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plate, thermal stresses are introduced in the steel members, the CFRP plates and the adhesive layers when temperature changes because the linear thermal expansion coefficients of steel and CFRP are mismatched. Therefore, the thermal stress caused by temperature change has to be considered when designing the repair or strengthening of a steel member with CFRP plates. With this in mind, the authors proposed a technique to reduce thermal stress in steel members strengthened by CFRP plate on both side, which involves bonding aluminum alloy plates with CFRP plates. In this proposed method, the thermal stresses in steel member can be reduced so that there are negligible levels of stress when the cross sectional areas of CFRP and aluminum plates are designed to correspond the coefficient of thermal expansion of steel, even though the thermal stresses are introduced in the CFRP and aluminum plates. So far, a thermal bending moment was not considered in the proposed method, because the steel members strengthened by CFRP-aluminum laminated plate on top and bottom sides were assumed. However, if the proposed method is applied on one side of steel member, the thermal stress in the steel member might not be reduced completely by generated thermal bending moment. Therefore, to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method for one-sided bonding, heat tests were conducted on a steel plate with a laminated plate bonded on one side. Additionally, to verify test results and calculate the shear and peel stresses in the adhesive layers, a numerical model that used Eigenvalue analysis was proposed and applied. The tests revealed that using the proposed method to create a two-layered laminated plate consisting of CFRP and aluminum plates could not reduce the thermal stress completely in a thin steel plate. However, it was found that the thermal stress in steel plate can be completely reduced, even in thin steel plate, when the proposed method is used to create a three-layered laminated plate consisting of one CFRP plate between two aluminum plates, which when composited has a thermal bending moment equal to zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]