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Since the early 1980s, the Antarctic environment has served as a natural field laboratory for researchers to investigate the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, which has resulted in increased surface ultraviolet radiation levels. However, its effective threats still present gaps. We report new pieces of evidence of increased ultraviolet radiation impacting West Antarctica sea salt aerosols. Salt aerosols, particularly in the Southern Ocean Sea, play an important role in the radiative earth balance. To disclose the molecular details of sea salt aerosols, we used a synchrotron-based multi-element microscopic speciation of individual microparticles (Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy with Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy combined with Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy). Here we identified substantial abundances of chlorine-enriched aerosols in sea salt generated by photolytic products, whereas ice core records revealed increased chlorine depletion from the onset of ozone depletion. Our findings reveal that modern sea salt modification has no Holocene precedent.

The global burden of disease estimated that approximately 7.1 million deaths worldwide were related to air pollution in 2016. However, only a limited number of small- and middle-sized cities have air quality monitoring networks. To date, air quality in terms of particulate matter is still mainly focused on mass concentration, with limited compositional monitoring even in mega cities, despite evidence indicating differential toxicity of particulate matter. As this evidence is far from conclusive, we conducted PM

Distributing codes to specific target sensors in order to fix bugs and/or install a new application is an important management task in WSNs (Wireless Sensor Networks). For the energy efficient dissemination of such codes to specific target sensors, it is required to select the minimum required number of forwarders with the fewest control messages. In this paper, we propose a novel RPL (Routing Protocol for Low-power and lossy networks)-based tree construction scheme for target-specific code dissemination, which is called R-TCS. The main idea of R-TCS is that by leveraging the data collection tree created by a standard routing protocol RPL, it is possible to construct the code dissemination tree with the minimum numbers of non-target sensors and control messages. Since by creating a data collection tree each sensor exchanges RPL messages with the root of the tree, every sensor knows which sensors compose its upwards route, i.e. the route towards the root, and downwards route, i.e. the route towards the leaves. Because of these properties, a target sensor can select the upward route that contains the minimum number of non-target sensors. In addition, a sensor whose downward routes do not contain a target sensor is not required to transmit redundant control messages which are related to the code dissemination operation. In this way, R-TCS can reduce the energy consumption which typically happens in other target-specific code dissemination schemes by the transmission of control messages. In fact, various performance evaluation results obtained by means of computer simulations show that R-TCS reduces by at least 50% energy consumption as compared to the other previous known target-specific code dissemination scheme under the condition where ratio of target sensors is 10% of all sensors. © 2020 The Institute of Electronics.

The energy recovered from increasing amounts of municipal solid waste (MSW) is very advantageous as a source of sustainable energy. An option to convert MSW to useful products is the production of syngas for electric power generation. This strategy is viable with new and emerging technologies based on gasification. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the energy potential of MSW from its segregation. Through the obtained results, it was verified the expressive energy gain with segregation and consequent drying of MSW. It was estimated a production of 368 kW–770 kW, per tonne of processed MSW, in the studied gasification system. Therefore, the pre-treatment of waste through segregation may be a practical mean of achieving a sustainable route of electric power generation from MSW through gasification and combustion, as long as the process of segregation is executed through simple steps and with low cost. With the segregation of organic materials, in addition to doubling the amount of energy produced by the gasifier, it is also possible to make organic matter available for biodigestion and/or processes for production of gases with high aggregate value.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in tongue-palatal contact patterns using electropalatography (EPG) before and after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) in patients with mandibular prognathism. Nine clients who underwent SSRO for mandibular setback and seven control subjects were participated in this study. Tongue-palatal contact patterns for /t/, /s/ and /k/ production were investigated using EPG before surgery and 3 months after surgery. The mean value of whole total of palate contact (WT) in the maximum contact frame was examined before and after SSRO. The correlation quantity between the change of center of gravity (COG) value and the amount of mandibular setback was also evaluated. The mean value of WT for /t/ and /s/ significantly increased after SSRO, and the EPG pattern became normal. However, a remarkable change in WT for /k/ was not observed, and the mean value was significantly larger in the SSRO group before and after surgery than in the control group. A negative correlation between COG variation and the amount of mandibular setback for /t/ and positive correlation for /s/ was observed. This study demonstrated that tongue-palatal contact patterns for /t/ and /s/ articulation improved clearly after SSRO. There was a significant correlation between COG variation and the amount of mandibular setback. However, no significant change was detected through perceptual assessment before and after SSRO. Further investigation is needed to determine whether these results will change over time.

This research aims to assess air quality in a transitional location between city and forest in the Amazon region. Located downwind of the Manaus metropolitan region, this study is part of the large-scale experiment GoAmazon2014/5. Based on their pollutant potential, inhalable particulate matter (PM

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of in vitro collections of ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Cal.) is cumbersome and costly in an ex-situ genebank. An alternative method for long term preservation which is safe and cost-effective is required.To apply a novel cryopreservation procedure using the cryo-plate system to improve the long-term conservation of ulluco.Initially V and D cryo-plate methods were tested, subsequently the D cryo-plate method was selected for ulluco cryopreservation. The D cryo-plate procedures were optimized for post-LN regrowth procedures including cold-hardening, sucrose addition in alginate gel, and duration of LS treatment. Optimized procedures were tested with 11 ulluco lines.Shoot tips were isolated from cold-hardened shoots for 3-4 weeks at 5 degree C were excised to 1.0-1.5 mm long and 0.5 mm wide and precultured for 16h at 25 degree C on MS with 0.3 M sucrose. The shoot tips were attached on the cryo-plates by alginate gel with 0.4M sucrose. The cryo-plates with attached shoot tips were treated with 2.0 M glycerol and 1.0 M sucrose solution for 90 min at 25 degree C and dehydrated on filter paper in a Petri dish by air current flow at 25 degree C for 45 min before direct immersion in LN. This optimized procedure was applied to shoot tips of 11 ulluco lines, resulting regrowth ranging from 73 % to 97 %, with an average of 90 % post-LN regrowth.D cryo-plate is a practical and simple procedure for cryo-storage of in vitro grown ulluco shoot tips in an ex situ genebank.

Age effects on plasma metabolites, hormone concentrations, and enzyme activities related to energy metabolism were investigated in 20 riding horses. Animals were divided into two groups: Young (3-8 years) and aged (11-18 years). They were clinically healthy, and not obese. Plasma adiponectin (ADN) concentrations in aged horses were significantly lower than those in young horses (mean±SE, 6.5±1.3 μg mL-1 vs, 10.9±1.7 μg mL-1, Mann-Whitney U test, respectively; P=0.0233). Plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels and Insulin and malondialdehyde concentrations in aged group tended to increase compared to those in young group although there were not significant differences statistically. In aged group, malate dehydrogenase/lactate dehydrogenase (M/L) ratio, which is considered an energy metabolic indicator, did not change significantly compared to that in young group. Present data suggest that aging may negatively affect nutrition metabolism, but not induce remarkable changes in M/L ratio in riding horses.

Understanding the impact on human health during peak episodes in air pollution is invaluable for policymakers. Particles less than PM

著者人数: 12名, Accepted: 2014-02-10, 資料番号: SA1004680000

EM UM MEDIDOR DE VAZAO TIPO VENTURI POR MEIO DE UM SOTWARE DE SIMULACAO CFD (um espaco) (um espaco) A. B. de ALMEIDA 1, C. I. YAMAMOTO 2, L. F. L. LUZ JR. 2 (um espaco) 1 Universidade Federal do Parana, Escola Piloto de Engenharia Quimica da UFPR 1 Universidade Federal do Parana, Departamento de Engenharia Quimica E-mail para contato: amandaborges.almeida@gmail.com (um espaco) RESUMO – O presente trabalho tem como objetivo simular os perfis de velocidade e pressao do medidor de vazao tipo Venturi do Laboratorio de Engenharia Quimica da Universidade Federal do Parana empregando um modelo computacional desenvolvido com a ferramenta CFD, utilizando o programa ANSYS CFX 15.0. O intuito principal e contribuir para as aulas praticas realizadas no curso facilitando o entendimento dos alunos e facilitando o processo de calibracao do instrumento, pois, uma vez validada, a simulacao representa muito bem a realidade. As vazoes experimentais foram obtidas pela diferenca entre as pressoes em diferentes regioes do tubo Venturi utilizando um manometro de mercurio. Os resultados de velocidade, calculados a partir dos dados experimentais, sao comparados com os obtidos a partir da simulacao, verificandose baixos erros de medicao, menores de 2%. Determinou-se tambem o melhor tipo de malha para a geometria de um Venturi. Para isso, realizou-se a simulacao utilizando uma malha estruturada e uma nao estruturada e os resultados de ambas as simulacoes sao comparados com os experimentais. A malha nao estruturada apresentou resultados mais precisos, no entanto os tempos de simulacao foram bem maiores.

Objectives To test the local delivery of sirolimus nanoparticles following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to treat in-stent restenosis (ISR) in a swine model. Background Coronary bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation reduces major adverse cardiac events when compared with PTCA; however, ISR rates remain high. Methods Eighteen swine underwent BMS deployment guided by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Of these, 16 developed ISR (1 stent/swine) and underwent angioplasty with a noncompliant balloon (PTCA-NC). The animals were then randomized into four groups for local infusion of sirolimus nanoparticles through a porous balloon catheter, as follows: (1) PTCA-NC alone (control); (2) PTCA-NC + (polylactic acid)-based nanoparticle formulation (anionic 1); (3) PTCA-NC + (polylactic-co-glycolic acid)-based nanoparticle formulation (anionic 2); and (4) PTCA-NC + Eudragit RS nanoparticle formulation (cationic). Coronary angiography and IVUS follow-up were performed 28 days after ISR treatment. Results There was one episode of acute coronary occlusion with the cationic formulation. Late area loss was similar in all groups at 28 days according to IVUS. However, luminal volume loss (control = 20.7%, anionic 1 = 4.0%, anionic 2 = 6.7%, cationic = 9.6%; P = 0.01) and neointimal volume gain (control = 68.7%, anionic 1 = 17.4%, anionic 2 = 29.5%, cationic = 31.2%; P = 0.019) were significantly reduced in all treatment groups, especially in anionic 1. Conclusions PTCA-NC followed by local infusion of sirolimus nanoparticles was safe and efficacious to reduce neointima in this model, and this strategy may be a promising treatment for BMS ISR. Further studies are required to validate this method in humans. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

To develop a tritium monitoring system with a membrane gas separator, the extraction characteristics of a hydrogen isotope pump using CaZr0.9In0.1O3−α as proton conductor were evaluated over the temperature range from 873 K to 1073 K by electrolysis of tritiated water vapor. Although the isotope ratio between proton and tritium in the anode compartment was extremely low, tritium gas (HT) could be extracted along with hydrogen gas (H2) to the cathode compartment by the electrochemical hydrogen pump. The T/H isotope ratio in the cathode compartment was lower than that in the anode compartment because of the isotope effect in the hydrogen pump. However, when the hydrogen recovery rate increased, the ratio of hydrogen isotopes approached unity, which might be caused by variation in the T/H ratio along the axial direction. With respect to the tritium memory effect in the proton conductor, the isotope exchange reaction using wet gas was found to be an efficient method for tritium decontamination.

Micro-spot two-photon photoemission (micro-2PPE) spectroscopy is used to probe unoccupied electronic levels at sub-monolayer (ML) films of lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) on graphite (HOPG). The high-energy resolution (30 meV) 2PPE spectra with high-lateral resolution (0.4 μm) show well-resolved features due to molecule-derived occupied/unoccupied levels and the image potential state (IPS). The surface images based on photoemission from the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) become laterally uniform after an annealing procedure. By contrast, the images based on the peak due to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and the next LUMO (LUMO + 1) are laterally inhomogeneous even after the annealing. The IPS peak is broadened to higher energy by 0.3 eV for sub-ML films and becomes sharp when a 1 ML film is formed. The broadening indicates that the electron in the IPS is scattered by molecules within the mean free path in the range from 1 to 10 nm. PbPc molecules are randomly distributed including nm-clusters. The LUMO and LUMO + 1 levels are stabilized as the cluster size increases. The inhomogeneity of the surface image due to the LUMO + 1 peak arises from the size distribution of the nm-clusters. The present results demonstrate that the unoccupied levels are more sensitive to the environment than the occupied levels.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) treatment induced metabolic adaptations in mouse skeletal muscle. BDNF (20 mg/kg/day) was injected subcutaneously for successive 14 days. BDNF treatment significantly reduced the total food intake and inhibited the weight gain in comparison to the control group. The glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression in the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly increased by BDNF treatment in comparison to the control and pair-fed groups. Neither the oxidative nor the glycolytic enzyme activities in the gastrocnemius muscle changed after the BDNF treatment. These results suggest that the peripheral BDNF treatment promotes the skeletal muscle GLUT4 protein expression as well as hypophagia.

A high-precision sample stage for photoemission microscopy has been constructed to translate the sample by ±3 mm with accuracy better than 100 nm. The stage is actuated by step motors settled outside the vacuum. The accuracies of the translations were measured by observing a standard patterned sample with a photoemission electron microscope (PEEM) of 50 nm resolution. The accuracy was nearly independent of the distance of each translation step and the error was not accumulated by repeated steps. After round-trip translations up to 0.2 mm, the sample came back to the original position with accuracy of ±50 nm. The performance of the stage was demonstrated by observing growth processes of lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) films formed on graphite.

The membrane transport properties of 5-FU and its prodrugs were investigated using Caco-2 cell monolayers. To elucidate a membrane transport of prodrug itself, 2-O-alkoxy-5-fluoropyrimidone (2-O-alkoxy-5FP) derivative, which was stable in buffer and Caco-2 cell, was selected as a test compound. The permeation of 2-O-alkoxy-5FP derivatives was markedly greater than that of 5-FU. The dose-dependency of apical to basal (AP-BL) and BL-AP transports showed that 5-FU was dominantly transported by passive diffusion and ethoxy-5FP was transported by passive diffusion and unsaturated efflux transporter in the apical membrane of Caco-2 cell monolayers. Furthermore, treatment of Cap-Na, an enhancer of paracellular transport, demonstrated that 5-FU and 2-O-alkoxy-5FP derivatives permeated through paracellular and transcellular route, respectively. The significantly increased permeability of 2-O-alkoxy-5FP derivatives was mainly related to capping of hydrophilic functional group, and the moderate increase in permeability among 2-O-alkoxy-5FP derivatives was dependent on prolongation of the alkyl chain length.

Background and Objective To investigate the physico-chemical properties of hepatitis E virus (HEV) with regard to inactivation/removal, we have studied four isolates with respect to sensitivity to heat during liquid/dry-heating as well as removal by nanofiltration. Materials and Methods Hepatitis E virus in an albumin solution or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was liquid-heated at 60°C for a preset time. HEV in a freeze-dried fibrinogen containing stabilizers was also dry-heated at 60 or 80°C for a preset time. In addition, to clarify the removal of HEV, the purified virus in PBS was filtered using several types of virus-removal filter (nanofilters) that have different pore sizes. HEV infectivity or genome equivalents before and after the treatments were assayed by a semiquantitative cell-based infectivity assay or quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, respectively. Results Hepatitis E virus isolates in albumin solutions were inactivated slowly at 60°C for 5 h and the resultant log reduction factor (LRF) was from 1·0 to ≥ 2·2, whereas the virus in PBS was inactivated quickly to below the detection limit and the LRF was ≥ 2·4 to ≥ 3·7. The virus in a freeze dried fibrinogen containing trisodium citrate dihydrate and l-arginine hydrochloride as stabilizers was inactivated slowly and the LRF was 2·0 and 3·0, respectively, of the 72 h at 60°C, but inactivated to below the detection limit within 24 h at 80°C with an LRF of ≥ 4·0. The virus in PBS was also confirmed as to be approximately 35 nm in diameter by nanofiltration. These results are useful for evaluating viral safety against HEV contamination in blood products. Conclusion The sensitivity of HEV to heat was shown to vary greatly depending on the heating conditions. On the other hand, the HEV particles were completely removed using 20-nm nanofilters. However, each inactivation/removal step should be carefully evaluated with respect to the HEV inactivation/removal capacity, which may be influenced by processing conditions such as the stabilizers used for blood products.

The thin film growth of lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) on graphite substrate has been studied by photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) operated with tunable UV laser radiation. Origin of the contrast of PEEM images was elucidated by comparison with microspot ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (Micro-UPS). The photoelectron yield curves measured with PEEM for annealed films of different coverages were in agreement with the shifts of the vacuum levels determined by Micro-UPS. Below 1 monolayer (ML) coverage, PbPc molecules did not form islands/domains but were sparsely distributed and formed uniform films. Above 1 ML, PbPc molecules formed stable islands of bilayer in a well-ordered 1 ML film. On the other hand, for as-deposited films with thickness equivalent to annealed 0.3 ML coverage, PbPc molecules formed metastable bilayer islands of a few μm-size in the sparsely packed uniform film. These results demonstrate the capability of combined use of the complementary methods PEEM and Micro-UPS to resolve inhomogeneity of electronic structure.

The Okayama muon telescope and the extensive air shower (EAS) array in Large Area Air Shower (LAAS) experiments were used to measure both muon and electron components in EAS events. The average ratio of the number of muon tracks to electron tracks 0.01 ± 0.005 was derived from this analysis, which is consistent with the typical core distance of EAS from the telescope in PeV energies derived from EAS simulation results.

We have proposed a novel poly-Si/a-Si/HfSiON transistor to enhance reliabilities without performance degradation for a 65-nm-node low standby power (LSTP) application. By insertion of a thin amorphous-Si layer between the Poly-Si gate electrode and HfSiON, both phosphorus penetration from gate electrode and a reaction at gate electrode/HfSiON interface are successfully suppressed, so that positive bias temperature instability, one of the biggest issues for high-k gate dielectric, is drastically improved by two orders of magnitude. By carefully optimizing the gate stack structure of HfSiON, the HfSiON device can satisfy both lower gate leakage and gate-induced drain leakage at the same time. As a result, an excellent Ion- Istandby (= Ig + loff) characteristic can be achieved, compared to the conventional SiON device. The a-Si insertion technique can realize the combination between the high-k gate dielectric and Poly-Si for future LSTP applications.

The sidereal anisotropy of cosmic rays with energy in the range of 10 14 – 10 15 eV was obtained by using Large Area Air Show (LAAS) experiments which deployed extensive air shower (EAS) arrays in large part of Japan. The first harmonic amplitude and phase in a function of right ascension axis are ( 0.23 ± 0.04 ) × 10 −2 and 0.4 ± 0.7 hour, respectively, and those of the second harmonics are ( 0.06 ± 0.04 ) × 10 −2 and 7.5 ± 2.6 hour, respectively. The first harmonic amplitude are compared with the diffusive mode of cosmic ray propagation, which predicts the dependence of anisotropy amplitudes on primary cosmic ray rigidities. The exponent value of rigidity dependence of diffusion coefficient is estimated as 0.34 ± 0.01 , in good agreement with Kolmogorov type spectrum of turbulence of galactic magnetic filed. Although a sky map in equatorial coordinates indicates excess and deficit regions above the isotropic expectation, their deviations were consistent with statistical ones, and more statistics are required to point the region and the opening angle of them.

A case of a ferromagnetic foreign body in a medically compromised patient was reported. The patient was a 45-year-old male who consulted our department complaining of a foreign body accidentally impacted in the right cheek. X-ray examination revealed a foreign body at the lateral aspect of the right mandibular ramus. The removal of the foreign body was scheduled, but the patient did not return for the procedure. After 8 years he revisited our department for the removal of the foreign body, because it had been found to be ferromagnetic and a barrier to MRI examination. X-ray examination confirmed the foreign body was located at the same site as 8 years prior. Although the patient was suffering from liver cirrhosis with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, the foreign body was successfully removed under general anesthesia. The foreign body was 12 × 5 × 1 mm, weighed 0.48 g, and was ferromagnetic. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful. X-ray examination confirmed the removal of the foreign body. Since the surgery, the patient has been in generally stable condition with no complications. This case was a rare example of a foreign body that needed to be removed for medical examination.

Age effects on plasma metabolites, hormone concentrations, and enzyme activities related to energy metabolism were investigated in 20 riding horses. Animals were divided into two groups: Young (3-8 years) and aged (11-18 years). They were clinically healthy, and not obese. Plasma adiponectin (ADN) concentrations in aged horses were significantly lower than those in young horses (mean±SE, 6.5±1.3 µg mL(-1) vs, 10.9±1.7 µg mL(-1), Mann-Whitney U test, respectively; P=0.0233). Plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels and Insulin and malondialdehyde concentrations in aged group tended to increase compared to those in young group although there were not significant differences statistically. In aged group, malate dehydrogenase/lactate dehydrogenase (M/L) ratio, which is considered an energy metabolic indicator, did not change significantly compared to that in young group. Present data suggest that aging may negatively affect nutrition metabolism, but not induce remarkable changes in M/L ratio in riding horses.

Thermal treatment is an interesting strategy to dispose of municipal solid waste: it reduces the volume and weight of the material dumped in landfills and generates alternative energy. However, the process emits pollutants, such as dioxins and furans. The present study evaluated MSW gasification-combustion integrated technologies in terms of dioxin and furan emission; and compared the obtained data with literature results on incineration, to point out which operational features differentiate the release of pollutants by these two processes. The results show that the process of integrated gasification and combustion emitted 0.28 ng N-1 m-3, expressed in TEQ (Total Equivalent Toxicity), of PCDD/F, less than the maximum limits allowed by local and international laws, whereas incineration normally affords values above these limits and requires a gas treatment system. The distinct operational conditions of the two thermal processes, especially those related to temperature and the presence of oxygen and fixed carbon, led to a lower PCDD/F emission in gasification.

We have developed low standby power (LSTP) FET utilizing HfSiON dielectric. Due to optimizations of channel and offset spacer structure, we could put threshold voltage of pFET into the place of LSTP region, working through the Fermi-level-pinning effect. This resulted in the reduction of propagation delay and in performance improvement of our test product. We could also introduce reverse body-biasing technique for standby leakage reduction even for LSTP device. In order to characterize positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) of nFET, we have evaluated the kinetics of the electron trapping in amorphous HfSiON (a-HfSiON) and partially crystallized HfSiON (c-HfSiON) dielectric. We have found that the difference in PBTI reflects the structural diversity between them, such as spatial and energy distribution of the traps. We need to take notice of such diversity and figure out the origin of PBTI. Phosphorus penetration into HfSiON should be avoided in terms of gate leakage increase and TDDB degradation. To suppress it, we proposed double-layer gate electrode structure, which consisted of as-deposited amorphous layer followed by poly-Si layer.

Two amides, piperovatine and isopiperlonguminine, were isolated from the roots of Ottonia martiana Miq., a herbaceous shrub commonly used in folk medicine in the treatment of toothache. The crude extract (CE) and isolated compounds were submitted to bioautography and allelopathic assay. The bioautograms allowed the detection of compounds with antibacterial activity and the identification of the bioactive substance piperovatine. The CE and amides exhibited an allelopathic effect on Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seedling growth but did not affect the seeds' germinability.