Search

AbstractThe current status and the progress of research and development (R&D) activities for a Fusion DEMO reactor in the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) Rokkasho Fusion Institute is reported. In order to advance the Japanese DEMO activity, not only Japanese domestic activity but also international collaborations of Broader Approach activity and ITER-related activities are conducted in the QST Rokkasho Fusion Institute. Activities for DEMO design and relevant R&D; design of a fusion neutron source and development of an accelerator, ITER Test Blanket System; tritium handling technology; and information technology infrastructures, including a supercomputer system and a remote experimentation system, are carried out for a Fusion DEMO reactor.

The temporal modulations of magnetospheric chorus waves are one of the candidates for explaining quasiperiodic precipitation of energetic electrons causing pulsating aurora (PsA). To confirm fully the direct association between PsA and chorus, an extended interval of PsA (~1 hr) simultaneously observed by the Arase satellite and a ground‐based all‐sky imager in Apatity, Kola Peninsula, Russia was examined. In particular, a region of high correlation between PsA and chorus was continuously tracked within the field of view of the all‐sky imager. The result showed that the high‐correlation region and the modeled footprint of Arase moved in tandem. This strongly implies that the chorus and PsA electrons originated from the same local interaction region. In addition, the location of the high‐correlation region showed sudden jumps, which were probably associated with the motion of the satellite through discrete spatial structures of plasma in the region of wave‐particle interaction. Pulsating aurora (PsA), which consists of luminous patches/arcs blinking with various periodicities ranging from a few to a few tens of seconds, is known to occur very frequently during the recovery phase of auroral substorms. It has been suggested that the luminosity variation of PsA is controlled by natural electromagnetic waves in space, which are called chorus waves. There have been several studies that demonstrated one‐to‐one correspondence between the temporal variations of PsA and chorus waves. However, it is still unclear how long such a good correlation between PsA and chorus is preserved. In this study, an extended interval of PsA (~1 hr) simultaneously observed by a newly launched magnetospheric satellite, Arase, and a ground‐based high‐speed all‐sky imager in Apatity, Kola Peninsula, Russia was investigated. As a result, not only was the correspondence between PsA and chorus verified but also the motion of the high‐correlation region (correlation coefficient > 0.5) was successfully tracked in a continuous manner. The obtained long‐lasting reasonable correlation proves that the chorus waves control the luminosity variation of PsA. In addition, the region of high correlation between PsA and chorus showed sudden jumps, which could be caused by the motion or variation of the fine‐scale structure of the wave‐particle interaction region in space. Observation of the Arase satellite with an all‐sky imager revealed a long‐lasting correlation between pulsating aurora and chorus wavesThe high‐correlation region sometimes changed abruptly, which could have resulted from the discrete spatial structure of plasmaThe cross‐correlation analysis can be used for monitoring the local link between the ionosphere and magnetosphere

A specialized ground‐based system has been developed for simultaneous observations of pulsating aurora (PsA) and related magnetospheric phenomena with the Arase satellite. The instrument suite is composed of (a) six 100 Hz sampling high‐speed all‐sky imagers (ASIs), (b) two 10 Hz sampling monochromatic ASIs observing 427.8 and 844.6 nm auroral emissions, (c) a 20 Hz sampling fluxgate magnetometer. The 100 Hz ASIs were deployed in four stations in Scandinavia and two stations in Alaska, which have been used for capturing the main pulsations and quasi 3 Hz internal modulations of PsA at the same time. The 10 Hz sampling monochromatic ASIs have been operative in Tromsø, Norway with the 20 Hz sampling magnetometer. Combination of these multiple instruments with the European Incoherent SCATter (EISCAT) radar enables us to detect the low‐altitude ionization due to energetic electron precipitation during PsA and further to reveal the ionospheric electrodynamics behind PsA. Since the launch of the Arase satellite, the data from these instruments have been examined in comparison with the wave and particle data from the satellite in the magnetosphere. In the future, the system can be utilized not only for studies of PsA but also for other classes of aurora in close collaboration with the planned EISCAT_3D project. An integrated package of instruments for high‐time resolution measurements of pulsating aurora was deployed in Scandinavia and AlaskaThe system has enabled us to capture the fine‐scale spatio‐temporal variations of pulsating aurora in a wide areaData from those instruments have also been used for simultaneous observations of pulsating aurora with the Arase satellite An integrated package of instruments for high‐time resolution measurements of pulsating aurora was deployed in Scandinavia and Alaska The system has enabled us to capture the fine‐scale spatio‐temporal variations of pulsating aurora in a wide area Data from those instruments have also been used for simultaneous observations of pulsating aurora with the Arase satellite

The utilization of molecular genetics approaches in examination of panic disorder (PD) has implicated several variants as potential susceptibility factors for panicogenesis. However, the identification of robust PD susceptibility genes has been complicated by phenotypic diversity, underpowered association studies and ancestry-specific effects. In the present study, we performed a succinct review of case–control association studies published prior to April 2015. Meta-analyses were performed for candidate gene variants examined in at least three studies using the Cochrane Mantel–Haenszel fixed-effect model. Secondary analyses were also performed to assess the influences of sex, agoraphobia co-morbidity and ancestry-specific effects on panicogenesis. Meta-analyses were performed on 23 variants in 20 PD candidate genes. Significant associations after correction for multiple testing were observed for three variants, TMEM132Drs7370927 (T allele: odds ratio (OR)=1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–1.40, P=2.49 × 10-6), rs11060369 (CC genotype: OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.53–0.79, P=1.81 × 10-5) and COMTrs4680 (Val (G) allele: OR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.14–1.42, P=2.49 × 10-5) in studies with samples of European ancestry. Nominal associations that did not survive correction for multiple testing were observed for NPSR1rs324891 (T allele: OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.07–1.38, P=0.002), TPH1rs1800532 (AA genotype: OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.14–1.89, P=0.003) and HTR2Ars6313 (T allele: OR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.07–1.33, P=0.002) in studies with samples of European ancestry and for MAOA-uVNTR in female PD (low-active alleles: OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.07–1.38, P=0.004). No significant associations were observed in the secondary analyses considering sex, agoraphobia co-morbidity and studies with samples of Asian ancestry. Although these findings highlight a few associations, PD likely involves genetic variation in a multitude of biological pathways that is diverse among populations. Future studies must incorporate larger sample sizes and genome-wide approaches to further quantify the observed genetic variation among populations and subphenotypes of PD.

AbstractWhat affects tritium migration through porous concrete walls coated with a hydrophobic paint is reviewed from the viewpoint of tritium safety. Being taken into consideration of multi-structural concrete composed of aggregates, sand, water and cement which contents are CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaSO4and so on, tritium path is discussed in terms of the HTO diffusivity and adsorption coeffcient on porous walls. Measures to predict rates of tritium leak from laboratory walls to the environment and residual tritium amounts in concrete are estimated based on previous data. Three cases of accidental or chronic tritium release to laboratory air are discussed using the diffusion-adsorption model.

AbstractThe present study aims at obtaining fundamental data on tritium migration in porous materials, which include soaking effect, interaction between tritium and cement paste coated with paints and transient tritium sorption in porous cement. The amounts of tritium penetrated into or released from cement paste with epoxy and urethane paint coatings were measured. The tritium penetration amounts were increased with the HTO exposure time. Time to achieve a saturated value of tritium sorption was more than 60 days for cement paste coated with epoxy paint and with urethane paint, while that for cement paste without any paint coating took 2 days to achieve it. The effect of tritium permeation reduction by the epoxy paint was higher than that of the urethane. Although their paint coatings were effective for reduction of tritium penetration through the cement paste which was exposed to HTO for a short period, it was found that the amount of tritium trapped in the paints became large for a long period. Tritium penetration rates were estimated by an analysis of one-dimensional diffusion in the axial direction of a thickness of a sample. Obtained data were helpful for evaluation of tritium contamination and decontamination.

Films deposited on quartz substrates by sputtering in an argon atmosphere using a sputtering target of a equiatomic TiNi alloy were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and electron microscopy. The substrate temperature was kept below 423K during sputtering. Transmission electron microscope observation showed that the as-deposited films are amorphous and they crystallize by heating above 750K.The amorphous films were heat treated at various temperatures between 573 and 993K for crystallization. The composition of the films were determined by electron probe micro analysis using a calibration line prepared from bulk samples of well-established compositions. For it was found that Ti content decreases by sputtering, film composition was controlled by placing Ti pieces on the target and changing their sizes. In this way it was successful to obtain films of various composition. By the crystallization heat treatment, no precipitation occurred in the 50.0at%Ti-Ni film, whereas T i 2Ni precipitated in the 53.2at%Ti-Ni and 51.6at% Ti-Ni foils, and Ti3Ni4 precipitated in the 48.6at%Ti-Ni film. The R-phase transformation occurred reversibly on cooling and heating these films in the electron microscope. It was confirmed by constant load thermal cycling tests that the films show a very good shape memory.

The aim of this study was to develop a technically simple swine aneurysm-training model by inserting a silicone aneurysm circuit in the cervical vessels.A silicone aneurysm circuit was created by designing multiple aneurysms in size and configuration on a silicone vessel. Five swine underwent surgical implantation of this circuit in the cervical vessels: one end in the common carotid artery and the other in the external jugular vein. Using this model, an aneurysm coiling procedure was simulated under fluoroscopic guidance, roadmapping and digital subtraction angiography.Creating an aneurysm model for training purposes by this method was technically simple and enabled the formation of a wide variety of aneurysms in a single procedure. The quality of the model was uniform and the model was reproducible. Coiling training using this model resembled a realistic clinical situation.The swine hybrid aneurysm-training model was advantageous from the standpoint of technical simplicity in the creation and variety of aneurysms it provided. The swine hybrid aneurysm model may be an additional option for aneurysm coiling training.

A multi-port imaging system is developed for simultaneous measurement of source and test regions in a linear plasma device. The system combines two viewing port images to an imaging sensor with the same working distance. The system is installed in the DT-ALPHA device [A. Okamoto, et al., Plasma Fusion Res. 7, 2401018 (2012)] for the proof of principle. Bandpass filtered images of a plasma column are taken. The electron density profile of a plasma column passing through orifices is obtained by the He I line intensity ratio method. The result demonstrates effectiveness of the system.

Keeping compatibility between steady state gas puffing and stable radio frequency (RF) discharge, helium recombining plasma production was achieved in an RF plasma device. In this experiment, axial position of orifice, which suppresses backflow of secondary gas, was modified to increase electron density at a test region. Changing neutral pressure at the test region from 11 Pa to 21 Pa, the electron temperature, the electron density and the wavelength spectrum were measured. The electron temperature decreased with increasing neutral pressure and finally becomes about 3 eV. The electron density shows similar pressure dependence as the electron temperature. When the neutral pressure increases to 15 Pa, the line spectra from highly excited helium atoms were clearly observed. The electron temperature estimated from these line spectral intensities is about 0.05 eV, which indicates that the electron density reduction is caused by volumetric recombination occurring at the periphery of the plasma column.

Background and Aims High ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery may jeopardize blood supply to the proximal bowel. We undertook this study to review the clinical features and outcomes of patients who developed proximal bowel necrosis after high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery, and to assess the incidence and the risk factors for this complication.Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing high or low ligation for sigmoid colon and rectal cancer with a primary anastomosis between April 2004 and March 2009 was performed. Patient and tumor characteristics and the incidence of bowel necrosis were reviewed.Results Four hundred and nine patients were included to the analysis. Six out of 302 patients (2.0%) with high ligation developed proximal bowel necrosis, while the remaining 107 patients with low ligation did not suffer from this complication. All patients who developed proximal bowel necrosis underwent secondary surgery with resection of necrotic bowel. The pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed mucosal to transmural ischemic necrosis without the evidence of vascular thrombosis or embolic occlusion. Univariate analysis revealed that advanced age, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension were significantly associated with proximal bowel necrosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that cerebrovascular disease was an independent predictor of this complication. Of these six patients, two died from associated complications.Conclusions Proximal bowel necrosis after high ligation is potentially fatal, and this report provides a warning in clinical settings where high ligation is indicated. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its distinct relationship with high ligation and to clarify whether low ligation would be a safeguard.

Abstract: Background: Laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR) is gaining popularity. Nonetheless, open surgery remains an important technique. Thus, surgeons should be technically proficient in both open and laparoscopic surgery. One question however remains unanswered: Can training for open and LCR occur simultaneously? The objective of this paper is to review the learning curve for open and laparoscopic colon resection of one surgeon who underwent a rigorous training program. Methods: A review of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for colon and rectosigmoid junction cancers by one trainee surgeon was performed. This surgeon had completed his basic surgical residency but had limited experience in colorectal cancer surgery. In total, 75 patients were included in this study. All operations were supervised by at least one staff surgeon with experience of more than 300 LCR cases. The trainee surgeon was allowed to train in both laparoscopic and open colorectal resection simultaneously. Results: Forty-three patients underwent laparoscopic resection, while 32 patients underwent open surgery. Age, gender, mean body mass index (BMI), preoperative risk, and history of past abdominal surgery showed no significant difference between laparoscopic and open groups. There were no differences in tumor stage [International Union against Cancer (UICC)] or tumor size (p = 0.068 and 0.228, respectively). The morbidity rate for open and laparoscopic surgery was 3.1% (1/32) and 4.7% (2/43), respectively (p = 0.484). Operation time decreased with increasing experience, and plateaued after 25 cases in the laparoscopic group and 22 cases in the open group. The learning curve for open cases was 11 cases, and 7 for laparoscopic surgery. Conclusions: Surgeons who have completed a basic surgical residency but have limited colorectal surgery experience can learn both open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery simultaneously in an effective manner under supervision by well-experienced surgeons.

In Japan, laparoscopic colectomy for cancer started in 1992. A national survey has revealed that, since that time, the number of cases that have undergone this procedure has steadily increased, and by 2007, there were over 9000 cases. This figure includes an increase in the percentage of more advanced cases, which has occurred due to technical improvements in lymph node dissection.

AbstractTritium confinement is required as the most important safety function for a fusion reactor. In order to demonstrate the confinement performance experimentally, an unique equipment, called CATS: Caisson Assembly for Tritium Safety study, was installed in Tritium Process Laboratory of Japan Atomic Energy Agency and operated for about 10 years. Tritium confinement & migration data in CATS have been accumulated and dynamic simulation code was accumulated using these data. Contamination & decontamination behavior on various materials and new safety equipment functions have been investigated under collaborations with a lot of laboratories and universities.

AbstractThe design studies of Atmosphere Detirtiation System (ADS) have been carried out in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) as a contribution of Japan to ITER. The performance of ADS has also been investigated under accidental conditions such as fire and co-existing of a poison gas for catalyst like SF6. There is no degradation of Detritiation Factor (DF) under co-existing of CO or CO2up to 20% as a simulated fire condition. However, only 0.1% of SF6degrades the DF from more than 1000 to 50, following reduction of water by SF4etc. (decomposition products of SF6) at 773K of catalyst bed.For the tritium processing technologies, our efforts have been focused on the R & D of the tritium recovery system of breeding blanket. In case of ITER Test Blanket Module, a cryogenic molecular sieve bed system was designed and demonstrated. Furthermore, electro-chemical pumping system using a proton conductor is also investigated to design more effective system. The durability of electrolysis cell for Water Detritiation System (WDS) has been investigated and it is expected that the cell can endure more than 3 years’ operation under the ITER WDS design condition.A series of fundamental studies on tritium safety technologies has been carried out as another major activity of JAEA for ITER and future fusion demo reactors. Tritium behavior in various confinement materials, tritium monitoring & accountancy, and detritiation were studied under collaboration programs with universities, using Caisson Assembly for Tritium Safety study.

A headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of vinylidene chloride and 1-chlorobutane in foods packaged with polyvinylidene chloride casing films. The solid foodstuff was homogenized with an equal mass of distilled water. The homogenate was incubated for 1 h at 90°C in a sealed headspace vial, and the headspace gas was then analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in selected ion-monitoring mode using a bonded porous polymer-coated capillary column. The recovery rates of vinylidene chloride and 1-chlorobutane in foodstuffs were 94.5-103.9 and 85.8-120.3%, respectively. Among 13 samples tested, vinylidene chloride was detected at 0.001-0.020 µg g-1 in 11 foodstuffs, and 1-chlorobutane was detected at 0.004-0.040 µg g-1 in all 13 foodstuffs. Furthermore, vinylidene chloride was detected at 0.04 µg g-1 in one casing film, and 1-chlorobutane was detected in all casing films. The results indicate that these compounds migrated from the casing films into the foodstuffs.

The levels of formaldehyde (FA) and acetaldehyde (AA) in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and in commercial mineral water are reported. All the water samples bottled in Japan contained detectable levels of FA (10.1-27.9 μg l-1) and AA (44.3-107.8 μg l-1). Of 11 European bottled water samples, eight did not contain either FA or AA, while the remaining three had detectable levels of FA (7.4-13.7 μg l-1) and AA (35.9-46.9 μg l-1). In three North American bottled water samples, two contained FA (13.6 and 19.5 μg l-1) and AA (41.4 and 44.8 μg l-1), and one did not. Regardless of the region of origin, all the sterilized water samples contained FA and AA, whilst in contrast, none of the unsterilized water without carbonate contained FA or AA. Of the carbonated water samples, three contained FA and AA, and one did not. When fortified with FA and AA, the commercial water sample without otherwise detectable FA and AA was able to reduce levels, although the commercial water sample containing FA and AA could not. The presence of bacteria in the commercial water samples was investigated using an ATP-based bioluminescent assay and heterotrophic plate count method. The commercial water without FA and AA contained heterotrophic bacteria, whilst the commercial water with FA and AA did not contain detectable bacteria. It is suggested that in this case both FA and AA migrated from PET materials, but were subsequently decomposed by the heterotrophic bacteria in the unsterilized water.

A highly effective synthesis of 2-alkoxytetrahydrofurans from allylic alcohols and vinyl ethers was achieved by using catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)2, Cu(OAc)2, and catechol (1:1:2) under O2. The use of catechol as an activator of Pd(II)−Cu(II) catalyst has been unprecedented. The 2-alkoxytetrahydrofurans are formed via oxypalladation of allylic alcohols toward vinyl ethers followed by 5-exo cyclization of the resulting oxypalladation intermediate and subsequent β-Pd−H elimination. No 6-endo cyclization of the oxypalladation intermediate occurs.

Neuropeptide W (NPW) is a 30-amino-acid peptide initially isolated from the porcine hypothalamus as an endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptors GPR7 and GPR8. An intracerebroventricular administration of NPW increased serum prolactin and corticosterone concentrations, decreased dark-phase feeding, raised energy expenditure, and lowered body weight. Peripherally, GPR7 receptors are abundantly expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract; the presence of NPW in the gastrointestinal endocrine system, however, remains unstudied. Using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against rat NPW, we studied the localization of NPW in the rat, mouse, and human stomach by light and electron microscopy. NPW-immunoreactive cells were identified within the gastric antral glands in all three species. Double immunohistochemistry and electron-microscopic immunohistochemistry studies in rats demonstrated that NPW is present in antral gastrin (G) cells. NPW immunoreactivity localized to round, intermediate-to-high-density granules in G cells. NPW-immunoreactive cells accounted for 90% chromagranin A- and 85% gastrin-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the rat gastric antral glands. Using reversed-phase HPLC coupled with enzyme immunoassays specific for NPW, we detected NPW30 and its C-terminally truncated form, NPW23, in the gastric mucosa. Plasma NPW concentration of the gastric antrum was significantly higher than that of the systemic vein, suggesting that circulating NPW is derived from the stomach. Plasma NPW concentration of the gastric antrum decreased significantly after 15-h fast and increased after refeeding. This is the first report to clarify the presence of NPW peptide in the stomachs of rats, mice, and humans. In conclusion, NPW is produced in gastric antral G cells; our findings will provide clues to additional mechanisms of the regulation of gastric function by this novel brain/gut peptide.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is frequently used as a packaging material for beverage bottles, fruit and vegetable trays, and egg crates in Japan. Levels of formaldehyde (FA), acetaldehyde (AA) and PET oligomers in various PET food packaging were determined. PET samples were initially dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to derivatize formaldehyde and acetaldehyde to their dinitrophenylhydrazones. The stable derivatives along with the oligomers were analysed using HPLC with ultraviolet light detection at 360 and 254 nm, respectively. The PET pellets contained 3.5-12.4 µg g-1 AA and 4.0-7.2 mg g-1 oligomers, while FA was below the determination limit. FA, AA and oligomer levels in Japanese bottles were 0.6-3.0 µg g-1, 8.4-25.7 µg g-1 and 5.0-8.7 mg g-1, ND-1.6 µg g-1, 5.0-13.1 µg g-1 and 4.9-8.2 mg g-1 in French and Italian bottles, and ND-1.2 µg g-1, 9.1-18.7 µg g-1 and 5.6-8.0 mg g-1 in US and Canadian bottles, respectively. Compared with European bottles, Japanese bottles contain higher FA and AA levels. In sheet-moulding products, their contents were determined as ND-1.1 µg g-1, 11.5-43.1 µg g-1 and 4.6-9.2 mg g-1, respectively. The results show that sheet-moulding products contain lower FA and higher AA in comparison with bottles. FA and AA are considered to be generated from PET during the heating process for moulding the pellets to bottles or sheet-moulding articles and de-aeration during the sheet-moulding process is effective in removing FA. In contrast, the level of the oligomers remains unchanged during the moulding process from pellets to bottles or sheet products.

Recently, nano‐crystalline MgZn1Y2alloys exhibiting excellent tensile yield strength elongation ratio have been developed as a consequence of preliminary investigations of alloy compositions using melt‐spun ribbons. Their results show that the novel long‐period hexagonal atomic configurations in the Mg‐Ln‐Zn alloys as well as the atomic scale enrichment of Ln and Zn elements into the misfit atomic array sites indicates the possibility that a high‐strength Mg‐based alloy is developed by the control of the novel structure and the atomic scale segregation mode.

Abstract: We have investigated the electron spin relaxation rates in GaAs/InGaAs heterostructure in the presence of electric field by time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements at 10 K. Spin-polarized electrons were optically generated in the bulk GaAs region, drifted driven by the electric field, and captured in two InGaAs quantum wells which work as spin detectors. The comparison of the degrees of PL polarizations from two wells, by adjusting excitation energy and electric field, enables us to investigate the electron spin relaxation rates in the different parts of the sample separately. We have found that the spin relaxation during the drift transport in the bulk region is accelerated in the high electric fields and that a significant spin relaxation takes place when electrons are captured into the quantum well.

The bulk metallic glass matrix composite comprising Cu54Ni6Zr22Ti18 metallic glass powder and ductile brass powder was fabricated by the warm process. The warm process was carried out by spark plasma sintering, which led to the homogeneous distribution of both phases of brass and metallic glass without pores. The metallic glass matrix composite material exhibits the same crystallization behavior of the metallic glass powder. A compressive strength of 1.0 GPa with a plastic strain of 3 % was obtained in the present metallic glass composite. The composite with enhanced strength and ductility was successfully achieved by introducing a ductile phase in the hard bulk metallic glass.

Abstract Despite recent progress in sequencing the complete genome of rice (Oryza sativa), the proteome of this species remains poorly understood. To extend our knowledge of the rice proteome, the subcellular compartments, which include plasma membranes (PM), vacuolar membranes (VM), Golgi membranes (GM), mitochondria (MT), and chloroplasts (CP), were purified from rice seedlings and cultured suspension cells. The proteins of each of these compartments were then systematically analyzed using two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and Edman sequencing, followed by database searching. In all, 58 of the 464 spots detected by 2D electrophoresis in PM, 43 of the 141 spots in VM, 46 of the 361 spots in GM, 146 in the 672 spots in MT, and 89 of the 252 spots in CP could be identified by this procedure. The characterized proteins were found to be involved in various processes, such as respiration and the citric acid cycle in MT; photosynthesis and ATP synthesis in CP; and antifungal defense and signal systems in the membranes. Edman degradation revealed that 60–98% of N-terminal sequences were blocked, and the ratios of blocked to unblocked proteins in the proteomes of the various subcellular compartments differed. The data on the proteomes of subcellular compartments in rice will be valuable for resolving questions in functional genomics as well as for genome-wide exploration of plant function.

This paper presents results of conceptual design activities and associated R&D of a solid breeder blanket system for demonstration of power generation fusion reactors (DEMO blanket) cooled by supercritical water. The Fusion Council of Japan developed the long-term research and development programme of the blanket in 1999. To make the fusion DEMO reactor more attractive, a higher thermal efficiency of more than 40% was strongly recommended. To meet this requirement, the design of the DEMO fusion reactor was carried out. In conjunction with the reactor design, a new concept of a solid breeder blanket cooled by supercritical water was proposed and design and technology development of a solid breeder blanket cooled by supercritical water was performed.By thermo-mechanical analyses of the first wall, the tresca stress was evaluated to be 428 MPa, which clears the 3Sm value of F82H. By thermal and nuclear analyses of the breeder layers, it was shown that a net TBR of more than 1.05 can be achieved. By thermal analysis of the supercritical water power plant, it was shown that a thermal efficiency of more than 41% is achievable. The design work included design of the coolant flow pattern for blanket modules, module structure design, thermo-mechanical analysis and neutronics analysis of the blanket module, and analyses of the tritium inventory and permeation. Preliminary integration of the design of a solid breeder blanket cooled by supercritical water was achieved in this study.In parallel with the design activities, engineering R&D was conducted covering all necessary issues, such as development of structural materials, tritium breeding materials, and neutron multiplier materials; neutronics experiments and analyses; and development of the blanket module fabrication technology. Upon developing the fabrication technology for the first wall and box structure, a hot isostatic pressing bonded F82H first wall mock-up with embedded rectangular cooling channels was successfully fabricated. It withstood the high heat flux test at 2.7 MW m⁻². Also, a correlation parameter of the Li₂TiO₃ pebble bed made by the sol–gel method was verified by measurement of the thermal conductivity of the breeder pebble bed, which is one of the most important design data.

Objective. Regarding the interaction of Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), we cannot accept unanimous conclusions in inducing gastric ulcer. We therefore evaluated the role of Helicobacter pylori and NSAIDs in inducing gastric ulcer.
Methods. Dyspeptic patients receiving NSAIDs underwent endoscopic examination. Gastric ulcer formation and H. pylori status were investigated. Biopsy specimens from the antrum and lower body of the stomach were prepared for the rapid urease test and pathological evaluation. Anti-H. pylori antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results. Two hundred and twenty-six patients receiving NSAIDs (220 chronic and six on-demand users) underwent gastrofibrescopic examination. There were 110 patients with gastric ulcer and 111 non-ulcer patients with gastritis. The remaining five patients had neither. NSAID users with gastric ulcer showed a low prevalence of H. pylori compared with those without them [55/110 (50.0%) vs 79/111 (71.2%), P < 0.01]. The same tendency was seen when patients receiving low-dose aspirin and those with rheumatoid arthritis were analysed separately [13/29 (44.8%) vs 50/62 (80.6%), P < 0.01, and 11/33 (33.3%) vs 16/26 (61.5%), P < 0.06 with Yates' correction, respectively].
Conclusion. Helicobacter pylori infection appeared to be a risk factor for developing gastritis, but we found no evidence that it increases gastric ulcer formation in NSAID users with dyspepsia.

Not Available

Not Available

The yamakagashi (Rhabdophis tigrinus), a colubrid snake, is common in Japan. However, largely because the snake is rear-fanged, severe bites occur rarely, and only 29 cases of yamakagashi bites have been reported since 1917. The epidemiological analysis of the severe bites indicates that most of the bites occurred in warmer months, from April to October. Most of the bites occurred in males trying to catch snakes while in residence, in the field and on the road during daylight hours. Systemic symptoms including continuous bleeding from the bite wound, gums, hematuria, ecchymosis of the body, and coagulation abnormalities of the blood are induced by a hemorrhagic factor and prothrombin activator found in the venom; fatalities occur rarely. An antivenom was produced by immunizing rabbits and goats with yamakagashi venom. The γ-globulin separated from the blood of immunized animals (antivenom) was effective at preventing hemorrhage and coagulation abnormalities of the blood of envenomated patients.

In Japan, disposable gloves made from nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) are frequently used in contact with foods. In a previous paper, we investigated substances migrating from various gloves made of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, natural rubber and NBR. Zinc di-n-butyldithiocarbamate (ZDBC), diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) used as vulcanization accelerators, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) used as a plasticizer and many unknown compounds that migrated from NBR gloves into n-heptane were detected by GC/MS. In this paper, six unknown compounds were obtained from one kind of NBR glove by n-hexane extraction and each was isolated by silica gel chromatography. From the results of NMR and mass spectral analysis of the six unknown compounds, their structures are proposed as 1,4-dione-2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)cyclohexadiene (1), 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetra methylbutyl)phenol (2), 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (3), 2,4-bis(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (4), 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)4,6-bis(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (5) and 2,4,6-tris(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (6). Compound 1 was observed in five of the seven kinds of NBR gloves, and compounds 2-4 and 6, which are not listed in Chemical Abstract (CA), were present in four kinds of gloves.

A density functional theory (DFT) calculation was performed on the cluster models of ethylene on Cu(110), Ag(110), and Pd(110) to clarify the correlation between the IR spectra of the adsorbate and the modes of ethylene−surface interaction. The metal surfaces were modeled by two- or three-layered clusters consisting of 13−34 metal atoms. Four kinds of adsorption sites were considered:  atop bonding sites with the CC bond parallel and perpendicular to the 〈1&onemacr;0〉 direction (ST and LT sites), a short bridge site with the CC bond parallel to the 〈1&onemacr;0〉 direction (SB site), and a long bridge site with the CC bond perpendicular to the 〈1&onemacr;0〉 direction (LB site). The results of calculations for three-layered models consisting of more than 20 metals could be compared reasonably with the experimental data. The comparison indicated that (i) upon increasing surface coverage, ethylene on Cu(110) converts its adsorption site from an SB to an ST site, (ii) ethylene adsorbs at an LT site of Ag(110), and (iii) ethylene on Pd(110) takes on an ST site. These conclusions are consistent with those derived from STM and other spectroscopic measurements including UPS and NEXAFS, indicating that the DFT calculation on the cluster models is efficient for the analysis of the IR spectra of ethylene adsorbed on metal surfaces, which delineates the adsorption modes. The contribution of donation and back-donation of electrons to the ethylene−metal bonding was estimated by calculating the projections to the π-bonding and π*-antibonding orbitals of the isolated ethylene in the adsorbed geometries. The results proved that both the π donation and π* back-donation make appreciable contributions to the ethylene−surface interaction on Cu(110), whereas the π* back-donation is negligible in the ethylene−Ag(110) interaction. It was suggested that the frequency increase of the CH2 out-of-plane wagging vibration from that of the free ethylene observed for ethylene on Ag(110) is a measure of the contribution of the π donation to the ethylene−surface interaction.

Photography is often used in geological survey, mining engineering or civil engineering to measure the length or width of an object by placing another object such as a scale, a hammer or a cigarette box next to the object. But, it is difficult to place a scale nearby the object when the object is too far and high or too dangerous to get to. In this study, practical applicability of the magnification equation of lens for indirect calculation of the length of a photographed object was examined. From this study, it was found that the applicable distance for the use of the magnification equation of lens was 84 m, even when the focal length was 36mm, and that the applicable distance was more than 300 m with the lens focal length being longer than 100 mm. Moreover, falling behavior, impact load and energy of a rock fall could be calculated readily using obtained information from a photograph.

Abstract:  A fluorometric real-time polymerase chain-reaction (PCR)-hybridization system, the LightCycler was developed for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical samples and the analysis of point mutations associated with quinolone resistance in the gyrA gene. This system allowed us to amplify the N. gonorrhoeae-specific gyrA gene from an amount of DNA corresponding to five genome copies per reaction. We were able to detect N. gonorrhoeae in either 55 control strains or 36 nonisolated clinical urethral swab specimens, and to analyze the presence of mutations in codons Ser-91 and Asp-95 of the gyrA gene within 1 h. The mutation status in the gyrA gene assessed by the LightCycler assay was completely in agreement with the results of our previous conventional sequencing analysis, and was associated with the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.

Abstract.

ABSTRACTIn this design work, a combination of the hydrogen pumps in charge of the function of hydrogen isotopes recovery and the oxygen pump was adopted to the blanket tritium recovery system for the prototype fusion reactor designed by Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). The main functions of this system are described below. 1) Transport of tritium with helium purge gas: tritium released from ceramic breeding material in the blanket is transported to the tritium recovery system by the helium purge gas which contains a small amount of hydrogen gas. 2) Steam electrolysis and removal of oxygen gas: the oxygen pump with electrolyte of oxygen ionic conductors electrolyzes the steam (H2O and HTO) contained in the purge gas into hydrogen isotopes and oxygen, and simultaneously removes impurity of oxygen by electrical membrane permeation. 3) Recovery of hydrogen isotopes: the hydrogen pump with electrolyte of protonic conductors electrically recovers the pure hydrogen isotopes (HT and H2) from the purge gas.Based on the experimental data obtained by feasibility study and the present design effort, it was revealed that the simple and continuous tritium recovery system for gaseous stream is possible and attractive for fusion power reactors.

ABSTRACTJAERI has been developing an improved compact tritium gas enrichment/recycling system to handle relatively smaller amount of tritium for efficient researches on tritium processing and development work. An electrochemical hydrogen pump based on CaZr0.9In0.1O3− αproton conductor is investigated to separate hydrogen isotopes directly from inert gas carrier after the enrichment process of the system. The prototype hydrogen pump was developed for the first time to operate under vacuum condition at the cathode compartment, and the performance test was carried out.

In order to understand the relation between the transition mechanism and the thermal vibration, the temperature dependence of the Debye-Waller factor is investigated in NaNO 2 by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The crystal parameters are refined by least squares calculations both in paraelectric and ferroelectric phases. The maximum entropy method is also employed to estimate the spontaneous polarization. The Debye-Waller factor displays a minor anomaly at the order-disorder transition point. The result is compared with K 2 SeO 4 , a typical displacive crystal.

Abstract: Brute-force nuclear magnetic resonance on oriented nuclei (BF-NMRON) of 90Nb, 93mMo, 96Tc, and 101mRh was carried out in a new host metal, Nb. The resonance center frequencies at an external field of 11.922(6) T were obtained as ν(90NbNb) = 56.572(9) MHz, ν(93mMoNb) = 85.76(3) MHz, ν(96TcNb) = 66.997(11) MHz, and ν(101mRh Nb) = 111.010(19) MHz. A systematic analysis of the Knight shift of 4d elements in extremely dilute alloy systems is briefly discussed.

Abstract: Low-temperature nuclear orientation (LTNO) experiments were performed on 151Pm implanted into iron and 147Nd implanted into nickel. The γ-ray anisotropy measurements yielded values of the magnetic hyperfine field and the substitutional fractions of these ions in the host metals. An observed discrepancy between the substitutional fractions obtained from the 91 keV and 531 keV data on 147NdNi is briefly discussed.

A highly active solid superacid of sulfated tin oxide was prepared from tin oxide gel, which was precipitated by the hydrolysis of SnCl4 and washed with aqueous ammonium acetate solution, followed by exposure to aqueous sulfuric acid and calcining. Differencial thermal analysis suggested that the acetate ion remaining on the surface was replaced with sulfate ion. The acid strength of the sulfated tin oxide estimated by temperature-programmed desorption using argon was higher than that of sulfated zirconia, a well-known solid superacid, the activation energy of Ar desorption by the former being 10.6 kJ mol^-1 in comparison with 9.3 kJ mol^-1 by the latter. The sulfated tin oxide showed activities much higher than those of the sulfated zirconia for the skeletal isomerization of n-pentane, the Mukaiyama aldol condensation of 1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-cyclohexene with benzaldehyde, and the benzoylation of toluene with benzoic anhydride.

AbstractMyelin figures which grow from a floating egg-yolk lecithin lump on a surface of water/glycerin mixture have been found to grow only vertically towards the bottom of a glass cell and never to grow horizontally along the medium surface nor radially. The structure of the growing myelin figures is basically simple rod-like or a bundle of a few simple rods. Helixing, twisting or coiling myelin figures were never observed under the present experimental condition.Taking the results obtained from the reported growth behaviour of myelin figures into consideration, it is proposed that one of the driving forces of helixing. coiling and twisting growth of myelin figures is thought to be due to a chemical potential difference caused by a concentration gradient along the radial direction perpendicular to the long axis of a myelin figure. The hydrocarbon chains in the fully hydrated stacked bilayer of myelin figures are proposed to be in a more ordered state than reported so far. The arrangement of hydrocarbon chains, both in myelin figures and in an egg-yolk lecithin/water complex, and the density of them also will be discussed.

Electrochemical properties of the ceramic protonic conductor cell were investigated to evaluate its feasibility of hydrogen pumping for the purpose of tritium extraction in fusion fuel system. Experiments were performed at 873~1073K. One side of the cell was exposed to pure hydrogen and the other was exposed to 0.01~10 vol. % of hydrogen balanced with helium. Static and dynamic hydrogen pumping properties of the cell were evaluated. Electromotive force generated between two electrodes by the difference of hydrogen concentration was measured as static characteristics. In the region of the ratio of hydrogen partial pressure up to 100, the electrochemical potential driven by the difference of hydrogen partial pressure agreed well with the theoretical values derived from Nemst's law. The hydrogen pumping capacity was measured as the current density with applied DC. Hydrogen was selectively transferred at the current density of 7mA/cm2at 873K and 9mA/cm2at 973K, which satisfy our projected requirement (above 5mA/cm2) for applying to the blanket tritium recovery system. Voltage-induced degradation of the cell material accompanied with water vapor generation was observed, and voltage region to avoid this degradation was identified.