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High Ohmic resistance of the solid electrolyte film is a critical issue of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that needs to be addressed. In this study, tailored ceramic Gd-doped ceria (GDC) nanocubes with highly reactive {100} facets were densely integrated on a low-temperature-sinterable (La 0.6 Sr 0.4) 0.95 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ (LSCF) cathode support by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The densely packed GDC nanocube thin film was co-sintered with the cathode support at a significantly lower temperature of 1000 °C, which is 300 °C lower than that required for conventional GDC nanoparticles. The well-sintered dense GDC solid electrolyte thin film formed a 1 μm thick layer on the porous cathode support. The anomalous low-temperature sintering was achieved owing to the good sinterability of the GDC nanocubes, their high-density integration on the LSCF support by EPD, and a remarkable shrinkage of the LSCF support. The deposition of a porous cathode functional layer (CFL) with fine carbon nanoparticles as a pore-forming agent yielded a flat surface. The CFL enabled the integration of GDC nanocubes densely on the LSCF cathode support and remained as a preferable contact interlayer. The GDC nanocube-integrated LSCF cathode support fabricated in this work can be a suitable material for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. [Display omitted] • GDC nanocube film was densely integrated on a porous LSCF support by EPD. • Very fine LSCF nanoparticles were synthesized by a carbonate co-precipitation method. • A-site deficiencies in the LSCF support promoted its densification. • CuO sintering aid decreased the initial sintering temperature of LSCF to 800 °C. • A 1 μm thin GDC solid electrolyte film was fabricated by co-sintering at 1000 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two versions of interatomic potentials for iron-carbon system based on the analytic bond-order potential formalism were developed and tested on diffusion of carbon in body-centered cubic (BCC) iron. By using these potentials, we found that carbon diffuses from octahedral site to the next nearest neighbor octahedral site via tetrahedral site, with energy barriers of 0.74 and 0.70 eV, respectively. These values are in good agreement with the transition from octahedral site to octahedral site via tetrahedral site with energy barriers of about 0.81–0.87 eV, observed in experiment. Other theoretical works found similar diffusion mechanism with energy barriers of about 0.72–0.92 eV. We also verified the transferability of the newly developed potential in the study of the effect of carbon on the body-centered cubic/face-centered cubic (BCC/FCC) phase transition in iron following the phase transition in the Bain mechanism. We found that the presence of carbon leads to the decrease of the BCC to FCC transformation energy barrier, consistent with first-principles calculations. Thus, the new potentials can be good candidates for modeling carbon diffusion and the transformation processes in iron-carbon alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction and discontinuance processes of factories are complicated problems in sociology. We focus on the spatial and temporal changes of factories at Hamamatsu city in Japan. Real data indicate that the clumping degree of factories decreases as the density of factory increases. To represent the spatial and temporal changes of factories, we apply “contact process” which is one of cellular automata. This model roughly explains the dynamics of factory distribution. We also find “historical effect” in spatial distribution. Namely, the recent factories have been dispersed due to the past distribution during the period of economic bubble. This effect may be related to heavy shock in Japanese stock market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electrochemical performance of Ni1-xCox-GDC (Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95) cermet was studied for the use as a novel anode for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Ni1-xCoxO (x=0.25, 0.5, 0.75) was prepared from NiO and Co3O4 compounds via a solid state calcination at 1000°C for 10h in air. A progressive increase in lattice parameters of the Ni1-xCoxO as x was increased suggested the extent of solid solution between NiO and Co3O4. The trace of free Co3O4 was found only in the Ni0.25Co0.75O calcined powder indicating incomplete dissolution between NiO and Co3O4 at this condition. After reduction at 800°C for 2h in H2, the interfacial polarization resistance and current-voltage (I-V) of the Ni1-xCox- GDC//YSZ//LSM-YSZ cells were measured at the temperatures between 650 and 800°C. Grain growth and coarsening of the Ni1-xCox-GDC cermet was generally observed when the amount of Co atomic fraction was increased especially at x = 0.75. The Ni0.75Co0.25-GDC anode exhibited the better uniform microstructure, as compared to other composite anodes, resulting in enhanced electrochemical performance of the cells. When the grain coarsening occurred, suppression of the overall electrochemical performance of the cells was obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Material designs based on the first principle calculations of electronic structures are proposed for α-quartz SiO2-based dilute magnetic semiconductors. The incorporation of transition metals (TMs) into Si sites and of the non-TM atoms into O sites are treated for various concentrations. At temperatures higher than room temperature, most of the TM-doped SiO2 have no magnetism, yet Si1−x Mn x O2 might achieve the ferromagnetism. The substitution of O by non-TM atoms as C or N also induces the magnetism in the host. However, while the N''s substitution induces the ferromagnetism, C''s substitution causes an anti-ferromagnetic behavior in the host material SiO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To develop a high-resolution in vivo human neuroanatomy database for Japanese brains, a data set on 1547 normal subjects between the ages of 16 and 79 years has been collected. First, we determined individual reference brains of normal Japanese for each age and gender group. We found there exists cross-generational changes in brain shape, that is, the young generation has a shorter and wider brain than the older generation. Second, we determined the effect of aging on the volume of gray matter and white matter by voxel based morphometry. A significant negative correlation between the gray matter volume and age was observed. We assume that this kind of database is quite useful to investigators who are engaged in basic neuroscience, clinical diagnostics and evaluation of neuropsychiatric disorders in patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We study population dynamics on lattice space with N species (N=3, 4, 5, and 6) with cyclic competitive advantage, having both a weaker species and a stronger one. The steady state with equal population densities is the globally stable fixed point. For the biased-rate cyclic advantage population, we can observe the different features of the steady states and their stabilities for even N and for odd N, and we call it as “parity law”. We obtain the following results on the parity law: (i) for odd number N all the species can coexist following the biased rate and we have the counterintuition for the change of equilibrium densities; (ii) for even N all the species cannot always coexist and it coincides with our intuition. We also analyzed mean-field approximation. It is revealed that most of the results of Monte Carlo simulation can be understood by mean-field approximation dynamics. However, equilibrium densities cannot be always predicted by mean-field approximation because of the spatial fixation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The conventional solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode, which consists of metallic Ni and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), is liable to deactivation when a carbon-containing gaseous fuel is directly supplied. To retard the degradation due to a direct supply of CH 4 , the Ni/YSZ has been modified with the incorporation of Co into the Ni matrix, forming a substitutional solid-solution alloy. As a result, the porous anode exhibits well-connected compositional grains owing to the Co 3 O 4 precursor as a sintering aid. The 25 mol% Co incorporation producing the Ni 0.75 Co 0.25 /YSZ anode significantly improves the cell performance and prolonged stability. In addition, the Ni 0.75 Co 0.25 /YSZ anode provides the apparent activation energy of the charge transfer reaction to a lower value in the electrochemical oxidation of CH 4 at the triple-phase boundary. However, the apparent activation energy decrease is not identified for H 2. The Co alloying effect on catalyzing the electrochemical oxidation of CH 4 is caused by suppressing the carbon deposition originating from the thermal dissociation of adsorbed CH 4 on the Ni 1- x Co x alloy surface. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proper understanding of the electronic structure of topological insulators in terms of bulk states as well as surface spin polarized states is essential for the development of spintronic devices. In this work, we investigated the electronic structure of Bi 2 Se 3 , a typical n-type topological insulator. Experimentally, we measured the band dispersions along Γ ̄ - M ̄ and the constant energy contours in the entire three-dimensional Brillouin zone, and confirmed that the valence band maximum is located at the Γ point with a binding energy 65 ± 15 meV higher than that of the Dirac point. The theoretical calculations performed by a quasi-particle self-consistent G W method show good agreement with the experimental results on the bulk band structure. The present results indicate that Bi 2 Se 3 is a suitable candidate for next-generation spintronic devices. • The bulk valence band maximum (VBM) of Bi 2 Se 3 is located at the Γ point. • The VBM is located at a binding energy higher than that of the Dirac point. • Quasi-particle self-consistent G W calculations support our experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new oral intake route in a hypopharyngeal cancer patient with severe complications. A 64-year-old man was diagnosed as having T2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the posterior wall of the hypopharynx. He had previously undergone radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer and tricuspid valve replacement surgery, and also had atrial flutter and renal dysfunction. We performed surgery with curative intent. The hypopharynx was primarily closed after tumor resection. Laryngotracheal separation and tracheoesophageal diversion with end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea to the esophagus was performed. After surgery, complete oral feeding was achieved using the new pathway created. The larynx, contradictory to its typical role, can be used as a pathway to the esophagus using our revolutionary technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] SIRT1 induction by glucose deprivation plays an important role for protecting PC12 cells. [•] Reduced environmental glucose levels affect SIRT1 expression/localization. [•] The environmental glucose and NGF differentially controlled SIRT1 and FoxO3a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The focus of this study is to examine the distribution of defects and defect-induced properties in MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). To this end, first-principles calculations were performed to estimate the electronic structures and total energies of MgO with various defects by using the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof (HSE06) hybrid functional. From connections drawn between the calculated results and previously reported experimental data, we propose that self-organized ferromagnetic nanowires of magnesium vacancies can be formed in MgO-based MTJs. This self-organization may provide the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the conductivity, tunnel barriers and quantum oscillations of MgO-based MTJs. Further experimental verification is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The rate at which the volume of gray matter declines with normal aging, and whether gender or generational differences affect this rate, remain unclear. Using a longitudinal design over 6 years in 381 healthy community-dwelling individuals, we examined the rate of age-related loss in global gray matter volume, and how gender, generational and cerebrovascular risk factors affected this rate. We collected brain magnetic resonance images of the subjects, and calculated gray matter and intracranial volumes at baseline and follow-up using a fully automated technique. Using these volumes we then calculated the gray matter ratio (GMR), which measures gray matter volume as a percentage of the total intracranial volume. There were significant main effects of age, gender, and body mass index, and an age×gender interaction in the annual percentage change in the GMR (APCGMR). The APCGMR of younger women was lower than that in older women and men. Our results may help in understanding the mechanism(s) of normal brain aging, and in distinguishing neurodegenerative diseases from normal aging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Perry disease (Perry syndrome), a hereditary TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) proteinopathy, is caused by dynactin subunit 1 (DCNT1) mutations and is characterized by rapidly progressive parkinsonism accompanied by depression, apathy, unexpected weight loss, and respiratory symptoms including central hypoventilation and central sleep apnea. Meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy is considered a diagnostic biomarker for Lewy body disease (LBD), as denervation of cardiac sympathetic nerves is a pathological feature in LBD. However, our previous studies have reported a decreased cardiac uptake of MIBG in patients with Perry disease. In this study, we aimed to correlate the MIBG myocardial scintigraphy findings with clinical features in Perry disease.Methods: We evaluated data obtained from a multicenter survey of patients of Japanese origin with suspected Perry disease, who visited neurology departments in Japan from January 2010 to December 2018. We screened each patient's DNA for the DCTN1 mutation using Sanger sequencing and obtained the clinical details of all patients including findings from their MIBG myocardial scintigraphy.Results: We identified two novel mutations, p.G71V and p.K68E, in DCTN1 in patients from two different families. The majority of patients (7/8, 87.5%) showed a decrease in cardiac uptake (heart to mediastinum ratio) in MIBG myocardial scintigraphy. These patients commonly presented with symptoms related to autonomic dysfunction: constipation, fecal incontinence, urinary disturbance, and orthostatic hypotension.Conclusions: MIBG myocardial scintigraphy may be a useful biomarker of autonomic dysfunction in Perry disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on Pd content, disordered Fe-Pd alloys take various crystal structures: body-centered cubic (BCC), body-centered tetragonal (BCT), face-centered tetragonal (FCT) and face-centered cubic (FCC) structures. We have measured specific heat of Fe-Pd alloys to understand the lattice stability and electronic state of the alloys. At the phase boundary between FCT and FCC phases, electronic specific heat coefficient shows a local maximum and the Debye temperature shows a local minimum. A local maximum of electronic specific heat coefficient also appears in the BCC region with Pd content of near 10 at.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gd 2 O 3 -modified CeO 2 particles are prepared by a solid-state reaction method, and are used to remove Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions by a photoelectrodeposition. The UV–photocatalytic activity for Pb(II) ion removal of the Gd 2 O 3 -modified CeO 2 is significantly higher than that of pure CeO 2 . A solid solution Gd 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 1.95 phase coexisting with the CeO 2 matrix phase shows a high ability of photoelectrodeposition for the Pb(II) ions removal, compared to the two-phases mixture of Gd 2 O 3 –CeO 2 . The high photocatalytic activity is also supported by a strong photoluminescence (PL) signal from the Gd 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 1.95 –CeO 2 . The high activity can be due to a formation of heterojunctions between p-type Gd 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 1.95 and n-type CeO 2 , promoting transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and efficiency restraining recombination of the charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have investigated the relationship between the chemical compatibility and electrochemical properties of La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3 (LSCF), LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 (LNF), and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) as a cathode against the Cr poisoning condition. Powder mixtures of LSCF–Cr2O3, LSM–Cr2O3, and LNF–Cr2O3 were heated at 1073K and analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction with the Rietveld refinement. It was found that LNF powder was less reactive with Cr2O3 than LSCF and LSM powder from the viewpoint of the consumption of Cr2O3 in the mixtures. From electrochemical measurement, it was found that the cathodic overvoltage was almost unchanged for cells with LNF cathode, either in the presence or absence of a Cr-containing alloy. On the other hand, the cells with LSCF and LSM cathode in the presence of the alloy exhibited a steep increase in the overvoltage curve. These results show that LNF cathode is more stable against Cr poisoning than the other two cathodes. Therefore, we expect LNF to be a long-life cathode with high stability against Cr poisoning in solid oxide fuel cell because of the low reactivity of LNF with Cr2O3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the correlations of the volumes of the gray matter and white matter with age, and the correlations of the tissue probabilities of the gray matter and white matter with age and several cerebrovascular risk factors. We obtained magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain and clinical information from 769 normal Japanese subjects. We processed the MR images automatically by correcting for inter-individual differences in brain size and shape, and by segmenting the MR images into the gray matter and white matter. Volumetry of the brain revealed a significant negative correlation between the gray matter volume and age, which was not observed between white matter volume and age. Voxel-based morphometry showed that age, systolic blood pressure, and alcohol drinking correlated with the regional tissue probabilities of the gray matter and white matter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High Z T value and large Seebeck coefficient have been reported in the nanostructured Fe-doped Si–Ge alloys. In this work, the large Seebeck coefficient in Fe-doped Si–Ge systems was qualitatively reproduced from the computed electronic density of states, where a hybrid functional, HSE06, was used for an exchange-correlation functional, as well as a special quasi-random structure (SQS) for a disordered atomic configuration. Furthermore, by replacing Fe with other transition metals, such as Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Au, a dopant that produces a large Seebeck coefficient in Si–Ge alloy systems was explored. It was found that the Mn-doped system produces a large Seebeck coefficient comparable with the Fe-doped system. • Hybrid functional DFT is used to calculate Seebeck coefficient of SiGe alloys. • The investigation is applied to transition metal (Mn, Co, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Au) doping. • Large Seebeck coefficient in Fe-doped SiGe systems was qualitatively reproduced. • Impurity states at band-edges of Fe-doped SiGe boost the Seebeck coefficient. • Large Seebeck coefficient is also found in Mn-doped SiGe due to these impurity states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]