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Eating alone is reported to deteriorate health; however, the relationship between eating alone and poor dental health remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between poor dental health and eating alone. Data of participants (n = 156,287) aged ≥65 years from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study were evaluated using logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between dental status, including prosthesis use, and eating status. Differences in these associations according to living status were also examined. The mean age of participants was 73.7 (SD = 6.0) years. The percentages of participants eating alone with 20 or more teeth, 10–19 teeth with dental prostheses, 0–9 teeth with dental prostheses, 10–19 teeth without dental prostheses, and 0–9 teeth without dental prostheses were 13.8%, 16.0%, 18.6%, 18.9%, and 27.0%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, participants with 0–9 teeth without any dental prosthesis showed a significantly higher odds ratio for eating alone (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.58–2.07) than those with 20 or more teeth. Among participants with poorer dental status, the probability of eating alone was higher in those living alone than in those living with others. Among older adults, poor dental status was significantly associated with eating alone, and this association was stronger among those living alone. Maintaining better dental status by using a dental prosthesis might reduce the risk of eating alone, especially for those living alone.

In this study, the cracking behavior and microstructural, mechanical and thermal characteristics of tungsten–rhenium (W–Re) binary alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) were investigated. Four bulk specimens were prepared by L-PBF: pure W, W–1%Re, W–3%Re and W–10%Re (percentages indicate the mass percent of Re). High-density bulk specimens (relative density > 98.0%) were obtained for pure W and W–Re alloys under the same laser irradiation conditions. The columnar grains elongated along the building direction were gradually refined as the Re content increased. The most remarkable grain refinement was observed for the W–10%Re alloy. Hardness under a high-temperature environment increased with increasing Re content; the micro-Vickers hardnesses of pure W and W–10%Re at 400 °C were 179 ± 4 HV0.1/30 and 281 ± 5 HV0.1/30, respectively. Observations with a scanning electron microscope revealed that the 10 mass% Re addition resulted in a shorter and narrower crack morphology in comparison with pure W and consequently reduced crack area by 59%. Furthermore, the anisotropy of the thermal diffusivity was mitigated in the high Re content specimens, suggesting that, at high Re content, thermal diffusivity is affected less by cracks than by the effect of Re atoms on heat carrier transfer via isotropic scattering.

To optimize the giant magnetocaloric properties of HoB2, we synthesized and characterized the magnetocaloric properties of Ho1-xGdxB2 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) alloys. We found out that Gd enters stoichiometrically and randomly into the Ho site, leading to a Vegard-type structural change. The addition of spherical S7/2 Gd3+ moments prompts an enhancement in Curie temperature from 15 K to 30 K (at x = 0.4), a reduction in peak value of the magnetic entropy change, from 0.35 (40.1) to 0.17 (20.2) J cm−3 K−1 (J kg−1 K−1), and a broadening of the magnetic entropy change curves. The overall influence is a relatively high refrigerant capacity and relative cooling power, peaking at 6.07 (711) and 7.68 (899) J cm−3 (J kg−1) for x = 0.2, and an extension of the thermal working range to higher temperatures. Unlike Ho1−xDyxB2 alloys, the Gd substituted samples show no magnetic hysteresis. Furthermore, scaling analysis of the entropy curves suggests a second-order phase transition for the ferromagnetic transition in these alloys. Thus, Ho1-xGdxB2 alloys are potential candidates for cryogenic refrigeration applications.

In this study, the effects of fabrication conditions on the microstructure, pore characteristics and gas retention of pure tungsten specimens prepared by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) were investigated. The LPBF specimens contained micro- and nano- sized pores as internal defects. By optimizing the laser irradiation conditions, the formation of micropores was suppressed. The densest LPBF specimen was obtained when the input energy density was adjusted to be 411 J/mm3, and the relative density of the specimen measured by utilizing Archimedes' principle reached 98.58 ± 0.25% (19.03 ± 0.05 g/cm3). Heat treatment at a high temperature (1900 °C) was effective to reduce the number density of nanopores. The compositions and amounts of internal gas in the specimens were examined using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The results indicated that the specimens contained the argon (Ar), which was used as the shielding gas. The Ar retention was correlated with the number density of nanopores in the specimens and not with the density of micropores. The Ar retention decreased to almost half that in the as-fabricated specimen after the heat treatment at 1900 °C. These observations suggest that Ar gas was trapped in nanopores in the LPBF material. It was demonstrated that a part of the trapped Ar dissolved and diffused in grains during the heat treatment and was released to the outside.

We report the adiabatic temperature change in ErAl2 magnetocaloric wires fabricated by a powder-in-tube (PIT) process. The adiabatic temperature change of the PIT wires is found to be determined by not only the volume fraction of ErAl2 core but also the magnitude relationship between the specific heat of the ErAl2 core and the metal sheath. We propose a quantitative analysis method for calculating the temperature and core volume fraction dependence of adiabatic temperature change in the PIT wire, whose formula is applicable to also various magnetocaloric composites, useful to estimate the magnetocaloric response prior to fabrication., Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures

Deformational, metamorphic, monazite age and fabric data from Rengali Province, eastern India converge towards a multi-scale transpressional deformational episode at ca. 498–521 Ma which is linked with the latest phase of tectonic processes operative at proto-India-Antarctica join. Detailed sector wise study on mutual overprinting relationships of macro-to microstructural elements suggest that deformation was regionally partitioned into fold-thrust dominated shortening zones alternating with zones of dominant transcurrent deformation bounded between the thrust sense Barkot Shear Zone in the north and the dextral Kerajang Fault Zone in the south. The strain partitioned zones are further restricted between two regional transverse shear zones, the sinistral Riamol Shear Zone in the west and the dextral Akul Fault Zone in the east which are interpreted as synthetic R and antithetic R' Riedel shear plane, respectively. The overall structural disposition has been interpreted as a positive flower structure bounded between the longitudinal and transverse faults with vertical extrusion and symmetric juxtaposition of mid-crustal amphibolite grade basement gneisses over low-grade upper crustal rocks emanating from the central axis of the transpressional belt.

Alkali and alkali earth hydrides have been used as solid state reductants recently to yield many interesting new oxygen-deficient transition metal oxides. These reactions have tacitly been assumed to be a solid phase reaction between the reductant and parent oxide. We have conducted a number of experiments with physical separation between the reductant and oxides, and find that in some cases reduction proceeds even when the reagents are physically separated, implying reactions with in-situ generated H{sub 2} and, to a lesser extent, getter mechanisms. Our findings change our understanding of these topochemical reactions, and should enhance the synthesis of additional new oxides and nanostructures. - Graphical abstract: Topochemical reductions with hydrides: Solid state or gas phase reaction? Display Omitted - Highlights: • SrFeO{sub 2} and LaNiO{sub 2} were prepared by topochemical reduction of oxides. • Separating the reducing agent (CaH{sub 2}, Mg metal) from the oxide still results in reduction. • Such topochemical reactions can occur in the gas phase.

Pressure–composition curves of ZrMn x ( x =1.9, 2.0)-Q 2 (Q=H, D) were measured by a volumetric method. An inverse isotope effect of absorption pressure was found for the ZrMn x Q y system, i.e. the hydrogen absorption pressure was found to be larger than that of deuterium. On the other hand, the hydrogen desorption pressure was the same as that of deuterium. Thus, an inverse isotope effect merely appears in the absorption pressures. The degree of the inverse isotope effect decreased with increasing temperature. This effect can be explained by the hysteresis factor which is induced by hydrogen isotopes dissolved in ZrMn 1.9 or ZrMn 2.0 .

We will present the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a new quadruple-layered perovskite (CuCl)Ca{sub 2}NaNb{sub 4}O{sub 13}. Through a topotactic ion-exchange reaction with CuCl{sub 2}, the precursor RbCa{sub 2}NaNb{sub 4}O{sub 13} presumably having an incoherent octahederal tliting changes into (CuCl)Ca{sub 2}NaNb{sub 4}O{sub 13} with a 2a{sub p} Multiplication-Sign 2a{sub p} Multiplication-Sign 2c{sub p} superstructure (tetragonal; a=7.73232(5) A, c=39.2156(4) A). The well-defined superstructure for the ion-exchanged product should be stabilized by the inserted CuCl{sub 4}O{sub 2} octahedral layers that firmly connect with neighboring perovskite layers. Magnetic studies show the absence of long-range magnetic ordering down to 2 K despite strong in-plane interactions. Aleksandrov Prime s group theory and Rietveld refinement of synchrotron X-ray diffraction data suggest the structure to be of I4/mmm space group with in-phase tilting along the a and b axes, a two-tilt system (++0). - Graphical Abstract: We present a quadruple-layered copper oxyhalide (CuCl)Ca{sub 2}NaNb{sub 4}O{sub 13} synthesized through a topotactic ion-exchange reaction of RbCa{sub 2}NaNb{sub 4}O{sub 13} with CuCl{sub 2}. The compound has a well-defined superstructure. Magnetic studies suggest the absence of magnetic order even at 2 K. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer (CuCl)Ca{sub 2}NaNb{sub 4}O{sub 13} was prepared by ion-exchange reaction of RbCa{sub 2}NaNb{sub 4}O{sub 13} with CuCl{submore » 2}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Compound has a 2a{sub p} Multiplication-Sign 2a{sub p} Multiplication-Sign 2c{sub p} superstructure (tetragonal; a=7.73 A, c=39.21 A). Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Such a well-defined superstructure was not observed in the precursor compound. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Aleksandrov Prime s theory and Rietveld study suggest a (++0) octahedral tilting (I4/mmm). Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Magnetic studies revealed the absence of magnetic order down to 2 K.« less

FePO4 is an attractive rare-metal-free cathode active material. Simple and inexpensive new synthesis routes obtained from solution were investigated. P2O5 and Fe metal powders, both of which react in water at room temperature, were selected as inexpensive starting materials. Amorphous powders obtained through ball milling were annealed at various temperatures (100–650 °C) in air. IR spectra showed that PO4 tetrahedra units existed even in the amorphous matrix. XRD peaks of the trigonal FePO4 phase appeared above 500 °C. Reversible Fe3+/Fe2+ redox reactions in the amorphous and crystalline FePO4 were confirmed by 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. The heating temperature dependence of the cathode properties is reported.

The quaternary pyrochlore ruthenates, Bi2-xLnxRu2O7 (Ln = Pr-Lu), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray Rietveld structure refinement and electrical conductivity measurements. Room temperature resistivities increase with x, and a change from metallic to semiconducting behavior is observed between x = 1.2 and 1.4. In this composition region, smooth change from metallic to semiconducting behavior was observed at 40-80 K for the Pr-Sm systems, whereas no change was observed for the Dy and Y systems. Lattice parameters increase with x in the systems with larger rare earth cations (Pr, Nd), and decrease with x in the systems with smaller rare earth cations (Sm, Dy). However, the room-temperature structure analysis indicated similar structural changes in these solid solutions; the Ru-O bond length in the RuO6 octahedra increases, the distortion of the RuO6 octahedra increases, and the bend in the RuO6 zig-zag chains increases with increasing Ln contents. This corresponds to the change from metallic to semiconducting behavior around x = 1.2-1.4. The RuO6 octahedra distortion and the bend in the RuO6 zig-zag chains increase in the order Lu → Pr. The semiconductor-metal transition is discussed from the structural changes.

The nature of dislocations emitted from cracks introduced in a thin foil of LaNi 5 has been characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy. Dislocations emitted from cracks are determined to be of the c -type ( b (Burgers vector)=[0001]) moving on {1010} prism planes. Although grown-in dislocations of the a -type ( b =1/3〈1120〉) locate near cracks where the emission of c -type dislocations occurred, these a -type dislocations are not observed in motion, indicating the difficulty in the motion of a -type dislocations. The implications of these results for controlling the extent of cracking during cycles of hydriding–dehydriding of alloys based on LaNi 5 are discussed.

Introduction Patients with masticatory dysfunction have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Masticatory function is significantly lower in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion than in those with normal occlusion. However, GERD symptoms in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion are still unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine GERD symptoms and masticatory functions in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion. Methods Nineteen adult patients with severe skeletal Class III malocclusion (Class III group) and 20 adults with normal occlusion (control group) participated in this study. The results of the Carlsson-Dent self-administered questionnaire (QUEST) and the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG) were compared between the 2 groups, along with occlusal contact area, maximal voluntary bite force, and salivary flow rate. Results The QUEST and FSSG scores were significantly higher in the Class III group. Occlusal contact area and maximal voluntary bite force were significantly smaller in the Class III group. There was no significant difference in the salivary flow rates between the groups. Conclusions GERD symptoms were observed more often in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion than in normal subjects as determined by the questionnaires.

The optical properties of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) containing multiple-quantum wells have been studied. Photoluminescence and electroluminescence spectra clearly reveal a blue-shift with narrowing quantum wells (QWs). This indicates that subband energies are created in the organic QWs due to quantum size effect. Numerical analysis was performed to determine subband energies and effective masses of electrons. These results demonstrate that wavelength of OLEDs can be designed on the basis of quantum size effect.

assay. Results: Of 113 children with UC, 37 (33%) were anti-CBir1 + and 76 (67%) antiCBir1-. No statistically significant differences between CBir+ and CBirsubjects were noted in terms of age at diagnosis (11±4 vs 12±4 yrs), % < 8yrs at diagnosis (16 vs 15%), % male (46 vs 59%), % pancolitis (81 vs 83%), % moderate/severe UC activity at diagnosis (57 vs 74%) or duration of follow-up (35±20 vs 36±20 months). There were also no statistically significant differences in the rates of pANCA (81 vs 78%), anti-ompC (8 vs 9%), ASCA IgA (8 vs 3%) or ASCA IgG (5 vs 1%). Initial treatments were similar between groups (all comparisons p=NS): 5ASA (68 vs 53%), Steroids (43 vs 55%), 6MP/Azathioprine (3 vs 8%), infliximab (0 vs 3%). UC activity by physician's global assessment at 1 and 2 yrs after diagnosis was inactive or mild in 92-95% of both groups. Two (5%) CBir+ and 9 (12%) CBirsubjects received at least 1 dose of infliximab within 2 yrs of diagnosis (p=NS). Two (5%) CBir+ subjects required colectomy (both treated with infliximab) as did 10 CBir(13%) subjects (6 after infliximab) by 2 yrs after diagnosis (p=NS). Conclusions: Anti-CBir1 is found in a third of children newly diagnosed with UC. However, anti-CBir1 status does not appear to affect disease course or need for infliximab or colectomy in the first 2 years after diagnosis.

IFN-γ plays an important role in the generation and perpetuation of mucosal inflammation in IBD. TL1A, a TNF superfamily member, synergizes with IL-12 and IL-18 to augment IFN-γ production in human T cells. Enhanced TL1A expression is detected in IBD with a strong TL1A SNP association reported in Crohn's disease. We have previously shown TL1A expression is induced in peripheral monocytes and in-vitro derived dendritic cells (DC). The molecular mechanisms regulating TL1A expression during DC differentiation however, remain poorly defined. The human monocytic cell line, KG-1, provides a valuable model for dendritic cell differentiation. The round non-adherent KG1 cells develop a DC-like phenotype following activation by PMA/ionomycin. These cells become loosely adherent with long cytoplasmic projections. A concomitant induction of membrane TL1A and mRNA is observed with mRNA expression being detectable within 2 hours and peaking at 8 hours following stimulation. A strikingly similar kinetics of TL1A expression was likewise noted following PMA/ionomycin stimulation of peripheral monocytes. Further DC maturation of KG-1 cells following treatment with LPS results in additional enhancement of TL1A expression. Transient transfection of KG-1 with TL1A promoter-constructs up to 1.5 kb in length reveals up to 90-fold enhanced expression compared to cells transfected with the promoterless vector. EMSA analysis demonstrates PMA/ionomycin mediated upregulation of nucleo-protein binding to a putative TL1A NFκB binding site. Binding is competed by excess unlabeled wt TL1A NFκB, but not mutant oligonucleotide and is likewise attenuated following proteasomal inhibition by MG132. Our data suggests in the human monocytic KG-1 cell line, differentiation of immature cells towards a mature DC phenotype is associated with functional upregulation of surface TL1A expression and binding of NFκB to the TL1A promoter. These studies provide a molecular basis for future studies which may help elucidate the mechanism modulating TL1A expression during DC maturation.

AIMS: Pancreaticobiliary ductal maljunction(PBM) is associated with several pancreatobiliary diseases including pancreatitis and carcinoma. Relation between adenomyomatosis (ADM) of the gallbladder and malignancy is not clear because of lacking of the data. However patients with ADM but free from abdominal symptoms are usually followed as benign proliferative disease although it is hard to differentiate from gallbladder cancer. To clarify the relation, histological studies were conducted for specimens obtained by surgical resection of the gall bladder from patients with ADM including those with both ADM and PBM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four patients, 1 male and 3 females, with gallbladder ADM associated with PBM and 32 patients, 21 males and 11 females, with gallbladder ADM but free from PBM were enrolled in this study. In 13 patients without symptoms related to the pancreatobiliary area ADM was found by transabdominal ultrasonography performed for the other purposes. ADM were divided into 3 subtypes, segmental, fundal and diffused types. PBM and ADM were diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and histological study for the surgical specimen respectively. RESULTS: Among 32 patients with ADM free from PBM, totally 21 (65.6%), consisting of 14 (66.7%) segmental type, 2 (66.7%) fundal type and 5 (62.5%) diffused type had clinical symptoms. Of these 24 (75.0%) patients, consisting of 16 (76.2%) segmental type, 2 (66.7%) fundal type, 6 (75.0%) diffused type were complicated by gallbladder stones. However there was no significant clinical difference among the subtypes. Two out of 4 patients (50%) with ADM associating with PBM, belonging to segmental type, had symptoms. However none of the four patients were complicated with gallbladder stones. None of the thirty-six patients with ADM were complicated with gallbladder cancer at all. CONCLUSION: None of 36 patients with ADM including 4 patients associated with PBM are not complicated with gallbladder cancer.

Introduction and aim: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) plays a major role in diagnosis of the gallbladder lesions. The normal gallbladder wall has been demonstrated to consist of 3 layers on EUS images. It is generally accepted that the 2nd and the 3rd layers include the muscularis propria and subserosal fibrous tissue, and the subserosal adipose tissue, respectively. However these 3 layers cannot be seen in some normal gallbladder by EUS images. Therefore this study was aimed to clarify the cause of these 2 different EUS images seen normal gallbladder by histological study of the gallbladder wall performed simultaneously. Materials and methods: Gallbladder specimens from 12 autopsy cases without biliary tract disorders, 6 with the three EUS layers (goup A) and 6 with one uniform layer (group B), were enrolled in this study. Two needles were stabbed into the gallbladder wall from the mucosa to perform EUS and histological study for the same area of the specimen. For this study an Olympus GFUMQ 240 with a frequency of 7.5MHz was used. Results: Histology of the specimens were summarized in the table. The thickness of the muscularis propria and fibrous layer showed no significant differences between group A and B. While the thickness of the adipose layer of group B was determined to be one half of group A. Conclusions: This study indicates that the one uniform layer seen in normal gallbladder on EUS images reflects a thin subserosal adipose layer.