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Purpose Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a significant complication after heart transplantation (HTx). Tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TVA) may be performed empirically at the time of transplant to prevent the development of TR and right ventricular failure. This study aims to investigate the long-term impact of TVA on incidence of TR and survival. Methods All patients transplanted between 1/2010 - 8/2018 were enrolled. At our institution, we routinely perform DeVega TVA during HTx. All echocardiograms post-HTx were evaluated. TR was classified into 5 groups: none, trace, mild, moderate and severe. The incidence of significant TR (moderate or severe) over time and the effect of TR on survival were evaluated. Echocardiograms were evaluated starting 3 months post-HTx. Results 248 patients underwent HTx in this period, and 243 who underwent concomitant TVA were included in this analysis (mean age 54 years, 76% male). During 3.0 ± 2.1 years follow-up, 22 (9.1%) of patients developed significant TR. In the TVA group, survival free of significant TR was 96.9% at 6-months, 94.3% at 1 year, 91.6% at 2 years, 90.8% at 3 years, 90.8% at 4 years, and 88.8% at 5 years (Figure 1A). 5-year survival among those who experienced significant TR was numerically lower, but not significantly different (70.7% vs 81.5%, p=0.24) (Figure 1B). Only 8 (3.3%) patients required permanent pacemaker implantation over a median of 51 days (IQR 14-522) following HTx. Conclusion Significant TR after HTx is common and progressively worsens despite concomitant TVA. The association of significant TR with long-term survival and the benefit of TVA require further evaluation.

Purpose Although tricuspid regurgitation (TR) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is known to be related to unfavorable outcomes, the longitudinal trend of TR during LVAD course remains unknown. The aim of this study is to clarify the longitudinal trend of TR prior to and following LVAD implantation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who received LVAD implantation between 4/2014-8/2018. We evaluated the grade of TR by echocardiography prior to and following LVAD implantation. TR grade was determined based on the color flow jet area. Moderate or severe TR was defined as significant. We compared clinical outcomes of patients with concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) procedure (TVP+) and those without (TVP-). Results Among 199 consecutive patients, 194 patients had at least 2 echocardiographic TR grade assessments. All patients had a test prior to LVAD implantation, and had an average of 6±4 tests after LVAD implantation during a median of 389 (range 8-1540) days of follow-up. Mean age was 57±13 years and 132 patients (68%) were male. 107 (55%) patients were included in TVP+. Prior to LVAD implantation the prevalence of significant TR was higher in TVP+ (51% in TVP+ vs 20% in TVP-, P All-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) readmission-free survival were similar between the groups. In contrast, patients with significant TR in the early period (within 6 months) had lower HF readmission-free survival (at 1 year, 60% in significant TR vs 74% in non-significant TR, P=0.015, Figure 1B). Conclusion Long-term trend of TR and clinical outcomes throughout LVAD course were similar between TVP+ and TVP-. Patients with significant TR had decreased HF-free survival.

Purpose Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with postoperative right ventricular failure . This study aimed to investigate the implication of post LVAD PAPi on clinical outcomes. Methods Following LVAD implantation, invasive hemodynamic tests were performed. PAPi was calculated as (systolic pulmonary artery pressure - diastolic pulmonary artery pressure)/mean right atrial pressure . One-year mortality, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), heart failure (HF), pump thrombosis (PT), and stroke event rates were compared between low PAPi group and high PAPi group based on the established ROC cut-off value. Results 97 LVAD patients received hemodynamic tests at 598 ± 668 days following LVAD implantation. The mean age was 60 years old and 60 (62%) were male. Mean PAPi was 2.9 ± 2.6. We divided the subjects into a low PAPi group (PAPi ventricular tachyarrhythmia prior to LVAD implantation (p 0.05 for all). Conclusion Lower PAPi post LVAD implantation is associated with reduced survival free from HF hospitalization. PAPi may serve as a marker of right ventricular failure in this population.

Purpose Omega-3, an unsaturated fatty acid, reduces the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). However, its biological mechanism remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the impact of omega-3 on angiogenesis. Methods We measured inflammatory and angiogenesis biomarkers in plasma from LVAD patients by using Bio-plex ProTM Biomarker Assay kit and compared their levels between those with and without omega-3 therapy. GIB rates were also compared between the two groups by using binomial negative regression analysis. Results Among 38 patients (mean age 56.4 years, 66% male), 16 (42%) received 4 g/day omega-3 therapy. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups (p >0.05 for all). The GIB rate was significantly lower in the omega-3 group (0.100 event/year vs. 0.381 event/year, p Conclusion LVAD patients treated with omega-3 have significantly lower GIB rates and significantly lower angiopoietin-2 levels. The reduction in GIB rate with omega-3 may be due to the suppression of abnormal angiogenesis.

Purpose Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) dramatically improve the hemodynamics of patients with advanced heart failure. However, longitudinal trends of hemodynamics in LVAD patients remain unknown. The aim of this study is to clarify the trends of hemodynamic parameters following LVAD implantation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who received LVAD implantation between 4/2014-8/2018. We collected hemodynamic parameters obtained from right heart catheterization (RHC) prior to and following LVAD implantation. Results Among 199 consecutive patients, we enrolled 145 patients who had at least two RHCs. Each patient had a test before LVAD implantation, and an average of 2.2±1.4 RHCs after LVAD implantation during median 493 (15-1540) days of follow-up. Mean age was 57±13 years old and 101 patients (70%) were male. Following LVAD implantation, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) decreased significantly and remained lower throughout LVAD course. Cardiac Index (CI) increased significantly and remained higher throughout LVAD course (Figure 1A). Right atrial pressure (RAP) improved initially and then returned to pre-implant values. Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) did not improve early after implantation (3.0±2.7 to 2.7±2.1, P=1.00), and then progressively decreased over longer follow-up periods (2.3±3.6 at 1-2 years and 1.5±0.5 at 2-3 years) (Figure 1B). Conclusion Despite improvement in left-side filling pressure following LVAD implantation, PAPi worsened over time suggesting progressive right ventricular dysfunction.

著者人数: 152名（所属. 宇宙航空研究開発機構宇宙科学研究所(JAXA)(ISAS): 長谷部, 孝; 堂谷, 忠靖; 羽澄, 昌史; 今田, 大皓; 満田, 和久; 坂井, 真一郎; 関本, 裕太郎; Tomida, T.; 辻本, 匡弘; Yamamoto, R.; 山崎, 典子), Accepted: 2018-04-07, 資料番号: SA1180209000

The paper reports numerical simulation results of a direct current (DC) suspension plasma spray with an axial injection system. In the numerical modelling, a two-way coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian approach was employed to simulate plasma flow and suspension behavior. As effects of two-way interaction, momentum transfer and energy transfer were chosen. The plasma spray was assumed to have a rotationally symmetric, two-dimensional shape around the injection axis of suspensions (the central axis), and therefore the axisymmetric two-dimensional approximation was adopted in the numerical modelling. Working gas was pure argon and was supplied from both the anode-side and the cathode-side ports. A total volume flow rate of the working gas from anode and cathode was set to 46.5 slm. A feed rate of suspension was parametrically set to 0, 15, 25, or 35 g/min. Numerical results indicate that the temperature of a plasma hot-core region and the velocity of a plasma jet around the central axis drop more with increasing feed rate of suspension mainly because of a decrease in Joule heating with increasing it. The numerical results also suggest that the increase in feed rate of suspension leads to practically lengthening flight distance of suspensions required for completing evaporation process of disperse medium.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder that is caused by an insufficient level of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide drug that modifies pre–messenger RNA splicing of the SMN2 gene and thus promotes increased production of full-length SMN protein. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, phase 3 efficacy and safety trial of nusinersen in infants with spinal muscular atrophy. The primary end points were a motor-milestone response (defined according to results on the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination) and event-free survival (time to death or the use of permanent assisted ventilation). Secondary end points included overall survival and subgroup analyses of event-free survival according to disease duration at screening. Only the first primary end point was tested in a prespecified interim analysis. To control the overall type I error rate at 0.05, a hierarchical testing strategy was used for the second primary end point and the secondary end points in the final analysis. Results: In the interim analysis, a significantly higher percentage of infants in the nusinersen group than in the control group had a motor-milestone response (21 of 51 infants [41%] vs. 0 of 27 [0%], P Conclusions: Among infants with spinal muscular atrophy, those who received nusinersen were more likely to be alive and have improvements in motor function than those in the control group. Early treatment may be necessary to maximize the benefit of the drug.

Introduction Hyperkalemia post-heart transplantation (HT) is common and related to immunosuppressive medications, particularly calcineurin inhibitors with concomitant use of prophylactic antibiotics, mainly trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as well as comorbidities like diabetes and renal insufficiency. Most patients are managed with potassium chelating agents and deviations from standard post-transplant protocol. This study aims to report the incidence and clinical significance of hyperkalemia following HT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients that underwent HT at our institution between 4/2014-12/2018. We excluded multi-organ transplant recipients. We defined mild, moderate and severe hyperkalemia as serum potassium >5.0, >5.5 and >6.0 mEq/L, respectively. Patients who experienced moderate or severe hyperkalemia within 1 year (HK group) were compared to the other patients (Non-HK group). Results We included 143 HT patients, mean age was 53±13 years old and 105 (73%) were male. Thirty-four (24%) patients had a history of hyperkalemia within 1 month prior to HT, and only 9 (6%) patients had a history of moderate or severe hyperkalemia. During 1 year following HT, freedom from mild, moderate and severe hyperkalemia was 5%, 38% and 76%, respectively (Figure A). Fifty-four percent of the patients required treatment with polystyrene sulfonate or patiromer. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim was stopped due to hyperkalemia in 36% of patients. Overall survival was numerically lower in the HK group (93% vs 98% in 1-year, P=0.185 and 87% vs 98% in 2-year, P=0.066), and infection-free survival was significantly lower in the HK group (34% vs 55% in 1-year, P=0.011 and 26% vs 45% in 2-year, P=0.015, Figure B). Multivariate logistic analysis using recipient and operative factors identified pre-HT GFR as a significant predictor of the HK group (odds ratio 0.790, 95% confidence interval 0.643-0.970, P=0.024). Conclusions The incidence of hyperkalemia following HT is extremely high, and more than half of patients require treatment for hyperkalemia within the first year. Importantly hyperkalemia was related to an increase in the rate of infections at 2 years.

Purpose Decoupling between diastolic pulmonary artery pressure (dPAP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is an index of pulmonary vascular damage and is associated with recurrence of heart failure during LVAD support. This study aimed to investigate the impact of decoupling on right heart function. Methods In this prospective study, LVAD patients underwent invasive hemodynamic testing. Decoupling was defined as >5 mmHg of difference between dPAP and PCWP. We compared right heart function between those with and without decoupling, as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography at the time of catheterization and one year later. Results 69 patients (mean age 61 years, 49% male) were enrolled. 33 patients (48%) had decoupling. At baseline, all investigated right heart parameters were worse in the decoupling group (p Conclusion Presence of decoupling has a negative impact on right heart function during LVAD support. Therapeutic strategies to address decoupling may reduce right heart failure post-LVAD.

Purpose Flow waveform visualization is a unique feature of the HVAD left ventricular assist device (LVAD) that provides graphical real-time information linking device performance with patient hemodynamics. A previous study demonstrated a good correlation between the slope of the ventricular filling phase (VFPS) and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). We aimed to validate the utility of VFPS to estimate PCWP and predict clinical outcomes. Methods In this prospective blinded study, screenshots from the HVAD monitor and simultaneous invasive hemodynamic measurements were obtained. Each screenshot was digitized (IGOR Pro, WaveMetrics Inc., Oswego, OR) and the VFPS was calculated for each screenshot (Figure 1A) by two independent readers who were blinded to the hemodynamic results. VFPS and the estimated PCWP [using the previously derived equation: PCWP = 7.05 +1.38 × (VFPS)] were correlated to the measured PCWP. Association between VFPS and heart failure (HF) readmission rates was evaluated. Results 107 sets of simultaneous measurements (VFPS and PCWP) were performed (mean age 55 years, 47% male). Prospectively collected VFPS had a very strong and significant correlation with PCWP (p 2 = 0.69). The previously proposed cutoff of VFPS ≥5.8 L/min/sec predicted PCWP ≥18 mmHg with 91.5% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity. The previously derived equation had significant correlation with measured PCWP (p 2 = 0.68; Figure 1B) and acceptable agreement with the measured PCWP (Figure 1C). Patients with VFPS ≥5.8 L/min/sec had significant higher HF readmission rates than those with VFPS Conclusion VFPS of the HVAD flow waveform is a novel noninvasive parameter that can estimate PCWP and predict HF readmissions. VFPS may aid in clinical management of HVAD patients and serve as a step in the development of a smart LVAD pump.

Purpose Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outcomes differ between Japan and US. While GI bleeding is common in US and rare in Japan, stroke and driveline infections are more common in Japan than US. The aim of this study was to explore whether inflammatory and angiogenesis biomarkers can explain these differences. Methods Plasma levels of inflammatory and angiogenetic biomarkers were measured with Bio-plex ProTM Biomarker Assay kits. Levels were compared between US and Japanese LVAD patients. Adverse event rates were also compared between the two countries using binomial negative regression analysis . Results 61 patients were enrolled. The US cohort (N=38) was older (56.4 vs. 42.4 years; p angiopoietin-2 levels (823 vs. 172 pg/mL, p Conclusion Different rate of comorbidities between US and Japan are associated with the different expression of inflammatory and angiogenesis biomarkers. Longitudinal studies focusing on these biomarker levels are warranted.

Purpose Hemocompatibility Related Adverse Events (HRAE) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in LVAD patients. The association between device specific factors and HRAE has been studied, however less is known about patient specific factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the etiology of heart failure on HRAE. Methods Retrospective single center chart review of all patients who underwent LVAD implantation from 3/2014 to 8/2018 was performed. The etiology of heart failure was classified as Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (ICM) or Non Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (NICM). An age matched cohort was analyzed using propensity score matching. Results 50 patients with ICM (age 61 yrs ± 11, 73% male) were compared to 49 patients with NICM (age 60 yrs ± 10, 76% male). There was no significant difference in heart failure free survival at 2 years(ICM= 50.2% vs NICM 58.3%,p=0.39) or all-cause mortality(ICM=25.8% vs NICM 27.7%,p=0.69) between the two groups. There was a statistically significant increase in HRAE -free survival in patients with NICM(61.9%) compared to ICM (25.5%) at 2 years(p=0.006) (Figure 1) Conclusion ICM is a risk factor for increased HRAE compared to NICM. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether these patients may benefit with different management strategies to avoid HRAE.

Purpose Right heart catheterization (RHC) is the gold standard in hemodynamic assessment. The specific hemodynamic waveforms may provide additional information about heart function. This study aims to investigate changes in RHC waveforms following LVAD implantation. Methods Patients with sinus rhythm underwent invasive RHC before LVAD implantation and at 6 months post-operatively. We compared waveform parameters of right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) between these two time points. Results 42 patients (mean age 56 years, 62% male) had RHC before and after LVAD implantation (Figure 1A-E). Following LVAD implantation, mean RA pressure remained unchanged (p = 0.70). The a-wave height decreased, while the magnitude of the y-descent increased (p Conclusion RHC waveforms change following LVAD implantation and may indicate worsening of right heart function.

Purpose Right atrial waveform provides diagnostic and clinical information in heart failure patients. Notably, the y-descent (Figure 1A) may provide information about right ventricular systolic and diastolic function . We aimed to investigate the clinical implication of right atrial waveform in LVAD patients. Methods Patients underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) at 6 months following LVAD implantation and were followed for 1 year afterwards. Impact of a deep y-descent (>3 mmHg) on echocardiographic RA and RV function and clinical outcomes were investigated. Results 56 LVAD patients (mean age 56.2 years, 77% male) underwent RHC. Patients with post-LVAD deep y-descent (N = 22 [39%]) had increased right ventricular size and worse right ventricular function (Table 1A). The patients with deep y-descent had higher rates of GI bleeding (1.10 vs. 0.32 event/year), stroke (0.28 vs. 0.0 event/year), and heart failure readmissions (0.57 vs. 0.12 events/year) compared to those without (p Conclusion Deep y-descent of the right atrial waveform during LVAD support is associated with impaired right ventricular function and worse clinical outcomes.

Purpose Both pulmonary effective arterial elastance (EaPV) and pulmonary artery capacitance (PAC) are indices of right ventricular afterload and the pulmonary circulation. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical implications of these parameters following left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Methods Patients who underwent hemodynamic testing following LVAD implantation between 4/2014-8/2018 were enrolled. EaPV was calculated as systolic pulmonary artery pressure/stroke volume. PAC was calculated as stroke volume/pulmonary artery pulse pressure. Mortality and hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) (including non-surgical bleeding, neurological events and thromboembolic events) during a one-year observational period were evaluated based on the established ROC cut-off value of these variables and compared between the two groups. Results 97 patients (mean 60 years old, 62% male) underwent hemodynamic testing at 598 ± 668 days following LVAD implantation. Low EaPV was defined as 3.15 ml/mmHg. Patients in the low EaPV group had higher one year survival free of HRAEs (86.4% vs 52.0%, p Conclusion Low EaPV and high PAC are associated with improved HRAEs free survival demonstrating the impact of right ventricular afterload and pulmonary arterial remodeling on outcomes of LVAD patients.

Purpose Hemocompatibility-related clinical adverse events (HRAEs) are major causes of readmission and reduce quality of life in LVAD patients. The impact of aortic insufficiency (AI) on HRAEs remains uncertain. This study assessed the impact of AI, which was graded by using novel Doppler echocardiographic parameters obtained at the LVAD outflow cannula , on HRAEs. Methods LVAD patients with varying degrees of AI underwent Doppler echocardiography of the LVAD outflow cannula. AI regurgitation fraction (RF) was calculated from the systolic/diastolic velocity ratio and the rate of diastolic flow acceleration of the LVAD outflow cannula (Figure 1A). RF >30% defined as significant AI. Freedom from any HRAEs and the net burden of HRAEs, which was calculated by using a hemocompatibility score (with 4 escalating tiers of hierarchal severity), were compared between those with/without significant AI during a 1-year observational period. Results Among 105 patients (median age 56 years, 76% male), 36 patients (34%) had significant AI. Baseline characteristics were comparable between two groups (p >0.05 for all). One-year survival free from HRAEs was 44% in the significant AI group compared with 67% in the non-significant AI group (p = 0.018; Figure 1B). The average hemocompatibility score in the significant AI group was higher compared with the non-significant AI group (1.72 vs. 0.64; p = 0.009; Figure 1C), due to higher tier I (gastrointestinal bleedings or medically managed pump thrombosis ; p = 0.034) and tier IIIB scores (HRAE-related death; p = 0.011). Conclusion Significant AI, which was assessed by using novel Doppler echocardiographic parameters, was associated with an increased rate of HRAEs in LVAD patients.

Purpose Mortality from acute decompensated heart failure (DHF) remains high despite contemporary therapeutic interventions. Cardiogenic shock indices may be useful in risk-stratifying patients at highest risk for death, need for heart transplantation or durable mechanical support. The aim of this study was to compare a novel hemodynamic parameter, systolic blood pressure/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (SBP/PCWP), to cardiac power output (CPO) in patients presenting with DHF. Methods In this retrospective analysis, CPO (Watts; mean arterial pressure x cardiac output/451) and SBP/PCWP were calculated in those with chronic heart failure presenting with DHF, who received right heart catheterization at index admission. Hemodynamic parameter cutpoints were derived from a receiver operator curve analysis; a combined endpoint of one-year freedom from death, need for heart transplant or LVAD was compared for presence or absence of one or both hemodynamic parameters. Results Among 128 patients (median age 60 years, 75% male), mortality at one-year was 36.7% (n=48). 38 (29.7%) were discharged with medical therapy, 14 (10.9%) underwent heart transplantation, 29 (22.7%) underwent LVAD implant. CPO Conclusion SBP/PCWP ratio is a novel hemodynamic parameter that is comparable to CPO in predicting mortality and need for advanced heart failure therapies. In combination with CPO, this marker identifies patients who may require rapid escalation of care.

International audience; The Simons Array is a next generation cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiment whose science target is a precision measurement of the B-mode polarization pattern produced both by inflation and by gravitational lensing. As a continuation and extension of the successful POLARBEAR experimental program, the Simons Array will consist of three cryogenic receivers each featuring multichroic bolometer arrays mounted onto separate 3.5m telescopes. The first of these, also called POLARBEAR-2A, will be the first to deploy in late 2016 and has a large diameter focal plane consisting of dual-polarization dichroic pixels sensitive at 95 GHz and 150 GHz. The POLARBEAR-2A focal plane will utilize 7,588 antenna-coupled superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers read out with SQUID amplifiers using frequency domain multiplexing techniques. The next two receivers that will make up the Simons Array will be nearly identical in overall design but will feature extended frequency capability. The combination of high sensitivity, multichroic frequency coverage and large sky area available from our mid-latitude Chilean observatory will allow Simons Array to produce high quality polarization sky maps over a wide range of angular scales and to separate out the CMB B-modes from other astrophysical sources with high fidelity. After accounting for galactic foreground separation, the Simons Array will detect the primordial gravitational wave B-mode signal to r > 0.01 with a significance of > 5σ and will constrain the sum of neutrino masses to 40 meV (1σ) when cross-correlated with galaxy surveys. We present the current status of this funded experiment, its future, and discuss its projected science return.© (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The Ag/tapes with a nominal composition of Bi1.8Pb0.4Sr1.9Ca2.1Cu3.5Oy + x wt% SnO + y wt% MgO + z wt%Ag2O (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4; y = 0, 0.2; z = 0, 0.2) were prepared by sintering at 835°C for 120 h after partial–melting at 845°C for 1 h. The tape with 0.2wt%SnO, 0.2wt%MgO and 0.2wt%Ag2O mix-doping shows the highest proportion of Bi-2223 phase and the highest critical current density. A major Bi-2223 phase coexisted with a few Bi-2212 phase, and large (Sr,Ca)2CuO3, (Sr,Ca)CuO2 (~10 µm), and fine MgO particles (~1 µm) in the tape with 0.2 wt% SnO, 0.2 wt% MgO and 0.2 wt% Ag2O mix-doping. The Sn and Pb amount in the Bi-2223 crystals is larger than that in the Bi-2212 crystals. It suggests that the SnO in the mix-doping with Ag2O and MgO is favorable for the formation of Bi-2223 phase, and the MgO doping can increase J c due to improving the flux pinning.

Surface smoothing of laser crystallized polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) films using gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) technology has been studied. It is found that both SF6-GCIB and O2-GCIB decrease the height of hillocks and reduce the surface roughness of the irradiated films. The mean surface roughness value of poly-Si films was reduced from 10.8 nm to 2.8 nm by SF6-GCIB irradiation at 80°. Ultraviolet reflectance measurement reveals that GCIB irradiation causes damage near-surface of the poly-Si films. Formation of the damage, however, can be suppressed by using GCIB irradiation at high incident angle. Effect of GCIB irradiation in a metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) capacitor has also been investigated. The capacitance–voltage curves of MIS capacitor with SF6-GCIB irradiation are distorted. On the contrary, the distortion is reduced by O2-GCIB irradiation at 80, which suggests that electrical-activated damage of the films can be decreased by using O2-GCIB irradiation.

We present an overview of the design and status of the \Pb-2 and the Simons Array experiments. \Pb-2 is a Cosmic Microwave Background polarimetry experiment which aims to characterize the arc-minute angular scale B-mode signal from weak gravitational lensing and search for the degree angular scale B-mode signal from inflationary gravitational waves. The receiver has a 365~mm diameter focal plane cooled to 270~milli-Kelvin. The focal plane is filled with 7,588 dichroic lenslet-antenna coupled polarization sensitive Transition Edge Sensor (TES) bolometric pixels that are sensitive to 95~GHz and 150~GHz bands simultaneously. The TES bolometers are read-out by SQUIDs with 40 channel frequency domain multiplexing. Refractive optical elements are made with high purity alumina to achieve high optical throughput. The receiver is designed to achieve noise equivalent temperature of 5.8~$\mu$K$_{CMB}\sqrt{s}$ in each frequency band. \Pb-2 will deploy in 2016 in the Atacama desert in Chile. The Simons Array is a project to further increase sensitivity by deploying three \Pb-2 type receivers. The Simons Array will cover 95~GHz, 150~GHz and 220~GHz frequency bands for foreground control. The Simons Array will be able to constrain tensor-to-scalar ratio and sum of neutrino masses to $\sigma(r) = 6\times 10^{-3}$ at $r = 0.1$ and $\sum m_\nu (\sigma =1)$ to 40 meV., Comment: Accepted to Journal of Low Temperature Physics LTD16 Special Issue, Low Temperature Detector 16 Conference Proceedings, 5 pages, 1 figure

Nano-hybrid materials of anatase and activated carbon were fabricated in a single step by a hydrothermal with ball milling method (H with B) using a conventional autoclave and SiC balls at 180°C. To investigate the influence of ball milling and activated carbon, a hydrothermal method without ball milling (H without B) and a carbonless hydrothermal method with ball milling (Carbonless H with B) were performed. By comparing the three samples based on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) observation and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) analysis, it was revealed that TiO2 particles in the hybrid materials heterogeneously nucleate on the activated carbon and have a tendency of crystal growth along the c axis under the given experimental condition. The crystal growth direction was controlled isotropically by assisting the ball milling during reaction. The balls seem to act as a stirrer rather than a grinder for the sample containing the activated carbon.

A remarkable observation that detonation of oxygen-deficient explosives in an inert medium produces ultra-fine diamond particles having diameters of 4–5 nm was made four decades ago, but this novel form of diamond has never been isolated in pure form thereafter. The reason for the difficulty was that the core aggregates having a diameter range of 100–200 nm are extremely tight and could not be broken up by any known method of de-aggregation. After a number of futile attempts, we were able to obtain primary particles by using the recently emerging technique of stirred-media milling with micron-sized ceramic beads. The milled aqueous slurry of nanodiamond gave a stable, thick and dark-coloured colloidal solution. After light sonication, dynamic light scattering measurements gave a sharp distribution in the single-digit nano-range, and HRTEM indicated separate particles having diameters of 4–5 nm, which agreed with the X-ray value of 4.4 nm for the primary particles. A model is presented for the core aggregates, which resembles the well-known grape-shaped ‘aggregate structure’ of the hardest type of carbon black.

Z-ajoene, a major compound containing sulfur in oil-macerated garlic products, exhibited inhibitory effects against scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice using the Morris water maze test. The effects of Z-ajoene were observed dose-dependently (0.25-25 mg/kg). At the highest dosage, the memory performance of mice was improved compared to normal mice. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain was reduced by administration of Z-ajoene dose-dependently. However, alliin and diallyl disulfide, organosulfur compounds from garlic, did not improve memory performance nor AChE inhibitory effect. These results suggest that Z-ajoene may act on the cholinergic system and on memory impairment caused by excess activity of AChE.

Well-crystallized CeO2-ZrO2 solid solution nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method in a single step at 120 degrees C, for 6 h without any post heat treatment. The particle sizes of 6 +/- 3 nm by surface area measurements are in good agreement with crystallite sizes of 6 +/- 3 nm by X-ray diffraction. Transmission microscopy also confirmed the formation of crystals of 5-8 nm in the products. In the formation of the homogeneous solid solutions the complete oxidation of Ce3+ to Ce4+ in the precipitated gels seems to be one of the important steps. The solid solutions contained several wt % water, but it was expelled by calcining > or = 600 degrees C. The heating of the samples brought about grain growths, but did not change the phases. The specific areas of 120-200 m2/g of as-prepared samples were decreased to 4-14 m2/g by heating at 900 degrees C for 4 h.

Ultraviolet radiation induces the formation of two classes of photoproducts in DNA-the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) and the pyrimidine [6-4] pyrimidone photoproduct (6-4 product). Many organisms produce enzymes, termed photolyases, which specifically bind to these lesions and split them via a UV-A/blue light-dependent mechanism, thereby reversing the damage. These photolyases are specific for either CPDs or 6-4 products. Two classes of photolyases (class I and class II) repair CPDs. A gene that encodes a protein with class II CPD photolyase activity in vitro has been cloned from several plants including Arabidopsis thaliana, Cucumis sativus and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We report here the isolation of a homolog of this gene from rice (Oryza sativa), which was cloned on the basis of sequence similarity and PCR-based dilution-amplification. The cDNA comprises a very GC-rich (75%) 5; region, while the 3; portion has a GC content of 50%. This gene encodes a protein with CPD photolyase activity when expressed in E. coli. The CPD photolyase gene encodes at least two types of mRNA, formed by alternative splicing of exon 5. One of the mRNAs encodes an ORF for 506 amino acid residues, while the other is predicted to code for 364 amino acid residues. The two RNAs occur in about equal amounts in O. sativa cells.

Well crystallized ZnFe 2 O 4 ultrafine particles with octahedral shape and a size of 300 nm were prepared by a hydrothermal reaction using metal Zn sheet and FeCl 2 as reactants in ammonia solutions at 180°C. As-prepared ferrite particles display high magnetization with maximum saturation magnetization ( σ max ) 61.2 emg g −1 at 80 K and 54.6 emg g −1 at 300 K, respectively. The results demonstrated that hydrothermal process is an effective pathway for producing high quality ferrite ultrafine particles.

Recently, carbonized wood materials (CWM) impregnated with thermosetting resin have been proposed for many applications like heaters, electric leads, humidity and temperature sensors, etc. However, little is known about their chemical stability in water-containing environments. We have studied the behavior and stability of carbonized wood materials in aqueous solutions in a test tube type autoclave under hydrothermal conditions, between 100 and 800 °C and up to 100 MPa. The results showed an obvious weight loss due to hydrothermal corrosion and increased temperature. The samples were heavily corroded at temperatures higher than 500 °C. According to the results of Raman spectroscopy, amorphous carbon was selectively corroded.

Structural inspection of carbonized woodceramics impregnated with liquefied wood was performed by dimensional shrinkage and weight loss, the content of carbon and oxygen with X-ray energy dispersive analysis (EDS), Raman scattering spectroscopy, laser microscope observation and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that with the increasing temperature, the dimensional shrinkage, weight loss and the ratio of carbon to oxygen in woodceramics increased, the (002) interplanar spacing of the crystalline component in woodceramics decreased and the value of R increased above 650°C. Woodceramics have a turbostratic structure with cracks, and internal stresses etc., especially for those carbonized at temperatures over 650°C.

We are researching on a new framework for transfering 3D medical model data through the Internet. The eXtented Vrml with Lattice (XVL) is one of the effective ways because of its file size and its programmable feature. To estimate the effectiveness of XVL, we have evaluated the volumetric error between the original models and XVL models. We also made several web-based medical applications such as a textbook for the cleft lip repair surgery, an observing tool for mandibular movement, and CT/MR image browsing tool. The model quality evaluation and the applications show the advantages of XVL for medical use.

A novel one-step soft solution-processing route called the solvothermal-copolymerization technique was successfully developed for in situ fabrication of polystyrene (PS)/CdS nanocomposites embedded with CdS nanowires in ethylenediamine media at lower temperatures (80−140 °C). In this route, the polymerization of the monomers and the formation of the CdS nanocrystallites occur simultaneously in a certain temperature range. The results of X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the embedded CdS nanowires, with diameters of 4−15 nm and lengths up to several micrometers, have [001] preferential orientation. Both temperature and solvent were found to play a key role in the synthesis of the nanocomposites. The produced novel hybrid nanocomposites display obvious quantum size effects and interesting fluorescence features. The spectroscopic properties of the PS/CdS nanowire nanocomposites were found to be sensitive to syntheti...

Leptin might affect bone metabolism. This study was performed to investigate the relationship of leptin to bone metabolism in detail in premenopausal and postmenopausal healthy women.The relationships between serum leptin level and bone mineral density of several regional sites of the body as well as whole body, along with bone metabolic markers, were examined in 47 premenopausal and 29 postmenopausal healthy women.Serum leptin level was weakly correlated with bone mineral density of pelvis (Pearson's correlation coefficient r=0.39, p0.05) and left leg (r=0.41, p0.01) in the premenopausal women, although the correlation decreased after adjustment for BMI. There was no significant relationship between serum leptin level and whole body bone mineral density both in the premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Serum leptin level was correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase (r=0.56, p0.001) and urinary deoxypyridinoline/cr (r=-0.32, p0.05) by Pearson's correlation test in the premenopausal women; the relationships were maintained even after adjustment for BMI (r=0.50 and -0.48, respectively).Leptin is not a key regulator of bone metabolism, although it may have some effects on bone metabolic markers and BMD regionally in premenopausal women.

For the first time multiwall carbon nanocells ( ∅ nm ) and multiwall carbon nanotubes have been artificially grown in hydrothermal fluids from amorphous carbon, at temperatures below 800°C, in the absence of metal catalysts. Carbon nanocells were the result of bubble growth of graphitic multiwalls at 600°C. Pristine multiwall nanotubes grow at higher temperatures. At 800°C, the condensed solids consist of defect-free sp 2 -bonded multiwall nanocrystals. Hot hydrothermal fluids seem essential for the growth of curled patches of sp 2 -bonded carbon at low temperatures. Hydrothermal synthesis of finite sp 2 -bonded nanotubes and carbon nanocrystals is possible in moderate conditions and easy to reproduce.

The 37-collar-spined echinostomes Echinostoma paraensei, E. caproni, and E. trivolvis are digeneans that live in the intestine of small mammals and birds. Comparative studies of the eggs of these species were done using light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The egg of E. caproni was the largest of the three species studied, whereas the egg of E. trivolvis was the smallest in both length and width. The SEM study showed differences in the aboperculum region of the eggs in all three species. The TEM study showed that the eggshell of all three species consisted of three layers, but no difference in eggshell structure was observed in any species.

The microstructure and electrochemical properties of pristine graphitized and boron-doped materials have been comparatively analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical measurements. The electrochemical properties in a Li ion secondary battery of boron-doped graphitized materials depends strongly on the structural geometry and chemical composition of the pristine host materials.

The microstructure of milled mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers (mMPCFs) that have been developed as an anode material for Li ion batteries have been studied as a function of heat treatment temperature (HTT), by SEM, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. And the results obtained are compared with those by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM observations, for the characterization of specific structural features of mMPCFs as a promising anode material.

The microstructure and electrochemical properties of polyparaphenylene (PPP)-based carbons prepared by the Kovacic and the Yamamoto methods have been comparatively studied after heat-treatment up to 3000°C. The results obtained by X-ray diffraction can clarify the specific electrochemical properties of PPP-based carbons and graphites.