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This paper describes a defect-centric based compact modeling methodology for time-dependent threshold voltage variability (V TH ), induced by Bias Temperature Instability (BTI) and Random Telegraph Noise (RTN). A Verilog-A based model wrapper is used to implement a threshold voltage shift by adding a variable voltage source at the gate of the core device model. This compact model allows to incorporate all BTI and RTN related electrostatics and kinetics in standard EDA-tools as a ‘black box’ without any custom simulation flow. It can therefore be used in either a manual configuration for academic purposes or be integrated as is into industry standard EDA tools and simulation flows.

Most cancer recurrences are incurable and life threatening. Clinical evidence has revealed that disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) are present in the bone marrow (BM) in 20–40% of patients with various solid tumors at the early stage, indicating that DTCs persist somewhere in the body and may regrow a few years after a curative resection of the primary tumors. It is critical to clarify the mechanisms by which DTCs survive in the body, regrow, and metastasize. Paracrine interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment have been shown to control tumor growth and progression. Recently, it has been suggested that the BM niche acts as a supporter for DTCs, keeping these cells in a dormant state in the BM. Indeed, accumulating evidence has shown that DTCs share common properties and signaling pathways with normal stem cells within the BM niche. In this chapter, we discuss clinical evidence of DTCs and data for tumor dormancy within the BM, as well as the escape of DTC from dormancy in secondary organs for metastasis to occur, focusing on the role of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix in these processes.

Aim This paper describes the establishment of the first Japanese nurse practitioner graduate programme and legislative activities to institutionalize nurse practitioners in Japan. Background To address the super-ageing population, Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences initiated the first academic graduate level nurse practitioner programme in Japan, based upon the global standard defined by the International Council of Nurses. Conclusion In 2010, Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences graduated the first nurse practitioner. We believe that nurse practitioners will be highly valued in Japan for thoughtful nursing care to the fragile elders living in rural and urban Japan.

Elimination of the central solenoid would simplify the engineering design of a fusion nuclear science facility and tokamak based devices. The method of transient coaxial helicity injection (CHI) has successfully demonstrated formation of a high-quality closed flux plasma in NSTX and will be used as the front end of the start-up method for a full demonstration of noninductive current start-up, followed by noninductive current ramp-up using neutral beams in the NSTX-U device that is now under construction at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. CHI is implemented by driving current along open field lines that connect the lower inner and outer divertor plates of a spherical torus. The engineering system requirements and the design of the CHI system on NSTX-U are described.

Die Fallot-Tetralogie gehort zu den haufigsten angeborenen Herzerkrankungen und war eine der ersten, die einer chirurgischen Therapie zuganglich waren. Derzeitig ist die primare Korrekturoperation im Sauglingsalter die Therapie der Wahl. Diese kann auch beim symptomatischen Neugeborenen mit guten Ergebnissen durchgefuhrt werden. Indikationen fur eine palliative Therapie werden kontrovers diskutiert und stellen heutzutage eher die Ausnahme dar. Dennoch kann eine Palliation, z. B. bei besonderen Risikofaktoren, weiterhin indiziert sein. Neben den chirurgischen Verfahren stehen hierzu auch moderne katheterinterventionelle Techniken zur Verfugung. Die Korrekturoperation wird heute standardmasig uber einen transatrialen Zugang durchgefuhrt, ggf. in Kombination mit einer begrenzten Infundibulotomie. Auf ein transanulares Vorgehen im Bereich des rechtsventrikularen Ausflusstrakts wird moglichst verzichtet. Ziel ist die Vermeidung einer Pulmonalklappeninsuffizienz, die langfristig zu einer irreversiblen Beeintrachtigung der rechtsventrikularen Funktion fuhren kann. Sie stellt heute das fuhrende Problem im Langzeitverlauf dar. Aktuelle Entwicklungen, wie der interventionelle Pulmonalklappenersatz und mithilfe des „tissue engineering“ hergestellte Herzklappen, konnten in Zukunft das Risiko der Reeingriffe deutlich reduzieren oder diese vollstandig vermeiden.

This study examined the seasonal transition of precipitation characteristics and its association with land-surface conditions in and around Bangladesh, where land-surface conditions are predominantly wet. Hourly rain rate data from the Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation Microwave-Infrared Combined Product (GSMaP_MVK) and 10-day soil moisture data from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer Earth Observing system (AMSR-E) were used over the 7 years from 2003 to 2009. Area mean values of soil moisture, and precipitation amount, frequency, and intensity were calculated for each 10-day period. Results showed that higher precipitation amount and frequency were observed over the wet soil conditions, which indicates that soil moisture was influenced by previous precipitation events. However, the soil moisture could also control the precipitation characteristics. The seasonal and interannual variations in all regions suggested that precipitation amount and frequency increased in moist soil conditions, which is associated with an increase of water vapor supplied from the moist land surface. Over a flat plain (87°E-91°E, 23°N-25°N), a higher afternoon precipitation intensity was observed over drier land-surfaces. This relationship was observed on seasonal and interannual variations. This suggests that the land-surface conditions in this region can affect the afternoon precipitation intensity to some extent, although changes of atmospheric conditions can be a major factor particularly for the seasonal changes. However, this relationship was not observed in mountainous regions. This can be explained by other factors, such as thermally-induced local circulations by the surrounding topography, being stronger than the impact of land-surface conditions.

A novel, rapid time-response, disruption mitigation system referred to as the electromagnetic particle injector (EPI) is described. This method can accurately deliver the radiative payload to the plasma center on a

Deuterium fueling experiments were conducted with the NSTX Liquid Lithium Divertor (LLD). Lithium evaporation recoated the LLD surface to approximate flowing liquid Li to sustain D retention. In the first experiment with the diverted outer strike point on the LLD, the difference between the applied D gas input and the plasma D content reached very high values without disrupting the plasma, as would normally occur in the absence of Li pumping, and there was also little change in plasma D content. In the second experiment, constant fueling was applied, as the LLD temperature was varied to change the surface from solid to liquid. The D retention was relatively constant, and about the same as that for solid Li coatings on graphite, or twice that achieved without Li PFC coatings. Contamination of the LLD surface was also possible due to compound formation and erosion and redeposition from carbon PFCs.

Developing a reactor compatible divertor and managing the associated plasma material interaction (PMI) has been identified as a high priority research area for magnetic confinement fusion. Accordingly on NSTX-U, the PMI research has received a strong emphasis. Moreover, with ˜15 MW of auxiliary heating power, NSTX-U will be able to test the PMI physics with the peak divertor plasma facing component (PFC) heat loads of up to 40-60 MW/m2.

Lithium wall coating techniques have been experimentally explored on National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) for the last six years. The lithium experimentation on NSTX started with a few milligrams of lithium injected into the plasma as pellets and it has evolved to a dual lithium evaporation system which can evaporate up to ∼160 g of lithium onto the lower divertor plates between re-loadings. The unique feature of the NSTX lithium research program is that it can investigate the effects of lithium coated plasma-facing components in H-mode divertor plasmas. This lithium evaporation system has produced many intriguing and potentially important results. In 2010, the NSTX lithium program has focused on the effects of liquid lithium divertor (LLD) surfaces including the divertor heat load, deuterium pumping, impurity control, electron thermal confinement, H-mode pedestal physics, and enhanced plasma performance. To fill the LLD with lithium, 1300 g of lithium was evaporated into the NSTX vacuum vessel during the 2010 operations. The routine use of lithium in 2010 has significantly improved the plasma shot availability resulting in a record number of plasma shots in any given year. In this paper, as a follow-on paper from the 1st lithium symposium [1] , we review the recent progress toward developing fundamental understanding of the NSTX lithium experimental observations as well as the opportunities and associated R&D required for use of lithium in future magnetic fusion facilities including ITER.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no consensus on the indication and benefits of breathing exercises for the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications PPCs and for the recovery of pulmonary mechanics. OBJECTIVE: To undertake a systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized studies that assessed the effects of breathing exercises on the recovery of pulmonary function and prevention of PCCs after upper abdominal surgery UAS. METHOD: Search Strategy: We searched the Physiotherapy Evidence Database PEDro, Scientific Electronic Library Online SciELO, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Selection Criteria: We included randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials on pre- and postoperative UAS patients, in which the primary intervention was breathing exercises without the use of incentive inspirometers. Data Collection and Analysis: The methodological quality of the studies was rated according to the PEDro scale. Data on maximal respiratory pressures MIP and MEP, spirometry, diaphragm mobility, and postoperative complications were extracted and analyzed. Data were pooled in fixed-effect meta-analysis whenever possible. RESULTS: Six studies were used for analysis. Two meta-analyses including 66 participants each showed that, on the first day post-operative, the breathing exercises were likely to have induced MEP and MIP improvement treatment effects of 11.44 mmH2O (95%CI 0.88 to 22) and 11.78 mmH2O (95%CI 2.47 to 21.09), respectively. CONCLUSION: Breathing exercises are likely to have a beneficial effect on respiratory muscle strength in patients submitted to UAS, however the lack of good quality studies hinders a clear conclusion on the subject.

NSTX 2010 experiments were conducted using a molybdenum Liquid Lithium Divertor (LLD) surface installed on the outer part of the lower divertor. This tested the effectiveness of maintaining the deuterium retention properties of a static liquid lithium surface when refreshed by lithium evaporation as an approximation to a flowing liquid lithium surface. The LLD molybdenum front face has a 45% porosity to provide sufficient wetting to spread 37 g of lithium, and to retain it in the presence of magnetic forces. Lithium Evaporators were used to deposit lithium on the LLD surface. At the beginning of discharges, the LLD lithium surface ranged from solid to liquefied depending on the amount of applied and plasma heating. Noteworthy improvements in plasma performance were obtained similar to those obtained previously with lithiated graphite, e.g., ELM-free, quiescent edge, H-modes. During these experiments with the plasma outer strike point on the LLD, the rate of deuterium retention in the LLD, as indicated by the fueling needed to achieve and maintain stable plasma conditions, was the about the same as that for solid lithium coatings on the graphite prior to the installation of the LLD, i.e., about two times that of no-lithium conditions. The role of lithium impurities in this result is discussed. Following the 2010 experimental campaign, inspection of the LLD found mechanical damage to the plate supports, and other hardware resulting from forces following plasma current disruptions. The LLD was removed, upgraded, and reinstalled. A row of molybdenum tiles was installed inboard of the LLD for 2011 experiments with both inner and outer strike points on lithiated molybdenum to allow investigation of lithium plasma facing issues encountered in the first testing of the LLD.

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a 1 km$^{3}$ detector currently taking data at the South Pole. One of the main strategies used to look for astrophysical neutrinos with IceCube is the search for a diffuse flux of high-energy neutrinos from unresolved sources. A hard energy spectrum of neutrinos from isotropically distributed astrophysical sources could manifest itself as a detectable signal that may be differentiated from the atmospheric neutrino background by spectral measurement. This analysis uses data from the IceCube detector collected in its half completed configuration which operated between April 2008 and May 2009 to search for a diffuse flux of astrophysical muon neutrinos. A total of 12,877 upward going candidate neutrino events have been selected for this analysis. No evidence for a diffuse flux of astrophysical muon neutrinos was found in the data set leading to a 90 percent C.L. upper limit on the normalization of an $E^{-2}$ astrophysical $\nu_{\mu}$ flux of $8.9 \times 10^{-9} \ \mathrm{GeV \ cm^{-2} \ s^{-1} \ sr^{-1}}$. The analysis is sensitive in the energy range between $35 \ \mathrm{TeV} - 7 \ \mathrm{PeV}$. The 12,877 candidate neutrino events are consistent with atmospheric muon neutrinos measured from 332 GeV to 84 TeV and no evidence for a prompt component to the atmospheric neutrino spectrum is found., Comment: 20 pages, 13 figures

Over 5,000 PMTs are being deployed at the South Pole to compose the IceCube neutrino observatory. Many are placed deep in the ice to detect Cherenkov light emitted by the products of high-energy neutrino interactions, and others are frozen into tanks on the surface to detect particles from atmospheric cosmic ray showers. IceCube is using the 10-inch diameter R7081-02 made by Hamamatsu Photonics. This paper describes the laboratory characterization and calibration of these PMTs before deployment. PMTs were illuminated with pulses ranging from single photons to saturation level. Parameterizations are given for the single photoelectron charge spectrum and the saturation behavior. Time resolution, late pulses and afterpulses are characterized. Because the PMTs are relatively large, the cathode sensitivity uniformity was measured. The absolute photon detection efficiency was calibrated using Rayleigh-scattered photons from a nitrogen laser. Measured characteristics are discussed in the context of their relevance to IceCube event reconstruction and simulation efforts., 40 pages, 12 figures

Despite numerous studies the exact nature of the order parameter in superconducting ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{RuO}}_{4}$ remains unresolved. We have extended previous small-angle neutron scattering studies of the vortex lattice in this material to a wider field range, higher temperatures, and with the field applied close to both the $\ensuremath{\langle}100\ensuremath{\rangle}$ and $\ensuremath{\langle}110\ensuremath{\rangle}$ basal plane directions. Measurements at high field were made possible by the use of both spin polarization and analysis to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Rotating the field towards the basal plane causes a distortion of the square vortex lattice observed for $\mathbit{H}\ensuremath{\parallel}\ensuremath{\langle}001\ensuremath{\rangle}$ and also a symmetry change to a distorted triangular symmetry for fields close to $\ensuremath{\langle}100\ensuremath{\rangle}$.The vortex lattice distortion allows us to determine the intrinsic superconducting anisotropy between the $c$ axis and the Ru-O basal plane, yielding a value of $\ensuremath{\sim}60$ at low temperature and low to intermediate fields. This greatly exceeds the upper critical field anisotropy of $\ensuremath{\sim}20$ at low temperature, reminiscent of Pauli limiting. Indirect evidence for Pauli paramagnetic effects on the unpaired quasiparticles in the vortex cores are observed, but a direct detection lies below the measurement sensitivity. The superconducting anisotropy is found to be independent of temperature but increases for fields $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1$ T, indicating multiband superconductvity in ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{RuO}}_{4}$. Finally, the temperature dependence of the scattered intensity provides further support for gap nodes or deep minima in the superconducting gap.

Co‐existing decreased muscle mass and increased visceral fat, an age‐associated change called sarcopenic obesity, results in fragility and cardiovascular disease. To assess the pathogenesis of sarcopenic obesity, we assessed the associations of clinical parameters with psoas muscle mass in elderly male subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes.The subjects were 55 patients, over 65 years of age and with a visceral fat area exceeding 100 cmThe maximum intima‐media thickness (max IMT) and urinary 8‐isoprostane values were significantly higher in the sarcopenic group. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed max IMT to be an independent variable related to muscle mass decline. In addition, logistic analysis showed max IMT and urinary 8‐isoprostane to be variables independently contributing to total psoas muscle area500 mmWorsening surrogate markers for systemic oxidative stress and atherosclerosis were associated with declining muscle mass in elderly subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes. These results indicate that systemic oxidative stress is among the mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis development in subjects with sarcopenic obesity.

The high power and long pulse operation of the gyrotron as well as efficient transmission of its output are quite important for achieving improved plasma performances. A 28 GHz 1 MW gyrotron developed for GAMMA 10/PDX achieved an output power of 1.38 MW in 2015 experiment after the power supply was improved. Furthermore, a new 28/35 GHz dual-frequency gyrotron (2 MW 3 s and 0.4 MW CW) for QUEST, NSTX-U, Heliotron J and GAMMA 10/PDX has been fabricated, after the preliminary test of a double-disk sapphire window installed in the gyrotron was performed. In the first experimental test, the oscillation of the main mode was confirmed at a frequency of 28.036 GHz with a Gaussian-like beam and an output power of 1.22 MW.

This paper examined the influence of acid, base and salt modifications of clay on its rates of naphthalene adsorption. The modifiers used include hydrochloric acid (HCl), citric acid, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), sodium chloride (NaCl) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2). The results obtained showed that equilibrium adsorption of naphthalene from the bulk solution was attained at a faster rate using modified clay when compared with the unmodified clay. HCl-modified clay had the highest rate of adsorption with a surface area and porosity of 49.05 mm2 and 53.4%. This was closely followed by NaOH-modified clay while down the order was the ZnCl2-modified clay which had the least rate of adsorption with a surface area of 44.3 mm2 and porosity of 43.4%. The implication of the retention time obtained from the equilibrium study is significant as it provides the bench mark for interplay between sorption and degradation for transport and transformation of contaminant solutes within the soil matrix.

Tryptophan (Trp) residues are frequently found in the hydrophobic cores of proteins, and therefore, their side-chain conformations, especially the precise locations of the bulky indole rings, are critical for determining structures by NMR. However, when analyzing [U-(13)C,(15)N]-proteins, the observation and assignment of the ring signals are often hampered by excessive overlaps and tight spin couplings. These difficulties have been greatly alleviated by using stereo-array isotope labeled (SAIL) proteins, which are composed of isotope-labeled amino acids optimized for unambiguous side-chain NMR assignment, exclusively through the (13)C-(13)C and (13)C-(1)H spin coupling networks (Kainosho et al. in Nature 440:52-57, 2006). In this paper, we propose an alternative type of SAIL-Trp with the [ζ2,ζ3-(2)H(2); δ1,ε3,η2-(13)C(3); ε1-(15)N]-indole ring ([(12)C (γ,) ( 12) C(ε2)] SAIL-Trp), which provides a more robust way to correlate the (1)H(β), (1)H(α), and (1)H(N) to the (1)H(δ1) and (1)H(ε3) through the intra-residue NOEs. The assignment of the (1)H(δ1)/(13)C(δ1) and (1)H(ε3)/(13)C(ε3) signals can thus be transferred to the (1)H(ε1)/(15)N(ε1) and (1)H(η2)/(13)C(η2) signals, as with the previous type of SAIL-Trp, which has an extra (13)C at the C(γ) of the ring. By taking advantage of the stereospecific deuteration of one of the prochiral β-methylene protons, which was (1)H(β2) in this experiment, one can determine the side-chain conformation of the Trp residue including the χ(2) angle, which is especially important for Trp residues, as they can adopt three preferred conformations. We demonstrated the usefulness of [(12)C(γ),(12)C(ε2)] SAIL-Trp for the 12 kDa DNA binding domain of mouse c-Myb protein (Myb-R2R3), which contains six Trp residues.

For friction stir welding (FSW) of advanced high strength steel (AHSS) sheets with tensile strength grades between 590 and 1180 N mm−2, the appropriate welding condition range and the influence of welding conditions on microstructures and mechanical properties of the welds were investigated. The appropriate welding conditions to avoid defects such as the incomplete consolidation at the bottom of the weld were obtained for the steel sheets up to 1180 N mm−2 grade. The higher tool rotation speed evidently resulted in the larger volume fraction of martensite and higher hardness in the stir zone (SZ), attributed to an increase in the peak temperature of its thermal cycle. The tensile strength of the weld joint was as high as that of the base metal for the steels up to 980 N mm−2 grade, but slightly lower than that of the base metal for the steel of 1180 N mm−2 grade due to the heat affected zone (HAZ) softening.

Lithium wall coating techniques have been experimentally explored on NSTX for the last five years. The lithium experimentation on NSTX started with a few milligrams of lithium injected into the plasma as pellets and it has evolved to a lithium evaporation system which can evaporate up to ~ 100 g of lithium onto the lower divertor plates between lithium reloadings. The unique feature of the lithium research program on NSTX is that it can investigate the effects of lithium in H-mode divertor plasmas. This lithium evaporation system thus far has produced many intriguing and potentially important results; the latest of these are summarized in a companion paper by H. Kugel. In this paper, we suggest possible implications and applications of the NSTX lithium results on the magnetic fusion research which include electron and global energy confinement improvements, MHD stability enhancement at high beta, ELM control, H-mode power threshold reduction, improvements in radio frequency heating and non-inductive plasma start-up performance, innovative divertor solutions and improved operational efficiency.

NSTX high power divertor plasma experiments have used in succession lithium pellet injection (LPI), evaporated lithium, and injected lithium powder to apply lithium coatings to graphite plasma facing components. In 2005, following the wall conditioning and LPI, discharges exhibited edge density reduction and performance improvements. Since 2006, first one, and now two lithium evaporators have been used routinely to evaporate lithium onto the lower divertor region at total rates of 10-70 mg/min for periods 5-10 min between discharges. Prior to each discharge, the evaporators are withdrawn behind shutters. Significant improvements in the performance of NBI heated divertor discharges resulting from these lithium depositions were observed. These evaporators are now used for more than 80% of NSTX discharges. Initial work with injecting fine lithium powder into the edge of NBI heated deuterium discharges yielded comparable changes in performance. Several operational issues encountered with lithium wall conditions, and the special procedures needed for vessel entry are discussed. The next step in this work is installation of a liquid lithium divertor surface on the outer part of the lower divertor.

Initial results from the recently implemented transient coaxial helicity injection (CHI) system on QUEST are reported. QUEST uses a new CHI electrode configuration in which the CHI insulator is not part of the vacuum boundary, making this configuration easier to implement in fusion reactors. Experimental results show that transient CHI startup in this alternate electrode configuration is indeed possible. Reliable gas breakdown was achieved, and toroidal currents up to 45 kA were generated.

The effect of the strong centrifugal force, mega-gravity (MG) on inter-diffusion between Au and Cu thin films was studied by using Au(60 nm)/Cu(500 nm)/α-Al2O3 (0 0 0 1) films. The Rutherford backscattering analysis of the Au and Cu depth profiles shows that Cu atoms diffuse through the Au layer, resulting in the formation of the Cu layer on the surface under both the thermal annealing at 220 °C and the application of 0.61 × 106 G at 220 °C. The results indicate that the MG application enhances the layer thickness of the Cu layer on the surface.

Applications of high superconductors to accelerator magnets are attractive from the viewpoint of cooling cost reduction and that of generating very high magnetic field at low temperature. However, in magnets using cosine-theta like coils, three-dimensional shape of coil ends and magnetic field quality might be concerns, because most of practical high superconductors are with flat tape shape. We studied the field quality of dipole magnets wound with high superconductor tapes. Case studies on magnetic field design were made for dipole magnets wound with coated conductors: we designed two magnets and calculated multi-pole components of the magnetic field to evaluate their field qualities. The torsion/bending tolerance of coated conductors was studied experimentally to clarify the feasibility of three-dimensional winding. The influence of the shielding current in high superconductor tapes on field quality was discussed based on the numerical electromagnetic field analysis of superconductors.

Summary Background Vascular-type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a severe autosomal dominant inherited disorder resulting from mutations within the α1 type III collagen gene (COL3A1). The majority of published mutations are base changes leading to the substitution of single glycine residues within the triple-helical domain of type III collagen. Although clinical characteristics and mutations in the COL3A1 gene have been analysed for some patients from Europe and America, similar analyses have not yet been performed for Japanese patients with vEDS. Objectives To analyse the genetic and phenotypic findings in Japanese patients with vEDS. Methods We analysed the clinical features of 20 unrelated individuals with vEDS. To quantify type III collagen production, the fibroblasts were cultured with 3H-proline, and the radiolabelled collagenous proteins were analysed using sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Mutations in COL3A1 were detected by sequence analysis of cDNA from patients’ fibroblasts and subsequently by a genomic DNA sequence analysis. Results Thin and translucent skin with extensive bruising and hypermobility of the small joints were observed in about 90% of the patients, whereas the prevalence of serious clinical findings such as rupture/dissection/aneurysm of the arteries (30%) or rupture of the gastrointestinal tract (25%) was relatively low. Sequence analyses of the COL3A1 gene demonstrated heterozygous point mutations leading to glycine substitution in only nine patients (45%), while heterozygous splice-site mutations at the junction of the triple-helical exons were observed in the remaining 11 patients (55%). The average type III collagen production level in the cultured dermal fibroblasts was 14·6% of the normal value. The types of complication were not associated with specific mutations in COL3A1. Conclusion The analysis in the present series revealed a low frequency of patients presenting with serious clinical findings such as arterial rupture/arterial dissection/aneurysm and perforation or rupture of the gastrointestinal tract, and revealed a higher prevalence of splice-site mutations at the junction of the triple-helical exons than of glycine substitution mutations in COL3A1.

Os sinais clínicos das infecções por Ehrlichia canis e Anaplasma platys são similares, e o diagnóstico desses patógenos feito por esfregaços sanguíneos corados é difícil devido à sensibilidade e especificidade. Por outro lado, os diagnósticos moleculares são altamente sensíveis e específicos, e nested-PCRs têm sido otimizadas para o diagnóstico preciso desses patógenos em cães. Em um Hospital Veterinário Escola, amostras de sangue total com EDTA foram obtidas de 100 cães, e esfregaços foram feitos das amostras de sangue para busca dos parasitos intracelulares. Para cada amostra, DNA foi extraído e submetido à nPCR para detecção de E. canis e A. platys. Os resultados dos esfregaços sanguíneos mostraram que 9% dos animais foram positivos para E. canis e 21% para A. platys. Com relação à nPCR, 57 e 55% dos cães foram positivos para E. canis e A. platys, respectivamente. Quando comparados com a nPCR, os esfregaços sanguíneos corados revelaram resultados falso-negativos para E. canis e A. platys. Os resultados indicam que a nPCR é altamente sensível e específica para detecção de ambos os patógenos, e os diagnósticos moleculares podem ser mais úteis nos Hospitais Veterinários.The clinical signs of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys infection are similar, and the diagnosis of these pathogens made by stained blood smears is poor due sensibility and specificity. On the other hand, the molecular diagnosis is highly sensitive and specific and nested-PCR have been optimized for accurate diagnosis these pathogens in dogs. At the veterinary teaching hospital, whole-blood samples with EDTA were obtained from 100 dogs and smears were made from blood samples for evaluation for intracellular parasites. For each sample, DNA was extracted and submitted to nPCR analysis for detection of E. canis and A. platys. The results of stained blood smears showed 9% of the animals were positive for E. canis and 21% for A. platys. Regarding of nPCR analysis, 57 and 55% of dogs were positive for E. canis and A. platys respectively. As compared to a nested PCR, the stained blood smears revealed false-negative results for both E. canis and A. platys. The results indicate that the nPCR is highly sensitive and specific for detection of both pathogens and the molecular diagnosis could be more useful at veterinary hospital.

The first observation of increased electron temperature turbulence during edge localized mode (ELM) suppression by resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) is presented. These are long wavelength fluctuations (kθρs ≤ 0.2, where kθ = poloidal wavenumber and ρs = ion sound gyroradius) observed during H-mode plasmas on the DIII-D. This increase occurs only after ELMs are suppressed and are not observed during the initial RMP application. The Te/Te increases ( >60%) are coincident with changes in normalized density and electron temperature gradients in the region from the top of the pedestal outward to the upper portion of the steep edge gradient. Density turbulence (kθρs ≤ 0.4) in this location was also observed to increase only after ELM suppression. These results are significant since they indicate that increased gradient-driven turbulent transport is one possible mechanism to regulate and maintain ELM-free H-mode operation. Investigation of linear stability of drift wave instabilities using the CGYRO code...

The extensive collection of NOE constraint data involving the aromatic ring signals is essential for accurate protein structure determination, although it is often hampered in practice by the pervasive signal overlapping and tight spin couplings for aromatic rings. We have prepared various types of stereo-array isotope labeled phenylalanines (epsilon- and zeta-SAIL Phe) and tyrosine (epsilon-SAIL Tyr) to overcome these problems (Torizawa et al. 2005), and proven that these SAIL amino acids provide dramatic spectral simplification and sensitivity enhancement for the aromatic ring NMR signals. In addition to these SAIL aromatic amino acids, we recently synthesized delta-SAIL Phe and delta-SAIL Tyr, which allow us to observe and assign delta-(13)C/(1)H signals very efficiently. Each of the various types of SAIL Phe and SAIL Tyr yields well-resolved resonances for the delta-, epsilon- or zeta-(13)C/(1)H signals, respectively, which can readily be assigned by simple and robust pulse sequences. Since the delta-, epsilon-, and zeta-proton signals of Phe/Tyr residues give rise to complementary NOE constraints, the concomitant use of various types of SAIL-Phe and SAIL-Tyr would generate more accurate protein structures, as compared to those obtained by using conventional uniformly (13)C, (15)N-double labeled proteins. We illustrated this with the case of an 18.2 kDa protein, Escherichia coli peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase b (EPPIb), and concluded that the combined use of zeta-SAIL Phe and epsilon-SAIL Tyr would be practically the best choice for protein structural determinations.

We have been developing high-strength Nb3Sn strand cables to construct a high-field superconducting outsert for a 45 T hybrid magnet with a 25 T water-cooled resistive magnet. Evidence for cold work strengthening of repeated bending treatment (prebending effect) on Nb3Sn strands internally reinforced with CuNb stabilizer, which exhibits significant enhancement of the critical current density, has been found in the superconducting magnet fabrication process using a react-and-wind method. The strand cables were designed by controlling the constituent number of CuNb/Nb3Sn strands with the prebending effect and stainless steel strands, which are expected to have a stress limit 580 MPa at 0.4% strain. In order to design a compact superconducting outsert, high-strength strand cables are adopted in a magnetic field region below 14 T to maintain relatively large engineering current densities (Je). In a higher-field region above 14 T, YBa2Cu3O7 (Y123) coated conductors are employed for an insert coil. Using combination of Y123, Nb3Sn and NbTi superconductors, a 20 T superconducting outsert with a room temperature bore of 400 mm consisting of three layers made of Y123, two layers of CuNb/Nb3Sn and two layers of NbTi was designed. The coil parameters are 440 mm inner diameter, 1080 mm outer diameter and 1138 mm coil height. A very compact 20 T superconducting outsert with a stored magnetic energy 72 MJ at an operation current 903 A can be developed for a 45 T hybrid magnet.

As one of the programs in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) R&D project on coated conductors, we developed a three-phase 6.6 kV superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) and conducted some evaluation tests. The developed SFCL mainly comprised a set of three-phase current-limiting coils installed in a sub-cooled nitrogen cryostat with a Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler, circuit breakers, and a sequence control circuit. Two tapes were wound in parallel in each limiting coil to obtain a rated current of 72 A rms. AC characteristics of each coil were measured, and relevant performance metrics were obtained. The whole system was installed in a cubicle. Short circuit experiments were then conducted with a short circuit generator. In a three-line ground fault test, the SFCL successfully restricted a short circuit current of over 1.56 kA to about 840 A with an applied voltage of 6.6 kV. The system integration ability and the obtained data show the promise of this approach for practical implementation. The SFCL was ready for user field tests.

A program to develop a 30 T superconducting magnet based on novel concepts is now in progress at the High Field Laboratory for Superconducting Materials (HFLSM) at Tohoku University and the Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory (TML) at the National Institute for Materials Science. A 30 T superconducting magnet comprising a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) insert and a low-temperature superconducting (LTS) outsert was conceptually designed. For the high-field HTS insert, a YBCO coated conductor tape was adopted because of its high critical current density in high fields and its high mechanical strength. A relatively high tolerance limit of hoop stress in the insert coil can be assumed in the coil design according to its mechanical properties. The critical current density of the YBCO tape was analytically predicted as a function of temperature and magnetic field. To withstand a large electromagnetic force, the LTS outsert was composed of CuNb/Nb3Sn and NbTi coils. The CuNb/Nb3Sn coil was designed using high-strength cable consisting of internally reinforced Nb3Sn strands with a CuNb reinforcing stabilizer subjected to repeated bending treatment. The results of this design study show the potential for a compact high-field magnet employing an insert coil formed of YBCO coated conductor.

Os sinais clínicos das infecções por Ehrlichia canis e Anaplasma platys são similares, e o diagnóstico desses patógenos feito por esfregaços sanguíneos corados é difícil devido à sensibilidade e especificidade. Por outro lado, os diagnósticos moleculares são altamente sensíveis e específicos, e nested-PCRs têm sido otimizadas para o diagnóstico preciso desses patógenos em cães. Em um Hospital Veterinário Escola, amostras de sangue total com EDTA foram obtidas de 100 cães, e esfregaços foram feitos das amostras de sangue para busca dos parasitos intracelulares. Para cada amostra, DNA foi extraído e submetido à nPCR para detecção de E. canis e A. platys. Os resultados dos esfregaços sanguíneos mostraram que 9% dos animais foram positivos para E. canis e 21% para A. platys. Com relação à nPCR, 57 e 55% dos cães foram positivos para E. canis e A. platys, respectivamente. Quando comparados com a nPCR, os esfregaços sanguíneos corados revelaram resultados falso-negativos para E. canis e A. platys. Os resultados indicam que a nPCR é altamente sensível e específica para detecção de ambos os patógenos, e os diagnósticos moleculares podem ser mais úteis nos Hospitais Veterinários. The clinical signs of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys infection are similar, and the diagnosis of these pathogens made by stained blood smears is poor due sensibility and specificity. On the other hand, the molecular diagnosis is highly sensitive and specific and nested-PCR have been optimized for accurate diagnosis these pathogens in dogs. At the veterinary teaching hospital, whole-blood samples with EDTA were obtained from 100 dogs and smears were made from blood samples for evaluation for intracellular parasites. For each sample, DNA was extracted and submitted to nPCR analysis for detection of E. canis and A. platys. The results of stained blood smears showed 9% of the animals were positive for E. canis and 21% for A. platys. Regarding of nPCR analysis, 57 and 55% of dogs were positive for E. canis and A. platys respectively. As compared to a nested PCR, the stained blood smears revealed false-negative results for both E. canis and A. platys. The results indicate that the nPCR is highly sensitive and specific for detection of both pathogens and the molecular diagnosis could be more useful at veterinary hospital.

One of the programs in the Ministry of Economy and Trade and Industry (METI) project regarding R & D on YBCO conductor is to evaluate the applicability of the developed conductor toward several applications. This paper focuses on a fault current limiter (FCL) as one of the expected power applications. YBCO tape conductors with ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) substrate are used in this work. In order to obtain high resistance of the conductor, which is preferable to an FCL, the thickness of the protecting layer made of silver was decreased as possible. Then high-resistive metal stabilizing layer is attached on the silver layer to improve stability. Obtaining the relevant current limiting performance on short sample experiments, model coils were developed to aim the 6.6 kV-class FCL. Short circuit experiments were implemented with a short circuit generator. The coil successfully restricted the short circuit current over 17 kA to about 700 A by the applied voltage of 3.8 kV, which is nominal phase-to-ground voltage. The experimental results show good agreement with computer analyses and show promising toward the application.

This paper describes the design and test results of a 6.6 kV-class superconducting fault current limiter (FCL) coil wound with YBCO tapes. YBCO tapes, with stainless-steel lamination, were prepared for an experimental FCL coil. The main feature of this FCL coil is winding of multiple YBCO tapes in parallel in order to increase the rated current. To obtain a rated current up to several hundred amps, four tapes, electrically insulated, were wound in parallel to form a non-inductive coil. The coil specifications, such as winding pitch, number of turns, and transpositions, were carefully designed by numerical simulation to equalize the current distribution in each tape. The fault current limiting performance of the FCL coil was evaluated through over-current tests using a capacitor bank. The FCL coil successfully suppressed a fault current of 10.4 kA to below 2.1 kA.

The High Field Laboratory for Superconducting Materials (HFLSM) and the Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory (TML) conducted in collaboration a case study on development of a 50 T-class hybrid magnet. To construct a high magnetic field magnet with compact and energy-saving design as well as with easy operation and maintenance, one has to develop high-strength NbSn strand cables, with maximized superconducting characteristics and which can withstand a large electromagnetic force over 500 MPa. For this purpose, the HFLSM has proposed and investigated the effect of repeated bending treatment (pre bending) on NbSn strands internally reinforced with CuNb stabilizer leading to significant enhancement of the critical current density. In this report we present our results on application of the pre bending effect to the development of high-strength strand cables. The designed prebent-strand cables are composed of three CuNb/Nb3Sn strands (3 times Phi =1.73 mm) and four stainless steel strands ( 4 times Phi =1.73 mm). High-strength CuNb/Nb3Sn strand cables have shown a stress limit of 552 MPa at 0.4% strain, and a critical current of Ic =1000 A at 18.5 T and 2.0 K. For such high-strength strand cables, a 20 T superconducting magnet with a room temperature bore (Phi =400 mm) consisting of five layers made of CuNb/NbSn and two layers of NbTi was designed. The coil parameters are: inner diameter Phi = 440 mm, outer diameter Phi = 1332 mm, coil height 1321 mm, inductance 350 H and magnetic stored energy 144 MJ at 908 A of the operation current. Winding of the coil was experimentally successfully simulated using dummy 3 + 4 strands cable composed of three Cu strands and 4 stainless steel strands with a similar design to the 3 + 4 strands superconducting cable presented above. The 20 T superconducting coil will be used as a 20 T outsert for a 25 T water-cooled resistive insert to obtain a 45 T hybrid magnet.

High-transition-temperature (high-Tc) superconductivity is ubiquitous in the cuprates containing CuO2 planes, but each cuprate has its own character. The study of the material dependence of the d-wave superconducting gap (SG) should provide important insights into the mechanism of high-Tc superconductivity. However, because of the ‘pseudogap’ phenomenon, it is often unclear whether the energy gaps observed by spectroscopic techniques really represent the SG. Here, we use scanning tunnelling spectroscopy to image nearly optimally doped Ca2−xNaxCuO2Cl2(Na-CCOC) with Tc=25–28 K. It enables us to observe the quasiparticle interference effect in this material, through which we obtain unambiguous information on the SG. Our analysis of quasiparticle interference in Na-CCOC reveals that the SG dispersion near the gap node is almost identical to that of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy (Bi2212) at the same doping level, despite the Tc of Bi2212 being three times higher than that of Na-CCOC. We also find that the SG in Na-CCOC is confined in narrower energy and momentum ranges than Bi2212, which explains—at least in part—the remarkable material dependence of Tc.