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Vascular calcification (VC) is a life-threatening complication of CKD. Severe protein restriction causes a shortage of essential amino acids, and exacerbates VC in rats. Therefore, we investigated the effects of dietary l-lysine, the first-limiting amino acid of cereal grains, on VC. Male Sprague-Dawley rats at age 13 weeks were divided randomly into four groups: low-protein (LP) diet (group LP), LP diet+adenine (group Ade), LP diet+adenine+glycine (group Gly) as a control amino acid group, and LP diet+adenine+l-lysine·HCl (group Lys). At age 18 weeks, group LP had no VC, whereas groups Ade and Gly had comparable levels of severe VC. l-Lysine supplementation almost completely ameliorated VC. Physical parameters and serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and phosphate did not differ among groups Ade, Gly, and Lys. Notably, serum calcium in group Lys was slightly but significantly higher than in groups Ade and Gly. Dietary l-lysine strongly suppressed plasma intact parathyroid hormone in adenine rats and supported a proper bone-vascular axis. The conserved orientation of the femoral apatite in group Lys also evidenced the bone-protective effects of l-lysine. Dietary l-lysine elevated plasma alanine, proline, arginine, and homoarginine but not lysine. Analyses in vitro demonstrated that alanine and proline inhibit apoptosis of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, and that arginine and homoarginine attenuate mineral precipitations in a supersaturated calcium/phosphate solution. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of l-lysine ameliorated VC by modifying key pathways that exacerbate VC.

The combination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels predict hard renal outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), independent of classical markers of mineral and bone disorders, including serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels, and active vitamin D therapy. In a prospective cohort study of 738 Japanese pre-dialysis outpatients with CKD, we examined potentially non-linear associations between 25D and FGF23 levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) changes in 727 patients with at least a 6-month observation period and no history of admission by acute kidney injury. We used multiple regression analyses with restricted cubic spline functions using annualized eGFR decline as a dependent variable. A significantly non-linear positive relationship between 25D and eGFR changes was observed. The annualized eGFR decline was greater in patients with 25D concentrations

A 33-year-old Japanese man was admitted with severe edema, and a renal biopsy confirmed minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). CT revealed his severe chronic sinusitis, and he first received antimicrobial therapy, which resulted in decreased proteinuria. The surgical operation for sinusitis resulted in the complete disappearance of proteinuria without corticosteroid or immunosuppressant therapy within one week. MCNS may be triggered by infection, but there are no previously reported cases of MCNS that is completely remitted by infection control alone. Therefore, we herein report the first case of MCNS that attained complete remission following therapy for chronic sinusitis alone, which suggests a strong etiology of chronic sinusitis for MCNS.

Osteoporosis is one of the major complications of glucocorticoid therapy. Osteoporosis is usually defined by the levels of bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA); however, glucocorticoids often induce fractures in patients with normal BMD. Thus, novel diagnostic approaches are required. In this study, we examined whether multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) is useful to assess the bone status in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Because bisphosphonates have been proven to prevent bone fracture in GIO, we tried to detect the therapeutic effects of bisphosphonates in GIO by MDCT. Fifteen Japanese patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy who had normal renal function were enrolled in this open-label randomized trial. Patients were randomly divided into three groups-calcitriol (VD), menatetrenone (VK), or bisphosphonate (Bis). Bone conditions were analyzed twice by three different methods-bone turnover markers, DEXA, and MDCT-at the start and 6 months after the start of therapy. Both bone markers and DEXA could not detect significant differences among the therapeutic groups; however, MDCT-based analyses detected the preventive effects of bisphosphonates in GIO. Compared to VD, Bis improved structural indices, such as bone volume fraction, trabecular separation, marrow star volume, and structure model index whereas the difference between VD and VK was not significant. Finite element analysis revealed that simulated fracture load in the Bis group was significantly improved. These findings suggested that MDCT-based assessment is superior to bone markers and/or DEXA in assessing the therapeutic effect of bisphosphonates on GIO.

The serum glycoprotein fetuin-A is an important inhibitor of extraosseous calcification. The importance of fetuin-A has been confirmed in fetuin-A null mice, which develop widespread extraosseous calcification including the kidney. However, the mechanism how fetuin-A protects kidneys from nephrocalcinosis remains uncertain. Here, we demonstrate that intratubular fetuin-A plays a role in the prevention of nephrocalcinosis in the proximal tubules. Although normal rat kidney did not express mRNA for fetuin-A, we found punctate immunohistochemical staining of fetuin-A mainly in the S1 segment of the proximal tubules. The staining pattern suggested that fetuin-A passed through the slit diaphragm, traveled in the proximal tubular lumen, and was introduced into proximal tubular cells by megalin-mediated endocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we inhibited the function of megalin by intravenous injection of histidine-tagged soluble receptor-associated protein (His-sRAP), a megalin inhibitor. His-sRAP injection diminished fetuin-A staining in the proximal tubules and led to urinary excretion of fetuin-A. We further analyzed the role of fetuin-A in nephrocalcinosis. Continuous injection of parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1–34 induced nephrocalcinosis mainly in the proximal tubules in rats. His-sRAP retained fetuin-A in renal tubular lumen and thereby protected the kidneys of PTH-treated rats from calcification. Our findings suggest that tubular luminal fetuin-A works as a natural inhibitor against calcification in the proximal tubules under PTH-loaded condition.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is one of the major problems in nephrology because satisfactory therapeutic strategies have not been established. Here, we demonstrate that maxacalcitol (22-oxacalcitriol (OCT)), an analog of active vitamin D, protects the kidney from TIF by suppressing the autoinduction of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). OCT suppressed the tubular injury index, interstitial volume index, collagen I positive area, and mRNA levels of extracellular matrix genes in unilateral ureteral-obstructed kidneys in rats. Although the renoprotective mechanism of active vitamin D in previous studies has been mainly attributed to the suppression of renin, OCT did not affect renal levels of renin or angiotensin II. We found that TGF-β1 itself induces its expression in a phospho-Smad3 (pSmad3)-dependent manner, and that OCT ameliorated TIF by abrogating this 'autoinduction'. Under the stimulation of TGF-β1, pSmad3 bound to the proximal promoter region of the TGF-β1 gene. Both OCT and SIS3, a Smad3 inhibitor, abrogated the binding of pSmad3 to the promoter and consequently attenuated the autoinduction. TGF-β1 increased both the nuclear levels of protein phosphatase Mg(2+)/Mn(2+)-dependent 1A (PPM1A), a pSmad3 phosphatase, and the interaction levels between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and PPM1A. In the absence of OCT, however, the interaction between pSmad3 and PPM1A was weak; therefore, it was insufficient to dephosphorylate pSmad3. The PPM1A/VDR complex was recruited to pSmad3 in the presence of both TGF-β1 and OCT. This recruitment promoted the dephosphorylation of pSmad3 and attenuated the pSmad3-dependent production of TGF-β1. Our findings provide a novel approach to inhibit the TGF-β pathway in fibrotic diseases.

The authors of Freedom study enrolling primary osteoporosis patients argued that the anti-fracture effect of denosmab is not dependent on baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)by showing the non-significant interaction term between treatment and CKD stage. However, given disproportionate numbers of patients in each subgroup(4069, 2817, and only 73 patients, in CKD stage 2, 3, and, 4, respectively), this study seems to lack the statistical power to reach a definite conclusion on the effect modification by CKD stage. Truly, the serum concentration of infused denosmab in patients with CKD stage 4 is equivalent to that in patients without CKD, the risk of developing life-threatening or prolonged hypocalcemia is huge even under active vitamin D therapy in this population. In hemodialysis patients, this drug is relatively safer because each dialysis session delivers calcium into the circulation 3 times a week. However, even with concomitant administration of massive active vitamin D, the increase of intact PTH levels greater than 1000 pg/mL by this agent is not rare. In other words, this drug worsens secondary hyperparathyroidism. Moreover, reportedly, calcium and active vitamin D administered to avoid hypocalcemia can lead to ectopic calcification especially under the low bone turnover induced by this agent. In fact, transient hypercalcemia often follows hypocalcemia by the inevitable calcium supplementation.

Background The Agatston score, commonly used to quantify coronary artery calcification (CAC), is determined by the plaque area and density. Despite an excellent predictability of the Agatston score for cardiovascular events, the density of CAC has never been studied in patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to analyze the CAC density and its association with serum mineral levels in CKD. Methods We enrolled patients with pre-dialysis CKD who had diabetes mellitus, prior cardiovascular disease history, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, or smoking history. The average CAC density was calculated by dividing the Agatston score by the total area of CAC. Results The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 109 enrolled patients was 35.7 mL/min/1.73 m2. The correlation of the Agatston score with density was much weaker than that with the total area (R2 = 0.19, P < 0.001; and R2 = 0.99, P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed that serum magnesium level was inversely associated with the density, but not with the total area, after adjustment for demographics and clinical factors related to malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis syndrome and mineral and bone disorders including fibroblast growth factor 23 (P = 0.006). This inverse association was pronounced among patients with higher serum phosphate levels (P for interaction = 0.02). Conclusion CAC density was inversely associated with serum magnesium levels, particularly in patients with higher serum phosphate levels.

Purpose Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D), increased levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were reported to be risk factors for mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the independent associations of these factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death among CKD patients, remain unclear. Our purpose was to identify which of these factors predict incident CVD in CKD. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled 738 predialysis outpatients in the two nephrology departments. We employed Cox proportional hazards analyses to elucidate predictors of the endpoint, defined as fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event requiring hospitalization. Multiple imputation was performed for missing values. Results Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 35 mL/min/1.73 m2. During a median duration of 4.4 years, 86 patients developed the endpoint, of whom 62 patients achieved it before the initiation of dialysis. Multivariable analyses revealed that high serum intact FGF23 levels predicted the outcome preceding dialysis initiation (hazard ratio (HR) per lnFGF23 (SD), 1.64 (1.27–2.30)), while 25D, PTH, and bone-specific ALP did not. Adding FGF23 to the conventional model of age, sex, diabetes, prior CVD, pulse pressure, and eGFR, led to a net reclassification improvement of 6.87% (P = 0.04). Not censoring the patients at the start of dialysis and continuing follow-up even after dialysis, FGF23 levels did not predict the outcome (HR, 1.16 (0.91–1.48)). Complete case analyses yielded similar results. Conclusions Intact FGF23 levels in predialysis CKD predicted incident cardiovascular events requiring hospitalization before starting dialysis, but did not predict events during the entire follow-up period, including post dialysis initiation.

No study has reported the current status of the management of chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in Japan. Using the Osaka Vitamin D Study in CKD (OVIDS-CKD), we examined the prevalence of patients with serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), or 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels outside the target of KDOQI guidelines. Eighty-four percent of the patients had 25-hydroxyvitamin D

The kinetic energy of α′-(BEDT-TTF)2IBr2, α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3, and α-(BEDT-TTF)2NH4Hg(SCN)4 was estimated from the room-temperature optical conductivity measured from 50 to 30 000 cm−1. The kinetic energy of α′-(BEDT-TTF)2IBr2 was significantly smaller than that of α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 that shows metal–insulator phase transition. A clear hysteresis was found in the magnetic susceptibility near the phase transition at around 30 K.

The electronic structures of organic salt DMTSA-BF 4 , where DMTSA is 2,3-dimethyltetraseleno-anthracene, have been studied with photoelectron spectromicroscopy at various photon energies. The atomic orbital characters of the spectral features observed in the valence band region were determined from the photon energy dependence of the photoionization cross-section. The features between ∼1 and ∼4 eV are predominantly derived from both Se 4p and C 2p states. The features at ∼6 eV, between ∼7 and ∼10 eV, and between ∼10 and ∼20 eV are predominantly derived from Se 4p, C 2p, and Se 4s and/or C 2s states, respectively. The F 2p states originating from the counter anion BF 4 are located at ∼8 eV. By comparing the Se 3d core-level photoemission spectra between DMTSA-BF 4 and DMTSA, it is suggested that DMTSA-BF 4 has a mixed valence state.

We investigated theoretically the electronic structure of a new C 60 based superconductor, Na x H y C 60 where x ∼3.6 and y ∼1, to provide criteria that enable one to identify which of two possible phases, Na 3 HC 60 and Na 4 HC 60 , is important to the superconductivity. Studying these two phases by using the first-principles calculations, we found remarkable differences in the electronic structures between them, especially in the partial densities of states and the nuclear-quadrupole interaction of 23 Na. We propose that these quantities can work as the criteria for the identification.

Sodium−hydrogen−C60 ternary compounds have been prepared by intercalation of sodium hydride (NaH) into C60. This method afforded a high-quality superconducting (SC) sample with a large volume fraction, but on the other hand, only a few high-quality SC samples were obtained and most of the samples were nonsuperconducting. However, we have succeeded in transforming a non-SC sample into an SC sample and in enhancing superconductivity. The Rietveld analysis clarifies that the non-SC phase (α-phase) has an orthorhombic structure, in contrast to a cubic structure for the SC phase (β-phase). The absence of superconductivity in the α-phase will be understood by the broken symmetry.

We have prepared the cation radical salts based on a nonplanar donor 4,11-bis(4′,5′-ethylenedithio-1′,3′-dithiole-2′-ylidene)-4,11-dihydroanthra[2,3-c] [1,2,5] thiadiazole (BEDT-ATD), (BEDT-ATD)2X(Solvent) (X˭PF6, BF4; Solvent=THF, DHF (2,5-dihydrofuran)). The band structure of a stable organic metal (BEDT-ATD)2PF6(THF) is presented. The replacement of an anion or a solvent molecule has induced a metal-insulator transition at 200 K and 150 K for (BEDT-ATD)2BF4(THF) and (BEDT-ATD)2PF6(DHF), respectively.

The heat capacity of tetrakis(alkylthio)tetrathiafulvalenes (TTC n -TTF, n = 3, 8) was measured by adiabatic calorimetry between 10 and 330 K. TTC 3 -TTF and TTC 8 -TTF had melting points at 306.58 and 322.51 K with enthalpy of fusion of 42.7 and 89.3 kJ mol −1 , respectively. The liquid phase of TTC 3 -TTF could be cooled down to liquid helium temperature without crystallization, and a glass transition was observed at about 205 K. In the heating run, the supercooled liquid transformed into a metastable solid phase at about 225 K, and then it transformed into the stable solid phase at about 270 K. In the case of TTC 8 -TTF (Form II), two solid-solid phase transitions of the first-order type were found at 94.3 and 215.8 K with enthalpy of transition of 0.16 and 4.92 kJ mol −1 , respectively. Some thermodynamic functions were derived from the present data, and the numerical tables were given. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

The thermal expansion of tetrakis (alkylthio) tetrathiafulvalenes (abbreviated to TTC n -TTFs. (n ' 1–11)) having alkyl chains with n carbon atoms has been investigated from room temperature down to about 100 K by means of the four-circle X-ray diffraction technique. A linear thermal expansion parameter δl(' δl/δT) is suggested for correlating intermolecular interaction of TTC n -TTF crystals. For the compounds with larger n, n ⩾ 8, the linear thermal expansion along the c-axis, δc, is smallest, while δ b , is larger and δ a intermediate. This is consistent with the intermolecular interaction analyses for the crystal structure of TTC a -TTF compounds. The molecular fastener effect is also found in the thermal expansion measurements. The contributions of the molecular fastener effect and the packing effect of the end C-atoms in the alkyl chains of TTC n -TTF (n '8–11) to the thermal expansion are discussed.

Summary Background and objectives Hyperphosphatemia, vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism, and high serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels, when studied separately, were found to predict the progression of CKD. However, studies with simultaneous measurement of mineral bone disorder (MBD)–related factors were scarce. This study aimed to identify factors predicting renal outcome independent of other factors. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This was a prospective cohort study of 738 Japanese predialysis outpatients in the nephrology departments of two hospitals. The outcome was defined as a doubling of serum creatinine or initiation of dialysis. ResultsMean estimated GFR (eGFR) was 35 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 . At enrollment, theincrease in intact FGF23 with decreasing eGFR was the earliest among changes in MBD-related factors, followed by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D decrease, parathyroid hormone increase, and phosphate increase. During a median duration of 4.4 years, 213 patients reached the endpoint. In a multivariable Cox model, high FGF23 and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) levels were the only MBD-related factors associated with a higher risk of renal endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio [95%confidenceinterval]perunitchangeoflogFGF23and10ng/mlof25D:1.83[1.28–2.61]and0.61[0.41–0.90], respectively). There was no significant interaction between 25D and FGF23 (P=0.11). Active vitamin D therapy, serum phosphate, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels were not related to the renal endpoint. Treating death as a competing risk or multiple imputation for missing values yielded similar results. Conclusions Combined use of two markers is useful for the risk stratification of renal outcome. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 7: ccc–ccc, 2012. doi: 10.2215/CJN.08680811

No study has reported the current status of the management of chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in Japan. Using the Osaka Vitamin D Study in CKD (OVIDS-CKD), we examined the prevalence of patients with serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), or 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels outside the target of KDOQI guidelines. Eighty-four percent of the patients had 25-hydroxyvitamin D30 ng/mL. Significant determinants of poor vitamin D status were female gender, diabetes, high PTH, and high urinary protein (2+ or greater). The percentage of patients with intact PTH higher than the target was 8% in CKD stage 3a, while between 20-22% in stages 3b to 5. The patients indicated for ergocalciferol were 7, 18, and 19% in stages 3a, 3b, and 4, respectively, and those indicated for active vitamin D were 21% in stage 5. Since neither ergocalciferol nor cholecalciferol is available in 2011 in Japan, we have no choice but to prescribe alfacalcidol or calcitriol; however, the percent of patients receiving these drugs was only 1, 4, 8, and 14% in stages 3a, 3b, 4, and 5, respectively, indicating that PTH and vitamin D status are not well controlled in Japan. In contrast, more than 80% of the patients met the target of serum calcium and phosphate. Contrary to expectations, nearly 20% of the patients had hypophosphatemia in stage 3 and 5, possibly because of strict protein restriction. Given these results, nephrologists should consider prescribing active vitamin D, especially for females and patients with diabetes, massive proteinuria, or secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Electronic structures of the 2,5-dihydrothiophene derivatives were characterized by UPS spectra together with crystallographic analysis. A novel complex between the thiophene derivative and C18 TCNQ was obtained and the multilayer of the complex was prepared. Electrical conductivities with respect to the parallel and perpendicular direction to the film plane have been studied to the film structures.

The crystal structures of tetrakis(alkylthio)tetrathiafulvalene (TTCn–TTF) with long alkyl chains (7 ≤ n ≤ 11) can be divided into two different groups (Form I and Form II) according to the difference in the arrangement of the alkyl chains. Although the crystals of TTC7–TTF exhibit two phases (triclinic and monoclinic), the stacking manner of these phases is nearly the same, Form II. TTC9–TTF crystallizes in two different forms: Form I (the triclinic phase) and Form II (the monoclinic phase). The TTC11–TTF crystal only adopts the Form I structure. Although the molecules in both forms have chair-like shapes and columnar structures, the alkyl chains in the Form I crystals are arranged parallel to each other, resulting in more strongly fastened packing than in the case of the Form II crystals. These results are associated with changes in the electrical resistivities and activation energies of TTCn–TTF over the range of large n.

The crystal structures of TSeC8–TTF and TTeC8–TTF were determined by X-ray analysis. The molecules in both compounds have chair-like forms and take columnar structures. The distance between the least-squares planes of the central skeleton along the stacking axis in the TSeC8–TTF crystal is nearly equal to that of the TTeC8–TTF crystal. This result is consistent with the fact that the electrical resistivities for both single crystals are of the same order.

The crystal structure of the low-melting point phase (L-phase) of a single component organic semiconductor, TSeC1–TTF, is determined and compared with that of the high-melting point phase (H-phase). The intracolumnar overlap mode and the calculated intermolecular overlap integrals are slightly larger in the L-phase, to which is ascribed the low resistivity of the L-phase. The L-phase, however, does not have two-dimensional networks of intercolumnar Se···Se contacts, which exist in the H-phase. This may be associated with the difference of the melting points.

The crystal structures and the electrical conductivities have been studied for tetrakis(alkylchalcogeno)tetrathiafulvalene (TXCn-TTF (X=sulfur, selenium, tellurium; n=2,3)) complexes with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). All the complexes with a composition of 1 : 1 had the same crystal system (triclinic) and the same space group (P\bar1). The donor and acceptor molecules were alternately stacked in their crystals. (TSeC2-TTF)TCNQ was obtained as plate and needle crystals. The molecular structure of TSeC2-TTF and the overlapping mode between TSeC2-TTF and TCNQ molecules of the two complexes were subtly different. All the complexes were semiconductors because of their mixed-stack structures. (TTeC2-TTF)TCNQ showed the lowest resistivity (5 Ω, cm at room temperature). Its good conductivity was brought about by the effective degree of charge-transfer and the favorable overlap between TTeC2-TTF and TCNQ molecules. An overall discussion on the structural and physical properties of a series of TCNQ complexes wi...

Tetrakis(octylthio)tetrathiafulvalene (TTC8–TTF) crystallizes into two different phases (Forms I and II). Form I undergoes a slightly endothermic, phase transition at ca. 33 °C with a steep increase in the resistivity and a decrease in the drift mobility. Powder X-ray diffraction confirms that this transition is the result of a structural transformation from Form I to Form II. The microscopic origin of the phase transition is ascribed to a subtle repulsive motion in the nearest-neighbour octyl chains which results in the decrease in the transfer integrals between the neighbouring π-electron moieties of TTC8–TTF molecules within a segregated column.

Infrared spectra were measured for tetrakis (alkylthio) tetrathiafulvalenes (abbreviated TTC n -TTFs ( n =1−18)) as powder samples and single crystals. In the compounds with n = 1−26, the stretching vibrational bands of the CH 2 and CH 3 groups and their relative intensities vary with n . The compounds with n ⪆ 7−9 show nearly identical spectra, where the stretching deformation vibrations of the CH 2 groups develop and approach those in polyethylene. This observation suggests that the high electrical conduction by the molecular fastener effect in the long-chain compounds of TTC n -TTFs correlates significantly with the development of polyethylene-like alkyl chains in the crystal.

Temperature dependence of the charge-carrier mobility in tetrakis(octylthio)tetrathiafulvalene crystals has been observed in the temperature range of −100–45°C by the time-of-flight measurement of transient photocarriers. The mobility shows a clear jump at the crystal phase transition which is found in the electrical conductivity measurement. This fact may lead a quantitative analysis of the correlation between the conductivity jump and the phase transition.

We present the anomalies at ∼200 K in electrical resistivity, transmittance and reflectance in the far-infrared region, and the magnetic susceptibility of α'-(BEDT-TTF) 2 IBr 2 [BEDT-TTF = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene]. This phase transition is investigated by infrared, Raman, and far-infrared spectroscopies. Through the spectroscopic investigation, we found that the positive charges on BEDT-TTF molecules are strongly localized owing to a strong Coulomb interaction in both low-temperature (LT) and high-temperature (HT) phases. We show the spectroscopic data that suggest the charge order in the LT phase and the charge disorder in the HT phase. The phase transition at ∼200 K in α'-(BEDT-TTF) 2 IBr 2 is the charge order–disorder phase transition not accompanied by structural changes. On the basis of the localized picture, we qualitatively interpreted the experimental results above and below the phase transition. The effect of hydrostatic pressure was investigated by electrical resistivity measuremen...

The phase transition found in the electrical resistivity of α'-(BEDT-TTF)2IBr2 was investigated by observing the charge-sensitive phonon modes of BEDT-TTF. The low-temperature phase was elucidated to be a charge-ordered state with large amplitude. The pattern of charge-order was a horizontal or diagonal stripe, which requires the breaking of inversion symmetry. The breaking of symmetry was confirmed by observing the asymmetric stretching mode of IBr2-. The symmetry breaking occurs primarily at -200 K rather continuously. It was proposed in the high-temperature phase that the nearly localized charges are dynamically fluctuating individually or collectively with a fluctuation rate much slower than 55 cm-1.

The room temperature structure of a superconducting phase of NaxHyC60 was determined from the analysis of its powder X-ray diffraction pattern by the Rietveld method. THe space group is Fm3m, with Z=4, and the refined cell parameter a is 14.406(1) A. Na+ ions in the octahedral and tetrahedral interstitial sites are offcentered. From their occupancies, the composition x is estimated at 3.6.

An organic compound TSeCn-TTF [tetrakis(alkylseleno) tetrathiafulvalenes] with n=2, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21⁄a, a=23.218(5), b=8.960(3), c=10.489(3) A, β=96.61(2)°, V=2168(1) A3, and Z=4; the compound with n=4 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\bar1, a=9.198(1), b=10.539(2), c=8.248(2) A, α=113.16(2), β=96.02(2), γ=90.61(2)°, V=729.9(3) A3 and Z=1. The molecule with n=2 has a bent structure, like a boat; and the molecule with n=4 has a structure in which each of the four alkyl chains is stretched towards different directions. The temperature dependence of electrical resistivity and the charge-carrier mobility have been measured, and the resistivities at room temperature are ρa⁄ρb⁄ρc=3.3×109⁄2.0×109⁄6.0×1011 and 2.2×1011⁄1.0×1011⁄1.3×1011 (Ω cm) for TSeC2-TTF and TSeC4-TTF, respectively. The quite isotropic character in the resistivities of a TSeC4-TTF crystal may originate from its rather strange molecular structure.

The crystal structure and the electrical property of TSeC1-TTF as well as those of the new complex (TSeC1-TTF)I3 with two kinds of phases are reported. The crystal structure of TSeC1-TTF was determined to be monoclinic, space group P21⁄a, a=7.728(1), b=20.952(4), c=5.315(1) A, and β=90.57(2)° having a unit cell volume of 860.6(3) A3. By an electrochemical method and a diffusion method, TSeC1-TTF gave two forms of single crystals of (TSeC1-TTF)I3. The crystal data of one form; monoclinic, space group P2⁄a, a=24.359(1), b=11.831(3), c=7.842(6) A, β=96.71(4), V=2244(1) A3 and those of the other; monoclinic, space group P2⁄a, a=23.174(5), b=11.727(3), c=8.960(5) A, β=110.54(2)°, a=2280(1) A3. The former complex has lower resistivity, 4.1×104Ω cm, compared with the latter one 1.1×108Ω cm. The dimerization is more noticeable in the latter complex than in the former one.

妊婦用衣服設計のための基礎資料を得るために, 妊婦520名から1,000例の計測値を得た. 経時的に, 妊娠2カ月から産月にいたる妊婦の身体を44項目について計測した. 腹部と胴部の矢状径および周径に関する項目に著しい変化を認め, これらは4カ月以後直線的な増加となった. しかし高径に関する項目には変化がなかった.主成分分析の結果, 妊婦の体型は次の3成分によって捉えることができた. 第1主成分は size factor で, 身体の大きさを表す因子である. 第2主成分は shape factor で, 身体の肥痩度を表す因子である. 第3主成分は妊婦の体幹部の特徴を表す因子である. 各主成分別個人スコアを妊娠月数別にみると, 第1主成分のスコアは上昇直線を示し, 第2, 第3主成分のスコアは直線的に漸減している.したがって, 妊娠用衣服のサイズは妊娠月数で決定することはできない. 妊娠月数の経過に伴う身体部位の寸法や体型の変化があるので, これらを考慮した衣服設計が要望される.

The crystal structure and the electrical property of TSeC1-TTF as well as those of the new complex (TSeC1-TTF)I3 with two kinds of phases are reported. The crystal structure of TSeC1-TTF was determined to be monoclinic, space group P21⁄a, a=7.728(1), b=20.952(4), c=5.315(1) A, and β=90.57(2)° having a unit cell volume of 860.6(3) A3. By an electrochemical method and a diffusion method, TSeC1-TTF gave two forms of single crystals of (TSeC1-TTF)I3. The crystal data of one form; monoclinic, space group P2⁄a, a=24.359(1), b=11.831(3), c=7.842(6) A, β=96.71(4), V=2244(1) A3 and those of the other; monoclinic, space group P2⁄a, a=23.174(5), b=11.727(3), c=8.960(5) A, β=110.54(2)°, a=2280(1) A3. The former complex has lower resistivity, 4.1×104Ω cm, compared with the latter one 1.1×108Ω cm. The dimerization is more noticeable in the latter complex than in the former one.