Search

We have successfully developed a Mg–3Al–0.4Mn (wt%) alloy sheet with good room-temperature formability. The alloy sheet shows a large Index Erichsen value of 8.2 mm due to its unique texture feature where the most of the grains have circular distribution of basal poles away from the normal direction of the sheet. The fine grain structure also leads to moderate strengths and large ductility with in-plane isotropic tensile property. These mechanical properties could be realized via industry viable rolling processing, thus the alloy sheet is highly possible to broaden the applications of Mg alloys in automotive industries.

BL-774 is a control, data acquisition, and online analysis platform for addressing the requirements in future beamline experiments at SPring-8-II. To date, we have achieved implementations related to “robustness and flexibility” and “configuration management”. These implementations were made possible by the two-phase development workflow. The two-phase development is characterized by a dedicated rapid application development environment that beamline scientists can use rapidly and easily in real beamline environments, and web-based graphical user interfaces that BL-774 software developers have incorporated the achievements of the beamline scientists as part of the official release of the beamline control software. BL-774 has been introduced in two beamlines to date, and we plan to implement it in more beamlines while adding more features. We plan to integrate BL-774 seamlessly with other systems that are currently under development in the facility, such as two-dimensional detector systems and SPring-8 data centers. By introducing BL-774 in conjunction with other infrastructure in the facility, more advanced experimental operations, such as feedback operations based on online data analysis or remote operations from outside the beamlines, are to be expected. This paper presents the design and implementation of BL-774 and its introduction into a beamline at SPring-8.

Background Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a gold standard method to evaluate functional lesion severity in daily clinical practice. Recently, the resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) was Previous studies showed the better diagnostic performance of RFR comparing with FFR. It is well known that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have poor prognosis. Therefore, we should carefully assess the functional lesion severity in CKD patients. However, it is unclear whether the diagnostic performance of RFR for detecting functional ischemia is similar regardless of the degree of renal function. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of RFR based on renal function. Method This study was a prospectively enrolled observational study. A total of 265 consecutive patients with 373 intermediate lesions were enrolled in this study. There were classified into three groups according to renal function (Group 1: eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2; Group 2: 30 mL/min/1.73m2 ≤eGFR Results Of 373 lesions, the median age was 70.1±11.0 years. Functional significance was observed in 153 lesions (41.0%) of all lesions. RFR showed a significant correlation with FFR in each group (Group 1; r2=0.63 [p Conclusion The diagnostic performance of RFR was different based on renal function. During RFR acquisition, the degree of renal function could influence concordance with FFR, and should be taken into account when interpreting RFR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Cs-Bi and Cs-Sb absorbed graphite samples (Cs-Bi/graphite and Cs-Sb/graphite) were synthesized and their high temperature chemical stabilities were tested up to 1500 °C by TG and analyzed by TEM-EDS for the development of Cs trap material in high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) fuel particles. It was observed that Cs was stabilized by Sb but not by Bi in the specimens after the TG test. A rapid weight loss from 800 to 1000 °C may be caused by evaporation of Cs (boiling point: 671 °C) was seen in the TG result of both specimens. Precipitated Cs-Sb substance in the graphite matrix were not resolved even after the 1500 °C heating. The chemical composition of the Cs-Sb was specified as Cs3Sb. The experimental results suggest that Sb have potential to be a Cs getter material in graphite matrix. Long term heating test should be performed to confirm adaptability of Sb for Cs trap material in HTGR fuel particles.

BackgroundKnee joint disorder is one of the factors causing frailty in the elderly, which is associated with a decrease in walking speed.ObjectivesWe measured the walking speed of patients scheduled to undergo primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and examined factors correlated with walking speed.MethodsThe patients with knee disorders scheduled to undergo knee arthroplasty at our hospital between July 2020 and May 2021 were included. They were assessed for basic attributes, clinical assessment including Kness Society Score (KSS), degree of pain on walking by visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion (ROM), and also leg skeletal muscle mass index (SMI; whole-body mode DXA), quadriceps strength by dynamometer with written consent (UMIN ID: 000040940). And Japanese Cardiovascular Health Study criteria for frailty, and sarcopenia by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria were evaluated.ResultsDemographic data of 83 patients (65 women, mean age 74.9 years) included in this study was shown in Table 1. The distribution in frailty is 36.2% and that in sarcopenia is 7.3%. Most of the patients with frailty with knee disorder did not suffer from sarcopenia. A multivariate analysis was conducted with walking speed as the objective variable and the dependent variables as age, gender, pain VAS on walking, KSS, leg SMI, quadriceps strength, and ROM. The results showed that age and ROM in flexion were significantly and independently associated with walking speed (P=0.01, 0.03). Gender, pain VAS on walking, KSS, leg SMI, quadriceps strength, and ROM in extension were not significantly associated with walking speed (P=0.92, 0.11, 0.11, 0.52, 0.85, 0.52).ConclusionAmong the patients with knee disorders immediately before arthroplasty, frailty was not caused by sarcopenia. Age was found to be the most correlated factor with walking speed, and walking speed became slower with age. In addition, poor flexion angle was also the factor for delayed walking speed, but it did not correlate with lower limb skeletal muscle mass or quadriceps strength. In this study pain on walking was not significant factor for walking speed, because it was observed in most of all cases.FactorGroup disease (n)osteoarthritis78 (94%) rheumatoid arthritis5 (6.0%)body mass index (kg/m2) 25.54 (4.11)pain VAS on walking 37.08 (26.35)total Knee Society Score 77.66 (27.85)range of motion (degree)flexion119.46 (12.88) extension-9.58 (6.59)quadriceps power (N) 122.00 [53.00, 350.00]waling speed (m/sec) 0.95 (0.33)grip power (kg) 20.24 (6.97)skeletal muscle mass index (kg/m2)appendicular6.50 [4.92, 9.85] lower limb5.06 [3.76, 7.56]Frailty (n)none10 (12.5%)Pre-frail41 (51.2%) frail29 (36.2%)Sarcopenia (n)none76 (92.7%)sarcopenia4 (4.9%) severe sarcopenia2 (2.4%)mean (standard deviation); median [min max]Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Background: Increased mammographic breast density decreases the sensitivity and the specificity of mammography screening and is associated with a significant risk factor for breast cancer. No studies were identified that examined the impact of supplemental screening on breast cancer recurrence rates or mortality for women with dense breasts. The aim of this study is to examine factors associating with breast density in Japanese women. Data sources and methods: We used mammography check-up participants (n=5159, women aged 40 years or older) between Apr 2014 and Mar 2017 as our baseline data. Using a self-administered questionnaire, data of life style were collected. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of having dense breasts by age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, smoking, parity, menopausal status, dysmenorrhea, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), family history of breast cancer, physical exercise, fried foods intake, brightly colored vegetables intake, coffee intake, tea intake and bone mineral density. Breast densities were divided into four categories based on BI-RADS classification. BI-RADS 3 and 4 were defined as dense breast. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Dense breast accounted for 62.3% of mammography screening participants. Dense breast at an early age was more frequent as 78.0% in the 40's. Alcohol intake (20 g or more a day, OR=1.62, 0.026) in post-menopausal women showed statistically significant positive interaction with dense breast. Weak positive interaction was seen in bone mineral density>80% (OR=0.63, 0.086, n=775). On the other, age (OR=0.97, Conclusion: Dense breast accounted for 62.3% of all participants. Dense breast was more frequent at early age as 78.0% in their 40's. Alcohol consumption and bone mineral density in post-menopausal women were positive interaction with mammographic breast density. On the contrary, age, BMI, number of live birth and post-menopause were negative interaction with mammographic breast density. Citation Format: Uchida K, Ohashi H, Hiroko N, Mimoto R. Factors associated with mammographic density in Japanese women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-10-18.

We have investigated the effects of silicon (Si) doping on the chemical bonding states and the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of nitrogen-doped diamond-like carbon (N−DLC) films prepared via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using hydrogen as a dilution gas. N doping accelerated the formation of clustered sp2 C in N−DLC films, whereas the clustering was almost suppressed in Si and N doped DLC (Si−N−DLC) films. Sp3 C sites in the Si–N–DLC films were higher than those in the N–DLC films. For the Si−N−DLC films, sp3 C-N bonds were preferentially formed compared with the sp2 C=N bonds. The internal stress on the Si−N−DLC films was lower than that on the N−DLC films. The Si−N−DLC films exhibited higher optical bandgaps than the N−DLC films. As the N2 flow ratio increased, the optical bandgap of the Si−N−DLC films showed an increasing trend, whereas that of the N−DLC films showed an opposite trend. The current−voltage characteristics of Si−N−DLC/p-type Si heterojunctions were not rectifying; however, after postdeposition annealing, the heterojunctions exhibited rectifying characteristics.

Background: Incresed mammographic density is a significant risk factor for breast cancer and decreses the sensitivity of mammography screening. The aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting breast density in Japanese women. Data sources and methods: Between Apr. 2014 and Mar. 2016, 3492 women were received mammography screening. According to the results of mammography, breast density was categorized as non-dense(BI-RADS 1 and 2, n=1670) and dense(BI-RADS 3 and 4, n=2222) . Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of having dense breasts by age, body mass index(BMI), alcohol consumption, smoking, parity, menopausal status, dysmenorrhea, hormone use, family history of breast cancer, physical activity, fried foods intake, brightly colored vegetables intake, coffee intake and tea or green tea intake. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: There was a statistically significant negative interaction of age(OR=0.97, Results of analysis of factors influencing breast density among all study participants Odds ratio95% CIPAgeContinuoous variables0.970.95-0.98 Results of analysis of factors influencing breast density in women aged ≥55 years (n=1382) Odds ratio95% CIPBMI Conclusion: Alcohol consumption increase mammographic breast density in women aged ≥55 years. As both of increased breast density and alcohol consumption have been suggested to increase risk of breast cancer, more cautious mammographic screening should be considered for those women aged ≥55 years. Citation Format: Uchida K, Ohashi H, Kitano N, Tsunoda K, Nagamatsu T, Sekine C, Imawari Y, Nogi H, Takeyama H. Alcohol consumption increases mammographic density in women aged ≥55 years [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-07-16.

A systematic treatment of the genus Dalbergia for the Flora Malesiana (FM) region is presented. The treatment includes a genus description, two keys to the species, an enumeration of the species present in the FM-area with names and synonyms, details of distribution, habitat and ecology and where needed some notes, three new species (D. minutiflora, D. pilosa, D. ramosii) are described. A new name for D. polyphylla is proposed (D. multifoliolata). The paper also contains an overview of the names, a list of collections seen and references to the literature.

Power Blender cement mix soft soil improvement method was adopted for the construction of embankment of the 4-lane bypass of Colombo-Katunayake Expressway for the New Bridge Construction over the Kelani River in Sri Lanka. This treatment method is a rapid construction method, first applied in Sri Lanka. The embankment height varies from 2 m to 5 m and peat/organic clay exists for a depth of about 10 m. Soil cement columns are spaced at 1 m × 2 m rectangular shape and the improvement depth is about 10 m. After completion of the ground treatment for the entire area and confirming the quality of the improvement, the embankment was constructed with 2 layers of geotextiles. During the embankment construction, settlement and lateral movement were measured. The expected settlements and lateral deformations were estimated and compared with field measurements. This paper describes the geological condition, embankment construction sequence, settlement estimate and stability analysis, measurement results and the comparison with the respective estimates.

The genus Mucuna is revised for the Flora Malesiana region. Several characters are discussed in some detail. The subdivision of the genus is discussed. We accept two subgenera: subg. Mucuna and subg. Stizolobium. Several groups of species showing similarity in some characters are discussed. A description of the genus is presented, two keys to the species are given. The main part of the paper consists of an enumeration of the species including descriptions of new species: three byAdema (M. angustifolia, M. eurylamellata, M. kabaenensis) and four by Wiriadinata (M. aimun, M. havilandii, M. sakapipei, M. verdcourtii). Neotypes are designated for M. diabolica and M. novo-guineensis. Mucuna pachycarpa Parreno is validated.Asubspecies of M. pruriens, subsp. novo-guineensis, is raised to species level as M. papuana. The paper ends with dubious and excluded species, references, a list of species and a list of names.

The pulsed jet technique was applied to measure the electrical resistance response of a Zn-terminated ZnO(0001) substrate to trace ethanol in the air to simulate the realistic working surface of a semiconductor gas sensor in a vacuum. The resistance response to the trace ethanol under the static atmospheric pressure air was well reproduced by the periodic pulsed jet technique with the optimal irradiation conditions, in which the pressure in the vicinity of the surface transiently reached 2 kPa. The behavior of the resistance upon the pulsed jet irradiation was discussed in terms of the ionosorption of oxygen. Because the background pressure was kept low enough during the pulsed jet irradiation, the reaction products during the ethanol sensing, such as acetaldehyde, has been successfully detected at the elevated temperature above 400 K by temperature programmed desorption-mass spectrometry (TPD-MS).

A monitoring system based on a flow-cell detector was developed for measuring the tritium concentration in water. The flow-cell detector was fabricated using a granular CaF2 solid scintillator. Thi...

Nonlinear optical frequency conversion has been challenged to move down to the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray region. However, the extremely low signals have allowed researchers to only perform transmission experiments of the gas phase or ultrathin films. Here, we report second harmonic generation (SHG) of the reflected beam of a soft x-ray free-electron laser from a solid, which is enhanced by the resonant effect. The observation revealed that the double resonance condition can be met by absorption edges for transition metal oxides in the soft x-ray range, and this suggests that the resonant SHG technique can be applicable to a wide range of materials. We discuss the possibility of element-selective SHG spectroscopy measurements in the soft x-ray range.

This paper focuses on comparing different heterogeneous computational designs for the calculation of rainbow options prices using the Fourier-cosine series expansion COS method. We also propose a simple enough way to automatically decide the ratio of load balancing at runtime. A general-purpose computing on graphic processing unit implementation of the two-dimensional composite Simpson rule free of conditional statements with some degree of loop unrolling is also introduced. We will also show how to reduce the integration domain of coefficients appearing in the option pricing and by doing so achieve a substantial speed-up and improve accuracy when compared with a straightforward implementation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) is a congenital disorder characterized by intellectual disability, growth deficiency, microcephaly, coarse facial features, and hypoplastic or absent fifth fingernails and/or toenails. We previously reported that five genes are mutated in CSS, all of which encode subunits of the switch/sucrose non-fermenting (SWI/SNF) ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex: SMARCB1, SMARCA4, SMARCE1, ARID1A, and ARID1B. In this study, we examined 49 newly recruited CSS-suspected patients, and re-examined three patients who did not show any mutations (using high-resolution melting analysis) in the previous study, by whole-exome sequencing or targeted resequencing. We found that SMARCB1, SMARCA4, or ARID1B were mutated in 20 patients. By examining available parental samples, we ascertained that 17 occurred de novo. All mutations in SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 were non-truncating (missense or in-frame deletion) whereas those in ARID1B were all truncating (nonsense or frameshift deletion/insertion) in this study as in our previous study. Our data further support that CSS is a SWI/SNF complex disorder.

The modern power electronics era started with the commercialization of the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) in 1957, since when power electronics systems have been installed in a wide range of applications from appliances to traction and utility systems as the technology has advanced. Meanwhile, simulation tools have played an important role in the research and development of power semiconductors and power electronics systems. As power devices and power electronics become increasingly important technologies in today’s electric society, it is worth examining the overall integration of power electronics design. This paper reviews the history of simulation technology with reference to power device modeling and discusses the future of power electronics system design.

We have investigated systematically the $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ x-ray spectra in elements from Ca to Ge within Berger's two-Lorentzian functions model, using a high-resolution antiparallel double-crystal x-ray spectrometer, in order to obtain in detail the physical meaning of the asymmetry in the spectral profiles. The overall tendency of the corrected full width at half maximum of the $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ and $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{2}$ lines as a function of $Z$, as well as the linewidths, are in good agreement with the data reported in the literature. It is found, from both the experiments and calculation, that satellite lines arising from shake-off appear between the $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ and $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{2}$ lines. The asymmetry index of $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ in $3d$ elements from Sc to Zn is ascribed to the existence of a $3d$ spectator hole. Moreover, the observed Sc $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ line shows a symmetric profile unlike the Ti $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ line profile, this discrepancy being explained by the existence of satellite lines on both sides of the Sc profile. Our experimental results yielded around 25% probability for the probability of shake processes creating a second hole in the $3p$ or $3d$ subshells in Sc and around 18% probability for creating a second hole the in the $3p$ in Ca. For the latter process our calculated value, using multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock wave functions and the sudden approximation yielded a 10% probability.

Axial spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (axial SMD) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by dysplasia of axial skeleton and retinal dystrophy. We conducted whole exome sequencing and identified C21orf2 (chromosome 21 open reading frame 2) as a disease gene for axial SMD. C21orf2 mutations have been recently found to cause isolated retinal degeneration and Jeune syndrome. We found a total of five biallelic C21orf2 mutations in six families out of nine: three missense and two splicing mutations in patients with various ethnic backgrounds. The pathogenic effects of the splicing (splice-site and branch-point) mutations were confirmed on RNA level, which showed complex patterns of abnormal splicing. C21orf2 mutations presented with a wide range of skeletal phenotypes, including cupped and flared anterior ends of ribs, lacy ilia and metaphyseal dysplasia of proximal femora. Analysis of patients without C21orf2 mutation indicated genetic heterogeneity of axial SMD. Functional data in chondrocyte suggest C21orf2 is implicated in cartilage differentiation. C21orf2 protein was localized to the connecting cilium of the cone and rod photoreceptors, confirming its significance in retinal function. Our study indicates that axial SMD is a member of a unique group of ciliopathy affecting skeleton and retina.

Background Osteosclerotic metaphyseal dysplasia (OSMD) is a unique form of osteopetrosis characterised by severe osteosclerosis localised to the bone ends. The mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive. Its genetic basis is not known. Objective To identify the disease gene for OSMD. Methods and results By whole exome sequencing in a boy with OSMD, we identified a homozygous 7 bp deletion (c.5938_5944delGAGTGGT) in the LRRK1 gene. His skeletal phenotype recapitulated that seen in the Lrrk1-deficient mouse. The shared skeletal hallmarks included severe sclerosis in the undermodelled metaphyses and epiphyseal margins of the tubular bones, costal ends, vertebral endplates and margins of the flat bones. The deletion is predicted to result in an elongated LRRK1 protein (p.E1980Afs*66) that lacks a part of its WD40 domains. In vitro functional studies using osteoclasts from Lrrk1-deficient mice showed that the deletion was a loss of function mutation. Genetic analysis of LRRK1 in two unrelated patients with OSMD suggested that OSMD is a genetically heterogeneous condition. Conclusions This is the first study to identify the causative gene of OSMD. Our study provides evidence that LRRK1 plays a critical role in the regulation of bone mass in humans.

For measuring the tritium concentration in water, a water monitoring system was developed. The monitoring system consists of a flow-cell detector, a pair of photomultiplier tubes, a circuit unit (i...

Comparison of polarized optical absorption spectra of natural Ca-rich diopsides and synthetic NaCrSi2O6 and LiCrSi2O6 clinopyroxenes, evidences as vivid similarities, as noticeable differences. The similarities reflect the fact that in all cases Cr3+ enters the small octahedral M1-site of the clinopyroxene structure. The differences are due to some iron content in the natural samples causing broad intense near infrared bands of electronic spin-allowed dd transitions of Fe2+(M1, M2) and intervalence Fe2+/Fe3+ charge-transfer transition, and by different symmetry and different local crystal fields strength of Cr3+ in the crystal structures. The positions of the spin-allowed bands of Cr3+, especially of the low energy one caused by the electronic 4 A 2g → 2 T 1g transition, are found to be in accordance with mean M1–O distances. The local relaxation parameter e calculated for limCr 3+ → 0 from the spectra and interatomic $$ \left\langle {Cr - O} \right\rangle $$ and $$ \left\langle {Mg - O} \right\rangle $$ distances yields a very high value, 0.96, indicating that in the clinopyroxene structure the local lattice relaxation around the “guest” ion, Cr3+, deviates greatly from the “diffraction” value, e = 0, than in any other known Cr3+-bearing systems studied so far. Under pressure the spin-allowed bands of Cr3+ shift to higher energies and decrease in intensity quite in accordance with the crystal field theoretical expectations, while the spin-forbidden absorption lines remain practically unshifted, but also undergo a strong weakening. There is no evident dependence of the Racah parameter B of Cr3+ reflecting the covalence of the oxygen-chromium bond under pressure: within the uncertainty of determination it may be regarded as practically constant. The values of CrO6 octahedral modulus, $$ k_{\text{poly}}^{\text{loc}} $$ , derived from high-pressure spectra of natural chromium diopside and synthetic NaCrSi2O6 kosmochlor are very close, ~203 and ~196 GPa, respectively, being, however, nearly twice higher than that of MgO6 octahedron in diopside, 105(4) GPa, obtained by Thompson and Downs (2008). Such a strong stiffening of the structural octahedron, i.e. twice higher value of $$ k_{{{\text{Cr}}^{3 + } }}^{\text{loc}} $$ comparing with that of $$ k_{{{\text{Mg}}^{2 + } }}^{\text{loc}} $$ , may be caused by simultaneous substitution of Ca2+ by larger Na+ in the neighboring M2 sites at so-called jadeite-coupled substitution Mg2+ + Ca2+ → Cr3+ + Na+. It is also remarkable that the values of CrO6 octahedral modulus of NaCrSi2O6 kosmochlor obtained here are nearly twice larger than that of 90(16) GPa, evaluated by high-pressure X-ray structural refinement by Origlieri et al. (2003). Taking into account that the overall compressibility of the clinopyroxene structure should mainly be due to the compressibility of M1- and M2-sites, our $$ k_{{{\text{Cr}}^{3 + } }}^{\text{loc}} $$ -value, ~196 GPa, looks much more consistent with the bulk modulus value, 134(1) GPa.

Focusing performance of cylindrically bent crystal in symmetric Bragg back diffraction geometry was investigated theoretically and simulated numerically. A thin flat crystal was introduced into the setup to separate focal spot from the incident beam. It was shown that in order to achieve an ideal focusing with strongly bent crystal the shape of the crystal surface has to be aspherical. A correction term for the surface displacement function free from spherical aberrations was derived. Numerical simulations demonstrated excellent focusing performance of the setup achieving the focal spot size 2.4 nm. The demonstrated result is not yet fundamentally limited and can be further improved by an order of magnitude.

We describe two patients, a 19-year-old girl and a 19-year-old boy, with mosaic trisomy 18 and pigmentary dysplasias. Both patients had profound growth and mental retardation, marked kyphoscoliosis, bushy eyebrows, bulbous nose, simple ears, and joint contractures - clinical manifestations of long survivors with mosaic or non-mosaic trisomy 18. In addition, the boy showed total asymmetry. Pigmentary dysplasias of the skin with hypopigmented whorls and streaks, initially absent or overlooked at the ages 2 and 15 years, were detected on close examination. It is advisable to check closely every long survivor with mosaic or purportedly non-mosaic trisomy 18 for pigmentary dysplasias.

Since wear of the polyethylene (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene or UHMWPE) acetabular cup is considered to be the main cause of loosening of the artificial hip joint, the cross-linked UHMWPE with high durability to wear has been developed. This paper deals with impact load transmission through the complex of an artificial hip joint consisting of a UHMWPE acetabular cup (or liner), a metallic femoral head and stem. Impact compressive tests on the complex were performed using the split-Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. To investigate the effects of material (conventional or cross-linked UHMWPE), size and setting angle of the liner, and test temperature on force transmission, the impact load transmission ratio (ILTR) was experimentally determined. The ILTR decreased with an increase of the setting angle independent of material and size of the liner, and test temperature. The ILTR values at 37°C were larger than those at 24 °C and 60°C. The ILTR also appeared to be affected by the type of material as well as size of the liner.

We report on the growth of very thick (>260 μm) high-crystalline-quality single-crystal CdTe epitaxial films on (211) Si substrates in a metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy reactor, and the development of gamma ray detectors and their radiation detection properties. Films were grown with a high growth rate varying from 40 μm/h to 70 μm/h. A heterojunction diode was fabricated by growing a 90-μm-thick CdTe layer on an n +-Si substrate, which exhibited good rectifying behavior and had a low reverse bias leakage current of 0.18 μA/cm2 at 100 V bias. The diode clearly demonstrated its gamma radiation detection capability by resolving energy peaks from the 241Am radioisotope during room-temperature measurements. By cooling the diode detector to −30°C, the leakage current could be reduced by three orders of magnitude from the room-temperature value. At this operating condition dramatic improvements in the pulse height spectrum were observed.

Different compositions in the Lu2Si2O7–Sc2Si2O7 system have been synthesized following the ceramic method. All XRD patterns are compatible with the thortveitite structure (β-RE2Si2O7 polymorph). Unit cell parameters change linearly with composition, which indicates a complete solid solubility of Sc2Si2O7 in Lu2Si2O7. 29Si MAS NMR spectra show a decrease of the 29Si chemical shift with increasing Sc content. A correlation reported in the literature to predict 29Si chemical shifts in silicates is applied here to obtain the theoretical variation in 29Si chemical shift values in the system Lu2Si2O7–Sc2Si2O7 and the results compare favourably with the values obtained experimentally. The FWHM values of the 29Si MAS NMR curves indicate a random distribution of Lu and Sc in the structure of the intermediate members. Finally, the IR study of the system confirms the solubility of Sc2Si2O7 in Lu2Si2O7, showing the splitting of several modes in the intermediate members and a linear shift of the frequency on going from one end-member to the other.

We have reported on ultra-high-voltage vacuum switches using diamond pin diode-type electron emitters with negative electron affinity. Based on the previous 10-kV demonstration, we present our recent progress on high-current operations at 4 A/cm2 in these vacuum switches. We confirmed a normally-off mode at a high voltage of 7 kV; in addition, we evaluated the capability of this device based on our model.

We have been proposed ultra-high voltage vacuum switches using diamond pin diode-type electron emitters with a negative electron affinity. Based on the previous 10 kV demonstration, our recent progress on high current operations above 1 A/cm2 in the vacuum switch is presented. High voltage of 7kV normally-off operation was confirmed, and then we evaluated the capability of this device based on our model.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgical results of aortic repair with antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) and mild-to-moderate hypothermia (MH) from 28 to 31°C comparing with previous series with hypothermia from 20°C to 27 °C.Between 2000 and 2011, 109 consecutive patients underwent surgical repair for acute type A aortic dissection with circulatory arrest and ASCP and MH in our institution. Mean patient age was 67±11 years old. Total arch replacement was performed in 85 patients (78%). Thirty (27%) patients had shock status preoperatively. The patients were divided into two different subsets, which is group A (circulatory arrest at less than 27.9 °C, N.=70), and group B (at more than 28 °C, N.=39).The mean extra-corporeal circulation time was 185±47 minutes in group A and 155±38 minutes in group B (P0.001). The hospital mortality was 11.4% in group A and 10.3% in group B (P0.05). Permanent neurological deficit occurred in 10 patients (14.3%) in group A, and in 5 (12.8%) in group B (P0.05). Two (2.8%) paraplegia occurred in group A, and none in group B (P0.05). The incidence of renal failure requiring hemodialysis was 17.1% in group A and 7.7% in group B, (P0.05). Respiratory failure after surgery occurred in 27.1% of patients in group A, and 5.1% in group B (P=0.005).Circulatory arrest at more than 28 °C offered sufficient cerebral and distal organ protection for acute type A aortic dissection.

To examine geographic differentiation in Asarum heterotropoides var. heterotropoides in Hokkaido Is. in the northern Japan, in which two putative cryptic species have been suspected to exist, extensive and detailed morphological research on 794 individuals from 44 populations throughout Hokkaido Is. was performed. Among the characters examined, the angle between and tip shape of the calyx lobes and the supratecta of the pollen grains were significantly correlated and were found in similar geographic clines. Among them, the pollen showed two discrete states in almost distinct distribution. Multidimensional scaling analysis showed that individuals within each of the two pollen types had different trends in flower characters. Consequently, we assumed a cline from south to north on Hokkaido Is. For the causes of the cline, the two hypotheses were proposed, primary geographic differentiation or extensive introgressive hybridization between two distinct geographical species existing in the past.