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Parasitic mites have thus far been recorded only rarely from vespine wasps. We found larvae of the erythraeid mite Charletonia southcotti feeding on hornets, mainly Vespa analis workers that had been collected with bait traps. The mite seemed to prefer hornets stylopized by Xenos spp. as hosts to non-stylopized individuals, since in collections made over 7 years, 22 of 267 V. analis stylopized workers had larval mites, whereas there were none on 297 non-stylopized workers. The number of mites on a single host varied from one to five. The larval mites nearly always occurred in gapped spaces between tergites occupied by male Xenos puparia, and the mites’ engorged bodies showed that they did in fact feed on the hosts. We investigated the possibility that stylopization provided the mite with a suitable feeding place by opening gaps between the hornets’ tergites.

Backgrounds Heart failure (HF) is a risk factor for new onset atrial fibrillation (AF), and the new onset AF is associated with a worse prognosis in HF patients. It has been reported that renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi), β-blocker and mineral-corticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) prevent the new onset AF in HF patients. However, the effect of combined pharmacotherapy including angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on AF is unknown. We investigated the impact of contemporary regimen of combined pharmacotherapy for HF (RASi/ARNI+β-blocker+MRA+SGLT2i) on new onset AF. Methods and results We retrospectively studied rEF and mrEF patients without AF admitted to our hospital due to decompensated HF between 2015 and 2021 (n=366). Long-term (The mean follow-up was 635±421 days) incidence of new onset AF was investigated with regard to medical therapies. Patients were divided into 2 groups; patients with ≤2 HF drugs (n=181) and patients with ≥3 HF drugs (n=185). Patients with ≤2 HF drugs group were older (77.3 vs 67.0 years old, P Conclusion Aggressive combined pharmacotherapy for HF may be associated with fewer new onset AF in patients with HF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) frequently coexist in the elderly people, leading to worse clinical outcomes. HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most common form of HF in the elderly, particularly in women, associated with AF. Ablation of AF in younger patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) has become an established treatment option. However, clinical impact of ablation for persistent AF accompanying with HF in the elderly remains unclear. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effect of catheter ablation of persistent AF with heart failure in the elderly. Methods Consecutive 70 patients who underwent catheter ablation of persistent AF accompanying with HF (NYHA class> II, mean LVEF 51.7%) in our institution were retrospectively analyzed with regards to their 1-year clinical outcomes, HF markers such as BNP, renal function and transthoracic echocardiographic findings. Patients were dichotomized by age of 75-year-old (31 elderly vs 39 younger subjects) and separately analyzed. Results Mean age of the studied population was 70.5 year-old; 79.6±3.8 in the elderly group and 63.2±8.5 in the younger group. The elderly patients were more frequently females (45% vs 21%). Longstanding persistent AF was observed in 32% in the elderly and 28% in the younger group. Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in all patients, with additional ablations of liner lesions and/or non-PV foci as needed. PVI alone was observed in 54.8% in the elderly and 41% in the younger group. There were no serious complications associated with the procedure. During 1 year after ablation, recurrence of AF was observed in 15 patients [6/31 (19%) in the elderly, 9/39 (23%) in the younger]. Readmission due to HF was observed in only 1 patient in the elderly and 2 patients in the younger group (3% vs. 5%, respectively). Cardiovascular events were observed in 3 patients [2/31 (6%) in the elderly, 1/39 (3%) in the younger], but there was no death. The BNP level as well as the NYHA class significantly decreased at 1-year follow-up compared to baseline in the both groups (Figure A and B). There was no change in serum creatinine level in the both groups (Figure C). The left atrial dimension and the LA volume index decreased at 1-year follow-up in the both groups (Figure D and E). The LVEF improved only in the younger group (Figure F). Conclusions Ablation of persistent AF in the elderly with HF (mostly with preserved EF) was associated with hemodynamic and functional improvements without deteriorating renal function in a mid-term, which was mostly comparable to the results in the younger. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Epidemiology of non-pulmonary vein (PV) triggers of atrial fibrillation (AF) is not fully known. Purpose This study aimed to clarify the prevalence and distribution of non-PV triggers in real-world clinical settings of AF catheter ablation. Methods One-thousand and twenty patients undergoing AF ablations were retrospectively analyzed (mean age 65 years old, 702 males (69%), 506 paroxysmal and 514 non-paroxysmal). Induction and observation of AF triggers were attempted using intravenous isoproterenol/adenosine triphosphate and repeated direct current cardioversion during AF in each session. Documentable non-PV AF triggers were characterized in the studied population. Premature atrial contractions that did not initiate AF were excluded. Results A hundred and twenty-six non-PV triggers were documented in 108 patients (10.6%). Non-PV trigger was documented in 6.3% of 1st session cases, whereas 30.9% of recurrent cases undergoing multiple sessions (p Conclusions Prevalence of non-PV trigger in cases undergoing multiple sessions is extremely high, suggesting a particular importance of non-PV trigger targeting in patients with recurrent AF undergoing 2nd or 3rd ablation sessions. Progressive nature of AF with newly generated AF triggers should be under consideration. Distributions of non-PV triggers are largely different between paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF. These findings may help ablation strategy regarding non-PV trigger targeting in practice. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Coronary artery embolism (CE) is one of the important causes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The feature of CE is that angiographic evidence of coronary artery embolism and thrombosis without atherosclerotic components. However, the prevalence of CE remains unknown because of the diffifulty to diagnose in the acute settings. A recent retrospective analysis suggested that up to 3% of ACS cases may result from CE. Purpose The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence, clinical features and long-term outcomes including all-cause and cardiac death. Methods We analysed the consecutive 2695 patients with first AMI performed coronary intervention between January 2004 and July 2017. CE was diagnosed by clinical histories and angiographic findings. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and lesion characteristics and outcomes including all-cause and cardiac death. Results The prevalence of CE was 2.0% (n=55; CE group and n=2640; non-CE group), including 8 (15%) patients with multivessel CE. The CE group had higher average age (70.8±14.9 vs. 68.4±12.6, p Conclusion Compared with non-CE group, the prevalence of distal infarction site was significantly higher in the CE group, and the incidence of cardiac death is not significantly different. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) is a cytokine-inducible negative regulator of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. We have previously shown that cardiac-specific SOCS3 deficiency spontaneously develop cardiac dysfunction with advanced age. However, the role of SOCS3 in smooth muscle cells in cardiovascular pathophysiology remains elusive. In this study, we determined whether STAT3 and SOCS3 in smooth muscle cells would play a role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Methods and results To target inactivation of the SOCS3 gene to smooth muscle cells, SOCS3-flox mice were bred with transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under control of the mouse SM22-α promoter (sm-SOCS3-KO mice). Left ventricular weight to body weight ratio was significantly increased in sm-SOCS3-KO mice compared with wild-type mice at 12 months of age (p Conclusion Thus, smooth muscle cell-specific SOCS3 deletion induces increased pericardial fibrosis, cardiac interstitial fibrosis, and increased diastolic dysfunction in aging mice, possibly through the augmentation of pro-fibrotic growth factors. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grant JSPS KAKENHI

Traditionally, patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) have rarely been involved in end-of-life care (EOLC) discussions in Japan. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of HF-specific palliative care team (HF-PCT) activities on EOLC discussions with patients, HF therapy and care, and food intake at the end of life. We retrospectively analyzed 52 consecutive patients with HF (mean age, 70 ± 15 years, 42% female) who died at our hospital between May 2013 and July 2020 and divided them into two groups: before (Era 1, n = 19) and after (Era 2, n = 33) the initiation of HF-PCT activities in June 2015. Compared to Era 1, Era 2 showed a decrease in invasive procedures, an increase in opioid and non-intubating sedative use for symptom relief, improved quality of meals at the end of life, and an increase in participation in EOLC discussions. The administration of artificial nutrition in the final three days was associated with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy etiology, the number of previous hospitalizations for HF, and multidisciplinary EOLC discussion support. HF-PCT activities may provide an opportunity to discuss EOLC with patients, reduce the burden of physical and psychological symptoms, and shift the goals of end-of-life nutritional intake to ensure comfort and quality of life.

Background Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a member of the IL-10 cytokine family, which mainly targets epithelial cells and does not target immune cells. Recently, it has been reported that IL-22 play roles in tissue repair in the skin and the liver; however, role of IL-22 in the process of tissue repair after myocardial infarction (MI) is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of IL-22 in tissue repair process after MI. Methods and results First, we examined the expression of IL-22 and its receptor IL-22RA1 in the wild type (WT) mice by real-time PCR. The expression of IL-22 and IL-22RA1 in the hearts were significantly increased 3 days after MI (p Conclusion Thus, IL-22 KO mice exhibit high mortality and increased cardiac rupture after MI. And expression of aSMA and MMP13 were highly expressed in the ruptured site after MI in the IL-22 KO mice. These results suggest that IL-22 may play an important role in the tissue repair process after MI.

Background Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) is an intrinsic negative-feedback regulator of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. We have previously shown that myocardial SOCS3 plays an important role in cardiac hypertrophy and survival; however, the role of SOCS3 in smooth muscle cells in cardiovascular pathophysiology remains elusive. In this study, we determined whether STAT3 and SOCS3 in smooth muscle cells would play a role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Methods and results To target inactivation of the SOCS3 gene to smooth muscle cells, SOCS3-flox mice were bred with transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under control of the mouse SM22-α promoter (sm-SOCS3-KO mice). Left ventricular weight to body weight ratio was significantly increased in sm-SOCS3-KO mice compared with wild-type mice at 52 weeks of age (p Conclusion These results suggest that STAT3 and its negative-feedback regulator SOCS3 in smooth muscle cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of pericardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction.

Background The second generation drug-eluting stent (G2-DES) has been reported as superior to the first generation drug-eluting stent (G1-DES) in mid-term outcomes. However, the late-term outcomes between G1-DES and G2-DES in two-stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions are not well studied. Purpose To evaluate the late catch-up phenomenon and late-term target lesion revascularization (TLR) of two-stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions between G1-DES and G2-DES. Methods This study included 1133 lesions in 1089 patients undergoing drug eluting stent implantation with two stenting from 2004 to 2016. These consisted of 496 G1-DES implanted lesions and 637 G2-DES implanted lesions. Late-term follow-up angiography was performed without in-stent restenosis (ISR) and TLR at mid-term follow-up in 582 lesions (242 G1-DES lesions and 340 G2-DES lesions). ISR was defined as more than 50% restenosis. Late catch-up phenomenon was defined as ISR without ISR within 1 year following index stent implantation. Late-term TLR was defined as from 1 to 5 year TLR. Bifurcation lesions were defined as the main branch ranging from the proximal stem to the distal main branch with boundaries defined by 5 mm proximal and distal to the stent-implanted area, and the side branch ranging from the bifurcation carina to the distal side branch with boundaries defined by the carina and 5 mm distal to the stent-implanted area. Results The median follow-up duration was 5.1 years (the first and third quarters, 3.2 and 7.1 years). The late-catch up phenomenon rate significantly differed between the G1-DES and G2-DES groups (16.9% vs 8.4%, p=0.001). A significant difference in late catch-up between the same two groups was also observed in bifurcation lesions of the main branch (5.0% vs 0.6%, p=0.001) and side branch (10.3% vs 5.6%, p=0.033), respectively. The 5-year cumulative rates also differed between the two groups in TLR (8.2% vs 3.7% log-rank p=0.001), and late-term TLR (7.0% vs 3.6% log-rank p=0.001). Conclusion Two-stenting using G2-DES, compared with G1-DES, significantly reduced late-term restenosis and TLR. The restenosis rate in bifurcation area may be associated with differences between two groups in late-term outcome.

The construction of the Transmutation Experimental Facility (TEF), which will be located in the downstream region of the 400-MeV Linac, will allow collection of fundamental data regarding the design of the accelerator-driven system at Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). To select a beam destination for each pulse between the TEF and the 3-GeV rapid cycle synchrotron, we are developing a beam-switching pulse magnet system. Magnetic field calculation of the pulse bending magnet has been performed using POISSON and OPERA 3D for the magnet design. From the field calculation results, we fabricated a prototype of the pulse bending magnet with correction magnets and compared the measurement field results with the calculation results. In this paper, the design and fabrication of the beam-switching magnet are described.

The J-PARC 3-GeV rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) has recently achieved a 1-MW beam operation with considerably low fractional beam loss of a couple of 10−3 as a result of continuous efforts iterating experiments and numerical simulations. This success of the 1-MW beam operation opened a door to further beam power ramp-up beyond 1 MW; we are now promoting 1.2~1.5-MW-equivalent high-intensity beam tests looking ahead to future upgrades at J-PARC. In this article, we first review the current status of beam loss in the 1-MW beam operation, then presenting the recent results of the 1.2-MW beam tests with particular emphasis on our approaches to beam loss issues. The beam intensity limit of the RCS is also discussed with well-established numerical simulations.

Fixed field alternating gradient (FFAG) accelerators are recently subject to a strong revival. They are usually designed in a circular shape; however, it would be an asset to guide particles with no overall bend in this type of accelerator. An analytical development of a straight FFAG cell which keeps zero-chromaticity is presented here. A magnetic field law is thus obtained, called “straight scaling law”, and an experiment has been conducted to confirm this zero-chromatic law. A straight scaling FFAG prototype has been designed and manufactured, and horizontal phase advances of two different energies are measured. Results are analyzed to clarify the straight scaling law.

A trap-nesting study provided the first documentation of brood parasitism in Dipogon nagasei and in D. iwatai. Dipogon nagasei was found to brood parasitize D. sperconsus, D. conspersus, D. inconspersus, and D. bifasciatus. Dipogon iwatai brood parasitized D. sperconsus, D. conspersus, D. romankovae, and Auplopus carbonarius. Both brood parasitic species are with the subgenus Nipponodipogon, whereas all five Dipogon hosts are in the subgenus Deuteragenia. Comparison of their ecological features revealed that brood parasitism in D. nagasei is considerably more derived than in D. iwatai. Of particular note is the fact that in D. nagasei the female routinely lays up to five eggs on a single host spider, all of which develop into adult wasps without larval cannibalism; almost all Pompilidae previously studied lay only one egg on a host spider.

‘Shishito’ (Capsicum annuum L.) is a group of sweet pepper cultivars. Fruits are small, green and non-pungent, but pungent fruits sometimes occur. In our previous study, plants of ‘Shishito’ grew well and bore abundant fruits under continuous fluorescent illumination, however, pungent fruit strongly increased. In this study, mutation was induced and screening for low-pungent variants in M2-M3 was conducted under continuous fluorescent illumination. Seeds of ‘Shishi-Homare’ were treated with a 30 Gy 220 MeV 12C5+ beam. Self-fertilized M2 seeds were harvested from M1 plants individually. First screening was conducted in the field and 126 plants were selected from 762 plants. Second screening was conducted in a growth chamber under continuous fluorescent illumination, in which the concentration of the pungent compound capsaicin in the fruit placenta was determined with HPLC. One plant with the lowest capsaicin concentration was selected and self-pollinated. M3 plants were grown under continuous fluorescent illumination. The capsaicin concentration of M3 plants under continuous fluorescent illumination was lower than that of M2 plants however, plants with high capsaicin level still existed. One plant with the lowest capsaicin concentration was selected and self-pollinated. The capsaicin concentration of M4 plants under continuous fluorescent illumination was much lower than that of wild type ‘Shishi-Homare’; the average concentration of M4 plants was about one sixth of that of the wild type.

Mutualism is a prominent interaction within ecosystems, yet most may actually be conditional. The symbiotic mite, Ensliniella parasitica Vitzthum, ingests the hemolymph of juvenile potter wasps, Allodynerus delphinalis (Giraud), but also protects them from a natural enemy, Melittobia acasta, and is transported to new nests in host pockets specialized for this purpose (i.e., acarinaria). Thus, two different antagonisms from the mite may arise: commensalistic cheating is expected without the natural enemy of the host, and parasitism is predicted with excessive numbers of the mite. However, facultative parasitism mediated by mutualism has rarely been studied in any organism. We found no significant differences in juvenile mortality, nesting rate, or fecundity between mite-free and naturally mite-laden juveniles. However, when overloaded with mites ( approximately 1.5-2.5 times more mites than the maximum number per wasp larva in the field), the developmental period of the male wasp was significantly delayed, and juvenile wasp mortality increased to 30%. These results show that mutualism mediated by parasitism may revert to parasitism, suggesting that either or both organisms in a mutualism mediated by parasitism need population control of the parasite to avoid the risk of parasitism.

In this paper, inversion for bottom sediment properties at a site on the New Jersey continental shelf is studied as part of the Shallow Water Acoustic Technology (SWAT) project. A source towed at a constant water depth over a range of some tens of kilometers transmitted low-frequency continuous wave (cw) signals, which were measured on a bottom-moored vertical line array of receivers. For the along-shelf geometry, the zeroth-order asymptotic Hankel transform is then applied to the acoustic field at 50 Hz measured on the resulting synthetic aperture horizontal array created at each receiver depth. The resulting horizontal wave number spectra, which have peaks corresponding to the mode eigenvalues, are observed to have slightly different values at different receiver depths, and therefore, stochastic mode inversion is exploited to utilize all of the observed peak position information. The estimated sound-speed profile (SSP) for the upper 10 m of sediment is then compared with an inversion result obtained using midfrequency (2-16 kHz) chirp sonar pulses reflected at normal incidence from the sediment. Although obtained using totally different inversion techniques, both estimated profiles are shown to be in good agreement in the top 10 m of sediment. The acoustic field simulated using the inverted SSP also agrees well with the measured acoustic field at each receiver depth. Furthermore, simulated sound fields which use this profile as input data are shown to be effective in predicting the measurements obtained at a different frequency (125 Hz) and for a different (cross-shelf) geometry.

An experiment for studying the shear wave speed in ocean-bottom sediment using Scholte pulse waves was conducted on a shelf in the East China Sea. To generate Scholte pulse waves, we developed a new electromagnetic induction source, which was placed at 100-m depth on the seafloor and was remotely controlled on board through a 1000-m-long cable. A Scholte pulse propagating in sandy sediment was then measured using a couple of geophones placed on the seafloor at a distance of 100 m from the source. The dispersion property of the Scholte waves was obtained by applying a multiple filter technique (MFT) to the observed waves. We then obtained the shear wave speed structure, i.e., the depth dependency of the shear wave speed in the sediment, by applying an inversion method based on a genetic algorithm (GA). The estimated speed was about 100 m/s near the bottom and increased with depth. The power was a close match to the estimated depth-speed profile, as reported previously by Hamilton [E. L. Hamilton, Geophysics, vol. 41, pp. 985-996, 1976].

An RF accelerating system was developed for the 150 MeV FFAG accelerator to demonstrate rapid cycling acceleration. The 150 MeV FFAG accelerator has been developed as a prototype for various applications, such as proton cancer therapy. To achieve rapid cycling acceleration, a high-field gradient and a broadband impedance of the RF cavity were necessary. Therefore, we employed a magnetic alloy (MA) for a core material. The required field gradient and the bandwidth were 35 kV/m and 3.0 ± 1.5 MHz , respectively. Because of the strong fringing field of the focusing magnets of the FFAG accelerator, the RF cavity had to be magnetically shielded. An effective cooling system for the MA cores was also needed because of the large power dissipation of more than 1 W / cm 3 . We have developed an RF system satisfying these requirements and successfully demonstrated a rapid cycling acceleration of 100 Hz.

症例1は24歳, 男性. 検診で胸部異常影を指摘された. 右S1+2に13mm大の結節影を認めた. 気管支鏡検査では診断が得られず, 胸腔鏡下切除術を行った. 病理組織検査で抗酸菌病変であり培養でMycobacterium kansasiiを認めた. 症例2は64歳, 男性. 検診で胸部異常影を指摘された. 左S1+2に15mm大の結節影を認めた. 気管支鏡検査で診断が得られず, 胸腔鏡下切除術を行った. 病理組織検査で抗酸菌病変であり培養でMycobacterium kansasiiを認めた. 2例ともINH, RFP, EBによる化学療法を行い, 再発は認めていない.Mycobacterium kansasiiは空洞性病変を形成することが多く, 自験例のような非空洞性の結節影を形成することは少ない. 喀痰培養, 気管支鏡検査で菌を証明できない際は肺癌との鑑別が問題となる. 非定型抗酸菌症は切除が治療となり得ることもあり, 可能な症例では積極的な切除が望ましいと思われた.

症例は74歳, 男性. 2004年2月, 肺癌にて左下葉切除術を行った. 同年4月左膿胸を発症し, 9月に開窓術, 12月に大網充填術を行い軽快した. 2005年9月, 左横隔膜ヘルニアを発症したため緊急手術を行いヘルニア門の縫合閉鎖を行った. 術後は良好に経過していたが2006年4月, 左横隔膜ヘルニアが再発しメッシュによるヘルニア門の閉鎖術を行った. 術後5カ月の現在, 再発は認めていない. 大網弁を挙上した際の横隔膜腱中心の切開部位がヘルニア門となったものであった. 同部は脆弱であり, 手術による剥離操作や電気凝固によってもヘルニアを起こした報告もあり. 大網弁挙上に際しては同部を貫通させることは厳に慎まなければならない.

Metal-insulator transition (MIT) induced by the electric field has been intensively investigated owing to its potential for nano-sized resistance switching devices in the next generation as well as its simple device structure. Although the MIT has been reported in various oxides such as Mn oxide1), Gd oxide2), and Co-doped Ti oxide3), the microscopic origin of the phase transition is still controversial issue. It should be noted that some of the oxides showing the MIT include magnetic components, implying that the MIT is related to the transition of the spin state. To explore the correlation between the MIT and spin configuration, in the present study, we investigate the influence of the ferromagnetic electrode on the MIT.

Resistive switching device consisting of metallic oxide layer sandwiched by the metallic electrodes has paid considerable attention to next-generation nano-electronic devices. Two major mechanisms; filament-type and interface-type, are known for the transition between the low-resistive and high-resistive states. In both mechanism, the low voltage operation is the common issue for the reliable and low-power consumption operations. From this view point, the devices, in general, consist of vertical stuck structure with the thin oxide layer. If one obtains the resistive switching operation in the laterally configured structure, we may obtain more flexible and functional device. It also should be noted that most of the metallic oxides showing the resistive switching include magnetic components1∼3). This implies that the resistance switching is related to the spin configuration in the metallic oxide. For these purpose, in the present study, we develop a novel method for the fabrication of the switching devices in lateral configuration and investigate the influence of the ferromagnetic electrode and spin orientation on the switching property.

A tabletop experimental system has been developed for the study of various collective effects in space-charge-dominated beams. It is based on the recently proposed idea that the dynamic motion of a one-component plasma in a trap can be made physically equivalent to that of a charged-particle beam propagating through a linear transport channel. In this paper, we report on the details of the system and on results of test experiments with a compact Paul trap that is divided into several independent sections. The trap design is carried out in consideration of practical constraints. A Maxwell equation solver is used to calculate the properties of the plasma confinement potential. Experimental observations are compared with numerical data obtained by a tracking simulation code that enables us to approximately predict the three-dimensional trajectories of particles in the system. Low-density N2+ plasmas are employed to examine the basic performance of the multi-section trap. The initial temperature, density and lifetime of a confined plasma are estimated from experiments and simulations.

The crystal structure and electronic and magnetic properties of magnetic molecular conductor (EDTDM) 2 FeBr 4 are investigated. The material undergoes a SDW transition at T MI ∼11 K and an antiferromagnetic transition of Fe 3+ d -spins at T N =3 K. In addition to the appearance of an anomaly in the resistivity around T N , a large magnetoresistance is observed below T N , which diverges at the critical pressure ( P c ∼9.2 kbar) of the MI transition. The perturbation potential from the antiferromagnetic Fe 3+ spin arrangement stabilizes the SDW state, leading to the anomaly in the resistivity. The application of magnetic field reduces the potential of the Fe 3+ spins, which leads to the large negative magnetoresistance. This indicates that the π– d interaction plays an important role in the interplay between the magnetism and the electron transport.

The crystal structure and physical properties of the three conducting molecular magnets are discussed. (DMET)2FeBr4 is composed of alternating stacks of quasi-one-dimensional donor sheets and square lattice magnetic anion sheets. This salt undergoes an spin density wave (SDW) transition of the donor layer at 40 K and an antiferromagnetic transition of Fe3+ spins on the anion layer at 3.7 K. The one-to-one correspondence of the anomalies appearing on the magnetization curves with those on the magnetoresistance supports the presence of the π-d interaction. The all-sulfur analog (EDTDM)2FeBr4 shows, besides similar behaviors as the DMET salt, insulator-to-metal transition of the ground state by applying the pressure, accompanied with a large negative magnetoresistance. (EDS-TTF)2FeBr4 shows little π-d interaction despite the presence of close Se–Br contacts, showing the importance of the intermolecular orbital overlap between the π- and d-components.

The work was carried out to get information how to use wasted biomass, particularly waste woods, as a raw material for fine and advanced carbon products. A phenol-starch-formaldehyde resin was synthesized by using phenol of which one third was replaced by cornstarch as a model material for waste wood. The resin was spun, stabilized and finally carbonized at 900°C. A commercial novolac-type phenol-formaldehyde resin was used as a reference. There was no essential difference in the microscopic structures between the carbon fibers derived from the synthesized and the commercial resins, but the former resin showed some disadvantages against the latter: one is a poor spinnability to result in thick and irregular carbon fibers, and another one is the formation of macropores in the resulting carbon fibers, leading to low mechanical strength. These disadvantages are thought to be caused by the remaining MgO particles used as a neutralization agent in the synthesis of the resin. A possibility to achieve the final purpose is discussed briefly.

A new compact ion cooler ring (S-LSR) in Kyoto University has a circumference of 22.197 m and maximum magnetic rigidity of 1 T/m. One of the research subjects of S-LSR is a test bed to produce crystalline beams. Ring optics is designed to satisfy several required conditions for the beam ordering such as a small betatron phase advance and small magnetic error. We plan two cooling approaches. One is an electron beam cooling with 7 MeV proton beam from a linac. This target is 1-dimensional Coulomb strings. The beam-ordering simulation is carried out using the S-LSR parameters. The other is laser cooling with 35 keV Mg + beam from an ion source. The goal of the laser cooling experiment is to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional crystals.

Ultra intense laser interaction with solids is crucially modified by the presence of the plasma layer created by the prepulse associated with the peak intensity pulse. Here interferometric measurements of the preplasma created by a 40 TW, 600 fs Nd-glass laser are reported. Density profile and its target dependence are measured and the predicted scale length dependence on target atomic number is confirmed.

We identify an essential factor that limits the lowest achievable temperature of a stored hadron beam when it is cooled. Two different numerical techniques, i.e. the particle-in-cell and molecular dynamics methods, are employed to simulate the collective beam behavior in a storage ring. It is demonstrated that a cooling process can be strongly interrupted by linear and nonlinear resonance stopbands. In particular, a serious tune locking occurs when a second-order coherent resonance is encountered during cooling. We show that, in order to reach the space-charge limit by means of a strong dissipative force, the design phase advance per lattice period must be smaller than 90 degrees.

The crystal structures and physical properties of molecular magnets developed in our group are reviewed. (1) (DMET)2FeBr4 and its analogues are composed of alternating stacks of quasi-one-dimensional donor sheets and square lattice magnetic anion sheets. These salts undergo an SDW transition of the donor layer and an antiferromagnetic transition of Fe3+ spins on the anion layer. The one-to-one correspondence of the anomalies appearing on the magnetization curves and the magnetoresistance supports the presence of the π–d interaction. On applying pressure, a large negative magnetoresistance is observed for the all-sulfur compound (EDTDM)2FeBr4 in the marginal region of the SDW and metallic ground states. (2) (BDH-TTP)[M(isoq)2(NCS)4] (M=Cr, Fe) show bulk weak ferromagnetism at 7.6 K. The donor cation radicals (S=1/2) and anions (S=3/2 (Cr), 5/2 (Fe)) form ferrimagnetic chains with close intermolecular S⋯S contacts, which are then antiferromagnetically coupled through the π–π overlap of the ligands and inter-chain S⋯S contacts of the donors. The non-collinear alignment of the molecular axes of adjacent anions is responsible for the canted spin structure.

The crystal structures, electronic and magnetic properties of conducting molecular magnets developed in our group are reviewed. (DMET)2FeBr4 is composed of alternating stacks of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) donor sheets and square lattice magnetic anion sheets. This salt undergoes an SDW transition of the donor layer at 40 K and an antiferromagnetic transition of Fe3+ spins on the anion layer at 3.7 K. The one-to-one correspondence of the anomalies appearing on the magnetization curves with those on the magnetoresistance supports the presence of the π–d interaction. (EDO–TTFI2)2[M(mnt)2] (M=Ni,Pt) consists of 1D chains of conducting donors and magnetic anions aligned in parallel. These salts show metallic conductivity accompanied with a metal–insulator transition around 90 K. Localized spins on the anions behave as a 1D ferromagnet, whose origin is explained by McConnell's first model. The properties of related materials, (EDTDM)2FeBr4, (EDS–TTF)2FeBr4 and (EDO–TTFBr2)2FeBr4, are also presented.

The double layer capacitance of highly pure single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) prepared by the HiPco™ process was measured in 1.0moldm−3LiClO4/propylene carbonate solution. The unpurified SWCNT electrode was mainly composed of a bundle structure of SWCNTs with around 1.0 nm tube diameter, small amount of amorphous carbons, and Fe catalyst particles. The Fe catalysts in the surface of the SWCNT were removed by immersion in HClaq. The αs-SPE analysis of the N2 adsorption isotherms revealed that both the SWCNTs before and after the immersion in HClaq had relatively high specific surface areas of ∼500m2g−1 without microporosity although the tube ends were closed. The SWCNTs showed a gravimetric capacitance of around 45Fg−1. Thus, the specific capacitance per unit surface area was estimated to be around 10μFcm−2, which was higher than that of conventional activated carbon fibers. Furthermore, the capacitance of the SWCNTs did not decrease even at high current density. This good rate property of the SWCNTs is related to the large area of the external surface (∼400m2g−1) on which ion adsorption/desorption can proceed fast because of no ion sieving. On the other hand, most of the Fe catalyst in the SWCNT could be removed by thermal oxidation followed by immersion in HClaq. However, the gravimetric capacitance of this purified SWCNT was not as great as that expected by the correlation of 10μFcm−2. This is related to the formation of amorphous carbons caused by the thermal oxidation. Keywords: Single-walled carbon nanotube, Electric double layer capacitance, Nonaqueous electrolyte, Thermal oxidation

Three carbon materials having unique and precise shapes were prepared using a polymer blend technique and coating as an auxiliary technique. The polymer blend consists essentially of two kinds of polymers, i.e. a carbon precursor polymer and a decomposable polymer which disappears by pyrolysis without leaving a carbon residue. One of the carbon materials prepared is a carbon fiber including many thin pores, with diameters of sub-μm to 1 μm, elongated along the fiber axis. The next is a carbon tube including a large amount of thin carbon fibers aligned densely along the tube surface. The last one is a microscopic multi-walled carbon tube consisting of three or four walls. The preparation procedures and SEM photographs of these materials are presented and possible applications are discussed briefly.

Two new compounds containing iodine substituted donor (DIETS=diiodoethylenedithiodithiadiselenafulvalene) and paramagnetic [Cr(CN) 6 ] 3− anion, namely, (DIETS) 8 (Cl) 2 [Cr(CN) 6 ] 2/3 .2H 2 O ( 1 ) and (DIETS) 3 (Et 4 N)[Cr(CN) 6 ].3H 2 O ( 2 ) are reported. The structures of both compounds contain two different inorganic layers. In 1 , one layer contains Cr(CN) 6 3− anions and water molecules and the second layer contains Cl − anions. In 2 , the one layer contains Cr(CN) 6 3− anions, Et 4 N + cations and water molecules while the other one does not contain Et 4 N + cations. The −I…NC− contacts (2.725A in 1 , 3.05A in 2 ) observed between DIETS and Cr(CN) 6 units are extremely short by comparison with the van der Walls separation of 3.65A. Both compounds are semiconductive, with σ 300K = 1 and 0.2 S.cm −1 and E a =65 and 175meV for 1 and 2 respectively. Despite these short anion…Donor contacts no magnetic interactions were observed between the localized spins and the conducting electrons.

Charge transfer (CT) complexes are promising for developing molecule-based magnets, where ~ -electrons play an important role. New classes of molecular magnets are presented in the TTF-based CT complexes from points of unconventional magnetism. ~ -d interaction in d-electron-spin-incorporated CT complexes give anomalous effect of magnetic transition on the electron transport. The coexistence of metallic conduction and localized spin feature appears in the system located in the metal-insulator boundary. 1D metal having ferromagnetic interaction and triangle-based spin ladder system are also obtained from CT complexes. organic metal molecular magnet ~ -d interaction metal-insulator transition spin ladder ferromagnet

The pitting damages on the tooth surface sometimes occurred on the transmission gears for the auxiliaries of the diesel engine during a short operation even if the transmission power was very small. According to general design thinking, when a power is very small, a size and a manufacturing cost can also be small. However, the above phenomenon does not represent this thinking but represent the necessity of a particular design guide. We reproduced this phenomenon by the simulation and also drew the original formulas for cost estimation. We drew the original design guide by them.