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REBCO coated conductors (CCs) are suitable for high field magnets due to their high in-field critical current density ( J c) and high tensile strength. However, in order to apply the REBCO CCs to a high field magnet, it is important not only to evaluate the characteristics of short samples but also to clarify the behavior of the REBCO coil under strong electro-magnetic forces in high magnetic fields. In this study, we investigated the tolerance to the electro-magnetic force by applying hoop stresses to a REBCO double pancake coil in high magnetic fields. The REBCO coil was wound with BHO-EuBCO CCs and impregnated with epoxy resin. In order to prevent a degradation due to thermal delamination stress, fluorine-coated polyimide tapes were wound on the REBCO CCs. When a maximum hoop stress of 608 MPa was applied to the coil, normal voltage was generated and I c degradation was confirmed in one side of double pancake. As a result of the investigation, the degradation occurred only at lap joint part between CCs in the windings, and the cause of the degradation was thought to be stress concentration at the both edges of lap joint. Since there was no I c degradation except for the lap joint part, it is considered that the REBCO coil can withstand larger hoop stress if we can reduce the stress concentration at the joint part. We therefore proposed a new joint structure and confirmed that it has higher tensile strength than a conventional lap joint structure.

Background Patient-reported outcome (PRO2) score composed solely of the stool frequency and bleeding components from partial Mayo (pMayo) score are used for the evaluation of clinical symptom in the patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Although pMayo and PRO2 score also perform as well as the full Mayo score to identify the disease activity and clinical response, it is unclear whether serial daily PRO2 score are relevant in clinical practice. Moreover, its clinical significance for long-term outcome has not been established. The aim of this study istherefore to clarify the relationship between daily PRO2 records using a smart device application and prognosis. Methods This study was approved by the ethics committee in Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU). The application was originally developed by the cooperation with TMDU and Hitachi ltd. Patients with UC input their symptoms by themselves in accordance with PRO2 once a day using the application on their smart device. The alert for their symptom exacerbation is set according to our logic. Patient's condition including alert status is confirmed by the doctor once a week using doctor’s PC. Medical information such as therapeutics and blood examination, was extracted from the electronic medical chart in the hospital. The application data was combined with medical information on a daily basis. We defined a start or change of the treatment with prednisone or biologics as treatment change for the outcome of this study. The difference of PRO2 score before the date of treatment change is calculated for each patient and the odds ratio (OR) and AUC of the ROC curve are estimated by univariate logistic regression analysis. Results From July 2020 to March 2022, 183 UC patients participated in this study. Mean age was 46.6 years. Male to female ratio was 81:102. Mean observation period was 346 days. The number of the patients with alert of symptom exacerbation averaged 5.79/week. There were 27 patients with treatment change during the period. PRO2 score in the patients with treatment change was significantly increased compared with the patients with no change in treatment. The OR [95%CI] of the PRO2 change from 90 days to 5 days before treatment change was 7.708 [2.713-21.902], the AUC [95%CI] was 0.872 [0.772-0.973], the OR [95%CI] of the PRO2 change from 10 days to 5 days was 3.309 [1.601-6. 841] and AUC [95%CI] was 0.679 [0.569-0.789]. Conclusion PRO2 variation over 90 days was highly reliable for predicting treatment change. Further analysis will clarify the clinical significance of serial daily PRO2 score recording.

Background Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the gallbladder (GB-NETs) are rare, accounting for 0.5% of all NETs and 2.1% of all gallbladder cancers. Among GB-NETs, mixed neuroendocrine–non-neuroendocrine neoplasms of the gallbladder (GB-MiNENs) are extremely rare. Case presentation We present the case of a 66-year-old woman who was referred to us for the management of a gallbladder tumor (incidentally found during abdominal ultrasonography indicated for gallbladder stones). The patient had no history of abdominal pain or fever, and the findings on a physical examination were unremarkable. Blood tests showed normal levels of tumor markers. Imaging studies revealed a mass of approximately 10 mm in diameter (with no invasion of the gallbladder bed) located at the fundus of the gallbladder. A gallbladder cancer was suspected. Therefore, an open whole-layer cholecystectomy with regional lymph nodes dissection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 6. Pathological findings showed GB-MiNENs with invasion of the subserosal layer and no lymph node invasion (classified T2aN0M0 pStage IIA according to the Union for International Cancer Control, 8th edition staging system). Analysis of the neuroendocrine markers revealed positive chromogranin A and synaptophysin, and a Ki-67 index above 95%. Fourteen months after the operation, a local recurrence was detected, and she was referred to another hospital for chemotherapy. Conclusions GB-MiNENs are extremely aggressive tumors despite their tumor size. Optimal therapy should be chosen for each patient.

Pulsed electric current sintering of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) was carried out by one- and two-step pressurization methods for fabrication of irradiation targets used in the production of 99Mo and 99mTc nuclear medicines. At 550°C by the two-step pressurization method, a relative density of 93.1% was obtained while, by the one-step pressurization method, the relative density was 76.9%. Direct sample temperature measurements were conducted by a thermocouple inserted in a punch. By the two-step pressurization method, the sample temperature was higher than that by the one-step pressurization method even at almost the same die temperature. From voltage and current waveforms, it was indicated that the conductivity of the sample increased by the two-step pressurization method to increase the sample temperature and the relative density. The two-step pressurization method allows us to prepare dense targets at a low temperature from recycled and coarse-grained 98Mo enriched MoO3 powder.

The construction of the full-superconducting tokamak JT-60 Super Advanced (JT-60SA) is in progress under the JA-EU broader approach agreement. During cool down, nominal operation and warm-up the thermal shields, the superconducting magnets and their structures, the high temperature superconductor current leads (HTS CL) and the divertor cryo pumps have to be supplied with helium at specific flow rates, pressures and temperatures. The monitoring of temperatures, mass flows, and pressures and the control of the helium flows is performed by a Magnet Controller (MC). A particular abnormal situation is a quench or a fast discharge of a magnet which would require many hours for recovery to normal operation. In order to avoid fast discharges as far as possible, the MC uses “safety interlocks” to supervise the magnet coils and the HTS CL. These interlocks react on deviations of temperatures, pressures or mass flow rates from their nominal values and initiate appropriate counteractions. If a state reaches a critical threshold, a normal stop (NS) of a magnet is initiated through the “Supervisory Control System and Data Acquisition System” (SCSDAS) by ramping-down the current in the coils. In case of a fast discharge the MC acts directly on the power supplies with parallel information to the SCSDAS. The thresholds are derived from simulations of the cryogenic loops using the thermal analysis programs FLOWER, HEATER, and SUPERMAGNET. The presentation will describe the philosophy and logic of the Magnet Controller and explain the calculation of some thresholds.

The Mo adsorption/99mTc elution properties of alumina used as Mo adsorbents are examined for the development of 99Mo/99mTc generators using 99Mo produced by the (n, γ) method. MoO3 is irradiated by the Kyoto University Research Reactor (KUR). The alumina columns are filled with three types of alumina made from different raw materials. In this paper, elongated tubes are used as columns and the properties under Mo dynamic adsorption conditions on alumina are compared with those under static adsorption conditions. The results obtained suggest that the 99Mo/99mTc ratio specified by the Minimum Requirements for Radiopharmaceuticals of Japan (MRRP) is greatly affected by the method of adsorbing Mo on alumina.

The JT-60SA superconducting tokamak is being constructed under dual projects, the EU-JA international collaboration framework and Japanese national programme. To suppress magnetic field error to less than 0.01% with respect to the toroidal magnetic field for good confinement of plasma, QST has developed a precise onsite assembly technology of tokamak components such as vacuum vessel (VV) and toroidal magnetic field coils (TFC) with size of over 10-m scale. Prior to an onsite assembly, the assembly process is carefully simulated in a three dimension CAD model, through which the location and number of the reference points for the assembly are evaluated to determine each component position. In the onsite assembly, the tokamak components are positioned by measuring with the laser tracker of a 0.5 mm spatial resolution and assembled by adjusting with shims and splice plates. The onsite assembly of the VV 340° sector has been succeeded in an allowable accuracy of +8/−4 mm with the 10 m diameter by welding sectors, each of which was circumferentially segmented and manufactured by taking into account the deformation due to the welding. The remaining 20° sector will be installed after the TF coils installation. The metrology developed for the onsite assembly of the JT-60SA is expected to be applicable to ITER whose size is the double of JT-60SA.

Background Hyperuricemia is a common adverse event frequently found in renal transplant recipients with mizoribine (MZ). Hyperuricemia itself will be a cause of renal dysfunction, and renal dysfunction also will be a cause of hyperuricemia simultaneously. This study investigates frequency of hyperuricemia and renal failure in renal transplant recipients treated with high-dose MZ. Patients and Methods From December 2007 to October 2015, there was a total of 32 living related renal transplant recipients treated with high-dose MZ. Of the 32 patients, 28 were treated with urate-lowering medications. Results One patient received allopurinol (AP) and 13 patients received benzbromarone (BB). For 6 of them, their urate-lowering medications were converted to febuxostat (FX) form AP or BB. In the remaining 14 patients, FX was administered from the beginning. In 2 cases of ABO-incompatible living related renal transplant recipients who were maintained with high-dose MZ and BB, severe hyperuricemia and acute renal failure occurred. One patient was a 48-year-old man, and his creatinine (Cr) level increased to 8.14 mg/dL and his serum uric acid (UA) was 24.6 mg/dL. Another patient was a 57-year-old man, and his Cr level increased to 3.59 mg/dL and his UA was 13.2 mg/dL. In both cases Cr and UA were improved, and no finding of acute rejection and drug toxicity was observed in graft biopsy specimens. BB was switched to FX and discontinuance or reduction of MZ was done. Conclusion Combination of MZ and BB has the risk of acute renal dysfunction after renal transplantation. Latent renal dysfunction should be watched for in renal transplant recipients receiving high-dose MZ.

Background Recently, some studies have highlighted proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors produce incremental low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering effect. However, it is unknown whether the lipid composition of plaque changes is associated with serum LDL-C reduction due to PCSK9 inhibitors administration. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of PCSK9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) on coronary plaque component in patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS). Methods A total of 67 non-culprit coronary segments were identified in 34 patients. These lesions were analyzed utilizing NIRS-IVUS at baseline and follow-up coronary angiography (CAG). The subjects were divided into two groups according to lipid-lowering treatment; administration of PCSK9i group (PCSK9i: 19 segments, 9 patients) and traditional statin treatment group (Control: 48 segments, 25 patients). The change of lipid-rich plaque distribution between baseline and follow-up NIRS-IVUS was defined as the change of maximal lipid core burden index (LCBI) score for each of the 4-mm longitudinal segments (maxLCBI4mm). Results Mean duration from baseline to follow-up CAG was 239.4±52.4 days in the PCSK9i group and 341.0±84.1 days in the Control group (p Figure 1 Conclusion Compared with traditional statin therapy, PCSK9i treatment resulted in a greater decrease in lipid component in non-culprit coronary plaques. Therefore, PCSK9i may be useful option in preventing from adverse coronary events for the patients with CAD.

When corrosion happens with the steel reinforcing bar (rebar) in concrete, the magnetic properties of the corrosion products are different from that of the steel rebar. By measuring the electromagnetic response, it is possible to judge the corrosion of steel rebar in concrete. We developed an electromagnetic method to evaluate the corrosion of steel rebar. AC magnetic field was produced by an excitation coil when AC current flow in it. Then, eddy current was induced in the surface of the steel rebar. A detection coil was used to measure the magnetic field produced by the eddy current. The signal after the amplifier was sent to a lock-in amplifier. From the lock-in amplifier, two signals were obtained: X signal (the same phase signal with the excitation current) and Y signal (90 degree phase difference signal with the excitation current). From the slope of the plotted X-Y graph using the X and Y signals, the corrosion of the steel rebar can be judged. We developed a small compact system for the corrosion evaluation of steel rebar, which will be suitable for the field experiments.

In terms of an applicability of mineral insulated (MI) cables under high temperature and pressure water such as coolants in nuclear power plants, effects of dissolved gases on mechanical properties of the sheath materials of the MI cables were investigated. Slow strain rate testing was performed for AISI 304 and 316 stainless steels under high temperature and pressure water at 325 °C and 15MPa in pure water. At a strain rate of 5 × 10−3mm/min with the condition, oxygen: ∼8.5ppm, hydrogen

We read with great interest the recent Editorial by Mahajan and Hirsch[1][1] in the American Journal of Neuroradiology (AJNR ). At a time when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is raging, it provides a helpful and succinct summary and reminds us to play our part as good citizens as an

Reduction in oocyte quality is a major factor responsible for declining fertility associated with maternal aging in cows. The objective of the present study was to determine whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) could increase the efficiency of embryo production in older cows. We used cows aged 30 to 50 months or >120 months, which were defined as young or aged, respectively. The distribution of cortical granules in oocytes was affected by age as older cows had lower proportion of oocytes with mature cytoplasm containing evenly dispersed cortical granules compared to young cows. Although fertilization rates did not differ significantly between the two groups after in vitro fertilization (IVF), the rate of abnormal fertilization was higher, and the numbers of total and diploid blastocysts were lower for aged cows compared to young cows. However, in the embryos produced by ICSI, there was no significant difference in these parameters between young and aged cows. Although ICSI did not improve the blastocyst development rate, ICSI increased the proportion of diploid blastocysts in aged cows compared to IVF. In conclusion, maternal aging may negatively affect cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes, which could be associated with abnormal fertilization or low developmental competence of oocytes. Our data also suggests beneficial effects of ICSI on the production of chromosomally normal embryos in aged cows.

Embryos obtained via superovulation are necessary for mammalian artificial reproduction, and viability is a key determinant of success. Nonfreezing storage at 4 C is possible, but currently used storage solutions can maintain embryo viability for only 24-48 h. Here we found that 10 mg/ml antifreeze protein (AFP) dissolved in culture medium 199 with 20% (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 25 mM HEPES could keep bovine embryos alive for 10 days at 4 C. We used a recombinant AFP isolated from the notched-fin eelpout (Zoarces elongatus Kner). Photomicroscopy indicated that the AFP-embryo interaction was enhanced at 37 C. Embryos pre-warmed with the AFP solution at 37 C for 60 min maintained high viability, whereas those that were not pre-warmed could live no longer than 7 days. Thus, short-term storage of bovine embryos was achieved by a combination of AFP-containing medium and controlled pre-warming.

Radioactive iodine, one of the radionuclides released in the nuclear power plant accident on 11 March 2011, was detected in purified water at water purification plants (WPPs). However, information about removal of radioactive materials in actual water purification process was limited. Therefore, we investigated the removal of radioactive materials (iodine and cesium) immediately after the detection. It is found that non-radioactive iodine in water could be removed by the combined use of pre-chlorination and powdered activated carbon (PAC) treatment. The same result was also obtained in terms of radioactive iodine. Removal of non-radioactive iodine in WPPs was also investigated. Approximately, 60% of iodine was removed by combination of pre-chlorination (0.5–1.0 mg/L) and PAC (15–30 mg/L) in coagulation and sedimentation processes. In water purification process, cesium was mostly removed by coagulation and sedimentation; hence, radioactive cesium was not detected in purified water. It was confirmed...