Search

Exquisite sensitivities are a prominent advantage of quantum sensors. Ramsey sequences allow precise measurement of direct current fields, while Hahn-echo-like sequences measure alternating current fields. However, the latter are restrained for use with high-frequency fields (above approximately $1$ kHz) due to finite coherence times, leaving less-sensitive noncoherent methods for the low-frequency range. In this paper, we propose to bridge the gap with a fitting-based algorithm with a frequency-independent sensitivity to coherently measure low-frequency fields. As the algorithm benefits from coherence-based measurements, its demonstration with a single nitrogen-vacancy center gives a sensitivity of $9.4$ nT Hz$^{-0.5}$ for frequencies below about $0.6$ kHz down to near-constant fields. To inspect the potential in various scenarios, we apply the algorithm at a background field of tens of nTs, and we measure low-frequency signals via synchronization., Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures; supp 14 pages, 9 figures

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant impact on the health care system. As a consequence, diagnosis and treatment of vector borne diseases including dengue has been equally affected. Nepal is no exception to this, where COVID-19 cases is exponentially increased and all resources are concentrated on its prevention, control and management. Dengue, one of the major vector-borne diseases in Nepal, is apparently overlooked despite approaching the peak season of the disease. The aim of this paper is to describe the double burden of COVID-19 and dengue in Nepal, particularly highlighting the co-circulation and possible coinfections. This has posed higher risk of increased severity, more severe cases and deaths in Nepal. Moreover, potential misdiagnosis of these viral diseases may lead to delayed or, inappropriate treatment and poor allocation of resources.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still increasing in young adults. Metabolic syndrome is reported to be associated with CRC incidence in middle-aged and elderly subjects. However, whether this association exists in young adults remains unclear. We sought to clarify whether metabolic syndrome was associated with incident CRC in young adults (aged Methods We studied 902,599 participants (Median age=41 [37–45] years; 55.4% men) enrolled in the JMDC Claims Database during 2005 and 2018. Participants who had a history of CRC, colorectal polyps, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis were excluded. Study participants were categorized into two groups according to the presence of metabolic syndrome based on the Japanese criteria (waist circumference ≥85 cm for men and ≥90 cm for women, and ≥2 metabolic parameters including elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or elevated fasting plasma glucose). Results Metabolic syndrome was seen in 58,561 individuals (6.5%). Over a median follow-up of 1,008 (429–1,833) days, there were 1,884 CRC diagnoses. After multivariable adjustment, the hazard ratio (HR) of metabolic syndrome for CRC events was 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.07–1.49). Cox regression analysis after multiple imputation for missing values showed that metabolic syndrome was associated with CRC incidence (HR=1.35, 95% CI=1.17–1.56), and metabolic syndrome was associated with a higher incidence of CRC in individuals with a follow-up period of ≥365 days (HR=1.33, 95% CI=1.10–1.60). This association was also observed when metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria (HR=1.30, 95% CI=1.09–1.49) and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (HR=1.39, 95% CI=1.12–1.72). Conclusions Metabolic syndrome was associated with a higher incidence of CRC among individuals aged Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (19AA2007 and H30-Policy-Designated-004) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (17H04141)

Supplemental material, DS_10.1177_0022034520901519 for A Targeted Genetic Association Study of the Rare Type of Osteomyelitis by H. Yahara, S. Horita, S. Yanamoto, Y. Kitagawa, T. Asaka, T. Yoda, K. Morita, Y. Michi, M. Takechi, H. Shimasue, Y. Maruoka, E. Kondo, J. Kusukawa, H. Tsujiguchi, T. Sato, T. Kannon, H. Nakamura, A. Tajima, K. Hosomichi and K. Yahara in Journal of Dental Research

The surface of a painted steel material is periodically repainted to maintain its corrosion resistance by removing the rust and remaining paint films on the steel sheet using surface preparation. However, there are several unknown factors governing the relation between the surface state of steel sheet and its corrosion resistance. This study aims to investigate the effect of surface preparation on the corrosion resistance of a steel sheet. Herein, three types of steel sheets treated with different surface preparations were painted and their corrosion resistances were investigated by combined cyclic corrosion tests. The differences in the corrosion resistance among the painted sheets were investigated from the viewpoint of the surface free energy. Results show that the corrosion resistance of a painted steel sheet prepared using a zinc-plated steel wheel wire brush is better than those for a steel wheel wire brush and nickel-plated steel wheel wire brush. This finding suggests that the difference in the corrosion resistance based on the plated metal arises from the polar components at the steel surface.

Vertical jump height and oral function affect the general muscle condition. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vertical jump height and oral function among healthy older individuals.Cross-sectional analytic study.231 independent older people (mean age, 74.4 ± 5.6 years) who participated in the Kyoto Elders Physical Fitness Measurement Research Project. Individuals with partial or complete edentulousness who did not use a prosthetic device or complained of oral/maxillofacial pain were excluded from the study.Grip strength was measured using a Smedley Hand Dynamometer. To measure masticatory performance, the participants were instructed to chew a gummy jelly on their habitual chewing side (left or right) for 20 s. Occlusal force, contact area, and pressure were also assessed.The outcome variable was vertical jump height. The predictor variables were physical status (age, body mass index, and grip strength), oral status (number of present teeth and denture use), and oral function (masticatory performance, occlusal force, occlusal contact area, occlusal pressure, and tongue pressure). These relationships were evaluated with univariate analysis, and then multiple regression analysis was performed with age as the covariate for each male and female participant.Vertical jump height was significantly associated with grip strength in both men and women. Moreover, in women, it was associated with masticatory performance, occlusal force, and occlusal contact area.Vertical jump height was closely associated with oral function among healthy older women.

Li depth profiles in Au/Si/LiPON/LCO/Au (LCO = LiCoO2, LiPON = Li3.3PO3.8N0.2) thin films battery under charging condition, prepared on self-supporting Al substrate, have been in situ measured by means of transmission elastic recoil detection (TERD) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) techniques not only with 5.4 MeV He2+ ion beam without absorber, but also 9 MeV O4+ ion beam with Al absorber. In experiments with 5.4 MeV He2+, well-resolved step-wise TERD spectra have been observed, from which thickness and Li composition of constituent films of the battery are directly estimated. The Li transport from LCO to Si films through LiPON as well as return-back of Li from Si to LCO films and Li leakage into the Al substrate out of the battery system by over-charging under charging condition have been observed in the experiments both 5.4 MeV He2+ and 9 MeV O4+. The latter result indicates that these techniques are applicable to testing degradation of the battery performance by repetition of charging and discharging. Both results are compared in details with each other.

The dependence of the hydrogen (H)-absorption and -desorption characteristics of air-exposed Li2ZrO3 samples at room temperature on Li2ZrO3 densities of 2.53–3.78 g/cm3, related to the surface area, and the most stable trapping sites of H were investigated using weight gain measurement (WGM), elastic recoil detection (ERD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), gas chromatography (GC), and first-principles calculations. The WGM, ERD, and FT-IR spectra revealed that the H concentration in Li2ZrO3 increased with increasing air exposure time and relative humidity and decreasing density by splitting water (H2O). The TDS and GC analyses revealed that hydrogen molecules (H2), as well as H2O, were released from the air-exposed Li2ZrO3 at annealing temperatures less than 323 K. In addition, it was found by using a density functional theory (DFT) code that H atoms dissociated from H2O preferred to occupy oxygen (O) substitutional sites in Li2ZrO3.

The collision of a supercooled water droplet with a surface result an object creates ice accretion on the surface. The icing problem in any cold environments leads to severe damages on aircrafts, and a lot of studies on prevention and prediction techniques for icing have been conducted so far. Therefore, it is very important to know the detail of freezing mechanism of supercooled water droplets to improve the anti-and de-icing devices and icing simulation codes. The icing mechanism of a single supercooled water droplet impacting on an object surface would give us great insights for the purpose. In the present study, we develop a dual-luminescent imaging technique to measure the time-resolved temperature of a supercooled water droplet impacting on the surface under different temperature conditions. We apply this technique to measure the exact temperature of a water droplet, and to discuss the detail of the freezing process.

The quark-meson-coupling (QMC) model has been applied to the study of the properties of even-even superheavy nuclei with 96≤Z≤110, over a wide range of neutron numbers. The aim is to identify the deformed shell gaps at N=152 and N=162, predicted in macroscopic-microscopic (macro-micro) models, in a model based on the mean-field Hartree-Fock+BCS approximation. The predictive power of the model has been tested on proton and neutron spherical shell gaps in light doubly closed (sub)shell nuclei Ca40, Ca48, Ni56, Ni56, Ni78, Zr90, Sn100, Sn132, Gd146, and Pb208, with results in a full agreement with experiment. In the superheavy region, the ground-state binding energies of 98≤Z≤110 and 146≤N≤160 differ, in the majority of cases, from the measured values by less than ±2.5MeV, with the deviation decreasing with increasing Z and N. The axial quadrupole deformation parameter, β2, calculated over the range of neutron numbers 138≤N≤184, revealed a prolate-oblate coexistence and shape transition around N=168, followed by an oblate-spherical transition towards the expected N=184 shell closure in Cm, Cf, Fm, and No. The closure is not predicted in Rf, Sg, Hs, and Ds as another shape transition to a highly deformed (β2≈0.4) shape in Sg, Hs, and Ds for N>178 appears, while Rf288 (N=184) remains oblate. The bulk properties predicted by QMC, such as ground-state binding energy, two-neutron separation energy, the empirical shell-gap parameter δ2n and Qα values, are found to have a limited sensitivity to the deformed shell gaps at N=152 and 162. However, the evolution of the neutron single-particle spectra with 0≤β2≤0.55 of Cm244, Cf248, Fm252, No256, Rf260, Sg264, Hs268, and Ds272, as representative examples, gives a (model-dependent) evidence for the location and size of the N=152 and 162 gaps as a function of Z and N. In addition, the neutron number dependence of neutron pairing energies provides supporting indication for existence of the energy gaps. Based on these results, the mean-field QMC and macro-micro models and their predictions of deformed shell structure of superheavy nuclei are compared. Clearly the QMC model does not give results as close to the experiment as the macro-micro models. However, considering that it has only four global variable parameters (plus two parameters of the pairing potential), with no local adjustments, the results are promising.

A dual-luminescence imaging method introduced in this paper captures time-resolved temperature distributions with unsteady flow structures for understanding two-phase flow phenomena. The method is featured as a time-resolved and non-intrusive measurement with high spatial and time resolutions. The spatial and time resolutions are mainly limited by the signal level from an optical setup of an imaging device. The absolute spatial and time resolutions can be limited by the size of the probe molecule and the thermal quenching process. The former is on the order of sub-nanometers and the latter is on the order of 10−12 to 10−8 s, respectively. The imaging system consists of two luminescent probes, color high-speed camera, and an illumination source. The illumination source can be a point, sheet, or volume illumination to locate the temperature measurement region of interest. The luminescent images from the two luminescent probes are simultaneously acquired by a color high-speed camera. By a ratio of the two-color images at each measurement-time frame, time-resolved temperature-dependent images can be captured. Time-resolved temperature distributions of supercooled-water droplet are shown as a demonstration of the dual-luminescent imaging method. A supercooled condition release is time-resolved with 1000 Hz image frame.

XXVIIth International Conference on Ultrarelativistic Nucleus–Nucleus Collisions (Quark Matter 2018)

The migrations of lithium (Li) as well as hydrogen (H) in multi-layers thin films of Au/LiCoO2 (thickness: approximately 42 nm/80 nm), deposited onto one face of Li1.4Ti2Si0.4P2.6O12-AlPO4 (LATP) substrates, were dynamically observed with electric charging as well as isochronal annealing in vacuum by combining elastic recoil detection (ERD) analysis with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS)with 9.0-MeV O4+ ion-probe beams. The ERD spectra clearly revealed that Li atoms of approximately 9.4 at% migrated from the LiCoO2 surface to the LiCoO2/LATP interface with H absorption by a charge of approximately 0.48 e/cm2, which the acquiredvoltage was1.65 V. In addition, the diffusion of Li atoms to the LATP bulk occurred with H release by isochronal annealing at only 323 K for 10 min.The presence of H significantly influences the Li+ ion conduction for the Li-battery systems., The 23rd International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry - CAARI 2014

Hydrogen (H)- and water (H 2 O)-storage and desorption characteristics of 25 nm thick Pt films onLi 2 ZrO 3 composite materials, exposed to normal air at room temperature, have been investigated by means of elastic recoil detection (ERD), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), weight gain measurement (WGM), and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) techniques. It was found by the ERD and TDS that H and H 2 O were absorbed into the Pt-coated Li 2 ZrO 3 in air at room temperature and desorbed from it in vacuum at much low temperatures of approximately 317 and 309 K, respectively. In addition, the WGM and TDS spectra revealed that the absorption and desorption characters ofsome gases such as CH 4 , CO, and CO 2 including H as well as H 2 Ointo the Li 2 ZrO 3 bulk were improved by Pt deposition.

After a successful production of isotopes of element 116 in the reaction 48Ca + 248Cm, the reaction 54Cr + 248Cm → 302120* was investigated at the velocity filter SHIP at GSI, Darmstadt, aiming to search for isotopes of element 120. One chain of events was observed, which is not created by chance with high probability. Parts of the chain agree with model predictions and measured data from a decay chain which could start at the isotope 299120. In a complementary study, model dependent shell-correction energies and related heights of fission barriers were deduced from measured Qα values. The results are compared with predictions of macroscopic-microscopic models. The consequences for calculations of crosssections are discussed.

The thermally assisted photoemission (TAPE) effect was investigated for the hexaboride thermionic cathodes (${\mathrm{LaB}}_{6}$ and ${\mathrm{CeB}}_{6}$). It was found that the quantum efficiency of these cathodes can be increased by raising the cathode temperature along with the thermionic emission. In addition both materials can emit a measurable photoemission current by being irradiated with a laser having a photon energy below the work function at sufficiently high cathode temperatures. Our measurements indicate that this process is linear. These results show the significance of the TAPE effect. An additional effect of cathode heating is surface cleaning. This effect was detected as the hysteresis of the quantum efficiency which can be observed by heating up and cooling down the cathode. This effect slightly changes the quantum efficiency but not as much as the TAPE effect.

The Effect of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training/EMST is reported not only to strengthen the respiratory muscle, but also improve the ability to swallow, and activate superficial muscles of the suprahyoid muscle group. Effects on the improvement in aspiration have not been fully determined yet.

Background TNF inhibitors are first-line biologic therapy used in combination with MTX for treatment of RA. However, in Japan, limited real-world data exist on this combination with relatively higher doses of MTX (>8 to ≤16 mg/week). Objectives The HAWK study was designed to assess real-world, long-term safety and effectiveness of the TNF inhibitor ADA with MTX (≥12 mg/week) in Japan. Week 52 results are presented. Methods This multicenter, prospective, observational study, enrolled biologic-naive, early (≤2 years) RA patients with DAS28-CRP>3.2 despite MTX therapy for ≥3 months. Eligible patients received ADA + MTX (≥12 mg/week at beginning of ADA) for 104 weeks. Primary endpoint was DAS28-CRP Results As of April 15, 2016, 346 patients were enrolled (safety set 301; effectiveness set 293). Effectiveness set comprised 73% women; mean (±SD) age, 54.3 (13.9) years; duration of RA, 12.1 (6.2) months; MTX dosage, 13.4 (1.8) mg/week; DAS28-CRP, 4.5 (0.9); and mTSS, 7.7 (10.0) at baseline. At week 52, DAS28-CRP Conclusions Results show that ADA with MTX (≥12 mg/week at the beginning) displayed a consistent safety profile and was effective with a DAS28-CRP remission rate of 77% in routine clinical practice. The ADR rate of 26% was similar to a previous, short-term (28 weeks) postmarketing surveillance report (1). References Koike et al. Mod Rheumatol 2014; 24:390–8. Acknowledgements This study (NCT01736189) was funded by AbbVie GK and Eisai Co., Ltd. AbbVie participated in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data, and in the drafting, review, and approval of the abstract. AbbVie GK and Eisai Co., Ltd. provided funding to EPS Corporation for data analysis and to Cactus Communications for editorial assistance. Disclosure of Interest Y. Tanaka Grant/research support from: Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Takeda, Daiichi-Sankyo, Chugai, Bristol-Myers, MSD, Astellas, Abbvie, Eisai, Consultant for: Abbvie, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Bristol-Myers, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Astellas, Takeda, Pfizer, Teijin, Asahi-kasei, YL Biologics, Sanofi, Janssen, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, T. Mimori Grant/research support from: Acterion, Ayumi, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Speakers bureau: Chugai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, H. Yamanaka Grant/research support from: MSD, Ayumi, AbbVie, Eisai, Ono, Astellas, Daiichi-Sankyo, Taisyo-Toyama, Takeda, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Chugai, Teijin Pharma, Torii, Nippon Shinyaku, Pfizer, UCB. Nippon Kayaku, YL biologics, Bayer, Bristol-Meyers, Consultant for: MSD, Ayumi, AbbVie, Eisai, Ono, Astellas, Daiichi-Sankyo, Taisyo-Toyama, Takeda, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Chugai, Teijin Pharma, Torii, Nippon Shinyaku, Pfizer, UCB, Nippon Kayaku, YL biologics, Bayer, Bristol-Meyers, R. Nakajima Employee of: AbbVie GK, K. Morita Employee of: AbbVie GK, J. Kimura Employee of: AbbVie GK, T. Takeuchi Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Astellas, Bristol-Myers, Chugai, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Janssen, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Nippon Shinyaku, Pfizer, Sanofi, Santen, Takeda, Teijin, Consultant for: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Asahi Kasei Medical, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eisai, Janssen, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Pfizer, Takeda

In Japan, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) have been used for the exploitation of renewable energy sources (RES). Although these are significant to enhance the use of RES, the RES penetration is not reaching the expected percentage. The identification of their strengths/weaknesses will allow their improvement for achieving the target. This paper concerned the evaluation of RPS and FIT using a multi-criteria evaluation method. First, official data/information were used to assess their performance using the method. Second, national experts were asked about their performance to verify the outcomes. We found FIT was more effective than RPS. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Photoemission is used for a large variety of experimental techniques for study of material properties. Further applications photoemission finds for electron beam generation. Development of photocathodes with high quantum efficiency requires sufficient microscopic understanding of photoemission processes. The LaB6 is a well-known thermionic emitter, which can be used as a photocathode. Anomalous, thermally assisted increase of quantum efficiency was previously demonstrated for this material. The increase shows a bi-exponential rise with photon-energy dependent slopes. The photon-energy dependency indicates correlation of extracted current with electronic band structure. In this work, we have investigated possible mechanisms, which could be the reason for the anomalous dependence of photoemission current on the cathode temperature. In particular, the Fowler–DuBridge theory was modified to account for changes in the electron density of states. The results show negligible low influence of density of states structure. Finally, we make a suggestion regarding the modification of the electron escape probability, which can cause the increase in photoemission.