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Although being an old concern, phosphate analysis is still a tremendous challenge. While many different experimental techniques are found in the literature, very few use powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns for quantitative phase analysis of different phosphate types. Our measurements performed in four commercial samples of diammonium hydrogen phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4) (DAP) show the existence of phosphate contamination mixtures, such as ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4) (ADP). The larger the amount of ADP, the larger the microstrain induced in the DAP phase, which impacts both the aggregation of the nanoparticles in solution and the final anticancer activity of the nanostructure. This study shows that PXRD is an excellent technique for quantitative phase analysis to determine the presence and amount of phosphate contamination in diammonium hydrogen phosphate samples.

The Remote sensing of Electrification, Lightning, And Mesoscale/microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations (RELAMPAGO) campaign produced unparalleled observations of the South American low-level jet (SALLJ) in central Argentina with high temporal observations located in the path of the jet and upstream of rapidly growing convection. The vertical and temporal structure of the jet is characterized using 3-hourly soundings launched at two fixed sites near the Sierras de Córdoba (SDC), along with high-resolution reanalysis data. Objective SALLJ identification criteria are applied to each sounding to determine the presence, timing, and vertical characteristics of the jet. The observations largely confirm prior results showing that SALLJs most frequently come from the north, occur overnight, and peak in the low levels, though SALLJs notably peaked higher near the end of longer-duration events during RELAMPAGO. This study categorizes SALLJs into shorter-duration events with jet cores peaking overnight in the low levels and longer 5–6-day events with elevated jets near the end of the period that lack a clear diurnal cycle. Evidence of both boundary layer processes and large-scale forcing were observed during shorter-duration events, whereas synoptic forcing dominated the longer 5–6-day events. The highest amounts of moisture and larger convective coverage east of the SDC occurred near the end of the 5–6-day SALLJ events. Significance Statement The South American low-level jet (SALLJ) is an area of enhanced northerly winds that likely contributes to long-lived, widespread thunderstorms in Southeastern South America (SESA). This study uses observations from a recent SESA field project to improve understanding of the variability of the SALLJ and the underlying processes. We related jet occurrence to upper-level environmental patterns and differences in the progression speed of those patterns to varying durations of the jet. Longer-duration jets were more elevated, transported moisture southward from the Amazon, and coincided with the most widespread storms. These findings enable future research to study the role of the SALLJ in the life cycle of storms in detail, leading to improved storm prediction in SESA.

OBJECTIVES: Research suggests that cardiometabolic disease risks are elevated among survivors of natural disasters, possibly mediated by changes in diet. Using the Brief Dietary History Questionnaire, we examined (1) dietary patterns among older survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and (2) the contribution of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS)/depressive symptoms, as well as relocation to temporary housing on dietary patterns and (3) gender differences in the associations. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data came from a prospective cohort study of 1,375 survivors aged 65–89 years (44.6% male). MEASUREMENTS: PTSS/depression onset was evaluated in 2013, 2.5 years after the disaster. Dietary data was collected with a self-administered brief-type diet history questionnaire in 2020. A principal component analysis identified three posterior dietary patterns. RESULTS: Diet 1 consisted of high intake of vegetables, soy products, and fruits; Diet 2 consisted of carbohydrate-rich foods and snacks/sweets; Diet 3 consisted of high intake of alcoholic beverages, meat, and seafood. Least-squares linear regression revealed that individuals with PTSS/depression were less likely to exhibit Diet 1, while individuals with PTSS were more likely to exhibit Diet 2&3. Especially, males who had depression showed an unhealthy dietary pattern. Those who have lived in a trailer-style temporary housing reported less consumption of Diet 3. CONCLUSION: Survivors of disaster with symptoms of mental illness tended to exhibit less healthy dietary patterns after 9 years. Diet varied by type of post-disaster mental illness, gender, and current social circumstances. We lacked pre-disaster BDHQ data, which is a limitation.

The major challenges of developing a robust strain coupling between nanocrystals and a strain medium are addressed by employing a simple self-assembly-based adhesion process that relies on the form...

In this work, we demonstrate an experimental realization of a granular multiferroic composite, where the magnetic state of a nanocrystal array is modified by tuning the interparticle exchange coupling using an applied electric field. Previous theoretical models of a granular multiferroic composite predicted a unique magnetoelectric coupling mechanism, in which the magnetic spins of the ensemble are governed by interparticle exchange. The extent of these exchange interactions can be controlled by varying the local dielectric environment between grains. We specifically utilize the strong dielectric dependence of ferroelectric materials to modify the interparticle coupling of closely spaced magnetic nanoparticles using either a change in temperature or an electric field. This coupling modifies the ensemble magnetic coercivity and thus the superparamagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition temperature. Through the use of two different ferroelectrics, our results suggest that this magnetoelectric coupling mechanism could be generalized as a new class of multiferroic material, applicable to a broad range of ferroelectric/magnetic nanocrystal composites.

Background Cardiac myosin–binding protein C (cMyC) is a cardiac-restricted protein that has more abundant, rapid release and clearance kinetics than cardiac troponin. The current ESC guideline suggests the cMyC may provide value as an alternative to cardiac troponin. The 99th percentile value is universally endorsed as the reference cut off to aid in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, none of the report of healthy population of cMyC. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of cMyC values in healthy subjects. Methods We used two cohorts in this retrospective study. 1) Healthy subjects; a total of 500 subjects (250 men and 250 women) who had annual health examinations in 2012 in the area of Kamigoto, a suburb of Nagasaki city in Southern Japan were enrolled. All participants showed none of abnormal findings including cell blood counts, chemical analysis, liver function tests, general urine tests, occult blood tests of stool, barium swallow, mammography for women, abdominal ultrasound sonography, and electrocardiogram. All blood samples were obtained in a fasting state in the morning. 2) Chest pain subjects; we collected samples from 250 subjects including 50 with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction visited admitted to a university hospital for measurement of high-sensitivity troponin T and coronary artery assessment by coronary angiography. We measured cMyC level in both cohorts by HISCL™-800 system (Sysmex corporation, Japan). The assay has a limit of detection of 0.5 ng/L and a lower limit of quantification of 1.3 ng/L. Result In healthy subjects, median age (IQR) was 44 (20, 82) in men and 50 (23, 91) in women. The 99th percentile of cMyC was 27.3 ng/L, which was around one-third lower than that in previous report (87 ng/L). In chest pain subjects, the concentrations of cMyC at presentation were significantly higher in those with versus without AMI (median, 66 ng/L versus 10 ng/L, P Conclusion We defined the normal range of cMyC in healthy Japanese subjects. The level of cMyC at presentation provides discriminatory power comparable to hs-cTnT in the diagnosis of AMI. To determine the physiological value of a biomarker may be necessary to evaluate enough information about their health status. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research

Calf mortality is a major problem affecting cattle production. To identify genetic variants associated with calf mortality in Japanese Black cattle, we evaluated calf mortality as a categorical trait using a threshold model and conducted a GWAS. We identified two SNPs between 32 549 297 and 32 606 924 bp on bovine chromosome 9 that were significantly associated with calf mortality from 61 to 180 days after birth. The SNP showing the highest association was localized at a region 624 bp downstream of exon 4 of the anti-silencing function 1A histone chaperone gene (ASF1A) that promotes DNA damage repair, and the null mice, which exhibit pre- and postnatal lethality. This association was also detected using the breeding value of 334 sires. The frequency of the risk allele in Japanese Black cattle from locations across Japan was 0.013; although the frequency of ASF1A risk allele was low, it is widespread in the Japanese Black cattle population. Thus, it may be necessary to routinely monitor the cattle population for the presence of this allele.

The prognostic value of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy in lung cancer patients is not well known. The purpose of this study is to assess the prognostic value of PET/CT taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy in lung cancer patients.Patients with primary lung cancer planned to undergo concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Patients underwent PET/CT scans at 3 time points: before radiotherapy, within 24hours of completing radiotherapy (im-PET/CT), and 2-9 months after radiotherapy (post-PET/CT). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVNineteen patients were enrolled. im-PET/CT-SUVPET/CT-SUV

This pre-specified analysis of DAPA-CKD assessed the impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition on abrupt declines in kidney function in high-risk patients based on having chronic kidney disease (CKD) and substantial albuminuria. DAPA-CKD was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that had a median follow-up of 2.4 years. Adults with CKD (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio 200-5000 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate 25-75 mL/min/1.73m2) were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg/day matched to placebo (2152 individuals each). An abrupt decline in kidney function was defined as a pre-specified endpoint of doubling of serum creatinine between two subsequent study visits. We also assessed a post-hoc analysis of investigator-reported acute kidney injury-related serious adverse events. Doubling of serum creatinine between two subsequent visits (median time-interval 100 days) occurred in 63 (2.9%) and 91 (4.2%) participants in the dapagliflozin and placebo groups, respectively (hazard ratio 0.68 [95% confidence interval 0.49, 0.94]). Accounting for the competing risk of mortality did not alter our findings. There was no heterogeneity in the effect of dapagliflozin on abrupt declines in kidney function based on baseline subgroups. Acute kidney injury-related serious adverse events were not significantly different and occurred in 52 (2.5%) and 69 (3.2%) participants in the dapagliflozin and placebo groups, respectively (0.77 [0.54, 1.10]). Thus, in patients with CKD and substantial albuminuria, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of abrupt declines in kidney function. HJLH and DC are co-primary authors. The DAPA-CKD Trial Committees and Investigators are listed in the Appendix.

Underwater method is now mainly used in endoscopic mucosal resection of colorectal and duodenal lesions based on the fact that mucosa and submucosa float into the lumen moving away from the muscularis propria after filling with water without submucosal injection. We performed underwater endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for a cervical esophageal lesion. Methods Case report. Results An 81-year-old man with a history of drinking and smoking underwent endoscopy, revealing a 1/3 round superficial cancer in the cervical esophagus. ESD was performed under general anesthesia and tracheal intubation. The lumen was so narrow from natural constriction that a good view could not be secured under CO2 insufflation. Therefore, we tried the underwater method. As the lumen was expanded by filling with 0.9% saline solution, it was possible to secure a visual field. Because the submucosal layer floated up underwater, a circumferential incision and submucosal dissection were completed easily and quickly. Conclusion Endoscopic resection for lesions within a physiologic narrow space is difficult. The underwater method is reported to be useful for treatment of rectal tumors near the dentate line and cecal tumors in the appendiceal orifice. We found that the underwater method made ESD for the cervical esophageal cancer even easier by securing a good view. To our knowledge, this is the first report of underwater ESD for a cervical esophageal cancer.

A two-bunch scheme to generate high-power, high-repetition-rate THz radiation for pump–probe experiments at LCLS II is studied. The two-bunch beam dynamics, the THz wiggler and radiation are described, as well as the transport system bringing the THz pulses from the wiggler to the X-ray experimental hall., Experiments using a THz pump and an X-ray probe at an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facility like the Linac Coherent Light Source II (LCLS II) require frequency-tunable (3 to 20 THz), narrow bandwidth (∼10%), carrier-envelope-phase-stable THz pulses that produce high fields (>1 MV cm−1) at the repetition rate of the X-rays and are well synchronized with them. In this paper, a two-bunch scheme to generate THz radiation at LCLS II is studied: the first bunch produces THz radiation in an electromagnet wiggler immediately following the LCLS II undulator that produces X-rays from the second bunch. The initial time delay between the two bunches is optimized to compensate for the path difference in THz transport. The two-bunch beam dynamics, the THz wiggler and radiation are described, as well as the transport system bringing the THz pulses from the wiggler to the experimental hall.

Summary Background & aims The associations between dietary magnesium intake and stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) incidences are inconsistent and not established in Asian. We aimed to determine the association between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of stroke and CHD in a Japanese population. Subjects/Methods We studied 85,293 Japanese subjects by questionnaire at baseline (age 45–74 years, without cardiovascular disease or cancer in 1995 and 1998 for Cohorts I and II, respectively). The participants were followed until the end of 2009 and 2010 in Cohorts I and II, respectively. Dietary magnesium intake was estimated from a self-administered 138-item food-frequency questionnaire. Results After 1,305,738 person-years of follow-up, 4110 strokes and 1283 cases of CHD were documented. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs, 95% confidence intervals, 95%CIs) of CHD for the fourth and fifth quintiles of dietary magnesium intake were 0.70 (0.50–0.99) and 0.66 (0.44–0.97) in men (P for trend = 0.036), respectively, and third quintile of dietary magnesium intake was 0.61 (0.39–0.96) in women (P for trend = 0.241), compared with the lowest quintile in men and women. We observed no decreased risks of incident stroke in men or women with higher dietary magnesium intakes. Conclusions Higher dietary magnesium intake was associated with a reduced risk of CHD in Japanese men.

A finding between dietary pattern and cancer may provide visions beyond the assessment of individual foods or nutrients. We examined the influence of dietary pattern with colorectal cancer (CRC) among a Japanese population.A total of 93,062 subjects (43,591 men, 49,471 women) who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study were followed from 1995-1998 to the end of 2012, during which 2482 cases of CRC (1514 men, 968 women) were newly identified. Dietary data was obtained from a validated food-frequency questionnaire between 1995 and 1998.Three dietary pattern was derived from principal components factor: prudent, westernized, and traditional pattern. After controlled for potential confounders, the prudent pattern showed a decreased association of CRC risk in men (HR for highest quintile vs lowest: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72-1.00; P trend0.05), slightly more strongly with distal colon cancer (P trend0.05); but an increased risk of rectal cancer in women (P trend0.05). The westernized pattern showed a significant positive linear trend for colon (P trend0.05) and distal cancer (P trend0.05) in women. There was no apparent association of traditional Japanese dietary pattern on the overall or any specific sites risk of CRC.A prudent dietary pattern showed an inverse association with CRC risk in men, and a westernized pattern was related with a higher risk of colon and distal cancer in women.

Absolute measurement by the 4πβ-γ coincidence counting method was conducted by two photomultipliers facing across a plastic scintillator to be focused on β ray counting efficiency. The detector was held with a through-hole-type NaI(Tl) detector. The results include absolutely determined activity and its uncertainty especially about extrapolation. A comparison between the obtained and known activities showed agreement within their uncertainties.

Position and growth direction control in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of WS2 and SnS2 by using patterned Si/SiO2 substrates has been demonstrated. It was found that step edges effectively worked as crystal nuclei and lateral crystal growth from the edges with a certain level of growth directionality was observed. Gas source CVD using industrially friendly precursors (WF6, SnCl4, and H2S) has also been developed and WS2 and SnS2 synthesis with wafer-scale uniformity have been obtained.