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Spinodal decomposition (SD) was incorporated into Nb-doped metastable TiO2–SnO2 to achieve giant interfacial polarization. The dielectric characteristics were analyzed using an equivalent circuit involving electron migration, where the SD bulk is given by the universal dielectric response relation. Both the Nb–TiO2 and the Nb–SnO2 layers showed semiconductive behaviors. With increasing SD treatment temperature, the SD volume fraction increased, as did cation interdiffusion at the SD interface, resulting in a large dielectric loss. The optimal SD temperature was determined as 1100 °C, where the Maxwell–Wagner capacitance showed a very high value of 44.6 μF corresponding to the permittivity at the lowest frequency exceeding 106. Such colossal polarization was considered due to an accumulation of trapped electrons at the Schottky barrier at SD layers with different conductivities.

According to the 2004 Japanese definition, early-onset (EO) preeclampsia (PE) is defined as PE occurring at32 weeks of gestation. This was based on the presence of "dual peaks" (30-31 and 34-35 weeks) in the prevalence of severe forms of hypertension. In contrast, the international definition adopted a cutoff of 34 weeks based on the consensus. Our aim was to investigate whether there were "dual peaks" in the gestational-age-specific incidence or prevalence of PE onset in pregnant women who underwent maternal check-ups at20 weeks of gestation in a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Diagnoses of PE and superimposed preeclampsia (SPE) were based on the new Japanese definition. A total of 26,567 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy were investigated. The best fitting equations for the distribution of the onset of gestational-age-specific incidence (hazard) rates of PE/SPE, PE, and PE with severe hypertension (a systolic blood pressure ≥160 and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥110 mmHg) were investigated using the curve estimation function in SPSS. PE/SPE occurred in 1.83% of the patients. EO-PE/SPE with onset at32 and34 weeks of gestation and preterm PE/SPE occurred in 0.38, 0.56, and 1.07% of the patients, respectively. Gestational-age-specific incidence rates of PE/SPE, PE, and PE with severe hypertension showed exponential increases, with very high R

The elastic fiber structure becomes shorter, thicker, and curved with age. Nonetheless, the proteins and catabolic enzymes influencing the maintenance of and change in the three-dimensional (3D) structure of elastic fibers remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the proteins involved in the maintenance and degeneration of elastic fiber structures.We performed a combined 3D structural analysis using tissue decolorization technology and mRNA abundance and comprehensive protein expression of tissue-derived cells. The relationship between the proteins was evaluated.Elastin microfibril interface-located protein 1 (EMILIN-1) and cathepsin K (CTSK) were implicated in structural changes in elastic fibers with aging. EMILIN-1 and CTSK levels were highly correlated and changed with age. CTSK was identified as the degrading enzyme of EMILIN-1. CTSK fragmented the otherwise linearly existing dermal elastic fiber structure, with more evident changes in oxytalan fibers. EMILIN-1 expression in fibroblasts was increased by co-culturing with keratinocytes. Furthermore, CTSK expression was increased by UV stress in keratinocytes, resulting in decreased EMILIN-1 expression.Using our new assessment strategy, we observed that EMILIN-1 and CTSK are highly linked to changes in the elastic fiber structure with aging. These results indicate that suppressing CTSK expression and increasing EMILIN-1 expression might be an effective approach to prevent elastic fiber morphological changes that lead to wrinkles and sagging. Furthermore, EMILIN-1 in the dermis increases due to interaction with the epidermis, which could provide a new target for the therapeutic care of elastic fibers (including preservation of oxytalan fibers) in epidermis-dermis interaction.

Neuronal morphological changes in the epidermis are considered to be one of causes of abnormal skin sensations in dry skin-based skin diseases. The present study aimed to develop an in vitro model optimised for human skin to test the external factors that lead to its exacerbation. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons (hiPSC-SNs) were used as a model of human sensory neurons. The effects of chemical substances on these neurons were evaluated by observing the elongation of nerve fibers, incidence of blebs (bead-like swellings), and the expression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (NMNAT2). The nerve fiber length increased upon exposure to two common cosmetic preservatives—methylparaben and phenoxyethanol—but not to benzo[a]pyrene, an air pollutant at the estimated concentrations in the epidermis. Furthermore, the incidence of blebs increased upon exposure to benzo[a]pyrene. However, there was a decrease in the expression of NMNAT2 in nerve fibers, suggesting degenerative changes. No such degeneration was found after methylparaben or phenoxyethanol at the estimated concentrations in the epidermis. These findings suggest that methylparaben and phenoxyethanol promote nerve elongation in hiPSC-SNs, whereas benzo[a]pyrene induces nerve degeneration. Such alterations may be at least partly involved in the onset and progression of sensitive skin.

Trehangelins (THG) are newly identified trehalose compounds derived from broth cultures of an endophytic actinomycete, Polymorphospora rubra. THG are known to suppress Cellular Communication Network factor 1 (CCN1), which regulates collagen homeostasis in the dermis. Although the physical properties of THG suggest a high penetration of the stratum corneum, the effect of THG on the epidermis has not been reported. Here we describe a possible mechanism involved in skin aging focusing on the effect of THG on epidermal CCN1. This study shows that: 1) THG suppress epidermal CCN1 expression by inhibiting the translocation of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) to nuclei. 2) Epidermal CCN1, localized at the basement membrane, regulates the balance between the growth and differentiation of keratinocytes. 3) Keratinocytes secrete more CCN1 than fibroblasts, which leads to disruption of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix components. 4) The secretion of CCN1 from keratinocytes is increased by ultraviolet B exposure, especially in aged keratinocytes, and deteriorates the elastic fiber structures in the underlying dermis. 5) Topical application of THG ameliorates the structure of the basement membrane in ex vivo human skin explants. Taken together, THG might be a promising treatment for aged skin by suppressing the aberrant YAP-CCN1 axis.

The temperature dependence of friction coefficient of lubricant oils containing MoDTC was evaluated using a ball on disk tribometer at constant temperatures of 25, 40, 60 and 80°C. In the experiments, the friction coefficient gradually decreased and tended to become lower at steady state. The decreasing slope of the friction coefficient was steeper and the lower friction coefficient at the steady state was obtained at a higher oil temperature. The friction coefficient was also controlled by the concentration of MoDTC in oil. Considering that the results of lubricating tests supported the successive processes involving production and wear of MoS2, the friction coefficient can be controlled by the coverage of MoS2 which is determined by a balance of formation and wear of MoS2. An analysis formula was established based on kinetic assessment of the process in order to obtain the Arrhenius plots of the test results. There were two regions which had different slopes in the plot. The activation energies were 70 and 4 kJ/mol for the low and the high temperature regions, respectively. This result suggested that MoS2 production from MoDTC was reaction rate-limiting at low temperature and transport ratelimiting at high temperature.

The rising of thin-film-based plasmonic electro-optic (EO) devices triggers considerable exploitation of ferroelectric oxide thin films with large EO response. In this study, epitaxial (001)-orientated Ni-doped K(Ta0.6Nb0.4)O3 (KTN) films were fabricated on SrRuO3/SrTiO3 substrates via pulsed laser deposition. In comparison with a pure KTN film, a larger withstand electric field was achieved by Ni doping. The EO measurements revealed that the doping of Ni ions induced a decrease in the effective EO coefficient. Instead, the variation of refractive index by the applicable maximum electric field was increased due to the increment of withstand electric field, particularly for the case of 2% Ni dopant.

The usefulness of stratum corneum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and stratum corneum galectin-7 as biomarkers of acne vulgaris was studied. A comparison of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels on the cheeks of patients with acne vulgaris at the start of the study and at the time of symptom improvement showed a significant decrease. On the other hand, the galectin-7 levels at the time of symptom improvement were significantly higher than those at the start of the study. Therefore, because the inflammation in the epidermis and hair follicles was reduced after therapy, as a result of the solution of the inflammatory eruptions caused by acne vulgaris, the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin level also showed a significant decrease after therapy. These results suggest that stratum corneum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin may be useful as an objective biomarker of changes in acne vulgaris symptoms.

We deposited polar-axis-oriented tetragonal and rhombohedral single domain Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT) films on CaF2(100) substrates by inserting SrRuO3 (SRO)/LaNiO3 and SRO/SrTiO3/TiO2/CeO2 buffer layers. Both PZT films grew epitaxially and had a (001)- and (111)-domain with the remnant polarization and piezoelectric constant comparable to the theoretical values of PZT single crystals having the same compositions. The electro-optic (EO) response of the fabricated PZT films was constant with respect to the DC electric field and increased linearly with an increasing AC electric field, thus representing a typical linear EO response in single domain ferroelectrics. The measured EO coefficients were larger than the value for a single crystal of PbTiO3, i.e., one of the end members of PZT, but smaller than the values reported for polycrystalline and epitaxial PZT films with multiple domains. These findings show that the intrinsic EO effect is enhanced in PZT, which is similar to the enhancement seen in the dielectric and piezoelectric constants. Moreover, most of the reported EO response in PZT films is supported by additional extrinsic contributions.

Electro-optic (EO) modulators for silicon photonics using CMOS-compatible materials and processes are in great demand. In this study, epitaxial (100)-undoped HfO2 and Y-doped HfO2 thin films were fabricated on Sn-doped In2O3/yttria-stabilized zirconia(100) substrates at room temperature via magnetron sputtering. EO measurement of the Y-HfO2 film using modulation ellipsometry showed that the phase was changed by 180° after application of positive and negative poling biases, and the modulation amplitude increased linearly with increasing AC electric field, indicating a linear EO effect based on ferroelectricity. The observed results indicate that ferroelectric HfO2-based films are viable candidates for CMOS-compatible EO devices.

Background and study aims: Endoscopic resection is one treatment option for residual or locally recurrent esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. However, little is known about the clinical benefit of salvage endoscopic resection for these lesions. Therefore, the effectiveness and prognostic factors of salvage endoscopic resection were investigated. Patients and methods: A total of 37 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who underwent salvage endoscopic resection after definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone were reviewed. The method of salvage endoscopic resection was endoscopic mucosal resection using a cap (EMR-C), strip biopsy, or endoscopic submucosal dissection. The effectiveness and prognostic factors of salvage endoscopic resection were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 37 patients with 49 lesions underwent salvage endoscopic resection. Baseline clinical stages were I in 23 patients, II in 3 patients, III in 9 patients, and IV in 2 patients. The number of locoregional recurrences and residual lesions were 35 and 14, respectively. The curative en bloc resection rate was 53.1 % (26/49). The total incidence of complications was 18.9 % (7/37); all were successfully managed conservatively. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 72.9 % and 53.3 %, respectively, with a median follow-up period of 54 months. Baseline clinical T1 – 2 and N0 were significant factors for good prognosis in terms of overall survival on univariate analysis. Conclusions: Salvage endoscopic resection, especially EMR-C, is a safe and feasible procedure to control residual or recurrent superficial esophageal SCC after definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. The present results showed that baseline clinical T1 – 2 and N0 before chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy were significant prognostic factors.

A magnetic-fluid tuned liquid column damper (MF-TLCD) is a semi-active damper that has a magnetic fluid column in U-pipe as an additional vibration system. An MF-TLCD can suppress structural vibrations at a wide frequency range by applying a magnetic field. In this study, we performed vibration experiments for three types of U-pipes and assessed the effects on MF-TLCD performance caused by different damping forces on the liquid column.

Aeschynite-type EuTiNbO 6 fine phosphor with sufficient luminescence intensity was directly formed as homogeneous cuboid particles with high crystallinity in the range of 1–2 μm from precursor solution mixtures of EuCl 3 , TiOSO 4 , and NbCl 5 under weakly basic conditions via hydrothermal treatment at 240 °C for 5 h. The as-prepared aeschynite phase stably existed after heating at 1000–1400 °C for 1 h in air. Under excitation at wavelengths of 395 nm, among all samples before and after heating in air, the as-prepared EuTiNbO 6 fine crystals before heating emitted luminescence with the highest intensity in the red spectral region with strong red and weak orange light corresponding to 5 D 0→ 7 F 2 and 5 D 0→ 7 F 1 transitions of Eu 3+ , respectively. The amorphous coprecipitation powder crystallized into euxenite-type phase at 700–1000 °C and transformed into aeschynite-type phase at 1000–1200 °C. High-temperature heating at 1400 °C was essential for the coprecipitation powder to obtain almost a single phase of aeschynite-type EuTiNbO 6 and sufficient emission intensity.

Our aim is to create a system to estimate the degree of age-dependent degradation in elderly persons based on their daily conversations. We have already confirmed that the time-dependent features of the fundamental frequency (F0) are effective for estimating conversation smoothness. Here we investigated whether these features are also effective for estimating age-dependent degradation. By analyzing free conversational speech data, we confirmed that the standard deviation value of F0 for each utterance is correlated to the average value of F0 when the impression of the speech is regarded as under 75. This correlation was weaker in older individuals. Our results indicate that the above features of F0 would be effective for estimating age-dependent degradation.

At shipbuilding workplaces, half-crouching or squatting postures are often taken in welding tasks, and which put heavy burden on workers' waist. The assist devices that can reduce the burden on the waist have been carried out by several researchers, but its development for the shipbuilding workplaces has not been advanced. We developed an assist device which can be used at shipbuilding workplaces to reduce the burden on the workers' waist. In this report, we focused on two kinds of burden related to the back pain, the tension of the spinal column erector muscle and the compression force applied to the intervertebral disc in the lumbar area. The effects of reducing the burden with the assist device were verified by the calculation using a simple musculoskeletal model. Moreover, the effectiveness was shown by the measurement results of the electromyogram of the spinal column erector muscle.

A sarcoid-like reaction is a development of non-caseating granuloma in patients with underlying malignancy and represents a false positive finding on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). A sarcoid-like reaction is a benign condition; therefore, differentiating a sarcoid-like reaction from cancer recurrence is necessary. Only uterine and ovarian cancer related cases have been reported in the gynecological field and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a sarcoid-like reaction in vaginal cancer. A 59-year-old vaginal cancer patient received concurrent chemoradiotherapy and achieved complete remission. Recurrence of vaginal cancer was suspected because of the elevation of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen level. PET/CT revealed abnormal uptake at the bilateral mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. A non-caseating granuloma was detected from the biopsy of the swollen lymph nodes. No evidence of cancer recurrence was observed. A sarcoid-like reaction should be considered when evaluating PET/CT in cancer patients to prevent unnecessary treatments.

The effect of alkaline and alkaline-earth metal oxides addition to the ZnO-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 system on the glass formation has been studied and the crystallization behaviour of these glasses was investigated by DTA and XRD. The addition of alkaline metal oxides tends to hinder the glass formation and only the system containing Li 2 O forms glass. The addition of Li 2 O changes the crystallization behaviour and the precipitation of LiAlSi3O8 is caused together with gahnite which is a typical precipitation phase in the ZnO-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 system. TiO 2 added as a nucleating agent tends to form a compound with ZnO when extra ZnO exists. All glasses could be formed when alkaline-earth metal oxides were added and the colour was changed to be brown by the addition of TiO 2 . In case of no TiO 2 addition, glasses changed the form and melted before finish DTA because of low viscosity or high nucleation rate. However, crystallization peaks were clearer after added TiO 2 due to the effect of nucleating agent. To conclusion, some glasses could not be formed when alkaline metal oxide was added because crystal growth rate was higher than alkaline-earth metal oxide addition; however, transparent glasses could not be obtained in all samples.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASC) is a variant of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but the prognosis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the prognosis of ASC using a matched case-control design.We evaluated clinical characteristics of ASC treated between 2001 and 2011 in our institution. As controls, PDAC cases matched with ASC cases for sex, age, pretreatment Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, location, initial therapy and American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging for pancreatic cancer were also evaluated.Of the 914 cases of pancreatic neoplasm, 28 cases (3.06%) of ASC were identified, and 56 cases of PDAC were matched as controls. Median overall survival (OS) was significantly worse for ASC (8.38 months) than for PDAC (15.75 months; hazard ratio [HR], 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-3.51; P = 0.026). Of the 22 unresected cases, median OS was again significantly worse for ASC (4.67 months) than for PDAC (12.36 months; HR, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-4.51; P = 0.007).These results demonstrate that ASC is more aggressive than PDAC.

(001)-epitaxial (Ba0.5Sr0.5)TiO3 (BST) thin films with different magnitudes of compressive strain were fabricated on SrRuO3/SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition, and their electro-optic (EO) properties were characterized by modulation ellipsometry at different temperatures. All fabricated films showed an increased paraelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition temperature upon compressive strain and revealed c-domain structures in the ferroelectric phase. We experimentally clarified that the EO properties of compressively strained BST thin films are enhanced toward the phase transition temperature modified by the strain. The experimental results were compared with the theoretical prediction based on a phenomenological thermodynamic model. Although the measured EO coefficient rc was less than that theoretically predicted, the experimentally observed strain effect on the EO properties is in good qualitative agreement., ファイル公開：2020/08/26

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM Malignancy in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is graded by assessing the resected specimens according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 criteria. The feasibility of such grading using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) specimens remains unclear. The aim of this study was to ascertain the optimal method of measuring the Ki-67 index in EUS-FNA specimens, using resected specimens as the criterion standard. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 58 consecutive patients diagnosed with PNETs between March 1998 and May 2011 were included. The study measured intratumoral Ki-67 index heterogeneity, concordance rates of PNET grading by EUS-FNA with grade of the resected tumor, optimal method of measuring the Ki-67 index in EUS-FNA specimens, and survival analysis based on EUS-FNA specimen grading. RESULTS Intratumoral dispersion of Ki-67 index in resected specimens was 0.033 for Grade 1 and 0.782 for Grade 2 tumors (P