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Mountable controller with parallelized VERSA Module Eurocard (VME) (MPV) is a VME-compatible system having a parallel readout architecture. This article presents the system architecture and its data acquisition performance. In this system, the readout sequence is implemented in a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to achieve the ideal VME bus speed. Data from multiple VME slave modules are read out in parallel, merged, and sent to a server. Maximum data throughput of 400 Mbps was achieved. Thus, the MPV system can dramatically improve the performance of VME data acquisition systems.

Carbon-supported Pt catalysts (Pt/Cs) for use of cathode catalyst layers (CLs) for PEFCs were covered with silica layers in order to improve performance. CLs with low ratio of ionomer to carbon (I/C) for Pt/C and silica-coated Pt/C were fabricated using an inkjet printing (denoted as Pt/C(IJ) and SiO2-Pt/C(IJ)) to reduce oxygen diffusion resistance. Compared to Pt/C(IJ), SiO2-Pt/C(IJ) ink maintained good dispersion and high stability under the lower I/C. The performance of SiO2-Pt/C(IJ) was significantly higher than Pt/C(IJ) at 0.6 V under all humidity conditions. In particular, the performance of SiO2-Pt/C(IJ) under low humidity conditions showed noticeable improvement regardless of current density area. From FIB-SEM, it was confirmed that the morphologies and porosities of both catalysts were the same. Thus, these results indicate that oxygen diffusion resistance, related to structure of CLs, hardly affects the performance, whereas improved performance is attributed to increased proton conductivity by silica layers containing hydrophilic groups.

We developed a reconstruction simulation model for a catalyst layer of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell to elucidate the effect of the size and shape of the catalyst agglomerates on the cell performance. The geometry of the catalyst layer was obtained by simulating the packing of carbon black agglomerates in ink modeled as multisphere objects by the discrete element method. Electrochemical reaction and mass transfer were modeled based on the resulting three-dimensional geometry of the catalyst. Both the size and shape of the agglomerate significantly influence the catalyst structure and performance. Branched agglomerates lead to higher porosity, larger pore sizes, and better cell performance. For each agglomerate shape, there is an optimum size at which the performance is the maximum, because of the optimum trade-off relationship between the oxygen diffusion and proton conduction. Understanding the mechanism of the catalyst formation can aid the design of catalysts to improve their performance.

We simulate agglomeration in different fuel cell catalyst ink solutions using Discrete Element Method. Carbon support is modelled as particles in various inks with ionomer and various solvents. The particles interact with particle-pair forces resulting in agglomerate build-up. The classical colloidal theory with van der Waals and electric double layer forces underestimates the ink stability, which motivates the development of a new model of polymer force between particles. The force is activated when there is a bridging of polymer between the carbon black particles, and the strength is dependent on the ionomer interaction with the solvent by the dielectric constant. A critical dielectric constant was defined for which ionomer form a web-like polymer network that increases the ink stability. This modification can explain the trend of the ink stability, and the model can simulate the effect of different solvents on the agglomerate size distribution with good agreement with experimental results.

The results of ab−initio electronic structure calculations, X-ray diffraction, magnetic, and 151Eu Mossbauer spectroscopy investigations of the EuRhO3 orthorhodite are presented. The orthorhodite is shown to crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma and its lattice constants are a = 5.7499(1) A, b = 7.6863(1) A, and c = 5.3095(1) A. The electron charge density distributions point toward the presence of a mixture of ionic and directional covalent bonding. A detailed analysis of the density of states and the energy band structure reveals half-metallic/half-insulator characteristics of EuRhO3. The Eu atoms in EuRhO3 are shown to be in the trivalent oxidation state. It is demonstrated that EuRhO3 is a paramagnet down to 2.3 K. The Debye temperature of EuRhO3 is found to be 254(3) K.

We present estimations for the amounts of Arcobacter (A. butzleri, A. cryaerophilus and A. skirrowii) and Campylobacter (C. jejuni, C. coli and C. fetus) species in retail chicken, pork and beef meat using PCR-MPN. Arcobacter butzleri, A. cryaerophilus and C. jejuni were found in 100, 60 and 55% of chicken samples, respectively. No other Arcobacter or Campylobacter species were found in chicken. The MPNs of A. butzleri, A. cryaerophilus and C. jejuni were greater than 103 per 100 g in 50, 0 and 5% of samples, respectively. The MPN of A. butzleri was higher than that of C. jejuni in 95% of samples. In pork, A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus were detected in 10 and 11 (50 and 55%) of 20 samples, respectively. No other Arcobacter or Campylobacter species were found in pork. Only one pork sample had more than 103 MPN per 100 g of A. cryaerophilus. For beef, only two samples tested positive for A. cryaerophilus, at 4600 and 92 MPN per 100 g. Overall, we found that the presence and MPNs of Arcobacter species are very high in chicken. In contrast, the positive ratios of Arcobacter in pork were high as chicken samples, but MPNs were lower than in chicken.

Background It has been reported that low voltage areas and conduction abnormalities detected by electrophysiology catheters in the left atrium (LA) represent regional degeneration and fibrosis of the atrium and are related to a poor atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcome. Assessment of the local atrial function is clinically useful because atrial degeneration does not occur uniformly throughout the atrium. Though evaluating the global atrial function using speckle tracking imaging (STI) by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has been attempted, TTE does not have a sufficient image quality to assess local atrial STI. Purpose To evaluate the local atrial function by STI using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and to elucidate the characteristics of the STI in normal and abnormal voltage regions in the LA. Methods We included 9 patients undergoing AF ablation with written informed consent for this prospective observational study. After pulmonary vein isolation, we performed voltage mapping of the LA in sinus rhythm using a CARTO system (Biosense). Abnormal regions and normal regions were defined as those with low voltage areas ( Results Among the study population, 5 patients had low voltage areas in the LA. We evaluated the STI at 26 normal regions and 44 abnormal regions. The typical regional speckle tracking waveform in the normal region was similar to a jugular vein pressure waveform (right figure). There was a difference in the amplitude of the Sct between the groups; it was significantly smaller in the abnormal regions (normal and abnormal regions, 9.8±5.0% and 5.6±3.8%, p=0.0001). The duration of the Sct was significantly more prolonged in the abnormal regions than normal regions (98.8±26.3ms and 118.2±33.9ms, p=0.015). Conclusions This pilot study demonstrated that the local atrial function was evaluable by STI using ICE and that the regional strain tracking waveform during the atrial contraction phase in abnormal voltage regions was smaller and more prolonged than that in normal regions. An evaluation of the regional STI with an ICE may be useful to detect regional abnormalities of the atrium. Representative case Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Developed novel catalysts has been enhanced its activity and durability by researchers. There are some approaches to enhance Pt activity such as alloy, core-shell, and nanoframe and to improve durability by covered catalysts such as Silica, carbon, and organic compound. However, as for evaluation of catalyst, it is generally difficult to reflect half-cell results to membrane electrode assembly (MEA) one after screening of catalysts in electrolyte by half-cell method. There is morphology of catalyst layers (CLs) structure such as secondary porous, tortuosity, and porosity in addition to morphology of catalysts such as Pt specific surface, activity, and carbon support pore. Therefore, it is necessary to design CLs to bring out the performance without loss(1,2). The amount of ionomer around Pt/C is focused. It is also important factor influencing CLs structure. Although ionomers contribute the proton conduction, an excess of it prevents diffusion of oxygen to decrease porosity. Thus, decreasing ionomer amount is better in terms of oxygen diffusion. However, it is difficult to prepare the CLs loading low amount of ionomers by typical coating method since ionomers have a role in binding between secondary particles and increasing viscosity of ink. The catalyst by coverage Silica layer produced by Takenaka et al. is focused. Covering silica is one of the useful method to improve durability of Pt/C(3,4). The surface characteristics is transmuted by covering silica on the Pt/C. And then, it is available to keep the good dispersion ink even if low ionomer/carbon mass ratio (I/C). In this work, CLs with low I/C and effect of silica coating is evaluated by output performance using catalyst covered silica layer. CLs was prepared using by inkjet method. I/C enable to be reduced down to 0.25 in standard sample (TEC10V50E, Tanaka kikinzoku kogyo). Below this value, it is difficult to prepare the CLs to agglomerate the secondary particles since ionomers is not enough as a binder. As for silica catalyst, it is available to reduce I/C down to 0.05 while ink keeps good dispersion. The dispersibility is enhanced by difference between surface characteristics. Low I/C samples were showed performance same as typical method of I/C = 1.0 in high humidity. It is possible to get the good performance with low I/C. In addition, output covered silica layer is better than standard sample in low humidity. The result indicates that silica plays a role in humectant-like. Inoue and M. Kawase, J. Power Sources, 327(14), 1, (2016). Kotoi, G. Inoue, and M. Kawase, ECS Trans., 75, 385, (2016). Takenaka, H. Matsumori, K. Nakagawa, H. Matsune, E. Tanabe, and M. Kishida, J. Phys. Chem. C, 111(42), 15133, (2007). Takenaka, H. Matsumori, T. Arike, H. Matsune, and M. Kishida, Top. Catal., 52(6-7), 731, (2009).

Electron scattering at high energy (>100 MeV) has been playing as an electron femtoscope (a femtometrescale electron microscope), which provides reliable information on the internal structure of nu...

The results of X-ray diffraction, magnetic, and 155 Gd Mossbauer spectroscopy study, complemented by the a b - i n i t i o electronic structure and the hyperfine-interaction parameters calculations, of the GdRhO 3 orthorhodite are reported. GdRhO 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P n m a with the lattice parameters a = 5.7450 ( 1 ) A, b = 7.6647 ( 1 ) A, and c = 5.2905 ( 1 ) A. The evidence is provided for the presence of directional covalent bonding between the Rh and O atoms and of ionic bonding between the Gd and Rh/O atoms. GdRhO 3 orders antiferromagnetically with the Neel temperature T N = 2.13 ( 5 ) K. The magnetic susceptibility above T N follows the modified Curie-Weiss law with the paramagnetic Curie temperature of − 3.37 ( 1 ) K and the effective magnetic moment of 7.99(1) μ B per Gd atom. The Debye temperature of GdRhO 3 determined from the Mossbauer data is found to be 256(1) K. The calculated Gd magnetic moment and hyperfine-interaction parameters are in good agreement with the experimental values.

BACKGROUND: Predicting a growth speed in meningiomas is very important to plan a treatment not only in asymptomatic tumors but also symptomatic ones. Although calcification may be an important sign of slow growth in meningiomas, the developmental process and relation to a tumor growth pattern have not been elucidated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2017, CT scans were performed in 145 meningiomas in 136 patients (19 symptomatic tumors) in our hospital. We investigated evolutional changes of calcification in meningiomas using a CT scan by Hounsfield units. The results were compared with clinical features and tumor growth patterns. Tumor growth was evaluated with serial CT or MRI studies. RESULTS: In 145 meningiomas, 94 showed calcification in various degrees. Tumors in females had calcified components more frequently (p

The Kitaev quantum spin liquid displays the fractionalization of quantum spins into Majorana fermions. The emergent Majorana edge current is predicted to manifest itself in the form of a finite thermal Hall effect, a feature commonly discussed in topological superconductors. Here we report on thermal Hall conductivity κ_{xy} measurements in α-RuCl_{3}, a candidate Kitaev magnet with the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. In a spin-liquid (Kitaev paramagnetic) state below the temperature characterized by the Kitaev interaction J_{K}/k_{B}∼80 K, positive κ_{xy} develops gradually upon cooling, demonstrating the presence of highly unusual itinerant excitations. Although the zero-temperature property is masked by the magnetic ordering at T_{N}=7 K, the sign, magnitude, and T dependence of κ_{xy}/T at intermediate temperatures follows the predicted trend of the itinerant Majorana excitations.

The (^{12}N, ^{12}C) charge-exchange reaction at 175 MeV/u was developed as a novel probe for studying the isovector spin giant monopole resonance (IVSMR), whose properties are important for better understanding the bulk properties of nuclei and asymmetric nuclear matter. This probe, now available through the production of ^{12}N as a secondary rare-isotope beam, is exothermic, is strongly absorbed at the surface of the target nucleus, and provides selectivity for spin-transfer excitations. All three properties enhance the excitation of the IVSMR compared to other, primarily light-ion, probes, which have been used to study the IVSMR thus far. The ^{90}Zr(^{12}N,^{12}C) reaction was measured and the excitation energy spectra up to about 70 MeV for both the spin-transfer and non-spin-transfer channels were deduced separately by tagging the decay by γ emission from the ^{12}C ejectile. Besides the well-known Gamow-Teller and isobaric analog transitions, a clear signature of the IVSMR was identified. By comparing with the results from light-ion reactions on the same target nucleus and theoretical predictions, the suitability of this new probe for studying the IVSMR was confirmed.

The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is difficult due to the wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes associated with this disorder. We have analysed and characterized haemostatic function in VWD patients using a microchip-based flow chamber system. Microchips coated with either collagen [platelet (PL)-chip] or collagen/thromboplastin [atherome (AR)-chip] were used to evaluate platelet thrombus formation at 1000 s(-1) and fibrin-rich platelet thrombus formation at 240 s(-1) respectively. Blood samples from an asymptomatic patient with VWD type 1 [von Willebrand factor (VWF): RCo 3.2%; bleeding score (BS 2] displayed normal thrombus formation in both PL- and AR-chips, whereas blood from a symptomatic type 1 patient (VWF: RCo 14%, BS 9) had significantly delayed capillary occlusion. Nearly complete suppression of the flow pressure increase was observed in symptomatic patients with VWD type 2A (BS 13) and 2N (BS 27), whereas no flow pressure was found for the type 3 patient (BS 6). Fibrin-rich platelet thrombus formation was only weakly increased by the in vitro addition of factor VIII (FVIII) to blood samples from the type 3 patient, but was normalized by the addition of VWF/FVIII. The in vivo effects of treatment with desmopressin or VWF/FVIII for the symptomatic patients were analysed using two types of microchips. The PL-chip was highly sensitive for patients' VWF-mediated platelet functions, whereas the AR-chip allowed assessment of overall haemostatic ability, including sensitivity to both VWF and FVIII. The combined analysis with PL- and AR-chips may be potentially useful for the diagnosis of VWD based on clinical phenotypes, and for monitoring drug effects.

We report three cases of verruciform xanthoma (VX) in male patients aged 82, 88 and 39 years, respectively. The clinical appearance was of a mulberry-like area consisting of small papillae, which is typical of and specific to VX, and the diagnosis were histologically confirmed in all cases. Dermoscopy revealed that each surface papilla contained linear or hairpin vessels, which were surrounded by a marginal whitish rim. These structures are thought to correspond to dilated vessels in dermal papillae and papillated acanthotic epidermis, respectively. Furthermore, observation under compression (similar to diascopy) revealed yellow dots and debris, reflecting lipid-laden foam cells. In order to compare these findings with those of other disorders with similar findings, two patients with xanthogranuloma, six with sebaceous naevus, and three with senile sebaceous hyperplasia were examined. The dermoscopic findings in these patients were not similar to those of VX. Therefore, we believe that the above dermoscopic findings are specific to VX and could be helpful in diagnosis.

In polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), an ionomer is needed to maintain the proton conductivity in the catalyst layer; however, it causes oxygen diffusion resistance because of its thickness on the platinum surface and the blockage of the void spaces. Therefore, understanding the ionomer distribution on a platinum/carbon black (CB) support catalyst is extremely important, because this knowledge can contribute to a reduction in the resistance for the cathode oxygen reduction reaction. In this study, a three-dimensional CB aggregate structure is simulated using numerical analysis with various experimental information (surface volume, aggregate size, and anisotropy); from the viewpoint of the roughness and morphology of CB, the ionomer distribution on its surface is simulated. The relationship between the ionomer content and the coverage of the ionomer on carbon is determined. Moreover, the effect of the surface structural properties on the ionomer distribution in the catalyst layer is studied using simulations. Based on the results, the relationship between the surface roughness and the ionomer connectivity is determined. The coverage and thickness of the ionomer do not change linearly upon changing its content. This condition strongly depends on the surface roughness. Insights gathered from this study can assist in designing optimum catalyst layer.

The crystallographic, magnetic and transport properties of Sr1−x Ca x Ru0.5Mn0.5O3 were studied to reveal the effects of crystal symmetry on the magnetism and the transport properties of antiferromagnetic SrRu1−y Mn y O3 (y > 0.2). The Ca-content dependences of the lattice constants and volume suggest that the mixed valence state of Mn3+, Mn4+, Ru4+, and Ru5+ ions in SrRu0.5Mn0.5O3 is held for Ca substitution. However, a structural transformation from tetragonal to orthorhombic symmetry occurs at a Ca content of x ∼ 0.2, and a ferromagnetic state appears simultaneously. The Weiss temperature of all samples has a positive value regardless of the magnetic state. The resistivity decreases as the Ca content increases, and the high temperature part of the resistivity could be fitted by using the variable range hopping (VRH) model. The localization length increases as soon as ferromagnetism appears. The Curie temperature seems to depend on the distance between transition metal ions. The antiferromagnetic state was explained by using the competition between a ferromagnetic interaction along the c-axis and an antiferromagnetic interaction in the ab-plane, and the orthorhombic ferromagnetic state was explained by using a three-dimensional ferromagnetic interaction between Mn ions.

Background and study aims: No prospective comparison of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided direct celiac ganglia neurolysis (EUS – CGN) vs. EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS – CPN) has been reported. The aim of the current study was to compare the effectiveness of EUS – CGN and EUS – CPN in providing pain relief from upper abdominal cancer pain in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Patients and methods: Patients with upper abdominal cancer pain were randomly assigned to treatment using either EUS – CGN or EUS – CPN. Evaluation was performed at Day 7 postoperatively using a pain scale of 0 to 10. Patients for whom pain decreased to ≤ 3 were considered to have a positive response, and those experiencing a decrease in pain to ≤ 1 were considered to be completely responsive. Comparison between the two groups was performed using intention-to-treat analysis. The primary endpoint was the difference in treatment response rates between EUS – CGN and EUS – CPN at postoperative Day 7. Secondary endpoints included differences in complete response rates, pain scores, duration of pain relief, and incidence of adverse effects. Results: A total of 34 patients were assigned to each group. Visualization of ganglia was possible in 30 cases (88 %) in the EUS – CGN group. The positive response rate was significantly higher in the EUS – CGN group (73.5 %) than in the EUS – CPN group (45.5 %; P = 0.026). The complete response rate was also significantly higher in the EUS – CGN group (50.0 %) than in the EUS – CPN group (18.2 %; P = 0.010). There was no difference in adverse events or duration of pain relief between the two groups. Conclusions: EUS – CGN is significantly superior to conventional EUS – CPN in cancer pain relief. Clinical trial registration: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm (ID: UMIN-000002536)

We report the composition-induced metal–insulator crossover transition in Ti substituted Ru-based metallic full Heusler alloy Ru2MnGe where the both end of materials shows a metallic properties. The samples at the middle composition show the large negative magnetoresistance effect. The experimental results of the resistivity and the magnetization indicate that this metal–insulator transition is induced by the Kondo effect because Ti atoms on antiferromagnetic Ru2MnGe have an important role in appearance of insulator states.

The present study reveals that the correlation between the magnetic properties with composition x in the polycrystalline Ru2Mn1−xFexGe system. Hard ferromagnetic properties appeared at the intermediate composition between antiferromagnetic Ru2MnGe with soft ferromagnetic Ru2FeGe. Ru2Mn0.6Fe0.4Ge shows an anisotropic and negative magnetoresistance (MR) effect more than 8% although the both end materials are small MR effect less than 1%. These experimental results correlate the variation in MR ratio with that of coercive field as a function of x. Moreover, the correlation is shown at the boundary of magnetism between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic. Therefore, the present experimental results imply that the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and soft ferromagnetic leads to induce the MR effect in this system.

We have developed a large, thin solid hydrogen target (SHT) that is 30 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick for elastic scattering of protons from unstable nuclei. By using para-H 2 that has a high thermal conductivity at low temperatures, we could prevent sublimation at the target center due to radiation from the higher temperature surroundings. The uniform SHT was used during long-term scattering experiments and it maintained its shape and thickness.

The magnetic, transport, and thermoelectric properties of Ca1−x Sr x Ru1−y Mn y O3 have been investigated. Ferromagnetism with relatively high T C (>200 K) was introduced by Mn doping. In particular, ferromagnetism appeared in the Ca0.5Sr0.5Ru1−y Mn y O3 system at y > 0.2. The maximum T C (=270 K) was recorded for a specimen of Ca0.5Sr0.5Ru0.4Mn0.6O3. The ferromagnetism seems to be due to the mixed-valence states of Mn3+, Mn4+, Ru4+, and Ru5+ ions. The metallic character of Ru-rich specimens was suppressed by Mn substitution, and the system was transformed into a semiconductor at relatively low Mn content near y = 0.1. Specimens with higher Mn content (y > 0.8) had large thermoelectric power (50 μV K−1 to 130 μV K−1 at 280 K) accompanied by relatively low resistivity (0.03 Ω cm to 1 Ω cm). The Ca0.5Sr0.5Ru1−y Mn y O3 system seems to have good potential as a thermoelectric material for use above 300 K.

The phylogenetically-conserved vertebrate transcription factor, NFIB, is an orchestrator of glial differentiation in the developing mammalian central nervous system. We found NFIB expression to be reduced in glioblastoma (GBM), the commonest and most lethal primary adult brain cancer, so investigated what effect increased expression of NFIB had on GBM. Increased expression of NFIB in primary GBM cell lines induced expression of markers of glial differentiation, inhibited cell proliferation, reduced stem/progenitor cell growth, altered cell cycle progression and inhibited tumor growth in murine models of GBM. We thus identified NFIB to be a novel tumor suppressor gene in GBM.

The crystallographic and magnetic properties of perovskite-type rhodite Ln RhO 3 ( Ln = rare-earth ions except Ce and Pm) were studied. Ln RhO 3 ( Ln = La, Eu, Lu) shows paramagnetism with very small susceptibility, suggesting that the Rh 3+ ion has no magnetic moment. Ln RhO 3 ( Ln = Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) shows antiferromagnetic transition at temperatures between 0.5 and 3.5 K; however, no transition was observed for Ln RhO 3 ( Ln = Pr, Tm) down to 0.5 K. The effective moment μ eff agrees with the theoretical moment of free rare-earth ions, indicating the dominant magnetic contribution of rare-earth ions. The Weiss temperature Θ has a strong correlation with the spin value of rare-earth ions, suggesting that the superexchange interaction is a dominant interaction in Ln RhO 3 . The magnetization of antiferromagnetic samples tends to be saturated above 20–30 kOe, but the moments at 70 kOe are far from the theoretical moments. Antiferromagnetic samples seem to have an intermediate state and require a more intense magnetic field to attain saturation.

Fundamental study of a high speed filtration system using HTS magnet for purifying the used wash water of drum has been made. This system consists of a magnetic seeding device and a magnetic filtration device. Since the wastewater is a mixture of various used wash water, the wastewater treatment is difficult to realize practically. For that reason, the wastewater is processed as industrial waste products. In the purification system the waste component in the wastewater is made into the floc containing magnetite in the magnetic seeding device. The wastewater is made to flow close to HTS bulk magnet and the floc is filtered by magnetic force. It was found that the system shows the extensibility and is low cost because of the simple construction.

Crystals of ternary LnRu2P2 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb, Dy, Er) systems were synthesized, and their crystallographic, magnetic, and electric properties were investigated. All the crystals have a tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure of space group I4/mmm. The lattice constants decrease as the number of 4f electrons increases, reflecting the lanthanide contraction. An antiferromagnetic transition was observed for LnRu2P2 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb, Dy) at 25 K (Pr), 19 K (Nd), 15 K (Sm), 22.5 K (Tb), and 13 K (Dy). However, no transition was observed for ErRu2P2 down to 5 K. The Peff agrees well with the theoretical moment g J ( J + 1 ) of lanthanides, suggesting that lanthanides make a major contribution to the magnetic moment of LnRu2P2. A spin-flop-like transition was observed in the M(H) curves of PrRu2P2 and TbRu2P2 at 4 and 8 kOe, respectively; however, no saturation was observed up to 55 kOe.

We developed a mirror electron microscope (MEM) for the highly sensitive inspection of defects on the magnetic storage disks of commercial hard disk drives (HDDs). Magnetic fields recorded on a magnetic disk do not affect the MEM images for inspection. We used artificial defects in a detection sensitivity evaluation to test the effectiveness of our MEM inspection tool and found that it was sensitive enough to detect defects that were 67nm in diameter and 7nm in height. The size of a MEM image for a defect was eight times larger than the physical size measured by an atomic force microscope. The obtained sensitivity is beyond the resolution power of the objective lens of the MEM itself. This is because MEM images the distortion of static electrical potentials spread over a larger area than the physical size of a defect itself and the image is obtained in out-of-focus condition of an objective lens. The image acquisition time was 50ms, which corresponded to the inspection time of 4h for the full surface inspection of a 2.5in. magnetic disk. MEM is a promising technique for conducting a highly sensitive defect inspection and a high throughput inspection simultaneously as compared with an SEM-based inspection.

The data on the tensor Ayy, Axx, Axz and vector Ay analyzing powers in the dd->3Hen obtained at Td= 270 MeV in the angular range 0 - 110 degrees in the c.m. are presented. The observed negative sign of the tensor analyzing powers Ayy, Axx and Axz at small angles clearly demonstrate the sensitivity to the ratio of the D and S wave component of the 3He wave function. However, the one-nucleon exchange calculations by using the standard 3He wave functions have failed to reproduce the strong variation of the tensor analyzing powers as a function of the angle in the c.m., Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables. Submitted to EPJA

Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DD; EC 1.3.1.20) catalyzes the oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) trans-dihydrodiols (proximate carcinogens) to catechols which rapidly autoxidize to yield o-quinones (Smithgall, T. E., Harvey, R. G., and Penning, T. M. (1988) J. Biol. Chem 263, 1814-1820). Although this pathway suppresses the formation of the PAH anti- and syn-diol epoxides (ultimate carcinogens), the process of autoxidation is anticipated to yield reactive oxygen species (ROS). We now show that the NADP+ dependent oxidation of (+/-)-trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (Npdiol) and (+/-)-trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene (Bpdiol) catalyzed by homogeneous DD is accompanied by the consumption of molecular oxygen and the production of H2O2. With both trans-dihydrodiol substrates, oxygen consumption was stoichiometric with H2O2 production consistent with the reaction: QH2 + O2 = H2O2 + Q, where QH2 is the catechol and Q is the o-quinone. Using Npdiol or Bpdiol as substrates, a burst of superoxide anion production is catalyzed by DD which can be detected as the rate of cyt c reduction that is inhibited by superoxide dismutase. Using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as spin-trapping agent, secondary spin adducts corresponding to DMPO-CH3 were formed during the enzymatic oxidation of Npdiol and Bpdiol. The formation of the CH3. radical arises from the OH. attack of DMSO, which was used as cosolvent. These spin adducts were attenuated by superoxide dismutase and catalase, implying that O2-. and H2O2 are obligatory for the formation of DMPO-CH3. It is proposed that O2-. is the radical that propagates autoxidation and that the resultant H2O2 undergoes Fenton chemistry to produce the OH. radical. Identical spin adducts were observed using a superoxide anion generating system (hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase) and DMPO as spin-trapping agent in the presence of DMSO. The ability of DD to generate ROS during the oxidation of PAH trans-dihydrodiols (proximate carcinogens) may have important implications for tumor initiation and promotion.

A new result on the deflection of 150 MeV electron beams with using the 〈1 0 0〉 axis of a silicon crystal is presented. The channeling effect of electrons passed through the crystal was clearly seen. We also studied dependence of the deflection on the beam divergence. The simulation qualitatively agreed with the experimental data.

大腸ポリープの既往を有する2症例に対して,経過観察のために施行した内視鏡検査中,いずれも回盲部に糸状で白色調を呈し,一端は粘膜に迷入する寄生虫と思われる虫体を検出した.1例目(雌)は偶然にも虫体が視野内にみられ,アニサキスなどとの鑑別がつかないまま鉗子にて摘出したのち,専門家の判断を仰ぎ鞭虫と判明した.その4カ月後に定期の大腸内視鏡検査下に2例目(雄)の虫体を確認し直ちに本症と診断しえた.自験2例には雌雄それぞれが含まれ,一度経験することによりその後の鑑別も可能となった.鞭虫症は,嗜好や食習慣の変化にともない,大腸内視鏡下に遭遇する機会も想定され,回虫,蟯虫,アニサキスなどと共に日常の診療に当たって念頭に置くべき疾患と考える.

Summary. Background: Thrombin is a primary inducer of thrombus formation by activations of coagulation cascade and platelet aggregation. Hitherto, several types of thrombin inhibitors have been developed for therapeutic purpose. Objectives: We prepared modified thrombin (M-thrombin) and modified anhydrothrombin (M-anhydrothrombin) by chemical modification of carboxyl groups of thrombin and anhydrothrombin, respectively, to present a new strategy for a potent antiplatelet–anticoagulant agent and new tools for investigation of thrombin functions. Results: M-anhydrothrombin retained high affinity for factor VIII (FVIII), but demonstrated lower affinity than anhydrothrombin for fibrinogen and factor V (FV). Both M-anhydrothrombin and anhydrothrombin prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) without affecting prothrombin time, and M-anhydrothrombin prolonged APTT much more than anhydrothrombin. M-anhydrothrombin also retained affinity for the recombinant extracellular domain peptide of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1). M-thrombin exhibited marginal clotting activity (4% of thrombin), but induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma without forming a fibrin clot, which was completely suppressed by anti-PAR1 antibody (ATAP2) and by M-anhydrothrombin, but not by anhydrothrombin. These results indicate that M-thrombin induced platelet aggregation through the activation of PAR1, and M-anhydrothrombin inhibited this process completely. In contrast, neither M-anhydrothrombin nor anhydrothrombin apparently inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Only in the presence of the Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro (GPRP) peptide that inhibits polymerization of fibrin, M-anhydrothrombin completely inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Conclusion: M-thrombin is PAR1-specific and M-anhydrothrombin is FVIII- and PAR1-specific derivatives, and thereby, are new tools as specific agonist and antagonist, respectively, of PAR1. Furthermore, M-anhydrothrombin may be an attractive model for development of a potent anticoagulant–antiplatelet agent.

We studied the crystal structure of the molybdenum foil used as an intensity monitor in a previous experiment at 150 MeV electron ring at Hiroshima reporting mysterious unidentified spectral peaks. It was found that the Mo foil had a textured polycrystalline structure and that the 〈1 1 0〉 axis of crystalline grains were highly oriented such that they were in parallel to the 〈1 1 0〉 axis of the Si target used in the previous experiment. This indicates that the mysterious peaks were due either to the diffraction of bremsstrahlung and transition radiation from the Si target and/or parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) of beam electrons by the textured polycrystalline Mo foil.

In this paper, thermally actuated pressure wave generators are studied. Solid displacers instead of long and heavy resonance tubes are used as a resonator for compactness, less vibration and small loss. First, various types of thermoacoustic engine are categorized and discussed in view of energy flow patterns at a regenerator. Next, the work amplifier with solid displacers is demonstrated with the experimental apparatus. The maximum work amplification ratio of 1.6 is obtained. Further, the pressure wave generator with self-actuated oscillation is examined. Results indicate that a progressive-wave type of thermoacoustic engine can produce the largest output of 22 W among tested cases.

ABCA1 mediates release of cellular cholesterol and phospholipid to form high density lipoprotein (HDL). The three different mutants in the first extracellular domain of human ABCA1 associated with Tangier disease, R587W, W590S, and Q597R, were examined for their subcellular localization and function by using ABCA1-GFP fusion protein stably expressed in HEK293 cells. ABCA1-GFP expressed in HEK293 was fully functional for apoA-I-mediated HDL assembly. Immunostaining and confocal microscopic analyses demonstrated that ABCA1-GFP was mainly localized to the plasma membrane (PM) but also substantially in intracellular compartments. All three mutant ABCA1-GFPs showed no or little apoA-I-mediated HDL assembly. R587W and Q597R were associated with impaired processing of oligosaccharide from high mannose type to complex type and failed to be localized to the PM, whereas W590S did not show such dysfunctions. Vanadate-induced nucleotide trapping was examined to elucidate the mechanism for the dysfunction in the W590S mutant. Photoaffinity labeling of W590S with 8-azido-[alpha-(32)P]ATP was stimulated by adding ortho-vanadate in the presence of Mn(2+) as much as in the presence of wild-type ABCA1. These results suggest that the defect of HDL assembly in R587W and Q597R is due to the impaired localization to the PM, whereas W590S has a functional defect other than the initial ATP binding and hydrolysis.

Cross section, tensor analyzing power T 20 , and vector polarization correlation coefficient C y , y for the 3 He( d , p ) 4 He reaction have been measured at 0° and E d =140, 200, and 270 MeV. The data are compared with a calculation based on an impulse approximation taking the D-state admixtures in deuteron, 3 He, and 4 He explicitly into account. The reasonable agreement with the data is understood as a consequence of a close connection between the 3 He( d , p ) 4 He reaction and the d + N backward scattering.

It is troublesome and time consuming to treat a coil of complicated shape with optimization methods using edge elements, because the current vector potential in the coil of changed shape (changed mesh) should be calculated at each iteration of the optimization. In this paper, an effective optimal design method using the Biot-Savart method (A/sub s/ method) and the evolution strategy is investigated. As it is not necessary to generate a mesh for the coil by using the A/sub s/ method, the mesh becomes simple and, moreover, it is not necessary to calculate the current vector potential in the changed coil at each iteration in order to give the current vector potential in the coil. The usefulness of the proposed method is illustrated by applying it to the optimal design of a deflection coil for a cathode-ray tube.