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Pregnancy is a critical issue in the management of adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), because AOSD usually affects young adults. While flare-ups of AOSD during pregnancy can cause obstetric compli...

This paper proposes the use of concrete with a high water/cement ratio of 0.65, 455 kg/m3 of mixed fly ash and low-bond high-strength (LBHS) rebar to develop resilient circular columns confined by bolted steel tubes. The test results indicated that the proposed bolted steel tube-confined fly ash concrete columns with LBHS rebar had great self-centering (SC) capacity and stable lateral load resistance until reaching a large drift value. Low bonds resulted in delayed yielding of the longitudinal rebar; therefore, the column had better deformability and durable SC capacity compared with a column with normal high-bond steel rebar. Furthermore, the anchorage tie plate at the contraflexure section of double curvature columns was necessary to prevent the steel rebar from slipping. Shortening the anchorage length of the longitudinal rebar within the beam-column joint had little influence on the seismic behavior of the test column. Bolted steel tubes could provide better safety for testing columns compared with that of welded steel tubes, especially at the large deformation stage. The proposed OpenSees model can evaluate the seismic behavior of the test columns with good agreement. The lateral behavior of the test columns can be reasonably predicted by using an equivalent stress block and calculation method considering steel bond slip. The literature indicated that the combination of LBHS rebar and fly ash concrete as well as bolted steel tubes is a good alternative for the development of SC RC columns.

We consider the modular inequalities for some linear operators on Lebesgue spaces with variable exponent on the complex plane. The main results show that the variable exponent must be constant if modular inequalities hold.

In a perpendicularly magnetized (PM) material with the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (iDMI), a chirality-induced effective magnetic field (EMF) acts on a magnetic domain wall, which is a naturally formed in-plane magnetized (IM) region sandwiched by perpendicular (PM) regions. In this study, we artificially created a Pt/Co/MgO system with the regions exhibiting different anisotropy, that is, IM and PM regions, and the chirality-induced EMF at the PM/IM boundary was investigated using it. The EMF in the IM region was probed using magnetoresistance (MR) measurements. When the field was applied orthogonally to the wire, a unidirectional shift of the MR curve was observed, indicating that the EMF exists in the IM region. The dependence of the EMF on the width of the IM region suggests that the EMF acts dominantly on the magnetization near the PM/IM boundary. Moreover, the sign of the shift is reversed with reversing the PM direction. The sign and magnitude of the EMF observed in this study suggest that the EMF in the present system is caused by iDMI.

Background Osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), inhibits both EGFR-TKI sensitizing mutations and resistant T790M mutations detected in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Cardiac adverse events (AEs) induced by osimertinib are infrequent; however, cases of severe associated cardiac dysfunction have been reported and remain poorly understood. Purpose To assess pathogenesis of osimertinib-associated cardiac AEs, we analyzed myocardial specimens of three NSCLC cases with osimertinib-associated cardiac dysfunction. Results Analysis of LVEF prior to and after osimertinb administration in 36 NSCLC patients showed significant decrease of LVEF from 69% to 63%. Within this cohort, right ventricular (RV) biopsy was performed in 2 cases to further understand the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction. Case 1 was 78-year-old female with advanced NSCLC harboring an EGFR L858R mutation was treated with osimertinib as second line therapy. After 3 moths of osimetinib treatment, she presented with dyspnea, high NT-proBNP and troponin I, and significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 28%. RV biopsy showed moderate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy without inflammatory cell infiltration. Case 2 was 52-year-old female with advanced NSCLC harboring L858R mutation. She was treated with osimertinib as first line therapy. After 2 weeks of osimertinib, screening echocardiography revealed a reduction of LVEF from 63% to 41% without cardiac symptom. RV biopsy showed mild cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with infiltration of a few inflammatory cells in interstinum. We further analyzed death case of NSCLC. Case 3 was 63-year-old female with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR ex. 19 del. and T790M mutations. After 6 months of osimertinib, she suffered from severe respiratory failure and severely reduced LVEF at 27%. She died on the 44th day after admission. Pathological autopsy revealed mild to moderate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy without inflammatory cell infiltration in both ventricles. These pathological findings may indicate neither myocyte injury nor myocarditis was induced by osimertinib in myocardium. Conclusion Although additional data collection of advanced NSCLC patients will be important in understanding the pathophysiology of cardiac AEs with osimertinib, osimertinib-associated cardiotoxicity may result from functional inhibition of myocyte contractility by osimertinib without induction of cell death or inflammation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

A history of hypertension is a known risk factor for delirium in patients in intensive care units, but the effect of antihypertensive agents on delirium development is unclear. Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, is widely used in ICU as a treatment agent for hypertensive emergency. This study investigated the relationship between the administration of nicardipine hydrochloride and delirium development in patients under mechanical ventilation. We conducted a medical chart review of 103 patients, who were divided into two groups according to the use of nicardipine hydrochloride. The prevalence of delirium was compared with respect to factors such as age, sex, laboratory data, and medical history, by multivariate analysis. 21 patients (20.4 %) were treated with nicardipine hydrochloride in 103 patients. The treatment and non-treatment groups differed significantly in age (72 vs. 65 years) and history of high blood pressure (57% vs. 11%). Multivariate analysis revealed that patients in the treatment group developed delirium significantly less often than those in the non-treatment group (19% vs. 48%). These results suggested that treatment of high blood pressure with nicardipine hydrochloride is a possible method for preventing the development of delirium.

Background:It has long been recognized that immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are prone to coexist with depression due to the effects of cytokines, and that these two illnesses lead to an elevation in patients’ pain. However, we often encounter patients with RA who suffer from residual pain despite an improvement in disease activity and inflammation. The specific psychological factors associated with residual pain have not yet been clarified. In addition to the traditional psychological factors, such as depression and anxiety, we focused on pain catastrophizing due to the distortion of pain perception and explored its association with residual pain.Objectives:To examine whether psychological factors, such as pain catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety, are associated with self-reported pain visual analogue scale (pain-VAS) scores in RA patients with 1 or less on 28joints- swollen/tender counts (SJC/TJC) and CRP.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study of 290 RA outpatients (85% of whom were women) with scores of less than 1 on SJC, TJC, and CRP, with a median (IQR) age of 66 (57–73) years. The participants completed questionnaires, including pain VAS (0–100 mm), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS, 0–52 scale), and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS, 0–42 scale). Using linear regression analyses, we analysed whether PC (PCS ≥30), depression (HADS-D ≥11), and anxiety (HADS-A ≥11) (independent variables) were associated with pain VAS scores (dependent variable). After univariate regression analysis, multivariate analysis adjusted for confounding factors was performed.Results:Patients reported a wide range of pain severity with a median (range) pain VAS score of 9 (0–96mm). The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 5.5% and 5.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, 24.1% of the patients experienced pain catastrophizing. Pain catastrophizing was associated with pain VAS scores in univariate and multivariate analyses (Table 1). The presence of anxiety and depression was not associated with pain VAS scores in any model. Multivariate analysis of other covariates showed that age, disease duration, and presence of SJC/TJC of joints other than the 28 joints were positively correlated with pain VAS scores.Table 1.Univariate and multivariate regression analysis for independent variables associated with pain-VAS scoresUnivariateMultivariate independent variablesModel 1*Model 2**Pain catastrophizingEstimate3.74.13.695%CI 0.7 to 6.61.1 to 7.00.5 to 6.6p-value0.0150.0060.021AnxietyEstimate3.74.40.595%CI -1.9 to 9.2 -1.0 to 9.9 -3.5 to 7.9p value0.1980.1080.453DepressionEstimate3.54.23.995%CI -1.9 to 8.9 -1.1 to 9.5 -1.9 to 8.7p-value0.2040.1190.210The covariates in multivariate analysis are as follows: age, sex, body mass index, disease duration, Steinbrocker’s Stage, prednisolone dosage, biologic agents use, and presence of swollen joint counts/tender joint counts of joints other than the 28 joints.*Model 1: each psychological independent variable and the above covariates.**Model 2: all psychological independent variables and the above covariates.Conclusion:Pain catastrophizing was associated with pain VAS scores in RA patients with 1 or less on 28joints-SJC/TJC and CRP, emphasising that residual pain in the patients should be treated in a biopsychosocial framework focussing on pain catastrophizing.Disclosure of Interests:Tamami Yoshida: None declared, Motomu Hashimoto Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eisai Co., Ltd.; and Eli Lilly and Company., Grant/research support from: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eisai Co., Ltd.; and Eli Lilly and Company., Kosaku Murakami Speakers bureau: Eisai Co., Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Pfizer Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co; UCB Japan Co., Ltd.; Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.; and Astellas Pharma Inc., Consultant of: Eisai Co., Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Pfizer Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co; UCB Japan Co., Ltd.; Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.; and Astellas Pharma Inc., Koichi Murata Speakers bureau: Eisai Co., Ltd. and Astellas Pharma Inc., Consultant of: Eisai Co., Ltd. and Astellas Pharma Inc., Kohei Nishitani Grant/research support from: Asahi-Kasei Pharma., Ryu Watanabe Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co; Pfizer Inc.; Sanofi S.A.; AbbVie GK; Asahi Kasei Pharma; Eisai Co., Ltd.; Eli Lilly and Company; Bristol-Myers Squibb; and Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Teruhide Koyama: None declared, Ritei Uehara: None declared, Masao Tanaka Speakers bureau: AbbVie GK, Asahi Kasei Pharma., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Novartis Pharma K.K., Pfizer Inc., Taisyo Pharma., Ltd., UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: AbbVie GK, Asahi Kasei Pharma., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Novartis Pharma K.K., Pfizer Inc., Taisyo Pharma., Ltd., UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Hiromu Ito Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai Co, Taisyo Pharma., and Mochida., Shuichi Matsuda: None declared

A Herbert pendulum wasmodified to a lightweight pendulum with a cylindrical indenter by Habara in order to measure the hardness of viscoelastic materials such as plastics and rubbers. It is difficult to provide enough strain to evaluate the hardness of hard materials using the Herbert pendulum with a cylindrical indenter because the contact stress between the indenter and the specimen is smaller than that of the original Herbert pendulum. In this study, a modified measurement system is developed to accurately measure the swing angle of a lightweight Herbert pendulum with a cylindrical indenter. Two independent laser displacement meters are installed, to provide a noncontact measurement of the swing angle. The modified Herbert pendulum with a cylindrical indenter is evaluated for measuring the hardness of metals. Four types of Herbert hardness are compared with the Vickers hardness. Good correlation is shown between the damping hardness (one type of Herbert hardness) and the Vickers hardness. The damping hardness measured based on the modified Herbert hardness tester can be used as the hardness parameter of the metals.

Context.The Hayabusa2 spacecraft launched by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has been conducting observations of the asteroid (162173) Ryugu since June 2018. The Telescopic Optical Navigation Camera (ONC-T) onboard Hayabusa2 has obtained thousands of images under a variety of illumination and viewing conditions.Aims.Our objective is to examine and validate the camera calibration, derive a photometric correction for creating global albedo maps, and to interpret the photometric modeling results to characterize the surface of Ryugu.Methods.We observed (162173) Ryugu with the Gemini-South telescope, and combined these measurements with other published ground-based observations of the asteroid. The ground-based observations were compared with the data obtained by ONC-T in order to validate the radiometric calibration mutually. We used a combination of the Hapke disk-integrated and disk-resolved model equations to simultaneously analyze the combined ground- and spacecraft-based data.Results.The average spectrum of Ryugu was classified as Cb-type following the SMASSII taxonomy and C/F-type following the Tholen taxonomy based on spacecraft observations. We derived Hapke model parameters for all seven color filters, which allowed us to photometrically correct images to within an error of vband) for Ryugu. The average reflectance factor at the standard illumination condition was 1.87 ± 0.14% in thevband. Moreover we measured a phase reddening of (2.0 ± 0.7) × 10−3μm−1deg−1for Ryugu, similar to that observed for the asteroid (101955) Bennu.Conclusions.The global color map showed that the general trend was for darker regions to also be redder regions, however there were some distinct exceptions to this trend. For example, Otohime Saxum was bright and red while Kibidango crater was dark and blue. The darkness and flatness of Ryugu’s reflectance might be caused by a high abundance of organic materials.

An accurate estimate of the interstellar gas density distribution is crucial to understanding the interstellar medium (ISM) and Galactic cosmic rays (CRs). To comprehend the ISM and CRs in a local environment, a study of the diffuse $\gamma$-ray emission in a mid-latitude region of the third quadrant was performed. The $\gamma$-ray data in the 0.1--25.6~GeV energy range of the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and other interstellar gas tracers such as the HI4PI survey data and the Planck dust thermal emission model were used, and the northern and southern regions were analyzed separately. The variation of the dust emission Dem with the total neutral gas column density NH was studied in high dust-temperature areas, and the NH/Dem ratio was calibrated using $\gamma$-ray data under the assumption of a uniform CR intensity in the studied regions. The measured integrated $\gamma$-ray emissivities above 100~MeV are $(1.58\pm0.04)\times10^{-26}~\mathrm{photons~s^{-1}~sr^{-1}~H\mbox{-}atom^{-1}}$ and $(1.59\pm0.02)\times10^{-26}~\mathrm{photons~s^{-1}~sr^{-1}~H\mbox{-}atom^{-1}}$ in the northern and southern regions, respectively, supporting the existence of a uniform CR intensity in the vicinity of the solar system. While most of the gas can be interpreted to be HI with a spin temperature of $T_\mathrm{S} = 125~\mathrm{K}$ or higher, an area dominated by optically thick HI with $T_\mathrm{S} \sim 40~\mathrm{K}$ was identified., Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grants No. 25220803, No. 25390139, No. 26108719, No. 15H03680, No. 15H05885, No. 15H05886, No. 16KK0102, 17H02912, No. 17H02767, and No. 17H02815. K.K. acknowledges the support by the Helmholtz International Fellow Award. J.C. acknowledges Grant No. MAT2015-68200-C2-2-P from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.

Using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and small-angle electron scattering techniques, we investigate the temperature-dependent evolution of a magnetic stripe pattern period in thin-film lamellae of the prototype monoaxial chiral helimagnet CrNb_{3}S_{6}. The sinusoidal stripe pattern appears due to formation of a chiral helimagnetic order (CHM) in this material. We found that as the temperature increases, the CHM period is initially independent of temperature and then starts to shrink above the temperature of about 90 K, which is far below the magnetic phase transition temperature for the bulk material T_{c} (123 K). The stripe order disappears at around 140 K, far above T_{c}. We argue that this cascade of transitions reflects a three-stage hierarchical behavior of melting in two dimensions.

Background VEGF and Ang2 signaling have key functions in tumor angiogenesis and have an immunosuppressive effect in the tumor microenvironment. Preclinical data show that combined inhibition of VEGF/Ang2 and PD-1 enhances the tumor microenvironment to support T-cell mediated destruction of tumor cells. BI 836880 is a humanized bispecific nanobody that targets VEGF and Ang2, and BI 754091 is an anti-PD-1 antibody. Each have shown safety and preliminary activity as monotherapy in phase I (recommended phase 2 dose [RP2D] 720 mg intravenous [iv] every 3 weeks [q3w] for BI 836880 [Caucasian pts] and 240 mg iv q3w for BI 754091 [Caucasian and Japanese pts]). An ongoing phase Ib study (NCT03468426) will determine the RP2D, safety and preliminary activity of BI 836880 + BI 754091 in Caucasian pts. The current phase I study will determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/RP2D of BI 836880 alone or in combination with BI 754091 in Japanese pts with advanced solid tumors. Trial design This open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation trial will enroll pts with a confirmed diagnosis of advanced, unresectable and/or metastatic solid tumors (any type) whose disease is not amenable to standard therapies or where there is no therapy of proven efficacy. Pts are required to have an ECOG PS ≤ 1 and adequate organ function. The study has 2 parts: Part 1 will assess BI 836880 monotherapy and Part 2 will assess BI 836880 + BI 754091. Pts will receive BI 836880 at a starting dose of 360 mg iv q3w in Part 1 and of 120 mg iv q3w in Part 2 (in combination with BI 754091 240 mg iv q3w). Administration will continue until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity or other withdrawal criteria. Dose escalation will be guided by Bayesian logistic regression models with overdose control in both Parts, with oversight from a safety monitoring committee. Primary endpoint is MTD/RP2D of BI 836880 alone (Part 1) and in combination with BI 754091 (Part 2). Secondary/further endpoints will document the safety, pharmacokinetics, anti-tumor activity and immunogenic response of BI 836880 alone and in combination with BI 754091. It is planned to enroll 24 pts. Clinical trial identification NCT03972150. Legal entity responsible for the study Boehringer Ingelheim. Funding Boehringer Ingelheim. Disclosure K. Yamazaki: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Chugai; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Yakult; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Ono; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Lily; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Sanofi; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bayer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck-Serono; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bristol-Myers Squibb. T. Shimizu: Honoraria (self): Clinical Research Joint Scientific Committee Review Member for Phase 1 trials in Hong Kong; Honoraria (self): HKSAR China; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Takeda Oncology; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli Lilly; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi-Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Incyte; Research grant / Funding (institution): Astellas; Research grant / Funding (institution): Chordia Therapeutics; Research grant / Funding (institution): 3D-Medicine; Research grant / Funding (institution): Symbio Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): PharmaMar; Research grant / Funding (institution): Five Prime; Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (institution): AbbVie. T. Takahashi: Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca KK; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): MSD K.K.; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Boehringer Ingelheim Japan, INC; Honoraria (self): Roche Diagnostics K.K.; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer Japan Inc. Y. Tanaka: Full / Part-time employment: Boehringer Ingelheim. H. Myobudani: Full / Part-time employment: Boehringer Ingelheim. N. Yamamoto: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Takeda; Advisory / Consultancy: Otsuka; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Boehringer Ingelheim; Advisory / Consultancy: Cimic; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): BMS; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli Lilly; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Ono; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Sysmex; Research grant / Funding (institution): Astellas; Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): AbbVie; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi-Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Kyowa-Hakko Kirin; Research grant / Funding (institution): Janssen Pharma; Research grant / Funding (institution): MSD; Research grant / Funding (institution): Merck. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Nonlinear optical frequency conversion has been challenged to move down to the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray region. However, the extremely low signals have allowed researchers to only perform transmission experiments of the gas phase or ultrathin films. Here, we report second harmonic generation (SHG) of the reflected beam of a soft x-ray free-electron laser from a solid, which is enhanced by the resonant effect. The observation revealed that the double resonance condition can be met by absorption edges for transition metal oxides in the soft x-ray range, and this suggests that the resonant SHG technique can be applicable to a wide range of materials. We discuss the possibility of element-selective SHG spectroscopy measurements in the soft x-ray range.

A new technique for continuous dissolution of nuclear reaction products transported by a gas-jet system was developed for superheavy element (SHE) chemistry. In this technique, a hydrophobic membrane is utilized to separate an aqueous phase from the gas phase. With this technique, the dissolution efficiencies of short-lived radionuclides of 91m,93mMo and 176W were measured. Yields of more than 80 % were observed for short-lived radionuclides at aqueous-phase flow rates of 0.1–0.4 mL/s. The gas flow-rate had no influence on the dissolution efficiency within the studied flow range of 1.0–2.0 L/min. These results show that this technique is applicable for on-line chemical studies of SHEs in the liquid phase.

The extraction and reduction behavior of Mo and W, lighter homologs of Sg, was studied in continuous on-line experiments at the JAEA tandem accelerator to develop a new chemistry assembly consisting of a membrane degasser (MDG), a flow electrolytic column (FEC), and the continuous liquid–liquid extraction apparatus (SISAK). Extraction yields of Mo and W from 0.1 M HCl/0.9 M LiCl into 4-isopropyltropolone (hinokitiol, HT) in toluene were investigated. In the reduction experiment, Mo(VI) was successfully reduced to a lower oxidation state while W(VI) showed no reduction under the given conditions.

Summary Introduction When measuring platelet aggregation using laser light scattering, small aggregates forming without the addition of agonists may be observed. This event is called ‘spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA)’. The platelet hyperactivity observed in arterial thrombotic diseases can be detected with relative ease by measuring SPA. Standardization is urgently needed because of differences between measurement conditions among various laboratories. Methods We conducted a systematic study of factors that affect SPA measurement, compared SPA results to flow cytometry detection of surface antigens expressed on activated platelet membranes (P-selectin, activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa), and determined conditions that yield stable measurements. Results and Conclusions We evaluated results from 125 healthy volunteers and established conditions for a stable measurement of SPA. As the occurrence of SPA tended to increase with age, we determined conditions valid for subjects aged 20–60 years. Blood should be collected using a syringe, and the sample should be prepared after allowing the whole blood to rest for 30 min after collection. To isolate platelet-rich plasma, a 2-mL tube should be used and centrifuged at 150 g. The sample should be stored at room temperature, the platelet count of the sample should be (250 ± 10) × 109/L, and the measurement should be completed within 90 min of blood collection.

The results of an international review of separation processes for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) recycling in future closed fuel cycles are reported. This study was made by the Expert Group on Fuel Recycling Chemistry (EGFRC) organised by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A unique feature of this study was that processes were classified according to a hierarchy of separations aimed at different elements within spent fuel (uranium; uranium-plutonium co-recovery; minor actinides; high heat generating radionuclides) and also the Head-end processes, used to prepare the SNF for chemical separation, were included. Separation processes covered both wet (hydrometallurgical) and dry (pyro-chemical) processes. A bespoke methodology suitable for assessing the technological maturities of separation processes for SNF recycling was then designed based on the well-established Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale but adapted for spent nuclear fuel separations. The innovative feature of this was the use of a matrix approach that enabled information on both the scale of testing and materials used in testing to be combined in the evaluation of the TRL. TRLs for the Head-end, hydrometallurgical and pyrochemical processes that had been reviewed by the study have been evaluated. It is clear that, whilst more R&D is needed in most cases to raise TRLs, suitable options exist to enable the recovery of all actinide elements plus the HHRs by wet or dry processes, even up to the extraordinarily difficult isolation of americium alone. The technology readiness levels (TRL) for most processes fall in the ‘proof of principle’ range with TRLs between 4 and 6, although this is an evaluation at the system level and some gaps in the individual process steps may still exist that strictly would reduce the overall TRL. That is, flowsheets have been proposed for processes and tested with active materials under increasingly relevant conditions, through to initial hot tests with small quantities of SNF. The results of this work were shown to be comparable to a parallel European study that evaluated TRLs for minor actinide partitioning processes.

Transmission of voltage pulses generated by local heating in a kinetic inductance detector made of a superconducting stripline is theoretically investigated on the basis of the TDGL equation. The effect of thermal diffusion is also incorporated into the electrodynamics of this system. We derive an equation that can describe the generation and transmission of voltage pulses in this detector. A pair of voltage pulses with opposite polarities are created when a spatiotemporal variation in the superconducting order parameter occurs in a small region of this superconducting stripline. We clarify the characteristic feature in the shape of the voltage pulse.

By use of a recently developed multi-scale simulation method, we re-investigate terahertz wave emission with motions of Josephson vortices, as a possible mechanism for enhancing the emitted power. Results show that there appears a strong wave emission around the n = 2 cavity mode (one-wavelength mode), when motions of vortices and cavity modes are resonate.

Electromagnetic (EM) wave emission from the intrinsic Josephson junction stacks (IJJ’s) covered with a thin dielectric medium is numerically investigated, using the multi-scale simulation method developed in our previous paper. It is shown that the power of emitted EM waves is considerably increased in the IJJ’s with a dielectric cover. The emission from the n = 2 resonance mode is greatly enhanced. The enhancement is caused by the excitation of a solitonic mode.

1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) liposomes containing CaCl2 were prepared in Tris solution. The optimal initial pH and temperature were determined based on the kinetics of bulk crystallization of CaCO3 and to depress the leakage of Ca2+ from liposomes. The CaCO3 particles were formed by mixing the liposome suspension and CO2-saturated water, as analyzed with the scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The liposomal reaction system can be utilized for the formation of fine CaCO3 particles through sequestration of CO2.