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Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might benefit less from immunotherapy. Materials and methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive patients with non-viral advanced HCC, treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, lenvatinib, or sorafenib, in 36 centers in 4 countries (Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, and UK). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib, and OS and PFS with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus sorafenib. For the primary and secondary endpoints, we carried out the analysis on the whole population first, and then we divided the cohort into two groups: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) population and non-NAFLD/NASH population. Results: One hundred and ninety patients received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, 569 patients received lenvatinib, and 210 patients received sorafenib. In the whole population, multivariate analysis showed that treatment with lenvatinib was associated with a longer OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.95; P = 0.0268] and PFS (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51-0.86; P = 0.002) compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. In the NAFLD/NASH population, multivariate analysis confirmed that lenvatinib treatment was associated with a longer OS (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.84; P = 0.0110) and PFS (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.38-0.82; P = 0.031) compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. In the subgroup of non-NAFLD/NASH patients, no difference in OS or PFS was observed between patients treated with lenvatinib and those treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. All these results were confirmed following propensity score matching analysis. By comparing patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus sorafenib, no statistically significant difference in survival was observed. Conclusions: The present analysis conducted on a large number of advanced non-viral HCC patients showed for the first time that treatment with lenvatinib is associated with a significant survival benefit compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, in particular in patients with NAFLD/NASH-related HCC.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background There are limited clinical studies on recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) mechanisms after initial cryoballoon ablation (CBA). Purpose We aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of AF recurrence after CBA based on electrophysiological findings obtained during the second ablation and the response to treatment. Methods Of 885 patients who underwent CBA at our hospital between 2016 and 2022, 50 (5.7%) patients (age 68 ± 9.2 years, 62% male, 52 % paroxysmal AF, body mass index (BMI) 25 ± 3.8 kg/m2, left atrial diameter (LAD) 44 ± 5.9mm, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 66 ± 11%, CHADS2 score 1.9 ± 1.4) were included. All the patients were treated with an Arctic Front Advance™ in the initial CBA. Each pulmonary vein (PV) was treated with a target time of 180 sec. Routine left atrial roof line and posterior wall isolation was not created. However, tricuspid valve isthmus isolation (CTI) and superior vena cava (SVC) isolation were added as required. The findings obtained with the 3D-mapping system during the second ablation were analyzed. Furthermore, the contents of the second ablation and the clinical outcomes were investigated. Results The first ablation successfully isolated PVs in all patients, and additional radiofrequency ablations were CTI ablation in 28 patients and superior vena cava (SVC) isolation in 6 patients. The second ablation was done after 24±16 months. At recurrence, persistent AF was 24%. Furthermore, atrial flutter was recorded in 16% of the 50 cases. The 3D-mapping systems used for guidance were RHYTHMIA HDx™ in 42 cases, CART-XP™ in 5 cases and EnSite NavX™ in 3 cases. Electrical reconnection of PV was detected in 14 patients. They included seven left-superior PVs, two left-inferior PVs, two left-common PVs, four right-superior PVs and five right-inferior PVs. There were 11 cases of conduction only in the carina area, five with left-sided and six with right-sided. All second ablations were treated with high-frequency irrigation catheters. The treatments were PV re-isolation in 14 patients, isolation area expanding in 43 patients, SVC isolation in 24 patients, CTI ablation in 3 patients, and mitral isthmus ablation in 2 patients. After 24.8 ± 14.9 months, treatment outcomes were as follows; AF was completely cured in 23 patients, anti-arrhythmic drugs were required in 23 patients, and no effects in 4 patients. Comparing the completely cured patients’ group (23 patients) with the other (27 patients), age (65.1 ± 9.3 years vs 70.5 ± 8.6 years, p < 0.05) and CHADS2 score (1.5 ± 1.3 vs 2.3 ± 1.3, p < 0.05) have significant differences. There were no differences in the presence of PV reconnection, BMI, LAD, LVEF and second ablation contents. Conclusion In patients with recurrent AF after CBA, less than 30% had PV-reconnection, and its disappearance was not associated with AF disappearance. Non-PV foci, except SVC origin, might cause recurrent AF after CBA.

We subjected white birch milk to X-ray emission analysis. The mineral levels changed over time. White birch seasonality (sprouting in early spring and fruition in autumn) affected the mineral levels.

We study the friction when a rectangular tire tread rubber block is slid on an ice surface at different temperatures ranging from −38○C to −2○C, and sliding speeds ranging from 3 µm/s to 1 cm/s. At low temperatures and low sliding speeds we propose that an important contribution to the friction force is due to slip between the ice surface and ice fragments attached to the rubber surface. At temperatures above −10○C or for high enough sliding speeds a thin premelted water film occur on the ice surface and the contribution to the friction from shearing the area of real contact is small. In this case the dominant contribution to the friction force comes from viscoelastic deformations of the rubber by the ice asperities.

Funding Acknowledgements Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Japan Heart Foundation Research Grant Background In breast cancer patients, chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CIC) may affect deformation in left ventricle segmentation differently over time. Purpose To evaluate longitudinal change of regional LV deformation caused by CIC in patients with breast cancer by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods From 2017 to 2019, we enrolled 21 women with breast cancer and followed with continuous echocardiographic examination at enrollment (before chemotherapy), 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after chemotherapy at our hospital. We assessed conventional 2D echocardiographic indices and regional LV deformation analyzing longitudinal strain (LS), circumferential strain (CS), and radial strain (RS) by 2D STE. Results During the follow-period, there was no change in BNP (12.3 at baseline vs. 14.7 at 3 months vs. 16.6 at 6 months vs 18.3 at 9 months vs 10.9 pg/ml at 12 months, P = 0.96) and LVEF (62.2 vs. 62.0 vs. 61.2 vs 61.1 vs 62.9%, P = 0.84). However, significant decreases were observed in GLS (-20.3 vs. -19.0 vs. -17.9 vs -17.1 vs -17.7%, P Conclusion These results suggest that BNP and LVEF may not be ideal to detect CIC at early phase, and impaired GLS and increased Troponin T between 3 and 6 months after treatment may be initial signs by CIC. Longitudinal change of regional deformation implied that Mid-wall segmentation was vulnerable by chemotherapy more than other segmentations. Abstract P1776 Figure 1

The EXFOR library has served as the unique repository of experimental cross section and other nuclear reaction data for 50 years. The Nuclear Reaction Data Centres (NRDC) have compiled data sets from more than 22000 experimental works for the EXFOR library. Our collaboration and effort on improvement of EXFOR coverage are described in this paper, as well as tools for digitization of numerical data from graph images developed by us for EXFOR compilation.

Background/Introduction Oral anticoagulants are widely used for the treatment and second prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). VTE and AF are common diseases and these sometimes might coexist. However, there are few reports about the relationship between VTE and AF. Purpose We sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes in VTE patients with AF. Methods The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling consecutive 3027 patients with acute symptomatic VTE objectively confirmed by imaging examination or by autopsy among 29 centers in Japan between January 2010 and August 2014. The current study population consisted of 129 patients with AF (AF group) and 2898 patients without AF (non-AF group). We compared the clinical characteristics, management strategies and long-term outcomes between the 2 groups. Results The AF group was older (mean age: 75.3 vs. 66.8 years, P The outcomes of VTE patients with AF Conclusions The risks for recurrent VTE between patients with AF and those without AF were not significantly different, although patients with AF received longer-term anticoagulation therapy, whereas the risks for major bleeding tended to be higher in patients with AF. Acknowledgement/Funding Research Institute for Production Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation

We study the contact mechanics between 3 different tire tread compounds and a smooth glass surface in water. We study both adhesion and sliding friction at low-sliding speeds. For 2 of the compounds the rubber–glass contact in water is hydrophobic and we observe adhesion, and slip-stick sliding friction dynamics. For one compound the contact is hydrophilic, resulting in vanishing adhesion, and steady-state (or smooth) sliding dynamics. We also show the importance of dynamical scrape, both on the macroscopic level and at the asperity level, which reduces the water film thickness between the solids during slip. The experiments show that the fluid is removed much faster from the rubber–glass asperity contact regions for a hydrophobic contact than for a hydrophilic contact. We also study friction on sandblasted glass in water. In this case all the compounds behave similarly and we conclude that no dewetting occur in the asperity contact regions. We propose that this is due to the increased surface roughness which reduces the rubber–glass binding energy.

The total direct count (TDC) microbial enumeration method is rapid and suitable for analysing environmental samples containing numerous un-culturable micro-organisms. Conventional TDC methods require the addition of a fluorescent stain and are thus unsuitable for automatic monitoring. We unexpectedly found that heated micro-organisms emit strong autofluorescence. This study was conducted to determine how heating enhances the autofluorescence of bacteria and fungi and to evaluate whether the phenomenon could be exploited to develop a new TDC method. Bacterial autofluorescence was augmented by heating cells at 200°C. ELISA results indicated that levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) increased in heated microbes. Catechin, an inhibitor of the Maillard reaction, disrupted the intensification of autofluorescence. These results suggest that the enhanced autofluorescence is associated with the formation of AGEs and that the reaction could be utilized as alternative probe in TDC methods. Significance and impact of the study Autofluorescence of bacteria and fungi was prominently intensified by heat treatment at 200°C. This phenomenon was associated with advanced glycation end products formed in micro-organisms via the Maillard reaction. The fluorescence signal was strong enough to be utilized as an alternative probe for fluorescent dye in the total direct count method. This phenomenon could be incorporated in an automatic apparatus for microbial enumeration, as it does not require staining.

A realistic model of spatial arrangement of fillers in the rubber matrix is developed. The structural parameters of the model such as the distribution of filler sizes, the fractal characteristics of clusters (agglomerates) and the presence of large dense particles (micropellets) are taken from the AFM-images of carbon black filled styrene–butadiene vulcanizates. A descriptor of filler distribution in the matrix, namely an index of heterogeneity, is proposed. The analysis of stiffness of synthesized 3D-structures allows us to determine the minimal representative size of the constructed systems and to judge the validity of various model simplifications (e.g., fillers of equal size or random arrangement, lack of micropellets, etc.).

In this paper, we have developed a wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometer microparticle-induced X-ray emission (WDX-[Formula: see text]-PIXE) system combining a microbeam system with high spatial resolution and wavelength dispersive X-ray (WDX) spectrometry with high-energy resolution for chemical state mapping. A Von Hamos geometry was used for the WDX system to achieve higher detection efficiency and energy resolution. The system consists of a curved crystal and a CCD camera. The WDX system was installed in a newly developed microbeam system. The energy resolution of the WDX system was 0.67 eV for [Formula: see text] (1740 eV). [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] X-ray spectra from various Si compounds were measured and chemical shifts related to chemical states were clearly observed. The system was applied to the chemical state analysis of clay particles. After elemental mapping of the clay particles using a conventional [Formula: see text]-PIXE system with a Si(Li) detector, particles to be analyzed were selected and analyzed sequentially with the WDX system. [Formula: see text] spectra from clay particles were obtained. The microscopic spatial distribution of elements and chemical state of the clay particles were sequentially measured with high energy and spatial resolution using a microbeam.

A theoretical method is proposed to describe the ground and excited cluster states of atomic nuclei. The method makes use of the equation of motion of the Gaussian wave packets to generate the basis wave functions incorporating various cluster configurations. The generated basis wave functions are superposed to diagonalize the Hamiltonian. This method is regarded as the generator coordinate method which uses the real time as the generator coordinate. As a application of our proposed method, we present the benchmark calculation for the $3\ensuremath{\alpha}$ system. We show that our proposed method works efficiently and yields the results consistent with or better than the other cluster models. We have also discussed briefly the structure of the excited ${0}^{+}$ and ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states.

Thallium bromide (TlBr) has been regarded as candidate detector materials for the gamma-ray spectrometers operating at room temperature. In this study, a simple and rapid method, the filter method, was performed to purify a raw TlBr material used for fabrication of TlBr detectors. The material was loaded on shards of crashed quartz and installed in a Pyrex tube, and was melted using a furnace. A purified material passing through interspaces of the shards of quartz was collected in a quartz ampoule located at the outlet of the Pyrex tube. After the purification, impurities colored black extracted from the raw material remained. TlBr crystals were then grown by the travelling molten zone method both from the raw material and the purified material. TlBr detectors were fabricated from the grown crystals, and were characterized by measuring mobility-lifetime products (μτ) for carriers and gamma-ray spectra ( 137Cs) at room temperature. μτ for electrons of a TlBr detector fabricated from the purified material was around 5 times higher than that of a detector fabricated from the raw material.

The timing performance of TlBr detectors was evaluated at room temperature (22 °C). 0.5-mm-thick planar TlBr detectors with Tl circular electrodes with a diameter of 3 mm were fabricated from TlBr crystals grown by the traveling molten zone method using a zone-purified material. The pulse rise time of the TlBr detector was measured using a digital oscilloscope as the cathode surface of the device was irradiated with a 22Na gamma-ray source. Coincidence timing spectra were obtained between the TlBr detector and a BaF2 scintillation detector when both detectors were irradiated with 511 keV positron annihilation gamma-rays. The timing resolution of the TlBr detector was found to be inversely proportional to the applied bias voltage. The TlBr detector, in coincidence with the BaF2 detector, exhibited timing resolutions characterized by a 6.5 ns full width at half maximum (FWHM) and an 8.5 ns FWHM with and without an energy window of 350 keV-560 keV, respectively.

Capacitive Frisch grid detectors with the dimensions of 2 mm × 2 mm × 4.4 mm were fabricated from TlBr crystals grown by the travelling molten zone method using zone-purified materials. Spectroscopic performance of the detectors was evaluated at room temperature (24°C), - 5°C and - 20°C. The TlBr detector exhibited an energy resolution of 1.6% FWHM at 662 keV with a peak-to-Compton ratio of 8.7 with the depth correction at room temperature. Improvement of the detector performance was achieved by cooling the detector-preamplifier system. The energy resolutions of 3.4%, 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.9% FWHM at 122 keV, 356 keV, 662 keV and 1332 keV, respectively, were recorded with the TlBr detector without the depth correction at - 5°C. An energy resolution of 0.9% FWHM at 662 keV with a peak-to-Compton ratio of 18.2 was obtained from the TlBr detector with the depth correction at -20°C. An upper limit for the Fano factor of TlBr was estimated to be 0.43 at -20°C.

The best way to manage restenosis in patients who have previously received a drug-eluting stent is unknown. We investigated the efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting balloons (PEB), paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), and balloon angioplasty in these patients.In this randomised, open-label trial, we enrolled patients older than 18 years with restenosis of at least 50% after implantation of any limus-eluting stent at three centres in Germany between Aug 3, 2009, and Oct 27, 2011. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1; stratified according to centre) to receive PEB, PES, or balloon angioplasty alone by means of sealed, opaque envelopes containing a computer-generated sequence. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment allocation, but events and angiograms were assessed by individuals who were masked. The primary endpoint was diameter stenosis at follow-up angiography at 6-8 months. Primary analysis was done by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00987324.We enrolled 402 patients, of whom 137 (34%) were assigned to PEB, 131 (33%) to PES, and 134 (33%) to balloon angioplasty. Follow-up angiography at 6-8 months was available for 338 (84%) patients. PEB was non-inferior to PES in terms of diameter stenosis (38·0% [SD 21·5] vs 37·4% [21·8]; difference 0·6%, one-sided 95% CI 4·9%; p(non-inferiority)=0·007; non-inferiority margin of 7%). Findings were consistent in per-protocol analysis (p(non-inferiority)=0·011). PEB and PES were superior to balloon angioplasty alone (54·1% [25·0]; p(superiority)0·0001 for both comparisons). Frequency of death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion thrombosis did not differ between groups.By obviating the need for additional stent implantation, PEB could be a useful treatment for patients with restenosis after implantation of a drug-eluting stent.Deutsches Herzzentrum.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii associated with hospital-acquired infections has been increasingly reported worldwide. 16S rRNA methylase producing Gram-negative bacteria are highly resistant to all clinically important aminoglycosides. We analyzed A. baumannii clinical isolates resistant to aminoglycosides from hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the emergence of armA in A.baumannii species associated with nosocomial infection in a university hospital in Nepal.This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), from December 2013 to December 2014. A total of 246 Acinetobacter species were isolated from different patients were screened for MDR A. baumannii. Identification at the species level was confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Drug susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Screening for 16S rRNA methylase-production was done for the isolates resistant to gentamicin and amikacin. Detection of 16S rRNA methylase gene was done by PCR.All 122 multidrug-resistant A. baumanniiisolates were resistant to majority of the antibiotics used except polymyxin and tigecycline. Ninty-six MDR A. baumannii isolates had MICs of512 mg/L to amikacin and arbekacin indicating their high resistance to aminoglycosides.Of the 96 pan-aminoglycoside resistant isolates, 75 isolates had 16SrRNAmethylasewith all isolates harboring armA gene.This is the first report describing multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains harboring armA from hospitalized patients in Nepal. A methylase gene (armA), conferring high level of resistance to aminoglycosides, was detected in majority of our isolates.

The increasing reports on extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase and metallo-beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli have addressed a potential threat to global health since it is found to be highly resistance to most of the currently available antibiotics including carbapenems. The present study was aimed to determine the antibiogram of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase and metallo-beta-lactamase producing MDR E. coli isolates from various clinical samples.This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of seven months from December 2013 to July 2014 at bacteriology laboratory of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. A total of 250 clinical specimens (urine, pus, sputum, blood, body fluid, bile, tissue and central venous pressure line tip) were processed from inpatients, with multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli infections. Standard microbiological techniques were used for isolation and identification of the isolates. The presence of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase was detected by phenotypic confirmatory test recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and imipenem (IMP) /EDTA combined disc method was performed to detect metallo-beta-lactamase mediated resistance mechanism.We found high level of beta lactamase mediated resistance mechanism as part of multidrug resistance. Among 250 MDR isolates, 60% isolates were extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase producers and 17.2% isolates were metallo-beta-lactamase producers. Co-existence of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase and metallo-beta-lactamase identified in 6.8% isolates.Beta-lactamase mediated resistance mechanisms are accounting very high in the multidrug resistant isolates of E. coli. Therefore, early detection of beta lactamase mediated resistant strains and their current antibiotic susceptibility pattern is necessary to avoid treatment failure and prevent the spread of MDR.

To separate (90)Y from the fission product (90)Sr-(90)Y group, a silica-based TODGA/SiO(2)-P adsorbent was prepared by impregnating N,N,N',N'-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamide (TODGA) extractant into the macroporous SiO(2)-P support with a mean diameter of 60 μm. The adsorption behavior of Sr(II) and Y(III) onto TODGA/SiO(2)-P adsorbent from HNO(3) solution and their mutual separation were investigated. Under the experimental conditions, this adsorbent showed high adsorption affinity to Y(III) and weak adsorption to Sr(II). It was found that the adsorption process of Y(III) could be expressed by both of Langmuir monomolecular layer adsorption mode and the pseudo-second order model. From the results of stability experiments, it became clear that TODGA/SiO(2)-P adsorbent is stable in 3M HNO(3) solution for 1 month contact time at 298 K. Using a column packed with TODGA/SiO(2)-P adsorbent, Sr(II) and Y(III) were eluted by distilled water and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) solution, respectively. The separation of Y(III) from Sr(II)-Y(III) group was achieved successfully.

To separate platinum group metals (PGMs) from high level liquid waste (HLLW), a novel silica-based (Crea + TOA)/SiO2–P adsorbent was synthesized by impregnating Crea (N′,N′-di-n-hexyl-thiodiglycolamide) and TOA (trioctylamine) two extractants into the macroporous SiO2–P support with a mean diameter of 60 μm. Adsorption properties and behavior of PGMs from simulated HLLW onto the novel silica-based (Crea + TOA)/SiO2–P adsorbent were investigated by batch method. It was found that (Crea + TOA)/SiO2–P adsorbent exhibited good adsorption selectivity for PGMs over the other tested fission product element in a wide HNO3 concentration. This adsorbent showed strong affinity to Pd(II) but almost no adsorption for rare earth elements. Adsorption process of PGMs could be expressed by Langmuir monomolecular layer adsorption mode and be governed by the chemisorption process. In addition, the adsorption isotherms and thermodynamic parameters of tested elements were calculated by Langmuir equation, Freundlich equation and van’t Hoff equation, respectively.

To separate the long-life and significant fission product elements from high level liquid waste (HLLW), a novel partitioning process for the treatment of HLLW has been studied experimentally based on column separation technique using macroporous silica-based adsorbents. This process consists of (1) Cs and Rb are removed by the first separation column packed with (calix[4] + dodecanol)/SiO2–P adsorbent; (2) Sr and Ba are eluted out by the second separation column packed with (DtBuCH18C6 + dodecanol)/SiO2–P adsorbent; (3) Pd is partitioned by the third separation column packed with MOTDGA–TOA/SiO2–P adsorbent; (4) Ru, Rh and Mo can be separated by the fourth separation column packed with TODGA/SiO2–P adsorbent; (5) Am is separated from RE by the fifth column is packed with isobutyl-BTP/SiO2–P adsorbent. The experimental results indicated that this partitioning process is essentially feasible.

A macroporous silica-based supramolecular recognition absorbent (Calix[4] + Dodecanol)/SiO2–P, was prepared by successive impregnation and fixing the 1,3-[(2,4-diethylheptylethoxy)oxy]-2,4-crown-6-Calix[4]arene (Calix[4]arene-R14) and its molecule modifier 1-Dodecanol onto SiO2 silica-based polymer support. The characterization of (Calix[4] + Dodecanol)/SiO2–P was examined by thermal gravimetry and differential thermal analysis and electron probe microanalysis. Relatively large separation factors of Cs and other metal ions (α Cs/M + ) above 60 were obtained in the presence of 3 M HNO3. The adsorption data of Cs(I) fitted well with Langmuir isotherm and the maximum adsorption capacity was estimated to be 0.19 mmol g−1. The Cs(I) in 3 M HNO3 were also effectively adsorption on (Calix[4] + Dodecanol)/SiO2–P in the column operation, and the loaded Cs(I) was successfully eluted with an eluent of H2O. The column packed with (Calix[4] + Dodecanol)/SiO2–P had excellent reusability after three cycles.

A crown ether loaded resin was prepared by successive impregnation and fixing the 4′,4′(5″)-di(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6) and its molecule modifier, 1-dodecanol, onto the porous silica/polymer composite support (SiO2-P particles). The characterization of DtBuCH18C6 loaded resin was examined by thermal gravimetry and differential thermal analysis and electron probe microanalysis. The adsorption behavior of Sr(II), Cs(I), Ru(III), Pd(II), La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Zr(IV), and Mo(VI) was investigated by the batch method. Furthermore, the column test for Sr (II) was performed. The batch experiments were carried out by varying the shaking times, HNO3 concentration, and initial concentration of metal ions. A relatively large K d value above 182 cm3/g for Sr(II) was obtained in the presence of 3 M HNO3. In contrast, the K d values of Cs(I), Ru(III), Pd(II), La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Zr(IV), and Mo(VI) were considerably lower than 10 cm3/g. The adsorption of Sr(II) was foun...

The detection efficiency of the submilli-PIXE camera was improved by installing a new X-ray detector with a smaller distance from specimens. The distortion of elemental images caused by position dependent detection efficiency was corrected by estimating the detection efficiency based on the geometrical configuration of the detection system. The detection efficiency of characteristic X-rays from heavy elements such as iron and bromine became from 11 to 23 times higher than the previous system. The signal to noise ratios was improved from 1.8 to 2.5 times higher and detection limit was also decreased from 1/8 to 1/6 compared to the previous system. The in-air submilli-PIXE camera with improved detection system can be useful to biological applications.

NABESHIMA-DANTSU is the name of the first Japanese-made carpets which have been produced in the Nabeshima domain (Saga Prefecture) since the later Edo period. The NABESHIMA-DANTSU carpets have been woven from one kind of cotton, and have been dyed with various dyes and color fixatives. We analyzed pieces of the NABESHIMA-DANTSU carpets stored in the Saga Prefectural Museum and the Saga Prefectural Art Museum, by using PIXE method in order to detect dyeing methods used in them. We also analyzed dyes, color fixatives and cotton used in the traditional Japanese dyeing method. From the NABESHIMA-DANTSU carpets, small amounts of dyed and non-dyed samples were picked up and were analyzed by in-air PIXE system at Tohoku University. It was found that Fe and Cu are related to the parts dyed orange, and Al is related to the parts dyed green. The analysis of cotton dyed by the traditional Japanese method shows the similar results. It means that both colors in the NABESHIMA-DANTSU carpets were dyed by the traditional Japanese method which uses natural dyes. From literature documentation, it is considered that synthetic dyes were mainly used during the Taisho era. The present result shows that natural dyes might have been used in the Taisho era. In this research the PIXE method has proved to be very effective for the analysis of dyeing methods.

Background Long-term graft survival of partial pancreas auto-transplantation after total pancreatectomy has not been clarified. The clinical implications of repeat completion pancreatectomy for locally recurrent pancreatic carcinoma in the remnant pancreas after initial pancreatectomy also have not been clarified. Methods We have previously reported a 61-year-old woman presenting with re-sectable carcinoma of the remnant pancreas at 3 years after undergoing a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas head. We also performed distal pancreas auto-transplantation with the use of a part of the resected pancreas to preserve endocrine function. Results The patient was discharged at 20 days after surgery without any complications. She had been followed regularly in our outpatient clinic. She had been treated with S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy; 72 months after the completion total pancreatectomy with distal partial pancreas auto-transplantation, the patient was alive without any evidence of the pancreatic carcinoma recurrence. The pancreas graft was still functioning with a blood glucose level of 112 mg/dL, HbA1C of 6.7%, and serum C-peptide of 1.2 ng/mL; and urinary C-peptide was 11.6 μg/d. Conclusions Our patient demonstrated that repeated pancreatectomies can provide a chance for survival after a locally recurrent pancreatic carcinoma if the disease is limited to the remnant pancreas. An additional partial pancreas auto-transplantation was successfully performed to preserve endocrine function. However, the indications for pancreas auto-transplantation should be decided carefully in the context of pancreatic carcinoma recurrence.

The K-mean clustering algorithm was employed for processing signal waveforms from TlBr detectors. The signal waveforms were classified based on its shape reflecting the charge collection process in the detector. The classified signal waveforms were processed individually to suppress the pulse height variation of signals due to the charge collection loss. The obtained energy resolution of a 137 Cs spectrum measured with a 0.5 mm thick TlBr detector was 1.3% FWHM by employing 500 clusters.