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A low-molecular-weight gel is one that is organized by small molecules via noncovalent bonds, and some low-molecular-weight gels already being used in our daily lives. In general, the mechanism of formation of low-molecular-weight gels involves the gelation of solvents such as ethanol and water in the presence of low-molecular-weight gelators, which have larger molecular weights than the solvents. The gelator creates a supramolecular network via noncovalent bonds, and this network holds the solvent molecules, causing them to lose fluidity and thereby promoting gelation. That is, low-molecular-weight gels do not self-assemble and gelate solvent molecules themselves; the literature contains no reports of the self-assembly and gelation of extremely small solvent molecules such as ethanol and water. However, in this work, we found that ethanol molecules themselves form a large gel structure by self-assembling with few-nanometer-diameter oxide nanoparticles and water molecules. Our finding reveals an intriguing phenomenon where ethanol molecules support the main structure of a large gel structure through supramolecular assembly via hydrogen bonding. The key factor for the gelation of ethanol observed in this study is the presence of BaZrO3 nanoparticles, which are positively charged and homogeneously dispersed. When these nanoparticles and water were present, we observed the gelation of a substantial amount of ethanol, which would not normally occur. Our results overturn the common belief that extremely small molecules such as ethanol cannot function as a main bearer of gelatinization, and our discovery opens a path to the development of a novel self-assembly system that has not been previously reported. In addition, because the method proposed in the present work can potentially be used to prepare gels that incorporate other extremely small molecules having hydrogen bonds, we expect our findings to lead to the development of various novel materials with unique functions.

We performed X-ray absorption studies for the electrolytes of a Ti-Mn redox flow battery (RFB) to understand the redox reaction of the Ti/Mn ions and formation of precipitates in charged catholyte, because suppression of the disproportionation reaction is a key to improve the cyclability of Ti-Mn RFB and enhance the energy density. Hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy with a high transmittance and soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy to directly observe the 3d orbitals were complementarily employed. Moreover, the Ti/Mn 3d electronic structure for each precipitate and solution in the charged catholyte was investigated by using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy: the valence of Mn in the precipitate is mostly attributed to 4+, and the solution includes only Mn

Fetuses with persistent cloaca are known to develop urine or meconium backflow into the abdominal cavity caused by obstruction of the common channel, thus leading to fetal peritonitis with fetal ascites. We analyzed the impact of prenatal fetal ascites on postnatal clinical features and management.This retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted to compare the perinatal parameters of patients with isolated persistent cloaca who were born and treated at our hospital between 1991 and 2021. The clinical features and management of those with and without fetal ascites were compared.Among the 17 eligible patients, fetal ascites were recognized in seven. The occurrence of fetal ascites was significantly related to preterm birth, higher birth weight z-score, birth via emergency cesarean delivery, low Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min, higher C-reactive protein levels at birth, longer duration of oxygen administration, the need for a urinary drainage catheter at initial discharge, and shorter neonatal hospital stays.The postnatal management of patients with persistent cloaca with fetal ascites differed significantly from that of patients without fetal ascites. For patients with unexplained fetal ascites, magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful for determining the definite diagnosis of persistent cloaca.

In general, the ultimate heat sink of a decay heat removal system is the atmosphere for accidental conditions of sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) designs in Japan. Therefore, risk assessment of external hazards from the atmosphere is important for SFR. However, along with global warming (GW), the number of significant meteorological disasters has increased. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on meteorological phenomena. Hazard curves were developed to address the possibility of abnormal snowfall. By using the hazard curve data, plant dynamics analyses by continuous Markov-chain Monte-Carlo (CMMC) method were conducted with the assumption of failure due to snowfall. The excess frequency of the coolant temperature was quantitatively examined for the design limitation temperature value. The abnormal snowfall height was evaluated using meteorological data. Assuming the possibility of snowfall increase occurring by 2050, the expected value to reproduce 10,000 years was evaluated, and the plant dynamics analyses were conducted using the snowfall height. In conclusion, abnormal snowfall was found to likely increase by GW. In addition, the CMMC method was implemented using the expected value to reproduce 10,000 years, and its effect on the probability of exceeding the temperature limit as the core damage factor was evaluated. As a result, the probability of exceeding this limit increased when GW was considered.

Gas entrainment (GE) from cover gas, which is an inert gas to cover sodium coolant in the reactor vessel, is one of the key issues for Sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs) design to prevent unexpected effects to core reactivity. In this research series, evaluation method has been investigated for surface dimple depth growth of unstable drifting vortex dimples on the liquid surface in the reactor vessel. By using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, analyses have been conducted to estimate the drifting vortex on water experiments in a circulating water tunnel. The unstable drifting flow vortexes on the water surface were generated as wake vortexes behind a plate obstacle. Downward flow velocity was induced by the bottom slit’s flow passing along the flow channel. In the previous study, the initial conditions of the gas entrainment were evaluated based on existing non-dimensional numbers method by using the STREAM-VIEWER code. However, the CFD predication accuracy of the detailed flow field itself was not clear especially for vortex frequency in the wake flow and detailed velocity profiles in the flow channel. In this study, to clarify the accuracy of CFD analysis, Strouhal numbers of vortex frequency and detailed flow velocity profiles were compared with experimental data which were measured by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method. As the results, the Strouhal numbers of the vortex frequency behind the plate obstacle reasonably agreed with the experimental data.

Proton-conducting oxides have garnered much attention as electrolyte materials of electrochemical devices operating at intermediate temperatures ranging 400–700 °C. For the implementation, quantify...

YCoO3 is discussed as a novel cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). One of the major issues for SOFC development is the side reactions that occur at the electrode and electrolyte interfaces. Characteristics such as the phase stability, reactivity against YSZ, electrical conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) of YCoO3 were investigated. YCoO3 was produced by the sol–gel method below 975 °C, and the fewest impurities were observed at a Y molar ratio of 0.96 (YCO-096). YCO-096 did not react significantly with the YSZ electrolyte when fired at 975 °C for 1 h. The main charge carrier of YCO-096 was confirmed to be electron–holes, h+, and the maximum conductivity was estimated to be 700 S cm−1 at 900 °C. The TECs of YCO-096 were in the range of 16.5–44.2 × 10−6 °C−1 from room temperature to 900 °C. The YCO-096 cathode was stable in the YSZ electrolyte SOFC. Oxygen defects formed at the surfaces of particle YCO-096 were considered to significantly improve the cathodic performance.

To assess the risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) post-abdominal surgery in neonates.A retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted using patient data from 2009 to 2018. Patient characteristics and several variables were analyzed to identify independent risk factors for SSI.SSI occurred in 39/406 procedures (9.6%). Univariate analysis showed that the incidence of SSI was significantly higher in patients who had undergone multiple surgical procedures (P = 0.032), prolonged operations (P = 0.016), long-term hospitalization (P 0.001), long-term antibiotic administration (P 0.001), with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization (P = 0.044), contaminated/dirty wounds (P 0.001), and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of 3 or 4 (P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis identified prolonged operations [odds ratio (OR): 2.91 (1.21-8.01)] and contaminated/dirty wounds [OR: 5.42 (2.41-12.1)] as independent risk factors. Patients with SSI had a higher incidence of MRSA colonization (27.8% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.044), longer antibiotic administration (24 days vs. 8 days, P = 0.049), and longer hospitalization times (98 days vs. 43 days, P = 0.007) than those without SSIs.Long operations exceeding 100 min and surgical procedures with contaminated/dirty wounds are independent risk factors for neonatal SSIs after abdominal surgery. SSIs were related to MRSA colonization during hospitalization, long-term antibiotic administration, and long-term hospitalization.

In order to improve the safety of nuclear power plants, it is necessary to make sure measures against their severe accidents. Especially, in the case of a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), there is a possibility of significant energy release due to formation of a large-scale molten fuel pool accompanied by re-criticality in the event of a core disruptive accident (CDA). It is important to ensure in-vessel retention that keeps and confines damaged core material in the reactor vessel even if the CDA occurs. CDA scenario initiated by Unprotected Loss Of Flow (ULOF), which is a typical cause of core damage, is generally categorized into four phases according to the progression of core-disruptive status, which are the initiating, early-discharge, material-relocation and heat-removal phases for the latest design in Japan. During the material-relocation phase, the molten core material flows down mainly through the control rod guide tube and is discharged into the inlet coolant plenum below the bottom of the core. The discharged molten core material collides with the bottom plate of the inlet plenum. Clarification of the accumulation behavior of molten core material with such a collision on the bottom plate is important to reduce uncertainties in the safety assessment of CDA. In present study, in order to make clear behavior of core melt materials during the CDAs of SFRs, analysis was conducted using the SIMMER-III code for a melt discharge simulation experiment [1] in which low-melting-point alloy was discharged into a shallow water pool. This report shows the validation results for the melt behavior by comparing with the experimental data.

A diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalyst efficiently promotes the asymmetric direct vinylogous conjugate additions of α-angelica lactones to benzoyl acrylonitrile derivatives, resulting in the corresponding addition products bearing vicinal tertiary and quaternary stereogenic centers with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). This report is the first successful example of the asymmetric conjugate additions of α-angelica lactone to benzoyl acrylonitriles. The chiral γ,γ-disubstituted γ-butenolides obtained can be readily transformed to the bicyclic γ-lactam derivative as a valuable synthetic intermediate.

Gas entrainment (GE) from cover gas, which is an inert gas to cover sodium coolant in a reactor vessel, is one of key issue for Sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs) design to prevent unexpected effects to core reactivity. In this research series, evaluation method has been investigated for surface dimple depth growth of unstable drifting vortex dimples on the liquid surface in the reactor vessel. By using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, analyses have been conducted to estimate the drifting vortex on water experiments in a circulating water tunnel. The unstable drifting flow vortexes on the water surface were generated as wake vortexes behind a plate obstacle. Downward flow velocity was induced by bottom slit flow pass along the flow channel. In the previous study, the onset conditions of the gas entrainment were evaluated based on existing non-dimensional numbers method by using the STREAM-VIEWER code. However, the CFD predication accuracy of the detail flow field itself was not clear especially for vortex frequency in the wake flow and detail velocity profiles in the flow channel. In this study, to clarify the accuracy of CFD analysis, Strouhal numbers of vortex frequency and detail flow velocity profiles were compared with experimental data which were measured by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method. As the results, the Strouhal numbers of the vortex frequency behind the plate obstacle reasonably agreed with experimental data. Prediction accuracy for the velocity profiles in the flow channel were also confirmed by comparisons with measured data by the PIV method.

Highlights • Duplication cysts commonly have connection to the gastrointestinal tract but the cysts are rarely isolated from gastrointestinal tract. • Malignant transformation in isolated duplication cysts is extremely rare. • This case of advanced cancer with the isolated intestinal duplication cyst was second reported worldwide. • The preoperative diagnosis was suspect of mucinous cystic neoplasm arising from pancreas head and partial pancreatectomy was performed. However, in the pathological findings, this cyst diagnosed advanced enteric duplication cyst cancer and not originated from pancreas., Introduction Enteric duplication cysts are rare and, in addition, isolated enteric duplication cysts are lower morbidity prevalence rate. These cysts lack a connection to the gastrointestinal tract or the adjacent mesenteric vasculature and have only been reported in 10 case reports. In these reports, only two reports were cases with malignant transformation. Our case was a report for the advanced cancer of the isolated enteric duplication cyst. Case presentation The patient was a 43 year-old woman with slightly abdominal pain and mass formation. The abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed 130 × 100 × 90 mm huge cystic mass existed in right upper peritoneal cavity. The cystic mass had thickened wall and many enhanced nodules. As these imaging findings suggested a tumor originated from pancreas and the preoperative diagnose was suspect of mucinous cystic neoplasm. In operative findings, the tumor originated from pancreatic head and did not attach to gastrointestinal tract. Final pathology indicated the cyst was an isolated advanced enteric duplication cyst cancer and not originated from pancreas. Conclusion We experienced an extremely rare case of completely isolated advanced enteric duplication cyst cancer. Unique to this case, the preoperative diagnosis was suspect of mucinous cystic neoplasm arising from pancreas head and partial pancreatectomy was performed. However, in the pathological findings, this cyst diagnosed advanced enteric duplication cyst cancer.

The hydrogen evolution reaction using semiconductor photocatalysts has been significantly improved by cocatalyst loading. However, there are still many speculations regarding the actual role of the cocatalyst. Now a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction pathway is reported on a cocatalyst site using TiO2 nanosheets doped with Rh at Ti sites as one-atom cocatalysts. A hydride species adsorbed on the one-atom Rh dopant cocatalyst site was confirmed experimentally as the intermediate state for hydrogen evolution, which was consistent with the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In this system, the role of the cocatalyst in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is related to the withdrawal of photo-excited electrons and stabilization of the hydride intermediate species; the presence of oxygen vacancies induced by Rh facilitate the withdrawal of electrons and stabilization of the hydride.

Asymmetric direct vinylogous aldol reactions of furan-2(5H)-one with aldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of novel squaramide-sulfonamide organocatalyst resulted in the corresponding addition products with high to excellent enantioselectivities. This is the first successful report illustrating an example of highly stereoselective reactions using a squaramide-sulfonamide organocatalyst.

In this work, the Isotope diffusion coefficient (D*) and surface exchange coefficient (k*) of Sc2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (ScSZ) series oxide, 6 mol% Sc2O3-ZrO2 (6ScSZ), 10 mol% Sc2O3-ZrO2 (10ScSZ) and 10 mol% Sc2O3- 1 mol% CeO2-ZrO2 (10Sc1CeSZ) were evaluated by using oxygen isotope exchange method. It was found that these ScSZ oxides showed a relatively higher D* value; 10Sc1CeSZ showed 1.1 × 10− 7 cm2 s− 1, 10ScSZ showed 9.3 × 10− 8 cm2 s− 1 and 6ScSZ showed 6.1 × 10− 8 cm2 s− 1 at 711 °C, respectively. In addition, its activation energy was 1.0 eV for 10Sc1CeSZ, 1.1 eV for 10ScSZ and 1.0 eV for 6ScSZ, respectively. The rapid change of D* due to the phase transition was also confirmed at around 600 °C in the case of 10ScSZ. The surface exchange coefficient (k*) of these ScSZ oxides showed a relatively high value at lower temperature. 10Sc1CeSZ showed 1.3 × 10− 8 cm s− 1 at 498 °C under lower vapor pressure of less than 20 Pa.

In the framework of the Generation-IV International Forum, the safety design criteria (SDC) incorporating safety-related R&D results on innovative technologies and lessons learned from Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plants accident has been established to provide the set of general criteria for the safety designs of structures, systems and components of Generation-IV Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (Gen-IV SFRs). A number of thermal-hydraulic evaluations are necessary to meet the concept of the criteria in the design studies of Gen-IV SFRs. This paper focuses on four kinds of thermal-hydraulic issues associated with the SDC, i.e., fuel subassembly thermal-hydraulics, natural circulation decay heat removal, core disruptive accidents, and thermal striping. Progress of evaluation methods on these issues is shown with activities on verification and validation (V&V) and experimental studies towards commercialization of SFR in Japan. These evaluation methods are planned to be eventually integrated into a comprehensive numerical simulation system that can be applied to all possible phenomena in SFR systems and that can be expected to become an effective tool for the development of human resource and the handing our knowledge and technologies down.

An organocatalyzed method for synthesizing chiral γ,γ-disubstituted γ-butenolides via direct vinylogous aldol reactions of γ-substituted β,γ-butenolides with aldehydes is reported. This reaction is catalyzed by a squaramide-sulfonamide organocatalyst to afford a range of anti-aldol adducts possessing vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters with high to excellent enantioselectivities (reaching 95% ee). This is the first report of a successful stereoselective direct vinylogous aldol reaction of aldehydes with γ-substituted β,γ-butenolides.

CaFe2O4 (CFO) can be used as a photocathode to evolve H2 from water in a photoelectrochemical cell. However, CFO degrades during operation and an external voltage is necessary for PEC H2 evolution because the onset potential is less than the potential required for water oxidation considering the overpotential at the counter electrode. In order to develop a reliable CFO electrode with a greater onset potential, improvement of chemical stability and suppression of surface recombination is necessary. In this study, a chemically stable electrode structure with a greater onset potential was achieved by coating the [00l]-oriented CFO with a thin layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2). A CFO|TiO2 electrode was designed using a device simulator. The simulation results predict that coating CFO with TiO2 produces a positive or negative shift in the onset potential under visible and ultraviolet light irradiation, respectively. The experimental onset potentials matched the simulation prediction. The observed onset potential for TiO2-coated CFO was around (1.6 V vs. RHE) under visible light (470 nm) and 0.9 V under ultraviolet light (300 nm), compared to 1.2–1.3 V vs. RHE for a bare CFO electrode. The onset potential (1.6 V) under visible light irradiation is the most positive onset potential among the oxide photocathodes ever reported for PEC water splitting. Using the TiO2-coated CFO as the photocathode and RuO2-loaded Pt as the anode, stable photocurrent was observed under 470 nm excitation without an external voltage and evolution of H2 from the system was confirmed.

The charge-discharge operation of a Fe-air battery using YSZ electrolyte at lower temperature was investigated using the NiFe-91 (Ni:Fe = 90:10 wt%) bimetal electrode as the fuel electrode and the Ba0.6La0.4CoO3-δ (BLC) oxide electrode as the air electrode in this work. It was found that the total resistance of the cell using the NiFe-91 and BLC electrode was about 100 times smaller than that of the cell using the conventional Pt electrode, owing to its significantly small electrode resistance. It was also found that the 10 cycle charge-discharges were achieved at 600 °C by using these electrodes, and the capacity of about 700 mAh/g-Fe and energy density of 600 mWh/g-Fe were also retained during 8 cycles. These results showed a significant potential; the low temperature operation of the battery using YSZ electrolyte is sufficiently possible by choosing an appropriate electrode. However, the low stability of the NiFe-91 electrode, which is due to the agglomeration, was also found in this work.

Oxide ion conductivity in doped NdBaInO 4 with new type oxygen deficient perovskite was studied and it was found that doping Ti to In site is effective for increasing the oxide ion conductivity. Since increasing amount of doped Ti increased the partial electronic conductivity under reducing atmosphere, the optimized amount of Ti doped for In site exists around 20 mol%, namely, NdBaIn 0.8 Ti 0.2 O 4 . The estimated transport number of oxide ion in this optimized composition was higher than 0.8 from H 2 –O 2 oxygen concentration cell, however, it is lower than 0.1 from N 2 –O 2 cell because the hole conduction is dominant in high P O2 range. Consequently, although the oxide ion conductivity is around log(σ/Scm − 1 ) = − 2.5 at 1173 K, this study reveals that Ti doped NdBaInO 4 which is unique edge oxygen facing structure, is a new family of oxide ion conductor.

The accident categories of severe accidents (SAs) for prototype sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) which need proper measures were investigated through the internal event probabilistic risk assessmen...

Ce 0.6 Mn 0.3 Fe 0.1 O 2-δ (CMF) has been used as a new oxide cathode of solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) using LaGaO 3 -based electrolyte for H 2 production under a feeding gas composition of 20%steam/1%H 2 /79%Ar. CMF cathode exhibits good electrolysis performance and well-performed hydrogen production rate with the Faraday’s law at 1173-973 K. Through impedance measurement under a DC polarized condition, the studies show that polarization resistance and ohmic resistance decreased with increasing DC bias potential. Furthermore, CMF showed good stability, and no significant aggregation and delamination were noticed during the electrolysis measurement. These results suggest that CMF can be a promising oxide cathode candidate for intermediate temperature SOEC.

It is well known that some cerate based or zirconate based perovskites exhibit proton (H+) conduction at around 600oC [1], and those proton conducting perovskites are expected to be used as electrolyte of proton ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs). Especially, Y-doped BaZrO3 (BZY) has received attention, owing to its higher H+ conductivity than other proton conducting perovskites. However, the densification of BZY basically needs high temperature above 1400oC, leading to a critical problem when the BZY film was prepared on a Ni-based composite electrode; BZY significantly reacts with Ni and forms impurity phase such as BaY2NiO5 during the high temperature sintering [2]. In addition, this impurity phase easily decomposes under H2 atmosphere and causes the critical damage for the cell. D. Han et al. have reported that the BaY2NiO5 impurity phase disappears by heating above 1500oC [4]. However, they also have reported that Y2O3 alternatively appears in the high temperature heating [4]. Thus, a preparation technique that can fabricate thin film at lower temperature, is favorable to avoid the formation of the impurity phase in the case of BZY. Currenlty, the pulse laser deposition (PLD) method has been commonly utilized for the lower temperature deposition of ceramic thin films. However, in the case of PLD, its deposition rate is usually 1 μm/h and its area is several cm2 at best, that is, PLD has a difficulty for the practical use. Besides the PLD method, the laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) method, which combines a chemical vapor deposition and laser irradiation, has been proposed as one of the low temperature deposition methods. Recently, Goto et al. have demonstrated the laser chemical vapor deposition of the ceramic thin films at a lower temperature [5,6], and actually, they reported the high-speed deposition of TiN film at several 10 μm/h at 600oC- 800°C [5]. In addition, they demonstrated LCVD on a curved surface and a large surface area [6]. Thus, in this work, the preparation of the BZY film was investigated by using LCVD. The deposited BZY film was characterized by XRD, SEM and EDX, and its properties such as structure and chemical composition were analyzed in detail. As a result, it was revealed that the uniform BZY thin film with columnar structure was successfully deposited by the LCVD method. In addition, the thickness of the BZY film was about 16 μm even though its deposition time was only 10 min, suggesting the high speed deposition of BZY film is possible by using the LCVD. [1] H. Iwahara, T. Esaka, H. Uchida, N. Maeda, Solid State Ionics 3/4 (1981) 359-363. [2] L. Bi, E. Fabbri, Z. Sun, E. Traversa, J. Electrochem. Soc. 158 (2011) B797-B803. [3] S. Fang, S. Wang, K. S. Brinkman, Q. Su, H. Wang, F. Chen, J. Power Sources 278 (2015) 614-622. [4] D. Han, Y. Otani, Y. Noda, T. Onishi, M. Majima, T. Uda, RSC Adv. 6 (2016) 19288-19297. [5] Y. S. Gong, R. Tu, T. Goto, J. Alloys Compd. 485 (2009) 451-455. [6] T. Goto, SOKEIZAI 51 (2010) 20-25.

This study investigated the preparation of an Y-doped BaZrO3 (BZY) thin film electrolyte by a laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD). The structure, chemical composition, and other properties of the deposited BZY film were analyzed in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. These analyses revealed that a uniform BZY thin film consisting of columnar structures was successfully deposited by the LCVD method. In addition, the thickness of the BZY film was about 16 μm, even though the deposition time was only 10 min, indicating that high-speed deposition of the BZY film was achieved by the LCVD method.

A 94-year-old woman, who had been treated for multiple colon cancers 4 years ago, complained of umbilicus induration and had been followed up in a previous hospital with a diagnosis of periumbilical inflammation. Four years and 3 months postoperatively, the umbilical induration was enlarged, and umbilical metastasis of adenocarcinoma was diagnosed on biopsy. Umbilical resection was performed, and multiple peritoneal metastases were revealed. Umbilical metastases may worsen the patient's quality of life; thus, local resection was recommended positively.

A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with anal pain. The 10 cm tumor was observed externally at the 3 o' clock side of his anus. He was unable to maintain the sitting position because of pain and had fecal incontinence and erosive skin inflammation. We identified this anal stenosis as anal canal adenocarcinoma(moderately differentiated). Thereby, no distant metastasis was found; we decided to treat the patient with conventional therapy. We made a double-hole colostomy in the sigmoid colon, and then the patient received preoperative chemoradiotherapy(CRT). Radiation therapy(RT)was adminis- tered at 40 Gy/20 Fr and oral capecitabine of 825mg/m / 2/time was administered twice a day on the RT days. The tumor shrinkage was good, and then we performed a laparoscopy-assisted abdominoperineal resection of the rectum. Pathologically therapeutic effect was Grade 1b. His activity of daily living was dramatically improved, and he can now main tan the sitting position. Twelve months postoperatively, he has no sign of recurrence. In this case, we experienced an anal canal adenocarcinoma that was possibly locally controlled by preoperative CRT and rectal amputation.

Gas entrainment (GE) from cover gas, which is an inert gas to cover Sodium coolant in a reactor vessel, is one of key issue for Sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs) design to prevent unexpected effects to core reactivity. In this study, evaluation method has been investigated for surface dimple depth growth of unstable drifting vortex dimples on the liquid surface in the reactor vessel. By using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, analyses have been conducted to estimate the drifting vortexes on water experiments in the circulating water tunnel. The unstable drifting flow vortexes on the water surface were generated as wake vortexes behind a plate obstacle. Downward flow velocity was induced by bottom slit flow pass along the flow channel. In CFD analysis, flat water surface assumption was used with free-slip model for the development of a conventional design method. The gas core lengths from the surface vortexes were evaluated based on existing non-dimensional numbers method by using the stream-viewer code provided from Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). In this paper, the results of comparison between experiments and analyses were discussed.

The reverse operation of SOFCs, so called solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs), can efficiently produce hydrogen from high temperature steam. Ni-based metal, which are widely used for anode of the conventional SOFCs, are also widely used for the cathode of SOECs due to its high catalytic activity and high electronic conductivity. However, Ni-based cathodes frequently showed low stability against oxidation resulting in deactivation under SOECs condition. As a result, Ni-based electrodes are easily aggregated and also delaminated from electrolyte. Therefore, it is essentially required to recycle a part of produced hydrogen to the Ni based electrodes for preventing the oxidation of Ni, however, this recycle of the part of hydrogen formed requires the complicated system and also decrease the electrolysis efficiency. In order to solve these problems, recently, oxide cathode have been attracting much attention for the cathod of SOECs instead of Ni-based metal. Since oxide cathode is stable in redox cycles, recycles of hydrogen is not required. However, oxide cathode have some disadvantages, for instance, low catalytic activity and also low electronic conductivity. In this study, Mn- and Fe-doped CeO2 (Ce0.6Mn0.3Fe0.1O2, CMF) was investigated as a new oxide cathode for SOECs. CMF is a mixed ionic and electronic conductor (MIEC), and has been reported as a potential anode catalyst for SOFCs. Although its electrical conductivity is lower than that of the typical perovskites oxide electrode materials (10-1 S/cm at 900 °C), its catalytic activity for electrode reaction was enough high when it is used in SOFCs. Oxygen nonstoichiometry in this CMF was studied by thermogravimetry. It was found that higher oxidation state of Mn and Fe was observed resulting in hole conduction. The origin of this hole conduction was further studied by XPS measurement. On the other hand, in reducing atmosphere, because of the reduction of Ce, n-type semiconduction is observed. Therefore, oxygen nonstoichiometry of CMF is discussed in details from valence number of Ce, Mn, and Fe. On the other hand, CMF cathode showed almost the same performance with that of Ni-SDC cathode in steam electrolysis and hydrogen evolution rate well obeys the Faraday’s law in temperature range of 900-700°C and stable electrolysis performance was observed. The XRD pattern and the SEM images of CMF cathode after the electrolysis measurement revealed that the CMF phase is stably remained and aggregation or delamination were hardly observed. These results suggest that CMF is highly promising as oxide cathode for SOECs

The effect of oxygen partial pressure on anode reaction of steam electrolysis using SrZr0.5Ce0.4Y0.1O3-α (SZCY-541) proton conducting electrolyte was investigated by AC impedance measurement in this work. The anode reaction was enhanced by increasing oxygen partial pressure, and this result was opposite to the expectation from the conventional anode reaction (water splitting reaction). The increase in the electrode reaction conductivity with oxygen chemical potential was proportional to $$ {P_{{\mathrm{O}}_2}}^{1/4} $$ at 600 °C and at higher oxygen partial pressure region of 700 and 800 °C, suggesting the possibility that the enhancement is caused by the increase in hole concentration on the electrolyte surface near the anode.