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The application of vanadium (V) stable isotopes to trace various geological and biological processes is an emerging field. Vanadium can exist in several redox states and in various could be used to trace its exchange between different phases during these processes. In order to provide a basis for interpreting natural data, we have computed theoretical isotope fractionation factors of V among various species relevant to geological and biological environments. To validate the accuracy of the calculations, we performed laboratory experiments to evaluate the V isotopic fractionation between organic and aqueous phases. The laboratoryscale experiment via liquid-liquid extraction with the aqueous phase of V in HCl and the organic phase of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC18C6) in 1,2-dichloroethane was performed. The magnitude of the isotope fractionation factor for the 51V/50V ratio between the aqueous and organic phases, which was found to vary between -0.1 and +1.35%o depending on HCl molarity, is well explained by our theoretical isotope fractionation factors (ln beta) obtained by the density functional theory method for V(IV) model molecules. We have also estimated the relative effect of the nuclear field shift (NFS) effect and the conventional mass-dependent isotope fractionation, where the NFS effect was found to be marginal (similar to 0.025%o) on the V isotope fractionation. This theoretical approach is applied to obtain ln beta for various V species relevant to geological and biological environments which are discussed with regard to understanding natural variations of the V isotopes. ISSN:2472-3452

Background: One characteristic of Lynch syndrome, which is caused by germline mutations in a group of genes encoding mismatch repair proteins, is the early onset of colorectal cancer. Here, we report a rare case of juvenile colon cancer, diagnosed based on the onset of intussusception with high microsatellite instability (MSI) and the absence of BRAF mutations, which was suggestive of Lynch syndrome. Case presentation: A 28-year-oldman presented with right lower abdominal pain for approximately 3 months and defecated blacky stool for several weeks. He visited our hospital because of increasingly intense right lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a contrast-enhanced tumor and lymph nodes with a crab-claw-like fitted image extending into the ascending colon. Colon endoscopy revealed a large submucosal tumor-like lesion with ulceration. Laparoscopy-assisted ileal resection with level 3 lymph node dissection was performed 3 days after the endoscopic reduction of the intussusception. The histological diagnosis was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Gene analysis of the resected tumor revealed high MSIand KRAS mutations, and the absence of BRAF mutations. Immunohistochemistry indicated the absence of MLH1 and PMS2 expression in tumors. Genetic analysis of peripheral blood and tumors revealed no pathological mutations in MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, or MSH6. Conclusion A rare case of Lynch-like syndrome was diagnosed with intussusception. MSI-high, wild-type BRAF, and the absence of MLH1 and PMS2 expression suggested Lynch syndrome. The absence of pathological mutations in germline and somatic genes suggests the possibility of MLH1 promoter methylation or MLH1 epimutation in the pathogenesis of this case.

Authors: Kembu Nakamoto, Hiroshi Hashiyada, Sadahiro Kawamoto, Toshiyuki Fujii. Introduction: Electrolyzed saline (ES) is a non-toxic virucidal disinfectant. A treatment strategy for COVID-19 infections, in which initial decontamination was achieved by gargling ES, was retrospectively investigated. Methodology: Thirty-eight COVID-19 patients were admitted between June 8, 2021, and September 30, 2021. Each patient gargled ES 3 times a day for as long as salivary SARS-CoV-2 antigen (Ag) tests produced positive results. Treatment effects were evaluated based on the salivary Ag level. Results: Gargling ES solution was used to decontaminate the primary infection site in 33 patients (study group), whereas it was used at 7~10 days after admission in 5 patients (control). Thirty patients were

Nanocrystalline nickel, having a grain size of about 40 nm, was fabricated by electrolytic deposition and strain-rate jump tests were performed at temperaures between 77 and 473 K to obtain the str...

The formation process of the kink bands in a directionally solidified, polycrystalline, long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) Mg85Zn6Y9 phase during compression deformation was investigated. In-situ compression observations by scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction analysis revealed that regions with localized crystal orientation rotation appeared before ridge kinks formed as surface relief. In this paper, it is called as pre-kink The observed pre-kinks were composed of two separate regions rotated in opposite directions to each other and distinguished from one another by the three boundaries. A transmission electron microscopy observation revealed that the boundaries of the pre-kink are sub-boundaries consisting of edge dislocation array, and both its ends are terminated within the matrix. These characteristics match the reported that of regular ridge kink boundaries. In addition, while pre-kinks do not possess the ability of complete reversibility, its boundaries are capable of moving elastically.

The measurements of Cs isotopic ratios by TIMS were performed for the sample analysis used to evaluation of the nuclear data of 135Cs. To obtain a high intensity and stable ion beam, the effects of additive agents on the ionization of Cs were examined. The effect of silicotungstic acid on the ionization of Cs was the largest among the additive agents discussed in this study, while this also showed the largest isobaric interference of polyatomic ions. After examining of the analytical conditions, such as the interference effect due to Ba, the sample analysis of two radioactive Cs samples were conducted.

Copper is a metal that plays a central role in biology, for example, as co-factor in various redox enzymes. Its stable isotopic composition is being used as tracer of its transport in living organisms and as a biomarker for diseases affecting its homeostasis. While the application of copper stable isotopes to biological studies is a growing field, there are presently no biological standards that are systematically analyzed in the different laboratories, as it is the case for geological samples (e.g., by using widely available basalt samples). It is therefore paramount for the community to establish such standard. Copper also binds oxygen in the respiratory protein, hemocyanin, in the hemolymph of mollusks and arthropods and is thus critical to respiration for these species.Here, the Cu isotope composition of hemocyanin of different modern species of mollusks and arthropods (Megathura crenulate Keyhole limpet, Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab and Concholepas concholepas Chilean abalone), as well as theoretical constraints on the origin of these isotopic fractionations through ab initio calculations are reported.The isotopic fractionation factors for Cu(I) and Cu(II), both in hemocyanin and in seawater, predict an enrichment in the lighter isotope of Cu in the hemocyanin by over 1 permil compared to seawater. The hemocyanin of Chilean abalone and Horseshoe crab have Cu isotope compositions (δBecause these hemocyanin standard samples are widely available, they could serve in the future as inter-laboratory standards to verify the accuracy of the Cu isotopic measurements on biological matrices.

The thermal-neutron capture cross-section (σ0) and resonance integral (I0) were measured for the 135Cs(n,γ)136Cs reaction by an activation method and mass spectrometry. Because of difficulty in the...

Rationale: Super acidic (pH

Neutron total and capture cross sections of 243Am have been measured in Accurate Neutron Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument at Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility of Japan Proton ...

Accurate data of gamma-ray emission probabilities are frequently needed when one quantitatively determines the amount of isotope by gamma-ray measurements or obtains neutron capture cross-sections ...

Objective: The cause of the prevalence increase in community-acquired pneumonia is unclear. The environmental bio contamination of residential spaces was investigated. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 146 pneumonia patients admitted between January 2019 and December 2019 was performed. Age, living status, smoking status, and nursing care status were assessed. Bio contamination in residential spaces and the bactericidal effects of tobacco, incense-stick smoke and electrolyzed saline (ES) were examined using Koch’s method. Results: The patients were quite old (mean age: 80.9 ± 12.6 y.o.). Living in a private residence, where smoking tobacco, pesticide and incense-stick use might be allowed, carried a low risk of pneumonia (OR: 0.026, 95% CI: 0.003–0.190). Current smokers had a low risk of pneumonia (OR: 0.348, 95%CI: 0.143–0.844). Patients that did not require nursing care had a low risk of pneumonia (OR: 0.004, 95%CI: 0.001–0.026). Significantly more colony-forming units (CFU) were detected in communal spaces than in private spaces (5.85 ± 1.41 vs 0.30 ± 0.24 CFU/5 min). Significantly more CFU were detected in places where smoking was restricted than in spaces where smoking was allowed (5.90 ± 1.49 vs 1.24 ± 0.79 CFU/5 min). However, the examined residential spaces were generally clean. The number of CFU in vocalized droplets was very high (thousands). Both tobacco and incensestick smoke had bactericidal effects on droplet-borne bio contamination; i.e., they reduced the number of CFU by >90%, as did ES solution, which also suppressed oropharyngeal bio contamination. Conclusions: Smokeless residential environment might be responsible to the prevalence increase of communityacquired pneumonia. ES might contribute to preventing pneumonia epidemics.

We investigate analog black holes generated in an array of direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (dc SQUIDs) coupled in parallel with a one-dimensional chain of single-domain nanomagnets. Magnetic solitons in the chain provide magnetic fields perpendicular to the SQUID array. This leads to the spatially varying velocities of electromagnetic waves through the nonlinear inductance in the array required for creating effective event horizons, resulting in analog black holes. We derive the Hawking temperature in this analog black hole based on the tunneling mechanism for Hawking radiation. The formula reflecting the soliton properties shows that Hawking radiation is observable using the current state-of-the-art technologies.

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Complete surgical excision is the standard therapy for mediastinal cysts. Translucent cysts containing crystal-clear fluid are called “spring water cysts.” We considered that these cysts can be treated adequately using fenestration with minimal bleeding and damage to existing structures. We experienced a case of mediastinal spring water cyst fenestrated under video-assisted thoracoscopy with a miniaturized endoscope (mini-VATS), instead of excisional resection. Fenestration of the non-neoplastic mediastinal cyst under mini-VATS might be a less invasive radical procedure and an alternative to complete resection. We discuss the indication for surgery and the surgical procedure for non-neoplastic mediastinal cyst with crystal-clear fluid.

Background: Complete rectal prolapse (CRP) commonly affects the daily life of older people and has no established operative treatment approach. We describe our simple method of laparoscopic, sutureless rectopexy, involving rectal mobilization (along with its peritoneum bilaterally) and fixation to the sacral promontory using a fixation device. We also present an analysis of short-term outcomes in patients treated using this procedure. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 62 patients with CRP, who underwent a laparoscopic rectopexy via tack fixation, between 2004 and 2017. The peritoneum was widely attached near the site of peritoneal reflection, as in rectal cancer surgery. The hypogastric nerve was carefully detached from the front of the sacrum. Keeping the nerve intact, we lifted and mobilized the dissected rectum cranially towards the promontory, and the rectal peritoneum was affixed to the sacrum by applying 2 to 3 fixed tacks bilaterally, using a fixation device. Results: The median age of the study group was 80 (10 to 91) years. All procedures were successful without serious intraoperative complications; only 1 patient required conversion to open surgery. Median values for operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative period of hospitalization were 177 (125 to 441) minutes, 5 (0 to 275) mL, and 7 (3 to 17) days, respectively. Only 6 (9.7%) patients experienced recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Laparoscopic tacking rectopexy performed using a fixation device for repairing CRP is a simple, safe, and sutureless procedure with no severe complications or mortality.

The nonlinear LC circuit dual to the Toda lattice (voltage) soliton is studied using the reductive perturbation method. It is found that the current flowing through the circuit obeys the defocusing modified Korteweg--de Vries equation with shock-wave-type (current) solitons. The current soliton spatially modulates the nonlinear inductance, equivalently the spatial modulations of electromagnetic wave velocity in the circuit, resulting in the generation of analogue black holes. Hawking radiation from the black holes is also discussed based on the tunneling models.

The well known Nakano&ndash, Nishijima&ndash, Gell-Mann (NNG) formula relates certain quantum numbers of elementary particles to their charge number. This equation, which phenomenologically introduces the quantum numbers Iz (isospin), S (strangeness), etc., is constructed using group theory with real numbers R. But, using a discrete Galois field Fp instead of R and assuring the fundamental invariance laws such as unitarity, Lorentz invariance, and gauge invariance, we derive the NNG formula deductively from Meson (two quarks) and Baryon (three quarks) representations in a unified way. Moreover, we show that quark confinement ascribes to the inevitable fractionality caused by coprimeness between half-integer (1/2) of isospin and number of composite particles (e.g., three).

Fusion splice of a 5 core MCF is demonstrated using a field usable compact, lightweight, battery driven fusion splicer. Average splice loss of 0.12 dB/splice is obtained by automated alignment function of the splicer.

Quantum walks can reconstruct quantum algorithms for quantum computation, where the precise controls of quantum state transfers between arbitrary distant sites are required. Here, we investigate quantum walks using a periodically time-varying coin both numerically and analytically, in order to explore the controllability of quantum walks while preserving its random nature., In Proceedings QSQW 2020, arXiv:2004.01061

Motivated by the detection of a significant dipole structure in the arrival directions of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays above 8 EeV reported by the Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger), we search for a large-scale anisotropy using data collected with the surface detector array of the Telescope Array Experiment (TA). With 11 years of TA data, a dipole structure in a projection of the right ascension is fitted with an amplitude of 3.3+- 1.9% and a phase of 131 +- 33 degrees. The corresponding 99% confidence-level upper limit on the amplitude is 7.3%. At the current level of statistics, the fitted result is compatible with both an isotropic distribution and the dipole structure reported by Auger., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, Proofed title. Added journal reference and DOI

Neutron total and capture cross sections of 241Am have been measured with a new data acquisition system and a new neutron transmission measurement system installed in Accurate Neutron Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument at Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility of Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. The neutron total cross sections of 241Am were determined by using a neutron time-of-flight (TOF) method in the neutron energy region from 4 meV to 2 eV. The thermal total cross section of 241Am was derived with an uncertainty of 2.9%. A pulse-height weighting technique was applied to determine neutron capture yields of 241Am. The neutron capture cross sections were determined by the TOF method in the neutron energy region from the thermal to 100 eV, and the thermal capture cross section was obtained with an uncertainty of 4.1%. The evaluation data of JENDL-4.0 and JEFF-3.2 were compared with the present results.