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Introduction: The prevalence of various ejaculation disorders affecting middle-aged and older men has gained increasing attention due to their significant impact on quality of life. One of them, Late-Onset Hypogonadism (LOH) syndrome, can result in a decline in overall well-being. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is commonly used to address LOH; however, it presents challenges such as diminishing endogenous testosterone secretion and incomplete symptom relief. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or hCG plus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) therapy in patients experiencing ejaculation disorders characterized by low semen volume and decreased pleasure during ejaculation. Methods: Four male patients, aged 55 to 59 years, complaining of decreased ejaculatory pleasure and low semen volume, were enrolled in the study. One patient received hCG+rFSH therapy, while three patients received hCG alone. The initial dose of hCG was 5,000 units administered twice a week, and if deemed insufficient, it was increased to three times a week. rFSH was administered at a dosage of 150 units three times a week. Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and estradiol (E2) were measured monthly. Anastrozole (1 mg) was added for patients exhibiting elevated E2 levels. Results: Case 1: A 58-year-old male. Prior to treatment, testosterone and E2 levels were 4.84 ng/mL and 34.2 pg/mL, respectively. hCG+rFSH therapy resulted in increased testosterone levels (10.2 ng/mL) and elevated E2 levels (109.0 pg/mL) after three months of treatment. Addition of anastrozole resulted in testosterone levels of 10.90 ng/mL and E2 levels of 57.9 pg/mL in the following month. The patient experienced improved sexual desire, increased semen volume, and hair loss as a side effect. Treatment was discontinued after six months. Case 2: A 57-year-old male with diabetes mellitus. Pre-treatment testosterone and E2 levels were 2.19 ng-mL and 21.9 pg/mL, respectively. After changing the hCG dosage to 5,000 units three times a week, testosterone levels reached 5.33 ng/mL and E2 levels increased to 72.8 pg/mL after two months. With the addition of anastrozole four months into treatment, E2 levels were 44.4 pg/mL after five months. The patient reported improved morning erections, increased libido, increased semen volume, and improved glycemic control (HbA1c decreased from 9.0 to 7.0). Case 3: A 55-year-old male. Pre-treatment testosterone and E2 levels were 4.99 ng/mL and 32.3 pg/mL, respectively. In the first month of hCG therapy, testosterone levels increased to 13.6 ng/mL, while E2 levels rose to 75.5 pg/mL. Then, despite testosterone remaining in the 9.0–10.0 ng/mL range, E2 levels increased to 100 pg/mL. With the addition of anastrozole in the fifth month, the patient reported increased semen volume thereafter. Case 4: A 59-year-old male with a history of bipolar disorder. Prior to treatment, testosterone and E2 levels were 2.45 ng/mL and 23.0 pg/mL, respectively. hCG therapy resulted in testosterone levels of 6.71 ng/ml and E2 levels of 51.0 pg/mL after two months. Conclusions: This case study highlights the outcomes of hCG or hCG+rFSH therapy in middle-aged men experiencing ejaculation disorders. Disclosure: No. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of various ejaculation disorders affecting middle-aged and older men has gained increasing attention due to their significant impact on quality of life. One of them, Late-Onset Hypogonadism (LOH) syndrome, can result in a decline in overall well-being. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is commonly used to address LOH; however, it presents challenges such as diminishing endogenous testosterone secretion and incomplete symptom relief. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or hCG plus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) therapy in patients experiencing ejaculation disorders characterized by low semen volume and decreased pleasure during ejaculation. Methods: Four male patients, aged 55 to 59 years, complaining of decreased ejaculatory pleasure and low semen volume, were enrolled in the study. One patient received hCG+rFSH therapy, while three patients received hCG alone. The initial dose of hCG was 5,000 units administered twice a week, and if deemed insufficient, it was increased to three times a week. rFSH was administered at a dosage of 150 units three times a week. Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and estradiol (E2) were measured monthly. Anastrozole (1 mg) was added for patients exhibiting elevated E2 levels. Results: Case 1: A 58-year-old male. Prior to treatment, testosterone and E2 levels were 4.84 ng/mL and 34.2 pg/mL, respectively. hCG+rFSH therapy resulted in increased testosterone levels (10.2 ng/mL) and elevated E2 levels (109.0 pg/mL) after three months of treatment. Addition of anastrozole resulted in testosterone levels of 10.90 ng/mL and E2 levels of 57.9 pg/mL in the following month. The patient experienced improved sexual desire, increased semen volume, and hair loss as a side effect. Treatment was discontinued after six months. Case 2: A 57-year-old male with diabetes mellitus. Pre-treatment testosterone and E2 levels were 2.19 ng-mL and 21.9 pg/mL, respectively. After changing the hCG dosage to 5,000 units three times a week, testosterone levels reached 5.33 ng/mL and E2 levels increased to 72.8 pg/mL after two months. With the addition of anastrozole four months into treatment, E2 levels were 44.4 pg/mL after five months. The patient reported improved morning erections, increased libido, increased semen volume, and improved glycemic control (HbA1c decreased from 9.0 to 7.0). Case 3: A 55-year-old male. Pre-treatment testosterone and E2 levels were 4.99 ng/mL and 32.3 pg/mL, respectively. In the first month of hCG therapy, testosterone levels increased to 13.6 ng/mL, while E2 levels rose to 75.5 pg/mL. Then, despite testosterone remaining in the 9.0–10.0 ng/mL range, E2 levels increased to 100 pg/mL. With the addition of anastrozole in the fifth month, the patient reported increased semen volume thereafter. Case 4: A 59-year-old male with a history of bipolar disorder. Prior to treatment, testosterone and E2 levels were 2.45 ng/mL and 23.0 pg/mL, respectively. hCG therapy resulted in testosterone levels of 6.71 ng/ml and E2 levels of 51.0 pg/mL after two months. Conclusions: This case study highlights the outcomes of hCG or hCG+rFSH therapy in middle-aged men experiencing ejaculation disorders. Disclosure: No. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present that the tractional flow of a lubricant shows three kinds of limiting shear stresses at which the shear stresses take place independently of the shear rates in its viscous, viscoelastic, and glassy states. We propose three models on the mechanisms for the limiting shear stresses, based on the data of Brillouin spectra and viscosity of viscoelastic liquids previously reported by us and based on the data of the deformation of glassy polymers referred from others. The Brillouin spectra of a viscoelastic lubricant measured at up to 5 GPa at 25 and 80 °C show that we could not observe a frequency dispersion in sound waves below 0.8 GPa at 80 °C, while we can observe the frequency dispersion above 0.1 MPa at 25 °C owing to the viscosity of the lubricant. This result predicts the viscous limiting shear stress in the viscous state owing to the disappearance of meso-structures by heating and shearing under pressure. The viscosity of a polymer measured around the glass transition temperature (Tg) shows that Tg determined by the viscosity measurement is 27K lower than that determined by calorimetry. This result predicts the elastic limiting shear stress in the viscoelastic state near the glass transition pressure (Pg) owing to the shear thinning effect by shearing a lubricant film. In addition, there is the plastic limiting shear stress in the glassy state owing to the yield stress at which the tractional flow of a glassy lubricant behaves as a plastic solid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we document the effect of flow configuration on the heat transfer performance of a serpentine shaped stream embedded in a conducting solid. Several configurations with fixed volume of fluid are considered: U-shaped with varying spacing between the parallel portions of the U, serpentine shapes with three elbows, and conducting soil with several parallelepipedal shapes. We show that the spacing must be greater than a critical value in order for the heat transfer density of the stream-solid configuration to be the highest that it can be. Spacings larger than this critical value do not yield improvements in heat transfer density. We also show that even though the heat transfer is time dependent, the stream-solid configuration has an effective number of heat transfer units Ntu that is nearly constant in time. The larger Ntu values correspond to the configurations with greater heat transfer density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a photoemission study on reactivity of the Au-Si system. We studied gold films evaporated atop ultrathin silicon layers previously deposited on GaAs. Following analysis of both the Si 2p core level and the Au 5d valence band spectra related response, we show that the reaction mechanism between Au and Si is affected by structural imperfections of the silicon layer. This is in sharp opposition to some current models of the reactivity mechanism. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a photoemission spectroscopy study of arsenic-rich n-gallium arsenide surface modified by the deposition of an undoped silicon overlayer. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Abstract Core-shell structured TiO 2 - graphene-like carbon nanocomposites, TiO 2 @C, were obtained by combining co-milling anatase nanoparticles with 10 mass% non-crystalline carbon black and subsequent heating at 500 °C under 5% H 2 – He gas flow. Partial crystallization of carbon into a fractional graphene structure were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Because of the carbon structural change, electric conductivity of the composites, acquired from the impedance spectra of the consolidated tablet, increased an order of magnitude to 56 mS/cm. We attribute the increased conductivity to the development of aromatic rings as a consequence of partial crystallization. The composite particles are protected from sintering by the carbon shell so that the specific surface area remained as high as 40 m2/g even after heating at 750 °C. The charge and discharge capacities evaluated from a half-cell, TiO 2 @C//LiPF 6 + ethylene carbonate//Li, exceeded 200 mAh/g and was stable at least up to 50 cycles. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Formation of graphene-like carbon on TiO 2 by heating at 500 °C after milling. • Enhanced nucleation of graphene on the activated TiO 2 surface. • An order of magnitude increase of electronic conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To prospectively investigate the effect of tocilizumab (TCZ) on the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as a predictor of congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Method: Seventy patients with RA (median age 59 years, 86% female) free of cardiovascular disease were treated with TCZ and followed for 24 weeks. The NT-proBNP levels were measured at baseline and week 24. Thirty healthy controls were included for comparison of normal NT-proBNP levels with those of RA patients.Results: The NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in patients with RA than in controls (median 42.5 pg/mL vs 109.0 pg/mL, p < 0.001). NT-proBNP levels decreased by 63% over the 24 weeks of TCZ treatment. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the percentage change in the NT-proBNP level was significantly associated with that of the Simplified Disease Activity Index (β = 0.356, p = 0.014), even after adjusting for the levels of rheumatoid factor, duration of RA, age, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody.Conclusion: TCZ decreased the NT-proBNP level in patients with RA without preceding cardiovascular disease and CHF. TCZ may have a cardioprotective effect in those with active RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the increases in photovoltage of indium tin oxide/silicon oxide/mat-textured n-silicon junction solar cells by silicon preoxidation and annealing processes. Fabrication of the junction solar cells by the spray pyrolysis method; Characteristics and junction properties of the junction solar cells; Quantum efficiency for the solar cell as a function of the wavelength.

Presents a study that investigated the indium tin oxide (ITO) films deposited on single-crystal silicon wafers by the electron-beam-evaporation method by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) together with work-function and resistivity measurements. Background on ITO; Experimental details; Results of the study.

Discusses indium tin oxide (ITO)/silicon oxide/silicon junction solar cells produced by depositing ITO on a thin film silicon oxide-covered single-crystal Si substrate. Use of electron-beam evaporation method; Ways to decrease the amount of the metal indium; Cause of a decrease in the lattice constant of the films.

Presents a study that analyzed carrier transport mechanism of the silicon (Si) semiconductor solar cells with n-Si/indium tin oxide (ITO) junctions. Measurement of the current-voltage characteristics of the samples; Analysis of the conversion efficiency of the solar cells; Evaluation of the mechanism of charge transport of Si electrode covered with a thermally grown Si oxide layer where an ITO film is deposited.

Investigates the temperature dependence of nonlinear absorption in indium phosphide doping superlattices. Cause of the enhancement in nonlinearity; Coefficients of optical absorption; System to measure time response of nonlinear absorption.

The performance of 〈indium-tin-oxide (ITO)/silicon oxide/n-Si(100)〉 junction solar cells is improved by immersing Si wafers in a potassium cyanide solution before the ITO deposition. It is found from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements that about 3% monolayer cyanide (CN[sup −]) ions are present on the Si surface after the cyanide treatment. The temperature dependence of the current-voltage curves shows that the band bending in n-Si is increased by the cyanide treatment. The increase in the band bending is attributed to an upward Si band edge shift caused by the presence of CN[sup −] ions at the oxide/Si interface and/or in the oxide layer. Conductance-voltage measurements show that the density of trap states considerably decreases after the cyanide treatment. The conductance decrease is attributed to the passivation of interface states by the adsorption of CN[sup −] ions on Si dangling bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the interface state-induced shift of the oxide and semiconductor core levels for metal-oxide-semiconductor devices. Measurement of x-ray photoelectron spectra; Experimental details; Results of the study.

Studies viscoelastic solids with high viscosity while aiming to have them deformed under uniform shear stress. Examples of data; Model and formulation for analysis; Examination of experimental conditions; Elasticity simulation; Viscosity measured under the shear deformation; Difference in the viscosity values measured by the sandwich method and the beam bending method.

Studies the mechanism of the formation of hydrogen-induced interface states for platinum/silicon oxide/silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor tunneling diodes. Method of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Studies mechanism of carrier transport through a silicon-oxide layer for solar cells. Method of the study; Results and discussion;

Focuses on the fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) junction solar cells by a spray-pyrolysis method and high short-circuit photocurrent densities and relatively high photovoltages. Effect of the desorption of oxygen from the grain boundaries of the ZnO films; Measurement of current-voltage curves; Application of x-ray photoelectron spectra.

The temperature rise of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles having diameters of 242 and 7.7 nm was measured. The results of the measurement were analyzed by comparing the areas of the hysteresis loops in order to clarify the mechanism of heat dissipation in the samples. The hysteresis loops were obtained by applying both ac and dc magnetic fields. It was found that the contribution of magnetic relaxation losses to the heat dissipation was negligible in the case of NiFe2O4 nanoparticle of diameter 242 nm. The contribution of the Néel relaxation to the heat dissipation in the case of NiFe2O4 nanoparticle of diameter 7.7 nm was observed as the difference between the areas of ac and dc hysteresis loops. From the dependences of temperature rise and hysteresis loops of the nanoparticles on the intensity and frequency of an applied magnetic field, the relaxation time for NiFe2O4 nanoparticle of diameter 7.7 nm was obtained as approximately 0.5-0.7 μs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space propulsion systems use screen mesh devices as filters to block contaminants and as propellant management devices to settle the propellants. The bubble point pressure indicates the basic capillary performance for liquid acquisition of screen meshes. Actively controlling the bubble point pressure can result in flexible and efficient operation of the propulsion systems. High-performance cryogenic propellants, such as liquid hydrogen and oxygen, exhibit magnetic properties. Therefore, a method to actively control the bubble point pressure of cryogenic propellants by applying a magnetic field is proposed in this study. The magnetic pressures affect the pressure balance around the gas–liquid interface separated by the screen mesh, which can thereby control the bubble point pressure. To demonstrate the concept and theoretical basis, a bubble point experiment is conducted using a ferrofluid and solenoid. This experiment proves that the magnetic field actively controls the bubble point pressure and performs both suppression and enhancement of the liquid acquisition performance of the screen mesh. The theory related to magnetic pressures is observed to successfully predict the experimental results. The feasibility of the active control of the bubble point pressure of liquid oxygen is discussed based on the validated theory, and two applications of this technique in cryogenic propulsion systems are depicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) on crystal defects in a GaN layer grown on a (111)Si substrate was investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The PL spectra suggested that the density of gallium vacancy is not changed by the heat treatment up to 700 °C. In the TEM specimen, we had dislocation half loops generated by off-axis propagation of the threading dislocation. We found that the half-loop of c-type dislocation shrinks/moves by a repetitive RTA at 600–700 °C. In contrast, we could find no remarkable changes in the a-type or a+c-type dislocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow magnetic relaxation and the Fe ion stoichiometry were investigated in spin and charge frustrated system YbFe 2 O 4 . DC susceptibility, AC susceptibility, aging process and electron diffraction observation were carried out on nano order sized YbFe 2 O 4 single-phase powders with the Fe/Yb=2.00, 2.02, and 2.04 ratios. The variation of the cluster glass behavior was studied in relation between the magnetic relaxation and the various chemical compositions. With the increase of the Fe/Yb ratios, the magnetic coherence length increased and the magnetic aging time goes slow down. The observed critical slowing down of the glassy fluctuation is interpreted by the development of the spin cluster size. This indicates that the spin glass like property of this material arises from the competition between various sized magnetic domains having ferrimagnetic moments. Additionally, electron diffraction experiments showed that the increase of Fe/Yb ratios from Fe/Yb=2.00 enhances the development of the charge ordering coherence in triangular lattice. This study shows that the measurement of magnetic fluctuation for nano order sized particles gives the essential information about the spin cluster fluctuation in R Fe 2 O 4 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess potentially predictive factors that were evaluated 1 year after the onset of symptoms in patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) and to determine receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve cut-off values.Methods: Within 1 year of symptom onset, patients with SONK-selected treatment options, mainly based on severity of pain, chose either conservative treatment (n = 27 knees) or operative treatment (n = 27 knees). Knee and whole-leg radiographs, knee MRIs and bone mineral density scans of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and femoral condyles were obtained. The parameters measured were: (1) anatomical angle on whole-leg radiograph and (2) lesion size and medial meniscus extrusion on MRI.Results: The anatomical angle and lesion size in the sagittal section (depth) on MRI were markedly larger in the operative treatment group than those in the conservative treatment group. The anatomical angle and depth on MRI of SONK at Stages 1-3 were significantly different between groups, with odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) of 1.16 (1.18-2.34) and 1.11 (1.01-1.23). One year after symptom onset, ROC curve cut-off value for anatomical angle was 180° and depth on MRI was 20 mm.Conclusion: An anatomical angle >180° and depth >20 mm on MRI were predictive factors for a poorer prognosis 1 year after symptom onset in patients with SONK. Our results on radiographs and MRI provided a predictive prognosis for patients with SONK at the initial visit to their orthopaedic surgeons.Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A recent study demonstrated that FoxO3a was directly induced by the overexpression of Hsp72 in rat soleus muscle. However, whether heat stress treatment induces FoxO3a phosphorylation in rat skeletal muscle remains unclear. This study examined the effects of heat stress on the regulation of the FoxO3a signalling pathway in rat skeletal muscle. Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats (15 weeks old) were randomly assigned into two groups; sedentary control group (Sed, n = 8) and experimental group ( n = 24). After an overnight fast, one leg of each rat ( HS leg) in the experimental group was immersed in hot water (43 °C) for 30 min, and the soleus and plantaris muscles in both legs were removed immediately (0 min), 30 min, 60 min, or 24 h after the heat stress ( n = 6 each group). The contralateral, non-heated leg in the experimental group served as an internal control ( CT leg). Results Heat stress treatment resulted in a significant increase in FoxO3a phosphorylation (Ser253) in the soleus and plantaris muscles of heat-stressed legs after 24 h. Hsp72 expression in heat-stressed legs was significantly higher at 60 min and 24 h in these muscles. Activation of the PTEN/Akt and MEK/ ERK pathways was also observed in these muscles immediately after stress, but not at 24 h. There were no differences in FoxO1 and AMPKα phosphorylation in either muscle. Conclusion Heat stress in rat skeletal muscle induces phosphorylation of FoxO3a signalling, and it may be related to Hsp72 upregulation, and the activation of the PTEN/Akt and MEK/ ERK pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emphasizes that bonding temperature and ferrite crystal orientation dominate pseudogap formation. Characteristics of the metal-in-gap (MIG) head; Influence of the annealing temperature on the diffusion at the boundary; Dependence of the ripple amplitude on the crystal orientation of ferrite cores.

This paper deals with the development of a new wireless EMG electrode ‘VAMPIRE-BAT/WASPS’ for man–machine interface that can not only stream up EMG signal in real-time, but also give electric stimulus feedback to human operator. The authors’ unique idea is ‘stimulus feedback nearby the actuation point’. Their statement is that human response may be faster if feedback is applied exactly on or nearby the point of actuation (i.e. muscle). Firstly, they introduce their new EMG electrode device and its technical details with performance test result. Then, they also show experiments and their results to verify effectiveness of the idea of stimulus feedback nearby the actuation point. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Strategies to achieve RDE requirement for diesel passenger car are introduced in this paper focusing on NO storage and reduction (NSR) technologies. High NO conversion performance with advanced NSR technologies which make use of reducing agents like NH or intermediate reductants created from HC (Bisaiji et al. in SAE Int J Fuels Lubr 5:380-388, ) dosing, is demonstrated by vehicle tests. The mechanisms to create reducing agents are discussed in detail. MS analysis identified the key elements to produce reductant species for diesel NO after-treatment by adsorbed intermediate reductants (DiAir), focusing on the effect of oxygen on the catalyst surface and the catalyst formulation. It was found that surface oxygen has an important role to make intermediate reductants during HC dosing for DiAir. Moreover, the role of Ce component in oxidizing the injected HC and create intermediate reductants effectively became clear. Furthermore, high CO oxidation performance of NSR after ageing in comparison with diesel oxidation catalyst is shown and the mechanism is discussed. Oxidation performance is also important for diesel vehicles because the catalyst temperature is further reducing due to CO reduction. The potential to meet next stringent legislation is shown in this paper from the view point of not only NO reduction but also CO oxidation by an advanced NSR system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blistering problem due to high power proton irradiation is a crucial issue for any neutron generation target. When a proton beam irradiates a metal, the protons stopped inside capture free electrons in the metal to form a hydrogen gas. Eventually, blisters and/or flakes appear on the surface as the pressure of the hydrogen gas rises enough to cause ruptures. An experimental setup for observation of the metal surface that would have high sensitivity and high spatial resolution was proposed, designed and implemented. The system observes light-polarization and reflectivity and has successfully detected blistering surface dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intentionally carbon (C) doped (0 0 0 1)GaN was grown using C 2 H 2 on a sapphire substrate by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Optical spectra of the heavily doped samples were investigated at room temperature. In Raman spectra excited by the 325 nm line of a He–Cd laser, multiple LO phonon scattering signals up to 7th order were observed, and the A 1 (LO) phonon energy was determined to be 737.5 cm −1 (91.45 meV). In infrared reflectance spectra, on the other hand, a local vibration mode was found at 777.5 cm −1 , which is attributed to a Ga–C bond in the GaN matrix suggesting that the C sits on an N site (C N ). In spite of the strong suggestion of C N , the samples did not show p-type conduction. Possible origin of the carrier compensation is discussed in relation to the enhancement of defect related yellow luminescence in the photoluminescence spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the real space profile of spin polarons in the quasi-two-dimensional frustrated dimer spin system SrCu2(BO3)2 doped with 0.16% of Zn. The 11B nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum exhibits 15 additional boron sites near nonmagnetic Zn impurities. With the help of exact diagonalizations of finite clusters, we have deduced from the boron spectrum, the distribution of local magnetizations at the Cu sites with fine spatial resolution, providing direct evidence for an extended spin polaron. The results are confronted with those of other experiments performed on doped and undoped samples of SrCu2(BO3)2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider the fundamental problem of how to design the spacing between two plane and parallel tree structures buried in and transferring heat to a conducting medium. The Y and T tree-shaped structures are configured as two palms facing each other. The search for the optimal spacing is pursued in solid domains with three sizes. First, we studied a cube where the tree palms structure grow to the second level bifurcation. Second and third, we considered a small cube and a large cube where the tree structure consists of just the first level bifurcation. The results show that the best spacing between palms is half of the side of the cube, in order to avoid the interference between the two tree and adiabatic boundaries of the cube in which the trees structures are embedded. The spacing is possible to optimize, without being affected by the shape of the structure, the bifurcation level of the structure and the size of cube. The decision of optimal spacing is not affected by changes in the volume fraction occupied by tree structure in the conducting body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several hundred stars older than 10 million years have been observed to have infrared excesses. These observations are explained by dust grains formed by the collisional fragmentation of hidden planetesimals. Such dusty planetesimal discs are known as debris discs. In a dynamically cold planetesimal disc, collisional coagulation of planetesimals produces planetary embryos which then stir the surrounding leftover planetesimals. Thus, the collisional fragmentation of planetesimals that results from planet formation forms a debris disc. We aim to determine the properties of the underlying planetesimals in debris discs by numerically modelling the coagulation and fragmentation of planetesimal populations. The brightness and temporal evolution of debris discs depend on the radial distribution of planetesimal discs, the location of their inner and outer edges, their total mass, and the size of planetesimals in the disc. We find that a radially narrow planetesimal disc is most likely to result in a debris disc that can explain the trend of observed infrared excesses of debris discsvvv around G-type stars, for which planet formation occurs only before 100 million years. Early debris disc formation is induced by planet formation, while the later evolution is explained by the collisional decay of leftover planetesimals around planets that have already formed. Planetesimal discs with underlying planetesimals of radii ∼100 km at ≈30 au most readily explain the Spitzer Space Telescope 24 and 70 μm fluxes from debris discs around G-type stars. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Intestinal neuronal dysplasia Type B (IND-B) has been proposed to be an allied disorder of Hirschsprung's disease (ADHD). The original histological criteria included hyperganglionosis, giant ganglia, ectopic ganglion cells and an increased AChE activity in the lamina propria. The criteria for IND-B have been gradually revised. The present diagnostic criteria are [] more than 20 % of the submucosal ganglia contain nine or more ganglion cells and [] the patient is older than 1 year. To clarify the current status of IND-B in Japan, a nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 161 major institutes of pediatric surgery and gastroenterology in Japan. Results: A total of 355 cases of ADHD were collected, including 18 cases of IND-B (5 %). Based on original criteria, 13 out of 18 cases were diagnosed as IND-B. However, only four cases met the current criteria. Three of the four patients (75 %) required pull-through operation. All of the patients exhibited giant ganglia and ganglioneuromatosis-like hyperplasia of the myenteric plexus. Conclusions: IND-B cases matching the current criteria are thought to be quite rare and they are associated with marked hyperplasia of the myenteric plexus. 'True' IND-B is a rare and intractable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planetesimal accretion is a key source for heavy-element enrichment in giant planets. It has been suggested that Jupiter's enriched envelope is a result of planetesimal accretion during its growth, assuming it formed in a massive planetesimal disc. In this study, we simulate Jupiter's formation in this scenario. We assume in situ formation and perform N -body simulations to infer the solid accretion rate. We find that tens-Earth masses of planetesimals can be captured by proto-Jupiter during the rapid gas accretion phase. However, if several embryos are formed near Jupiter's core, which is an expected outcome in the case of a massive planetesimal disc, scattering from the embryos increases the eccentricity and inclination of planetesimals and therefore significantly reduces the accretion efficiency. We also compare our results with published semi-analytical models and show that these models cannot reproduce the N -body simulations especially when the planetesimal disc has a large eccentricity and inclination. We show that when the dynamical evolution of planetesimals is carefully modelled, the total mass of captured planetesimals M cap,tot is 2M⊕ ≲ M cap,tot ≲ 18M⊕. The metallicity of Jupiter's envelope can be explained by the planetesimal accretion in our massive disc model despite the low accretion efficiency coming from the high eccentricity and inclination of planetesimals. Our study demonstrates the importance of detailed modelling of planetesimal accretion during the planetary growth and its implications to the heavy-element mass in gaseous planets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beginning Movement Load ( BML) training is a unique form of light-load training that comprises a lengthening-shortening sequence of muscle actions about multiple degrees of freedom. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of BML training at improving the performance of old adults on four functional tasks and to identify some of the neuromuscular adaptations that contributed to these gains. Healthy old adults (67.5 ± 5.23 years) were randomly assigned to either a BML training group ( n = 17) or a control group ( n = 7). The training group exercised with a 30% of the one repetition-maximum (1-RM) load and performed five to seven sets of 15 repetitions, three times per week for 8 weeks. BML training increased maximal voluntary contraction ( MVC) force significantly for the knee extensors (31.6%), but not the elbow flexors (9.8%), and improved the steadiness of isometric contractions (10%, 30%, and 65% MVC forces). Training-associated changes in times for ascending and descending stairs and one-legged balance, but not the chair rise, were predicted by changes in selected combinations of MVC force and steadiness. The attributes of BML training that enabled it to elicit functionally meaningful adaptations in the neuromuscular system of older adults should be explored with more mechanistic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We screened for genes expressed in the migrating precerebellar neurons. [•] We have identified three genes, Calm1, Septin11, and Csde1. [•] Short-hairpin RNA that inhibits Csde1 expression was constructed. [•] Knocking down Csde1 expression by RNAi retained precerebellar neurons in their migratory paths. [•] Knocking down Csde1 caused the ventrally-biased distribution of precerebellar neurons in the target area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A maintenance mechanism of an approximately linear velocity profile of the Venus zonal flow or superrotation is explored, with the aid of a Reynolds-averaged turbulence modelling approach. The basic framework is similar to that of Gierasch (Meridional circulation and maintenance of the Venus atmospheric rotation. J. Atmos. Sci. 1975,32, 1038–1044) in the sense that the mechanism is examined under a given meridional circulation. The profile mimicking the observations of the flow is initially assumed, and its maintenance mechanism in the presence of turbulence effects is investigated from a viewpoint of the suppression of energy cascade. In the present work, the turbulent viscosity is regarded as an indicator of the intensity of the cascade. A novelty of this formalism is the use of the isotropic turbulent viscosity based on a non-local time scale linked to a large-scale flow structure. The mechanism is first discussed qualitatively. On the basis of these discussions, the two-dimensional numerical simulation of the proposed model is performed, with an initially assumed superrotation, and the fast zonal flow is shown to be maintained, compared with the turbulent viscosity lacking the non-local time scale. The relationship of the present model with the current general circulation model simulation is discussed in light of a crucial role of the vertical viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: In this paper we consider the placement of buildings with ground coupled heat pumps on a densely populated area. The assemblies of pipes that constitute the ground heat exchangers occupy volumes that are shaped as parallelepipeds, the short dimension of which is vertical. Viewed from above, the assemblies occupy rectangular areas with variable shapes. Two area sizes are considered: few large areas surrounded by many smaller areas. The area shapes are viewed systematically such that the total heat transfer rate between ground and buried assemblies is maximum. For each shape of the large assembly, the best shape of each smaller assembly is the most slender that can be installed on its available territory. This feature of the neighborhood design does not change when the volume fraction occupied by all the assemblies increases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The trajectories of dust particles ejected from a comet are affected by solar radiation pressure as a function of their ratios of radiation pressure cross section to mass. Therefore, a study of the orbital evolution of the particles caused by the radiation pressure reveals the physical properties of dust on the surface of the comet nucleus. In the course of NASA'sDeep Impact mission, the ejecta plume evolved under the influence of the radiation pressure. From the evolution and shape of the plume, we have succeeded in obtaining β ≈ 0.4, where β is the ratio of the radiation pressure to the solar gravity. Taking β ≈ 0.4 into account as well as the observational constraints of a high color temperature and a small silicate-feature strength, dust particles ejected from the surface of comet 9P/Tempel 1 are likely to be compact dust aggregates of sizes ≈20 μm (mass ∼10-8 g). This is comparable to the major dust on the surface of comet 1P/Halley (∼10 μm) inferred from in-situ measurements and theoretical considerations. Since such dust aggregates with β ≈ 0.4 must have survived jets due to ice sublimation on the surface, the temperature of ice in the nucleus must be kept below 145 K, which is much lower than the equilibrium temperature determined by solar irradiation and thermal emission. These facts indicate that 9P/Tempel 1 has a dust mantle composed of 20 μm-sized dust aggregates with low thermal conductivities ∼1 ergcm-1 K-1 s-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Here we document comparatively the performance of three flow architectures for heat transfer between a buried flow structure and a conducting medium: trees with Y-shaped bifurcations, trees with T-shaped bifurcations, and classical U-shaped and serpentine designs. The competing designs occupy the same volume fraction. The tree architectures have up to four levels of bifurcation (N). We found that the heat transfer performance depends greatly on the flow configuration. The tree shaped designs yield improvements in heat transfer density as N increases from 0 to 4. The Y-shaped design is the best of the three architectures. The scale analysis of tree-in-solid heat transfer anticipates correctly the key features of the thermal performance of the architecture. The paper also shows that the tree architecture, which is derived from minimizing flow resistance, also has the property that it distributes uniformly the flow resistance time throughout the structure. This is true for both laminar and turbulent flow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Here we determine the tree-shaped structure that facilitates heat transfer between it and the solid body in which it is embedded. The vascular design evolves toward configurations that provide progressively greater heat transfer per unit volume. Two solid domain sizes are analyzed: a small cube where the tree structure grows to the second-level bifurcation, and a larger cube where the tree design grows to fourth-level branches. We show that when the solid domain and growing tree structure do not interfere with each other, symmetry is a beneficial feature that promotes heat transfer. When the tree structure interferes with the boundaries, asymmetry is the better design feature, and because of it the tree structure fills the available conducting medium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]