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Abstract: We synthesized semiconducting composite films of Si and Mo–silicide nanocrystals (NCs) by phase separation from amorphous Mo–Si alloy (Si:Mo=12:1). Raman measurements show that the crystallization occurred at ≥700°C. Transmission electron microscope images show that Si and Mo silicide NCs were grown to average diameters of 8nm and 11nm, respectively, by annealing at 800°C. The electrical resistivity of the composite film is semiconducting (0.2–1.2kΩcm at room temperature depending on preparation conditions) and decreases with temperature increase. The thermal conductivity was reduced to 2.2Wm−1 K−1 by enhancement of phonon scattering at NC interfaces, suggesting that the composite film is promising as a high-efficiency Si-based thermoelectric material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To assess the immunological status of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), by analysing the proportion of cluster-of-differentiation 4-positive (CD4+) cells showing intracellular cytokine production, i.e. interferon-γ derived from T-helper (Th) 1 and interleukin-4 derived from Th2 cells, among peripheral blood lymphocytes from these patients Patients, subjects and methods Peripheral blood samples (5 mL) were collected from 36 patients (mean age 61 years, range 44–78) with RCC before and after they underwent nephrectomy. The proportion of cytokine-producing CD4+ cells was determined by flow cytometric analysis after stimulating the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, ionomycin and brefeldin A, and staining the cells with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled anti-interferon-γ, anti-interleukin-4 and anti-immunoglubulin-2b antibodies. The results were expressed as the percentage of cytokine-producing cells in the CD4+ population. As a control, peripheral blood obtained from 35 healthy volunteers (mean age 34 years, range 22–49) was also analysed. Results The proportion of CD4+ cells producing interferon-γ and interleukin-4 was significantly higher (P < 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively) in patients with RCC than in controls. The Th1/Th2 ratio (i.e. the ratio of CD4+ cells producing each cytokine) was significantly lower in patients with RCC (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation in the controls between interferon-γ and interleukin-4 production (r = 0.489, P < 0.01) but not in patients with RCC. The proportion of CD4+ cells producing interleukin-4 was significantly higher and the Th1/Th2 ratio significantly lower in patients with high-stage than in those with low-stage RCC (P < 0.05). The percentage of CD4+ cells producing interleukin-4 was significantly less after nephrectomy in those with low-stage RCC (P < 0.01) and the Th1/Th2 ratio significantly greater (P < 0.05) than before nephrectomy; there was no such trend in patients with high-stage RCC. Conclusion An evaluation of the production of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 in CD4+ peripheral blood lymphocytes is useful for assessing the immunological status of patients with RCC; there is a change in the predominant response from Th1 to Th2 with increasing stage of RCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Background: b Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is relatively rare radiological sign and has been considered lethal. B Methods: b 17 HPVG patients were diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) between April 2014 and November 2016. [Extracted from the article]

0.54 µm band amplification using Tb3+-doped fluoride fibre is demonstrated. Spectroscopic properties of Tb3+-doped fluoride glass are clarified. A gain of 5.3 dB has been obtained in a 1 wt.% Tb3+-doped fluoride fibre for a signal power of -30 dBm by forward pumping at a wavelength of 0.488 µm with power of 100 mW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explains the preparation of ytterbium- and neodymium-co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet-(YAG) buried channel waveguide laser on a YAG substrate. Demonstration of the single-mode operation of waveguides; Exhibition of nonradiative energy transfer from neodymium to ytterbium ions; Observation of incident threshold and slope efficiency of waveguide laser.

B Background: b Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is relatively rare radiological sign and has been considered lethal. B Methods: b 17 HPVG patients were diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) between April 2014 and November 2016. [Extracted from the article]

X-ray diffraction measurements of period 4 elements, including Zn, Ge, As, and Se, were extended up to pressures of 251, 249, 250, and 317 GPa, respectively, and the structural phase transitions were investigated. The hcp phase of Zn was stable up to 251 GPa, while a decrease in the optical reflectance of the sample above 50 GPa suggests a change in the electronic structure, such as a semimetallic transition. Ge transformed from the Cmca phase to the hcp phase with a volume reduction (−ΔV) of approximately 1% at 180 GPa. In the stable region of the Cmca phase, the hcp phase, which has a larger atomic volume than the Cmca phase, coexisted with the Cmca phase, and both atomic volumes reversed at approximately 180 GPa. For As, the monoclinic host–guest phase transformed to the bcc phase with −ΔV = 2.6% at 126 GPa. The β-Po-type phase of Se transformed to the bcc phase with −ΔV = 1.9% at 140 GPa, and the bcc phase was stable up to 317 GPa although a bcc–fcc phase transition was theoretically predicted. The equations of state of the monatomic metallic high-pressure phases were determined. The atomic volume of the monatomic metallic phases for period 4 elements increased with increasing atomic number, and the systematicity reported for period 5 elements was observed. Moreover, in the monatomic metallic phases of typical group 12–17 elements for periods 4 and 5, the atomic volume is ordered with increasing atomic number above 200 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural stability of indium was investigated under high pressures up to 247 GPa using synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques. A reentrant structural transition from a face-centered tetragonal (fct-I with c/a > 1) to a face-centered orthorhombic (fco) and further to an fct-I structure was revealed. The first transition (from fct-I to fco) and the second transition (from fco to fct-I) were observed at approximately 50 GPa and 150 GPa, respectively. The second transition was of the second order despite the first transition being of the first order. The theoretically predicted fct-II (c/a < 1) phase was not observed at pressures up to 247 GPa. The equation of state of indium is discussed compared to that of other period 5 elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the frequency of endometrial metaplasia in histological and cytological specimens from the same cases, and to determine the relationship between various types of metaplasia and clinicopathological findings. Methods We reviewed 103 histological specimens diagnosed as endometrioid adenocarcinoma, in which endometrial smears had been obtained before surgery. We examined the correlation between the frequency of endometrial metaplasia occurring in association with carcinoma in both histological and cytological specimens. The categories of metaplasia were eosinophilic metaplasia, squamous metaplasia, mucinous metaplasia, ciliated cell metaplasia and others. We compared the incidence of endometrial metaplasia with the clinicopathological findings for each case. Results Endometrial metaplasia was recognized in 90 (87.4%) of the histological and 80 (77.7%) of the cytological specimens of 103 specimens, with the respective frequency of subtypes as follows: eosinophilic metaplasia (36.0% and 43.7%), squamous metaplasia (70.9% and 68.0%), mucinous metaplasia (38.8% and 19.4%), ciliated cell metaplasia (22.3% and 2.9%) and others (11.7% and 0%). Mixed subtypes were seen in 58.3% and 41.7% of histological and cytological specimens, respectively. In histology, mucinous metaplasia was significantly more frequent in G1-G2 than G3 carcinomas ( P = 0.0089). Ciliated cell metaplasia was significantly related to endometrial hyperplasia ( P = 0.0068). In cytology, eosinophilic and mucinous metaplasia were significantly associated with G1-G2 cases ( P = 0.0061 and P = 0.0385). Conclusions Endometrial metaplasia was seen in 87.4% of the histological and 77.7% of the cytological specimens. Where routine endometrial cytopathology is practiced, it is important to understand the detailed histological and cytological features of these changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work we make a comparison between the spectroscopy of bismuth-doped lead–aluminum–germanate (Bi:PAG) glass and bismuth-doped yttrium–aluminum–silicate (Bi:YAS) glass. We report the variation in Bi absorption, emission and lifetime as the PbO, Bi2O3 and Y2O3 contents of the two glass systems were varied. As PbO and Y2O3 contents were increased the absorption strength of Bi decreased in both Bi:PAG and Bi:YAS glasses. This is because they both increase the optical basicity of the glasses. Higher optical basicity favors higher Bi oxidation states which may be optically inactive. In Bi:YAS the Bi absorption strength had a quadratic dependence on Bi2O3 content. This suggested that Bi2 dimers are the origin of Bi emission. In contrast to Bi:YAS glass, Bi:PAG glass had a non-monotonic color change with increasing Bi2O3 content, switching back and forth between yellow and pink. The yellow glasses were characterized by an isolated absorption band at 350–380nm without the 500 and 700nm absorption bands that were observed in the pink glasses. This was evidence that the 350–380nm absorption band was related to a different Bi absorption center than the other absorption bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the compositional dependence of absorption, emission, decay constant and quantum efficiency (QE) of GeO2:Al2O3:PbO:Bi2O3 glass with the aim of finding the composition most suitable for a laser gain medium. As the Bi2O3 content was varied we observed a non-monotonic variation in absorption spectrum. The optimized composition was 87.4GeO2:6Al2O3:6PbO:0.6Bi2O3 (% molar) which had a QE of 67% but low transparency. We report the dependence of QE and decay constant on melting conditions of this glass. Adding 10% ZnO improved the transparency, therefore the optimized and transparent composition was 74.4GeO2:10ZnO:6Al2O3:6PbO:0.6Bi2O3, which had an emission full width at half maximum of 500nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we present the development process of glass based on bismuth and aluminum co-doped germanate (GAB) glass. We found the addition of PbO to this glass (GAPB glass) increased the quantum efficiency (QE). Excitation of GAPB glass at 808nm produced emission peaking at 1230nm with a width of 260nm, indicating the glass may be useful as a broadband optical amplifier covering the second telecommunications window. The composition of each component of the GAPB glass has been optimized for the QE and lifetime of this emission to produce an optimized composition of 87.4GeO2–6Al2O3–6PbO–0.6Bi2O3 (% molar) which had a QE of 67%. However, this composition had a phase separation tendency which would make the glass unsuitable for fibre fabrication. Next we tried adding various quantities of a variety of glass additives including SiO2, LiO, ZnO and SrCO3. All these additives reduced the QE, and all except SiO2 produced a transparent glass in the appropriate quantity. The quantity of these additives which gave a transparent glass and their QE’s were LiO: 10% and 6%, ZnO: 10% and 43%, SrCO3: 5% and 27%, respectively. Therefore the optimized composition for QE and transparency was 74.4GeO2–10ZnO–6Al2O3–6PbO–0.6Bi2O3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We fabricated three series of glasses in which the Y2O3, Bi2O3 and Al2O3 contents of Bi-doped Y2O3:Al2O3:SiO2 glass were varied. We optimized the content of each component based on quantum efficiency (QE) and other optical properties. The strength of the Bi absorption bands decreased with increasing Y2O3 content. The optimized composition was: 63.5SiO2:22.5Al2O3:13Y2O3:1Bi2O3. With 808nm excitation this glass had a QE, lifetime, emission width and peak of 20%, 375μs, 293 and 1240nm, respectively. The Bi absorption strength had a quadratic dependence on Bi2O3 content. This indicates that the optically active Bi center is Bi2 dimers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pressure dependence of T c, lattice constant, and phonon frequency has been investigated for layered nitride superconductors, Li0.5(THF) y HfNCl and ZrNCl0.7. Analysis based on McMillan’s theory has revealed that the electron–phonon coupling constant λ is larger than 3, and that the relevant phonon is of low frequency around 100cm−1. The anomalously large value of λ is in sharp contrast with previous theories and an experiment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The isothermal equation of state of CeCu2Ge2 at 10 K has been studied up to 20 GPa in a diamond-anvil cell using angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction technique with a synchrotron source and an imaging plate detector. At 15.0±1.6 GPa, an anomalous contraction of the volume was observed while the crystal structure remained unchanged. Relevance of the result with the enhancement of the superconducting transition temperature reported in this vicinity is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Water transportation to the deep lower mantle via plate subduction may induce a reaction between water and iron at the core‐mantle boundary. Recent experimental studies suggest that such a reaction may generate FeO2Hx‐rich domains, which can explain the seismic structures of the ultralow velocity zone in this region. In this study, the chemical reaction between metallic iron and a limited water supply at ~120 GPa was investigated using time‐resolved in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction measurements in combination with the laser‐heated diamond anvil cell technique. Contrary to the results of earlier studies, the formation of FeO instead of FeO2Hx without intermediate phases was observed. Considering the unlimited availability of iron in the core and the limited water supply resulting from mantle downflow, the FeO‐rich layers consisted of Fe‐bearing ferropericlase and postperovskite, which must have locally cumulated at the bottom of the mantle simultaneously with hydrogen incorporation into the core. Plain Language Summary: Water strongly influences the structure, dynamics, and evolution of the deep Earth. Recent experimental studies suggest that hydrous phases play an important role as carriers of surface water to the deep mantle via the subduction of oceanic plates. Such deep‐water subduction processes may allow the surface water to reach the bottom of the mantle, where the mantle minerals are in direct contact with the iron at the core. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide understanding regarding the behavior of water when it meets iron at the core‐mantle boundary. To investigate the reaction between water and iron at high pressures and temperatures, experiments were performed using in situ X‐ray diffraction measurements in combination with the diamond‐anvil cell technique. The results obtained confirmed the formation of FeO during the reaction. Thus, the deep water cycle may produce FeO‐rich layers at the core‐mantle boundary, which may explain the seismic characteristics of the bottom of the mantle and at the top of the outer core. Key Points: The reaction between iron and a limited supply of water at ~120 GPa was studied via in situ X‐ray diffraction measurementsThe deep water cycle may produce local FeO‐rich layers at the bottom of the mantleExcess FeO contents may explain the seismic characteristics at the core‐mantle boundary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demonstrated is a 16.5 dB all-fibre optical amplifier at 546 nm using Er3+-doped fluoride fibre for a signal power of -30 dBm by forward upconversion pumping of a 974 nm laser diode. Results show Er3+-doped fluoride fibre is a promising candidate for 0.54 µm optical amplifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filamentation of infrared femtosecond pulses in Tellurite glass is reported, leading to the generation of a supercontinuum generation spanning from the visible up to 4 μm. The angular distribution of the supercontinuum shows clear evidence of conical waves generation, in particular, in the visible region. Moreover, taking advantage of the spatio-temporal self-focusing effect occurring in the Tellurite glass, a twofold pulse shortening is demonstrated. Tellurite glass appears as a very convenient, versatile and promising medium for femtosecond nonlinear optics in the infrared region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate 400-THz (0.6–3.3 µm) bandwidth infrared supercontinuum generation in a 10 cm-long tapered tellurite suspended core fiber pumped by nJ-level 200-fs pulses from an optical parametric oscillator. The increased nonlinearity and dispersion engineering extended by the moderate reduction of the fiber core size are exploited for supercontinuum optimization on both frequency edges (i.e., 155-THz overall gain), while keeping efficient power coupling into the untapered fiber input. The remaining limitation of supercontinuum bandwidth is related to the presence of the high absorption beyond 3 µm whereas spectral broadening is expected to fully cover the glass transmission window (0.5–4.5 µm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first laser heating experiments on Li in hydrogen at high pressures. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements suggest the possible formation of polyhydride (temporary named LiH-II) that is considered to contain Hmolecules in its crystal lattice. LiH-II was found to be a transparent insulator at pressures below 62 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] We wrote waveguides in Ni doped glass and glass–ceramic by femtosecond laser. [•] Waveguides can be erased by annealing the glass, but not the glass–ceramic. [•] Ni nanoparticles were created during the waveguide writing. [•] Ni had more long luminescence lifetime components in the waveguide than in the glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the metal (0-80 GPa)--semiconductor (oC40, 80-120 GPa)-metal (oC24, >120 GPa) transitions of lithium under compression, as observed through simultaneous electrical resistance and x-ray diffraction measurements. The energy gap in the oC40 semiconductor quickly decreases with applied pressure, and Li reverts back to a metallic state accompanied by a structural transition to oC24. The large p value for oC24 indicates that this re-entrant metallic phase is a so-called "poor metal." Our results reveal a characteristic phase diagram that demonstrates the existence of a semiconductor phase between two distinct metallic phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomalous pressure dependent conductivity is revealed for heteroacene organic field-effect transistors of dinaphtho [2, 3-b:2', 3'-f]thieno[3, 2-b]thiophene single crystals in the direction of a and b crystallo-graphic axes. In contrast to the normal characteristics of a monotonie increase in mobility p. with the application of external hydrostatic pressure P in conductors, we found that the present organic semiconductor devices exhibit nonmonotonic and gigantic pressure dependence including an even negative pressure coefficient dμ/dP. In combination with a structural analysis based on x-ray diffraction experiments under pressure, it is suggested that on-site molecular orientation and displacement peculiar in heteroacene molecules are responsible for the anomalous pressure effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our group has revealed that AgGaTe2 with the chalcopyrite structure exhibits relatively high thermoelectric (TE) figure of merit (ZT) when it has a deviation of Ag content from the stoichiometry. The maximum ZT value of 0.77 was obtained for Ag0.95GaTe2 at 850K. On the other hand, the TE properties of AgInTe2 with the same chalcopyrite structure with AgGaTe2 have not been investigated. In the present study, we examined the high-temperature TE properties of AgInTe2 with the composition of Ag1− x InTe2 (x =0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05). The deviation of Ag content from stoichiometry slightly enhanced the ZT value. The maximum ZT value was 0.07 at 600K obtained in the samples of x =0.03 and 0.05. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tellurite nonlinear holey fiber is characterized by a high nonlinearity and a broad transparent window. However, these advantages are canceled by its unflattened dispersion in most practical applications. The unflattened dispersion is due to the fact that tellurite holey fiber with complex structure is difficult to fabricate. In this work we develop a dispersion flattened tellurite composite holey fiber (TCHF). The TCHF has only one ring of holes. The holes are formed by two tellurite glasses. The heavy deformation, which probably occurs for tellurite complex microstructured fiber during the fabrication process, is avoided by this simple structure. The fiber is made of two glasses with different refractive-indices, which improves the flexibility in dispersion engineering. By using this structure the dispersion is engineered to be the most flattened for the highly nonlinear soft glass fiber within 1.5-1.6 μm. Owing to the flattened dispersion and high nonlinearity, more than one octave supercontinuum generation is demonstrated by a femtosecond fiber laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We have performed very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and single-dish monitoring of 22-GHz H2O maser emission from the high-mass young stellar object G 353.273+0.641 with the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) and the Tomakamai 11-m radio telescope. Two maser flares have been detected, separated by almost two years. Frequent VLBI monitoring has revealed that the flare activity has been accompanied by structural change of the prominent shock front traced by H2O maser alignments. We have detected only blueshifted emission and all maser features have been distributed within a very small area of 200 × 200 au2, in spite of a wide velocity range (>100 km s−1). The light curve shows notably intermittent variation and suggests that the H2O masers in G 353.273+0.641 are excited by an episodic radio jet. The time-scale of ∼2 yr and characteristic velocity of ∼500 km s−1 also support this interpretation. Two isolated velocity components, C50 ( −53 ± 7 km s−1) and C70 ( −73 ± 7 km s−1), have shown synchronized linear acceleration of the flux-weighted values ( ∼ −5 km s−1 yr−1) during the flare phase. This can be converted to the lower-limit momentum rate of 1.1 × 10−3 M ⊙ km s−1 yr−1. The maser properties are quite similar to those of IRAS 20126+4104 especially. This corroborates the previous suggestion that G 353.273+0.641 is a candidate high-mass protostellar object. The possible pole-on geometry of the disc-jet system may be suitable for direct imaging of the accretion disc in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain and resistivity measurements in UIr showed the occurrence of two structural phase transitions under high pressure, indicating the existence of three phases I-III, with slightly different crystal structures. It is suggested that ferromagnetic phases FM1-FM3 emerge in phases I-III, respectively. The pressure-temperature phase diagram was sensitive to the hydrostaticity of pressure. FM3 and superconductivity are observed in the measurements in which Daphne 7373 is used as a pressure-transmitting medium; however they are both absent in the case where petroleum ether is used as a pressure-transmitting medium. These results indicate a close relationship between ferromagnetism and superconductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The solidus and liquidus temperatures of the Fe75O5S20 alloy are determined up to 157GPa using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell combined with in situ X-ray diffraction technique. Fe (fcc/hcp), Fe3S2/Fe3S, and FeO B1/B8/rhombohedral phases are stable under subsolidus conditions. First, Fe3S2 or Fe3S phase melts at a temperature close to the eutectic point of the Fe–Fe3S system, suggesting that the alloying effect of 5at.% oxygen on the eutectic temperature in the Fe–Fe3S system is minor. Then FeO melts at several hundreds of degrees Kelvin higher than the solidus, and Fe is a liquidus phase in this system. The liquidus temperature is 260–670K lower than the melting temperature of pure Fe because of the alloying effect of S and O on the melting temperature of Fe. Based on our results, the temperatures at the core/mantle boundary (T CMB ) and at the boundary of the inner/outer core (T ICB ) are estimated to be 3600±200< T CMB <4310±350K and T ICB ~5630±350K, respectively. These results provide important constraints on the thermal structure of the Earth''s core. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A letter to the editor is presented about the characteristics of lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia compared to minimal-deviation adenocarcinoma and stage Ib endocervical-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

High-pressure generation tests were conducted using synthetic type IIa diamond anvils with various shapes and orientations, and their deformation and fracture were investigated under high pressure. The synthetic diamond anvils with bevelled culet of less than 50 μm in diameter can generate pressures of up to 200 GPa with good reproducibility and without emitting any luminescence. The pressure generating efficiency of the (111) diamond anvil is slightly higher than that of the (100) diamond anvil. At pressures higher than 200 GPa, however, both of the (100) and (111) synthetic diamond anvils emit strong luminescence due to plastic deformation. The plastic deformation seems to be caused by the steep cupping deformation in the culet, leading to fracture of the anvil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report on the basic characteristics of a capillary plate (CP) gas detector filled with a gas mixture. Both the charge and light signals were investigated. Gas gains of up to can be achieved with the gas mixture. The energy resolutions of the charge and light signals were 17.0% and 24.2% for 6keV X-rays, respectively, at a gas gain of . These results were compared to those obtained with an gas mixture. The emission spectrum of the gas scintillation light shows the presence of the atomic lines of Ne. There were also two broad continua attributed to . We exploit the scintillation light for the realization of a pixelized two-dimensional imaging gas detector. Sharp images of X-rays and a spatial resolution of less than were obtained using an optical imaging system consisting of a standard photographic lens and a CCD camera. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common form of malignant transformation in mature cystic teratoma (MCT) of the ovary. Some investigators have suggested the possibility of origin from columnar epithelium. The aim of this study was to analyse such tumours immunohistochemically to elucidate their histogenesis. Methods and results: The expression of cytokeratin (CK) 10 and CK18 was examined in 21 samples of SCC arising in MCT. The expression of CK10 and CK18 was also assessed in SCCs arising in different organs (skin, vulva, lung and uterine cervix) for the purpose of comparison. SCC in MCT expressed CK10 in 7/21 cases [33.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12–0.53] and CK18 in 14/21 cases (66.7%, 95% CI 0.46–0.87). SCC in MCT expressed CK10 less frequently, but CK18 more frequently, as is the case in SCCs of the uterine cervix (CK10, 20%; CK18, 70%) and the lung (CK10, 5%; CK18, 90%), both of which are derived from columnar epithelium by squamous metaplasia. Conclusions: SCC in MCT may be derived from metaplastic squamous epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical and structural properties of yttrium hydride YHx (x ∼ 3) were studied by the in situ measurements of the electrical resistance and X-ray diffraction up to 86 GPa. The electrical resistivity ρ increased with applying pressure up to 10 GPa and showed a maximum, which was accompanied with the structural transition of metal lattice from hcp into fcc structure. In fcc phase the ρ decreased significantly, however, the value was still high as 75×10-2 (Ω cm), which is larger by four orders of magnitude than that of pure yttrium metal. We could not confirm the insulator to metal transition up to 85 GPa. The ρ showed another maximum in the large pressure region 40-60 GPa without the structural phase transition of the metal lattice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The structural property of a C60-peapod sample under high pressure up to 25GPa was investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements using a diamond anvil cell. It was observed that the C60–C60 distance in a carbon nanotube decreases with pressure from 0.956nm at 0.1MPa down to 0.845nm at 25GPa. It was also found that the distance value upon complete release of the pressure after compression remained at a value lower than its initial value. These experimental results indicate the polymerization of C60 molecules in a carbon nanotube. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pressure effects of the magnetic phase transition in DyCo2 were studied by XRD and XMCD. The magnetic transition changes from 1st order to 2nd order in a range of 4–5GPa. The Co K-edge XMCD is insensitive to the pressure, which is interpreted as resulting mainly from the pressure variation of Dy 4f magnetic polarization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The change of shape and elemental concentration cellular samples in In-Air micro PIXE analysis was investigated. Cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells were analyzed in the atmosphere by using 2.6 MeV proton micro-beams. The shape of cross-sections of cells was not so much distored by beam irradiation and the concentrations of trace elements did not change too except for S. The concentration of S changed with strongly depending oo the temperature rise due to beam irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the effect of Al3+ on the room-temperature compressibility of perovskite for stoichiometric compositions along the MgSiO3–AlO1.5 join with up to 25 mol% AlO1.5. Aluminous Mg-perovskite was synthesized from glass starting materials, and was observed to remain a stable phase in the range of ∼30–100 GPa at temperatures of ∼2000 to 2600 K. Lattice parameters for orthorhombic (Pbnm) perovskite were determined using in situ X-ray diffraction at SPring8, Japan. Addition of Al3+ into the perovskite structure increases orthorhombic distortion and unit cell volume at ambient conditions (V0). Compression causes anisotropic decreases in axial length, with the a axis more compressive than the b and c axes by about 25% and 3%, respectively. The magnitude of orthorhombic distortion increases with pressure, but aluminous perovskite remains stable to pressures of at least 100 GPa. Our results show that substitution of Al3+ causes a mild increase in compressibility, with the bulk modulus (K0) decreasing at a rate of -67±35 GPa/XAl. This decrease in K0 is consistent with recent theoretical calculations if essentially all Al3+ substitutes equally into the six- and eight-fold sites by charge-coupled substitution with Mg2+ and Si4+. In contrast, the large increase in compressibility reported in some studies with addition of even minor amounts of Al is consistent with substitution of Al3+ into six-fold sites via an oxygen-vacancy forming substitution reaction. Schematic phase relations within the ternary MgSiO3–AlO1.5–SiO2 indicate that a stability field of ternary defect Mg-perovskite should be stable at uppermost lower mantle conditions. Extension of phase relations into the quaternary MgSiO3–AlO1.5–FeO1.5–SiO2 based on recent experimental results indicates the existence of a complex polyhedral volume of Mg-perovskite solid solutions comprised of a mixture of charge-coupled and oxygen-vacancy Al3+ and Fe3+ substitutions. Primitive mantle with about 5 mol% AlO1.5 and an Fe3+/(Fe3++Fe2+) ratio of ∼0.5 is expected to be comprised of ferropericlase coexisiting with Mg-perovskite that has a considerable component of Al3+ and Fe3+ defect substitutions at conditions of the uppermost lower mantle. Increased pressure may favor charge-coupled substitution reactions over vacancy forming reactions, such that a region could exist in the lower mantle with a gradient in substitution mechanisms. In this case, we expect the physical and transport properties of Mg-perovskite to change with depth, with a softer, probably more hydrated, defect dominated Mg-perovskite at the top of the lower mantle, grading into a stiffer, dehydrated, charge-coupled substitution dominated Mg-perovskite at greater depth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A microbeam analysis system has been developed at Tohoku University for biological applications Spatial resolution of less than 1 μm has been achieved with a beam current of ∼40 pA. In microbeam analysis of biological specimens, simultaneous measurement of structural and elemental properties is very important. Our system is applicable to simultaneous in-air/vacuum PIXE, RBS and STIM analyses. Typical results of biological application are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is the first description on the electrical and thermoelectric properties of amorphous PVD B12Sb2 films prepared using the reaction of decaborane gas with evaporated antimony gas on Si (1900 A˚) / SiOx (3700 A˚) / Si (100) (625 μm) substrate at the temperature 350°C. Ohmic metals contacts of the film were examined by making evaporated Al, followed by annealing at 200°C. The comparatively high mobility of ∼100 cm2/V s and high thermoelectric figures-of-merit of ∼10−4/K were confirmed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A microbeam system is under construction in the Dynamitron laboratory at Tohoku University for the purpose of applying X-rays produced by a microproton beam as monochromatic X-ray point source to biological and materials research etc. The system consists of a dedicated beam line with a doublet quadrupole and a slit-system of microslits, divergence-defining slits and baffle slits connected to the 4.5 MV Dynamitron accelerator’s energy analyzing system, which was a newly installed second analyzing magnet. The demagnification factors are 8.0 and 27.5 for horizontal and vertical planes, respectively. Performance of the microbeam system was tested by beam scanning across the surface of a copper mesh sample (1000 lines/inch) and measuring the X-ray spectrum. A beam spot size of 2 × 2 μm2, which is larger than the design goal, is currently obtained. We are now adjusting the whole system to achieve a beam spot size of 1 × 1 μm2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

On the basis of the tuned four‐wave mixing generated in a tellurite microstructured optical fibre, flexible and efficient wavelength conversion can be realised. The signal at 1494 nm can be converted to any wavelength in the band from 1598 to 1641.5 nm by tuning the pump wavelength. A 27.6 dB maximum idler conversion efficiency has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchrotron radiation (SR) has been proved to be a powerful tool for x-ray study trader pressure. So far, an energy dispersive method has been used because the intensity of the monochromatized beam is not strong enough for the very small sample under pressure, even if SR is used. In order to perform an angle-dispersive method under pressure, we need to use one- or two-dimensional detectors. Recently, a photostimulable fluorescence plate, named an imaging plate (IP), has been successfully used as an x-ray detector at the Photon Factory. We tried to combine a diamond anvil cell with SR and IP. Exposure time on IP for the diffaction from Ag in a diamond anvil cell at 22 keV is shorter than that on an x-ray film by a factor of 50. Resolution of IP ( 180 μm ) is not a severe problem where IP is apart from the sample by 150 mm. Data on IP are digitally treated, so that it is easy to integrate the intensity along the Debye ring. Then, the reliability becomes more than 10 times better than a one-dimensional scan. Accuracy in determination lattice constants and integrated intensity will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic and thermal properties of Au/Ni superlattices have been investigated by x-ray diffraction on a synchrotron radiation source at the Photon Factory. An elastic response of [Au( 10 Å)/Ni( 10 Å)][sub 50] to hydrostatic pressure generated by a diamond anvil cell has been measured in the layer-stacking direction. Its compressibility obtained from the pressure dependence of its superlattice period (Γ vs P) shows an anomalously small value compared with either bulk Au or Ni metal. Linear thermal expansions has also been measured by a similar method (Γ vs T). A significant anisotropic behavior between the layerstacking and in-plane direction was found in both [Au(10 Å)/Ni(10 Å)]50 and [Au(4 Å)/Ni(4 Å)][sub 210]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to obtain reliable data on d values and integrated intensities, an imaging plate (IP) has been applied to high-pressure diffraction experiments with a diamond anvil cell using synchrotron radiation. The IP was found to be more effective than a conventional x-ray film by a factor of 30, and more effective than an energy dispersive method by several times. In order to integrate the intensity data on the IP, a histogram method was successfully developed. This combination proved to give a lattice constant with relative accuracy of 2 × 10[sup -4], and observed integrated intensities which excellently agree with calculated ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A glass capillary plate (CP) gas detector with gas mixtures of He, Ne, Ar, and Xe has been successfully operated as a visible and near-infrared (NIR) scintillation proportional counter. Gas gains of up to 104 can be achieved using these gas mixtures. The scintillation light emitted during the generation of electron avalanches can be observed using a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a compact optical imaging system that consists of a CP gas detector and a cooled CCD camera coupled to lens optics. Using this optical imaging system, clearer X-ray images have been obtained with the above gas mixtures. The dependence of the imaging quality on the pressure in the range 0.25–1atm was also investigated for the Ar (90%)+CF4 (10%) gas mixture. The successful operations using these gas mixtures have allowed us to realize a novel imaging device with a CP gas detector for gaseous PMTs sensitive to visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel silicate glass doped with both Cr and Nd was fabricated. • Cr could allow more efficient excitation of Nd by sunlight. • We determined the energy transfer efficiency from Cr to Nd. • This glass could have applications in solar pumped lasers for solar energy storage. Cr and Nd co-doped glasses are potential gain media for solar pumped lasers (SPLs). Tanabe-Sugano analysis shows that Cr doped Si-B-Na-Al-Ca-Zr-O (SBNACZ) glass contains a mixture of Cr3+ with octahedral coordination and Cr6+with unknown coordination. The crystal field parameters for Cr3+ were Dq = 1574 cm−1, B = 792.2 cm−1, C = 3005 cm−1 and Dq/ B = 1.99, indicating a low covalency of Cr-O bonds. We compared the quantum efficiency (QE) of Nd and Cr co-doped SBNACZ glass with Nd doped SBNACZ glass to determine the Cr3+→Nd3+ transfer QE. The Cr 2 O 3 content was fixed at 0.1 mol.% and the Nd 2 O 3 content was varied between 0.1 and 1 mol.%. A maximum transfer QE of 20% was obtained at 0.5 mol.% Nd 2 O 3. Cr3+→Nd3+ energy transfer is dominated by the coulombic interaction mechanism. The clustering of Nd3+ was a limiting factor for increasing the transfer QE with higher Nd3+ concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The powder X-ray diffraction experiments of have been performed at low temperature and high pressure using synchrotron radiation. In the isothermal experiment at 10K, the cubic–rhombohedral phase transition corresponding to the metal–insulator transition is found at around 13GPa. This transition seems to be due to charge ordering of V ions on the analogy of the metal–insulator transition in . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]