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We report a two-stage crash process in edge localized mode (ELM) driven by resistive drift-ballooning modes (RDBMs) numerically simulated in a full annular torus domain with a scale-separated four-field reduced MHD (RMHD) model using the BOUT++ framework. In the early nonlinear phase, the small first crash is triggered by linearly unstable RDBMs, and m / n = 2 / 1 magnetic islands are nonlinearly excited by nonlinear coupling of RDBMs as well as their higher harmonics. Here, m is the poloidal mode number, n is the toroidal mode number, the q = 2 rational surface exists near the pressure gradient peak, and q is the safety factor. Simultaneously, middle-n RDBM turbulence develops but is poloidally localized around X-points of the magnetic islands, leading to the small energy loss. The second large crash occurs in the late nonlinear phase. Higher harmonics of m / n = 2 / 1 magnetic islands well develop around the q = 2 surface via nonlinear coupling and make the magnetic field stochastic by magnetic island overlapping. Turbulence heat transport develops at X-points of higher harmonics of m / n = 2 / 1 magnetic islands, resulting in the turbulence spreading in the poloidal direction. The large second crash is triggered when the turbulence covers the whole poloidal region so that the magnetic island generation and magnetic field stochastization before the large crash can be interpreted as ELM precursors. It is concluded that the ELM trigger is attributed to the turbulent spreading in the poloidal direction in synchronization with the magnetic field stochastization and the crash is driven by E × B convection rather than the conventional Rechester–Rosenbluth anomalous electron heat transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of metal cations bound at phospholipid headgroups on hydration water molecules were investigated by quasi-elastic neutron scattering experiments. The hydration water could be categorized into three types—tightly bound water, loosely bound water, and free water—as observed in the case of a mixture of phospholipid and water without salt. When CaCl2 was added to the mixture, the numbers of these three types of water molecules remained unchanged. In contrast, when MgCl2 or FeCl2 was added to the mixture, the number of tightly bound water molecules increased, while the number of loosely bound water molecules remained unaffected. These results are consistent with the x-ray diffraction results, which suggested that Mg 2 + and Fe 2 + ions bind near the phosphate groups and enhance the extent of hydration, while Ca 2 + ions bind near the glycerol groups with no significant effect on hydration water. The results demonstrate that the number of loosely bound water molecules is determined by the nature of the phospholipid membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interplay between fluctuation driven toroidal axisymmetric flows (convective cell modes) and resistive ballooning mode turbulence after the pedestal collapse is numerically studied by a four-field reduced MHD model in the BOUT++ framework. The strong flow shear suppresses the radial transport of pressure filaments, and the pressure profile in the pedestal region is partially recovered. As a result, a secondary instability is quasilinearly excited, which yields a secondary collapse. The subsequent damped oscillation is also analyzed by phase diagram analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structures and interaction parameters of a three-component amphiphilic microemulsion system consisting of n-decane, water, and an amphiphile AOT (sodium-di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate) have been studied by means of small angle neutron scattering. The scattering curves are fitted with Teubuer and Strey’s formula, from which three structural parameters are extracted; the average periodic distance D between the oil and water, the structural correlation length ξ, and the area aH per amphiphile molecule. The same data are further examined in terms of Gompper and Schick’s formula, from which three interaction parameters are obtained; the strength of segregation J/T among the oil and water, the amphiphilicity L/T of the amphiphile toward the oil and water, and the critical surfactant volume fraction [lowercase_phi_synonym]cs. These interaction parameters have right order of magnitudes and their implications to structural evolution are discussed. © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J-PARC, Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex provides short pulse proton beam at a repetition rate 25 Hz and the maximum power is expected to be 1 MW. Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) has 23 neutron beam ports and 21 instruments have already been operated or under construction/commissioning. There are 6 inelastic/quasi-elastic neutron scattering spectrometers and the complementary use of these spectrometers will open new insight for life science. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “Science for Life” Guest Editor: Dr. Austen Angell, Dr. Salvatore Magazù and Dr. Federica Migliardo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is a well-known biocompatible polymer and has widely been used for medical applications. Recently, we have investigated the dynamic behavior of hydration water in the vicinity of PEO chains at physiological temperature and shown the presence of slow water with diffusion coefficient one order of magnitude less than that of bulk water. This could be evidence for the intermediate water that is critical for biocompatibility; however, its detailed dynamical features were not established. In this article, we analyze the quasi-elastic neutron scattering from hydration water through mode distribution analysis and present a microscopic picture of hydration water as well as its relation to cold crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For integrated modeling of both core and edge plasmas, a two-dimensional description of transport phenomena over the entire tokamak is desirable and is becoming feasible owing to recent progress in computational performance. A set of two-dimensional transport equations that allow for dependence on the poloidal angle is formulated from Braginskii's equations and neoclassical theory and is coupled to a set of electromagnetic equations in order to develop an integrated two-dimensional transport simulation code. The set of transport equations consist of equations for particle density and pressure, equations for force balance in the radial direction, and equations for momentum in the parallel and toroidal directions, for both electrons and ions. The set of electromagnetic equations consist of an equation for the static electric field, the magnetic diffusion equation, and the Grad-Shafranov equation (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An Fe–8Cr model alloy was irradiated under two modes: simple electron irradiation and dual-beam-irradiation by electrons and helium ions, and in situ observed in the high voltage electron microscope (JEOL JEM-ARM-1300 operated at 1250kV) at temperatures ranging from 300 to 500°C. At all temperatures, the size and number density of dislocation loops increased as a function of dose on both specimens. It appears that the dual-irradiated specimens showed greater temperature dependence on the growth rate of dislocation loop than that of electron-irradiated. However, there was little difference in temperature dependence of the saturated loop number density. The migration energy of interstitials was determined to be 0.23eV for both types of irradiation. The migration energy of vacancies was determined to be 0.95eV for electron irradiation. From this in situ experiment, it is indicated that the net migration energy of vacancies could be increased due to trapping by helium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Membrane fluctuations of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) were investigated by neutron spin echo spectroscopy. The intermediate structure factor was analyzed in terms of the model proposed by Zilman and Granek (Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 4788 (1996)), and the bending modulus of lipid bilayers was derived. The hardening of a lipid bilayer upon approaching the main transition point in the anomalous swelling regime was observed, which naturally connects the bending modulus in the gel phase below the main transition temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hydration of multi-stacked phospholipid bilayers to form giant vesicles was investigated by time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering. The hydration of lipids in the liquid-crystalline phase proceeds in three stages. In the early stage, water molecules penetrate between lipid bilayers, and in the intermediate stage the lipid bilayers swell and reach a quasi-stable state. In the late stage, lipid bilayers gradually peel off from the stack. On the other hand, in the case of the gel phase, the peeling-off stage is not observed. These behaviors correspond to the capacity for giant vesicle formation depending on the phases of lipid. The kinetics of the peeling-off is discussed in terms of Kramers’ formulas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Stacking structures and surface morphologies of dry phospholipid films on a solid substrate were investigated by X-ray reflectivity (XR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) film in the liquid-crystalline phase was stacked regularly and formed a terrace-like morphology, while a 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) film in the gel phase showed a rough morphology with random layering. This difference in the stacking structure is discussed in relation to the ability of formation of phospholipid giant vesicles by the natural swelling method [M. Hishida, H. Seto, K. Yoshikawa, Chem. Phys. Lett. 411 (2005) 267]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pressure-dependence of dynamical fluctuations of surfactant monolayers of ternary microemulsion systems with an ionic surfactant and a non-ionic surfactant were investigated by neutron spin echo. The bending modulus of surfactant monolayers increased with increasing pressure both in the cases of the ionic surfactant and of the non-ionic surfactant. It is confirmed that the compression of hydrocarbon tails of surfactant is the main origin of pressure-induced phase transitions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments were performed on mixtures of 3-methylpyridine, D2O, and salts to investigate concentration fluctuations and structures in the vicinity of the critical point. The temperature-dependence of the SANS profile of a mixture without salt showed critical phenomena that were consistent with 3D-Ising behavior. On the other hand, the SANS profiles with salt added mixtures could not be explained solely in terms of critical scattering, because they include both the concentration fluctuation and a periodic structure. The periodic structure could be induced by the coupling of solvation and a critical concentration fluctuation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We designed π and π/2 flippers for a time-offlight neutron spin echo (TOF-NSE) spectrometer at a pulsed spallation neutron source. The flippers operate with steady current for a white neutron beam. The π flipper consists of a compact modified current sheet and Helmholtz coils. This modified current sheet produces magnetic fields parallel to the sheet surface without magnetic fields perpendicular to the sheet surface at the surface of the sheet for a large neutron beam cross section. The π/2 flipper consists of a rectangular coil and Helmholtz coils. We present the results of performance tests of the new-type π flipper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear-induced multilamellar vesicle (MLV) formation has been studied by coupling the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique with neutron spin echo (NSE) spectroscopy.A10%mass fraction of the nonionic surfactant pentaethylene glycol dodecyl ether (C12E5) inwaterwas selected as a model system for studying weak inter-lamellar interactions. These interactions are controlled either by adding an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, or an antagonistic salt, rubidium tetraphenylborate. Increasing the charge density in the bilayer induces an enhanced ordering of the lamellar structure. The charge density dependence of the membrane bending modulus was determined by NSE and showed an increasing trend with charge. This behavior is well explained by a classical theoretical model. By considering the Caillé parameters calculated from the SANS data, the layer compressibility modulus ... is estimated and the nature of the dominant inter-lamellar interaction is determined. Shear flow induces MLV formation around a shear rate of 10 s-1, when a small amount of charge is included in the membrane. The flow-induced layer undulations are in-phase between neighboring layers when the inter-lamellar interaction is sufficiently strong. Under these conditions, MLV formation can occur without significantly changing the inter-lamellar spacing. On the other hand, in the case of weak interlamellar interactions, the flow-induced undulations are not in-phase, and greater steric repulsion leads to an increase in the inter-lamellar spacing with shear rate. In this case, MLV formation occurs as the amplitude of the undulations gets larger and the steric interaction leads to in-phase undulations between neighboring membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Complexation of zwitterionic lipid, dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) at the air–water interface has been studied by surface pressure (π) – mean molecular area (A) isotherms and X-ray reflectivity. Although BSA has isoelectric point nearly at pH≈4.8, possibility of complex formation with lipid molecules has been investigated from low (≈4.0) to high (≈9.0) pH range in presence of divalent cation, Ca2+ in the water subphase. Both the isotherm and reflectivity analysis show that the interaction of BSA with lipid monolayer takes place from that low to high subphase pH range, i.e., complexation occurs both below and above of the isoelectric point. Only one layer of BSA forms below the lipid monolayer and the probable reasons for such complex formation have been proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phase separation of giant vesicles composed of neutral saturated lipid, negatively charged unsaturated lipid, and cholesterol, is observed at different calcium concentrations. Confocal microscopy provides the information where the phase separation becomes distinct as the calcium concentration is increased. The charged domains tend to bud toward the interior of the vesicle. This budding is assumed to be due to an increase in the osmotic pressure, in cooperation with the spontaneous curvature change in the outer leaflet of the bilayer caused by the adsorption of calcium ions and charge screening effect. We interpret the effect of small cations on the phase separation based on the theoretical model with the Poisson–Boltzmann equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, organophosphate and polybrominated flame retardants are used in building materials and electric appliances to protect them from fire hazards. In this study, to identify the emission sources of these flame retardants to indoor air, the migration rates (flux) of organophosphate and polybrominated flame retardants from building materials and electrical appliances to solid extraction disks that were placed in contact with the interior surfaces were measured. In addition to the migration test, indoor air and outdoor air concentrations of these flame retardants were investigated. With regard to building materials in a newly built house, triethylphosphate (TEP) and tributylphosphate (TBP) were detected in the wall and ceiling coverings, and tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBEP) was detected in the wooden flooring cleaned with a floor polish agent. With regard to electrical appliances, triphenylphosphate (TPHP) was predominantly detected in computer monitors and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) in television (TV) sets, with the highest median levels. Among the polybrominated compounds, only 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) was detected from a few old TV sets manufactured before 1995. In an indoor and outdoor air survey, nine organophosphates and nine polybrominated flame retardants were detected from indoor air. In outdoor air, only four organophosphate flame retardants were detected. The maximum level of indoor organophosphate compounds was 1260 ng/m3 with tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCPP), and that of polybrominated compounds was 29.5 ng/m3 with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) was not detected in this study, although it has the largest demand among flame retardants in Japan. The results of the migration test and the indoor air survey revealed that in indoor air, organophosphate compounds were more predominant than polybrominated compounds in Tokyo. Practical Implications Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are commonly used as flame retardants in plastics. The use of these two compounds in electric appliances will be banned in 2007 by the EU Directives on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment. In Japan, the use of PBB was banned and that of PBDE diminished in the early 1990s by the self-imposed controls of the Japanese Flame Retardants Conference ( Akutu and Hori, 2004 ). In Japan, the predominantly used organic flame retardants were tetrabromobisphenol A and organophosphate compounds. Tetrabromobisphenol A has been reported to disrupt endocrine systems ( Kitamura et al., 2005 ), and some organophosphate flame retardants were recently reported to have neurochemical hazardous effects. Furthermore, organophosphate compounds were suspected to cause endocrine-disrupting effects ( Fang et al., 2003 ; Ohyama et al., 2005 ) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ( Winrow et al., 2003 ). In this study, organophosphate and polybrominated flame retardants were surveyed in indoor environments in Tokyo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of this study were to develop an analytical method for airborne alkylphenols (APs) using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)-SIM method and to investigate airborne C4–C9 APs pollution in houses, offices, and outdoor points in Tokyo. In addition, to identify APs emission sources in a newly built house, migration tests of APs from interior surfaces to solid extraction disks were performed. Air samples were collected from houses, offices, and outdoor points. The recovery of APs from air samples was increased by addition of ascorbic acid to the filters. 4-tert-butylphenol (4-t-BP), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) were detected in both indoor and outdoor air. Their concentrations and detection frequencies were higher in indoor air than outdoor air. The maximum levels of 4-t-BP, 4-t-OP, and 4-NP in indoor were 387, 45.7, and 680 ng/m3, respectively. 4-t-BP and 4-NP were detected with high frequencies (more than 97%) in indoor air samples. The concentrations of 4-t-BP, 4-t-OP, and 4-NP in indoor air were significantly correlated with room temperature ( P < 0.01), and tended to be higher in newly built houses. The migration rates of APs from the floor, wall, and ceiling in the newly built house were higher in polyvinyl chloride coverings than in other materials. Alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) are widely used surfactants in both industrial and domestic detergents. When these detergents are released into the environment, APE are biodegraded to the smaller chain ethoxylates and alkylphenols (APs). There are many reports about APs in aquatic environments because of their estrogenic effect on wildlife. In building materials, APs are used as antioxidant for polymer resins such as wall or floor coverings. Although APs has a lower vapor pressure, these agents are released into indoor air from the surface of polymer resins. This study surveyed concentrations of airborne AP in indoor air and outdoor air in Tokyo. In addition, to identify APs emission sources in a newly built house, migration tests of APs from interior surfaces to solid extraction disks were performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values measured by diffusion-weighted MR imaging and split renal function determined by renal scintigraphy in patients with hydronephrosis.Material and Methods: Diffusion-weighted imaging on a 1.5 T MR unit and renal scintigraphy were performed in 36 patients with hydronephrosis (45 hydronephrotic kidneys, 21 non-hydronephrotic kidneys). ADC values of the individual kidneys were measured by diffusion-weighted MR imaging. Split renal function (glomerular filtration rate (GFR)) was determined by renal scintigraphy using 99mTc-DTPA. The relationship between ADC values and split GFR was examined in 66 kidneys. The hydronephrotic kidneys were further classified into three groups (severe renal dysfunction, GFR <10 ml/min, n=7; moderate renal dysfunction, GFR 10-25 ml/min, n= 10; normal renal function, GFR >25 ml/ min, n=28), and mean values for ADCs were calculated.Results: In hydronephrotic kidneys, there was a moderate positive correlation between ADC values and split GFR (R2=0.56). On the other hand, in nonhydronephrotic kidneys, poor correlation between ADC values and split GFR was observed (R2=0.08). The mean values for ADCs of the dysfunctioning hydronephrotic kidneys (severe renal dysfunction, 1.32 x 10(-3) +/- 0.18 x 10(-3) mm2/s; moderate renal dysfunction, 1.38 x 10(-3) +/- 0.10 x 10(-3) mm2/s) were significantly lower than that of the normal functioning hydronephrotic kidneys (1.63 x 10(-3) +/- 0.12 +/- 10(-3) mm2/s).Conclusion: These results indicated that measurement of ADC values by diffusion-weighted MR imaging has a potential value in the evaluation of the functional status of hydronephrotic kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the microstructural characteristics of nanovoids that form during the electroless Cu plating process for micro-vias using a spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope. The nanovoids, which form during the early stages of the plating process, have a spherical shape with an outermost layer covered with Pd. They are not only empty spaces but partly filled with complexing agent elements, reaction production gas, and other materials. • Nano-structural characterization of nanovoids in micro-via by scanning transmission electron microscope • Nanovoids has a spherical shape and their outermost layer was partly covered with Pd. • Nanovoids are not only an empty space but partly filled with incorporated elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charged particle activation analysis (CPAA) utilizing an 8 MeV proton beam has been studied for general elemental quantification. We accumulate the reaction cross section and nuclear decay data by referring to nuclear database supplied by National Nuclear Data Center in Brookhaven National Laboratory. By using the database we have derived determination sensitivity of single element samples for each nuclide. The result indicates that, while the determination sensitivity tends to decrease gradually as the target nucleus becomes heavy, the CPAA analysis is possible over the whole elements including the heavy nuclear region. It may be concluded that CPAA can be applied to most of the stable nuclei and is one of the alternative methods to neutron activation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of adding an antagonistic salt, sodium tetraphenylborate ( $$\hbox {NaBPh}_4$$ ), to a binary mixture of deuterated water and 2,6-dimethylpyridine were investigated by visual inspection, optical microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering. With increasing salt concentration, the two-phase region shrinks. When the concentration of $$\hbox {NaBPh}_4$$ is $$85\hbox { mmol}{\cdot} \hbox {L}^{-1}$$ , a temperature-induced lamellar/disorder phase transition is observed at 338 K. These trends are similar to those observed for a mixture of water/3-methylpyridine/ $$\hbox {NaBPh}_4$$ (Sadakane et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 167803 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Current treatment with biologics has produced dramatic therapeutic effects in patients with psoriasis, although these agents occasionally decrease in efficacy. One of the main factors responsible for this attenuation is attributed to the development of antidrug antibodies ( ADAs). Objectives To analyse the relationship between serum drug concentrations, the presence of ADAs and treatment efficacy of adalimumab and infliximab, and to determine the optimal use of these biologics. Methods This was a 1-year prospective study in the dermatology departments of Kobe University Hospital and collaborating hospitals. All patients starting a regimen of adalimumab and infliximab for psoriasis were included. We measured the serum concentration of the drugs and titres of antibodies to adalimumab and infliximab, as well as the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores at weeks 0, 4, 12, 24 and 48 during the first year of treatment. Results We observed a 50% positive rate of ADAs to adalimumab, and a 41% positive rate of ADAs to infliximab. The titres of ADAs showed a wide range from low to high titres. In the high-titre groups, the patients exhibited a decreased clinical response, and demonstrated a negative correlation between titre and clinical response. However, an equivalent therapeutic effect was observed between the low-titre group and the group with no antibodies detected for adalimumab. For infliximab, the patients with ADAs showed decreased clinical response. An apparent negative correlation between antibody production and reduced clinical response was observed. Conclusions Two biologics, adalimumab and infliximab, showed different therapeutic behaviour. The measurement of ADAs and drug concentrations has important implications for treatment with biologics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "A new transvaginal ultrasound system using a prove equipped with a 3D-motion sensor; real-time auto-body marking system and its clinical significance," by N. Shinozuka, A. Taguchi, H. Seto, and D. Hyun is presented.

Objective:To demonstrate the usefulness of pre-operative selective embolisation of the thyroid arteries in an unusual case with a large, vascular thyroid tumour.Case report:A 29-year-old man presented with a large papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (weighing approximately 300 g on palpation) with extension to the mediastinum and compression of the trachea. A computed tomography scan of the neck and thorax revealed a large tumour the solid part of which was enhanced after contrast medium application, indicating a substantial vascular supply. Pre-operative selective embolisation of both superior thyroid arteries and one inferior thyroid artery, using gelatin sponge particles, was performed 4 days before surgery, under conventional angiography. After selective embolisation of these thyroid arteries, the patient experienced mild anterior neck pain and mild fever. This procedure allowed a significant reduction in blood perfusion to the tumour, which facilitated its surgical removal without blood transfusion.Conclusion:Pre-operative selective embolisation of both superior thyroid arteries and one inferior thyroid artery may be an effective, minimally invasive procedure for patients with a large, vascular thyroid tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Expansion of a detection area is an effective method to increase the measurement efficiency of a neutron spin echo (NSE) spectrometer as well as other spectrometers. For this purpose, we installed a new spin flipper and Fresnel coil of iNSE spectrometer at JRR-3, Tokai, Japan, for wide-area data acquisition. In this study, we propose a data reduction method to correct the phase inhomogeneity due to the path difference of neutrons on the large detection area. This method can convert many NSE signals at small areas to one NSE signal at a large area with taking the phase offset due to the phase inhomogeneity into account. The measurement efficiency increased by approximately one order of magnitude as a result of the detection area expansion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tracer diffusion coefficients of 67Cu and 64Cu in CVD β-Silicon carbide (β-SiC) have been measured in the temperature range between 623 and 1373K by use of a serial ion-beam sputter-microsectioning technique. The temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient D is expressed by The diffusion coefficient of Cu in β-SiC is larger than those of Si and C by more than six orders of magnitude and those of Fe and Cr by one–three orders of magnitude. The activation energy for the diffusion of Cu is about one twentieth of that for the self-diffusion. The results suggest that an interstitial mechanism operates on the diffusion of Cu in β-SiC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Increasing research suggested that Cimicifugae rhizoma might be protective against osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of three cycloartane-type triterpenoids isolated from Cimicifugae rhizoma, cimicidol-3-O-β-d-xyloside (1), cimicidanol-3-O-β-d-xyloside (2) and acetylacteol-3-O-β-d-xyloside (3) on bone resorption in vitro and bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Methods: The activities of the tested compounds on bone resorption were evaluated using three assays, neonatal mouse parietal bone organ culture, osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) formation and pit formation. The effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and uterine weight were examined using OVX mice. Using LC–MS/MS method, the serum concentrations of the triterpenoids were measured in mice serum collected at 0.5, 1, 3, 6 and 12h following its oral administration. Results: All of the tested compounds exerted the inhibitory effects on bone resorption in bone organ culture, suppressed both of the formation and the resorbing activity of OCLs. Furthermore, a synergistic effect was observed among those compounds. In vivo studies revealed that compounds 1–3 and the mixture of compounds 1–3 prevented the bone loss in OVX mice without affecting uterine weight, and each compound was detected in the mice serum after single oral administration. Conclusions: The triterpenoids exerted the inhibitory effects on osteoclastic bone resorption through the suppression of both OCLs formation and the resorbing activity of OCLs, and also showed a significant protective effect on BMD in OVX mice. The present results might provide a new pharmacological potential for the treatment of osteoporosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to clarify the self-assembling mechanisms in complex fluids involving amphiphiles, we have investigated dynamic features of amphiphilic membranes and droplets at high temperature and at high pressure in a ternary microemulsion, consisting of AOT, water, and n-decane. A high-pressure cell for neutron spin echo (NSE) experiments has been improved, and the static and dynamic features of droplets are observed in detail by means of small angle neutron scattering and NSE. It is found that the size fluctuation and the diffusion of droplets are enhanced by increasing temperature, while they are suppressed by increasing pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Schneider's first-rank symptoms involve an alienated feature of the sense of one's own mental or physical activity. To clarify the brain morphological basis for the production of these symptoms, volumes of the frontal and medial temporal regions and their clinical correlates were examined in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Twenty-two patients with schizophrenia and 44 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were included. All patients were in their psychotic episodes with definite Schneiderian symptoms, rated by using the Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms. Volumetric measurements of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging were performed in the prefrontal area, cingulate gyrus, and precentral gyrus, and the medial temporal structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus. RESULTS: Patients had significantly decreased volumes in the cingulate gray matter and the amygdala compared to controls. In the patient group, Schneiderian symptom severity showed significant inverse correlations with volumes of the right posterior cingulate gray matter and of the left anterior parahippocampal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: Schneiderian symptoms may be associated with morphological abnormalities in the limbic-paralimbic regions such as the cingulate gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus, which possibly serve the self-monitoring function and the coherent storage and reactivation of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yoneyama E, Matsui M, Kawasaki Y, Nohara S, Takahashi T, Hagino H, Suzuki M, Seto H, Kurachi M. Gray matter features of schizotypal disorder patients exhibiting the schizophrenia-related code types of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2003: 108: 333–340. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2003. Previous studies have suggested that several code types of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) are useful markers for identifying schizophrenia. We hypothesized that schizotypal disorder (STD) patients with such schizophrenia-related code types have the morphological brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia. Voxel-based morphometric analysis with statistical parametric mapping (SPM) 99 software was used to investigate the differences in brain morphology between 14 STD patients with the schizophrenia-related code types of the MMPI and 28 normal individuals. The STD patients showed significantly decreased gray matter volume in the insular regions bilaterally and in the left entorhinal cortex, compared with the controls. Our findings suggest that STD patients with the schizophrenia-related code types have volume reductions in these regions as an endophenotype that overlaps with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patient with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) was studied with serial diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) after stroke-like episodes and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured in an infarct-like lesion. In the acute and subacute stages, the affected area gave high signal on DWI and its ADC was much lower than that in a normal control region. In the chronic stage, the ADC became higher than that in normal brain. We therefore suggest that the stroke-like episodes did not cause vasogenic oedema but were related to energy failure and cytotoxic oedema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamics of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gel have been investigated using a neutron spin echo technique. The intermediate scattering function I ( Q , t ) of the gel shows a very rapid decay and a non-decaying component in time ranges shorter and longer than about 3 ns, respectively, in the Q range of 0.03-0.1 Å -1 . This Q range corresponds to the so-called Porod's region, suggesting that we are seeing the dynamics of cross-linking points of the gel. We therefore analyzed the data assuming that the cross-linking point performs a random motion in a restricted region around its quasi-equilibrium position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a radiotherapy for the treatment of intractable cancer. In BNCT precise determination of 10B concentration in whole blood sample before neutron irradiation of the patient, as well as accurate neutron dosimetry, is crucial for control of the neutron irradiation time. For this purpose ICP-AES and neutron induced prompt γ-ray analysis are generally used. In Ibaraki Neutron Medical Research Center (iNMRC), an intense proton beam will be accelerated up to 8 MeV, which can also be used for Charged Particle Activation Analysis (CPAA). Thus, in this study, we apply the CPAA utilizing the proton beam to non-destructive and accurate determination of 10B concentration in whole blood sample. A CPAA experiment is performed by utilizing an 8 MeV proton beam from the tandem accelerator of Nuclear Science Research Institute in Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The 478 keV γ-ray of 7Be produced by the 10B(p, α)7Be reaction is used to quantify the 10B in human blood. The 478 keV γ-ray intensity is normalized by the intensities of the 847 keV and 1238 keV γ-rays of 56Co originating from Fe in blood. The normalization methods were found to be linear in the range of 3.27 μg 10B/g to 322 μg 10B/g with correlation coefficients of better than 0.9999. • A charged particle activation utilizing an 8 MeV proton beam is applied for the determination of 10B in human blood. • The 478 keV γ-ray of 7Be produced by the 10B(p, α)7Be reaction is used to quantify the 10B. • 56Fe can be used as a reference to determine the concentration of 10B in whole blood samples. • The 511 keV γ-ray background can be reduced effectively by cooling of more than 5 h. • Optimization of irradiation and measurement conditions will be performed to reduce analysis time and uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have measured the dynamics of n-buoxyethanol-water mixture of alcohol mole fraction 0.09 by using a neutron spin echo (NSE) technique at 8, 25, and 37 °C, below a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 49 °C where n-butoxyethanol-water mixtures undergo phase separation. The diffusion coefficients obtained from intermediate correlation function were determined as 3.3 × 10[sup -11], 6.6 × 10[sup -11], and 8.5 × 10[sup -11] m² s[sup -1] at 8, 25, and 37 °C, respectively. These values are about 10² times smaller than those of pure water and alcohol, probably reflecting the dynamics of molecular aggregates formed in the mixture, which has been confirmed by previous small-angle neutron scattering. On the other hand, the mutual-diffusion coefficient obtained from dynamic light scattering on the same system decreases with increasing temperature, due probably to an increase in the correlation length of molecular aggregation. The time scale observed by NSE corresponds to that of formation of molecular aggregates, much shorter than that by light scattering. Therefore, it is concluded that the molecular aggregation in the mixture is transitory with a nanosecond lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract of the study "Protective Effect of a Novel AMPA and NMDA Antagonist Kaitocephalin Against Glutamate Neurotoxicity." The structure of kaitocephalin is quite different from those of quinoxalinedione derivatives which are well known as AMPA/KA and/or NMDA receptor antagonists. Being interested in this high affinity to NMDA receptor, the protective effect of kaitocephalin against NMDA toxicity in rat hippocampal neurons was examined.