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Abstract The temperature measurement of material inside of an object is one of the key technologies for control of dynamical processes. For this purpose, various techniques such as laser-based thermography and phase-contrast imaging thermography have been studied. However, it is, in principle, impossible to measure the temperature of an element inside of an object using these techniques. One of the possible solutions is measurements of Doppler brooding effect in neutron resonance absorption (NRA). Here we present a method to measure the temperature of an element or an isotope inside of an object using NRA with a single neutron pulse of approximately 100 ns width provided from a high-power laser. We demonstrate temperature measurements of a tantalum (Ta) metallic foil heated from the room temperature up to 617 K. Although the neutron energy resolution is fluctuated from shot to shot, we obtain the temperature dependence of resonance Doppler broadening using a reference of a silver (Ag) foil kept to the room temperature. A free gas model well reproduces the results. This method enables element(isotope)-sensitive thermometry to detect the instantaneous temperature rise in dynamical processes.

Abstract Background We aimed to aid the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents by determining the timing of secondary bacteremia and validating and updating clinical prediction models for bacteremia in patients with COVID‐19. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study on all hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 who underwent blood culture tests from January 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021, at an urban teaching hospital in Japan. The primary outcome measure was secondary bacteremia in patients with COVID‐19. Results Of the 507 patients hospitalized with COVID‐19, 169 underwent blood culture tests. Eleven of them had secondary bacteremia. The majority of secondary bacteremia occurred on or later than the 9th day after symptom onset. Positive blood culture samples collected on day 9 or later after disease onset had an odds ratio of 22.4 (95% CI 2.76–181.2, p

Chemistry students still have low levels of scientific literacy, although in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the transition to Society 5.0, students need these skills. An alternative for raising students' scientific literacy and character is the Culturally Wetland Responsive Teaching (CWRT) approach. This developmental research tested the validity, practicality, and effectiveness of e-modules based on CWRT for the colligative properties of solutions. The ADDIE development model was used for the research method. Both test and non-test instruments were used for data collection. The e-module was tested on 23 students from grades A1 and A2 in the Chemistry Education Study Program at a public university in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The analysis showed that the e-modules were highly valid regarding content, presentation, language, and media feasibility. They were also highly practical in individual and small group tests, limited trials, and assessing lecturers' ability to use e-modules and manage classes. The modules were effective, as evidenced by the N-gain value of science literacy competence and the wasaka character of students in the high category. The results suggest that e-modules based on Culturally Wetland Responsive Teaching are valid, practical, and effective for teaching the colligative properties of solutions.

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a central role in the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to liver cirrhosis. Barley bran has potential bioactivities due to its high content of functional substances, such as anthocyanins, with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Here, we investigated whether barley bran polyphenol-rich extracts (BP) can prevent NASH in Sprague–Dawley rats fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet including 1.25% or 2.5% cholesterol for 9 weeks. In the rat model of NASH with advanced hepatic fibrosis, BP prevented NASH development by ameliorating the histopathological findings of lobular inflammation. The BP also tended to attenuate serum aspartate aminotransferase level in this model. In the rat model of NASH with mild-to-moderate hepatic fibrosis, BP tended to attenuate the serum levels of transaminases. BP-dose-dependent effects were revealed for several parameters, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, transforming growth factor-β, and manganese superoxide dismutase gene expressions in the liver. These results suggest that BP may prevent NASH development or progression, presumably due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.

Abstract We aimed to investigate whether ventilator support time influences the occurrence of dysphagia in pediatric trauma patients. This case-series study was conducted in a single pediatric emergency and critical care center from April 2012 to March 2022. Trauma patients aged

Cultivating vegetables in the hydroponic system is often exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses. The use of suitable plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that can alleviate the impact of biotic stress is urgently needed. This study aims to evaluate the role of Universitas Brawijaya educational forest (UB Forest) indigenous PGPB strains on the induction of plant resistance against plant pests or diseases and the promotion of lettuce growth in a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic system. This study used a randomized block design with 7 treatments and 3 replications. The results showed that the PGPB strain inoculation reduced plant damage caused by thrips, induced phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (PO), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme accumulation in planta, and increased the growth and photosynthetic pigments of lettuce. However, the treatments had no effect on increasing total phenolic compounds. Pseudomonas lundensis UB-53 and Pseudomonas migulae UB-54 inoculations exhibited higher activity in suppressing plant damage caused by thrips, inducing enzymes related to plant defense, and increasing lettuce growth. Two PGPB strains, i.e. P. migulae UB-54 and P. lundensis UB-53, have a high potential to be developed as eco-friendly biocontrol agents to overcome biotic stress and boost lettuce crop growth in NFT hydroponic systems.

Oryctes rhinoceros is an important pest of various coconut and palm species. Studies on the bacterial gut microbiome of O. rhinoceros larvae and their potential use as producers of industrial enzymes are still limited. This study aims to examine the diversity and abundance of culturable bacterial microbiome in the gut of O. rhinoceros and their potential to produce protease and lipase. This study consisted of several stages, i.e., collection of O. rhinoceros larvae from coconut plantations; isolation of culturable bacteria from larval gut; protease and lipase enzyme activity assays; and partial characterization of culturable gut bacteria in terms of morphology, physiology, and biochemistry. There were seven bacteria that were isolated from the gut of O. rhinoceros, which were differentiated by their morphotype. The seven bacterial isolates also showed variations in physiological, and biochemical characteristics, and the larval guts were dominated by Gram-positive bacteria. The Shannon diversity index was 1.33, evenness was 0.682, richness was 7, and the abundance of each type of bacteria varied between 2x105 and 9.1x1010. Bacteria UBOG1, UBOG3, and UBOG5 were able to produce protease, but all seven bacteria were unable to produce lipase. Thus, bacterial isolates UBOG1, UBOG3, and UBOG5 are potential to be used in industry.

Bark and ambrosia beetles are commonly found in forest ecosystems, and their fungal symbionts act as plant pathogens. Accurate information on the presence and population levels of bark and ambrosia beetles is becoming an increasingly crucial to protect the forest ecosystem. This study compared multiple-funnel and bottle traps to monitor the bark and ambrosia beetles in two types of mahogany forest. Multiple-funnel and bottle traps were made from transparent polyethylene terephthalate bottles and baited with 95% ethanol. Two different mahogany forest management (monoculture and polyculture with coffee plants) were used in this study. A total of 2,367 bark and ambrosia beetle specimens were trapped in this study. This research recorded ten genera of Scolytinae and one Platypodinae genus. Xyleborus spp., X. crassiusculus, and P. cavipennis are three predominated ambrosia beetles collected in mahogany monoculture and polyculture. Euplatypus parallelus was identified as a representative of Platypodinae. Results showed that multiple-funnel traps baited with ethanol are effective to catch individuals and several species of bark and ambrosia beetles in mahogany forests. The choice of multiple-funnel or bottle traps is an important consideration in trap-based programs for monitoring or detecting invasive species in forest ecosystems.

This study aims to develop an ethnoscience-based organic chemistry practicum e-Module, determine the feasibility of the developed e-Module, and test its effectiveness in improving the problem-solving abilities of Chemistry Education students. The development procedure in this research is adapted from Thiagarajan (4D), which consists of Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. The e-Module trial involved Chemistry Education students at Lambung Mangkurat University, consisting of five people for individual trials, 10 for small group trials, and 19 for field trials. Data was collected using response questionnaires and learning achievement tests. The feasibility test shows that the e-Module is in the very good category based on the assessment of media experts (88%), material experts (90%), and Education experts (89%). Student responses to using e-Modules were also very positive. There is a significant difference between the student's pretest and post-test after using the e-Module with sig

Abstract Background Resectable pancreatic cancer (RPC) is potentially resectable on admission, and the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on these tumors is controversial. Moreover, the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with moderately hypofractionated intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (NACIMRT) for RPC have not been studied. Here, we conducted a phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hypofractionated NACIMRT for RPC. Methods A total of 54 RPC patients were enrolled and treated according to the study protocol. We used moderately hypofractionated (45 Gy in 15 fractions) IMRT with gemcitabine to shorten the duration of radiotherapy and reduce gastrointestinal toxicity. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and we subsequently analyzed the microscopically margin‐negative resection (R0) rate, disease‐free survival (DFS), and histologic effects and safety of NACIMRT. Results Median OS for the cohort was 40.0 months. Forty‐two patients (77.8%) underwent pancreatectomy after NACIMRT. Median DFS was 20.3 months. The R0 resection rate was 95.2% (40/42) per protocol and 85.2% (46/54) for the cohort. There were no intervention‐related deaths during the study period. Local treatment response, as assessed by the CAP classification, showed no residual tumor in 4.8% of patients. Overall, 23.9% of patients experienced CTCAE grade 3 or 4 during NACIMRT. Adjuvant therapy was initiated in 88% of patients undergoing resection. Postoperative complications grade ≥3b on the Clavien–Dindo scale occurred in 4.8% of patients. CA19‐9 level at enrollment was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS. Conclusions This is the first prospective study of hypofractionated IMRT as neoadjuvant therapy for RPC. Hypofractionated NACIMRT for RPC could be safely introduced with a high induction rate of adjuvant chemotherapy, with an overall survival of 40.0 months.

Abstract Background The Cockcroft–Gault formula is commonly used as a substitute for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Calvert's formula for carboplatin dosing, where adjusting serum creatinine measured using the enzymatic method with 0.2 mg/dL has been suggested in Japan. However, the effects of these adjustments on efficacy in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer remain unknown. Methods We conducted a post hoc analysis of the PREDICT1 study (CJLSG1201), a multicenter prospective observational trial of carboplatin–pemetrexed. Glomerular filtration rate values in Calvert's formula were back‐calculated from the administered dosages of carboplatin and the reported value of the target area under the curve. We estimated the serum creatinine adjustments and divided the patients into crude and adjusted groups. Results Patients in the crude group (N = 169) demonstrated similar efficacy to those in the adjusted group (N = 104) in progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–1.35; p = 0.916 vs. HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.65–1.17; p = 0.363), with higher grade 3–4 hematologic toxicity. Among patients aged ≥75 years, the crude group (N = 47) showed superior efficacy compared with the adjusted group (N = 17) in PFS and OS (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.20–0.69; p = 0.002 vs. HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23–0.82; p = 0.010). Conclusions Serum creatinine adjustment may be associated with similar efficacy compared to the crude serum creatinine value. In older patients, the adjustment should be cautiously applied owing to the potential for reduced efficacy.

Background ＆ aims: Optimizing treatments balancing prognosis and therapeutic invasiveness is important in the management of pancreatic cancer (PC) owing to global ageing. This study aimed to verify the different utility of biomarkers by patients’ age. Materials ＆ methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort analysis involving 160 patients who undertook pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for PC. After comparing clinicopathological factors and survival after PD between aged (≥70 y/o) and young (＜70 y/o) patients, we compared neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), controlling nutrition (CONUT) score, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19–9 as well as clinicopathological factors between long and short survivors in each group. We also performed Kaplan-Meyer analysis between patients stratified by biomarkers. Results: Overall survival (OS) was significantly worse in aged patients (p = 0.002). In aged patients, CEA was significantly higher in short survivors. In young patients, CONUT score and CA19-9 were higher in short survivors. Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed that NLR and CEA stratified OS in aged patients, whereas CONUT score and CA19-9 could stratify OS in young patients. Conclusion: Our current results suggest that these biomarkers had different impact on survivals according to the patients’ age.

To discuss and consider the necessary conditions for magnetic-wheeled robots with planetary-geared magnetic wheels, this paper provides comparing static calculations about three orientations in running a flange with real experiments. SCPREM-I, a magnetic-wheeled robot, was developed for running through a flange from the bottom to the top. This robot has four magnetic wheels with a built-in planetary gearset. In experiments, however, the robot sometimes fails to run through a flange in three orientations. In this study, we statically analyze SCPREM-I to find the conditions necessary for running through the flange. We calculate the forces around the front and rear wheels in the three orientations. As a result, it has been found that the chassis of the SCPREM-I applies a forward force to the wheels when it runs through the flange. In addition, it has been found that the normal force of the A-Legs is balancing with the driving force of the wheels when the SCPREM-I fails to run through the flange.

This study aimed to examine minimodeling-based bone formation between the epiphyses and metaphyses of the long bones of eldecalcitol (ELD)-administered ovariectomized rats. Sixteen-week-old female rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated rats receiving vehicle (Sham group), ovariectomized (OVX) rats receiving vehicle (Vehicle group), or ELDs (30 or 90 ng/kg BW, respectively; ELD30 and ELD90 groups). ELD administration increased bone volume and trabecular thickness, reducing the number of osteoclasts in both the epiphyses and metaphyses of OVX rats. The Sham and Vehicle groups exhibited mainly remodeling-based bone formation in both regions. The epiphyses of the ELD groups showed a significantly higher frequency of minimodeling-based bone formation than remodeling-based bone formation. In contrast, the metaphyses exhibited significantly more minimodeling-based bone formation in the ELD90 group compared with the ELD30 group. However, there was no significant difference between minimodeling-based bone formation and remodeling-based bone formation in the ELD90 group. While the minimodeling-induced new bone contained few sclerostin-immunoreactive osteocytes, the underlying pre-existing bone harbored many. The percentage of sclerostin-positive osteocytes was significantly reduced in the minimodeling-induced bone in the epiphyses but not in the metaphyses of the ELD groups. Thus, it seems likely that ELD could induce minimodeling-based bone formation in the epiphyses rather than in the metaphyses, and that ELD-driven minimodeling may be associated with the inhibition of sclerostin synthesis.

Oryctes rhinoceros merupakan serangga fitofag dan telah dilaporkan sebagai hama di beberapa negara. Larva O. rinocheros makan pada bahan organik (bagian tanaman yang membusuk) dan tidak menyebabkan kerusakan ekonomi. Seperti pada kebanyakan serangga, O. rhinoceros berinteraksi dengan mikroorganisme pada sistem pencernaanya. Selain itu, mikroorganisme dalam saluran pencernaan serangga juga merupakan sumber daya alam yang bermanfaat untuk kepentingan manusia, seperti enzim-enzim yang memiliki arti penting dalam bidang industri dan digunakan sebagai agens bioremediator untuk mengatasi masalah pencemaran lingkungan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi dan mempelajari keanekaragaman khamir dalam saluran pencernaan larva O. rhinoceros. Pada studi ini, khamir diisolasi dari saluran pencernaan instar tiga O. rhinoceros dan ditumbuhkan pada media Yeast Malt Agar (YMA). Berdasarkan ciri makroskopis dan mikroskopis, 7 isolat khamir yang diperoleh teridentifikasi sebagai Candida sp. (isolat K1 dan K4), Pichia sp. (isolat K3), dan Debaromyces sp.(K2, K5, K6 dan K7).

Penggunaan teknologi dalam Pendidikan menjadi sebuah kebutuhan yang tak terhindarkan pada era digital ini. Artikel ini membahas pelaksanaan pelatihan bagi dosen FKIP Universitas Cenderawasih (UNCEN) dalam penerapan Learning Management System (LMS). Pelatihan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pemahaman dan keterampilan dosen dalam memanfaatkan LMS sebagai sarana untuk mengelola materi pembelajaran, menyajikan materi secara interaktif, serta memfasilitasi komunikasi antara dosen dan mahasiswa. Metode pelatihan mencakup sesi pelatihan praktis, studi kasus, dan diskusi kelompok. Evaluasi hasil pelatihan menunjukkan peningkatan yang signifikan dalam pemahaman dan keterampilan dosen terkait pemanfaatan LMS. Para peserta pelatihan menunjukkan kemajuan dalam mengelola kursus, memanfaatkan fitur interaktif LMS, dan meningkatkan komunikasi dengan mahasiswa. Pelatihan ini tidak hanya berhasil dalam mencapai tujuannya untuk meningkatkan kompetensi dosen terkait LMS, tetapi juga memberikan kontribusi positif terhadap kualitas pengajaran dan interaksi antara dosen dan mahasiswa. Kesimpulannya, integrasi LMS melalui pelatihan ini dapat dianggap sebagai Langkah strategis dalam memenuhi tuntutan Pendidikan di era digital.

Abstract Various liquid biopsy methods have been developed for the non-invasive and early detection of diseases. In particular, the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in blood has been receiving a great deal of attention. We have been developing systems and materials to facilitate such liquid biopsies. In this study, we further developed glass filters (with various patterns of holes, pitches, and non-adhesive coating) that can capture CTCs, but not white blood cells. We optimized the glass filters to capture CTCs, and demonstrated that they could be used to detect CTCs from lung cancer patients. We also used the optimized glass filters for detecting CAFs. Additionally, we further developed a system for visualizing the captured cells on the glass filters. Finally, we demonstrated that we could directly culture the captured cells on the glass filters. Based on these results, our high-performance glass filters appear to be useful for capturing and culturing CTCs and CAFs for further examinations.

The problem in this study is the low activity and student learning outcomes in learning natural sciences. The INTERNAL model integrates Inquiry, Number Head Together, and snowball throwing. This study uses a qualitative approach and the type of classroom action research (CAR), which was held for four meetings. Data analysis in the form of teacher activity sheets, student activity sheets, and student learning outcomes sheets. Data collection techniques in the form of observation and writing tests. The study subjects were the fifth-grade students of SDN Swato 2 Tapin for the academic year 2021/2022, a total of 32 students. The activity success indicator scores 58-72, and student learning outcomes with minimum standards 80%. The study results indicate that the teacher's activity at the first meeting scored 54 with the "Good" criteria, increasing at the fourth meeting with a score of 74 with the "Verry Good" criteria. Student activity classically at the first meeting reached 25" on the "Very Active" criteria, increased at the fourth meeting to 83,3% with the "Very Activity" criteria. Student learning outcomes at the first meeting with 50% classical completeness increased at the fourth meeting with 100% classical completeness. It can be concluded that applying the internal learning model can improve student activities and learning outcomes.

This study aims to analyze the causal relationship between the exchange rate and export value in Indonesia using time series data from 1997 to 2020. The analytical method that will be used in this research is the Granger Causality Test approach. The instruments used are the data normality test, the stationary test, the optimal lag test, and the Granger causality test. Based on the results of the research that has been done, it shows that from the output of the cointegration test in table 4.3 above, the trace statistic is 9.016078, which is smaller than the critical value (5%), which is 15.49471, and Prob. 0.3639 is less than 5 percent, whereas for the output of the Granger causality test above, at lag 1, it is known that the probability value (Prob.) of the relationship between export value and exchange rate is 0.4953; this result is greater than the significance level of 5 percent, so that from the output of the From these results, it can be concluded that there is no causal relationship between export values and exchange rates. So it can be concluded that if the exchange rate depreciates against foreign currencies, the export value will increase because Indonesia's export commodities compete in international markets, but on the contrary, it will reduce. In addition, based on observations and causality analysis from the results of data processing, it shows that there has been a one-way relationship between the exchange rate and the export value, meaning that the exchange rate will affect the export value but will, on the contrary, affect the export value. According to the results of the Granger Causality Test, the export value has no effect on the exchange rate.

The advance of laser-driven neutron sources (LDNSs) has enabled neutron resonance spectroscopy to be performed with a single shot of a laser. In this study, we describe a detection system of epithermal (∼eV) neutrons especially designed for neutron resonance spectroscopy. A time-gated photomultiplier tube (PMT) with a high cut-off ratio was introduced for epithermal neutron detection in a high-power laser experiment at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University. We successfully reduced the PMT response to the intense hard X-ray generated as a result of the interaction between laser light and the target material. A time-gated circuit was designed to turn off the response of the PMT during the laser pulse and resume recording the signal when neutrons arrive. The time-gated PMT was coupled with a 6Li glass scintillator, serving as a time-of-flight (TOF) detector to measure the neutron resonance absorption values of 182W and 109Ag in a laser-driven epithermal neutron generation experiment. The neutron resonance peaks at 4.15 eV of 182W and 5.19 eV of 109Ag were detected after a single pulse of laser at a distance of 1.07 m.

Infant/toddler food (ITF) contamination with As is a severe issue of concern due to the fact that food is the second leading source of As after drinking water in the aspect of toxicity induced by nutrition. This study aimed to perform a preliminary assessment of As contamination in commercially available ITF in Libya, thus revealing possible exposure of consumers to As. ITF samples were purchased at supermarkets and were divided as follows: i) ITF containing cereal mixture (ITF-mix); ii) ITF containing wheat (ITF-wheat); and iii) ITF containing rice (ITF-rice). The total concentration of As was detected after wet digestion using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The highest mean concentration of As was detected for ITF-rice in comparison to other ITF samples. Sources of As in food are both, natural and human-induced; the main source of ITF contamination with As could be industrial food processing, manufacturing and storage, as well as cultivation specifics of crops. The study revealed the significance of monitoring or supervision over food safety, especially regarding ITF as these products are intended for the most vulnerable groups of consumers.

The limitations of teaching materials in the implementation of distance learning coupled with students’ low problem-solving ability led to the need to develop teaching materials in the form of guided inquiry to improve students’ ability to solve problems. This development research aims to determine the validity, practicality, and effectiveness of the Guided Inquiry Lesson Based on Ethnoscience (GILBE) e-module. This development research employs the Research and Development (RD) approach with a 4D development model, meaning define, design, develop, and disseminate. GILBE e-module on colloid material was piloted on 16 students SMA at Central Kalimantan in the limited trial and 30 students SMA at South Kalimantan in the broad trial. The validity test was measured using a validation sheet. The practicality test was measured using a readability questionnaire, student and teacher responses, and the effectiveness test was measured using a problem-solving ability test instrument in the form of ten essay questions. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the designed e-module matched valid, practical, and effective. The effectiveness is based on the p-value 0.05 in the limited and broad trial of the N-gain of students’ problem-solving abilities in the high category and can be used in the chemistry learning process. Further research will develop teaching materials for higher-order thinking that apply the GILBE model, which is of higher quality.

Abstract Background Airway management in children with severe burns is difficult because of airway edema and prolonged duration of ventilatory management. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that tracheostomy is beneficial for children. Case presentation A male child aged 1 year and 4 months was injured when he accidentally fell into a bathtub filled with boiling water. Furthermore, 85% of the burnt area, including the face and neck, consisted of second-degree burns; hence, oral tracheal intubation and resuscitative infusion were required. In this case, the patient was safely switched from oral to nasotracheal intubation using a tracheal tube guide and video laryngoscope, without the use of a bronchoscope, and ventilatory management could be continued for 2 weeks. Conclusion Oral to nasal endotracheal tube exchange using a tracheal tube guide and video laryngoscope may be useful not only for pediatric burn patients but also for adult patients who need to be safely switched from oral to nasotracheal intubation.

ABSTRACT Tilapia gonads mature quickly before reaching market size, caused by a diverting of feed energy from growth to reproduction. As a result, somatic growth is disrupted to achieve market size, the operational costs are high, and the rearing period is longer. This study aims to evaluate the ability of karamunting leaf extracts to inhibit the development of tilapia gonads. This study used a complete randomized design with four treatments and three replications, namely 0 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg of karamunting leaf extract. Tilapia fish weighed 13–14 g were kept in an aquarium measuring 100×60×50 cm with a stocking density of 20 fish/ aquarium. Fish were fed twice a day at 8 a.m and 5 p.m in at satiation. Sampling was carried out at the beginning of the study, on day 30th and day 60th. On day 30th the result showed that the best dose in inhibiting the development of fish gonad was 100 mg/kg of karamunting leaf extract that was 1.15 ± 0.19% and the daily growth rate was increased at 2.22 ± 0.06%. On day 60th, the best dose in inhibiting gonad development was 25 mg/kg of karamunting leaf extract, which was 2.49 ± 1.24% and the daily growth rate was increased amount 3.26 ± 0.06%. Keywords: extract, karamunting leaves, gonad development, tilapia ABSTRAK Gonad ikan nila cepat berkembang sebelum mencapai ukuran pasar, menyebabkan pengalihan energi pakan dari pertumbuhan ke reproduksi. Akibatnya, pertumbuhan somatik terganggu sehingga untuk mencapai ukuran pasar biaya operasional tinggi dan masa pemeliharaan lebih lama. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi ekstrak daun karamunting dalam menghambat perkembangan gonad ikan nila. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap dengan empat perlakuan dan tiga ulangan; yaitu 0 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, dan 100 mg/kg ekstrak daun karamunting. Ikan nila berukuran 13–14 g dipelihara di akuarium berukuran 100×60×50 cm dengan padat tebar 20 ikan/akuarium. Ikan diberi makan dua kali sehari pada jam 8 pagi dan 5 sore dengan at satiation. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan pada awal penelitian, hari ke-30 dan hari ke-60. Hasil pada hari ke-30 menunjukan bahwa dosis terbaik dalam menghambat perkembangan gonad pada ikan uji adalah 100 mg/kg ekstrak daun karamunting yaitu 1.15 ± 0.19% dan meningkatkan pertumbuhan harian 2.22 ± 0.06%. Pada hari ke-60 dosis terbaik dalam menghambat perkembangan gonad adalah 25 mg/kg ekstrak daun karamunting yaitu 2.49 ± 1.24% dan meningkatkan pertumbuhan harian 3.26 ± 0.06%. Kata kunci: daun karamunting, ekstrak, ikan nila, pertumbuhan gonad

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal tumors. The aim of this study is to provide an effective therapeutic discovery platform for pancreatic cancer by establishing and characterizing patient-derived organoids (PDOs). Methods PDOs were established from pancreatic tumor surgical specimens, and the mutations were examined using a panel sequence. Expression of markers was assessed by PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry; tumorigenicity was examined using immunodeficient mice, and drug responses were examined in vitro and in vivo. Results PDOs were established from eight primary and metastatic tumors, and the characteristic mutations and expression of cancer stem cell markers and CA19–9 were confirmed. Tumorigenicity of the PDOs was confirmed in subcutaneous transplantation and in the peritoneal cavity in the case of PDOs derived from disseminated nodules. Gemcitabine-sensitive/resistant PDOs showed consistent responses in vivo. High throughput screening in PDOs identified a compound effective for inhibiting tumor growth of a gemcitabine-resistant PDO xenograft model. Conclusions This PDO-based platform captures important aspects of treatment-resistant pancreatic cancer and its metastatic features, suggesting that this study may serve as a tool for the discovery of personalized therapies.

Abstract Background Jejunogastric intussusception (JGI) is a rare, but potentially fatal complication that can occur following gastric surgery, and the reported incidence of JGI is as low as 0.1%. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for JGI to prevent major complications such as bowel necrosis and death. Although emergency surgery is the standard treatment, endoscopic reduction has also been reported to be effective in JGI patients without bowel necrosis. Several early recurrent cases treated with surgical or endoscopic reduction have been reported. We report an extremely rare case of JGI after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) using Child’s procedure that was successfully treated with surgical reduction and fixation. Case presentation An 81-year-old man who had undergone PD using Child’s procedure 3 years ago presented to our hospital with epigastric pain and nausea. His vital signs were stable, and abdominal examination revealed mild tenderness with a palpable mass in the mid-epigastrium. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and gastroscopy revealed a JGI of the efferent loop, and exploratory laparotomy was immediately performed. During the operation, the efferent loop showed no adhesions and was intussuscepted through the gastrojejunostomy into the gastric lumen. An incision in the anterior wall of the stomach revealed no evidence of ischemia of the intussusceptum. The efferent loop was reduced using Hutchinson’s maneuver and fixed to the afferent loop to prevent a recurrence. The postoperative course was uneventful, and there was no sign of recurrence 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions JGI after PD is an extremely rare, but has severe complications. Surgery might be the optimal treatment for JGI in terms of preventing recurrence, even in cases without bowel necrosis.

Abstract High energy density physics is the field of physics dedicated to the study of matter and plasmas in extreme conditions of temperature, densities and pressures. It encompasses multiple disciplines such as material science, planetary science, laboratory and astrophysical plasma science. For the latter, high energy density states can be accompanied by extreme radiation environments and super-strong magnetic fields. The creation of high energy density states in the laboratory consists in concentrating/depositing large amounts of energy in a reduced mass, typically solid material sample or dense plasma, over a time shorter than the typical timescales of heat conduction and hydrodynamic expansion. Laser-generated, high current–density ion beams constitute an important tool for the creation of high energy density states in the laboratory. Focusing plasma devices, such as cone-targets are necessary in order to focus and direct these intense beams towards the heating sample or dense plasma, while protecting the proton generation foil from the harsh environments typical of an integrated high-power laser experiment. A full understanding of the ion beam dynamics in focusing devices is therefore necessary in order to properly design and interpret the numerous experiments in the field. In this work, we report a detailed investigation of large-scale, kilojoule-class laser-generated ion beam dynamics in focusing devices and we demonstrate that high-brilliance ion beams compress magnetic fields to amplitudes exceeding tens of kilo-Tesla, which in turn play a dominant role in the focusing process, resulting either in a worsening or enhancement of focusing capabilities depending on the target geometry.

Abstract Background The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an invasive alien species in Indonesia. This study aimed to assess the impact of its invasion in Indonesia by measuring the damaged area caused by the pest in maize fields located across East Java and simultaneously determine whether S. frugiperda outcompetes the native Asian armyworm Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). Secondly, the virulence of 14 entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) isolates against S. frugiperda larvae was evaluated in an effort to find effective biocontrol agent candidates. Results The damaged area caused by S. frugiperda was generally higher than that caused by S. litura during the survey period from August 2019 to December 2021. It indicated that S. frugiperda may have dominated the native armyworm and become the primary key pest of maize in Indonesia. Based on a single-concentration assay (106 conidia ml−1), the tested EPF isolates displayed varying degrees of virulence against S. frugiperda larvae, causing larval mortality of 3.5 to 71% at 10-day post-treatment, with the highest mortality rates provided by Beauveria bassiana sensu lato and Trichoderma asperellum sensu lato. At a concentration of 108 conidia ml−1, B. bassiana s.l. and T. asperellum s.l. elicited high larval mortality of 76 and 81%, respectively, at 10-day post-treatment. Nevertheless, the probit analysis based on a concentration–response assay revealed that T. asperellum s.l. had lower LC50 and LC90 values than B. bassiana s.l. Conclusions The attack and invasion of S. frugiperda seem to be a continual threat to the maize agro-ecosystem in Indonesia. As a consequence, Indonesia should mitigate and be well-prepared for future outbreaks of S. frugiperda. Indigenous EPF isolates used in this study may act as promising biocontrol agents of S. frugiperda, especially T. asperellum s.l. This study also serves as the first report documenting the direct lethality of Trichoderma fungus on S. frugiperda larvae.

We predict the production yield of a medical radioisotope ${}^{67}$ Cu using ${}^{67}$ Zn(n, p) ${}^{67}$ Cu and ${}^{68}$ Zn(n, pn) ${}^{67}$ Cu reactions with fast neutrons provided from laser-driven neutron sources. The neutrons were generated by the p+ ${}^9\mathrm{Be}$ and d+ ${}^9$ Be reactions with high-energy ions accelerated by laser–plasma interaction. We evaluated the yield to be (3.3 $\pm$ 0.5) $\times$ 10 ${}^5$ atoms for ${}^{67}$ Cu, corresponding to a radioactivity of 1.0 $\pm$ 0.2 Bq, for a Zn foil sample with a single laser shot. Using a simulation with this result, we estimated ${}^{67}$ Cu production with a high-frequency laser. The result suggests that it is possible to generate ${}^{67}$ Cu with a radioactivity of 270 MBq using a future laser system with a frequency of 10 Hz and 10,000-s radiation in a hospital.

Laser–plasma interaction and hot electrons have been characterized in detail in laser irradiation conditions relevant for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion. The experiment was carried out at the Gekko XII laser facility in multibeam planar target geometry at an intensity of approximately $3\times {10}^{15}$ W/cm2. Experimental data suggest that high-energy electrons, with temperatures of 20–50 keV and conversion efficiencies of $\eta

Although interactions of small molecular drugs with serum proteins have been widely studied from pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic perspectives, there have been few reports on the effects of serum components on therapeutic antibody functions. This study reports the effect of abundant serum proteins on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by rituximab and Fcγ receptor III (FcγRIII). Human serum albumin (HSA) and the Fab fragment from the pooled serum polyclonal IgG were found to compromise ADCC as non-competitive inhibitors. Our nuclear magnetic resonance data provided direct evidence for the interactions of HSA with both the Fab and Fc regions of rituximab and also with the extracellular region of FcγRIII (sFcγRIII). The degree of involvement in the interaction decreased in the order of rituximab-Fab > rituximab-Fc > sFcγRIII, suggesting preferential binding of HSA to net positively charged proteins. Although much less pronounced than the effect of HSA, polyclonal IgG-Fab specifically interacted with rituximab-Fc. The NMR data also showed that the serum protein interactions cover the Fc surface extensively, suggesting that they can act as pan-inhibitors against various Fc receptor-mediated functions and pharmacokinetics. Our findings highlight the importance of considering serum–protein interactions in the design and application of antibody-based drugs with increased efficacy and safety.

Entamoeba histolytica infections, which can be asymptomatic, are endemic to developing countries; traveling to such countries is a risk factor for contracting these infections. A 65-year-old Japanese man was hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated respiratory distress, and was treated with remdesivir, dexamethasone, and oxygen supplementation. Although his respiratory condition improved and the oxygen support was discontinued, he developed a fever, severe abdominal pain, and diarrhea on day 13 of hospitalization. Fifteen years ago, he was hospitalized for diarrhea of an unknown origin in Suzhou, China, and had a history of passing loose stools for 1 year. Contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic computed tomography revealed liver abscesses in both lobes and intestinal edema from the ascending colon to the descending colon. The abscesses were suspected to be amebic based on the characteristics of the drained abscess fluid. The patient was treated with cefotaxime and metronidazole, and his temperature declined and abdominal pain improved. A culture analysis of abscess fluid yielded negative findings; however, polymerase chain reaction analyses of abscess and stool samples were positive for Entamoeba histolytica. We speculated that the patient was infected with Entamoeba histolytica while in China, and that the corticosteroid usage for COVID-19 had exacerbated the infection. Clinicians should be aware that corticosteroid treatments can lead to recurrent invasive amebiasis in asymptomatic amebic carriers.

The revealed full KaiA12B6C6 complex is assembled including the dynamic and asynchronous KaiA N-terminal domains that have been missing in cryo-EM structures.

Abstract Background Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) is a category of pancreatic cancer that is anatomically widely spread, and curative resection is uncommon with upfront surgery. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a form of radiation therapy that delivers precise radiation to a tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissues. Here, we conducted a phase 2 study to estimate the curability and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy using IMRT (NACIMRT) for patients with BRPC with arterial abutment (BRPC-A). Methods A total of 49 BRPC-A patients were enrolled in this study and were treated at our hospital according to the study protocol between June 2013 and March 2021. The primary endpoint was microscopically margin-negative resection (R0) rates and we subsequently analyzed safety, histological effect of the treatment as well as survivals among patients with NACIMRT. Results Twenty-nine patients (59.2%) received pancreatectomy after NACIMRT. The R0 rate in resection patients was 93.1% and that in the whole cohort was 55.1%. No mortality was encountered. Local therapeutic effects as assessed by Evans classification showed good therapeutic effect (Grade 1, 3.4%; Grade 2a, 31.0%; Grade 2b, 48.3%; Grade 3, 3.4%; Grade 4, 3.4%). Median disease-free survival was 15.5 months. Median overall survival in the whole cohort was 35.1 months. The only independent prognostic pre-NACIMRT factor identified was serum carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19-9) > 400 U/ml before NACIMRT. Conclusions NACIMRT showed preferable outcome without significant operative morbidity for BRPC-A patients. NACIMRT contributes to good local tumor control, but a high initial serum CA19-9 implies poor prognosis even after neoadjuvant treatment. Trial Registration UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000011776 Registration number: UMIN000010113. Date of first registration: 01/03/2013,

Laser plasma instabilities, such as stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and two-plasmon decay (TPD), are basic phenomena in intense laser science and applications. In direct-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) where a fuel capsule is imploded by high-power lasers, SRS and TPD are generally problematic because hot electrons (HEs) generated by SRS and TPD cause fuel preheating, whereas HEs with acceptable energy are expected to contribute to ablation pressure enhancement. In all cases, it is necessary to clarify the occurrence of SRS, TPD, and subsequent HE generation. The ablator of a fuel capsule in direct-drive ICF typically consists of carbon with a variable amount of hydrogen (H). We investigated the H effects in the ablator on SRS, TPD, and HEs under direct-drive ICF conditions at the GEKKO laser facility in planer geometry. The experimental results showed an increase in SRS, TPD, and HEs when H was present in the ablator. The analysis indicated that the variations in plasma inhomogeneity and plasma temperature obtained by H addition were insufficient to explain the observed results. Thus, the enhancement is mainly attributed to the high ion acoustic wave damping driven by the H ions into the plasmas, suggesting that Langmuir decay instability caused SRS saturation, whereas other mechanisms, such as cavitation, could overwhelm the TPD saturation. These results suggest that a suitable choice of H concentration in the ablator is critical for mitigating and controlling the extent of SRS, TPD, and HEs to achieve robust and efficient implosion in direct-drive ICF.

Abstract Background Neuropathic pain in neuroimmunological disorders refers to pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory system such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). MS and NMOSD are autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system, and ≥ 50% of patients with these disorders experience chronic neuropathic pain. The currently available medications for the management of neuropathic pain have limited effectiveness in patients with MS and NMOSD, and there is an unmet medical need to identify novel therapies for the management of chronic neuropathic pain in these patients. In this review article, we summarize the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the pathogenesis of MS and NMOSD and the ameliorative effects of anti–IL-6 therapies in mouse models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Main body Intraperitoneal injection of MR16-1, an anti–IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody, reduced mechanical allodynia and spontaneous pain in EAE mice, which was attributed to a reduction in microglial activation and inhibition of the descending pain inhibitory system. The effect of anti–IL-6 therapies in ameliorating neuropathic pain in the clinical setting is controversial; a reduction in pain intensity has been reported with an anti–IL-6 antibody in four studies, namely a case report, a pilot study, a retrospective observational study, and a case series. Pain intensity was evaluated using a numerical rating scale (NRS), with a lower score indicating lesser pain. A reduction in the NRS score was reported in all four studies. However, in two randomized controlled trials of another anti–IL-6R antibody, the change in the visual analog scale pain score was not statistically significantly different when compared with placebo. This was attributed to the low mean pain score at baseline in both the trials and the concomitant use of medications for pain in one of the trials, which may have masked the effects of the anti–IL-6R antibody on neuropathic pain. Conclusion Thus, anti–IL-6 therapies might have a potential to reduce neuropathic pain, but further investigations are warranted to clarify the effect of inhibition of IL-6 signaling on neuropathic pain associated with MS and NMOSD.

The interaction between IgG and Fc gamma receptor IIIa (FcγRIIIa) is essential for mediating immune responses. Recent studies have shown that the antigen binding fragment (Fab) and Fc are involved in IgG-FcγRIII interactions. Here, we conducted bio-layer interferometry (BLI) and isothermal titration calorimetry to measure the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters that define the role of Fab in forming the IgG-FcγRIII complex using several marketed therapeutic antibodies. Moreover, hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and crosslinking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) were used to clarify the interaction sites and structural changes upon formation of these IgG-FcγRIII complexes. The results showed that Fab in IgG facilitates the interaction via slower dissociation and a larger enthalpy gain. However, a larger entropy loss led to only a marginal change in the equilibrium dissociation constant. Combined HDX-MS and XL-MS analysis revealed that the CL domain of Fab in IgG was in close proximity to FcγRIIIa, indicating that this domain specifically interacts with the extracellular membrane-distal domain (D1) and membrane-proximal domain (D2) of FcγRIIIa. Together with previous studies, these results demonstrate that IgG-FcγRIII interactions are predominantly mediated by the binding of Fc to D2, and the Fab-FcγRIII interaction stabilizes complex formation. These interaction schemes were essentially fucosylation-independent, with Fc-D2 interactions enhanced by afucosylation and the contribution of Fab slightly reduced. Furthermore, the influence of antigen binding on IgG-FcγRIII interactions was also investigated. Combined BLI and HDX-MS results indicate that structural alterations in Fab caused by antigen binding facilitate stabilization of IgG-FcγRIII interactions. This report provides a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between IgG and FcγRIII.

In recent years, the deterioration of many bridges built during the period of rapid economic growth has become a problem. As a solution of it, preventive measures such as visual inspections and repairs by humans have been taken, but these methods have problems in terms of cost and safety. If inspection by robots becomes possible, both of these problems will be improved and it is expected to contribute greatly to the maintenance and management of bridges. Therefore, a number of robots have been developed for the purpose of bridge inspection. The among such inspection robots, wire-driven robots, which have less risk of falling and can perform close proximity or contact inspection, are attracting attention. However, one of the problems with this type of robot is that it is difficult to place the wire under the bridge when there is a river or road underneath it, or when it is very high. Thus, in this study, a shooting device for shooting arrows with attached strings was developed to solve this problem. We then conducted a shooting experiment and confirmed that the device aimed at the target automatically and shot the arrow. In addition, we created a simulation model of an arrow with a string attached to it to obtain information such as the shooting angle of the arrow in advance. Then, the flight trajectory and horizontal flight distance of the arrows were compared between the actual and simulated data, and the consistency was confirmed.

A previously healthy 13-year-old Japanese girl with a BCG vaccination history and no tuberculosis (TB) exposure history presented to the hospital with mild dyspnea for 1 month and fever for 5 days. Computed tomography showed consolidation with a pleural effusion, obstructed left main bronchus with an air bronchogram, and traction bronchiectasis of the left upper lobe (Fig. 1A, B). No improvement was observed with ampicillin. Computed tomography on day 23 showed a new granular shadow in the right upper lobe (Fig. 1C). Despite a negative interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) result, the sputum on day 55 was positive for acid-fast bacilli on a ZiehlNeelsen stain and Mycobacterium tuberculosis on polymerase chain reaction. A fourdrug antituberculous regimen was initiated and she recovered rapidly. TB exposure history, positive tuberculin skin test or IGRA, and typical imaging findings are the triad for primary TB diagnosis (Perez-Velez and Marais, 2012; Lewinsohn et al., 2017; Ahmed et al., 2020). In pediatric primary TB, consolidation may be present and can be misdiagnosed as bacterial pneumonia; however, massive consolidation is rare (GriffithRichards et al., 2007). Primary pulmonary TB should be considered in children with lung consolidation that is unresponsive to antibiotics, despite negative IGRA and TB exposure history.

Global Bakery is a food company engaged in bread production that is having difficulty determining how much bread will be produced in the event of a pandemic. This study aims to help predict the amount of bread that will be produced during a pandemic. With the benefit of making it easier for companies to determine the amount of bread to be produced. Data obtained from Global Bakery and the official website of Covid-19 Bekasi Regency from March 20, 2020 to April 20, 2020. The author uses the Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno method to predict the amount of bread that must be produced by Global Bakery during a pandemic with the following stages: fuzzification, rule formation, calculating ɑ-predicate and zi value, then calculating defuzification. Then an evaluation is carried out using the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). This study uses Matlab's GUI tools in implementing the Predictor program. The Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno method is able to predict the amount of bread production at Global Bakery with optimal results, where if the sales are 180 pieces, the remaining sales are 289, and the number of positive cases of Covid-19 is 6 people with the actual production number of 469 pieces, then The prediction results obtained were 347 units. The results of the calculations that have been done obtained the results of accuracy with a good category, namely with a MAPE value of 18.6%.

This study aimed to examine differences in the following somatic symptoms: affective state (i.e., health concerns, anxiety, and positive and negative affect), somatosensory amplification, spirituality in Japan and Indonesia, and associations among all variables from each culture. Previous studies and a potential bio-psycho-spiritual model has identified the association of each variable in the development of somatic symptoms. Moreover, they demonstrated that individuals who describe themselves as more religious and spiritual report better physical and mental health. A total of 469 and 437 university students from Japan and Indonesia, respectively, completed the questionnaires for assessing somatic symptoms, health concerns, trait anxiety, positive and negative affect, somatosensory amplification, and spiritual belief. This study found significant differences in health concerns, positive and negative affect, state anxiety, and spiritual belief. Moreover, the difference in somatosensory amplification was negligible. There is a shared association in both cultures among somatic symptoms, affective state, subjective body perception, and spirituality. Health concerns and trait anxiety moderated somatosensory amplification in the development of somatic symptoms. However, the role of spirituality belief in somatic symptoms was observed in the Japanese and Indonesian cultures in relation to positive affect.

The thermal and epithermal neutrons are powerful probes to inspect water or high-pressure hydrogen gas because of their large scattering cross-sections with protons. Laser-driven neutron source, which is able to simultaneously emit different types of radiations such as x rays, can be used for neutron and x-ray radiography in the same laser shot. In this paper, we report the demonstration of non-destructive inspection for H2O contained within a stainless steel pipe using a laser-driven thermal neutron source, where water and stainless containers are detected by neutrons and x rays, respectively. The simulation result indicates that this method can also provide the capability to measure the hydrogen density in high-pressure hydrogen gas in metal containers.

Katsunori Yogo,1 Masaki Misawa,2 Morihito Shimizu,2 Hidetoshi Shimizu,3 Tomoki Kitagawa,3 Ryoichi Hirayama,4 Hiromichi Ishiyama,5 Takako Furukawa,1 Hiroshi Yasuda6 1Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; 2Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; 3Department of Radiation Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; 4National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba-shi, Chiba, Japan; 5Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan; 6Department of Radiation Biophysics, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, JapanCorrespondence: Katsunori YogoNagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, JapanTel +81 52 719 1103Fax +81 52 719 3172Email yogo@met.nagoya-u.ac.jpPurpose: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are candidate radiosensitizers for medium-energy photon treatment, such as γ-ray radiation in high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. However, high AuNP concentrations are required for sufficient dose enhancement for clinical applications. Here, we investigated the effect of positively (+) charged AuNP radiosensitization of plasmid DNA damage induced by 192Ir γ-rays, and compared it with that of negatively (−) charged AuNPs.Methods: We observed DNA breaks and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the presence of AuNPs at low concentrations. pBR322 plasmid DNA exposed to 64 ng/mL AuNPs was irradiated with 192Ir γ-rays via HDR brachytherapy. DNA breaks were detected by observing the changes in the form of the plasmid and quantified by agarose gel electrophoresis. The ROS generated by the AuNPs were measured with the fluorescent probe sensitive to ROS. The effects of positively (+) and negatively (−) charged AuNPs were compared to study the effect of surface charge on dose enhancement.Results: +AuNPs at lower concentrations promoted a comparable level of radiosensitization by producing both single-stranded breaks (SSBs) and double-stranded breaks (DSBs) than those used in cell assays and Monte Carlo simulation experiments. The dose enhancement factor (DEF) for +AuNPs was 1.3 ± 0.2 for SSBs and 1.5 ± 0.4 for DSBs. The ability of +AuNPs to augment plasmid DNA damage is due to enhanced ROS generation. While −AuNPs generated similar ROS levels, they did not cause significant DNA damage. Thus, dose enhancement using low concentrations of +AuNPs presumably occurred via DNA binding or increasing local +AuNP concentration around the DNA.Conclusion: +AuNPs at low concentrations displayed stronger radiosensitization compared to −AuNPs. Combining +AuNPs with 192Ir γ-rays in HDR brachytherapy is a candidate method for improving clinical outcomes. Future development of cancer cell-specific +AuNPs would allow their wider application for HDR brachytherapy.Keywords: gold nanoparticles, high-dose-rate brachytherapy, DNA damage, radiosensitization, 192Ir γ-rays, positively charged nanoparticles

For high repetition ultrahigh-intensity laser system, automatic alignment of structured target is key to achieving consistent particle acceleration and plasma heating. In this work, we demonstrate efficient electron acceleration with two sequential steps of laser processing using a high repetition rate, 30-fs ultrahigh-intensity laser. The first pulse does laser machining and creates a steep cylindrical crater on the surface of a flat stainless-steel target. The crater is formed by the hydrodynamic expansion of the heated surface and by spallation of the inner, deeper material by nonthermal relativistic electrons. The crater shape is well controlled and reproducible with 200 μm width and 350 μm depth. The second pulse irradiates deeply inside the crater and interacts with the crater wall, efficiently accelerating electrons via surface plasmonic, without need for target realignment. The laser absorption efficiency increases from 32.5 to 97.5% by the process.

The southern part of Java Island is susceptible to tsunamis as its role as a subduction zone between Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates. On July 17, 2006, a tsunami struck Java's south coast triggered by an earthquake and affected more than 300 km of shoreline, as well as claimed more than 730 casualties. It is important to assess the risk in the southern part of Java. This research aims to analyze tsunami risk assessments on public facilities in the southern part of Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta. The Tsunami hazard map was created by using tsunami modeling from BMKG. Public facilities footprint such as health facilities, religious facilities and school were derived from data provided by Open Street Map (OSM). The Papathoma Tsunami Vulnerability Assessment (PTVA) model, specifically developed to estimate the relative vulnerability of buildings to tsunami hazards, is used to generate a building vulnerability map. A geographic information system (GIS) was utilized to calculate and visualize the hazard, vulnerability, and risk map. A total of 394 buildings were analyzed with the results that public facilities in three sub-districts, namely Srandakan, Sanden and Kretek, had varying levels of building vulnerability ranging from minor, moderate, average and high with RVI values ranging from 1.5 to 3.4. Additionally, tsunami risk assessment of public facilities indicates that buildings within Bantul Regency are categorized as having very high, high, moderate, or low levels of building risk.

A popular beverage globally attributable to its energizing properties and distinctive flavor, coffee is one of the majorly produced agricultural merchandise. With the reputation, nonetheless, comes a sizeable waste in its production process. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and improve circular economy —coffee pulp and husk waste into functional food, i.e., coffee cherry flour. This study examined the amino acid composition and contents originating from four locations: Ijen Farm, Karang Ploso Farm, Mengani Farm, and La Boitê. In triplication, samples were filtrated, derivated, and analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The obtained data were then computed to determine the amino acid retention times and peak areas to facilitate the quantification of amino acid concentrations within the samples. ANOVA was involved in evaluating the significance of amino acid level variations, and then nonparametric correlation and cluster tests were conducted for a dendrogram presentation. The result stated that Serine, Histidine, Threonine, Alanine, Cysteine, Methionine, and Isoleucine are positively correlated to the area characteristics, while Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Arginine, Proline, Tyrosine, Valine, Lysine, Leucine, and Phenylalanine are of negative association. This finding suggests that locally-grown coffee cherry flour should be feasible for functional food beneficial to health.

Neutrons are powerful tools for investigating the structure and properties of materials used in science and technology. Recently, laser-driven neutron sources (LDNS) have attracted the attention of different communities, from science to industry, in a variety of applications, including radiography, spectroscopy, security, and medicine. However, the laser-driven ion acceleration mechanism for neutron generation and for establishing the scaling law on the neutron yield is essential to improve the feasibility of LDNS. In this paper, we report the mechanism that accelerates ions with spectra suitable for neutron generation. We show that the neutron yield increases with the fourth power of the laser intensity, resulting in the neutron generation of 3×10^{11} in 4π at a maximum, with 1.1×10^{19} W cm^{−2}, 900 J, 1.5 ps lasers. By installing a “hand-size” moderator, which is specially designed for the LDNS, it is demonstrated that the efficient generation of epithermal (0.1–100 eV) neutrons enables the single-shot analysis of composite materials by neutron resonance transmission analysis (NRTA). We achieve the energy resolution of 2.3% for 5.19-eV neutrons 1.8 m downstream of the LDNS. This leads to the analysis of elements and isotopes within sub-μs times and allows for high-speed nondestructive inspection.

Abstract Although serum markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) have been widely used in screening for pancreatic cancer (PC), their sensitivity and specificity are unsatisfactory. Recently, a novel tool of analyzing serum using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) of free induction decays (FIDs) obtained by 1H-NMR has been introduced. We for the first time evaluated the utility of this technology as a diagnostic tool for PC. Serum was obtained from PC patients before starting any treatments. Samples taken from individuals with benign diseases or donors for liver transplantation were obtained as controls. Serum samples from both groups underwent 1H-NMR and STFT of FIDs. STFT data were analyzed by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to clarify whether differences were apparent between groups. As a result, PLS-DA score plots indicated that STFT of FIDs enabled effective classification of groups with and without PC. Additionally, in a subgroup of PC, long-term survivors (≥ 2 years) could be discriminated from short-term survivors (

Abstract Background It remains unclear whether transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) is as safe and effective for paediatric patients with blunt torso trauma as it is for adults in Japan, owing to few trauma cases and sporadic case reports. The study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of TAE performed in paediatric (age ≤ 15 years) and adult patients with blunt torso trauma. Methods This was a single-centre, retrospective chart review study that included blunt torso trauma patients who underwent TAE in the trauma centre from 2012 to 2017. The comparative study was carried out between a ‘paediatric patient group’ and an ‘adult patient group’. The outcome measures for TAE were the success of haemorrhage control and complications and standardised mortality ratio (SMR). Results A total of 504 patients with blunt torso trauma were transported to the trauma centre, out of which 23% (N = 114) with blunt torso trauma underwent TAE, including 15 paediatric and 99 adult patients. There was no significant difference between the use of TAE in paediatric and adult patients with blunt torso trauma (29% vs 22%, P = .221). The paediatric patients’ median age was 11 years (interquartile ranges 7–14). The predicted mortality rate and SMR for paediatric patients were lower than those for adult patients (18.3% vs 25.9%, P = .026, and 0.37 vs 0.54). The rate of effective haemorrhage control without repeated TAE or additional surgical intervention was 93% in paediatric patients, which was similar to that in adult patients (88%). There were no complications in paediatric patients at our centre. There were no significant differences in the proportion of paediatric patients who underwent surgery before TAE or urgent blood transfusion (33% vs 26%, P = .566, or 67% vs 85%, P = .084). Conclusions It is possible to provide an equal level of care related to TAE for paediatric and adult patients as it relates to TAE for blunt torso trauma with haemorrhage in the trauma centre. Alternative haemorrhage control procedures should be established as soon as possible whenever the patients reach a haemodynamically unstable state.