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Background: : Despite the reported clinical effectiveness of house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in pediatric patients, the risk of treatment remains unclear in pediatric patients with allergic asthma., Objective: To show a risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in pediatric patient with allergic asthma during the initiation period of HDM SLIT., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of pediatric patients aged ≤ 15 years who initiated allergen immunotherapy (AIT) with the SQ HDM SLIT-tablet for allergic rhinitis between February 2017 and September 2019. Asthma severity at baseline and ADRs during the first 4 weeks of the treatment were determined for each subject., Results: In our study population (n = 217; median age, 8.4 years), 99 patients (45.6%) were classified as having asthma. One hundred and one patients (46.5%) in the whole cohort experienced ADRs during the first 4 weeks of therapy, but a major gap in the frequency of ADRs was not observed between an asthma group and a non-asthma group., Conclusions: The SQ HDM SLIT-tablet was well tolerated in pediatric patients with controlled HDM-driven allergic asthma. HDM-SLIT is an option to treat their allergic rhinitis without excessive concern for its ADRs.

The in situ measurement technique for a metal/metal-oxide mixture at extra-high temperature above 2000 K has been desired in the field of nuclear safety engineering. In the present study, we succeeded in simultaneous XAFS-XRD measurements of the Zr oxidation [Zr + O → Zr(O) + ZrO 2 ] up to 1952 K and ZrO 2 -Y 2 O 3 reaction from 1952 to 2519 K. The chemical shift during Zr oxidation was observed in the absorption spectra around the Zr K-edge, and the interatomic cation-cation and cation-oxygen distances obtained by the fitting analysis of EXAFS during the Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 reaction are explained. Also, the temperature dependency of the anharmonic effect was investigated by comparing the fitted second- and third-order cumulants with the theoretical ones in which the Morse potential was applied as an interatomic potential, giving a good explanation about the local structure dynamics. Finally, the applicability of the developed system to investigation of nuclear fuel materials, such as UO 2 -Zr, is discussed., (open access.)

Adsorption reactions of various cations on clay minerals have different effects on their environmental behaviors depending on the molecular-scale adsorption structure. Some cations form outer-sphere complexes via hydration, while others create inner-sphere complexes through dehydration. This preference dictates their environmental impact. However, the factors controlling these complex formations remain unclear. Furthermore, research on the adsorption preferences of radium (Ra) is lacking. Thus, this study conducted the first EXAFS study of Ra 2+ adsorbed on clay minerals and showed that Ra 2+ forms inner-sphere complexes on vermiculite, which can be surprising because Ra 2+ is a divalent cation and prefers to be hydrated. In order to investigate the factors controlling the complex formations, this study conducted systematic EXAFS measurements and DFT calculations for alkali and alkaline earth metal cations. The results showed the importance of the size-matching effect between the adsorbed cation and the cavity of the tetrahedral sheets and that the complex formation can be estimated by the combination of the ionic radius and hydration enthalpy of the adsorbed cation. Furthermore, this study also analyzed environmental core samples. Their results showed the fixation of Ra 2+ by clay minerals and the controlling factors can effectively predict cation environmental behavior., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Akiko Yamaguchi reports financial support was provided by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and by Japan Atomic Energy Agency., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

When liquid alkane droplets are placed on a surfactant solution surface having a proper surface density, alkane molecules penetrated into the surfactant-adsorbed film to form a mixed monolayer. Such a mixed monolayer undergoes a thermal phase transition from two-dimensional liquid to solid monolayers upon cooling when surfactant tail and alkane have similar chain lengths. We applied the total-reflection XAFS spectroscopy and surface quasi-elastic light scattering to the mixed adsorbed film of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and hexadecane to elucidate the impact on the surface phase transition on the counterion distribution of the mixed monolayer. The EXAFS analysis verified that a higher percentage of counter Br - ions were localized in the Stern layer than in the diffuse double layer in the surface solid film compared to the surface liquid film, which resulted in a reduction in the surface elasticity measured by the SQELS. The finding that the surface phase transition accompanies the change in the counterion distribution will be important to consider the future applications of the colloidal systems, in which the coexistence of a surfactant and alkane molecules is essential, such as foams and emulsions.

The community cat program (CCP) was recommended by the Ministry of the Environment to reduce cats in local animal shelters and improve stray cat welfare in Japan. It is a non-lethal control measure with stray cats cared for as free-roaming cats for their lifetime in the community, while Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) or Trap-Test-Vaccinate-Alter-Return-Monitor (TTVARM) activities are carried out. In the CCP, community cat colonies are hypothesized to be closed and static populations. However, it remains unknown whether the cats stay in the colonies, without migration of non-neutered cats following TNR/TTVARM events. We examined the population dynamics of cats before and after a TTVARM event using route censuses (107 days), fixed-point observations, and GPS-tracking in a tourist area in Onomichi. Eleven out of the 30 cats remained in the CCP areas, whereas 13 non-neutered cats immigrated into the CCP areas, within a year, suggesting the CCP program has limited efficacy. Besides, the program cannot support the lifetime management of the cats due rapid turnover of cats. Our results reject the CCP hypothesis, so that the program neither restricts cat breeding nor enhances cat welfare.

Introduction Personal skincare leave-on products increase the risk of food allergies. Parents must be imparted with an elevated degree of cognizance regarding the allergenic nature of pediatric skincare products. Material and methods We aimed to examine the data inferred from the promotional material on labeling these products about their proclivity to elicit skin sensitization. This study investigated the relationship between food allergens and essential oil ingredients and highlighted marketing terms, product prices, and ratings of moisturizers for children that are sold on Amazon, Japan. We searched and recorded the product labels and website marketing terms, price (per gram or milliliter), the number of reviews, and allergens and investigated the relationship between the percentage of food allergens in those products and marketing terms, price, and the number of Amazon reviews. Results Among the 164 pediatric skincare products we included, 144 (87.8%) that were manufactured in Japan were the most common; 7 (4.3%), 15 (9.1%), 23 (14.0%), 24 (14.6%), and 54 (32.9%) contained the eight regulated food allergens, grain, nut, fruit, and essential oils, respectively. Marketing terms emphasizing "natural/organic" were more likely to contain grain allergens and essential oils and were more expensive with and without "organic" labeling, respectively, whereas those labeled with marketing terms emphasizing "hypoallergenic" were less likely to contain fruit allergens or essential oils. Products with fewer Amazon reviews were more likely to use the marketing term "natural/organic" and had a higher grain allergen content. Conclusion In Japan, 4.3% of children's skincare products sold on Amazon contain eight food allergens that should obligatorily be labeled when included in food products. In addition, more than 10% of these children's skin care products contain ingredients derived from nuts, while more than 30% contain fruit extracts or essential oils., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Horimukai et al.)

We now face a paradigm shift in clinical practice and research of dialysis from evidence-based medicine outcomes to patient-reported outcomes (PROs). It is imperative to establish a daily practice pattern based on the PROs, namely "patient-centered dialysis care." In 2005, we introduced the concept of "patient-oriented dialysis," which includes two fundamental components; adjustment of the dialysis prescription according to the PROs and nutritional intervention based on the global nutritional assessment. Routine examinations and team meetings were held to monitor the status of PROs and nutrition, and intervention plans were reevaluated. We found that the total score of the PROs was closely related to the survival rate of dialysis patients, and some of those were identified as independent mortality risk factors. These results might have shown that patient-centered dialysis care may improve the quality of life and the survival rate of dialysis patients. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a unique synthetic membrane for a dialyzer with protein adsorption property and biocompatibility. Several clinical advantages of PMMA were reported as ameliorating inflammatory status, nutritional status, skin itchiness, and dialysis-related fatigue. PMMA is a fundamental and major choice for improving PROs in patient-centered dialysis care., (The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The "community cat program (CCP)" is a non-lethal control measure in which stray cats are owned and cared for as community cats at high welfare standards, while the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) or Trap-Test-Vaccinate-Alter-Return-Monitor (TTVARM) event is performed. The program is recommended by the Ministry of the Environment in Japan. Here, we evaluated the health status of community cats inhabiting a tourist area in Onomichi City. A medical check was conducted on 30 community cats as a part of the TTVARM event. The following health problems were identified: alopecia, gingivitis, incisor teeth loss, anemia, and urine glucose. An ELISA (the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) showed that 16.7% of the cats were FIV-positive. The cats were also carriers of zoonoses ( Capnocytophaga genus (100%) and Bartonella henselae ( ITS , nested; 38.0%)), which pose a risk to tourists and residents. Our findings suggest that most cats require medical treatment. We recommend that friendly cats should be adopted rather than maintained as community cats and that a comprehensive review of the CCP is required.

Radium is refocused from the viewpoint of an environmental pollutant and cancer therapy using alpha particles, where it mainly exists as a hydrated ion. We investigated the radium hydration structure and the dynamics of water molecules by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation. The EXAFS experiment showed that the coordination number and average distance between radium ion and the oxygen atoms in the first hydration shell are 9.2 ± 1.9 and 2.87 ± 0.06 Å, respectively. They are consistent with those obtained from the AIMD simulations, 8.4 and 2.88 Å. The AIMD simulations also revealed that the water molecules in the first hydration shell of radium are less structured and more mobile than those of barium, which is an analogous element of radium. Our results indicate that radium can be more labile than barium in terms of interactions with water., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

The surface freezing transition of a mixed adsorbed film containing cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and n -hexadecanol (C16OH) was utilized at the dodecane-water interface to control the stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. The corresponding surface frozen and surface liquid mixed adsorbed films were characterized using interfacial tensiometry and X-ray reflectometry. The emulsion samples prepared in the temperature range of the surface frozen and surface liquid phases showed a clear difference in their stability: the emulsion volume decreased continuously right after the emulsification in the surface liquid region, while it remained constant or decreased at a much slower rate in the surface frozen region. Compared to the previously examined CTAC-tetradecane mixed adsorbed film, the surface freezing temperature increased from 9.5 to 25.0 °C due to the better chain matching between CTAC and C16OH and higher surface activity of C16OH. This then renders such systems much more attractive for practical applications.

A condensed film formation of surfactants with a charged head group at the oil/water interface was achieved by mixing surfactants of different geometric shapes to control molecular packing at the interface. The adsorbed films of mixed tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C14TAB)-cholesterol (Chol) and tetradecylphosphocholine (C14PC)-Chol systems at the hexane/water interface were examined by interfacial tension and X-ray reflectivity measurements. The interfacial tension versus Chol concentration curves have break points because of the expanded-condensed phase transition of the adsorbed film. A two dimensional (2D) phase diagram, phase diagram of adsorption, indicated that 1:1 mixing in the condensed film is energetically favorable because of stronger mutual interaction between different molecules than between the same ones. The electron density profile normal to the interface manifested that the packing of C14TAB (or C14PC) and Chol molecules is like a 2D solid in the condensed state. As C14TAB and C14PC molecules take a corn shape with a large head group (critical packing parameter: CPP ≈ 1/3) and Chol takes an inverted corn shape with a bulky sterol ring (CPP > 1), the mixing of corn shape and inverted corn shape molecules produces well-ordered packing to promote solid-like molecular packing at the interface by energy gain because of vdW interaction between hydrophobic chains in addition to attractive ion-dipole interaction between head groups. Furthermore, the heterogeneous feature in the adsorbed film of the C14TAB-Chol system is explained by an interplay between contact energy and dipole interaction, which contribute to line tension at the domain boundary.

The effect of oil on condensed film formation in the adsorbed film of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16TAB) at the tetradecane (C14)/water (W) interface was examined by interfacial tension and X-ray reflectivity measurements. The interfacial tension vs temperature curves have break point due to the expanded?condensed phase transition of the adsorbed film. The partial molar entropy of C16TAB at the interface changes discontinuously, whereas the interfacial density changes almost continuously at the phase transition point. The electron density profile normal to the interface manifested that the condensed film is regarded as a two-dimensional (2D) solid rotator phase in which C16TAB and C14 molecules are densely packed with perpendicular orientation. Combining the interfacial tension and X-ray reflectivity data, the mixing ratio of C16TAB to C14 in the solid film was determined to be 2:3 and thus the film is enriched in oil molecules than surfactant ones. Furthermore, the partial molar entropy change of C14 associated with solid film formation was found to be largely negative and very close to that of surface freezing of liquid alkane, manifesting that C14 molecules are well ordered to form a 2D solid film by mixing with C16TAB molecules at the interface. The solid film formation of the present system is driven by effective vdW interactions between adsorbed C16TAB and intercalated C14 molecules. The morphology of the condensed domain observed during phase transition suggested that the contact energy is more predominant than the dipole repulsion at the domain boundary, which promotes coalescence of small domains into large ones during phase transition.

The free-roaming cat population in Japan is increasing, and these cats are regarded as a tourism resource in some areas; however, their welfare status is unknown. Thus, this study assessed the welfare status of free-roaming cats in the old town of Onomichi City, Hiroshima, Japan. Route censuses were conducted 8 times per month for 3 years to estimate cat populations in the uptown and downtown areas of Onomichi. In the 1st year, we found 124 cats and 80 cats in the uptown and downtown areas, respectively. Approximately half the cats in each area were in poor physical condition. By the 3rd year, 99 of the 124 uptown cats and 66 of the 80 downtown cats had disappeared; moreover, uptown cats in poor physical condition disappeared in significantly greater numbers than those in good condition. It was presumed most missing cats died from illness or injury as opposed to having migrated elsewhere. This study suggests the welfare status of free-roaming cats in Onomichi is poor, and organized management of these cats is a matter of great urgency to improve their status.

Here, we report remarkable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic activity of brownmillerite (BM)-type Ca 2 FeCoO 5 . The OER activity of this oxide is comparable to or beyond those of the state-of-the-art perovskite (PV)-catalyst Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3-δ (BSCF) and a precious-metal catalyst RuO 2 , emphasizing the importance of the characteristic BM structure with multiple coordination environments of transition metal (TM) species. Also, Ca 2 FeCoO 5 is clearly advantageous in terms of expense/laboriousness of the material synthesis. These facts make this oxide a promising OER catalyst used in many energy conversion technologies such as metal-air secondary batteries and hydrogen production from electrochemical/photocatalytic water splitting., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) is a promising positive electrode material for lithium ion batteries because it shows a high potential of 4.7 V vs. Li/Li(+). Its charge-discharge reaction includes two consecutive phase transitions between LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (Li1) ↔ Li0.5Ni0.5Mn1.5O4 (Li0.5) and Li0.5 ↔ Ni0.5Mn1.5O4 (Li0) and the complex transition kinetics that governs the rate capability of LNMO can hardly be analyzed by simple electrochemical techniques. Herein, we apply temperature-controlled operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy to directly capture the reacting phases from -20 °C to 40 °C under potential step (chronoamperometric) conditions and evaluate the phase transition kinetics using the apparent first-order rate constants at various temperatures. The constant for the Li1 ↔ Li0.5 transition (process 1) is larger than that for the Li0.5 ↔ Li0 transition (process 2) at all the measured temperatures, and the corresponding activation energies are 29 and 46 kJ mol(-1) for processes 1 and 2, respectively. The results obtained are discussed to elucidate the limiting factor in this system as well as in other electrode systems.

The phase transition and domain formation of the adsorbed film of two kinds of hybrid alcohols (CF3(CF2)m-1(CH2)nOH, FmHnOH), 2-perfluorooctylethanol (F8H2OH) and 2-perfluorohexylhexanol (F6H6OH), as a mixture at the hexane/water interface was investigated by interfacial tensiometry and X-ray reflection. The interfacial tension γ versus total molality m curve of pure F8H2OH has a break point at high concentration, and thus, the mean area per molecule A changes discontinuously at high interfacial pressure π, corresponding to the phase transition between expanded and condensed films. The Fresnel divided reflectivity R/RF versus Qz plots in the expanded state was well-fitted by the domain model for incoherent interference to determine the interfacial coverage, which is the fraction of the interface covered by the condensed phase. This indicates that the expanded film is heterogeneous and consists of a condensed F8H2OH domain, the size of which is larger than the X-ray coherence length (∼5 μm). In the mixed system, the discontinuous change in A at the phase transition point becomes small with increasing the bulk composition of F6H6OH X2 in the mixture, and eventually the A value changes continuously; i.e, the phase transition becomes obscure in X2 ≥ 0.6. This behavior was linked to an increase in interfacial coverage with X2. Furthermore, the R/RF versus Qz plot was fitted by the domain model for coherent interference, suggesting that the size of the domain is smaller than 5 μm. These results are probably due to the reduction of domain line tension by preferential adsorption of F6H6OH at the F8H2OH domain boundary.

The effect of molecular orientation on the miscibility and structure of the adsorbed film of the 1H,1H,10H,10H-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol (FC10diol)-1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanol (FC10OH) mixture at the hexane/water interface were examined by interfacial tension and X-ray reflectivity measurements. The interfacial tension and X-ray reflectivity at the hexane solution/water interface were measured as a function of total molality m and composition of FC10OH in the mixture X2 under atmospheric pressure at 298.15 K. The interfacial pressure vs mean area per molecule curves showed that two kinds of condensed monolayers (C1 and C2) and multilayer (M) states appeared depending on m and X2. In the pure component systems, it was found that FC10OH forms condensed monolayer in which the molecules orient almost normally to the interface, and FC10diol orients parallel and is densely packed in the condensed monolayer and then piles spontaneously to form multilayer. In the mixed system, the phase diagram of adsorption indicated that FC10OH molecules are richer in C2 than in C1 state. The X-ray reflectivity measurements manifest that the condensed monolayer below X2 = 0.985 is heterogeneous in which the normal- and parallel-oriented domains coexist at the interface (C1 state), and that above X2 = 0.985 seems to be homogeneous with normal molecular orientation (C2 state). The structure of M state depends on those of condensed monolayers, on which the molecules pile spontaneously. The heterogeneous structure in C1 state is compared to that previously observed in the mixed system of FC10diol-FC12OH (1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecanol), where FC12OH has longer fluorocarbon chain length than FC10OH and is discussed in terms of domain line tension.

A novel spectro-electochemical cell for X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the tender X-ray region (TX-XAS) was designed and fabricated to investigate the electrochemical behavior of common battery materials with liquid electrolytes under in situ/operando conditions. The cell has several unique features, such as high X-ray transmittance, high signal to noise ratio, and high vacuum tightness. These features enable us quick and reliable XAS measurements. Operando P K-edge XAS measurements of an olivine-type LiFePO4 composite positive electrode were carried out to clarify its phosphorus environment during the electrochemical charging process. Results of spectral analysis show that there is no significant change in the oxidation state of phosphorus and in the coordination of the phosphate anions in the charging process, but a closer look of the consecutive XAS spectra suggests the shrinkage of the PO4 cage during the charging process, and the structural changes in a biphasic manner. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the cell for in situ/operando TX-XAS observations of light elements in practical batteries.

Total-reflection X-ray absorption fine structure (TR-XAFS) technique was applied for the first time to an interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions under potentiostatic control. The hydration structure of bromide ions was investigated at polarized 2-octanone/water interfaces. TR-XAFS spectra at Br K-edge measured in the presence of hexyltrimethylammonium bromide (C6TAB) were slightly modified depending on the Galvani potential difference (Δ(o)(w)φ). The extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis exposed hydration structure changes of bromide ions at the polarized interface. The coordination structure of bromide ions at the interface could be analyzed as compared with bromide ions dissolved in aqueous solution and Br(-)-exchanged resin having quaternary ammonium groups. The results indicated that bromide ions were associated with C6TA(+) at the polarized interface. The relative contribution of ion association form of bromide ions with quaternary ammonium groups was enhanced at a potential close to the ion transfer of C6TA(+), where the interfacial concentration of C6TA(+) is increased as a function of Δ(o)(w)φ.

The newly installed BL28XU beamline at SPring-8 is dedicated to in situ structural and electronic analysis of rechargeable batteries. It supports the time range (1 ms to 100 s) and spatial range (1 µm to 1 mm) needed for battery analysis. Electrochemical apparatus for battery charging and discharging are available in experimental hutches and in a preparation room. Battery analysis can be carried out efficiently and effectively using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine-structure analysis and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Here, the design and performance of the beamline are described, and preliminary results are presented.

Management of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) metabolism is crucial in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Cinacalcet is usually used for chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) patients with elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. However, a certain number of CKD-MBD patients have normal iPTH levels and are not subjected to cinacalcet therapy. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a new treatment algorithm of early initiation of cinacalcet therapy in this subgroup of patients, mainly for correcting Ca and P metabolism. Seventy-one HD patients, including 44 patients without marked elevation of iPTH (102 < iPTH ≤ 300 pg/mL), who received cinacalcet therapy, were enrolled in this study. Serum parameters relating to CKD-MBD patient metabolism, doses of phosphate binders, and type of vitamin D sterols were compared between pre- and post-cinacalcet administration retrospectively. Sixty-four of 71 patients did not require discontinuation of cinacalcet. In these 64 patients, serum Ca (P = 0.0003), P (P = 0.0153), and iPTH (P < 0.0001) levels were significantly reduced after cinacalcet administration, even in those without marked elevation of iPTH (Ca; P < 0.0001, P; P = 0.0422, and iPTH; P = 0.0018). The proportion of patients who received vitamin D sterols was unchanged (P = 0.5930) but the proportion of patients who received maxacalcitol was significantly reduced after cinacalcet administration (P = 0.0108). The new treatment algorithm of early initiation of cinacalcet is considered to be well tolerated and effective for controlling hypercalcemia, and/or hyperphosphatemia and/or increased iPTH of CKD-MBD patients., (© 2013 The Authors. Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis © 2013 International Society for Apheresis.)

The phase transition between LiFePO4 and FePO4 during nonequilibrium battery operation was tracked in real time using time-resolved X-ray diffraction. In conjunction with increasing current density, a metastable crystal phase appears in addition to the thermodynamically stable LiFePO4 and FePO4 phases. The metastable phase gradually diminishes under open-circuit conditions following electrochemical cycling. We propose a phase transition path that passes through the metastable phase and posit the new phase's role in decreasing the nucleation energy, accounting for the excellent rate capability of LiFePO4. This study is the first to report the measurement of a metastable crystal phase during the electrochemical phase transition of LixFePO4.

An X-ray Raman spectrometer for studies of local structures in minerals is discussed. Contrary to widely adopted back-scattering spectrometers using ≤10 keV X-rays, a spectrometer utilizing ~20 keV X-rays and a bent Laue analyzer is proposed. The 20 keV photons penetrate mineral samples much more deeply than 10 keV photons, so that high intensity is obtained owing to an enhancement of the scattering volume. Furthermore, a bent Laue analyzer provides a wide band-pass and a high reflectivity, leading to a much enhanced integrated intensity. A prototype spectrometer has been constructed and performance tests carried out. The oxygen K-edge in SiO(2) glass and crystal (α-quartz) has been measured with energy resolutions of 4 eV (EXAFS mode) and 1.3 eV (XANES mode). Unlike methods previously adopted, it is proposed to determine the pre-edge curve based on a theoretical Compton profile and a Monte Carlo multiple-scattering simulation before extracting EXAFS features. It is shown that the obtained EXAFS features are reproduced fairly well by a cluster model with a minimal set of fitting parameters. The spectrometer and the data processing proposed here are readily applicable to high-pressure studies.

Background: It has been suggested that there is a complex interaction between microbiota and various human diseases. Some bacteria have been reported to be involved in the inception and progression of asthma, and others in the protection against asthma. We know very little about the mechanisms by which bacteria do harm or good with regard to asthma. This study investigated whether bacteria exert differential effects on the functions of eosinophils, major effector cells in airway inflammation in asthma., Methods: Eosinophils were purified from healthy adult volunteers by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and negative immunomagnetic bead selection using anti-CD16 microbeads. Three kinds of heat-killed bacteria that have been implicated in asthma, namely Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Haemophilus influenzae (HI) and a Prevotella sp. (PS), were tested for their effects on the secretion of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), the generation of superoxides and the production of cytokines/chemokines., Results: SA, but not HI or PS, induced significant EDN release in a dose-dependent manner. Superoxide generation was significantly enhanced by each of the bacterial species, but most strongly by SA, which induced significantly greater TNF-α production by eosinophils than either HI or PS. Conversely, interleukin 10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was more strongly induced by HI and PS than by SA., Conclusions: Bacteria exert differential effects on eosinophils. Based on these results, SA may be involved in the exacerbation of, and HI and PS in the inhibition of, eosinophilic inflammation in asthma., (Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Spin dynamics in the new Kondo insulator compound CeRu2Al10 has been studied using unpolarized and polarized neutron scattering on single crystals. In the unconventional ordered phase forming below T0=27.3  K, two excitation branches are observed with significant intensities, the lower one of which has a gap of 4.8±0.3  meV and a pronounced dispersion up to ≈8.5  meV. Comparison with random-phase approximation magnon calculations assuming crystal-field and anisotropic exchange couplings captures major aspects of the data, but leaves unexplained discrepancies, pointing to a key role of direction-specific hybridization between 4f and conduction band states in this compound.

The total reflection X-ray absorption fine structure (TR-XAFS) technique was applied to adsorbed films at the surface of aqueous solutions of surfactant mixtures composed of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and dodecyltrimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (DTABF(4)). The obtained XAFS spectra were expressed as linear combinations of two specific spectra corresponding to fully hydrated bromide ions (free-Br) and partially dehydrated bromide ions adsorbed to the hydrophilic groups of surfactant ions (bound-Br) at the surface. The ratio of free- and bound-Br ions was determined as a function of surface tension and surface composition of the surfactants. Taking also the results in our previous studies on the DTAB - dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (HMIMBr) - 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (HMIMBF(4)) mixed systems into consideration, the relation between counterion distribution and miscibility of counterions at the solution surface was deduced for the surfactant mixtures having common surfactant ions but different counterions., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Novel multilayer formation of fluorocarbon compounds at the hexane/water interface was investigated from the viewpoint of intermolecular interaction and miscibility of molecules in the adsorbed film. The two kinds of mixed systems were employed: 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecanol (FC12OH)-1H-perfluorodecane (HFC10) (System A) and 1-icosanol (C20OH)-HFC10 (System B). The interfacial tension γ between the hexane solution and water was measured as a function of total concentration m and the composition of HFC10 in the mixture X(2) at 298.15 K under atmospheric pressure. X-ray reflectivity (XR) measurement was performed at BL37XU in SPring-8 as a function of scattering vector Q(z). In both systems, the γ vs m curves except for the pure HFC10 system have a break at low concentrations, which corresponds to the gaseous-condensed monolayer transition for System A and the expanded-condensed monolayer for System B. The remarkable difference between the two systems was that the curves in a limited bulk composition range (0.45 ≤ X(2) ≤ 0.9) of System A show another break at high concentrations close to the solubility limit. The total interfacial density above this break point was around 7-11 μmol m(-2), suggesting the spontaneous molecular piling to form a multilayer. The phase diagrams of adsorption in the condensed monolayer indicated that the film composition of HFC10 is negative in System B but definitely positive above X(2) ≥ 0.45 in System A. This clearly shows that HFC10 molecules are miscible with FC12OH but immiscible with C20OH in the condensed monolayer. Thus, it is likely that the mixing of HFC10 with FC12OH in the condensed monolayer induces multilayer formation. The X-ray reflectivity normalized by Fresnel reflectivity R/R(F) vs Q(z) plot in the condensed monolayer of System A was fitted by a one-slab model with uniform electron density and thickness. The electron density profile was almost the same as that of the pure FC12OH system. The plot in the multilayer, on the other hand, was fitted well by the two-slab model with different electron densities and thicknesses. The electron density profile showed that the multilayer consists of two layers, one of which has slightly higher electron density than the bulk hexane phase and piles on the lower layer with almost the same electron density as the condensed FC12OH monolayer.

We have developed a quick-scanning x-ray absorption fine structure (QXAFS) system and installed it at the recently constructed synchrotron radiation beamline BL33XU at the SPring-8. Rapid acquisition of high-quality QXAFS data was realized by combining a servo-motor-driven Si channel-cut monochromator with a tapered undulator. Two tandemly aligned monochromators with channel-cut Si(111) and Si(220) crystals covered energy ranges of 4.0-28.2 keV and 6.6-46.0 keV, respectively. The system allows the users to adjust instantly the energy ranges of scans, the starting angles of oscillations, and the frequencies. The channel-cut crystals are cooled with liquid nitrogen to enable them to withstand the high heat load from the undulator radiation. Deformation of the reflecting planes is reduced by clamping each crystal with two cooling blocks. Performance tests at the Cu K-edge demonstrated sufficiently high data quality for x-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended x-ray absorption fine-structure analyses with temporal resolutions of up to 10 and 25 ms, respectively.

Colonization by SA is associated with exacerbation of AD. Eosinophilic inflammation is a cardinal pathological feature of AD, but little is known about possible direct interaction between SA and eosinophils. PAFR appears to be involved in phagocytosis of Gram-positive bacteria by leukocytes. The objective of this study was to investigate whether SA directly induces eosinophil effector functions via PAFR in the context of AD pathogenesis. Peripheral blood eosinophils were cultured with heat-killed SA, and EDN release, superoxide generation, and adhesion to fibronectin-coated plates were measured. Cytokines, released in the supernatants, were quantified by multiplex bead immunoassays. FISH-labeled SA was incubated with eosinophils and visualized by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. PAFR-blocking peptide and PAFR antagonists were tested for inhibitory effects on SA-induced reactions. SA induced EDN release and superoxide generation by eosinophils in a dose-dependent manner. IL-5 significantly enhanced SA-induced EDN release. IL-5 and IL-17A significantly enhanced SA-induced superoxide generation. SA enhanced eosinophil adhesion to fibronectin, which was blocked by anti-CD49d, and induced eosinophil secretion of various cytokines/chemokines (IL-2R, IL-9, TNFR, IL-1 β, IL-17A, IP-10, TNF-α, PDGF-bb, VEGF, and FGF-basic). After incubation of eosinophils with SA, FISH-labeled SA was visualized in the eosinophils' cytoplasm, indicating phagocytosis. A PAFR-blocking peptide and two PAFR antagonists completely inhibited those reactions. In conclusion, SA directly induced eosinophil activation via PAFR. Blockade of PAFR may be a novel, therapeutic approach for AD colonized by SA.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin D may be protective against the inception and exacerbation of allergic diseases. However, the direct effect of vitamin D on eosinophils, the major effector cells in allergic inflammation, is not known. It has been reported that C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in eosinophils is induced in non-Th2 cytokine milieu or in response to glucocorticoids, recruiting the cell to noninflammatory sites., Objectives: To test whether 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) or calcitriol], the active metabolite of vitamin D, acts directly on eosinophils to induce upregulation of CXCR4., Methods: Peripheral blood eosinophils from normal volunteers were isolated by CD16 immunomagnetic beads. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression was detected by RT-PCR. Eosinophils were cultured with 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) and the survival and expression of CXCR4 on eosinophils were measured by flowcytometry. Eosinophil migration by CXCL-12/SDF-1 in the presence of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) was also analyzed., Results: Eosinophils expressed VDR. 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) prolonged eosinophil survival and upregulated eosinophil surface expression of CXCR4 in a concentration-dependent manner. Interleukin (IL)-5 significantly reduced CXCR4 expression and migration induced by the ligand CXCL-12/SDF-1. 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) reversed the negative effects of IL-5 on the CXCR4-CXCL12 pathway., Conclusion: 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) regulates CXCR4 expression in eosinophils. The mechanism may be involved in eosinophil recruitment to noninflammatory sites where the ligand of CXCR4 is constitutively expressed., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The aim of this study was to assess the use of three-dimensional acceleration sensing to describe the gait of dairy cows and the effect of hoof trimming. In Trial 1, a three-dimensional acceleration sensor was attached to the carpal region of a front leg of six Holstein cows who were then walked for 9 m. Results showed that measures of acceleration could clearly show the presence of steps, which were divided into an acceleration phase, which involved the hoof descending to and ascending from the ground, and a non-acceleration phase, which included the swing phase. Lissajous figures could succinctly depict the degree of acceleration for each cow and showed that one cow who was lame walked with greater vertical and lateral acceleration than the remaining cows. In Trial 2, 17 loose-housed Holstein cows were walked for 20 m during the month before, once during the month after and once 2 months after hoof trimming with the sensor attached at the end of their thoracic vertebrae to measure acceleration of the whole body. To relate the acceleration of the body to movements of the legs, image analysis was used to the range of vertical movement of four major skeletal joints, using visual markers attached to them. Hoof trimming significantly (P < 0.005) decreased both the range of vertical movement of the joints of front and hind legs and the variance of lateral and forward acceleration at the end of the thoracic vertebrae, suggesting improved gait pattern smoothness. Acceleration sensing was able to characterize variation among gait patterns of the cows and could reproduce the pattern shown by image analysis. This study demonstrates that three-dimensional acceleration sensing of either the carpal region of a front leg or the end of the thoracic vertebrae is useful to detect walking irregularities and evaluate the effectiveness of hoof trimming on walking ability of cattle., (© 2011 The Authors. Animal Science Journal © 2011 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Quick-scanning X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements were performed in transmission mode using a PILATUS 100K pixel array detector (PAD). The method can display a two-dimensional image for a large area of the order of a centimetre with a spatial resolution of 0.2 mm at each energy point in the XAFS spectrum. The time resolution of the quick-scanning method ranged from 10 s to 1 min per spectrum depending on the energy range. The PAD has a wide dynamic range and low noise, so the obtained spectra have a good signal-to-noise ratio.

μ-XAFS analysis using an X-ray μ-beam (1000 nm (h) × 800 nm (v)) was successfully carried out on a single particle of a practical catalyst NiO(x)/Ce(2)Zr(2)O(y) (0 ≤x≤ 1, 7 ≤y≤ 8). The oxidation state and local coordination structure of the NiO(x)/Ce(2)Zr(2)O(y) particle were characterized by Ni K-edge μ-XANES and μ-EXAFS, which showed the catalytically active and inactive phases of a single catalyst particle., (This journal is © the Owner Societies 2011)

Background: Recent advances in medical care have drastically improved life prognosis of severe life-threatening diseases in newborns and young children. However, 'intact' survival without sequelae for all the children is still to be achieved and prevalence of severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) secondary to central nervous system damages of any cause in childhood, especially in neonatal period, is increasing. Patients with SMID have complex problems involving multiple organs and multidisciplinary approach is mandatory. However, prevalence of allergic diseases in SMID patients is not known., Methods: Forty one patients who were institutionalized and 26 outpatients at Mie National Hospital with SMID were enrolled. Diagnosis of allergic diseases was determined based on guidelines for the institutionalized patients and on a questionnaire asking if he/she had ever been diagnosed as the allergic diseases by any physician for outpatients. Serum total IgE, specific IgE to common allergens, eosinophil number, and exhaled nitric oxide by on-line tidal breathing method were measured., Results: Lifetime prevalence of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and drug allergy were 13.4%, 3.0%, 3.0%, 23.9%, 10.4%, and 6.0%, respectively. The sensitizations to Japanese cedar pollen, cypress, orchard grass, and ragweed were significantly more prevalent in outpatients compared with institutionalized patients. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are higher in outpatients compared with institutionalized patients (61.5% vs 0%, 23.1% vs 2.4%, respectively, p< 0.05). Exhaled nitric oxide levels in subjects who were diagnosed as asthma were significantly higher than in non-asthma., Conclusions: Allergic diseases are as common in SMID patients as general population. Further study is necessary to establish proper management for the patients.

We previously reported that a porphyrin-cored tetradentate passivant, which has two disulfide straps over one face of the porphyrin plane, can produce monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles, 2-4 nm in size, by the one-pot reduction of HAuCl(4) in DMF. The resulting nanoparticles are smaller than those prepared using the same S/Au molar ratio of a monodentate passivant. To examine the formation mechanism of small gold nanoparticles, the formation of gold nanoparticles in the presence of porphyrin-cored tetradentate passivants or a structurally related monodentate passivant was studied by time-resolved quick X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that all of Au ions in solution are reduced to compose small Au clusters, i.e. nuclei, just after the NaBH(4) reduction of HAuCl(4) in both cases, but their size varied with the initial S/Au molar ratios and structure of the passivants. Thus, the size of Au nuclei was kinetically controlled by the passivants. Interestingly, the porphyrin-cored tetradentate passivant could stabilize smaller gold nanoparticles, 2-4 nm in size, but it was less efficient in trapping the Au nuclei formed at a very early stage, in comparison to the monodentate passivant.

The effect of the temperature on the surface layering of ionic liquids has been studied for two ionic liquids, trioctylmethylammonium bis(nonafluorobutanesulfonyl)amide([TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)]) and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(nonafluorobutanesulfonyl)amide ([THTDP(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)]), using X-ray reflectivity measurements at 285, 300, and 315 K. Both [TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] and [THTDP(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] develop multilayers at the surface. The structure of the multilayers at the [TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] surface shows little temperature-dependent change, whereas that at the [THTDP(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] surface clearly becomes diffused with increasing temperature. The different temperature dependence seems to be related to the difference in the recently reported ultraslow dynamics of the interfacial structure of [TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] and [THTDP(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] at the ionic liquid|water interface., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

The dynamical oxidation processes of Pt-skin layers on Pt(3)Co were investigated in situ and in real-time by time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with electrochemical measurements. Growth limit behaviors and the suppression of higher-order formation of surface oxides were observed, and these might explain the highly durable nature of Pt-skin layers.

Background: Viral respiratory tract infections play an important role in the inception and exacerbation of asthma. Eosinophils, major effector cells in asthma, often accumulate in the airways during viral infections and are possibly activated by respiratory RNA viruses through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7. We investigated the effect of a β(2)-agonist, i.e. procaterol, and a corticosteroid, i.e. budesonide, that are commonly used for viral-induced asthma, on TLR7 ligand-induced activation of eosinophils in vitro., Methods: Purified peripheral blood eosinophils were incubated with procaterol and/or budesonide and stimulated with a TLR7 ligand, i.e. R-837. Expression of CD11b was analyzed by flow cytometry. Superoxide generation was measured via the cytochrome C reduction method. IL-8 in the supernatants was assayed by ELISA., Results: Although procaterol or budesonide alone did not inhibit R-837-induced CD11b expression, combinations of the 2 drugs significantly inhibited CD11b. Likewise, the combinations significantly inhibited O(2)(-) generation at low concentrations. Budesonide significantly inhibited R-837-induced IL-8 production in a concentration-dependent manner, and procaterol potentiated inhibition by budesonide although single-agent procaterol had no effect., Conclusion: A combination of procaterol and budesonide inhibits the TLR7-mediated effector function of eosinophils, indicating their possible anti-inflammatory effect for virus-induced asthma., (Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

An X-ray reflectometer for simultaneous measurement of specular and off-specular reflection of liquid surfaces is described. The reflectometer, equipped with a two-dimensional single X-ray photon-counting pixel array detector obtained the full range of X-ray specular and off-specular reflections in an extremely short time (1 s). Both the specular and off-specular reflection of water exhibited good agreement with the predicted capillary-wave theory within the appropriate instrumental resolution. The approach is also demonstrated on an aqueous solution of 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. The monolayer in which the dodecyl chain faces upwards and the Cl(-) anion locates next to the imidazolium ring formed on the water surface was found to be laterally homogeneous. The use of a pixel array detector will be particularly powerful for in situ measurements to investigate both out-of-plane and in-plane structures simultaneously, not only for liquid surfaces but also for other thin films.

The transformation of inorganic iodine (I(-) and IO(3)(-)) incubated in soils with varying amounts of organic matter (Andosols from the surface layer of an upland field and forest, as well as Acrisols from surface and subsurface layers of an upland field) was investigated by using the iodine K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). After 60d of reaction, both I(-) and IO(3)(-) were transformed into organoiodine in surface soils containing sufficient amounts of organic matter, whereas IO(3)(-) remained unchanged in the subsurface soil of Acrisols with low organic matter contents. Transformation of IO(3)(-) into organoiodine was not retarded when the microbial activity in soil was reduced by gamma-ray irradiation, suggesting that microbial activity was not essential for the transformation of inorganic iodine into organoiodine. Soil organic matter has the ability to transform inorganic iodine into organoiodine., (Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The presence of ionic multilayers at the free surface of an ionic liquid, trioctylmethylammonium bis(nonafluorobutanesulfonyl)amide ([TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)]), extending into the bulk from the surface to the depth of approximately 60 A has been probed by x-ray reflectivity measurements. The reflectivity versus momentum transfer (Q) plot shows a broad peak at Q approximately 0.4 A(-1), implying the presence of ionic layers at the [TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] surface. The analysis using model fittings revealed that at least four layers are formed with the interlayer distance of 16 A. TOMA(+) and C(4)C(4)N(-) are suggested not to be segregated as alternating cationic and anionic layers at the [TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)] surface. It is likely that the detection of the ionic multilayers with x-ray reflectivity has been realized by virtue of the greater size of TOMA(+) and C(4)C(4)N(-) and the high critical temperature of [TOMA(+)][C(4)C(4)N(-)].

The limit to which the phase change memory material Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) can be scaled toward the smallest possible memory cell is investigated using structural and optical methodologies. The encapsulation material surrounding the Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) has an increasingly dominant effect on the material's ability to change phase, and a profound increase in the crystallization temperature is observed when the Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) layer is less than 6 nm thick. We have found that the increased crystallization temperature originates from compressive stress exerted from the encapsulation material. By minimizing the stress, we have maintained the bulk crystallization temperature in Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) films just 2 nm thick.

The miscibility and distribution of Br(-) and BF(4)(-) ions of imidazolium ionic liquid mixtures, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (HMIMBr) + 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (HMIMBF(4)), at the air/water surface were investigated by surface tensiometry and the total-reflection XAFS (TRXAFS) method. Tensiometry showed that the surface density of BF(4)(-) was much larger than that of Br(-), the adsorbed films of the HMIMBr-HMIMBF(4) mixture were greatly enriched in BF(4)(-) at all surface tensions, and the excess Gibbs energy of adsorption was positive. However, TRXAFS revealed that the Br ions were all in the free-Br state solvated by six water molecules in the mixed adsorbed film. Entropy-originated nonideal mixing, where a kind of segregation of the counterion distribution takes place in the interfacial region, was suggested in the mixture.

For an accurate assessment of immobilization technologies, it is necessary to illustrate the transformation of target metal species into their final products. The present study employed extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy combined with linear combination fitting (LCF) to determine Pb species and their proportions in contaminated soils treated with phosphate amendments. Lead contaminated soils collected from a shooting range were separately treated with calcium phosphate (CP), hydroxyapatite synthesized from ceramic waste (CHA), and incinerated poultry litter (PW). Soils were incubated at 32% water content for 7 and 380 d. The EXAFS-LCF analysis illustrated that Pb speciation in the control soil included organically-complexed phases (Pb(org), 32%), PbO (22%), PbCO(3) (28%), and Pb(3)(CO(3))(2)(OH)(2) (8%). As the incubation period increased, the proportion of chloropyromorphite [Pb(5)(PO(4))(3)Cl] increased from 20% to 27% in CHA and from 19% to 31% in CP soils. The spectra of PW-amended soils were reproduced adequately with a combination of Pb(org), PbO, and chloropyromorphite in the proportion of about 20%, 45%, and 23%, respectively. The effectiveness of amendments on Pb immobilization as indicated by the chloropyromorphite proportion was in the order of CP (31%)>CHA (27%)>PW (23%) after 380 d of incubation. Our study indicates that about 70% of Pb species was not immobilized as a form of chloropyromorphite, and the additional supply of phosphate amendment scarcely promoted chloropyromorphite formation. The EXAFS-LCF approach illustrated that organically-complexed Pb was persistent in all amended soils, suggesting that an enriched soil organic carbon may be an inhibitory factor for pyromorphite transformations.

In situ chemical immobilization is a practical remediation technology for metal-contaminated soils because of its capability to reduce cost and environmental impacts. We assessed the immobilization effects of poultry waste amendment and plant growth (Panicum maximum Jacq.) on Pb speciation and enzyme activities in shooting range soils. Soil contaminated with Pb was obtained from the top 20 cm of a shooting range. To evaluate Pb mobility in the soil profile treated with plants and immobilizing amendment, we used large columns filled with Pb-contaminated soil (0-20 cm, surface soils) and non-contaminated soil (20-75 cm, subsurface soils). The column study demonstrated that the amendment reduced the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure-extractable Pb in the surface soil by 90% of the Control soil. Lead mobility from the surface to subsurface profiles was significantly attenuated by plant growth but was promoted by the amendment without plant application. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis revealed that the amendment reduced the proportion of PbCO(3) and Pb-organic complexes and transformed them into a more geochemically stable species of Pb(5)(PO(4))(3)Cl with 30 to 35% of the total Pb species. Applications of plant and amendment increased activities of dehydrogenase and phosphatase in the surface soil with 2.7- and 1.1-fold greater than those in Control, respectively. The use of amendments in combination with plant growth may have potential as an integrated remediation strategy that enables Pb immobilization and soil biological restoration in shooting range soils.

Copper(II) complexes spread on an aqueous solution surface were studied by a polarized total-reflection X-ray absorption fine structure (TR-XAFS) technique. The polarized TR-XAFS spectra at the Cu-K edge for copper(II) porphyrins and copper(II) chlorophyllin in a monolayer were measured in situ at the air-water interface. The polarization dependences of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) involving a 1s-->4p(z) transition allowed us to estimate the molecular orientation and the local coordination structure around the copper(II) atom in the polarization plane selectively. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) region of the polarized TR-XAFS spectra for the metal complexes present at the air-water interface was successfully analyzed for the first time. The relative coordination number for the copper center evaluated from the EXAFS analysis indicated larger values in the vertical polarization than in the horizontal one, in agreement with the standing-up molecular orientation at the air-water interface estimated from the XANES region.