Search

Summary Background & aims The associations between dietary magnesium intake and stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) incidences are inconsistent and not established in Asian. We aimed to determine the association between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of stroke and CHD in a Japanese population. Subjects/Methods We studied 85,293 Japanese subjects by questionnaire at baseline (age 45–74 years, without cardiovascular disease or cancer in 1995 and 1998 for Cohorts I and II, respectively). The participants were followed until the end of 2009 and 2010 in Cohorts I and II, respectively. Dietary magnesium intake was estimated from a self-administered 138-item food-frequency questionnaire. Results After 1,305,738 person-years of follow-up, 4110 strokes and 1283 cases of CHD were documented. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs, 95% confidence intervals, 95%CIs) of CHD for the fourth and fifth quintiles of dietary magnesium intake were 0.70 (0.50–0.99) and 0.66 (0.44–0.97) in men (P for trend = 0.036), respectively, and third quintile of dietary magnesium intake was 0.61 (0.39–0.96) in women (P for trend = 0.241), compared with the lowest quintile in men and women. We observed no decreased risks of incident stroke in men or women with higher dietary magnesium intakes. Conclusions Higher dietary magnesium intake was associated with a reduced risk of CHD in Japanese men.

A finding between dietary pattern and cancer may provide visions beyond the assessment of individual foods or nutrients. We examined the influence of dietary pattern with colorectal cancer (CRC) among a Japanese population.A total of 93,062 subjects (43,591 men, 49,471 women) who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study were followed from 1995-1998 to the end of 2012, during which 2482 cases of CRC (1514 men, 968 women) were newly identified. Dietary data was obtained from a validated food-frequency questionnaire between 1995 and 1998.Three dietary pattern was derived from principal components factor: prudent, westernized, and traditional pattern. After controlled for potential confounders, the prudent pattern showed a decreased association of CRC risk in men (HR for highest quintile vs lowest: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72-1.00; P trend0.05), slightly more strongly with distal colon cancer (P trend0.05); but an increased risk of rectal cancer in women (P trend0.05). The westernized pattern showed a significant positive linear trend for colon (P trend0.05) and distal cancer (P trend0.05) in women. There was no apparent association of traditional Japanese dietary pattern on the overall or any specific sites risk of CRC.A prudent dietary pattern showed an inverse association with CRC risk in men, and a westernized pattern was related with a higher risk of colon and distal cancer in women.

Background CLEOPATRA study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of pertuzumab (P) + trastuzumab (T) + docetaxel (D) but efficacy results of Japanese subgroup weren't consistent with the whole study results. A phase IV, multicenter, prospective, COMACHI study was conducted in Japan to re-confirm the efficacy and safety of P+T+D demonstrated in the CLEOPATRA study. Methods Patients (pts) with HER2-positive breast cancer who were diagnosed as Stage IV or recurred more than a year after (neo)adjuvant taxane chemotherapy completion were enrolled. Pts were administered study drugs intravenously every 3 weeks. Discontinuation of D was allowed after cycle 6. After discontinuation of D, pts were given maintenance by T+P, however not allowed to receive hormonal therapy for HR positive pts. We defined PFS as the primary endpoint. To demonstrate a median PFS of 12.4 months (mos) or more, which was observed in the placebo arm in the CLEOPATRA study. Results From November 2013 to September 2015, 132 pts were enrolled and all pts were treated with T+P at least once. The median age was 56.5 years old and 102 pts (77.3%) had not received prior HER2 therapy. Median cycles of T and P were both 24.0 (range 2.0-71.0) and that of D was 6.0 (range 0.0-65.0). Pts characteristics and subgroup analysis results are shown in the Table below.Table353PTableNameLevelPatientsEventsTime to event[n (%)][n (%)][Median (95% CI)]Alln/a132 (100.0%)66 (50.0%)22.8 (16.9, 34.8)Prior (neo) adjuvant therapy(Excluding hormone therapy)YES38 ( 28.8%)18 (47.4%)27.7 (12.4, NE )NO94 ( 71.2%)48 (51.1%)20.8 (16.9, 38.8)Age - 6536 ( 27.3%)17 (47.2%)33.1 (18.7, NE )Disease Type at ScreeningVISCERAL DISEASE81 ( 61.4%)49 (60.5%)18.4 (13.8, 33.7)NON-VISCERAL DISEASE51 ( 38.6%)17 (33.3%)NE (20.7, NE )ER/PgR StatusPOSITIVE72 ( 54.5%)39 (54.2%)18.9 (14.7, 33.1)NEGATIVE60 ( 45.5%)27 (45.0%)33.7 (20.6, NE )HER2 Status IHC/ISHIHC Median PFS was 22.8 mos [95% CI, 16.9-34.8], and thereby a median PFS of 12.4 mos or more was confirmed. The incidence of typical Grade 3/4 adverse events were febrile neutropenia (31.1%), neutropenia (24.2%), leukopenia (10.6%), and diarrhea (4.5%), and these findings are consistent with the CLEOPATRA study except for febrile neutropenia. Febrile neutropenia lead to only one case of treatment discontinuation and it was manageable. Conclusions The efficacy and safety of P+T+D in Japanese pts were consistent with those of the CLEOPATRA study and we confirmed this treatment as a standard care at 1st line therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Legal entity responsible for the study Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Funding Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Disclosure N. Masuda: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli-Lilly; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Kyowa-Kirin; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Officer / Board of Directors: Japan Breast Cancer Research Group Association. S. Ohtani: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eisai; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca. S. Nagai: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli-Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Y. Komoike: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli-Lilly; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Takeda; Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, the publisher, for writing atricle: Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. Y. Ito: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self): Taiho; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli-Lilly; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Covance; Research grant / Funding (institution): IQVIA; Research grant / Funding (institution): MSD; Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (institution): A2healthcare; Research grant / Funding (institution): Parexel; Research grant / Funding (institution): Kyowa-Kirin. M. Ikeda: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eisai; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Daiichi Sankyo; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Kyowa-Kirin; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Ono; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Mundipharma; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Taiho; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bayer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Nippon Kayaku; Research grant / Funding (institution): Hisamitsu; Officer / Board of Directors, engaged in the project of medical practice guidline: Japanese Breast cancer society; Officer / Board of Directors, the leader of clinical trial comittee: Setouchi Breast Project Comprehensive Support Organization. K. Ishida: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eisai; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Nippon Kayaku. T. Nakayama: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli-Lilly; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis. T. Takashima: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Officer / Board of Directors: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Officer / Board of Directors: AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eisai; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Kyowa-Kirin; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli-Lilly. T. Asakawa: Full / Part-time employment: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. S. Matsumoto: Full / Part-time employment: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. D. Shimizu: Full / Part-time employment: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. M. Takahashi: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli-Lilly; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Kyowa-Kirin; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Allergan; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Nihon Medi-Physics; Honoraria (self), for wrtitin article: The Asahi Shimbun Company. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Marine animals, and sea urchin species in particular, have several advantages for use in environmental research. However, the spawned eggs of the sea urchin quickly lose fertility, although the fertile period can be lengthened by the addition of antibiotics to the sea water (Epel et al., 2004). We evaluated five species of Japanese sea urchin and the gametes of Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus could be maintained for 2 weeks or more at low temperature with the addition of antibiotics to sea water. We also demonstrated the practicality of shipping these preserved gametes as experimental material for universities and schools to use immediately for bioassays of physical and chemical impacts on the marine environment.

Background The standard of care for LA-NSCLC is a definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). In addition, durvalumab shows significant survival benefit as a consolidation therapy. However, the role of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in this setting has not been established, despite their efficacy in metastatic disease. The aim of this prospective phase II trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of induction gefitinib followed by CRT in EGFR-mutant LA-NSCLC. Methods Patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC harboring activating EGFR mutations received induction gefitinib monotherapy (250 mg/body) for 8 weeks. Patients whose disease had not progressed during induction therapy received cisplatin (40 mg/m2) and docetaxel (40 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, 29, and 36, and concurrent radiotherapy with a total dose of 60 Gy. The primary endpoint was 2-year overall survival (OS) rate. We assumed an expected 2-year OS rate of 85%; a rate of 60% was the threshold of the lower limit. Results Between 2011 and 2017, 20 patients (median age, 65.5 years; male/ female, 9/11; histology, all adenocarcinoma; stage IIIA/IIIB, 9/11; exon 19 / 21 mutations, 10/10) were enrolled. The overall response rate was 75.0% in the induction phase and 85.0% in the entire phase. The 1 and 2-year progression-free survival rates were 58.1% and 36.9%, respectively. The 2-year OS rate was 90% (95% confidence interval, 65.6-97.4), indicating this trial met the primary objective. Grade (Gr) 3 or worse adverse events (>10%) in the induction phase included transient AST elevation (25%) and ALT elevation (45%), and those in the CRT phase included neutropenia (64.7%) and febrile neutropenia (10.8%). In the 6-month follow-up period after completion of CRT, Gr > 2 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 11.8% of patients. The completion rate of the protocol therapy was 80%. No treatment-related death was observed. Conclusions This is the first prospective study to show favorable efficacy and tolerable safety of induction EGFR-TKIs in addition to standard CRT in EGFR-mutant LA-NSCLC. Further confirmatory research is warranted. Clinical trial identification UMIN000005086: 15/Feb/2011 jRCTs071180036: March/2019. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding LOGIK (Lung Oncology Group In Kyushu, Japan). Disclosure S. Saeki: Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Honoraria (institution): ONO; Research grant / Funding (institution): MSD; Research grant / Funding (institution): Takeda. K. Hotta: Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Nippon Kayaku. M. Yamaguchi: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self): Daiichi Sankyo; Honoraria (self): Eli Lilly; Honoraria (self): Taiho. D. Harada: Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Chugai; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: MSD; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Kyowa Hakko; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: ONO; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Eli Lilly; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: TAIHO; Honoraria (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Boehringer Ingelheim; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self), Research grant / Funding (institution), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Novartis; Research grant / Funding (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Kissei ; Research grant / Funding (self), Relevant financial activities OUTSIDE the submitted work.: Takeda. A. Bessho: Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca. K. Tanaka: Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Chugai; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): Taiho; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): Pfizer; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): MSD; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): Eli Lilly; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): Novartis; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): Kyowa-Kirin; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution): AbbVie; Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): ONO; Honoraria (institution): Daichi-Sankyo; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Boehringer Ingelheim. K. Inoue: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca. E. Ichihara: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eli Lilly. T. Sasaki: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca. Y. Shioyama: Full / Part-time employment: FUJIFILM Corporation/FUJIFILM Medical Co., Ltd. K. Katsui: Full / Part-time employment: Tsuyama Chuo Hospital. J. Sasaki: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): Chugai; Honoraria (self): MSD; Honoraria (self): Daiichi Sankyo; Honoraria (self): Shionogi; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): Taiho; Honoraria (self): Kyowa Kirin; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): ONO; Honoraria (self): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Research grant / Funding (self): Yakult. K. Kiura: Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self): Eli Lilly; Honoraria (self): Novartis; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): Taiho; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): Chugai; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): ONO; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self): MSD; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (self): Boehringer Ingelheim; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (self): Kyorin; Research grant / Funding (self): Nippon Kayaku. K. Sugio: Research grant / Funding (institution): MSD. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

We have carried out 55Mn and 145Nd NMR measurements on re-entrant ferromagnets La1−xNdxMn2Si2 (x = 0.35, 0.4). From the bulk magnetization measurements, the compound with x = 0.35 shows ferromagnetic properties in the temperature range from T C inter = 305 to T N inter = 165 K , and antiferromagnetic properties down to ∼65 K. Then the compound orders ferromagnetically below T C Nd = 65 K . A similar temperature dependence of magnetization is observed for x = 0.4. The 55Mn NMR frequencies of both compounds fall into range 160–163 MHz at 1.4 K and are about 166 MHz at 77 K without external magnetic field. The temperature dependence of resonance frequency has been measured for x = 0.35 in the temperature from 1.4 K up to 88 K. The frequency of 55Mn is almost independent of temperature in the ferromagnetic state within experimental error, and increases abruptly around 65 K corresponding to the transition between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic states. The Mn magnetic moment at 1.4 K is estimated to be 2.3μB in comparison with the results of neutron diffraction measurements. Zero-field 145Nd NMR have been observed at 415 MHz at 1.4 K for both compounds. Nd magnetic moments in La1−xNdxMn2Si2 (x = 0.35, 0.4) are estimated to be 2.3μB from hyperfine field analysis.

Uniform InAs quantum dots (QDs) have been realized on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy, which can increase maximum optical gain in laser diodes without sacrificing original high-density and high optical quality characteristics. This improvement enables laser operation under higher environment temperature. In order to improve QD uniformity, we searched for a proper growth condition and sequence for suppressing In out-diffusion during QD coverage. Although the same initial InAs QD structure on GaAs was used, PL linewidth was reduced after coverage under such improved conditions. In QD lasers, higher optical gain as large as 54 cm −1 at room temperature which is about 10 cm −1 larger than our previous data was realized. Those improved QDs are attractive for realizing novel optical devices.

A method is developed to numerically simulate coupled solidification and deformation of dendrites. Dendritic solidification is modeled using the phase-field method. The elasto-viscoplastic deformation of the growing solid is computed using the material point method. The stress analysis assumes a sharp and stress free solid–liquid interface, with the zero contour line of the phase field used to identify the interface. The deformation-induced flow in the liquid is approximated through a zero-gradient extension of the deformation velocities in the solid. Changes in the crystallographic orientation angle and advection of the phase and temperature fields due to solid deformation are all accounted for. Numerous tests are performed to validate the various numerical procedures. The full model is then applied to simulate in two dimensions the compression of a single dendrite of a pure substance growing in an undercooled melt. The development of complex stress and strain distributions is observed. The deformations result in variations in the crystallographic orientation angle within the dendrite that, in turn, affect the subsequent solidification behavior. The modeling of the deformation of polycrystalline solidifying structures, including the formation of grain boundaries, is described in a companion paper.

Deformation of the semi-solid mush during solidification is a common phenomenon in metal casting. At relatively high fractions of solid, grain boundaries play a key role in determining the mechanical behavior of solidifying structures, but little is known about the interplay between solidification and deformation. In the present study, a polycrystalline phase-field model is combined with a material point method stress analysis to numerically simulate the coupled solidification and elasto-viscoplastic deformation behavior of a pure substance in two dimensions. It is shown that shearing of a semi-solid structure occurs primarily in relatively narrow bands near or inside the grain boundaries or in the thin junctions between different dendrite arms. The deformations can cause the formation of low-angle tilt grain boundaries inside individual dendrite arms. In addition, grain boundaries form when different arms of a deformed single dendrite impinge. During compression of a high-solid fraction dendritic structure, the deformations are limited to a relatively thin layer along the compressing boundary. The compression causes consolidation of this layer into a fully solid structure that consists of numerous sub-grains. It is recommended that an improved model be developed for the variation of the mechanical properties inside grain boundaries.

We measured the photoluminescence (PL) of a GaAs quantum well (QW) with a lateral potential modulation by the front-gate bias while changing both the electron density and electric field at low temperature. Near the onset of the two-dimensional electron gas, we observed an anomalous enhancement of PL intensity of the neutral exciton X 0 accompanied by a decrease in the intensity of the charged exciton X - . The sample was a 20-nm GaAs back-gate undoped QW with semi-transparent square-mesh surface gates. By comparing the results with those for a flat transparent surface gate sample we discuss the origin of this anomalous phenomenon. We present a possible explanation for this phenomenon, which is attributed to lateral drift motion of the X 0 in a laterally modulated exciton potential.

The amount of residual H in the GaAsN film grown by chemical beam epitaxy (CBE) can be decreased by flow rate modulation growth. Many H atoms in the films grown by CBE exist as N–H or N–H 2 structures. Although a higher growth temperature was required for decreasing the H concentration ([H]), it caused a decrease in the N concentration ([N]). A reduction in [H] while keeping [N] constant was necessary. By providing an intermittent supply of Ga source while continuously supplying As and N sources, [H] effectively decreased in comparison with the [H] value in the film grown at the same temperature by conventional CBE without reducing [N].

CdS thin films grown on ITO/glass substrates by using chemical bath (CB) were boron-implanted employing 100 keV beam of boron ions (B + ) with fluences in the range 1.0×10 15 –1.0×10 16 ions/cm 2 . The B doping was successfully carried out, as was proved by the major carrier density introduced in the range 0.8×10 18 –5.4×10 18 cm −3 , which was calculated from thermo power measurements. Raman spectroscopy results support the assumption that triply ionized boron (B 3+ ) enters into the CdS lattice occupying Cd 2+ sites, which create shallow donor levels in the forbidden energy band gap.

Using the Okubo effective theory a realistic nucleon-nucleon potential is transformed into low-momentum effective one (LMNN). The feature of the LMNN potential is examined by calculating the triton binding energy, in order to see the dependence of the cutoff parameter Λ. Furthermore, the LMNN is expanded in a separable form. We compare the universal separable expansion method with a simple Legendre expansion. Through the calculation of the triton binding energies, the separability for the convergence of these ranks is evaluated. It is found that there is a tendency for the lower Λ of LMNN to gain better separability.

We approach the helium isotopes 6 He, 8 He, and 10 He by using the three-cluster model (core + 2 n ) from the viewpoint that these nuclei make a Borromean-nuclei series. In this report, we check our calculation code on 6 He (or 6 Li) and we study 8 He and 10 He with core excitation. To determine the parameters of potentials between core and n , we make use of the experimental data of the ground and the first excited states of 7 He and 9 He. We check the possible combinations of total J π 's of the ground and the first excited states of 7 He and 9 He for reproducing the ground state of 8 He, and 10 He. The state probabilities for 8 He are reported within our model.

Crystal quality of GaAsN films can be improved by using CBE for low-temperature growth. However, low-temperature growth increases C incorporation in the films, which degrades their electrical properties. Consequently, C incorporation was investigated in view of the surface reaction of N sources on a substrate surface, and MMHy and DMHy were compared. When MMHy was used as an N source, C concentration in GaAsN drastically increases below 380 °C than that in GaAs due to insufficient CHx desorption. In the case of DMHy, N(CH3)2 is desorbed more readily than CHx, therefore, the C concentration can then be reduced using DMHy.

We report measurements of the cross section and a complete set of polarization observables for the Si 28 ( p → , n → ) P 28 ( 6 − ) reaction at a bombarding energy of 198 MeV. The data are compared with distorted wave impulse approximation calculations employing response functions normalized to inelastic electron scattering. The spin-longitudinal polarized cross section I D q is slightly over-predicted by the calculations, while the normal spin-transverse polarized cross section I D n is significantly under-predicted. The calculated in-plane spin-transverse I D p and spin-scalar I D 0 polarized cross sections agree well with the experimental data. These results are consistent with those for Si 28 ( p → , p → ′ ) Si 28 ( 6 − , T = 1 ) scattering at the same energy, and thus it is concluded that isospin-mixing effects are not responsible for the discrepancy between theory and experiment in the ( p → , p → ′ ) case. Energy half-off-shell effects as medium effects on the effective nucleon–nucleon interaction are also investigated and found to be too small to be responsible for the discrepancy.

The electron–hole states in the fractional quantum Hall regime is investigated with a back-gated undoped quantum well by photoluminesccence in magnetic fields. The evolution of the photoluminescence spectra is discussed depending on the electron density. We find anomalies of the photoluminescence at the integer as well as the fractional filling factors.

The electric field dependence of the electron/hole wave function and the radiation energy of an exciton in a Be-δ-doped 80 nm quantum well (QW) is studied experimentally and compared it with variational calculation. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra show Stark shifts depending on the gate electric field and PL intensity of the exciton of the first excited state has a dip in the electric-field dependence which reflects the node of the electron wave function.

Ag and Ag-Ni films (Ni: 0.6, 2.0 and 4.8at.%) with a thickness of 95nm were deposited on SiO"2/Si substrates and the thermal stability of the films was evaluated. The films were annealed at temperatures from 400 to 700^oC for 1h in vacuum. The as-deposited Ag and Ag-Ni films had a smooth surface. The Ag-Ni films had an electrical resistivity higher than that of the Ag film because of the impurity scattering effect. However, the resistivity of Ag-Ni films decreased until 600^oC by annealing. As the morphological change after annealing, void formation was observed for the Ag film at 500^oC. Then after the annealing at 600^oC, agglomeration with a partly uncovered substrate was clearly observed for the Ag film. On the other hand, void formation was also observed for the Ag-Ni films at 600^oC. Further annealing at 650^oC caused agglomeration of the Ag-Ni films with an increase in their resistivity. Due to the insolubility of Ni into Ag, small islands of Ni appeared at this temperature. Consequently, Ag-Ni films are useful for suppressing agglomeration up to the annealing temperature of 600^oC. The resistivity of the Ag-Ni (0.6at.%) film was 2.1-2.4@m@Wcm after annealing from 400 to 550^oC comparable with that of the Ag film (1.9-2.2@m@Wcm) and it remained low, though that of the pure Ag film increased significantly at 600^oC.

Sn-infused MCM-41 was prepared using a pre-mixing method and two different vapor phase methods. The sample prepared by the pre-mixing method showed lower hydrothermal stability than pure silica MCM-41. MCM-41 prepared by vapor phase treatment with SnCl4 before calcination showed higher structural stability in water and hexane at 423 K than the sample treated with SnCl4 vapor after calcination. The pore size and pore volume of MCM-41 treated with SnCl4 vapor before calcination were larger than those of pure silica MCM-41. With SnCl4 vapor treatment after calcination, the SnCl4 vapor must have reacted with silanol groups around the pore entrance and partly plugged the pore mouth of MCM-41. On the other hand, SnCl4 also penetrated into the pore wall and uniformly dispersed into the silicate network. Thus, SnCl4 vapor treatment before calcination was more effective in enhancing the structural stability in water and hexane.

We measured the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of a two-dimensional electron system induced in a Be-δ-doped GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well (QW) with a back gate. The electron density is controlled by means of the back-gate voltage. We estimated the electron density using the magneto-optical method and the PL linewidth, and also by undertaking transport measurements. We show that a uniform 2DES as large as 1 mm 2 is induced by the back-gate operation from 2.5 × 10 10 cm −2 . This experiment indicates that optical measurement with a back-gated QW is advantageous for studying the low-density 2DES.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with cholestasis and hepatic steatosis, which can be lethal in infants who cannot be fed orally. The present animal study focused on the metabolic complications in the liver that may occur due to the excessive administration of fat-free TPN. Thirty infant (3-week-old) male SD rats weighing 60-70 g were randomly allocated to five groups (n = 6): the OD group received an oral diet, the FT group received an oral diet and was fasted overnight on the last day of experiment before sacrifice, the 0% fat group received TPN without fat, the 20% fat group received TPN with 20% of calories from fat emulsion, and the 40% fat group received TPN with 40% of calories from fat emulsion. All TPN regimens were isocaloric, isonitrogenic, and administered for 4 days. In the 0% fat group, plasma levels of liver enzymes were significantly higher than in the other groups. Pathological examination showed hepatomegaly and severe fatty changes without cholestasis in the 0% fat group. The results of this study in infant rats indicate the importance of including fat in the TPN regimen in order to prevent the abnormal hepatic changes associated with the excessive administration of fat-free TPN.

A numerical model to calculate current density distribution in a parallel conductor assembled by multiple high temperature superconducting tapes was proposed. The numerical calculations on the current distribution in the parallel conductor of three high-temperature superconducting tapes were performed by using the developed model. The numerical results showed that the current density distribution in the parallel conductor were affected by the tape arrangement in the conductor.

A GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well (QW) was grown on a stripe-patterned (0 0 1) GaAs substrate with conventional molecular beam epitaxy. A mesa structure was formed with (0 0 1) facet on the top and (1 1 1) facet on the sides. It was found that the thickness of the QW layer on the (0 0 1) facet is controlled by the inter-surface diffusion of Ga adatoms from the (1 1 1) side facets. The behavior was investigated as a function of V/III ratio and the growth temperature.

Ultrasonic inactivation of Escherichia coli XL1-Blue has been investigated by high-intensity ultrasonic waves from horn type sonicator (27.5 kHz) utilizing the "squeeze-film effect". The amplitude of the vibration face contacting the sample solution was used as an indication of the ultrasonic power intensity. The inactivation of the E. coli cells by ultrasonic irradiation shows pseudo first-order behavior. The inactivation rate constant gradually increased with increasing amplitude of the vibration face and showed rapid increase above 3 microm (p-p). In contrast, the H2O2 formation was not observed below 3 microm (p-p), indicating that the ultrasonic shock wave might be more important than indirect effect of OH radicals formed by ultrasonic cavitation in this system. The optimal thickness of the squeeze film was determined as 2 mm for the E. coli inactivation. More than 99% of E. coli cells was inactivated within 180-s sonication at the amplitude of 3 microm (p-p) and 2 mm of the thickness of the squeeze film.

Oxide catalyst materials for methane oxidation were examined in order to develop the anode electrode for molten carbonate type fuel cell (MCFC). As a primary selection, oxides such as lanthanum (La 2 O 3 ) and samarium (Sm 2 O 3 ) were selected from screening experiments of TPD, TG and tubular reactor. Composite materials of these oxides with titanium fine powder were assembled into a cell unit for MCFC as the anode electrode. Steady-state activities were observed with these anode electrode materials when hydrogen was used as a fuel. When methane was directly charged to anode as a fuel (dry methane operation), a power generation with steady state was observed on both lanthanum and samarium composites after gradual decrease of open circuit electromotive force (OCV) and closed circuit current (CCI). The steady-state activity held as long as 144 h of continuous operation.

An open gradient magnetic separator using solenoid magnet was proposed. Simulation study was performed to investigate the basic separation characteristics of our separation method by analyzing the dynamic motion of magnetic particles. The simulation results show that the separation of ferromagnetic particles of several tens micrometer diameter is enough feasible. Separation experiment using a high-temperature superconducting magnet was performed to verify the validity of our method.

Numerical study to evaluate the validity of the measurement method of AC loss in high temperature superconducting tapes in external AC magnetic field carrying AC transport current was done. The AC transport current loss and the magnetization loss in a conventional Bi2223/Ag-sheathed multifilamentary tape in the external AC magnetic field carrying the AC transport current were measured by the four terminal method and the pick-up coil method respectively. Numerical calculations on the AC losses in the tape were performed by using our previously developed analytical model. The measured losses were compared with the analytical results and the errors of the AC loss measurement were evaluated.

Diffusion of 59 Fe in single crystalline γ-TiAl intermetallic compound has been investigated by the ion-beam sputter-sectioning technique in the temperature range from 1123 to 1303 K. The diffusion coefficients measured in the directions parallel ( D 33 ) and perpendicular ( D 11 ) to the [001] axis exhibit significant anisotropy; the diffusion of 59 Fe parallel to the [001] direction is faster than that perpendicular to the [001] direction. The activation energy for diffusion of 59 Fe parallel to the [001] direction is smaller than that perpendicular to that direction. The anisotropy of 59 Fe diffusion was opposite to that of 44 Ti self-diffusion. It is suggested that this anisotropy is related to site occupation of Fe in TiAl and the jumps of atoms through vacancy jumps.

The evolution of two-dimensional Gaussian wave packets in mesoscopic dots was analyzed by solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation numerically. It was found that the motion of the probability density peaks relates to the classical orbits of billiards. The effect of the dot shape (circle, ellipse or stadium) on the time evolution of the wave packet is discussed in terms of the symmetry of the eigenfunctions.

Santa Monica Bay is an open coastal embayment located directly seaward of Los Angeles, California. The Bay provides vital economic value through its water-dependent activities, such as swimming, diving, boating, and fishing. An increase from 100,000 residents in 1900 to 10 million in 2000 has imposed numerous environmental stressors on the Bay, including urbanization of the watershed. Pollutant discharges into the Bay increased throughout the early part of the century, but declined following passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972. Since that time, the predominant source of pollutant inputs has changed from point sources to non-point urban runoff. To assess how present-day and historical pollution interact to affect the environmental quality of Santa Monica Bay, three organizations collaborated on a multi-disciplinary study in 1997, towards which this volume is focused. This paper details the temporal patterns of anthropogenic influence on Santa Monica Bay to provide context for the papers that follow.

Squared matrix elements for the correlation between the nucleon-pole and pion-loop amplitudes are calculated in order to investigate an observed cusp-like structure in proton-proton bremsstrahlung at the threshold region of the pion production. The results so far including only one-pion-exchange mechanism between two protons shows little evidence for such a cusp-like structure at the pion threshold.

In order to separate U(VI) ions and lanthanide ions from acidic media, N , N , N′ , N′ -tetramethylmalonamide, (TMMA), chelating resin was synthesized by chemically bonding the functional group to the main chain of chloromethylstyrene–divinylbenzene copolymer. Characterization of the resin in terms of IR, solid-NMR, porosity and elemental analysis suggested that TMMA was uniformly linked to the polymer particles following the expected synthetic scheme and that the introduction ratio was ca. 75%. The uptake behavior of Ce(III) ions and of U(VI) ions from different acidic media were investigated using the batch technique. The kinetic and equilibrium studies showed that the obtained resin is promising for the proposed separation.

Summary Background No study targeting the impact of silicone breast implants on body composition measured by bioimpedance analysis was identified. Objective Aiming to clarify this question a prospective clinical study was designed. Methods Adult candidates were submitted to conventional analysis at baseline and two months after the surgical intervention. In addition, unwrapped prostheses were positioned in the axillary cavity before operation and bioimpedance was measured, both with and without application of ultrasound gel for improved conductivity (sham implantation). Results Patients ( N = 20) were young and healthy (26.8 ± 3.6 years old, BMI 22.1 ± 3.7 kg/m 2 ). In comparison with preoperative results, sham procedures pointed out increased body fat and body resistance (13.2 ± 5.6 vs 13.6 ± 5.4 kg, P = 0.017 and 523 ± 54 vs 569 ± 53 Ω, P = 0.003, respectively). Two-month follow-up confirmed the same pattern after surgical intervention, with minor discrepancies (13.2 ± 5.6 vs 13.8 ± 5.7 kg, P = 0.011 and 523 ± 54 vs 549 ± 62 Ω, P = 0.032, respectively). BMI remained stable and did not correlate with bioimpedance changes. Conclusions Silicone was recognized as adipose tissue. Difference in total body fat (approximately 600 g) was consistent with used amount.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements have been performed to investigate the effect of annealing on paramagnetic defect center in P+-implanted C60 films, in order to control and improve the electronic properties of the implanted films towards photovoltaic applications. We have found a reduction in the dangling bond density upon annealing by approximately a one order of magnitude, in the temperature range between 100°C and 700°C, regardless of the annealing media whether vacuum or forming gas (N2/H2). The reduction in spin defect density was ascribed to the decrease in disordered dangling bond as a consequence of the reconstruction of the less stable defect sites. Indeed the modification in the spin density is accompanied with an improvement in the electrical conductivity and band structure of the films. Also, in the annealed carbon films, a correlation was observed among linewidth, relaxation times, and optical gap. In addition, we report about the temperature dependence of the linewidth, signal intensity and the susceptibility of annealed films. The susceptibility follows the Curie-law at sufficiently low temperature, while above 180 K a deviation was observed. The prime novelty of this study is that it is the first EPR study of effects of annealing on defect center in P+- implanted C60 films.

We studied the technical design targets of high temperature superconducting (HTS) large capacity transformers through the design of 3-phase 66 kV–100 MVA transformers, expecting further performance progress of HTS tapes. It is required for large capacity transformers installed in a power system to have enough percent impedance %IX in order to limit a fault current in the power system at the time of a short circuit accident. It is not easy at the present technical level for HTS transformers wound with Bi-2223/Ag tapes to secure enough percent impedance due to low air gap fields. The design targets are a percent impedance of 7.5%, an air gap flux density of 0.3 T, tape current density of about 40 A/mm 2 , winding strain of about 0.5% and AC losses of about 0.3 W/km A.

The current–voltage characteristics of Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 tape for high-temperature superconducting coils are measured as a function of the magnetic field and its flux angle to the tape at liquid nitrogen temperature. The approximate characteristic equations on critical currents and n values are obtained from this result. Then, the electric field distribution inside the coil can be calculated with the approximate characteristic equations. The current–voltage characteristics of high-temperature superconducting coil are analyzed and compared with the test result of conduction-cooled coil, producing relatively good agreements. The coil performances can be made clearer with the assistance of characteristic equations at the coil design stage and, further, the optimum coil design will be made possible.

The inter- and intra-subband relaxation processes of electrons in a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum disk are investigated via femtosecond reflectance change. It is found that the time constants for quantum disks depend on the shape and size of the disk. A possible origin of the modification of the scattering cross-section in a disk of mesoscopic size is discussed.

The generation of lattice defects and their effects on hydrogen sorption properties described in terms of pressure–composition ( P–C ) isotherms have been investigated as a function of the number of hydrogen sorption cycles for LaNi 5 and FeTi. For LaNi 5 , while the desorption pressure does not significantly depend on the number of cycles, the absorption pressure drastically decreases between the first and second cycles. Numerous dislocations of edge character with Burgers vectors of the 1/3〈1 2 10〉-type as well as numerous cracks are introduced during the first absorption cycle. The introduction of numerous lattice defects such as a -type edge dislocations and the formation of severe cracks seems to be completed during the first cycle, resulting in the reproducible P–C characteristics for the subsequent cycles. In contrast, FeTi exhibits ever-changing P–C characteristics with cycle number. The introduction of dislocations and cracks occurs during each of the absorption cycles. However, the extent to which this occurs is considerably smaller in each absorption cycle of FeTi than in the first absorption cycle of LaNi 5 . The difference in material response to hydrogenation seems to be closely related to the difference in ductility of these two intermetallics.