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The possibility of removal and controlling crystal formation from weathered biotite (WB) in clay minerals were investigated using molten salt electrochemistry (EC) in molten NaCl-CaCl2 under an electrochemical reductive reaction. Cyclic Voltammogram (CV) measurements were performed in the range of +0.5 V to −2.2 V. Several peaks were confirmed in the CV spectra. The peak at −1.4 V represents a reduction reaction of Fe in WB, so we conducted an experiment at −1.4 V for 2 h to reduce Iron (Fe). The Cs removal rate after EC treatment was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis, and almost 100% Cs removal was confirmed. To understand the effect of the reductive reaction, we performed X-ray Adsorption Fine Structure (XAFS) analysis. Before EC treatment, the Fe in WB was present as a mixture of Fe3+ and Fe2+. After EC treatment, the presence of Fe2+ was confirmed by XAFS analysis. Based on this finding, EC treatment is effective for reducing Fe in WB. This result indicated that Fe2O3 formation was suppressed, and the reduction reaction was effective for controlling crystal formation.

Recent geochemical data suggest the occurrence of an O2 overshoot during the mid-Paleoproterozoic (~2.3–2.0 Ga). This O2 overshoot appears to be consistent with carbon isotope records that suggest high burial rates of organic carbon during that period, the so-called Lomagundi Event. However, little is known about the changes in the ocean redox conditions associated with the O2 overshoot. To better understand the mid-Paleoproterozoic ocean chemistry, we investigated the microstructures, major and trace element concentrations, Re-Os and Mo (δ98/95Mo) isotopes, and total organic carbon contents of Mn-ore and phyllite samples from the Nsuta Mn deposit in the Birimian Supergroup of Ghana which were deposited during the O2 overshoot (at ~2.2 Ga). The Mn-ore samples contain early diagenetic rhodochrosite (Mn carbonate). The trace element compositions and Re-Os isotopes of the Mn-ore samples suggest that the rhodochrosite originated from primary manganese oxides (MnO2) deposited at ~2.2-Ga. The δ98/95Mo values of the least-altered Mn-ore samples range between −1.10‰ and −0.55‰ (relative to NIST3134), suggesting seawater δ98/95Mo values of 1.85 ± 0.18‰ (1SD) during the O2 overshoot. Such high seawater δ98/95Mo values can be best explained by enhanced removal of isotopically light Mo through adsorption onto Mn oxides. To form extensive Mn-oxide deposits, bottom seawater with O2 concentrations of > 10 μM would have expanded at ~2.2 Ga. The oxidizing conditions might have supported the emergence of stem group eukaryotes during the mid-Paleoproterozoic.

Synthetic saponite containing a photosensitizing metal complex was complexed with colloidal anatase and used for the visible light photocatalytic reaction of aqueous benzene to phenol. The addition of phenol to the initial aqueous benzene solution was effective in improving the reaction yield and the product selectivity.

Magneto-optical (MO) effects enable non-reciprocal optical components like optical circulators and isolators as well as a magneto-optical spatial light modulator with switching speeds superior to a digital micromirror and a liquid crystal device. To develop a magneto-optical device with high performance, it is desirable to use materials with large rotation angles and small extinction coefficients. In other approaches introduction of nanostructures, magnetophotonic crystals [1] and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) [2] has been shown to provide enhancement of the Faraday effect for distinct wavelengths. This work shows how rectangular arrays of gold (Au) particles embedded into thin films of bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet (Bi:YIG) offer different phenomena in comparison with the square arrays previously studied [3] [4] [5]. This enhancement of Faraday rotation was first observed in samples fabricated and characterized experimentally [6].

Low temperature magnetic properties were investigated on the gold nano particles (GNP) with an average size of 11.5 nm, assembled with molecules of ruthenium complex (Ru0) and phenylboronic acid (B0) by the proton nuclear resonance (1H-NMR) and susceptibility measurements. The temperature dependence of the NMR shift and the uniform susceptibility was described as the sum of the Curie-Weiss term and a positive constant term. From the former, the average number of Ru0 on each GNP was estimated to be 118, which is 23 % of the calculation. The finite positive constant term shows a clear contrast with the well-known fact that the bulk gold is diamagnetic. Finally, a disappearance of the motional narrowing effect in the proton NMR spectra below 60 K indicates that the wavering motion of Ru0 complexes on GNP at room temperature is frozen at low temperatures., Comment: ieee transactions on magnetics, in press

The Telescope Array observatory utilizes fluorescence detectors and surface detectors to observe air showers produced by ultra high energy cosmic rays in the Earth's atmosphere. Cosmic ray events observed in this way are termed hybrid data. The depth of air shower maximum is related to the mass of the primary particle that generates the shower. This paper reports on shower maxima data collected over 8.5 years using the Black Rock Mesa and Long Ridge fluorescence detectors in conjunction with the array of surface detectors. We compare the means and standard deviations of the observed $X_{\mathrm{max}}$ distributions with Monte Carlo $X_{\mathrm{max}}$ distributions of unmixed protons, helium, nitrogen, and iron, all generated using the QGSJet~II-04 hadronic model. We also perform an unbinned maximum likelihood test of the observed data, which is subjected to variable systematic shifting of the data $X_{\mathrm{max}}$ distributions to allow us to test the full distributions, and compare them to the Monte Carlo to see which elements are not compatible with the observed data. For all energy bins, QGSJet~II-04 protons are found to be compatible with Telescope Array hybrid data at the 95% confidence level after some systematic $X_{\mathrm{max}}$ shifting of the data. Three other QGSJet~II-04 elements are found to be compatible using the same test procedure in an energy range limited to the highest energies where data statistics are sparse., Comment: 39 pages, 18 figures, 5 tables, published in The Astrophysical Journal. This is a peer-reviewed, un-copyedited version of an article published in The Astrophysical Journal. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/aabad7

A high concentration of molybdenum (Mo) is a striking feature of modern marine hydrothermal manganese (Mn) crusts from both low- and high-temperature hydrothermal systems; however, the origin of that Mo is poorly constrained. In this study, we analyzed Mo isotopic composition (δ98/95Mo) in a Mn crust collected from the Ryukyu arc system, and assessed the possible use of δ98/95Mo to constrain the origin of Mo in hydrothermal Mn crusts. Along with Mo isotope analysis, we also measured the abundance of major and trace elements and the Re–Os isotopic composition. The Mn crust sample had a high Mn content (42%–47%) and was low in Fe (0.2%–0.5%). Among the manganophile elements (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo), only Mo showed high concentrations (> 550 ppm). We also found low contents of Os (~ 35 ppt) with an isotopic composition of 187Os/188Os = ~ 1.00. These results are consistent with previously reported chemical compositions of hydrothermal Mn crusts. δ98/95Mo values in the sample ranged from − 0.56‰ to − 0.66‰, which are ~ 2.7‰ lighter than the present-day seawater δ98/95Mo but similar to those in modern hydrogenous Fe–Mn crusts and Mn nodules. Although current data do not preclude the possible contribution of hydrothermally derived Mo, the light δ98/95Mo values can be explained by isotope fractionation associated with a change in coordination number during the adsorption of Mo from seawater onto Mn oxides. We suggest that the δ98/95Mo data are useful for constraining the source of Mo in hydrothermal Mn crusts.

The adsorbed film of n-tetradecylphosphocholine (C14PC) at the tetradecane (C14)/aqueous solution (W) interface was studied by interfacial tensiometry and X-ray reflection (XR). The interfacial tension γ was measured as a function of molality m C 14 PC and temperature T under atmospheric pressure. The interfacial density of C14PC Γ C 14 PC H increases with increasing m C 14 PC and converges into 3 μmol m−2 (first saturation) at m C 14 PC ≈ 0.08 mmol kg − 1 and into 4.2 μmol m−2 (second saturation) at the critical micelle concentration (CMC). The electron density profile determined by XR indicated that C14PC molecules form monolayer with relatively loose packing at the first saturation. In the second saturation, on the other hand, the molecules form bilayer in which charge separated phosphocholine groups take upside-down arrangement to interact attractively between neighbors. The positive entropy changes associated with adsorption both from monomeric and from micellar states result from that the contribution of dehydration around C14PC molecules, especially around PC groups, by the adsorption from aqueous solution overcomes that of a comparatively ordered molecular orientation at the interface. By comparing the results at the C14/W interface with those at the Air (A)/W one, it was shown that in the monolayer and bilayer states, hydrophobic chains of C14PC molecules are more ordered at the C14/W than at the A/W interface because of attractive interaction between C14PC and C14 molecules. This leads to smaller value of the partial molar entropy and energy changes associated with the adsorption at the C14/W than at the A/W interface. Furthermore the entropy of micelle formation changes from positive to negative with increasing T, suggesting that the entropy gain due to the dehydration exceeds the entropy loss by the aggregation at low temperatures, while the gain is less than the loss at high temperature.

Aims/Introduction: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play a key regulating role in homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of DSP-8658, a novel selective PPARa/γ modulator, on adipogenesis and glucose metabolism in diabetic obese mice and compared these effects to those of pioglitazone, a PPARγ full agonist. Materials and Methods: DSP-8658 functional activity was assessed by PPARγ-target genes expression in adipose 3T3-L1 cells and its anti-diabetic efficacy evaluated in db/db mice. The effects of DSP-8658 on adipogenesis were investigated diet induced obese (DIO) KK-A y mice. Results: DSP-8658 reduced the expression of PPARγ-target gene 11 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 with an EC 50 value 2.1-fold that of pioglitazone and 28.4-fold that of rosiglitazone. On the other hand, DSP-8658 increased the expression of fatty acid binding protein 4 and glycerol kinase genes with EC 50 values 33-fold and >15-fold those of pioglitazone and 163-fold and >38-fold those of rosiglitazone, respectively. In db/db mice, DSP-8658, like pioglitazone, decreased blood glucose, HbA1c, and plasma triglyceride levels and increased plasma insulin concentration and pancreatic insulin contents. In DIO KK-A y mice, DSP-8658, unlike pioglitazone, decreased subcutaneous adipose tissue weight and mean adipocyte size. However, both DSP-8658 and pioglitazone improved blood glucose and HbA1c levels with similar efficacy. Although DSP-8658 did not change the expression levels of fatty acid transport protein 1 and glycerol kinase genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue of KK-A y mice, pioglitazone increased these gene expression levels. Conclusion: Unlike PPARγ full agonists, DSP-8658 ameliorates blood glucose without increasing adipogenesis in diabetic obesity mice.

Methods to determine cyanide in beans, such as the AOAC OMA 915.03 utilise endogenous enzyme linamarase (β-glucosidase) to liberate hydrogen cyanide (HCN). However, several beans are found to contain insufficient levels of β-glucosidase activity to evaluate their levels of cyanide. This implies some beans indicate false negative using official methods. Therefore, we developed a method to analyse cyanide in beans which lack linamarase activity, and a single laboratory validation was performed. This method used 3 U of linamarase and samples were maintained at 38 °C for 24 h to hydrolyse the cyanogenic glucoside in the beans. After hydrolysis, water and antifoam were added, then, this mixture was distilled to trap cyanide in an alkaline solution. The trapped cyanide was then quantified using a 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid-pyrazolone colouring method. To validate this method, non-cyanide containing blank bean (cowpea) was spiked with potassium cyanide (KCN) from 1.0 to 500 mg/kg and linamarin from 5.0 to 25 mg/k...

Substituting effect of CF3 to the Ru-based binuclear complex [{RuIII(acac)2}2(μ-OEt)2], in which S = 1/2 spin dimer takes the singlet ground state have been investigated by means of the magnetic susceptibility χ and the longitudinal nuclear spin relaxation rate T1-1 of 1H/19F-NMR. In CF3-substituted complex [{RuIII(fhma)2}2(μ-OMe)2], we have observed the prominent magnetic response both in χ and T1−1. This behavior is attributed to the slight change in the Ru valence state due to the substitution.

BACKGROUND Whether direct-acting anti-viral therapy can reduce liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear. AIMS To evaluate changes in liver stiffness and steatosis in patients with HCV who received direct-acting anti-viral therapy and achieved sustained virological response (SVR). METHODS A total of 198 patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 2 who achieved SVR after direct-acting anti-viral therapy were analysed. Liver stiffness as evaluated by magnetic resonance elastography, steatosis as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging-determined proton density fat fraction (PDFF), insulin resistance, and laboratory data were assessed before treatment (baseline) and at 24 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR24). RESULTS Alanine aminotransferase and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance levels decreased significantly from baseline to SVR24. Conversely, platelet count, which is inversely associated with liver fibrosis, increased significantly from baseline to SVR24. In patients with high triglyceride levels (≥150 mg/dL), triglyceride levels significantly decreased from baseline to SVR24 (P = 0.004). The median (interquartile range) liver stiffness values at baseline and SVR24 were 3.10 (2.70-4.18) kPa and 2.80 (2.40-3.77) kPa respectively (P < 0.001). The PDFF values at baseline and SVR 24 were 2.4 (1.7-3.4)% and 1.9 (1.3-2.8)% respectively (P < 0.001). In addition, 68% (19/28) of patients with fatty liver at baseline (PDFF ≥5.2%; n = 28) no longer had fatty liver (PDFF

Purpose Occlusal trauma, resulting in the destruction of alveolar bone, is a form of periodontal disease caused by excessive mechanical stress (MS) during hyperocclusion. Previously, we showed that C C chemokine ligand (CCL) 2/CCR2 receptor axis plays a crucial role in MS-dependent osteoclastogenesis. However, in the previous work, we were unable to precisely measure changes in alveolar bone profiles. In the present study, we sought to establish a precise method for evaluating alveolar bone resorption induced by hyperocclusion using micro-computed tomography. Methods Under anesthesia, a stainless steel wire was attached to the molars of 5-week-old C57/BL6 wild-type (WT) mice, CCL2−/− mice, and CCR2−/−mice to induce occlusal force overload. At days 0 and 7, hard tissue samples were harvested and analyzed by micro-computed tomography. Results In the WT mice, bone mineral density of the alveolar bone was significantly decreased at day 7 as compared with day 0, with marked alveolar bone resorption observed. Similarly, significant alveolar bone resorption was observed in the CCL2−/− and CCR2−/− mice at day 7 as compared with day 0. Conclusions Micro-computed tomographic images can be used to measure changes in bone mineral density in a mouse model of hyperocclusion. This method may be useful for further investigating bone changes in other periodontal disease research fields.

The cross sections of the $^{7}\mathrm{Be}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{4}\mathrm{He}$ reaction for $p$-wave neutrons were experimentally determined at ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=0.20--0.81\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}$ slightly above the big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) energy window for the first time on the basis of the detailed balance principle by measuring the time-reverse reaction. The obtained cross sections are much larger than the cross sections for $s$-wave neutrons inferred from the recent measurement at the n_TOF facility in CERN, but significantly smaller than the theoretical estimation widely used in the BBN calculations. The present results suggest the $^{7}\mathrm{Be}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{4}\mathrm{He}$ reaction rate is not large enough to solve the cosmological lithium problem, and this conclusion agrees with the recent result from the direct measurement of the $s$-wave cross sections using a low-energy neutron beam and the evaluated nuclear data library ENDF/B-VII.1.

In the last decade, near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy have proven to be most promising tools for the detection of fungal contamination and estimation of mycotoxins in agricultural commodities, particularly of cereals. Owing to significant economic losses incurred from fungal contamination of foodstuffs, producers and processors are looking for fast, reliable, and less-expensive methods for the detection of fungal damage. In this context, NIR and MIR spectroscopy offer a fast, less-expensive, non-destructive, and relatively simple analytical method. Results from published studies indicate that NIR and MIR spectroscopy can be successfully applied to identifying fungal contamination and estimating specific mycotoxins. This review will focus on the applications of NIR and MIR spectroscopy to the classification of fungal contamination and the determination of specific mycotoxin contamination levels, and to compare this technology with traditional analytical methods.

Thermal contraction affects the final geometry of a cold forged product. Control of the thermal geometry changes of aluminum alloys is essential because aluminum alloys have higher thermal conductivity than other metals. Finite element analysis revealed that inhomogeneous temperature distributions cause local heat shrinkage, which lowers the accuracy of the final geometry. An optimal slide motion was proposed to ensure uniform temperature distribution. Simulation results indicated that oscillatory slide motion is superior at ensuring a uniform temperature distribution, and this was confirmed by experiments. Our study showed that process design with consideration for temperature distribution is advantageous.

The ground state of the frustrated equilateral triangular spin tube CsCrF4 is still hidden behind a veil though NMR spectrum broaden into 2 T at low temperature. In order to investigate the spin structure in an ordered state by 19F-NMR, we have determined the anisotropic hyperfine coupling tensors for each three fluorine sites in the paramagnetic state. The measurement field was raised up to 10 T to achieve highest resolution. The preliminary analysis using the obtained hyperfine tensors has shown that the archetypal 120°-type structure in ab-plane does not accord with the NMR spectra of ordered state.

The two-legged spin ladder Cu(CO3)0.5(ClO4)(H2O)0.5(NH3)2.5 consists of a rung formed by two Cu(II)’s and of a spacing molecule CO $_{3}^{2-}$ between each two rungs. The non-centrosymmetric shape of CO $_{3}^{2-}$ molecule brings a slight bond alternation along the leg, and hence the system can be considered as an alternating spin chain, which is confirmed so far by the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility. In order to investigate its spin state at low temperatures, we have performed experiments of 1H-NMR, magnetization and specific heat under wide range of magnetic field, and have found the critical diverging of longitudinal relaxation rate 1/T 1, the spectral broadening and the lambda-type anomaly in specific heat at T N≃ 3.4 K, indicating the existence of long range magnetic order. In paramagnetic state well above T N, 1/T 1 showed a power-law temperature dependence, suggesting the realization of Tomonaga Luttinger liquid state.

To inhibit electromagnetic interference problems in next generation wireless communications using millimeter waves, the development of millimeter wave absorbers is crucial. Herein we theoretically designed a millimeter wave absorbing sheet composed of e-GaxFe2-xO3 nanomagnets based on impedance matching calculations. From the previously reported magnetic permeability (μ) of e-GaxFe2-xO3, the artificial frequency dependences of the real (μ') and imaginary parts (μ") were constructed using the Landau-Lifshitz equation. The impedance matching calculation showed that a 217.2 μm thick metal-backed e-Ga0.537Fe1.463O3 sheet perfectly absorbs 60 GHz millimeter wave, while a 201-233 μm thick sheet can absorb 99% of the millimeter wave, i.e., a reflectance loss (RL) of -20 dB. The frequency dependence of RL indicated that the frequency range where RL exceeds -20 dB is as broad as 1 GHz (59.5-60.5 GHz). Such theoretical calculations will be useful for fabricating a 60 GHz-band millimeter wave absorber sheet from the viewpoint of industrial applications.

To propose ozone microbubbles (O3MB) as a new disinfection method for the nutrient solution used in hydroponic culture, we investigated the disinfectant effect of O3MB against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, which are a pathogenic fungus and bacterium that infect plants via the roots, and the effect of O3MB on the composition of nutrient solution and plant growth. Since O3MB dissolves more efficiently in solution than O3 millibubbles (O3MM) over a short period, it is regarded to be highly effective as a disinfectant against F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. Disinfectant effect was observed when O3MB treatment was performed once or twice a week at approximately 0.2 ppm of dissolved O3 in a nutrient solution kept at 20°C. Concentrations of Mn and Fe in the nutrient solution dropped because of O3MB treatment; however, no effect was observed on other fertilizer components. Furthermore, O3MB had no adverse effects on the growth of lettuce that was cultivated in this study. While it is necessary to devise a way to counteract the deficiency of Mn and Fe in nutrient solution depending on the cultivated plant, this study suggests that O3MB can be used as a new disinfectant technique for the nutrient solution used in hydroponic culture.

To establish a method for disinfecting hydroponic culture solutions using ozone microbubbles (OMB), we examined the disinfectant activity of OMB against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in infected plant roots. OMB had a higher solubility and remained in the water for a longer period than ozone millibubbles, resulting in extremely high disinfecting activity against both phytopathogens. Furthermore, disinfectant activity and durability of OMB-treated water against both phytopathogens increased with an increase in the initial concentration of dissolved ozone. Therefore, these results suggest that OMB may be suitable for use as a new disinfectant against phytopathogens in hydroponic culture solutions.

Single layered amorphous carbon nitride (a-CNx) films and a multilayered a-CNx film were prepared by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering of a graphite target and nitrogen gas. This paper describes the optical, electrical and opto-electrical properties of the a-CNx films. The optical band-gap of the single layered films increased with increasing nitrogen concentration, which was controlled through the deposition temperature. The photo-sensitivity values, a ratio of photo- and dark-conductivities, ranged from 2.2 to 6.0. In the multilayered film consisting of four a-CNx layers deposited at different temperatures, the photo-sensitivity of the multilayered film was over 1.2 times as compared with that of the single layered films.

article Oxidative precipitation and authigenic enrichment of the redox sensitive element Mn in sedimentary rocks can serve as a proxy for the release of high levels of O2 during the Great Oxidization Event (GOE). Here we investigate Mn abundance in sedimentary rocks of the 2.45-2.22 Ga Huronian Supergroup, Canada. We found authigenic Mn enrichments with high Mn/Fe ratios following the appearance of Fe oxides in the Firstbrook Member of the Gowganda Formation of the Huronian Supergroup, which was deposited immediately after the last Huronian glaciation. The Mn-bearing minerals in the Firstbrook Member are spessartine-rich almandine and Mn-bearing chlorite, which are likely to have been formed through post-depositional diagenesis and/or metamorphism using Mn oxides precipitated in the ocean at the time of deposition. When assuming the solution equilibrium between the atmosphere and shallow oceans, oxidative Mn precipitation requires that atmospheric O2 be higher than ~10 �2 times the present atmospheric level (PAL). The cumulative Mn amount per unit area in the Firstbrook Member is comparable in magnitude to that in the Mn deposits in the Hotazel Formation of the Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa. Our results suggest an appearance of highly active aerobic biosphere immediately after the last Huronian glaciation, supporting the hypothesis that climatic recovery from the Huronian glaciation accelerated the GOE.

Copper sputter-deposition by a newly developed technique called rotation magnetron sputtering is introduced for copper seed layer formation on printed wiring boards (PWBs) as an alternative to the electroless copper plating, which requires many complicated process steps as well as an intentional roughness-induced process to obtain practical adhesion capability between the copper and the resin. A rough copper surface degrades high-speed signal propagation due to an increase in conductive loss, and makes difficult the realization of further miniaturization of copper wirings. Thus, a very smooth surface layer of cycloolefin resin with a low dielectric constant and a low dielectric loss is introduced for realizing high-speed signal propagation, low electrical power consumption, and very high density packaging by introducing PWBs with a new structure, which are characterized by: 1) high characteristic impedance of 100 Ω instead of the current characteristic impedance of 50 Ω, which decreases the electrical power consumption down by one-half and increases the packaging density up to about four times by decreasing the copper wiring width down to one-fourth of the current characteristic impedance of 50 Ω, and 2) multi-resin step copper wiring to simultaneously establish very high density packaging by introducing 10-μm width copper wiring with 40 μm resin thickness and very high speed signal propagation with 80- and/or 120-μm resin thickness copper wiring. By introducing the plasma process steps, such as radio frequency bias Ar/H2 plasma cleaning of the resin surface as well as the exposed inner copper surface, plasma nitridation of the resin surface, deposition of copper nitride, and deposition of the copper seed layer, a copper seed layer with a very smooth surface having very strong adhesion with the resin can be obtained. This technology greatly contributes to next-generation PWBs with very high performance and very high productivity.

Citrinin (CIT) is a nephrotoxic secondary metabolite produced by several fungal species. CIT contamination has been reported in many cereals. Recently CIT contamination of red mold rice, used as an artificial colour, received attention because a CIT producing Monascus species was used in its production. Therefore, we developed a relatively simple method, immunoaffinity column clean-up followed by high performance liquid chromatographic (IAC-HPLC) detection, to determine CIT in red mold rice and several other commodities, and performed a single laboratory validation of the method. CIT was extracted by shaking for 30 min with 70% methanol, after which the extract was purified using an immunoaffinity column. The isolated CIT was quantitated by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Recoveries of CIT from red mold rice and koji-rice at levels of 50-2,500 µg/kg were 81-88%. RSDs, estimated with naturally contaminated red mold rice at 50, 200 and 400 µg/kg were 5.1%, 2.8% and 4.1%, respectively. Recoveries of CIT from cereals and mushroom samples at 50, 200 and 400 µg/kg were 60-123%, 69-88% and 73-100% with RSDs of 2.1-7.8%, 1.7-9.2% and 0.6-5.3%, respectively.

High field magnetization process has been studied in the (Y 1− x Zr x ) 2 Co 7 , (Y 1− x U x ) 2 Co 7 and Y 2 (Co 1− x Al x ) 7 systems in order to reveal the possibility of the transformation of the Co magnetic ions from the high to the low moment state. The spontaneous magnetic moment, Curie temperature and anisotropy constant have been found to decrease monotonously with increasing x in the single phase interval. The results suggest that the Co moment in present systems is unstable with respect to both electron concentration and exchange interactions. The average Co moment reduces to the value characteristic of the YCo 3 compound. However, no signatures of the formation of the low moment Co state was found in the studied Y 2 Co 7 -based systems.

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by some species of the fungi Aspergillus and Penicillium, and is often detected in apple products. In this study spores from two fungal species that produce patulin were inoculated with a needle into apples about 1 mm below the skin. After incubation the apples were examined and then divided into 9 or 36 parts for patulin analysis. Patulin was analyzed by the UV–HPLC method. Apples inoculated with Penicillium griseofulvum showed no visual signs of decay and no patulin was detected. Extensive decay was observed on those apples that had been inoculated with Penicillium expansum and more than 1000 μg kg−1 patulin was detected from the site of inoculation. Over 100 μg kg−1 of patulin were detected in parts next to the inoculation site. However, only traces of patulin were detected in those areas where there were no visible signs of decay. Removal of the decayed part of the apple can significantly reduce patulin contamination in the final product.

When making the glassy water-ionic liquid, N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl) ammonium tetrafluoroborate [DEME][BF(4)] solution, the water molecule existing as a single molecule without self-associated state is preserved even at 77 K and survives not to form the hydrogen bond network among themselves as in pure H(2)O liquid. The water molecule might loosely interact with BF(4)(-) anions. At water-rich concentration, H(2)O ice crystals and the water molecules in the ionic liquid coexist as a mixture, which may result from microheterogeneities in the solid aqueous ionic liquid solution.

Ergosterol (ERG) is a sterol produced by most fungi, but not by most plants. Thus, measurement of ERG in cereals makes it possible to determine the presence of fungi in cereals that can cause quality problems, such as mycotoxin contamination. This study developed and performed a single-laboratory validation for a method to test for ERG in various cereals. ERG was extracted by refluxing samples for 1 h with methanol-sodium hydroxide. ERG was extracted from the extract with hexane and then purified using a silica gel cartridge column. ERG was then separated and detected by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 'Within-day' recoveries of ERG at low levels were 92-99% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.2-6.5%. 'Between-day' recoveries of ERG at low levels were 97% and RSDs were 4.2-10.2%, respectively. Average recoveries of ERG over the range from 1.0 to 100.0 mg kg(-1) were 81-105% and RSDs were 3.9-16.3%.

Patulin contamination is known in various fruit products, including apple products. In this study, a solid phase extraction clean-up method was developed and validated for patulin in various fruit juices. Patulin was extracted from samples with ethyl acetate and then diluted with hexane. Patulin was isolated with a silica gel cartridge column, then analysed by reverse phase liquid chromatography with UV detection. The detection and quantitation limits were 0.06 and 0.15 ng, respectively. Recoveries within a day, and between days, were determined. Within day recoveries of patulin (n=6) at 5.0 and 50.0 µg/kg were 96-105% and 89-95%, respectively, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 2.4-6.9 and 0.7-1.7%, respectively. Between day recoveries at 5.0 and 50.0 µg/kg were 96-108% and 92-94%, respectively, with RSDs of 7.1-12.1 and 2.3-4.1%, respectively. Average recoveries of patulin in the range from 2.0 to 80.0 µg/kg were 114 to 93%.

Objectives It is known that excessive mechanical force exerted by hyperocclusion induces occlusal trauma. However, the mechanism of the process remains unclear. In the present study, we employed an in vivo hyperocclusion rodent model to examine morphological and biological mechanisms of occlusal trauma in periodontal ligament tissue. Design To investigate alveolar bone resorption, tooth sections were stained to detect osteoclasts. To investigate the relationship between hyperocclusion and the regeneration of the cell matrix, we examined the effect of hyperocclusal force on the expression of collagens using immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR methods. Results The arrangement of collagen fibers in the furcation area of the teeth was undisturbed before hyperocclusion (control). Type I collagen was localized in the extracellular area at the furcation and there was faint expression and localization of type XII collagen in the periodontal ligament. The number of osteoclasts significantly increased in the furcation and lingual cervical regions on day 4 after hyperocclusion was induced. Type XII collagens were gradually up-regulated following the induction of hyperocclusion, in a time-dependent manner. Although type I collagen mRNA expression was stable before and after hyperocclusion, type XII collagen mRNA was significantly up-regulated on day 2 and day 4 after hyperocclusion treatment. Conclusions Our findings indicate that hyperocclusal force predominantly up-regulates the expression of type XII collagen in periodontal tissue, but not type I collagen, suggesting that there is a mechanism for regeneration of periodontal tissues as a response to occlusal trauma.

Quantum dots (QDs) have been applied to a wide range of biological studies by taking advantage of their fluorescence properties. There is almost no method to trace small molecules including medicine. Here, we used QDs for fluorescent tracers for medicine and analyzed their kinetics and dynamics. We conjugated QDs with captopril, anti-hypertensive medicine, by an exchange reaction while retaining the medicinal properties. We investigated the medicinal effect of QD-conjugated captopril (QD-cap) in vitro and in vivo. We also evaluated the concentration and the distribution of the QD-cap in the blood and the organs with their fluorescence. We demonstrate that the QD-cap inhibits the activity of ACE in vitro. The QD-cap reduced the blood pressure of hypertensive model rats. The concentration of the QD-cap in the blood was measured by using the standard curve of the fluorescence intensity. The blood concentration of the QD-cap decrease exponentially and QD-cap has approximately the same half-life as that of captopril. In addition, the fluorescence of the QDs revealed that QD-cap accumulates in the liver, lungs, and spleen. We succeeded in analyzing the dynamics and kinetics of small molecules using fluorescence of QDs

(CH3)2CHNH3CuCl3 is described as the spin ladder system, which is composed of a strong ferromagnetic rung and a weak antiferromagnetic leg. Since the ferromagnetic dimer behaves like S = 1 spin, this system can be treated as the S = 1 quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet spin chain (so-called Haldane chain). Cl-NMR study under high-field up to 17.5T has been carried out in order to investigate the field-induced magnetic order in this system. In the lower field region below 10T, the signals from Cl-sites were observed as sharp NMR lines. These paramagnetic lines showed the split above HredN 12T (T = 1.85K), demonstrating the existence of the staggered field due to the field-induced magnetic order. Around HN, the resonance lines disappeared due to the critical slowing down when the applied magnetic field was perpendicular to the ladder, whereas they did not when the field was nearly parallel to the ladder. These results indicate that the spin dynamics around the field-induced magnetic order is anisotropic in this system.

The complex NMR properties of CoVSb are reported. On the basis of band structure calculations the compound is predicted to be a half metallic ferromagnet but magnetisation measurements suggest that the compound is a weak ferromagnet. In zero applied field at 4.2 K, three spin echo signals have been observed with peak frequencies of 30, 63 and 82 MHz, which are tentatively assigned as signals associated with antimony, vanadium and cobalt atoms. The cobalt atoms are suggested to have moments of about 0.8 μB. In addition three spin echo signals have been observed in swept applied fields at 4.2 K which include signals from non magnetic cobalt and vanadium sites. Thus weak ferromagnetism in CoVSb is concluded to be complex on a microscopic scale with the moment of 0.18 μB per formula unit, obtained from static magnetic measurements, being the average moment of magnetic and nonmagnetic sites of cobalt and vanadium atoms. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Magnetic properties under pressure have been investigated on the weak itinerant electron ferromagnet Rh 2 NiGe. The pressure derivative of the Curie temperature T C has been obtained from the results of the temperature dependence of the initial permeability under pressure up to 10 kbar. The value of d T C /d p is found to be −0.60 K/kbar. The pressure change of the spontaneous magnetization σ s at 4.2 K for Rh 2 NiGe has been determined by the subtraction method under pressure up to 10 kbar. The value of d σ s /d p is found to be −0.014 emu/g kbar. The obtained results are analyzed using the spin fluctuation theory.

High-temperature treatment of hydrogen loaded silica- and germanium doped silica glass, also referred to as OH flooding, has been studied. The removal mechanism of hydroxyl groups in silica glass, during OH flooding, occurs by formation and diffusion of molecular hydrogen, while in germanium doped silica the main diffusion mechanism is attributed to diffusion of molecular water. UV exposure of OH flooded and non-treated germanium doped silica samples, from a ArF laser at 193 nm, show large changes in the asymmetric stretching vibration of Si-O-Si bridges, indicating compaction of the glass network. In addition, the thermal relaxation kinetics of the UV induced compaction are found to be similar for non-treated samples and OH flooded samples.

Ultraviolet anti-Stokes photoluminescence (ASPL) is observed under continuous visible light excitation in a GaN single crystal at 4 and 77 K. The ASPL spectra are almost the same as the Stokes photoluminescence (SPL) spectra under band-to-band excitation. Namely, we observe ASPL due to bound and free excitons at 4 and 77 K, respectively. Based on the temporal decay, the excitation spectrum and the excitation intensity dependence of the ASPL intensity, we propose a two-step two-photon absorption mechanism through an electron trapped at a deep ionized donor with a lifetime of 1.45 ms.

High-field magnetization curves and temperature dependences of the magnetization have been measured for RCo2Hx alloys amorphized by hydrogen treatment (R = heavy rare earths and yttrium). It was found that am-RCo2Hx are ferrimagnets with a strong Co–Co and a relatively weak R–Co exchange interaction. The compensation point observed in the M(T) curves shifts systematically to lower temperatures with increasing atomic number of the R elements. Both magnetic moment and compensation temperature depend on the amorphization temperature, which indicates a metastable and heterogeneous structural state of the amorphous hydrides. For the compositions with anisotropic R ions (Tb, …, Tm) the calculated magnetic moment of the R subsystem appears to be considerably lower than the value gJJ μB for corresponding rare earth ions, probably due to a non-collinear magnetic structure of the R subsystem. From the pressure effect on the magnetization measured for am-HoCo2H3, the magnetoelastic coupling constant is estimated as Cdd = 0.5 × 10−3 (μB/Co)−2, the value being considerably lower than that for parent RCo2 compounds.

The results of magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements performed on Ho3Co single crystals show that this compound exhibits two different antiferromagnetic structures: AFII at 8 K

A precise magnetization measurement of a ferromagnet Co2ZrAl with Heusler-type structure has been made under ambient pressure using a SQUID magnetometer. The magnetic moment μS at 4.2 K and the Curie temperature TC are 0.74μB/f.u. and 180 K, respectively. The spontaneous magnetization σs(T) at ambient pressure is expressed as a function of temperature as σs(T)2 = σs(0)2( 1 − T 2 / T C ′ 2 ), where σs(0) and TC′ are 17.3 emu/g and 185 K, respectively. The pressure derivative of TC has been obtained from the results of the temperature dependence of the initial permeability under pressure up to 10 kbar. The value of dTC/dp is −0.4 K/kbar. The pressure change of the spontaneous magnetization σs at 4.2 K for Co2ZrAl has been determined by the subtraction method under pressure up to 10 kbar. The value of dσs/dp is found to be -3.2 × 10−2 emu/g kbar. The electronic structure of Co2ZrAl has been calculated by the linear muffin-tin orbital and the atomic sphere approximation (LMTO-ASA) method at various lattice parameters. The results are discussed on the basis of the spin fluctuation theory for itinerant electron magnetism.

The behavior of the metamagnetic transition and the magnetic susceptibility maximum in the Lu(Co 1− x Sn x ) 2 , Lu(Co 1− x Ge x ) 2 , Lu(Co 1− x Si x ) 2 , Y(Co 1− x Al x ) 2 , Y(Co 1− x Ga x ) 2 and Y(Co 1− x Si x ) 2 compounds has been investigated. The critical magnetic field μ 0 H c for the metamagnetic transition decreases with the increase of x in Lu(Co 1− x Sn x ) 2 , Lu(Co 1− x Ge x ) 2 , Lu(Co 1− x Si x ) 2 , Y(Co 1− x Al x ) 2 and Y(Co 1− x Ga x ) 2 , accompanied by a decrease of the magnetic susceptibility maximum temperature T max . The larger the lattice expansion, the stronger the concentration dependences of μ 0 H c and T max in the Lu(Co 1− x Sn x ) 2 , Lu(Co 1− x Ge x ) 2 and Lu(Co 1− x Si x ) 2 systems. The exchange-enhanced Pauli paramagnetic properties are affected by the lattice expansion. The relation between the critical field of the metamagnetic transition μ 0 H c and the inverse magnetic susceptibility at T max , χ ( T max ) −1 , is fitted to a universal straight line. The onset of ferromagnetism in Y(Co 1− x Ga x ) 2 has been verified for the first time. The values of the magnetic moment M s and the Curie temperature T C of Y(Co 1− x Ga x ) 2 are smaller than those of Y(Co 1− x Al x ) 2 . On the other hand, no evidence of the onset of a ferromagnetic state is obtained in the Y(Co 1− x Si x ) 2 compounds with 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.15. The ferromagnetism appears in both Lu(Co 1− x M x ) 2 and Y(Co 1− x M x ) 2 only when M is one of the group IIIA elements Al or Ga, implying that the p–d hybridization has a more significant effect on the onset of ferromagnetism than the lattice expansion.

The magnetoelasticity of the U2Fe13.6Si3.4 and Lu2Fe13.6Si3.4 single crystals has been studied by magnetization measurements along the principal axes under hydrostatic pressure. The contributions from the Fe and U sublattices to the magnetic moment, magnetic anisotropy and magnetoelasticity of U2Fe13.6Si3.4 are discussed.

The susceptibility and thermal expansion of Yb1?xRxInCu4 (; R = ?Y, La and Ce) have been measured at ambient and high pressures. These compounds undergo a first-order valence transition from an intermediate-valence state to a nearly trivalent state with increasing temperature. The valence change at the transition is for YbInCu4. It decreases on both alloying and applying pressure for all the compositions studied. From the pressure effect on the susceptibility of YbInCu4, the Gr?neisen parameter for the Kondo energy ?K is determined to be ?34.5 and ?20 for the low-temperature and the high-temperature state, respectively. The ? coefficient characterizing the hybridization strength between the 4f and conduction electrons for the intermediate-valence state is nearly five times larger than that for the high-temperature local-moment state. The obtained results suggest that the change of the 4f?conduction band electron hybridization rather than the volume dependence of the Kondo interaction is responsible for a large modification of the physical properties of the YbInCu4-based compounds at the valence transition.

Measurements of densities of excited atoms and metastables were performed in pure Ar and in mixtures of Ar and CF4 in inductively coupled plasma sustained by a high frequency (13.56 MHz) source and biased by a low frequency (500 kHz) voltage applied to the wafer supporting electrode. The measurements are made in front of the biased electrode with a goal to understand the effects of different parameters on the plasma profile and to test whether functional separation between plasma sustaining and biasing voltage is achieved. We find a very efficient separation with small or no observable effects of biasing voltage both in pure argon and in mixtures. These results have been achieved at all pressures (5–50 mTorr) and were confirmed by additional microwave measurements of electron density. The effect of flow rate, pressure, power, and distance from the biased electrode was studied from the spatial profiles of short lives excited states and metastable states of argon. We have also compared the profiles close to...

The ac susceptibility as a function of temperature, dc magnetic field and frequency as well as the magnetization in quasistatic and pulsed magnetic fields have been measured for new molecule-based heterospin complexes [Mn(hfac)2BNOR] (R = H, Cl). These compounds exhibit a quasi one-dimensional chain structure, for which the interchain exchange interaction is small in comparison with the intrachain one . A strong frequency dependence of both the real and imaginary parts of the ac susceptibility is found at low frequencies (below 100 Hz) in both antiferromagnetic (AF) [Mn(hfac)2BNOH] and ferrimagnetic (FI) [Mn(hfac)2BNOCl] compounds within the field interval, where the magnetization process is controlled by motion of the domain walls. A number of peculiarities regarding the reversal of magnetization are observed in pulsed fields. In particular, the remanent magnetization appears in the AF compound [Mn(hfac)2BNOH] after application of a unidirectional pulse of field. The remanence relaxes within about 1000 ms through a two-stage thermally activated process associated with the nucleation of the AF phase within the field-induced FI phase and displacement of the domain walls separating AF and FI phases. The activation energies for these two stages are estimated to be about 1.66 and 1.80 meV respectively. The activation energy for domain wall motion in the ferrimagnetic [Mn(hfac)2BNOCl] compound is found to be . The slow dynamics of the magnetization in these materials is ascribed to the complicated domain wall displacement that presumably includes the lateral motion of the intrachain wall along the separate chains because of the strong 1D character of these compounds.

The magnetic and structural influences of hydrogen absorption were studied on the itinerant electron metamagnet YCo 2 . The system YCo 2 H x forms two crystalline hydrides of the α phase (0 x x ≤3.5). The hydride samples also include small amounts of the non-intrinsic ferromagnetic component due to the partial structural disordering upon hydrogen absorption. The high field susceptibility indicated that the α phase is an itinerant electron metamagnet in which the critical field is possibly lower than that of YCo 2 . The β phase has no metamagnetic transition. The hydrogen-induced changes in the magnetic properties are discussed on the basis of the itinerant electron magnetism.