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Researchers have increasingly concentrated on loneliness in the workplace as a crucial factor influencing the mental health of employees and the viability of telework. In contrast, the current understanding of the strategies mitigating workplace loneliness and how leaders utilize their behaviors to impact followers' loneliness remains limited. Since servant leadership values the emotional needs of followers and displays a high level of empathy, this study investigated the direct and indirect effects of servant leadership on workplace loneliness. In this study, 267 employees (mean age = 31.5 years) from 28 provinces in China were recruited to participate in this survey. We proposed that servant leaders motivate their own empathic communication and other followers' empathic communication to reduce lonely followers' workplace loneliness. This research further examined the relationship between the leader's and colleagues' empathic communication, and the two jointly mediate the connection between servant leadership and followers' workplace loneliness. We constructed a serial mediation model to examine the relationships between servant leadership, leader's empathic communication, colleagues' empathic communication, and workplace loneliness. The results indicate that servant leadership creates a cycle of empathy and provides insights into building a culture of empathy to improve employee well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatic mosaicism of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) mutation is a cause of Ollier disease (OD), characterized by multiple enchondromatosis. A 35‐year‐old woman who was diagnosed with OD at age 24 underwent resection surgery for multifocal tumors located at the right and left frontal lobes that were discovered incidentally. No apparent spatial connection was observed on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Pathological examinations revealed tumor cells with a perinuclear halo in the left frontal lobe tumor, whereas astrocytic tumor cells were observed in the right frontal lobe tumor. Based on positive IDH1 R132H immunostaining and the result of 1p/19q fluorescent in situ hybridization, pathological diagnoses were IDH mutant and 1p/19q‐codeleted oligodendroglioma in the right frontal lobe tumor and IDH mutant astrocytoma in the left frontal lobe tumor, respectively. The DNA sequencing revealed IDH1 R132H mutation in the peripheral blood sample and frontal lobe tumors. This case suggested that in patients with OD, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma can co‐occur within the same individual simultaneously, and IDH1 R132H mutation was associated with supratentorial development of gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have predicted that antagonistic intraspecific evolution of sexually dimorphic characters causing rapid speciation can be driven by demographic history and environmental variations. However, researchers have rarely examined this issue in the wild. Here, we examined intraspecific evolution of sexually dimorphic characters and its driving force by using a diving beetle, Acilius japonicus, which has very marked sexually dimorphic characters. Males with wider big suction cups could copulate with females with a higher success rate, whereas the mating durations of females with more hairs on their pronota were shorter. Females in a region with greater interpopulation genetic differentiation had more pronotal hairs. Considering that a previous study showed that less continuity among populations leads to a higher female cost of mating, this result suggests a greater female cost of mating in this region. Females at warmer sites also had more pronotal hairs. In light of the increase in O2 consumption in warmer water, our result suggests that more pronotal hairs in females at warmer sites have been maintained to prevent prolonged underwater mating at higher O2 demand. These findings suggest that demographic history and temperature can direct the evolution of sexually dimorphic characters related to sexual conflict in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-infiltrated ceramic network materials (PICNs) have high mechanical compatibility with human enamel. However, the wear properties of PICN against natural human enamel have not yet been clarified. We investigated the in vitro two-body wear behaviors of PICNs and an enamel antagonist. Two PICNs were used: Experimental PICN (EXP) prepared via the infiltration of methacrylate-based resin into the porous silica ceramic network and commercial Vita Enamic (ENA). Two commercial dental ceramics, lithium disilicate glass (LDS) and zirconia (ZIR), were also characterized, and their wear performance was compared to PICNs. The samples were subjected to Vickers hardness tests and two-body wear tests that involve the samples being cyclically impacted by enamel antagonists underwater at 37 °C. The results reveal that the Vickers hardness of EXP (301 ± 36) was closest to that of enamel (317 ± 17). The volumetric wear losses of EXP and ENA were similar to those of LDS but higher than that of zirconia. The volumetric wear loss of the enamel antagonist impacted against EXP was moderate among the examined samples. These results suggest that EXP has wear behavior similar to that of enamel. Therefore, PICNs are mechanically comparable to enamel in terms of hardness and wear and are excellent tooth-restoration materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research has developed a fabricating process of thin‐strain sensor by utilizing wafer‐level‐packaging (WLP) techniques. The thickness of sensor makes thinner, its performance is able to highly increase. However, the thinner sensor was fragile, and so it was difficult to handle in post processes. Thus, a thin sensor with lid by utilizing WLP techniques, which is tough to break even when handled, is proposed in this research. More than 250‐µm‐deep grooves were fabricated around the lid by deep reactive ion etching. After the lid substrate was bonded on the sensor substrate with a resin, the sensor and lid substrates were respectively polished to 50 and 200 µm thickness. The lids were released along the grooves, and the 50‐µm‐thick strain sensors were able to be fabricated by utilizing WLP techniques. This sensor was used as a diaphragm to measure pressure. The sensors were assembled on a stainless steel housing without breakage. The performance of the developed sensor was almost showed with a conventional pressure sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation mechanisms of alkali-free and high-proton concentration surfaces were investigated for a soda lime glass using a corona discharge treatment under an atmospheric pressure. Protons produced by high DC voltage around an anode needle electrode were incorporated into a sodium ion site in the anode side glass. The sodium ion was swept away to the cathode side as a charge carrier. Then it was discharged. The precipitated sodium was transformed to a Na2CO3 powder when the surface contacted with air. The sodium ion in the glass surface layer of the anode side was replaced completely by protons. The concentration of OH groups in the layer was balanced with the amount of excluded sodium ions. The substitution reaction of sodium ions with protons tends to be saturated according to a square root function of time. The alkali depletion layer formation rate was affected by the large difference in mobility between sodium ions and protons in the glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of an accurate reservoir model and prediction of reservoir behaviour associated with geothermal exploitation using that model are fundamentally important for sustainable geothermal utilisation. Gravity observation for a few tens of days after a field-wide shut-in of geothermal wells potentially provides valuable constraints to improve reservoir models. We investigated the applicability of superconducting gravimeters (SGs) to short-term observations after shut-ins, as a first step towards the development of a method for reservoir model improvement using short-term gravity data. Results from a reservoir simulation of a shut-in at a geothermal field in Japan showed that gravity change at 20 days after the shut-in was 10 nm/s2. To detect such changes with SGs, locations of SG stations should be chosen to minimise noise sufficient to resolve the signal. Considering that field operations and traffic in geothermal fields can make SG data noisy, laboratory gravity measurements were carried out with a SG to investigate the influence of noise level on signal detection. Test masses, which produced a gravity change (7.7–9.0 nm/s2) comparable to the simulation result, were repeatedly placed and removed above the SG during both day and night times with different ambient noise levels. Test results showed that noise level greatly affected signal detection. The signal was only detected twice, under low-noise conditions with the standard deviations of 1.1 and 5.3 nm/s2. In addition, tests in which the SG was operated without a cryogenic refrigerator revealed that the absence of the refrigerator did not increase the noise level. Enhancing the portability of a SG by reducing its weight can make multi-location noise surveys feasible. Our method, of combining reservoir simulations and preliminary noise surveys, would enable successful SG observations to be made in relatively short periods after shut-ins, which would possibly contribute to the development of a method to obtain additional constraints to be used for reservoir model calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Latitudinal clines of species diversity are widely documented in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. However, the processes governing species diversity gradients in riverine ecosystems have not been well‐studied. We addressed this issue by comparing species diversity between riverine aquatic and terrestrial earthworm groups (genus Sparganophilus and Diplocardia, respectively). Location: North American temperate zone. Taxon: Sparganophilus and Diplocardia. Methods: We collected 556 Sparganophilus earthworms from 64 sites spanning 27 degrees of latitude (18.77°–45.90°N), and 165 Diplocardia earthworms from 23 sites (21 degrees, 19.77°–41.20°N). We split potential species from the phylogenetic trees based on four genes and compared the latitudinal pattern of species diversity between these two groups. Results: We estimated the number of potential species to be 10 for Sparganophilus and 8 for Diplocardia, respectively, from 526 haplotypes (403 in Sparganophilus and 123 in Diplocardia). Sparganophilus species diversity was higher at mid‐latitudes (32° to 40°) due to a preponderance of species with limited geographical distributions, whereas all specimens collected north of 40° belonged to broadly distributed species. Species with limited geographical distributions were more often collected at higher elevations than broadly distributed species in Sparganophilus. For Diplocardia, species diversity was higher at lower latitudes (28° to 32°). Main Conclusions: These results suggest that, in Sparganophilus, species composition at higher latitudes above 40° is derived from range expansion by broadly distributed species from lower latitudes. The high elevation area in the native distribution range of Sparganophilus is limited to the Appalachian Mountains, which ranges above 33° in latitude. The high species diversity of Sparganophilus with limited distributions at mid‐latitude (32°–40°) suggests that the headwater regions at the Appalachian Mountains are sites for more frequent speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu is effective on the refinement of Fe3O4 rust particles but its mechanism is not clarified. In this study, the influence of Cu on the nanostructure of Fe3O4 particles was investigated through a detailed analysis of the characteristics of the artificially synthesized Fe3O4 particles formed with Cu2+ by various means. X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis showed that Cu is substituted for octahedral Fe and exists as CuxFe(3‐x)O4 in Fe3O4. The first‐principle calculation showed that lattice strain resulted around the substituted Cu. These results suggest that this lattice strain around substituted Cu inhibited the lattice growth and contributed to the refinement of Fe3O4 particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to prepare an organic–inorganic composite with a nanoscale dual-network structure composed of a ceramic skeleton and infiltrated resin to mimic the mechanical properties of human enamel. A porous silica block was obtained by sintering a green body composed of SiO 2 nanoparticles and poly(vinyl alcohol) organic binder. Methyl methacrylate monomers were infiltrated into the porous silica block and thermally polymerized to form poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). A monolithic SiO 2 –PMMA composite was obtained, and its nanoscale structure was investigated. Its mechanical properties were characterized by Vickers hardness, elastic modulus, and flexural strength tests. The SiO 2 –PMMA composite had a nanoscale dual-network structure composed of a silica–ceramic skeleton with PMMA-filled continuous 10–20 nm sized pores. The mechanical properties of the composite depended on the SiO 2 content, which could be adjusted by modifying sintering time of the porous silica block. The mechanical properties of the composite exhibited wide variations with Vickers hardness values of 54–756, elastic moduli of 7–54 GPa, and flexural strengths of 75–120 MPa. The preparation of a SiO 2 –PMMA composite with a dual-network structure at the nanoscale was demonstrated, and the composite was characterized with respect to its hardness compatibility with human enamel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To immunohistochemically examine the lacrimal sac walls harvested during dacryocystorhinostomy using an immunostain for immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4).Methods: Forty-four lacrimal sac walls were evaluated. We determined "intensively positive," "sparsely positive," or "negative" staining when the specimens showed IgG4-positive lymphoplasmacytic staining with or without >50 IgG4-positive cells/high-power field, or the absence of stained IgG4-positive cells.Results: Intensively positive, sparsely positive, or negative staining was observed in 8 (18.2%), 14 (31.8%), and 22 specimens (50.0%), respectively. Stained cells infiltrated the subepithelial layer in all specimens with positive staining. Four of the 8 specimens demonstrated partial epithelial denudation with loss of goblet cells.Conclusions: IgG4-positive lymphoplasmacytic infiltration was observed in the subepithelial layer in specimens with intensively positive staining, of which some showed a partially denuded epithelium with loss of goblet cells. These may lead to narrowing of the lacrimal sac lumen and adhesions of the sac walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Kalanchoe humifica Desc. (Crassulaceae) was described in 2005 based on vegetative characters because of the absence of floral material. According to the original description, the holotype of K. humifica should be at P, but we were unable to find it there. We therefore designate one of the photographs published in the protologue as the lectotype. Furthermore, the flowering specimen Miyata et al. 15031401 in TI is designated as an epitype of K. humifica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Underground community assemblies have not been studied well compared with aboveground communities, despite their importance for our understanding of whole ecosystems. To investigate underground community assembly over evolutionary timescales, we examined terrestrial earthworm communities (Oligochaeta: Haplotaxida) in conserved mountainous primary forests in Japan as a model system. We collected 553 earthworms mostly from two dominant families, the Megascolecidae and the Lumbricidae, from 12 sites. We constructed a molecular taxonomic unit tree based on the analysis of three genes to examine the effects of a biogeographic factor (dispersal ability) and an evolutionary factor (habitat adaptation) on the earthworm community assembly process. The phylogenetic distance of the earthworm communities among sites was positively correlated with geographic distance when intraspecific variation was included, indicating that the divergence within species was affected by biogeographic factors. The community assembly process in the Megascolecidae has also been affected by environmental conditions in relation to an evolutionary relationship between habitat environment and intestinal cecum type, a trait closely related to habitat depth and diet, whereas that in the Lumbricidae has not been affected as such. Intestinal cecum type showed a pattern of niche conservatism in the Megascolecidae lineage. Our results suggest that investigating the evolution of a key trait related to life history can lead to the clear description of community assembly process over a long timescale and that the community assembly process can differ greatly among related lineages even though they live sympatrically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar and rigid frameworks that consist of two 1,8-substituted anthracene units and two acetylene linkers were utilized as key structures for the generation of stereoisomers through the introduction of extra substituents. These compounds were synthesized from 1,8-substituted anthracene building units by a combination of coupling reactions. We designed diastereomers, enantiomers, and topomers by modifying the combination of the two linkers and the number of substituents at sterically crowded intraannular positions. The molecular structures, stereochemistry, and properties of these compounds were investigated by means of spectroscopic techniques and theoretical calculations. A prochiral cyclic dimer with one extraannular substituent was designed to generate a stereochemical phenomenon in two dimensions. Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements revealed that the molecules formed a self-assembled monolayer at the liquid-solid interface in a conglomerate-type manner. The scope and potential of the macrocyclic frameworks in studies of π-conjugated compounds are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with an impedancemetric sensor based on an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) using an oxide sensing-electrode (SE) for measuring O 2 concentration. Fourteen oxides were examined as the SE materials for selective detection of O 2 . Among the sensors examined, the YSZ-based sensor using BaFeO 3 -SE was found to be insensitive to interfering gases such as NH 3 , H 2 , C 3 H 6 , C 3 H 8 , CH 4 , NO 2 , NO or CO, while sensitive to only O 2 at 600 °C. The impedance value |Z| at 10 Hz for the sensor using BaFeO 3 -SE decreased linearly with increasing O 2 concentration on a logarithmic scale in the range of 0.05–21 vol.%. The present sensor exhibited quick and repeatable responses to the change in O 2 concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tricyrtis macrantha Maxim. (Liliaceae), an endemic species to Japan, is illustrated. It is distributed in a small area in Shikoku (Kochi Prefecture), and grows on limestone cliffs. Tricyrtis macrantha and its allied species, T. macranthopsis Masam., distributed in Kii Peninsula in western Honshu, and T. ishiiana (Kitag. & T. Koyama) Ohwi & Okuyama, distributed in Pacific coast side of central Honshu, comprise one natural group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the effect of mold stiffness on the surface flatness of mold-pressed glass for glass molding and imprint processes. Phosphate and borosilicate glasses were pressed at their viscoelastic temperature region using flat molds of several kinds and subsequently cooled to room temperature. Surface flatness of the mold-pressed glasses was examined using a stylus surface profilometer. The glass surface curvature was observed after spontaneous demolding by thermal shrinkage stress of the glass and the mold during cooling. The curvature decreased with increasing mold stiffness, as determined by the Young's modulus and mold thickness. The curvature also decreased with decreasing cooling rate during cooling, which was discussed in terms of the glass fragility. It was demonstrated that the Young's modulus, mold thickness, and cooling rate are key factors for the control of the molded glass surface flatness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A monolithic silica glass doped with Pr3+ was prepared by immersing a mesoporous SiO2–polyvinly alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite in a Pr nitrate solution and then sintering it at 1100℃ in air. The sintered glass exhibited pink emission when excited by ultraviolet irradiation. The photoluminescence intensity of the glass depended on the total concentration of Pr ions, which was adjusted by changing the concentration of the Pr nitrate solution and the immersion time. The glass with the highest photoluminescence intensity was prepared by using a 1- or 10-mM Pr solution at an immersion time of 60 min. To reveal how the immersion conditions affected the photoluminescence intensity, we analyzed and discussed the adsorption kinetics of the Pr ions onto the surface of the mesoporous nanocomposite. At immersion times below 60 min, the Pr ions diffused into pores of the nanocomposite without aggregating. To prepare Pr3+-doped silica glass with high photoluminescence, both the concentration of the Pr solution and the immersion time must be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to elucidate oxygen sorption/desorption behavior accompanying with phase transition for perovskite-type oxide of SrFeO 3− δ , as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. Oxygen desorption of SrFeO 3− δ in the temperature range of 100–800 °C was examined in terms of oxygen non-stoichiometry and crystal structural change, by means of thermogravimetric analysis and Mössbauer spectroscopy. In the case of oxygen desorption in nitrogen, the oxygen content of SrFeO 3− δ was reduced in a stepwise manner. Thus, three phases having oxygen-vacancy-ordered structures were observed, depending on temperature; Sr 8 Fe 8 O 23 (SrFeO 2.875 ) below 300 °C, Sr 4 Fe 4 O 11 (SrFeO 2.75 ) at 300–400 °C, and Sr 2 Fe 2 O 5 (SrFeO 2.5 ) above 400 °C. In contrast, in the case of oxygen desorption in air, the oxygen content decreased monotonically with increasing temperature without appearance of any stable phases. Furthermore, the isothermal oxygen sorption/desorption behavior of SrFeO 3− δ was examined to evaluate the capability as an oxygen sorbent for the high-temperature pressure-swing adsorption (HT-PSA) process. The sample sorbed oxygen in air and desorbed it in nitrogen reversibly at a constant temperature above 300 °C. The oxygen-storage capacity based on the reversible weight change exhibited rather large value above 400 °C, due to the large difference in its oxygen content between in air and in nitrogen. Actual oxygen separation from atmospheric air was performed at 600 °C by means of the small-scale HT-PSA apparatus loaded with the SrFeO 3− δ pellet-sample. The result suggests that SrFeO 3− δ is one of potential oxygen sorbents for the HT-PSA process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen sorption/desorption properties of SrCo x Fe1-x O3−δ were examined as an oxygen sorbent for a high-temperature pressure-swing adsorption (HT-PSA) process. Perovskite-type structure of the SrCo x Fe1-x O3−δ powder samples was observed in the composition range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.85, by using XRD measurements. A temperature-programmed-desorption (TPD) measurement revealed that the oxygen desorption temperature in N2 for the perovskite-type SrCo x Fe1-x O3−δ samples was lowered with increasing x. Consequently, the oxygen desorption temperature of the SrCo0.85Fe0.15O3−δ sample exhibited around 300 °C, which was the lowest of those of the examined samples. A high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) measurement suggested that the oxygen desorption of SrCo0.85Fe0.15O3−δ in N2 occurred, accompanying the phase transition from perovskite-type structure to brownmillerite structure. Isothermal oxygen sorption/desorption behavior of the SrCo x Fe1-x O3−δ samples was examined by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). As a result, it was confirmed that the amount of sorbed oxygen for the SrCo0.85Fe0.15O3−δ sample gave 11.7 cm³ g-1 at 300 °C, which was larger than that (8.6 cm³ g-1) for a benchmark oxygen sorbent (La0.1Sr0.9Co0.9Fe0.1O3−δ). In order to obtain oxygen-enriched air by using the SrCo0.85Fe0.15O3−δ pellet sample as the oxygen sorbent, the oxygen separation from synthetic air was carried out by using a small-scale PSA apparatus equipped with a vacuum pump. It was confirmed that the 45 vol % oxygen-enriched air was obtained even at 300 °C, by using this apparatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite-type oxides of Ba x Sr 1 - x FeO 3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 0.9 and 1.0) were examined as a sensing electrode (SE) material of potentiometric yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based oxygen sensors. The sensors using each of Ba x Sr 1 - x FeO 3 -SEs were found to be insensitive to the various examined gases (100 ppm each) such as NH 3 , H 2 , C 3 H 6 , C 3 H 8 , CH 4 , NO 2 , NO and CO, while they were sensitive to oxygen in the concentration range of 0.05-21 vol.% at 600 °C. The number of electron (n) in the electrochemical reaction of oxygen for the present sensors was estimated to be about 4.2 based on Nernst equation in the examined concentration range. The estimated n values for the present sensors are consistent with that (n = 4.2) for the conventional YSZ-based oxygen sensor using Pt-SE, being almost same as the theoretical value (n = 4). The YSZ-based sensor attached with BaFeO 3 -SE further showed excellent responses at temperatures of 450–600 °C. The electric potential difference (Δ V ) value of the present sensor was rather stable under the operating conditions (relative humidity: 20–100%, 400 ppm CO 2 , 600 °C) for the examined period of 14 days. In addition, it was found that the sensor using BaFeO 3 -SE could work well as a lambda (λ) sensor at 600 °C in the combustion gas of O 2 /C 3 H 8 , as is the case with the sensor using Pt-SE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based sensor using Zn–Ta-based oxide as a sensing electrode (SE) has been previously reported to generate a highly sensitive and selective response to hydrogen (H 2 ) after the aging of 40 days at 500 °C. This study is focused on shortening such a long aging time (stabilization) for obtaining the high-performance of the sensor. Initially, different heat treatments (changing the sintering parameter and the aging temperature) were done and could not give satisfactory results. However, when the sensor was exposed to 400 ppm H 2 in N 2 (the H 2 treatment), the stabilization time was found to decrease from 40 to 24 days. Prolongation of the H 2 -treatment time from 30 to 60 min helped the sensor using Zn–Ta–O-SE to reach the stabilized level in 15 days. Extending the treatment time up to 120 min gave an adverse effect to the shortening of stabilization time. Furthermore, the sensing performance of the stabilized sensor received the 400 ppm H 2 treatment for 60 min was unaffected by this H 2 treatment, since the sensor was still able to exhibit likewise highly sensitive and selective response to H 2 after the stabilized state was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to fabricate microhole arrays onto a silica glass via a room temperature imprint and subsequent sintering by using a monolithic SiO2-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite as the silica glass precursor. The SiO2-PVA suspension was prepared from fumed silica particles and PVA, followed by drying to obtain tailored SiO2-PVA nanocomposites. The dependence of particle size of the fumed silica particles on pore size of the nanocomposite was examined. Nanocomposites prepared from 7 nm silica particles possessed suitable mesopores, whereas the corresponding nanocomposites prepared from 30 nm silica particles hardly possessed mesopores. The pore size of the nanocomposites increased as a function of decreasing pH of the SiO2-PVA suspension. As a consequence, the crack-free monolithic SiO2-PVA nanocomposite was obtained using 7 nm silica particles via the suspension at pH 3. Micropatterns were imprinted on the monolithic SiO2-PVA nanocomposite at room temperature. The imprinted nanocomposite was sintered to a transparent silica glass at 1200°C in air. The fabricated sintered glass possessed the microhole array on their surface with aspect ratios identical to the mold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are reporting here a potentiometric sensor by using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as a solid electrolyte as well as zirconium silicate (ZrSiO 4 ) added with Au as a sensing electrode (SE), for achieving sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen (H 2 ). The addition of 10 wt.% Au into ZrSiO 4 -SE increased the sensitivity toward 100 ppm H 2 at 500 °C, while lower responses to other examined gases were observed. The ability to detect H 2 selectively was elucidated via polarization-curve measurements in air and in N 2 and confirmed via gas conversion test. It was found that the sensitive and selective H 2 behavior was due to a lower catalytic activity against the gas-phase oxidation of H 2 than that of C 3 H 6 , in combination with a higher catalytic activity to anodic reaction of H 2 than that of C 3 H 6 . The good agreement between the observed sensitivity and the estimated value from the polarization-curve measurements confirmed that the sensing mechanism is based on mixed potential model. The sensor using ZrSiO 4 (+ 10 wt.% Au)-SE demonstrated a linear relationship between sensitivity and H 2 concentration on a logarithmic scale and was capable of detecting H 2 concentration as low as 20 ppm at 500 °C under humid conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monolithic silica glasses doped with Cu ions were prepared by immersing a mesoporous SiO 2 -polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite in a copper nitrate solution followed by sintering at 1100 °C for 12 h in air. The Cu ions were reduced from divalent to monovalent during the sintering process and consequently Cu + was doped into the silica glass matrix. The sintered glass possessed blue or yellow photoluminescence (PL) under UV irradiation, depending on the total concentration of Cu ions in the sintered silica glass. At a lower concentration below 30 ppm, the isolated Cu + existed in the glass matrix resulting in the blue PL. However, above 70 ppm, the Cu + –Cu + pairs were present, exhibiting the yellow PL. It was demonstrated that the PL characteristics of the sintered silica glasses doped with monovalent copper ions were affected by the total concentration of Cu ions in the glass, which can be adjusted as a function of the immersion conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine surgical outcomes of the posterior layer advancement of the lower eyelid retractors (LER) in patients with congenital entropion and to ascertain whether the pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) was hypertrophic or not. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included three Japanese patients with congenital entropion who underwent posterior layer advancement of the LER. We reviewed the surgical outcomes and postoperative complications, such as lower eyelid ectropion and retraction for each patient. We also measured the diameters of the pretarsal OOM fibers in these patients and compared them with those measured in the previously reported 67 eyelids of 41 Japanese patients with congenital epiblepharon. Results: Congenital entropion was successfully corrected in all three patients without recurrence during 12-months of follow-up. No patient exhibited lower eyelid ectropion or lower eyelid retraction. The mean diameter of the pretarsal OOM fibers was 21.9 μm (range, 20.5-23.7 μm), which was not significantly different from that of the congenital epiblepharon (25.3 μm; range, 18.1-34.7 μm; p = 0.272, Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusions: The surgical outcomes in the present study suggest that posterior layer advancement of the LER is a useful surgical option for treatment of congenital entropion. No histological evidence of pretarsal OOM hypertrophy was shown in congenital entropion, which demonstrated that debulking of the pretarsal OOM may not be significant for correction of this entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various metal oxides were examined for a sensing-electrode (SE) material of potentiometric yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based oxygen sensors. Among the oxides tested, perovskite-type oxides of Ba x Sr 1 − x FeO 3 (x = 1.0, 0.9, 0.5, 0.1, 0) were found to give low responses to various gases (NH 3 , H 2 , C 3 H 6 , C 3 H 8 , CH 4 , NO 2 , NO, and CO, 100 ppm each) at 600 °C. Particularly, BaFeO 3 -SE gave the most insensitive behavior to all the gases tested even in the temperature range of 500–600 °C, as the conventional Pt-SE did. Furthermore, the sensor using this inexpensive BaFeO 3 -SE was found to be quite sensitive to oxygen in the concentration range of 0.05–21 vol.% at temperatures of 500–600 °C, as similar to the case of an expensive Pt-SE. At 600 °C, the number of electron (n) involved in the electrochemical reaction of oxygen for the sensors using each of BaFeO 3 -SE and Pt-SE was estimated to be 4.2, which was obtained from the slope of linear correlation between potential response and the logarithm of oxygen concentration. The estimated n value was in good agreement with the theoretical value (n = 4). The present sensor using BaFeO 3 -SE was also confirmed to work well as a λ (lambda) sensor at 600 °C, showing similar behavior as the sensor using Pt-SE did. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The monolithic silica glass doped with Tb3+ ions was fabricated utilizing the SiO2–PVA nanocomposite. [•] To obtain the silica glass, the nanocomposite was immersed in a Tb ions solution, subsequently sintered at 1100°C in air. [•] The doped glass exhibited green fluorescence attributed to 5D4 → 7F5 main transitions by Tb3+ ions under UV excitation. [•] The Tb concentration in the glass can be adjusted by the concentration of the Tb solution and immersion time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Corona discharge formed an alkali depletion layer on a glass surface. [•] Introduction of hydrogen accelerated the depletion layer thickness. [•] Thickness was doubled compared with that in air. [•] Efficient formation of proton at an anode needle end was one cause. [•] Applied voltage across the glass plate in hydrogen was 2.7 times that in air. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Demolding behavior of oxide glasses from molds was experimentally analyzed using a specially developed molding set up equipped with highly sensitive load cell and servomotor. The demolding point and the demolding force were apt to increase with the tensile force applied to the pressing axis, and also to the cooling rate. Especially the demolding force was strongly affected by the cooling rate when the demolding point was located near the glass transition temperature region. These results offer a useful direction for highly accurate glass-molding and glass-imprint processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carex (Cyperaceae) is one of the largest genera of the flowering plants, and comprises more than 2,000 species. In Carex, section Siderostictae with broader leaves distributed in East Asia is thought to be an ancestral group. We aimed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships and chromosomal variations within the section Siderostictae, and to examine the relationship of broad-leaved species of the sections Hemiscaposae and Surculosae from East Asia, inferred from DNA sequences and cytological data. Our results indicate that a monophyletic Siderostictae clade, including the sections Hemiscaposae, Siderostictae and Surculosae, as the earliest diverging group in the tribe Cariceae. Low chromosome numbers, 2 n = 12 or 24, with large sizes were observed in these three sections. Our results suggest that the genus Carex might have originated or relictly restricted in the East Asia. Geographical distributions of diploid species are restricted in narrower areas, while those of tetraploid species are wider in East Asia. It is concluded that chromosomal variations in Siderostictae clade may have been caused by polyploidization and that tetraploid species may have been able to exploit their habitats by polyploidization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neuronal plasticity in the pain-processing pathway is thought to be a mechanism underlying pain hypersensitivity and negative emotions occurring during a pain state. Recent evidence suggests that the activation of astrocytes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) contributes to the development of negative emotions during pain hypersensitivity after peripheral inflammation. However, it is unknown whether these activated astrocytes contribute to neuronal plasticity in the ACC. In this study, by using optical imaging with voltage- and Ca2+-sensitive dyes, we examined the long-term facilitation of neuronal excitation induced by high-frequency conditioning stimulation (HFS) in ACC slices of control mice and mice with peripheral inflammation induced by the injection of complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) to the hind paw. Immunoreactivity of glial fibrillary acidic protein in laminae II–III of the ACC in the CFA-injected mice was higher than in the control mice. Neuronal excitation in ACC slices from the CFA-injected mice was gradually increased by HFS, and the magnitude of this long-term facilitation was greater than in the control mice. The long-term facilitation in the CFA-injected mice was inhibited by the astroglial toxin, the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and NMDA receptor glycine binding site antagonist. The increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in astrocytes during HFS was higher in the CFA-injected mice than in the control mice and was inhibited by l-α-aminoadipate (l-α-AA). These results suggest that the activation of astrocytes in the ACC plays a crucial role in the development of negative emotions and LTP during pain hypersensitivity after peripheral inflammation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is widely used in dental applications. However, PMMA specialized for stereolithography (SLA) additive manufacturing (3D-printing) has not been developed yet. This study aims to develop a novel PMMA-based resin for SLA 3D-printing by mixing methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and PMMA powder in various mixing ratios. The printability and the viscosity of the PMMA-based resins were examined to determine their suitability for 3D-printing. The mechanical properties (flexural strength and Vickers hardness), shear bond strength, degree of conversion, physicochemical properties (water sorption and solubility), and cytotoxicity for L929 cells of the resulting resins were compared with those of three commercial resins: one self-cured resin and two 3D-print resins. EGDMA and PMMA were found to be essential components for SLA 3D-printing. The viscosity increased with PMMA content, while the mechanical properties improved as EGDMA content increased. The shear bond strength tended to decrease as EGDMA increased. Based on these characteristics, the optimal composition was determined to be 30% PMMA, 56% EGDMA, 14% MMA with flexural strength (84.6 ± 7.1 MPa), Vickers hardness (21.6 ± 1.9), and shear bond strength (10.5 ± 1.8 MPa) which were comparable to or higher than those of commercial resins. The resin's degree of conversion (71.5 ± 0.7%), water sorption (19.7 ± 0.6 μg/mm3), solubility (below detection limit), and cell viability (80.7 ± 6.2% at day 10) were all acceptable for use in an oral environment. The printable PMMA-based resin is a potential candidate material for dental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erioscirpus (Cyperaceae) is distributed mainly in the Himalayas, comprising two species: E. comosus and E. microstachyus. Recent authors have not recognized Erioscirpus as a distinct genus, but included it either in Eriophorum or Trichophorum, and always placed in tribe Scirpeae. However, as past authors have previously noted, Erioscirpus is quite different from Eriophorum and Trichophorum in some morphological features and in ecological preferences. In this study, we aimed to clarify the phylogenetic position of Erioscirpus using plastid and nuclear DNA sequence data for E. comosus from Nepal and Myanmar and E. microstachyus from India. We found that Erioscirpus was nested in tribe Cypereae, among the Ficinia clade with Dracoscirpoides, Ficinia, Hellmuthia, Isolepis and Scirpoides, which are predominantly distributed in the Mediterranean zones of the Southern Hemisphere. In contrast, Eriophorum and Trichophorum formed a clade with members of the tribes Cariceae, Dulichieae or Scirpeae, which are mainly distributed in the Holarctic zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It is thought that the common character, cotton-like long perianth bristles, shared by Erioscirpus, Eriophorum and Trichophorum, has evolved independently several times as a mechanism promoting wind dispersal. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 170, 1-11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The body size of univoltine insect species generally decreases with increasing altitude or latitude. This pattern may have arisen from adaptations to multiple factors that potentially affect body-size variation, such as temperature, food, and interspecific interactions. We examined altitudinal variations in life history and body size, and their relationships to temperature and food resources in two ground beetle species of the genus Carabus (subgenus Ohomopterus; C. tosanus and C. japonicus) in a mountainous area (altitude 860–1730m) of Shikoku Island, Japan. Larvae of these species are specialist predators of earthworms. The body size of C. tosanus decreased with an increase in altitude. Carabus japonicus, which is much smaller than C. tosanus, exhibited similar sizes across altitudes, although it was not abundant at high altitudes. Available cumulative temperatures for larval development were limited at higher altitudes, and C. tosanus started reproducing 1month earlier at higher than at lower altitudes. Earthworms (larval food) were less abundant at higher than at lower altitudes. This may imply that food resources also restrict the optimal body size of C. tosanus at higher altitudes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to analyze the trend towards suppression of Wolbachia-induced male-killing by its butterfly host, Hypolimnas bolina. It discusses the increasing trend in counteracting the bacterial effect on hosts in natural populations. The study revealed the first instance of a long-term trend that involves a change in reproductive alteration.

A nanocomposite was prepared from fumed silica and PVA. Investigation of the morphology of the composite by TEM and electron energy-loss spectroscopy reveals that the nanocomposite consists of homogeneously dispersed SiO2 nanoparticles and PVA. Micropatterns on the nanocomposite were fabricated by room-temperature imprinting. Micropatterned silica glass was obtained by sintering the nanocomposite at 1100°C in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flight ability allows insects to search for food and locate oviposition sites across a wide range of environments and, thus, allows insects to locate scarce and patchy resources such as carcasses. We examined differentiation in searching for carcasses, based on capture height differences in carrion beetles, and found that capture height differed among species. For Nicrophorus quadripunctatus and Oiceoptoma nigropunctatum, the height of abundance peaks differed among sites and was related to species composition at each site, indicating that shifts in flight height can occur plastically, whereas those for Nicrophorus maculifrons and Nicrophorus investigator did not differ among sites, indicating that the flight heights of these species are largely genetically determined. Thus, the present differentiation in capture height is primarily determined by current plastic shifts and on some genetic basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Colorless crystals of 1,4-dicyano-2-(4′-methoxybenzyloxy)methylnaphthalene (2), which is a 1,4-dicyano-2-methylnaphthalene (DCMN)–4-methylanisole (MA) dyad linked by an ether unit, selectively form a fluorescent intermolecular DCMN–MA exciplex (greenish blue, ). In contrast, 1,4-dicyano-2-(4′-methylbenzyloxy)methylnaphthalene (3), which is a DCMN–p-xylene dyad, forms a fluorescent intermolecular DCMN–DCMN excimer in the crystalline state (blue, ). These findings demonstrate that a moderate charge transfer interaction takes place between the DCMN moiety of 2 and MA moieties of the adjacent molecules of 2, which successfully facilitates the preparation of light-emissive organic crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examined the propagation pattern of neuronal excitation in slices from the central nucleus of the rat amygdala (CeA) using optical imaging with a voltage-sensitive dye. We analyzed the mechanisms for the long-term potentiation (LTP) of neuronal excitation induced by conditioning stimulation. High-frequency conditioning stimulation induced NMDA receptor-, cAMP-, and PKA-dependent LTP of neuronal excitation in the lateral part of the CeA. The bath application of forskolin also induced LTP that was PKA-dependent. These results suggest that the potentiation of neuronal excitation in the lateral part of the CeA is induced by the activation of intracellular cAMP/PKA signaling, which is triggered by the influx of Ca2+ via NMDA receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Premise of the study: Genetic and chromosomal variations in plants are often reflected in the geographical distribution patterns. Therefore, identifying such phylogeographical patterns on population is important for understanding the process of plant diversification and speciation, and analyzing both molecular and cytological aspects is necessary. • Methods: We investigated the phylogeographic pattern and genetic diversity of the widespread Japanese sedge, Carex conica complex, based on chloroplast DNA haplotypes and chromosomal variations. • Key results: Sixteen distinct haplotypes were detected from 258 individuals in the C. conica complex inferred from the cpDNA sequences of intergenic spacer (IGS) between atpB and rbcL, IGS between trnT and trnL, trnL intron, and IGS between trnL and trnF. Most haplotypes showed distinct geographical structures. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two major clades, clades I and It, among 16 haplotypes of the complex. The haplotypes of clade I were mainly found in eastern Japan, while most haplotypes of clade II were found in western Japan. Four intraspecific aneuploids of 2n = 32.34, 36, and 38, with forming normal bivalents in meiotic divisions, were also found in the complex. The geographical distribution of these intraspecific aneuploids corresponded well with those of the haplotypes. • Conclusions: Our results suggest that the genetic diversity and chromosomal variations in the C conica complex my have originated from contractions and expansions of geographical ranges affected by Quaternary climatic oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three kinds of cyclodextrin (CD) dimer (one homo-dimer of β-CD and two types of hetero-dimer of α-CD and β-CD) were synthesized as artificial hydrolases. The initial rates of the cleavage reaction of p-nitrophenyl methoxyethoxyethoxyacetate (8) by each of the three dimers were measured under the condition of excess of substrate at 25°C in a pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. In a plot of initial rate against concentration of the substrate, the reaction with the homo-dimer (βCβH 5) gave a sigmoidal curve, whereas the reaction with either of the hetero-dimers gave a simple hyperbolic curve. Only βCβH 5 showed homotropic cooperativity, with a Hill constant of 1.8. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

1. Species diversities of some insect lineages have been attributed to differentiation of feeding habits among species. Our objective was to determine variation in diet composition among harpaline ground beetle species occurring in a riverside grassland. 2. We examined the diet compositions of 14 species from six genera in the spring and 10 species from two genera in the autumn. We performed measurements of nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios in consumers and in their potential food items, and estimated relative contributions of different food items with two mixing models, IsoSource and MixSIR. 3. IsoSource and MixSIR software gave similar results, but IsoSource tended to calculate higher contributions of principal food items and smaller percentile ranges than MixSIR. Among harparine beetle species, there were diverse food utilisation patterns among four food categories (detritivorous invertebrates, herbivorous invertebrates, C3 plants, and C4 plants). Detritivores comprised the main diets of abundant harpaline species in the spring, whereas abundant harpaline species in the autumn were primarily herbivores feeding on C4 plants, or omnivores feeding on herbivorous invertebrates and C3 plants. Seasonal changes in food use were related to seasonal changes in the abundance of each food resource. 4. Mixing model analysis of stable isotope ratios is a convenient and effective method for roughly estimating diets of many species with diverse food habits (such as ground beetles). This method can contribute to determining the trophic relationships of related insects in one ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrakis(2-methyl-5-methylthiothien-3-yl)ethene ( 1) exhibits incomplete photochromism in the powder state, KBr pellet, the amorphous state and a polystyrene film. In contrast, 1 in the single crystalline state does not show any photoreactivity. This chromic system involves three possible photon-modes involving the starting open isomer 1, the corresponding closed isomer trans- 2 and the rearranged isomer trans- 3. Unfortunately, efforts to control the interconversions between these isomers, especially the rearrangement of trans- 2 to trans- 3, have not been fruitful. A possible mechanism for photocyclization of 1 to form trans- 2 is also discussed on the basis of the results of density functional theory calculations together with that for the 1,2-dyotropic rearrangement of trans- 2 to give trans- 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BaO–TeO2 thin films were prepared from tellurium(VI) alkoxide by a sol–gel method and their structure was investigated by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and 125Te static nuclear magnetic resonance. Their crystallization temperature ( Tc), optical transmittance, and dielectric constant were measured, and their refractive index was calculated from the transmission spectra. The results indicate that the BaO–TeO2 thin films were composed of TeO6 and TeO4 units, and had a Tc of ∼520°C, refractive index of ∼1.79, dielectric constant of ∼20. These films had a Tc higher than the glass prepared by a melt-quench method, but their refractive index and dielectric constant were lower. These differences may be due to differences in their structural units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal differences in phylogeographic patterns of flightless insect species occurring in different regions of Japan, we studied the phylogeography and demographic history of Silpha beetles occurring in cool-temperate habitats of two major islands, Honshu and Hokkaido, using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Honshu has a more mountainous topography, and cool-temperate habitats occur discontinuously, whereas Hokkaido, located to the north of Honshu, has more continuous cool-temperate habitats. A species endemic to Honshu, S. longicornis occurs on Honshu, whereas S. perforata occurs on Hokkaido and the East Asian continent. Our results indicate that the ancestors of S. longicornis colonized Honshu via a south-west route c. 0.7 Mya and the species has highly divergent populations in isolated mountainous areas of Honshu, whereas S. perforata colonized Hokkaido via a northern route less than 90 000 years ago and has less divergent geographic populations. During the last glacial period, S. perforata was probably restricted to refugia in southern Hokkaido and later expanded into northern Hokkaido, whereas S. longicornis populations existed in many isolated refugia, probably because of the complex topography of Honshu. Thus, our study demonstrates that, even between closely related species, interactions among biology, latitudinal climatic gradients and topography can produce different phylogeographic patterns. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98, 452–467. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, little is still known about how alpine species occurring in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) responded to past climatic oscillations. Here, by using variations of the chloroplast trnT-L, we examined the genetic distribution pattern of 101 individuals of Potentilla glabra, comprising both the interior QTP and the plateau edge. Phylogenetic and network analyses of 31 recovered haplotypes identified three tentative clades (A, B and C). Analysis of molecular variance (amova) revealed that most of the genetic variability was found within populations (0.693), while differentiations between populations were obviously distinct ( Fst= 0.307). Two independent range expansions within clades A and B occurring at approximately 316 and 201 thousand years ago (kya) were recovered from the hierarchical mismatch analysis, and these two expansions were also confirmed by Fu's FS values and ‘ g’ tests. However, distant distributions of clade C and private haplotypes from clades A and B suggest that they had survived the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and previous glaciers in situ since their origins. Our findings based on available limited samples support that multiple refugia of a few cold-enduring species had been maintained in the QTP platform during LGM and/or previous glacial stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long-term potentiation (LTP) at synapses in the spinal dorsal horn is thought to be a cellular mechanism for abnormal pain sensitivity. In this article, we review LTP in spinal projection neurons and presynaptic mechanisms of LTP in the spinal dorsal horn revealed by patch-clamp recording and optical imaging with voltage-sensitive dye. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The photoreaction of tetrakis(2-methylthien-3-yl)ethene (1a) and its tetrakis(methylthio) derivative 1b was investigated in the context of a potentially new chromic system responsive to both photoexcitation and electron transfer. UV irradiation of 1 at low conversion leads to production of its cyclic isomer 2 while 2 returns to 1 upon vis irradiation, representative of facile photochromic behavior. In contrast, UV irradiation at high conversion transforms 1b to rearranged product 3b via the intermediacy of 2b. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]