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Ξ− atomic X-ray spectroscopy is one of the most useful methods for investigation of the Ξ–nucleus strong interaction. Since the X-ray energy is shifted and/or broadened due to the Ξ–nucleus strong interaction compared to those calculated from electromagnetic interaction alone, the measurement of the energy shift, ΔE, and the width, Γ, give us information on the Ξ–nucleus potential. A serious problem in the measurement is the significant background derived from in-flight Ξ− decay. A novel method of identifying stopped Ξ− events using the nuclear emulsion was developed to realize the first Ξ− atomic X-ray spectroscopy experiment as the J-PARC E07 experiment, which also aimed at searching for ΛΛ and Ξ− hypernuclei in the emulsion. The X-rays emitted from Ξ− Br and Ξ− Ag atoms were measured using germanium detectors. No clear peaks were observed in the obtained spectra. However, we succeeded in reducing the background to 1/170 by this method employing coincidence measurements using nuclear emulsion and X-ray detectors.

The native gold in the Woxi Au–Sb–W deposit is characterized by remarkably high purities (99.9%), called as super-pure native gold. The deposit can thus be used as the suitable application example for analyzing ore-forming conditions by using the thermodynamic calculation of AuxAg1 – x-fluid equilibria. According to experimental results of minerals and fluid inclusions, some physicochemical conditions are assumed in the thermodynamic calculation of the fluids equilibrated with Au–Ag solid solutions of XAu = 0.999. Calculated results in log fO2-pH diagrams show dissolved gold and silver concentrations, as well as stability fields of pyrite and sericite associated with the super-pure native gold. On the other hand, LA-ICP-MS analysis indicates that both Au and Ag concentration are determined in the fluid inclusions of scheelite, showing varied Au/Ag ratios with different homogenization temperatures. The calculated results assumed by different data of inclusions in scheelite, indicate two fluid inclusions showing higher homogenization temperatures (303°C and 356°C) and higher Au/Ag ratios are possible for precipitation of the super-pure native gold coexisting with pyrite and sericite, whereas one fluid inclusion showing a lower homogenization temperature (198°C) and a lower Au/Ag ratio is impossible for the super-pure native gold. Therefore, the super-pure native gold in the Woxi deposit was probably formed by the hydrothermal fluid with higher Au/Ag ratios and high temperatures in the mineralization stage of scheelite.

Alarge superconducting machine, JT-60SA has been constructed to provide major contributions to the ITER program and DEMO design. For the success of the ITER project and fusion reactor, understanding and development of plasma controllability in ITER and DEMO relevant higher beta regimes are essential. JT-60SA has focused the program on the plasma controllability for scenario development and risk mitigation in ITER as well as on investigating DEMO relevant regimes. This paper summarizes the high research priorities and strategy for the JT-60SA project. Recent works on simulation studies to prepare the plasma physics and control experiments are presented, such as plasma breakdown and equilibrium controls, hybrid and steady-state scenario development, and risk mitigation techniques. Contributions of JT-60SA to ITER and DEMOhave been clarified through those studies. Peer Reviewed Article escrit per 127 autors/autores: M Yoshida, G Giruzzi, N Aiba, J F Artaud, J Ayllon-Guerola, L Balbinot, OBeeke, E Belonohy, P Bettini, W Bin, A Bierwage, T Bolzonella, M Bonotto, CBoulbe, J Buermans, M Chernyshova, S Coda, R Coelho, S Davis, C Day, GDeTommasi, M Dibon, A Ejiri, G Falchetto, A Fassina, B Faugeras, L Figini, M Fukumoto, S Futatani, K Galazka, J Garcia, M Garcia-Muñoz, L Garzotti, L Giacomelli, L Giudicotti, S Hall, N Hayashi, C Hoa, M Honda, K Hoshino, M Iafrati, A Iantchenko, S Ide, S Iio, R Imazawa, S Inoue, A Isayama, E Joffrin, K Kamiya, Y Ko, M Kobayashi, T Kobayashi, G Kocsis, A Kovacsik, T Kurki-Suonio, B Lacroix, P Lang, Ph Lauber, A Louzguiti, E de la Luna, G Marchiori, M Mattei, A Matsuyama, S Mazzi, A Mele, F Michel, Y Miyata, J Morales, P Moreau, A Moro, T Nakano, M Nakata, E Narita, R Neu, S Nicollet, M Nocente, S Nowak, F P Orsitto, V Ostuni, Y Ohtani, N Oyama, R Pasqualotto, B Pégourié, E Perelli, L Pigatto, C Piccinni, A Pironti, P Platania, B Ploeckl, D Ricci, P Roussel, G Rubino, R Sano, K Särkimäki, K Shinohara, S Soare, C Sozzi, S Sumida, T Suzuki, Y Suzuki, T Szabolics, T Szepesi, Y Takase, M Takech, N Tamura, K Tanaka, H Tanaka, M Tardocchi, A Terakado, H Tojo, T Tokuzawa, A Torre, N Tsujii, H Tsutsui, Y Ueda, H Urano, M Valisa, M Vallar, J Vega, F Villone, T Wakatsuki, T Wauters, M Wischmeier, S Yamoto, L Zani

In an emulsion-counter hybrid experiment performed at J-PARC, a Ξ^{-} absorption event was observed which decayed into twin single-Λ hypernuclei. Kinematic calculations enabled a unique identification of the reaction process as Ξ^{-}+^{14}N→_{Λ}^{10}Be+_{Λ}^{5}He. For the binding energy of the Ξ^{-} hyperon in the Ξ^{-}-^{14}N system a value of 1.27±0.21 MeV was deduced. The energy level of Ξ^{-} is likely a nuclear 1p state which indicates a weak ΞN-ΛΛ coupling.

1.6 Tb/s optical engine is enabled through vertical integration of a 2-channel monolithic InP PIC with SiGe electronics and a real-time DSP ASIC operating at 100 Gbaud for 800 Gb/s transmission.

Background/Introduction Tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) is a potentially reversible dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) caused by tachyarrhythmias. Early recognition of TIC and treatment of the culprit arrhythmia using pharmacological therapy or catheter ablation results in the recovery of LV function. For atrial flutter (AFL)-induced TIC, rhythm control strategy, such as catheter ablation has been recommended. On the other hand, the efficacy of rate control strategy has remained unclear due to the difficulty of control with arrhythmic medications. However, not all patients can take rhythm control treatments due to their backgrounds. Purpose The aim of this cohort study was to establish whether rate control strategy using β-blocker is as effective as invasive rhythm control strategy for the recovery of LV function in patients with TIC due to AFL. Methods We prospectively assessed 47 symptomatic non-ischaemic heart failure (HF) patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50% and suspected TIC induced by persistent AFL. Patients were divided into rhythm control strategy group (n=22, treatment: catheter ablation, electrical cardioversion) and rate control strategy group (n=25, treatment: bisoprolol). As a sub-group study, the rate control strategy group was divided into the strict rate control group (n=12, average heart rate below 80 bpm) and lenient rate control group (n=13, average heart rate below 110 bpm). The primary outcome was the recovery of LV function, defined as an increase of LVEF over 20% or to a value of 55% or greater after 6 months. Results There were no significant differences in baseline AFL heart rate, New York Heart Association class, LVEF, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and brain natriuretic peptide between the two groups. A greater proportion of patients who showed the recovery of LVEF after 6 months belonged to the rhythm control strategy group (90.9% vs. 52.0%, p=0.004). The cumulative incidence of HF re-hospitalization was significantly higher in the rate control strategy group than in the rhythm control strategy group (hazard ratio: 4.90, 95% CI: 1.06–22.69). As a result of sub-group study, LVEF recovery was greater in the strict rate control group compared to the lenient rate control group (75.0% vs. 30.8%, p=0.027) Conclusion Rate control strategy was significantly inferior to rhythm control strategy for the recovery of LVEF in TIC patients with persistent AFL. Rhythm control should be the first choice in the management of TIC with AFL, and strict rate control should be an alternative if rhythm control is not available. Primary outcomes Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

In an emulsion-counter hybrid experiment performed at J-PARC, a Ξ^{-} absorption event was observed which decayed into twin single-Λ hypernuclei. Kinematic calculations enabled a unique identification of the reaction process as Ξ^{-}+^{14}N→_{Λ}^{10}Be+_{Λ}^{5}He. For the binding energy of the Ξ^{-} hyperon in the Ξ^{-}-^{14}N system a value of 1.27±0.21 MeV was deduced. The energy level of Ξ^{-} is likely a nuclear 1p state which indicates a weak ΞN-ΛΛ coupling.

It is reported from the measurement of a negative ion beamlet emittance that the characteristic three-Gaussian components are observed in the emittance diagram. The negative ion trajectories are calculated using 3D PIC-MCC simulation in order to clarify the origin of this complicated phase space structure and underlying physical mechanism. The characteristic three-Gaussian components can be reproduced in the emittance diagram from the simulation result. It is verified that the Gaussian components are caused by the negative ions extracted from the different plasma meniscus region, that is, the central region or the region near the edges of the meniscus.

Sequences of hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D) experiments have been done by NIFS research and development negative ion source (RNIS) for the deuterium NBI development. In the experiments, the co-extracted electron current with the negative ions and the electron density in the plasma generation region in the D experiment have been around three times higher than that in the H experiment. To explain the difference of the electron density in the RNIS driver region, a zero-dimensional numerical model is developed in the present study. The model only focuses on the isotope effect for vibrationally excited level of electronically grounded state molecules and its relevant cross-sections. The calculation results show that difference of the ionization channel numbers via molecular vibrationally excited states could be a reason to enhance ionization rate in D plasma.

For the ITER and DEMO reactors, transient heat load induced by large edge localized mode (ELM) must be mitigated or suppressed to maintain the surface condition of the divertor plate. From recent studies in tokamak devices, an application of the resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) field is thought to be one of the effective solutions. The RMP has an inherently three-dimensional (3D) nature, causing a non-axisymmetric modification of the divertor heat flux profile. Due to the RMP, splitting of a strike point is observed. Recent experiment in ASDEX-U indicated that the RMP induces the modification of toroidal and radial distributions of the heat flux, although the toroidally averaged radial heat flux is the same with that without the RMP case. In addition, the degree of the heat flux variation was found to depend on the upstream plasma condition. The research of the RMP effect for the divertor heat load is being conducted in both experiments and numerical simulations. The ELM mitigation experiment with RMP in JT-60SA tokamak, which is being constructed, is scheduled as a key research item. Before the experiment, it is important to predict the divertor footprint pattern and its characteristics by using a modeling code. For this aim, the 3D plasma fluid transport and kinetic neutral transport code, “EMC3-EIRENE”, is suitable, and it has been applied to several devices. Therefore, we have started the EMC3-EIRENE modeling of JT-60SA edge plasmas with/without the RMP field. At first, we calculated pure deuterium plasma in an axisymmetric magnetic configuration grid, and then results were compared with those from the two-dimensional (2D) transport code “SONIC”. As a result, similar amplitude and decay of the heat flux profile on the divertor plate were obtained. After that, the grid equipping the RMP field with the toroidal mode number of n = 3 was generated (so-called an ITER-like scenario). From a 120-degree range calculation in the toroidal direction, lobe structures and a footprint splitting were first confirmed in the EMC3-EIRENE calculation of JT-60SA, being consistent with the previous magnetic field tracing. We will present the above-mentioned results and discuss RMP effects on footprint profile, flow, recycling, and so on.

We present a 1.6Tbps coherent transceiver delivering 800Gbps/wave transmission using integrated Tx/Rx functions with 50GHz bandwidth and 50kHz linewidth tunable lasers on a single 2-channel InP PIC, paired with a SiGe Driver and TIA ASIC.

J-PARC E07 is the most complex emulsion experiment to date investigating double hypernuclei with a hybrid emulsion method. This experiment aims to detect 104 Ξ− stop events, ten times more events than the past experiments. Thus, an unequivocal identification of several new double hypernuclei is expected. The beam exposure has been completed at the K1.8 beam line of the J-PARC hadron facility in June 2017. The photographic development of all emulsion sheets has also been completed in February 2018. The emulsion sheets are presently being analyzed with dedicated optical microscopes. Current statistics is comparable to that of E373 and so far 10 events of 3-vertices topology have been detected. A typical event of double Λ hypernucleus and a twin Λ hypernucleus are introduced. We plan to complete the main part of the emulsion scanning within a year.

A double-$\Lambda$ hypernucleus, ${}_{\Lambda\Lambda}\mathrm{Be}$, was observed by the J-PARC E07 collaboration in nuclear emulsions tagged by the $(K^{-},K^{+})$ reaction. This event was interpreted as a production and decay of $ {}_{\Lambda\Lambda}^{\;10}\mathrm{Be}$, ${}_{\Lambda\Lambda}^{\;11}\mathrm{Be}$, or ${}_{\Lambda\Lambda}^{\;12}\mathrm{Be}^{*}$ via $\Xi^{-}$ capture in ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}$. By assuming the capture in the atomic 3D state, the binding energy of two $\Lambda$ hyperons$\,$($B_{\Lambda\Lambda}$) of these double-$\Lambda$ hypernuclei are obtained to be $15.05 \pm 0.11\,\mathrm{MeV}$, $19.07 \pm 0.11\,\mathrm{MeV}$, and $13.68 \pm 0.11\,\mathrm{MeV}$, respectively. Based on the kinematic fitting, ${}_{\Lambda\Lambda}^{\;11}\mathrm{Be}$ is the most likely explanation for the observed event., Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures

Double strangeness nuclei such as double-Λ and Ξ hypernuclei have been studied with nuclear emulsion due to its fine position resolution. Recently, we have started an experiment to study Λ-Λ interaction more accurately than that information given by the NAGARA event with ∼10 2 double-Λ hypernuclei which may provide us understanding free from nuclear medium effect. It is necessary to develop treatment method for huge amount, 2.1 tons of the emulsion gel, even if very pure K − beams are available at J-PARC. We have developed the base film to support the emulsion, emulsion surface coating method with a special layer of 0.5 μm thick, method for making large-size plate (35.0 x 34.5 cm 2 ) and scanning method, called “ overall scanning ”. The first evidence of a deeply bound state of Ξ - - 14 N system, named KISO, was successfully detected in the test operation of the overall scanning.

Concentrations of dissolved gold and silver species in hydrothermal fluids equilibrated with Au–Ag solid solutions have been calculated at wide conditions on the well known fO 2 –pH spaces. Ratios of the total concentrations of dissolved gold and silver species (∑Au/∑Ag) are higher as pH higher and fO 2 lower. The ratios are constant at very low and high pH conditions where major dissolved species of both gold and silver are chloride complexes and thio complexes, respectively, while the ratios practically depend only on pH at intermediate pH conditions where Au(HS) 2 − and AgCl 2 − are major. The calculated results indicate that the solid solutions of high gold finenesses may precipitate from the fluids of low ratios of the total concentrations of dissolved gold and silver species when the conditions are (1) low pH’s and/or (2) high concentration ratios of dissolved chlorine and sulfur and/or (3) high temperatures.

We investigated how to control the nano-pinhole structure of a confined-current-path current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistive (CCP-CPP GMR) sensor by inducing pulse current. We found an improved MR ratio with reduced sensor resistance by applying an optimal pulse current. This was assumed to be due to the enlarged nano-pinhole area and reduced pinhole resistance. When excessive pulse current was applied, the MR ratio and sensor resistance decreased because the CPP-GMR sensor degraded thermally.

Recently, high-temperature superconductor (HTS) cables have been widely studied because of their compactness and high power capacity compared to conventional copper cables. In HTS cables, AC loss is an important issue since large losses reduce the efficiency of the power line. Among HTS cables, tri-axial cable is under intensive investigation recently, since it has a smaller amount of HTS tapes, small leakage fields and small heat loss in leak when compared with the three single-phase cables. For realizing high current capacity, more than one layer is required for each phase; therefore AC loss of the multi-layer tri-axial HTS cable should be carefully examined. In the tri-axial cable, different phase currents produce the out-of-phase magnetic fields on the other phase layers. In case of multi-layer arrangement, net magnetic fields on layer surfaces may exceed the penetration field of the HTS tape. Therefore in this paper, we analyze the AC loss of a tri-axial HTS cable which is composed of two layers per phase. Here, we treat the tri-axial cable which consists of two different longitudinal segments and thus satisfies balanced phase and homogeneous current distribution condition by controlling twist pitch and length of separate segments.

Corrosion resistances of nickel-base alloys in HNO 3 –HF mixtures were investigated to apply them to FLUOREX process, which is advanced hybrid process of fluoride volatility and solvent extraction for next-generation spent nuclear oxide fuel reprocessing. Many types of Ni–Cr and Ni–Cr–X (X = Mo, W, Nb, Ti, Si, Cu) ingots were experimentally manufactured and the desirable chromium and third element contents in nickel-base alloys were discussed in narrow range to improve the corrosion resistance in hot HNO 3 –HF mixtures. From the results of corrosion tests, Ni–45Cr–0.25Mo alloy exhibited the best corrosion resistance in this study. The corrosion rate was 0.17 mm/y in 8 M HNO 3 –0.1 M HF solutions at 373 K and it provided good performance as corrosion resistant materials. In conclusion, the controls of higher chromium content and a small amount of molybdenum in nickel-base alloys are significant to improve the corrosion resistance in HNO 3 –HF mixtures condition for the FLUOREX process.

A new gamma ray observation project with balloon borne emulsion chambers is presented. A new technique based on the accelerator emulsion experiments was implemented for studying high energy stellar objects with cosmic gamma rays. This paper provides the aim and concept of this project as well as some results of test experiments.

An emulsion-counter hybrid experiment (KEK E176) was carried out to search for double strangeness systems such as double- Λ hypernuclei and H -dibaryons. More than 10% of Ξ − hyperons produced in the (K − , K + ) reaction were brought to rest in the nuclear emulsion. We have obtained 98 candidate events of nuclear capture at rest of Ξ − hyperons which are described in this report. Among those, four events were identified as sequential weak decay of double- Λ hypernuclei. The binding energies of Ξ − -( 12 C, 14 N and 16 O) states have been estimated for two events which emit twin single- Λ hypernuclei back to back from the capture point. The Σ − p decay vertex of an H -dibaryon was searched for near the capture point and no evidence was observed. Upper limits for the branching ratio of H emission are 5–10% for a lifetime less than 0.1 ns at the 90% confidence level. The trapping probabilities of single and double strangeness to a nuclear fragment following Ξ − capture at rest have been studied.

This article deals with the sound of light or medium-preloaded ball splines operating at a certain linear velocity. Experimental results showed that the sound waveforms of the ball splines are pulse-like with ball passage period Tp, and sound peaks f1- f8 and f1- f7 appear in the 20 kHz range sound spectra of the light- and medium-preloaded ball splines, respectively. A supplemental experiment showed that the main cause of the ball spline sound is the collision between the ball and the spline shaft or spline nut at the entrance of the load zone. The measured frequencies of the sound peaks nearly matched the natural radial-bending frequencies of the spline shaft or nut obtained by finite-element method (FEM). This means that the sound peaks are caused by the natural radial-bending vibrations of the spline shaft and nut. Finally, based on the experimental and FEM results, the sound-generating mechanism of the ball splines has been elucidated.

The stress in a read head in a hard disk drive was investigated by using finite element method (FEM) calculations. We compared the structurally induced effect of stress in a current-in-plane (CIP) structure and in a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) structure. We found that electrodes in the CIP structure produced a large amount of in-plane anisotropic stress at the pinned layer. However, anisotropic stress induced in the CPP structure by the sensor-side material such as hard bias was less than that in the CIP structure. This was because the CPP structure did not have thick electrodes on the sensor side.

The final oscillation analysis of the complete set of data collected by CHORUS in the years 1994-1997 is presented. Reconstruction algorithms of data extracted by electronic detectors were improved and the data recorded in the emulsion target were analysed by new automated scanning systems, allowing the use of a new method for event reconstruction in emulsion. CHORUS has applied these new techniques to the sample of 1996-1997 events for which no muons were observed in the electronic detectors. Combining the new sample with the data analysed in previous papers, the overall sensitivity of the experiment to the ?? appearance is thus improved. In a two-neutrino mixing scheme, a 90% C.L. upper limit of sin2 2 ?µ ? < 4.4 × 10-4 is set for large ? m2, improving by a factor 1.5 the previously published CHORUS result. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung: 05 7MS12P, 05 6BU11P Grant Foundation: KRF-2003-005-C00014 Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan CERN Israel Science Foundation: 328/94 Brussels Instituut voor Milieubeheer Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter Korean Foundation for Cancer Research Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics We gratefully acknowledge the help and support of the neutrino beam staff and of the numerous technical collaborators who contributed to the detector construction, operation, emulsion pouring, development, and scanning. The experiment has been made possible by grants from the Institut Interuniversitaire des Sciences Nucléaires and the Interuniversitair Instituut voor Kernwetenschappen (Belgium), the Israel Science Foundation (grant 328/94) and the Technion Vice President Fund for the Promotion of Research (Israel), CERN (Geneva, Switzerland), the German Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (contract numbers 05 6BU11P and 05 7MS12P) (Germany), the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (Moscow, Russia), the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (Italy), the Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Japan), the Korea Research Foundation Grant (KRF-2003-005-C00014) (Republic of Korea), the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter FOM and the National Scientific Research Organization NWO (The Netherlands), and the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (Turkey). We gratefully acknowledge their support.

This paper presents measurements on semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) emitted from building materials, household electric appliances, and indoor products. It is extremely difficult to apply the emission test chamber method to the accurate measurement of SVOCs because they are absorbed by the internal walls of the chamber. The authors have reported on the development of the thermal desorption test chamber method that can measure correctly the emission rates of SVOCs emitted from materials under actual room-air temperature conditions. This method is composed of two measurement steps. In the first step we capture organic compounds emitted as gaseous matter. After removing the test piece from the chamber, in the second step we continuously gather the organic compounds absorbed by the chamber's internal walls while heating the chamber. We have used this method to measure emissions from various objects, and have confirmed that most SVOCs are caught in the second step. In this paper, we also report on our verification of the accuracy of SVOC measurements taken using an emission chamber and describe the emission characteristics of SVOCs.

We investigated the effect of the misorientation angle of an r-plane sapphire substrate on a-plane GaN grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The misorientation angle was changed systematically in the direction of the [0001] c-axis or [1100] m-axis (denoted θ1) and in the direction of the [1120] a-axis (denoted θ2). Results show that the surface morphology and crystalline quality are very sensitive to θ1 misorientation angle. We successfully grew an a-plane GaN layer with a pit-free surface by optimizing the misorientation angle of the r-plane sapphire substrate. We found that the r-plane sapphire substrate with a θ1 misorientation angle between -0.53 and -0.28° is very effective for growing a-plane GaN with a pit-free surface. Moreover, a θ1 misoriention angle between -0.53 and -0.28° improves crystalline quality in the GaN c-axis direction, but causes a slight increase in tilt mosaicity in the GaN m-axis direction. In contrast, a θ2 misorientation angle between -0.55 and +0.52° produces no differences in the surface morphology and crystalline quality of a-plane GaN.

Annually laminated carbonates, known as tufas, commonly develop in limestone areas and typically record seasonal patterns of oxygen- and carbon-isotope compositions. δ18O values are principally controlled by seasonal changes of water temperature, whereas δ13C values are the result of complex reactions among the gaseous, liquid, and solid sources of carbon in the system. We examined the processes that cause the seasonal patterns of δ13C in groundwater systems at three tufa-depositing sites in southwestern Japan by applying model calculations to geochemical data. Underground inorganic carbon species are exchanged with gaseous CO2, which is mainly introduced to the underground hydrological system by natural atmospheric ventilation and by diffusion of soil air. These processes control the seasonal pattern of δ13C, which is low in summer and high in winter. Among the three sites we investigated, we identified two extreme cases of the degree of carbon exchange between liquid and gaseous phases. For the case with high radiocarbon composition (Δ14C) and low pCO2, there was substantial carbon exchange because of a large contribution of atmospheric CO2 and a small water mass. For the other extreme case, which was characterized by low Δ14C and high pCO2, the contribution of atmospheric CO2 was small and the water mass was relatively large. Our results suggest that at two of the three sites water residence time within the soil profile was longer than 1 year. Our results also suggested a short residence time (less than 1 year) of water in the soil profile at the site with the smallest water mass, which is consistent with large seasonal amplitude of the springwater temperature variations. The Δ14C value of tufas is closely related to the hydrological conditions in which they are deposited. If the initial Δ14C value of a tufa-depositing system is stable, 14C-chronology can be used to date paleo-tufas.

The JT-60SA tokamak, being built under the Broader Approach agreement jointly by Europe and Japan, is due to start operation in 2019 and is expected to give substantial contributions to both ITER and DEMO scenario optimization. A broad set of preparation activities for an efficient start of the experiments on JT-60SA is being carried out, involving the elaboration of the Research Plan, advanced modelling in various domains, feasibility and conception studies of diagnostics and other sub-systems in connection with the priorities of the scientific programme, development and validation of operation tools. The logic and coherence of this approach, as well as the main activities undertaken are presented and summarized.

We succeeded to observe tracks of low-velocity Kr ions, having originally ranges below optical resolution, in a fine grain nuclear emulsion with an optical microscope after expanding the emulsion along the incident direction. This opens up the possibility of tracking low-velocity nuclear recoils from massive dark matter particles using optical microscope scanning systems.

An event emitting a Σ- -hyperon from a Ξ- -hyperon nuclear capture at rest has been observed in a hybrid-emulsion experiment. The event has been analyzed as the first observation of the weak decay of the S = - 2 system.

Most advanced solid tumors metastasize to different organs. However, no gene therapy effective for multiple tumors has yet been developed. Since a unique characteristic of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is that they migrate to tumor tissues, we wanted to determine whether MSCs could serve as a vehicle of gene therapy for targeting multiple tumors. First, we confirmed that mouse MSCs preferentially migrate to multiple tumors of the lung in the Colon-26 (C-26) lung metastasis model. Next, MSCs were efficiently transduced with NK4, an antagonist of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), by an adenoviral vector with an RGD motif. MSCs expressing NK4 (NK4-MSCs) strongly inhibited development of lung metastases in the C-26 lung metastasis model after systemic administration via a tail vein. Treatment with NK4-MSCs significantly prolonged survival of the C-26-tumor-bearing mice by inhibiting tumor-associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis and inducing apoptosis of the tumor cells. MSC-based gene therapy did not induce the severe adverse effects induced by conventional adenoviral vectors. These results indicate that MSCs can serve as a vehicle of gene therapy for targeting multiple lung metastatic tumors.

We have studied low-velocity Kr ion responses of nuclear emulsions for the possibility of tracking Ag and Br recoils from galactic dark matter particles. Tracks of 680–1180 km/s Kr ions have been observed in a 40 nm-sized AgBr grain emulsion with scanning electron microscopy. The tracks have a linear energy-dependency in range, angles biased along the incident direction, and a high developed-grain number density with respect to expected electronic stopping. We find that the fine grain emulsion is sensitive enough to low-velocity heavy ions whose energy losses are mainly governed by nuclear stopping.