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A fast-sampling fast-ion D-alpha (F-FIDA) measurement has been developed in the large helical device in order to investigate fast ion dynamics associated with helically trapped fast-ion-driven Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) bursts. F-FIDA consists of a multi-anode photomultiplier tube (PMT) and achieves a sampling rate of 10 kHz. During the deuterium experiment campaign in 2022, F-FIDA measured the spectrum of perpendicular fast ions, using perpendicular lines of sight. We compared F-FIDA with conventional FIDA, using an electron multiplying charge coupled device, and confirmed that the time-averaged images were generally consistent between the two. The statistical properties of the temporal evolution associated with MHD bursts were analyzed using a conditional sampling technique. The results showed that the PMT signal varied in different spatial and wavelength channels. Although the signal-to-noise ratio was poor and there was room for improvement, it could provide useful information for studies on the phase-space dynamics of fast ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of energetic particle transport due to energetic-particle-driven Alfvénic instability have progressed using neutron and energetic particle diagnostics in Large Helical Device deuterium plasmas. Alfvénic instability excited by injecting an intensive neutral beam was observed by a magnetic probe and a far-infrared laser interferometer. The interferometer showed Alfvénic instability composed of three modes that existed from the core to the edge of the plasma. A comparison between the observed frequency and shear Alfvén spectra suggested that the mode activity was most likely classified as an Alfvénic avalanche. A neutron fluctuation detector and a fast ion loss detector indicated that Alfvénic instability induced transport and loss of co-going transit energetic ions. The dependence of the drop rate of the neutron signal on the Alfvénic instability amplitude showed that significant transport occurred. Significant transport might be induced by the large amplitude and radially extended multiple modes, as well as a large deviation of the energetic ion orbit from the flux surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese Hayabusa2 spacecraft has successfully carried out an impact experiment using a small carry-on impactor (SCI) on an asteroid (162173) Ryugu. We examine the size distribution of particles inside and outside an artificial impact crater (the SCI crater) based on the images taken by the optical navigation camera onboard the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. The circumferential variation in particle size distribution inside the SCI crater is recognized and we interpret that major circumferential variation is caused by the large boulders inside the SCI crater that existed prior to the impact. The size distribution inside the SCI crater also shows that the subsurface layer beneath the SCI impact site had a large number of particles with a characteristic size of – 9 cm, which is consistent with the previous evaluations. On the other hand, the size distribution outside the SCI crater exhibits the radial variation, implying that the deposition of ejecta from the SCI crater is involved. The slope of the size distribution outside the crater at small sizes differs from the slope of the size distribution on the surface of Ryugu by approximately 1 or slightly less. This is consistent with the claim that some particles are buried in fine particles of the subsurface origin included in ejecta from the SCI crater. Thus, the particle size distributions inside and outside the SCI crater reveal that the subsurface layer beneath the SCI impact site is rich in fine particles with – 9 cm in size while the particles on the surface have a size distribution of a power-law form with shallower slopes at small sizes due to the deposition of fine ejecta from the subsurface layer. Finally, we discuss a process responsible for this difference in particle size distribution between the surface and the subsurface layers. The occurrence of segregation in the gravitational flow of particles on the surface of Ryugu is plausible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perpendicular line-of-sight compact neutron emission spectrometer (perpendicular CNES) was newly installed to understand the helically trapped fast-ion behavior through deuterium–deuterium (D–D) neutron energy spectrum measurement in the Large Helical Device (LHD). The energy calibration of the EJ-301 liquid scintillation detector system for perpendicular CNES was performed on an accelerator-based D–D neutron source. We installed two EJ-301 liquid scintillation detectors, which view the LHD plasma vertically from the lower side through the multichannel collimator. The D–D neutron energy spectrum was measured in a deuterium perpendicular-neutral-beam-heated deuterium plasma. By the derivative unfolding technique, it was found that the D–D neutron energy spectrum had a double-humped shape with peaks at ∼2.33 and ∼2.65 MeV. D–D neutron energy spectrum was calculated based on the fast ion distribution function using guiding center orbit-following models considering the detector's energy resolution. The calculated peak energies in the D–D neutron energy spectrum almost match the experiment. In addition, a feasibility study toward the measurement of the energy distribution of ion-cyclotron-range-of-frequency-wave-accelerated beam ions was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding energetic particle transport due to magnetohydrodynamic instabilities excited by energetic particles is essential to apprehend alpha particle confinement in a fusion burning plasma. In the large helical device (LHD), beam ion and deuterium–deuterium fusion-born triton transport due to resistive interchange mode destabilized by helically-trapped energetic ions (EIC) are studied employing comprehensive neutron diagnostics, such as the neutron flux monitor and a newly developed scintillating fiber detector characterized by high detection efficiency. Beam ion transport due to EIC is studied in deuterium plasmas with full deuterium or hydrogen/deuterium beam injections. The total neutron emission rate (Sn) measurement indicates that EIC induces about a 6% loss of passing transit beam ions and a 60% loss of helically-trapped ions. The loss rate of helically-trapped ions, which drive EIC, is larger than the loss rate of passing transit beam ions. Furthermore, the drop of Sn increasing linearly with the EIC amplitude shows that barely confined beam ions existing near the confinement-loss boundary are lost due to EIC. In full deuterium conditions, a study of deuterium–deuterium fusion-born triton transport due to EIC is performed by time-resolved measurement of total secondary deuterium–tritium neutron emission rate (Sn_DT). Drop of Sn_DT increases substantially with EIC amplitude to the third power and reaches up to 30%. The relation shows that not only tritons confined in confined-loss boundary, but also tritons confined in the inner region of a plasma, are substantially transported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neutron emission profile of deuterium plasma in the Large Helical Device was measured with a multi-sightline vertical neutron camera under various magnetic field strength conditions. It was found that the line-integrated neutron emission profile shifts outward in the co-neutral beam (NB) case and inward in the counter NB case. Here, co- and counter directions correspond to enhance and reduce the poloidal magnetic field directions, respectively. The shift becomes more significant when the magnetic field decreased in strength. The experimentally obtained neutron emission profile was compared with the orbit-following models simulated through the DELTA5D code. The calculated neutron emission profiles vary according to the magnetic field strength because of the change of beam ion orbit and the slowing down due to the plasma parameter changes. Although a relatively narrow profile was obtained in the calculations at the inboard side for the co-NB case in the relatively low field condition, the profiles obtained through calculation and experiment were almost qualitatively aligned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the degradation of neutral beam (NB) fast-ion confinement depending on the NB power without magnetohydrodynamics instabilities in the Large Helical Device (LHD). In the LHD deuterium experiment, the neutron emission rate per NB power decreased by up to 20% with increasing injected NBs during a single discharge. Because there were no significant variations in the electron temperature and density, the NB shine-through rate, or the magnetic fluctuation due to the change in NB power, the reduction in the neutron emission rate indicates the degradation of the fast-ion confinement. In this paper, we formulated this degradation depending on the NB power and quantitatively estimated the degraded effective confinement time. In addition, we performed neutron emission rate simulations using the obtained effective confinement time. The simulation and experimental results were in good agreement, suggesting that the degraded effective confinement time is valid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, energetic-ion confinement and loss due to energetic-ion driven magnetohydrodynamic modes are studied using comprehensive neutron diagnostics and orbit-following numerical simulations for the Large Helical Device (LHD). The neutron flux monitor is employed in order to obtain global confinement of energetic ions and two installed vertical neutron cameras (VNCs) viewing different poloidal cross-sections are utilized in order to measure the radial profile of energetic ions. A strong helically-trapped energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange mode (EIC) excited in relatively low-density plasma terminated high-temperature state in LHD. Changes in the neutron emission profile due to the EIC excitation are clearly visualized by the VNCs. The reduction in the neutron signal for the helical ripple valley increases with EIC amplitude, which reaches approximately 50%. In addition to the EIC experiment, orbit-following simulations using the DELTA5D code with EIC fluctuations were performed to assess the energetic-ion transport and loss. Two-dimensional temporal evolution results show that the neutron emissivity at the helical ripple decreases significantly due to the EIC. The rapid reduction in neutron emissivity shows that the helically-trapped beam ions immediately escape from the plasma. The reduction in the VNC signals for the helical ripple valley and the total neutron emission rate increase with increasing EIC amplitude, as observed in the experiment. Calculated line-integrated neutron emission results show that the profile measured by VNC1 has one peak, whereas the profile measured by VNC2 has two peaks, as observed in the experiment. Although the neutron emission profile for VNC2 has a relatively wide peak compared with the experimental results, the significant decrease in neutron signal corresponding to the helical ripple valley was successfully reproduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new vertical neutron cameras characterized by high detection efficiency were developed on the Large Helical Device in order to observe poloidal structures of helically trapped beam ions created by the perpendicularly injected positive-ion based neutral beam (P-NB) and are newly operated since 2018. In this work, the neutron fields at the vertical neutron cameras are investigated using the Monte Carlo N-particle transport code to evaluate the performance of its collimators. The results indicate that neutrons are attenuated by the heavy concrete and are well collimated through the collimator to detectors. Neutron spectra at the detector position show over 99% of uncollided 2.45 MeV neutrons. Time evolution of neutron emission profiles during the short pulse of P-NB injection is measured by the vertical neutron cameras. Peaks on the neutron emission profiles corresponding to the helically trapped beam ion are successfully obtained, as designed. The decrease in line integrated neutron flux at the peak positions after the P-NB stops is consistent with the behavior of the total neutron emission rate measured by the neutron flux monitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ephrin receptors (Eph) and ligands are membrane‐bound cell–cell communication molecules that regulate the spatial organization of various tissues and organs by repulsive or adhesive signals arising from contact between Eph‐ and ephrin‐bearing cells. However, the expression and functions of Eph receptors in the testis and epididymis are virtually unknown. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the expression of several EphB receptors and ephrin‐B ligands in the testis and epididymis of adult mice. Materials and methods: mRNA and protein expression was detected via reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction amplification and immunostaining, respectively. Results: Complementary expression patterns were observed in the epithelia along the excurrent duct system in the testis and epididymis; ephrin‐B1 was strongly expressed in the epithelia of the rete testis and segment I in the ductus epididymis, whereas EphB2 and/or EphB4 were strongly expressed in the epithelia of the straight tubules and efferent ductules. Moreover, ephrin‐B1 was expressed in the spermatogonia, Leydig cells, and peritubular myoid cells in the testis, whereas EphB2 was expressed in elongated spermatids and EphB4 was expressed in the spermatogonia and Leydig cells. Furthermore, these receptors were found to be tyrosine‐phosphorylated in the testis and/or epididymis. Discussion: Receptor localization and phosphorylation patterns suggested that EphB/ephrin‐B signaling might occur in the seminiferous tubules and epithelial junctions among the straight tubules, rete testis, efferent ductules, and ductus epididymis. Therefore, we propose that EphB/ephrin‐B signaling may regulate epithelial boundary formation in the excurrent tubule/ductule/duct system as well as modulate spermatogenesis and spermiation. Conclusion: Overall, this study represents the first analysis of EphB receptor and ephrin‐B ligand expression in the normal adult testis and epididymis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ligophorus satunensis n. sp. was collected from the bluetail mullet, Crenimugil buchanani (Bleeker, 1853), caught off Satun, Thailand, representing the first report of the Ligophorus species in Thailand. The new species is most similar to Ligophorus fenestrum Soo & Lim, 2012 in its fenestrated dorsal hamuli, a ventral bar with a long, bifurcated anteromedian protuberance (AMP) without lateral pieces, and a non-sclerotized vagina. However, it differs from the latter in its dorsal hamuli (up to two layers of fenestrations of the dorsal hamuli in L. satunensis n. sp. vs six layers in L. fenestrum), ventral hamuli (nonfenestrated vs fenestrated), penis (turning a full circle before reaching the genital pore vs turning less than half a circle), and its accessory piece (non-grooved basally and grooved distally vs simply grooved along its entire length). A single specimen, very similar to L. satunensis n. sp., obtained from the same host fish, which can be differentiated from the latter by a considerably shorter AMP of the ventral bar and a smaller and slender dorsal hamuli, is tentatively designated here as Ligophorus sp. Moreover, the phylogenetic trees constructed from the concatenated sequences of partial large-subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (28S) and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) regions support that L. satunensis n. sp. is a new species closely related to L. fenestrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which evaluated the elastic properties of nanoparticle chain aggregates of metal compounds generated by laser ablation. Earlier studies of nanoparticle chain aggregates stretching; Previous studies of metal oxide nanoparticle chain aggregate synthesis by laser ablation; Conclusions.

The vertical neutron camera (VNC) has been developed to measure neutron emission profile in deuterium plasmas of the large helical device (LHD). The experiment on spatial resolution evaluation for VNC was carried out in November 2016 by using a 252Cf neutron source of 800 MBq. The neutron source was introduced into the LHD vacuum vessel through an aluminum pipe from an upper diagnostics port to the equatorial plane. The source was placed at the following two positions. The first position is just on the cylindrical collimator axis, and the second position is in the middle of two neighboring collimator axes. The stilbene scintillation detectors are aligned radially at the collimator end to detect unscattered fast-neutrons generated in a deuterium plasma. The 3-D neutron transport calculations by using a general-purpose Monte Carlo N-particle code 6 reproduced the experimentally obtained neutron counting rate, indicating that VNC has sufficient spatial resolution and the crosstalk between two neighboring collimators is a fairly small fraction. It is expected that the VNC on LHD will function as a tool for the study on the radial transport of energetic ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the currently performed neutral beam (NB) -heated deuterium plasma experiments, neutrons are mainly produced by a beam-plasma reaction. Therefore, time-resolved measurement of the neutron emission profile can enhance the understanding of the classical and/or anomalous transport of beam ions. To measure radial neutron emission profiles as a function of time, the vertical neutron camera (VNC) capable of operation with a counting rate in the MHz range was newly installed on the Large Helical Device (LHD). This is the world's first neutron camera for stellarator/heliotron devices. The VNC consists of a multichannel collimator, eleven fast-neutron detectors, and the digital-signal-processing-based data acquisition system (DAQ). The multichannel collimator having little cross talk was made from hematite-doped heavy concrete, which has a high shielding performance against both neutrons and gamma-rays. A stilbene crystal coupled with a photomultiplier having high-gain-stability in the high-count rate regime was utilized as a fast-neutron scintillation detector because it has a high neutron-gamma discrimination capability at high count rates. The DAQ system equipped with a field programmable logic controller was developed to obtain the waveform acquired with a 1 GHz sampling rate and the shaping parameter of each pulse simultaneously at up to 106 cps (counts per second). Neutron emission profiles were successfully obtained in the first deuterium campaign of LHD in 2017. The neutron emission profile was measured in tangentially co-injected NB-heated plasma with different magnetic axes (Rax). The neutron counts became larger in the inward-shifted configuration, which was consistent with the total neutron rate measured by the neutron flux monitor. The radial peak position of the line-integrated neutron profile which changed according to Rax showed that the VNC worked successfully as designed. The VNC demonstrated the expected performance conducive to extending energetic-particle physics studies in LHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The p-competition graph Cp(D) of a digraph D = (V,A) is a graph with V (Cp(D)) = V (D), where an edge between distinct vertices x and y if and only if there exist p distinct vertices v1, v2, ..., vp 2 V such that x → vi, y → vi are arcs of the digraph D for each i = 1, 2, ..., p. In this paper, we obtain that a path with order n ≥ 6 is a p-competition graph if and only if n ≥ p + 3. We also show that for a p-competition graph G with no isolated vertices, G+Kn is a p+n-competition graph. And we obtain that a wheel Wn is a p-competition graph if and only if n ≥ p + 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) is developing Thailand Tokamak-1 (TT-1) from a former device HT-6 M of China. The first hydrogen plasma will be initiated in 2023. To investigate high- β plasma and physics related to fast ions, TT-1 will be equipped with auxiliary heating systems. In this work, a feasibility study for installing a neutral beam injection (NBI) heating system in TT-1 is carried out. This work is motivated to characterize beam ion's orbits in different injection angles and to explore a condition suitable in terms of higher heating efficiency. In this work, we assume that a hydrogen beam will be launched into the TT-1 plasma with an acceleration voltage of 20 kV. The orbit simulations using the gyromotion following code LORBIT are performed in various magnetic field equilibria, i.e., different plasma current (I p), toroidal magnetic field strength (B t), and the magnetic axis (R ax). Furthermore, beam ions are injected in different directions, i.e., tangential co-injection and tangential counter-injection. In the case of co-injection, beam ion loss is not significant, by about 6%, whereas beam ion loss fraction is evaluated to be 26–34% in the case of counter-injection. Also, it is found that the number of lost beam ions is significantly affected by changing I p and R ax. The results obtained in this work will directly support the experiment plan for the high-performance plasmas, design of the fast-ion diagnostic system, and systematic understanding of beam ion's confinement property and beam-ion-driven magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities in TT-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the formation of quantum turbulence in superfluid $${}^{4}\hbox {He}$$ , we have studied the emission of vortex rings with a ring size of larger than 38 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ in diameter from turbulence generated by a vibrating wire. The emission rate of vortex rings from a turbulent region remains low until the beginning of high-rate emissions, suggesting that some of the vortex lines produced by the wire combine to form a vortex tangle, until an equilibrium is established between the rate of vortex line combination with the tangle and dissociation. The formation times of equilibrium turbulence are proportional to $$\varepsilon ^{-1.2}$$ and $$\varepsilon ^{-0.6}$$ in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the vibrating direction of the generator, respectively, indicating the anisotropic formation of turbulence. Here, $$\varepsilon $$ is the generation power of the turbulence. This power dependence may be associated with the characteristics of quantum turbulence with a constant energy flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal conductivity of powdered media is characteristically very low in vacuum, and is effectively dependent on many parameters of their constituent particles and packing structure. Understanding of the heat transfer mechanism within powder layers in vacuum and theoretical modeling of their thermal conductivity are of great importance for several scientific and engineering problems. In this paper, we report the results of systematic thermal conductivity measurements of powdered media of varied particle size, porosity, and temperature under vacuum using glass beads as a model material. Based on the obtained experimental data, we investigated the heat transfer mechanism in powdered media in detail, and constructed a new theoretical thermal conductivity model for the vacuum condition. This model enables an absolute thermal conductivity to be calculated for a powder with the input of a set of powder parameters including particle size, porosity, temperature, and compressional stress or gravity, and vice versa. Our model is expected to be a competent tool for several scientific and engineering fields of study related to powders, such as the thermal infrared observation of air-less planetary bodies, thermal evolution of planetesimals, and performance of thermal insulators and heat storage powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which reported the bypass flow effect on the growth of Zinc sulphide (ZnS) on gallium phosphide (GaP) substrates by the open-tube vapor transport in the hydrogen gas flow. Impact of the bypass flow on the growth of ZnS on GaP; Description of the schematic drawing of the vapor-phase epitaxy system; Details on the substrate temperature dependence of the growth of Zn selenium films on GaP.

A fast time response, wide dynamic range neutron flux monitor has been developed toward the LHD deuterium operation by using leading-edge signal processing technologies providing maximum counting rate up to ~ 5 x 109 counts/s. Because a maximum total neutron emission rate over 1 x 1016 n/s is predicted in neutral beam-heated LHD plasmas, fast response and wide dynamic range capabilities of the system are essential. Preliminary tests have demonstrated successful performance as a wide dynamic range monitor along the design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Severe sepsis is a life-threatening complication after liver transplantation ( LT) that can be difficult to diagnose and appropriately treat after LT because of patients being treated with immunosuppressants. The present study examines perioperative changes in serum procalcitonin ( PCT), a specific marker of systemic bacterial infection, and determines the value of PCT as a diagnostic tool for bacteremia or rejection. Methods Perioperative serum PCT levels were prospectively assessed in 104 consecutive adult patients undergoing LT (living-donor LT, n = 90; deceased-donor LT, n = 14) between May 2010 and August 2012. Results Serum PCT levels remarkably increased soon after LT and gradually decreased thereafter, but were not increased in patients diagnosed with cytomegalovirus infection or acute cellular rejection. Serum PCT levels in patients who underwent deceased-donor LT were significantly higher than in those who underwent living-donor LT until postoperative day ( POD) 7. Serum PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with bacteremia than in those without bacteremia after POD 14. In patients with post-transplant bacteremia, PCT levels increased again after POD 7 in patients who died within 3 months of LT, while levels remained low after POD 7 in patients who were alive. A positive predictive value of 83.3% for bacteremia and a negative predictive value of 97.4% were obtained at PCT cutoffs of 2.0 and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusion Serum PCT measurement, using appropriate cutoff values, could help diagnose severe infection, and might be able to differentiate bacteremia from acute cellular rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effects of a new surface modification method, 'the substrate quenching after coating' on the rolling contact fatigue strength, TiN coated steel specimens and CrAlN coated steel specimens were processed by this method and the thrust type rolling contact fatigue tests were carried out for these specimens. In the process of the substrate quenching after coating, two types of quenching methods, furnace quenching and laser quenching, were used. For the furnace quenched specimens, the delamination initiation life of CrAlN coated specimen was longer than that of TiN coated specimen. This reason could be explained by the difference of the oxidisation of CrAlN and TiN in their furnace quenching process. For CrAlN coated specimens, the delamination initiation life of the laser quenched specimens was longer than that of the furnace quenched specimens. After the initiation, the delamination of the furnace quenched specimen grew much faster than that of laser quenched specimen. These reasons could be explained by the difference of the process time of the furnace quenching and the laser quenching. The process time, in which the ceramic coating of the specimen was exposed to an elevated temperature, of the furnace quenching was much longer than that of laser quenching. It is considered that substrate laser quenching after coating could be an effective way to improve the delamination initiation life and to reduce the delamination growth rate under rolling contact fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Faraday-cup type lost-fast ion probe (FLIP) has been designed and installed in Heliotron J for the purpose of the studies of interaction between fast ions and MHD instabilities. The FLIP can measure the co-going fast ions whose energy is in the range of 1.7-42.5 keV (proton) and pitch angle of 90°-140°, especially for fast ions having the injection energy of neutral beam injection (NBI). The FLIP successfully measured the re-entering passing ions and trapped lost-fast ions caused by fast-ion-driven energetic particle modes in NBI heated plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug rash with eosinophilia with systemic symptoms ( DIHS/ DRESS) is a severe drug eruption accompanied by multiorgan disorders. Several unique aspects of DIHS/ DRESS, including herpesvirus reactivation, liver dysfunction and hypogammaglobulinaemia, have similarities to graft-versus-host disease ( GVHD). Aim In this study, we focused on the dynamics of regulatory T cells ( Tregs) infiltrating into the skin lesions of DIHS/ DRESS and GVHD. Methods Skin biopsies were taken from patients with DIHS/ DRESS, GVHD, or maculopapular drug eruption. Tregs were detected using immunostaining with anti- Fox P3. Results The ratio of Fox P3+ T cells to CD3+ T cells was significantly higher in the skin lesions of patients with DIHS/ DRESS than in those of patients with GVHD, and was positively correlated with the number of days from disease onset in the acute phase. Conclusions The dynamics of Tregs in skin lesions are different between DIHS/ DRESS and GVHD, despite there being many similarities between these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In vitro spermatophore formation and insemination of Neobenedenia girellae (Monogenea: Capsalidae, Benedeniinae) were recorded on video and described for the first time. Upon contact of two individuals, the anterior adhesive discs of the donor firmly attached to the dorsal tegument of the recipient and the donor's fore body strongly contracted such that the genital pore region protruded and the penis was pushed anteriorly to protrude through the genital pore. It is hypothesised that the donor penis mechanically damaged the tegument of the recipient. The sperm and spermatophore matrix were released together through the penis, which was placed under the left anterior attachment disc immediately behind the adhesive pad. The spermatophore matrix containing the spermatozoa became solid and attached to the dorsal surface of recipient's body. When observed under scanning electron microscopy, the spermatophores were irregularly shaped, with a diameter of 52–83μm. Under light microscopy they consisted of a proximal eosinophilic matrix portion and a distal thin-walled portion containing spermatozoa. Both parts were enclosed with a thin outer casing. Insemination occurred during and after spermatophore formation. Three types of insemination were recorded, unilateral and mutual insemination and self-insemination. The presence of self-insemination indicates that even a single N. girellae on a cultured fish may cause a significant parasite infection in the entire aquaculture system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In our previous study, we proposed a new surface modification technique by combination of ceramic coating and laser heat treatment. By applying laser heat treatment after coating, it was possible to improve the adhesive strength and substrate hardness of ceramic coated steels without compromising the film hardness. However, the effects of laser heat treatment on the fracture strength of ceramic thin films were not investigated yet. In the present research, in order to demonstrate further development of this method, the fracture strength of laser irradiated ceramic thin films (CrAlN, TiAlN and CrN) was investigated by sphere indentation testing. To prevent heat induced changes in the substrate hardness, a cemented carbide WC–Co rather than steel was used as substrate material. While the fracture strength of each film decreased significantly through furnace heat treatment, it remained almost unchanged in case of the laser irradiated films. The application of laser heat treatment for the substrate quenching after coating process can effectively prevent the fracture strength loss of ceramic thin film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous study, we proposed a new surface modification technique by combination of ceramic coating and laser heat treatment. By applying laser heat treatment after coating, it was possible to improve the adhesive strength and substrate hardness of ceramic coated steels without compromising the film hardness. In the present research, in order to quench a larger area of ceramic coated steel uniformly and efficiently, a high power diode laser equipped with a galvano-scanner was used in the laser heat treatment process. The scanning laser irradiation conditions to achieve uniformly quenched substrates without any surface damage were investigated for three kinds of ceramic coated steels: CrAlN, TiAlN and CrN. The film hardness and adhesive strength of the laser irradiated regions were evaluated. It is shown that scanning laser quenching after coating effectively improved the mechanical properties for larger area of ceramic coated steels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH1 receptor) antagonists are being considered as anti-obesity agents. The present study reports a new class of MCH1 receptor antagonists with an 8-methylquinoline scaffold. The molecular mechanism of MCH1 receptor blockade by these antagonists was examined.Experimental Approach: The pharmacological properties of the 8-methylquinolines as exemplified by MQ1 were evaluated by use of multiple biophysical and cell-based functional assays.Key Results: Multiple signalling pathways for Gαi and Gαq , and β-arrestin were inhibited by MQ1. Furthermore, MQ1 produced an insurmountable antagonism, causing a rightward shift of the curve for concentration-dependent binding of MCH along with a progressive reduction of the maximal response. The dissociation kinetics for MQ1 were determined from washout experiments as well as by affinity selection-MS. In short, MQ1 was shown to be a slowly dissociating reversible MCH1 receptor blocker with a low Koff value.Conclusion and Implications: This is the first time that a slowly dissociating negative allosteric modulator of the MCH1 receptor has been demonstrated to inhibit the numerous signalling pathways of this receptor. The characteristics of MQ1 are superior and distinct from previously reported MCH1 receptor antagonists, making members of this chemotype attractive as drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 ( MCH1 receptor) antagonists are being considered as anti-obesity agents. The present study reports a new class of MCH1 receptor antagonists with an 8-methylquinoline scaffold. The molecular mechanism of MCH1 receptor blockade by these antagonists was examined. Experimental Approach The pharmacological properties of the 8-methylquinolines as exemplified by MQ1 were evaluated by use of multiple biophysical and cell-based functional assays. Key Results Multiple signalling pathways for Gαi and Gαq, and β-arrestin were inhibited by MQ1. Furthermore, MQ1 produced an insurmountable antagonism, causing a rightward shift of the curve for concentration-dependent binding of MCH along with a progressive reduction of the maximal response. The dissociation kinetics for MQ1 were determined from washout experiments as well as by affinity selection- MS. In short, MQ1 was shown to be a slowly dissociating reversible MCH1 receptor blocker with a low Koff value. Conclusion and Implications This is the first time that a slowly dissociating negative allosteric modulator of the MCH1 receptor has been demonstrated to inhibit the numerous signalling pathways of this receptor. The characteristics of MQ1 are superior and distinct from previously reported MCH1 receptor antagonists, making members of this chemotype attractive as drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, a comparative evaluation has been carried out on the deposition efficiency of iron boride powder with a composition of Fe–17.9B–0.4C–1.6Si–0.3Al (wt.%) mixed with Ni powder (20 wt.%Ni) sprayed onto low carbon steel substrate by cold gas dynamic spray processes and the High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) spraying method. The particle deformation and bonding mechanism were evaluated. Direct spraying of iron boride powders by low and high pressure cold gas spraying led to depositing a very thin single layer on the substrate, due to the intrinsic brittleness of the powder. Prior to spraying, reducing the particle size (−20μm) and increasing the internal energy of the powders by the ball milling process resulted in no appreciable improvement in deposition efficiency, implying that sprayed particles still had insufficient ductility to plastically deform and flow. Likewise, iron boride powders were spray dried and sintered with Ni particles (FeB-20wt.% Ni) to deposit layers in both low pressure and high pressure cold gas spray processes with various spray parameters. It was discovered that iron boride particles, surrounded by ductile Ni, experienced disintegration and cracking during deposition. The build up of iron boride layers was successfully obtained when spraying FeB20Ni powder by the HVOF deposition method. An abrasion wear test result of the HVOF coatings, 952 HV, was compared with HVOF sprayed WC-12Co coatings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cold-spray is well known as an effective coating technique to make thick metallic coatings. However, cold-sprayed metallic coatings usually have low tensile strengths due to low adhesion strength between particles, and low ductility due to low adhesion strength between particles and work hardening. Spark-plasma sintering (SPS) is a pressure-sintering technique that employs a large pulsed direct current. Compared to annealing heat treatment (AHT), SPS is expected to effectively improve the adhesion strength between particles in cold-sprayed metallic coatings. In order to investigate the effects of SPS, cold-sprayed Cu coatings were treated by both SPS and AHT under a wide range of temperatures. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the treated specimens were investigated primarily by scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction analysis, hardness tests, and tensile tests. Despite comparable values for porosity, crystal grain size, plastic strain distribution, hardness, and yield stress, the tensile strength and ductility of the specimen treated by SPS at 400 °C (SPS400) were significantly higher than those of the specimen treated by AHT at 450 °C. Based on these results, it was determined that SPS treatment is more effective in improving the adhesion strength between the particles in cold-sprayed Cu coatings than AHT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characteristics of fast-ion losses induced by toroidal-AlfvLen eigenmodes (TAEs) are investigated over wide parameter ranges of Large Helical Device (LHD) plasmas to reveal the fast-ion loss process. To study fast-ion losses, a scintillator-based lost-fast ion probe is used, and an increment of fast-ion loss flux due to TAEs from the neoclassical orbit loss level (ΔΤfast ion) is measured. The dependence ΔΤfast ion of on the TAE magnetic fluctuation amplitude (bθTAE) changes from a linear to a quadratic and finally a third power with an increase in the magnetic axis shift. It is found that the dependence of fast-ion loss flux on TAE magnetic fluctuation amplitudes changes at a certain fluctuation level in a fixed configuration. Experimental results show that in the small bθTAE regime, ΔΤfast ion is proportional to bθTAE, whereas ΔΤfast ion increases with the square of bθTAE in the larger bθTAE regime. A simulation by orbit-following codes that incorporate magnetic fluctuations with frequency chirping-down due to TAEs suggests the change in the fast-ion loss process from a convective (ΔΤfast ion ∝ bθTAE) to a diffusive (ΔΤfast ion ∝ bθTAE²) character as bθTAE increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to provide an explanation of the effective parameters influencing thermal conductivity of copper deposited by particle impingement after subsequent annealing, with special emphasis on the contribution of electron and phonon conduction. As a result, after annealing, thermal conductivity and porosity of copper converge on a specific range of 288.5–320.5Wm−1 K−1 and 0.6–3.3%, respectively. Thermal conductivities of the coatings deposited by spherical powders are improved via annealing processes without a remarkable reduction of porosity. Furthermore annealing process increases the crystallite size and recovers the distorted lattice structures in (200), which hinders the passage of electrons and increases the compressive strain of parallel plane. The decrease of crystallite boundary areas via grain growth eliminates the interruption of the electron or phonon thermal conductivity directly from grain boundary scattering effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most aphids show reproductive polyphenism, i.e. they alternate their reproductive modes from parthenogenesis to sexual reproduction in response to short photoperiods. Although juvenile hormone (JH) has been considered a likely candidate for regulating the transition from asexual to sexual reproduction after photoperiod sensing, there are few studies investigating the direct relationship between JH titres and the reproductive-mode change. In addition, the sequencing of the pea aphid genome has allowed identification of the genes involved in the JH pathway, which in turn allows us to examine their expression levels in relation to the reproductive-mode change. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the pea aphid, JHIII titre was shown to be lower in aphids producing sexual morphs under short-day conditions than in aphids producing parthenogenetic morphs under long-day conditions. The expression levels of genes upstream and downstream of JH action were quantified by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription-PCR across the reproductive-mode change. The expression level of JH esterase, which is responsible for JH degradation, was significantly higher in aphids reared under short-day conditions. This suggests that the upregulation of the JH degradation pathway may be responsible for the lower JHIII titre in aphids exposed to short-days, leading to the production of sexual morphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: When two copper splats are in contact, a resistance to heat transfer exists between the splats. In thermal spraying, the conductivity of the coating is mainly reduced by non-metallic bonds at internal interfaces and trapped oxides. In cold spraying, however, almost no oxidation occurs during spraying. To demonstrate the capabilities and advantages of Cold Spray for the manufacturing of a conductive copper coating, the present study is focused at comparing the different processing methods in the as-sprayed and the annealed state. As a result, the coatings sprayed with spherical copper particles showed superior thermal conductive characteristics than coatings sprayed with non-spherical particles. There was a critical annealing temperature giving the maximum thermal conductivity. Up to a critical temperature, the annealing process enhanced the thermal conduction between adjacent splats. But, over that temperature, the voids in the coating rearrange and concentrate along the grain boundaries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The laser-induced crystallization method is applied to pattern two-dimensional planar β-BaB2O4 crystals on the surface of Sm2O3–BaO–B2O3 glass. By scanning Yb:YVO4 fiber lasers (wavelength: 1080nm) continuously with a small step (0.5μm) between laser irradiated areas, homogeneous planar β-BaB2O4 crystals are patterned successfully, and a preferential growth orientation of β-BaB2O4 crystals is confirmed from linearly polarized micro-Raman scattering spectrum and second harmonic intensity measurements. It is found that the crystal growth direction is perpendicular to the laser scanning direction. This relation, i.e., the perpendicular relation, is different from the behavior in discrete crystal line patterning, where the crystal growth direction is consistent with the laser scanning direction. The present study proposes the possibility of the control of crystal growth direction in laser-induced crystallization in glasses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new aporocotylid blood fluke is described, based on specimens from the ventricle of the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel), cultured in Wakayama and Nagasaki Prefectures, Japan. The new species is morphologically similar to the members of the genus Cardicola Short, 1953, but shows distinct differences in the body form, location of the testis and the orientation of the ootype. The body of the new species is long and slender, whereas other Cardicola species are small and generally lanceolate. The testis is mostly located posterior to the caeca and anterior to the ovary, occupying 31–45% of body length, in contrast to the known Cardicola species, whose testis is typically intercaecal. The ootype is oriented anteriorly, while in most congeners, it is directed posteriorly or horizontally. Phylogenetic analyses of this aporocotylid, together with Cardicola orientalis Ogawa, Tanaka, Sugihara et Takami, 2010 from the same host, were conducted based on DNA sequences of the ITS2 rDNA and the 28S region of ribosomal RNA. The analyses revealed that the new blood fluke belongs to the genus Cardicola despite the marked morphological differences. Thus, this aporocotylid is named Cardicola opisthorchis n. sp. and the generic diagnosis is emended in this paper. In addition, 100% identity among the ITS2 sequences from the present species, Cardicola sp. from T. orientalis in Mexico and Cardicola sp. from the northern bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (Linnaeus) in Spain suggests that C. opisthorchis n. sp. has a broad geographical distribution and that it infects both the Pacific and northern bluefin tuna. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Metal–organic interfaces have been attracting continuous attention in many fields including basic biosciences. The surface of dental alloys could be one of such interfaces since they are used in a circumstance full of organic compounds such as proteins and bacteria. In this work, electronic structures of Au-dominant dental alloys, which have Ag and Cu besides Au, and those of l-cysteine on the dental alloys have been studied by photoelectron spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation. It was found that the density of states in the dental alloy originate from gold and copper as constituents, and the Cu-3d states contribute dominantly to the occupied states near the Fermi level. It was also found that the electronic structure of the l-cysteine thin film on the dental alloy is different from that of the l-cysteine thick film. The result indicates the formation of the orbital bonding between Cu-3d and S-3sp states in the thin film on the dental alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The nuclei 131I and 133I have been populated in multi-nucleon transfer reactions between 136Xe ions and various targets, and their structure investigated by time-correlated γ-ray coincidence spectroscopy and the measurement of γ-ray angular correlations. A 19/2- isomer at 1918 keV, with a half-life of 24(1) µs, has been identified in 131I, as well as nanosecond isomers with Jπ = 23/2+ in both isotopes. A T1/2 = 25(3) ns isomer at 4308 keV in 131I is suggested to have Jπ = (31/2-, 33/2-) and is primarily attributed to the coupling of an odd proton in the d5/2 or g7/2 orbit with the $(\pi^2)_{0^+} (\nu h_{11/2}^{-3} d_{3/2}^{-1})_{15^-}$ configuration in 130Te, responsible for the 15- isomer in that nucleus. The observed level properties are compared with predictions of a shell-model calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the investigation related to the amoebic gill disease that affected the hatchery-reared ayu fish, in Japan. As reported the mortality which was first noticed in early April 2008 had increased by April 20, 2008. During the investigation the gills were dissected from one of the dead fish and then a single gill was processed for routine histology. The results showed that gill pathology in the ayu was caused by N. perurans Oligonucleotide primers.

Abstract: A new sanguinicolid blood fluke, Cardicola orientalis n. sp., is described from the afferent branchial artery and heart of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel) cultured in Mie and Nagasaki Prefectures, Japan. The new species is most similar to C. ambrosioi Braicovich, Etchegoin, Timi et Sardella, 2006 from the Brazilian flathead, Percophis brasiliensis Quoy & Gaimard, but can be differentiated by the position of the female genital pore (in midline or slightly sinistral in C. orientalis vs. sinistral in C. ambrosioi) and much longer distance between male and female genital pore (101μm vs. 27μm). In wet mount preparations of infected fish, eggs were accumulated in great numbers in the gill lamellae and afferent filament arteries. Importance of this blood fluke infection of cultured Pacific bluefin tuna in Japan is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recently, a large local stress has been found, caused by the change of both the diffusion rate of oxygen through an existing oxide and the rate of chemical reaction at the oxide/oxidized material interface. Since high thermal stress occurs in the thermal barrier coating (TBC) system, the volume expansion of the newly grown oxide, and centrifugal force, the growth rate of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) may change depending on the temperature, the exposure time, and the stress. The aim of this study is to make clear the influence of stress on the growth rate of the TGO thickness under static oxidation. The results show that TGO thickening was affected by the increase of not only the exposure temperature but also the applied stress. The tensile stress in a longitudinal direction in a TBC system due to the applied load makes the oxidant transport and oxide flow more easy, i.e., the tensile stress promotes a volume expansion of newly formed oxide. The increase rate of the TGO thickness was approximately 34% when the applied stress increased from 0 to 205 MPa at 900 °C for 325 h, and approximately 25% when the stress increased from 0 to 150 MPa at 950 °C for 125 h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]