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Gastric Function has been successfully estimated by gastric electrical impedance tomography (gEIT) Suit with dual-step fuzzy clustering. The gEIT Suit which are made of elastic cloth with dual-planar electrodes and compact data acquisition (DAQ) system measures gastric impedance Z to visualize the gastric conductivity distribution σ. The dual-step fuzzy clustering extracts the clustered gastric conductivity distribution kσ, which accurately estimates the gastric function. The gEIT Suit with dual-step fuzzy clustering are applied to eight healthy persons during liquid meal consumption to estimate the gastric function under gastric accommodation phase of 200, 400 and 600 mL based on the gastric emptying phase. As the results, the gEIT Suit successfully estimate the gastric function. By the measured impedance Z, the subjects have a mean temporal impedance Δ Z ¯ = − 9.27 [Ohm] and p-value of that Z ¯ p(Z) = 0.0013[–]as the t-test result. In the case of gastric conductivity distribution σ, the subjects have a value of spatial mean conductivity distribution ⟨σ⟩ = 0.23[–] and p-value of that ⟨σ⟩ p(σ) = 0.0140[–]. Lastly, in the case gastric volume V, subjects have a gastric volume V = 12.44 [%] and p-value p(V) = 0.0664[–]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We theoretically and numerically investigate the ion-acoustic features of collective Thomson scattering (CTS) in two-stream plasmas. When the electron distribution functions of two (stationary and moving) components overlap with each other at the phase velocities corresponding to the two resonant peaks of the ion-acoustic feature, the theoretical spectrum shows asymmetry because the rate of electron Landau damping is different for the two peaks. The results of numerical simulations agree well with the theoretical spectra. We also demonstrate the effect of a two-stream-type instability in the ion-acoustic feature. The simulated spectrum in the presence of the instability shows an asymmetry with the opposite trend to the overlapped case, which results from the temporal change of the electron distribution function caused by the instability. Our results show that two-stream plasmas have significant effects on CTS spectra and that the waves resulting from instabilities can be observed in the ion-acoustic feature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing lab-based readout electronics for Transition-edge sensors (TES) using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) modules. These COTS modules are advantageous since they increase development speed and keep the cost low. We have developed these electronics to support both non-multiplexed and time-division multiplexing (TDM) readout systems. The system utilizes remote control via Ethernet, and the interface allows many types of measurements to be automated. With the TDM readout system, we have achieved 2.05 eV at 6 keV, 2.1 eV at 7 keV, 2.3 eV at 8 keV, and 2.8 eV at 12 keV with 2-column × 32-row multiplexing. We will be using this system in the characterization of detectors for the X-Ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) instrument on Athena. In this paper, we present an overview of the design and their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic reconnection is a universal process in space, astrophysical, and laboratory plasmas. It alters magnetic field topology and results in energy release to the plasma. Here we report the experimental results of a pure electron outflow in magnetic reconnection, which is not accompanied with ion flows. By controlling an applied magnetic field in a laser produced plasma, we have constructed an experiment that magnetizes the electrons but not the ions. This allows us to isolate the electron dynamics from the ions. Collective Thomson scattering measurements reveal the electron Alfvénic outflow without ion outflow. The resultant plasmoid and whistler waves are observed with the magnetic induction probe measurements. We observe the unique features of electron-scale magnetic reconnection simultaneously in laser produced plasmas, including global structures, local plasma parameters, magnetic field, and waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a highly sensitive AC/DC magnetometer using a high-temperature superconductor superconducting quantum interference device for the evaluation of magnetic nanoparticles in solutions. Using the developed system, we investigated the distribution of magnetic moments of iron oxide multi-core particles of 100 nm at various iron concentrations that are lower than 96 μg/ml by analyzing the measured magnetization curves. Singular value decomposition and non-regularized non-negative least-squares methods were used during the reconstruction of the distribution. Similar distributions were obtained for all concentrations, and the iron concentration could be determined from the measured magnetization curves. The measured harmonics upon the excitation of AC and DC magnetic fields curves agreed well with the harmonics simulated based on the reconstructed magnetization curves, implying that the magnetization curves of magnetic nanoparticles were successfully obtained as we will show in the article. We compared the magnetization curves between multi-core particles of 100 nm and 130 nm, composed of 12-nm iron oxide nanoparticles. A distinctive magnetic property between the 100 nm and 130 nm particles in low-concentration solutions was successfully characterized. The distribution characteristic of magnetic moments suggests that the net magnetic moment in a multi-core particle is affected by the size of the magnetic cores and their degree of aggregation. Exploration of magnetic properties with high sensitivity can be expected using the developed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate collective Thomson scattering (CTS) in two-stream non-equilibrium plasmas analytically, numerically, and experimentally. In laboratory astrophysics, CTS is a unique tool to obtain local plasma diagnostics. While the standard CTS theory assumes plasmas to be linear, stationary, isotropic, and equilibrium, they are often nonlinear, non-stationary, anisotropic, and non-equilibrium in high energy phenomena relevant to laboratory astrophysics. We theoretically calculate and numerically simulate the CTS spectra in two-stream plasmas as a typical example of a non-equilibrium system in space and astrophysical plasmas. The simulation results show the feasibility to diagnose two-stream instability directly via CTS measurements. To confirm the non-equilibrium CTS analysis, we have developed an experimental system with a high repetition rate tabletop laser for laboratory astrophysics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report on X-ray transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters optimized to have the best possible energy resolution for a limited energy range for the incoming X-rays, such as an energy resolution of 0.3 eV full width half maximum (FWHM) for energies up to ≈ 0.8 keV as is desirable for one of the Lynx X-ray Microcalorimeter subarrays. The test array we have fabricated has 60 × 60 sensors on a pitch of 50 μ m , and has 46 × 46 μ m 2 absorbers that are one micrometer thick. We have measured a spectral energy resolution of the same device using 3 eV photons delivered through an optical fiber. For the one-photon 3 eV line, we have obtained an energy resolution of 0.25 eV FWHM, which is consistent with the estimated performance based on the signal size and noise. Further measurements will determine how the energy resolution degrades with energy. Based upon measurements of the TES transition characteristics, it appears that this level of energy resolution should be achievable up to 0.5 keV, and the performance will then gradually degrade to the measured energy resolution of around 2.3 eV at 1.5 keV. In this paper, we describe the full design and characterization of this detector, and discuss the performance limits of pixels designs like this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general control system (GCS) in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) has a data storage (DS) server that stores operational data on the status of neutron and muon targets in the MLF. It has worked well to detect unusual situations around these target stations and to investigate the causes of accidents by checking data in the DS server for short-term operations. To pick up potential abnormalities in the slight state transitions from the target stations, however, it is necessary to introduce an abnormality sign determination system (ASDS). This ASDS requires an integral data storage (IDS) server that stores various operational data throughout the proton beams, target stations, and secondary beams for long-term operations because it judges potential abnormalities by using algorithms based on analysis of these data. This report describes a present status of the GCS, a conceptual design for the ASDS, and the installation of the IDS server. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: A nationwide survey was conducted to understand the epidemiology of cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related intracerebral hemorrhage (CAA‐related ICH) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation/vasculitis (CAA‐ri) in Japan. Methods: To estimate the total number and clinical features of patients with CAA‐related ICH and CAA‐ri between January 2012 and December 2014 and to analyze their clinical features, questionnaires were sent to randomly selected hospitals in Japan. Results: In the first survey, 2348 of 4657 departments responded to the questionnaire (response rate 50.4%). The total numbers of reported patients with CAA‐related ICH and CAA‐ri were 1338 and 61, respectively, and their total numbers in Japan were estimated to be 5900 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4800–7100] and 170 (95% CI 110–220), respectively. The crude prevalence rates were 4.64 and 0.13 per 100 000 population, respectively. The clinical information of 474 patients with CAA‐related ICH obtained in the second survey was as follows: (i) the average age of onset was 78.4 years; (ii) the prevalence increased with age; (iii) the disease was common in women; and (iv) hematoma most frequently occurred in the frontal lobe. Sixteen patients with CAA‐ri for whom data were collected in the second survey had the following characteristics: (i) median age of onset was 75 years; (ii) cognitive impairment and headache were the most frequent initial manifestations; and (iii) focal neurological signs, such as motor paresis and visual disturbance, were frequently observed during the clinical course. Conclusions: The numbers of patients with CAA‐related ICH and CAA‐ri in Japan were estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undoped and Ga-doped (3 wt %) n-type ZnO thin films were grown by a reactive plasma deposition method on glass substrates at 200 °C under an oxygen flow rate from 0 to 50 SCCM. In this paper, we report on the defect and band edge related signals in the optical absorption spectra for ZnO thin film by using a piezoelectric photothermal (PPT) spectroscopy, which is effective in observing a nonradiative transition process. The PPT peak around 2.5 eV was observed only for the undoped ZnO samples grown under a low oxygen flow rate. This signal is considered to be related to the oxygen vacancies, because it disappears with the increase of the oxygen flow rates. No corresponding peak was found for the Ga-doped samples. This result indicates that Ga doping inhibits the generation of the oxygen vacancies, and it agrees with that from the first-principle electronic band structure calculations. We have also carried out the theoretical calculation for the optical absorption edge of degenerated ZnO as a function of the carrier concentration. Burstein-Moss effect and band-gap-narrowing effect in ZnO should be considered in the case of high carrier concentration. Comparing the experimental results with the theoretical predictions, we found out that the proposed PPT edge energy coincides well with the Fermi level EF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the structural development during order-order transitions to the double-gyroid (DG) phase of nonionic surfactant/water systems based on two-dimensional small-angle x-ray scattering patterns from highly oriented ordered mesophases. The lamellar (L) to DG transition proceeds through two intermediate structures, a fluctuating perforated layer structure having ABAB stacking and a hexagonal perforated lamellar structure with ABCABC stacking (HPLABC). For a hexagonally packed cylinder (H) to DG transition, we also observed the HPLABC structure as the intermediate phase, thus the HPLABC is an entrance structure for the DG phase. The hexagonal perforated lamellar (HPL) structure consists of hexagonally packed holes surrounded by the planar tripods, and the transition from HPL structure to the DG phase proceeds by rotation of the dihedral angle of connected tripods. A geometrical consideration shows that large deformations of HPL planes are necessary to form the DG structure from the HPLABC structure, whereas the transition from a HPL structure with ABAB stacking (HPLAB) to the DG structure is straightforward. In spite of the topological constraints, the HPLABC structure is observed in the kinetic pathway to the DG structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a novel dynamic light scattering system to observe elastic relaxation phenomena with hyper frequency resolution. The principle of the measurement is based on the theory, which describes the dynamic structure factor of fluid under the condition of the frequency dependent compressibility. The dynamic structure factor, which is usually composed of the Brillouin and Rayleigh triplet, is modulated and shows an additional central component that directly reflects the whole aspect of the relaxation. In the experiment, the output from a frequency-doubled cw-YAG laser was incident into the liquid sample and the power spectrum of the light scattered into the backward direction was analyzed by the optical beating spectroscopy technique. The sample is liquid acetic acid that is known to show a strong ultrasonic relaxation around 1 MHz due to the molecular association process. We could find in the observed spectrum, the central component introduced by the phenomenon, whose relaxation frequency and the strength can be obtained from the width and the intensity of the observed central peak, respectively. The results show very good agreement with those previously obtained by the conventional ultrasonic spectroscopy technique. © 2005 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing kilo-pixel arrays of transition-edge sensors (TESs) for the X-ray Integral Field Unit on ESA’s Athena observatory. Previous measurements of AC-biased Mo/Au TESs have highlighted a frequency-dependent loss mechanism that results in broader transitions and worse spectral performance compared to the same devices measured under DC bias. In order to better understand the nature of this loss, we are now studying TES pixels in different geometric configurations. We present measurements on devices of different sizes and with different metal features used for noise mitigation and X-ray absorption. Our results show how the loss mechanism is strongly dependent upon the amount of metal in close proximity to the sensor and can be attributed to induced eddy current coupling to these features. We present a finite element model that successfully reproduces the magnitude and geometry dependence of the losses. Using this model, we present mitigation strategies that should reduce the losses to an acceptable level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six and a half years after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, an area of existing exposure situation remains. One of the main concerns of people is the higher level of ionising radiation than before the accident, although this is not expected to have any discernible health effect. Since the accident, several 'abnormalities' in environmental organisms have been reported. It is still not clear if these abnormalities were induced by radiation. It appears that the impact of the released radioactivity has not been sufficient to threaten the maintenance of biological diversity, the conservation of species, or the health and status of natural habitats, which are the focus in environmental protection. This highlights a difference between the protection of humans and protection of the environment (individuals for humans and populations/species for the environment). The system for protection of the environment has been developed with a similar approach as the system for protection of humans. Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs) were introduced to connect exposure and doses in a way similar to that for Reference Male and Reference Female. RAPs can also be used as a tool to associate the level of radiation (dose rate) with the biological effects on an organism. A difference between the protection of humans and that of the environment was identified: an effect on humans is measured in terms of dose, and an effect on the environment is measured in terms of dose rate. In other words, protection criteria for humans are expressed in term of dose (as dose limits, dose constraints, and reference levels), whereas those for the environment are expressed in terms of dose rate (as derived consideration reference levels). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) infiltrate into a variety of tumour tissues and associate with poor prognosis in humans. However, data on association of Treg infiltration with prognosis is limited in canine tumours. The purpose of this study was to examine the number of tumour‐infiltrating Tregs and its association with overall survival (OS) in dogs with malignant tumours. The following 168 canine tumours were included: 37 oral malignant melanomas (OMMs); 14 oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs); 16 pulmonary adenocarcinomas (PAs); 37 mammary carcinomas (MCs); 36 mast cell tumours (MCTs) and 28 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Normal tissues were obtained from 8 healthy dogs as controls. The number of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)‐positive Tregs in intratumoral and peritumoral areas was investigated by immunohistochemistry. OS was compared between high and low Treg groups. The number of intratumoral and peritumoral Foxp3‐positive Tregs was significantly higher in OMM, OSCC, PA and MC compared with each normal tissue. There were few Foxp3‐positive Tregs in MCT and HCC. With intratumoral Tregs, the OS in the high Treg group was significantly shorter than that in the low Treg group in OMM, OSCC and PA. With peritumoral Tregs, there was no significant difference for OS between the 2 groups in each tumour type. These results suggest that Tregs infiltrate into a variety of canine tumours and the abundance of Tregs are associated with poor prognosis in some solid tumour types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A linear closed equation of the form [variant_greek_epsilon](t)=ω[variant_greek_epsilon](t) +∫t0Λ(t-t’) [variant_greek_epsilon] (t’)dt’ is proposed to describe the nonlinear relaxation of electron energy [variant_greek_epsilon](t) in the Lorentz gas. Higher-order memory functions associated with Λ(t) decay rapidly, and are easily amenable to approximation. Good numerical results for [variant_greek_epsilon](t) suggest a useful extension of our memory function approach to many nonlinear problems for calculating various integral quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A total of 668 single units were recorded in the mouse periaqueductal gray (PAG) and adjacent deep mesencephalic nucleus (DpMe) to determine their role in the switching of sleep–wake states, that is, wakefulness (W), slow‐wave sleep (SWS) and paradoxical (or rapid eye movement) sleep (PS) in general, and, in particular, to determine whether PS‐on and PS‐off neurons involved in PS state switching are present in these structures and to identify neuronal substrates for the SWS‐PS switching mediated by DpMe neurons. Both structures were found to contain similar percentages of W/PS‐active neurons, which discharge at a higher rate during W and PS than during SWS, while W‐active neurons, which discharge maximally during W, were found mainly in the PAG. Both also contained similar percentages of SWS/PS‐active neurons, which discharge at higher rates during SWS and PS than during W, and PS‐active neurons, which discharge maximally during PS, while SWS‐active neurons, which discharge maximally during SWS, were found almost exclusively in the PAG. Both structures contained virtually no PS‐on or PS‐off neurons, which, respectively, discharge or cease firing selectively and tonically just prior to, and during, PS. Unlike the PAG, the DpMe contained many SWS/PS‐on neurons, which discharge selectively at high rates during SWS and PS, but show a decrease in discharge rate at the transition from SWS to PS. Analysis of discharge profiles and trends in spike activity at the state transitions strongly suggests that PAG and DpMe neurons play an important role in the W‐SWS, SWS‐PS and/or PS‐W switches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although recent studies have reported that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the parafacial zone (PZ) of the rostral medulla are needed for the induction of slow-wave sleep (SWS) and that the PZ is a medullary SWS-promoting center, it remains unknown whether the PZ contains SWS-active or sleep-promoting neurons. In the present study, a total of 125 neurons were recorded, for the first time, in non-anesthetized, head-restrained mice during the complete wake–sleep cycle throughout the PZ of the rostral medulla. The vast majority (87.2%) of the neurons displayed increased activity during both wakefulness (W) and paradoxical (or rapid eye movement) sleep (PS) compared to during SWS (W/PS-active neurons) and a few (8.0%) discharged phasically and selectively during PS (PS-active neurons), but none discharged maximally during SWS (SWS-active neurons) or displayed a higher rate of spontaneous discharge during both SWS and PS than during W (SWS/PS-active neurons). These findings do not support the view that the GABAergic PZ is a medullary SWS-promoting center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causes of coating irregularities in high-speed slot-die coating of catalyst slurries for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have not been determined. Accordingly, in this study, slot-die-coating experiments and computer simulations of two-phase gas–liquid flow were conducted to explore coating instability in the high-speed coating of PEFC catalyst slurries applied through slot-die coating. The results obtained from experiments and simulations were consistent. A thinner target layer and a faster coating, causing non-uniform coating. This is caused by movement of the gas–liquid interface on the upstream side and side of the die, which entraps the gas phase. Viscosity and surface tension are important, and a lower ethanol content in the solvent increases surface tension and lowers viscosity, improving coating stability. [Display omitted] • PEFC catalyst slurry coating uniformity studied through experiments and simulations. • Results were consistent across experiments and simulations. • Coating is non-uniform at high speed, low thickness, and high ethanol ratio. • The coating occurs in a region with weak non-Newtonian behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the superfamily Axioidea Huxley, 1879 includes nine families (Sakai, 2011). However, recent examination of material from the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica, Pacific side, presented the occurrence of a new species, Neoaxius nicoyaensis gen. et sp. nov. The deviant morphology of the genital organs of this new species can nowhere be observed in any of the known genera of the families included in the Axioidea. This necessitated the author to establish a new family, Neoaxiidae fam. nov., based on the new genus Neoaxius gen. nov. The new family is safely included in the Axioidea as a tenth member of that superfamily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Transplant recipients are supposedly in a more anemic, catabolic, and even inflammatory state at re-entering hemodialysis due to chronic rejection. The goal of this study was to clarify how transplant recipients can re-enter dialysis safely by focusing on control of anemia. Methods From 2012 to 2014, a total of 29 transplant recipients re-entered hemodialysis because of chronic rejection (ie, the chronic kidney disease with transplant [CKDT] group). At the same time, in 2014, a total of 30 patients with chronic kidney disease without transplantation entered dialysis as the control group (ie, the CKD group). CKDT recipients (mean ± standard deviation age, 41.9 ± 11.8 years; 18 male subjects, 10 female subjects; frequency of diabetes, 10%; duration of graft survival, 12.5 ± 4.3 years) were younger and fewer had diabetes compared with the CKD group (age, 53.2 ± 10.5 years; 21 male subjects, 9 female subjects; frequency of diabetes, 36%). Patient characteristics at entering dialysis in both groups were analyzed according to retrospective chart review. Results At entering dialysis, there were no significant differences between the CKD and CKDT groups in terms of the following: dose of darbepoetin; concentrations of hemoglobin, albumin, and C-reactive protein; cardiothoracic ratio; blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels; estimated glomerular filtration rate; initial ultrafiltration; and duration of hospitalization for initiation of dialysis. The only difference between groups was mean weight at entry to dialysis (CKDT group, 58.5 ± 15.1 kg; CKD group, 67.1 ± 14.8 kg; P = .03). The darbepoetin dose per kilogram of weight did not differ between groups (CKDT, 2.28 ± 2.03 μg/kg; CKD, 2.12 ± 1.6 μg/kg; P = .95) in the final month before entry to dialysis. Conclusions Safe re-initiation of dialysis is important for recipient survival. Although anemia is supposedly higher in transplant recipients due to immunosuppression, this single-center analysis found no difference in anemia in CKD with or without transplantation, caused by good use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Analysis of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is under intensive investigation for its potential to identify tumor somatic mutations. We have now explored the usefulness of such liquid biopsy testing with both the digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) during treatment of patients with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor afatinib. Patients and methods: Eligible patients had advanced lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR activating mutations and were treated with afatinib. Plasma samples were collected before and during (4 and 24 weeks) afatinib treatment as well as at disease progression. Tumor and plasma DNA were analyzed by dPCR and NGS. Results: Thirty-five patients were enrolled. The objective response rate and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 77.1% and 13.8 months, respectively. Tumor and plasma DNA were available for 32 patients. dPCR and NGS detected EGFR activating mutations in 81.3% and 71.9% of baseline cfDNA samples, respectively. In 19 patients treated with afatinib for≥24 weeks, the number of EGFR mutant alleles detected in cfDNA by dPCR declined rapidly and markedly after treatment onset, becoming undetectable or detectable at only a low copy number (<10 copies per milliliter) at 4 weeks. Median PFS was slightly longer for patients with undetectable EGFR mutant alleles in cfDNA at 4 weeks than for those in whom such alleles were detectable (14.3 versus 10.0 months). A total of 45 somatic mutations was identified in baseline tumor DNA, and 30 (66.7%) of these mutations were identified in cfDNA by NGS. Allele frequency for somatic mutations in cfDNA determined by NGS changed concordantly during afatinib treatment with the number of EGFR mutant alleles determined by dPCR. Conclusions: Monitoring of cfDNA by dPCR is informative for prediction of afatinib efficacy, whereas that by NGS is reliable and has the potential to identify mechanisms of treatment resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) observations, and energy dispersive X-ray analyses performed with a scanning TEM (STEM-EDX), we evaluated the residual Na contents and the induced crystal strains in type-II Si clathrate films grown on a Si substrate and treated with iodine for Na elimination. Cross-sectional TEM and STEM-EDX observations verified the formation of the type-II Si clathrate thin film on the Si substrate. The guest-free (without any Na inclusion) clathrate crystal was obtained by iodine (I 2 ) treatment for more than 3 cycles. The resulting films were polycrystalline. No buffer layer was observed at the boundary of the Si clathrate crystal film and the substrate, suggesting a chemical bonding between them. The crystalline strains defined here by the deviation of the d value were within 3.5%. These findings might allow us to fabricate epitaxial Si clathrate films on Si substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The estimates use fits to the CTS spectra to infer ionization states of +1 for proton and +3 for carbon, typical flow velocities of 100 km/s, the electron temperature of 10 eV, and the ion temperature of 50 eV, the initial-at-target magnetic field of 3 kG, and the lowest electron density of HT ht ." now reads: "The estimates use fits to the CTS spectra to infer ionization states of +1 for proton and +3 for carbon, typical flow velocities of 100 km/s, the electron temperature of 10 eV, and the ion temperature of 50 eV, the initial-at-target magnetic field of 3 kG, and the lowest electron density of HT ht .". [Extracted from the article]

A transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter array as an X-ray sensor for a scanning transmission electron microscope system is being developed. The technical challenge of this system is a high count rate of $$\sim $$ 5000 counts/second/array. We adopted a 64 pixel array with a parallel readout. Common SQUID bias, and common TES bias are planned to reduce the number of wires and the resources of a room temperature circuit. The reduction rate of wires is 44 % when a 64 pixel array is read out by a common bias of 8 channels. The possible degradation of the energy resolution has been investigated by simulations and experiments. The bias fluctuation effects of a series connection are less than those of a parallel connection. Simple calculations expect that the fluctuations of the common SQUID bias and common TES bias in a series connection are $$10^{-7}$$ and $$10^{-3}$$ , respectively. We constructed 8 SQUIDs which are connected to 8 TES outputs and a room temperature circuit for common bias readout and evaluated experimentally. Our simulation of crosstalk indicates that at an X-ray event rate of 500 cps/pixel, crosstalk will broaden a monochromatic line by about 0.01 %, or about 1.5 eV at 15 keV. Thus, our design goal of 10 eV energy resolution across the 0.5-15 keV band should be achievable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing the frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) readout system aimed to realize the 400-pixel transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter array for the DIOS mission as well as large-format arrays with more than a thousand of TES for future space missions such as the ATHENA mission. The developed system consists of the low-power superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), the digital FDM electronics, and the analog front-end to bridge the SQUID and the digital electronics. Using the developed readout system, we performed a TES readout experiment and succeeded to multiplex four TES signals with the single-staged cryogenic setup. We have experienced two issues during the experiment: an excess noise and crosstalk. The brief overview of the developed system and the details, results, and issues of the TES multiplexing readout experiment is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Parapenaeopsis Alcock, 1901 was divided into eight genera by grouping the species included, based on generic features, under Alcockpenaeopsis, Arafurapenaeopsis, Batepenaeopsis, Ganjampenaeopsis, Holthuispenaeopsis, Kishinouyepenaeopsis, Mierspenaeopsis, Parapenaeopsis (then sensu nov.) (Sakai & Shinomiya, 2011a, b). The genus Batepenaeopsis Sakai & Shinomiya, 2011 is currently known to include two species, B. tenella (Spence Bate, 1888) and B. venusta (De Man, 1907). However, in the present paper P. acclivirostris Alcock, 1905 from the Persian Gulf near Kuwait, and a new species, B. moresbyensis sp. nov. from the Central Province, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, are presented as new members of the genus Batepenaeopsis Sakai & Shinomiya, 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swallowing disorders are a growing problem among the elderly in long-term care ( LTC), and they can cause aspiration pneumonia. In order to detect swallowing disorders early, simple tools are needed to assess aspiration and silent aspiration ( SA). To compile a sample of elderly people requiring LTC, and categorise them as having suspected aspiration and/or SA using simple screening tools. In addition, oral ability, severity of dementia, vital functions and nutritional status were compared in these groups. A total of 393 elderly people in LTC (89 men and 304 women; age ranging from 65 to 100 years) were included in the study. The modified water swallow test, cervical auscultation and cough test were used to assess swallowing function. The participants were categorised as having suspected aspiration and/or SA, and the following assessments were performed: (i) oral ability (lips function, tongue function, rinsing and gargling ability), (ii) dementia severity, (iii) vital functions and (iv) nutritional status. Suspected aspiration was apparent in 50·5% of patients, of which 24·0% had suspected SA. Those with suspected aspiration showed worsened oral ability, dementia severity, vital functions and nutritional status. Similarly, those with suspected SA showed worsened dementia severity, vital functions and nutritional status. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lip closure, lingual movement and rinsing ability were significantly associated with suspected aspiration. Dementia severity was the best predictor of suspected SA. Simple screening tools can be used to identify suspected aspiration and SA, which may facilitate early detection of aspiration pneumonia or swallowing disorder risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 211 neurons that discharged at the highest rate during sleep (sleep-active neurons) were recorded in non-anesthetized, head-restrained mice during the complete wake–sleep cycle in, and around, the laterodorsal (LDT) and sublaterodorsal (SubLDT) tegmental nuclei, which contain both cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons. For the first time in mice, I reveal the presence, mainly in the SubLDT, of sleep-specific neurons displaying sustained tonic discharge either (i) just prior to, and during, paradoxical sleep (PS) (PS-on neurons) or (ii) during both slow-wave sleep (SWS) and PS (SWS/PS-on neurons). Both the PS-on and SWS/PS-on neurons showed either a low (<10 Hz) or high (⩾10 Hz) rate of spontaneous firing and exhibited a biphasic narrow or medium-to-broad action potential, a characteristic of non-cholinergic neurons. At the transition from SWS to waking (W), the PS-on and SWS/PS-on neurons simultaneously ceased firing shortly before the onset of W, whereas, at the transition from W to SWS, only the SWS/PS-on neurons fired shortly after the onset of sleep. At the transition from SWS to PS, only the PS-on neurons exhibited a significant increase in discharge rate before PS onset, while, at the transition from PS to W, the SWS/PS-on neurons, then the PS-on neurons, displayed a significant decrease in the discharge rate before the end of PS. The SWS/PS-on neurons were more sensitive to the change in the electroencephalogram (EEG) than the PS-on neurons, as, during a PS episode, the slightest interruption of rhythmic theta activity resulted in cessation of discharge of the SWS/PS-on neurons. These findings support the view that, in the mouse SubLDT, PS-on neurons play an important role in the induction, maintenance, and cessation of PS, while SWS/PS-on neurons play a role in the maintenance of the PS state in particular and the sleep state in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical implementation of genomic profiling for lung cancer with high-throughput, multiplex tests is warranted to allow prioritization of appropriate therapies for individual patients. We have now applied such testing to detect actionable mutations that may inform treatment recommendations in lung cancer. Patients and methods: We prospectively applied amplicon sequencing panels that cover both mutational hotspots in 22 genes related to lung and colon tumorigenesis as well as 72 major variants of ALK, RET, ROS1, and NTRK1 fusion transcripts. We then determined the proportion of patients who received genotype-directed therapy and their overall survival (OS). Results: Tumor specimens from 110 patients with lung cancer recruited between July 2013 and March 2015 were analyzed. The most common genetic alterations were TP53 mutations in 42 patients, followed by EGFR mutations in 25, STK11 mutations in 12, and KRAS mutations in 10. Potentially actionable mutations were identified in 44 patients including 50% of those with adenocarcinoma and 14% of those with squamous cell carcinoma. The OS of patients with advanced or recurrent cancer who had an actionable mutation and received targeted therapy (median OS not achieved) was significantly longer than that of those with no mutation (18.1 months, P = 0.041) or of those with a mutation not so treated (6.1 months, P = 0.0027). Conclusions: Multiplex genomic testing was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens with a success rate of ≥95%. Such testing can assist physicians in matching patients with approved or experimental targeted treatments. Clinical trial registration: The University Medical Hospital Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry under the identifier UMIN000014782. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brønsted acid–base reaction between 3-hydroxy-2-quinoxalinecarboxylic acid (Hhqxc) and imidazole (Im) in acetone–H2O yielded two 1 : 1 salts: anhydrous (HIm+)(hqxc−) (1) and hydrated (HIm+)(hqxc−)·(H2O) (2), where HIm+ and hqxc− are imidazolium and 3-hydroxy-2-quinoxalinecarboxylate, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses and vibrational spectra were consistent with the lactam tautomer of the hqxc− anion, which formed π-dimers in both 1 and 2. Each π-dimer in crystal 1 was connected by intermolecular N–H…O hydrogen-bonding interactions to form a linear hqxc− chain, whereas the π-dimers in crystal 2 formed an intermolecular N–H…O hydrogen-bonding zigzag chain. The HIm+ cations existed in the crystalline space between the hydrogen-bonding hqxc− anionic chains. A reversible crystal-to-crystal structural transformation between crystals 1 and 2 was observed following H2O adsorption–desorption, which was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements, single-crystal X-ray structural analyses, and H2O adsorption–desorption isotherms at 323 K. The structural rearrangement of the hqxc− anions was achieved through changes in the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. The temperature- and frequency-dependent dielectric constants of crystal 2 revealed a dielectric peak at ~330 K owing to thermal fluctuations of H2O molecules within the crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To clarify the polyhydroxyalkanoate ( PHA) accumulation potential and the PHA-accumulating microbial community structure in activated sludge in municipal wastewater treatment plants ( WWTPs) and to identify their influential factors. Methods and Results Nine activated sludge samples were collected from municipal WWTPs employing various biological treatment processes. In acetate-fed 24-h batch experiments under aerobic and nitrogen- and phosphorus-limited conditions, polyhydroxybutyrate ( PHB) content of activated sludge increased from 0-1·3 wt% to 7·9-24 wt%, with PHB yields of 0·22-0·50 C-mol 3-hydroxybutyrate (C-mol acetate)−1. Microbial community analyses found that activated sludge samples that accumulated >20 wt% of PHB after 24-h PHA accumulation experiments had >5·0 × 108 copies g−1-mixed liquor-suspended solid of phaC genes. Conclusions Results indicated that (i) activated sludge in municipal WWTPs can accumulate up to approx. 20 wt% of PHA without enrichment processes, (ii) PHA accumulation potential of activated sludge varied depending on the operational conditions (treatment processes) of WWTPs, and (iii) phaC gene number can provide a simple indication of PHA accumulation potential. Significance and Impact of the Study This is the first study to compare the PHA accumulation potential and PHA-accumulating microbial communities in activated sludge of various treatment processes. Our findings may be useful for enhancing the resource recovery potential of wastewater treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine polishing techniques, such as the chemical mechanical polishing treatment, are one of the most important technique to glass substrate manufacturing. Mechanical interaction in the form of friction occurs between the abrasive and the substrate surface during polishing, which may cause formation of latent flaws on the glass substrate surface. Fine polishing-induced latent flaws may become obvious during a subsequent cleaning process if glass surfaces are corroded away by chemical interaction with the cleaning liquid. Latent flaws thus reduce product yield. In general, non-destructive inspection techniques, such as the light-scattering methods, used to detect foreign matters on the glass substrate surface. However, it is difficult to detect latent flaws by these methods because the flaws remain closed. Authors propose a novel inspection technique for fine polishing-induced latent flaws by combining the light scattering method with stress effects, referred to as the stress-induced light scattering method (SILSM). SILSM is able to distinguish between latent flaws and particles on the surface. In this method, samples are deformed by an actuator and stress effects are induced around the tips of latent flaws. Due to the photoelastic effect, the refractive index of the material around the tip of a latent flaw is changed. This changed refractive index is in turn detected by a cooled charge-coupled device camera as variations in light scattering intensity. In this report, surface latent flaws are detected non-destructively by applying SILSM to glass substrates, and the utility of SILSM evaluated as a novel inspection technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency division multiplexing (FDM) is a promising approach to read out a large format transition-edge sensor (TES) array for future astrophysical missions. We constructed a four channel FDM readout system using baseband feedback in the MHz band. We demonstrated the principle of our FDM method with an actual TES array, a multiplexing SQUID and LC band-pass filters under 100 mK. The resonant frequencies of LC filters were consistent with the design value with an accuracy of better than 3 %. We successfully obtained X-ray pulses from two TESs simultaneously but the energy resolution was degraded to about 100 eV at 5.9 keV and crosstalk effects were observed. The origin of the crosstalk effects is investigated by modified setups. Based on comparative experiments and numerical calculations, we conclude that the non-linearity of the SQUID is the cause of some of the crosstalk effects. Unlike the regular crosstalk effect from the adjoining channels, the crosstalk effect due to non-linearity observed in this paper occurs in all channels. Solving these problems will help us to obtain FDM readout with sufficient energy resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) systems with baseband feedback for TES X-ray microcalorimeter arrays for use with the DIOS mission. To meet the requirement of limited cooling capacity at cryogenic temperatures, we developed low-power and FDM-optmized dc-SQUIDs. To make maximum use of the SQUIDs, we also developed digital electronics using FPGA evaluation boards and ADC/DAC FMC daughter cards, and evaluated signal-to-noise ratios and gain-bandwidth products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The mouse SCN is composed of a heterogeneous population of neurons. [•] Both regularly and irregularly firing neurons are present in the mouse SCN in vivo. [•] The SCN neurons display different discharge profiles across wake–sleep states. [•] The SCN neurons have functional topographic organization within the nucleus. [•] The SCN may play a potential role in both circadian and sleep–wake regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration is a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome caused by the remote effect of certain systemic cancers and is characterized by subacute cerebellar symptoms. A 62-year-old woman suffering from unidentified cerebellar symptoms was admitted to our hospital. Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration was suspected and ovarian cancer was detected after the systemic examination for malignancy. The symptoms of vertigo and dysarthria were improved a little after surgical operation and treatments of γ-globulin, steroid pulse and tacrolimus hydrate. The cerebellar symptoms of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration are often evident prior to detection of malignancy. It is important to perform systemic examination for malignancy in case of unidentified cerebellar symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomalous pressure dependent conductivity is revealed for heteroacene organic field-effect transistors of dinaphtho [2, 3-b:2', 3'-f]thieno[3, 2-b]thiophene single crystals in the direction of a and b crystallo-graphic axes. In contrast to the normal characteristics of a monotonie increase in mobility p. with the application of external hydrostatic pressure P in conductors, we found that the present organic semiconductor devices exhibit nonmonotonic and gigantic pressure dependence including an even negative pressure coefficient dμ/dP. In combination with a structural analysis based on x-ray diffraction experiments under pressure, it is suggested that on-site molecular orientation and displacement peculiar in heteroacene molecules are responsible for the anomalous pressure effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have recorded, for the first time, in non-anesthetized, head-restrained mice, a total of 339 single units in and around the laterodorsal (LDT) and sublaterodorsal (SubLDT) tegmental nuclei, which are located, respectively, in, or beneath, the periaqueductal gray and contain cholinergic neurons. The recordings were made during the complete wake–sleep cycle including wakefulness (W), slow-wave sleep (SWS), and paradoxical (or rapid eye movement) sleep (PS). The tegmental neurons displayed either a biphasic narrow or triphasic broad action potential. Seventy-six LDT or SubLDT neurons characterized by their triphasic long-duration action potentials were judged to be cholinergic and this was verified in anesthetized mice using neurobiotin juxtacellular labeling combined with choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry of the recorded cell. The 76 presumed cholinergic neurons discharged tonically at the highest rate during W and PS (W/PS-active neurons) as either single isolated spikes or clusters of two to five spikes, and 26 of them discharged selectively during W and PS, these W/PS-selective neurons being found mainly in the SubLDT. The clustering discharge was particularly prominent during PS, when it was associated with an obvious phasic change in the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG), and during waking periods, when it was accompanied by abrupt body movements. During the transition from sleep to waking, the cholinergic W/PS-selective neurons and the LDT or SubLDT noncholinergic W-selective neurons showed firing before the onset of W, while, at the transition from waking to sleep, they ceased firing before sleep onset. At the transition from SWS to PS, all the cholinergic neurons exhibited a significant increase in discharge rate before the onset of PS. The present study in mice supports the view that cholinergic and noncholinergic LDT and SubLDT neurons play an important role in tonic and phasic processes of arousal and cortical EEG activation occurring during W or PS, as well as in the sleep/waking switch. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A number of dose criteria were set after the accident in Fukushima, including a criterion regarding the use of school playgrounds in Fukushima. Considering the band of 1–20mSv/year recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for public exposure under existing exposure situations, Japanese authorities set 20mSv/year as a ‘start line’ for reducing the dose to school children. However, this led to considerable confusion among the general public and some experts. They thought that the dose limit was increased to 20mSv/year (20 times as high as before), and that school children could be exposed to 20mSv in 1year. This is just an example of confusion caused by inadequate comprehension of radiation effects, misunderstanding of radiation protection concepts, or both. Another issue was raised regarding the higher radiosensitivity of children compared with adults. In the 2007 ICRP Recommendations, a higher risk coefficient is given to the whole population than the adult population, because the whole population includes children; a subpopulation with higher radiosensitivity and a longer life span. The point of argument was whether a lower reference level should be set for children alone. Radiation protection experts should continue to collect scientific information to improve the radiation protection system. In addition, it is the role of these experts to explain the framework of radiation protection to the general public in plain language. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Layer V neurons in the primary motor cortex (M1) are important for motor skill learning. Since pretreatment of either CNQX or APV in rat M1 layer V impaired rotor rod learning, we analysed training‐induced synaptic plasticity by whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique in acute brain slices. Rats trained for 1 day showed a decrease in small inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSC) frequency and an increase in the paired‐pulse ratio of evoked IPSCs, suggesting a transient decrease in presynaptic GABA release in the early phase. Rats trained for 2 days showed an increase in miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) amplitudes/frequency and elevated AMPA/NMDA ratios, suggesting a long‐term strengthening of AMPA receptor‐mediated excitatory synapses. Importantly, rotor rod performance in trained rats was correlated with the mean mEPSC amplitude and the frequency obtained from that animal. In current‐clamp analysis, 1‐day‐trained rats transiently decreased the current‐induced firing rate, while 2‐day‐trained rats returned to pre‐training levels, suggesting dynamic changes in intrinsic properties. Furthermore, western blot analysis of layer V detected decreased phosphorylation of Ser408–409 in GABAA receptor β3 subunits in 1‐day‐trained rats, and increased phosphorylation of Ser831 in AMPA receptor GluA1 subunits in 2‐day‐trained rats. Finally, live‐imaging analysis of Thy1‐YFP transgenic mice showed that the training rapidly recruited a substantial number of spines for long‐term plasticity in M1 layer V neurons. Taken together, these results indicate that motor training induces complex and diverse plasticity in M1 layer V pyramidal neurons. Key points: Here we examined motor training‐induced synaptic and intrinsic plasticity of layer V pyramidal neurons in the primary motor cortex.The training reduced presynaptic GABA release in the early phase, but strengthened AMPA receptor‐mediated excitatory synapses in the later phase: acquired motor performance after training correlated with the strength of excitatory synapses rather than inhibitory synapses.As to the intrinsic property, the training transiently decreased the firing rate in the early phase, but returned to pre‐training levels in the later phase.Western blot analysis detected decreased phosphorylation of Ser408‐409 in GABAA receptor β3 subunits in the acute phase, and increased phosphorylation of Ser831 in AMPA receptor GluA1 subunits in the later phase.Live‐imaging analysis of Thy1‐YFP transgenic mice showed rapid and long‐term spine plasticity in M1 layer V neurons, suggesting training‐induced increases in self‐entropy per spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have been improving our TEM-EDS for elemental microanalysis after a successful achievement of a high energy resolution (7.8 eV at 1.7 keV) using a TES microcalorimeter. The improvements fall into a 3D superconductive wiring and a high-speed processing (∼3,000 cps). We are implementing a 10-ch TES array for higher count rate and a broader dynamic range. The shape of a probe needs to be a small polygonal rod with an approximate size of 1 cm×1 cm×10 cm, and hence the placing and wiring of the TES array and read-out circuits at the cryogenic stage were very demanding. We overcame those difficulties by 3D photolithography and electrodeposition. With these new technologies, we developed the OFC probe with solder-plated 3D wiring, and successfully observed a superconductivity at the temperature of liquid helium. As a required count rate per channel is ∼300 cps, the overall system count rate is ∼3,000 cps, which is incomparably higher than before. In the last model, we used an embedded system to process waveforms from a 4-ch 14-bit 1 MS/s ADC due to a small signal bandwidth, but this time we parallelized three identical ADCs and transfer raw waveforms by Ethernet lines to a host to achieve the required system count rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]