Re-evaluation of the phase relationship between plutonium and zirconium dioxides

The phase relationship between ZrO₂ and PuO₂ was examined in a low PuO₂ content region, from 3.1 to 11.2 mol% PuO₂, at temperatures between 1273 K and 1473 K, by high temperature X-ray diffractometry. The measurements were carried out in air. At 1273 K, the samples in this composition range consisted of two phases, monoclinic and cubic. Another phase, tetragonal, was observed at 1373 K. The low temperature monoclinic phase disappeared at 1473 K. It was confirmed that the monoclinic phase disappears around 1463 K; the disappearance temperature does not depend on the composition of the sample. It was, thus, inferred that there should be a eutectoid line in the phase diagram. Though the eutectoid point is not clear, the PuO₂ content at the point should be less than 3.1 mol%.     

Adaptation to climate change and conservation of biodiversity using green infrastructure

In recent years, we have experienced mega‐flood disasters in Japan due to climate change. In the last century, we have been building disaster prevention infrastructure (artificial levees and dams, referred to as “grey infrastructure”) to protect human lives and assets from floods, but these hard protective measures will not function against mega‐floods. Moreover, in a drastically depopulating society such as that in Japan, farmland abandonment prevails, and it will be more difficult to maintain grey infrastructure with a limited tax income. In this study, we propose the introduction of green infrastructure (GI) as an adaptation strategy for climate change. If we can use abandoned farmlands as GI, they may function to reduce disaster risks and provide habitats for various organisms that are adapted to wetland environments. First, we present a conceptual framework for disaster prevention using a hybrid of GI and conventional grey infrastructure. In this combination, the fundamental GI, composed of forests and wetlands in the catchment (GI‐1) and additional multilevel GIs such as flood control basins that function when floodwater exceeds the planning level (GI‐2) are introduced. We evaluated the flood attenuation function (GI‐1) of the Kushiro Wetland using a hydrological model and developed a methodology for selecting suitable locations of GI‐2, considering flood risk, biodiversity and the distribution of abandoned farmlands, which represent social and economic costs. The results indicated that the Kushiro Wetland acts as a large natural reservoir that attenuates the hydrological peak discharge during floods and suitable locations for introducing GI‐2 are concentrated in floodplain areas developing in the downstream reaches of large rivers. Finally, we discussed the network structure of GI‐1 as a hub and GI‐2 as a dispersal site for conservation of the Red‐crowned Crane, one of the symbolic species of Japan.     

Quantitative Elemental Analysis of a Single Cell by Using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in Fast Time-Resolved Analysis Mode

The elemental composition of a single yeast, green alga, or red blood cell (RBC) was precisely determined by using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) operating in fast time-resolved analysis (TRA) mode. The technique is known as single-cell (SC)-ICP-MS. Phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium, zinc, and iron were detected in the three types of cell. The elemental composition of yeast and green alga obtained by SC-ICP-MS was consistent with results obtained from conventional ICP-MS measurements following acid digestion of the cells. Slight differences were found in the measured values between SC-ICP-MS and the conventional ICP-MS results for RBC. However, the SC-ICP-MS results for S and Fe in RBC were closer to the estimated values for these elements that were calculated from the level of hemoglobin in RBCs. The data suggest that SC-ICP-MS is suitable for the analysis of various cell types, namely, fungus, plant, and animal cells.     

Optimization of reinforcement layout of scissor‐type bridge using differential evolution algorithm

Scissors mechanisms are commonly used in safety engineering during the construction of temporary structures, owing to their inherent advantages of foldability, transformability, and reusability. We effectively utilized these scissors mechanism features to develop a lightweight, deployable emergency Mobile Bridge (MB) based on optimization, and control of the folding structure. Here, we discuss the problems of optimal reinforcement layout for the MB by formulating and solving three optimization problems, namely: (a) the load capacity maximization problem, (b) the weight minimization problem, and (c) coupling the load capacity maximization problem and the weight minimization problem. The potential benefits resulting from the application of reinforcement were evaluated using a combination of finite element analysis and an optimization algorithm based on the differential evolution method. The results demonstrate the significant positive influence of the additional reinforcing members. In particular, the limit load was increased by over 10 times, while the weight was decreased to approximately half. The proposed methodology enabled the development of a substantially improved version of the MB characterized by a higher load capacity and lower weight in comparison to the initial bridge design.     

Analysis of imazalil and its major metabolite in citrus fruits by GC-FTD

A simplified simultaneous analytical method of imazalil (IZ) and its major metabolite, alpha-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1H-imidazole-1-ethanol (IZM), in citrus fruits was developed, and commodities samples were investigated. A homogenate of citrus fruits was extracted with ethyl acetate under basic conditions. The crude extract was partitioned between 0.025 mol/L of sulfuric acid and ethyl acetate. The analytes were extracted from the aqueous fraction under basic conditions with ethyl acetate. The extract solution was purified with an ENVI-Carb cartridge, and then analyzed by GC-FTD and GC/MS. Recoveries of IZ and IZM added to grapefruit at the level of 0.05 microgram/g were 90.0 and 108.7%, and those in the case of lemon were 100.4 and 93.0%, respectively. The detection limits were 0.01 microgram/g in samples. By this method, IZ and IZM were analyzed in 46 citrus fruits on the market and were detected simultaneously in some samples.     

Intermittent administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ameliorates glucose metabolism and prevents pancreatic exhaustion in diabetic mice

We previously demonstrated that repetitive administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ameliorates glucose metabolism and energy expenditure in obese diabetic db/db mice. However, we have not evaluated in detail the effect of single or intermittent BDNF administration on glucose metabolism in a diabetic animal model. The objectives of this study were to examine the dose-response effect and dosing interval of BDNF administration in db/db mice and to evaluate the effect of intermittent BDNF administration on pancreatic function in db/db mice. We evaluated the dose-response effect of BDNF by single administration in db/db mice. First, single administration of BDNF greater than 70 mg/kg significantly reduced blood glucose concentration one day after administered, and the BDNF effect was maintained for 6 d. Next, the effects of BDNF administered twice a week at 4, 10, 25, and 62.5 mg/kg on blood glucose concentration, and the effects of BDNF administered once a week at 10, 20, 30, 50, and 70 mg/kg on blood glucose concentration were examined in db/db mice. In the intermittent treatment studies, BDNF dose-dependently ameliorated glucose metabolism by not only the twice-a-week administration but also the once-a-week administration. Lastly, because BDNF reduces the food intake of obese hyperphagic diabetic mice, the effects of BDNF administered once or twice a week on the blood glucose concentration and plasma and pancreatic insulin concentrations in db/db mice were compared with those of the vehicle under pair-fed conditions. Under pair-fed conditions, the intermittent administration of BDNF (25 mg/kg, twice a week, or 50 mg/kg, once a week) significantly reduced the blood glucose concentration and increased the plasma and pancreatic insulin concentrations compared with those in the pair-fed vehicle-treated db/db mice. This indicates that the prolonged hypoglycemic effect of BDNF is not simply due to the reduction of food intake. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the intermittent administration of BDNF ameliorates glucose metabolism and prevents pancreatic exhaustion in obese diabetic mice. These findings indicate that BDNF may have potential as a unique hypoglycemic agent for the treatment of diabetes at a fundamental level with good patient compliance.     

Halo congenital nevus undergoing spontaneous regression. Involvement of T-cell immunity in involution and presence of circulating anti-nevus cell IgM antibodies

BACKGROUND: Halo congenital nevus is a condition in which halo formation is associated with congenital nevocellular nevi. Although several theories have been proposed, the immunologic mechanisms of halo formation and concomitant nevus regression still remain unclear. We presented immunologic findings in a case of halo congenital nevus with unique histologic location of inflammatory cells. OBSERVATIONS: Histologically, the present case of halo congenital nevus undergoing spontaneous regression showed a marked inflammatory infiltrate with remnants of original nevus cell nests. In the infiltrating T cells, CD8+ cells outnumbered CD4+ cells and the infiltrate of natural killer cells was not substantial. Direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies demonstrated the presence of IgM antibodies against nevus cells as well as melanoma cells and cultured melanocytes in the patient's serum. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that both T-cell-mediated immunity and IgM antibodies may be involved in the regression of halo congenital nevus. However, it is important to point out that our results may simply be epiphenomena and not directly responsible for the destruction of nevus cells.     

Inhibition in a microgravity environment of the recovery of Escherichia coli cells damaged by heavy ion beams during the NASDA ISS phase I program of NASA Shuttle/Mir mission no. 6

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there are different disease patterns of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in women and men. METHODS: We studied 55 male case patients and 110 female control patients who developed RA between 1970 and 1985 and who resided and received medical care in Olmsted County, Minnesota, for at least 10 years after the diagnosis of RA. Case and control patients were matched for the date of first diagnosis. The pattern and extent of joint involvement, the frequency of joint surgeries, and the presence and type of extraarticular manifestations were determined by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Incidence rates in women were variable and age dependent, whereas the risk in men older than 36 years was constant over their lifetime. Erosive disease was more frequent in men than in women (72% versus 55%, respectively; P < 0.05) and tended to occur earlier (47% versus 31% for erosive disease within the first 4 years of RA). Although male sex was correlated with a higher risk of bony erosions and an accelerated course of RA, structural consequences of joint destruction were more pronounced in women. Joint surgery was performed more frequently in women (50%) than in men (27%) (P = 0.01). In particular, the frequencies of arthroplasties and arthrodeses of hand and foot joints were different (34 procedures in women versus 1 procedure in men; P < 0.001). Sex influenced the risk as well as the pattern of organ involvement in RA. Nodules and rheumatoid lung disease were typical manifestations in men (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas women typically developed sicca syndrome (P = 0.05). Despite differences in disease aggressiveness and disease pattern, there was little difference in the medical therapy in the men compared with the women. CONCLUSION: RA is a heterogeneous disease with variations in phenotype. Sex-associated factors influence disease severity as well as disease pattern. Because sex-related effects influence treatment goals, treatment responses, and side effects, they should be considered in clinical study design and analysis as well as in the treatment decisions for individual patients with RA.     

Lubrication Mechanism of Phosphonium Phosphate Ionic Liquid Additive in Alkylborane–Imidazole Complexes

The assessment of ionic liquids (ILs) as lubricants in several tribological systems has shown their ability to provide remarkable reduced friction and protection against wear, whether they are used as additives or in the neat form. However, their corrosion and limited solubility in non-polar hydrocarbon oils represent the bottleneck-limiting factors for the use of ILs as lubricants. Therefore, in order to tackle these problems, mixtures of alkylborane–imidazole complexes with one halogen-free IL as additive were used in this study. The knowledge of the additive–surface interactions and hence the understanding of tribological properties are an important issue for lubricant formulations and were also investigated in this work. Thus, combination effects between two ionic liquid additives, a halogenated and a halogen-free one, were evaluated by a ball-on-disc-type tribometer under boundary lubrication conditions. Effective friction reduction and anti-wear properties have been demonstrated in tribological investigations when adding between 0.7 and 3.4 wt% of the halogen-free IL into base fluid composed of alkylborane–imidazole complexes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of the steel specimens were conducted to study the correlation between tribological properties and chemical surface composition of the boundary films formed on the rubbing surface. This work suggests potential applications for using halogen-free ILs as additives for synthetic ionic liquid lubricants.