Performance of JT-60SA Thomson scattering data analysis system

We have developed signal processing routines for the Thomson Scattering measurement, which is planned for use in the next campaign of the JT-60SA large-scale tokamak experiment. This paper provides the data analysis system and its performance evaluated in terms of computation time and error. The sequential routine of determining the scattered light intensity from a simulated signal, including noise data from a 1 Gs/s high-speed sampling digitizer, and determining the electron temperature and density was tested for the first time on an actual machine. The data analysis system ensures that electron temperature and density can be calculated with reasonable relative errors and within a realistic time frame for operations on JT-60SA.journal articl

Two types of cubic components coexisting in the paraelectric phase of relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 revealed by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction

The crystal structures of relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN) have been investigated using synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction. Two different types of cubic components coexist in the paraelectric phase at 600 K. The first is Cubic-I, in which the Pb ion is isotropically off-centered from the corner of the perovskite-type unit cell. The other, Cubic-II, has the Pb ion preferentially off-centered in the directions from the corner. The volume fractions of Cubic-I and Cubic-II are approximately 83% and 17%, respectively. Previous studies have shown that only approximately 20% of PMN transitions to a rhombohedral structure at 100 K. This observation suggests a close relationship between Cubic-II and the rhombohedral structure at low temperatures. The intrinsic structural inhomogeneity observed in the paraelectric phase, such as variations in the disordering behavior of Pb ions, is potentially linked to the relaxor characteristics of PMN.journal articl

Monitoring method for uranium concentration and chemical form in the droplet of rat serum

A simple monitoring method has been proposed by measuring uranium (U) concentration and its chemical form in serum. The droplet of the 1 μL serum specimen was then examined by subjecting it to high energy synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-XRF) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) to determine the concentration and chemical form of U. The detection limit of U in 1 μL droplet was calculated to be 0.071 μg/g. The U concentration in the specimen obtained from the rat exposed to U was consistent with that determined by inductiveluy coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Uranium in the serum was estimated to be hexavalent U based on the standard specimens of tetravalent and hexavanet U. This method developed is expected to be used for monitoring and decorporation of patients at nuclear disasters and environmental pollution.journal articl

DOCK?PET: database of CNS kinetic parameters in the healthy human brain for existing PET tracers

Purpose Information about developed positron emission tomography (PET) tracers and obtained clinical PET images is publicly available in a database. However, findings regarding the kinetic parameters of PET tracers are yet to be summarized. Therefore, in this study, we created an open-access database of central nervous system (CNS) kinetic parameters in the healthy human brain for existing PET tracers (DOCK?PET). Methods Our database includes information on the kinetic parameters and compounds of existing CNS?PET tracers. The kinetic parameter dataset comprises the analysis methods, VT, BPND, K parameters, relevant literature, and study details. The list of PET tracers and kinetic parameter information was compiled through keyword-based searches of PubMed and the Molecular Imaging and Contrast Agent Database (MICAD). The kinetic parameters obtained, including VT, BPND, and K parameters, were reorganized based on the defined brain anatomical regions. All data were rigorously double-checked before being summarized in Microsoft Excel and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) formats. Results Of the 247 PET tracers identified through searches using the PubMed and MICAD websites, the kinetic parameters of 120 PET tracers were available. Among the 120 PET tracers, compound structures with chemical and physical properties were obtained from the PubChem website or the ChemDraw software. Furthermore, the affinity information of the 104 PET tracers was gathered from PubChem or extensive literature surveys of the 120 PET tracers. Conclusions We developed a comprehensive open-access database, DOCK?PET, that includes both kinetic parameters of healthy humans and compound information for existing CNS?PET tracers.journal articl

Spin and parity assignments for low-lying states in the odd-mass nucleus 181Ta

Low-lying levels in the odd-mass nucleus $^{181}$Ta have been populated via nuclear resonance fluorescence using a quasi-monoenergetic, linearly polarized photon beam at the High Intensity $\gamma$-ray Source (HI$\gamma$S) facility at Duke University. The spin and parity of the levels were determined from the azimuthal intensity asymmetry of resonantly scattered $\gamma$ rays with respect to the polarization plane of the incident photon beam. The electric and magnetic dipole strengths were obtained for excitation energies from 2.2 to 3.2 MeV. The results are discussed in terms of the nuclear scissors mode.journal articl

Sulfamethazine sorption, degradation, and the percentage of sulfamethazine degradation products in solid, liquid, and gas phases in soil

Animal waste contains some antibiotics administered to livestock. Therefore, when they are applied to agricultural land as compost, the antibiotics are released into the soil environment. This study investigated sulfamethazine (SMZ) sorption and degradation in three types of soil and their behavioral mechanisms. Furthermore, a tracer experiment using SMZ labeled 14C was conducted to obtain the percentage of degra-dation products of SMZ in gray lowland soil. SMZ was degraded with contact time in andosol and gray lowland soil, whereas little degradation and sorption were observed in brown forest soil. SMZ degradation was suggested to be a primal process in soil attributed to the activity of soil microorganisms. Moreover, the soil sorbed some SMZ degradation products, and the others rapidly degraded to CO2.journal articl

iPS cell generation-associated point mutations include many C?>?T substitutions via different cytosine modification mechanisms.

Genomic aberrations are a critical impediment for the safe medical use of iPSCs and their origin and developmental mechanisms remain?unknown. Here we find through WGS analysis of human and mouse iPSC lines that genomic mutations are de novo events and that, in addition to unmodified cytosine base prone to deamination, the DNA methylation sequence CpG represents a significant mutation-prone site. CGI and TSS regions show increased mutations in iPSCs and elevated mutations are observed in retrotransposons, especially in the AluY subfamily. Furthermore, increased cytosine to thymine mutations are observed in differentially methylated regions. These results indicate that in addition to deamination of cytosine, demethylation of methylated cytosine, which plays a central role in genome reprogramming, may act mutagenically during iPSC generation.journal articl

In Silico Study of Simultaneous Integrated Boost Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Background/Aim: Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CiRT) has been used for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) with uniform dose plan. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique with scanned CiRT against LAPC. Materials and Methods: Data of 21 patients with LAPC were used to compare two treatment planning approaches: a conventional uniform dose approach and a SIB approach. A relative biological effectiveness (RBE)-weighted dose (DRBE) of 55.2 Gy (RBE) in 12 fractions was prescribed to the planning target volume (PTV) in the conventional approach. In the SIB approach, DRBE of 67.2 Gy (RBE) and 43.2 Gy (RBE) in 12 fractions were prescribed to a high-risk PTV (HR-PTV) and low-risk PTV (LR-PTV), respectively. The DRBE and dose averaged linear energy transfer (LETd) of targets and gastrointestinal tracts as organs at risk (OARs) were evaluated. Results: The HR-PTV D90% and LR-PTV D90% were 64.4±0.6 and 42.5±0.1 Gy (RBE) in SIB approach compared to the PTV D90% of 54.1±0.4 Gy (RBE) in the conventional approach. All SIB plans achieved the D2cc lower than 46 Gy (RBE) and V30 lower than 4 cm3 within OARs. The SIB approach increased the minimum LETd within the GTV to 44 keV/μm or higher for 20 out of 21 patients as compared to 16 out of 21 patients in the conventional approach. Conclusion: The SIB approach effectively increased the RBE-weighted dose and LETd within the HR-PTV and GTV by accumulating the high-LET stopping carbon-ions into the HR-PTV in addition to the decreased RBE-weighted dose to OARs.journal articl

Effect of Photon Vortex Generated in Extremely Strong Magnetic Fields on Stellar Nucleosynthesis

It is thought that photon vortices are predominantly produced in extremely strong magnetic fields in the Universe. Because the photon vortex may cause significant large angular momentum transfer in interactions with atomic nuclei, stellar nucleosynthesis in such astrophysical environments is affected. In the present study, we calculate the ratios of the photon absorption transition probabilities of photon vortices with Bessel wave to photons described by the plane wave. The result shows enhancement of excitation of states with large total angular momentum by optimization of the divergence angle of the incident photon vortex in momentum space. However, the average cross section for the photon vortex turns out to be identical with that for the plane wave. Therefore, even when Bessel photons are predominantly produced in astrophysical environments, the isotopic abundances of the synthesized elements are not changed.journal articl

Efficient Reductive N-11C-Methylation Using Arylamines or Alkylamines and In Situ?Generated [11C]Formaldehyde From [11C]Methyl Iodide

11C製造施設ならばどこでも製造している[11C]ヨウ化メチルを系中で[11C]ホルムアルデヒドとし、還元メチル化を行うことで、塩基を用いることなく温和な反応条件でN-11C-メチル化が可能になった。本方法の開発により、これまでN-11C-メチル化が困難であった医薬品候補などの様々な化合物のPETによる動態評価が可能になると期待される。journal articl