Nondestructive Integrated CT-XRD Method for Research on Hydrated Cement System

A nondestructive integrated CT-XRD method has been developed and used to study hydrated cement system. In this research, a beam line (BL) at the third-generation synchrotron radiation facility, SPring-8, in Japan, was used. First, X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to obtain three-dimensional (3D) images and select a region of interest (ROI) in a given plane section of the hardened cement paste. Then, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was conducted on the specified region. These operations were implemented in situ without the removal of specimen from the stage inside the BL. The hardened cement paste was precracked and then leached by continuous water flow through the specimen, and the integrated CT-XRD method was conducted before and after the leaching test. In this way, the change in the hydrated cement system was characterized over time using the same specimen. CT observation provides the location of cracks and air voids as well as high and low density substances present in the hydrated cement system. ROI is arbitrarily determined at a set of coordinates at which one likes to evaluate the change in the cement system using XRD. This newly developed technique enables the evaluation of the presence of calcium hydroxide (portlandite) over time and space

Fluorescence Imaging and Spectroscopy of Biomaterials in Air and Liquid by Scanning Near-Field Optical/Atomic Force Microscopy

We have developed scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy (SNOM/AFM). The SNOM/AFM uses a bent optical fiber simultaneously as a dynamic force AFM cantilever and a SNOM probe. Resonant frequency of the optical fiber cantilever is 15-40 kHz. Optical resolution of the SNOM/AFM images shows less than 50 nm. The SNOM/ AFM system contains photon counting system and polychrometer/intensified coupled charge devise (ICCD) system to observe fluorescence image and spectrograph of micro areas, respectively. Cultured cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled anti-keratin antibody or FITC-labeled phalloidin after treatment with Triton X-100. Fluorescence and topographic images were obtained in air and water. The fluorescence images showed clear images of keratin and actin filaments. The SNOM/AFM is perfect to observe biomaterials in liquid with a liquid chamber while the topographic Images showed subcellular structures which correspond to keratin and actin filaments

Anomalous Coexistence of Ferroelectric Phases (P∥aP\parallel a and P∥cP\parallel c) in Orthorhombic Eu1−y_{1-y}Yy_yMnO3_3 (y>0.5y>0.5) Crystals

We have investigated the magnetic and dielectric properties of orthorhombic Eu$_{1-y}$Y$_y$MnO$_3$ ($0\leq y\leq 0.6$) single crystals without the presence of the 4$f$ magnetic moments of the rare-earth ions. In $y\geq 0.2$, the magnetic-structure driven ferroelectricity is observed. The ferroelectric transition temperature is steeply reducing with increasing $y$. In $y\geq 0.52$, two ferroelectric phases ($P\parallel a$ and $P\parallel c$) are coexistent at low temperatures. In these phases, ferroelectricity has different origin, which is evidenced by the distinctive poling-electric-field dependence of electric polarization. Namely, the electric polarization along the c axis ($P_c$) is easily saturated by a poling electric field, therefore $P_c$ is caused by the $bc$ spiral antiferromagnetic order. On the other hand, the electric polarization along the a axis ($P_a$) is probably attributed to the collinear $E$-type antiferromagnetic order, because $P_a$ is unsaturated even in a poling field of $10^6$ V/m.Comment: 10 pages, 4figures, to be published in Journal of the Physical Society of Japa

Nitric Oxide Synthesis Is Increased in Cybrid Cells with m.3243A > G Mutation

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical and a signaling molecule in several pathways, produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) from the conversion of L-arginine to citrulline. Supplementation of L-arginine has been used to treat MELAS (mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke like syndrome), a mitochondrial disease caused by the m. 3243A>G mutation. Low levels of serum arginine and endothelium dysfunction have been reported in MELAS and this treatment may increase NO in endothelial cells and promote vasodilation, decreasing cerebral ischemia and strokes. Although clinical benefits have been reported, little is known about NO synthesis in MELAS. in this study we found that osteosarcoma derived cybrid cells with high levels of m. 3243A>G had increased nitrite, an NO metabolite, and increased intracellular NO, demonstrated by an NO fluorescent probe (DAF-FM). Muscle vessels from patients with the same mutation had increased staining in NADPH diaphorase, suggestive of increased NOS. These results indicate increased production of NO in cells harboring the m. 3243A>G, however no nitrated protein was detected by Western blotting. Further studies are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms of L-arginine effect to determine the appropriate clinical use of this drug therapy.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa de São PauloCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Neurol & Neurosurg, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Miami, Miller Sch Med, Dept Neurol & Cell Biol, Miami, FL 33101 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Neurol & Neurosurg, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc