Prediction of 4f7-4f65d1 transition energy of Eu2+ in oxides based on first-principles calculations and machine learning

In order to establish a method to predict the 4f7-4f65d1 transition energy of Eu2+ in oxides, linear regression models were created based on first-principles calculations and machine learning. The model clusters consisting of the central Eu2+ and O2- ions closer than the nearest cation were constructed and the 4f7-4f65d1 absorption energy of Eu2+ in these clusters were calculated by first-principles many-electron calculation using the relativistic discrete variational multi-electron (DVME) method. However, the 4f7-4f65d1 absorption energies of Eu2+ in oxides calculated by relatively simple first-principles calculations tend to be overestimated by ca. 1.6 eV. In order to improve the accuracy of the prediction, we performed machine learning considering the calculated absorption energy as well as the other electronic and structural parameters as the attributes. As a result, the regression formula to predict the 4f7-4f65d1 absorption energy of Eu2+ in oxides has been created by machine learning. The 4f7-4f65d1 absorption energy predicted by this model are in good agreement with the experimental ones. Therefore, accuracy of the prediction was significantly improved compared to the simple first-principles calculations. In a similar way, a predictive model of the 4f65d1-4f7 emission energy of Eu2+ in oxides has been also create

Ambient dose rate in Mikurashima Island after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

No detailed ambient dose rate has been reported, either before or after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1-NPP) accident, for Mikurashima Island, one of the islands within the authority of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Thus, the ambient dose rate on Mikurashima Island was observed 4.5 years after the F1-NPP accident. A car-borne survey and a foot patrol survey of the ambient dose rates were conducted over the entire island using a 3-in × 3-in NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer. The average ambient dose rate was 27 nGy h^-1 (12 – 45 nGy h^-1) and a higher dose distribution was observed for the northern and eastern areas of Mikurashima Island. However, the impact from the F1-NPP accident (i.e., the presence of artificial radionuclides) was mainly observed for the mountain area of the island (4 – 9 nGy h^-1; located about the center to south-southeast direction). Based on the measured ambient dose rate, the estimated annual effective dose after the accident was 0.09 mSv y^-1

Functional expression of thiocyanate hydrolase is promoted by its activator protein, P15K

AbstractThiocyanate hydrolase (SCNase) is a cobalt-containing enzyme with a post-translationally modified cysteine ligand, γCys131-SO2H. When the SCNase α, β and γ subunits were expressed in Escherichia coli, the subunits assembled to form a hetero-dodecamer, (αβγ)4, like native SCNase but exhibited no catalytic activity. Metal analysis indicated that SCNase was expressed as an apo-form irrespective of the presence of cobalt in the medium. On the contrary, SCNase co-expressed with P15K, encoded just downstream of SCNase genes, in cobalt-enriched medium under the optimized condition (SCNase(+P15K)) possessed 0.86 Co atom/αβγ trimer and exhibited 78% of the activity of native SCNase. SCNase(+P15K) showed a UV–Vis absorption peak characteristic of the SCNase cobalt center. About 70% of SCNase(+P15K) had the γCys131-SO2H modification. These results indicate that SCNase(+P15K) is the active holo-SCNase. P15K is likely to promote the functional expression of SCNase probably by assisting the incorporation of cobalt ion

超吸水性ポリマー球状塞栓物質の高張食塩水を用いた膨潤抑制法の開発

PURPOSE: To analyze size changes of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) microspheres with the reduced expansion technique, and to evaluate pharmacological advantages of transarterial chemoembolization using cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres with the reduced expansion technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an in vitro study, diluted contrast materials containing different concentrations of sodium ions were examined to expand SAP microspheres and determined the reduced expansion technique. Size distributions of cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres were analyzed. In an in vivo study, TACE was performed using cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres with the reduced expansion and control techniques in 18 VX2 rabbits. RESULTS: The degree of expansion was reduced to the greatest extent by using a mixture of non-ionic contrast material and 10% NaCl at a 4:1 ratio. The mean diameter of the reduced expansion of cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres was 188.4 μm, while that of the control expansion was 404.9 μm. The plasma platinum concentrations of the reduced expansion group at 5 min after TACE were significantly higher than those of the control expansion group (2.19 ± 0.77 vs. 0.75 ± 0.08 μg/mL, P = .01). The tumor platinum concentrations of the reduced expansion group at 1 h were significantly higher than those of the control expansion group (10.76 ± 2.57 vs. 1.57 ± 0.14 μg/g, P = .044). CONCLUSION: The expanding level of SAP microspheres can be reduced by using hypertonic saline. Cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres with the reduced expansion technique have the advantages of achieving higher cisplatin tissue concentration in TACE for liver tumors.博士（医学）・甲第709号・令和元年6月26日© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) 2018This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Cardiovascular and interventional radiology. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00270-018-1990-4

Alternative Starting Position for CT Coronary Angiography

We examined whether the superior margin of the left main bronchus is the best landmark for the starting position of computed tomography coronary angiography（CTCA）. We retrospectively evaluated 693 consecutive CTCAs. From the scout scanogram, the superior margin of the left main bronchus was noted. The relationships among and distance between the superior margin of the left main bronchus and the left coronary system were analyzed. The superior margin of the left main bronchus extended caudally to the superior margin of the left coronary system in 13 patients（1.9％）. The addition of 1cm to the superior margin of the left main bronchus kept it caudal to the superior margin of the left coronary system in only one patient（0.1％）. On the scout scanogram, 1cm above the superior margin of the left main bronchus is the most appropriate starting position for CTCA

Marginal iron deficiency enhances liver triglyceride accumulation in rats fed a high-sucrose diet

We investigated whether marginal iron-deficiency (MID) without anemia influences liver lipid accumulation in rats. Ingestion of a MID diet in which the iron concentration was half of AIN-93 formulation (iron-adequate, IA) for 3 weeks decreased liver iron concentration without anemia. We then evaluated the influence of the MID diet on liver lipid accumulation in combination with a high-sucrose (HS) diet and confirmed that the HS-MID diet successfully decreased liver iron concentration without anemia. Additionally, a significant increase in liver triglyceride concentration was found, accompanied by upregulation of hepatic fatty acid synthase expression in the rats fed the HS-MID diet compared to those in the rats fed an HS-IA diet, although no difference was observed in plasma transaminase activity and hepatic interleukin-1β expression. These results suggest that MID enhances de novo lipid synthesis via upregulation of lipogenic gene expression in combination with sucrose in the diet

Effects of Light and Sound on the Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Emotional Function: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

We constructed a near infrared spectroscopy-based real-time feedback system to estimate the subjects' emotional states using the changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration [Δ(oxy-Hb)] in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Using this system, we investigated the influences of continual mild and equivocal stimuli consisting of lights and a reconstructed waterfall sound on Δ[oxy-Hb] in the PFC. The visual (light) and auditory (sound) stimuli changed randomly and independently, depending on the emotional states of the individual subjects. The emotional states induced by the stimuli were examined via a questionnaire rated on an 11-point scale, from +5 (pleasant) to −5 (unpleasant), through 0 (neutral), after the 5-min experiments. Results from 757 subjects revealed that Δ[oxy-Hb] in the PFC exhibited a weak, but significant, correlation with emotional change, with the given continual and mild stimuli similar to that experienced in response to the intense pleasant/unpleasant stimuli. Based on the results we discuss the generation of pleasant/unpleasant weak emotional change induced by mild and weak stimuli such as light and sound