Relative angle determinable stitching interferometry for hard x-ray reflective optics

Metrology plays an important role in surface figuring with subnanometer accuracy. We have developed relative angle determinable stitching interferometry for the surface figuring of elliptical mirrors, in order to realize hard x-ray nanofocusing. In a stitching system, stitching angles are determined not by the general method using a common area between neighboring shots, but by the new method using the mirror's tilt angles measured at times when profile data are acquired. The high measurement accuracy of approximately 4 nm (peak-to-valley) was achieved in the measurement of a cylindrical surface having the same curvature as the elliptically designed shape to enable hard x-ray nanofocusing. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.Hidekazu Mimura, Hirokatsu Yumoto, Satoshi Matsuyama, Kazuya Yamamura, Yasuhisa Sano, Kazumasa Ueno, Katsuyoshi Endo, Yuzo Mori, Makina Yabashi, Kenji Tamasaku, Yoshinori Nishino, Tetsuya Ishikawa and Kazuto Yamauchi, "Relative angle determinable stitching interferometry for hard x-ray reflective optics", Review of Scientific Instruments 76(4), 045102 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.186847

Fabrication of elliptically figured mirror for focusing hard x rays to size less than 50 nm

In this study, we designed, fabricated, and evaluated a hard x-ray focusing mirror having an ideally focused beam with a full width at half maximum in the intensity profile of 36 nm at an x-ray energy of 15 keV. The designed elliptically curved shape was fabricated by a computer-controlled fabrication system using plasma chemical vaporization machining and elastic emission machining, on the basis of surface profiles accurately measured by combining microstitching interferometry with relative angle determinable stitching interferometry. A platinum-coated surface was employed for hard x-ray focusing with a large numerical aperture. Line-focusing tests on the fabricated elliptical mirror are carried out at the 1-km -long beamline of SPring-8. A full width at half maximum of 40 nm was achieved in the focused beam intensity profile under the best focus conditions. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.Hirokatsu Yumoto, Hidekazu Mimura, Satoshi Matsuyama, Hideyuki Hara, Kazuya Yamamura, Yasuhisa Sano Kazumasa Ueno, Katsuyoshi Endo Yuzo Mori, Makina Yabashi, Yoshinori Nishino, Kenji Tamasaku, Tetsuya Ishikawa and Kazuto Yamauchi, "Fabrication of elliptically figured mirror for focusing hard x rays to size less than 50nm", Review of Scientific Instruments 76(6), 063708 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1922827

Molecular database for classifying Shorea species (Dipterocarpaceae) and techniques for checking the legitimacy of timber and wood products

The extent of tropical forest has been declining, due to over-exploitation and illegal logging activities. Large quantities of unlawfully extracted timber and other wood products have been exported, mainly to developed countries. As part of the export monitoring effort, we have developed methods for extracting and analyzing DNA from wood products, such as veneers and sawn timbers made from dipterocarps, in order to identify the species from which they originated. We have also developed a chloroplast DNA database for classifying Shorea species, which are both ecologically and commercially important canopy tree species in the forests of Southeast Asia. We are able to determine the candidate species of wood samples, based on DNA sequences and anatomical data. The methods for analyzing DNA from dipterocarp wood products may have strong deterrent effects on international trade of illegitimate dipterocarp products. However, the method for analyzing DNA from wood is not perfect for all wood products and need for more improvement, especially for plywood sample. Consequently, there may be benefits for the conservation of tropical forests in Southeast Asia. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10265-010-0348-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The Shock State of Itokawa Sample

One of the fundamental aspects of any astromaterial is its shock history, since this factor elucidates critical historical events, and also because shock metamorphism can alter primary mineralogical and petrographic features, and reset chronologies [1]. Failure to take shock history into proper account during characterization can result in seriously incorrect conclusions being drawn. Thus the Hayabusa Preliminary Examination Team (HASPET) made shock stage determination of the Itokawa samples a primary goal [2]. However, we faced several difficulties in this particular research. The shock state of ordinary chondrite materials is generally determined by simple optical petrographic observation of standard thin sections. The Itokawa samples available to the analysis team were mounted into plastic blocks, were polished on only one side, and were of non-standard and greatly varying thickness, all of which significantly complicated petrographic analysis but did not prevent it. We made an additional estimation of the sample shock state by a new technique for this analysis - electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) in addition to standard petrographic techniques. We are also investigating the crystallinity of Itokawa olivine by Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD)

Guideline on the use of new anticancer drugs for the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma 2010 update

The "Guideline on the Use of New Anticancer Drugs for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma" was prepared by the Study Group on New Liver Cancer Therapies established by the "Research Project on Emergency Measures to Overcome Hepatitis" under the auspices of the Health and Labour Sciences Research Grant. The Guideline brings together data collected by the Study Group on the use and incidence of adverse events in 264 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated using sorafenib and in 535 patients with advanced HCC treated using miriplatin at 16 participating institutions up until 22 December 2010, as well as referring to the published studies, academic presentations, and reports from the private sector. The aim of this Guideline is to facilitate understanding and current thinking regarding the proper usage of new anticancer drugs towards actual use in therapy. In terms of the format, the Guideline presents "clinical questions" on issues pertaining to medical care, makes "recommendations" on diagnosis and treatment in response to each of these clinical questions, and provides a rationale for these recommendations in the form of "scientific statements". © 2012 The Japan Society of Hepatology

Some characteristics of wind and temperature changes in the Syowa Area, Antarctica, in terms of katabatic wind

In order to investigate the characteristics of katabatic wind in the Syowa area, two unmanned weather stations were set up mainly along the flow line of katabatic wind on the coastal zone near Syowa Station (69°00′S, 39°35′E) of East Ongul Island in Lutzow-Holm Bay. One station was installed at the foot of the coastal ice slope and the other on the ice slope 12km inland. From August 1980 to January 1981,wind speed and air temperature were measured at those stations, and vertical soundings by rawinsonde were done at Syowa Station. During the period of increasing of wind speed, a notable difference in wind direction was observed at Syowa Station, and besides, the vertical profiles of temperature and wind were classified into 2 types in terms of the height of inversion layer. When wind direction ranged from ENE to E at Syowa Station, and temperature inversion took place at about 300m high, it was recognized to be a typical katabatic wind. Whereas, on the occasion of wind direction ranged from NNE to NE, inversion layer at 1000m high, and cloudy condition, the wind was identified with that caused by large scale disturbances