Phase stability of long-period stacking structures in Mg-Y-Zn: A first-principles study

The phase stability of the long periodic structures in Mg has been investigated at finite temperature by means of first-principles calculations. Free-energy calculation, including the lattice vibration effect, clearly reveals that 14H and 18R type long periodic structures become more stable than 2H-Mg. Furthermore, the stacking fault energies from a structure of ABA (hcp) to ABC (fcc) were calculated for the isotropic lattice variation. We found that the stacking fault energy decreased by lattice expansion and went to nearly zero upon 10% expansion of the lattice. These two calculated results provide important information about the formation of long periodic stacking “ordered” (LPSO) structures in a Mg-Y-Zn system. It has been suggested that the substituted large atoms and temperature effect cooperatively generate a metastable long periodic stacking faults structure that precede LPSO formation

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

Diagnostic performance of coronary angiography utilizing intraprocedural 320-row computed tomography with minimal contrast medium

Recently developed coronary angiography with intraprocedural 320-row computed tomography can be performed in a catheterization laboratory (XACT) by injecting contrast medium from a place close to the coronary arteries, thereby requiring a minimal amount of contrast medium. However, its clinical application has not yet been established. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of XACT angiography with a minimal volume of contrast medium in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 167 coronary segments were analyzed in 14 patients (9 males, median age 70 years) with suspected CAD by XACT angiography with 7.5 ml of contrast medium and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) with standard techniques. The segmental-based diagnostic accuracy of XACT angiography in detecting stenosis of >= 50% and >= 75% and visualized by ICA was good (sensitivity: 74% and 62%, specificity: 99% and 99%, positive predictive value: 93% and 80%, and negative predictive value: 97% and 97%, respectively). These results suggest that XACT angiography with a very low amount of contrast medium may have strong clinical utility for screening coronary arteries in patients with renal dysfunction or undergoing clinical procedures such as pacemaker implantation

IM input file

An input file for the analysis of an Isolation-with-migration model between the Malay/Sumatra and the Borneo population groups of Shorea leprosula, based on the polymorphisms in the four noncoding chloroplast DNA regions