Superconducting fluctuations in FeSe0.5_{0.5}Te0.5_{0.5} thin films probed via microwave spectroscopy

We investigated the microwave conductivity spectrum of FeSe$_{0.5}$Te$_{0.5}$ epitaxial films on CaF$_2$ in the vicinity of the superconducting transition. We observed the critical behavior of the superconducting fluctuations in these films with a dimensional crossover from two-dimensional to three-dimensional as the film thickness increased. From the temperature dependence of the scaling parameters we conclude that the universality class of the superconducting transition in FeSe$_{0.5}$Te$_{0.5}$ is that of the 3D-XY model. The lower limit of the onset temperature of the superconducting fluctuations, Tonset, determined by our measurements was 1.1 Tc, suggesting that the superconducting fluctuations of FeSe$_{0.5}$Te$_{0.5}$ are at least as large as those of optimally- and over-doped cuprates

IR Absorption Nnalysis of Oxidation Behaviors of Nano-composite Phases with β-FeSi2 Nanocrystals and Si

We have investigated oxidation behaviors of nano-composite phase with β-FeSi2 nanocrystals (β-NCs) and Si on Si substrates. IR absorption measurements revealed that only oxidation of Si into SiO2 proceeded in the nano-composite phase. This fact is very important for realization of a novel composite phase with β-NCs and SiO2, which may contribute to enhancement of light emission and to prevent a large thermal quenching of light emission observed in the composite phase with β-NCs and Si.International Conference and Summer School on Advanced Silicide Technology 2014, July 19–21, 2014, Tokyo, Japa

Enhancement of Photoluminescence from Cu-doped β-FeSi2/Si Heterostructures

We have investigated photoluminescence (PL) behaviors of the Cu-doped β-FeSi2 thin film/Si heterostructure. Pronounced enhancement of an intrinsic A band and an impurity-related C band emissions has been observed in all the Cu-doped samples. The photo-carrier injection (PCI)-PL measurements have revealed that the PL enhancement is attributed to dynamic process of migration of holes where a repeated trap process of holes can be controlled by Cu-doping.International Conference and Summer School on Advanced Silicide Technology 2014, July 19–21, 2014, Tokyo, Japa

Photoluminescence Property of Nano-composite Phases of β-FeSi2 Nanocrystals Embedded in SiO2

We have investigated photoluminescence (PL) behaviors of nano-composite phase of β-NCs embedded in SiO2 (β-NCs/SiO2). The inhomogeneous spectra consisting of the A, B, and C emission bands were observed. PL enhancement also was confirmed in comparison with β-NCs/Si. Under high pumping rate, we observed PL spectra near room temperatures (~270 K). This fact means that oxidation of the nano-composite phase can contribute to reduction of thermal quenching, which may come from increase of band offsets around β-NCs.International Conference and Summer School on Advanced Silicide Technology 2014, July 19–21, 2014, Tokyo, Japa

NBS1 is directly involved in ATR activation

Division of Molecular Patholog

Accurate diagnosis of low back pain

Background : There is few reports evaluated accurately the pain generator of low back pain in elite athletes. The purpose of this report was to show case series and to investigate the cause of unidentified low back pain of elite athletes. Methods : Twenty-three adult elite athletes consulted our sports spine clinic to seek a second opinion for low back pain between April 2013 and March 2016. Their cause of low back pain had not been identified by nearby doctor. Spine surgeons had diagnosed using diagnostic injection and STIR-MRI and the final diagnosis made by the spine surgeon were collected. Results : The mean age of 23 patients (16 male, 7 female) was 30.4 years. The most common sport played was baseball. The final diagnosis made by a spine surgeon was as follows : disc related low back pain (n = 12), facet joint arthritis (n = 5), vertebral endplate injury (n = 4), early-stage lumbar spondylolysis (n = 1), supraspinous ligament injury (n = 1). Conclusions : A thorough medical interview, careful physical examination, appropriate diagnostic imaging, and injection block examination can effectively identify the cause of low back pain

Cores and pH-dependent Dynamics of Ferredoxin-NADP+ Reductase Revealed by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange

This research was originally published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Young-Ho Lee, Kosuke Tamura, Masahiro Maeda, Masaru Hoshino, Kazumasa Sakurai, Satoshi Takahashi, Takahisa Ikegami, Toshiharu Hase, and Yuji Goto. Cores and pH-dependent Dynamics of Ferredoxin-NADP+ Reductase Revealed by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange. J. Biol. Chem. 2007; 282, 5959-5967. © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biolog

Lumbar Spondylolysis and vascular supply

INTRODUCTION : The pathology of lumbar spondylolysis is generally thought to begin with a stress fracture in adolescence. Stress fractures of the lower extremities occur in watershed areas with a poor vascular supply because of an inability to respond to stress and heal. This pathology has not been well researched in the lumbar spine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of the spinal arteries in patients with lumbar spondylolysis. METHODS : The extraosseous distribution of the arteries around the pars interarticularis was retrospectively investigated in 14 patients with colon cancer who underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) as part of a preoperative assessment at our hospital and were found to have spondylolysis at L5. RESULTS : All patients were found to have terminal-stage spondylolysis at L5 (1 unilateral, 13 bilateral). L5 segmental artery was absent in all cases. However, separate spinal arteries supplying the pars interarticularis at L5 were found above and below the transverse process at this level. CONCLUSION : All the patients had two separate arteries originating from the cranial and caudal sides that distributed to the superior and inferior articular processes, suggesting that the pars interarticularis is a posterior element containing a vascular watershed area