Dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes modified with poly-l-tyrosine in water

In this study, complexes composed of poly-l-tyrosine (pLT) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were produced and the dispersibility of the pLT/SWCNT complexes in water by measuring the ζ potential of the complexes and the turbidity of the solution were investigated. It is found that the absolute value of the ζ potential of the pLT/SWCNT complexes is as high as that of SWCNTs modified with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and that the complexes remain stably dispersed in the water at least for two weeks. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and visualization of the surface structures of pLT/SWCNT complexes using an atomic force microscope (AFM) were also carried out

Seismic Exploration Using Active Sources at Kuchierabujima Volcano, Southwest Japan

Seismic exploration using artificial sources was conducted at Kuchierabujima volcano, southwest Japan in November 2004 by 40 participants from 9 national universities andJapan Meteorological Agency to investigate the subsurface seismic structure. The exploration was the 11th joint experiment under the National Project for Prediction of Volcanic Eruptions. A total of 183 temporal stations equippedwith a 2 Hz vertical component seismometer (including 75 3component seismometers) and a portable data logger were deployed on Kuchierabu Island. Dynamite shots with charges of 10-115 kg were detonated at 19 locations, and seismic signals were successfully recorded. To reveal the P-wave velocity structure, 2955 arrival times of the first motion were picked from the seismograms, and 2187 were classified into ranks A and B. From the record sections and the arrival time data, characteristics reflecting the geological structure were identified. Refracted waves of 5 km/s were observed at stations＞5km from the shot points. Apparent velocities near the shot points depend on the surface geology around the shots. P-wave arrived earlier at stations near the summits. Strongly scattered waves were observed similarly near the summits

Observations of the Propagating Flames in Vortex Rings Using an Image Intensifier

Using a high-speed video camera with an image intensifier, observations have been made on the propagating flames in the vertex rings. From their intensified images, variations of the flame speed and the flame diameter along the vortex axis have been determined. Results show that there are four types of flame propagation, (1) steady flame propagation, (2) periodic flame propagation, (3) unsteady flame propagation, and (4) random flame propagation. The steady flame propagation occurs for the maximum tangential velocity V_>7 m/s (Re ≈ 7 m/s in this experiment. (3) The unsteady flame propagation is accompanied with strong flame acceleration and deceleration, while its mean flame speed from ignition to the end is almost equal to the maximum tangential velocity. The random flame propagation occurs in turbulent vortex rings. The flame speed changes randomly. The luminous zone is quenched shortly behind the flame and its mean flame speed becomes much lower than the maximum tangential velocity

Successful management of a lung cancer patient harbouring both EGFR mutation and EML4-ALK fusion gene with disseminated intravascular coagulation

Lung cancer patients harbouring driver oncogene alterations are markedly responsive to molecular target agents, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein like 4 – anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK)-TKI. We encountered an exceptionally rare case, harbouring both EGFR mutation and EML4-ALK fusion gene, and suffering from severe disseminated intravascular coagulation. In this case report, we present two notable points. First, our patient was successfully treated with a third-generation EGFR-TKI, osimertinib. Second, osimertinib could manage severe conditions, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. Third-generation EGFR-TKIs may be a viable option for patients harbouring both EGFR mutations and EML4-ALK fusion genes, even in severe conditions

イメージインテンシファイアを用いた渦輪中の伝ぱ火炎の観察 : 熱工学, 内燃機関, 動力など

Using a high-speed video camera with an image intensifier, observations have been made on the propagating flames in the vertex rings. From their intensified images, variations of the flame speed and the flame diameter along the vortex axis have been determined. Results show that there are four types of flame propagation, (1) steady flame propagation, (2) periodic flame propagation, (3) unsteady flame propagation, and (4) random flame propagation. The steady flame propagation occurs for the maximum tangential velocity V_>7 m/s (Re ≈ 7 m/s in this experiment. (3) The unsteady flame propagation is accompanied with strong flame acceleration and deceleration, while its mean flame speed from ignition to the end is almost equal to the maximum tangential velocity. The random flame propagation occurs in turbulent vortex rings. The flame speed changes randomly. The luminous zone is quenched shortly behind the flame and its mean flame speed becomes much lower than the maximum tangential velocity

Impact of industrial structure and soil exposure on the regional variations in pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease prevalence

Objective/background: The prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (pNTM) disease, including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), varies widely according to geographic region. However, the factors that influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence remain unknown. This study was undertaken to examine whether environmental or occupational factors or host traits could influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence. Methods: We collected laboratory data on pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) and pNTM from two hospitals in the West Harima area of Japan and five hospitals in Kyoto City, Japan from 2012 to 2013. We estimated microbiological pNTM disease prevalence by multiplying all pTB cases in each area with the ratio of pNTM cases and pTB cases at the survey hospitals in each area. We administered a standardized questionnaire to 52 patients and 120 patients with pulmonary MAC (pMAC) disease at Ako City Hospital and Kyoto University Hospital, respectively. Results: The estimated prevalence of microbiological pNTM disease in the West Harima area (85.4/100,000 population-years) was significantly higher than that observed in Kyoto City (23.6/100,000 population-years; p < .001). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, in Ako City Hospital, primary (activities directly related to natural resources) and secondary industries (construction, mining, and manufacturing primary industry produce; odds ratio [OR] = 4.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49−14.0; p = .007) and soil exposure (OR = 13.6; 95% CI = 4.94−45.26; p < .001) were associated with pMAC disease. Conclusion: Environmental factors, both industrial structures associated with occupational dust and environmental soil exposure, could influence the regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence