3,6-Diphenyltetrazine as Cathode Active Material for Sodium Ion Batteries

3, 6-diphenyltetrazine (DPT) is an electron-deficient π-conjugated molecule with a perfectly planar structure and high crystallinity. In this study, discharge-charge tests of crystalline DPT as a cathode material for sodium ion batteries were conducted. DPT showed an initial reversible capacity of 102 mAh/g (theoretical capacity 114 mAh/g), corresponding to one electron reaction. The plateau of the discharge-charge profiles was observed at 1.9–2.1 V vs. Na/Na⁺. According to the ex-situ XRD, FT-IR, and XPS measurements to investigate the discharge-charge mechanism, the redox center was identified as the conjugated tetrazine ring. DPT was in a crystalline form in both the charged and discharged state and indicated the potential as a reversible Na ion host

Increased amygdala reactivity following early life stress : a potential resilience enhancer role

Background: Amygdala hyper-reactivity is sometimes assumed to be a vulnerability factor that predates depression; however, in healthy people, who experience early life stress but do not become depressed, it may represent a resilience mechanism. We aimed to test these hypothesis examining whether increased amygdala activity in association with a history of early life stress (ELS) was negatively or positively associated with depressive symptoms and impact of negative life event stress in never-depressed adults. Methods: Twenty-four healthy participants completed an individually tailored negative mood induction task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) assessment along with evaluation of ELS. Results: Mood change and amygdala reactivity were increased in never-depressed participants who reported ELS compared to participants who reported no ELS. Yet, increased amygdala reactivity lowered effects of ELS on depressive symptoms and negative life events stress. Amygdala reactivity also had positive functional connectivity with the bilateral DLPFC, motor cortex and striatum in people with ELS during sad memory recall. Conclusions: Increased amygdala activity in those with ELS was associated with decreased symptoms and increased neural features, consistent with emotion regulation, suggesting that preservation of robust amygdala reactions may reflect a stress buffering or resilience enhancing factor against depression and negative stressful events

Direction-sensitive dark matter search results in a surface laboratory

We developed a three-dimensional gaseous tracking device and performed a direction-sensitive dark matter search in a surface laboratory. By using 150 Torr carbon-tetrafluoride (CF_4 gas), we obtained a sky map drawn with the recoil directions of the carbon and fluorine nuclei, and set the first limit on the spin-dependent WIMP (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles)-proton cross section by a direction-sensitive method. Thus, we showed that a WIMP-search experiment with a gaseous tracking device can actually set limits. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this method will potentially play a certain role in revealing the nature of dark matter when a low-background large-volume detector is developed.Comment: 9 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Novel Prophylactic Vaccine Using a Prime-Boost Method and Hemagglutinating Virus of Japan-Envelope against Tuberculosis

Objective. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is a major global threat to human health. The only tuberculosis (TB) vaccine currently available is bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), although it has no efficacy in adults. Therefore, the development of a novel vaccine against TB for adults is desired. Method. A novel TB vaccine expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP65) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan- (HVJ)- envelope was evaluated against TB infection in mice. Bacterial load reductions and histopathological assessments were used to determine efficacy. Results. Vaccination by BCG prime with IgHSP65+murine IL-12/HVJ-envelope boost resulted in significant protective efficacy (>10, 000-fold versus BCG alone) against TB infection in the lungs of mice. In addition to bacterial loads, significant protective efficacy was demonstrated by histopathological analysis of the lungs. Furthermore, the vaccine increased the number of T cells secreting IFN-γ. Conclusion. This vaccine showed extremely significant protection against TB in a mouse model, consistent with results from a similar paper on cynomolgus monkeys. The results suggest that further development of the vaccine for eventual testing in clinical trials may be warranted

Performance of a Time-Projection-Chamber with a Large-Area Micro-Pixel-Chamber Readout

A micro time-projection-chamber (micro-TPC) with a detection volume of 23*28*31 cm^3 was developed, and its fundamental performance was examined. The micro-TPC consists of a micro pixel chamber with a detection area of 31*31 cm^2 as a two-dimensional imaging device and a gas electron multiplier with an effective area of 23*28 cm^2 as a pre-gas-multiplier. The micro-TPC was operated at a gas gain of 50,000, and energy resolutions and spatial resolutions were measured.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures, proceedings of IWORID