Development of an experimental platform for combinative use of an XFEL and a high-power nanosecond laser

We developed an experimental platform for combinative use of an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and a high-power nanosecond laser. The main target of the platform is an investigation of matter under high-pressure states produced by a laser-shock compression. In this paper, we show details of the experimental platform, including XFEL parameters and the focusing optics, the laser irradiation system and X-ray diagnostics. As a demonstration of the high-power laser-pump XFEL-probe experiment, we performed an X-ray diffraction measurement. An in-situ single-shot X-ray diffraction pattern expands to a large angle side, which shows a corundum was compressed by laser irradiation.Inubushi, Y.; Yabuuchi, T.; Togashi, T.; Sueda, K.; Miyanishi, K.; Tange, Y.; Ozaki, N.; Matsuoka, T.; Kodama, R.; Osaka, T.; Matsuyama, S.; Yamauchi, K.; Yumoto, H.; Koyama, T.; Ohashi, H.; Tono, K.; Yabashi, M. Development of an Experimental Platform for Combinative Use of an XFEL and a High-Power Nanosecond Laser. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 2224. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072224

Superconductivity and physical properties of Ba24Si100 determined from electric transport, specific-heat capacity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements

Both Ba24Si100 and Ba24Ge100 with crystallographically identical structure are found to be superconducting at 1.4 and 0.27 K, respectively. Physical properties of this superconductor Ba24Si100 are studied by electric transport, specific heat capacity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The density of states at the Fermi level NEF=0.148 states eV-1(Siatom)-1 and a distinct jump of Cp at the superconducting transition temperature ΔCp=0.272JK-1mol-1 are obtained. An exponential fit of Cp below the superconducting states gives an energy gap 2Δ=0.423meV and shows that this is a superconductor having s-wave character or isotropic energy gap. On the basis of our experimental data other important physical parameters are also derived

Blind Source Extraction for Hands-Free Speech Recognition Based on Wiener Filtering and ICA-Based Noise Estimation

HSCMA 2008: Hands-Free Speech Communication and Microphone Arrays, 2008. , May 6-8, 2008, Trento, Italy.In this paper, we proposed a new blind speech extraction method consisting of Wiener filtering and noise estimation based on independent component analysis (ICA). First, we provide both theoretically and experimental investigations on proficiency of ICA in noise estimation under a non-point-source noise condition. Next, computer simulation and experiment in an actual railway-station environment are conducted, and their results also indicate that ICA is proficient in noise estimation under a non-point-source noise condition. Finally, we newly propose a blind speech extraction method based on Wiener filtering and ICA-based noise estimation, and the effectiveness of the proposed method via speech recognition test in an actual railway-station environment

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the kidney with cardiac metastasis: a case report

Abstract Background Primary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the kidney is a rare and generally very aggressive disease. We present a case of a patient with primary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the kidney with cardiac metastasis. Case presentation A 59-year-old Japanese man presented to his previous physician with hematuria. Computed tomography revealed masses in the heart and right kidney, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography showed abnormal uptake in the heart. A cardiac biopsy under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance revealed a metastatic tumor. Subsequently, multiple lung lesions were detected, and a right nephrectomy was performed after these metastases were suspected to have originated from renal carcinoma. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the kidney was ultimately diagnosed. Pancreatic metastasis was detected on computed tomography postoperatively. Three courses of chemotherapy with carboplatin and irinotecan were administered, and were temporarily effective against the metastatic lesions in the lungs and pancreas. However, our patient’s general condition deteriorated with the progression of the lesions, and he died 9 months after his initial examination. Conclusions Multi-agent chemotherapy, including platinum-based drugs was effective against large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma metastases, albeit only temporarily. This is the first reported case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with cardiac metastasis