Spin-singlet superconductivity in the doped topological crystalline insulator Sn0.96In0.04Te

The In-doped topological crystalline insulator Sn1−x InxTe is a candidate for a topological superconductor, where a pseudo-spin-triplet state has been proposed. To clarify the spin symmetry of Sn1−x InxTe, we perform 125Te-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in polycrystalline samples with 0 x 0.15. The penetration depth calculated from the NMR line width is T independent below half the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) in polycrystalline Sn0.96In0.04Te, which indicates a fully opened superconducting gap. In this sample, the spin susceptibility measured by the spin Knight shift (Ks) at an external magnetic field of μ0H0 = 0.0872 T decreases below Tc, and Ks(T = 0)/Ks(T = Tc) reaches 0.36 ± 0.10, which is far below the limiting value 2/3 expected for a spin-triplet state for a cubic crystal structure. Our result indicates that polycrystalline Sn0.96In0.04Te is a spin-singlet superconductor

Efficacy of a Novel Narrow Knife with Water Jet Function for Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

Backgrounds. With respect to the knife’s design in colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), diameter, water jet function, and electric power are important because these relate to efficient dissection. In this study, we analyzed a novel, narrow ball tip-typed ESD knife with water jet function (Flush knife BT-S, diameter: 2.2 mm, length: 2000 mm, Fujifilm Co., Tokyo, Japan) compared to a regular diameter knife (Flush knife BT, diameter: 2.6 mm, length: 1800 mm). Methods. In laboratory and clinical research, electric power, knife insertion time, vacuum/suction amount with knife in the endoscopic channel, and water jet function were analyzed. We used a knife 2.0 mm long for BT-S and BT knives. Results. The BT-S showed faster mean knife insertion time (sec) and better vacuum amount (ml/min) compared to the BT (insertion time: 16.7 versus 21.6, p<0.001, vacuum amount: 38.0 versus 14.0, p<0.01). Additionally, the water jet function of the BT-S was not inferior. In 39 colorectal ESD cases in two institutions, there were mean 4.7 times (range: 1–28) of knife insertion. Suction under knife happened 59% (23/39) and suction of fluid could be done in 100%. Conclusions. Our study showed that the narrow knife allows significantly faster knife insertion, better vacuum function, and effective clinical results

Diversity of Na+ allocation in salt-tolerant species of the genus Vigna

Wild species in the genus Vigna are a great resource of tolerance to various stresses including salinity. We have previously screened the genetic resources of the genus Vigna and identified several accessions that have independently evolved salt tolerance. However, many aspects of such tolerance have remained unknown. Thus, we used autoradiography with radioactive sodium (22Na+) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to visualize and compare Na+ allocation in Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H.Ohashi (azuki bean), Vigna nakashimae (Ohwi) Ohwi & H.Ohashi, Vigna riukiuensis (Ohwi) Ohwi & H.Ohashi, Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth. and Vigna marina (Burm.) Merr.. The results indicated: 1) Tolerant accessions suppress Na+ accumulation compared to azuki bean. 2) V. nakashimae and V. marina does so by accumulating higher amount of K+, whereas V. riukiuensis and V. luteola does so by other mechanisms. 3) V. luteola avoids salt-shedding by allocating excess Na+ to newly expanded leaves. As the mechanisms of the tolerant species were different, they could be piled up in a single crop via classical breeding or by genetic engineering or genome editing

Application of 42K to Arabidopsis Tissues Using Real-Time Radioisotope Imaging System(RRIS)

We performed an imaging analysis of 42K in Arabidopsis using real-time radioisotope imaging system(RRIS). First, we purified 42K from an 42Ar―42K generator. And then, we characterized RRIS performance by quantitatively determining 42K using standard series. As a result, the dynamic range for 42K was determined to be at least three orders of magnitude. Next, we evaluated the level of self-absorption in Arabidopsis organs by comparing the signal intensity detected using RRIS and the actual radioactivity detected by a gamma-counting method. There was no significant difference in detection efficiency between the thick bolt(stem) tissue and the thin leaf tissue. The reason for scarce self-absorption could be related to the relatively strong β ray emissions that have a maximum energy of 3525.4keV

Application of 42K to Arabidopsis Tissues Using Real-Time Radioisotope Imaging System(RRIS)

We performed an imaging analysis of 42K in Arabidopsis using real-time radioisotope imaging system(RRIS). First, we purified 42K from an 42Ar―42K generator. And then, we characterized RRIS performance by quantitatively determining 42K using standard series. As a result, the dynamic range for 42K was determined to be at least three orders of magnitude. Next, we evaluated the level of self-absorption in Arabidopsis organs by comparing the signal intensity detected using RRIS and the actual radioactivity detected by a gamma-counting method. There was no significant difference in detection efficiency between the thick bolt(stem) tissue and the thin leaf tissue. The reason for scarce self-absorption could be related to the relatively strong β ray emissions that have a maximum energy of 3525.4keV

Methods for virus recovery from environmental surfaces to monitor infectious viral contamination

Accurate quantification of infectious contaminants on environmental surfaces, particularly infectious viruses, is essential for contact transmission risk assessment; however, difficulties in recovering viruses from surfaces using swabs complicates this quantification process. Herein, we identified the factors that significantly affected virus recovery rates and developed an ideal swab method that yielded the highest rate of virus recovery. We comprehensively analyzed the effects of swab type (cotton/polyester), swab water content (wet/dry conditions), surface material, and surface area on the rates of viral RNA and infectious virus recovery.The virus recovery rate was significantly lower than the viral RNA recovery rate (P 0.8) with the target surface area. The maximum surface area where the virus recovery rate was ≥10% (MSA-10%) was identified as the maximum quantifiable area. For influenza virus recovery, MSA-10% on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet, PVC leather, stainless steel, silicone, glass, and polycarbonate surfaces was 66.7, 193, 60.2, 144, 105, and 15.6 cm2, respectively. For feline calicivirus recovery, MSA-10% on PVC sheet, PVC leather, stainless steel, silicone, glass, and polycarbonate surfaces was 210, 111, 2120, 250, 322, and 180 cm2, respectively.The most accurate and ideal method for quantifying infectious viruses on environmental surfaces with the highest recovery rates meets three specifications: “wet conditions,” “the use of cotton swabs,” and “a target surface area of approximately 10 cm2