Cyclic Torsional Shear Tests on Liquefaction Resistance of Sands Under Low Confining Stress

A series of undrained cyclic torsional shear tests was conducted to investigate the effects of initial confining stress level on liquefaction resistance of sand. Hollow-cylindrical dense specimens with outer diameter of 10 cm, inner diameter of 6 cm and height of 20 cm are prepared with two kinds of sand. After being saturated, they were isotropically consolidated under an initial confining stress σc’ of 4.9, 9.8 or 98 kPa, and subjected to undrained cyclic torsional shear while maintaining the axial and lateral stresses constant. The amplitude of the cyclic torsional shear stress τcy was kept constant with a correction for the effects of membrane force. As a result, for both sands, the cyclic shear stress ratio τcy/ σc’ to cause liquefaction in a specified number of cycles was found to increase as the initial confining stress σc’ decreased. This tendency is consistent with the results of previous studies based on undrained cyclic triaxial tests. Such increase in the liquefaction resistance under low confining stress levels should be considered in analyzing relevant model test results. It was also demonstrated that in conducting cyclic torsional shear tests under low confining stresses, correction for the effects of membrane force is indispensable

Utility of gastric biopsy in diagnosing IgG4‐related gastrointestinal disease

The utility of gastric biopsy for diagnosing immunoglobulin (Ig)G4‐related gastrointestinal disease (IgG4‐GID) remains unclear. Bottom‐heavy plasmacytosis (BHP) is a distinct feature of IgG4‐GID. To clarify the feasibility of using gastric biopsies to diagnose BHP in IgG4‐GID, we analyzed the histological features and immunostaining of gastric biopsy specimens from 31 known IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) patients and we assessed the presence of BHP in 1696 consecutive routine gastric biopsies. Cases with both >10 IgG4‐positive plasma cells per high‐power field and an IgG4/IgG‐positive ratio >40% were defined as IgG4‐high. Ten of the 31 IgG4‐RD patients were concluded to have IgG4‐GID, in which IgG4‐positive plasma cells were notably detected at the deeper part of the mucosa. Six cases displayed BHP whereas the remaining four cases showed transmural infiltration with concomitant Helicobacter pylori‐associated gastritis. In addition to BHP, we identified two unique histologic features for IgG4‐GID: plasmacytic aggregation in the muscularis mucosae and permeative plasmacytic infiltration between fundic glands in the non‐atrophic mucosa. Six of the routine cases (0.35%) displayed BHP, including a case with IgG4‐RD. IgG4‐GID can be suspected by the presence of gastric biopsy specimens with characteristic histological features. Such cases are recommended to undergo further examinations to determine whether IgG4‐RD is present

Atomic-scale processes at the fluorite-water interface visualized by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy

The crystal growth and dissolution processes of a fluorite (CaF 2) crystal have attracted much attention due to the importance in the industrial, environmental, and medical applications. While previous studies clarified nanoscale processes at the fluorite-water interface, atomic-scale origins of the processes have yet to be understood. In this study, we have investigated atomic-scale processes at the fluorite-water interface by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM). We performed atomic-resolution imaging of a fluorite(111) surface in water (pH = 2 and 6.5), saturated solution (pH = 2 and 6), and supersaturated solution (pH = 6, σ = 10 and 100). Based on the results, we present three major findings. First, atomic-scale roughening of the crystal surface takes place at low pH due to the proton adsorption. Second, surface adsorbates with a subnanometer-scale height are formed on the crystal surface at high pH. They are most likely to be calcium hydroxo complexes physisorbed on the crystal surface. Finally, the formation of these complexes can be suppressed by increasing fluorite concentration owing to the increased proportion of Ca2+ and F- in the electric double layer. These findings mark an important step toward the full understanding of the physicochemical processes at the fluorite-water interface. © 2013 American Chemical Society

Alveolar Hemorrhage Associated with Glomerulonephritis So-called Pulmonary Renal (Goodpasture\u27s) Syndrome

Goodpasture\u27s syndrome is characterized by pulmonary associated with renal abnormalities and a group of systemic diseases share immunopathogenic mechanisms which is an autoimmune antiglomerular basement membrane disease. Pulmonary renal syndrome is rather common in the western countries, but rare in Japan. The present two cases showed clinical and pathological features of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis complicated with massive pulmonary hemorrhage. Most of the hemorrhage appeared acute with intact red blood cells in alveolar spaces, and also had variable numbers of hemosiderin-laden macrophages as an evidence of old hemorrhage. In one case of Goodpasture\u27s syndrome, linear deposits of IgG were demonstrated in alveolar walls, glomerular capillary, Bowman\u27s capsular basement membrane, and tubules of kidneys. These evidences indicate the present two cases to be the so-called Goodpasture\u27s syndrome

Nd-Fe-B thick-film magnets prepared by high laser energy density

An observation of microstructure revealed that a laser-irradiated Nd-Fe-B target under the laser energy density (LED) above 10 J/cm2 enabled us to prepare isotropic nano-composite thick-film magnets with good magnetic properties due to a dispersed α-Fe + Nd-Fe-B structure. The formation of the structure is attributed to the etching process of a target during a deposition. Moreover, the control of composition in the nano-composite film enhanced (BH)max value up to approximately 130 kJ/m3.2015 IEEE International Magnetics Conference, INTERMAG 2015; Beijing; China; 11 May 2015 through 15 May 201

CINV related biomarkers and questionnaires

Purpose We assessed the efficacy of palonosetron (PAL) in comparison to granisetron (GRA) for the treatment of CINV using the self-assessment questionnaires. In addition, we analyzed the serum levels of emetic various biomarkers. Methods We conducted a randomized study of 70 patients naïve to chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the late phase score on the MAT questionnaire. The plasma concentrations of the biomarkers were measured on days 1 and 3. Results There were no statistical differences in the scores on the questionnaires, but the mean values in response to PAL were higher than those in response to GRA. The value of ghrelin on day 1 was significantly higher for GRA than for PAL. Conclusions For the primary endpoint, the score of the late phase on the MAT questionnaire was not statistically different between the PAL and GRA treatment groups. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of ghrelin for the treatment of CINV

Coercivity enhancement of Dy-coated Nd-Fe-B flakes by crystallization

The coercivity of isotropic Dy-coated Nd-Fe-B flakes was enhanced by crystallization and simultaneous diffusion of Dy from their surfaces. Amorphous Dy-coated Nd-Fe-B flakes were crystallized by heating them to 923 K 2over a 2 min period followed by rapid cooling. During crystallization, the Dy on the surface diffused into the flakes. This low-temperature rapid annealing produced flakes with fine grains and the Dy diffusion enhanced their coercivity. The coercivity after crystallization increased with increasing Dy layer thickness, although the remanence decreased when the layer thickness exceeded 3 μm. Thick coatings of over 6 μm resulted in the formation of DyFe2, which degraded the magnetic properties of the crystallized flakes. Flakes with a 3-μm-thick coating exhibited excellent magnetic properties after annealing: They had a coercivity of 1880 kA/m and a remanence of 78 emu/g. This coercivity is approximately 500 kA/m higher than that of uncoated flakes, whereas the remanence is comparable to that of uncoated flakes

Isolated gestational proteinuria preceding the diagnosis of preeclampsia : an observational study

Introduction. Some pregnant women develop significant proteinuria in the absence of hypertension. However, clinical significance of isolated gestational proteinuria (IGP) is not well understood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IGP in singleton pregnancies and the proportion of women with IGP who subsequently developed preeclampsia (IGP-PE) among all PE cases. Material and methods. This was an observational study of 6819 women with singleton pregnancies at 12 centers, including 938 women with at least once determination of protein-to-creatinine ratio (P/Cr). Significant proteinuria in pregnancy (SPIP) was defined as P/Cr (mg/mg) level >0.27. IGP was defined as SPIP in the absence of hypertension. Gestational hypertension (GH) preceding preeclampsia (GH-PE) was defined as preeclampsia (PE) in which GH preceded SPIP. Simultaneous PE (S-PE) was defined as PE in which both SPIP and hypertension occurred simultaneously. Results. IGP and PE were diagnosed in 130 (1.9%) and 158 (2.3%) of 6819 women, respectively. Of 130 women with IGP, 32 (25%) progressed to PE and accounted for 20% of all women with PE. Hence, women with IGP had a relative risk of 13.1 (95% CI; 9.2-18.5) for developing PE compared with those without IGP [25% (32/130) vs. 1.9% (126/6689)]. At diagnosis of SPIP, P/Cr levels already exceeded 1.0 more often in women with S-PE than in those with IGP-PE [67% (33/49) vs. 44% (14/32), respectively, p = 0.031]. Conclusions. IGP is a risk factor for PE, and IGP-PE accounts for a considerable proportion (20%) of all PE

A rapid, targeted, neuron-selective, in vivo knockdown following a single intracerebroventricular injection of a novel chemically modified siRNA in the adult rat brain

peer reviewedThere has been a dramatic expansion of the literature on RNA interference and with it, increasing interest in the potential clinical utility of targeted inhibition of gene expression and associated protein knockdown. However, a critical factor limiting the experimental and therapeutic application of RNA interference is the ability to deliver small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), particularly in the central nervous system, without complications such as toxicity and inflammation. Here we show that a single intracerebroventricular injection of Accell siRNA, a new type of naked siRNA that has been modified chemically to allow for delivery in the absence of transfection reagents, even into differentiated cells such mature neurons, leads to neuron-specific protein knockdown in the adult rat brain. Following in vivo delivery, targeted Accell siRNAs were incorporated successfully into various types of mature neurons, but not glia, for 1 week in diverse brain regions (cortex, striatum, hippocampus, midbrain, and cerebellum) with an efficacy of delivery of approximately 97%. Immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses revealed widespread, targeted inhibition of the expression of two well-known reference proteins, cyclophilin-B (38–68% knockdown) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (23–34% knockdown). These findings suggest that this novel procedure is likely to be useful in experimental investigations of neuropathophysiological mechanisms

Review of Fabrication and Characterization of Nd–Fe–B Thick Films for Magnetic Micromachines

Isotropic Nd-Fe-B thick film magnets were prepared by a high-speed pulsed laser deposition method followed by a post annealing. The deposition rate of 90 μm/h could be successfully achieved, and a pulse annealing was adopted as the post annealing process in order to enhance coercivity. Use of a substrate heating system under the high deposition rate enabled us to obtain anisotropic thick films with (BH)max of approximately 120 kJ/m3, which show the potential for an improvement in the properties of the micromachines. Novel micromachines comprising the Isotropic films were introduced