Anomalous exothermic and endothermic data observed by Nano-Ni-composite samples

This is an experimental paper summarizing the observations of anomalous data on excess heat, D(H)-loading and abrupt desorption with endothermic heat sink in Ni-nano-composite samples under D(H)-gas charging at both room and elevated temperatures, done by Kobe-Technova group in 2012-2013. Referring to our JCF12 paper (Y. Miyoshi et al., JCF-12-1) on Pd1Ni7/ZrO2 samples, experimental procedure and results reported for Ni/ZrO2, Cu0.21Ni0.21/ZrO2 and Cu0.08Ni0.36/ZrO2 samples (partially reported in our JCF13-15 paper by Sakoh et al.) will be summarized. We have reanalyzed time-dependent data for speculating heat releasing mechanisms during the long (several weeks) lasted phase of D(H)-loading-into-nano-metal. It seems that competing process of D(H)-gas sorption and desorption at the surface of nano-powders would be attributed to the mechanism. Burst-like heat peaks of η-values (in unit of eV per D(H)-take-in/out) were observed with anomalously high values reaching 600 eV/H-sorption, and with smaller [eta]-values for isotopic Dsorption than H-sorption, at 573K. Integrated heat values for several-week runs were reached at the levels of ca. 800eV/atom-Ni for Cu0.08Ni0.36/ZrO2 samples, which were about 10 times larger than those of Ni/ZrO2 samples and about 4 times larger than those of Cu0.21Ni0.21/ZrO2 samples, at temperatures of 523 to 573K

Molecular genetic analysis of podocyte genes in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis—a review

This review deals with podocyte proteins that play a significant role in the structure and function of the glomerular filter. Genetic linkage studies has identified several genes involved in the development of nephrotic syndrome and contributed to the understanding of the pathophysiology of glomerular proteinuria and/or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Here, we describe already well-characterized genetic diseases due to mutations in nephrin, podocin, CD2AP, alpha-actinin-4, WT1, and laminin β2 chain, as well as more recently identified genetic abnormalities in TRPC6, phospholipase C epsilon, and the proteins encoded by the mitochondrial genome. In addition, the role of the proteins which have shown to be important for the structure and functions by gene knockout studies in mice, are also discussed. Furthermore, some rare syndromes with glomerular involvement, in which molecular defects have been recently identified, are briefly described. In summary, this review updates the current knowledge of genetic causes of congenital and childhood nephrotic syndrome and provides new insights into mechanisms of glomerular dysfunction

A 6 MeV heavy ion beam probe for the Large Helical Device

A 6 MeV heavy ion beam probe (HIBP) is being designed for potential measurements on the Large Helical Device (LHD). This article describes a method to control the 3-D probing beam trajectories in the helical magnetic field, an estimate of beam attenuation and energy reduction arising from the long paths in the plasma, and a cylindrical analyzer as a candidate for the energy analyze