Influence of matching field on critical current density and irreversibility temperature in YBa2Cu3O7 films with BaMO3(M=Zr, Sn, Hf) nanorods

The influence of the matching field (BΦ) on critical current density (Jc) and irreversibility temperature (Tirr) in YBa2 Cu3O7 films containing BaMO3 (M=Zr, Sn, Hf) nanorods was investigated. It was revealed that the irreversibility temperature normalized by the critical temperature (Tirr/Tc) was influenced by BΦ, for B>BΦ, but Tirr/Tc did not depend on which BaMO3 material was used for B<BΦ, i.e., there was no dependence on nanorod density, diameter, interface sharpness, or Tc in the case of ideal nanorods. However, Jc/Jc(0 T) was found to decrease with increasing BΦ at low magnetic field strengths and to improve at high magnetic field strengths. In addition to Jc being dependent on BΦ, the Tc term in Tirr and Jc(0 T) were also found to have an effect on Jc

A new protocol for the preparation of superconducting KBi2

A superconducting KBi2 sample was successfully prepared using a liquid ammonia (NH3) technique. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility (M/H) showed a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) as high as 3.6 K. In addition, the shielding fraction at 2.0 K was evaluated to be 87%, i.e., a bulk superconductor was realized using the above method. The Tc value was the same as that reported for the KBi2 sample prepared using a high-temperature annealing method. An X-ray diffraction pattern measured based on the synchrotron X-ray radiation was analyzed using the Rietveld method, with a lattice constant, a, of 9.5010(1) Å under the space group of Fd[3 with combining macron]m (face-centered cubic, no. 227). The lattice constant and space group found for the KBi2 sample using a liquid NH3 technique were the same as those reported for KBi2 through a high-temperature annealing method. Thus, the superconducting behavior and crystal structure of the KBi2 sample obtained in this study are almost the same as those for the KBi2 sample reported previously. Strictly speaking, the magnetic behavior of the superconductivity was different from that of a KBi2 sample reported previously, i.e., the KBi2 sample prepared using a liquid NH3 technique was a type-II like superconductor, contrary to that prepared using a high-temperature annealing method, the reason for which is fully discussed. These results indicate that the liquid NH3 technique is effective and simple for the preparation of a superconducting KBi2. In addition, the topological nature of the superconductivity for KBi2 was not confirmed

Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Complicated by Fanconi Syndrome and Renal Tubular Acidosis Associated with three autoimmune diseases

A 45-year-old woman experiencing back pain showed signs of metabolic acidosis and electrolyte imbalances. The results of blood and urine tests indicated Fanconi syndrome and renal tubular acidosis. An x-ray showed vertebral fractures, which were thought to responsible for the back pain. In addition, the patient had proteinuria and renal dysfunction; therefore, renal biopsy was performed, and tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) was diagnosed. While investigating TIN, primary biliary cirrhosis and Sjögren’s syndrome were also detected. She had been previously diagnosed with chronic thyroiditis. We report a rare case of TIN and 3 autoimmune disorders with review of literature

A case of minimal change nephrotic syndrome with immunoglobulin A nephropathy transitioned to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

A 50-year-old woman with a 1-month history of lower extremity edema and a 5 kg weight increase was admitted to our hospital with suspected nephrotic syndrome in October 1999. Urine protein level was 3.5 g per day, 10-15 erythrocytes in urine per high-power field, and serum albumin level 2.5 g/dl. Furthermore, an accumulation of pleural effusion was confirmed by chest X-ray. The results of a renal biopsy indicated slight mesangial proliferation in the glomeruli by light microscopy, and an immunofluorescence study confirmed the deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) A and C3 in the mesangial area. Diffuse attenuation of foot processes and dense deposits in the mesangial area were observed by electron microscopy. Treatment with 40 mg/day of prednisolone was effective, and proteinuria was negative 1 month later. Because of this course, we diagnosed minimal change nephrotic syndrome complicated by mild-proliferative IgA nephropathy. In November 2000, there was a relapse of nephrotic syndrome, which was believed to be induced by an influenza vaccination, but response to increased steroid treatment was favorable, and proteinuria disappeared on day 13 of steroid increase. A second relapse in May 2001, showed steroid resistance with renal insufficiency, and an increase in the selectivity index to 0.195. Light microscopy revealed focal sclerotic lesions of the glomeruli, and an immunofluorescence study revealed attenuation of mesangial IgA and C3 deposition. These findings led to the diagnosis that minimal change nephrotic syndrome had transitioned to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, whereby mesangial IgA deposition was reduced by immunosuppressive treatment. Subsequently, her renal function gradually worsened to the point of end-stage renal failure by 27 months after the second relapse of nephrotic syndrome

Plasmon-Resonant Optics on an Indium–Tin-Oxide Film for Exciting a Two-Photon Photochromic Reaction

Two-dimensional arrays of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as localized surface plasmon-resonant (LSPR) optics on a transparent conductive layer of indium–tin-oxide (ITO) were successfully fabricated. The typical surface coverage of the 10 nm sized AuNPs is over 87% for on ITO film roughness of ±0.2 nm. The LSPR wavelength is tunable in the range of 622–905 nm. By adjusting the LSPR wavelength to 905 nm at peak, two-photon photochromic reaction of diarylethene derivative in solution phase was demonstrated with irradiation by an incoherent near-infrared light in the range of 0.017–0.033 W/cm2 instead of a laser, thanks to the AuNP two-dimensional array

Balanced Ambipolar Charge Transport in Phenacene/Perylene Heterojunction-Based Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Electronic devices relying on the combination of different conjugated organic materials are considerably appealing for their potential use in many applications such as photovoltaics, light emission, and digital/analog circuitry. In this study, the electrical response of field-effect transistors achieved through the evaporation of picene and PDIF-CN2 molecules, two well-known organic semiconductors with remarkable charge transport properties, was investigated. With the main goal to get a balanced ambipolar response, various device configurations bearing double-layer, triple-layer, and codeposited active channels were analyzed. The most suitable choices for the layer deposition processes, the related characteristic parameters, and the electrode position were identified to this purpose. In this way, ambipolar organic field-effect transistors exhibiting balanced mobility values exceeding 0.1 cm2 V-1 s-1 for both electrons and holes were obtained. These experimental results highlight also how the combination between picene and PDIF-CN2 layers allows tuning the threshold voltages of the p-type response. Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) images acquired on picene/PDIF-CN2 heterojunctions suggest the presence of an interface dipole between the two organic layers. This feature is related to the partial accumulation of space charge at the interface being enhanced when the electrons are depleted in the underlayer

Role of an ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Opener, YM934, in Mitochondrial Energy Production in Ischemic/Reperfused Heart

ABSTRACT We examined a possible mechanism of action of an ATPsensitive potassium (K ATP ) channel opener, YM934, for the improvement of energy metabolism in hearts subjected to 35-min ischemia and 60-min reperfusion. The treatment with 30 nM YM934 for the final 15 min of preischemia enhanced postischemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure, attenuated the postischemic rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and suppressed the release of creatine kinase and ATP metabolites during reperfusion. The treatment also restored myocardial ATP and creatine phosphate contents and attenuated the decrease in mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate during reperfusion. The higher mitochondrial function was also seen in YM934-treated hearts at the end of ischemia. In another set of experiments, myocardial skinned bundles were incubated for 30 min under hypoxic conditions in the presence and absence of YM934, and then mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate was determined. Hypoxia decreased the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate of skinned bundles to approximately 40% of the prehypoxic value. In contrast, the treatment of skinned bundles with 30 nM YM934 preserved the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate during hypoxia. The effect of YM934 on the hypoxic skinned bundles was abolished by combined treatment with either the K ATP channel blocker glyburide or the mitochondrial K ATP channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate in a concentration-dependent manner. The results suggest that YM934 is capable of attenuating ischemia/reperfusion injury of isolated perfused hearts due to preservation of mitochondrial function during ischemia, probably through opening of mitochondrial K ATP channels. YM934, a benzopyran derivative, was developed as an ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP ) channel opener. Earlier, Several reports have shown that K ATP channel openers protected the myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion injury Materials and Methods Animals. Male Wistar rats, weighing 220 to 260 g, were used in the present study. The animals were conditioned at 23 Ϯ 1°C with a constant humidity of 55 Ϯ 5% and a 12-h light/dark cycle and wer

An Elderly Patient with Diabetic Nephropathy Complicated by ANCA-associated Nephritis

A 67-year-old man, on oral therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus since 1990, had sustained proteinuria since 2005. When hematuria was first discovered in 2008, renal dysfunction [creatinine (Cr), 1.2 mg/dL], inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP), 12 mg/dL] and high myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (MPO-ANCA) levels [546 ELISA units (EU)] were observed. Renal biopsy showed the diagnosis of ANCA-associated nephritis combined with diabetic nephropathy. For this patient, there was pathological proof of the combination of diabetic nephropathy and ANCA-associated vasculitis