Manufacture of dense sintered bodies containing silicon nitride

Sintered bodies containing 1-32.5 Si oxide and 1.5 wt.% SiC (Si oxide/SiC wt. ratio 3/2) are prepared and kept in a 10-3000 kg/2 sq. cm. N (g) atmosphere at 1500-2300 degrees, while simultaneously maintaining the CO (g) partial pressure around the body lower than the nitrogenation equil. pressure to give a dense sintered body. The prepared dense sintered body has high strength at high temperatures. Thus, SiC 40, oxide 30 and Si3N4 30 wt% were fired to a body which was kept in 1500 kg/sq. cm. N (g) for 20 h at 2000 degrees to give a dense sintered body having high bending strength at high temperatures

An improved method for determining the DC magnetization curve using a ring specimen

When the DC magnetization curve (B-H) of nonoriented material is measured in a ring specimen, there is an intrinsic error due to the assumption that the mean magnetic path length is equal to the mean geometric path length. A novel method for determining the B-H curve accurately is proposed. The validity of the method is verified by experiments</p

Developing Cloud Chambers with High School Students

The result and outcome of the \textit{cloud chamber project}, which aims to develop a cloud chamber useful for science education is reported in detail. A project includes both three high school students and a teacher as a part of Super Science High School (SSH) program in our school. We develop a dry-ice-free cloud chamber using salt and ice (or snow). Technical details of the chamber are described. We also argue how the project have affected student's cognition, motivation, academic skills and behavior. The research project has taken steps of professional researchers, i.e., in planning research, applying fund, writing a paper and giving a talk in conferences. From interviews with students, we have learnt that such style of scientific activity is very effective in promoting student's motivation for learning science.Comment: 9 pages, accepted to the proceedings of APPC12 - the 12th Asia Pacific Physics Conferenc

White Clover Saponins and Their Variation with Shading or Nitrogen Application Level

Saponins are widely present in leguminous plants. Several kinds of saponins which were different from soybean saponins were identified in white clover (Trifolium repens L.). These white clover saponins were varied in quality and quantity by the change of cultural conditions such as shading or nitrogen application. In particularly, the concentration of saponins in white clover showed tendency to increase under high light intensity and low nitrogen conditions

Ambiguity and language evolution: Evolution of homophones and syllable number of words

We investigate the evolution of homophones and its relation to the evolution of syllable number of words, based on the quantitative analysis on the historical data and simulation. We suggest that homophones are the outcome of arranging form-meaning associations according to Zipf’s law to maximize the referential power under effort for the speaker constraints. We also discuss the neural bases of ambiguity and the relation between ambiguity and robustness in language evolution. Furthermore, we show that homophones are stable and cumulate with the times. To avoid creating homophones, syllable number of words increases, with more recent entry dates of words associated with more syllables. We also explore stability of homophones and instability of synonyms in children’s acquisition process. The mechanism of the evolution of homophones and syllable length of words works cross-linguistically from the emergence of language and goes on at present

Reconstruction Image of Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO) Due To Japanese Rice Cake (Mochi)

Background: Authors have continued clinical practice with reconstruction method of computed tomography (CT). Case presentation: We have experienced 78-year-old male of acute abdomen complaining strong abdominal pain. Result: Laboratory test showed WBC 14800 /μL, and CT showed two high-density lesions in right middle and left upper abdomen, which has 143/214 Hounsfield unit, respectively. They suggest small bowel obstruction (SBO) by traditional Japanese rice cake (mochi). He was treated conservatively with infusion and relieved. Discussion: Rice cake may cause various problems, such as ileus, gastric ulcer, perforation and suffocation. This report becomes hopefully a reference for future practice and research

Development of High-Precision Three-Dimensional Images for Colonoscopy

Background: For three-dimensional image analysis, SYNAPSE VINCENT (Fujifilm, Japan) has been applied. Authors have continued various clinical practice and research with image study by computer analysis. Patient and Method: The patient is a 65-year-old female with further evaluation of colon. Method included abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan associated with injecting necessary amount of air from the anus. With maintaining this condition, CT scan was conducted two times of supine position and prone position. Results: The case had sigmoid cancer, which was presented irregular surface texture. Further, she had colon polyp in the sigmoid colon and diverticula in the descending colon. These images were presented in the display associated with i) the position and direction for observation, ii) CT image of the corresponding point, iii) endoscopic image for the corresponding region. Discussion: This image analysis system would be useful for clinical diagnosis, because the images have multiple angles and related situations of colon mucosa, folds, and stiffness and so on. The combined data can provide significant information including coronal, horizontal and sagittal planes. When the surgeon operates colon cancer, he can make the correct imagination of the lesion in advance. It seems to be beneficial for smooth treatment of surgical operation

A Case of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) Analyzed by Curved Planar Reconstruction (CPR) With Treatment of Twymeeg and Equmet for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

The case is 74-year-old male with type 2 diabetes (T2D) for 11 years. In June 2022, he received abdominal CT scan, in which the atrophy of pancreas and the dilatation of main pancreatic duct was observed. As detail exams, Curved Planar Reconstruction (CPR) of CT, Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) were performed. From these, Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) with main pancreatic duct type was suggested. After the pancreatectomy in September 2022, his HbA1c value was elevated, but EquMet (vildagliptin and metformin) and Twymeeg (imeglimin) showed clinical effects for improvement of glucose variability for several months

Impressive Images of Gall Stone and Renal Stone by Radiologically Reconstruction Method

Background: Recently, diagnostic imaging technology and Deep Learning Image Reconstruction (DLIR) have been in focus. Authors have continued clinical practice and research for DLIR. Case presentation: The patient is 68-year-old men with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Results: DLIR of abdominal CT showed gallstones in the gall bladder and renal stones in left kidney. The detail condition was apparent found by transverse, coronal and sagittal three views. Furthermore, impressive images were obtained from bone and visceral conditions of DLIR. Discussion and Conclusion: DLIR will become more beneficial and indispensable strategy for actual medical practice, diagnosis and treatment in the future