Polarization-induced photovoltaic effects in Nd-doped BiFeO 3 ferroelectric thin films

BiFeO 3 (BNF) thin films were fabricated on SrRuO 3 (SRO)-coated (100) Nb-doped SrTiO 3 subtrates by pulsed laser deposition, and nondoped BiFeO 3 (BFO) thin films were also fabricated similarly for comparison. Then, Nd-doping effects on ferroelectric and photovoltaic properties were evaluated. Polarization-induced photovoltaic effects were observed in both the BFO and BNF solar cell structures with top and bottom electrodes under intense laser illumination. Using Au top electrodes, enhanced photovoltaic properties were observed in the BNF cell compared with the BFO cell. To improve the photovoltaic properties of the BNF cell, instead of the Au top electrodes, In-Sn-O (ITO) top electrodes were employed for the BNF cell. As a result, the photovoltaic properties were found to be markedly improved, resulting in an open circuit voltage of 0.81 V and a short circuit current density of 12.1 mA/cm2. © 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics

Structural dynamics of cereal mitochondrial genomes as revealed by complete nucleotide sequencing of the wheat mitochondrial genome

The application of a new gene-based strategy for sequencing the wheat mitochondrial genome shows its structure to be a 452 528 bp circular molecule, and provides nucleotide-level evidence of intra-molecular recombination. Single, reciprocal and double recombinant products, and the nucleotide sequences of the repeats that mediate their formation have been identified. The genome has 55 genes with exons, including 35 protein-coding, 3 rRNA and 17 tRNA genes. Nucleotide sequences of seven wheat genes have been determined here for the first time. Nine genes have an exon–intron structure. Gene amplification responsible for the production of multicopy mitochondrial genes, in general, is species-specific, suggesting the recent origin of these genes. About 16, 17, 15, 3.0 and 0.2% of wheat mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may be of genic (including introns), open reading frame, repetitive sequence, chloroplast and retro-element origin, respectively. The gene order of the wheat mitochondrial gene map shows little synteny to the rice and maize maps, indicative that thorough gene shuffling occurred during speciation. Almost all unique mtDNA sequences of wheat, as compared with rice and maize mtDNAs, are redundant DNA. Features of the gene-based strategy are discussed, and a mechanistic model of mitochondrial gene amplification is proposed

Retrospective analysis of definitive radiotherapy for neck node metastasis from unknown primary tumor: Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group study

Objective: To investigate the optimal treatment method and risk factor of neck node metastasis from unknown primary tumors (NUP) treated by radiotherapy. Methods: Retrospective case study based on a multi-institutional survey was conducted by the Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group. Patients pathologically diagnosed as having NUP from 1998 to 2007 were identified. Univariate and multivariate analyses of overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), neck progression free survival (NPFS) and mucosal progression free survival (MPFS) were evaluated. Results: In total, 130 patients with median age of 65 years were included. Nodal stages N1, N2a, N2b and N2c were observed for 10, 26, 43, 12 and 39 patients, respectively. All the patients received radiotherapy (RT) with neck dissection in 60 and with chemotherapy in 67 cases. The median doses to the metastatic nodes, prophylactic neck and prophylactic mucosal sites were 60.0, 50.4 and 50.4 Gy, respectively. The median follow-up period for surviving patients was 42 months. Among 12 patients, occult primary tumors in the neck region developed after radiotherapy. The 5-year OS, PFS, NPFS and MPFS were 58.1%, 42.4%, 47.3% and 54.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that lower N stage (N1?2b), non-bulky node (<6 cm) and negative extracapsular extension (ECE) status were the factors associated with favorable OS, PFS, NPFS and MPFS. Radical surgery proved to be a favorable factor of OS, NPFS and MPFS. On multivariate analysis, lower N stage and negative ECE status were correlated with improved survival. Conclusions: Lower nodal stage and negative ECE status showed a favorable impact on survival and disease control in patients with NUP treated by radiotherapy

Atrial Fibrillation Detection and Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Observational Study

Todo K., Okazaki S., Doijiri R., et al. Atrial Fibrillation Detection and Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Observational Study. Journal of the American Heart Association 13, e031508 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.031508.BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to be a strong risk factor for stroke. However, the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with AF detected after stroke by an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) is not well known. We sought to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with and without ICM-detected AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with cryptogenic stroke who underwent ICM implantation at 8 stroke centers in Japan. Cox regression models were developed using landmark analysis and time-dependent analysis. We set the target sample size at 300 patients based on our estimate of the annualized incidence of ischemic stroke recurrence to be 3% in patients without AF detection and 9% in patients with AF detection. Of the 370 patients, 121 were found to have AF, and 110 received anticoagulation therapy after AF detection. The incidence of ischemic stroke recurrence was 4.0% in 249 patients without AF detection and 5.8% in 121 patients with AF detection (P=0.45). In a landmark analysis, the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence was not higher in patients with AF detected ≤90 days than in those without (hazard ratio, 1.47 [95% CI, 0.41–5.28]). In a time-dependent analysis, the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence did not increase after AF detection (hazard ratio, 1.77 [95% CI, 0.70–4.47]). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with ICM-detected AF, 90% of whom were subsequently anticoagulated, was not higher than in those without ICM-detected AF

Calcium dynamics regulating the timing of decision-making in <i>C. elegans</i>

Brains regulate behavioral responses with distinct timings. Here we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the timing of decision-making during olfactory navigation in Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that, based on subtle changes in odor concentrations, the animals appear to choose the appropriate migratory direction from multiple trials as a form of behavioral decision-making. Through optophysiological, mathematical and genetic analyses of neural activity under virtual odor gradients, we further find that odor concentration information is temporally integrated for a decision by a gradual increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), which occurs via L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in a pair of olfactory neurons. In contrast, for a reflex-like behavioral response, [Ca2+]i rapidly increases via multiple types of calcium channels in a pair of nociceptive neurons. Thus, the timing of neuronal responses is determined by cell type-dependent involvement of calcium channels, which may serve as a cellular basis for decision-making

Ephexin4 and EphA2 mediate cell migration through a RhoG-dependent mechanism

Ephexin4 is a RhoG-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor that interacts with the EphA2 receptor in breast cancer cells

Internship Report of Vehicle Durability & Reliability Test In Nissan Technical Center Europe - Spain

This report was written about my internship in Nissan Technical Center Europe Spain (NTCE-S). It was worked in the section of BODY RELIABILITY BENCH TESTS (NK5). My work was to make the checklists and templates of report presentation for digital check processes of new model of vehicle. In that work, checklists and result templates of wiper mounting area strength, roof heat distortion, front and rear door durability and body durability of engine room compartment and area of back door were made by me. The important point that to protect durability and reliability was learned in this internship. For example, how to fix the plates is better and how many and where do the spot welding is better. And, knowledge of strong structure and past broken incidents of vehicle were learned. After this work, the digital evaluate for new model of vehicle will be done. To do this process, an evaluation result of previous vehicle that use for evaluation of new vehicle was made by me. In this process, how to use the Nissan CAD viewer software (Space Vertex) and structure of EV battery mounting area were learned by me. Then the Body Durability of back side (B- SIDE) and EV battery fixing durability of new model of vehicle will be evaluated by me. However, this report was not written about that is because of these are future activity. My internship flow is like bellow. Learning about Nissan general knowledge (Vehicle model numbering, part numbering rules etc.) → Check the results of previous vehicle evaluation → Make checklists and result templates of evaluation → Make procedure of picking bill of material from Nissan CAD viewer system (Space Vertex) → Evaluate the EV battery mounting durability of previous vehicle (→ Evaluate the Body Durability (B-SIDE) and EV battery mounting durability (In the future)) Items that are included the checklists and reports and how to make them were written in this report related to the flow of above. Finally, many good experiences ware gotten me in this internship for example, knowledge of making process of vehicle, strong structure of vehicle, and how to evaluate vehicle in the digital phase