Optimized unconventional superconductivity in a molecular Jahn-Teller metal

Understanding the relationship between the superconducting, the neighboring insulating, and the normal metallic state above Tc is a major challenge for all unconventional superconductors. The molecular A3C60 fulleride superconductors have a parent antiferromagnetic insulator in common with the atom-based cuprates, but here, the C603– electronic structure controls the geometry and spin state of the structural building unit via the on-molecule Jahn-Teller effect. We identify the Jahn-Teller metal as a fluctuating microscopically heterogeneous coexistence of both localized Jahn-Teller–active and itinerant electrons that connects the insulating and superconducting states of fullerides. The balance between these molecular and extended lattice features of the electrons at the Fermi level gives a dome-shaped variation of Tc with interfulleride separation, demonstrating molecular electronic structure control of superconductivity

Pain following COVID-19 vaccination

Pain at the injection site is the most frequent reaction among COVID-19 vaccine recipients, but its characteristics were not fully described yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate multiple domains of pain following BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. We included 107 subjects undergoing primary shot of the vaccination twice into deltoid muscle with a 3-week interval. They completed 6 sessions of pain assessments, one before the first and second dose (1-0, 2-0), and 1st / 7th day after the first and second dose (1-1 / 1-7, 2-1 / 2-7). Pain visual analog scale (VAS), pain distribution, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) on deltoid muscle were evaluated in each session. The mean VAS (at rest / shoulder motion) was 6.0 / 27.6 mm at 1-1, and 12.8 / 34.0 mm at 2-1. Approximately, 90% of recipients showed localized pain within the upper arm. Percentage change of PPTs at 1-1 and 2-1 was bilaterally (ipsilateral / contralateral) decreased to 87.4 / 89.4% and 80.6 / 91.0%, which was recovered to the baseline level at 1-7 and 2-7. Temporary, mild-to-moderate intensity, localized distribution, concomitant with bilateral mechanical hyperalgesia on the deltoid muscle, were typical pain characteristics following this vaccination. These findings provide a rationale that will be informative for future recipients

Heavy Metal Extraction by Kenaf Vegetation

Kenaf(British great Kenaf, scientific name Hibiscus cannabinus L) is an annual plant of Malvaceae Hibiscus L. of West African origin, and is remarkable as a new pulp resource. Its ability to fix carbon dioxide is excellent because growth is rapid, and it is reported that its ability equals that of tropical forests. In addition, it is possible to use it for soil cleaning and water quality purification. This research, focussed on kenaf\u27s high water absorption capacity from the soil and its ability., to remove heavy metals from the soil, especially lead, and to reduce ground water pollution. Kenaf was grown in Hyogo Prefectur and kenaf and sorghum were grown in the tropical simulation room in our campus. These plants were burnt to ash, and the total quantity of absorbed lead was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Lead absorbed from the soil by kenaf vegetation was also clarified in samples processed with nitric acid. A large amount of lead was accumulated in the wood part but not so much was accumulated in the back or the living parts of the plant. It is recommended that you should harvest to absorb the heavy metal efficiently while growing up

Acclimations of Kenaf(Hibiscus cannabinus L.) to Pb in a Polluted Soil

Seeds of kenaf(H.cannabinus) could germinate and grow in the soil polluted with 5310 ppm Pb, although their growth was strongly inhibited at first. After the expansion of the third and fourth leaves, older leaves died and fell, followed by the expanding new leaves. During the first 30 days, the numbers of leaves did not increase at a same rate as the control plants growing in soil without pollution. The numbers of leaves were only 9.0 after 30 days and the dry weight of the leaves and stems (upper ground biomass hereafter) was 0.26 g, which was 3.3% of the biomass of the control plants. After the first 30 days, the plants on the polluted soil did not lose their older leaves and began to increase the numbers of leaves. The plants then increased their upper ground biomass rapidly. The upper ground biomass was 59 g after 69 days, which was 32% of the control biomass. These results strongly suggest that seedlings of kenaf can tolerate and acclimate to soils highly polluted with Pb. Although their acclimations took a long period of time, 30 days, kenaf plants could grow normally after the acclimations. The concentrations of Pb in leaves, barks of stems and cores of stems measured by atomic absorption spectrometry were 0.204, 0.211 and 0.407 ppm, respectively. After the acclimations, kenaf accumulated Pb at concentrations lower than 1.0 ppm. Phytoremediation with kenaf is necessary to research acclimations

Predictive factors of mortality of patients with fragility hip fractures at 1 year after discharge : A multicenter, retrospective study in the northern Kyushu district of Japan

Purpose: Fragility hip fractures (FHFs) are associated with a high risk of mortality, but the relative contribution of various factors remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate predictive factors of mortality at 1 year after discharge in Japan. Methods: A total of 497 patients aged 60 years or older who sustained FHFs during follow-up were included in this study. Expected variables were finally assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The 1-year mortality rate was 9.1% (95% confidence interval: 6.8–12.0%, n = 45). Log-rank test revealed that previous fractures (p = 0.003), Barthel index (BI) at discharge (p = 0.011), and place-to-discharge (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with mortality for male patients. Meanwhile, body mass index (BMI; p = 0.023), total Charlson comorbidity index (TCCI; p = 0.005), smoking (p = 0.007), length of hospital stay (LOS; p = 0.009), and BI (p = 0.004) were the counterparts for females. By multivariate analyses, previous vertebral fractures (hazard ratio (HR) 3.33; p = 0.044), and BI <30 (HR 5.42, p = 0.013) were the predictive variables of mortality for male patients. BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (HR 2.70, p = 0.023), TCCI ≥5 (HR 2.61, p = 0.032), smoking history (HR 3.59, p = 0.018), LOS <14 days (HR 13.9; p = 0.007), and BI <30 (HR 2.76; p = 0.049) were the counterparts for females. Conclusions: Previous vertebral fractures and BI <30 were the predictive variables of mortality for male patients, and BMI <18.5 kg/m2, TCCI ≥5, smoking history, LOS <14 days, and BI <30 were those for females. Decreased BI is one of the independent and preventable risk factors. A comprehensive therapeutic approach should be considered to prevent deterioration of activities of daily living and a higher risk of mortality

コウソク デンシセン カイセツ ニヨル ZNSE GAAS エピタキシャル セイチョウ ハクマク ノ ケンキュウ

Thin layer crystals of ZnSe grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs substrates are studied by means of reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Observation of the RHEED patterns has revealed that something like a 3-dimensional deposition of Zn and Se atoms or molecules smoothes the GaAs substrate surface at the initial stage of the growth, and then the 2-dimensional or layer growth takes place. Besides the RHEED patterns due to the bulk crystal, additional diffraction patterns are also observed in some directions of the incident electron beams with respect to the direction of the crystal surface. These additional patterns are interpreted to the reconstruction of the surface atoms on the epitaxial layer. With the aid of luminescence properties as well as mass analyses, the obtained ZnSe crystals are found to have good enough quality

Possible Phytoremediation of Cadmium Pollution Soil with Kenaf

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), which can grow rapidly and maintain high primary production, was examined for its ability to decontaminate cadmium ions (Cd) from polluted soil. Although its germination and growth were not affected at first, its photosynthesis dependent growth was disturbed by Cd in the soil. No growth after expanding the true leaves was observed at above 111ppm Cd. At 74.1ppm Cd, kenaf could acclimate and began to grow after a few weeks lag. The biomass increased by 2.4 times from 4 to 6 weeks after sawing. Higher accumulation rates were observed in the plant body at below 74.1ppm Cd. The rate increased to 6.4 times in the plant body at 1.48ppm Cd. Assuming the same productions of kenaf as on the soil without Cd, it could decontaminate 1.48ppm Cd from the polluted soil for ca. 16 years and could more efficiently from the soil containing lower concentrations of Cd. These results suggested the possible phytoremediation with kenaf applied to the polluted soil with lower concentrations of Cd

<所内学術研究成果報告>H. 「環境保全・地球環境温暖化防止をターゲットとする新パルプ資源ケナフの栽培と利用に関する研究」

本研究は, エコマテリアルとしての非木材繊維資源に最も適切である一年生植物ケナフ(Hibiscus cannabinus L.)の栽培とその利用を目的に, 1993年より開始した研究である。従来の成果は, すでに本年報1992,\u2794,\u2795,\u2796,\u2797,\u2798,および\u2799年に報告した。特に従来のケナフ栽培の成果の総決算として, 1998年より平塚市および平塚ケナフ普及協会との共同研究が行われてきた。特に, 平塚市では休耕田対策としてケナフの栽培を推奨し, 現在, 栽培したケナフのパルプ化と紙製造を行って市政に還元している。この現状はさらに展開し, 平塚市のみならず日本全国にその輪が広がり大きな活動となっている。これらの栽培や利用は最も基礎的な指導と, より学術的な研究成果の提供が常に必要であり, この点を最も重要な課題としている。さらに, 環境教育に対する展開を学校, 公民館などを中心に行い, 2000年度は, 平塚キャンパスで市内6小学校の生徒28名のケナフ教育を行った。まお, 研究室内では, 栽培研究の他に, a)種子の発芽阻害実験, b)海水による阻害実験, c)生長に伴うクロロフィル量および水分量の測定実験, d)光合成測定実験, e)花の成分(色素)研究, f)葉など各器官の成分研究などを行っている。取り扱った種類も, ローゼル(H. sabdariffa L.)類も加えると30種に近い