Exciton energy transfer between the inner and outer tubes in double-walled carbon nanotubes

We have studied photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and dynamics of the inner nanotubes in double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) and compared PL properties between DWNTs and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The PL peak energies of the inner tubes are redshifted from those of SWNTs with the same chiral indices. This PL redshift is enhanced with an increase in the inner tube diameter. The PL lifetime of DWNTs increases with a decrease in the inner tube diameter. The diameter dependence of PL dynamics is explained by exciton energy transfer between the inner and outer tubes through Förster-type dipole-dipole interaction

Development of New Antirust Pigment for Painted Plated Steel Sheet and Elucidation of Corrosion Inhibition Mechanism of Painted Sacrificial Protection System

広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(工学)Doctor of Engineeringdoctora

Exciton localization of single-walled carbon nanotubes revealed by femtosecond excitation correlation spectroscopy

Photoluminescence (PL) dynamics in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been studied by the femtosecond excitation correlation method with a 150 fs time resolution. The SWNT samples were synthesized by different methods and suspended in gelatin films or D2O solutions. The PL dynamics of SWNTs depends on the local environment surrounding the SWNTs rather than the synthesis methods. The very weak temperature dependence of PL and the environment-dependent PL reveal that the PL relaxation process is dominated by the interplay between free excitons and weakly localized excitons

Effect of the Japanese Herbal Kampo Medicine Dai-Kenchu-To on Postoperative Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction Requiring Long-Tube Decompression: A Propensity Score Analysis

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is an adverse consequence of abdominal surgery. Although the Kampo medicine Dai-kenchu-to is widely used in Japan for treatment of postoperative ASBO, rigorous clinical studies for its use have not been performed. In the present retrospective observational study using the Japanese diagnosis procedure combination inpatient database, we selected 288 propensity-score-matched patients with early postoperative ASBO following colorectal cancer surgery, who received long-tube decompression (LTD) with or without Dai-kenchu-to administration. The success rates of LTD were not significantly different between Dai-kenchu-to users and nonusers (84.7% versus 78.5%; P = .224), while Dai-kenchu-to users showed a shorter duration of LTD (8 versus 10 days; P = .012), shorter duration between long-tube insertion and discharge (23 versus 25 days; P = .018), and lower hospital charges ($23,086 versus$26,950; P = .018) compared with Dai-kenchu-to nonusers. In conclusion, the present study suggests that Dai-kenchu-to is effective for reducing the duration of LTD and saving costs

Gene expression in nontumoral liver tissue and recurrence-free survival in hepatitis C virus-positive hepatocellular carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The goal of this study was to understand gene expression signatures of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence in subjects with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) following curative resection of HCC in subjects with HCV is highly variable. Traditional clinico-pathological endpoints are recognized as weak predictors of RFS. It has been suggested that gene expression profiling of HCC and nontumoral liver tissue may improve prediction of RFS, aid in understanding of the underlying liver disease, and guide individualized patient management. Frozen samples of the tumors and nontumoral liver were obtained from 47 subjects with HCV-associated HCC. Additional nontumoral liver samples were obtained from HCV-free subjects with metastatic liver tumors. Gene expression profiling data was used to determine the molecular signature of HCV-associated HCC and to develop a predictor of RFS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The molecular profile of the HCV-associated HCC confirmed central roles for MYC and TGFβ1 in liver tumor development. Gene expression in tumors was found to have poor predictive power with regards to RFS, but analysis of nontumoral tissues yielded a strong predictor for RFS in late-recurring (>1 year) subjects. Importantly, nontumoral tissue-derived gene expression predictor of RFS was highly significant in both univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model analyses.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Microarray analysis of the nontumoral tissues from subjects with HCV-associated HCC delivers novel molecular signatures of RFS, especially among the late-recurrence subjects. The gene expression predictor may hold important insights into the pathobiology of HCC recurrence and <it>de novo </it>tumor formation in cirrhotic patients.</p

Microendoscopic Excision of Osteoid Osteoma in the Pedicle of the Third Lumbar Vertebra

We present a rare case of a patient who underwent complete microendoscopic excision of an osteoid osteoma, which induced radiculopathy without nerve root compression. A 20-year-old man presented severe right groin pain that was temporarily relieved by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed typical features of a nidus located in the inferior cortex of the right L3 pedicle. We performed surgery using a posterior microendoscopic approach. We drilled vertically along the line of the cortex of the caudal pedicle using a high-speed drill. After identifying the tumor, en bloc resection of the nidus was achieved. Immediately after surgery, pain in the right groin disappeared. A CT scan showed that most of the right L3 pedicle remained. This minimally invasive technique preserves spinal structures, including the facet and pedicle, and is a viable option for the treatment of spinal osteoid osteomas located close to vital structures

A new quantitative index in the diagnosis of Parkinson syndrome by dopamine transporter single photon emission computed tomography

Objective Dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography (DAT SPECT) has been widely used to diagnose Parkinson syndrome. Using the standardized uptake value (SUV) of DAT SPECT, we propose “functional dopamine transporter volume (f-DTV)” as a new quantitative index to evaluate the three-dimensional volume of functional dopamine transporters and assess its diagnostic ability in differentiating dopaminergic neurodegenerative diseases (dNDD) from non-dNDD. Methods Seventy-nine patients were enrolled (42 dNDD, 37 non-dNDD; 38 men; age, 24–88 years). We analyzed seven quantitative indices. The specific binding ratio (SBR) was calculated using a program specialized for DAT SPECT (SBR_Bolt). The SUVmax, SUVpeak, and SUVmean were calculated using a quantification program for bone SPECT. SBR_SUV was calculated by dividing striatal SUVmean by the average of background SUVmean. The cutoff value of the active dopamine transporter level was examined using three methods (threshold of 40% of SUVmax, SUV 2, and SUV 3) to calculate the active dopamine transporter volume (ADV). The f-DTV was calculated by multiplying ADV and SUVmean. We assessed the correlations between SBR_Bolt and SBR_SUV, and compared the mean value of each index between the dNDD and non-dNDD groups. The abilities of SBR_Bolt, SBR_SUV, SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, ADV, and f-DTV in differentiating dNDD from non-dNDD were determined by the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) generated by the receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results The SBR_Bolt and SBR_SUV highly correlated each other (r = 0.71). The cutoff value of the active dopamine transporter level was determined as SUV 3. All seven quantitative indices showed lower values in the dNDD group than in the non-dNDD group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of f-DTV were slightly lower than those of SBR_Bolt (71%, 79%, and 0.81, respectively, for f-DTV, and 81%, 84%, 0.88, respectively, for SBR_Bolt). The difference in AUC between f-DTV and SBR_Bolt was not statistically significant. Conclusions This study demonstrates the utility of f-DTV as a novel quantitative index for evaluating the three-dimensional volume of functional dopamine transporters, and that f-DTV has almost the same diagnostic ability to differentiate dNDD from non-dNDD using DAT SPECT

ALSET - Japanese Air Launch System Ground Tests and Applications

The Air Launch System Enabling Technology (ALSET) project is a Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) funded project whose purpose is to study air launch orbital payload delivery systems and related technologies. The project is a first step toward an operational commercial air launch system that will use a multistage solid rocket to deliver small payloads on the order of 100 to 200 kilograms into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). An air drop type launch approach to space transportation provides high reliability, flexibility, and responsiveness to meet the future needs of small satellite operators. ALSET culminates in a series of drop tests of an inert launch vehicle (a mass simulator) to demonstrate the technologies necessary for the operational system. The baseline system design uses a carriage extraction system method whereby the rocket is extracted from a C-130 aircraft on a TYPE-V platform. Two 28-foot extraction parachutes are used to pull the platform from the aircraft. Three 100-foot cargo parachutes are then deployed for deceleration prior to release of the rocket from the platform for launch. The baseline test site selected for the drop test is the Yuma Test Center (YTC) in Arizona, USA. The large drop zones available at the YTC are ideal for ALSET testing. Additionally, the YTC’s considerable experience with similar test activities, including the NASA Ares Jumbo Drop Test Vehicle drop tests, minimizes technical risks. The authors’ efforts to date completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the ALSET Drop Test in February and March 2015. The ALSET program is now ready for manufacturing for the ALSET Drop Test. As the prospective applications of ALSET to C4ISR missions, two case studies were conducted. The studies demonstrated the effectiveness of the air launch system. The responsiveness and flexibility of the air launch system enables small satellites to collect the ground information desired in short time, and to observe the target highfrequently by sequential satellite launches and forming a constellation