Cluster ions ejected from an LiMg alloy liquid metal ion source: observation of Mg2+2 and Mg2+3

AbstractIons ejected from a liquid metal ion source of an LiMg (10 atom %) alloy have been investigated by using a magnetic mass analyzer. In addition to singly charged homonuclear Li+n (n ≤ 9) and Mg+n (n ≤ 4) and heteronuclear MgmLi+n (m, n ≤ 2) clusters, doubly charged diatomic and triatomic Mg clusters are observed. Discussion is focused on the observability and the formation mechanism of the doubly charged small Mg clusters. A postionization process is suggested for the formation of the doubly charged clusters

Protective Effects of Bacterial Immunostimulants, OK-432 and LC 9018 on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Tumor-Bearing Mice

Survival rates among sarcoma-180 bearing mice against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection were fewer than those among normal mice. However, the mortality of tumorbearing mice against the infection was reduced in case of administration of bacterial immunostimulants such as OK-432 and LC 9018

Segregation of water and gravel using large ball mill device laid roughness bed

This paper presents an experimental approach to study the phenomena of segregating water and gravel using a large ball mill device that reproduces segregation phenomena under debris flow. First, the experiment was conducted in a ball mill device under various conditions: water and gravel mixing, bed velocity, and laid roughness. The occurrence conditions of the segregation phenomena of water and gravel mixing are categorized and compared with each other with and/or without roughness on the bed. Furthermore, the movements after water and gravel mixing in the ball mill device are observed to investigate the segregation mechanism

Efficacy and duration of analgesia from a sustained-release lidocaine sheet in humans

BACKGROUNDWe have synthesized a sustained-releaselidocaine sheet (SRLS) and injectable sustained-release lidocaine particles(SRLP) using biodegradable polymers. In the present study, we performed anexploratory first clinical trial of the SRLS in healthy volunteers as a preludeto patient administration. This trial is meant as an initial intervention inultimately developing and refining the SRLP. METHODSWe evaluated the intensity and duration ofanalgesia of the SRLS compared with 8% lidocaine spray. In Protocol 1, weapplied the SRLS piece to the mucous membrane of the nasal vestibule. Weexamined the local pain threshold over 72 h after administration, and removedthe SRLS after 72 h. Individuals that finished Protocol 1 underwent Protocol 2,in which we applied 8% lidocaine spray. RESULTSTwelve volunteers were enrolled and seven ofthese volunteers finished Protocol 1. All seven individuals who completedProtocol 1 also completed Protocol 2. The mean pain thresholds were 32 g, 78 g,90 g, 90 g, 87 g, and 87 g at pre-administration and 4 h, 10 h, 24 h, 48 h, and72 h after administration, respectively, in Protocol 1, and 36 g, 85 g, 49 g,and 33 g at pre-administration and 15 min, 2 h, and 4 h, respectively, inProtocol 2. CONCLUSIONA sustained-release lidocaine usingbiodegradable polymers was applied as a sheet in humans for the first time inthe world. It maintained significant analgesia for 72 h without majortoxicities. Furthermore, degree of analgesia provided by the SRLS throughoutthe entire study was similar to that provided by the 8% lidocaine spray. It may suitable for management ofpostoperative pain especially in outpatients

Whole-genome analysis of recombinant inbred rice lines reveals a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 3 with genotype-by-environment interaction effects

Elucidating genotype-by-environment interactions is fundamental for understanding the interplay between genetic and environmental factors that shape complex traits in crops. Genotype-by-environment interactions are of practical importance, as they determine the performance of cultivars grown in different environments, prompting the need for an efficient approach for evaluating genotype-by-environment interactions. Here, we describe a method for genotype-by-environment detection that involves comparing linear mixed models. This method successfully detected genotype-by-environment interactions in rice (Oryza sativa) recombinant inbred lines grown at 3 locations. We identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 3 that was associated with heading date, grain number, and leaf length. The effect of this QTL on plant growth–related traits varied with environmental conditions, indicating the presence of genotype-by-environment interactions. Therefore, our method enables a powerful genotype-by-environment detection pipeline that should facilitate the production of high-yielding crops in a given environment