FT-NMR Detection of 45Sc, 49Ti and 93Nb in TiO2 Single Crystal

In order to determine the electric quadrupole moment of the short-lived β-emitter 41Sc from the quadrupole coupling constant in TiO2 , we measured the field gradient by detecting the Fourier-Transformed-NMR of stable isotope 45Sc doped in TiO2. Also, in order to study the electronic structure of impurities systematically, EFGs were measured for 45Sc, 49Ti and 93Nb in a TiO2 ingle single crystal.

Quadrupole Moments of the 40Ca Core Plus One Nucleon Nuclei 41Sc and 41Ca

The electric-field-gradient (EFG) and anisotropic chemical shift of 45Sc(Iπ = 7/2- , stable) in TiO2 crystal were determined by detecting the FT-NMR of 45Sc(0.5 atm% of Ti in TiO2) doped in TiO2 crystal at a high field of 7.0 T and 9.4 T. Using the EFG, an old β-NQR spectrum of 41Sc was reanalyzed to obtain (41Sc)/ which was combined with the renewed (45Sc) = -(23.6 0.2) fm2 to obtain (41Sc; Iπ= 7/2- , T1/2 = 0.596 s) = (15.6±0.3) fm2. Also the atomic EFG in Ca was recalculated, using a finite-element multi configuration Hartree-Fock method to renew Q(43Ca). Finally using the known hyperfine constants of 41Ca, the (41Ca) value has been renewed

Electric Quadrupole Interactions of the Short-Lived β-Emitter 12N in Insulator Crystals (12N Implanted in Single Crystal TiO2)

The electronic structure of nitrogen atoms as impurities in an ionic TiO2 crystal has been investigated by analyzing electric field gradients (EFGs) measured by use of short-lived β-emitting 12N implant-ed following nuclear reactions. Conventional β-NMR and its modification, suitable for the detection of quadrupole effects in the NMR spectra, were used for the investigation of hyperfine interactions of 12N located in substitutional sites of O atoms and interstitial sites in the crystal. In order to deduce absolute values of the EFGs from the obtained eqQ/h, the quadrupole moment of 12N has been determined from the NMR detection of 12N implanted in BN(hexagonal) crystal. Here the EFG at the N atom in BN was measured by detecting the FT-NMR of 14N in the crystal. The EFGs in TiO2 are compared with the theoretical predictions based on the ab initio band-structure calculation in the framework of the KKR method.

Hydrogen sulphide increases hepatic differentiation of human tooth pulp stem cells compared with human bone marrow stem cells

AIM

To determine the differences in stem cell properties, in hepatic differentiation and in the effects of hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) on hepatic differentiation between human bone marrow stem cells (hBMC) and stem cells from human exfoliated primary tooth pulp (SHED).

METHODOLOGY

CD117(+) cells were magnetically separated and subjected to hepatic differentiation. CD117(+) cell lineages were characterized for transcription factors indicative of stem cells by qRT-PCR. For the last 9 days of the differentiation, the test cells were exposed to 0.1 ng mL(-1) H2 S. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry of albumin, alpha-fetoprotein and carbamoyl phosphate synthetase were carried out after differentiation. Urea concentration and glycogen synthesis were also determined.

RESULTS

Genes expressed in SHED were also expressed in BMC. No difference in expression level of hepatic markers was shown by immunofluorescence. SHED showed more positive cells than hBMC (P < 0.01). H2 S increased the number of positive cells in both cultures (P < 0.01). Urea concentration and glycogen synthesis increased significantly after H2 S exposure (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Real-time PCR data were analysed by RT(2) profiler RT-PCR Array Data Analysis version 3.5 (Qiagen), and ELISA data were analysed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison using Windows spss version 16 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Bonferroni's multiple comparison test was also carried out after angle transformation for the percentage data of flow cytometer using Windows spss(®) version 16 (SPSS Inc). Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Stem cells from human exfoliated primary tooth pulp and BMC have similar properties. The level of hepatic differentiation in SHED compared with BMC was the same or higher. H2 S increased the level of hepatic differentiation.

Studies of extraction and transport system for highly charged ion beam of 18 GHz superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source at Research Center for Nuclear Physics

An 18 GHz superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source is installed to increase beam currents and to extend the variety of ions especially for highly charged heavy ions which can be accelerated by cyclotrons of Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP), Osaka University. The beam production developments of several ions from B to Xe have been already done [T. Yorita, K. Hatanaka, M. Fukuda, M. Kibayashi, S. Morinobu, H.Okamura, and A. Tamii, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 79, 02A311 (2008) and T. Yorita, K. Hatanaka, M. Fukuda, M. Kibayashi, S. Morinobu, H.Okamura, and A. Tamii, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 02A332 (2010)] and the further studies for those beam extraction and its transport have been done in order to increase the beam current more. The plasma electrode, extraction electrode, and einzel lens are modified. Especially extraction electrode can be applied minus voltage for the beam extraction and it works well to improve the extracted beam current. The extraction voltage dependences of transmission and emittance also have been studied for beam current improvement which is injected into azimuthally varying field cyclotron at RCNP.

Experimental validation of a novel compact focusing scheme for future energy-frontier linear lepton colliders

A novel scheme for the focusing of high-energy leptons in future linear colliders was proposed in 2001 [P. Raimondi and A. Seryi, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3779 (2001)]. This scheme has many advantageous properties over previously studied focusing schemes, including being significantly shorter for a given energy and having a significantly better energy bandwidth. Experimental results from the ATF2 accelerator at KEK are presented that validate the operating principle of such a scheme by demonstrating the demagnification of a 1.3 GeV electron beam down to below 65 nm in height using an energy-scaled version of the compact focusing optics designed for the ILC collider.

Nd:YAG laser irradiation of the tooth root surface inhibits demineralization and root surface softening caused by minocycline application

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of laser irradiation on root surface demineralization caused by local drug delivery systems (DDS), and to evaluate the effect of sealing on drug retention.

BACKGROUND DATA

The duration of supportive periodontal treatment (SPT) has increased with increasing life expectancy. Repeated root planing and DDS application during SPT should be reconsidered with regard to their effects on the root surface.

METHODS

Extracted human teeth were collected, cut into 3 × 3 × 2 mm root dentin specimens, and divided randomly into eight groups with various combinations of Nd:YAG laser power (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 W), with and without DDS (minocycline HCl). Specimen microhardness and calcium (Ca) solubility were measured after treatment. The specimens (control and laser and DDS groups) were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Forty SPT patients were recruited, to assess the effect of periodontal pocket sealing on drug retention.

RESULTS

Laser irradiation increased the microhardness of root specimens in an energy-dependent manner. Calcium solubilities decreased from the 0 W+DDS group to the 2.0 W+DDS group. The mean Ca solubilities in the 1.0 W+DDS and 2.0 W+DDS groups were significantly lower than in the 0 W+DDS group (p<0.01, p<0.001, respectively). Laser irradiation counteracted the softening effect of DDS. Morphologic change was observed in the 2 W+DDS group; however, no morphologic changes were observed in the control and the 1 W+DDS groups. The mean concentration of minocycline in the periodontal pocket 24 h after application was 252.79 ± 67.50 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser irradiation of the root surface inhibited the softening and decalcification caused by minocycline HCl. Sealing the periodontal pockets effectively improved drug retention. These results suggest that the combination of laser irradiation and DDS could benefit patients receiving repeated SPT.

Fatal hepatic hemorrhage by peliosis hepatis in X-linked myotubular myopathy: a case report

We report a 5-year-old boy with X-linked myotubular myopathy complicated by peliosis hepatis. At birth, he was affected with marked generalized muscle hypotonia and weakness, which required permanent ventilatory support, and was bedridden for life. He died of acute fatal hepatic hemorrhage after using a mechanical in-exsufflator. Peliosis hepatis, defined as multiple, variable-sized, cystic blood-filled spaces through the liver parenchyma, was confirmed by autopsy. To avoid fatal hepatic hemorrhage by peliosis hepatis, routine hepatic function tests and abdominal imaging tests should be performed for patients with X-linked myotubular myopathy, especially at the time of using artificial respiration.