We present a measurement of the B-mode polarization power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) using data taken from 2014 July to 2016 December with the Polarbear experiment. The CMB ...power spectra are measured using observations at 150 GHz with an instantaneous array sensitivity of on a 670 square degree patch of sky centered at (R.A., decl.) = (+0h12m0s, −59°18′). A continuously rotating half-wave plate is used to modulate polarization and to suppress low-frequency noise. We achieve 32 K arcmin effective polarization map noise with a knee in sensitivity of = 90, where the inflationary gravitational-wave signal is expected to peak. The measured B-mode power spectrum is consistent with a ΛCDM lensing and single dust component foreground model over a range of multipoles 50 ≤ ≤ 600. The data disfavor zero at 2.2 using this range of Polarbear data alone. We cross-correlate our data with Planck full mission 143, 217, and 353 GHz frequency maps and find the low- B-mode power in the combined data set to be consistent with thermal dust emission. We place an upper limit on the tensor-to-scalar ratio r < 0.90 at the 95% confidence level after marginalizing over foregrounds.
Carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) are widely used because of their malleability and ease of modification of functional molecules. This study introduces the application of Au paste electrodes (AuPEs) as ...a method for amplifying electrochemiluminescence (ECL), with a focus on bipolar electrochemical analyses. First, the ECL intensities generated by the cathodic and anodic reactions of Ru(bpy)32+ at the glassy carbon disc electrode, Au disc electrode, CPE, and AuPE was compared using a three-electrode system. We confirmed that the utilization of the AuPEs resulted in ECL intensities that were 1.4–1.7 times higher than those achieved through the use of other electrodes. A similar ECL enhancement effect was observed with the AuPE mixed with N,N′-dimethyl-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylicdiimide (PDI-CH3) as a cathodic luminophore. This PDI-CH3 mixed AuPE was used as the cathode in a closed bipolar electrode system. The system successfully detected dopamine concentrations of 1.0 mmol dm−3 in a sample cell. We hypothesize that the observed enhancements in the ECL were attributable to the surface plasmon field-enhancement effect of the Au particles. These results can be applied to highly sensitive bipolar electrochemical microscopy for imaging the dynamics of intracellular transmitter molecules.
This paper examines the torque response based on direct torque control (DTC) for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor. DTC with a PI controller for torque control is used in this paper. The ...relationship between the gains of the PI controller and the torque response is derived based on the transfer function of the torque control loop. In addition, this paper discusses the influence of the nonlinearity of the torque control loop on the torque response. It also proposes a linearization method for the torque control loop based on gain scheduling, and improvement of torque response is achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by both simulation and experimental results.
In preparation for new epidemics of infectious diseases caused by viruses, self-powered biosensors based on magnetostrictive materials are attracting attention. This study evaluated the energy ...harvesting performance of the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever and demonstrated its ability to detect viruses using silica (virus-like) particles. The Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever had an output power of ~0.414 mW (~12.2 mW/cm3). Assuming that all virus-like particles adhered to the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever, it was implied that the Fe-Co/Ni clad plate cantilever could detect a mass of 0.1–1 µg. As a result, the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever could lead to the development of a self-powered virus sensor.
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•Fe–Co/Ni clad energy harvester had an output power density of ~12.2 mW/cm3.•Fe–Co/Ni clad energy harvester could detect a mass of 0.1–1 µg.•Virus could be detected using mgnetostrictive vibration energy harvesting.•Mgnetostrictive cantilever can enable the development of a self-powered virus sensor.
The concentration of fatty acids in follicular fluid reflect the physical condition of donors, and palmitic acid (PA) is a major component of follicular fluid. The present study examined the effect ...of PA on in vitro oocyte growth and investigated the molecular backgrounds of the PA induced-low quality oocytes. Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) were collected from early antral follicles of gilts. The OGCs were cultured for 14 days in a medium containing 0.5 mM PA or vehicle (BSA). PA was found to reduce granulosa cell (GCs) proliferation (0.73 fold) and viability (93.9% vs. 85.8%) and increase lipid content in oocytes and GCs. Oocytes developed in the presence of PA had low developmental ability to the blastocyst stage. In addition, PA affected developmental and epigenetic markers of histone modifications in oocytes; levels of H4K12 acetylation and H3K9 demethylation. PA affected cellular proliferation, apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers along with reducing the phosphor-AKT/AKT levels and increasing the expression levels of caspase-3 and CHOP in GCs. Incubation of OGCs with PA increased ceramide content in the GC, and addition of ceramide to the culture medium inhibited GC proliferation. In conclusion, it is suggested that high PA content in the medium reduces viability and proliferation through ceramide accumulation, and PA impaires the developmental ability of oocytes grown in vitro. In addition, high-fat conditions induce changes in the histone modifications of oocytes grown in vitro.
•Palmitic acid (PA) is a major component of follicular fluid. When oocyte granulomas cell complexes derived from early antral follicles of gilt ovaries were cultured with 0.5 mM of PA, granulosa cells accumulated lipid content and showed low proliferation and viability compared with those cultured with BSA control.•Oocytes developed in the presence of PA had low developmental ability and showed differential histone modifications.•This PA-induced deterioration of granulosa cells was attributed to ceramide accumulation.
We propose a novel electrochemical detection system for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity using the difference in water and oil solubilities between the substrate, ferrocene ethyl phosphate ester ...(FcEtOPO3 2–), and the enzymatic product, ferroceneethanol (FcEtOH). In this system, water droplets containing ALP and FcEtOPO3 2– were placed on a Pt disk microelectrode and surrounded by a mineral oil. By the ALP-catalyzed reaction, FcEtOPO3 2– was converted to FcEtOH, which was then transferred to the mineral oil from the water droplets with FcEtOPO3 2– remaining in the water droplets. After partitioning FcEtOH from the water droplets, FcEtOPO3 2– was detected at the Pt disk microelectrode to estimate the ALP activity. Using this novel system, the ALP activity of embryoid bodies was successfully detected. We believe that the present system will be widely applicable to ALP-based bioassays.
Background
Splenic vein ligation may result in sinistral (left‐sided) portal hypertension and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to analyse the pathogenesis of sinistral portal ...hypertension following splenic vein ligation in pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Methods
Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer between January 2005 and December 2012 were included in this retrospective study. The venous flow pattern from the spleen and splenic hypertrophy were examined after surgery.
Results
Of 103 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein resection, 43 had splenic vein ligation. There were two predominant venous flow patterns from the spleen. In the varicose route (27 patients), flow from the spleen passed to colonic varices and/or other varicose veins. In the non‐varicose route, flow from the spleen passed through a splenocolonic collateral (14 patients) or a spontaneous splenorenal shunt (2 patients). The varicose route was associated with significantly greater splenic hypertrophy than the non‐varicose route (median splenic hypertrophy ratio 1·52 versus 0·94; P < 0·001). All patients with the varicose route had colonic varices, and none had a right colic marginal vein at the hepatic flexure.
Conclusion
Pancreaticoduodenectomy with splenic vein ligation may lead to sinistral portal hypertension. To avoid the development of varices, it is important to preserve the right colic marginal vein. Reconstruction of the splenic vein should be considered if the right colic marginal vein is divided.
Portal vein resection has consequences
Motion tracking of microorganisms is useful to investigate the effects of chemical or physical stimulation on their biological functions. Herein, we describe a novel electrochemical imaging method ...for motion tracking of microorganisms using a large‐scale integration (LSI)‐based amperometric device. The device consists of 400 electrochemical sensors with a pitch of 250 μm. A convection flow caused by the motion of microorganisms supplies redox species to the sensors and increases their electrochemical responses. Thus, the flow is converted to electrochemical signals, enabling the electrochemical motion tracking of the microorganisms. As a proof of concept, capillary vibration was monitored. Finally, the method was applied to monitoring the motion of Daphnia magna. The motions of these microorganisms were clearly tracked based on the electrochemical oxidation of Fe(CN)64− and reduction of O2.
Watching the daphnids move: An electrochemical imaging method for motion tracking of microorganisms is described. A large‐scale integration (LSI)‐based device, consisting of 400 electrochemical sensors, was used to monitor the electrochemical signals of redox species supplied to the sensors by the convective flow caused by the motion of microorganisms.
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