We numerically estimated the inflow flux of terrestrial grass, which is the main floating macro-debris, into Tokyo Bay from April 2008 to March 2009 based on a two-way particle-tracking model and an ...inverse method applying a Lagrange multiplier. In the estimation, we used surface current velocities derived by high-frequency ocean radar and the quantity of grass collected by clean-up vessels which are operated daily in the bay. At least 2115 m3 yr−1 of the grass flowed into the bay annually, and the contribution of a flood event to the inflow flux of grass was larger than that of the inflow flux of freshwater. We show that 39% of the annual inflow flux of grass into the bay was collected, and 61% flowed out of the bay or sank to the seabed. The numerical estimation in this study will be useful to establish a system for predicting patches of floating macro-debris in the bay, and to evaluate the effects of river development or clean-up along river banks and flood plains in the upper reaches.
•We numerically estimated the inflow flux of grass from rivers into Tokyo Bay.•We applied a two-way particle-tracking model and an inverse method.•We used HF radar-derived surface velocities and data on grass collected in the bay.•The inflow fluxes were significantly related to the river discharge.•We successfully reproduced an amount of debris collected in the bay.
We report an 18-year-old woman with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, who developed psychiatric symptoms, progressive unresponsiveness, dyskinesias, hypoventilation, ...hypersalivation and seizures. Early removal of an ovarian teratoma followed by plasma exchange and corticosteroids resulted in a prompt neurological response and eventual full recovery. Serial analysis of antibodies to NR1/NR2B heteromers of the NMDAR showed an early decrease of serum titres, although the cerebrospinal fluid titres correlated better with clinical outcome. The patients' antibodies reacted with areas of the tumour that contained NMDAR-expressing tissue. Search for and removal of a teratoma should be promptly considered after the diagnosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
In this study, we attempted to characterize environmental nanoparticles and particle diameter distributions in the atmospheric environment neighboring a traffic route by using a scanning mobility ...particle sizer (SMPS). The composition of the environmental nanoparticles was analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). It was observed that the environmental nanoparticles showed peaks at 20
nm and 100
nm. The secondary ions C
+, O
+, Si
+, and SiH
3
+ were strongly detected in the environmental nanoparticles with a peak at 20
nm. On the other hand, the secondary ions NH
4
+, Na
+, K
+, and Ca
+ were detected in the environmental nanoparticles with a peak at 100
nm. Moreover, it was found that the secondary ion spectral patterns of the organic compounds were different for each particle diameter. Hence, we concluded that the combination of the SMPS with TOF-SIMS is a powerful technique to characterize environmental nanoparticles.
The cellular oxidative stress by the exposure of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) was investigated by using a time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and a real time reverse ...transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The DEP surfaces which had different properties were prepared for examining the oxidative stress by a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). We characterized the compositions in the different DEP surfaces and measured the gene expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) which were induced for preventing the cellular oxidative stress. From these results, it was clear that the DEP compositions (Fe, etc.) correlated closely with the cellular oxidative stress. From the results of a STEM analysis, we found out that the DEP were taken up in the cell and that some mitochondria in close association to the DEP showed damaged morphology. Moreover, the iron oxide nanoparticles of several nanometer were aggregated in the DEP. We therefore concluded that there was the interaction between the cellular functions and the particle properties.
Shave-off depth profiling, our own unique technique, utilizes a focused ion beam (FIB) micro-machining process to provide the depth profile. It is known that the FIB has long tails outside of the ...beam. The long tails affect the shape of depth profile and make depth resolution worse. The influence of long tails can be minimized by depositing a protection film on the sidewall or changing the speed of shave-off scan. In this study, we discussed about shave-off scanning speed toward depth direction by using simulation method and accomplished highly accurate shave-off depth profiling.
The concept of the rock-like oxide (ROX) fuel has been developed for the annihilation of excess plutonium in light water reactors. Irradiation tests and post-irradiation examinations were carried out ...on candidate ROX fuels. The ternary fuel of YSZ–spinel–corundum system, the single-phase fuels of YSZ, the particle-dispersed fuels of YSZ in spinel or corundum matrix, and the blended fuels of YSZ and spinel or corundum matrix were fabricated and submitted to irradiation testings. The fuels containing spinel showed chemical instabilities with the vaporization of MgO component, which caused fuel restructuring. The swelling behavior was improved with the particle-dispersed fuels. However, the particle-dispersed fuels showed higher fractional gas release (FGR) than blended type fuels. The FGR of YSZ single-phase fuels were comparable to what would be expected for UO
2 fuel at the similar fuel temperatures. The YSZ single-phase fuel showed the best irradiation performance among the ROX fuels investigated.
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