Strongly correlated oxides for energy harvesting.

We review recent advances in strongly correlated oxides as thermoelectric materials in pursuit of energy harvesting. We discuss two topics: one is the enhancement of the ordinary thermoelectric properties by controlling orbital degrees of freedom and orbital fluctuation not only in bulk but also at the interface of correlated oxides. The other topic is the use of new phenomena driven by spin-orbit coupling (SOC) of materials. In 5d electron oxides, we show some SOC-related transport phenomena, which potentially contribute to energy harvesting. We outline the current status and a future perspective of oxides as thermoelectric materials.

Full determination of individual reconstructed atomic columns in intermixed heterojunctions.

Heterojunctions offer a tremendous opportunity for fundamental as well as applied research, ranging from the unique electronic phases in between oxides to the contact issues in semiconductor devices. Despite their pivotal roles, determining individual building atom of matter in heterojunctions is still challenging, especially for those between highly dissimilar structures, in which breaking of symmetry, chemistry, and bonds may give rise to complex reconstruction and intermixing at the junction. Here, we combine electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations to determine individual reconstructed atomic columns and their charge states in a complex, multicomponent heterojunction between the delafossite CuScO2 and spinel MgAl2O4. The high resolution enables us to demonstrate that the reconstructed region can accommodate a highly selective intermixing of Cu cations at specific Sc cation sites with half atomic density, forming a complex ordered superstructure. Such ability to resolve reconstructed heterojunctions to the atomic dimensions helps elucidate atomistic mechanisms and discover novel properties with applications in a diverse range of scientific disciplines.

An unfavorable and a successful pregnancy outcome during and after treatment of gamma heavy chain disease.

Gamma heavy chain disease (gHCD) is a rare B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder that mostly occurs after childbearing age. Here we report the first case of gHCD in a pregnant patient that was diagnosed in the second trimester, and another pregnancy in the same patient after initial treatment for gHCD. The former pregnancy ended in intrauterine fetal death, believed to be caused by insufficient maternal blood flow due to multiple placental infarcts. The latter pregnancy course was uneventful. Although we cannot rule out the possibility that the poor outcome of the former pregnancy was due to an unfortunate complication independent of gHCD, the courses of these pregnancies suggest that non-lymphomatous gamma heavy chain may have a significant impact on pregnancy and that its removal by treatment may improve outcomes.

Nucleation and growth of orbital ordering.

The dynamics of the first-order phase transitions involving a large displacement of atoms, for example, a liquid-solid transition, is generally dominated by the nucleation of the ordered phase and the growth of the nuclei, where the interfacial energy between the two phases plays an important role. On the other hand, electronic phase transitions seldom exhibit such a nucleation-growth behavior, probably because two-phase coexistence is not dominated by only the interfacial energy in such phase transitions. In the present paper, we report that the dynamics of a phase transition associated with an ordering of d orbitals in a vanadate exhibits a clear nucleation-growth behavior and that the interfacial energy between the orbital-ordered and -disordered phases dominated by the orbital-spin coupling can be experimentally obtained.

High-throughput screening for combinatorial thin-film library of thermoelectric materials.

A high-throughput method has been developed to evaluate the Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of combinatorial thin-film libraries of thermoelectric materials from room temperature to 673 K. Thin-film samples several millimeters in size were deposited on an integrated Al2O3 substrate with embedded lead wires and local heaters for measurement of the thermopower under a controlled temperature gradient. An infrared camera was used for real-time observation of the temperature difference Delta T between two electrical contacts on the sample to obtain the Seebeck coefficient. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of constantan thin films were shown to be almost identical to standard data for bulk constantan. High-throughput screening was demonstrated for a thermoelectric Mg-Si-Ge combinatorial library.

Development of pseudoaneurysm in cesarean section scar pregnancy: a case report and literature review.

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. It is becoming more common, but it can lead to uterine rupture and severe hemorrhage. Here, we report a case of a 37-year-old woman with CSP complicated with pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm emerged following focal injection of methotrexate (MTX) and potassium chloride with systemic MTX treatment. Due to a risk of sudden bleeding, uterine artery embolization (UAE) was recommended, but the patient hoped to avoid this if possible. Because the serum human chorionic gonadotropin level and the gestational sac were still persistent, dilation and curettage were performed with interventional radiologists on standby. Severe hemorrhage occurred and continued during the procedure, which necessitated emergent UAE. We reviewed six CSP case reports with vascular abnormalities, and all of them necessitated UAE, surgical excision, or hysterectomy. In the case of CSP combined with pseudoaneurysm, treatment should be planned carefully considering the risk of massive hemorrhage.

Clinical application of Lin's biopsy grasper for intrauterine targeted biopsy and polypectomy during office hysteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Hysteroscopy has widely been used for diagnosis of the uterine cavity; however, target biopsy has often been difficult in part to the inherent limitations of ancillary instruments. Lin's biopsy grasper was specifically designed to work in conjunction with a flexible hysteroscope to obtain intrauterine biopsy under transabdominal sonography. Herein, we share our clinical experience in the management of endometrial abnormalities with the use of Lin's biopsy grasper during office-based hysteroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2006 to November 2016, the use of Lin's biopsy grasper for tissue biopsy was attempted on 126 cases. We retrospectively recorded and analyzed the patients' preoperative characteristics and biopsy outcomes to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of Lin's biopsy grasper. RESULTS: Out of the one hundred and twenty-six enrolled patients, satisfactory targeted biopsies were achieved; including high diagnostic rate (92.1%, with 116 cases confirmed histologically) and adequate tissue retrieval (77.8%, with 98 cases obtaining optimal specimen volume). All patients tolerated the procedure without analgesics or anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic flexible hysteroscopy combined with the use of Lin's biopsy grasper has proven to be an effective tool for intrauterine evaluation and obtaining tissue sample.

Superconductivity at 38 K at an electrochemical interface between an ionic liquid and FeSe0.8Te0.2 on various substrates.

Superconducting FeSe0.8Te0.2 thin films on SrTiO3, LaAlO3 and CaF2 substrates were electrochemically etched in an ionic liquid, DEME-TFSI, electrolyte with a gate bias of 5 V. Superconductivity at 38 K was observed on all substrates after the etching of films with a thickness greater than 30 nm, despite the different Tc values of 8 K, 12 K and 19 K observed before etching on SrTiO3, LaAlO3 and CaF2 substrates, respectively. Tc returned to its original value with the removal of the gate bias. The observation of Tc enhancement for these thick films indicates that the Tc enhancement is unrelated to any interfacial effects between the film and the substrate. The sheet resistance and Hall coefficient of the surface conducting layer were estimated from the gate bias dependence of the transport properties. The sheet resistances of the surface conducting layers of the films on LaAlO3 and CaF2 showed identical temperature dependence, and the Hall coefficient was found to be almost independent of temperature and to take values of -0.05 to -0.2 m2/C, corresponding to 4-17 electrons per FeSe0.8Te0.2 unit cell area in two dimensions. These common transport properties on various substrates suggest that the superconductivity at 38 K appears in the surface conducting layer as a result of an electrochemical reaction between the surface of the FeSe0.8Te0.2 thin film and the ionic liquid electrolyte.

Successful Treatment of Caesarean Scar Pregnancies by Local Treatment Only.

Background. Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare ectopic pregnancy associated with life-threatening complications. To date, no therapeutic protocols have been established. Sono-guided local methotrexate (MTX) injection is a relatively easy and low-invasive treatment. Additional systemic MTX is sometimes needed for CSP cases, especially when ß-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) levels are >20,000 mIU/ml at diagnosis. We report on six cases of CSP treated with local MTX injection, five of which received combined local treatment. Methods. Under intravenous anesthesia, six CSPs including a case with ß-hCG levels >20,000 mIU/ml received MTX injection to the gestational sac. Five cases received gestational sac aspiration. Three cases had additional local potassium chloride injection and one case had a saline injection aiming at the fetal heart beat concurrent with MTX injection. MTX was administered weekly if ß-hCG levels stayed beyond the expected values. Outcomes. All cases achieved ß-hCG normalization without additional systemic MTX, with one case having a successful pregnancy after treatment. Conclusion. Sono-guided local MTX injection with concurrent local treatment might be a potentially effective approach for CSP cases. The accumulation of further cases is necessary to confirm this.

Heck coupling of haloaromatics with octavinylsilsesquioxane: solution processable nanocomposites for application in electroluminescent devices.

A new solution processable nanocomposite material has been prepared via the Heck coupling of octavinylsilsesquioxane with a selected bromoaromatic hole transport compound. Resultant electroluminescent devices show an 18% improvement in external quantum efficiencies over their small molecule analogues.

The generation and characterization of an ovary-selective cDNA library.

We have utilized the differential screening technique suppression subtractive hybridization to systematically isolate and clone genes that are expressed in an ovary-selective/specific manner. In total, 844 clones were sequenced and analyzed for homology to known genes using the basic local alignment tool. One hundred and fifty nine independent clones proved identical to previously-characterized genes whereas an additional 100 independent clones proved significantly homologous (but not identical) to previously-characterized genes. Yet 83 other independent clones did not display significant homology to previously-characterized genes now listed in the publicly-accessible non-redundant databases. As such, these latter genes were deemed novel. In this communication we focus on two such novel ovary-specific/hormonally-dependent genes, the full-length sequences of which were isolated using RACE technology. These ovary-selective genes may have significant implications for the understanding of ovarian function in molecular terms and for the development of innovative strategies for the promotion of fertility or its control.

Cutoff value of 1 h, 50 g glucose challenge test for screening of gestational diabetes mellitus in a Japanese population.

A total of 2651 consecutive native Japanese women who underwent a glucose challenge test (GCT) were retrospectively investigated. GCT was performed between 24 and 27 weeks of gestation; each subject received a 50 g oral glucose load without regard to the fasting or fed state, followed by a determination of 1 h venous plasma glucose level. Women demonstrating GCT exceeding 130 mg/dl received a 75 g, 2 h oral glucose tolerance test to determine whether or not they had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). All women with GDM were treated with a strict diabetic protocol including insulin therapy. Forty-nine (1.8%) women were diagnosed to have GDM. The receiver-operator characteristic curve identified a GCT finding above 140 mg/dl as the cutoff value for detecting GDM, which showed a sensitivity and specificity of 96 and 76%, respectively. Our results suggest that the cutoff value of a 50 g GCT is 140 mg/dl to identify pregnancies with GDM in a Japanese population.

Hypertensive disorders in Japanese women with gestational glucose intolerance.

We investigated the relationship between gestational glucose intolerance and the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension including gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia. Consecutive Japanese women with singleton pregnancies underwent a standard 1h, 50g oral glucose challenge test (GCT) at 24-27 weeks of gestation, followed by a 75g, 2h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) if the GCT result exceeded 130mg/dl. Using criteria of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was defined by two or more abnormal OGTT values and mild glucose intolerance by one abnormal value. The normal glucose tolerance group included women with GCT results below 130mg/dl or normal OGTT values. GH was defined as blood pressure of at least 140/90mmHg occurring for the first time after mid-pregnancy, without proteinuria. Preeclampsia was determined as GH with proteinuria. Of 2651 consecutive patients, 49 women were found to have GDM, and 139 showed mild glucose intolerance. Sixty patients showed GH, and 58 developed preeclampsia. The frequency of GH in mild glucose intolerance or GDM was 5.8% or 8.2%, respectively, significantly greater than in normal glucose tolerance (P<0.01). Incidence of preeclampsia was not significantly increased in women with mild glucose intolerance or GDM (2.2% or 4.1%, respectively, compared to those with normal glucose tolerance). Japanese women with gestational glucose intolerance therefore have an increased risk of developing GH.

[The efficacy of video intubating laryngoscope for novice residents].

BACKGROUND: The visibility and quality of the tracheal intubation may be improved by the video intubating laryngoscope (VIL). However, the efficacy using VIL among novice residents has not been reported. METHODS: Total of 154 cases of tracheal intubation experienced by 5 novice residents in 8 weeks were divided into VIL (X-Lite: Rüsch, Germany) group (n = 59) and ordinary laryngoscope group (OL: n = 95), retrospectively. Number of attempts, success and failure were recorded in both groups. In VIL group, video image of the entire procedure was recorded. Success rates were compared between OL and VIL. In VIL group, elapsed time for intubation and findings during laryngoscopic procedure were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: In the first attempt, the success rate was significantly higher in VIL (83%) than OL (68%). Including secondary attempt, the rate increased to 85% in OL and 97% in VIL, and the difference was also significant. In VIL group, elapsed time for entire intubation was 42 +/- 18 seconds (mean +/- SD). It was significantly decreased in 4, 6 and 7th week compared in the first week. Residents showed different pattern of findings during their laryngoscopic procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The use of VIL improved success rate of tracheal intubation compared with OL. Retrospective analysis of video image revealed their progress and characteristics features in their laryngoscopic procedure. VIL was efficient in the education of the novice residents.

Strain-mediated phase control and electrolyte-gating of electron-doped manganites.

A prototype Mott transistor, the electric double layer transistor with a strained CaMnO(3) thin film, is fabricated. As predicted by the strain phase diagram of electron-doped manganite films, the device with the compressively strained CaMnO(3) exhibits an immense conductivity modulation upon applying a tiny gate voltage of 2 V.

Epitaxial Structure of (001)- and (111)-Oriented Perovskite Ferrate Films Grown by Pulsed-Laser Deposition.

The epitaxial structures of SrFeO(2.5) films grown on SrTiO(3) (001) and (111) substrates by PLD are reported. A layer-by-layer growth mode was achieved in the initial stage on both substrates. The films were stabilized with a monoclinic structure, where we identified the in-plane domain structures and orientation relationship. Our study presents a guide to control the heteroepitaxy of (111)-oriented noncubic perovskites.

Photophysical properties of highly luminescent copper(I) halide complexes chelated with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene.

Studies on synthesis, structures, and photophysics have been carried out for a series of luminescent copper(I) halide complexes with the chelating ligand, 1,2-bis[diphenylphosphino]benzene (dppb). The complexes studied are halogen-bridged dinuclear complexes, [Cu(mu-X)dppb]2 (X = I (1), Br (2), Cl (3)), and a mononuclear complex, CuI(dppb)(PPh3) (4). These complexes in the solid state exhibit intense blue-green photoluminescence with microsecond lifetimes (emission peaks, lambdamax = 492-533 nm; quantum yields, Phi = 0.6-0.8; and lifetimes, tau = 4.0-10.4 mus) at 298 K. In 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2mTHF) solutions at 298 K, only 1 and 4 show weaker emission (Phi = 0.009) with shorter lifetimes (tau = 0.35 and 0.23 mus) and red-shifted spectra (lambdamax = 543 and 546 nm). The emission in the solid state originates from the (M + X)LCT excited state with a distorted-tetrahedral conformation, in which emissive excited states, 1(M + X)LCT and 3(M + X)LCT, are in equilibrium with an energy difference of approximately 2 kcal/mol. On the other hand, the complexes in the 2mTHF solutions emit from the MLCT excited state with an energetically favorable flattened conformation in the temperature range of 298-130 K. The flattened geometry with equilibrated 1MLCT and 3MLCT states has a nonradiative rate at least 2 orders of magnitude larger than that of the distorted-tetrahedral geometry, leading to a much smaller emission quantum yield (Phi = 0.009) at 298 K. Since the flattening motion is markedly suppressed below 130 K, the emission observed in 2mTHF below 130 K is considered to occur principally from the (M + X)LCT state with a distorted-tetrahedral geometry. To interpret the photophysics of 1 and 4 in both the solid and solution states, we have proposed the "2-conformations with 2-spin-states model (2C x 2S model)". The electroluminescence device using (1) as a green emissive dopant showed a moderate EL efficiency; luminous efficiency = 10.4 cd/A, power efficiency = 4.2 lm/W at 93 cd/m(2), and maximum external quantum efficiency = 4.8%.

Silsesquioxane-based nanocomposite dendrimers with photo-luminescent and charge transport properties.

The synthesis and characterization of octavinylsilsesquioxane (OVS)-based nanocomposite dendrimers with luminescent and charge transport properties are reported. The nanocomposite dendrimers were prepared in high yield using mild Heck chemistry of mono-haloaromatic compounds with the peripheral vinylsilane groups of OVS. Attachment of 2-naphthalene, 2-(9,9-dimethyl)fluorene, and 2-(4-phenyl)-5-(1-naphthyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole resulted in materials with blue-violet emission (360-380 nm) and photo-luminescent quantum efficiencies (PLQEs) from 1 to 26%. Blue-green emission was observed for attachment of 1-pyrene, 9-anthracene, and N1-(4-phenyl)-N1,N4,N4-triphenylbenzene-1,4-diamine with PLQEs ranging from 23 to 50%. Despite the planar characteristics of the organic dendrons, the nanocomposite dendrimers are completely amorphous and have high glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 115 to 186 degrees C with decomposition temperatures (Td) exceeding 450 degrees C. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight shows that unlike traditional Heck chemistry, haloaromatic compounds are adding twice across the vinylsilane groups. Finally, organic light emitting diodes using the aromatic amine-based dendrimer as hole injection layers show 55% improvement in device efficiency over traditional materials (5.16 vs. 3.24 cd A(-1)) with brightness levels exceeding 40,000 cd m(-2).

Prenatal diagnosis of hemifacial microsomia by magnetic resonance imaging.

We present a case of hemifacial microsomia, first detected by prenatal sonography and confirmed by ultrafast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A 26-year-old patient was referred to our hospital at 20 weeks of gestation because of unilateral right-sided ventriculomegaly and of a possible ventriculoseptal defect (VSD). Our sonographic examination suggested a right orbital hypoplasia and a hemiatrophy of the nose. The ultrafast T2-weighted single-shot fast-spin echo MR imaging, demonstrated a right ear hypoplasia (microtia), a right orbital hypoplasia, and a right renal hypoplasia. Epibulbar dermoid or conjunctival lipodermoid were not recognized. The fetus was prenatally diagnosed as hemifacial microsomia. Termination of pregnancy was performed at 21 weeks gestation, and a male baby weighing 342g was stillborn. The baby showed facial asymmetry, including hemiatrophy of the right nose, and right ear hypoplasia. Autopsy revealed a 2mm area of VSD, agenesis of the right kidney and ureter, pancreatic and renal aberration into right adrenal gland, thymus hypoplasia and an unfixed ascending colon without intestinal malrotation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of prenatal diagnosis for hemifacial microsomia using fetal MR imaging. In our case, fetal MR imaging has evolved into a powerful diagnostic tool, for the accurate prenatal diagnosis.