Peculiar Change Research Articles

Investigation of the cause of peculiar irradiation behavior of 9Cr-ODS steel in BOR-60 irradiation tests

Four experimental fuel assemblies (EFAs) containing 9Cr-ODS steel cladding fuel pins were previously irradiated in the BOR-60 to demonstrate the in-reactor performance of 9Cr-ODS steel for use as fuel cladding tubes. One of the EFAs achieved the best data, a peak burn-up of 11.9at% and a neutron dose of 51 dpa, without any microstructure instability or any fuel pin rupture. On the other hand, in another EFA (peak burn-up, 10.5at%; peak neutron dose, 44 dpa), peculiar irradiation behaviors, such as microstructure instability and fuel pin rupture, occurred. Investigations of the cause of these peculiar irradiation behaviors were carried out. The detection sensitivity in an ultrasonic inspection test was shown to be low for the metallic Cr and metallic Fe inclusions. The peculiar microstructure change reappeared with high-temperature thermal-aging of the 9Cr-ODS steel containing metallic Cr inclusions. The strength and ductility of the defective part containing metallic Cr inclusions were appreciably lower than those of a standard part without the inclusions. The combined effects of matrix Cr heterogeneity (presence of metallic Cr inclusions) and high-temperature irradiation were concluded to be the main cause of the peculiar microstructure change in 9Cr-ODS steel cladding tubes in the BOR-60 irradiation tests. They contributed to the fuel pin rupture.

Non-linear vibration of Timoshenko damaged beams by a new p-version finite element method

A new p-version finite element is suggested to deal with geometrically non-linear vibrations of damaged Timoshenko beams. The novelty of the p-element comes from the use of new displacement shape functions, which are function of the damage location and, therefore, provide for more efficient models, where accuracy is improved at lower computational cost. In numerical tests in the linear regime, coupling between cross sectional rotation and longitudinal vibrations is discovered, with longitudinal displacements suddenly changing direction at the damage location and with a peculiar change in the cross section rotation at the same place. Geometrically non-linear, forced vibrations are then investigated in the time domain using Newmark’s method and further couplings between displacement components are found.

“Patients Can Have as Many Gene Variants as They Damn Well Please”: Why Contemporary Genetics Presents Us Daily with a Version of Hickam's Dictum

“Patients Can Have as Many Gene Variants as They Damn Well Please”: Why Contemporary Genetics Presents Us Daily with a Version of Hickam's Dictum

Bilateral adrenal haemorrhage presenting as epigastric and back pain

‘General languor and debility, feebleness of the heart's action, irritability of the stomach, and a peculiar change of the colour of the skin’ – forms part of the original description of Addison's disease, primary hypoadrenalism.1 The condition represents a diagnostic challenge for the clinician, a non-specific pattern of presentation notoriously difficult to identify, that follows a potentially fatal course. Data on the occurrence of spontaneous bilateral adrenal haemorrhage is sparse though it is becoming increasingly recognized. The case and corresponding literature are discussed to highlight the risk factors and clinical presentation of the condition.

Flags and traitors: The advance of ethno-nationalism in the Turkish self-image

This paper examines a peculiar change in the Turkish self-image towards an ethno-nationalist discourse in the 2000s. In Turkish public life one may find various manifestations of a self-promoting ethnocentric world view alongside expressions of xenophobic feelings against the so-called enemies within and without. This study explores a certain transition from a modernist and secular self-image to an ethnocentric self-regard with reference to nationalist best sellers, TV series, public displays of slogans, and flagging incidents in the 2000s.

침엽수 산림에서의 토양수분 감쇄특성 분석

Forest area covers 64 % of the national land of Korea and the forest plays a pivotal role in the hydrological process such as flood, drought, runoff, infiltration, evapotranspiration, etc. In this study, soil moisture monitoring for conifer forest in experimental forest of Seoul National University has been conducted using FDR (Frequency Domain Reflection) for 6 different soil layers, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90 and 120 cm during 2009~2010, and precipitation data was collected from nearby AWS (Automatic Weather Station). Soil moisture monitoring data were used to estimate soil moisture recession constant (SMRC) for analyzing soil moisture recession characteristics. From the results, empirical soil moisture recession equations were estimated and validated to determine the feasibility of the result, and soil moisture contents of measured and calculated showed a similar tendency from April to November. Thus, the results can be applied for soil moisture estimation and provided the basic knowledge in forest soil moisture consumption. Nevertheless, this approach demonstrated applicability limitations during winter and early spring season due to freezing and melting of snow and ice causing peculiar change of soil moisture contents.

Thermal Expansivity of Ionic Clathrate Hydrates Including Gaseous Guest Molecules

Although thermal expansion is a key factor in relation to the host-guest interaction of clathrate hydrates, few studies have investigated the thermal behavior of ionic clathrate hydrates. The existence of ionic species in these hydrates creates a unique host-guest interaction compared to that of nonionic clathrate hydrates. It was revealed that X-ray diffraction cannot be used for research of tetramethylammonium hydroxide clathrate hydrates due to damage of the cations by the X-ray, which results in abnormal thermal expansion of the ionic clathrate hydrates. Hence, in the present work, the thermal expansivities of binary sII Me(4)NOD·16D(2)O and sI DClO(4)·5.5D(2)O were measured by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) in order to shed light on their thermal behavior. General correlations for the thermal behaviors of given structures were established and lattice expansions depending on the guests were compared between ionic and nonionic clathrate hydrates. The peculiar change in the thermal expansivity of binary DClO(4)·5.5D(2)O was also considered in relation to the host-guest configuration.

The chromosome 16q‐linked autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (16q‐ADCA): A newly identified degenerative ataxia in Japan showing peculiar morphological changes of the Purkinje cell

The chromosome 16q22.1-linked autosomal-dominant cerebellar ataxia (16q-ADCA) is a form of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) common in Japan. It is clinically characterized by late-onset purely cerebellar ataxia. The neuropathologic hallmark of 16q-ADCA is degeneration of Purkinje cells accompanied by an eosinophilic structure which we named "halo-like amorphous materials". By immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, the structure has been so far found to contain two components: the somatic sprouts from the Purkinje cells and presynaptic terminals of unknown origin. As far as we are aware, this peculiar morphological change of Purkinje cells has not been previously described. Further investigations may disclose unique pathological processes in SCA.

Theory of the insulator ground state of the plutonium monochalcogenides: An LDA+DMFT investigation

The electronic structures and Kondo insulator state of the Pu monochalcogenides are computationally investigated, using the local density approximation (LDA), the LDA+U and dynamical mean field theory (LDA+DMFT) methods. We show that an enhanced hybridization of the Pu-5f state with the conduction bands occurs through the dynamical effect in the DMFT, which leads to the effective formation of a small energy gap around the Fermi level. Our LDA+DMFT calculations explain quantitatively the anomalous energy gap enhancement under pressure, observed for PuTe. The peculiar change of the energy gap of PuTe with pressure is found to result from a subtle crossover in the k-dispersion of the lowest excited states.

Magnetization Process and GMI Effect in As-Cast Nanocrystalline Microwires

Results on the axial and circumferential magnetization processes in as-cast nanocrystalline glass-coated microwires are reported for the first time. Glass removal induces a peculiar change in the shape of the axial hysteresis loop. The initially rectangular axial hysteresis loop becomes almost anhysteretic after glass removal as a consequence of a change in the mechanism of axial magnetization, which has been explained by taking into account the changes induced by stress relief in the exchange length. Therefore, the nanosized crystalline grains can be coupled or uncoupled, depending on the presence of the glass coating. The change in the shape of the hysteresis loop is also observed on the circumferential direction. Results of giant magneto-impedance measurements support the explanation given, as the magneto-impedance response at 50 MHz increases about 9 times after glass removal due to both stress relief and to the phase consisting of coupled crystalline grains, which becomes the phase that preponderantly determines the magnetic behavior of the microwire after glass removal.

On the fractional crystallization of palm olein: Solid solutions and eutectic solidification

Abstract In this contribution, the nature of particular crystal growth behavior observed in industrial dry fractionation of palm olein is further elucidated. Refined palm olein was prepared with three different concentrations of tripalmitoyl-glycerol (0.6%, 0.8% and 1%) and crystallized under stirring at 13, 15 and 17 °C to study the effect of internal seeding with tripalmitoyl-glycerol (PPP) on bulk crystallization properties. Notably at 15 °C, the increase in the solid fat content of the crystal suspension as function of time was heavily promoted by higher PPP-contents. The resulting crystals displayed a broad melting peak between 28 and 40 °C in DSC-measurements, which suggested the presence of a solid solution in a metastable form, mainly consisting of PPP and dipalmitoyl-oleoylglycerol (POP). SAXS-measurements supported this thesis by revealing long spacings with varying length, while short spacings obtained in WAXD consistently indicated the orthorhombic subcell of a β′-polymorph. The data suggest that the internal seeding effect of PPP in palm olein, as applied in industrial crystallization, in fact relies on substantial miscibility with POP, rather than on a heterogeneous nucleation effect resulting in two separate crystalline phases. The miscibility of PPP and POP then would result in a facilitated alignment of POP-molecules in the direction of the methyl end (or lamellar) plane and higher growth rates. Secondly, a peculiar change in crystal morphology could be consistently linked with the occurrence of a sharp melting peak at 24 °C in DSC, as well as with a substantial increase of the viscosity of the crystal suspension. This morphological shift concurred with an increased incorporation of palmitoyl-oleoyl-stearoylglycerol in the lattice, possibly giving rise to eutectic crystallization in lamellar crystal structures instead of the commonly observed dendritic crystals. The clarification of both phenomena provides a valuable, profound insight in the crystal growth step in the processing of edible oils.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome Complicated by Central Diabetes Insipidus and Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome with Peculiar Change in Magnetic Resonance Images

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) could occurs in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML), because of infiltration of leukemic cells into the neurohypophysis or some other reason and it is closely associated with abnormalities of chromosome 7. We report a case of MDS with abnormalities of chromosome 7, presenting as CDI followed by deterioration of polyuria and hyponatremia with a decreased extracellular fluid volume. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed symmetrically enhanced lesions in the hypothalamus. Fludrocortisone treatment normalized his serum sodium level and cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) was suspected.

Classical and quantum correlations under decoherence

Recently some authors have pointed out that there exist nonclassical correlations which are more general, and possibly more fundamental, than entanglement. For these general quantum correlations and their classical counterparts, under the action of decoherence, we identify three general types of dynamics that include a peculiar sudden change in their decay rates. We show that, under suitable conditions, the classical correlation is unaffected by decoherence. Such dynamic behavior suggests an operational measure of both classical and quantum correlations that can be computed without any extremization procedure.

High Speed and High Sensitivity Slip Sensor Utilizing Characteristics of Conductive Rubber - Relationship Between Shear Deformation of Conductive Rubber and Resistance Change -

Humans can grasp an object without information such as a coefficient of friction or weight. To implement this grasping motion with the robot hand, sensors have been proposed that detect an incipient slip within the contact surface or stick-slip. A large number of slip sensors have been proposed, but small, flexible, and practical slip sensors are currently not available yet. We have been involved in research and development activities for a center of pressure (CoP) tactile sensor that is small and flexible. This sensor uses a pressure conductive rubber to detect the central position of the load distribution and total load. As a result of using the sensor to make experiments on slip detection, we found that a peculiar change appeared in the load output of the sensor immediately before the slip displacement of an object occurred. Based on this output change, we proposed a control method that was capable of setting a grasping force in accordance with the weight of an object. However, the principle was not made clear that caused the output change to occur. We hypothesized that the change was caused by the characteristics of the pressure conductive rubber used for the material of the sensor. As a result of making verification experiments based on this hypothesis, we found that the output change was due to a change in the resistance value when the pressure conductive rubber shear deformed. It was also found that the scale of a change in the resistance value was dependent largely upon the shear deformation speed of the pressure conductive rubber. This paper describes the principle that a peculiar change occurs in the CoP sensor immediately before the occurrence of an object slip. It also reports the characteristics of the pressure conductive rubber that have newly been made apparent.

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria is an infrequently occurring genodermatosis with a peculiar pigmentary change, consisting of varying sized hyperpigmented macules mingled with hypopigmented lesions to give an overall impression of mottling. We hereby report a case of dyschromatosis universialis hereditaria in a child with no family history of the disorder.

The peculiarities of sprayed liquid’s thermal state change, as droplets are heated by conduction

The change of thermal state and phase transformation intensity of sprayed water, n-hexane, n-heptane and n-decane is numerically modelled in the case, as droplets are heated by conduction; the influence of the Knudsen layer is neglected; warming and evaporation of the droplets has no influence on the state of the carrying air flow. The research results prove that a peculiar change of the thermal state of sprayed liquid, irrespective of droplet’s dispersivity, exists in the time scale, expressed by Fourier number. The above-mentioned change can be conveniently defined by the characteristic curves, representing the change of a droplet surface, centre, and mean mass temperatures, which are sensibly influenced by temperature of gas mixture and partial pressure of liquid vapour in it. As these characteristic curves were expressed in regards to the initial and equilibrium evaporation temperatures of liquid, the universal curves, representing the change of thermal states of the examined liquids, were obtained in the time scale, expressed by Fourier number. It is shown that liquid evaporation rate and the change of a droplet dimension can also be described by characteristic curves.

Takayasu Arteritis: Consideration of Pulmonary Involvement

Takayasu arteritis, a non-specific inflammatory disease affecting the walls of medium and large arteries, is categorized as a medium- and large-vessel vasculitis.1) This disease, which is commonly seen in the Japanese population, was first reported by Professor Mikito Takayasu in 1908, as a case of peculiar change of the central retinal artery with coronary anastomosis and arteriovenous shunt. At the time, Dr. Takayasu was the Director of Kanazawa Medical College Hospital, and it is amazing that, in the discussion of his presentation, the absence of arterial pulse at the radial artery was already mentioned as an associated finding.2) With the accumulation of experience and knowledge, it was documented that this disease involved mainly the aorta and its branches. Because a steno-occlusive lesion of the cervical branches causes a loss of pulse at the upper extremity, the name “pulseless disease” was proposed by Shimizu and Sano in 1951.3) On the other hand, Ross and McKusick suggested the name “aortic arch syndrome” because they thought the pathology was limited to the aortic arch.4) Considering that pulseless disease and aortic arch lesion or atypical co-arctation of the aorta all were attributed to one entity, Ueda et al. introduced the name (pan)-aortitis syndrome in 1965.5) This designation was the standard expression of the disease entity until recently, when there has been a change in the use of the name, mainly because the name “aortitis syndrome” has not been well accepted in the Western literature. The designation “Takayasu arteritis” has become the standard in Japan and elsewhere in appreciation of the original contribution of Professor Takayasu. Historically in Japan, two groups, the Tokyo University group and the Tokyo Medical and Dental University group6, 7) have played leading roles in the investigation of this disease entity. In particular, the former group has accomplished fruitful results in regard to the surgical treatment of this interesting lesion.8–10)

Admixture of an s-Wave Component to the d-Wave Gap Symmetry in High-Temperature Superconductors

Neutron crystal-field spectroscopy experiments in the Y- and La-type high-temperature superconductors HoBa2Cu3O6.56, HoBa2Cu4O8, and La1.81Sr0.15Ho0.04- CuO4 are reviewed. By this bulk-sensitive technique, information on the gap function is obtained from the relaxation behavior of crystal-field transitions associated with the Ho3+ ions which sit as local probes close to the superconducting copper-oxide planes. The relaxation data exhibit a peculiar change from a convex to a concave shape between the superconducting transition temperature T c and the pseudogap temperature T * which can only be modeled satisfactorily if the gap function of predominantly d-wave symmetry includes an s-wave component of the order of 20–25%, independent of the doping level. Moreover, our results are compatible with an unusual temperature dependence of the gap function in the pseudogap region (T c≤T≤T *), i.e., a break up of the Fermi surface into disconnected arcs.

Juvenile hormone mediates sexual dimorphism in horned beetles

The causes and consequences of sexual dimorphism are major themes in biology. Here we explore the endocrine regulation of sexual dimorphism in horned beetles. Specifically, we explore the role of juvenile hormone (JH) in regulating horn expression in females of two species with regular sexual dimorphism for pronotal horns (females have much shorter horns than males) and a third species with a rare reversed sexual dimorphism for both pronotal and head horns (females have much larger horns in both body regions compared with males). Applications of the JH analog methoprene caused females of the two more typical species to grow significantly shorter pronotal horns than control females, whereas no consistent effect on pronotal horn development was detected in the third, sex-reversed species. Instead, females in this species showed an unexpected and significant increase in head horn expression in response to methoprene treatment. Lastly, horn shape was also affected in females of one of the regularly sexually dimorphic species, but in the opposite direction than horn length. Although methoprene exerted a feminizing effect on female horn length in this species, it significantly masculinized horn shape by inducing a peculiar shape change observed naturally only in males. Our results suggest that JH influences both overall size and shape of female horns, but does so flexibly and as a function of species, sex and horn location. We use our results to review current models on the role of endocrine mechanisms in development and evolution of horned beetle diversity.

Is Dark Matter visible by Galactic Gamma Rays?

The EGRET excess in the diffuse galactic gamma ray data above 1 GeV shows all features expected from dark matter WIMP annihilation: (a) It is present and has the same spectrum in all sky directions, not just in the galactic plane. (b) The intensity of the excess shows the 1/r2 profile expected for a flat rotation curve outside the galactic disc with an additionally interesting substructure in the disc in the form of a doughnut-shaped ring at 14 kpc from the centre of the galaxy. At this radius a ring of stars indicates the probable infall of a dwarf galaxy, which can explain the increase in DM density. From the spectral shape of the excess the WIMP mass is estimated to be between 50 and 100 GeV, while from the intensity the halo profile is reconstructed. Given the mass and intensity of the WIMPs the mass of the ring can be calculated, which is shown to explain the peculiar change of slope in the rotation curve at about 11 kpc. These results are model-independent in the sense that only the known shapes of signal and background were fitted with free normalization factors, thus being independent of model-dependent flux calculations. The statistical significance is more than 10σ in comparison with a fit of the conventional galactic model to the EGRET data. These signals of dark matter annihilation are compatible with supersymmetry including all electroweak constraints. The statistical significance combined with all features mentioned above provide an intriguing hint that the EGRET excess is indeed a signal from dark matter annihilation.