Element-selective imaging of atomic columns in a crystal using STEM and EELS

Microstructure characterization has become indispensable to the study of complex materials, such as strongly correlated oxides, and can obtain useful information about the origin of their physical properties. Although atomically resolved measurements have long been possible, an important goal in microstructure characterization is to achieve element-selective imaging at atomic resolution. A combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is a promising technique for atomic-column analysis. However, two-dimensional analysis has not yet been performed owing to several difficulties, such as delocalization in inelastic scattering or instrumentation instabilities. Here we demonstrate atomic-column imaging of a crystal specimen using localized inelastic scattering and a stabilized scanning transmission electron microscope. The atomic columns of La, Mn and O in the layered manganite La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7 are visualized as two-dimensional images.     

Development of Simulation System for the Disaster Evacuation Based on Multi-Agent Model Using GIS

This paper presents a simulation system for the disaster evacuation based on multi-agent model considering geographical information. This system consists of three parts, the modeling for the land and buildings using GIS data, the analysis of disaster evacuation using multi-agent model, and the visualization for the numerical results using the virtual reality technique. By introducing the numerical solver of the natural disaster to the present system, it is possible to evaluate not only the damage of structure but also the dam- age of human being. Furthermore, it is possible to investigate the appropriate evacuation route by the simu- lation. The Dijkstra algorithm is used to obtain shortest route to the refuge. In addition, the visualization us- ing virtual reality technique is curried out to understand the feeling of refugee. The present system is applied to the evacuation analysis by the flood flow in urban area and is shown to be a useful tool to investigate the damage by natural disasters.     

Germline gain-of-function mutations in RAF1 cause Noonan syndrome

Noonan syndrome is characterized by short stature, facial dysmorphia and a wide spectrum of congenital heart defects. Mutations of PTPN11, KRAS and SOS1 in the RAS-MAPK pathway cause approximately 60% of cases of Noonan syndrome. However, the gene(s) responsible for the remainder are unknown. We have identified five different mutations in RAF1 in ten individuals with Noonan syndrome; those with any of four mutations causing changes in the CR2 domain of RAF1 had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), whereas affected individuals with mutations leading to changes in the CR3 domain did not. Cells transfected with constructs containing Noonan syndrome-associated RAF1 mutations showed increased in vitro kinase and ERK activation, and zebrafish embryos with morpholino knockdown of raf1 demonstrated the need for raf1 for the development of normal myocardial structure and function. Thus, our findings implicate RAF1 gain-of-function mutations as a causative agent of a human developmental disorder, representing a new genetic mechanism for the activation of the MAPK pathway.     

Positional identification of TNFSF4, encoding OX40 ligand, as a gene that influences atherosclerosis susceptibility

Ath1 is a quantitative trait locus on mouse chromosome 1 that renders C57BL/6 mice susceptible and C3H/He mice resistant to diet-induced atherosclerosis. The quantitative trait locus region encompasses 11 known genes, including Tnfsf4 (also called Ox40l or Cd134l), which encodes OX40 ligand. Here we report that mice with targeted mutations of Tnfsf4 had significantly (P 相似文献   

Materials chemistry: a synthetic enamel for rapid tooth repair

The conventional treatment of dental caries involves mechanical removal of the affected part and filling of the hole with a resin or metal alloy. But this method is not ideal for tiny early lesions because a disproportionate amount of healthy tooth must be removed to make the alloy or resin stick. Here we describe a dental paste of synthetic enamel that rapidly and seamlessly repairs early caries lesions by nanocrystalline growth, with minimal wastage of the natural enamel.     

Fenton反应的研究进展

本文归纳了Fenton反应的动力学研究,反应的机理和应用现状。并且对Fenton反应的优缺点进行了概括,揭示出进一步研究的重要性。     

Recent progress in studies on the nano-sized particle layer in rock shear planes

Since the 1990s, an ultramicro-particle texture in nano- or micron-sized scale has been continually found in shear planes of various rocks, and recently further progress was made in generic physical mechanisms. In this article, the characteristics of the nano-sized particle layer in rock shear planes (including widespread distribution, layering texture, non-linear genetic mechanism, and multiple functions) on an ultra micro-scale were briefly introduced and more information was obtained by analyzing cases from home and abroad. Our findings suggest that (1) there is a paragenetic relationship between the development of shear frictional-viscous and the formation of nano-sized particles, and (2) in the shear movement, partitioning, segregating, and layering in rocks are initiated by the sliding motion of the nano-sized particle layer. Moreover, the plastic rheology of rocks is essentially the movement of ultra-micro-sized particles (nano-size and micro-size), and the nano-sized particle layer in rock shear planes is characterized by some particular physical and chemical effects.