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Neutrons are powerful tools for investigating the structure and properties of materials used in science and technology. Recently, laser-driven neutron sources (LDNS) have attracted the attention of different communities, from science to industry, in a variety of applications, including radiography, spectroscopy, security, and medicine. However, the laser-driven ion acceleration mechanism for neutron generation and for establishing the scaling law on the neutron yield is essential to improve the feasibility of LDNS. In this paper, we report the mechanism that accelerates ions with spectra suitable for neutron generation. We show that the neutron yield increases with the fourth power of the laser intensity, resulting in the neutron generation of3×1011in4πat a maximum, with1.1×1019Wcm−2, 900 J, 1.5 ps lasers. By installing a “hand-size” moderator, which is specially designed for the LDNS, it is demonstrated that the efficient generation of epithermal (0.1–100 eV) neutrons enables the single-shot analysis of composite materials by neutron resonance transmission analysis (NRTA). We achieve the energy resolution of 2.3% for 5.19-eV neutrons 1.8 m downstream of the LDNS. This leads to the analysis of elements and isotopes within sub-μstimes and allows for high-speed nondestructive inspection.

The scientific and technical advances continue to support novel discoveries by allowing scientists to acquire new insights into the structure and properties of matter using new tools and sources. Notably, neutrons are among the most valuable sources in providing such a capability. At the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka, the first steps are taken towards the development of a table-top laser-driven neutron source, capable of producing a wide range of energies with high brightness and temporal resolution. By employing a pure hydrogen moderator, maintained at cryogenic temperature, a cold neutron ( ≤ 25 meV ) flux of ∼ 2 × 10 3 n/cm 2 /pulse was measured at the proximity of the moderator exit surface. The beam duration of hundreds of ns to tens of μ s is evaluated for neutron energies ranging from 100s keV down to meV via Monte-Carlo techniques. Presently, with the upcoming J-EPoCH high repetition rate laser at Osaka University, a cold neutron flux in orders of ∼ 1 × 10 9 n/cm 2 / s is expected to be delivered at the moderator in a compact beamline.

Increasing the laser energy absorption into energetic particle beams represents a longstanding quest in intense laser-plasma physics. During the interaction with matter, part of the laser energy is converted into relativistic electron beams, which are the origin of secondary sources of energetic ions, γ-rays and neutrons. Here we experimentally demonstrate that using multiple coherent laser beamlets spatially and temporally overlapped, thus producing an interference pattern in the laser focus, significantly improves the laser energy conversion efficiency into hot electrons, compared to one beam with the same energy and nominal intensity as the four beamlets combined. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations support the experimental results, suggesting that beamlet interference pattern induces a periodical shaping of the critical density, ultimately playing a key-role in enhancing the laser-to-electron energy conversion efficiency. This method is rather insensitive to laser pulse contrast and duration, making this approach robust and suitable to many existing facilities. Enhanced coupling of laser energy to the target particles is a fundamental issue in laser-plasma interactions. Here the authors demonstrate increased photon absorption leading into higher laser to electron and proton energy transfer through the interference of multiple coherent beamlets.

Background: Global hypomethylation has been suggested to cause genomic instability and lead to an increased risk of cancer. We examined the association between the global methylation level of peripheral blood leukocyte DNA and breast cancer among Japanese women. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case–control study of 384 patients aged 20–74 years with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer, and 384 matched controls from medical checkup examinees in Nagano, Japan. Global methylation levels in leukocyte DNA were measured by LUminometric Methylation Assay. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between global hypomethylation and breast cancer were estimated using a logistic regression model. Results: Compared with women in the highest tertile of global methylation level, ORs for the second and lowest tertiles were 1.87 (95% CI=1.20–2.91) and 2.86 (95% CI=1.85–4.44), respectively. Global methylation levels were significantly lower in cases than controls, regardless of the hormone receptor status of the cancer (all P values for trend <0.05). Interpretation: These findings suggest that the global methylation level of peripheral blood leukocyte DNA is low in patients with breast cancer and may be a potential biomarker for breast cancer risk.

Using one of the world most powerful laser facility, we demonstrate for the first time that high-contrast multi-picosecond pulses are advantageous for proton acceleration. By extending the pulse duration from 1.5 to 6 ps with fixed laser intensity of 10 18  W cm −2 , the maximum proton energy is improved more than twice (from 13 to 33 MeV). At the same time, laser-energy conversion efficiency into the MeV protons is enhanced with an order of magnitude, achieving 5% for protons above 6 MeV with the 6 ps pulse duration. The proton energies observed are discussed using a plasma expansion model newly developed that takes the electron temperature evolution beyond the ponderomotive energy in the over picoseconds interaction into account. The present results are quite encouraging for realizing ion-driven fast ignition and novel ion beamlines.

Cilnidipine, a dual L-/N-type calcium channel blocker, dilates both efferent and afferent arterioles and is renoprotective. Our multi-center, open-labeled, and randomized trial compared the antiproteinuric effect of cilnidipine with that of amlodipine in hypertensive patients with kidney disease. A group of 339 patients, already receiving renin–angiotensin system inhibitor treatment, were randomly assigned to cilnidipine or amlodipine. The primary endpoint was a decrease in the urinary protein to creatinine ratio. After 1-year of treatment, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in both groups which did not differ between them. The urinary protein to creatinine ratio significantly decreased in the cilnidipine compared to the amlodipine group. Cilnidipine exerted a greater antiproteinuric effect than amlodipine even in the subgroup whose blood pressure fell below the target level. This study suggests that cilnidipine is superior to amlodipine in preventing the progression of proteinuria in hypertensive patients when coupled with a renin–angiotensin system inhibitor.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a severe pathology of the heart with poorly understood etiology. Disruption of the gene encoding the negative immunoregulatory receptor PD-1 in BALB/c mice, but not in BALB/cRAG-2-/-mice, caused dilated cardiomyopathy with severely impaired contraction and sudden death by congestive heart failure. Affected hearts showed diffuse deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) on the surface of cardiomyocytes. All of the affected PD-1-/-mice exhibited high-titer circulating IgG autoantibodies reactive to a 33-kilo-dalton protein expressed specifically on the surface of cardiomyocytes. These results indicate that PD-1 may be an important factor contributing to the prevention of autoimmune diseases.

Microwave-mediated N -arylation of 4-chloroquinazolines in THF/H 2 O rapidly and efficiently afforded a library of novel 6-halo-2-phenyl-substituted 4-anilinoquinazolines. The methodology was compatible with numerous ortho- , meta- , and para -substituted N -methylanilines as well as substituted anilines and furnished the corresponding 4-anilinoquinazolines in good yields. Preliminary screening of the synthesized compounds against tumor cells (HCT-116 and T98G) showed promising antiproliferative properties.

•To clarify the status of home care massage services provided to patients.•This will be reference data for the future examination of home care services. To clarify the status of home care massage services provided to patients. This will help in understanding how many patients utilize this service and the circumstances under which treatment is provided. A retrospective study. Fifty-four acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage clinics. Participants were patients who had received home care massage for six months or more. We collected a total of 1587 responses from these 54 massage clinics; of these, 1415 responses (mean age = 79.1 ± 11.5 years) were valid (valid response rate 89.2%). Actual patients and actual care services. The most common disorder observed among patients who utilized home care massage services was cerebrovascular disease (at approximately 36%), while the second most common were arthropathy-related disorders (16.3%). Although most patients received massage, approximately 30% received manual therapy (e.g. manual correction) and hot fomentation as part of thermotherapy. Notably, only around 10% of patients received massage alone; the majority received treatment in combination with range of motion and muscle-strengthening exercises. This study helped to clarify the actual state of patients receiving home care massage and the details of the massage services provided. This study clearly showed the treatment effectiveness of massage, which can be used by home medical care stakeholders to develop more effective interventions.