[en] In this paper we perform a new estimate of the high energy neutrinos expected from GRBs associated with the first generation of stars in light of new models and constraints on the epoch of reionization and a more detailed evaluation of the neutrino emission yields. We also compare the diffuse high energy neutrino background from Population III stars with the one from ''ordinary stars'' (Population II), as estimated consistently within the same cosmological and astrophysical assumptions. In disagreement with previous literature, we find that high energy neutrinos from Population III stars will not be observable with current or near future neutrino telescopes, falling below both IceCube sensitivity and atmospheric neutrino background under the most extreme assumptions for the GRB rate. This rules them out as a viable diagnostic tool for these still elusive metal-free stars

[en] Thermally induced structural changes of GeSe₂ glasses have been studied by Raman scattering from room temperature to crystallization temperature. The Raman spectra in the glassy state change with temperature in an almost reversible manner. The degree of the spectral changes differ among samples although the spectra are identical at room temperature. Depending on the degree of the spectral changes, it is found that the GeSe₂ glasses crystallize into three different phases, the β, α, and φ phases ('trifurcated crystallization'). The trifurcated crystallization from apparently the same glassy state is explained in terms of the inhomogeneity in distribution of Ge-Ge 'wrong' bonds

[en] High-energy neutrinos from Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) have been expected since the pre-Swift era. Such signals may be detected by future large neutrino detectors such as IceCube. Recently Swift has shown several novel phenomena. We suggest the new prospects for high-energy neutrino emission in the Swift era. Expected signals, if detected, are useful for revealing of the nature of GRBs

[en] The point spread functions (PSFs), which show the spread of signal in water slabs and metal plates (Al, Cu and W), were calculated with the Monte Carlo method. The parameters were the energy of monoenergetic incident photons (1∼20 MeV), the slab thicknesses (10-30 cm for water slabs and 0.5-5 mm for metal plates), and the air gaps in case of water slabs (0-100 cm). The scatter-to-primary ratios of water slabs and the conversion factors of metal plates are calculated using the calculated results. (author)

[en] The development of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the β₂-stimulant formoterol is described. The sensitivity of the method is 0.1 ng/ml in plasma and urine, when a l-ml sample is used. The cross-reactivity of the antiserum with formoterol glucuronide was 30%. Since formoterol is metabolized extensively to formoterol glucuronide in rats, dogs and human, extraction with ethyl ether prior to the radioimmunoassay was carried out. Satisfactory agreement was obtained for levels of formoterol in plasma and urine when they were determined by RIA and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentration of formoterol was determined in dog plasma and human urine after oral administration of formoterol fumarate to dogs (61 mcg/kg) and humans (40 mcg)

[en] The usefulness of initial phase analysis of DMSA accumulation after bolus injection as an individual renal function test was evaluated by comparing with Kawamura's method (1979) and I-131-hippuran test. Analysis of data obtained in 90 to 180 seconds after bolus injection of DMSA was performed by direct operational method for calculating transfer function. The predicted blood flow ratio had good correlation with observed 2-hr-uptake of DMSA or previously validated measurements of individual renal functions. Our method might be useful as a simple and reliable individual renal function test

[en] The static dielectric constant etasub(s) in Pbsub(1-x)Snsub(x)Te (x = 0 to 0.4) single crystals is determined from a magnetoplasma reflection measurement between 4.2 and 100 K. At high temperatures etasub(s) increases with increasing temperature obeying a Curie law. The Curie constant is practically unchanged for different alloy composition, and the inverse static dielectric constant at 4.2 K decreases linearly with x, going to zero at alloy composition x = 0.35. At x = 0.40, a phase transition is observed at 20 K. The temperature dependence of etasub(s) is explained by anharmonic terms of lattice vibrations. (author)

[en] Direct deposition of Si by a 200 eV Si²⁺ focused ion beam (FIB) on an Au-evaporated substrate was performed in oxygen atmosphere under a pressure of 10^-5 Torr. From Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) measurement, it was found that a large amount of oxygen was incorporated in the deposited material, but clear chemical shift in Si AES signal was not observed. From Raman scattering measurement, two broad signals, as well as large amorphous-Si (a-Si) signals, were observed at about 1000 and 1600 cm^-1. A small and broad signal was also observed at about 1550 cm^-1, which indicates the existence of oxygen molecules inside the deposited material

[en] Temperature dependence of photocarrier density in Pb_1-xSn_xTe (x=0.21-0.35) doped with indium atoms is investigated using magneto-plasma spectroscopy. Measured photocarrier density rapidly increases with decreasing temperature below 20K. The density saturates at near 10K and becomes independent of temperatures below 10K. This dependence shows that thermal and photo- transitions are important. The dependence is quantitantively analyzed within a negative U potential model. (author) 10 refs., 4 figs

[en] The purposes of this paper are, with T1-201 electrocardiographically-gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to develop a new means to analyze left ventricular (LV) function by measuring the systolic thickening rate (STR) of its wall; to attempt clinical application, and evaluate its clinical usefulness. The authors studied 23 patients, including 15 patients with old myocardial infarctions (OMIs), five patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathies (HCMs), and three patients with dilated cardiomyopathies (DCMs); we also studied five normal subjects. The STR was calculated as ([Es-ED pixel counts]/ED pixel counts) with circumferential profile technique of both ED and ES short axial images from apex to base. Functional images were also displayed with the bull's-eye method