[en] Effects of helium on the mechanical properties of vanadium base binary alloys have been studied using tritium trick technique. Emphasis placed on the effect of atomic size factor of solute atoms. Substantial reduction of ductility was observed by tensile tests at room temperature by helium charging. Strong correlation was observed between apparent solid solution hardening, ductility reduction and atomic size factor of solutes. It is concluded that under-sized solutes strongly trap helium atoms. The distribution and the state of helium obtained by tritium trick technique has been suggested to be very much different from that anticipated for fusion neutron irradiation. Although tritium trick technique offers a unique and interesting way to study the effects of helium, the results should be taken with caution. (author)

[en] Phase (III'): Msub(r)=260.3, monoclinic, P2, a=10.087 (2), b=5.835 (1), c=15.542 (2) A, β=101.71 (2)⁰, V=895.7 A³, Z=4, Dsub(x)=1.930 Mg m^-3, Mo Kα, lambda=0.7107 A, μ=0.60 mm^-1, F(000)=521.84, T=189 +- 7 K, R=0.028 for 2156 unique reflections. Phase (VI): triclinic, P1, a=10.123 (1), b=5.846 (1), c=15.476 (1) A, α=89.98 (1), β=101.78 (1), γ=90.01 (1)⁰, V=896.6 A³, Z=4, Dsub(x)=1.928 Mg m^-3, Mo Kα, lambda=0.7107 A, μ=0.60 mm^-1, F(000)=521.84, T=233 +- 7 K, R=0.035 for 4367 unique reflections. The structures in phases (III') and (VI) have pseudo P2/c symmetry. It has been found that the ferroelectric polarization observed in phase (VI) is mainly caused by the arrangement of the distorted SO₄^2- ions. The polarization along csup(*) is expected to be easily reversed by slightly changing the SO₄^2- geometries. (orig.)

[en] The National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) is proceeding with basic research on magnetic nuclear fusion which is expected to be a perpetual energy source for the future. Because the object of research is a hot plasma, high energy particles which are elements of the plasma generate X-rays. Therefore we administrate the devices and their surroundings in conformity with the Industrial Safety and Health Law to maintain workplace safety. We measure the radiation dose levels regularly, register the employees who are engaged in plasma experiments, and educate them. We also control the handling of non-regulated small sealed sources that are used in the detectors in some cases. This report is on administrative work for radiation safety in the last fiscal year 2012. It includes (1) a report on the establishment of a radiation safety management system, (2) results of radiation dose measurement and monitoring in the radiation controlled area and on the site by using Radiation Monitoring System Applicable to Fusion Experiment (RMSAFE), (3) a report on the establishment of an education and registration system for radiation workers. The report has been published annually. We hope that these reports would be helpful for future safety management at NIFS. (author)

[en] Breast cancer is considered to often involve bone metastasis. Early detection and treatment of bone metastasis are essential in improving the prognosis of this disease. In 47 patients with bone metastasis confirmed with bone scintigraphy, we examined the appearance time of bone metastasis; bone metastasis was frequently observed with the progress of stage, but no association with the appearance time was found. Age was not associated with the incidence of bone metastasis but was found to be closely related to its appearance time. That is to say, patients with breast cancer below 40 years of age showed relatively early bone metastasis. Bone scintigraphy is required every 6 months at least for 3 years after the operation. In patients over 40 years of age, on the other hand, bone scintigraphy is required only once a year but has to be continued for 5 years or more, because they often show relatively late bone metastasis. (author)

[en] We measure the radiation dose levels regularly, register the employees who are engaged in plasma experiments, and educate them. We also control the handling of non-regulated small sealed sources that are used in the detectors in some cases. This report is on administrative work for radiation safety in the last fiscal year 2011. It includes (1) a report on the establishment of a radiation safety management system, (2) results of radiation dose measurement and monitoring in the radiation controlled area and on the site by using radiation Monitoring System Applicable to Fusion Experiment (RMSAFE), (3) a report on the establishment of an education and registration system for radiation workers. The report has been published annually. (J.P.N.)

[en] The electrochemical hydrogen pump properties of the CaZr_0.9In_0.1O_3-α proton conductor were observed under reduced pressure condition in the cathode compartment for the recovery of hydrogen isotopes. The applied voltage between electrodes under reduced pressure condition reduced than that under atmospheric pressure condition, when the hydrogen pump performance was evaluated by direct current method. It is likely that the total pressure in the cathode compartment affects the overall electric resistance. From the impedance spectroscopy analysis, it was suggested that diffusion process in porous electrode was affected by reduced pressure condition. The hydrogen pump performance could be improved under the reduced pressure condition of around few kPa and the reduced pressure condition had an effect on the mass transfer process in the electrode. (author)

[en] Integrated intensities of X-ray Bragg reflections (Ag-Kα radiation) from barium titanate single crystal were measured as a function of temperature above the Curie point of 131.2⁰C. The harmonic and fourth order anharmonic potential parameters for constituent ions were estimated from the thermal vibration amplitude of each ion. Potential parameters are: α(Ba) = 1.018 x 10^-11 erg A^-2, α(Ti) = 0.730 x 10^-11 erg A^-2, α(O) = 0.265 x 10^-11 erg A^-2, α'(O) = 0.999 x 10^-11 erg A^-2, γ(Ba) = 0.055 x 10^-11 erg A^-4, γ(Ti) = 0.679 x 10^-11 erg A^-4, γ(O) = -0.400 x 10^-11 erg A^-4, γ'(O) = 2.99 x 10^-11 erg A^-4; and the Grueneisen constant is 1.22. These values are consistent with suggestions presented in previous neutron diffraction studies by Y. Yamada et al. and J. Harada et al. (author)

[en] Treatment outcomes were analyzed retrospectively for 135 patients with brain metastases, who were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (RS) or whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) at Osaka City General Hospital between January 1994 and September 1996. The major primary site was the lung (74.8%). RS only was administered to 52 patients, WBRT only to 49 patients, and both RS and WBRT to 34 patients. Of the last group, 15 patients received a combination of WBRT and RS within a month of one another (sequential treatment), 19 patients (previously WBRT was administered to 12 patients, RS to 7 patients) were treated with RS or WBRT at the time of metastatic brain tumor recurrence (recurrence treatment). RS was performed with the Leksell Gamma knife (maximum dose range: 17.5-57.5 Gy, median 40 Gy; peripheral dose range was 12.0-28.0 Gy, median 21 Gy). The dose range for WBRT was 30-50 Gy (generally, 1.5 Gy b.i.d. for a total dose of 39 Gy, which was used for WBRT only, and 1.5 Gy b.i.d. for a total dose of 30 Gy for sequential and recurrence treatment). The median survival time for patients receiving RS only was 9 months, for WBRT only 7 months, for sequential treatment was 12 months and for recurrence treatment 19 months. There was no significant difference in survival rate between treatment RS only and WBRT only, but there was a significant difference (p<0.01) between sequential treatment and treatment with WBRT only. The death of 10 of the 61 patients was attributed to CNS progression (16% of all deaths). Improvement of neurologic signs and symptoms was seen in 34 of the 62 patients (54.8%). In the recurrence group, intracranial recurrence outside of the RS volume was seen in three of the six patients who were treated with RS only as the initial treatment. It is concluded that WBRT in conjunction with RS for brain metastases as the initial treatment may be more effective for prolonging survival, especially for cases with no active extracranial disease. (author)

[en] It is not uncommon to observe the dilatation of the pericerebellar fluid space (PCFS) on CT images in patients with subdural hematomas. CT scans of 67 patients with supratentorial subdural hematomas (SDH) proven by surgery were reviewed with respect to the dilatation of the PCFS. The dilatation of the PCFS was seen in 31 patients out of the 67 (46%). In 50 patients without SDH (control group), the dilatation of the PCFS was noted in only 6 (12%). Intrathecal metrizamide CT in 4 patients demonstrated that the PCFS was the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space. Twelve patients were followed with CT 1 to 12 months after the evacuation of the SDH. The dilatation of the PCFS had disappeared in 4, had slightly increased in volume in 2, and remained unchanged in 6. Although the mechanism of the dilatation of the PCFS in the patients with SDH is not clear, it can be postulated that the mechanism is caused by a CSF flow disturbance, compression, or adhesion of the subarachnoid space due to the SDH. We would like to emphasize that the recognition of PCFS dilatation is a clue to make a CT diagnosis of a SDH, particularly a bilateral isodense SDH. (author)

[en] The National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) is proceeding with basic research on magnetic nuclear fusion which is expected to be a perpetual energy source for the future. Because the object of our research is hot plasma of the hydrogen or the helium, high energy electrons which are elements of the plasma generate X-rays. Therefore we administrate the devices and their surroundings in conformity with the Industrial Safety and Health Law and the Act Concerning Prevention from Radiation Hazards due to Radioisotopes, etc. to maintain workplace safety. We measure the radiation dose level regularly, register the employees who are engaged in plasma experiments, and educate them. We also control handling of non-regulated small sealed sources that are used in the detectors in some cases. This report is on administrative works for radiation safety in the last fiscal year 2014. It includes (1) a report on the establishment of a radiation safety management system, (2) results of radiation dose measurement and monitoring in the radiation controlled area and on the site by using Radiation Monitoring System Applicable to Fusion Experiment (RMSAFE), and (3) a report on the establishment of an education and registration system for radiation workers. The report has been published annually. We hope that these reports would be helpful for future safety management at NIFS. (author)