Growth of c-axis-oriented superconducting KFe₂As₂ thin films.

KFe2As2, an iron-based superconductor, is expected to exhibit large spin Hall conductivity, and fabrication of high-quality thin films is requisite for evaluation of this effect and application to spintronics devices. Thin-film growth of KFe2As2 is difficult because of two intrinsic properties; its extremely hygroscopic nature and the high vapor pressure of potassium. We solved these issues by combining room-temperature pulsed laser deposition using K-rich KFe2As2 targets with thermal crystallization in KFe2As2 powder after encapsulation in an evacuated silica-glass tube with all of the processes conducted in a vacuum chamber and a dry Ar atmosphere in a glovebox.

Functional characterization of 21 CYP2C19 allelic variants for clopidogrel 2-oxidation.

Genetic variations in cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) contribute to interindividual variability in the metabolism of therapeutic agents such as clopidogrel. Polymorphisms in CYP2C19 are associated with large interindividual variations in the therapeutic efficacy of clopidogrel. This study evaluated the in vitro oxidation of clopidogrel by 21 CYP2C19 variants harboring amino acid substitutions.

Characteristic coordination structure around Nd Ions in sol-gel-derived Nd-Al-codoped silica glasses.

Al codoping can improve the poor solubility of rare-earth ions in silica glasses. However, the mechanism is not well understood. The coordination structure around Nd ions in sol-gel-derived Nd-Al-codoped silica glasses with different Al content was investigated by optical and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies.

Crossover between magnetism and superconductivity in LaFeAsO with low H-doping level.

By making a systematic study of the hydrogen-doped LaFeAsO system by means of dc resistivity, dc magnetometry, and muon-spin spectroscopy, we addressed the question of universality of the phase diagram of rare-earth-1111 pnictides. In many respects, the behaviour of LaFeAsO(1-x)H(x) resembles that of its widely studied F-doped counterpart, with H(-) realizing a similar (or better) electron doping in the LaO planes. In an x = 0.

Efficacy and safety of garenoxacin tablets on bacterial pneumonia: postmarketing surveillance in Japan.

We performed a postmarketing surveillance study to determine the efficacy and safety of the oral quinolone antibacterial agent, garenoxacin (Geninax(®) Tablets 200 mg), against bacterial pneumonia. Between October 2009 and March 2011, patients with community-acquired pneumonia visited 174 facilities in Japan; we collected survey forms from 739 patients of these patients who were suspected with bacterial pneumonia on the basis of factors, e.g.

Efficacy and safety of garenoxacin tablets on clinically diagnosed atypical pneumonia: postmarketing surveillance in Japan.

We performed a postmarketing surveillance study to determine the efficacy and safety of the oral quinolone antibacterial agent garenoxacin (Geninax(®) Tablets 200 mg) against atypical pneumonia. Between October 2009 and July 2011, patients with community-acquired pneumonia visited 26 facilities in Japan; we collected survey forms from 105 of these patients who were suspected of having atypical pneumonia based on the Japanese Respiratory Society Guidelines for the Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults. We examined the safety in 105 patients and the efficacy in 71 patients.

Layered compounds BaM2Ge4Ch6 (M = Rh, Ir and Ch = S, Se) with pyrite-type building blocks and Ge-Ch heteromolecule-like anions.

The structures and chemical features of layered compounds BaM2Ge4Ch6 (M = Rh, Ir; Ch = S, Se) synthesized by high-pressure and high-temperature methods have been systematically studied. These compounds crystallize in an orthorhombic phase with space group Pbca (No. 61).

Hydrogen ordering and new polymorph of layered perovskite oxyhydrides: Sr₂VO(4-x)H(x).

Compositionally tunable vanadium oxyhydrides Sr2VO(4-x)H(x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.01) without considerable anion vacancy were synthesized by high-pressure solid-state reaction. The crystal structures and their properties were characterized by powder neutron diffraction, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, thermal desorption spectroscopy, and first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Thin film growth of Fe-based superconductors: from fundamental properties to functional devices. A comparative review.

Fe-based superconductors bridge a gap between MgB2 and the cuprate high temperature superconductors as they exhibit multiband character and transition temperatures up to around 55 K. Investigating Fe-based superconductors thus promises answers to fundamental questions concerning the Cooper pairing mechanism, competition between magnetic and superconducting phases, and a wide variety of electronic correlation effects. The question addressed in this review is, however, is this new class of superconductors also a promising candidate for technical applications? Superconducting film-based technologies range from high-current and high-field applications for energy production and storage to sensor development for communication and security issues and have to meet relevant needs of today’s society and that of the future.

The scalable pinacol coupling reaction utilizing the inorganic electride [Ca2N](+)·e(-) as an electron donor.

The scalable pinacol coupling reaction is realized utilizing the inorganic electride [Ca2N](+)·e(-) as an electron donor in organic solvents. The bond cleavages of the [Ca2N](+) layers by methanol play a vital role in transferring anionic electrons to electrophilic aldehydes, accompanying the formation of Ca(OMe)2 and ammonia.

Total synthesis of syringolin A and improvement of its biological activity.

The development process for syringolin A analogues having improved proteasome inhibitory and antitumor activity is described. The strategy was to first establish a convergent synthesis of syringolin A using a rare intramolecular Ugi three-component reaction in the last stage of the synthesis, so as to gain access toa set of structure-based analogues. The inhibitory activity of chymotrypsin-like activity of 20S proteasome was largely improved by targeting the S3 subsite of the β5 subunit.

Hydride ions in oxide hosts hidden by hydroxide ions.

The true oxidation state of formally 'H(-)' ions incorporated in an oxide host is frequently discussed in connection with chemical shifts of (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as they can exhibit values typically attributed to H(+). Here we systematically investigate the link between geometrical structure and chemical shift of H(-) ions in an oxide host, mayenite, with a combination of experimental and ab initio approaches, in an attempt to resolve this issue. We demonstrate that the electron density near the hydrogen nucleus in an OH(-) ion (formally H(+) state) exceeds that in an H(-) ion.

Electric double-layer transistor using layered iron selenide Mott insulator TlFe1.6Se2.

A(1-x)Fe(2-y)Se2 (A = K, Cs, Rb, Tl) are recently discovered iron-based superconductors with critical temperatures (Tc) ranging up to 32 K. Their parent phases have unique properties compared with other iron-based superconductors; e.g.

Enhanced N2 dissociation on Ru-loaded inorganic electride.

Electrides, i.e. salts in which electrons serve as anions, are promising materials for lowering activation energies of chemical reactions.

Assessment of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia.

Rapid diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia is required for timely treatment with effective antibiotics; however, PCR-based methods are often too expensive and technologically intensive for general use in clinical practice. In this study, the efficacy of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for diagnosis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in clinical practice was prospectively evaluated.

Magnetic structure and electromagnetic properties of LnCrAsO with a ZrCuSiAs-type structure (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd).

We report the synthesis, structure, and electromagnetic properties of Cr-based layered oxyarsenides LnCrAsO (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) with a ZrCuSiAs-type structure. All LnCrAsO samples showed metallic electronic conduction. Electron doping in LaCrAsO by Mn-substitution for the Cr sites gave rise to a metal-insulator transition.

Detection of antiferromagnetic ordering in heavily doped LaFeAsO(1-x)H(x) pnictide superconductors using nuclear-magnetic-resonance techniques.

We studied double superconducting (SC) domes in LaFeAsO(1-x)H(x) by using 75As and 1H nuclear-magnetic-resonance techniques and unexpectedly discovered that a new antiferromagnetic (AF) phase follows the double SC domes on further H doping, forming a symmetric alignment of AF and SC phases in the electronic phase diagram. We demonstrated that the new AF ordering originates from the nesting between electron pockets, unlike the nesting between electron and hole pockets, as seen in the majority of undoped pnictides. The new AF ordering is derived from the features common to high-Tc pnictides; however, it has not been reported so far for other high-Tc pnictides because of their poor electron doping capability.

Pathophysiologic basis of anorexia: focus on the interaction between ghrelin dynamics and the serotonergic system.

Anorexia is an important issue in the management of elderly patients with cancer because it contributes to the development of malnutrition, increases morbidity and mortality, and negatively affects patients' quality of life. This review summarizes the potential mechanisms of the development of anorexia in three animal models that mimic the situations commonly seen in elderly patients receiving chemotherapy. Cisplatin-induced anorexia is attributable to a decrease in peripheral and central ghrelin secretion caused by the stimulation of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT)2B and 5-HT2C receptors via 5-HT secretion.

Activation and splitting of carbon dioxide on the surface of an inorganic electride material.

Activation of carbon dioxide is the most important step in its conversion into valuable chemicals. Surfaces of stable oxide with a low work function may be promising for this purpose. Here we report that the surfaces of the inorganic electride [Ca24Al28O64](4+)(e(-))4 activate and split carbon dioxide at room temperature.

Indium-based ultraviolet-transparent electroconductive oxyfluoride InOF: ambient-pressure synthesis and unique electronic properties in comparison with In2O3.

A method for the synthesis of single-phase powdered InOF under ambient pressure has been developed. The method involves pyrolysis of a hydrate of InF3 in an O2 atmosphere of controlled humidity. Various intermediate phases were formed during the pyrolysis, and their structures and interconversions were analyzed.

Superconductivity in defective pyrite-type iridium chalcogenides Ir(x)Ch2 Ch = Se and Te.

We report superconductivity in defective pyrite-type iridium chalcogenides Ir(x)Ch2 (Ch = Se and Te). Maximum values of T(c) of 6.4 K for Ir(0.

T(c) maximum in solid solution of pyrite IrSe2-RhSe2 induced by destabilization of anion dimers.

We have established a well-defined dome-shaped T(c) curve in Ir(0.94-x)Rh(x)Se(2) superconductors. The maximum T(c)(onset) of 9.

Ammonia synthesis using a stable electride as an electron donor and reversible hydrogen store.

Industrially, the artificial fixation of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia is carried out using the Haber-Bosch process, but this process requires high temperatures and pressures, and consumes more than 1% of the world's power production. Therefore the search is on for a more environmentally benign process that occurs under milder conditions. Here, we report that a Ru-loaded electride [Ca(24)Al(28)O(64)](4+)(e(-))(4) (Ru/C12A7:e(-)), which has high electron-donating power and chemical stability, works as an efficient catalyst for ammonia synthesis.