Sub-micrometre focusing of intense 100 keV X-rays with multilayer reflective optics.

A high-flux sub-micrometre focusing system was constructed using multilayer focusing mirrors in Kirkpatrick-Baez geometry for 100 keV X-rays. The focusing mirror system had a wide bandwidth of 5% and a high peak reflectivity of 74%. Performance was evaluated at the undulator beamline BL05XU of SPring-8, which produced an intense 100 keV X-ray beam with a bandwidth of 1%.

In situ high-pressure pair distribution function measurement of liquid and glass by using 100 keV pink beam.

Understanding the pressure-induced structural changes in liquids and amorphous materials is fundamental in a wide range of scientific fields. However, experimental investigation of the structure of liquid and amorphous material under in situ high-pressure conditions is still limited due to the experimental difficulties. In particular, the range of the momentum transfer (Q) in the structure factor [S(Q)] measurement under high-pressure conditions has been limited at relatively low Q, which makes it difficult to conduct detailed structural analysis of liquid and amorphous material.

Pressure-induced reversal of Peierls-like distortions elicits the polyamorphic transition in GeTe and GeSe.

While polymorphism is prevalent in crystalline solids, polyamorphism draws increasing interest in various types of amorphous solids. Recent studies suggested that supercooling of liquid phase-change materials (PCMs) induces Peierls-like distortions in their local structures, underlying their liquid-liquid transitions before vitrification. However, the mechanism of how the vitrified phases undergo a possible polyamorphic transition remains elusive.

Enhanced Lutein Production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by Overexpression of the Lycopene Epsilon Cyclase Gene.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a well-established microalgal model species with a shorter doubling time, which is a promising natural source for the efficient production of high-value carotenoids. In the microalgal carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, lycopene is converted either into β-carotene by lycopene β-cyclase or into α-carotene by lycopene ε-cyclase (LCYE) and lycopene β-cyclase. In this study, we overexpressed the LCYE gene in C.

Clinical Significance of Cytoplasmic IgE-Positive Mast Cells in Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Cross-linking of antigen-specific IgE bound to the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on the surface of mast cells with multivalent antigens results in the release of mediators and development of type 2 inflammation. FcεRI expression and IgE synthesis are, therefore, critical for type 2 inflammatory disease development. In an attempt to clarify the relationship between eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) and mast cell infiltration, we analyzed mast cell infiltration at lesion sites and determined its clinical significance.

Serum IgG4 as a biomarker reflecting pathophysiology and post-operative recurrence in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Type 2 chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), especially eosinophilic CRS (ECRS), is an intractable upper airway inflammatory disease. Establishment of serum biomarkers reflecting the pathophysiology of CRS is desirable in a clinical setting. As IgG4 production is regulated by type 2 cytokines, we sought to determine whether serum IgG4 levels can be used as a biomarker for CRS.

Intense sub-micrometre focusing of soft X-ray free-electron laser beyond 10 W cm with an ellipsoidal mirror.

Intense sub-micrometre focusing of a soft X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) was achieved by using an ellipsoidal mirror with a high numerical aperture. A hybrid focusing system in combination with a Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror was applied for compensation of a small spatial acceptance of the ellipsoidal mirror. With this system, the soft X-ray FEL pulses were focused down to 480 nm × 680 nm with an extremely high intensity of 8.

Wavefront sensing at X-ray free-electron lasers.

Here a direct comparison is made between various X-ray wavefront sensing methods with application to optics alignment and focus characterization at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). Focus optimization at XFEL beamlines presents unique challenges due to high peak powers as well as beam pointing instability, meaning that techniques capable of single-shot measurement and that probe the wavefront at an out-of-focus location are desirable. The techniques chosen for the comparison include single-phase-grating Talbot interferometry (shearing interferometry), dual-grating Talbot interferometry (moiré deflectometry) and speckle tracking.

Effective protocol for realizing contamination-free X-ray reflective optics.

The surface contamination of reflective X-ray optics has long been a serious problem that degrades beam quality. We evaluated the total organic content at the surface by gas chromatography to clarify the source of contamination. We found that various materials that can become contamination sources are used around the optical elements.

X-ray induced damage of BC-coated bilayer materials under various irradiation conditions.

In this report, we analyse X-ray induced damage of BC-coated bilayer materials under various irradiation geometries, following the conditions of our experiment performed at the free-electron-laser facility SACLA. We start with the discussion of structural damage in solids and damage threshold doses for the experimental system components: BC, SiC, Mo and Si. Later, we analyze the irradiation of the experimentally tested coated bilayer systems under two different incidence conditions of a linearly polarized X-ray pulse: (i) grazing incidence, and (ii) normal incidence, in order to compare quantitatively the effect of the pulse incidence on the radiation tolerance of both systems.

Significance of IgG4-positive cells in severe eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: IgG4 production is regulated by type 2 (IL-4 and IL-13) and regulatory (IL-10) cytokines involved in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We sought to determine the pathophysiological characteristics of IgG4-positive cells in sinonasal tissues in CRS, especially eosinophilic CRS (ECRS).

Methods: IgG4-positive cells in uncinate tissues (UT) and nasal polyps (NP) were examined by immunohistochemistry.

Ellipsoidal mirror for two-dimensional 100-nm focusing in hard X-ray region.

Cutting-edge hard X-ray microscopy strongly depends on sophisticated focusing optics and ultrabright X-ray sources at synchrotron-radiation and X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facilities. These facilities typically provide two-dimensional nanofocusing X-ray beams by combining one-dimensional focusing mirrors. However, single-reflecting two-dimensional focusing mirrors with an ellipsoidal surface, which are well-known to possess high efficiency, have limited microfocusing applications.

IL-22/IL-22R1 signaling regulates the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps via alteration of MUC1 expression.

Background: IL-22 is an IL-10-family cytokine that regulates chronic inflammation. We investigated the role of IL-22 and its receptor, IL-22R1, in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Methods: IL-22 and IL-22R1 protein and mRNA expression in NP and in uncinate tissues (UT) from CRS and non-CRS patients was examined using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively.