We describe field measurements (ground-penetrating radar (GPR), geodetic survey and ice-core drilling) to provide new information on the movement mechanism and internal structure of a polar rock glacier on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. We collected GPR data along longitudinal and transverse profiles. The longitudinal GPR profiles identify inter-bedded debris-rich layers that dip up-glacier, similar to the thrust structures in the compression zone of a valley glacier. The transverse GPR profiles indicate a syncline structure inclined towards the central part of the rock glacier, resembling the transverse foliation of a valley glacier. The stratigraphy of two boreholes shows that the rock glacier consists primarily of bubbly ice with thin debris-rich layers, an internal structure similar to the ‘nested spoons’ structure common in the interior of valley glaciers. These results indicate that the glacier motion is controlled by shear movement, common in valley glaciers. The geodetic survey confirms that flow velocities decrease towards the lower part of the rock glacier. Such heterogeneous movement causes longitudinal compression and forms thrusts which then create the debris-rich layer by uplifting basal ice and debris. Pushing of the upstream ice against the downstream ice bends the surface layers, forming transverse ridges on the rock glacier surface.

Introduction: When countermeasures are taken against an avian influenza (AI) pandemic in a hospital, it is essential to know the potential number of staff who would choose to be absent. The purpose of this study was to clarify how many medical staff would be willing to work during a pandemic, and requirements to secure adequate human resources.

Methods: From September to December 2008, a total of 3,152 questionnaires were sent to five private hospitals and one public hospital, which represent the core hospitals in the regions of Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo Prefectures. Participants consisted of hospital staff including: (1) physicians; (2) nurses; (3) pharmacists; (4) radiological technologists (RTs); (5) physical therapists (PTs); (6) occupational therapists (OTs); (7) clinical laboratory technologists (CLTs); (8) caregivers; (9) office clerks; and (10) others. They were queried about their attitude toward pandemics, including whether they would come to the hospital to work, treat patients, and what kinds of conditions they required in order to work.

Results: A total of 1,975 persons (62.7%) responded. A total of 204 persons (10.6%) would not come to the hospitals during a pandemic, 363 (18.8%) would perform their duties as usual, unconditionally, 504 (26.1%) would come to hospitals but not treat AI patients, and 857 (44.5%) would report to the hospital and treat AI patients with some essential conditions. These essential conditions were: (1) personal protective equipment (PPE) (80.0%); (2) receipt of workmen's compensation (69.3%); (3) receipt of anti-virus medication (58.2%); and (3) receipt of pre-pandemic vaccination (57.8%).

Conclusion: During a pandemic, all types of health professionals would be lacking, not only physicians and nurses. This study indicates that ensuring sufficient medical human resources would be difficult without the provision of adequate safety and compensation measures.

Monodispersed Sc2O3 precursor particles were synthesized by the urea-based homogeneous precipitation method, with an investigation into the effects of supporting anions (NO3−, Cl−, and SO4 2−) on powder properties. Characterizations of the powders were achieved by elemental analysis, x-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. Unlike other rare earths, Sc3+ does not precipitate as basic carbonate but instead forms hydrated γ-ScOOH from either nitrate or chloride solution. Particles of the hydrated γ-ScOOH are pumpkin-shaped (approximately 1.0 μm) and are made up of thin-platelike crystallites emanating from a common axis. The presence of complexing SO42− changes the reaction chemistry toward Sc2O3 powders, leading to basic sulfate [Sc(OH)1.6(SO4)0.7 η H2O] precursor particles having hexagonal morphology (approximately 10 μm in diameter and 0.5 μm in thickness). The hydrated γ-ScOOH directly converts to Sc2O3 by calcination at 400 °C or above, while the basic sulfate transforms to oxide at temperatures ≥ 900 °C via an amorphous state and a Sc2(SO4)3 intermediate. The effect of SO42− on powder morphologies and reaction chemistry is discussed. Nanocrystalline Sc2O3 powders comprising monodispersed particles were obtained via thermal decomposition of the precursors.

A carbonate coprecipitation method was used for the facile synthesis of highly reactive 10 mol%-Y2O3-doped CeO2 (20YDC) nanopowders, employing nitrates as the starting salts and ammonium hydrogen carbonate (AHC) as the precipitant. The AHC/RE3+ (RE = Ce + Y) molar ratio (R) and the reaction temperature (T) significantly affect the final yield and precursor properties, including chemical composition and particle morphology. Suitable processing conditions are T = 60 °C and R = 2.5 to 10, under which precipitation is complete, and the resultant precursors show ultrafine particle size, spherical particle shape, and good dispersion. The thus-processed precursors are basic carbonates with an approximate formula of Ce0.8Y0.2(OH)CO3 · 2H2O, which directly yield oxide solid solutions upon thermal decomposition at a very low temperature of approximately 400 °C. The 20YDC solid-solution powders calcined at 700 °C show excellent reactivity and were densified to >99% of theoretical via pressureless sintering at a very low temperature of 950 °C for 6 h.

Ammonium hydrogen carbonate was used as the precipitant to synthesize yttrium aluminate garnet (YAG) precursors from a mixed solution of aluminum and yttrium nitrates via coprecipitation. The carbonate precursor, with an approximate composition of NH4AlY0.6(CO3)1.9(OH)2 · 0.8H2O, transformed to pure YAG at 900 °C without the formation of intermediate phases. Reactive YAG powder was produced by calcining the precursor at 1100 °C. The YAG powder densified to 99.8% of the theoretical density by vacuum sintering at 1500 °C for 2 h, and the sintered body showed transparency. Less agglomeration of the precursor and good dispersity of the resultant YAG powder were responsible for the excellent sinterability.

A polyimide (PI) surface is analyzed by XPS at each electroless-copper-plating step. Zn ions are adsorbed on the PI surface, and subsequently replaced with Pd ions. Cu is deposited on the PI surface catalyzed by these Pd ions, As the surface concentration of Pd ions increases, the adhesive strength of the plated Cu to the PI surface increases.

In the case of PI fabrication onto a plated Cu, no significant PI degradation is observed.