Female athletes follow a strict diet and perform rigorous exercise to boost their performance, which induces health issues called the female athlete triad (FAT), defined as the combination of disordered eating, amenorrhoea and low bone mineral density. It is known to have a significant effect on bones. However, its effects on the small intestine, which is responsible for nutrient uptake into the body, remain unclear. In this study, we created an animal model of FAT to examine its effects on digestive and absorptive molecules in the small intestine. Thirty 5-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (sd) rats with an initial body weight of about 147 g were divided into control (Con, n = 7), exercise (Ex, n = 7), food restriction (FR, n = 8) and exercise plus food restriction (FAT, n = 8) groups. The rats were subjected to 4 weeks of wheel running (Ex, FAT) and 50–40 % food restriction (FR, FAT) to examine the effects on bone and typical digestive enzymes and transporters in the jejunum. Two-way ANOVA and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used for statistical analysis of normal and non-normal data, respectively. Four weeks of exercise and food restriction decreased bone weight (vs. other group P < 0·01) and bone breaking power (vs. other group P < 0·01). Villus height decreased in the jejunum (vs. other group P < 0·01), but the expression of typical macronutrients digestive enzyme and absorptive molecules remained unchanged. In contrast, sucrase-isomaltase gene (v. Ex P = 0·02) and protein expression were increased (vs. other group P < 0·05). The study findings show that FAT affects sucrase-isomaltase without histone methylation changes.

The accident of the TEPCO Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant occurred by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake on 11 Mar. 2011. It is estimated that totally 1.2-1.5x1016 Bq for 137Cs and 1.5-1.6x1017 Bq for 131I were released until the beginning of Apr. and those radionuclides (RN) were deposited on soil surface and forest etc. widely around Fukushima Pref. This work was carried out as one of the investigations for making the distribution maps of radiation dose rate and soil contaminated by RNs which the MEXT promotes. The Geoslicer investigation on the depth distribution of RNs in soil was performed after 3 months from the accident. The investigation was conducted at 11 locations in Nihonmatsu City, Kawamata Town and Namie Town, and soil samples of depth 50 cm to 1 m were taken. Both of 134Cs and 137Cs were detected in all investigated locations, and 129mTe and 110mAg were detected only in locations where radiation dose rates are high. At many locations investigated, radiocaesium more than 99 % distributed within a depth of 10 cm in soil in the surface layer. On the other hand, RNs tended to distribute to deeper part in soil at locations that are supposed to have been used as farmland than in soil in the surface layer, and radiocaesium more than 99 % in soil at locations that are supposed to have been used as farmland also distributed within a depth of around 14 cm. The apparent diffusion coefficients (Da) of RNs derived from penetration profiles near the surface layer showed a tendency to be higher in soil at locations that are supposed to have been used as farmland (Da=0.1-1.5x10-10 m2/s) than in soil in the surface layer (Da=0.65-4.4x10-11 m2/s), and most Da-values were nearly 10-11 m2/s. The distribution coefficients (Kd) by a batch method were in the range of Kd=2,000-61,000 ml/g for Cs and Kd=0.5-140 ml/g for I. Although the Kd-values are different between cation (Cs+) and anion (I-), the Da-values (134Cs, 137Cs, 129mTe and 110mAg) were similar levels. This is considered to be due to that the Da-values were controlled by dispersion by flow of rain water.

We collected charcoal fragments during an archaeological excavation at the Tell Ghanem al-Ali site, located on the lowest terrace of the middle Euphrates River, and measured their radiocarbon ages with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Two trenches, Square-1 and Square-2, were dug on the slope of the tell; 8 building levels were detected in the Square-2 trench. In total, 31 charcoal samples were collected from the 2 trenches, and their calibrated ages ranged from 3100–2900 cal BC at the lowest building level to 2400–2050 cal BC at the uppermost layers of the mound, and concentrated in the period 2650–2450 cal BC. The pottery fragments collected on the surface of the mound before the excavation survey was started, as well as those collected from the sediment layers during the excavation, were assigned on the basis of typological sequences to the Early Bronze Age (EB)-III and EB-IV periods. Thus, the concentrated dates (2650–2450 cal BC) obtained by 14C dating are consistent with the age estimated by archaeological contexts. However, the oldest dates of the lowest level (level-7) go back to 3100–2900 cal BC, and these dates may suggest the existence of the human residence prior to the EB period at the site, and may therefore lead to a revision of the oldest age limit of the EB period currently accepted in the region.

Nb-Ti-Ni alloy is one of the candidates for hydrogen permeation membranes. The hydrogen permeability of a membrane depends on its thickness, and mechanical properties such as the fracture toughness of the membrane are important to ensure reliability and durability. In the present work, micro-mechanical tests have been carried out for melt-spun Nb-Ti-Ni thin films consisting of amorphous and nano-crystalline phases. The relationship between the mechanical properties of the melt-spun films and the microstructural changes occurring in the films due to heat treatment has been also discussed. The Nb-Ti-Ni alloy thin films were prepared by the melt-spun technique and then heat-treated at 873-1173 K. Micro-sized cantilever specimens with dimensions of 10 × 10 × 50 μm3 were prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) machining. Fracture tests were carried out using a mechanical testing machine for the micro-sized specimens; the testing machine was developed by us. In addition, microstructures were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fracture toughness (KQ) value decreased up to 823 K, and it increased above 1173 K. The specimen heat-treated above 1173 K showed ductile fracture. The fracture morphology of the specimen heat-treated up to 1023 K showed grain boundary fracture characteristics, and that of the specimen heat-treated at 1173 K changed to transgranular fracture.

The development of the wireless transmission monitoring in the geological disposal repository, the underground laboratories, the test facilities and the demonstration area, will present an opportunity to provide greater flexibility and robustness to the confirmation of the barrier performance and therefore safety of repository [1]. So as to realize the wireless transmission monitoring especially in the betonite barrier, RWMC has been researching and developing the wireless data transmission system which uses the very low frequency (VLF: around 1 kHz) electromagnetic wave. In this system, transmitting and receiving is conducted through loop coil antennas. The overall transmission system is digitized and maximum 19 sensors can be connected to one transmitter. Transmission distance can be selected from several meters to several hundred meters.

This paper firstly presents the behavior of VLF electromagnetic wave propagation in the rock mass and the underground facility revealed by the in-situ transmission experiment and the analytical method evaluating the behavior of the VLF electromagnetic field in various environments. Development results of the transmitting antenna and the improvement of the transmission performance are secondly shown. The technical feasibility and the future R&D plan of the wireless monitoring in the repository are also explained.

In order to develop non-Pd based high performance hydrogen permeation alloys, microstructure, crystal structure and hydrogen permeability of duplex phase M-ZrNi (M=V and Ta) alloys were investigated using a scanning electron microscope, an X-ray diffractometer and a gas flow meter. These results were compared with those of Nb-ZrNi ones which have been previously published. The hydrogen permeation was impossible in the V-ZrNi alloys, because they were brittle in the as-cast state. On the other hand, duplex phase alloys consisting of the bcc-(Ta, Zr) solid solution and the orthorhombic ZrNi (Cmcm) intermetallic compound were formed and hydrogen permeable in the Ta-ZrNi system. The Ta40Zr30Ni30 alloy shows the highest value of hydrogen permeability of 4.1×10-8 [molH2m-1s-1Pa-0.5] at 673 K, which is three times higher than that of pure Pd.

The Nb-NiTi eutectic alloys were directionally solidified (DS) in an optical floating zone furnace. Columnar grains of eutectic structures containing rod-shaped Nb in the NiTi matrix is observed in the DS ingots irrespective of the alloy composition. Well-aligned rod-type eutectic microstructures can be obtained for samples with a composition of Nb-41Ni-40Ti grown at relatively slow growth rates below 2.5mm/h. The hydrogen permeability along the direction parallel to the Nb rods of Nb-41Ni-40Ti DS alloy grown at 1mm/h is 2.60×10-8mol H2 m-1 Pa-1/2 at 673K, which is over 20 times higher than that measured perpendicular to the Nb-rod direction. No hydrogen embrittlement is observed between 573 and 673K indicating that the eutectic structure itself is favorable in suppressing the hydrogen embrittlement of Nb.

It has been demonstrated that the as-cast Nb40Ti30Ni30 duplex phase alloy, which consists of the primary (Nb, Ti) solid solution and the fine lamellar type eutectic {TiNi+(Nb, Ti)} phase, shows higher hydrogen permeability ¶ than that of pure Pd without the hydrogen embrittlement at 673K. In this alloy, the eutectic phase contributes to the suppression of the hydrogen embrittlement, while the primary one does mainly to the hydrogen permeation. It is important to note that even if the eutectic microstructure disappears and is replaced by the small spherical (Nb, Ti) phase embedded in the TiNi matrix by rolling and subsequent annealing, its high hydrogen permeability and large resistance to the hydrogen embrittlement are sustained. Furthermore, the present authors have observed that the primary (Nb, Ti) phase is largely elongated along the rolling direction. Consequently, it is expected that rolled and annealed Nb-Ti-Ni alloys show the large anisotropy of the microstructure and the hydrogen permeability. In the present work, the microstructure and hydrogen permeability ¶nof the Nb40Ti30Ni30 alloy after rolling and annealing treatments are examined in order to develop highly hydrogen permeable alloys utilizing the anisotropic microstructure.

The primary (Nb, Ti) phase and the very fine eutectic {TiNi+(Nb, Ti)} phase are observed in the as-cast Nb40Ti30Ni30 alloy by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffractometry (XRD) indicates that this alloy consists of the B2-TiNi intermetallic compounds and the bcc- (Nb, Ti) solid solution. The primary (Nb, Ti) phase is largely elongated along the rolling direction by forging and subsequent rolling at 1173 K. On the other hand, the eutectic microstructure becomes unclear with increasing the rolling reduction. The composite alloys in which the (Nb, Ti) phase is elongated along to the rolling direction are obtained by 69 % rolling reduction. ¶n of this sample is four times higher than that of as-cast one. On the other hand, ¶ for the sample vertical to the rolling direction is reduced to about one third of that of as-cast one. Thus, the hydrogen permeability of the Nb40Ti30Ni30 alloy varies about ten times or more depending on the direction of the primary¡]Nb, Ti¡^ phase. We conclude that it is possible to produce highly hydrogen permeable Nb-Ti-Ni alloys using the anisotropy of the microstructure prepared by hot forging and rolling.

Cold rolling reduction, microstructural changes induced by cold rolling and subsequent heat treatment, hydrogen permeability (Φ) of Nb-Ti-Ni duplex phase alloys have been investigated using a rolling machine, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and a gas flow technique. The Nb-Ti-Ni alloys on the line connecting the TiNi compound and the Nb90Ti10 solid solution alloy show higher rolling reduction of 70 % or more at room temperature. The value of Φ for the Nb40Ti30Ni30 alloy, which is higher than that of pure Pd at 673K, decreases with increasing rolling reduction and attains to one third of that of the original one by the 50 % rolling reduction. The eutectic microstructure consisting of {TiNi+(Nb, Ti)} phases disappears and is replaced by the (Nb, Ti) phase embedded in the TiNi matrix by heat treatment 1073 K or more and for 605ks in a vacuum. However, its Φ value remains as it was by annealing at 1273 K or less, while it increases with increasing annealing periods at 1373 K or more and recovers to the original value after annealing for 605ks. These experimental results indicate that rolling and annealing techniques are the useful method for the preparation of a hydrogen permeable Nb-Ti-Ni alloy membrane.

Microstructure, crystal structure and hydrogen permeability (Φ) of Nb-Ti-Ni alloys on the straight line connecting the compositions of the eutectic and the primary (Nb, Ti) phase have been investigated to develop the alloys showing high hydrogen permeability with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and a gas permeation apparatus, respectively. These alloys consist of the B2-TiNi compound and the bcc- (Nb, Ti) solid solution and are hydrogen permeable when they contain much amount of the eutectic phase. The values of Φ for these alloys increase with increasing temperature and Nb content. The Nb68Ti17Ni15 alloy shows the highest Φ of [molH2m−1s−1Pa−0.5] at 673 K, which is 3.1 times higher than that of pure Pd. The present work demonstrates that the alloys showing the high Φ values are obtained on the straight line connecting the compositions of the eutectic and the primary phase.

Hydrogen absorption and desorption properties of C14 Laves NiTiZr-NiVNb and NiTiZr-NiVZr pseudo-binary alloys were investigated by using the Sieverts' apparatus, XRD and the hydrogen analyzer. The hydrogen capacity and the 50% hydrogen desorption temperature, Td, of the C14 Laves NiTiZr alloy is 1.5 (H/M) and 850 K, respectively. On the other hand, the hydrogen capacity of the C14 NiVNb alloy is 0.2 H/M. In the Ni(TiZr)1−x(VNb)x pseudo-binary system, the hydrogen capacity of the alloys is decreased with increasing x, but the 50% hydrogen desorption temperature is almost constant. The substitution of VNb reduces the hydrogen absorption capacity of the C14 Laves NiTiZr alloy. The hydrogen desorption temperature of Ni(Ti1−xVx)Zr alloy is reduced to 580 K without serious decrease of the hydrogen capacity with increasing x.

Phonon softening was observed in the parent phase of a AuCd alloy which transforms from the β2(B2) parent to ζ2¹(trigonal) martensite. Since Cd strongly absorbs neutrons, the isotope 114Cd was used in preparing the single crystal for the measurements. The [ζζ0]TA2 phonon branch was measured and found to be anomalously low. A minimum is present at ζ=0.35 which softens with decreasing temperature towards Ms. The results are consistent with the model proposed by Ohba et al. based upon a crystallographic study of the ζ2¹ phase.

We studied grain boundaries in calcined and sintered YBa2Cu3Ox transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and found complex Ba-Cu oxides. The complex oxide was polycrystalline and composed of grains smaller than 100 nm in diameter and it often included minor phases rich in Y. Some stoichiomet-ric oxides such as BaCuO2, CuO and BaO were also observed along grain boundaries.