X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis of Lead Species Adsorbed on Various Oxides from High pH Solution

Lead dissolved in water must be removed in order not to cause diseases, especially from high pH aqueous solution. Various oxides having high specific surface area are often applied to remove lead in water media. To improve removal ability for lead species, it is necessary to understand the adsorbed structure of lead species on oxides. At first, the adsorption behavior of lead from high pH solution in the presence of Ca2+ and Na+ was compared. Lead and calcium species were adsorbed up to the monolayer, and the adsorption isotherm was analyzed as Langmuir-type adsorption. In the presence of Ca2+, the amount of removed lead was reduced. To clarify this influence of Ca2+, X-ray absorption spectroscopy was adopted. It was for the first time revealed that lead species at pH > 12 and pH < 10.5 differed, and that lead species adsorbed on various oxides had a similar structure.

Distribution of late gadolinium enhancement in various types of cardiomyopathies:Significance in differential diagnosis, clinical features and prognosis

The recent development of cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)techniques has allowed detailed analyses of cardiac function and tissue characterization with high spatial resolution.We review characteristic CMR features in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies(ICM and NICM),especially in terms of the location and distribution of late gadolinium enhancement(LGE).CMR in ICM shows segmental wall motion abnormalities or wall thinning in a particular coronary arterial territory,and the subendocardial or transmural LGE.LGE in NICM generally does not correspond to any particular coronary artery distribution and is located mostly in the mid-wall to subepicardial layer.The analysis of LGE distribution is valuable to differentiate NICM with diffusely impaired systolic function,including dilated cardiomyopathy,end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM),cardiac sarcoidosis,and myocarditis,and those with diffuse left ventricular(LV)hypertrophy including HCM,cardiac amyloidosis and Anderson-Fabry disease.A transient low signal intensity LGE in regions of severe LV dysfunction is a particular feature of stress cardiomyopathy.In arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia,an enhancement of right ventricular(RV)wall with functional and morphological changes of RV becomes apparent.Finally,the analyses of LGE distribution have potentials to predict cardiac outcomes and response to treatments.

Intra-cardiac distribution of late gadolinium enhancement in cardiac sarcoidosis and dilated cardiomyopathy

Cardiac involvement of sarcoid lesions is diagnosed by myocardial biopsy which is frequently false-negative,and patients with cardiac sarcoidosis(CS) who have impaired left ventricular(LV) systolic function are sometimes diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).Late gadolinium enhancement(LE) in magnetic resonance imaging is now a critical finding in diagnosing CS,and the novel Japanese guideline considers myocardial LE to be a major criterion of CS.This article describes the value of LE in patients with CS who have impaired LV systolic function,particularly the diagnostic and clinical significance of LE distribution in comparison with DCM.LE existed at all LV segments and myocardial layers in patients with CS,whereas it was localized predominantly in the midwall of basal to mid septum in those with DCM.Transmural(nodular),circumferential,and subepicardial and subendocardial LE distribution were highly specific in patients with CS,whereas the prevalence of striated midwall LE were high both in patients with CS and with DCM.Since sarcoidosis patients with LE have higher incidences of heart failure symptoms,ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death,the analyses of extent and distribution of LE are crucial in early diagnosis and therapeutic approach for patients with CS.

Prediction of the Site Index for a Subtropical Broad-Leaved Forest on Okinawa Island Using Topographic Factor

Subtropical “Yambaru” forest, situated in the northern part of Okinawa Island of Japan, has a precious ecosystem inhabited by many endemic species. However, this region is also the center for forestry on Okinawa. Therefore, sustainable forestry activities should take into consideration the natural environment. To contribute to sustainable forest management in the region, we conducted prediction of the site index at fine-scale resolution by using multiple regression analysis with easily calculated topographic factors. For the multiple regression analysis with site index as a dependent variable, three topographic factors (the effective relief, openness, and elevation) were adopted as independent variables. Approximately 68% of the variance was explained, and the effective relief was the variable with the greatest influence. This means that it is possible to predict forest productivity at a finer scale of resolution than ever before. For sustainable forest management of sites where environmental conservation and forestry are conflicting, it is useful to estimate the site index at the finest scale of resolution practically available in the field. It might be possible to improve estimation accuracy by examining further environmental factors in the future.