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Visuomotor adaptation is a form of motor learning that enables accurate limb movements in the presence of altered environmental or internal conditions. It requires updating the mapping between visual input and motor output, and can occur when learning a new device/tool or during rehabilitation after neurological injury. In either case, it is desirable to stabilize, or consolidate, this visuomotor memory for long-term usage. However, reactivation of a consolidated memory, whether it is motor-based or not, is thought to render it temporarily fragile again, and thus susceptible to interference or modification. Here, we determined if visuomotor memories demonstrate long-term retention but are fragile once reactivated. We used prism lenses to create a novel visuomotor mapping, which participants learned while having to walk and step to the center of targets. We re-tested this memory after one week and one year. We found that the mapping is retained for at least one year, regardless of whether participants were exposed to an interfering (i.e., opposing) mapping in the first session. We also found that presenting an opposing mapping in a block of trials following reactivation of the memory one year later did not disrupt subsequent performance when we re-tested the original memory. Our results suggest that these visuomotor memories are stored for extended periods of time and have limited fragility. Taken together, our results highlight the robustness of visuomotor memories associated with walking.

We report a very rare case of pulmonary chromomycosis caused by Scedosporium prolificans that developed after lung transplantation and was successfully treated with endobronchial topical amphotericin B instillation. The subject was a woman in her 50s with a history of bilateral lobar lung transplantation from living donors for idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. Eight years after the lung transplantation, chest radiography X-ray and computed tomography showed an abnormal shadow in the right lung. Bronchoscopic findings showed obstruction by a fungal component at the laterobasal bronchus B9. She was diagnosed with pulmonary chromomycosis after S. prolificans was detected in the bronchial aspirate. Systemic antifungal treatment with itraconazole was ineffective. Therefore, we administered topical amphotericin B weekly via endobronchial instillation and replaced oral itraconazole with voriconazole. The endobronchial procedure was safe and tolerable. Bronchial obstruction improved after three 3 instillations. We continued topical amphotericin B instillation once every 3 months for 2 years, and the abnormal shadow nearly disappeared. This case report describes infection by S. prolificans, which rarely becomes an etiologic agent in lung transplant patients, and shows that endobronchial topical amphotericin B instillation is a therapeutic option when systemic antifungal treatment is ineffective.

CANDLES is the project to search for neutrino-less double beta decay ( 0νββ ) of 48 Ca. The observation of 0νββ will prove existence of a massive Majorana neutrino. For the 0νββ measurement, we need a low background condition because of a low decay rate of 0νββ . Now we installed the CANDLES III system at the Kamioka underground laboratory. The CANDLES III system realizes the low background condition by a characteristic structure and data analyses for background rejection. Here we report performances of the CANDLES III system.

In order to measure neutron flux and energy in the presence of high-intensity background gamma rays, a new nuclear emulsion based on a non-sensitized OPERA film was synthesized, which had small AgBr grain sizes of 60, 90 and 160 nm. The sensitivity of this new emulsion, which is described in terms of the stopping power and grain density, was estimated experimentally by neutron irradiation at several energies. The response of the emulsion to gamma-ray-induced electrons was also simulated and the results were compared with experimental data obtained using a 60 Co gamma source. The results indicated that each AgBr grain has a threshold energy that must be deposited before the AgBr can develop into metallic Ag. Based on these results, the efficiency of the new emulsion in detecting gamma rays and neutrons was evaluated.

To visualise the distribution of the electric property of solar cells, we developed a differential conductivity mapping system using high-TC (HTS-) superconductor SQUID with a normal conducting pick-up coil. The bias ac voltage with an offset voltage was applied to a solar panel made from amorphous silicon, and the normal component of the generated magnetic field was lock-in-detected. Thus the measured signal was converted to dB/dV properties, which are inverse-proportional to the differential resistivity, as the function of the offset voltage. By scanning the pick-up coil across the panel surface, we obtained the distribution of dB/dV properties across the solar panel was obtained by scanning the pick-up coil across the panel surface. The distribution of dB/dV on the panel differed between when the light source was on and when it was off. This result suggests that the proposed system is a potential tool for diagnosing the electric properties of solar cells.

Summary This study examined the immediate effects of wrapped warm footbaths (WW Footbath) on the autonomic, neuroimmunological and psychological activities in healthy middle-aged volunteers. Thirteen subjects were divided into a footbath group ( n =7) and a control group ( n =6). Immediate changes in autonomic activities were recorded with wavelet analysis of heart rate variability. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and serum cortisol levels were used as neuroimmunological parameters. Psychological conditions were measured using a Visual Analog Scale. Parasympathetic activity tended to increase and sympathetic activity decrease after footbaths. Results Changes in the relaxation indices, that is, sIgA and serum cortisol levels showed that both lying down and footbath resulted in a relaxed state. Conclusion: WW Footbaths can be an effective method of relaxation, since it induces both a significant increase in parasympathetic activity and significant decrease in sympathetic activity.

Several lines of evidence suggest that extracellular ATP plays a role in pain signaling through the activation of ionotropic P2X-receptors, especially homomeric P2X3- and heteromeric P2X2/3-receptors on capsaicin-sensitive and -insensitive primary afferent neurons, respectively, at peripheral and spinal sites. We investigated the mechanisms of the induction and maintenance of mechanical allodynia produced by a single intrathecal (i.t.) administration of ATP in rats. We found that i.t. administration of ATP and the P2X-receptor agonist alpha,beta-methylene-ATP produced tactile allodynia which lasted more than 1 week. The i.t. ATP- and alpha,beta-methylene-ATP-produced long-lasting allodynia remained in neonatal capsaicin-treated adult rats. I.t. administration of a P2X3/P2X2/3-receptor selective antagonist completely prevented the induction (co-administration on day 0) and partially attenuated the early phase (day 1 post-ATP administration), but not the late phase (day 7 post-ATP administration) of maintenance of allodynia. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 completely prevented the induction phase, but not the early and late phases of maintenance of allodynia. Immunohistochemical and immunoblotting studies for microglial and astrocytic markers revealed that i.t. ATP administration caused spinal microglial activation within 1 day, and astrocytic activation which peaked at 1-3 days after ATP administration. Furthermore, minocycline, a microglial inhibitor, attenuated the induction but not the early and late phases of maintenance, while fluorocitrate, a glial metabolic inhibitor, attenuated the induction and the early phase but not the late phase of maintenance. Taken together, these results suggest that the activation of P2X-receptors, most likely spinal P2X2/3-receptors on capsaicin-insensitive primary afferent neurons, triggers the induction of long-lasting allodynia through NMDA receptors, and the induction and early maintenance phase, but not the late phase, is mediated through the functions of spinal glial cells.

The orientation and size dependence on structural stability in Si nanowires (Si NWs) are investigated by using total-energy calculation based on a transferable-tight-binding (TB) model. The calculated nanowire (NW) cohesive energy for various shapes grown along 〈1 1 0〉, 〈1 1 2〉, and 〈1 1 1〉 directions with a diameter of ∼4 nm shows that the hexagonal shape is preferable over the rectangle shapes. Furthermore, the cohesive energy in the hexagonal shape for diameter less than 6 nm demonstrates that the NWs oriented along the 〈1 1 2〉 direction is stable, consistent with experimental observation of Si NWs fabricated by the oxide-assisted growth (OAG). The stability of reconstructed surface in Si NWS is found to be interpreted as the sequence of surface energy, γ {1 0 0} γ {1 1 1} γ {3 1 1} γ {1 1 0}, qualitatively consistent with experiments. These results imply that our approach provide firm theoretical framework to clarify the structural trends in Si NWs.

Viscosity of Zr 55 Cu 30 Al 10 Ni 5 and Zr 50 Cu 40− x Al 10 Pd x ( x = 0, 3 and 7 at.%) supercooled liquid alloys having bulk metallic glass forming ability has been measured by using a penetration viscometer with a cylindrical probe under high speed heating conditions at heating rates between 20 and 400 K/min in the temperature range from the glass transition temperatures ( T g ) up to above the crystallization temperatures. Effect of Pd addition on the viscosity of Zr-base supercooled liquid alloys has been also examined. The viscosity of these alloys decreased with increasing the heating rate and tended to saturate at the heating rate of 200 K/min and above. These viscosities can be well represented by the Arrhenius relation. The activation energy for viscous flow for Zr 55 Cu 30 Al 10 Ni 5 supercooled liquid alloys was about 350 kJ/mol. In the Zr 50 Cu 40− x Al 10 Pd x ( x = 0, 3 and 7 at.%) alloys, the viscosities increased with increasing the Pd-content, while the activation energy for viscous flow decreased from 337 to 276 kJ/mol.

Many changes were made in the recent upgrade of the experimental fast reactor JOYO to the MK-III design. The core changes which were made to achieve a four-fold increase in irradiation capacity includes the introduction of a second enrichment zone, an increase in core radius and a decrease in core height. Performance tests done at low power, during the rise to power, and at full power, which focus on the neutronics characteristics, are presented. These tests include the nuclear instrumentation system response, the approach to criticality and excess reactivity evaluation, control rod worth calibrations, isothermal temperature coefficient evaluation, the calibration of the nuclear instrumentation system with reactor thermal power, and the burn-up reactivity coefficient. The measurements and comparisons with calculated predictions are shown. The design predictions are consistent with the performance test results, and all technical safety specifications are satisfied. The JOYO MK-III core will provide enhanced irradiation testing capability, as well as serve as a test bed for improving fast reactor operation, performance, and safety. Through the performance test evaluation, the core characteristics of a small size sodium cooled fast reactor with a hard neutron spectrum are clarified.

The viscosity of Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 supercooled liquid alloys having bulk metallic glass forming ability was measured using a penetration viscometer with a cylindrical probe under at heating rates as high as 400 °C/min. Viscosity decreased with an increase in the heating rate and tended to saturate at 200 °C/min and above. This may partly indicate a decrease in the oxygen contamination from the measuring atmosphere and partly due to differences in structural relaxation during heating at various rates. The viscosity of these alloys can be well represented by an Arrhenius relation. The activation energies for viscous flow with various heating rates were all at values of about 340–350 kJ/mol. Viscosity follows a Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) relationship over the entire temperature range.

The thermal fluctuation of the kinks formed at the monoatomic step edges on the Si(111) 7×7 surface was studied by high-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. The temperature dependence of the mean square displacements of kink positions indicates that the displacements are a thermal activation process with an apparent activation energy of 1.17±0.1 eV. Although the direct-current induces surface adatom migration along the current direction, a kink fluctuation anisotropy due to the Ehrlich–Schwobel barrier of the adatom drift across the step was not observed.

8-Oxoguanine (8-oxoG) is a major oxidative lesion produced in DNA by normal cellular metabolism or after exposure to exogenous sources such as ionizing radiation. Persistence of this lesion in DNA causes G to T transversions, with deleterious consequences for the cell. As a result, several repair processes have evolved to remove this lesion from the genome. It has been reported that 8-oxoG is subject to transcription-coupled repair (TCR), a process dedicated to removal of lesions from transcribed strands of expressed genes. A current model assumes that RNA polymerase arrest at the site of the lesion is required for initiation of TCR. As a first step to understand how TCR of 8-oxoG occurs, we have studied the effect of 8-oxoG on transcription elongation by T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) and rat liver RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). We have utilized an in vitro transcription system with purified RNA polymerase and initiation factors, and substrates containing a single 8-oxoG in the transcribed or in the non-transcribed strand downstream of the T7 promoter or the Adenovirus major late promoter. We found that 8-oxoG only slightly inhibited T7 RNAP transcription, with a readthrough frequency of up to 95%. Similarly, this lesion only transiently blocked transcription by RNAPII. However, changes in nucleotide concentration affected the extent of RNAPII blockage at the 8-oxoG. When this lesion was positioned in the non-transcribed strand, complete lesion bypass was observed with either polymerase. Binding of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae MSH2-MSH6 complex to 8-oxoG containing substrates did not increase the frequency of RNAPII arrest at the site of the lesion, suggesting that this complex was displaced by the elongating polymerase. These results are discussed in the context of possible models for TCR.

An offset of a straight step, called a kink, is occasionally formed on semiconductor surfaces. The motion of the kink on the Si(1 1 1) 7×7 surface in the [ 1 1 2 ] step was studied in detail by high-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and thermal fluctuations of the kink displacement along the step edges was observed. The kink displacement did not diverge with time, suggesting that a restoring force acts on the kink. The displacement, however, could be clearly represented by the gaussian distribution and it was therefore considered to be a Brownian particle. The temperature dependence of the mean square displacement of the kink position showed that the displacement is a thermal activation process with an apparent activation energy of 1.54±0.1 eV. From the equation of motion on the kink displacement including an incoming and outgoing flux as a fluctuation source, the phenomenological Langevin equation was derived. The activation energy of the kink displacement is related to the diffusion coefficient of the two-dimensional adatom gas and the latent heat of the atoms from the kink site to the surface adatom.

Microstructures of duplex-phase C40/C11 b silicides from combinations of NbSi 2 , VSi 2 or TiSi 2 with MoSi 2 were investigated focusing on formation and alignment of lamellae. The lamellar structure was formed by zone melting and subsequent appropriate heat treatment for all combinations, but oriented lamellae were obtained only in NbSi 2 /MoSi 2 duplex crystals. The oriented lamellar structure satisfied the crystallographic relationship of (0001) C40 //(110) C11b , 1 2 1 0 ] C40 //[1 1 0] C11b and 1 0] C40 //[001] C11b , resulting in formation of three variants of the C11 b phase and two kinds of boundary: a type of C11 b /C11 b grain boundary and a type of C11 b /C40 phase boundary. Further annealing induced coarsening of both phases and changed the crystallographic relation due to relaxation of misfit strain at boundaries.

Category: Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: Open surgery of the sole of the foot requires an extensive amount of soft tissue to be dissected. In recent years, various types of endoscopic surgery for the sole of the foot have been reported, making it possible to dynamically evaluate and treat plantar lesions with a small skin incision and minimal dissection. However, there have also been reports of complications involving plantar nerve injury. A good knowledge of the plantar nerve anatomy is crucial for safe endoscopic surgery of the sole. We aimed to anatomically dissect the soles of cadaveric feet to investigate the safe zones for plantar portals. Methods: We studied 36 feet of 24 cadavers. The soft tissue of the sole was dissected, and the relationships between the plantar nerve and flexor digitorum longus tendon, flexor hallucis longus tendon and peroneus longus tendon were studied. The plantar nerve course was digitally imaged and uploaded into Image J software to determine the nerve position. The back of the calcaneus, the medial side of the base of M (Metatarsal) 1, the medial side of the head of M1, the lateral side of the head of M5, and the proximal tip of M5 were plotted and defined as A, B, C, D, and E respectively on Image J. The nerve courses were plotted on AB, BE, and CD, and the percentage at which they were positioned on the line segment was calculated. Next, the bifurcation positions of each nerve were plotted and measured to the defined line segments. Results: No major differences were noted in the course of the medial plantar nerve and lateral plantar nerve. The medial plantar nerve and lateral plantar nerve ran between B and E, at 32.4% ± 4% and 61.2%± 5.1% respectively from B. No plantar arteries were found to run between the medial plantar nerve and lateral plantar nerve on BE. Taking mean and standard deviation values into account, no neurovascular structure existed from 36.4% to 56.1% along a line between the medial aspect of the base of M1 to the proximal tip of M5. The flexor digitorum longus tendon and peroneus longus tendon passed through the deep layer of this region. Conclusion: We believe this region to be a safe zone for creating plantar endoscopic portal. The plantar central portal can be created at the center of the sole. An approach from the plantar central portal to the flexor digitorum longus tendon, flexor hallucis longus tendon, and peroneus longus tendon with the plantar lateral portal, posteromedial portal, and toe portal allows for a greater range of vision and treatment options and may further advance endoscopic surgery of the sole.

The authors discuss the comparison of aramid (Technora by Teijin)/epoxy and glass/epoxy composites for multi-layer PWB (Printed Wiring Boards) in relation to blind via laser drilling. A CO2 laser with a maximum attainable power of 100 W is used. The spot diameter is 0.3 mm. The layer build up has a thickness of 0.3 mm with the outer copper etched. The blind vias are formed by laser irradiation from the outer layer side, since the base copper foil (inner copper thickness 18 μm) tends to reflect light strongly below the ablation threshold of copper. First, SEM observations of rim quality were carried out. The surface appears uneven due to melted glass fibers when using glass/epoxy materials, while it exhibits little residual fibers when aramid/epoxy materials are used. Second, conditions which are promising for the formation of blind via holes were researched. It was found that a few pulses with irradiation time of 0.5–2.0 ms per pulse are needed for completing a blind via hole. However, it was shown that only half the number of pulses is required with an aramid/epoxy composite. The reduction in fabrication time is significant, since a typical multi-layer panel has thousands of via holes. Finally, it is clear that the laser-drilled via hole has a uniform taper to the sidewall. There is better metallization with this type of hole than one with no taper of the sidewall. Additionally, the surface roughness on the sidewall is smaller with an aramid/epoxy composite than a glass/epoxy one. Therefore, the laser via formation method for multi-layer PWBs of aramid/epoxy is also effective from the viewpoint of plating reliability in circuit registration.

Fifty-megawatt high-power klystrons in the KEK electron linac have used a larger diameter cathode of 85 mm. Stable operation requires a careful manufacturing process of the cathode and a low-gradient gun design. Therefore, the klystron manufacturing, including a cathode processing, has been improved so as to obtain stable performance. This paper presents the klystron improvements associated with using the BI cathode and klystron operation statistics for the past 17 years.

This study presents the results of fine needle aspiration cytology in a series of 26 consecutive children with neuroblastic tumours. The cytological spectrum varied from undifferentiated small tumour cells to mature ganglion cells in a fibrillar background. In 24 children with neuroblastic tumours at onset the cytological diagnosis was correct in 21 cases, whereas two aspirates yielded nondiagnostic necrotic material and a fibrillar material without tumour cells, respectively. One necrotic lymph node aspirate was initially incorrectly diagnosed as lymphoma, but the diagnosis was later revised to neuroblastoma. Suspected signs of disease progression or relapses were confirmed ( n =9) or ruled out ( n =1) using aspiration cytolology. The diagnostic accuracy in the complete series was 97% (31/32) in cases with adequate smears. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the cytological diagnosis in 14 of 15 cases and was decisive in one. Elevated catecholamine metabolites in urine was detected in all children with a cytological diagnosis of neuroblastoma. General anaesthesia was only performed when coincidental invasive investigations ( n =13) were to be carried out or if the aspiration was intrathoracic ( n =6). It is concluded that aspiration cytology in conjunction with immunocytochemistry offers a safe, rapid and accurate diagnostic method which may be useful, together with analyses of catecholamine metabolites in urine, in the clinical management of children with neuroblastic tumours.

A high-pressure (10 torr atmosphere) microwave plasma was generated in a cavity resonator by using carbon materials [reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC)]. In order to investigate the effect of external parameters, the plasma parameters were measured with both probe and optical methods. The results indicated that this plasma was in non-equilibrium state (Te≫Tg). The metastable argon atoms and thermal electrons are considered as the important elements in generating this plasma and they were measured by the resonant optical absorption method and by the single probe method, respectively. The electron saturation current with RVC was larger than without it, and the RVC temperature was estimated to be about 2400 K from the Richardson–Dushman equation. The concentration of argon metastable atoms was of the order of 1010 cm−3 and increased slightly with the argon gas flow.

[3H]Serotonin (5-HT) uptake by synaptosomes of rat brain was dose-dependently inhibited by nitric oxide (NO) donors such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3-(2-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-nitrosohydrazino)-N-methyl-1-propanamin e, 3-morpholinosydnonimine and S-nitroso-L-cysteine (NO-CYS). The inhibitory effect was blocked by reduced hemoglobin. The effect was not mimicked by ferrocyanide and ferricyanide. 8-Bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-bromo cGMP) did not affect [3H]5-HT uptake into rat cortical synaptosomes. The reduced activity of [3H]5-HT uptake into the cortical synaptosomes pretreated with NO-CYS was partially reversed by washing the preparation after the treatment. Kinetic analysis showed that NO-CYS (100 microM) decreased the Vmax value without any change in the Km value. NO-CYS did not affect the specific binding of [3H]paroxetine, a ligand that binds to the 5-HT transporter, in membranes. NO-CYS and SNP, like iodoacetic acid and sodium cyanide, decreased the ATP content in cortical synaptosomes, but the effect on ATP content was not related to that on [3H]5-HT uptake. These findings suggest that NO inhibits reversibly [3H]5-HT uptake into rat brain synaptosomes without affecting the recognition site of the 5-HT transporter in a cGMP-independent manner, and the observed effect is not due to its metabolic effect.

The Quantum Functional Device (QFD) project started in fiscal year (FY) 1991 as a ten-year project. The mission of this QFDs project is to develop novel devices for information processing which control quantum phenomena to realize low power consumption, and high-speed and multi-functional operation. The participants in this project are the Electrotechnical Laboratory, five universities, and eight private companies, including two US and UK companies.

Co–Pt film magnets were prepared by electrodepositeion. The Co content in the films was varied from 24 to 57 at% by controlling the concentration of Co(SO 3 NH 2 ) 2 in a plating bath. Annealing of the as-deposited films transformed their crystal structure from the face-centered-cubic structure (fcc) to the ordered face-centered-tetragonal L1 0 structure (fct), and the coercivity increased to approximately 880 kA/m was successfully obtained.

We subcloned various constructs of the beet western yellows luteovirus (BWYV) 3′ proximal genes into Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) transfer vectors and constructed recombinant BmNPVs. The recombinant BmNPVs were used to infect BmN cells and B. mori larvae. Protein expression was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis, and the BWYV-encoded capsid protein (CP), P19, readthrough protein (RT), and a modified capsid-readthrough protein (CPRT * ) were detected in BmN cells infected by the respective BmNPVs. However, we detected only the BWYV CP and P19 in BmN cells infected with a recombinant BmNPV containing all three BWYV 3′ proximal genes. BmN cells and fat body cells from B. mori larvae infected with recombinant BmNPVs were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and immunogold labeling. Particles which morphologically and serologically resembled BWYV virions were detected in the nuclei of BmN cells and B. mori larval fat body cells infected with recombinant BmNPVs producing either the BWYV CP alone or BWYV CP plus a BWYV CP-RT * . Similar particles were not detected in cells infected with a control BmNPV or recombinant BmNPV producing only CP-RT * .

Polypyrrole-silica, polyaniline-silica and polypyrrole-tin(IV) oxide colloidal nanocomposites have each been characterized by BET surface area measurements. This technique yields the specific surface areas of the nanocomposites, which are substantially higher than that estimated from our transmission electron microscopy studies, even allowing for the unusual ‘raspberry’ morphology of these particles. We conclude that these nanocomposite systems have significant porosity. For the polypyrrole-silica nanocomposites, there is a strong correlation between the silica content of these materials and their BET surface area.

In order to understand concurrent effects of damage cascades, isolated point defects and ionization on the formation process of defect clusters in covelent and ionic crystals, in-situ observations of Ge, Si and MgAl 2 O 4 crystals have been performed under dual-beam irradiation with ions and electrons in the HVEM accelerator facility at Kyushu University. Damage cascades in the covalent crystals show up their contrast through overlap or help from other damage cascades. Simultaneous electron irradiation eliminates damage cascades in the covalent crystals through the irradiation-induced and -enhanced migration of point defects. In the ionic crystal, on the other hand, no damage cascades show up their contrast, but interstitial loops are formed through the nucleation and growth process. Effects of concurrent irradiation with ions and electrons on this process are based on defect reactions among damage cascades and isolated point defects. Homogeneous ionizing radiation plays no significant role on the nucleation and growth process of defect clusters

The demand for energy is increasing worldwide along with increases in population and rises in the standard of living. If the needed energy is supplied only by fossil fuels, environmental problems will impose limits on human activities. Recognizing that more than 60% of the energy consumed in Japan is non-electrical energy, FAPIG organized the HTR-HUC Working Group to study methods of using heat from high temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTR) to mitigate environmental and resource problems, and to contribute to the steady supply and effective use of energy. We chose three types of model plants to study, 1) a co-generation plant which can be built with existing technology, 2) a coal gasification plant which can accelerate the clean use of coal and contribute to a stable supply of energy and the preservation of the environment, and 3) a hydrogen production plant whose hydrogen will release people from their dependence on fossil energy.

Effects of morphine and aluminum fluoride on field potentials evoked in hippocampal pyramidal cells were investigated revealing the physiological significance of adenylate cyclase in morphine action. Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) reduces the amplitude of potentials, while morphine enhances it. Morphine was without effects on db-cAMP induced reduction of potentials. Aluminum fluoride, known to activate GTP binding proteins, also reduced potentials and this was antagonized by morphine. Furthermore, N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide dihydrochloride (H-8), a protein kinase A inhibitor, enhanced potentials. When GABA synthesis was inhibited by 3-mercaptopropinoic acid, both morphine and db-cAMP was without effect. These results suggested the inhibition of adenylate cyclase by morphine which might be related with the reduction of GABA release in hippocampal slices.

The formation process of defect clusters in MgO · nAl2O3 has been studied not only for understanding the mechanism of the nucleation and growth process of defect clusters but also for getting insights into the reason why this material shows radiation resistance. Defect analysis was performed to determine the sequential change of dislocation loops under irradiation with fission neutrons and during concurrent irradiation with ions and electrons. Effective recombinations of interstitials with structural vacancies and large nuclei of stable interstitial loops are possible mechanisms for high radiation-resistance of this material. Furthermore, homogeneous ionizing radiation plays no significant role on the formation process of defect clusters.

Treatment of cultured rat astrocytes with insulin increased (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity expressed per protein or DNA by 1.6- to 2.1-fold, but did not affect Mg(2+)-ATPase and adenylate cyclase activities. Insulin treatment increased protein and DNA contents under the conditions, while it did not cause morphological differentiation as determined by a microscopic inspection. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) had a similar effect on the enzyme activity in astrocytes: the effect of insulin was observed at supraphysiological concentrations, while that of IGF-I was observed at physiological concentrations. Insulin and IGF-I both stimulated DNA synthesis at the concentrations that caused an increase in enzyme activity. The effect was blocked by tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as genistein and herbimycin A and by cycloheximide. Western blot analysis showed that alpha 1 and alpha 2 isoforms of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were present in cultured astrocytes and that insulin and IGF-I increased the content of the alpha 1 isoform but did not that of the alpha 2 isoform. Two components of ouabain inhibition were observed in the enzyme purified partially from cultured astrocytes, and treatment of the cells with IGF-I increased the ratio of the low-affinity component of the inhibition, indicating a selective increase in the activity of the alpha 1 isoform. These results indicate that insulin increases (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity through an activation of IGF-I receptors and the increase is due to the selective induction of the alpha 1 isoform in cultured astrocytes.

The cata-condensed system if azulene fused with 1,6-methano [ 10 ]annulenes was synthesized. The 1H NMR spectra revealed the existence of diastropicity as 18-pi electron periphery.