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This pre-specified analysis of DAPA-CKD assessed the impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition on abrupt declines in kidney function in high-risk patients based on having chronic kidney disease (CKD) and substantial albuminuria. DAPA-CKD was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that had a median follow-up of 2.4 years. Adults with CKD (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio 200-5000 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate 25-75 mL/min/1.73m2) were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg/day matched to placebo (2152 individuals each). An abrupt decline in kidney function was defined as a pre-specified endpoint of doubling of serum creatinine between two subsequent study visits. We also assessed a post-hoc analysis of investigator-reported acute kidney injury-related serious adverse events. Doubling of serum creatinine between two subsequent visits (median time-interval 100 days) occurred in 63 (2.9%) and 91 (4.2%) participants in the dapagliflozin and placebo groups, respectively (hazard ratio 0.68 [95% confidence interval 0.49, 0.94]). Accounting for the competing risk of mortality did not alter our findings. There was no heterogeneity in the effect of dapagliflozin on abrupt declines in kidney function based on baseline subgroups. Acute kidney injury-related serious adverse events were not significantly different and occurred in 52 (2.5%) and 69 (3.2%) participants in the dapagliflozin and placebo groups, respectively (0.77 [0.54, 1.10]). Thus, in patients with CKD and substantial albuminuria, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of abrupt declines in kidney function. HJLH and DC are co-primary authors. The DAPA-CKD Trial Committees and Investigators are listed in the Appendix.

We have developed a millimeter-wave electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement system using a 3He- 4He dilution refrigerator for the ultralow-temperature range below 1 K. The currently available frequency range is 125–130 GHz. The frequency can be changed by adjusting the distance between the mirrors using a piezoelectric actuator. Using this apparatus, we performed ESR measurements on a Heisenberg quantum-spin chain - copper pyrazine dinitrate (CuPzN for short), Cu(C 4 H 4 N 2 )(NO3)2 - over the temperature range from 6.6 down to 0.25 K. The ESR lines shift continuously with decreasing temperature. The results suggest that the ESR spectrum of CuPzN is possibly useful as a temperature sensor below 1 K.

We studied the trapping of positive and negative charges in the chemical structures of polymers under a high electric field using a space charge measurement system. Positive charges accumulated in low-density polyethylene (LDPE), whereas positive and negative charges accumulated in polyimide (Kapton) and also in ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) subjected to electron beam irradiation. To determine the charge-trapping sites in the chemical structures, a quantum chemical calculation was carried out using Density Function Theory (DFT) with Gaussian 09. The relationship between the energy band and the isosurface of orbital electrons at various energy levels was obtained. A threedimensional (3D) electrostatic potential distribution map was obtained for positively and negatively charged polymers to determine the relationship between a trapping site and the charge accumulation center in the 3D potential distribution map. Positive and negative charges in Kapton and ETFE films are trapped in trapping sites in chemical structures and the positive charges in an LDPE film are trapped in physical defects.

Background: In patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis (HD), silent cerebral infarctions (SCI) are associated with high mortality. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) increase with renal dysfunction and may be a novel predictor for cerebrovascular events. We tested the hypothesis that increased IL-6 levels correlate with the occurrence of SCI in HD patients. Methods: Using cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings, we divided 50 Japanese patients undergoing HD into two groups: with SCI (60 ± 7 years, mean ± SD, n = 27) and without SCI (60 ± 6 years, n = 23). We compared the gender, body mass index, metabolic profiles, IL-6 levels, and smoking habits between the two groups. Results: We made the following observations: (i) The prevalence of diabetes or hypertension did not differ between the two groups, (ii) the level of IL-6 was higher in the with-SCI group than in the without-SCI group (P

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate expression and localisation of a 28-kDa calcium-binding protein (CaBP-D28k) related to active calcium (Ca) absorption, in the entire intestine of egg-laying hens. 2. Western blotting analysis showed that the entire intestine expressed CaBP-D28k to the following degree: duodenum > jejunum > caecum > ileum > colon. Immunohistochemistry showed strong CaBP-D28k localisation in enterocytes along the villus tip–crypt axis in the duodenum and in villus tips in the caecum and colon. The jejunum and ileum had moderate localisation with respect to the number of immunoreactive cells and staining intensity. 3. These results suggest that laying hens actively absorb Ca in both the large and small intestines.

The properties of several different investments were investigated including phosphate bonded, magnesia bonded, and alumina cement investments. Measurements included the setting expansion, thermal expansion, and compressive strength of investments, as well as the tensile strength, elongation, Vickers hardness (VHN) and surface roughness of titanium castings. For phosphate bonded investment, the setting expansion after being mixed with its own mixing solution was 2.10%, which was larger than the other investments; the thermal expansion was -0.25% at 200 degrees C, the compressive strength 14 and 5 MPa after heating. For titanium cast in phosphate bonded investment, the hardness on its top surface was 655 Hv, the tensile strength was 379 MPa, the elongation was 19.4%, and the surface roughness was 2.29 microm. Although the thermal expansion of phosphate bonded investment is small, the setting expansion is large enough to compensate for the shrinkage of titanium castings. As its thermal expansion at T > or = 600 degrees C was constant and its heating-cooling cycle was almost reversible, these two properties can reduce the thermal shock and thus avoid cracking of the investment.

A three-dimensional (3-D) integration technology has been developed for the fabrication of a new 3-D shared-memory test chip. This 3-D technology is based on the wafer bonding and thinning method. Five key technologies for 3-D integration were developed, namely, the formation of vertical buried interconnections, metal microbump formations, stacked wafer thinning, wafer alignment, and wafer bonding. Deep trenches having a diameter of 2 mum and a depth of approximately 50 mum were formed in the silicon substrate using inductively coupled plasma etching to form vertical buried interconnections. These trenches were oxidized and filled with n+ polycrystalline silicon or tungsten. The 3-D devices and 3-D shared-memory test chips with three-stacked layers were fabricated by bonding the wafers with vertical buried interconnections after thinning. No characteristic degradation was observed in the fabricated 3-D devices. It was confirmed that fundamental memory operation and broadcast operation between the three memory layers could be successfully performed in the fabricated 3-D shared-memory test chip

ESR measurements have been performed on poly crystalline sample of an S = 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic ladder-like system (C5H9NH3)2CuBr4. We estimated the g-value as g = 2.20 from analysis of a broad absorption line at high temperatures. Multiple ESR absorption lines were observed below 10 K. The ESR modes show non-linear frequency dependence of the resonance field at 4 K, and the temperature dependence of the line width with a thermal activation type formula. The ESR modes observed are well explained by the theoretical model of the breather excitation.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), which exists as heterodimeric complexes composed of p50 and p65, has been shown to play an important role in cell survival processes. In the present study, we found for the first time that NF-kappaB has an ability to induce the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of proapoptotic p73alpha. The activation of NF-kappaB in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated H1299 cells resulted in a significant reduction in the amounts of the endogenous p73alpha. Consistent with these results, TNF-alpha-mediated downregulation of p73alpha was observed in wild-type (WT) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) but not in p65-deficient MEFs. Ectopic expression of NF-kappaB decreased a half-life of p73alpha by increasing its ubiquitination levels, and thereby inhibiting the transcriptional activity as well as proapoptotic function of p73alpha, whereas NF-kappaB had undetectable effects on p53. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that, under our experimental conditions, NF-kappaB does not bind to p73alpha in mammalian cultured cells. In contrast to WT p65, the COOH-terminal deletion mutant of p65 (p65DeltaC) failed to reduce the expression levels of p73alpha, suggesting that NF-kappaB-mediated proteolytic degradation of p73alpha requires the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB. Taken together, our present results imply that NF-kappaB-mediated degradation of proapoptotic p73 is a novel inhibitory mechanism of p73 that regulates cell survival and death.

High field ESR measurements of LiCrTiO4 polycrystalline have been performed in the frequency region from 60 GHz to 160 GHz and in the temperature region from 1.8 K to 265 K. An isotropic absorption line is observed. The g-value in the high temperature region is determined to be 1.98 which is a typical value for Cr3+ ion. The g-shift is observed below 20 K, and it continues blow 2.7 K which corresponds to the temperature of the spinglass phase transition. The increase of linewidth is observed below 50 K. These temperature dependences are discussed in connection with other frustrated systems. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Man-made ceramic wood similar to petrified wood found in nature can be used at high temperature as the high oxidation rate of carbon above 500 degrees C is suppressed by a mu m thin SiC coating similar to the shuttle's heat shield. Possible applications are in the field of energy production, e.g., gas filters. In this paper, Japanese cedar was carbonized at 700 degrees C, vacuum infiltrated with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), and heated at 1,500 degrees C for 30min using a pulse current heating device. A FIB-SEM dual beam microscope combination was used to investigate the SiC/C composite micro-texture. By milling away successive slices of material approximately 20nm in thickness, it was possible to confirm that a reaction layer of SiC, about 60nm in thickness, covers uniformly the surface of all cell walls. Furthermore, SiC nanorods were observed, growing more or less randomly in the charcoal pores. Cross-sectional SEM images of the SiC nanorods showed that either hollow or solid structures could be formed, having diameters ranging from 100 to 500nm. The SiC nanorod formation is being initiated by a catalytically operating SiC particle in the SiC coating. TEM analysis confirmed that they were grown along the [I I I] direction and indicated that an additional carbon layer covers the external surface of the rods making the rods more resistant against electron beam damage.

Japanese cedar was preheated at 500 degrees C and subsequently mixed with 40 mu m Al2O3 particles. A pulse current heating method was used for a 5-min carbonization step under a pressure of 50MPa in order to promote the graphitization at temperatures between 2000 and 2200 degrees C. The samples were analyzed in an analytical transmission electron microscope equipped with a GATAN Imaging Filter, in a high resolution transmission electron microscope and in a scanning electron microscope. Transformation into well-ordered graphite could be enforced by the intermediate reaction of Al2O3 and carbon to plate-like Al4C3. This latter compound dissociates under the proper CO pressure and temperature into Al vapor and solid graphite. The addition of Al2O3 and the pressurized heating device improve the graphitization in comparison with the effect of temperature alone. The electron microscopic observations are supported by XPS and XRD spectra.

Japanese cedar carbonized at 700degreesC was vacuum infiltrated with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), and heated for 30 min at 1400, 1600 and 1800degreesC by electric pulse heating. The microstructure was investigated by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Extra peaks in the XRD scans could be traced back to beta-SiC. Preliminary Auger analysis indicated an increase of the Si signal in pore walls. This was considered together with SEM images in agreement with the concept of a reaction layer covering the pore walls. Moreover, a large number of nanorods were present inside the pores. TEM analysis confirmed them to be SiC nanorods grown along the direction.

Sporobolomyces singularis菌体およびKluyvermyces lactis由来のβ-galactosidaseを用い生成したガラクトオリゴ糖(GOS)を含む液糖の消化性を調べるために,健常人16名を用い,呼気水素ガス濃度測定試験を行った.GOS摂取群の呼気水素ガス濃度は対照群に比べ有意な増加が認められた.このことより,本混合液糖中に含まれるGOSは難消化性であることが示唆された.さらに,GOSの難消化性成分を明らかにするため,GOSの鎖長により2糖,3糖,4糖画分をそれぞれHPLCにて分取し,画分ごとに消化酵素に対する耐性試験を行った.ヒト唾液またはブタ膵臓α-アミラーゼならびに人工胃液による消化試験では,各画分とも分解はみられなかったが,ラット小腸アセトン粉末により,2糖画分のわずかな分解が認められた.以上のことから,今回GOS含有液糖摂取により認められた呼気中水素ガス濃度の増加は,含有されるGOSの3糖,4糖画分および一部の2糖画分が小腸の消化酵素による分解を受けることなく大腸に到達し,腸内細菌により資化された結果と考えられた.

Blister formation in tungsten has been studied by mixed carbon and hydrogen ion beam irradiation. The beam ion energies were 1.0 keV and 300 eV, and the fluence was in the range of 10 24 -10 25 ions m -2 . It was found that a little amount of carbon impurity in the beam affected blister formation. A large number of blisters with various sizes were observed on the surface of tungsten at 653 K when the carbon concentration was more than 0.35%. When the carbon concentration was 0.11%, no blisters larger than 1.0 μm were observed. When the carbon concentration was 2.35%, a carbon layer developed on the tungsten surface, and again, no blisters were observed. The effect of target temperature on blister formation was also investigated: the sizes and numbers of the blisters were the largest when the tungsten was irradiated at 653 K; when the sample was irradiated at 388 or 873 K, no blisters larger than 1.0 μm were observed.

We have developed a millimeter-wave electron-spin-resonance (ESR) system for very low temperatures (T < 1 K) that can be employed for nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements by using dynamic nuclear polarization. The system uses a Fabry-Perot resonator that works in the frequency range of 125 – 130 GHz and covers the temperature range of 0.09 – 6.5 K. We have performed ESR measurements in the frequency around 128 GHz by using Mn x Mg1-x O (x = 1.0 × 10-4) and free-radical samples of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), because these samples have been proposed as field and sensitivity markers. Temperature dependence of the ESR signal intensity for Mn x Mg1-x O shows anomalies originating from magnetic order are found around 3.5 – 4 K. We estimate the sensitivity of the system for ESR detections to be 6 × 1013 spins/G at 5.8 K. Because DPPH shows no observable shift in the magnetic field, we propose it as a useful standard marker for ESR measurements at very low temperatures.

A steady-state and high-flux ion beam irradiation test device (HiFIT) equipped with an ECR ion source and spherical electrodes was developed. Hydrogen irradiation fluxes were 3.6×1021 Hm−2 s−1 for an acceleration voltage Vacc of 3 kV and about 4×1020 Hm−2 s−1 for Vacc from 0.15 to 0.5 kV (dominant ion species is H3+). Mixed ion beams with hydrogen and carbon with the carbon concentration from 0.1% to ∼10% were obtained. Carbon impurity concentration was controlled by puffing methane gas or putting graphite plates in the ion source chamber. Carbon impurity concentration was calculated by using measured effective cross-sections (including dissociation and neutralization) of molecular ions in a beam transport chamber. New mixed material effect on blister formation of tungsten bombarded with hydrogen and carbon mixed ion beam was observed. It was found that carbon impurity of less than 1% in hydrogen beams significantly affected blister formation.

We study the electronic properties of a series of tellurides with the antifluorite structure, and (M = Li, Na, K), to reveal the outstanding diffusivity of silver ions. We carry out first-principles density-functional calculations for these systems using the linearized augmented-plane-wave (LAPW) method, where the exchange-correlation effects of electrons are treated in the local density approximation. The calculations illuminate the difference in the outermost electron configurations between the noble-metal (d-shell) and the alkali (sp-shell) ions. The noble-metal ions embedded in the Te sublattice with the p valence band are far more deformable in the crystalline field than the alkali ions are. We then elucidate that and have remarkably different degrees of p-d hybridization. The d states of Ag atoms are much more weakly coupled with the p states of Te atoms and hence keep their localized nature. The activation energies for the ionic diffusion are evaluated to show that the Ag ion has a smaller barrier as compared with the alkali and copper ions in the Te framework. It is thus inferred that the superionic conductivity of Ag ions primarily stems from combination of the deformability of the d shell and the weakness of the p-d hybridization. To confirm this conclusion, we also apply the LAPW calculation to AgI in the -phase.

Polyurea thin films were prepared by ionization-assisted codeposition of 1,3-di(4-piperidyl)propane, and 4,4′-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate, and their optical nonlinearity was investigated in connection with the bias voltage applied on the substrate in the course of deposition. The formation of polyurea was confirmed by IR absorption spectra. At the optimum evaporation temperature for each monomer, the birefringence of the film was the largest. The film had high optical transparency in the visible range, and the absorption in the UV range was influenced by the substrate bias voltage. The film showed optical nonlinearity even without the poling process after the deposition. The Maker fringe measurement indicated that the deposited films have a peculiar dipole orientation, unlike the normal poled polymer films. The second harmonic generation characteristic was influenced by the substrate bias and also by the material of the substrate holder. These results revealed the importance of the electric field on the substrate during the deposition in determining the dipole orientation.

The effects of freeze-dried soya milk (SM) and Bifidobacterium-fermented soya milk (FSM) on plasma and liver lipids, and faecal steroid excretion were estimated in hamsters fed on a cholesterol-free or cholesterol-enriched diet. Hamsters fed on the cholesterol-free diet containing 300 g FSM/kg had lower levels of plasma VLDL + LDL cholesterol than the animals fed on the control diet. SM in the diet produced a similar pattern without significant differences. In the cholesterol-enriched diet group, SM and FSM decreased the levels of plasma total cholesterol and VLDL + LDL-cholesterol. SM and FSM decreased the plasma triacylglycerol level in both the cholesterol-free and -enriched diet groups. The liver total cholesterol contents in the SM and FSM groups were lower than that in the control group, for hamsters fed on the cholesterol-free diet. The liver triacylglycerol content was not modified by SM or FSM in hamsters fed on either the cholesterol-free or -enriched diet. SM and FSM increased the total bile acid excretion and the proportion of cholesterol entering the cholic acid biosynthesis pathway in both the cholesterol-free and -enriched diet groups. SM and FSM did not affect neutral steroid excretion in the cholesterol-free or -enriched diet group. There was an inverse relationship between VLDL + LDL-cholesterol and faecal bile acid excretion in hamsters fed on the cholesterol-free (r−0.670,P< 0.01) and cholesterol-enriched (r−0.761,P< 0.001) diets respectively. These results indicated that SM had an anti-atherogenic effect, and that this effect was not diminished by prior fermentation.

The electronic structure of is discussed, with special attention paid to possible roles of the p - d hybridization, on the basis of density functional calculations in the local-density approximation; is a typical superionic conductor, and also exhibits interesting electronic properties. Fully self-consistent calculations based on the energy variational principle are carried out for a hypothetical crystalline compound, with the antifluorite structure, making use of the linearized augmented-plane-wave method. The calculated equilibrium lattice constant agrees with a measured value within an accuracy of 5%. The self-consistent determination of the relative sizes of the augmented-plane-wave spheres leads to an energy band structure similar to that of a narrow-gap semiconductor, in accordance with experiments. Also, the magnitudes predicted for the effective masses of the electrons and holes are almost within the experimental uncertainties. Such quantitative agreement even with the static model arises from the following facts: (i) the Ag d states and the Te p states are not hybridized to such an extent as to have a significant influence on the band-structure characteristics near the energy gap; and (ii) the lowest conduction band consists mainly of Ag and Te s states with extended character. Thus the p - d hybridization can hardly be considered to be the mechanism that induces the superionic conductivity in .

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a Gram-negative bacteria highly associated with localized aggressive periodontitis. The recognition of microbial factors, such as lipopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans ((Aa)LPS), in the oral environment is made mainly by surface receptors known as Toll-like receptors (TLR). TLR4 is the major LPS receptor. This interaction leads to the production of inflammatory cytokines by myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88) -dependent and -independent pathways, which may involve the adaptor Toll/interleukin-1 receptor-domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF). The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of MyD88 in alveolar bone loss induced by (Aa)LPS in mice. C57BL6/J wild-type (WT) mice, MyD88, TRIF or TRIF/MyD88 knockout mice received 10 injections of Aa LPS strain FDC Y4 (5 μg in 3 μl), in the palatal gingival tissue of the right first molar, every 48 h. Phosphate-buffered saline was injected in the opposite side and used as control. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the 10th injection and the maxillae were removed for macroscopic and biochemical analyses. The injections of Aa LPS induced significant alveolar bone loss in WT mice. In the absence of MyD88 or TRIF/MyD88 no bone loss induced by (Aa)LPS was observed. In contrast, responses in TRIF(-/-) mice were similar to those in WT mice. Diminished bone loss in the absence of MyD88 was associated with fewer TRAP-positive cells and increased expression of osteoblast markers, RUNX2 and osteopontin. There was also reduced tumor necrosis factor-α production in MyD88(-/-) mice. There was less osteoclast differentiation of hematopoietic bone marrow cells from MyD88(-/-) mice after (Aa)LPS stimulation. Hence, the signaling through MyD88 is pivotal for (Aa)LPS-induced osteoclast formation and alveolar bone loss.

In the absence of fixation of ammonium to glutamine, nitrate and nitrite activated transcription of the nitrate assimilation (nirA-nrtABCD-narB) operon of Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942. In a nitrate reductase-deficient mutant, only nitrite activated transcription, indicating that nitrite is the actual activator of the operon. Nitrate and nitrite were also found to activate the transcription of a nitrate assimilation operon in the filamentous nonheterocystous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum.

In an attempt to study the effects of a three-dimensional agar surface on in vitro dentinogenesis both in the growing end and in incisally cross-cut pulp, the possible expression of odontoblast phenotype was investigated morphologically, autoradiographically and immunohistochemically. Explants were incubated for 8 days. In the growing end, during the last 4 days, mitotic cells differentiated into [3H]-thymidine-labelled, tubular matrix-forming cells. In cross-cut pulp, however, during the first 4 days, mitotic cells differentiated into [3H]-thymidine-labelled, tubular matrix-forming cells. Electron microscopy demonstrated that, in both regions, tubular matrix-forming cells had characteristics similar to those of primary odontoblasts. When agar was incubated alone, exogenous fibronectin was deposited on it rapidly. After 12 h, endogenous fibronectin appeared on explant peripheral cells. Collagen and materials reacting positively to periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) were first interposed between agar and explant after 4 days. After 8 days, an inner immunonegative layer corresponding to materials reacting positively to PAS or toluidine blue and an outer immunopositive layer of fibronectin or collagen were visible adjacent to the rows of elongated columnar cells. In the presence of Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP), a competitive inhibitor of attachment of cells to fibronectin, explants became detached from the agar surface, and no dentinogenesis occurred. These results indicate that, when in contact with an agar surface that becomes modified by fibronectin and/or by a complex of fibronectin with deposited matrix, dental mesenchymal cells progressively differentiate into tubular matrix-forming cells. Possibly the functional agar surface has the important role of providing a foothold for cell attachment, which is the first step towards in vitro odontoblast differentiation. This system of inducing tubular matrix-forming cells constitutes a useful model for the study of in vitro dentinogenesis.

The recruitment of monocyte/macrophages to inflammatory sites is one of the important events in inflammatory reactions. We show herein that interleukin-4(IL-4) acts as a potent stimulator for expression of monocyte chemoattractant JE/MCP-1 in mouse peritoneal macrophages. IL-4 induced the JE/MCP-1 gene expression in dose and time dependent fashion. Run-on assay suggests that IL-4 stimulates the JE/MCP-1 gene expression at transcriptional level. Monocyte chemotactic activity was detected in culture medium of the cytokine-treated cells. The chemotactic activity in the culture supernatant was completely neutralized by anti-JE/MCP-1 antiserum.

The relationship between RNA/DNA ratio and egg productivity of adult Paracalanus sp. females was investigated in the frontal area of the Kuroshio current off Kinkazan Island and Boso Peninsula, Pacific coast of Japan in 1989 and 1990, respectively. In the Kuroshio front off Kinkazan Island, the RNA/DNA ratio of females in the surface layer ranged from 3.87 to 6.92 along a transect 8 miles across the front. In the Kuroshio front off Boso Peninsula, the RNA/DNA ratio varied between 5.15 and 7.27 for 32 h in the course of tracking a drifter launched in the front. The RNA/DNA ratio of the females in both frontal areas tended to increase together with ambient chlorophyll-a concentration, and the relationship fitted to Ivlev's formula (P

A reliable single crystal susceptibility data is reported to reveal the ground state property of the S = 1 one-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet AgVP2S6. The observed susceptibilities for the parallel and perpendicular direction to the chain axis fall down rapidly as the temperature is lowered down to about 50 K, revealing a non-magnetic singlet ground state nature of the system. The results are interpreted quantitatively within the framework of the Haldane prediction, giving the quantum gap of E g k B ≈ 250 K which should be compared with 320 K from neutron scattering.

In this study we characterized liposomes containing the synthetic glycolipids, lactose mono-fatty acid esters (LFEs), whose structures were the most simple ones compared to the other synthetic glycolipids. Gel filtration chromatography was used to confirm that 78 per cent of lactose monostearic acid ester (LSE) or 85 per cent of lactose monoarachidic acid ester (LAE) existed in the liposomal fraction. The size distribution of liposomes containing LFEs was similar to that of the control liposomes which did not contain LFEs. Liposomes containing LFEs were aggregated by Ricinus communis agglutinin from caster bean (RCA120) while the control liposomes were not, with the agglutinability of the liposomes containing LAE being greater than that of those containing LSE. These findings therefore suggested that the LFEs were incorporated into the liposomal membrane with the galactose residues exposed to the outer aqueous phase. Next, the tissue distribution of liposomes containing LAE at 30 min after intravenous administration was compared to that of the control liposomes in rats. Hepatic uptake was 2-fold higher than that of the control liposomes. These results thus demonstrate that liposomes containing LFEs represent potential drug carriers to the liver.

The effect of changing the human intestinal microflora by administration of Oligomate-50, which contains 52 per cent galactooligosaccharides and is produced from lactose by the action of β-D-galactosidase (produced by Aspergillus oryzae and Streptococcus thermophillus), was investigated. Oligomate-50 (0, 4.8, 9.6 or 19.2 g/d) was given orally for 7 d to 12 volunteers in a single-blind cross-over study. Each dose included 0, 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 g of galactooligosaccharides, respectively. Bifidobacteria were greatly increased following ingestion of galactooligosaccharides and a linear relation was found (P < 0.05) between the amount of galactooligosaccharides ingested and the number of bifidobacteria per gram of faeces. Lactobacilli were also slightly increased. The ratio of the number of bifidobacteria to the total number of bacteria was significantly increased from 0.26 ± 0.12 to 0.48 ± 0.19 by galactooligosaccharides ingestion. Stool weight and stool frequency after ingestion did not change significantly and no sign of diarrhoea was observed when 10.0 g of galactooligosaccharides was ingested. The results of this study show that galactooligosaccharides are a superior growth-promoting factor for bifidobacteria, and, moreover, have the ability to increase the multiplication of lactobacilli in the human intestinal microflora.Keywords: Galactooligosaccharides; Oligomate-50; Bifidobacteria; Lactobacilli; Intestinal microflora; Faecal microflora.

Key technologies necessary for fabricating organic EL elements are thin film technology of organic high/low molecular materials and hybrid technology of organic, inorganic and oxide films. For the creation of the organic layers (hole injection, hole transport, emission, and electron transport) the processes can be divided into two types, wet and dry. Both processes require vacuum technology. In this paper, the basic concepts for the organic EL element manufacturing process and organic EL production systems using vacuum technology are described.

Rats were assigned to a fibre-free basal diet or one of three indigestible and poorly fermentable food components (cellulose powder, microfibril cellulose prepared from cellulose by milling, and plastic particles) incorporated in the basal diet at a level of 7%. The mean retention time (MRT) of the indigestible food components in the whole gut were measured with solid and liquid markers. Further, caecal weight and content of organic acids as well as faecal moisture were determined. The weight of the caecal digesta in the rats fed the basal diet was lower than that in rats fed a diet incorporated with indigestible food components. The faecal moisture differed between the different groups and decreased in the following order: microfibril cellulose, cellulose, and plastic particles; ie the same order as for the settling volume in water. The MRTs of the solid phase in microfibril cellulose (MFC), cellulose (CEL), plastic particles (PLS) and fibre-free basal (BD) groups were 9.4, 11.1, 13.6 and 17.8 h respectively. The MRTs of the liquids in the MFC, CEL, PLS and BD groups were 12.9, 15.0, 14.2 and 13.9 h, respectively. Thus, there was an inverse relationship (r = 0.74, P < 0.01) between the MRT of the solid phase and the settling volume, whereas the MRT of the liquid phase was not significantly affected by the diets. Any effect on the concentration of organic acid and the pH of the caecal contents could not be detected with any of the diets. Although the significance of the differences in the total amount of organic acids produced in the caecum between diets could not be detected, the relationship between (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) the amount of organic acids and the settling volume was found. These results suggest that the settling volume in water, which closely parallels the water-holding capacity of indigestible food components, affected the gastrointestinal retention time of solid phase of digesta in different types of cellulose.

Natural mineral Dioptase (Cu6Si6O18 ⋅ 6H2O) is an S = 1/2 antiferromagnet with a unique spin network which consists of helical chains along the c axis connected by inter chain exchange interactions. In order to study the ground state of dioptase, we have performed the magnetization measurement for B//c (easy axis) at 1.5 K and have found the spin-flop transition at 13 T. Moreover, the pressure effect of the magnetic susceptibility is investigated up to 1.78 GPa using the SQUID magnetometer where TN increased while the broad maximum reflecting the low dimensionality of the system decreased by pressure. The results will be discussed in connection with our previous antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR) measurement results and the phase diagram obtained by Gros et al.

A quasi-one-dimensional S=1 antiferromagnet NENP [Ni(${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{8}$${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$${)}_{2}$${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$(${\mathrm{ClO}}_{4}$)] has been studied through the measurement of proton NMR under an applied magnetic field, ${\mathit{B}}_{0}$, up to 12 T. At 4.2 K with the magnetic field parallel to the chain, a large transverse moment perpendicular to the magnetic field has been observed even below the critical field, ${\mathit{B}}_{\mathit{c}}$=9.8 T. The moment increases with increasing applied field, showing no singularity at ${\mathit{B}}_{\mathit{c}}$. It is not caused by the three-dimensional order. It is due to the field-induced staggered moment caused by the combined action of the staggered inclination of the principal axes of the g tensor of ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{2+}$ ions from the crystal b axis (chain axis) and the large transverse staggered susceptibility. The induced transverse moment is estimated to be 1.5${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$ at ${\mathit{B}}_{0}$=11.7 T.

An S=3/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a triangular lattice CuCrO2, in which stacking of the triangular lattice of magnetic Cr atoms forms a layered rhombohedral antiferromagnet, is studied by neutron powder diffraction. In the paramagnetic phase the powder diffraction pattern shows asymmetry, which proves a two-dimensional character. In the ordered phase, magnetic Bragg scattering has large width, indicating that the scattering is distributed on a line (1/31/3 zeta ) with peaks where zeta takes integer values. Although the magnetic long-range order is established in the c plane, correlation in the c direction is finite or the modulation vector is distributed on the line. Intensity of magnetic reflections is consistent with the 120 degrees structure in the a-c plane with moment (3.1+or-0.2) mu B.

We have proposed a new three-dimensional (3D) integration technology based on reconfigured wafer-on-wafer bonding technique to solve several problems in 3D integration technology using the conventional wafer-on-wafer bonding technique. 3D LSIs are fabricated by bonding the reconfigured wafers onto the supporting Si wafer. The reconfigured wafer consists of many known good dies (KGDs) which are arrayed and glued on a holding Si wafer with Si steps by chip self-assembly technique. Therefore, the yield of the reconfigured wafer can be 100%. As a result, we can obtain a high production yield even after bonding many wafers. In addition, it is not necessary in the reconfigured wafer that the chip size has to be identical within the wafer. Therefore, we can stack various kinds of chips with different chip sizes, different materials and different devices in our new 3D integration technology based on the configured-wafer-on-wafer bonding technique (Reconfig. W-on-W 3D technology). We have developed key technologies to form W through-Si-Via (TSV) in the reconfigured wafer to fabricated 3D LSI test chips. We obtained excellent electrical characteristics of W-TSV using the daisy chain in 3D LSI test chip.

Cross-geometrical Ni–Fe/Co/Al–AlO/Co/Ni–Fe/Fe–Mn/Ni–Fe tunnel junctions were fabricated by magnetron sputtering. To form the insulating layer, an Al layer was reverse sputtered in an atmosphere of either oxygen or oxygen–argon mixture at low power after deposition. The oxidization time necessary to form an AlO barrier was much shorter than that by natural oxidization, lasting for only a half to a few minutes. By adding argon to oxygen, the oxidization was slowed down and high MR ratios were obtained for a wide range of time. A magnetoresistance (MR) ratio of 16% was observed in the as-deposited junction when the barrier was oxidized in oxygen plasma for 35 s. In addition, the MR ratio increased to 24% by annealing at 300 °C. In as-deposited junctions, the tunnel resistances were increased by increasing the plasma oxidization time, but the MR ratios gradually decreased. The estimated tunnel barrier width increased and the barrier height decreased with the plasma oxidization time. After annealing, the MR ra...

Tungsten carbide powder with 3. 5 μ m average particle diameter was shocked by the indirect method to produce a quasi-isentropic plane compression wave normal to the cylinder axis. [1]Recovered specimens showed the evidence of melt and possible evaporation . For the lower temperature specimen, compacted structure possibly sintered through melt was observed and for the high temperature shock specimen newly formed triangular plates were observed.

We have proposed a novel retinal prosthesis system with three-dimensionally stacked retinal prosthesis chip. The retinal prosthesis chip consists of several LSI chips that are vertically stacked and electrically connected using three-dimensional integration technology. We fabricated retinal prosthesis chip including photodetectors and stimulus current generators. We confirmed that current waveform parameters can be varied by bias voltages. Implantable stimulus electrode array was also fabricated for the electrical stimulation of the retina. To evaluate optimal retinal stimulus current, electrically evoked potential (EEP) was recorded in animal experiments. The recorded waveform shows a similar behavior to the visually evoked potential (VEP) waveform, indicating possibilities that the electrical stimulation of the retina can restore visual sensation for the blind patients.

We report millimeter wave EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) and AFMR (Antiferromagnetic Resonance) experiments on Ca2+xY2−xCu5O10 sintered samples (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) and crystalline samples (x = 0 and 0.5). The anisotropic g‐values have been determined and the effects of spin correlations have been investigated by the measurements of the powder pattern EPR spectra. The effect of hole doping on the magnetic system has been investigated through the AFMR measurements.

We have performed 11B‐NMR experiments on an easy‐plane type ferromagnet VBO3 under magnetic fields of up to 6 T. The absolute value of the shift of the resonance line increases with decreasing temperature and tends to be constant below TC, which is consistent with the magnetization behavior. The hyperfine coupling constant and the quadrupole splitting are estimated. We also found that the relaxation rate T1−1 of 11B decreases as T1−1 ∼ T5 below 50 K, suggesting a spin‐wave relaxation process. Further crossover of the dominant relaxation process is suggested at about 8 K.

In our previous study, a prolonged period (48 h) of cortical spreading depression (CSD) effectively induced resistance to focal ischemia in 12 days without affecting rCBF, and significantly reduced the volume of infarcted lesion in rats, a phenomenon called `infarct tolerance’ [1]. Recently, NOS has been implicated in the decrease of hydroxyl radical (OH) generation following oxidative stress, via NO production as an antioxidant defense mechanism [2]. To analyze the role of the antioxidant defense mechanism via NO, the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was examined following a prolonged period of CSD in rat neo-cortex.

We report on the process of making graphite out of wood by catalytic carbonization. Two different types of microstructure were observed. One type being typical for graphitization of wood without the effect of a catalyst, the main characteristic being the typical fibrillar microstructure related back to the original cellulose morphology. A strong {0002} inner diffraction ring corresponding to the 0.336 nm lattice spacing of graphite dominates its diffraction pattern. The other type being typical for graphitization of wood with aluminum as catalyst, the main characteristic being the large sheets of carbon forced upon by the formation of plate like Al4C3. This compound is formed as an intermediate reaction product, which dissociates into aluminum vapour and solid carbon. The diffraction pattern indicates a differently textured structure. EELS measurements in the areas of catalytic graphitization indicate a significant decrease of the sp(2) bonding typical for graphite. It can be an indication of the presence of metastable diamond. This diamond-like structure is extremely unstable under influence of the electron beam. It decomposed within 250 s of beam exposure. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

We have developed 40-Gbit/s-class analog/digital IC modules using InAlAs/InGaAs/InP HEMTs for optical transmission systems. In this paper, we describe the devices, circuit-design, and packaging technologies that improve the performance of the IC modules. Moreover, we propose a next-generation IC that uses quantum devices and optoelectronic devices.

Breakdown phenomena of dielectric liquids for a needle/plane electrode have been investigated. It was found that the hole greatly influenced the breakdown of dielectric liquids. The authors report hole production and measurement of hole mobility in dielectric liquids. The electron and hole were injected from a NESA glass electrode into cyclohexane under KrF excimer laser irradiation. The NESA was coated with ITO (indium tin oxide). An analysis of electron and hole mobility is presented.

Examines relationship between enhanced oxide density and Cu concentration for various thicknesses of SOI layers. It is found that the decrease in SOI layer thickness causes the decrease in critical Cu concentration for enhanced oxidation generation. Furthermore, it is found that Cu concentration close to contaminant level of current ULSI device fabrication process causes enhanced oxidation on SOI wafers with 0.1 /spl mu/m SOI layer. It is necessary to pay attention to Cu contamination on SOI wafers with 0.1 /spl mu/m SOI layer during ULSI device fabrication process.