Search

In order to assess the characteristics with respect to surface strength of thin hard coatings of the Micro Slurry-jet Erosion (MSE) test which we have developed, the erosion behaviors of PVD TiN coating were studied. The MSE tests were conducted impacting a slurry-jet consisting of angular alumina particles with an average size of 1.2 μm or 41 μm, and spherical alumina particles with an average diameter of 3 μm, perpendicular to the specimen surface. The variations of the eroded surface profiles and the erosion depths were measured, and the eroded surfaces were observed using SEM, AFM and TEM. The erosion rates and the morphology of the eroded surface depend strongly on the size and shape of the erodent particles. For tiny angular particles, the main erosion mechanism is impact fatigue and sub-micro-cutting, while plastic deformation and micro-crack propagation due to fatigue are the main erosion mechanism for tiny spherical particles. On the contrary, in the case of large angular particles, brittle fracture followed by cutting due to large impact forces is the main characteristic. The depth to which the impacts of particles have an influence depends on the size and shape of the particles; the range of influence is from several tens of nanometers for tiny particles to several hundreds of nanometers for large angular particles. From these findings, it is concluded that the MSE test can be used to evaluate the properties related to various strengths by selection of the appropriate erodent particles.

In order to prevent hydrofoil colliding with cetaceans, the underwater speaker (UWS) has been installed to repel cetaceans. Yamada et al. (2012) analyzed and devised the UWS sound as it fits the cetaceans' acoustic properties to prevent the collision furthermore. The new UWS sound was devised and synthesized by Yamada et al. (2015) with expectation of avoiding collision with large cetaceans (Patent applied for, JP2014-171411). In this research project, the new UWS sound was investigated by the playback experiment on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and by sighting survey in the actual hydrofoil shipping service route. As a result, a physiological and behavioral change of the humpback whale was observed in the playback experiment of the new UWS sound, and the chance of hydrofoil encountering cetaceans of the new UWS sound was smaller than that of the previous UWS sound. Therefore, the improvement of the new UWS sound was confirmed. Lastly, the authors wish this research project would contribute toward the safer cruise of hydrofoil in the future.

The rheology of bubble-bearing magma is important in volcanic conduit flow. Its rheological properties strongly depend on the deformation of bubbles in highly viscous liquid. Here we conduct an experimental investigation on the deformation of bubbles in a Stokes pipe flow, in which the shear rate is non-uniform. The deformation of the bubbles in various shear rates is observed by high-speed photography. The deformed shape is classified using the capillary number, Ca, the ratio of viscous shear stress that promotes bubble deformation to surface tension that resist deformation. We find that the length of the elongated bubbles due to shear at Ca > 1 is smaller than that in a simple shear field whose capillary numbers are equal to each other. In such a case, the bubbles have an asymmetric shape like the section of a two-dimensional airfoil with camber. Implication to the effective viscosity of the suspensions with such a wing-shaped bubble is briefly discussed.

The performance indicators defined in Guidelines for the management and assessment of a drinking water supply service , which was published in 2005 by the JWWA Technical Committee in Japan, are often applied to compare ones of different water supply utilities. On the other hand, the PIs are useful to estimate results of a new project which a water supply utility will plan. This paper shows results of the evaluation of an imaginary project which the authors intend to promote concerning replacement of old pipelines using the numerical model of PIs on condition that any factors of the existing water supply utility are not changeable. The authors can estimate numerical variation of the other PIs caused by pipeline replacement, which are water charge, leakage ratio, pipeline burst ratio, redundancy of water resource and so on. This study shows that PIs make it easy to evaluate a new project.

26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 has a higher potency both in vivo and in vitro systems, and longer duration of action in vivo, instead of almost equal binding to 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor and comparatively short serum half-life. To date, the mechanism of higher action is not known, but using these analogues as a mirror we might be able to elucidate the mechanism of action or the metabolism of the kidney hormone, 1,25(OH)2D3.

Ion beam sputter deposition (IBSD) method was employed to find optimum conditions for the formation of epitaxial β-FeSi2 films on Si(100) substrate. It was found that crystal structure of the films as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is dependent on the substrate temperature as well as on the deposited thickness of sputtered Fe. The film with best crystal properties was obtained either at 873 K with the deposited Fe thickness of 15 nm, or at 973 K with the deposited Fe thickness of 30 nm. The obtained results indicate the importance of Fe and/or Si diffusion in determining the crystal properties of β-FeSi2 film.

For formation of β-FeSi2 using ion beam sputter deposition (IBSD) method, sputter etching (SE) followed by thermal annealing is effective substrate treatment to obtain highly (100)-oriented β-FeSi2 on Si(100). However, the best condition of these treatments are not yet known. In this work, the effect of SE together with annealing process on the orientation of the film is investigated. Prior to the deposition of Fe, the substrate is irradiated by Ne+ ions with various energy and fluence followed by thermal annealing at 1073 K for 60 min. The overall results show the most suitable SE condition using Ne+ ion on IBSD method is the energy of 1 keV with the fluence of 3.0×1019 ions /m2.

Targets with the elemental composition of Fe, Fe 2 Si and FeSi 2 were employed in the present study to grow β-FeSi 2 film on Si (100) substrate by means of ion beam sputter deposition (IBSD) method. The results revealed that when FeSi 2 target was employed, a Si-rich phase, α-FeSi 2 (Fe 2 Si 5 ), was predominant at temperatures above 973 K, while β-FeSi 2 phase was observed only in the limited temperature range at around 873 K. In this case, Si was originated both from the sputtered target and the substrate, thus, the supply of Si was considered to be excessive to sustain β structure. On the other hand, the films prepared with Fe target became polycrystalline as they grow thicker than 100 nm. In order to optimize the supply of Fe and Si for epitaxial growth, Fe 2 Si target was employed, where highly (100)-oriented β-FeSi 2 layer of 120 nm in thickness was obtained at 973 K.

Objective and design: Examination of the effects of bisphosphonates on joint damage and generalized bone loss. Materials: Adjuvant-arthritis was induced by injection of Mycobacterium butyricum into the footpad of the right hind paw of Lewis rats (8 animals/group) on day 0. Treatment: Arthritic rats were treated with the vehicle (saline), etidronate or alendronate (subcutaneously, daily 5 times a week for 3 weeks from day 1 to day 21). Experiment-1: Etidronate (0.1, 0.5, 2.5, 12.5 mg/kg) or alendronate (0.02, 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 mg/kg), Experiment-2: Etidronate (2.5, 5, 10mg/ kg) or alendronate (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 mg/kg). Methods: In the adjuvant-injected side of the hind limbs, paw swelling was evaluated at 1-week intervals, and bone mineral density (BMD) in the proximal tibia, histopathology and radiographical findings in the tibio-tarsal region were evaluated at the time of sacrifice (on day 21). Results: In all treatment schedules, both bisphosphonates significantly prevented paw swelling and bone loss. Alendronate reduced paw swelling at higher doses (over 0.1 mg/ kg) compared with its effect on BMD decrease (over 0.001 mg/kg). In contrast, etidronate reduced paw swelling and joint damage at doses similar to those (over 2.5 mg/kg) prevented BMD decrease. Conclusions: Both etidronate and alendronate are effective in reducing arthritic damage, but their effective dose ranges for inflammatory responses and BMD decrease clearly differ; i.e., the etidronate dose ranges for anti-inflammatory and anti-resorptive effects are similar, whereas the dose range for anti-inflammatory effects of alendronate is 100-fold higher than that for its anti-resorptive effects.

The ionic migration in lithium borate glasses with various composition of molar ratio R ( R =0.15, 0.21, 0.33, 0.5, 0.7, 1 and 1.4) is studied by the conductivity and the nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. Four activation energies for Li ion migration characterizing these observed quantities, E σ determined from dc conductivity, E p from ac conductivity, E δω from motional narrowing phenomenon in nmr and E T 1 from spin lattice relaxation rate, are obtained. Relation between these energies is discussed. The prediction of the coupling model E σ E δω ∼ E T 1 does not hold. Applying a trapping model, the temperature and R dependence of ionic jump time are calculated and the results can explain successfully the experimentally determined ionic jump time τ nmr for the glasses with R >0.33. The model cannot be applied to the glasses ( R

The superconducting condensate density ns of single-phase tetragonal (La1−xCax)(Ba1.75−xLa0.25+x)Cu3O7+δ polycrystals was examined by the magnetic measurements. The samples were synthesized with the composition range 0.1⩽x⩽1.0 by the amorphous metal-complex method. The magnetization curves were measured by a SQUID magnetometer. The lower critical field Hc1 was obtained from the magnetization curve using the modified Kim–Anderson critical-state model, in which Hc1 was taken into consideration. We estimated ns at 0 K from the temperature dependence of Hc1. The ns value increases until x=0.5 and decreases over x=0.5 as x increases. Besides, ns was found to be linear to the hole density. The present relation between the transition temperature Tc and ns is compared with the results for the underdoped samples by means of muon spin relaxation.

We measured the resistivity and the optical reflectivity spectra, and performed the coulometric titration to examine the average hole density in tetragonal (La 1− x Ca x )(Ba 1.75− x La 0.25+ x )Cu 3 O 7+ d superconductors. High-purity polycrystalline samples were synthesized for Ca cation content 0⩽ x ⩽1 by the amorphous metal-complex method. With increasing x T c increases until x = 0.5–0.6, then decreases over x =0.6. Temperature dependence of the resistivity in 0.4⩽ x ⩽0.9 shows a linear relation like a metallic behavior. The resistivity at room temperature decreases until x =0.5, and increases over x =0.5. The x dependence of the optical conductivity within the low energy region is consistent with the results of electrical dc conductivity. The results of the plasma frequency and the coulometric titration also show the tendency that the hole density increases until x =0.5 and decreases over x =0.5 with increasing x .

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether etidronate treatment could prevent bone loss caused by orchidectomy (ORX) and unilateral sciatic neurectomy (NX) in adult male rats. Seventy-four male Wistar rats, aged 10 months, were randomly divided into eight groups: baseline controls (n = 10); age-matched sham-operated controls (AMC; n = 9); ORX (n = 9); NX (n = 10); ORX + NX (n = 9); ORX + etidronate treatment (ORX + E; n = 7); NX + E (n = 10); and ORX + NX + E (n = 10). Etidronate treatment (10 mg/kg per day subcutaneously) was initiated 2 weeks after surgery and was continued for 2 weeks. Four weeks after surgery, bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal and middle tibia (PT and MT, respectively), distal and middle femur (DF and MF, respectively), and fourth lumbar vertebral body (LVB) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Model DCS-600, Aloka, Tokyo, Japan). The mechanical properties of the MF and third LVB were measured by three-point bending and compression tests, respectively. Levels of urinary deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) and serum osteocalcin (Oc) were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Four weeks of aging had no significant effects on BMD, bone mechanical properties, or bone markers. ORX significantly increased the levels of urinary Dpd and serum Oc, which resulted in significant decreases in BMD of the PT, MT, DF, MF, and fourth LVB, as well as the mechanical strength (maximum load) of the MF and third LVB. NX significantly increased levels of urinary Dpd and decreased levels of serum Oc, resulting in a significant decrease in BMD of the PT, DF, and fourth LVB. The ORX-induced decrease in BMD of the PT was more pronounced when combined with NX. Etidronate treatment for NX, ORX, and ORX + NX rats significantly decreased levels of urinary Dpd and serum Oc, resulting in complete prevention of loss of BMD and/or bone mechanical strength. The present study demonstrates the efficacy of etidronate treatment for prevention of bone loss caused by testosterone deficiency and immobilization in adult male rats.

We investigated stacking double layer structure, the Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 composite film (YZO) on AlO x , for the field effect passivation with high negative fixed charge densities on p-type Si. The composition spread YZO films were deposited at room temperature by using combinatorial sputtering technique. The fixed charge densities were extracted from the flat band voltage shift in the capacitance-voltage characteristics. The as-deposited ZrO 2 film incorporated with 15% Y 2 O 3 stacking on the ALD AlO x structure showed the highest negative fixed charge of −1.9 × 1012 cm−2. The field effect passivation can be controlled by the negative fixed charges in the YZO film depending on the composition and dipole uniformly formed at AlO x /Si interface. After annealing in the oxygen atmosphere, passivation properties deteriorated caused by the Al diffusion at the YZO/AlO x interface.

SUMMARY 1. The aim of the present study was to examine the central nervous system action of JTP-2942, a novel thyrotropin- releasing hormone (TRH) analogue, from the point of view of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism in the postischaemic brain. 2. Left middle cerebral artery ischaemia was induced for 90 min followed by reperfusion. 3. Animals were separated into four groups: (i) low-dose (0.003 mg/kg ) JTP-2942; (ii) high-dose (0.03 mg/kg) JTP-2942; (iii) cystidine diphosphate choline (500 mg/kg); and (iv) saline. The test drug or saline was administered intravenously 1 week after ischaemia. 4. Local CBF and local cerebral glucose utilization were measured autoradiographically, adjacent sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and infarction size was measured. 5. JTP-2942 ameliorated the reduction of local CBF and glucose utilization except in the ischaemic core. In particular, the higher dose (0.03 mg/kg) of JTP-2942 significantly increased local CBF and glucose utilization not only in peri-infarcted areas, but also in distal and contralateral areas. 6. These results suggest that JTP-2942 treatment may be beneficial for improving cerebral circulation and metabolism in the postischaemic brain.

This article examines the importance of determining residual risk and its impact on remedy selection at Superfund Sites. Within this examination, risks are assessed using probabilistic models that incorporate the uncertainty and variability of the input parameters, and utilize parameter distributions based on current and applicable site-specific data. Monte Carlo methods are used to propagate these uncertainties and variabilities through the risk calculations resulting in a distribution for the estimate of both risk and residual risk. Such an approach permits an informed decision based on a broad information base which involves considering the entire uncertainty distribution of risk rather than a point estimate for each exposure scenario. Using the probabilistic risk estimates, with current and applicable site-specific data, alternative decisions regarding cleanup are obtained for two Superfund Sites.

In this paper, the methodology used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect a small population that may be at high risk, referred to as the “maximally exposed individual”; (MEI) is assessed. Monte Carlo techniques and more reasonable values for exposure parameters are used to determine a more physiologically reasonable MEI. The Monte Carlo MEI is compared to the EPA's quantification of the MEI as well as the results of a standard MC assessment. In general, the EPA's estimate of MEI risks were found to be much larger (one to three orders of magnitude) than the Monte Carlo MEI risk estimates, showing that using default maximum values results in overestimated risks. In comparing the risk distributions of the Monte Carlo MEI with the Monte Carlo nominal population, one can conclude that the existence of a MEI in the nominal population is highly unlikely. However, by regulating at a higher percentile risk value of the nominal population, a small percentage of the MEI popu...

In this paper, state‐of‐the‐art risk assessment models, and the most current and applicable site specific exposure data are employed in the reassessment of baseline risks at three Superfand Sites for which a Record of Decision has been issued since 1990. The results of this reassessment are compared to health risk assessments based on EPA's conservative or default parameters in estimating exposure and risk. These state‐of‐the‐art models are based on Monte Carlo simulation that accounts for uncertainty and variability in the input parameters, and uses parameter distributions based on the current literature. In general, the Monte Carlo analysis produced risk values at the mean and 90th percentile that were much lower than those obtained by the EPA using default point estimate values. As a result, the risks calculated at some sites appear to be at levels acceptable to the EPA without additional remediation and, therefore, “no‐action”; alternatives might be more appropriate.

Intra-arterial aortoinfundibuloplasty is a newly developed aortic annular enlargement procedure in which, originally, the annulus was split anteriorly via the main pulmonary arteriotomy. An alternative method of aortoinfundibuloplasty was studied experimentally which creates spiral incisions on the free walls of both great arteries descending together into the aortopulmonary and infundibular septum via both commissures of right and left facing cusps of pulmonary and aortic valves. The valve prosthesis is implanted through this three-dimensional incision, followed by patch reconstruction. The ratio of annular augmentation was three sizes in two animals and four sizes in three animals. Immediate postoperative haemodynamics were satisfactory and there was no significant postoperative increase in systolic pressure gradient at the right ventricular outflow tract and in the right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. This alternative procedure could be applied to cases requiring radical annular enlargement and would give a wider view of both ventricular outflow tracts.

This paper describes the results of a computer simulation that models the transport and fate of methanol introduced into surface water and ground water environments. Several different scen...

It was found that the coercivity of SmFeN coarse powder is enhanced by an enrichment of the nitrogen content in combination with Mn addition; the coercivities of Sm2(Fe0.84Co0.11Mn0.05)17N5.2 and Sm2(Fe0.95Mn0.05)17 N5.5 coarse powders are 9 kOe and 7 kOe respectively. These values are 10–15 times as large as that of conventional Sm2Fe17N3 coarse powders without Mn addition. The thermal stability of the coercivity of these Mn-added SmFeN magnets was also improved; the temperature coefficient of coercivity β of Sm2(Fe0.95Mn0.05)17N5.5 coarse powder magnet is −0.33% °C−1 (for SmFeN without Mn addition β is −0.45% °C−1. In addition, the Mn-added coarse powder has good oxidation resistance at high temperature; the deterioration of the coercivity of Sm2(Fe0.84Co0.11Mn0.05)17N5.5 and Sm2(Fe0.95Mn0.05)17N5.5 coarse powder after exposure in air at 110 °C for 500 h is 0% and 1% respectively. SmFeCoMnN coarse powder magnets with a (BH)max value of 12 MG Oe (iHc = 4.3 kOe) have been fabricated so far. It was considered that the magnetic reversal of the Mn-added SmFeN powder is pinning controlled, judging from the initial magnetization curve and relation between the iHc and maximum applied field.

The transcriptional activity of the hexafluorinated derivative of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [F6-1,25-(OH)2D3], was examined in cultured cells by a transient expression assay (CAT assay) using expression vectors for the rat nuclear vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) and the rat 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor (RXR beta), and a reporter plasmid containing a consensus vitamin D3 response element (VDRE) consisting of two directly repeated AGGTCA motifs spaced by 3 bp (DR3). At physiological concentrations, the transcriptional activity of F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 was 2-4 times more potent than that of 1,25-(OH)2D3 in both nontarget (HeLa) and target (UMR106) cells for 1,25-(OH)2D3. The transcriptional activity of F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 was also higher when the endogenous target gene (osteopontin), which has a VDRE related to the DR3 in its promoter, was induced. A gel-shift assay using DR3 as a probe and in vitro synthesized receptors showed that the ligand-induced DNA binding of VDR required RXR to form a heterodimer. Moreover, in this assay we found that F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 induced the receptor-DNA complex at a 10-fold lower concentration than 1,25-(OH)2D3 without influencing the dissociation kinetics. However, the binding affinity of F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 for VDR was slightly lower than that of 1,25-(OH)2D3. The increased DNA binding of ligand-bound VDR by introducing hexafluorines into 1,25-(OH)2D3 may potentiate the transcriptional activity. Thus, the higher biological activity of F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 may be exerted at least in part by enhanced transcriptional activity.

The melting temperatures, the lattice parameters and the optical properties of Nd doped Bi12SiO20 have been studied for the diode pumped laser applications. The lattice parameters and the melting temperatures decrease from 10.1055 to 10.1035 A and from 900 to 890 °C with Nd2O3 concentration from 0 to 5 mol%. The crystals grown by Czochralski technique are transparent up to λ = 500 nm. The width of the optical absorption peak due to Nd3+ ion (λ = 815 nm) is broader than that of Nd doped Y3Al5O12. Segregation coefficient of Nd is estimated to be about k = 0.17. The solubility limit of Nd2O3 into Bi12SiO20 is also suggested to be about 5 mol%.

The existence of non-stoichiometric solid-solution phase in YVO 4 has been examined by the compositional variations in the lattice parameters and the photoluminescence intensities. The lattice parameters, c-axis, a-axis and c/a ratio, and the photoluminescence intensities ( λ =440 nm) vary apparently with the vanadium content of the sintered YVO 4 specimens. A vanadium deficient non-stoichiometric solid-solution ranging from about 48 to 50 mol% of vanadium content is suggested to be formed by the generation of vanadium vacancy.

We have already shown that alkylcatechol markedly enhances synthesis/secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) in cultured mouse fibroblasts and astroglial cells through immediate accumulation of NGF mRNA and that the stimulatory effect of alkylcatechol on NGF synthesis/secretion is synergistically enhanced by the coadministration of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The stimulatory effect on NGF mRNA expression of astroglial cells in culture by 4-methylcatechol (MC), an alkylcatechol, and/or PMA was blocked by treatment of the cells with cycloheximide, suggesting de novo synthesis of some cellular protein(s) is essential for the observed increase in the NGF mRNA level. The exposure to MC and/or PMA caused a rapid increase in c-fos mRNA content, which was immediately followed by an increase in c-jun mRNA, prior to NGF mRNA elevation. The expression of c-fos mRNA was transiently enhanced in all cases of the treatment with MC and/or PMA. The c-jun mRNA expression was also observed transiently when the cells were treated with PMA alone, while the expression of c-jun mRNA was pronounced and long-lasting after the treatment with MC, which was much further enhanced by the coadministration of PMA. The result that the profile of the change in c-jun mRNA expression resembled that in NGF mRNA expression suggests that the increase in c-jun mRNA is responsible for the subsequent increase in NGF mRNA after MC treatment. The cotransfection of mouse astroglial cells with expression plasmids of c-fos and/or c-jun and NGF promoter gene showed that simultaneous expression of both c-fos and c-jun genes was necessary to enhance NGF promoter activity. These results suggest that alkylcatechol induces NGF mRNA by means of transient induction of c-fos mRNA and long-lasting induction of c-jun mRNA. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The morphology and the growth mechanism of lithium borate crystals from the vitreous state have been studied for various compositions, X = B/(Li + B), from 0.62 to 0.75. Crystalline phases and morphology of grown crystals varied with the composition. Octahedral and/or spherical Li2B4O7 crystals are seen in the specimen with X = 0.62, 0.64, 0.67, and 0.68. The spherical crystal is composed of an octahedral core and fibrous crystals. The size of the core varied with the composition of the starting glass, X. The fibrous crystal growth is supposed to arise from the morphological instability due to the compositional variation caused by the solute pileup at the growth interface.

Decarbonation of raw materials, SrCO[sub 3] and CaCO[sub 3], during the sintering process of Bi-(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductors has been evaluated by a volumetric analysis of the CO[sub 2] evolved by the sample reaction with HCl. The residual carbonate concentration remains 20% of its initial value even after 20 h sintering at 860 C in air. Decarbonation is accelerated by increasing temperature and evacuation. The most successful decarbonation is done by a modified sintering in which SrCO[sub 3], CaCO[sub 3] and CuO mixtures without Bi[sub 2]O[sub 3] and PbO are sintered at 980 C with evacuation. The sintered product is mixed with Bi[sub 2]O[sub 3] and PbO and then sintered again. In modified sintering, the residual carbonate concentration decreases to less than 7% of its initial value in 1 h. The high-Tc phase is prepared rapidly by accelerating the decarbonation.

Lattice parameters, ferroelectric Curie temperature (Tc) and density of sintered MgO doped LiNbO 3 were evaluated for investigating the substitution mechanism of Mg in LiNbO 3 crystal. The variations in the hexagonal lattice parameters, Tc and the density of specimens were changed with MgO concentration. It is likely that the substitution of Nb on the Li-sites by Mg occurs dominantly below 4 mol% MgO concentration, then substitution of Li by Mg begins to occur above 4 mol%.

BACKGROUND It has been shown that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for stroke, but there have been few studies on the relationship between CKD and stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between renal dysfunction and cerebral white matter lesions or carotid plaque in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS Subjects were 202 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke who were admitted to the Stroke Center of Nippon Medical School Hospital from January 2007 to July 2008. The estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) was calculated and the relationship of renal dysfunction to the subtype of ischemic stroke, cardiovascular risk factors, cerebral white matter lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and maximum intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery was analyzed statistically. RESULTS Among the 202 patients with ischemic stroke, 27.9% had an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (eGFR < 60 ml group). Age was significantly higher and a history of hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease was significantly more frequent in this group than in the group with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (eGFR ≥ 60 ml group). Among the subtypes of ischemic stroke, atherothrombotic cerebral infarction was predominant and accounted for 41.1%, followed by cardiogenic cerebral infarction at 31.1%, lacunar infarction at 18.8%, and unclassified infarction at 8.9%. There was no significant difference in the distribution of ischemic stroke subtype between both groups. Deep and subcortical white matter hypertensity (DSWMH) and periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) were detected by brain MRI in 91.5% of the eGFR < 60 ml group. In the eGFR < 60 ml group, PVH was significantly more frequent than in the eGFR ≥ 60 ml group (p = 0.032) and DSWMH was also more frequent (p = 0.0519). The maximum IMT measured by carotid ultrasound was significantly larger in the eGFR < 60 ml group. CONCLUSION In patients with acute ischemic stroke, the incidence of renal dysfunction was high like that of heart disease. In the eGFR < 60 ml group, carotid IMT was larger and the incidence of PVH was higher, so these patients presumably had more advanced atherosclerotic changes of the cerebral vessels.

The dc and ac conductivity of single crystal and glass of Li2B4O7 have been measured at various temperatures. It has been shown that these materials are mixed conductors in which electronic and ionic conduction coexist. In the single crystals, both the electronic conduction and ionic conduction along the c axis are much smaller than that perpendicular to the c axis. The anisotropy in the electronic conduction is considered to be due to the conduction by the π electron of the BO3 layer located on the (001) crystallographic plane. The anisotropy in the ionic conduction is also considered to be due to the diffusion of Li ions and/or protons between the BO3 layers. The thermal activation energies of the electronic conduction were 0.65 eV for glass, 1.61 eV for the crystal parallel to the c axis, and 0.78 eV for the crystal perpendicular to the c axis. The activation energy of the ionic conduction was 0.46 eV for the crystal perpendicular to the c axis.

Mission systems have become increasingly integrated with and dependent on the Information Technology (IT) and digital communications systems of cyberspace, resulting in increased susceptibility of those systems, and the missions they support, to cybersecurity attacks. Consequently, the integration of Cyberspace Operations with Terrestrial, Afloat, Air and Space Operations has become essential to the success of those missions, and the development, fielding, and operation of those mission systems in a secure manner have become vitally important. In general, approaches to cybersecurity for mission systems and for the development infrastructure that supports the production of those systems have focused on the implementation of technology as reactive mechanisms in the operational environment. Although those technical mechanisms are evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated, they are not sufficient to provide the strength of protection and resiliency that is needed in today's complex and highly interconnected cyberspace domain. A more proactive approach is needed that builds in protective and resiliency mechanisms during acquisition and development, providing increased assurance that the security features, practices, procedures, and architecture of an information system are strong enough to mitigate all known operational risks, and accurately enforce Department of Defense (DoD) security policies. This paper presents a methodology for cybersecurity risk management (CSRM) for DoD mission systems that incorporates both qualitative and quasi-quantitative analyses for improved decision-making regarding effectiveness and return on investment (ROI). This methodology is designed to be used iteratively throughout the entire system lifecycle, during both system acquisition and operations. The methodology is in alignment with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), DoD's Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Sector-Specific Plan, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) risk management standards, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) risk management standards, DoD risk management standards, DoD policies and directives for the Global Information Grid (GIG), and other emerging national cybersecurity initiatives.

Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (DEX) is a newly developed alpha-2 adrenergic agonist sedative and has been shown to be effective in post-surgical patients, providing not only unique sedation but also stabilization of hemodynamic and respiratory function. We investigated the hemodynamic and respiratory effects and efficacy of DEX in 84 consecutive patients (age6 months: 18, 6-12 months: 13, 1-3 years: 29, 4-9 years: 18,10 years: 5, male:female = 44:40) who were sedated by DEX in combination with a small dose of midazolam and morphine. DEX was commenced at an initial dose of 0.7 microg/kg/hr during surgery, approximately 1 hour prior to transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU). DEX infusion was maintained at a rate of 0.2-0.7 microg/kg/hr after ICU admission throughout weaning from mechanical ventilation and extubation. The dose of the sedatives was optimized by scoring on Ramsay's sedative scale. There were no undesirable hemodynamic changes throughout the DEX infusion. Respiration was maintained and all patients were extubated uneventfully. Optimal level of sedation was achieved in all patients. There were no adverse events related to DEX administration. Moreover, junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) and severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) leading to clinical deterioration, which are the major causes of postoperative morbidity in pediatric cardiac surgery, occurred at a low incidence in this series. Our DEX protocol provided 1) satisfactory postoperative sedation without compromising hemodynamics and respiration, and 2) prevention and amelioration of postoperative morbidity caused by sympathomimetic stimulation, in pediatric cardiac surgery.

BaAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ , Dy 3+ crystals, which exhibit extremely long lasting phosphorescence peaking at λ = 500 nm, have been grown successfully by a floating zone technique. Greenish blue phosphorescence from BaAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ , Dy 3+ crystal was lasting for more than 2 h after the excitation.

Background noises degenerate the estimation accuracy of adaptive filters including the fast Hinfin filter. In this paper, we experimentally analyze how a noise suppressor can improve the performance of the fast Hinfin echo canceller.

Two episode of junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) caused hemodynamic deterioration early after tetralogy of Fallot repair in an 8-month-old infant. Sinus rhythm resumed in each of the episodes immediately after intravenous administration of nifekalant hydrochloride (NIF), a newly developed Vaughan-Williams class III antiarrhythmic drug in Japan. Although QT interval was modestly prolonged with NIF, no life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia (i.e., torsades de pointes) occurred. NIF might be an effective alternative in the treatment of postoperative JET in congenital cardiac surgery.

Aspirin prevents the production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) by irreversibly inhibiting platelet cyclooxygenase, exhibiting antiplatelet actions. This agent has been reported to prevent relapse in patients with ischemic heart disease or cerebral infarction via this action mechanism. However, there are individual differences in this action, and aspirin is not effective in some patients, which is referred to as 'aspirin resistance'. In this study, we analyzed laboratory aspirin resistance by platelet aggregation in 110 healthy adult Japanese males using 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of nine genes involved in platelet aggregation/hemorrhage. Among SNPs involved in platelet aggregation, aspirin was less effective for 924T homozygote of a TXA2 receptor, 924T>C, and 1018C homozygote of a platelet membrane glycoprotein GPIbalpha, 1018C>T, suggesting that 924T and 1018C alleles are involved in aspirin resistance.

A new type applicator for microwave hyperthermia operated at 433 MHz is proposed. This applicator, which is a waveguide array type, has a convergent effect of the electromagnetic field radiated from the applicator, and focal length of can be changeable. The electric field distributions in the model of human tissues from the aperture of the applicator were measured, and the simulation of temperature distributions was performed in the model heated with the applicator.

While the environment surrounding wire bonding, i.e., wire, lead frame, wire bonder, and capillary, is being developed more eagerly than ever, wire bonding technology which can better meet the more compact and higher density chips without modifying the existing assembly process is desired. This paper discusses reduction of the diameter of a ball to be formed at the tip of the wire, the required wire diameter reduction, capillary tip diameter reduction, and attainment of a higher Young's modulus for the wire which can suppress wire sweep in transfer molding, and indicates that wire bonding for a pitch of 70 /spl mu/m or less can be performed with no problem in reliability of the bonded zone.