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We investigated the structural phase transition of the Ba 1 − x Sr x Al 2 O 4 solid-solution system ( x ⩾ 0.6 ) via in situ powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The sequence of structural phase transitions P 6 3 22 ↔ P 6 3 ( 3 a p ) ↔ P 2 1 occurs in a composition window of x=0.8–1.0. Ba substitution suppresses the P63 intermediate and low-temperature P21 phases, which disappear at x=0.7 and 0.6, respectively. The P21 phase boundary exhibits first-order characteristics, at which the cell parameters change discontinuously and the cell volume slightly contracts as the temperature increases. In the P21 phase, unstable twin walls are observed; the shapes and the crystal axes of each twin domain change as the temperature increases. This instability can be attributed to the latent instabilities that both the BaAl2O4 and SrAl2O4 compounds possess.

Amorphous solids are known to exhibit excess heat capacity that shows a hump near 10 K and diverges from the Debye ${T}^{3}$ law at low temperature below 1 K. In this work, the authors report that an insulating crystal Ba${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Sr${}_{x}$Al${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$ exhibits these glasslike features, while the periodicity of the crystal is preserved, as a result of large ferroelectric fluctuation. The ferroelectric phase transition of the parent material BaAl${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$ is largely suppressed by a small amount of atomic substitution for Ba, and the structurally disordered state is found outside this ferroelectric ordering. This system can be expected to act as a bridge that connects amorphous solids and crystals and clarifies unsolved problems in amorphous solids.

Insufficient nutrition during the perinatal period causes structural alterations in humans and experimental animals, leading to increased vulnerability to diseases in later life. Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica, in which partial (8–10%) egg white was withdrawn (EwW) from eggs before incubation had lower birth weights than controls (CTs). EwW birds also had reduced hatching rates, smaller glomeruli and lower embryo weight. In EwW embryos, the surface condensate area containing mesenchymal cells was larger, suggesting that delayed but active nephrogenesis takes place. In mature EwW quail, the number of glomeruli in the cortical region (mm2) was significantly lower (CT 34.7±1.4, EwW 21.0±1.2); capillary loops showed focal ballooning, and mesangial areas were distinctly expanded. Immunoreactive cell junction proteins,N-cadherin and podocin, and slit diaphragms were clearly seen. With aging, the mesangial area and glomerular size continued to increase and were significantly larger in EwW quail, suggesting compensatory hypertrophy. Furthermore, apoptosis measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling analysis was higher in EwWs than in CTs on embryonic day 15 and postnatal day 4 (D4). Similarly, plasma glucocorticoid (corticosterone) was higher (P

Larger size and higher sugar content fruits are desired for fruit production. However, these factors compete with each other. For example, water stress (smaller watering) causes an increase in sugar content but a decrease in fruit size. Therefore, there exists an optimal watering operation for their maximization. In this study, an optimal watering scheduling that maximize both of the sugar content and the diameter of Satsuma mandarins grown in the field was investigated using neural networks and genetic algorithms. The monthly data of the fruit responses and climate factors were measured for identification from August to November, 1996-2009. Dynamic changes in the sugar content and diameter of the Satsuma mandarins, as affected by the rainfall (watering), sunshine duration and air temperature, were first identified using neural networks, and then an optimal watering scheduling (rainfall management) that maximizes the sugar content and size of the Satsuma mandarins was determined through simulation of the identified neural-network model using genetic algorithms. The optimal value obtained here was a combination of the marked increase in watering during the fruit-developmental stage (August and September) and a significant decrease in watering during the fruit-maturing stage (October and November). From the model simulation, a marked increase in watering during the former stage induced an active developmental growth of the fruit, and a significant decrease in watering during the latter stage induced an increase in the sugar content. Drip irrigation is commonly used for increasing the watering whereas plastic-film mulching is used for reducing it.

The standing wave in the near field of the screech jet exhausted from a nozzle with a hard plate works on the jet flow as the forcing wave by the location of a reflecting plate, and then jet flow is considered to be changed. Moreover, the reflector location from the nozzle changes the sound pressure contours of the near field. Intensity maps of the screech tone which indicate the propagation to the jet axial direction or the radial direction of the jet by the presence of the reflector plate have not been explored. In the present paper, acoustic characteristics in the near field of the screech tone with the reflecting plate are studied using an optical wave microphone, which can measure the sound propagating for both vertical and horizontal directions to the jet axis. As a result, the standing wave in the near field of the screech jet with the reflector has two types: One is the standing wave between the hydrodynamic pressure fluctuation propagating jet downstream and the sound pressure propagating upstream, and the other is the standing wave by the difference between the wavelength of the sound wave and the wavelength at the place close to the jet.

Avian influenza outbreaks caused by a low-pathogenic H5N2 virus occurred in Japan from June to December 2005. All 41 affected farms housed layer chickens. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study targeting all commercial layer chicken farms within the movement restriction areas in Ibaraki prefecture, where most outbreaks were detected, to investigate the risk factors for the introduction of avian influenza virus (AIV). Four variables were identified as risk factors associated with the introduction of AIV by multivariate logistic regression: 'introduction of end-of-lay chickens ' (odds ratio (OR) = 36.6), 'sharing of farm equipment among farms' (OR = 29.4), 'incomplete hygiene measures of farm visitors on shoes, clothes and hands' (OR = 7.0), and 'direct distance to the nearest case farm' (0-500 m, OR = 8.6; 500-1000 m, OR = 0.8; 1000-1500 m, OR = 20.1; referenced more than 1500 m). We fully believe that strict biosecurity measures should be applied against any incursion points so as not to introduce AIV into more farms.

In this study, an optimal watering scheduling that improves the quality of Satsuma mandarins grown in the field, was investigated using neural networks and genetic algorithms. Fruit responses and climate factors were determined monthly from August to November, 1996–2004. Dynamic changes in the sugar and citric acid contents of the Satsuma mandarins, as affected by the rainfall and sunshine duration, were first identified using neural networks, and then an optimal watering scheduling (rainfall management) that maximizes the sugar content and minimizes the citric acid of the Satsuma mandarins was determined through simulation of the identified neural-network model using genetic algorithms. The optimal scheduling was a combination of a marked increase in watering during the fruit-developmental stage (August and September) inducing a lower citric acid content and a significant decrease in watering during the fruit-maturing stage (October and November) inducing an increase in the sugar content. Drip irrigation is commonly used for increasing the watering whereas plastic-film mulching is used for reducing it.

The pyrolysis residue (SP) of sewage sludge (SS) produced at 500 °C was subjected to batch and column leaching tests to investigate the release of its organic and inorganic constituents and metals. For comparison, incineration ash (SI) obtained from a SS incinerator was also tested. Pyrolysis and incineration reduced organic matter of SS from 0.78 kg kg −1 -dry SS to 0.16 and 0.01 kg kg −1 -dry SS, respectively. Heavy metals remained in SP without being volatilized, although Cd and Pb were transferred into the off-gas during incineration. In the batch leaching test with the leaching liquid-to-solid mass ratio (L/S) = 10, the pH of the SS, SP, and SI filtrates was 6.3, 7.9, and 11.0, respectively. The total organic carbon concentrations were in the order SS (877 l mg l −1 ) ≫ SP (99 mg l −1 ) > SI (26 mg l −1 ). The SP and SI filtrates met the landfill standard for the Cd and Pb concentrations ( −1 ). In the column tests, although the SP contained more organic matter than that of SI, its carbon discharge into the leachate under aerobic conditions was similar to that of SI under anaerobic conditions. The leaching of heavy metals, such as Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn, was also suppressed in SP during the active decomposition of organic matter. We demonstrated that pyrolysis reduces the potential release of pollutants from sewage sludge in landfill, making it a promising method of treating sewage sludge before landfilling.

State Univ Sao Paulo, IBILCE UNESP, Dept Chem & Enironm Sci, BR-15054000 Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has conducted an extensive study of emergency response planning applicable to sea transport of plutonium for the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC). This work covered four separate areas to better define the accident environment for long range sea transport of nuclear materials. A probabilistic safety analysis evaluated technical issues for the transport of plutonium between Europe and Japan. An engine room fire aboard a purpose built ship was used to analyse the vulnerability of plutonium packaging designed to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. A comprehensive corrosion study estimated the time required for sea water to breach a containment boundary in submerged generic plutonium packaging. A survey of worldwide commercial recovery capabilities provided a compilation of information on the capabilities of salvaging high value cargo from sunken ships. This paper addresses salvage modes from harbour depths to the deepest ocean trench...

To improve the quality of Satsuma mandarin during the developing and maturing stages, an optimal watering operation was investigated through identification and optimization using intelligent control techniques. Dynamic changes in the sugar content and the citric acid of Satsuma mandarin, as affected by rainfall and sunshine duration, was first identified using neural networks, and then an optimal operation for watering (rainfall management) that maximizes the sugar content and that minimizes the citric acid of Satsuma mandarin was sought through simulation of the identified neural-network model using genetic algorithms. An optimal solution obtained here was an operation that increases the amount of watering during the first stage and then markedly reduces it during the latter half stage of the maturing stage. From simulation, the maximization of the amount of watering during the first stage resulted in a significant decrease in the citric acid, and the minimization during the latter half stage led to a marked increase in the sugar content. A mulching technique with plastic film and a sprinkling operation allow controlling the amount of rainfall. This operation suggests a better way for supplying the water to Satsuma mandarin and improving the quality.

We describe a new detector system developed for high-altitude balloon flights to observe the cosmic-ray electrons above 10 GeV. The Balloon borne Electron Telescope with Scintillating (BETS) fibers instrument is an imaging calorimeter which is capable of selecting electrons against the large background of protons. The calorimeter is composed of a sandwich of scintillating optical-fiber belts and lead plates with a combination of three plastic scintillators for shower trigger. The total thickness of lead is 40 mm (∼ 7.1 r.l. ) and the number of fiber belts is nine. In each belt, alternating layers are oriented in orthogonal (x and y) directions. Two sets of an intensified CCD camera are adopted for read-out of the scintillating fibers in the x and y direction, respectively. The accelerator beam tests were carried out to study the performance of detector for electrons in 1996 and for protons in 1997 at CERN-SPS. The instrument was successfully flown aboard high-altitude balloon in 1997 and 1998. It is demonstrated by the flight data that a reliable identification of the electron component has been achieved in 10– 100 GeV and the energy spectrum has been obtained.

This study describes and analyses the safety of a large number of plutonium transport operations for the international transport of plutonium by maritime cargo vessels for selected routes. The analysis centres on conventional cargo vessels and their accident history in order to provide an estimate of the probability of accident occurrences for such vessels. This is an ultraconservative study since the radioactive materials described in this study will, in all likelihood, be transported in purpose-built ships that incorporate many safety features not found in regular cargo vessels. Follow-on studies can use the information developed in this study in order to estimate the probability of accident occurrences involving purpose-built ships. The accident probabilities developed in this study, for conventional cargo vessels, provide a conservative bounding estimate of the probabilities for accidents involving purpose-built ships. This study estimates the safety of transporting plutonium from Europe to Ja...

The programme goal was to show that the IAEA safe transport regulations adequately cover the thermal effects of an engine-room fire on plutonium transport packages stowed aboard a purpose-built ship. The packages are stored in transport containers located in a cargo hold of the ship. For this study, it was assumed that the packages in No 5 Hold, adjacent to an engine-room, could be subject to heating due to a fire in the engine-room. The No 5 hold and the engine-room are separated by a water-filled bulkhead. This study addressed the heat transfer from an engine-room fire that could heat and evaporate water out of the water-filled bulkhead and the resulting temperature conditions around the packages and inside the packages near their elastomeric seals.

This study explored how the type of pictorial stimulus affects the quality of an individual's written expression. Cole, Muenz, Ouchi, Kaufman, and Kaufman in 1997 furnished initial evidence supporting Hooper, et al.‘s 1994 theory. A pictorial stimulus different from that used by Cole, et al. was developed from Hooper, et al.'s specifications, i.e., pictorial stimuli should be photographs rather than line drawings, should have a clear protagonist and should present a novel problem–situation that can be solved in a stepwise manner and compared to a conventional line drawing stimulus (from PIAT–R Written Expression) in its ability to evoke writing samples. It was hypothesized that the “Hooper” stimulus would yield higher scores than an atheoretical stimulus on items assessing structure and cohesiveness of the story, but not on items that assess writing mechanics. Participants comprised 25 men and women aged 17 to 46 years. Results indicate that Hooper, et al.‘s theory is more plausible than a conventional line-drawing stimulus.

The Peabody Individual Achievement Test–Revised (PIAT-R) and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT) contain measures of written expression. However, these subtests are not theory-based and were assessed with inappropriate psychometric analyses. This study attempted to enhance the study of written expression by reexamining the reliability and validity of the PIAT-R and WIAT Written Expression scoring systems, applying theory and more appropriate statistical analyses. First, items were identified that were the most and least reliable, determined by interrater agreement. Next, the most and least valid items were identified, based on item–total correlations. Subjects included 50 adolescents, men, and women aged 13 to 46 years; raters were three graduate students with experience and training similar to that of the typical test user. Results indicate that seven items were too easy, as virtually all subjects received the maximum score on these items—these items were eliminated. The remaining 24 items were classified as both reliable and valid (9 items), reliable but not valid (4 items), valid with limited reliability (5 items), and neither reliable nor valid (6 items). The WIAT written expression scoring system was found to have more items that were both reliable and valid compared to the PIAT-R scoring system. Items measuring global, rather than specific, content were also found to be more reliable and valid. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The morphology of TiS in steels formed during solidification and the modification of this morphology by the addition of alloying elements of Mn, Zr, Cr and C were investigated by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that the morphologies can be classified into three types: (i) globular (ii) rod-like and (iii) plate-like sulfides. The morphology of TiS in the Fe-0.5%Ti-0.3%S base alloy is the rod-like sulfide while additions of Mn and Zr change the morphology from rod-like to globular. The tendency of enrichment of alloying elements in the sulfide is in the order Zr>(Ti)>Mn>Cr, which is similar to that in MnS. The formation of different TiS morphologies is discussed based on phase diagram information.

Eleven aborted bovine fetuses and five calves suspected as having neosporosis were necropsied and tissues from these animals were inoculated into bovine cardiopulmonary aortic endothelial cells and monkey kidney cells and maintained at 37°C with 5 per cent CO2. Neospora tachyzoites were observed in one cell 49 days after inoculation. The isolated parasite ( JPA1 ) was morphologically identical to the previously reported bovine Neospora species ( BPA1 ) and confirmed by its strong antigenic reactivity with bovine control antisera to Neospora species and its lack of reactivity with Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis cruzi antisera. This is the first bovine Neospora species isolate in Asia and further studies with this isolate are now expected.

A 65-year-old man was admitted to our department due to severe dysphagia, dysarthria, and aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia and dysarthria were caused by lateral medullary infarction (Wallenberg' s syndrome). After the patient recovered from pneumonia, the abnormality of swallowing was assessed by a swallowing provocation test and videofluorography. Two months after the start of swallowing training, a swallowing provocation test showed that the swallowing reflex had improved and videofluorography showed that the magnitude of aspiration to the trachea had decreased. The patient began taking food by mouth. These tests are useful for quantitative assessment of dysphagia and for deciding when to start oral intake in elderly patients.

This study assessed Hooper et al.'s contention that the type of pictorial stimulus affects the quality of an individual's written expression. These researchers contended that pictorial stimuli should be photographs (rather than line drawings), should have a clear protagonist, and should present a novel problem-situation that can be solved in a stepwise manner. A pictorial stimulus developed from Hooper et al.'s specifications was compared to a conventional line drawing stimulus (from PIAT-R Written Expression) in its ability to evoke writing samples. Subjects comprised 50 men and women aged 13 to 46 years. It was hypothesized that the “Hooper” stimulus would yield higher scores than a conventional stimulus on items assessing structure and cohesiveness of the story, but not on items that assess writing mechanics. The results of the ANOVAs supported the hypothesis, in accordance with Hooper et al.'s prediction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Transport of fresh MOX fuel assemblies for the prototype FBR MONJU initial core started in July 1992 and ended in March 1994. As many as 205 fresh MOX fuel assemblies (109 assemblies for an inner core, 91 assemblies for an outer core and 5 assemblies for testing) were transported in nine transport missions. The packaging for fuel assemblies, which has shielding and shock absorbing material inside, meets IAEA regulatory requirements for Type B(U) packaging including hypothetical accident conditions such as the 9 m drop test, fire test, etc. Moreover, this packaging design features such advanced technologies as high performance neutron shielding material and an automatic hold-down mechanism for the fuel assemblies. Every effort was made to carry out safe transport in conjunction with the cooperation of every competent organisation. This effort includes establishment of, the transport control centre, communication training, and accompanying the radiation monitoring expert. No transport accident occur...

Summary.-This study examined the interrater reliability of che measure of written expression in the Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised. A sample more diverse in years of education and age than he normed population was used in this study. Fifty subjects from Cahfornia, comprised of 72% females and 74% Caucasians, and ranging in age from 13 to 46, comprised the sample. Subjects were administered the "box" prompt from the PIAT-R Written Expression subtest (Level 11). Interrater reliability for these scores was within the same range as the values provided in the manual once restriction of range was corrected. The measurement of written expression presents numerous practical, theoretical, and psychometric problems (Hooper, Montgomery, Swartz, Reed, Sander, Levine, Watson, & Wasileski, 1994). The need to idenufy individuals with learning disabilities in writing has led to the inclusion of writing subtests in recent achievement batteries such as the Wechsler Lndvidual Achievement Test (MIAT; Psychological Corporation, 1990) and the revision of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PLAT-R; Markwardt, 1989).

B 4 C conversion-coated carbon fiber composites (B 4 C-converted CFC) have been installed on the outboard strike point of the divertor plate in JT-60U to form a complete toroidal ring. The plasma-surface interactions of the B 4 C-converted CFC have been investigated in high power divertor operation with neutral beam (NB) heating power of - 30 MW for 2 s. It is found that the carbon impurity is reduced without a significant increase of the boron impurity using a 100 μm thick B 4 C layer with a B /C ratio of 2.7. The oxygen impurity is reduced significantly by the evaporation of a 300 μm thick B 4 C layer with a B /C ratio of 3.8. A reduction in the detrimental effects on plasma-surface interactions with carbon-based materials has been demonstrated for more than 1000 shots by the use of surface-boronized carbon tiles in JT-60U

The mechanical fracture of three carbon fiber composite (CFC) first wall tiles was observed. This damage was probably caused by the electromagnetic force due to halo current during disruption. The required current to break the CFC tile is estimated to be 25 kA. The broken tile was rotated poloidally around the plasma with a speed of about 10 m/s during the following discharge. A possible driving force of this rotation might be the electromagnetic force due to the scrape-off layer (SOL) current. The required current to rotate the piece of the broken tile is 1 kA. These results indicate that electromagnetic interaction between SOL plasma and the plasma facing component is important in the research on the plasma wall interactions in fusion devices.

Fibroptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a useful way for dentists to evaluate oropharyngeal dysfunction. However, no study has paid attention to inter- and intra-rater reliability of FEES evaluation about oropharyngeal dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to verify whether dentist who trained and experienced for evaluation of dysphagia could diagnose oropharyngeal function with FEES. Nine dentists independently evaluated FEES images of 10 cases four times each. At first, evaluators performed the first evaluation without consulting the evaluative criteria. Subsequently, evaluators independently re-evaluated at 1-week intervals for three consecutive weeks, consulting the evaluative criteria. And then, inter- and intra-rater reliability was calculated. Cohen's Kappa was used to assess reliability. The results found that overall inter-rater reliability was 0·35±0·04 (first evaluation), 0·45±0·05 (s), 0·44±0·05 (third) and 0·46±0·04 (fourth). Most of inter-rater reliability related to aspiration was moderate to high, but lower for categories that evaluated timing of swallowing and mastication. In contrast, intra-rater reliability was moderate to high for overall categories, at 0·53±0·04 (first vs. second evaluation), 0·55±0·04 (first vs. third), 0·53±0·04 (first vs. fourth), 0·55±0·03 (second vs. third), 0·60±0·03 (second vs. fourth) and 0·78±0·03 (third vs. fourth). FEES is reliable for experienced dentists to diagnose oropharyngeal function. Moreover, repeated evaluation with the aids of evaluative criteria is useful to improve the reliability of FEES.

aVenture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furocho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, JAPAN, bDepartment of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, JAPAN, C/nstitute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, JAPAN, dDepartment of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8564, JAPAN, eDepartment of Materials Chemistry, College of Engineering, Hosei University, Kajino-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8584, JAPAN, fDepartment of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, JAPAN, gResearch Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, JAPAN. E-mail: ito@maL chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Results of animal studies suggest that calcium antagonists can inhibit the development of experimentally induced atherosclerosis. Although the biological process underlying this phenomenon has not been fully elucidated, several mechanisms have been proposed. Notably, calcium antagonists may suppress free radical-induced damage of the vascular endothelial cells with the consequent transport of low-density lipoproteins across the vascular endothelium and the accumulation of the lipids in the intima. Studies have shown that calcium antagonists can inhibit the stimulatory effects of epidermal growth factor on intracellular calcium concentrations and DNA synthesis in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells, but not those of platelet-derived growth factor or somatomedin C. Further experimental studies have demonstrated that calcium antagonists stimulate prostacyclin production and inhibit 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced vascular smooth muscle cell migration, therefore preventing platelet aggregation and intimal thickening, respectively. Despite the encouraging results in animals, comparatively few clinical studies have been undertaken to establish the efficacy of calcium antagonists in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients. This, in part, is due to the technical difficulties associated with measuring coronary artery stenosis, but the recent development of a technique for the video-densitometric analysis of coronary angiograms has enabled stenotic regions to be quantified. Using this approach, a retrospective study has been undertaken of the efficacy of long-term treatment with a calcium antagonist on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Results are encouraging and a prospective long-term, multicenter trial is proposed.

The oestrogen-responsive gene, EBAG9, whose product is identical to the cancer cell surface antigen RCAS1, is reported to be associated with tumour progression and invasiveness in various carcinomas. In this study, we examined the expression of EBAG9/RCAS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with special reference to its relationship with the stepwise evolution of HCC. Expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis in 143 HCCs, as well as in non-cancerous liver tissues. After which, the association between enhanced EBAG9/RCAS1 expression and various clinicopathological parameters including Ki-67 labelling index (LI), a marker of proliferative activity, was evaluated. There was a constant low level of EBAG9/RCAS1 expression in non-cancerous liver tissues, with a regular cytoplasmic distribution. Positive immunoreactivity for EBAG9/RCAS1 was detected on the surface and in the cytoplasm of 84 HCC tumours, with an irregular staining pattern. Enhanced EBAG9/RCAS1 expression was correlated with a lower degree of differentiation and Ki-67 LI. Interestingly, expression was enhanced specifically in the less differentiated lesions within 'nodule-in-nodule' tumours. In conclusion, EBAG9/RCAS1 was associated with HCC tumour dedifferentiation and increased proliferative activity. Its exact functional role remains to be established.

A polarization-maintaining erbium-doped fiber amplifier (PM-EDFA) for optical sensing systems has been achieved with newly developed PANDA fiber based optical components. It employs 980 nm pumping for good noise performance. A noise figure of 4.1 dB and polarization crosstalk of less than -30 dB have been achieved with a gain of 22 dB.

SUMMARY Two principal types of stress protein, heat shock proteins (hsps) and metallothionein (MT), are induced in cells responding to a variety of stresses. They play an important role in protecting cells from these stresses. However, many reports indicate that antibodies to hsps are present in human serum and are associated with several autoimmunity diseases. Metals, which are commonly allergenic to humans, induce both MT and hsp70 (one of the hsps family). Until now, there has been no report of any antibody to MT in human serum. In the present study, serum samples from healthy controls (Group I), and patients suffering from atopic dermatitis without (Group II) or with (Group III) metal allergy, were measured for antibodies to MT and hsp70, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Metal allergy was confirmed by patch testing. We first found that antibody to MT exists in human serum. We also found a high positive frequency of antibody to MT (51·3%) and to hsp70 (43·6%) in the sera of Group III, compared to those of Group I (3·8% and 5·1%) or Group II (6·4% and 5·1%). Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between antibody to MT and antibody to hsp70 in Group III (P = 0·0013), but not in Group I and Group II. Our results indicate that antibody to MT exists in human serum, as do antibodies to hsps, and suggest that elevated levels of MT and hsp70 antibodies are associated with metal allergy in atopic patients.

Wall damages of the JT-60U plasma facing components in the recent operation are more serious than in the previous one. Erosion of carbon fiber composite (CFC) divertor tiles due to field ripple of the toroidal coil is observed. Several bolt-loosening divertor tiles are eroded or disconnected. Mechanical fracture of CFC first wall tiles is found. The first application of B/sub 4/C-converted CFC tiles (surface-boronized ones using conversion method) is also shown. The B/sub 4/C-converted tiles have been installed to the outboard striking zone of the divertor plate and in use satisfactorily in the high power heating divertor operation.

A low-loss, low-reflection, and stable single-mode multifiber connector design method has been established. The 12 fiber single-mode dry connector exhibited an average connecting loss of 0.17 dB and over 55 dB return loss. The low loss connection is realized by eliminating the plug slipping offset caused by the lateral component of the plug mating force. To realize stable connector performance, the fiber "Direct contract" structure with the fiber protruded connector surface is designed and design parameter is specified. In addition, from the fiber eccentricity distribution function, the connector loss distribution has been estimated analytically.

Recent magnetic disk drives require high transfer rates and recording densities. PRML signaling is now prevalent in digital read/write channels. This PRML chip operates at a maximum data rate of 150 Mb/s with 1550 mW and includes all basic functions such as servo demodulation and write pre-compensation for magnetic disk drives with optimized circuit size. The chip is fabricated in 0.7 /spl mu/m double-poly double-metal BICMOS suitable for low-power devices and is packed in a 100-pin quad flat package with a die approximately 7 mm/sup 2/. This chip has a single 5 V power supply.

Using fuzzy Petri nets as expert knowledge representation is very effective for implementing a fuzzy reasoning system. However, these systems cannot generate new rules voluntarily. To avoid this kind of problem, we propose an algorithm to improve the initial domain theory of an expert. The proposed method generates a new node where the node is evaluated in the network. The result can be more general knowledge than the initial knowledge. To verify the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method, the system is applied to a medical diagnostic system.

To implement fuzzy reasoning systems fuzzy Petri nets are very effective for the representation of expert knowledge, and then refined using evolutionary learning techniques. Most of these system, however, lack the ability to refine their network's topology and thus unable to add new rules to the reformulated rule base. To resolve this kind of problems, we propose a new algorithm to improve the initial domain theory of expert using a heuristic learning based on beam search. The proposed method generates a new node where the node is evaluated in the network. In the results, it can be extended to more general knowledge than the initial one. The proposed method is applied to a medical diagnostic system to verify its validity and effectiveness.

Petri nets have been widely used to model computer systems. Manufacturing systems, robotics systems, knowledge-based systems, and other kinds of engineering applications. Further, to present complex real-world knowledge fuzzy Petri net models have been proposed to perform fuzzy reasoning automatically. However, in Petri nets one has to represent all kinds of processes by separate subnets even though the process has the same behavior as another. Real-world knowledge often contains many parts which are similar, but not identical. This means that the total number of Petri nets becomes very large. Therefore, it becomes difficult to see the similarities and the differences among the individual subnets representing similar parts. The problems may be annoying for a small system, and catastrophic for the description of a large-scale system. To avoid this kind of problem the authors propose a learning and reasoning method using fuzzy coloured Petri nets (FCPN) under uncertainty. For the correction of rules of the knowledge-based system a hand-built classifier and empirical learning method based on domain theory have been proposed as machine learning methods, where there is a significant gap between the knowledge-intensive approach in the former and the virtually knowledge-free approach in the letter. To resolve such problems simultaneously they propose a hybrid learning method which is built on top of the knowledge-based fuzzy coloured Petri net and genetic algorithms.

The department of medical social work and discharge planning was established in the University of Tokyo hospital to ensure that patients would receive proper care at a right place. The discharge planning team consists of a physician, a medical social worker and a home care coordinator. The home care coordinator, who coordinates with the home nursing station and the primary care physician, is effective for advance of home care. The role of the home care coordinator is to relieve patients of their anxiety about home care. As a result, the number of home care patients has gradually increased.