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Determines the molecular orientation of rubbed and unrubbed poly[4,4'-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide] (PMDA-ODA) films by measuring the infrared (IR) absorption spectra of PMDA-ODA films on Si substrates as a function of the incident angle. Details of the theoretical calculation used to determine the molecular orientation of a PMDA-ODA thin film on a Si substrate.

A mm wave amplifier experiment on a free electron laser was performed using an intense, mildly relativistic electron beam (0.7–0.9 MeV) with a combination of a focusing planar wiggler and a weak additional axial magnetic field in the so-called ‘‘group 1’’ region. A beam transport ratio of over 80%, through the whole wiggler length, was realized. In an amplification experiment, a spatial growth rate of 56 dB/m was obtained at a frequency of 45 GHz, and a power saturation was observed at a level of 6 MW, where the total gain was estimated to be 52 dB. It was shown that the off-axis component of the beam contributes considerably to the rf amplification in the focusing wiggler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011, recrystallized FeCrAl-ODS claddings have been developed in Japan as an accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) to mitigate the extent of oxidation reactions with hot steam. This paper presents an overview of the alloy design and the process used to manufacture the recrystallized cladding, together with a analysis of the applicability of these alloys as BWR fuel cladding and a summary of the results of simulated severe accident performance. A synergistic effect of co-addition of 12 mass% Cr and 6 mass% Al was found to suppress steam oxidation by a stable Al 2 O 3 scale formation and to inhibit a brittle αʹ precipitate after aging. The incorporation of 0.4 mass% Zr greatly improved not only the high temperature strength by replacing coarse Y-Al oxide particles with finer Y-Zr particles, but also the oxidation resistance at temperatures above 1673 K. These excellent performances are associated with the excess oxygen content. It was verified that core excess reactivities affected by the increased neutron absorption by Fe, Cr, Al can be compensated by reducing the thickness to half that of Zircaloy cladding, while maintaining mechanical integrity. A simulated design basis Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) event with assessment of post-LOCA ductility confirmed that FeCrAl-ODS cladding provided a greater safety margin along with exceptional high temperature strength and a significantly higher integral LOCA burst temperature compared with wrought FeCrAl alloy (C26M) and Zircaloy. An analysis using the MAAP 5.05b SA code indicated that melting of the Zircaloy core could be slightly accelerated due to release of the huge amount of exothermic reaction heat in the case of small amount of coolant injection. In contrast, the water injection always acts toward cooling the FeCrAl-ODS core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) is reared under controlled environments. Therefore, silkworms may be exposed at night to light used by humans working or living nearby. Artificial light at night (LAN) disturbs natural lighting cycles and negatively affects insect physiology, behavior, and ecology in the field. However, the effects of dim LAN on domestic silkworms have not been assessed in detail. The present study investigated the effects of night lighting on diapause regulation in Bombyx mori, with a focus on light sensitivity. The silkworm larvae were exposed to LAN at intensity varying from 0.1-100 lux under a short-day photoperiod that should induce diapauses, and then the incidence of diapause in eggs laid by resultant moths was evaluated. The incidence of diapause was 100 % in control (without night lighting) silkworms, but the incidence in those exposed to LAN = 0.1 lux was < 2 %. These results showed that exposing larvae to night lighting at 0.1 lux under a short-day photoperiod substantially inhibited diapause induction in the next generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of resolving western boundary currents and mesoscale eddies on a carbon circulation simulation for the North Pacific Ocean is investigated to evaluate the merits of using high‐resolution ocean biogeochemical models for climate projections. Simulations by a 100‐km resolution global ocean biogeochemical model with and without embedding a 10‐km resolution model in the North Pacific Ocean are compared. The major improvement in the high‐resolution simulation is the representation of the Kuroshio, its extension current, and the recirculation gyres formed to its south and north, resulting in a proper representation of the North Pacific subtropical mode water (STMW) and an increase in storage of the anthropogenic CO2 (Canth) in STMW by about two‐thirds. The larger storage rate in STMW is caused by supply of a larger amount of warm surface water containing rich Canth to the formation region by the intensified Kuroshio. A huge buoyancy loss from this warm water results in the increased formation of STMW that occupies a vast area in the western subtropical gyre. The surface uptake of Canth in the formation region of STMW is slightly increased but is largely comparable to that of the low‐resolution model. Moreover, there is no structural difference in Canth uptake in other parts of the subtropical region. Thus, the improvement of Canth distribution can be understood as a redistribution of water mass in the subtropical gyre by the improved circulation. The present assessment motivates the use of a high horizontal resolution ocean model in next‐generation projection experiments with carbon cycles. Plain Language Summary: Accurately representing absorption and accumulation of anthropogenic CO2 (Canth) by the ocean in Earth system models is important to reliably project future climate change. This study investigates the impact of realistically expressing the Kuroshio, which is not expressed adequately in the majority of current Earth system models, on a carbon circulation simulation for the North Pacific Ocean. Two simulations differing in the horizontal grid spacing, about 100 and 10 km, are compared. The intensified Kuroshio in the fine resolution model results in an improved oceanic structure for the upper 500‐m depths in the western North Pacific Ocean, and more Canth is accumulated there, which is closer to observations. Budget analysis suggests that source for the increased Canth accumulation is not local surface flux but a supply of Canth‐rich surface water from low latitudes by the intensified Kuroshio. Such improvements would give more fidelity to projections of regional subsurface water acidification rate. Overall, the use of a fine horizontal resolution ocean model can be recommended in next‐generation projection experiments with carbon cycles for the North Pacific Ocean. Key Points: Storage of anthropogenic carbon in the western North Pacific Ocean is improved by using a 10‐km horizontal resolution ocean modelImprovement in the formation and distribution of the North Pacific subtropical mode water is a keyUse of 10‐km class high horizontal resolution ocean models is recommended as part of Earth system models with carbon cycles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which gave the segregation and transport coefficients at the Si/SiO[sub2] interface. Significance of the impurity redistribution across the Si/SiO[sub2] interface to the fabrication of scaled integrated circuits; Analytical model of impurity transport at an oxidizing Si/SiO[sub2] interface; Temperature dependencies of the segregation and transport coefficients.

Abstract: In situ diffusion measurements of the hydrogen isotope deuterium in the oxide layers formed on Zr–2.5Nb alloy have been carried out at 523 and 573K by using a combined technique of deuterium plasma exposure and nuclear reaction analysis for the D(3He,p)4He reaction. The oxide layers were prepared in two environments, 1M LiOH-containing water at 563K and steam at 673K, and their thicknesses ranged from 1.6 to 1.9μm. The deuterium profile evolution in the oxides showed a combined process of absorption and dissolution in the surface region, and subsequent bulk diffusion in the deeper region. The diffusion coefficients of deuterium were evaluated for the two formation environments from the transient deuterium profiles of the oxide layers. The diffusion coefficients in the LiOH–water oxide were significantly larger than the values in the steam oxide. Compared with previously obtained data for three kinds of Zircaloy-type alloys (Zry-2, GNF-Ziron and VB), both of the Zr–2.5Nb oxides possessed the smallest diffusivities among the four alloys. Moreover, the surface concentrations of deuterium in the Zr–2.5Nb oxides were distinctly lower than those in the other Zircaloy-type alloy oxides. The superior hydrogen absorption performance of Zr–2.5Nb alloy observed in the out-of-pile corrosion tests was attributed to the smaller diffusivity and the smaller concentration gradient. The mechanism for the lower hydrogen diffusion flux of Zr–2.5Nb alloy was discussed in terms of the dissolution effect of niobium with variable valences of Nb2+–Nb5+ from the β-Nb precipitates into the ZrO2 lattice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is one of the key molecules involved in the cellular response to DNA damage. A portion of activated ATM is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, where it activates the I kappa B kinase/nuclear factor kappa B (IKK/NF-κB) signaling pathway. It has been thought that activated IKKβ, which is a critical kinase for NF-κB activation, generally resides in the cytoplasm and phosphorylates cytoplasmic downstream molecules, such as IκBα. Here, we identified a new role for IKKβ during the response to DNA damage. ATM phosphorylation in response to alkylating agents consisted of two phases: the early phase (up to 3 h) and late phase (after 6 h). A portion of the activated IKKβ generated during the DNA damage response was found to translocate into the nucleus and directly phosphorylate ATM in the late phase. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of ATM by nuclear IKKβ was suggested to promote DNA repair. In parallel, activated IKKβ induced classical NF-κB activation and was involved in anti-apoptosis. Our findings define the function of IKKβ during the response to DNA damage, which promotes cell survival and DNA repair, and maintains cellular homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maintaining or improving motor (balance) ability is essential to extending the healthy lifespan of elderly people, and developing effective and efficient strategies to prevent falls of elderly people is an urgent. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of balance exercise on fall and fracture prevention for elderly people with poor balance.Methods: A 6-month, randomized controlled trial was conducted to verify whether one-leg standing with eyes open for a total of 1 min, three times a day (dynamic flamingo exercise) prevents falls and fractures. Setting and participants were elderly people ≥75 years of age and one-leg standing time ≤15.0 s living in their own home. They were visiting orthopaedic clinics for orthopaedic handicaps. Subjects with poor balance were allowed to hold on to something. If a subject's lifted leg touched the ground during the exercise, they were allowed to lift it again and continue so that they stood on one leg for a total of 60 s.Results: The dynamic flamingo exercise group (410 people; 86 men, 324 women) and the no exercise group (455 people; 78 men, 377 women) were compared. After dynamic flamingo exercise for 6 months, significant differences were seen in the increase in one-leg standing time with eyes open (men right/left, women right/left), in the improvement in independence in daily living (women), number of people who fell during the 6 months (women), and adverse events (women). The number of fractures was not significantly different for men or women.Conclusions: Dynamic flamingo exercise prevents falls but no significant difference was demonstrated in fracture prevention in elderly women with poor balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial event in wound healing, tissue repair and cancer progression in adult tissues. We have recently shown that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced EMT involves isoform switching of fibroblast growth factor receptors by alternative splicing. We performed a microarray-based analysis at single exon level to elucidate changes in splicing variants generated during TGF-β-induced EMT, and found that TGF-β induces broad alteration of splicing patterns by downregulating epithelial splicing regulatory proteins (ESRPs). This was achieved by TGF-β-mediated upregulation of δEF1 family proteins, δEF1 and SIP1. δEF1 and SIP1 each remarkably repressed ESRP2 transcription through binding to the ESRP2 promoter in NMuMG cells. Silencing of both δEF1 and SIP1, but not either alone, abolished the TGF-β-induced ESRP repression. The expression profiles of ESRPs were inversely related to those of δEF1 and SIP in human breast cancer cell lines and primary tumor specimens. Further, overexpression of ESRPs in TGF-β-treated cells resulted in restoration of the epithelial splicing profiles as well as attenuation of certain phenotypes of EMT. Therefore, δEF1 family proteins repress the expression of ESRPs to regulate alternative splicing during TGF-β-induced EMT and the progression of breast cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbert hardness tester is a typical pendulum hardness tester. In this work, the tester is improved based on the model modified by Habara et al. The improved tester makes it possible to measure the swing motion of the tester electrically. The new hardness 'Damping hardness' is derived form the damping factor of a swing angle-time curve observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To understand the basic oxidation kinetics of alloying elements which is considered to be strongly related with the corrosion and hydrogen pickup, the depth profiles of chemical states of alloying elements (Cr and Fe) were measured in the oxide layer of Zr-0.5Sn-1.0Cr-0.5Fe alloys. The depth profiles were obtained by combinations of a surface-sensitive XANES and an extremely low energy Ar ion sputtering. The XANES measurements revealed that the chemical states of alloying elements (Fe and Cr) varied with the depth in the oxide layer. Especially in the oxide layer formed in steam, a decrease of the fractions of oxidation states was significant rather than that in LiOH solution. In the oxide layer formed in steam, the oxidation rate of chromium was faster than iron by a factor of approximately 2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Isometric muscle contraction (static exercise) induces circulatory response. Static exercise in individuals with thoracic spinal cord injury (TSCI) induces cardiovascular response and blood redistribution to the non-exercising muscles. The aim of our study was to determine the circulatory response during arm static exercise in individuals with TSCI and able-bodied (AB) controls. Mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), leg skin blood flow (SBF), and leg muscle blood flow (MBF) were recorded noninvasively, total peripheral resistance (TPR) was estimated by dividing MBP by CO, and hormonal changes were measured before, during and after static 35% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the arm flexor muscles in seven male individuals with TSCI (T7-T11) and seven age-comparable AB control (32.2 ± 7.6 and 31.0 ± 4.7 years, respectively). The 35% MVC was similar in TSCI and AB individuals (107.3 ± 28.2 and 101.0 ± 22.5 N, respectively). HR, CO, MBP, TPR, SBF and MBF increased in both groups during arm static exercise. Plasma epinephrine concentration increased during arm static exercise in AB controls only (P < 0.05). Circulation to leg muscles was similar in TSCI and AB individuals and the lack of sympathetic vasoconstriction in the paralyzed leg area did not alter the cardiovascular responses during 35% MVC of arm static exercise. We conclude that sympathetic vasoconstriction in the resting leg area did not contribute to the pressor reflex during 35% MVC of arm static exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The degradation and recovery behavior of the device performance of Ge diodes and p-Ge MOSFETs irradiated by 2-MeV electrons are studied. For diodes, it is noted that both the reverse and forward current increase after irradiation. However, an interesting observation is that the forward current decreases after irradiation for a forward voltage larger than ∼0.7V. This reduction can be explained by an increased resistivity of the n-well in the germanium substrate. For the transistors, after irradiation, a slight negative shift of the threshold voltage and a decrease of the drain current input and output characteristics have been observed together with a decrease of the hole mobility. This is mainly due to the increase of the absolute value of the threshold voltage induced by positive charges in the gate oxide. The degradation recovers by thermal annealing after irradiation. For 1×1017 e/cm2, the diode performance almost completely recovers to the initial condition after a 250°C annealing and the anneal process is characterized by an activation energy of 0.59eV. For transistor irradiated to 5×1017 e/cm2, the device performance also recovers but with an activation energy of 0.33eV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a methodology for estimating the parameters .for crop assimilation studies from satellite images. The procedure is optimized with an evolutionary search technique. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) operates well in high-dimensional non-linear domains. However, its parameters must be set in advance. In this paper, we use a self-organizing GA, in which the initial parameters are generated and assigned automatically. Numerical experiments were conducted to analyze the performance of the methodology, and our method's effectiveness on both synthetic and real satellite data was proven. This study shows that the self-organizing GA methodology is better than the conventional GA approach in estimating crop assimilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prolactin receptor (PRLR), its associated Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat5) are essential for normal mammary gland development. Owing to the upregulation of the PRLR and the local synthesis of its ligand in neoplastic cells, it has been proposed that PRL can act as a local growth factor in human breast cancers. This notion is supported by experimental evidence in transgenic mice, which showed that the mammary-specific expression of PRL contributes to carcinogenesis in vivo. To assess the importance of Jak2/Stat5 signaling during mammary cancer initiation and progression, we generated a PRL-induced mammary cancer model that allows the functional ablation of the Jak2 gene in the mammary epithelium before and after neoplastic transformation. Collectively, the results of this study show that the functional ablation of Jak2 protects against the onset of PRL-induced mammary tumorigenesis, suggesting that targeting this kinase is a relevant strategy for mammary cancer prevention. Surprisingly, Jak2 deficiency did not affect the growth and survival of PRL-induced mammary cancer cells in culture and in vivo. Consequently, Jak2 cannot be a sole therapeutic target to treat the established disease. PRL-induced mammary cancers exhibited an upregulation of ErbB2 and other ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases that may supersede the functionality of PRLR signaling through Jak2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the significance of cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein gene expression in human parotid gland tumours. Methods: We retrospectively analysed immunohistochemical staining for cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein in parotid gland tumours. Results: Cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein was consistently detected in the normal parotid gland. Regarding benign parotid gland tumours, cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein was present in 13 of 18 pleomorphic adenomas, in allWarthin tumours tested (21/21) and in all cases of basal cell adenoma tested ( four of four). In contrast, positive staining for cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein was less often observed in malignant parotid tumours. Cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein was present in 11 of 14 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, in two of five acinic cell carcinomas and in two of five adenoid cystic carcinomas. Conclusions: There was a statistically significantly reduced expression of cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein in malignant parotid gland tumours, compared with benign parotid gland tumours (p , 0.05). These results suggest that a low level of cluster of differentiation 9 glycoprotein expression in parotid gland tumours may be associated with malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews 22 cases of minor salivary gland carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx which were treated at Kurume University Hospital between 1976 and 2005. Minor salivary gland carcinoma was observed in eight of 362 patients with cancer of the oral cavity (2 per cent), and in 14 of 275 patients with cancer of the oropharynx (5 per cent). The five-year and 10-year survival rates of patients with oropharyngeal minor salivary gland carcinoma were 90 per cent. No statistically significant difference was observed between survival rates for oropharyngeal minor salivary gland carcinoma and for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.06). The five- and 10-year survival rates of patients with oral cavity minor salivary gland carcinoma were 75 and 37 per cent, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between survival rates for oral cavity minor salivary gland carcinoma and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Patients' survival results correlated well with the clinical stage of their lesions. A significant difference in survival was observed, comparing stage IV with stages I, II and III (p = 0.04). In contrast, no significant relationship was found between either survival and tumour type or survival and treatment. Adjuvant therapy is recommended for patients with grade III adenoid cystic carcinoma with perineural infiltration or intravascular infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the expression of the Cap43 gene in supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and to evaluate any correlation between Cap43 gene expression and tumour-associated macrophage infiltration. Methods: Four human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were cultured (Hep2, KB, Ca9-22 and HSC-3) and expression of the Cap43 gene was analysed by Western blotting. In addition, paraffin-embedded samples of supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and normal supraglottic laryngeal mucosa from 84 patients were analysed immunohistochemically using antibodies to Cap43 and cluster of differentiation 68 glycoprotein. Patients' clinical status was compared with their immunohistochemical results. Results: All four head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines exhibited Cap43 expression. The Hep2, Ca9-22 and HSC-3 cells showed a markedly higher level of Cap43 protein than the KB cells. A statistically significant difference was found in Cap43 expression, comparing different differentiation levels and comparing different metastasis stages, for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. The number of tumour-associated macrophages correlated with expression of Cap43, not only in the tumour area (r = 0.3708, p = 0.0005) but also in the peritumour area (r = 0.2847, p = 0.0087). Conclusion: In supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, overexpression of the Cap43 gene is associated with tumour differentiation and acts an important suppressive factor in the process of tumour metastasis. The Cap43 gene may be a cancer-specific marker. High expression of the Cap43 gene appeared to correlate with infiltration of tumour-associated macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is well known that oxidative stress plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, we enrolled 1746 type 2 diabetic subjects, determined 4 common genetic variants related to oxidative stress (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM) C-588T, myeloperoxidase G-463A, human paraoxonase 1 Gln192Arg and NAD(P)H oxidase p22phox C242T polymorphisms), and measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. GCLM C-588T polymorphism was associated with average IMT (AveIMT) (r =0.090, p =0.0008), but the association between the other 3 polymorphisms and AveIMT did not reach the statistical significance. However, AveIMT was significantly greater as the total number of 4 concomitant “pro-oxidant alleles” in each subject was increased (r =0.108, p <0.0001). Furthermore, the number of “pro-oxidant alleles” was a risk factor for a high AveIMT independently of conventional risk factors (p =0.0003). In conclusion, accumulation of oxidative stress-associated alleles was associated with carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The FeCrAl-oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy is a promising candidate alloy for the accident tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding of light water reactors (LWRs) and has been recently developed in Japan. This paper reports on the progress of the development of accident tolerant FeCrAl-ODS fuel claddings for boiling water reactors (BWRs) in Japan. Both experimental and analytical studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of implementation of the FeCrAl-ODS fuel cladding to the current BWRs. In the experimental study, key material properties of FeCrAl-ODS fuel cladding have been obtained and accumulated using bar, sheet and tube-shaped materials to support the evaluations in the analytical study. In the evaluation at normal operating conditions, strength and ductility, corrosion property, tritium permeability, wear property, resistance to iodine stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and weldability were examined. A preliminary assessment of compatibility of the FeCrAl-ODS fuel cladding with the current recycling system in Japan was also conducted. In the evaluation of the design basis accident and the beyond design basis accident, strength, steam oxidation property, resistance to water quenching during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) and the LOCA burst property were examined. In order to evaluate the influence of implementation of the FeCrAl-ODS cladding to the current BWRs, the core characteristics and the fuel behavior were evaluated in the analysis study at the normal operating condition. The analysis for the 9 × 9-type and the 10 × 10-type fuel assemblies and the reactor type of the Advanced BWR (ABWR) revealed a good applicability of FeCrAl-ODS fuel cladding. Finally, the challenges and perspectives found in the program are highlighted to enhance international collaborations to promote the development of the FeCrAl-ODS fuel cladding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The radiation damage induced by 2-MeV electrons and 70-MeV protons in p+n diodes and p-channel MOS transistors, fabricated in epitaxial Ge-on-Si substrates is reported for the first time. For irradiation above 5×1015 e/cm2, it is noted that both the reverse and forward current increase, and that the forward current is lower after irradiation for a forward voltage larger than about 0.5V. The reason for this might be an increased resistivity of the Ge-on-Si substrate. For p-MOSFETs, for a 1×1016 e/cm2 dose, a slight negative shift of the threshold voltage and a decrease of the drain current for input and output characteristics have been observed. In addition, g m decreases after irradiation. The degradation of the transistor performance is thought to be due to irradiation-induced positive charges in the high-κ gate dielectric. The induced lattice defects are also mainly responsible for the leakage current increase of the irradiated diodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The radiation damage induced by 2-MeV electrons and 70-MeV protons in p+n diodes and p-channel MOS transistors, fabricated in epitaxial Ge-on-Si substrates is reported for the first time. For irradiation above 5×1015 e/cm2, it is noted that both the reverse and forward current increase, and that the forward current is lower after irradiation for a forward voltage larger than about 0.5V. The reason for this might be an increased resistivity of the Ge-on-Si substrate. For p-MOSFETs, for a 1×1016 e/cm2 dose, a slight negative shift of the threshold voltage and a decrease of the drain current for input and output characteristics have been observed. In addition, g m decreases after irradiation. The degradation of the transistor performance is thought to be due to irradiation-induced positive charges in the high-κ gate dielectric. The induced lattice defects are also mainly responsible for the leakage current increase of the irradiated diodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: There is a discrepancy in the adverse effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins between the clinical reports and the studies using skeletal muscle cell models. In the clinical reports, both hydrophilic and lipophilic statins induce myotoxicity, whereas in in vitro experiments using cell lines of myoblasts, lipophilic, but not hydrophilic, statins exert myotoxicity. We investigated the cause of this discrepancy.Experimental Approach: Skeletal myofibres, fibroblasts and satellite cells were isolated from rat flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscles. Using these primary cultured cells as well as the L6 myoblast cell line, we compared the toxicity of hydrophilic pravastatin and lipophilic fluvastatin. The mRNA expression levels of possible drug transporters for statins were also examined in these cells using reverse transcriptase-PCR.Key Results: In the skeletal myofibres, both pravastatin and fluvastatin induced vacuolation and cell death, whereas in the mononuclear cells only fluvastatin, but not pravastatin, was toxic. mRNA of the organic anion transporting polypeptides (Oatp) 1a4 and Oatp2b1 were expressed in the skeletal myofibres, but not in mononucleate cells. Estrone-3-sulphate, a substrate for Oatps, attenuated the effects of pravastatin and fluvastatin in skeletal myofibres; p-aminohippuric acid, a substrate for the organic anion transporters (Oats), but not Oatps, failed to do so.Conclusions and Implications: The statin transporters Oatp1a4 and Oatp2b1 are expressed in rat skeletal myofibres, but not in satellite cells, fibroblasts or in L6 myoblasts. This is probably why hydrophilic pravastatin affects skeletal muscle, but not skeletal myoblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FLC gene product is an inhibitor of flowering in Arabidopsis. FLC homologs in Brassica species are thought to control vernalization. We cloned four FLC homologs ( BoFLCs) from Brassica oleracea. Three of these, BoFLC1, BoFLC3 and BoFLC5, have been previously characterized. The fourth novel sequence displayed 98% sequence homology to the previously identified gene BoFLC4, but also showed 91% homology to BrFLC2 from Brassica rapa. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this clone belongs to the FLC2 clade. Therefore, we designated this gene BoFLC2. Based on the segregation of RFLP, SRAP, CAPS, SSR and AFLP loci, a detailed linkage map of B. oleracea was constructed in the F2 progeny obtained from a cross of B. oleracea cv. Green Comet (broccoli; non-vernalization type) and B. oleracea cv. Reiho (cabbage; vernalization type), which covered 540 cM, 9 major linkage groups. Six quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling flowering time were detected. BoFLC1, BoFLC3 and BoFLC5 were not linked to the QTLs controlling flowering time. However, the largest QTL effect was located in the region where BoFLC2 was mapped. Genotyping of F2 plants at the BoFLC2 locus showed that most of the early flowering plants were homozygotes of BoFLC-GC, whereas most of the late- and non-flowering plants were homozygotes of BoFLC-Rei. The BoFLC2 homologs present in plants of the non-vernalization type were non-functional, due to a frameshift in exon 4. Moreover, duplications and deletions of BoFLC2 were detected in broccoli and a rapid cycling line, respectively. These results suggest that BoFLC2 contributes to the control of flowering time in B. oleracea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: By the two hybrid screening of mouse brain cDNA library, we identified Hppi, a cell death-promoting protein, as a binding partner of postsynaptic scaffold protein Homer1c. Hippi interacted specifically with Homer1c but not with its homologue Homer2. It was reported that Hippi, when complexed with Hip1, induces the apoptosis in striatal neurons and may cause Huntington’s disease. We found that this apoptotic effect of Hippi was specific to the striatum and was not observed in hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, the apoptotic effect of Hippi was prevented when Homer1c was co-expressed in cultured striatal neurons. The protective effect of Homer1c was diminished when Hippi binding domain was deleted. These results suggest that Homer1c may play an important role in the mechanisms of neuronal death in the striatum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of ausforming on formation of upper bainite structure was investigated in Fe–9Ni–(0.15–0.5)C (mass%) alloys, focusing on the crystallographic feature of bainitic ferrite. The specimens were ausformed at 1073 or 873K by 50% compressive reduction after austenitizing, and transformed at 623K. Lath-shaped upper bainite structures similar to lath martensite are formed at 623K. A bainite packet is partitioned into blocks of all the six variants of the K–S orientation relationship satisfying the same parallel close-packed plane relationship. In both of the non-ausformed and ausformed specimens, bainite blocks are coarsened with increasing carbon content. In the Fe–9Ni–0.15C alloy, the effect of ausforming on the bainite block width is small. For higher carbon alloys (Fe–9Ni–0.3C and 0.5C), bainite blocks are remarkably coarsened by the ausforming. In contrast, the ausforming refines lath martensite blocks in the Fe–9Ni–0.15C alloy but has a small effect in higher carbon alloys. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to clarify the physiological mechanisms that allow establishment of Sabina vulgaris in different light conditions under a Salix cheilophila canopy in the frost-prone Mu Us Sandy Land of northern China, the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II at predawn (F v/F m) and the pigment composition of the needles of S. vulgaris seedlings in various light conditions were examined in late summer and winter. In the summer season, the F v/F m values of all seedlings were around 0.80. The ratio of chlorophyll (Chl)-a to Chl-b (Chl-a/Chl-b ratio) increased with growth light conditions. In the winter season, the F v/F m decreased considerably depending on growth light conditions. Although the Chl-a/Chl-b ratio remained the same in the summer season, changes in carotenoids such as lutein, the xanthophyll cycle pigments, and β-carotene were detected, particularly under high light conditions. These results suggest that changes in pigment composition against high light and/or low temperature may alleviate photodamage and contribute to establishment of the seedlings in a frost-prone semi-arid land. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To investigate the stability of the bottom boundary layer induced by tidal flow (oscillating flow) in a rotating frame, numerical experiments have been carried out with a two-dimensional non-hydrostatic model. Under homogeneous conditions three types of instability are found depending on the temporal Rossby number Ro t , the ratio of the inertial and tidal periods. When Ro t <0.9 (subinertial range), the Ekman type I instability occurs because the effect of rotation is dominant though the flow becomes more stable than the steady Ekman flow with increasing Ro t . When Ro t >1.1 (superinertial range), the Stokes layer instability is excited as in the absence of rotation. When 0.9< Ro t <1.1 (near-inertial range), the Ekman type I or type II instability appears as in the steady Ekman layer. Being much thickened (∼100m), the boundary layer becomes unstable even if tidal flow is weak (∼5cm/s). The large vertical scale enhances the contribution of the Coriolis effect to destabilization, so that the type II instability tends to appear when Ro t >1.0. However, when Ro t <1.0, the type I instability rather than the type II instability appears because the downward phase change of tidal flow acts to suppress the latter. To evaluate the mixing effect of these instabilities, some experiments have been executed under a weak stratification peculiar to polar oceans (the buoyancy frequency N 2 ∼10−6 s−2). Strong mixing occurs in the subinertial and near-inertial ranges such that tracer is well mixed in the boundary layer and an apparent diffusivity there is evaluated at 150–300cm2/s. This suggests that effective mixing due to these instabilities may play an important role in determining the properties of dense shelf water in the polar regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Pravastatin has been reported to re-duce cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Hypoadiponectinemia is a known risk factor for CAD.Objective: This study analyzed the effects of short-term pravastatin treatment on serum lipid and adiponectin concentrations in patients with CAD and hypercholesterolemia.Methods: This was a multicenter, observational pilot study of the effect of 6 months of treatment with pravastatin 10 to 20 mg/d on serum adiponectin concentrations in patients with documented CAD and total cholesterol (TC) levels >/=180 mg/dL. Patients from 13 medical centers in Japan were monitored at visits every 4 weeks for assessment of compliance and adverse effects. For the assessment of pravastatin's effects, patients were categorized according to baseline serum adiponectin concentrations: quartile 1 (Q1) = <4.83 microg/mL; quartile 2 (Q2) = 4.83 to 7.20 pg/mL; quartile 3 (Q3) = 7.21 to 10.38 microg/mL; and quartile 4 (Q4) = >10.38 microg/mL. The primary end point of the study was the percent change from baseline in adiponectin concentrations at 6 months. Secondary end points were changes in lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).Results: One hundred thirty consecutive patients were enrolled; 11 were excluded and 4 discontinued due to adverse events. Thus, 115 patients were included in the study analyses (83 men, 32 women; mean age, 68 years). No patient had a cardiac event during the 6-month follow-up period. After 6 months of pravastatin treatment, 74 (64.3%) patients had increases in serum adiponectin concentrations. Median (interquartile range) adiponectin concentrations increased significantly from 7.2 (4.8-10.4) mcirog/mL at baseline to 7.8 (5.4-11.2) microg/mL after 6 months of pravastatin treatment (P < 0.001); the mean percent increase from baseline was 16.3%. The percent increase from baseline in serum adiponectin concentrations was significantly higher among patients in Q1 (39.3%) compared with those in Q3 (4.5%) and Q4 (6.3%) (P < 0.003 and P < 0.005, respectively). The relative increase in adiponectin concentrations was significantly correlated with the relative increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = 0.47; P < 0.001). After 6 months of pravastatin treatment, TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels had decreased by 14.6% and 23.3%, respectively, and HDL-C levels had increased by 14.0% (all, P < 0.001). The change in triglycerides (-13.3%) was not statistically significant. Serum hsCRP levels were significantly decreased from baseline after 6 months of pravastatin treatment (P < 0.001). HbA1c did not change significantly.Conclusion: In this pilot study in Japanese patients with CAD and hypercholesterolemia, 6 months of treatment with pravastatin 10 to 20 mg/d was associated with significant increases in serum adiponectin concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The conceptual study of the electron cyclotron heating and current drive (ECH/ECCD) system for a DEMO reactor was carried out. The ECH/ECCD system was considered on the basis of a design of the DEMO reactor by JAERI. The reactor is a low aspect ratio tokamak, and its size and magnetic field are similar to those of ITER. Therefore, many ECH/ECCD technologies developed at 170GHz for ITER can be applied. Truly continuous operation is needed for DEMO, and the neutron fluence from the plasma is two orders of magnitude higher than that of ITER. An RF launcher that has reliability under the condition of high neutron fluence is, critically, important. For power deposition control in the plasma, a gyrotron frequency tuning system is considered as the primary candidate to realize a simple and robust launching system, but two RF beam steering systems are discussed as alternatives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is associated with frequent lymph node metastasis and adverse clinical outcome. IMPC has been reported in breast, urinary bladder, ureter, lung and parotid gland but not in colon. We present the clinicopathological features of three cases of primary IMPC of the colon with a review of the literature. Methods and results: The patients (one man and two women) were 53, 67 and 68 years old, respectively. The size of the tumour ranged from 20 to 100 mm in diameter. Histologically, all cases were composed predominantly of papillary tumour cell clusters with spaces in a background of fine fibrocollagenous stroma. One of the tumours (case 1) was nearly completely composed of IMPC, but the other two were associated with foci of adenocarcinoma and concurrent mucinous carcinoma, respectively. MUC1 was positive in all cases, suggestive of reverse cell orientation which is responsible for its unique histological features. Conclusions: We report three cases of primary IMPC of the colon. Its clinical significance remains undetermined but the presence of this component may represent a poor prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The external hypha of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, extending from roots out into soil, is an important structure in the uptake of phosphate from the depletion zone around each root. In this paper, we analysed some phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) derived from external hyphae of four AM fungi (Glomus etunicatum, Glomus clarum, Gigaspora margarita and Gigaspora rosea) to find fatty acids which may be useful as specific markers for identifying and quantify the external hyphae of Gigaspora species. Leek (Allium porrum L.) seedlings inoculated with each AM fungus were grown in river sand. Sand samples were collected and four PLFAs (16:1ω5, 18:1ω9, 20:1ω9 and 20:4) in the sand were analysed. In addition, the hyphal biomass in the sand was determined by the direct microscopic method. PLFAs 18:1ω9 and 20:4 were found in all the AM-inoculated and non-inoculated sand samples. PLFA 16:1ω5 was detected in the sand inoculated with G. etunicatum, G. clarum and Gi. rosea. PLFA 20:1ω9 was detected only in the sand inoculated with Gi. rosea. PLFAs 16:1ω5 and 20:1ω9 were not found in the sand inoculated with Gi. margarita. The amount of PLFA 20:1ω9 was closely correlated with the amount of biomass of external hyphae of Gi. rosea (r=0.937, P<0.001), whereas no correlation was observed for PLFA 16:1ω5. The 20:1ω9 content of Gi. rosea was approximately 6.56nmolmg-1 hyphal biomass. We suggest that PLFA 20:1ω9 can be used as a specific marker for identifying and quantifying the external hyphae of Gi. rosea, at least in controlled experimental systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dc Josephson current and its fluctuations in superconductor/dirty normal metal/superconductor junctions are studied numerically by using the recursive Green function method, where a d-wave pairing symmetry is assumed in superconductors as it is in high-Tc materials. The Josephson current is sensitive to the orientation angle (α) between the crystalline axis of the high-Tc superconductors and the normal of the junction interface. When the orientation angle is π/4, the fluctuations of the Josephson current become larger than those with α=0 because of the zero-energy state formed at junction interfaces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Surface structure of H-adsorbed Ta(0 0 1) surface for saturation coverage at room temperature has been studied by low energy electron diffraction (LEED), a symmetrized automated tensor LEED program and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The optimized structure is that H atoms are adsorbed at a threefold hollow site taking four symmetrically equivalent sites in the unit cell of the unreconstructed Ta(0 0 1) surface. The layer separation between the H atom and the topmost Ta atom layer is 0.16 Å and atomic distance between the H atom and the first layer Ta atom is 1.94 Å and that between the H atom and the second layer Ta atom is 1.92 Å, which agree well with the sum of hard sphere radii of H (0.5–0.6 Å) and Ta atom (1.43 Å). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The development of a high-power millimeter wave source, gyrotron, is under way for fusion application. A performance of ∼10 s oscillation has been attained at 1 MW level output for 170 GHz frequency. Although the pulse extension was interrupted by a sudden outgassing in the gyrotron, the cause was confirmed to be the local heating of the internal component due to stray RF deposition. To suppress the heating, the inner surface of the component (bellows for RF beam steering mirror) was coated with copper, which reduced the Ohmic loss to 1/10 of the original one. Moreover, forced water cooling for the bellows was incorporated. As a result, no sudden pressure increase was observed, and a quasi-steady-state oscillation of 100 s with 0.5 MW power level was demonstrated at 170 GHz. The temperature of the major components of the gyrotron stabilized, which indicates a prospect for a 1 MW-CW, 170 GHz gyrotron. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Because the conductivity of blood changes remarkably during artificial dialysis, sometimes by more than 20%, changes in tissue admittance at low frequency are caused by changes not only in the extracellular fluid volume but also in blood conductivity. Therefore the changes in blood conductance due to artificial dialysis must be considered for the estimation of water removal by the admittance method. An accurate bio-impedance measurement system was developed. Measurement error was less than 1% at low frequency and 10% at high frequency. A new electrical bio-admittance method (NAM) was evaluated for the continuous measurement of removed fluid volume, using a three parallel-compartment tissue model, consisting of intracellular, interstitial and blood compartments, which takes into account the blood conductivity change. NAM used the equivalent conductivity calculated from the leg admittances of patients, measured at 1 min intervals during various artificial dialysis procedures. The actual amount of excess water removed by ultra-filtration agreed with the NAM-estimated amount within an error of 20%. NAM was also applied to estimate the intra- and extracellular fluid changes. The results were consistent with the physiological changes known to occur during the various forms of dialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that altering the pre-exercise muscle temperature would influence the magnitude of muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise. SUBJECTS: Female students who had no experience in resistance training were placed into either a microwave treatment group (n = 10) or an icing treatment group (n = 10). DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects in each group performed 12 maximal eccentric actions of the forearm flexors of each arm on 2 separate occasions separated by 4 weeks. Before testing, the exercise arm was subjected to either passive warming (microwave) or control for the microwave treatment group or cooling (icing) or control for the icing treatment group. The control arm performed the same exercise protocol without treatment. Limbs were randomized for treatment or control and order of testing. Deep muscle temperature increased by approximately 3 degrees C after the microwave treatment and decreased approximately 5 degrees C after the icing treatment. MEASUREMENTS: We evaluated changes in maximal isometric force and indirect markers of muscle damage, including range of motion, upper arm circumference, muscle soreness, and plasma creatine kinase activity, in the microwave and control and icing and control groups using a 2-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: All measures changed significantly (P <.01) after exercise, but neither of the treatments demonstrated significant effects on most of the variables compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pre-exercise cooling does not affect the magnitude of muscle damage in response to eccentric exercise. Similarly, pre-exercise passive muscle warming did not prove beneficial in attenuating indicators of muscle damage. Thus, any beneficial effects of warm-up exercise cannot be attributed to the effects of increased muscle temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thoracoscopic simple bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) has a relatively high postoperative recurrence rate and sometimes results in postoperative air leakage. One of the reasons for postoperative recurrence is the regrowth of bullae around the staple line. Therefore, reinforcement of the visceral pleura around the staple line is a reasonable way to prevent postoperative air leaks and recurrence. This study was done to determine the efficacy in preventing postoperative air leak and recurrent pneumothorax of widely covering the staple line with absorbable mesh after thoracoscopic bullectomy.Methods: Wide coverage of the staple line with absorbable mesh was performed on 114 patients with PSP. These patients were retrospectively compared with 126 patients who underwent thoracoscopic simple bullectomy alone.Results: The postoperative duration of chest drainage in the coverage group (mean, 1 day; range, 0-5) was significantly shorter than that in the simple bullectomy group (mean, 3 days; range 0-20). A prolonged air leak (>7 days) occurred in six patients in the simple bullectomy group, but there were no such leaks in the coverage group. Recurrent pneumothorax occurred in three patients (2.6%) in the coverage group and 12 patients (9.5%) in the simple bullectomy group.Conclusion: Wide coverage of the staple line with absorbable mesh is effective in preventing postoperative air leak and in decreasing the recurrence rates of PSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a member of a metabolite-sensing protein kinase family that functions as a metabolic 'fuel gauge' in skeletal muscle. AMPK is a ubiquitous heterotrimeric protein, consisting of an alpha catalytic, and beta and gamma regulatory subunits that exist in multiple isoforms and are all required for full enzymatic activity. During exercise, AMPK becomes activated in skeletal muscle in response to changes in cellular energy status (e.g. increased adenosine monophosphate [AMP]/adenosine triphosphate [ATP] and creatine/phosphocreatine ratios) in an intensity-dependent manner, and serves to inhibit ATP-consuming pathways, and activate pathways involved in carbohydrate and fatty-acid metabolism to restore ATP levels. Recent evidence shows that although AMPK plays this key metabolic role during acute bouts of exercise, it is also an important component of the adaptive response of skeletal muscles to endurance exercise training because of its ability to alter muscle fuel reserves and expression of several exercise-responsive genes. This review discusses the putative roles of AMPK in acute and chronic exercise responses, and suggests avenues for future AMPK research in exercise physiology and biochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum levels of group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) were reported to be associated with the stage of the disease in cancer patients. These levels are also related to the malignant potential in tissues and are an important prognostic factor. We examined group II PLA2 levels in pleural effusions from patients with various cancers. We also investigated the production of group II PLA2 in cells in effusions from cancer patients. Immunoreactive group II PLA2 levels were significantly higher in effusions from patients with various cancers. There was no significant correlation between group II PLA2 levels in effusions and those in sera. Group II PLA2 mRNA was expressed at a high level in cells from effusions by Northern blot analysis, but not those from blood. The localization of group II PLA2 protein and mRNA was intense in carcinoma cells and CD68 positive macrophages, determined by immunocytochemistry and by in situ hybridization. In addition, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in effusions in comparison with those in sera from the patients (p<0.001), suggesting that cancer cells and macrophages produce group II PLA2 by IL-6. These group II PLA2 levels are apparently significantly increased in effusions, and the carcinoma cells and macrophages produce group II PLA2, as noted in effusions from patients with various cancers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate alterations in postoperative levels of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), we examined their levels in serum and drainage fluids from patients who underwent thoracoabdominal surgery. Serum IL-6 levels reached maximum within the first postoperative day and decreased thereafter. The IL-6 levels were significantly correlated with surgical trauma as defined by the operation time and volume of blood loss during operation. The IL-6 levels in the drainage fluid were much higher than in the serum (458±101-fold; mean±S.E.M.) in the early postoperative phase. IL-6 mRNA was detected in leukocytes from the drainage fluid, but not from the peripheral blood. A large quantity of sIL-6R levels was present in blood samples. The time course of serum sIL-6R levels showed no significant change. sIL-6R concentrations in the drainage fluid were significantly lower than in serum (4.5±1.1-fold; mean±S.E.M.) in the early postoperative phase. We propose that IL-6 is produced in the operative field and enters the peripheral blood stream to induce elevation of serum IL-6. Its levels are influenced by surgical trauma. sIL-6R is being constantly produced in areas other than the operative field, while sIL-6R level is reduced by consumption in the operative field. sIL-6R supplement mechanisms to cope with surgical stress, together with its ligand IL-6, may thus exist. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We calculate the effective potential for the WLPNGB in a world with a circular latticized extra dimension. The mass of the Wilson line pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson (WLPNGB) is calculated from the one-loop quantum effect of scalar fields at zero and finite temperature. We show that a series expansion by the modified Bessel functions is useful to calculate the one-loop effective potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the role of facet in electromigration on the vicinal Si(0 0 1), we investigated in this study surface mass transport of In on Si high-index (1 0 3) and vicinal (0 0 1) surfaces, using scanning Auger microscope, low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and atomic force microscope (AFM). In parallel with (1 0 3), we also investigated similarly the most stable high-index (1 1 3) of Si for reference. Specimens with a large area of these surfaces were prepared from Si(0 0 1) wafer by cutting, grinding and polishing. No surface electromigration of In on Si(1 0 3) surface was observed at any temperature, while In overlayer exhibited a typical Stranski–Krastanov mode of growth. This fact strongly suggests that In adatoms move around over the intermediate layer, but there is no driving force of electromigration on them. The electromigration on the vicinal Si(0 0 1) depended upon the off-angle. It was most enhanced with the off-angle of around 4°. Based upon these results a model is proposed to explain the puzzling electromigration of In on vicinal Si(0 0 1). We found out that In on Si(1 1 3) exhibited a normal surface electromigration towards cathode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of neurotrophin-secreting Schwann cell implants on the urinary bladder after spinal cord contusion. One hour after severe spinal cord contusion at the T8 to T11 level, carbon filaments containing nonsecreting Schwann cells, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-secreting Schwann cells, neurotrophin-3 (NT-3)-secreting Schwann cells, or Schwann cells secreting both BDNF and NT-3 were implanted into the spinal cord. Untreated spinal cord injured (SCI) rats and noncontused rats (C) were also studied. Two months after spinal cord injury, cystometry was performed and the bladders were studied using light microscopy. SCI rats had significantly increased bladder mass, thickness, and smooth muscle mass compared to C rats. Bladder capacity of SCI rats and rats with spinal cord implants were both significantly greater than that of C rats. This preliminary study suggests that neurotrophin-secreting Schwann cell implants may lead to improved bladder structure after spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have measured the light emission (LE) spectra of the ordered C60 monolayer-island on the Au(1 1 1) surface and the bare Au surface, induced by the scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The optical measurements were performed at 78 K using electrochemically etched W-tips at a constant tunneling current of 2.0 nA for a sample bias voltage with respect to the tip of 2.3 V. For the bare Au surface, we observed an asymmetric peak at ∼2.01 eV, which is the typical STM-LE spectrum for the Au sample–W tip system. For the C60 monolayer-island, we observed a broad peak centered at ∼1.7 eV, which consists of the red-shifted emission from the underlying Au substrate (∼1.93 eV) and a new emission peak around 1.65 eV. The energy range of the new emission is consistent with that of the photoluminescence of the isolated molecules and a 100 nm-thick film of C60. Thus we conclude that the new emission peak is the fluorescence from the C60 molecules in the monolayer-island. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The prospect of Erbium silicide (ErSi2) contacts for source/drain metallization in ultra-thin n-channel silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs have been studied. Very thin layer of ErSi2 was formed on Si(001) by Er deposition followed by in situ annealing in the range of 400–600 °C under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) condition. The silicification process was found to depend on surface conditions prior to the Er deposition. The silicide layers were found to be stable up to a temperature of 700 °C. Good ohmic nature on n-type Si and well-defined rectifying behavior on p-type Si have confirmed a low electron barrier height at the ErSi2/Si contact. A simplified analysis based on transmission line modeling has been used to show that parasitic source/drain resistances of the order of 100 Ω μm or less can be achieved for SOI thickness of 10 nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]