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An innovative data-driven self-timed (DDST) packet decoded is described and discussed.

We have investigated the magnetostriction and the magnetization process of 3%Si-Fe single crystal with (110) parallel to the surface, when the direction of magnetization is deviated from [001]. It was found that large contraction and expansion occurred as a result of magnetostriction in the magnetization process, even if the deviation angle was small. Complicated magnetic domain structures were observed with external field being applied. The behavior of magnetostriction corresponds to changes of magnetic domain structure. On the basis of the principle that no magnetic pole appears at domain walls, a model of domain structure is proposed. Using the model, the deformation behavior was explained well.

The effect of microstructures on the magnetic properties in the 6.5% Si-Fe alloy was studied. The alloy was subjected to two patterns of heat treatments, and the microstructures were observed by means of TEM. The alloy after an appropriate treatment has shown excellent soft magnetic properties, with the maximum permeability of 7.25x[10.sup.4] and the core loss [W.sub.10/50] of 0.39 W/kg. The corresponding microstructure was characterized by the extremely fine domains of D[O.sub.3] order phase existing in B2 order phase. However, the coarsening of the D[O.sub.3] domains was found to reduce the maximum permeability and increase the core loss of the alloy. It is suggested that the coarsening of the D[O.sub.3] domains be accompanied with the formation of magnetic contrast around the boundary of the D[O.sub.3] and B2 phases, Therefore, it is assumed that the phase boundary tends to oppose the displacement of magnetic domain walls due to the existence of the magnetic contrast.

Non-oriented 3% silicon steel sheets were cold-rolled to 0.1 mm thick by various methods, and then they were finally annealed in an argon atmosphere for 1.5 hours at 900 [degrees] C with a cooling rate of 0.025 [degrees] C/s. Their magnetic properties changed depending on cold-rolling method used. A sample which had magnetic two-easy-directions with strong (100) cubic texture was obtained in the following way. The sample was alternately cold-rolled in two perpendicular directions L and T, and was also subjected to an intermediate anneal. The average grain diameter of the sample was 57 [micro] m. Its magnetic induction at 800 A/m was 1.65 T in the L direction, and 1.62 T in T direction, respectively. Index Terms--non-oriented silicon steel sheets, cold-rolling, torque curve, magnetic induction.

Presents a study in which prepared ribbon-form 13 percent aluminum-iron alloy by a rapid quenching single roller method. Description of the ribbon obtained; Details on the rapid quenching single roller technique; Results and discussion.

Background: A lower (more caudal) position of the larynx may result in a longer collapsible segment of the upper airway. One could thus hypothesize that the lower the larynx the greater the risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To test this hypothesis, we measured the upper airway length to the level of the vocal cord and the horizontal and vertical segments of the supralaryngeal vocal cord tract (SVT) using multislice CT scan in Japanese patients with OSA.Methods: We recruited 249 consecutive patients who had polysomnography for suspected OSA (age, 47.8 ± 14.8 years; BMI, 24.8 ± 4.3 kg/m(2)). Using CT images, we measured airway length (AL), airway length to vocal cord (ALVC), ALVC-AL, horizontal segment of SVT (SVTH), and vertical segment of SVT (SVTV). The ratio SVTR (SVTH to SVTV) was calculated. The correlation between these measurements and age, BMI, and AHI were evaluated.Results: Men had a longer ALVC than women. AL, ALVC, and SVTR were significantly correlated with age and AHI in all patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that ALVC > 0.24 (OR, 4.2; CI, 2.3-7.6) and BMI > 25 (OR, 4.8; CI, 2.7-8.5) were significant variables predicting AHI > 30. Even after controlling for BMI, the effect of ALVC was still significant.Conclusions: The laryngeal position is lower in men than women. Aging is associated with a lower laryngeal position, and a longer ALVC is independently associated with OSA severity in Japanese patients. We conclude that both laryngeal descent and BMI may be risk factors for OSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 52-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital because of fever and coxalgia. She had a white blood cell count of 241 x 10(2)/[mu]L with 59.6% blasts, which had a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and variably condensed nuclear chromatin. Flow cytometry and chromosomal analysis of bone marrow cells indicated positive findings of CD10, CD19, CD34, HLA-DR antigens and t(9; 22)(q34; q11.2), respectively. No rearrangements of bcr/abl in peripheral blood neutrophils were found by fluorescence in situ hybridization, suggesting that she had B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with Ph chromosome. Blood glucose and HbA(1c) (glycated haemoglobin) levels on admission were 23.4 mmol/L and 21.0%, respectively. The results of 1.5 anhydro-d-glucitol and glycoalbumin tests revealed that she certainly had diabetes mellitus (DM). Insulin therapy was initiated. Her high level of HbA(1c) also suggested the possibility that the patient suffered from haemoglobinopathies in addition to DM. Sequencing analyses of [alpha]1-, [alpha]2- and [beta]-globin genes were all normal. The patient achieved complete remission (CR) by one month after her first course of chemotherapy, and the HbA(1c) level decreased to 10.4% following insulin therapy and chemotherapy, which were initiated when she attained CR. Her extremely high HbA(1c) level was due mainly to DM. Also, suppression of erythropoiesis by proliferation of leukaemic cells and latent iron deficiency might have partially contributed to the increased HbA(1c). This could result in a transient but extremely high HbA(1c) level. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an acute leukaemia patient who expressed an extremely high level of HbA(1c). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Probiotics are expected to be effective in prophylaxis of infection in cancer patient, since infections in neutropenics are mainly caused by endogenous flora through the intestinal mucosa. However, the experience with the use of probiotics in immunocompromised patients is limited, and precise fecal bacteria analysis has not been reported. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the enteral administration of the probiotic, Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult, on its ability to prevent infection, fecal micro flora, and intestinal environments in cancer patients on chemotherapy.Methods: A placebo-controlled trial was performed at Juntendo University Hospital. Patients with malignancies admitted for chemotherapy (n = 42) were randomized into two groups receiving probiotic or placebo. The effects on infectious complications, natural killer cells, fecal micro flora, fecal organic acid concentrations, and fecal pH were studied.Results: The frequency of fever and the use of intravenous antibiotics were lower in the probiotic group than the placebo group. The probiotic administration enhanced the habitation of anaerobes. Disruption of the intestinal microbiota after chemotherapy such as the increase in the population levels of Enterobacteriaceae was observed at more pronounced manner in the placebo group in comparison to the probiotic group. The concentrations of total organic acids were maintained most of the time at the normal level, which constantly maintained the pH below 7.0 only in the probiotic group.Conclusion: These data, although based on a limited number of patients and samples, suggest that administration of B. breve strain Yakult could be an effective approach for achieving clinical benefits in immunocompromised hosts by improving their intestinal environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]