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We have developed a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor (BI -CIS) using a pseudo high refractive index film (pHRF) consisting of an array of minute holes. The new process architecture for the low reflectivity surface is achieved by integrating the directed self-assembly (DSA) process with the conventional process. This is the first report of an image sensor fabricated using the DSA process. The proposed sensor has low dark current and has enhanced sensitivity for wavelengths ranging from 400 nm to 550 nm.

We developed a back-illuminated InGaAs image sensor with 1280x1040 pixels at 5-um pitch by using Cu-Cu hybridization connecting different materials, a III-V InGaAs/InP of photodiode array (PDA), and a silicon readout integrated circuit (ROIC). A new process architecture using an InGaAs/InP dies-to-silicon wafer and Cu-Cu bonding was established for high productivity and pixel-pitch scaling. We achieved low dark current and high sensitivity for wavelengths ranging from visible to short-wavelength infrared (SWIR).

We have successfully improved the scaling of Cu-Cu hybrid bonding. In this study, 3 $\mu {\mathrm{ m}}$-pitch and 3M Cu-Cu connections with sufficient electrical properties and reliabilities were achieved. The ultra-fine pitch Cu-Cu connections correspond to the 0.75x scaling of conventional Cu-Cu hybrid bonding that we previously reported. Our high density 3D chip stacking technology is expected to enhance not only the function of back-illuminated CMOS image sensors (BI-CIS) but also that of coming 3D stacked semiconductor devices.

High resistance polysilicon resistors have been characterized by DC and pulsed I-V sweep measurements, resistance vs. temperature, and DC and pulsed voltage stress/measurement cycling. The combination of these measurements along with resistor linearity and electro-migration rules are used to determine the maximum safe-operating area. It is shown that the resistance shifts at high current conditions cannot be explained by electromigration alone, and are instead attributed to migration of dopants, Si, or hydrogen, either singly or in combination, both due to high self-heating. The results are used to create voltage and current checks within SPICE models allowing for robust design at maximum operating conditions. IR-OBIRCH physical analysis was performed and shows asymmetric changes to the resistor head regions.

We demonstrated the near-infrared (NIR) sensitivity enhancement of back-illuminated complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensors (BI-CIS) with a pyramid surface for diffraction (PSD) structures on crystalline silicon and deep trench isolation (DTI). The incident light diffracted on the PSD because of the strong diffraction within the substrate, resulting in a quantum efficiency of more than 30% at 850 nm. By using a special treatment process and DTI structures, without increasing the dark current, the amount of crosstalk to adjacent pixels was decreased, providing resolution equal to that of a flat structure. Testing of the prototype devices revealed that we succeeded in developing unique BI-CIS with high NIR sensitivity.

Background Acute pancreatitis (AP) occurs frequently in dogs, but most previous studies examining the diagnosis of AP have used data from secondary care hospitals. Hypothesis/Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of diagnostic laboratory tests in dogs with AP in a primary care hospital. Animals Sixty-four dogs with clinical signs suggestive of AP diagnosed with nonpancreatic disease (NP) or AP. Methods Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, including diagnostic laboratory tests considered potentially useful in the diagnosis of AP. The diagnostic accuracy of amylase and FUJI DRI-CHEM lipase (FDC lip) were investigated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC). In addition, we verified whether diagnostic laboratory tests were useful for evaluating duration of hospitalization and as biomarkers for monitoring recovery. Results Activities of amylase and FDC lip were significantly higher in the AP group than in the NP group (P = .001, P < .001, respectively). The sensitivity of FDP lip activity for diagnosing AP was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.7–100%); the specificity was 89.5% (95% CI, 66.9–98.7%). Area under the ROC curve for FDC lip activity was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.93–1). High alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was associated with extended duration of hospitalization (P = .04). A significant difference in C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration before and 5 days after treatment was found (P = .001). Conclusions and clinical importance Measurement of FDC lip activity appears useful for diagnosing AP. High ALT activity might be associated with prolonged duration of hospitalization, and CRP might be useful as a biomarker for monitoring recovery from AP.

Spherical rolling is an interesting methodology for locomotion from both nonlinear control and robotics points of view. In this paper, we propose a dynamical model of a spherical mobile robot with focus on the eccentricity of its center of gravity, i.e., the offset in the center of its mass distribution. The proposed robot has a rigid spherical shell as its body, which contains active 2-d.o.f. pendulum inside as the control component. The robot is supposed to roll on the at horizontal oor without any slippage, and to spin around the vertical axis depending on kinematical settings when allowed. Through the dynamical analysis based on the model and several numerical simulations, we observe that the settings concerned with the spin is so crucial that the sphere tends to be severely affected by the torque from the ground, and point out that it should be the essential factors for the modeling and new robot creation in the future work.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arterial spin-labeling MR imaging has been recently developed as a noninvasive technique with magnetically labeled arterial blood water as an endogenous contrast medium for the evaluation of CBF. Our aim was to compare arterial spin-labeling MR imaging and SPECT in the visual assessment of CBF in patients with Alzheimer disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 33 patients with Alzheimer disease or mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer disease, CBF images were obtained by using both arterial spin-labeling–MR imaging with a postlabeling delay of 1.5 seconds and 2.5 seconds (PLD(1.5) and PLD(2.5), respectively) and brain perfusion SPECT. Twenty-two brain regions were visually assessed, and the diagnostic confidence of Alzheimer disease was recorded. RESULTS: Among all arterial spin-labeling images, 84.9% of PLD(1.5) and 9% of PLD(2.5) images showed the typical pattern of advanced Alzheimer disease (ie, decreased CBF in the bilateral parietal, temporal, and frontal lobes). PLD(1.5), PLD(2.5), and SPECT imaging resulted in obviously different visual assessments. PLD(1.5) showed a broad decrease in CBF, which could have been due to an early perfusion. In contrast, PLD(2.5) did not appear to be influenced by an early perfusion but showed fewer pathologic findings than SPECT. CONCLUSIONS: The distinctions observed by us should be carefully considered in the visual assessments of Alzheimer disease. Further studies are required to define the patterns of change in arterial spin-labeling–MR imaging associated with Alzheimer disease.

Hybrid bonding, with wafer-level bonding to form oxide-oxide bonds and Cu-Cu bonds, is a promising technology for 3D integrated circuits. In this study, we describe the design, processing. and characterization of test structures formed using hybrid bonding for wafers built in two different technologies; a 180 nm Al BEOL technology and a 110nm Cu BEOL technology. The reliability evaluation shows good results for package level and wafer level stresses.

Data supporting active surveillance of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for the prevention of postoperative infection remain controversial.To investigate the efficacy of MRSA screening in patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery.Nasal carriage of MRSA was screened using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay on two gastroenterological surgery wards (A and B). Occurrence of postoperative MRSA infection was analysed according to nasal MRSA carriage status (pre-operative carriage and postoperative acquisition).The incidence of pre-operative MRSA carriage was 9.7% on Ward A and 4.3% on Ward B (P = 0.009). Postoperative nasal MRSA acquisition was confirmed in 16.2% and 6.0% of patients, respectively (P0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of MRSA surgical site infections (SSIs) between patients with and without pre-operative nasal colonization on either ward. On Ward A, where MRSA nasal acquisition was more common, the MRSA infection rate in patients with postoperative nasal acquisition was 26.8%, which was significantly higher than the rates in patients with pre-operative MRSA colonization and patients without colonization during hospitalization. Postoperative nasal MRSA acquisition was an independent factor associated with MRSA infection on both wards [Ward A: odds ratio (OR) 7.192, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.981-17.352; Ward B: OR 5.761, 95% CI 1.429-23.220].MRSA SSIs were prevented by a screening-based strategy in pre-operative MRSA carriers. Postoperative nasal acquisition was a significant factor affecting MRSA infection, and the effect of screening varied according to the incidence of postoperative MRSA acquisition on the ward.

Summary What is known and objective Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) plays a pivotal role in intestinal cholesterol absorption. Ezetimibe is known as an inhibitor for NPC1L1 and decreases concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood. Responses of the decrease of serum LDL-C levels to ezetimibe have been reported to be different among NPC1L1 variants. However, there are still limited data concerning the genetic variation in the NPC1L1 gene, specifically, in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study is to elucidate genotype and allele frequencies of the NPC1L1 gene in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia. Methods Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. All patients were administered ezetimibe at the dose of 10 mg for once a day either alone or coadministered with statins. Patient's data were retrospectively obtained from their medical records. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples and analysed three NPC1L1 SNPs (rs2072183, rs217428 and rs217434) by the direct sequencing method. Results and discussion We found that there is a significant difference of genotype frequencies between healthy Japanese and dyslipidemic subjects in rs2072183. No significant differences were observed in rs217428 and rs217434; however, comparison of our data with literature reports suggests that there are significant differences in the frequencies of rs217428 and rs217434 between Canadian and Japanese dyslipidemic patients. What is new and conclusion Our study is the first report concerning the genotype and allele frequencies of the gene coding for NPC1L1 in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia. The most notable result was to demonstrate that there exists a significant difference in rs2072183 variant between healthy Japanese and dyslipidemic subjects and also found that there exists genetic variation of rs2072183 between Japanese and Canadian patients with dyslipidemia. Our results are expected to facilitate research in the proper use of ezetimibe-based mono- or combination therapies. Further studies will be required to evaluate the effects of rs2072183 on the efficacy of LDL cholesterol reduction by ezetimibe.

The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is reduced by anti-inflammatory treatment in asthma. However, the FENO level is also regulated by individual demographics and there is considerable variation among clinically stable patients.We hypothesized that some demographics may be responsible for persistent FENO elevation despite inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) therapy in asthma.This was a prospective observational study. We initially screened 250 stable asthmatics and determined the FENO cut-off point for identifying poorly controlled asthma defined by one of the following criteria: Asthma control test20, or forced expiratory volume in one-second % of predicted80%, or peak expiratory flow variability80% (Study 1). After 12-weeks, 229 patients who maintained high or low FENO were selected and the independent factors which might contribute to a high FENO were examined (Study 2).A FENO level39.5 p.p.b. yielded 67% sensitivity and 76% specificity for identifying the patients with poorly controlled asthma. The persistent high FENO group (≥ 40 p.p.b.) was more likely to be ex-smokers, to show evidence of atopy (positive specific IgE, higher serum IgE and blood eosinophils), and to have allergic comorbidities. Especially, past smoking history, blood eosinophils, and chronic rhinosinusitis were identified to be independent predictors of high FENO. Neither the dose of ICS nor other medication use showed any difference between the groups.These results suggested that past smoking history, blood eosinophilia, and chronic rhinosinusitis are involved in the persistent airway inflammation detected by FENO. Although their relative contributions on FENO values should be further quantified, clarification of the features of the subjects with high FENO might provide clues for adjustment of the treatment approach in asthma.

It has been hypothesized that suppression of bone remodeling allows microdamage to accumulate, leading to increased bone fragility. This study evaluated the effects of reduced bone turnover produced by bisphosphonates on microdamage accumulation and biomechanical properties of cortical bone in the dog rib. Thirty-six female beagles, 1-2 years old, were divided into three groups. The control group (CNT) was treated daily for 12 months with saline vehicle. The remaining two groups were treated daily with risedronate (RIS) at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg per day or alendronate (ALN) at 1.0 mg/kg per day orally. After sacrifice, the right ninth rib was assigned to cortical histomorphometry or microdamage analysis. The left ninth rib was tested to failure in three-point bending. Total cross-sectional bone area was significantly increased in both RIS and ALN compared with CNT, whereas cortical area did not differ significantly among groups. One-year treatment with RIS or ALN significantly suppressed intracortical remodeling (RIS, 53%; ALN, 68%) without impairment of mineralization and significantly increased microdamage accumulation in both RIS (155%) and ALN (322%) compared with CNT. Although bone strength and stiffness were not significantly affected by the treatments, bone toughness declined significantly in ALN (20%). Regression analysis showed a significant nonlinear relationship between suppressed intracortical bone remodeling and microdamage accumulation as well as a significant linear relationship between microdamage accumulation and reduced toughness. This study showed that suppression of bone turnover by high doses of bisphosphonates is associated with microdamage accumulation and reduced some mechanical properties of bone.

A record high electron mobility (248 cm2/V middots at E eff of 1 MV/cm) was obtained at T inv of 1.47 nm, with a band-edge effective work function, by a Hf-Si/HfO2 stack using gate-last process, resulting in I ON of 1178 muA/mum (I OFF of 100 nA/ mum ) at V dd of 1.0 V for a 45-nm gate nMOSFET without strain-enhanced technology.

This paper deals with two representative unbalanced traffic cases for two-hop wireless relay access systems employing network coding and a slotted ALOHA protocol. Network coding is a recent and highly regarded technology for capacity enhancement with multiple unicast and multisource multicast networks. We have analyzed the performance of network coding on a two-hop wireless relay access system employing the slotted ALOHA under a balanced bidirectional traffic. The relay nodes will generally undergo this unbalanced multidirectional traffic but the impact of this unbalanced traffic on network coding has not been analyzed. This paper provides closed-form expressions for the throughput and packet delay for two-hop unbalanced bidirectional traffic cases both with and without network coding even if the buffers on nodes are unsaturated. The analytical results are mainly derived by solving queueing systems for the buffer behavior at the relay node. The results show that the transmission probability of the relay node is a design parameter that is crucial to maximizing the achievable throughput of wireless network coding in slotted ALOHA on two-hop unbalanced traffic cases. Furthermore, we show that the throughput is enhanced even if the traffic at the relay node is unbalanced.

Newly proposed mobility-booster technologies are demonstrated for metal/high-k gate-stack n- and pMOSFETs. The process combination of top-cut SiN dual stress liners and damascene gates remarkably enhances local channel stress particularly for shorter gate lengths in comparison with a conventional gate-first process. Dummy gate removal in the damascene gate process induces high channel stress, because of the elimination of reaction force from the dummy gate. PFETs with top-cut compressive stress liners and embedded SiGe source/drains are performed by using atomic layer deposition TiN/HfO2 gate stacks with Tinv=1.4 nm on (100) substrates. On the other hand, nFETs with top-cut tensile stress liners are obtained by using HfSix/HfO2 gate stacks with Tinv=1.4 nm. High-performance n- and pFETs are achieved with Ion=1300 and 1000 muA/mum at Ioff =100 nA/mum, Vdd=1.0 V, and a gate length of 40 nm, respectively.

As underground development continues at great depths, the danger of rock bursts will inevitably increase. It is important to consider countermeasures for avoiding rock bursts in underground work. In Japan, rock bursts have actually been experienced during construction of several tunnels, including the Kan-etsu tunnel construction project, during which many rock bursts were observed. Stress analysis of tunnels is performed based on initial stress measurements in the base rock. In addition, AE measurement has been adopted in construction management, allowing safer excavation. Collective analysis of the data obtained has been shown to be effective for safety control during excavation of hard base rock. In this research, initial stress measurements in base rock, secondary stress analysis around a tunnel, and AE measurements are examined. Based on the results of this analysis, it is clear that the generation of rock bursts is related to the presence of geological discontinuities.

This paper proposes a low damage smoothing process for magnetic materials using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB). In order to achieve low damage processing, the effect of incident angle was investigated. Depth profiles of major elements constituting the films were measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The film structure and the lattice spacing were obtained by X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and grazing incident X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. After the GCIB irradiation at an acceleration voltage of 20 kV and incident angle of 80° with simultaneous rotation, a smooth surface of a PtMn film was obtained, with an average roughness of 1.2 nm. A damaged layer thickness of less than 1.5 nm was achieved under these conditions. Using the oblique GCIB irradiation, the PtMn film was etched without any change in the strain profile. Thus, the GCIB could be utilized to obtain surfaces of magnetic devices with extremely shallow damage.

Bisphosphonates are emerging as an important treatment for osteoporosis. But whether the reduced fracture risk associated with bisphosphonate treatment is due to increased bone mass, improved trabecular architecture and/or increased secondary mineralization of the calcified matrix remains unclear. We examined the effects of bisphosphonates on both the trabecular architecture and matrix properties of canine trabecular bone. Thirty-six beagles were divided into a control group and two treatment groups, one receiving risedronate and the other alendronate at 5-6 times the clinical dose for osteoporosis treatment. After one year, the dogs were killed, and samples from the first lumbar vertebrae were examined using a combination of micro-computed tomography, finite element modeling, and mechanical testing. By combining these methods, we examined the treatment effects on the calcified matrix and trabecular architecture independently. Conventional histomorphometry and microdamage data were obtained from the second and third lumbar vertebrae of the same dogs [Bone 28 (2001) 524]. Bisphosphonate treatment resulted in an increased apparent Young's modulus, decreased bone turnover, increased calcified matrix density, and increased microdamage. We could not detect any change in the effective Young's modulus of the calcified matrix in the bisphosphonate treated groups. The observed increase in apparent Young's modulus was due to increased bone mass and altered trabecular architecture rather than changes in the calcified matrix modulus. We hypothesize that the expected increase in the Young's modulus of the calcified matrix due to the increased calcified matrix density was counteracted by the accumulation of microdamage.

In this paper, a batch microfabrication process is presented for creating high aspect ratio, micron-sized helical and toroidal inductors with Q greater than or equal to 50 at multi-GHz frequencies. With a maximum processing temperature of only 220/spl deg/C, the inductors can be fabricated on top of standard CMOS wafers. This process can also be used to create "inductor chiplets", which are polymer-encapsulated inductors with the same form factor as an EIA (Electronics Industries Association) standard 0201 surface mount device. The chiplets can be assembled onto CMOS wafers using a fluidic microassembly technique. This technique allows for multiple electrical interconnects to the inductor chiplets. The 40-/spl mu/m gap between the substrate and assembled inductor increases the Q by a factor of /spl sim/3 compared to as-fabricated inductors. Assembled and as-fabricated inductors have been characterized on similar substrates and have maximum Q values of 50 and 15 with resonant frequencies of 10 GHz and 9 GHz, respectively. Performance of the assembled inductors is nearly comparable to that of inductors as fabricated and tested on quartz substrates.

Background and Purpose— Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most serious complication of thrombolytic therapy for stroke. We explored factors associated with this complication in the Australian Streptokinase Trial. Methods— The initial CT scans (≤4 hours after stroke) of 270 patients were reviewed retrospectively by an expert panel for early signs of ischemia and classified into the following 3 categories: no signs or ≤1/3 or >1/3 of the vascular territory. Hemorrhage on late CT scans was categorized as major or minor on the basis of location and mass effect. Stepwise, backward elimination, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for each hemorrhage category. Results— Major hemorrhage occurred in 21% of streptokinase (SK) and 4% of placebo patients. Predictors of major hemorrhage were SK treatment (odds ratio [OR], 6.40; 95% CI, 2.50 to 16.36) and elevated systolic blood pressure before therapy (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05). Baseline systolic blood pressure >165 mm Hg in SK-treated patients resulted in a >25% risk of major secondary hemorrhage. Early ischemic CT changes, either ≤1/3 or >1/3, were not associated with major hemorrhage (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.65 to 3.83; and OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.45 to 2.76, respectively). Minor hemorrhage occurred in 30% of the SK and 26% of the placebo group. Predictors of minor hemorrhage were male sex, severe stroke, early CT changes, and SK treatment. Ninety-one percent of patients with major hemorrhage deteriorated clinically compared with 23% with minor hemorrhage. Conclusions— SK increased the risk of both minor and major hemorrhage. Major hemorrhage was also more likely in patients with elevated baseline systolic blood pressure. However, early CT changes did not predict major hemorrhage. Results from this study highlight the importance of baseline systolic blood pressure as a potential cause of hemorrhage in patients undergoing thrombolysis.

This paper describes two humanoid robots developed in the Humanoid Robotics Institute, Waseda University. Hadaly-2 is intended to realize information interaction with humans by integrating environmental recognition with vision, conversation capability (voice recognition, voice synthesis), and gesture behaviors. It also possesses physical interaction functions for direct contact with humans and behaviors that are gentle and safe for humans. WABIAN is a robot with a complete human configuration that is capable of walking on two legs and carrying things as with humans. Furthermore, it has functions for information interactions suite for uses at home.

We recently demonstrated that suppressed bone remodeling allows microdamage to accumulate and causes reductions in some mechanical properties. However, in our previous study, 1 year treatment with high-dose etidronate (EHDP) did not increase microdamage accumulation in most skeletal sites of dogs in spite of complete remodeling suppression and the occurrence of spontaneous fractures of ribs and/or thoracic spinous processes. This study evaluates the effects of EHDP on microdamage accumulation and biomechanical properties before fractures occur. Thirty-six female beagles, 1-2 years old, were treated daily for 7 months with subcutaneous injections of saline vehicle (CNT) or EHDP at 0.5 (E-low) or 5 mg/kg per day (E-high). After killing, bone mineral measurement, histomorphometry, microdamage analysis, and biomechanical testing were performed. EHDP treatment suppressed intracortical and trabecular remodeling by 60%-75% at the lower dose, and by 100% at the higher dose. Osteoid accumulation caused by a mineralization deficit occurred only in the E-high group, and this led to a reduction of mineralized bone mass. Microdamage accumulation increased significantly by two- to fivefold in the rib, lumbar vertebra, ilium, and thoracic spinous process in E-low, and by twofold in the lumbar vertebra and ilium in E-high. However, no significant increase in damage accumulation was observed in ribs or thoracic spinous processes in E-high where fractures occur following 12 months of treatment. Mechanical properties of lumbar vertebrae and thoracic spinous processes were reduced significantly in both E-low and E-high. These findings suggest that suppression of bone remodeling by EHDP allows microdamage accumulation, but that osteoid accumulation reduces production of microdamage.

A new type of display-type spherical mirror analyzer has been constructed at BL25SU of SPring-8 to study atomic arrangement on surface and spin arrangement on magnetic surface, and to analyze the atomic orbital of the electrons constituting the valence band and the other interesting electron spectroscopy. The advantage of this analyzer is that the emitted photoelectrons are converged to a focal point with keeping both kinetic energy and momentum. Hence we can realize energy and momentum analyses at once. To perform these studies accurately, the display-type spherical mirror analyzer should satisfy the following specifications such that the energy resolution should be higher than 1% of the pass-energy and the angular resolution should be higher than 1° at least. The improvement was estimated by LEED and photoelectron diffraction of Si(0 0 1). Finally, we could confirm that the energy resolution is 0.2% of the pass energy and the angular resolution is 0.6°. We conclude that the new analyzer satisfy the above requirement.

Background. Atherosclerosis is the main lesion in allografts undergoing chronic rejection. We investigated the effect of OP-2507 (prostaglandin I2 analogue) and OKY-046 (thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor) on graft atherosclerosis morphologically and the production of eicosanoids in grafts in a rat aortic allograft model. Methods. Abdominal aortic allografts of Lewis (RT-1l) rats were transplanted orthotopically into fully major histocompatibility complex mismatched Wistar King A/Qdj (RT-1u) rats that were subcutaneously administered OP-2507 (0.1 mg/kg/d) or OKY-046 (125 mg/kg/d), or both, with an osmotic pump. Four, 8, or 12 weeks later, the grafts were harvested and examined histologically, and the concentration of eicosanoids in the grafts were analyzed. Results. Lewis aortic allografts in Wistar King A recipients with no treatment displayed atherosclerosis, which involved gradual intimal thickening and medial thinning with continuous inflammation in adventitia. Neither OP-2507 nor OKY-046 treatment affected the intensity of adventitial inflammation. Although inhibition of medial thinning or a decrease in medial nuclear density was not observed, OKY-046 administration alone significantly inhibited an increase in intimal thickness. OP-2507 administration alone significantly inhibited a decrease in medial nuclear density and intimal thickening. Combined treatment with OP-2507 and OKY-046 further decreased the alteration of media and intima. The ratio of thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α in the grafts was significantly reduced by OKY-046 but not by OP-2507 alone. Conclusions. We have demonstrated that atherosclerosis in aortic allografts is inhibited by the continuous administration of either OP-2507 or OKY-046, and a combination of both agents strongly increases this inhibitory effect. Amelioration of balance in eicosanoid production in the grafts by the use of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor and the simultaneous usage of stable prostaglandin I2 analogue may be a strategy for preventing atherosclerosis that results from chronic rejection. (Surgery 2001;129:595-605.)

A hybrid analysis of the method of moments (MoM) and the finite-element method (FEM) is proposed for a waveguide crossed slot. The eigenmode functions of an X-shaped waveguide, with the geometry of the crossed slot in the cross section, are utilised as the basis functions of the magnetic currents in the MoM. They are derived as vectors by the edge-based FEM to express the current flow accurately around the crossing part. Reactions in the wall-thickness region of the rectangular waveguide can be simply and accurately evaluated without taking mode summation because of the orthogonality of the eigenmodes. The proposed method is advantageous for a crossed slot, especially with a wide slot width and a thick waveguide wall. For the verification of the analysis, the calculated results of the transmission coefficient, and the radiation pattern are compared with the measured ones using a 12 GHz model antenna. The agreement in the transmission coefficient is very good both in amplitude and phase from 10 to 15 GHz.

When the waste would be reduced by the arc plasma, the radiation power should be put down, because it is a great deal of loss. On the other hand, we can use it as a clean source for heating materials in a vacuum chamber. In this case, it is expected that the radiation becomes greater. In both cases the radiation power emitted from the arc plasmas has to be precisely controlled. We measured the radiation power emitted from a plasma torch as a function of the electric in-put power. The radiation power was measured to be 200–700 W for an in-put power of 2–4.4 kW and increased in proportion to the 1.8th power of the current or near 1.6th power of the in-put power. Therefore, the radiation power increases steeply with the in-put power. The radiation efficiency for a wall-stabilized arc model was 31% in the condition of 2 cm appearance plasma length, 100 A current and 4400 W in-put power. An equipment using a vacuum chamber for the plasma treatment of the hazardous wastes due to the radiation power emitted from torch plasma is proposed.

Speckle interference in space was monitored by using a newly developed transparent thin-film photodiode, which was fabricated by micromachining techniques. Since the sensitive region of the developed photodiode was thinner than one-half of the wavelength, an optical standing wave generated by the interference between two waves propagating in opposite directions was detected. This photodiode was used in a short-range displacement measurement in a speckle field. Using the sinusoidal phase modulation technique, object displacement was sensed with an accuracy of about 30 nm in a speckle granular structure.

The suitability of multi-wave X-ray reflectometry, in which X-ray reflectivities measured with multiple X-ray waves are optimized simultaneously by the least squares method, was investigated for layered structure analysis of spin-valve films. It was found that Co-Kβ, Cu-Kβ, and Cu-Kα1 lines are suitable for analysis of a spin-valve film based on estimation of the reflective intensity at each boundary of the film. Next, a 3-wave method using these 3 X-rays and a 2-wave method using Co-Kβ/Cu-Kβ or Co-Kβ/Cu-Kα1 lines were examined. Structural parameters such as the film thickness, density, and interface width can be determined more accurately for both the 3-wave and 2-wave methods than for a 1-wave method using the Co-Kβ line. In 3-wave reflectometry, the errors, defined as 3 times the standard deviation, in determining the film thicknesses for ∼1 nm CoFe and ∼2 nm Cu films were ±0.04 nm and ±0.02 nm, respectively. The errors in 2-wave reflectometry were slightly larger, being around ±0.05 nm.

We performed animal experiments to test the hypothesis that active oxygen species (AOS) play a major role in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats and to determine whether large-dose ascorbic acid administration would suppress the development of arthritis, reducing the level of damaging AOS in the same animal model. Arthritis was induced in male Lewis rats by adjuvant injection into the base of the tail. Ascorbic acid at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg body weight (BW) was injected intraperitoneally twice each week for 3 weeks (9 rats per group). The BW, hind paw edema, and arthritis score of the extremities were monitored during the period. On day 21, synovial tissues obtained from the ankle joints were examined histologically and for the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The SOD activity in the red blood cells (RBC) was also measured. The arthritic control rats showed significant increases in paw volume and arthritis score from day 11. These changes were dose-dependently reduced by ascorbic acid administration. The infiltration of inflammatory cells into the synovial tissues was markedly decreased by ascorbic acid. The increases in SOD activities produced by the adjuvant injection were significantly reduced in both the synovium and the RBC at ascorbic acid doses of 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg BW. In conclusion, large-dose ascorbic acid administration reduced the increases in hind paw inflammatory edema, arthritis in the extremities, and infiltration of the inflammatory cells into the synovial tissue in the adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. Since these anti-arthritic effects were associated with a decrease in SOD activities in both the synovium and RBC, the decrease in SOD activity could be one of the mechanisms underlying the suppressive effects of large-dose ascorbic acid on the development of arthritis in this animal model, inhibiting the damaging AOS.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder covering the 13.56 MHz band was adapted to minimize its volume so that it could be placed in the pulp chamber of an endodontically treated human tooth. The minimized transponder had a maximum communication distance of 30 mm. In an animal experiment, the transponder was fixed in the cavity of a mandibular canine of a dog. An RFID reader positioned close to the dog's face could communicate with the transponder in the dog's tooth. In certain cases, the system is applicable for the personal identification procedures for hospitalized patients instead of an identification wristband.

The Australian Streptokinase Trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, in which streptokinase (SK, 1.5 million IU IV) was given within 4 hours of stroke onset. In a subset of 37 patients, 99m Tc-labeled D,L-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and/or transcranial Doppler (TCD) studies were performed before and after therapy to test the hypothesis that SK may improve the hemodynamic measures of reperfusion/recanalization rates(TCD parameter) within 24 hours. Eighteen patients received SK and 19 placebo. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups, and there were no differences in clinical outcomes assessed at 3 months after stroke. Although there was no increase in the group mean perfusion defect or volume on SPECT after thrombolytic therapy, a larger number of patients demonstrating the combined end point of reperfusion or recanalization was seen in the SK group (13/14, 93%) than in the placebo group (7/14, 50%; p = 0.01). Although SK given within 4 hours of acute ischemic stroke appears to improve arterial patency/tissue reperfusion, this effect is neither early nor extensive enough to influence overall clinical outcome.

A three-dimensional photovisco-elasto-plastic model considering the strain rate effect was investigated by the scattered-light method using polyester as a model material. To examine the mechanical and optical properties of the material, tension and torsion tests were carried out on cylindrical specimens under various strain rates at 30°C. The effects of strain rate on the stress-strain relation and scattered-light fringe appearance were evaluated. The equivalent shearing stress-strain relation can be approximated by the Ramberg-Osgood equation with rate-dependent modulus and yield stress. The fringe gradient, when normalized by a rate-dependent yield gradient, can be related to an equivalent strain in the same form regardless of the strain rate. The strain rate can be evaluated from the measurement of the rate of increase of the fringe gradient. Hence, the relation between the fringe gradient and its rate of increase was derived as a function of strain rate. Finally, a method is proposed for the estimation of the visco-elasto-plastic stress and strain in a three-dimensional specimen from the measurement of only the fringe gradient and its rate of increase. The method was successfully applied not only to uniaxial tension but also to pure torsion.

Background. In the present study we attempted to evaluate the role of the graft as an alloantigen in induction and maintenance of donor-specific prolongation of allograft survival by short course(s) of FK506 treatment in rat heart transplantation. Materials and methods. In the WKA/Qdj-to-LEW combination group, FK506 (3 mg/kg/day, 7 days, sc) was administered from Day 0 after cardiac transplantation. A second WKA/Qdj cardiac graft was transplanted on Day 14 into the LEW recipient after removal of the first graft on Day 3 or Day 7. In other groups an additional course of FK506 (3 mg/kg/day, 7 days, sc) was given from Day 35. A second WKA/Qdj cardiac graft was transplanted on Day 49 into the LEW recipient after removal of the first graft on Day 7 or Day 28. Results. A short course of FK506 treatment allowed for survival prolongation of a cardiac allograft [mean survival time (MST) = 42.8 days]. Removal of the first graft on Day 7 (MST = 16.4 days) but not on Day 3 (MST = 10.2 days) caused donor-specific prolongation of the second allograft survival, which was significantly shorter than that in the recipient without the graftectomy (MST = 32.8 days). When graftectomy was performed on Day 3, there were immunohistochemically detectable levels of donor class II expressing cells in the recipient spleen on Day 7, indicating that the presence of the graft more effectively induced unresponsiveness than microchimerism alone. The additional course of FK506 treatment on Day 35 maintained graft survival (MST > 90.6 days). Removal of the first graft on Day 7 (MST = 13.5 days) or Day 28 (MST = 24.7 days) did not show significant prolongation of the second allograft survival, whereas significant survival prolongation of the second graft was observed in the recipient without the graftectomy (MST = 38.8 days). However, marked survival prolongation of the second donor-specific allograft in half of the recipients that had received the second course of FK506 treatment after graftectomy on Day 28 indicates that residual donor antigen can function as tolerizing antigen with an FK506 supplement. Conclusions. We concluded that the persistence of a graft more effectively induces and maintains donor-specific unresponsiveness than does the chimeric state of graft-derived cells alone under immunosuppression by FK506 in the rat heart transplantation model.

Single microtips, 2/spl times/2 and 10/spl times/10 arrays of microtips surrounded by an integrated focusing ring, were fabricated and their focusing characteristics experimentally investigated. Observation of the beam on a phosphor screen shows that the focusing is very effective for single microtips and 2/spl times/2 arrays; moreover, the reduction in emitted current is much smaller than for double-gate focusing. 10/spl times/10 arrays of microtips, however, do not generate very focused beams. These results agree well with simulations. The possibility of simultaneous focusing and deflecting is also discussed, and a new structure combining the advantages of double-gate and surrounding ring focusing is suggested.

Concepts of microfactories consisting of microdevices made by micromachine technologies are discussed. A microfactory is a small production system whose size is very small with respect to the dimensions of the small products. Typical examples of microfactories are classified according to production types. Microfactory systems have a great possibility to innovate the production systems of small products by making the best use of the inherent properties of the systems such as miniaturized facilities, mobility and flexibility. The microfactory saves energy, manufacturing space and mineral resources with decreasing size of the factory facilities.