Search

The frequency step tuning with second harmonic oscillations in a frequency range from 240 to 360-GHz has been demonstrated. A two-cavity configuration was introduced in order to increase the number of operating frequencies and to decrease their frequency intervals. Each cavity has a series of oscillation modes. These modes can be selectively excited according to the changes in the magnetic field strength, electron beam radii and the velocity pitch factor in the cavity. The experimental results suggest further multi-frequency operation is possible with multiply connected cavities.

A complex cavity was fabricated to improve the mode selection property of a gyrotron for the 400 GHz second-harmonic oscillation. A combination of the TE 8,3 and the TE 8,5 modes was selected to provide resonant coupling. In the experiment, many fundamental and several second-harmonic modes oscillated independently in either the first or the second cavity. However, no fundamental oscillation was observed in the operation magnetic field region of the TE 8,3 /TE 8,5 mode. The fabrication error of the cavity radii was successfully controlled to be smaller than 1 $\mu\mathrm{m}$ . The oscillation of the design mode was observed by the frequency measurements. However, a mode competition with the TE3,5 mode occurred.

On March 11, 2011, a great earthquake occurred off the east coast of Honshu Island, Japan. The consequent breakdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) caused a massive release of radionuclides into terrestrial and marine environments and into the atmosphere. The Abukuma Mountains region is one of the areas highly polluted by this accident. Freshwater fishes continued to live in this area after the FNPP accident became so polluted.

In the recent years, short-range radar such as automotive radar has been attracting attention. In the radar, transmission method and signal processing achieve a high range resolution, and long range detection performance is required. In this paper, we propose the stepped multiple-frequency CPC radar that is expected to achieve a high range resolution and long range detection performance. In the proposed method, the transmission sequence and the phase correction process are expected to suppress the intersymbol interference and reduce the effects of Doppler frequency. A simulation result on the side-lobe level of CPC pulse compression is shown to verify the effectiveness of the method on the effect of Doppler shift. The other simulation result is shown to verify the improvement of S/N ratio by the signal processing. The results of the experiments also indicated that the radar could achieve high range resolution with narrowband receiver.

Multi-static primary surveillance radars (MSPSR) are being actively studied to deliver surveillance technology for civil aviation. By using multiple receivers, the performance of PSR detection can be improved, as the reflection characteristics, which change with aircraft position, can be suitably synthesized. In this paper, we report experimental results from our proposed optical-fiber-connected passive PSR system with transmit signal installed at the Sendai Airport in Japan. The proposed system is capable of detecting moving aircraft, as demonstrated by a comparison of the experimental results with real surveillance data.

This paper describes a concept of multi-static primary surveillance radar (MSPSR) developed by ENRI. We have so far proposed an optical fiber connected passive primary surveillance radar (OFC-PPSR) which is based on the principle of passive bistatic radar. A separated receiver unit uses scattered waves from aircraft and radar reference data transmitted by the radio over fiber (RoF). Radio frequency signals of transmitter unit and processing data such as rotating angle, transmitted timing and so on, are included as reference data. In this paper, we introduce the proposed system which consists of two receiver units. Then, we show a preliminary experimental result. It will be shown that the proposed system detects the moving object.

Stepped multiple frequency Complementary Phase Code (CPC) modulation proposed by authors is a unique radar modulation/demodulation method that can achieve an extremely low range sidelobe by the short code length, a high range resolution equivalent to the transmission bandwidth by a narrower band receiver, and a long range detection performance. Authors also have developed 60GHz millimeter wave radar employing this modulation. In this paper, the experimental results using the radar system are at first presented to verify the radar performance described above. Then the concept of expansion to Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) of stepped multiple frequency CPC is also described. The initial simulation results indicated the possibility that MIMO stepped multiple frequency CPC enable us to obtain not only a high range-velocity resolution but also a high angular resolution while preventing the deterioration of the characteristics in Doppler direction.

Nonlinear effects on correlation sidelobes of receiver signals for pulse radars, which were UWB pulse radar, pulse compression radar and mainly phase coded high pulse repetition frequency (PCHPRF) radar were discussed. Sidelobes of pulse radars increases in the case of nonlinear system with some other radio frequency (RF) parameters. We investigated on the parameters verified decision parameters for these sidelobe characteristics by using RF simulation method considering nonlinear effects.

Authors have developed the stepped multiple frequency Complementary Phase Code (CPC) radar system. The unique radar modulation/demodulation method can achieve both a high range resolution and a long-range detection performance with a narrow band receiver compared with the transmission bandwidth. In this paper, the experimental verification to compare the detection range performances between Stepped multiple frequency CPC and Pulse compression was conducted. The experimental results indicated that the proposed modulation was 1.72 times superior to Pulse compression in the detection range performance on the condition where the transmission bandwidth, observation time, peak power, code length (the number of chips of switching codes), and the number of total pulses were set to be the same.

Dynamics of the imploding plasma and its relations to the 13.5 nm EUV emissions have been experimentally investigated for a laser-assisted Sn based discharge-produced plasma EUV source. The behaviours and two-dimensional electron density distributions of the EUV-emitting plasma were obtained using the time-resolved shadowgraph and Nomarski interferometric techniques. Observation of the plasma piston in the prepinch phase justified the validity of the zero-dimensional thin-shell model, from which the ion charge state of the prepinch plasma in the cathode region was estimated. The sausage (m = 0) instability that usually enhances the EUV emission was observed, with the radial electron density distribution that displays a concave shape at the crest of the plasma and a bell shape at the neck; the maximum of the electron density is located at one peak of the concave distribution at the crest instead of the neck. Intense EUV emission was produced by the Z-pinch plasma with the electron density (2.0–3.0) × 1018 cm−3. Moreover, the shock waves generated in the anode region can also produce in-band EUV emission with the intensity of 30% of that from the Z-pinch plasma.

In order to enhance the fusion reaction rate in inertial electrostatic confinement devices, it is necessary to increase the ion density with low cathode current and low background pressure. In order to accomplish the requirement, the authors suggest magnetic-assisted electrostatic confinement (MEC) scheme. The MEC relies on controlling the ion motion by applying an axial magnetic field to a system with cylindrical electrodes. In order to clarify the fundamental performances of the MEC device, particle-in-cell simulation was carried out. By reducing the background pressure, the ion confinement was improved resulting in the increase of the ion density. However, the ion density saturated due to space charge limitation. The estimated fusion reaction rate was about 5 × 106 1/s/m when the cathode voltage was −100 kV, the magnetic field was 200 mT, and the cathode current was 100 mA/m. The reaction rate, however, is expected to become higher since the ion density limitation is moderated by the electron which is not considered in the present analysis.

Employing an inductive energy storage system, a stable and high-repetitive sub-microsecond pulse generator is developed for generation of micro-plasma jets. Its operation is based on the current interruption by an SI Thyristor, coupled with MOSFETs connected in series. While being operated without loads, the pulse generator can reliably generate high-voltage pulses of ∼20 kV with pulse duration of about 400 ns at the repetition rate up to 10 kHz. At the operating frequency of 1 kHz, a maximal energy transfer efficiency of ∼57 % has been obtained with 3 kΩ resistor as a dummy load. Driven by this pulse generator, a 6 mm long N2 plasma plume at atmospheric pressure was successfully produced.

Neutron Transmutation Doping (NTD), which is one of the semiconductor manufacturing methods, can produce impurity semiconductor with high quality. The neutron source currently used in the NTD is a nuclear reactor, which has some problems such as to become too old for use. Hence development of a new neutron source, which enables uniform irradiation, is desired. A new Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) device with a coaxial double cylindrical structure, which is especially designed to be capable of uniform neutron irradiation, was developed. As the feature of the device, it has triple electrode structure which consists of a cylindrical grid cathode between inner and outer anodes. Neutrons are centralized in the center of the device, and uniform neutron flux is obtained there. The device achieved a neutron production rate of 1.5×106 n/s, and uniform neutron flux distribution was provided in the central hole of device. The largest size of the uniform neutron flux area was 35.2% (25 cm) of sample irradiation area in the axial direction, and 54.3% (10 cm) in the radial direction.

An electron beam is widely used for various purposes in industry. We have developed a pulsed secondary electron emission gun (SEEG) which uses pulsed discharge and high voltage technology. The device has some inherent advantages, such as compactness in size and generation of a uniform and wide electron beam. The SEEG consists of a wire ion plasma source, a cathode plate in a vacuum chamber and an electron beam irradiation part. In this paper, we improved the SEEG for stable operation. Previously an abnormal electrical discharge in the vacuum chamber disturbed prolonged electron beam irradiation. Therefore, based on the simulation result of an electrical potential distribution, we installed a plate of reducing electric stress in the vacuum chamber. Then the stable operation of the SEEG became possible. In addition, we have conducted experiment on decomposition of toluene using the SEEG in N2 and Air. The decomposition rate in N2 was higher than that in air. The addition of O2 and increase of humidity in N2 decreased the decomposition rate. Reaction products such as benzene and xylene were identified in N2 by means of GC-MS. On the other hand, benzaldehyde and formic acid were identified in Air. It is conceivable that the difference of byproducts is caused by the presence or absence of OH radical.

FLAG-tag is one of the commonly used purification technologies for recombinant proteins. An antibody, M2, specifically binds to the FLAG-tag whether it is attached to N- or C-terminus of proteins to be purified. The bound proteins are generally eluted by competition with a large excess of free FLAG peptide. This requires synthetic FLAG peptide and also removal of bound FLAG peptide for M2 column regeneration. We have shown before that arginine at mild pH can effectively dissociate protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions, e.g. in Protein-A, antigen and dye-affinity chromatography. We have tested here elution of FLAG-fused proteins by arginine for columns of M2-immobilized resin using several proteins in comparison with competitive elution by FLAG peptide or low pH glycine buffer. Active and folded proteins were successfully and effectively eluted using 0.5-1M arginine at pH 3.5-4.4, as reported in this paper.

High-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) studies of (La, M)TiO 3 (M = Zn, Mn) prepared by M/Li ion exchange were performed to clarify the microscopic mechanism of ion-exchange reactions. At a macroscopic level, EDS analysis revealed that Zn and Mn atoms were homogeneously dispersed in matrix grains of (La, Zn)TiO 3 and (La, Mn)TiO 3 samples, respectively. EDS analysis also revealed that no segregation of Zn and Mn atoms was observed even in the vicinity of grain boundary regions. HREM and EDS analysis demonstrated that the microscopic mechanism of ion-exchange reactions was different by the ion-exchanged metals.

The purpose of this study is to compare the measured and calculated ratios of neutrons originating from 242Cm and 244Cm in commercial BWRs in order to evaluate the prediction error for a weakening start-up range neutron monitor (SRNM) signal due to the decay of in-core neutron sources over a ten year period. Measurements were carried out over a period of several months, using the least-squares method to fit the time series of SRNM signals with the theoretical model. Neutron sources of each fuel assembly were calculated by the macroscopic depletion model of a plant process computer. The ratios of neutrons originating from 242Cm and 244Cm detected by each SRNM were calculated by whole core fixed source calculation using the nodal expansion method. One BWR core measurement was taken at the beginning of the cycle and three BWR core measurements were taken in the middle of the cycle. A comparison of the measured and calculated ratios of 242Cm and 244Cm number densities showed reasonable agreement. The slight d...

Inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion has been studied for practical use as a portable neutron/proton source. In a conventional IEC device using a glow discharge, the neutron/proton production rate is proportional to the cathode current because beam-background reactions are dominant in contrast with the original IEC concept. However, since the neutron/proton production rate of beam-beam reactions is proportional to the cathode current squared, beam-beam reactions have a potential to increase the neutron/proton production rate in a high cathode current region. In this study, new IEC fusion device employing two ion sources based on a hollow cathode discharge was designed for the operation without the glow discharge, and its performance as differential pumping system was tested. From the experiment using the deuterium gas, it was confirmed that the ion sources produced a sufficient pressure difference expected to perform beam-beam reactions.

A pinhole camera has been employed to study the performance of a xenon capillary Z-pinch extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography light source driven by different dI/dt discharge current pulses. The performance of the EUV source in terms of dimension, intensity, collection efficiency and stability was specifically investigated by varying the experimental conditions such as the supplying gas pressure and dI/dt of the discharge current. Specific features, such as ring shape (annular profile) pinhole images and symmetrical and stable emission in the high dI/dt discharge current, have been observed or confirmed experimentally. Our results support the fact that the high dI/dt and short discharge currents have better EUV emission characteristics for EUV lithography compared with the low dI/dt discharge current.

A new gas jet Z-pinch extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source having double gas jet electrodes has been developed. It has two nozzles and two diffusers. The EUV emission is collected from the side of Xe pinch plasma, which is generated in a gap between the inner nozzle and corresponding diffuser. A cylindrical shell of He gas curtain produced by the outer nozzle is specially designed for shielding the debris and suppressing the inner gas expansion. We have estimated EUV energy of 1.22mJ/sr/pulse for a 2% bandwidth at 13.5nm in the presence of the gas curtain. The estimated diameter and length of EUV source in FWHM are 0.07mm and 0.34mm, respectively, whereas the same in FW 1/e^2 are 0.15mm and 1.2mm, respectively.

Output characteristics of a capillary discharge 46.9 nm Ne-like Ar soft X-ray laser pumped by a current pulse (di/dt = 300-460 A/ns, Imax = 15-26 kA) are reported. Using ceramics capillary with an inner diameter of 3 mm and a length of 200 mm or 350 mm, we confirmed a laser spike on the XRD signal. Moreover, using 350 mm capillary, we observed spikes on XRD signals twice in a single shot in particular condition. In classical Young's double slit experiment, using tungsten wire with a diameter of 50 μm or 100 μm, we also confirmed interference fringes of soft X-ray laser which indicate that the wavelength of the laser is about 46.9 nm.

Next-generation lithography will require an extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) light source that ensures high radiation intensities at a wavelength of around 13.5 nm. The characteristics of pinch dynamics and emission in this spectral range were studied experimentally for xenon capillary Z-pinch plasma driven by different d I/d t discharge current pulses. The pinch dynamics of the capillary Z-pinch plasma were examined by employing a high-speed camera, and the spectral emission from plasma was inspected using an EUV photodiode, a mini calorimeter and spectrometers. Our results confirm that high-d I/d t discharge current has better performance in comparison with the low one in terms of plasma dynamics, EUV power output and debris generation.

Compact soft X‐ray laser has been developed. In past experiments, spike output has been observed, when operating the device with a predischarge current of 5 to 15 A, a current of 9 to 35 kA with a rise time of 55 ns in an argon gas pressure range from 100 to 800 mTorr. Spectroscopic measurement has been conducted using a grazing incidence spectrometer. The line at 46.9 nm has been observed. In present study, varying the capillary length, the X‐ray diode measurement has been conducted. The result shows that the laser output exponentially increases with increasing the capillary length. The divergence of laser beam is also measured. For the 20 cm‐long capillary, the diameter of a laser beam is in a range from 3.2 to 4.0 mm, which is corresponding to a range of divergence from 2.2 to 2.8 mrad.

We have measured the time of lasing onset of a capillary z-pinch discharge used for Ne-like Ar soft x-ray laser generation. It was found that for a relatively long plasma, the relationship between the time of lasing onset and the filling pressure of the Ar gas agrees, in trend, with that predicted by simulation. An interesting result was observed: the time of lasing onset becomes delayed when the length of the capillary becomes shorter, which is considered to be caused by an end-effect of the capillary on the pinching process. This also implies that a relatively long capillary is favourable for obtaining a plasma column of uniformity, and thus for reducing the relative absorption of laser power.

We have designed, fabricated and tested a soft X-ray device, which uses a capillary discharge to achieve neon-like argon lasing. The ceramic capillary has an inner diameter of 3 mm and a length of 150 mm. Lasing has been confirmed when operating the device with a current of 9 to 32 kA with a rise time of 55 ns, in an argon gas pressure range from 100 to 800 mTorr. The relation between the observation of the laser spike and occurrence of the moving striation has been studied by a series of side-view observations. The appropriate starting time of the main discharge with respect to that of the predischarge current has been studied. When the predischarge is properly applied, constant laser amplification of the gain-length product of gl=12 (g=0.8 cm-1) was obtained, with a current of 32 kA at a pressure of 400 mTorr.

Capillary discharge experiments were carried out for soft X-ray laser studies. A ceramic capillary, which has an inner diameter of 3 mm and a length of 150 mm, has been used for the end-on X-ray diode observation, and a Pyrex capillary has been used for side-view observation. Spike output has been observed, when operating the device with a predischarge current of 5 to 15 A, a current of 9 to 35 kA with a rise time of 55 ns in an argon gas pressure range from 100 to 800 mtorr. It is found that without a predischarge current, spike output has been hardly observed. Observation of spike output at a low discharge current of 9 kA provides us a possibility for design of a compact soft X-ray laser device. When the predischarge is turned off, the side-view observation of the capillary discharge clearly shows the growth of instabilities during the pinch process. This suggests that the predischarge is indispensable for achieving a uniform plasma, which is required by the soft X-ray lasing in a capillary discharge.

In this study, we concentrated on improving the vortex flow uniformity, which was considered as a key factor for our new ICP torch design. To obtain a uniform vortex flow with lower plasma gas consumption, our new ICP torch had a dual gas inlet, and convertibility for helium and argon ICP. With this modification, helium ICP was able to operate with a 10–20% lower plasma gas flow rate than our previous torch. To confirm the effects of the dual inlet, the flows were compared using a high-speed video system, and the noise-power spectra of the emission line spectrum of helium and argon were measured. As the result of these measurements, the ICP with the dual inlet had higher frequency of plasma rotation than that of the single inlet torch. It is shown that the dual inlet gives less damping of the plasma gas flow and that adequate vortex flow can be generated with lower plasma gas consumption.

Purpose The Le Fort I osteotomy (L-I) requires extensive dissection and manipulation of tissue, causing hemodynamic instability and an undesirable postoperative stress response. This study aimed to clarify the most effective dose of remifentanil during L-I. Materials and Methods This study was designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled double-blinded study. Patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I to II) undergoing L-I were randomly assigned to receive anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil under 3 remifentanil dose conditions: 0.25 μg/kg/minute (group 1), 0.5 μg/kg/minute (group 2), and 0.75 μg/kg/minute (group 3). All patients underwent L-I with propofol and remifentanil target-controlled anesthesia. The study endpoints were mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate. Data were recorded before L-I (20-minute period before surgery), during L-I (from the beginning of surgery to downfracture), and after L-I (20-minute period after downfracture). Average age, gender, average body mass index, aimed maxillary position, average bispectral index, average surgery time, and average blood loss also were examined. Data were analyzed using the Bartlett test and then 1-way analysis of variance with the Bonferroni multiple comparison test. Results Data were obtained from 20 patients (9 men, 11 women). The average operating times for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 53.1, 46.7, and 49 minutes, respectively. The age range was 18 to 46 years (average, 26.05 yr). The rate of MAP increase from before to during L-I in group 1 was 10.8% (n = 7). The rate of MAP increase from before to during L-I in group 3 was 2.1% (n = 6). Group 3 showed a significantly lower rate of MAP increase during and after L-I compared with group 1 (P Conclusion Remifentanil administration at 0.75 μg/kg/minute stabilized hemodynamics during L-I without major side effects. Results indicated that the standard index of remifentanil administration during L-I should be 0.75 μg/kg/minute when using oxygen, propofol, and remifentanil for general anesthesia.

In a present pulsed power generator system using semiconductor switches, saturable magnetic switches are usually connected in series to compress the output pulse because the current rise-time of semiconductor switches are generally not short enough, However, the magnetic switches are heavy and they reduce the energy transfer efficiency. So we propose a pulsed power generator system using a 5500-V static induction thyristor (SI-Thy), a Blumlein line for pulse formation, and a step-up pulse transformer. The fundamental characteristics of the generator are evaluated. From experiments using only one SI-Thy, turn-on time of several tens of nanoseconds and the maximum rise rate of the output voltage of 115-kV//spl mu/s are obtained. It is confirmed that an SI-Thy will have sufficient performance as a main switch of the pulsed power generator for the flue gas treatment and decomposition of hazardous gases when several SI-Thys are connected in series.

Experimental and simulation results of a spherical glow discharge for a portable neutron source are presented. The experimental device is a 45-cm-diameter, 31-cm-high stainless-steel cylindrical chamber, in which a spherical mesh-type anode 30 cm in diameter is installed. The spherical grid cathode consists of 2.0-mm-diameter stainless-steel wire, which is made into an open spherical grid of 5-cm diameter. The system is maintained at a constant pressure of 1 to 15 mTorr by feeding hydrogen or deuterium gas. The basic characteristics of breakdown voltages versus pressure and electrostatic potential profiles were measured for hydrogen discharge. Using deuterium, a steady-state neutron production of 104 s–1 was observed at a discharge of 40 kV, 2 mA. Motions of ions and electrons in the device were simulated by using a particle code, which is one-dimensional in coordinate system and two-dimensional in velocity space. It was confirmed by both the measurement and simulation that a virtual anode is formed in the central part inside the grid cathode. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(2): 1–8, 2001

We have designed, fabricated and tested a soft x-ray device, which uses a capillary discharge to achieve neon-like argon lasing. The ceramic capillary has an inner diameter of 3 mm and a length of 150 mm. When operating the device with a current of 16 kA and dI/dt of 517.8 A ns-1 at gas pressure of 26.7 Pa, lasing has been confirmed. Multi-pulse laser output has also been observed with a slightly higher current of 17.5 kA, and this indicates that there exist several configurations suitable for the Ne-like Ar lasing during one pinch process. This is the first observation of multi-pulse laser output.

The surgical treatment of esophageal cancer affects both the physical and psychological condition of the patients, and it is often associated with severe complications after the operation. Education concerning potential postoperative conditions during the early preoperative period might reduce anxiety associated with the operation and allow patients to manage their situation preoperatively. Preoperative instruction video orientation systems (OR) were introduced, and the changes in the patients’ anxiety, the time period after leaving a state of bed rest, and the occurrence of postoperative respiratory complications in the intensive care unit (ICU) were investigated. Seventeen patients underwent curative surgical treatment of esophageal carcinoma in our institute from February to November, 2008. The original orientation video was introduced on the first hospitalization day, just 1 week before the operation. A questionnaire was administered to the patients on the first day to evaluate the patients’ anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and again on the fourth day before surgery. HADS score was significantly reduced to 3.9 ± 2.8 after OR from 4.7 ± 2.7 before OR (P < 0.01). The time required to be able to walk was 2.5 ± 0.6 days following the operation. There were no respiratory complications or any episodes of emotional instability in the ICU. The OR is considered to be effective for the prevention of respiratory complications because it reduces the anxiety in preoperative patients and eases postoperative nursing care (by early ambulation).

A new AMS facility (NEC 15SDH-2) based on a 5 MV tandem accelerator has been installed at the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) Tono Geoscience Center in March 1997. It has two cesium sputter negative ion sources (for solid and gas samples) which are connected to a fast sequential injection beam line. A number of performance tests have been done on the MC-SNICS solid source for radiocarbon. Precision measurements with modern samples have shown that a precision below 0.5% is feasible on a routine basis. The 14C background of the machine and the chemistry blank are 0.04 and 0.10 pMC respectively, indicating a 14C dating limit of 56,000 yr BP. The normalized JNC 14C values for IAEA standard materials (C-2 to C-8) agree well with the nominal values. Since October 1998, the MC-SNICS solid source is used for routine radiocarbon dating. Preliminary results of performance tests of the MGF-SNICS gas source are reported, too.

We propose a method of measuring the divergence of soft X-ray (SXR) laser generated by capillary Z-pinch discharge. The method allows us to measure beam size by adjusting the position of the beam aperture from the outside of the device, without gating the input signal to separate the SXR laser from the background emission. The method is demonstrated to be applicable to our Ne-like Ar SXR laser measurement, where the beam size is found to be in the range of 6 to 7.1 mm, and the divergence is from 4.16 to 4.93 mrad.

Although Japanese herbal medicines (JHMs) are widely used in Japan, only a few studies have investigated their effects on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In the present study, we examined the effect of 4 kinds of JHMs [sho-saiko-to (TJ-9), inchin-ko-to (TJ-135), juzen-taiho-to (TJ-48), and keishi-bukuryo-gan (TJ-25)] on a mouse model of NASH. Db/db mice were divided into 6 groups: control diet (control), methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCD), and MCD diet supplemented with TJ-9, TJ-135, TJ-48, and TJ-25 (TJ-9, TJ-135, TJ-48, and TJ-25, respectively). All mice were sacrificed after 4 weeks of treatment, and biochemical, pathological, and molecular analyses were performed. Serum alanine aminotransferase levels and liver histology, including necroinflammation and fibrosis, were significantly alleviated in the TJ-9 and TJ-48 groups compared with the MCD group. The expression level of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 mRNA in the liver was significantly suppressed by TJ-48. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were lower, and those of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR)γ were higher in the TJ-9 and/or TJ-48 groups than in the MCD group. Similarly, even though the results were not statistically significant, malondialdehyde levels in liver tissues were lower in the TJ-9 and TJ-48 groups than in the MCD group. We showed that JHMs, especially TJ-9 and TJ-48, inhibited the necroinflammation and fibrosis in the liver of a mouse model of NASH, even though the mechanisms were not fully elucidated. Further studies are needed in the future to investigate the possibility of clinical application of these medicines in the treatment for NASH.

Procalcitonin (PCT), a calcitonin precursor, is commonly measured in the setting of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the clinical significance of serial PCT changes has not been established. We conducted a prospective observational study of 122 patients with CAP. Thirty-day mortality was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included: (1) initial treatment failure, (2) 30-day mortality and/or initial treatment failure, and (3) intensive care unit (ICU) admission. In subgroup analysis, we classified patients into pneumococcal pneumonia and non-pneumococcal pneumonia groups. The baseline frequency of 30-day mortality was 10.7%. Increases in serum PCT levels from admission to Day 3 were observed with statistically higher frequency in patients with 30-day mortality (P = 0.002). For secondary endpoints, only the 30-day mortality and/or initial treatment failure group was statistically significant (P = 0.007). Subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant changes in the non-pneumococcal pneumonia group (N = 85) across several endpoints, including 30-day mortality (P = 0.001), initial treatment failure (P = 0.013), and 30-day mortality and/or initial treatment failure (P 0.001). No significant changes in endpoint measurements were found in the pneumococcal pneumonia group (N = 28). Interestingly, serum PCT levels at the time of diagnosis were higher in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia than those with non-pneumococcal pneumonia (P = 0.006), and this positively correlated with disease severity scores for all patients (PCT vs. PSI: R = 0.380, P 0.001; PCT vs.R = 0.422, P 0.001) and for non-pneumococcal pneumonia (PCT vs. PSI: R = 0.468, P 0.001; PCT vs.R = 0.448, P 0.001), but not for pneumococcal pneumonia. In conclusion, serial quantification of PCT can predict clinical outcomes for patients with CAP.

Zero-dimensional numerical computation of electrical discharge-pumped excimer lasers is extended to a one-dimensional model that is used to study the effects of the density perturbations of the background neutral gas and the nonuniform predischarge (which means preionization in this paper) electron density on the transition of the uniform discharge to the nonuniform prestage state leading to the onset of arc formation (which is not included in this particular model). It was found that a local density depression of 1% or an enhancement of the local electric field of 1% can increase the local energy input by several hundred percent. The initial electron density perturbations, on the other hand, are found to modify the energy input by the same order of magnitude as the initial perturbations.

BACKGROUNDS: Previously, we demonstrated that neutralizing capacity but not the concentration of GM-CSF autoantibody was correlated with the disease severity in patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)1-3. As abrogation of GM-CSF bioactivity in the lung is the likely cause for autoimmune PAP4,5, it is promising to measure the neutralizing capacity of GM-CSF autoantibodies for evaluating the disease severity in each patient with PAP. Until now, neutralizing capacity of GM-CSF autoantibodies has been assessed by evaluating the growth inhibition of human bone marrow cells or TF-1 cells stimulated with GM-CSF6-8. In the bioassay system, however, it is often problematic to obtain reliable data as well as to compare the data from different laboratories, due to the technical difficulties in maintaining the cells in a constant condition. OBJECTIVE: To mimic GM-CSF binding to GM-CSF receptor on the cell surface using cell-free receptor-binding-assay. METHODS: Transgenic silkworm technology was applied for obtaining a large amount for recombinant soluble GM-CSF receptor alpha (sGMRα) with high purity9-13. The recombinant sGMRα was contained in the hydrophilic sericin layers of silk threads without being fused to the silk proteins, and thus, we can easily extract from the cocoons in good purity with neutral aqueous solutions14,15. Fortunately, the oligosaccharide structures, which are critical for binding with GM-CSF, are more similar to the structures of human sGMRα than those produced by other insects or yeasts. RESULTS: The cell-free assay system using sGMRα yielded the data with high plasticity and reliability. GM-CSF binding to sGMRα was dose-dependently inhibited by polyclonal GM-CSF autoantibody in a similar manner to the bioassay using TF-1 cells, indicating that our new cell-free assay system using sGMRα is more useful for the measurement of neutralizing activity of GM-CSF autoantibodies than the bioassay system using TF-1 cell or human bone marrow cells. CONCLUSIONS: We established a cell-free assay quantifying the neutralizing capacity of GM-CSF autoantibody.

Unlike human, rat and mouse calcyclin, purified rabbit calcyclin did not form a dimer on Tricine SDS-PAGE under non-reduced conditions. Based on the internal peptide sequence of rabbit calcyclin, we isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone encoding calcyclin. The sequence of this clone (pCaiC) is 629 bp long and codes 90 amino acid residues of a protein with a molecular mass of 10,153 Da. By Northern blot analysis, a major band of 0.9 kbp and a minor band of 2.6 kbp were detected in the lung. The recombinant calcyclin mutated serine at the third position to cysteine was expressed in E. coli and made dimer formation under non-reduced conditions on SDS-PAGE. Whether or not this type of mutation which prevents dimer formation of calcyclin plays a physiological role in the rabbit lung is the subject of an ongoing study.

Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is considered as the most promising candidate of the next generation of lithography for manufacturing ever smaller and faster chips. In our laboratory, a laser assisted tin target discharge produced plasma EUV source has been studied[1]. The system comprises an Nd:YAG laser, focusing on a tin (Sn) rod embedded in one of electrodes to create plasma; and a power supply system to generate a sinusoidal discharge current of 22 kA amplitude, 250 ns half cycle that flows through the plasma between the electrodes to pinch the plasma and produce EUV radiation.

Summary form only given. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air cause photochemical oxidant formation and stratospheric ozone depletion. Non-thermal plasma technologies using electrical discharges or electron beam irradiation offer an energy- and cost- efficient approach to the decomposition of VOCs. In the present work, VOC removal using electron beam is studied. The electron beam was generated by a secondary electron emission gun (SEEG) using a wire ion plasma source (WIPS). The device has some inherent advantages over conventional ones, such as compactness in size and generation of a uniform and wide electron beam. The treatment process is based on a reaction with free radicals. These active species are produced by electron-impact dissociation and ionization of the background gas molecules. Positive ions (He+) generated in WIPS, which is a glow- discharge device using a thin wire electrode, are extracted through an ion extraction window and accelerated toward a stainless steel cathode plate biased at -100 kV in a vacuum chamber. The pressure in the vacuum chamber is 2times10-3 Torr. The WIPS uses the pulsed power system delivering an output discharge voltage of 10 kV with a pulse width in the order of a microsecond at the repetition frequency up to 10 Hz. The secondary electrons are generated in vacuum chamber by the collision of helium ions against the cathode plate and are accelerated toward an electron window made of a PET film, which separates the gas treatment chamber from the SEEG. An absorbed dose is about 3 kGy per one shot. The pressure in the treatment chamber is an atmosphere during the process and inlet gas flow rate is controlled by using a mass flow controller. Gas composition and concentration before and after the treatment are measured with a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010, Shimadzu Co Ltd). The VOCs used in the experiment were toluene, benzene and trichloroethylene. The relationship between the absorbed dose and the decomposition rate in batch and flow system was obtained. The experimental results indicate good efficiency of VOCs removal and show that the VOCs treatment by the SEEG is a promising technology.

A laser triggerd discharge produced Sn plasma light source has been developed. Experimental parameters such as electrode separation and laser irradiation power are varied to optimize EUV emission power. It is clear that the maximum EUV radiation was occurred in the position where the pinch was observed.

We prepared ultrafine Fe–Pt alloy nanoparticle colloids by UV laser solution photolysis (KrF excimer laser of 248 nm wavelength) using precursors of methanol solutions into which iron and platinum complexes were dissolved together with PVP dispersant to prevent aggregations. From TEM observations, the Fe–Pt nanoparticles were found to be composed of disordered FCC A1 phase with average diameters of 0.5–3 nm regardless of the preparation conditions. Higher iron compositions of nanoparticles require irradiations of higher laser pulse energies typically more than 350 mJ, which is considered to be due to the difficulty in dissociation of Fe(III) acetylacetonate compared with Pt(II) acetylacetonate. Au colloid preparation by the same method was also attempted, resulting in Au nanoparticle colloids with over 10 times larger diameters than the Fe–Pt nanoparticles and UV–visible absorption peaks around 530 nm that originate from the surface plasmon resonance. Differences between the Fe–Pt and Au nanoparticles prepared by the KrF excimer laser solution photolysis are also discussed.