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With its wide-bandgap (~7 eV), high breakdown field (~ 10 MV/cm) and high dielectric constant (~9) amorphous aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) film is an attractive material for applications as gate insulator and/or surface passivation layers for electrical devices. Using several vacuum deposition techniques, such as sputtering, metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD), high-quality Al 2 O 3 thin films have been reportedly obtained. One alternative approach to obtain high-quality Al 2 O 3 thin films is the mist chemical vapor deposition (mist-CVD), which can deposit various metal oxide thin films from relative non-toxic and nonpyrophoric aqueous solution, resulting in relatively simple and low-cost. In this study, we report on the deposition of Al 2 O 3 thin films by atmospheric pressure solution-processed mist chemical vapor deposition (mist-CVD) technique at 400 °C and subsequent investigation of the chemical properties, crystallinity, bandgap, mass density and refractive index of the deposited films. We confirmed that the obtained values are comparable to those reported for high-quality amorphous Al 2 O 3 thin films deposited by ALD.

High-k dielectric aluminum titanium oxide (AlTiO, an alloy of Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 ) films were obtained by mist chemical vapor deposition (mist-CVD), utilizing Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 precursors. By X-ray fluorescence (XRF) investigations, atomic composition ratios of Al and Ti ratios in the Al x Ti y O films were verified. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the Al x Ti y O films deposited at 400 °C has amorphous-phase structure. It was shown that the refractive index and mass density of the Al x Ti y O films increases with increase in the Ti composition. Bandgap of the Al x Ti y O films was also estimated from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. It was found that the bandgap of the Al x Ti y O films decrease with increase in the Ti composition. Moreover, the obtained refractive index, mass density and bandgap of Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 films are all comparable to those reported for high-quality Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 films deposited by ALD, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of using mist-CVD in synthesizing films having almost the same properties as those prepared by the more mature ALD.

Aluminium titanium oxide (Alalt;subagt;1–alt;iagt;xalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;Tialt;/subagt;alt;iagt;alt;subagt;xalt;/subagt;alt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;Oalt;subagt;alt;iagt;yalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;, an alloy of Alalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt;Oalt;subagt;3alt;/subagt; and TiOalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt;), an attractive high-κ dielectric material, were synthesized by mist chemical vapor deposition, utilizing Alalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt;Oalt;subagt;3alt;/subagt; and TiOalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt; precursors. X-ray diffraction investigations revealed that the Alalt;subagt;1–alt;iagt;xalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;Tialt;subagt;alt;iagt;xalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;Oalt;subagt;alt;iagt;yalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt; (0 alt; alt;iagt;xalt;/iagt; alt; 0.72) films deposited at 400 oC has amorphous-phase structure. It was found that the bandgap of the Alalt;subagt;1–alt;iagt;xalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;Tialt;subagt;alt;iagt;xalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;Oalt;subagt;alt;iagt;yalt;/iagt;alt;/subagt;, films decreases with increasing Ti composition. Moreover, the obtained refractive index, mass density and bandgap of Alalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt;Oalt;subagt;3alt;/subagt; and TiOalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt; films are all comparable to those reported for high-quality Alalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt;Oalt;subagt;3alt;/subagt; and TiOalt;subagt;2alt;/subagt; films deposited by atomic layer deposition.

In the present study, a tandem-bicycle ergometer was developed, because it is believed that such an ergometer can be used to eliminate differences in signaling between single- and tandem-exercise in cardiorespiratory responses, and is able to quantify interdependence in one load. It is necessary to verify whether cardiorespiratory responses to submaximal exercise are the same between single and tandem-bicycle ergometers. Accordingly, we compared cardiorespiratory variables during exercise in three conditions: 1) with a general bicycle single saddle using a general bicycle ergometer, 2) with a tandem bicycle front saddle using a tandem ergometer, and 3) with a tandem bicycle rear saddle using a tandem ergometer. Eleven healthy males participated in this study. The subjects exercised for 15 min at three intensities (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kp) in each condition. The pedaling rate was constantly kept at 60 rpm. Heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during the last minute of each intensity. There were no significant differences in the variables HR, VO2, and RPE at each load among the three conditions. The ranges of coefficient of variation (CV) values were 3.0 - 4.8%: HR and 4.2 - 5.1%: VO2. It was reported that between-day CV for HR and VO2 during treadmill running was 1.0 - 10.7% and 1.9 - 11.6%. Given these CV values of present and previous studies, it can be seen that physiological response is stable during developed tandem-bicycle ergometer exercise. These results suggest that cardiorespiratory responses to exercise are at comparable levels between a normal bicycle ergometer and the newly developed tandem-bicycle ergometer.

We developed highly efficient deep blue fluorescent materials. The bottom-emission OLED showed a CIE1931 coordinate of (0.14, 0.08) and a current efficiency of 6.5 cd/A with using a new efficiency-enhancement layer. We achieved CIEy of 0.062, a current efficiency of 7.5 cd/A and lifetime (LT95) of 2,000 hrs by depositing a new organic capping layer on a top-emission blue OLEDs, A hybrid white OLED by stacking a deep blue fluorescence and a phosphorescent red/green stacked yellow was also demonstrated which has an efficacy of 23 lm/W and color temperature of 10,000 K at 10 mA/cm2 and lifetime (LT50) of over 60,000 hrs at a luminance of 1,000 cd/m2.

To investigate the recent transposition activity of T2 family miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) in Xenopus tropicalis (Western clawed frog), we analyzed the intraspecific polymorphisms associated with MITE insertion in X. tropicalis for three subfamilies of the T2 family (T2-A1, T2-C, and T2-E). A high frequency of MITE-insertion polymorphisms was observed at the T2-A1 (50%) and T2-C insertion loci (60%), but none were noted at the T2-E insertion locus (0%). Analyses of the collected data indicated that members of the T2-A1 and T2-C subfamilies may be currently active in the host species. Identification of these active transpositions will help us in understanding the mechanisms underlying the long-term survival (over several tens of millions of years) of the T2-A1 and T2-C subfamilies.

This study examined the effects of low-intensity morning exercise (ME) on physiological response during unsteady workload evening exercise. Nine healthy men participated in the following 2 experimental conditions: 15 minutes of bicycle exercise at 40% maximum oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) in the morning (the ME condition) and rest (control [C] condition). Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), temperature, oxygen uptake, and natural logarithm of high frequency, an index of cardiac parasympathetic modulation, were measured before evening exercises, which were performed for 32 minutes in 2 parts: The steady-state exercise test included three 4-min bouts of exercise at 20, 60, and 40% V[Combining Dot Above]O2max. The unsteady exercise test consisted of 4-min bouts of exercise with gradual increases and decreases in workload at 20 and 60% V[Combining Dot Above]O2max. Heart rate, BP, and oxygen uptake were measured in both experiments. Maximal and minimal values, amplitude, and phase lags were measured with each cycle of unsteady workload exercise. With steady-state exercise, HR and systolic BP at 60 and 40% V[Combining Dot Above]O2max were significantly lower in the ME condition than in the C condition. However, oxygen uptake was not significantly different between the 2 conditions. With unsteady exercise, the HR and oxygen uptake phase lags were significantly shorter and the amplitude of oxygen intake was significantly larger in the ME condition than in the C condition. There were no significant differences in physiological parameters between the conditions at rest or during recovery. The physiological response during evening exercise is enhanced by low-intensity ME, which might be an effective conditioning method on a sporting event day.

The active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) is expected to serve as next generation flat panels display with the outstanding features of wide viewing angle, vivid images, and quick response. For practical use of full-color AMOLEDs in mobile devices, it is essential to reduce the power consumption, which is generally higher than that of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). For this aim, a red, green, blue, and white (RGBW) pixel format combined with an RGB color filter array (RGBW format) with a common white emission layer (EML) has been developed. We find that the RGBW format can successfully reduce the power consumption of a full-color AMOLED by nearly half that of a conventionally filtered RGB pixel format. This improved power consumption is almost equal to the power consumption of a same-sized LCD. The RGBW format is a promising technique for the further reduction of the power consumption of a full-color AMOLED.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of water temperature on rectal temperature and oxygen uptake during supine floating. Eight healthy males volunteered for this study. This study was performed in a supine position at rest on land and in three water conditions (25, 30 and 35 degrees Celsius). All experiments were performed for 35 minutes. Water conditions of immersion at 25 degrees Celsius resulted in a decrease in rectal temperature and an increase in oxygen uptake. The changes in rectal temperature differed among individuals. A significant correlation was observed between changes in rectal temperature and % body fat. However, the changes in rectal temperature were affected by other factors. These data suggest that the changes in rectal temperature during immersion at 25 degrees Celsius could be affected by other factors elaborated in this paper.

Integrating a small-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) with a hybrid offshore-wind and tidal turbine (HOTT) generation system can smooth out the intermittent power generated by the offshore-wind turbine. In this system, tidal turbine is connected to an IGBT bi-directional converter and offshore-wind turbine is connected to a diode rectifier. They are connected at DC side. The power flow of tidal turbine is controlled by switching of the bi-directional converter and wind fluctuation is compensated by changing tidal turbine output. There are some problems to compensate the offshore-wind power fluctuation by the tidal output power. First, tidal turbine cannot change its output very fast because of its inertia. So there is some delay to control the output. Another problem is the loss of tidal turbine generated power due to change of the slip. However, the capacity and response speed of tidal turbine is inadequate to achieve good compensation. That's why it is required to integrate BESS with HOTT generation system to enhance reliability, increase throughput of existing grid infrastructure and yield various ancillary benefits such as to reduce system losses and improve power factor control. As a large-scale BESS is still an expensive option for renewable resources, an optimal control strategy is necessary for the use of small-scale feasible BESS. In this paper, BESS is connected to help tidal turbine to compensate fast fluctuations of offshore wind turbine. The effect of the battery is investigated through simulations. This is a small capacity simulation study which is prepared to use in our small experimental model HOTT system with BESS.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a genetic disorder associated with defects in nucleotide excision repair, which eliminates a wide variety of helix-distorting types of DNA damage including sunlight-induced pyrimidine dimers. In addition to skin disease, approximately 30% of XP patients develop progressive neurological disease, which has been hypothesized to be associated with the accumulation of a particular type of oxidatively generated DNA damage called purine 8,5'-cyclo-2'-deoxynucleosides (purine cyclonucleosides). However, there are no currently available methods to detect purine cyclonucleosides in DNA without the need for DNA hydrolysis. In this study, we generated a novel monoclonal antibody (CdA-1) specific for purine cyclonucleosides in single-stranded DNA that recognizes 8,5'-cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine (cyclo-dA). An immunoassay using CdA-1 revealed a linear dose response between known amounts of cyclo-dA in oligonucleotides and the antibody binding to them. The quantitative immunoassay revealed that treatment with Fenton-type reagents (CuCl(2)/H(2)O(2)/ascorbate) efficiently produces cyclo-dA in DNA in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, immunofluorescent analysis using CdA-1 enabled the visualization of cyclo-dA in human osteosarcoma cells, which had been transfected with oligonucleotides containing cyclo-dA. Thus, the CdA-1 antibody is a valuable tool for the detection and quantification of cyclo-dA in DNA, and may be useful for characterizing the mechanism(s) underlying the development of XP neurological disease.

This paper has proposed the evaluation method of the MIMO antenna performance including frequency characteristics. Since the performance of the MIMO antenna depends on both radiation efficiency and correlation coefficient, the task for evaluating the antenna, especially including frequency characteristic is heavy and time consuming.

In order to enhance the bandwidth of the radiation efficiency of a MIMO antenna using a decoupling and matching feeding network, a new design formula of the DMFN elements which can match the antenna conductance to the terminal loads with different value. The unitary matrix in the design formula of the DMFN, which can equalize the bandwidth of each feeding terminal has been derived. It has been also evaluated how the imaginary part of the antenna admittance affect to the bandwidth of the radiation efficiency.

Decoupling and matching feeding networks are considerably interested in small wireless terminals to enhance their abilities for MIMO systems. In various proposals of DMFN's, the feeding networks composed of bridge susceptances and transmission lines are simple. However, this DMFN has only been applied to the limited array with special characteristics. This paper presents general design formulas of the DMFN for the two elements and three elements arrays and fundamental numerical data are presented to assure the validity of the design formulas.

Altered expressions of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor genes have been reported in tumor cells of human and rats. Recently, we detected the frequent mutations of LPA receptor-1 (LPA1) gene in rat hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) induced by a choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet. In this study, the DNA methylation patterns of LPA receptor genes and their expression levels during rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by the CDAA diet were investigated. Six-week-old F344 male rats were continuously fed with the CDAA diet, and animals were then killed at 7 days and 2, 12, 20, and 75 weeks, respectively. Genomic DNAs were extracted from livers and HCCs for the assessment of methylation status by bisulfite sequencing, comparing to normal livers. The livers of rats fed the CDAA diet were unmethylated in LPA1 and LPA2 genes as well as normal livers. In LPA3 gene, although normal livers were unmethylated, the livers at 7 days and 2 and 12 weeks weakly or moderately methylated and those at 20 weeks markedly methylated. Moreover, 4 HCCs were completely methylated in LPA3 gene. Expression levels of LPA receptor genes in the livers of rats fed the CDAA diet and HCCs were correlating with DNA methylation status. These results indicate that DNA methylation status of the LPA3 gene was disturbed in the livers of rats fed the CDAA diet and established HCCs, suggesting that alterations of the LPA receptor genes might be involved during rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by the CDAA diet.

Photoluminescence spectra of C60 crystals with high quality was measured before and after the mechanical deformation . New peak at 685 nm appeared after the deformation. The peak was observed only at temperatures lower than about 90 K, where its intensity decrease with increasing temperature. The temperature dependence of the peak intensity was correlated with that of main other peak at 735 nm, which would originate in intrinsic C60 crystals. From these result, the origin of the peak at 685 nm is discussed in the light of crystal defects, especially dislocations.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

We successfully found new phosphorescent host materials. Red host material PRH-01 with a red phosphorescent emitter achieved very high performance of 4.9 V, current efficiency of 20.2 cd/A and half lifetime of 150,000 hrs at an initial luminance of 1,000 cd/m2. We designed new molecular structure of green host material focusing on electron transport property and newly developed material PGH-01 achieved very high performance of 5.3 V, 71.9 cd/A and half lifetime of 150,000 hrs at an initial luminance of 1,000 cd/m2. It was confirmed by simulation that these host materials have great potential to reduce power consumption of full-color OLED displays. We also studied hybrid white OLEDs with combining the latest blue fluorescent material and the phosphorescent materials. High luminous efficacy of about 30 lm/W and long lifetime over 200,000 hrs at an initial luminance of 1,000 cd/m2 without any light outcoupling structure were successfully obtained.

We have researched further improvement upon three-component white OLED devices with using fluorescent materials disclosed in SID'07. The long lifetime over 70,000hr@1,000cd/m2 maintaining at a high efficiency of 20cd/A was achieved by optimization of a carrier balance with using new carrier transport materials. Performance of blue and red OLEDs were also developed in order to enhance capability of white OLEDs, respectively. A long lifetime of 50,000hr@1,000cd/m2 was achieved by a new light blue dopant BD-5. Meanwhile, we studied phosphorescent materials for the red device to progress towards further low power consumption. A low driving voltage of 4.4V at 10mA/cm2 and a long lifetime of 100,000hr@1,000cd/m2 were realized by employing a new host material and new carrier transport materials. These materials will contribute to large-Size OLED TVs with color filter method or lighting application for practical use.

We demonstrate the high-efficiency stacked organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) introducing new connecting layers. In the green stacked OLEDs, the external efficiencies increase proportionally to the number of the stacked units without suffering the decrease in power efficiency. The current, power and external efficiencies at 0.5 mA/cm2 of the stacked OLED with six stacked units (6-stacked OLED) have reached 235 cd/A, 46.6 lm/W, and 65.8%, respectively. Furthermore, we have applied the connecting layers to a white stacked OLED and fabricated an active-matrix full-color display with a low temperature polysilicon thin film transistor backplane. In the device, the current efficiency of the white 2-stacked OLED is enhanced by a factor of 2.2. The initial luminance drop is significantly suppressed for the white 2-stacked OLED compared to 1-stacked OLED. The proposed white stacked OLED technology can be applied to a full-color display for a practical use.

Conventional solution electrochemiluminescent (SECL) cells have a low luminance. In this paper, we propose an ion conductive assistant dopant (ICAD) system to improve the luminance of SECL cells. The SECL cell is assumed to have a simple structure of [transparent electrode/emitting solution/transparent electrode]. The solution of the cell consists of a mixed solvent (o-dichlorobenzene/acetonitrile=2/1 (vol/vol)), rubrene used as the emitting material, and 1,2-diphenoxyethane used as the ICAD. When voltage is applied to this SECL cell, the cell achieves a luminance of 183 cd/m2 and a luminous efficiency of 1.5 cd/A at 8 V with yellow emission. On the other hand, an SECL cell without an ICAD results in a low luminance of 0.3 cd/m2 at 8 V, corresponding to a conventional SECL cell. The ICAD improves the luminance 600 times by enhancing the ion conduction of rubrene cations in the solution. Furthermore, when the mixed solvent (o-dichlorobenzene/toluene=2/1 (vol/vol)), which has a high voltage resistance, is used in the SECL cell, the cell obtains a maximum luminance of 986 cd/m2 at 80 V. The features of the SECL cell are a simple cell structure and a transparent emitting area. SECL cells are expected to be used in unique displays with a see-through function for automobiles, windows, information equipment, and so on.

This study aimed to determine whether certain respiratory and cardiovascular parameters associated with anaerobic threshold (AT), measured during graded exercise testing, occur at lower intensities in the morning than in the evening. Ten healthy Japanese men volunteered to participate in this study, which involved two conditions that were performed at different times of day: morning (M) exercise was performed between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., and afternoon (A) exercise was performed between 4:00–6:00 p.m. After resting supine for 30 minutes, each subject performed graded cycle ergometer exercise testing comprising 90-second stages. Exercise intensity was initially 10 W and was increased by 10 W for each stage. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), absolute double product (DP), cardiac autonomic nervous system modulation, and ventilatory volume (VE) were measured during each exercise stage. Ventilatory threshold (VT), the double product breaking point (DPBP), and breaking point of the natural log of high frequency (ln HF) (HFBP) were reached at a lower exercise intensity in the M condition than in the A condition (p

A solution electrochemiluminescent (SECL) cell is an emitting device that employs one type of emitting solution. In this study, tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium [Ir(ppy)3], a well-known emitting material in organic electroluminescent cells, was used in a SECL cell. The cell had a simple structure of transparent electrode/emitting solution/transparent electrode. The solution consisted of benzonitrile used as the solvent, and Ir(ppy)3 used as the emitting material. When voltage was applied to this SECL cell, green emission was produced with a peak wavelength of 530 nm, which originated from Ir(ppy)3. This SECL cell showed a maximum luminance of 3 cd/m2 and a luminous efficiency of 0.014 cd/A. The features of the SECL cell are a simple cell structure and a transparent emitting area. SECL cells are expected to be used in unique displays with a see-through function for automobiles, windows, information displays, and so forth.