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Feedback-controlled electromigration (FCE) has been employed to control atomic junctions with quantized conductance. An FCE scheme is controlled by many parameters, such as the threshold differential conductance GTH, feedback voltage VFB, and voltage step VSTEP. It is considered possible to achieve a precise and stable control of the quantized conductance by automatically optimizing the FCE parameters. This motivated us to develop an approach based on machine learning (ML) to tune the feedback parameters of FCE. The ML system is composed of three kinds of engines, namely, learning, evaluation, and inference. The learning engine performs the FCE procedure with random parameters, collects various experimental data, and updates the database. Subsequently, four variables and a cost function are defined to evaluate the controllability of the quantized conductance. The evaluation engine scores the experimental data by using the defined cost function. Then, the control quality is evaluated in real time during the FCE procedure. The inference engine selects the new FCE parameter according to the evaluated data. These engines determine the optimal parameters without human intervention and according to the situation. Finally, we actually applied this system to the FCE procedure. The parameter is selected from sample data in the database according to the variation in controllability. As a result, the controllability gradually improves during the FCE procedure that uses the ML system. The results indicate that the proposed ML system can evaluate the controllability of the FCE procedure and change the VFB parameter in real time according to the situation.

A semiconductor device including a substrate having a low substrate surface formed in the substrate with a first gentle slope from the substrate surface; a single crystalline layer formed on the low substrate surface nearly level with the substrate surface and having a gentle slope facing the first gentle slope; an optical semiconductor element is constructed using the single crystalline layer. An electronic semiconductor element is constructed using the substrate surface. A wiring layer connects electrodes of the optical semiconductor element and the electronic semiconductor element through the first and the second gentle slopes.

Some food-derived opioid peptides have been reported to cause diseases, such as gastrointestinal inflammation, celiac disease, and mental disorders. Bifidobacterium is a major member of the dominant human gut microbiota, particularly in the gut of infants. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Bifidobacterium in the degradation of food-derived opioid peptides. All strains tested showed some level of dipeptidyl peptidase activity, which is thought to be involved in the degradation of food-derived opioid peptides. However, this activity was higher in bifidobacterial strains that are commonly found in the intestines of human infants, such as Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, B. longum subsp. infantis, Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium bifidum, than in those of other species, such as Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. In addition, some B. longum subsp. infantis and B. bifidum strains showed degradative activity in food-derived opioid peptides such as human and bovine milk-derived casomorphin-7 and wheat gluten-derived gliadorphin-7. A further screening of B. bifidum strains revealed some bifidobacterial strains that could degrade all three peptides. Our results revealed the potential of Bifidobacterium species in the degradation of food-derived opioid peptides, particularly for species commonly found in the intestine of infants. Selected strains of B. longum subsp. infantis and B. bifidum with high degradative capabilities can be used as probiotic microorganisms to eliminate food-derived opioid peptides and contribute to host health.

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a subgroup of lung cancer with a high frequency of liver metastasis, which is a predictor of poor prognosis. Diffuse liver metastases of SCLC with no visible nodular lesions in the liver when examined using computed tomography (CT) are relatively rare; however, a few cases with rapid progression to acute liver failure that were diagnosed after death have been reported. In this paper, we report a 63-year-old man with diffuse liver metastases of SCLC that were histologically diagnosed using a transjugular liver biopsy while the patient was alive, even though no lesions were visible during a contrast-enhanced CT examination.

The vehicle travel velocity at pedestrian contact is considered to be an important parameter that affects the crash outcome. To reduce vehicle/pedestrian impact velocity, a collision damage mitigation braking system (CDMBS) using a sensor for pedestrian protection could be an effective countermeasure. The first purpose of this study is to clarify the relation between vehicle travel velocity and pedestrian injury severity due to differences in pedestrians’ ages in actual traffic accidents. The accident analyses were performed using vehicle-pedestrian accident data in 2009 from the database of the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis (ITARDA) in Japan. The result revealed that the fatality risk became higher with the increase in vehicle travel velocity. The second purpose of this study is to determine the safety performance of production vehicles equipped with the CDMBS for pedestrian protection. It was found that the CDMBS was highly effective in reducing the impact velocity from 50 km/h (vehicle travel velocity) to below 17 km/h, that could result in a significant decrease in fatality risk to be 2% or less. Additionally, the authors investigated a detectable zone with respect to a pedestrian’s position in relation to the vehicle. It was shown that the detectable zones for production vehicles tested were limited to be inside the vehicle front width.

The effect of a thrips-non-transmissible Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) on insect–host interactions between thrips and Arabidopsis thaliana was analysed. A wild-type TSWV virulent isolate and a TSWV isolate that induces mild symptoms on inoculated plants (TSWV-Mo) were used in this study, and TSWV-Mo isolate was obtained by single local lesion isolation using Petunia x hybrid after several passages on Nicotiana rustica plants. In transmission test, although wild-type TSWV (TSWV-wt) was transmitted by two thrips species (transmission ratio; Frankliniella occidentalis, 25%; Thrips tabaci, 10%; and T. palmi, 0%), none of the thrips transmitted TSWV-Mo. Feeding damage by F. occidentalis in A. thaliana plants was more extensive on TSWV-wt-infected plants than on TSWV-Mo-infected plants, despite comparable preference. Among the markers of plant defences, salicylic acid-regulated genes were upregulated threefold to sixfold by TSWV-wt or TSWV-Mo infection. In contrast, jasmonate-regulated genes and jasmonate/ethylene-regulated genes were not affected by the infections. Pull assays showed that adjacent TSWV-Mo-infected plants were preferred over uninfected plants. In conclusion, our results showed that the transmissibility by thrips of TSWV is not related to preference of vector thrips and suggested that TSWV-Mo-infected plants may be used as attractants for behaviour control of thrips.

Background and Purpose Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH1 receptor) antagonists are being considered as anti-obesity agents. The present study reports a new class of MCH1 receptor antagonists with an 8-methylquinoline scaffold. The molecular mechanism of MCH1 receptor blockade by these antagonists was examined. Experimental Approach The pharmacological properties of the 8-methylquinolines as exemplified by MQ1 were evaluated by use of multiple biophysical and cell-based functional assays. Key Results Multiple signalling pathways for Gαi and Gαq, and β-arrestin were inhibited by MQ1. Furthermore, MQ1 produced an insurmountable antagonism, causing a rightward shift of the curve for concentration-dependent binding of MCH along with a progressive reduction of the maximal response. The dissociation kinetics for MQ1 were determined from washout experiments as well as by affinity selection-MS. In short, MQ1 was shown to be a slowly dissociating reversible MCH1 receptor blocker with a low Koff value. Conclusion and Implications This is the first time that a slowly dissociating negative allosteric modulator of the MCH1 receptor has been demonstrated to inhibit the numerous signalling pathways of this receptor. The characteristics of MQ1 are superior and distinct from previously reported MCH1 receptor antagonists, making members of this chemotype attractive as drug candidates.

Electromagnetic-wave sintering of alumina ceramics using 28 GHz gyrotron has been performed aiming for a high fracture toughness value in order for use as pistons for pressure cells of high-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. We have tried to improve the fracture toughness by using nano-sized alumina powder (140 nm in average particle size) having smaller particle size than our previous work (400 nm in average particle size). Rapid densification was observed around the sintering temperature of 1200 °C. We obtained the relative density over 99 % above 1400 °C. It was found that alumina ceramics made in this work at sintering temperatures have smaller grain size and higher density simultaneously as compared to the previous work. These results suggest that alumina ceramics made from powder of smaller particle size sintered by electromagnetic-wave sintering possibly have high fracture toughness which can be used as materials for the pressure cell for ESR.

Introduction: Cosmetic outcome is one of the most important goals of surgical treatment for breast cancer. Therefore, to maximize the cosmetic outcome for patients who require a mastectomy, the actions that can be taken from an oncologically safe perspective must be considered. Recent reports have suggested that nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is oncologically as safe as a standard mastectomy and provides a better cosmetic outcome. However, little is known about the outcome of NSM for patients with multifocal breast cancer. Aim: To determine the oncological and technical outcomes of NSM for patients with multifocal breast cancer compared with NSM for patients with unifocal breast cancer using retrospective long-term follow-up data. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 799 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent NSM, including 45 patients with multifocal breast cancer and 754 patients with unifocal breast cancer. The indications for NSM in this study were defined as any stage, any tumor size and any tumor–areola distance. Briefly, NSM was performed when no involvement of the nipple areola complex was revealed by radiographic and clinical examinations. Our surgical notes for NSM comprised a thick skin flap method for conserving the breast volume using subcutaneous fat and avoiding surgical complications including nipple necrosis. No patients received radiotherapy. We compared the local recurrence rate (LRR), disease-free survival (DFS), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) between the 45 multifocal breast cancer and 754 unifocal breast cancer cases. Results: The numbers of multifocal breast cancer cases in stages 0, 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 were 1, 17, 12, 8, 7 and 0, respectively. The corresponding numbers of unifocal breast cancer cases were 18, 288, 223, 117, 102 and 6, respectively. The median follow-up periods of the multifocal and unifocal breast cancer cases were 108 and 98 months, respectively. No nipple necrosis was recorded in either group (0/45, 0/754). Regarding NSM for patients with multifocal breast cancer, there were 8 patients (17.7%) with local recurrence, including 4 (8.9%) at the nipple and 4 (8.9%) at the skin flap. In NSM for patients with unifocal breast cancer, there were 63 patients (8.3%) with local recurrence, including 26 (3.4%) at the nipple and 37 (4.9%) at the skin flap. There were significant differences between NSM for patients with multifocal and unifocal breast cancer in the LRR (17.7% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.03) and DFS (10 yr, 72.4% vs. 83.8%, p = 0.04), but no significant differences in the BCSS (10 yr, 83.6% vs. 90.9%, p = 0.18) and OS (10 yr, 83.6% vs. 89.5%, p = 0.32). Conclusions: The present results suggest that NSM for patients with multifocal breast cancer can be technically performed as safely as NSM for patients with unifocal breast cancer. Our long-term follow-up data show that survival after NSM for multifocal breast cancer is equal to that after NSM for unifocal breast cancer. However, careful local observation after NSM is required. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-18-08.

The growth parameter dependence of structural, electrical and magnetic properties in Gd-doped GaN layers grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy has been investigated. The structural and magnetic properties of Gd-doped GaN films grown on GaN templates strongly depend on the MBE growth condition. While Gd-doped GaN grown under relatively high Ga fluxes consist of wurtzite GaGdN layers without Gd-related precipitates, Gd-incorporated GaN films grown under low Ga fluxes contain a lot of nanoparticles ranging from several nm to several tens nm in size. The samples with Gd-related nanoparticles exhibit hysteresis in the magnetization–magnetic field curves at 10 K. The separation between the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization–temperature curves is observed at around 30 K. This behavior is understood in terms of super-paramagnetism originating from the ferromagnetic nanoparticles observed in the cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images.

Atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) has attracted much attention for its cost-effectiveness owing to eliminate the use of vacuum devices. We synthesized hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films under atmospheric pressure from C2H2 gas diluted with N2 with varying pulse frequency of plasma source. We investigated the effect of surface texture and chemical bonding structure of the films on hardness. The hardness, surface roughness and chemical content ratio were analyzed by tribo scope nano-mechanical indentation tester, atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. As the pulse frequency decreased from 10 to 2 kHz, the hardness increased from 0.35 to 0.92 GPa and the surface roughness decreased from 49.8 to 14.3 nm. From the result of XPS analysis, the N/C molar ratio increased from 0.022 to 0.094 with increasing the pulse frequency.

[Introduction] Mastectomy has been conducted in general for cases in which breast conservation is inapplicable. Since Nipple-sparing Mastectomy (NSM) conserves nipple-areola, it is not only more advantageous in an aspect that nipple-areola reconstruction isn't required in case of breast reconstruction compared with mastectomy but also significantly meaningful because the sensation of nipple-areola is preserved in about 70% cases by skin flap preparation based on thick flap method we have adopted. On the other hand, NSM is controversial relating to complication of surgery and recurrence as well. [Objective] We've made (1) review of safety in NSM surgical technique, (2) discussion over recurrence and prognosis comparing with those in mastectomy, and (3) consideration of performance in immediate reconstructions. [Result] (1) Of all cases of NSM, the number of cases in stage 0, 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 was 21, 305, 239, 123, 112 and 6 respectively. During 104 months of follow-up period in average, total of seven complication cases (0.9%) were observed, including two flap necrosis cases and five postoperative bleeding cases, but no nipple necrosis case was recorded. Although nipple-areola recurrence rate (%) in stage 0, 1, 2A, 2B and 3A was 0, 2.9, 4.6, 2.4 and 5.3 respectively, prognosis of nipple-areola recurrence cases was good showing no difference between stages (OS: 60M; 93%, 100M; 84%). Skin flap recurrence rate (%) in stage 0, 1, 2A, 2B and 3 was 0, 3.2, 3.3, 4.0 and 14.2 respectively, and prognosis of skin flap recurrence cases was significantly worse in stage 2B and 3 compared with that in stage 1 and 2A (p < 0.001). (2) We analyzed local recurrence rate, recurrent free survival and overall survival between 806 of NSM cases and 200 of mastectomy cases which had been performed during the same period, and the result showed no significant difference in those rates between NSM and mastectomy cases. (3) Infectious complication was observed in one out of 18 immediate reconstruction cases using free dermal fat graft. Among 124 immediate reconstruction cases using implant, complications were observed in five postoperative bleeding. [Conclusion] NSM was excellent in cosmetic aspect showing equivalent results in local recurrence rate and prognosis compared with those in mastectomy cases. Besides, patient's satisfaction was also higher in those who had had NSM alone without reconstruction. Our long term follow-up data shows that NSM may be considered as an alternative option for mastectomy in cases in which breast-conserving surgery is inapplicable in breast cancer patients. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-15-03.

Measurements of surface charge in a surface dielectric barrier discharge driven in atmospheric air were successfully demonstrated by a laser polarimetry. AC voltage at a frequency of 2 kHz generated the discharge between an exposed electrode and the dielectric barrier over a buried electrode. Although the discharge behaviors varied depending on the polarity of the exposed electrode, there were no differences in the tendency and amplitude of the surface charge accumulation except the polarity. With higher applied voltage, the amount of surface charge became larger and the charge was distributed farther from the exposed electrode.

Large cell carcinoma of the lung with a rhabdoid phenotype is a rare type of lung cancer, and does not commonly metastasize to the small intestine. Herein we describe a 63-yr-old Japanese male with ileus resulting from small intestinal metastasis from lung cancer. Tumour enlargement was rapid and could not be treated with chemotherapy.

The induction of apoptosis in vivo is a useful tool for investigating the functions and importance of particular tissues. B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2-associated X protein (Bax) functions as a pro-apoptotic factor and induces apoptosis in several organisms. The Bax-mediated apoptotic system is widely conserved from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. In order to establish a tissue-specific cell death system in the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori, we constructed a transgenic silkworm that overexpressed mouse Bax (mBax) in particular tissues by the Gal4-upstream activation sequence system. We found that the expression of mBax induced specific cell death in the silk gland, fat body and sensory cells. Fragmentation of genomic DNA was observed in the fat body, which expressed mBax, thereby supporting apoptotic cell death in this tissue. Using this system, we also demonstrated that specific cell death in sensory cells attenuated the response to the sex pheromone bombykol. These results show that we successfully established a tissue-specific cell death system in vivo that enabled specific deficiencies in particular tissues. The inducible cell death system may provide useful means for industrial applications of the silkworm and possible utilization for other species.

There is no consensus on the benefit of arthroscopically assisted reduction of the articular surface combined with fixation using a volar locking plate for the treatment of intra-articular distal radial fractures. In this study we compared the functional and radiographic outcomes of fluoroscopically and arthroscopically guided reduction of these fractures. Between February 2009 and May 2013, 74 patients with unilateral unstable intra-articular distal radial fractures were randomised equally into the two groups for treatment. The mean age of these 74 patients was 64 years (24 to 92). We compared functional outcomes including active range of movement of the wrist, grip strength and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores at six and 48 weeks; and radiographic outcomes that included gap, step, radial inclination, volar angulation and ulnar variance. There were no significant differences between the techniques with regard to functional outcomes or radiographic parameters. The mean gap and step in the fluoroscopic and arthroscopic groups were comparable at 0.9 mm (standard deviation (sd) 0.7) and 0.7 mm (sd 0.7) and 0.6 mm (sd 0.6) and 0.4 mm (sd 0.5), respectively; p = 0.18 and p = 0.35). Arthroscopic reduction conferred no advantage over conventional fluoroscopic guidance in achieving anatomical reduction of intra-articular distal radial fractures when using a volar locking plate. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:957–62.

Buried gate type p-base n-emitter soft contact (PNSC) structure 4 kV static induction thyristors (SIThys) have been fabricated in order to make thyristors for high-speed turn-on applications to such as high energy accelerators. It was found that these static induction thyristors could be fabricated under the test pilot line with a good device production yield. The static characteristics and pulse switching characteristics of these static induction thyristors are examined. Several application examples of the present 4 kV static induction thyristors to power supplies for high energy accelerators are shown.

Position sensorless speed control of super high-speed permanent magnet (PM) motor for micro gas turbine generation system is described. Mechanically robust surface PM (SPM) generator is installed in a turbine system. This generator is used as the starting motor. The sensorless control of the synchronous generator/motor is done by using voltage/frequency (V/F) control strategy without current loop. After the simulation of the proposed strategy, no-load starting test of the generator and actual starting test of the gas-turbine system are done. The proposed sensorless-control system can start and control the PM motor from zero to 30 000 r/min. The results show that the proposed system is robust for accelerating the generator even in the existence of the disturbance caused by the ignition of the turbine.

Objectives To evaluate the ability of the retroperitoneum to serve as a barrier, against bacterial contamination, between the peritoneal cavity to the retroperitoneal space. Methods Seventy rats had a small piece of knitted Dacron graft placed in the retroperitoneal space and 106–109 colony forming unit (cfu) Enterococcus faecalis was injected into the peritoneal cavity. In half the retroperitoneal (RP) group, the retroperitoneum was preserved and in the remainder, the open peritoneal (OP) group, needle holes were created. Grafts were harvested after 1, 4, or 7 days and cultured for E. faecalis. A blood sample was collected from three rats in each group for culture before the graft was harvested. Results Graft infection did not develop in any rat injected with 106 or 107 cfu in the RP group, while seven out of the 10 graft cultures of the OP group grew E. faecalis (P=0.003). In rats injected with 108 or 109 cfu, five out of the 10 graft cultures in the RP group and eight out of 10 in the OP group grew E. faecalis. All blood cultures were negative when the injected bacterial count was 107 cfu or less. One out of the three blood cultures was positive at 108 cfu, and all were positive at 109 cfu. Conclusions These results suggest that an intact retroperitroneum acts as a protective barrier against intraperitoneal bacterial contamination, particularly when blood cultures are negative.

Optoelectronic devices handling high bit-rate signals of picosecond or sub-picosecond pulse repetitions are necessary for the OTDM or OTDM/WDM-mixed systems. The bit-rate is 1st or 2nd order higher than the operation speed of conventional devices. To meet the higher speed requirement, we have to develop ultrafast optoelectronic device technologies in new device principles and materials.

CaF 2 :Eu 2+ nanocrystals are prepared by heating 45SiO 2 –20Al 2 O 3 –10CaO–25CaF 2 –0.1Eu 2 O 3 glasses above T g =630 °C. The size of grown crystals in glass-ceramics appears to be 5–35 nm from XRD and TEM measurements, depending on the heating temperature and holding time. Time-resolved luminescence spectra due to Eu 2+ ions are measured at 77 and 300 K under the excitation with the third harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser. It is found that the main band peaking at 2.97 eV in glass-ceramics at delay time τ D =0 μs is high-energy shifted by 0.04 eV relative to that of CaF 2 :Eu 2+ single crystals. When τ D increases to 9 μs, a new band is observed at around 2.7 eV in both glass and glass-ceramics. On the basis of the present results, the formation process and luminescence properties of nanosized CaF 2 :Eu 2+ crystals in glass-ceramics are discussed.