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We have re-examined the infrared absorption bands due to the O-H bond-stretching vibration and the polarization characteristics in undoped and MgO-doped LiNbO3 using well-characterized crystals. It has been found that the O-H bond stretching vibrational frequency nu (OH) has a strong correlation with Nb concentration in the crystals. We have also determined the position where hydrogen enters using Novak's empirical relationship between the values of nu (OH) and the length of the hydrogen bond and the structure analysis data for the undoped crystals. On the basis of those results and the polarization characteristics, we have examined the intrinsic and the extrinsic defect structure models in LiNbO3. It has been clarified that the behaviour of nu (OH) reflects the defect structures. The behaviour of nu (OH) supports the Li-site vacancy model as the intrinsic defect structure model, and the corresponding extrinsic defect model. A brief discussion is also given of the behaviour of nu (OH) in crystals simultaneously doped with two kinds of impurity.

The inheritance of seed α-amylase inhibitor in the common bean and the genetic relationships among the variants and six arcelin variants in the common bean were investigated by crossing between accessions containing different αAI and arcelin variants. All seed proteins in parental, F1 and F2 seeds from the crosses were examined by Western-blot analysis. All F1 seeds gave combined αAI banding patterns from parents on the blotting membranes. The segregation of F2 seeds for αAI variants indicated that the polypeptides of αAI variants were inherited as single co-dominant units. Moreover, αAI and arcelin behaved as a single block in crosses, indicating a close linkage relationship between the genes controlling these proteins.

Variation of seed α-amylase inhibitors was investigated in 1 154 cultivated and 726 non-cultivated (wild and weedy) accessions of the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Four α-amylase inhibitor types were recognized based on the inhibtion by seed extracts of the activities of porcine pancreatic α-amylase and larval α-amylase and larval α-amylase of the Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman. Of the 1 880 accessions examined most (1 734) were able to inhibit porcine pancreatic α-amylase activity, but were inactive against the Z. subfasciatus larval α-amylase; 41 inhibited only the larval α-amylase activity, 52 inhibited the activities of the two α-amylases, and 53 did not inhibit the activity of either of the α-amylases. The four different inhibitor types were designated as αAI-1, αAI2, αAI-3, and αAI-0, respectively. These four inhibitor types were identified by the banding patterns of seed glycoproteins in the range of 14-20 kDa by using SDSpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Additionally, four different banding patterns were recognized in accessions with αAI-1, and were designated as αAI-1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. Two different patterns of the accessions lacking an α-amylase inhibitory activity were identified and designated as αAI-0a and αAI-0b. The largest diversity for seed α-amylase inhibitors was observed in non-cultivated accessions collected from Mexico where all eight inhibitor types were detected. The possible relationships between the variation of seed α-amylase inhibitors and bruchid resistance are discussed.

DRAM macros in 4-Mb (0.8-/spl mu/m) and 16-Mb (0.5-/spl mu/m) DRAM process technology generations have been developed for CMOS ASIC applications. The macros use the same area efficient one transistor trench cells as 4-Mb (SPT cell) and 16-R Mb (MINT cell) DRAM products. It is shown that the trench cells with capacitor plates by the grounded substrate are ideal structures as embedded DRAM's. The trench cells built entirely under the silicon surface allow cost effective DRAM and CMOS logic merged process technologies. In the 0.8-/spl mu/m rule, the DRAM macro has a 32-K/spl times/9-b configuration in a silicon area of 1.7/spl times/5.0 mm/sup 2/. It achieves a 27-ns access and a 50-ns cycle times. The other DRAM macro in the 0.5-/spl mu/m technology is organized in 64 K/spl times/18 b. It has a macro area of 2.1/spl times/4.9 mm and demonstrated a 23-ns access and a 40-ns cycle times. Small densities and multiple bit data configurations provide a flexibility to ASIC designs and a wide variety of application capabilities. Multiple uses of the DRAM macros bring significant performance leverages to ASIC chips because of the wide data bus and the fast access and cycle times. A data rate more than 1.3 Gb/s is possible by a single chip. Some examples of actual DRAM macro embedded ASIC chips are shown. >

To understand the mechanisms by which G protein-coupled signaling systems regulate NHE-1 in epithelial cells, we expressed G alpha q and G alpha 13 in a renal epithelial cell line. We studied two signaling systems that have been implicated in NHE-1 regulation [intracellular Ca (Cai) and phospholipase C activity] and measured NHE-1 activity, mRNA, and antigen. Expression of alpha qWT and alpha qQ209L (a GTPase-deficient mutant) increased basal Cai and altered the kinetics of the bradykinin-induced Cai signal. The initial bradykinin-induced spike in Cai was prolonged and the plateau was higher in cells expressing alpha qWT and alpha qQ209L than in control cells. Cells expressing alpha 13WT also had a higher basal Cai and plateau after stimulation by bradykinin, but Ca release from intracellular stores was similar to that in control cells. Expression of all three alpha-chains increased NHE-1 activity, antigen, and mRNA. The alpha qQ209L had the greatest effect increasing activity by approximately twofold. The alpha 13WT increased NHE-1 activity by approximately 1.5-fold, and alpha qWT increased activity 1.2-fold. These studies demonstrate that alpha q and alpha 13 alter regulation of Cai but by different mechanisms. The Ca signal or another signal generated by alpha q and alpha 13 regulate(s) NHE-1 at the levels of activity, antigen, and mRNA.

Unfractionated mouse long-bone cells prestimulated with rat parathyroid hormone (PTH) for 7 days (PTH-prestimulated long-bone cells; PTH-psLB cells) contained about 20% tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive mononuclear cells and about 0.2% TRAP-positive multinucleate cells. When PTH-psLB cells (1.0 x 10(5)/slice) were cultured on dentine slices, about 100 resorption lacunae (pits) per slice were formed by 6 h after the start of culture, while the number of TRAP-positive multinucleate cells on the dentine slices did not increase. When the number of inoculated cells was plotted versus the number of pits formed during the 6-h cultivation, a sigmoid curve was generated. When PTH-psLB cells (1.0 x 10(3)/slice) were cocultured with various mouse stromal cell lines, the MC3T3-G2/PA6 line was found to increase the number of pits. Since this activity was manifested within a short period of time (4 h), and as there was no change in the number of TRAP-positive multinucleate cells, we postulate that the activity of MC3T3-G2/PA6 is exerted on mature osteoclastic cells capable of resorbing bone rather than on some differentiation step of the osteoclast cell lineage. With respect to the mechanism of expression of this activity, it is unlikely that MC3T3-G2/PA6 produces a soluble factor, because no activity was seen when MC3T3-G2/PA6 and PTH-psLB cells were cultured separately across a membrane in a Transwell. These results suggest that cell-to-cell contact and communication between PTH-psLB cells and MC3T3-G2/PA6 may be a crucial event for the stimulation of osteoclastic bone resorption by MC3T3-G2/PA6.

A new constant-current biasing technology has been proposed, analyzed, and applied to GaAs FET IC's using n-channel depletion-mode FET's. Current-mirror (CM) type current-sink (CS) circuits were proposed as a new building-block circuit. The monolithic prototype samples were fabricated, and the CM characteristics were observed experimentally. The CS currents were insensitive to the V/sub th/-variation over 0.4 V, and the temperature coefficient became as small as -0.04%//spl deg/C. Moreover, this circuit was resistant to the sidegating effect. The circuit was successfully applied to a GaAs lightwave communication IC, and good stability against temperature variation was demonstrated. >

De novo differentiation of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (induced (i) Tregs) occurs preferentially in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). We addressed the contribution of background genetic factors in affecting the balance of iTreg, T helper type 1 (Th1), and Th17 cell differentiation in GALT in vivo following the transfer of naive CD4(+)CD45RB(high) T cells to strains of RAG2-deficient mice with differential susceptibility to inflammatory colitis. iTregs represented up to 5% of CD4(+) T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes of less-susceptible C57BL/6 RAG2(-/-) mice compared with1% in highly susceptible C57BL/10 RAG2(-/-) mice 2 weeks following T-cell transfer before the onset of colitis. Early Treg induction was correlated inversely with effector cell expansion and the severity of colitis development, was controlled primarily by host and not T-cell-dependent factors, and was strongly associated with interleukin-12 (IL-12)/23 production by host CD11c(+)CD103(+) dendritic cells. These data highlight the importance of genetic factors regulating IL-12/23 production in controlling the balance between iTreg differentiation and effector-pathogenic CD4(+) T-cell expansion in lymphopenic mice and indicate a direct role for iTregs in the regulation of colonic inflammation in vivo.

We report a method for pulverizing poorly water soluble compounds with low melting points to nanoparticles without producing an amorphous phase using a rotation/revolution pulverizer. Fenofibrate, flurbiprofen, and probucol were used as crystalline model compounds. They were suspended in a methylcellulose aqueous solution and pulverized with zirconia balls by the rotation/revolution pulverizer. Beeswax, an amorphous compound, was also examined to investigate whether nano-pulverization of a compound with a low melting point was possible. Beeswax was suspended in ethyl alcohol cooled with liquid nitrogen and pulverized with zirconia balls by the rotation/revolution pulverizer. By optimizing the pulverization parameters, nanoparticles (D500.15 microm) of the crystalline compounds were obtained with narrow particle size distributions at a rotation/revolution speed of 1000 rpm and a rotation/revolution ratio of 1.0 when the vessel was 0 degrees C. Amorphous fenofibrate and flurbiprofen were not detected by differential scanning calorimetry or powder X-ray diffraction, whereas small amounts of amorphous probucol were detected. Beeswax was pulverized to nanoparticles (D50 = 0.14 microm) with ethyl alcohol cooled with liquid nitrogen. Fine nanoparticles of these poorly water soluble compounds with low melting points were obtained by controlling the rotation/revolution speed and reducing the vessel temperature.

Although the involvement of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in the development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in HIV patients and transplant recipients has been reported, it is still controversial whether CMV itself can cause TMA. We report herein a rare case with rapid improvement of TMA by ganciclovir treatment in a patient who is neither HIV-positive nor a transplant recipient, suggesting a pathogenic role for CMV in TMA.

C-doped GaAs layers were grown with AsH 3 and As trimethylarsenic (TMAs) for the As source by a production scale metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy machine. In both cases, highly (p = (1-4) × 10 19 cm −3 ) p-type C-doped GaAs layers were grown and no significant difference in their mobilities, carbon activation ratios and electron lifetimes were observed. By means of these methods, GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) layers were grown and HBT test devices were fabricated. Current gains up to the base layer concentration of 3 × 10 19 cm −3 were almost equal for these two methods, but at a concentration of p = 4 × 10 19 cm −3 , the current gain of HBT whose base layer was grown with AsH 3 decreased rapidly. On the other hand, a current gain as high as 100 was demonstrated for a HBT whose base layer was grown with TMAs and was 4 × 10 19 cm −3 in concentration

Mechanical behavior of a knife‐edge‐type metal‐seal flange system was examined on the variations of the displacement between the flanges and reaction forces of the tightening bolts during load steps such as tightening the bolts, setting up a transverse weight load on the flange surface and 300 °C baking and cool down. These were compared with a thermo‐elasto‐plastic finite element method structural analysis. Good agreement was obtained for both the flange deformation and reaction forces of the bolts and copper gasket between experimental and analytical results. Effects of the transverse load by a dummy weight mounted at the flange surface on the changes of reaction force of the bolts and on gasket deformation were considered to be negligibly small in the view of vacuum seal characteristics. The application of Inconel Belleville spring washers between bolt heads and flange surface was confirmed to be quite effective for the suppression of the bolt force looseness and gasket relaxation due to cyclic heating and cooling of the knife‐edge‐type metal‐seal flange system.

The AGS spectrometer experiment E-802 has measured transverse mass spectra for charged hadrons over a wide rapidity interval in Si+Au, Si+Cu, and Si+Al reactions at 14.6A Gev/c. These results are compared for two different trigger conditions: central collisions corresponding to 7% of the inelastic cross section selected on multiplicity of charged particles and peripheral collisions corresponding to roughly 50% of the inelastic cross section selected on high kinetic energy at zero degrees. The invariant spectra are well described by exponentials in transverse mass allowing the extraction of rapidity distributions and inverse slope parameters for each specie emitted in the different reactions.

Since a forced-flow superconducting coil consists of metallic conductors and organic insulation with relatively low mechanical strength, a knowledge of mechanical behavior and properties of the interlaminar insulation is of great importance. Shear fracture tests of interlaminar organic insulation under biaxial stresses were carried out at low temperature, by using test specimens made of stainless steel pieces bonded with impregnated organic insulation (glass-kapton-glass). Inclination of adhesive surface was varied to get combinations of the debonding stresses and to construct the critical curve of the debonding fracture. The test results show that the critical curve approximately agreed with the Mohr-Coulomb criterion and that shear fracture resistance of the bonding interface enhanced with the increase of compressive stress value. >

GM3 ganglioside (II3NeuAcLacCer) inhibits epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent receptor autophosphorylation and cell growth (Bremer, E.G., Schlessinger, J., and Hakomori, S. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 2434-2440), whereas de-N-acetyl-GM3 (deNAcGM3; II3NeuNH2Lac-Cer) promotes these processes (Hanai, N., Dohi, T., Nores, G. A., and Hakomori, S. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 6296-6301). Receptor-receptor interaction has been proposed as an essential initial mechanism for EGF-dependent activation of EGF receptor kinase (EGF-RK) (Schlessinger, J. (1988) Trends Biochem. Sci. 13, 443-447). We studied the effects of GM3 and deNAcGM3 on EGF-RK function and EGF-R dimerization, and observed that (i) EGF-dependent in vitro and in vivo (in situ) phosphorylation of A431 cells at both monomeric and dimeric forms of EGF-R was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by GM3, but unaffected by GM1. (ii) Quantities of both forms of EGF-R remained constant regardless of addition of various quantities of GM3 or GM1, as revealed by blotting with antibodies directed to the C-terminal region of EGF-R, or by cell surface 125I-labeling followed by immunoprecipitation. (iii) DeNacGM3 in the absence as well as in the presence of a minimal quantity of detergent significantly enhanced EGF-R phosphorylation, particularly Ser phosphorylation. (iv) DeNAcGM3 was detected in a large variety of actively growing tumor cells. Findings i and ii above indicate that GM3 directly inhibits EGF-dependent Tyr phosphorylation but does not affect receptor-receptor interaction. Findings iii and iv suggest that deNAcGM3 strongly promotes serine phosphorylation (in addition to Tyr phosphorylation) of EGF-R and may function as a second messenger in the process of cell growth stimulation.

We present a more-developed method where narrow-band terahertz (THz) waves are simultaneously generated and detected at one quasi-phase matching crystal. For THz detection, we used a photodiode as a THz detector via parametric interaction between THz wave and weak probe beam, compare to the photoconductive antenna or electro-optic sampling methods.

Simultaneous specific and nonspecific binding of bendroflumethiazide (BFZ) to human serum albumin (HSA) and concentration profile of BFZ in HSA buffer (pH 7.40) solution were investigated by ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. The ¹⁹F NMR spectrum of BFZ (200 μM) in a buffer solution showed a sharp signal of its CF₃ group at 17.8 ppm from the reference trifluoroethanol. Addition of 0.60mM HSA to the sample solution caused the CF(3) signal splitting into three broadened peaks at 18.4 (A), 17.9 (B) and 17.4 ppm (C). By its chemical shift and spectral behavior, B was assigned to unbound BFZ. Competition experiments with Site I and II ligands lead to C being assigned to Site II bound BFZ. However, the peak intensity (areas) of A was not reduced by these ligands, suggesting that A arises from nonspecific binding. Using the peak intensities at several total concentrations of BFZ, Scatchard plot was performed. The plot for A provided a straight line parallel to the x-axis confirming nonspecific binding and that for C was consistent with specific binding. The binding constants for nonspecific and specific Site II binding were 1.02 and 1.00 × 10⁴ (M⁻¹) (n=1.1), respectively. The presence of 0.10 M Cl⁻ in the sample solution affected the binding constant of Site II binding, but not that of nonspecific binding. The concentration profile of BFZ calculated using the binding constants revealed that nonspecific binding is more effective than Site II binding for the binding of BFZ to HSA. It was also confirmed that considerable amounts of BFZ liberated from Site II by the Site II ligands or Cl⁻ ions bind again nonspecifically.

The optimal method of umbilical hernia repair (UHR) in the obese population, laparoscopic vs open, is not standardized. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal surgical option for UHR in the obese population.A retrospective chart review was conducted on 123 obese patients (body mass index [BMI]30) who underwent UHR from 2003 to 2009 at a single institution. Patients were grouped by surgical approach (open vs laparoscopic). Intraoperative and postoperative courses were compared. Follow-up in the postoperative period was obtained from patient records and telephone interviews.Of the 123 patients undergoing UHR, 40 and 83 patients were operated on with the laparoscopic and open approach, respectively. Patients were well matched by demographics as well as comorbidities. No difference in the mean BMI was shown between the laparoscopic and open groups (37 vs 35, P = not significant, respectively). The operative time was significantly prolonged in the laparoscopic group (106 vs 71 minutes, P.01). Intraoperatively, no complications occurred in either group. In the immediate postoperative period, 1 patient who underwent laparoscopic UHR was readmitted for small bowel obstruction, and 2 patients in the open group were readmitted, 1 for pain control and 1 for wound infection. Follow-up was achieved in 63% of the laparoscopic group and 58% of the open group with a mean follow-up of 15 months in the laparoscopic group and 20 months in the open group (P = not significant). A significant increase in wound infection was reported in the open group with mesh insertion when compared with the laparoscopic procedure (26% vs 4%, P.05, respectively). No hernia recurrence was shown in the laparoscopic vs the open group with mesh insertion (0% vs 4%, P = not significant, respectively).In obese patients, the laparoscopic approach was associated with a significantly lower rate of postoperative infection and no hernia recurrence. Laparoscopic hernia repair may be the preferred option in the obese patient.

We established a useful assay system for evaluating osteoclast-mediated bone resorption based on the use of unfractionated bone cells obtained from 10- to 11-day-old mice. When cells from 10 to 11 mice were treated for 7 days with rat parathyroid hormone (rPTH, 10(-8) M), a total of 4 to 5 x 10(7) cells could be obtained from the culture by treatment with 0.05% trypsin and 0.02% EDTA in PBS. These harvested cells contained about 20% tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive mononuclear cells. When the harvested cells were cultured on dentine slices without rPTH, after 1 day, they formed TRAP-positive multinucleate cells that were active in bone resorption. Eel calcitonin (eCT) decreased the number of pits in a dose-dependent manner, and its half maximal inhibition dose (ID50) was 1.08 x 10(-11) M. Even after having been frozen in liquid nitrogen for 5 months, upon thawing, these cells were capable for forming pits; and this pit formation was inhibited by eCT. Since no appropriate osteoclastic cell line for evaluating bone resorption is available at present, this system can provide a useful, practical means for assaying osteoclastic bone-resorbing activity.

A murine genomic clone of about 16 kilobases encompassing putatively entire bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 gene has been isolated. Comparison with the cDNA clones revealed the existence of at least five exons on the 3' side of the clone. There are two alternative transcriptional start sites, one is for the first exon the other for the second, the resulting exon organization in mRNA is I-III-IV-V and II-III-IV-V, respectively. The coding region is dispersed between exons IV and V. Both promoter regions carry no canonical TATA box but carry GC rich sequences.

A highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay was developed to detect soluble levels of TNF-beta. Analysis of TNF-beta in culture supernatants from long-term T-cell lines infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) types I and II demonstrated elevated levels of TNF-beta when compared with uninfected T-cell lines. Presence of interleukin-2 in the culture medium showed a synergistic effect upon TNF-beta production. Further, constitutive expression of TNF-beta mRNA was observed in most cell lines infected with HTLV-I or HTLV-II. These results demonstrate that infections with HTLV-I/II can alter production of TNF-beta, presumably via the transactivation of TNF-beta promoter by the tax protein of HTLV-I and HTLV-II.

A forced-flow NbTi superconducting helical coil was fabricated as research and development of the helical coil for the Large Helical Device (LHD), corresponding to a 14 scale model of the LHD. A computer-controlled helical-winding machine employing the roller bending method with twisting capability was also developed. The maximum assembly error of the conductors decreased to about 0.7 mm by optimal control of the winding curvature and torsion of the conductors. Three-dimensional structural analysis of the helical coil and the support structure was carried out to assess the mechanical integrity of the coil and support structure and to understand their mechanical behavior under the electromagnetic force. Analytical results show that the coil support structure can keep the maximum deformation of the conductors less than .4 mm, which corresponds to the required field accuracy of 5 × 10−4.

S-1 is an orally administered fluorinated pyrimidine with high activity in metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) and in chemotherapy-pretreated metastatic breast carcinoma.Forty patients with MBC who did not respond to capecitabine-based chemo-therapy and then received S-1 were identified from our data base of records between 2006 and 2008. The clinico-pathological data and outcomes of these patients were then reviewed.The overall response rate was 27.8%. The median survival was 19.2 months, and the median time to disease progression was 6.2 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events (all grades) were hand-foot syndrome (15%), nausea (15%), vomiting (7.5%), disorder of taste (7.5%), and diarrhea (5%). However, the majority were mild to moderate in intensity, and only one patient experienced grade 3 (according to the National Cancer Institute of Canada Common Toxicity criteria) adverse events. Myelosuppression and alopecia were rare, and there were no reported treatment-related deaths.The results of the current study demonstrate that S-1 is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in patients with capecitabine-resistant MBC. In addition, it is a convenient, orally administered drug, which makes it an attractive agent for use in outpatient treatment.

K + and π + multiplicities have been measured in magnetic spectrometer for Si++ Al, Si+ Cu and Si + Au collisions at 14.6 A GeV/ c incident momentum. The multiplicities were obtained for five different windows of forward kinetic energy as detected in a zero degree calorimeter. The K + / π + multiplicity ratio ranges from ≈9% in peripheral interactions to 19% in central Si+Au. The largest K + / π + ratios are observed for those events for each target that leave the least energy in the zero degree calorimeter and the ratio increases with target mass. The observations suggest that multiple interactions are important in the particle production mechanism.

Expression of major myelin glycoprotein P0 by PO cDNA transfection into C6 glioma cells promoted homophilic cell adhesion of the cells. After the dissociated cells were incubated for various times, the number of particles at each time point was measured. The total number of particles decreased to 24% in 60 min for transformant (C6P0) cells, in contrast to only 68% for control (C6P0′) cells. To confirm the homophilic mechanism of adhesion, mixed-cell aggregation experiments were performed. Among the four synthetic peptides corresponding to a part of the P0 sequence used, only peptide 3 (residues 90–96), which contained a carbohydrate attaching site, caused considerable inhibition of cell aggregation (approximately 50%). In addition, the glycopeptide (residues 91–95) obtained from bovine P0 markedly inhibited cell aggregation (by approximately 85%).

Recent single-particle inclusive measurements and two-particle correlation data from E802 and its succesor, E859, are presented. The K + / π + ratio observed for collisions of 14.6 A·GeV 28 Si ions on various targets is presented as a function of both forward and transverse energy. Source sizes are determined via interferometry using π + , π − , K + and proton pairs.

A systematic set of measurements of the global transverse energy distributions, {ital d}{sigma}/{ital dE}{sub {ital T}} and {ital dE}{sub {ital T}}/{ital d}{eta}, from beams of protons, {sup 16}O and {sup 28}Si at 14.6{ital A} GeV/{ital c}, incident on targets ranging from Be to Au is presented. The detector was a semicircular array of lead-glass blocks, covering polar angles 9{degree}{lt}{theta}{lt}32{degree}, whose total response provides a good measure of the produced particle yield in the central rapidity region of these reactions. Proton-nucleus spectra exhibit a similar shape on the high-energy tail, independent of target, suggesting that produced particles in such events arise mostly from the first collision of the projectile proton. For targets heavier than Cu, the high-energy edges of the oxygen-nucleus spectra, and of the silicon-nucleus spectra, reach ratios consistent with the geometry of central collisions. Angular distributions, {ital dE}{sub {ital T}}/{ital d}{eta}, are characterized by Gaussian fits, and an acceptance-independent form of the differential cross section is found, based on the maximum value of {ital dE}{sub {ital T}}/{ital d}{eta}. The projectile dependence of nucleus-nucleus spectra is studied in terms of two very different models: simple energy scaling and the wounded projectile nucleon model of {ital p}+{ital A} convolutions.

A 4-Mb high-speed DRAM (HSDRAM) has been developed and fabricated by using 0.7- mu m L/sub eff/ CMOS technology with PMOS arrays inside n-type wells and p-type substrate plate trench cells. The 13.18-mm*6.38-mm chip, organized as either 512 K word*8 b or 1 M word*4 b, achieves a nominal random-access time of 14 ns and a nominal column-access time of 7 ns, with a 3.6-V V/sub cc/ and provision of address multiplexing. The high level of performance is achieved by using a short-signal-path architecture with center bonding pads and a pulsed sensing scheme with a limited bit-line swing. A fast word-line boosting scheme and a two-stage word-line delay monitor provide fast word-line transition and detection. A new data output circuit, which interfaces a 3.6-V V/sub cc/ to a 5-V bus with an NMOS-only driver, also contributes to the fast access speed by means of a preconditioning scheme and boosting scheme. Limiting the bit-line voltage swing for bit-line sensing results in a low power dissipation of 300 mW for a 60-ns cycle time. >

We previously reported that the vertical GMR (V-GMR) head can be used for a high-density recording head. However, special design rules are required because the head has a different geometry from the conventional head. We discuss the optimum design of the V-GMR head. We report the technologies and materials required to produce the V-GMR head. Using computer simulations and wafer level experiments, we confirmed that the optimized V-GMR head can he used for more than 40 Gbit/in/sup 2/ areal density.

Superconducting magnets are structures which have an important role in Tokamak-type fusion reactor plants. They are huge and complicated structures exposed to very low temperature, 4K and the methods for keeping their integrity need to be newly developed. To maintain their structural integrity during the plant operation, a procedure for structural design was developed as a part of JSME Construction Standard for Superconducting Magnet. General structures and requirements of this procedure basically follow those of class 1 and class 2 components in light water reactor plants as specified in Section III, Division 1 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and include the evaluation of primary stress, secondary stress and fatigue damage. However, various new aspects have been incorporated considering the features of superconducting magnet structures. They can be summarized as follows: (i) A new procedure to determine allowable stress intensity value was employed to take advantage of the excellent property of newly developed austenitic stainless steels. (ii) Allowable stress system was simplified considering that only austenitic stainless steels and a nickel-based alloy are planned to be used. (iii) A design fatigue curve at 4K was developed for austenitic stainless steels. (iv) In addition to the conventional fatigue assessment based on design fatigue curves, guidelines for fatigue assessment based on crack growth prediction were added as a non-mandatory appendix to provide a tool of assurance for welded joints which are difficult to evaluate nondestructively during the service.Copyright © 2009 by ASME

The gene encoding for an extremely thermostable oligo-1,6-glucosidase from Bacillus thermoglucosidasius KP1006 (DSM2542, obligate thermophile) was sequenced. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the gene (1686 base pairs) corresponded to a protein of 562 amino acid residues with a Mr of 66,502. Its predicted amino acid composition, Mr, and N-terminal sequence of 12 residues were consistent with those determined for B. thermoglucosidasius oligo-1,6-glucosidase. The deduced sequence of the enzyme was 72% homologous to that of a thermolabile oligo-1,6-glucosidase (558 residues) from Bacillus cereus ATCC7064 (mesophile). B. cereus oligo-1,6-glucosidase contained 19 prolines. Eighteen of these were conserved at the equivalent positions of B. thermoglucosidasius oligo-1,6-glucosidase. This enzyme contained 14 extra prolines besides the conservative prolines. The majority of extra prolines was replaced by polar or charged residues (Glu, Thr, or Lys) in B. cereus oligo-1,6-glucosidase. The extra prolines were responsible for the difference in thermostability between these two enzymes. We suggested that 11 of the extra prolines in B. thermoglucosidasius oligo-1,6-glucosidase occur in beta-turns or in coils within the loops binding adjacent secondary structures.

Residual stresses that developed during cooling of the tungsten-copper duplex structure were measured by the strain gauge method and compared with those by thermoelastic-plastic analyses. Good agreement was obtained for both residual stress and displacement, even when the creep effect of the copper heat sink was neglected in the analyses. The residual stress on the tungsten top surface decreased with increase in the ratio of copper thickness ( t c ) to tungsten diameter ( D ). The effect of t c / D on the residual stress was large in the range of t c / D t c / D >1. The effective thickness of the plastic region in the copper heat sink was reduced in the same manner as the residual stress. The copper heat sink plastic developed first from the bonding interface and then from the center part of the bottom surface. The calculated edge stresses on the tungsten side surface were quite sensitive to the finite element mesh size near the interface edge, while stress on the tungsten top surface did not depend so much on the mesh size.

Forward and transverse energy spectra and the correlation between these two global variables have been measured for the interaction of 14.6{ital A} GeV/{ital c} {sup 28}Si ions with {sup 27}Al and {sup 197}Au. The energy in produced particles near midrapidity is observed to be negatively correlated with forward energy. There is minimal target mass dependence of this correlation for peripheral and semicentral interactions (forward energies{gt}80 GeV). However, the fact that transverse energies for more central collisions in Au become increasingly larger than those in Al ({similar to}50% greater in the limit of zero forward energy), provides evidence for multiple interactions of projectile nucleons in the larger target. The experimental results are discussed in terms of calculations based on a model for nucleus-nucleus interactions.

The authors illustrate a new method to identify the pre- and postcentral gyri on computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain on the basis of the pattern of the medullary branches of the cerebral white matter. The most commonly used method to identify the gyri depends on recognition of the central sulcus by surface arrangement of the sulci. The two methods were compared by analysis of CT images of 104 subjects who had normal findings (age range, newborn to 60 years; 57 males and 47 females). The usefulness of the new method was also determined in angiographic studies of nine patients with space-occupying lesions. The method is especially helpful for identification of gyri on the lower level of the centrum semiovale and if space-occupying lesions are present that may result in a blurred depiction of sulci. Since MR imaging depicts the medullary branches more clearly than does CT, this new method should facilitate identification of the gyri with either modality.

The production of {pi}{sup {plus minus}},{ital K}{sup {plus minus}},{ital p} has been measured in {ital p}+Be and {ital p}+Au collisions for comparison with central Si+Au collisions. The inverse slope parameters {ital T}{sub 0} obtained by an exponential fit to the invariant cross sections in transverse mass are found to be, {ital T}{sub 0}{sup {ital p},}{ital K+},{pi}{sup {pi}}{similar to}140--160 MeV in {ital p}+{ital A} collisions, whereas in central Si+Au collisions, {ital T}{sub 0}{sup {ital p},}{ital K+}{similar to}200--220 MeV {gt}{ital T}{sub 0}{sup {pi}{pi}}{similar to}140--160 MeV at midrapidity. The {pi}{sup {plus minus}} and {ital K}{sup +} distributions are shifted backwards in {ital p}+Au compared with {ital p}+Be. A gradual increase of ({ital dn}/{ital dy}){sub {ital K}}{sup +} per projectile nucleon is observed from {ital p}+Be to {ital p}+Au to central Si+Au collisions, while pions show no significant increase.

Two forced-flow cooled NbTi superconducting coils (TOKI-TF, PF) have been designed and fabricated. The helical coil (TOKI-TF) is a 1/4-scale model of the Large Helical Device (LHD). It has a major radius of 0.9 m, a minor radius of 0.25 m, and a pitch number of 4. Nominal current and maximum field were designed to be 8 kA and 2.8 T, respectively. Another coil (TOKI-PF) was fabricated for the demonstration of LHD poloidal field coils. It consists of two double pancakes with an inner radius of 0.6 m and an outer radius of 0.82 m. The nominal current of 25 kA simulates that of LHD poloidal field coils. Cable-in-conduit-type conductors were used for the both coils. The test facility was also constructed with a vacuum vessel, a liquid nitrogen shield, 30-kA power leads, a heat exchanger, and cryogenic supports. Design concepts and details are presented.

In order to maintain the high quality of environment in a closed bay area we must measure the water qualitiy at closely located points in the area. But it is difficult to get all the measurement data at the same time due to availability of limited measurement devices. To overcome this problem we propose to use remote sensing technique together with some sea truth data. Applying regression analysis for the remote sensing data and sea truth data, we can obtain the distribution maps of water temperature, transperancy, chlorophyll-a, etc. Then we propose methods to remove the atmospheric scattering effect.

The edge wall, i.e., magnetization distribution near the edge of a permanent magnet with finite coercivity was studied to investigate the stability of shielded spin-valve heads. The edge wall is structured so that the self-demagnetization field inside the permanent magnet does not exceed the magnet's coercivity. 30 nm-thick CoCrPt with coercivity of 2000 Oe was sufficient to obtain a smooth transfer curve of the spin-valve head. However, if the coercivity of CoCrPt is reduced to 200 Oe or 100 Oe, a kink or Barkhausen jump will appear in the transfer curve.

A feasibility study is presented for an image sensor capable of image capturing at 100 Mega-frames per second (Mfps). The basic structure of the sensor is the backside-illuminated ISIS, the in-situ storage image sensor, with slanted linear CCD memories, which has already achieved 1 Mfps with very high sensitivity. There are many potential technical barriers to further increase the frame rate up to 100 Mfps, such as traveling time of electrons within a pixel, Resistive-Capacitive (RC) delay in driving voltage transfer, heat generation, heavy electro-magnetic noises, etc. For each of the barriers, a countermeasure is newly proposed and the technical and practical possibility is examined mainly by simulations. The new technical proposals include a special wafer with n and p double epitaxial layers with smoothly changing doping profiles, a design method with curves, the thunderbolt bus lines, and digitalnoiseless image capturing by the ISIS with solely sinusoidal driving voltages. It is confirmed that the integration of these technologies is very promising to realize a practical image sensor with the ultra-high frame rate.

Terahertz generations were demonstrated in periodically poled lithium niobate and lithium tantalate crystals around 1-2 THz. Different forward and backward terahertz radiations are possible in periodically poled structures via difference frequency generation within the ultra-broad pump laser. The generated THz pulses could be controlled by the quasi-phase matching structures.

Chirp properties induced by a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) are investigated by simple chirp measurement method using an optical bandpass filter. We compare the properties among signal amplification and two types of wavelength conversions.