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The key words for the future telecommunications are personalization, multi-media services and high accessibility to the network. These trends naturally lead to radio media application to access links. In this sense, this paper proposes an advanced wireless access system with a capacity supporting broadband video and data services. Concept of the system can be defined as a new radiocommunication category with advantages of both fixed and mobile systems. The system is designed to transport ATM-based signals using SHF (or EHF) bands to wireless terminals, interconnected with optical fibers at the network side. The basic system configuration is presented as well as examples of system parameters. For radio aspects the maximum service coverages of the radio base stations are calculated based on availability consideration. Preferred frequency bands for actual operation are also discussed.

The availability of a method for predicting pH changes in multiple admixtures based on the acid-base equilibrium theory has been confirmed comparing the calculated pH's and the measured pH's in the admixtures of transfusions mixed with two or more injections. The pH's of the parenteral admixtures can be easily predicted by using a general theoretical equation for proton concentrations in a multicomponent-blended aqueous solution without any preliminary pH titration. The pH's of 59 injections and 26 transfusions were compared with pH's of the drugs described in the information leaflets. Three hundred and ninety-seven transfusions and parenteral solution mixture combinations (one transfusion and two injections) were examined for the efficacy of the predicted equation. As a result, the estimated pH closely agreed with the measured pH in all examinations, and a good correlation existed between the measured and calculated values of pH. Furthermore, to estimate the pH's of transfusions mixed with multicomponent injections, good agreements were also observed between the measured pH's and calculated pH's in any preparations with different mixing orders.

Three isoenzymes of total alkaline phosphatase (TALP) are known in canine serum: Bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), liver alkaline phosphatase (LALP) and corticosteroid-induced alkaline phosphatase (CALP). Using an assay developed by combining selective precipitation of BALP by wheat germ lectin (WGA) and an automated levamisole inhibition method for quantifying CALP, age-related reference ranges of the isoenzymes in 75 canine serum samples were investigated. BALP comprised 96, 38 and 26% of TALP in young, middle aged and old dogs, respectively, and CALP was respectively 12, 11 and 27% of TALP. LALP was less than 10% in the young but represented more than 50% of TALP in middle aged and old dogs. Furthermore, the significance of monitoring LALP and CALP and their relationship to hepatopathy in dogs receiving long term prednisolone therapy was assessed. In this study, TALP increased in all dogs receiving prednisolone. But only LALP was responsible in dogs with minor vacuolization of the liver, while in severely degenerated cases both LALP and CALP increased. It is concluded that a high TALP due solely to LALP, rather than LALP and CALP represents lesser liver pathologic involvement. Monitoring the 2 isoenzymes has greater significancy in assessing in the level of liver damage than relying on an increased TALP value alone. Quantifying the individual isoenzymes may further be useful in assessing the clinical significance of these isoenzymes in various conditions that result in elevated TALP values.

During investigations of freshwater ascomycetes we found one interesting taxon from Aomori (Japan), as well as three additional taxa from North Carolina (USA), which were morphologically similar to Minutisphaera, a recently described freshwater fungus in the Dothideomycetes. The ascomata of all the collections bore dark hair-like structures around the ostiolar region, obovoid to obclavate bitunicate asci, and one to three septate hyaline to brown ascospores with a sheath (in material from Japan), and with both sheath and appendages (in material from the USA). The apothecial ascomata of these taxa, however, differ from those of the type species of the genus, which are perithecial. Two collections of Minutisphaera-like fungi from the USA were morphologically quite similar but differed in ascospore size. To assess the phylogenetic affinities of Minutisphaera-like taxa with the type species, M. fimbriatispora, we sequenced 18S and 28S nrDNA of five newly collected strains of Minutisphaera. We also sequenced the nrDNA for the entire internal transcribed spacer region of 10 strains to assess interspecific and intraspecific variation with M. fimbriatispora. Additionally we examined the secondary metabolite profiles of two strains from USA. Based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined 18S and 28S, and separate ITS sequences, as well as examination of morphology, we describe and illustrate a new species, M. japonica. One collection from North Carolina is confirmed as M. fimbriatispora, while two other collections are Minutisphaera-like fungi that had a number of similar diagnostic morphological characters but differed only slightly in ascospore sizes. The phylogeny inferred from the internal transcribed spacer region suggested that two out of the three North Carolina collections may be novel and perhaps cryptic species within Minutisphaera. Organic extracts of Minutisphaera from USA, M. fimbriatispora (G155-1) and Minutisphaera-like taxon (G156-1), revealed the presence of palmitic acid and (E)-hexadec-9-en-1-ol as major chemical constituents. We discuss the placement of the Minutisphaera clade within the Dothideomycetes. The description of the genus Minutisphaera is emended to accommodate M. japonica within Minutisphaera.

An imbalance of immunosuppressive and cytotoxic cells plays an important role in inhibiting the anti-tumor immune response of the tumor-bearing host. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the involvement of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells and CD163+ M2 macrophages as well as cytotoxic cells, such as granulysin-bearing cells and TIA-1+ cells in cutaneous angiosarcoma (AS) by immunohistochemical staining. In addition we evaluated the potencies of bisphosphonate, which was previously reported to suppress the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), as a supportive therapy for AS together with docetaxel in 6 cases of cutaneous AS. These findings suggest that a high number of immunosuppressive cells might be related to the prognosis of AS, and that a combination of docetaxel with bisphosphonate risedronate sodium might be effective for MMP-9-expressing AS.

This paper proposes an ATM wireless access system for tetherless multimedia services. The proposed system is intended to provide ATM-based high-speed transmission capability for tetherless multimedia services by wireless media in private LAN/WAN environments as well as public environments. To enable high-speed transmission, this paper proposes the utilization of the SHF band taking advantage of its wide frequency spectrum availability. However, the propagation feature of the SHF band limits the wireless terminal mobility in the proposed system compared with current cellular phone systems. This paper discusses the concept and system architecture of the proposed ATM wireless access system, including its ATM transport based on ATM/TDMA conversion using a time stamp scheme.

撹拌槽を用いるメタクリル酸メチルの連続バルク重合反応において, 撹拌翼にマックスブレンド® (MB) 翼を採用し, 翼の上端より液面を低くするとともに反応器の上蓋を冷却すると, モノマー蒸発速度が飛躍的に大きくなり, 反応器ジャケットからの除熱量をしのぐ熱量になって重合熱除去の有効な手段となる.このときモノマー蒸発速度は撹拌速度の1.4乗, 翼径の0.4乗, パージ窒素流速の0.45乗に比例する.パイロット規模の装置で得られた総括伝熱係数 (Uj) =460kJ/m2h℃及びモノマー蒸発速度 (v) =67kg/m2hから, 撹拌消費動力 (Pv) =1.5kW/m3 (回転数73rpm) におけるUj=304kj/m2h℃, v=26.7kg/m2hと推測して実機を設計し, ジャケット温度-反応温度=Δt=-12.8℃とすることによってポリマー生産量750kg/hの運転が可能と推定した.実機での実測値はUj=326kJ/m2h℃, v=31m2h (パイロット規模の1/7のパージ窒素流速において), Δt=-12.5℃となり, 実機の除熱能力には設計値に比べてやや余裕があり, 最適な設計がなされていることがわかった.

A variable range hopping (VRH) has been observed in the low-temperature conductance of a C60 field-effect transistor. We have investigated a thermal annealing (TA) effect at 453 and 498K, on the conductance in various gate voltages and several source-drain separations. VRH analysis shows that density of states in the pseudogap clearly decreases as TA temperature increases. However, there might exist the other charge trapping states at interfaces with electrodes and gate dielectric, which could be modulated also by TA.

Due to low production costs, lignite is an important component of energy mixes of countries in its possession. However, high moisture content undermines its applicability as fuel for power generation. Drying in superheated steam is a prospective method of upgrading quality of lignite. The study aimed to validate the drying model of lignite from Belchatow mine in Poland. The experimental investigation on superheated steam drying of lignite was previously conducted. Spheres of 10 mm in diameter were exposed to the drying medium at the temperature range of 110-170oC. The drying behaviour was described in the form of moisture content, drying rate and temperature profile curves against time. With the application of basic coal properties (e.g. density, water percentage, specific heat) as well as the mechanisms of heat and mass transfer in subsequent stages of the process, the numerical model of drying was constructed. It was tentatively verified with reference to experimental results both in terms of drying parameters and temperature. The model illustrated drying behaviour in the entire range of conditions. Nevertheless, further development of numerical model is desirable regarding accuracy of the process parameters.

Water removal is a key technology for enhancing efficient utilization of lignite in power generation. An inherent characteristic of lignite, attributed to the large amount of water kept within the fuel, is the factor decreasing the thermal efficiency of lignite-fired power plants. This paper presents the research results on investigating the drying kinetics of Belchatow lignite excavated in the Central Poland in prior to developing a water removal system. Lignite drying test was conducted in superheated steam atmosphere at the temperature range of 110-170 °C. Spherically shaped samples, of which the diameter is 2.5 mm, was used. The experimental results were then analysed with previously conducted measurements of 5, 10, 30 mm samples to investigate the influence of particle size. The presented analysis shows the agreement of the evaluated drying rate at the CDRP to the experimental data. The obtained experimental results were used to predict the drying behaviour of the group of particles. The proposed investigation clarifies the size dependence of the drying characteristics of the multisize group of lignite particles.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the visual acuity of sheep. Three ewes were trained to discriminate between a Landolt ring and an ordinary ring of equal size associated with feed. The left and right positions of the 2 targets were shifted according to the Gellermann series. After the ewes were fully trained, their visual acuity was determined by changing the size of the rings or the distance from the target. The ewes were subjected daily to 1 or 2 sessions which consisted of 30 trials each. The criterion of successful discrimination was 2 (Exp. I) or 3 (Exp. II) consecutive sessions with more than 21 correct choices (P

従来血液濾過法に用いられている補液アルカリ化剤は酢酸あるいは乳酸を主体としたものであり, 長期透析患者の合併症としての血圧低下症例には適していない. 我々は, いかなる血液浄化法を用いても安定血圧の得られない2症例に対して電解質液を自家調合し既存の重曹液とともに補液として用いた. そしてその安全性, 効果を既存の酢酸, 乳酸によるアルカリ化剤と比較検討した. 結果は2症例とも電解質補液中エンドトキシン, 細菌の検出はなく, 酢酸液に比し経時的収縮期血圧, 拡張期血圧, 脈拍変化は有意差をもって安定していた. さらに乳酸補液は酢酸補液と同様に経時的血圧変動を認め重曹補液と比較し血圧は低い傾向にあった. またTI心筋シンチグラフィーで重曹群は酢酸群, 乳酸群いずれと比較しても心筋中TIの集積増加を示唆する結果を示した. 酢酸, 乳酸補液と比較し重曹のみの補液は, その循環動態に与えうる影響は少なくかつ我々の採った別ルート注入法は自家製で利用できる点で優れていると思われる.

The patient was a 67-year-old woman. An elevated rectal lesion had been identified at a local clinic, and colonoscopy revealed a 7-mm black elevated lesion with blackening of the surrounding mucosa. Malignant melanoma was diagnosed by biopsy, and the patient was referred to our department. An invasion depth of M was diagnosed on the basis of preoperative imaging. Local excision was considered, but abdominoperineal resection was performed in light of its nature, to perform curative resection. Pathological findings showed abnormal cells staining positive for HMB-45 in the tumor and surrounding mucosa, but these were localized within the mucosa. As of 1 year and 6 months after surgery, the patient has survived without recurrence.

Minute virus of canines (MVC, canine parvovirus type-1) caused inapparent to severe illness in neonatal specific-pathogen-free pups exposed by the oronasal route. The experimental disease was generally mild. Four of 21 infected pups had clinical signs of respiratory illness, but only 2 pups, not euthanized during the early postinoculation period, developed severe illness or died. Principal pathologic changes included bronchitis and interstitial pneumonia with various degrees of lymphadenitis. In contrast to the reported field cases, enteric signs were absent in the experimentally infected animals. Histopathologic changes in the small intestine were mild or absent. Bronchial, bronchiolar, and alveolar epithelial cells appeared to be the sites of initial and most extensive viral growth, reflecting the pattern of histopathologic changes. The disease caused by MVC was mild in comparison to that caused by canine parvovirus-type 2. MVC now appears to be established as a cause of illness in young pups and of transplacental infections with embryo resorption. The prevalence of MVC hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies was high (~50%) in adult dog sera from widely separated geographic areas of the United States.

Recent further reduction in crew manning makes it difficult to maintain and repair the machinery on board ocean vessels. Condition based maintenance and diagnosis for machinery plant has become very important under such circumstances.In order to meet those circumstances, “SUPER PLANT”has been developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. using advanced electronic technology and artificial intelligence. SUPER PLANT supports engine operation/maintenance and assists the work of skilled engineers in coping with the increased work loads, and by doing so contributes to nautical safety.

Thermal oxidation of sputter-deposited indium nitride films has been investigated in air at the heating rate of 10°C min−1. Surface oxidation occurred at 300–350°C and many domes were formed. Complete formation of In2O3 occurred with a drastic increase in the resistivity at 400–500°C when the domes were destroyed. Formation and destruction of the domes is explained by the volume increase from the nitride to the oxide. The oxidized films are sensitive to water vapour and ammonia.

Fiber reinforced composites using the waste cord of synthetic fibers as the matrix material were molded by injection molding. The waste cord of polyester and nylon 6 fabrics having thermoplastic characteristics was fed into the molding machine directly together with the reinforcements in order to simplify the molding process. Glass and carbon fibers were used as the reinforcements and the reinforcement content was varied for the experiments.The tensile strength and modulus of the composites were much larger than those for the matrix material, and increased with increasing reinforcement content. It is concluded that the molding system devised here is effective for the recycle of the waste cord of synthetic fibers.

The effects of molding conditions, such as the set temperature of the band heaters and the screw rotation rate, on the temperature history and distribution in the heating cylinder have been studied by measuring the barrel temperature and the temperature at the screw surface. The temperature history at the screw surface during the molding process was measured by using a thermocouple telemetry system. The measured results were compared with the set temperatures of the heaters. Representative PP and PS resins were used in the experiments.The observed temperature distribution along the screw axis indicates a steep temperature rise at the feed zone, and it differs largely from the set values. The set temperature at the feed zone notably affects the temperature of the polymer melt in the compression and metering zones. The results obtained in this study will be useful for an optimum design of the heating cylinder and also for the construction of a CAE model.

As it is known, helium-cadmium laser oscilates the wavelengths of 442nm and 325nm. The wavelength of 442nm isused in the field of high technical industry because of its shortest continuous wavelength in the visible area. Recentry applications of ultra violet area are growing. So we developed high power ultra violet helium-cadmium laser which power was 100mW. We tried to use new mirrors which are polished by using the technics of higher grade than normal optical polishing technics.

Linoleic acid has an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells. Linoleic acid did not affect the expression level of tyrosinase mRNA and the pattern of tyrosinase glycosylation. The production of premelanosomes and the transfer of tyrosinase into them were also not affected by linoleic acid. The decrease of tyrosinase activity in golgi apparatus and the inhibition of melanin polymer formation within premelanosomes were found in linoleic acid-treated B16 cells.Using cultured normal human melanocytes, it was shown that linoleic acid inhibited melanogenesis as well as using B16 cells.We also report here the evidence that linoleic acid can diminish UVB-induced pigmentation. Linoleic acid was topically applied daily for one month after UVB-induced pigmentation was fully developed on the back of brownish guinea pigs, and resulted to marked depigmentation.

© 2014 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1807 Journal Compilation © 2014 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterised by the clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells (LC) that predominantly occurs in infants and small children, but LCH is rare in adults (1). Generally in children, local therapy would be an appropriate treatment, since patients with localised disease or disease limited to a single organ system have a good prognosis (1). However, the clinical picture of LCH in adults is not fully understood and the optimal treatment for it is still under discussion. In this report, we describe a case of adult onset LCH successfully treated with bi-weekly pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)α2a and discuss the immunological background focusing on the tumour microenvironment immunologically.

A 92-year-old woman was admitted with speech disturbance. She had severe anemia (hemoglobin, 6.3g/dl), and abdominal ultrasonography revealed hepatic portal venous gas and an intra-abdominal tumor. Abdominal computed tomography also revealed an irregularly enhanced intra-abdominal tumor, 32x35mm in diameter, which was surgically resected. The tumor was located in the small intestine. Histopathological examination revealed spindle-shaped atypical cells. Immunological evaluation showed the tumor to be SMA (+), c-kit (-), CD34 (-), S100 (-). The Ki-67/MIB1 labeling index was 2.3%. The tumor was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma of the small bowel. The patient recovered after surgery and was discharged.

To construct a mechanistic model of the behavior of tricyclazole on rice leaves and its efficacy for the prevention of leaf blast epidemics under field conditions, quantitative data of temporal changes of the amount of fungicide residues on rice leave at various positions and a concentration-response curve of protectant effect against blast fungus versus fungicide concentration were determined. Disease progression in the filed with or without application of the fungicide was assessed to evaluate feasibility of the data. Tricyclazole was applied in two different timing to a rice field. Temporal changes of tricyclazole residues on leaves obey a decay curve model. On the leaves that had fully developed at the time of application, estimates of initial deposits of the fungicide ranged from 4.39 to 19.69 μg/g fresh leaves, and estimates of half-life value ranged from 2.46 to 5.33 days, respectively. In leaves which had not yet emerged or partly emerged at foliar application, 0.16 or 1.08 μg/g of the fungicide was detected when leaves were fully developed, respectively. Foliar application of tricyclazole almost completely protected the completely developed leaves from new infection about for 2 weeks. Also, the leaves newly emerged after fungicide application were somewhat protected. In the greenhouse experiment, tricyclazole showed a completely protectant effect at a concentration above 0.34μg/g, while the effect was not significant at a concentration below 0.20μg/g. The median effective concentration (EC50) of the fungicide was estimated to be 0.24μg/g. Generally, the values estimated in this experiment agreed with the disease progression observed in the field.

Summary Previous trials with various treatments have not shown satisfactory therapeutic results for cutaneous metastasis of malignant melanoma (MM). We report three patients who were treated with peritumoral injection of interferon (IFN)-β for multiple skin metastases of MM. The metastatic tumours were infiltrated by significant numbers of CD8+ TIA+ cytotoxic lymphocytes, and the numbers of CD4+ cells and human leucocyte antigen-DR+ cells increased after IFN-β injection. These results suggest that the peritumoral administration of IFN-β enhanced the antitumour immune response against the MM, suggesting that it is a promising supportive treatment for skin metastasis of MM.

Though low-κ materials have been actively investigated by many researchers, target values of ITRS (International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductor) have not achieved. To reduce RC delay, both lower resistance wiring material, copper, and low-κ material are necessary. Especially for recent IC chips, ratio of BEP (Back End Process) has rapidly increased with increasing wiring layers. This chapter reviews low-κ materials and proposes future development.

Background At present, the da Vinci® surgical robot system does not provide haptic feedback. One of the authors has proposed a contact-force sensing method called the ‘overcoat method’, in which the instrument/driver is supported by force sensors. In the da Vinci robot, the instrument jaws are powered by a wire-pulley mechanism; thus, in order to apply the overcoat method to the da Vinci system, we must transfer the power through a frame that is supported by force sensors. Methods The authors have attempted to add a force-sensor function to the Sterile Adapter® of the da Vinci system. In developing a sensorized adapter, a new configuration of force sensors and a new axial-force-free (AFF) joint have been devised in order to obtain an independent ‘axial force effect’ from the drive torque fed from the da Vinci robot arm. Results The force-sensing errors of the present system have been measured to have a maximum value of approximately 0.2 N while driving the jaws, and a maximum value of approximately 0.2 N when the robot arm is inclined with some excitation. Some impact reference forces applied on to the ends of the jaws agree with the outputs of the sensorized adapter to within

α-Bromo-steroidal ketones were converted into α-keto spiro-thiazolidine derivatives with β-aminothiols (H2N(CH2)2SH, o-H2NC6H4SH), in pyridine solution at room temperature.

The cultured hair cells from 4-day-old C3H mice were studied by electron microscopy. The hair roots isolated from the skin by collagenase digestion were dispersed into a cell suspension by treatment with a mixture of trypsin and ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The cells were cultured in MCDB-153 (a medium containing seven growth factors) for 1, 3, 6 or 13 days. The number of cultured cells on day 3 was twice that on day 1, and stayed at the same level until day 13. By electron microscopy, some of the cells cultured for 1 day were seen to be undifferentiated and others already showed differentiation into various hair structures. Such differentiated cells disappeared on day 3 and most of the cells cultured for 3 days were undifferentiated. Cell cultured for 6 days were differentiated showing inner root sheath cell, hair cortical cell and medulla cell structures. The characteristics of these cultured cells corresponded well to those of in vivo cells of the hair tissues from the back skin of 7-day-old C3H mice. On day 13 degeneration occurred in the cultured cells. In none of these cultures were mesenchymal cells, such as fibroblasts, found. The present electron microscopic study reveals that immature cells obtained from mouse hair tissues proliferate in vitro and differentiate into several subpopulations corresponding to those of in vivo cell layers of hair tissues. The present culture technique may be useful for studies of hair cell growth and differentiation.

The present study describes the results from the 10-year follow-up data of a prospective epidemiological study for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in two communities of rural agricultural districts in Hokkaido, Japan. The number of incidences of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) in persons who were normotensive, borderline hypertensive (BHT), untreated hypertensive (HT), well-controlled HT [blood pressure (BP) less than 150/90 mm Hg], and poorly controlled HT (BP greater than or equal to 150/90 mm Hg) were 0.46, 3.24, 4.17, 3.49, and 12.76 per 1,000 person-years. respectively: CVAs were markedly high in poorly controlled HT persons. The winter-summer mean BP differences in the first year were significantly and positively correlated with the differences in mean BP between the tenth and the first year, and were significantly higher in the progression to hypertension group than in the nonprogression group in both towns. Multivariate analysis indicated that the winter-summer mean BP difference was a significant variable for indication of progression to hypertension. From these results, we concluded that (a) good control of hypertension could considerably prevent CVA, (b) cold environment may contribute to the progression to hypertension, and (c) winter-summer variation in BP may predict the future course of BP.

This paper presents a lens actuator of optical head in an optical disc drive. A newly developed moving magnet method is applied to a two dimensional sliding and rotary lens actuator, and radically simplified. This method is to compose a magnetic suspension in focusing and tracking direction by means of yokes and a ring-shaped magnet magnetized in four pole at unequal intervarls, and the designing method of magnetic suspension is disclosed by a detailed magnetic field analysis. It has been further confirmed by analysis and experiment that the force in an undesired direction caused by movement of the magnet can be reduced by symmetrical magnetization. As a result, in driving force, control band and other characteristics, the same performance as in the moving coil type have been recognized.

Although off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) has become an increasingly common surgical procedure, recent concerns have been raised regarding the existence of a hypercoagulable or prothrombotic state associated with OPCAB. To determine the optimal antiplatelet regimen after OPCAB, we investigated the effects of aspirin alone and of combined therapy with aspirin + cilostazol on platelet aggregation in patients after OPCAB.Twenty patients scheduled to undergo OPCAB were randomized to one of two antiplatelet regimens: aspirin alone (n=10) and aspirin + cilostazol (n=10). Anti-platelet agents had not been received for at least 1 week before surgery and were initiated on the afternoon of postoperative day 1. Platelet aggregability and hemostatic parameters were evaluated at four time points: before and 3, 7, and 14 days after OPCAB. We measured agonist-and shear stress-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) using a modified cone-plate viscometer.No complications resulting from postoperative antiplatelet therapy-related bleeding were seen in either group. Collagen-and arachidonate-induced platelet aggregation and SIPA were significantly inhibited in the aspirin + cilostazol group compared with the aspirin-alone group (collagen-and arachidonate-induced aggregation, p0.0001; SIPA, p=0.0367). Adding cilostazol to aspirin augmented the inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by collagen and arachidonate. adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation tended to be inhibited in the aspirin + cilostazol group compared with the aspirin-alone group (p=0.0534).The results of this study suggest that combined therapy with aspirin + cilostazol is more effective than aspirin monotherapy in reducing platelet aggregation in patients after OPCAB. This combination therapy may represent a new therapeutic option for an anti-thrombotic regimen in patients after OPCAB.

The occurrence of opportunistic infections is not rare during the treatment of connective tissue diseases, including dermatomyositis because of the patient's immunosuppression. We describe here cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection that affected two of our patients with dermatomyositis. CMV infection has not been considered to be a frequent event in dermatomyositis, and its significance for disease progression has not been sufficiently recognized. Our case reports demonstrate the importance of close monitoring of such patients and prompt initiation of appropriate therapy to manage a suspected CMV infection.

In 1.5 Harmonic Imaging ultrasonography (1.5 HI US), images are obtained in a band intermediate between the fundamental and 2nd harmonic components, resulting in stronger contrast enhancement than in conventional harmonic imaging. We attempted to assess the hemodynamics of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) with special attention to blood drainage using 1.5 HI US. Forty-two HCC nodules, metastatic liver tumors and hepatic hemangiomas were studied. In contrast studies, intermittent ultrasound transmission was performed for a period of up to 45 sec after the injection of contrast agent, which was regarded as the vascular phase. The time point of 5 min later was specified as the post-vascular phase, and images were obtained by single manual transmission for comparison of contrast enhancement with surrounding hepatic parenchyma. In addition, histological examination was performed. 1.5 HI US clearly demonstrated the strong tumor vessels in most HCCs. Corona enhancement, in which the areas surrounding the tumor are enhanced, was observed in 71.4% (30/42) of HCC nodules during the post-vascular phase. This sign was not observed in any other tumors. Histological findings revealed that CD34-positive-endothelial cells were prominent in the surrounding area of HCC. In conclusion, 1.5 HI US is an effective tool for evaluating hemodynamics in both early- and post-vascular phase. Corona enhancement may be due to the trapping of contrast agent in the endothelial cells in the surround of HCC nodules and be a novel specific sign for HCC.

Controlled-potential electrochemical oxidation of cis-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2] (R = Et, iPr) yielded corresponding Ru(III) complexes, and the crystal structures of cis-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2] and trans-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2](PF6) were determined. Both pairs of complexes exhibited almost identical coordination structures. The Ru-P distances in trans-[Ru(III)(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2](PF6) [2.436(3)-2.443(3) A] were significantly longer than those in cis-[Ru(II)(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2] [2.306(1)-2.315(2) A]: the smaller ionic radius of Ru(III) than that of Ru(II) stabilizes the trans conformation for the Ru(III) complex due to the steric requirement of bulky phosphine ligands while mutual trans influence by the phosphine ligands induces significant elongation of the Ru(III)-P bonds. Cyclic voltammograms of the cis-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2] and trans-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2]+ complexes in dichloromethane solution exhibited typical dual redox signals corresponding to the cis-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2](+/0) (ca. +0.15 and +0.10 V vs ferrocenium/ferrocene couple for R = Et and iPr, respectively) and to trans-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2](+/0) (-0.05 and -0.15 V vs ferrocenium/ferrocene for R = Et and iPr, respectively) couples. Analyses on the basis of the Nicholson and Shain's method revealed that the thermal disappearance rate of transient trans-[Ru(ROCS2)2(PPh3)2] was dependent on the concentration of PPh3 in the bulk: the rate constant for the intramolecular isomerization reaction of trans-[Ru(iPrOCS2)2(PPh3)2] was determined as 0.338 +/- 0.004 s(-1) at 298.3 K (deltaH* = 41.8 +/- 1.5 kJ mol(-1) and deltaS* = -114 +/- 7 J mol(-1) K(-1)), while the dissociation rate constant of coordinated PPh3 from the trans-[Ru(iPrOCS2)2(PPh3)2] species was estimated as 0.113 +/- 0.008 s(-1) at 298.3 K (deltaH* = 97.6 +/- 0.8 kJ mol(-1) and deltaS* = 64 +/- 3 J mol(-1) K(-1)), by monitoring the EC reaction (electrode reaction followed by chemical processes) at different concentrations of PPh3 in the bulk. It was found that the trans to cis isomerization reaction takes place via the partial dissociation of iPrOCS2(-) from Ru(II), contrary to the previous claim that it takes place by the twist mechanism.

A nine-year-old, intact female, mixed-breed dog was presented with a history of chronic regurgitation and weight loss. Endoscopy and contrast radiography confirmed the presence of a distal esophageal mass. The dog was euthanized, and histopathological diagnosis of the mass was an esophageal/gastric adenocarcinoma.

In contrast-enhanced 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography, images are obtained in a band intermediate between the fundamental and the 2nd harmonic components. In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography with the use of the contrast agent Levovist for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), metastatic hepatic tumor, and hepatic hemangioma. The subjects in this study were 64 patients with 70 nodules of hepatic tumors (42 nodules in 36 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 20 nodules in 20 cases of metastatic hepatic tumor, and 8 nodules in 8 cases of hepatic hemangioma). Contrast enhancement of tumors acquired in the early, portal, and late phases with 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography were compared to classify the tumors. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of HCC showed contrast enhancement of 36 nodules (85.7%). Hypervascular enhancement in the early phase, which was maintained in the portal phase, changed to images with no contrast enhancement with partial persistence of contrast enhancement in the late phase. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of metastatic hepatic tumor showed hypervascular enhancement of the margin of 20 nodules (100%) in the early and portal phases, which changed to images with no contrast enhancement in the late phase. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of hepatic hemangiomas maintained hypervascular enhancement on the tumor margin of 5 nodules (62.5%) in the early and portal phases. When early phase 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography did not show hypervascular enhancement in 3 nodules (37.5%), and late-phase images confirmed that these 3 nodules were hypervascular enhancement on the tumor margin. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of hepatic tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic hepatic tumor and hepatic hemangioma) provided characteristic findings of contrast enhancement in the early, portal, and late phases, and will contribute to differential diagnosis.

A nano‐scale C60 field‐effect transistor has been fabricated with carbon nanotubes (C60CN‐FET). A rope of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes has been anchored by metal pads and cut by a focused Ga2+ ion beam ablation. The ablated ends of the rope have been integrated as electrodes into the C60CN‐FET, which exhibits an excellent performance of a low‐voltage operation, even as small as 100 nm of channel length. The electrodes have been applied also for two‐terminal conductance of salmon’s DNA.