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In order to examine organic thin films during the deposition, we newly developed in situ observation system of an energy dispersive total reflection X-ray diffraction (TRXD) equipped with an organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD). p -Sexiphenyl (6P), which is one of oligophenylenes, is noted as a useful material with unique optical properties by controlling the molecular orientation. To establish the method to control the molecular orientation in 6P thin films prepared by OMBD, 6P thin films on different substrates of silicon oxide (SiO 2 ) and uniaxially oriented poly( p -phenylene) (PPP) were examined by using in situ TRXD. In the case of the 6P thin films prepared on SiO 2 , 6P molecules formed with the normal orientation from the initial process of the deposition. On the other hand, it was observed 6P molecules on the oriented PPP substrates formed with the parallel orientation along the PPP chains. By using out of plane measurements, it was revealed that the (203) planes of 6P crystallites preferentially oriented parallel to the substrate surface.

Thin films of titanyl-phthalocyanine (TiO-Pc) are fabricating on the (001) planes of alkali halides (NaCl, KCl and KBr), muscovite (mica) and the surface of indium-tin oxide (ITO) on glass plate by organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD) technique. They consist of needle and plate crystals depending on the kind of substrates and deposition conditions. The dependence of crystallite sizes and distances between adjacent fine crystallites on the temperatures of K-cell and substrates is evaluated by transmission electron microscopic observation to confirm the activation energies for crystal growth and surface diffusion.

This paper analyses a recurrent behavior of dynamic fuzzy systems defined by fuzzy relations on a Euclidean space. By introducing a recurrence for crisp sets, we prove probability-theoretical properties for the fuzzy systems. In the contractive case in Kurano et al. [Fuzzy Sets and Systems 51 (1992) 83–88], the existence of the maximum recurrent set is proved. As another case, we introduce a monotonicity for fuzzy relations, which is extended from the linear structure in Yoshida et al. [Fuzzy Sets and Systems 66 (1994) 83–95]. In the monotone case we prove the existence of the arcwise connected maximal recurrent sets.

Mixed crystals of the one-dimensional metal complexes, bis(dimethylglyoximato)platinum(II) and bis(diethylglyoximato)platinum(II), were synthesized by a coevaporation technique. The continuous energy shift of the d−p transition was observed in the UV−vis absorption spectra of the coevaporated films. This energy shift shows that despite the difference in the crystal lattices between the two precursor complexes, both the metal complexes had mixed into the same column forming one-dimensional superstructures. Conventional X-ray diffraction and total reflection X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the anisotropic variation of the lattice constants depends on the mixing ratio. While the lattice constant parallel to the columns was approximately proportional to the mixing ratio, the variation of the constants perpendicular to the columns deviated substantially from a linear relation. This indicates that the one-dimensional framework of the mixed columns was maintained even though there is significant latti...

This paper shows the resolvent equation and the co-balayage theorem for a dynamic fuzzy system. Next, we define a dual system for the dynamic fuzzy system, and give a duality for Snell's optimal stopping problem by the dual system.

This paper analyses cyclic behavior of dynamic fuzzy systems defined by fuzzy relations on a metric space. For the system, we give an ergodic theorem with a strata structure.

A dynamic fuzzy system defined on a compact state space is considered under a monotone property of the fuzzy relation. We study the limit of a sequence of fuzzy states and obtain a convergence theorem. The limit is characterized as the solution of a fuzzy relational equation. A numerical example is given to comprehend our idea in this paper.

子宮頸部細胞診が陽性であった卵巣癌6例と子宮内膜癌9例の子宮頸部細胞診所見を, 臨床的事項を併せて比較検討し, 以下の結果を得た.1. 卵巣癌の組織別頻度は, 漿液性嚢胞腺癌4例, 類内膜腺癌・明細胞腺癌混合型1例, 粘液性腺癌1例であり, 漿液性嚢胞腺癌において頸部細胞診出現率が比較的高かった.2. 子宮内膜癌の組織型は, 9例すべて類内膜腺癌であり, 臨床進行期は1期が6例, II期が2例, III期が1例であった.3. 卵巣癌の細胞像の特徴は, 背景が清で, 辺縁が明瞭な乳頭状あるいは球状の小集塊を形成し, 集塊出現数が少なく, また細胞質に白血球の取込みを認めない大型の空胞が出現し, 一個の大型核小体を持つことであった.4. 子宮体癌の細胞像の特徴は, 腫瘍性背景で, 辺縁が不明瞭な乳頭状あるいは球状の比較的小集塊を形成し, 集塊出現数が多く, また細胞質に白血球の取込みが多い大型の空胞が出現することであった.5. 両者の鑑別の要点は, 背景, 細胞集塊の出現数とその直径, 細胞集塊の辺縁構造, 細胞質内の大型空胞, 核小体の大きさと考えられた.

"Quix" is an immunochromatography-based direct detection kit for the E. coli O157 LPS antigen in the patient's stool. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the kit for rapid diagnosis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 infection. Sensitivity of the kit was determined using a pure culture of a clinical isolate of E. coli O157. Analytical sensitivity was found to be 5 x 10(5) CFU/ml. When compared with the culture method using fecal samples of 64 patients and with bloody diarrhea, sensitivity and specificity were 95.0% (19/20) and 86.4% (38/44), respectively, and overall agreement to culture method was 89.1% (57/64). One patient was found positive by culture method while negative in the present method, where the sample contained a low number of the cells less than the detection limit. Four of the six patients with a negative result by culture method and positive in the present method, were confirmed E. coli O157 infection by positive IgM antibody response against the E. coli O157 LPS. The discrepancy between the two methods seemed to be attributable to antibiotic administration. In one patient, Salmonella urbana (O30(1)30(2)) was detected. The O30(1) antigen of this bacterium is well known to be identical to the E. coli O157 antigen. When the present method was compared with an ELISA-based E. coli O157 LPS antigen detection kit, sensitivity and specificity were 100% (11/11) and 82.1% (23/28), and overall agreement to ELISA method was 87.2% (34/39). From these findings, Quix is useful as a rapid diagnostic kit in the primary clinics, outpatient or bedside use. E. coli O157 LPS antigen in patient's fecal samples can be detected in about five minutes with this simple procedure. Early diagnosis using such a simple kit will largely contribute for the early treatment and prevention of severe complications of the E. coli O157 infection.

An optimal stopping problem for fuzzy rewards in some continuous-time dynamic fuzzy systems is discussed. An optimal stopping time is given for the fuzzy expected rewards, and an optimality equation for the optimal fuzzy reward is derived by a fuzzy differential operator.

Highly oriented poly(dimethylsilylene) films, which were prepared by friction-transfer technique, have an ability of orienting soluble polysilanes. Solution-cast films of polysilanes on the friction-transferred film were oriented. The oriented films were characterized by polarized ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. Several soluble polysilanes were examined and then poly(di-n-hexylsilylene) and poly(methyl-n-propylsilylene) had higher orientation. Their main chains were arranged along the main chains of the poly(dimethylsilylene).

In situ characterization of the morphology of organic thin films was newly attempted by using total reflection X-ray analysis (TRXA). Due to cover a substrate with organic molecules during deposition, the intensity of total reflection fluorescence X-rays from a substrate surface decreases. It is expected that the decrement depends on the morphology of thin films. Fullerene (C60) thin films on the silver (Ag) substrates were formed at the substrate temperatures of 17, 50 and 100°C. From a result of in situ observation for the fluorescence X-rays of Ag substrates by TRXA, the intensity steeply decreased at 17°C and was saturated at 50 and 100°C. It was confirmed that the decay curve indicates the ratio of the coverage of C60 and the growth mode of island or layer-by-layer.

O presente trabalha busca analisar o Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo elaborado no Protocolo de Quioto. Inicialmente se discute o conceito de Desenvolvimento, que em um primeiro momento tem uma abordagem puramente econômica e que gradativamente incorpora a temática ambiental, até chegar ao conceito de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, ainda se analisa o Desenvolvimento Sustentável frente ao processo de Globalização. Em um segundo momento aborda-se a influência das discussões ambientais nos Negócios Jurídicos e a introdução de um novo leque de possibilidade de negócios, que devem atender os princípios que protegem o meio ambiente e buscam proporcionar o Desenvolvimento Sustentável. Posteriormente, faz-se a análise do objetivo do Mercado de Carbono, que é o combate do Efeito Estufa, também explica o funcionamento do Mercado e sua dinâmica. Por fim, discute as expectativas e os resultados obtidos pelo Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo. This work analyzes the Clean Development Mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol. Initially discusses the concept of development, which at first is a purely economic and gradually incorporates environmental issues, to reach the concept of Sustainable Development, still looks forward to the Sustainable Development Globalization process. In a second step discusses the influence of environmental discussions on Legal Affairs and the introduction of a new range of business possibilities, which must meet the principles that protect the environment and seek to provide sustainable development. Subsequently, it is the analysis of the objective of the Carbon Market, which is fighting the Greenhouse Effect, also explains the operation of the market and its dynamics. Finally, it discusses the expectations and the results obtained by the Clean Development Mechanism.

A value-at-risk portfolio selection model to maximize not only the expected daily geometric return but also value-at-risk is discussed. The analytical solutions of the value-at-risk portfolio problem are derived. From the analytical results, this paper gives formulae to show the explicit relations among the following important parameters in portfolio: Value-at-risk, the expected daily geometric return, the risk probability of falling and bankruptcy and the falling rate of the asset prices. A numerical example is given to explain how to obtain the optimal portfolio and these parameters from the asset prices in the stock market.

The first example of a Ni-Catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,3-azadienes and alkynes furnishing highly substituted pyridines is given.

Semaphorin 4A (Sema4A) has an essential role in photoreceptor survival. In humans, mutations in Sema4A are thought to contribute to retinal degenerative diseases. Here we generate a series of knock-in mouse lines with corresponding mutations (D345H, F350C or R713Q) in the Sema4A gene and find that Sema4AF350C causes retinal degeneration phenotypes. The F350C mutation results in abnormal localization of the Sema4A protein, leading to impaired endosomal sorting of molecules indispensable for photoreceptor survival. Additionally, protein structural modelling reveals that the side chain of the 350th amino acid is critical to retain the proper protein conformation. Furthermore, Sema4A gene transfer successfully prevents photoreceptor degeneration in Sema4AF350C/F350C and Sema4A−/− mice. Thus, our findings not only indicate the importance of the Sema4A protein conformation in human and mouse retina homeostasis but also identify a novel therapeutic target for retinal degenerative diseases., Semaphorin 4A is implicated in photoreceptor survival. Nojima and colleagues generate transgenic mice with different mutations in the Sema4A gene and find that point mutation of F350 causes severe degeneration in photoreceptor cells, which can be rescued by virus-mediated gene therapy.

This paper discusses weighted quasi-arithmetic means from viewpoint of a combined index of utility functions and weighting functions, which represent stochastic risk in economics. The combined index characterizes decision maker's attitude and background risks in stochastic environments by conditional expectation representations of weighted quasi-arithmetic means. The first-order stochastic dominance and risk premium are demonstrated using weighted quasi-arithmetic means and aggregated mean ratios, and they are characterized by the combined index. Finally, examples of weighted quasi-arithmetic mean and aggregated mean ratio for various typical utility functions are given.

We have developed a method for epitaxial growth of C60 thin films on tetracene single crystals. The crystal orientation of the C60 film was examined by reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In-situ observation by RHEED revealed that the C60 crystallizes from the very initial stage of the deposition (0.1 nm). A 6-fold symmetric pattern, which was observed in a XRD polar scan, can be taken as direct evidence for the epitaxial growth of C60 commensurate with the tetracene (001) surface lattice.

This paper deals with an optimal stopping problem in dynamic fuzzy systems with fuzzy rewards, and shows that the optimal discounted fuzzy reward is characterized by a unique solution of a fuzzy relational equation. We define a fuzzy expectation with a density given by fuzzy goals and we estimate discounted fuzzy rewards by the fuzzy expectation. This paper characterizes the optimal fuzzy expected value and gives an optimal stopping time.

The important parameters for the organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD) technique, including the molecular flux and its dependence on the Knudsen-cell (K-cell) temperature, were directly measured by using a high-performance quadrupole mass spectrometer in an ultrahigh vacuum. Functional organic materials such as metal phthalocyanine (M = Cu, Ni, Pb, and TiO), tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3), triphenyl diamine (TPD), and fullerene (C 60 ), were sublimed from the K-cell using a precisely controlled temperature. The mass spectrum revealed that each molecule was sublimed from the K-cell without significant thermal decomposition. The dependence of the evaporation rate on the K-cell temperature was numerically calibrated for the first time and the enthalpy of sublimation was estimated from the molecular flux.

Organic molecular devices create a need for establishing preparation methods of functional organic ultrathin films by the organic molecular beam deposition. It is particularly important that the molecular flux is precisely controlled in the ultrahigh vacuum. However, there are only a few studies on molecular flux of organic materials and in these a high performance quadrupole mass spectrometer was applied to the direct observation of the mass distribution and evaporation rate for various organic compounds, such as fullerene, metal phthalocyanines, and so on. In this paper, it is confirmed that the molecular flux from a Knudsen cell (K-cell) can be limited to single molecules and controlled under a constant evaporation rate. Also, the dependence of the deposition and evaporation rate on the temperature of K-cell was examined. As a result, the thermodynamical enthalpy of evaporation on these organic materials was determined for the first time and quantitatively estimated for the molecular flux.

Recently, it has been reported that fullerene (C60) thin films deposited on Ag ( 111 ) surfaces by molecular beam deposition (MBD) have a high degree of crystallinity and are oriented to the substrate surface. However, because there exists only a few characterization methods to directly examine the in-plane structure of the ultrathin film, such as STM, the details were not understood sufficiently. We employed a new system of an energy-dispersive type total-reflection X-ray diffraction (TRXD) method combined with organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD). The TRXD method is developed for the high-sensitivity measurement of the in-plane structure in organic thin films. By using this in situ and real-time observation, the growth process of C60 ultrathin films on Ag (111) surface was observed at the range of a few nanometers. As a result, we confirmed the in-plane structure and the epitaxy on the substrate surface.

We formulate a new multi-stage decision process with Markov-type fuzzy transition, which is termed Markov-type fuzzy decision process. In the general framework of the decision process, both of state and action are assumed to be fuzzy itself. The transition of states is defined using the fuzzy relation with Markov property and the discounted total reward is described as a fuzzy number on a closed bounded interval. To discuss the optimization problem, a partial order of convex fuzzy numbers is introduced. In this paper the discounted total reward associated with an admissible stationary policy is characterized by a unique fixed point of the contractive mapping. Moreover, the optimality equation for the fuzzy decision model is derived under some continuity conditions. Also, an illustrated example is given to explain the theoretical results and the computation in the paper.

The crystal structure and molecular orientation of lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) thin films onto a silicon (Si) and potassium bromide (KBr) were in-situ observed by using the new system combined a total reflection X-ray diffraction (TRXD) with an organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD). When the substrate was kept at a temperature of 25°C, the deposited films consisted of monoclinic crystals and the PbPc molecules tend to orient with the column axis parallel to the surface. Further, the films deposited on Si at 100°C consisted of the triclinic crystals with the column axis parallel to the surface. While, the thin films on KBr exhibited much higher crystallinity than on Si, and same structures even if the substrate temperature of 180°C was raised after deposition.

To fabricate “polarized” electroluminescence (EL) devices as a next generation, the growth mechanism of dye materials on several substrates, KBr, KCl, indium tin oxide (ITO) and quartz plate (fusued silica glass) was characterized by TEM and SEM to control the molecular orientations in films. The qualitative analysis of photo-luminescence (PL) from Tris(8-hydroxyqunoline) aluminum (Alq3) films epitaxially grown on KCl was done to confirm successively the anisotropic emission.

In order to elucidate the aggregation mechanism of triphenyldiamine (TPD) molecules used as a hole transfer layer in organic electroluminescent devices, morphological observation of thin films formed on KBr, indium tin oxide and quartz (fused silica glass) has been carried out. The molecule was evaporated from a Knudsen-type cell and deposited onto these substrates in vacuo. Both temperatures of furnace ( T f ) and substrate ( T s ) were precisely controlled in the ranges of 200–250 °C and 50–124 °C, respectively. Thin films had no characteristic X-ray diffraction peak, characteristic of an amorphous film. The small aggregates formed on the substrates were observed by using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy after being covered by a conducting uniform film of OsO 4 . The molecular aggregates of TPD are hemispherical and their size and density depended on the deposition conditions such as the kinds of substrate, substrate temperature and the furnace temperature. The dependence of diameter and distance between adjacent aggregates on the substrate temperature reveals the growth mechanism and surface migration of TPD.

We fabricated organic p‐i‐n heterojunction photovoltaic cells of a zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)∕1:1 codeposition (ZnPc:C60)∕C60 structure. We investigated the effects of the intrinsic (i-) layer thickness on the photovoltaic properties. The thickness was changed from 0 nm (=p‐n heterojunction) to 50 nm (=alli-layer) with the total thickness of 50 nm. While the short-circuit photocurrent increased with increasing the thickness, the fill factor showed the opposite tendency. Therefore, the power conversion efficiency showed a maximum (1.5%) at the thickness of 10 nm under air mass 1.5 global solar conditions. Device simulation based on idealized equivalent circuit of a solar cell demonstrates that the i-layer thickness is concerned in the series resistance of the cells.

The effect of ketonic defects on electrical properties, i.e., the performance of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) was examined in fluorene end capped fused bithiophene oligomers (BFTT). The long wavelength emission at 2.1–2.3eV resulting from the ketonic defects was observed in photoluminescence spectra of BFTT films after UV irradiation in air. In addition, the peak corresponding to the carbonyl stretching mode of the fluorenone moiety at 1721cm−1 was also apparent after UV irradiation for periods longer than 6h in air. These observations confirm that ketonic defects are present in the fluorene units of BFTT after photo-oxidation. The threshold voltage (Vth), i.e., switch-on voltage, of OFETs was increased and field-effect mobility (μFET) was decreased after the formation of the ketonic defects, since these defects induce the formation of numerous trap sites in the bandgap of the semiconducting conjugated oligomer.

We report C60 thin-film transistor characteristics of top-contact structure with low work-function source and drain electrodes. The electron mobility of the Mg electrode device is one order of magnitude higher than that of the Ag electrode device. The depth profile obtained by using secondary-ion mass spectroscopy demonstrates that Mg atoms strongly diffuse into C60 film during Mg deposition. These findings indicate that the improved mobility is due to the reduction of the parasitic resistance under source and drain electrodes by the Mg doping effect.

We demonstrated the polymer field-effect transistors (FETs) utilizing regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s (P3AT) films prepared by a drawing method. The P3AT film exhibited large optical dichroic ratio, which originated in the polymer backbones aligned to the drawing direction. In-plane anisotropy and enhancement of FET characteristics have been observed that are caused by molecular alignment. In the case of poly(3-dodecylthiophene), the hole mobility along the drawing direction was enhanced by a factor of 25 compared with that of spin-coated film.

Mg doping effect on a [2-methoxy, 5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene] (MEH-PPV)/C60 bilayer solar cell has been investigated. We find that the Mg doping occurs during the deposition of the Mg top electrode onto the C60 film and that the solar cell property is markedly improved by the doping. The power conversion efficiency of the Mg-doped device under 100 mW/cm2 white light illumination is 0.54%, which is approximately 400 times larger than that of the nondoped device.

We performed soft X-ray resonant scattering experiments on poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-buteric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend thin films to reveal the domain structure and electronic state, where P3HT and PCBM mean regioregular poly (3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-buteric acid methyl ester, respectively. We measured two films, where chloroform (CF sample) and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB sample) are used as solvents in the fabrication process. There is negligible X-ray incident angle dependence of the X-ray absorption spectra at the S K-absorption edge in the CF sample, whereas the DCB sample exhibits clear incident angle dependence. We obtained the wave-number resolved spectra at Q = (1, 0, 0) for P3HT molecules in both samples. The packing growth of P3HT molecules is revealed to be much more developed in the DCB sample than in the CF sample. In addition, the electronic structure at local sulfur element sites clearly changes for both the samples.

The occurrence of vertical phase separation has been reported for various spin-cast polymer films, including bulk-heterojunction films of polymer solar cells (PSCs). Focusing on real-space analysis, we conducted a study on the relationship between the morphology and processing conditions of PSCs for typical poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) cells. Our results demonstrated that spin-casting caused a localized reduction in the P3HT concentration in the bulk center. Thermal annealing after cathode formation enhanced the unevenness in concentration and created a multilayered vertical phase-separated morphology in which the P3HT domains were gathered near the electrodes, leaving only PCBM domains at the center of the film. Cells with this morphology had good power conversion efficiency (∼3%).

Reactions of symmetrically dimethylsubstituted benzopinacols and 1, 2-dipheny1-1, 2-bis (ρ-chloro-phenyl) -1, 2-ethanediol (5) with the DMSO-SbC15 (1 : 1) complex (Sb complex), afforded two Pinacol rearrengment products, ([A] and [B]), were obtained in the case of except for the reaction of 1, 2-diphenyl-1, 2-di-m-toly1-1, 2-ethanediol (3) in nitroethane.X-C6H4-C-H5C6-HO-C-C6H5-OH-C6H4-X→X-C6H4-C-C6H5-C6H5-C=O-C6H4-X+C6H5-C-X-C6H4-X-C6H4-C=O-C6H4 [A] [B] X : o-Me (2), m-Me (3), p-Me (4), p-Cl (5) Higher product ratios ([B] / [A]) were achieved in the Pinacol rearrangement of (3) and 1, 2-dipheny1-1, 2-di-p-toly1-1, 2-ethanediol (4) with the Sb complex in nitroethane, compared to ([B] / [A]) using benzene as the solvent. ([B] / [A]), values were lower in the reaction of 1, 2-diphenyl-1, 2-di-o-tolyl-1, 2-ethanediol (2) and (5) with the Sb complex in nitroethane. ([B] / [A]) in the Pinacol rearrangement of these benzopinacols in nitroethane were essentially the same as those for the Pinacol rearrrangement using iodine-acetic acid.The Pinacol rearrangement of benzopinacols with the Sb complex appeared to proceed via an intramolecular pathway.

Although C60 is known as a typical n-type organic semiconductor, Schottky-type cells of an ITO/C60/Al structure do not show definite photovoltaic effects. Thin metallic interlayers were inserted at the C60/Al interface to examine enhancement of the power conversion efficiency in the cells. An ITO/C60/Mg/Al cell showed an efficiency up to 0.15% for AM1.5, which is the largest efficiency in the Schottky-type cells of n-type organic semiconductors. The improvement of the photovoltaic effects seems to be caused by intercalation of Mg into C60 layer as a dopant.

We developed a technology for creating homologous models of foot shape data obtained from a 4D measurement system. Homologous models consist of the same number of the same topology, and each data point in the model is defined based on the anatomical homology.

We report a simple method to achieve efficient nanostructured organic photovoltaics via patterning copper iodide (CuI) nanocrystals on indium tin oxide by glancing angle deposition. The strong interfacial interaction between zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and CuI leads to the formation of nanopillar arrays with lying-down molecular order, which greatly improve light absorption and surface roughness for exciton dissociation. Optimized ZnPc/C(60) bilayer cell has a power conversion efficiency of 4.0 ± 0.1%, which is about 3-fold larger than that of conventional planar cell.

We report a 53-year-old male with Cogan's syndrome. He was admitted to our hospital because of a fever of 2-weeks duration, blurred vision for 10 days, hypoacusis, and numbness of the left hand for 3 days. In addition to uveitis, hypoacusis, and aseptic meningitis, multiple mononeuropathy was diagnosed based on a nerve conduction study. Furthermore, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed diffuse aortitis. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with Cogan's syndrome. After starting steroid-pulse therapy followed by 1 mg oral prednisolone/kg/day, the uveitis and hypoacusis improved immediately, while the peripheral neuropathy persisted until effectively treated with intravenous gamma globulin therapy. Prompt steroid therapy for Cogan's syndrome based on a diagnosis made using PET/CT prevented progression of the hypoacusis.

An imidamide bearing a NMe2-group instead one of the aryls does not give the desired product.

A nickel-catalyzed heteroannulation has been developed where o-haloanilines react with alkynes to afford 2,3-disubstituted indoles. IPr (1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) was found ...

This paper deals with ordered weighted averages on a closed interval, and their fundamental properties are investigated. In this paper we focus on ordered weighted average with a truncation weight, and the sub-additivity of a top-concentrated average is derived. Several examples are given to understand the idea. Further we deal with ordered weighted average from the bottom, and their relations are investigated. Finally, ordered weighted averages based on a probability are discussed and value-at-risks are explained as their example.

Single-crystalline organic solar cells were investigated. Rubrene single crystals made by train sublimation method were used for the active layer of the solar cells. Typical solar cell characteristics and external quantum efficiency (EQE) were observed with the film thickness of several micrometers. In spite of their large film thickness, the EQE spectra showed no screening effect, which means that absorbed photons efficiently converted to electric charges. This can be attributed to the extended exciton diffusion due to uniform and trap free characteristic of rubrene single crystal.

Although antithrombotic therapy plays a central role in the treatment of cardiac disorders and peripheral arterial diseases, recent studies suggest that the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is

This paper constructs a Markoov fuzzy process, which represents transitions of grades of fuzzy sets, with a transition possibility measure and a general state space. We analyse Snell's optimal stopping problem for the process and we apply the results to solve fuzzy dynamic programming with optimal stopping times and with general state spaces and action spaces under fuzzy transitions.

This paper is a sequel to Yoshida et al. (1993), in which the potential theory for linear fuzzy relations on the positive orthant R+n is considered in the class of fuzzy sets with a compact support under the contractive assumption. In this paper, potential treatment for unbounded fuzzy sets is developed without the assumption of contraction and compactness. The objective of this paper is to give the existence and the characterization of potentials for linear fuzzy relations under some reasonable conditions. Also, introducing a partial order in fuzzy sets, we prove Riesz decomposition theorem in the fuzzy potential theory. The proofs are shown by using only the linear structure and the monotonicity of fuzzy relations. In the one-dimensional case, the potential and its α-cuts are explicitly calculated. Numerical examples are given to comprehend further discussions.

A 75-year-old man who developed disseminated trichosporonosis had a long history of immunosuppressive therapy with weekly methotrexate and low-dose prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). He had been administered 30 mg of prednisolone per day for organizing pneumonia, probably due to the RA, for about 3 months before admission for a lumbar compression fracture. He then developed bilateral aspiration pneumonia with pleural effusion, treated successfully with broad-spectrum antibiotics meropenem and ciprofloxacin, and fluid management. He then developed acute, progressive respiratory failure with changes in both lung lobes in chest computed tomography (CT). Meropenem, ciprofloxacin, micafungin, and pulsed steroid administration were ineffective. He died of respiratory failure, after which Trichosporon asahii was first detected in blood and urine culture. Disseminated trichosporonosis was determined based on positive blood culture, elevated serum glucuronoxylomannan antigen and beta-D glucan, and the man's lack of clinical progress. He had numerous risk factors for trichosporonosis, including neutrophilic dysfunction due to prolonged steroid therapy, administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and micafungin, and central venous catheterization. Disseminated trichosporonosis is a chiefly hematological infection and case reports without hematological disorders are rare, so we report this instructive case.

Acute-onset diffuse interstitial lung disease (AoDILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been a serious concern, especially for those under treatment with biological agents which may affect the presentation and outcome of AoDILD, including Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Therefore, we conducted a retrospective, multi-center study of AoDILD in RA patients receiving biological agents.Patients who developed AoDILD while receiving biological agents (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab and tocilizumab) were enrolled in the study. Definite PCP was defined as patients who showed either P. jirovecii organisms in their respiratory samples by microscopic examination, or positive tests for both P. jirovicii DNA-PCR with respiratory samples and an elevated serum 1,3-β-D-glucan level above the cut-off value. Probable PCP was defined as either a positive test for P. jirovicii PCR or an elevated serum β-D-glucan level. Chest HRCT findings were evaluated and scored by two board-certified radiologists.The final diagnoses for 26 patients examined were definite PCP for 13 patients, probable PCP for 11, and methotrexate-associated pneumonitis in 2 patients. Definite and probable PCP cases were clinically indistinguishable. Generalized, diffuse ground-glass opacity (GGO) is the characteristic HRCT finding in patients with definite or probable PCP, which was different from our previous findings in RA patients, mostly without biologics, showing GGO distributed in a panlobular or multilobular manner. The clinical outcome was favorable by treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and glucocorticoids.The possibility of PCP should be intensively investigated in RA patients developing AoDILD while receiving biological agents.

Clinical presentation of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) during immunosuppressive therapy for rheumatic diseases was compared between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 7) and those without RA (non-RA; n = 12) based on a chart review. Both RA and non-RA patients with PCP were treated with methotrexate (n = 7) combined with steroids (n = 6) and/or biologics (n = 4). RA-PCP patients were found to have a higher mortality rate than non-RA-PCP patients (3/7 vs. 0/12, respectively; p = 0.036) due to a later exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia and a higher presentation rate of diffuse pulmonary lesions (4/7 vs. 1/12, respectively; p = 0.036) despite lower mean levels of serum beta-D: -glucan (314 ± 214 vs. 1139 ± 1114 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.02) that suggested a lower burden of Pneumocystis jirovecii. In conclusion, PCP in RA patients with existing pulmonary lesions may trigger subsequent progression to lethal interstitial pneumonia.