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Objectives The aim of this AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial subgroup analysis was to examine rivaroxaban monotherapy benefits and their relation to the time between stenting and enrollment among patients after coronary stenting. Background Of 2,215 patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease in the AFIRE trial, rivaroxaban monotherapy was noninferior to rivaroxaban plus antiplatelet therapy (combination therapy) in terms of efficacy and superior for safety endpoints. However, thrombotic risk after antiplatelet therapy cessation remained a concern among 1,444 patients who had undergone coronary stenting >1 year before enrollment. Methods The benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy in coronary stenting subgroups were assessed for efficacy (a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularization, or death of any cause), safety (major bleeding defined according to International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria), ischemic endpoints, net adverse clinical event, and time between stenting and enrollment. Results Efficacy and safety endpoints for monotherapy were superior to combination therapy, with HRs of 0.70 for efficacy (95% CI: 0.50-0.98; P = 0.036) and 0.55 for safety (95% CI: 0.33-0.92; P = 0.019). For ischemic endpoints, the HR was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.58-1.15; P = 0.240). The HR became smaller with longer time between stenting and enrollment (efficacy, P for interaction = 0.158; safety, P = 0.097). Conclusions In patients with atrial fibrillation after coronary stenting, the benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy for efficacy and safety endpoints were consistent with those in the whole AFIRE trial population. The benefits became apparent with longer time between stenting and enrollment. (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease Study [AFIRE]; UMIN000016612 , NCT02642419 )

Contains fulltext : 249977.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: It is important to evaluate whether a new treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) provides additive benefit to background foundational treatments. As such, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with HFrEF in addition to baseline treatment with specific doses and combinations of disease-modifying therapies. METHODS: We performed a post-hoc analysis of the EMPEROR-Reduced randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial, which took place in 520 centres (hospitals and medical clinics) in 20 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification II-IV with an ejection fraction of 40% or less were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive the addition of either oral empagliflozin 10 mg per day or placebo to background therapy. The primary composite outcome was cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalisation; the secondary outcome was total heart failure hospital admissions. An extended composite outcome consisted of inpatient and outpatient HFrEF events was also evaluated. Outcomes were analysed according to background use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), as well as β blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) at less than 50% or 50% or more of target doses and in various combinations. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03057977. FINDINGS: In this post-hoc analysis of 3730 patients (mean age 66·8 years [SD 11·0], 893 [23·9%] women; 1863 [49·9%] in the empagliflozin group, 1867 [50·1%] in the placebo group) assessed between March 6, 2017, and May 28, 2020, empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary outcome (361 in 1863 participants in the empagliflozin group and 462 of 1867 in the placebo group; HR 0·75 [95% CI 0·65-0·86]) regardless of background therapy or its target doses for ACE inhibitors or ARBs at doses of less than 50% of the target dose (HR 0·85 [0·69-1·06]) and for doses of 50% or more of the target dose (HR 0·67 [0·52-0·88]; p(interaction)=0·18). A similar result was seen for β blockers at doses of less than 50% of the target dose (HR 0·66 [0·54-0·80]) and for doses of 50% or more of the target dose (HR 0·81 [0·66-1·00]; p(interaction)=0·15). Empagliflozin also reduced the risk of the primary outcome irrespective of background use of triple therapy with an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or ARNI plus β blocker plus MRA (given combination HR 0·73 [0·61-0·88]; not given combination HR 0·76 [0·62-0·94]; p(interaction)=0·77). Similar patterns of benefit were observed for the secondary and extended composite outcomes. Empagliflozin was well tolerated and rates of hypotension, symptomatic hypotension, and hyperkalaemia were similar across all subgroups. INTERPRETATION: Empagliflozin reduced serious heart failure outcomes across doses and combinations of disease-modifying therapies for HFrEF. Clinically, these data suggest that empagliflozin might be considered as a foundational therapy in patients with HFrEF regardless of their existing background therapy. FUNDING: Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company.

In order to deepen understanding of transient phenomena in magnetically confined plasmas, a high-time resolution (up to 20 kHz) Thomson scattering diagnostic system for measurement of electron temperature and density profiles has been developed. A key system component is a Nd: YAG laser which produces a burst of 1.2 J, 20 ns pulses. This diagnostic system is used to investigate transient plasma phenomena such as electron cyclotron heating, the injection of hydrogen pellets, and plasma collapse.

The preceding propagation of turbulence pulses has been observed for the first time in heat avalanche events during the collapse of the electron internal transport barrier (e-ITB) in the Large Helical Device. The turbulence and heat pulses are generated near the foot of the e-ITB and propagate to the peripheral region within a much shorter time than the diffusion timescale. The propagation speed of the turbulence pulse is approximately 10 km/s, which is faster than that of the heat pulse propagating at a speed of 1.5 km/s. The heat pulse propagates at approximately the same speed as that in the theoretical prediction, whereas the turbulence pulse propagates one order of magnitude faster than that in the prediction, thereby providing important insights into the physics of non-local transport.

We report on an electro-optically Q-switched Tb:LiYF

Prognostic health monitoring technologies, which can evaluate performance degradation, load history, and degree of fatigue, have the potential to improve the effective maintenance, reliability design methods, and availability under improper use conditions of electronics systems. We propose a method to assess the thermal fatigue life and thermal load history under asymmetric cycles of a power electronics module by using finite element method-based Lagrangian neural networks. We apply this method to an insulated-gate bipolar transistor power module with a temperature history monitoring function. It is shown that this method can estimate the inelastic strain cycles and thermal fatigue life distribution of the solder joints from temperature monitoring history. It is also confirmed that probabilistic load assessment of thermal cyclic load distributions can be conducted using the estimated inelastic strain cycles. It is concluded that the proposed method could be effective for assessing thermal load history and thermal fatigue life estimation in prognostic health monitoring.

The neutron lifetime has been measured by comparing the decay rate with the reaction rate of $^3$He nuclei of a pulsed neutron beam from the spallation neutron source at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The decay rate and the reaction rate were determined by simultaneously detecting electrons from the neutron decay and protons from the $^3$He(n,p)$^3$H reaction using a gas chamber of which working gas contains diluted $^3$He. The measured neutron lifetime was $898\,\pm\,10\,_{\rm stat}\,^{+15}_{-18}\,_{\rm sys}\,$s., 28 pages, 20 figures, will be submitted to PTEP

We report laser operation of two Tb

We report the

In EuCo2P2, 4f electron spins of Eu2+ ions order antiferromagnetically below a Neel temperature T N = 66.5 K . The magnetic structure below T N was reported to be helical with the helix axis along the c-axis from the neutron diffraction study. We report the results of 153Eu, 59Co and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on EuCo2P2 using a single crystal and a powdered sample. In the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, we succeeded in observing 153Eu, 59Co and 31P NMR spectra in zero magnetic field. The sharp 153Eu zero field NMR (ZF NMR) lines indicate homogeneous Eu ordered moment. The 59Co and 31P ZF NMR spectra showed an asymmetric spectral shape, indicating a distribution of the internal magnetic induction at each nuclear position. The AFM propagation vector k characterizing the helical AFM state can be determined from the internal magnetic induction at Co site. We have determined the model-independent value of the AFM propagation vector k distributed from (0, 0, 0.86)2π/c to (0, 0, 0.73)2π/c, where c is the lattice parameter.

Background Hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) gas are both reported to reduce reactive oxygen species and alleviate tissue ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a mixture of H2 gas and CO gas (dual gas) in comparison with hydrogen gas (H2: 2%) alone on I-R renal injury (composition of dual gas; N2: 77.8%; O2: 20.9%; H2: 1.30%; CO: 250 parts per million). Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 250–280 g) were divided into 5 groups: (1) sham operation control, (2) dual gas inhalation (dual treatment) without I-R treatment, (3) I-R renal injury, (4) H2 gas alone inhalation (H2 treatment) with I-R renal injury, and (5) dual treatment with I-R renal injury. I-R renal injury was induced by clamping the left renal artery and vein for 45 minutes followed by reperfusion, and then contralateral nephrectomy was performed 2 weeks later. Renal function was markedly decreased at 24 hours after reperfusion, and thereafter the effects of dual gas were assessed by histologic examination and determination of the superoxide radical, together with functional and molecular analyses. Results Pathologic examination of the kidney of I-R rats revealed severe renal damage. Importantly, cytoprotective effects of the dual treatment in comparison with H2 treatment and I-R renal injury were observed in terms of superoxide radical scavenging activity and histochemical features. Rats given dual treatment and I-R renal injury showed significant decreases in blood urea nitrogen. Increased expression of several inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, nuclear factor-κB, hypoxia inducible factor-1α, and heme oxygenase-1) was attenuated by the dual treatment. Conclusions Dual gas inhalation decreases oxidative stress and markedly improves I-R-induced renal injury.

Nd,Y:CaF

This paper verifies a position sensorles control using the estimated pwm phase voltage. pwm phase voltage estimator estimates pwm phase voltage from the voltage drop of DC link voltage, switching device and diode. In the position sensorless control, the position estimation table based on magnetization curves is used. This study omits phase voltage sensors and offers the low cost position sensorless control system.

Much controversy exists over the performance of elderly living donor kidney transplantation. We report the safety of 2 cases of elderly living kidney donations in our hospital. CASE 1: An 82-year-old man was a living kidney donor for his 56-year-old son. The donor suffered from hypertension, but has successfully managed his blood pressure with only one medication. His serum creatinine was 0.7 mg/dL and inulin clearance was 122.5 mL/min, which met the usual criteria for living kidney donors. This was his son's secondary kidney transplantation, and no other donors existed. CASE 2: An 80-year-old woman was a living kidney donor for her 45-year-old son. Her serum creatinine was 0.61 mg/dL and inulin clearance was 71.7 mL/min, which met the marginal kidney donor criteria. In both cases, we determined that the donor kidney function was acceptable. Though we explained the risks of the transplantation thoroughly, the patients' strong will to offer a kidney to their family member did not change. We decided to carry out the transplantation. At the time of publication, nearly 2 years have passed since the transplantation, but both donors and recipients are doing well. In the future, it seems more likely that the number of elderly living donor kidney transplantation will rise. On one hand, there is no absolute contraindication for elderly donors, while on the other hand, the criteria for a living kidney donor must be strictly examined. Furthermore, careful observation of both donors and recipients after transplantation is required.

We propose a batch fabrication of a perforated separator for formation of a planar lipid bilayer, aiming for commercial and mass production. A planar lipid-bilayer system increasingly attracts attention as a platform of nanopore-based biosensors, and a perforated separator is an essential component for reconstitution of a planar bilayer on such sensor devices. We therefore designed a mass-fabrication procedure of the separator, avoiding laborious processes. First, an array of microapertures was processed on a sheet of polyimide thin film (200 × 200 mm2) by chemical etching. Photo-reactive polyimide coverlays were then laminated and formed a frame of the apertures at both faces of the film as reinforcement. Approximately 300 pieces of monolithic separators were obtained by the procedure. Electrical properties (current noise level) of a planar bilayer were certified with the developed separator.

Background: In vivo quantification of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) based on noninvasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination and in vitro choroidal flatmount immunohistochemistry stained of CNV currently were used to evaluate the process and severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) both in human and animal studies. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between these two methods in murine CNV models induced by subretinal injection. Methods: CNV was developed in 20 C57BL6/j mice by subretinal injection of adeno-associated viral delivery of a short hairpin RNA targeting sFLT-1 (AAV.shRNA.sFLT-1), as reported previously. After 4 weeks, CNV was imaged by OCT and fluorescence angiography. The scaling factors for each dimension, x, y, and z (μm/pixel) were recorded, and the corneal curvature standard was adjusted from human (7.7) to mice (1.4). The volume of each OCT image stack was calculated and then normalized by multiplying the number of voxels by the scaling factors for each dimension in Seg3D software (University of Utah Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, available at http://www.sci.utah.edu/cibc-software/seg3d.html ). Eighteen mice were prepared for choroidal flatmounts and stained by CD31. The CNV volumes were calculated using scanning laser confocal microscopy after immunohistochemistry staining. Two mice were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin for observing the CNV morphology. Results: The CNV volume calculated using OCT was, on average, 2.6 times larger than the volume calculated using the laser confocal microscopy. The correlation statistical analysis showed OCT measuring of CNV correlated significantly with the in vitro method ( R 2 = 0.448, P = 0.001, n = 18). The correlation coefficient for CNV quantification using OCT and confocal microscopy was 0.693 ( n = 18, P = 0.001). Conclusions: There is a fair linear correlation on CNV volumes between in vivo and in vitro methods in CNV models induced by subretinal injection. The result might provide a useful evaluation of CNV both for the studies using CNV models induced by subretinal injection and human AMD studies.

Although CD133 has been considered to be a molecular marker for cancer stem cells, its functional roles in tumorigenesis remain unclear. We here examined the molecular basis behind CD133-mediated signaling. Knockdown of CD133 resulted in the retardation of xenograft tumor growth of colon cancer-derived HT-29 and LoVo cells accompanied by hypophosphorylation of AKT, which diminished β-catenin/T-cell factor-mediated CD44 expression. As tyrosine residues of CD133 at positions 828 and 852 were phosphorylated in HT-29 and SW480 cells, we further addressed the significance of this phosphorylation in the tumorigenesis of SW480 cells expressing mutant CD133, with substitution of these tyrosine residues by glutamate (CD133-EE) or phenylalanine (CD133-FF). Forced expression of CD133-EE promoted much more aggressive xenograft tumor growth relative to wild-type CD133-expressing cells accompanied by hyperphosphorylation of AKT; however, CD133-FF expression had negligible effects on AKT phosphorylation and xenograft tumor formation. Intriguingly, the tyrosine phosphorylation status of CD133 was closely linked to the growth of SW480-derived spheroids. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we finally identified receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase κ (PTPRK) as a binding partner of CD133. In vitro studies demonstrated that PTPRK associates with the carboxyl-terminal region of CD133 through its intracellular phosphatase domains and also catalyzes dephosphorylation of CD133 at tyrosine-828/tyrosine-852. Silencing of PTPRK elevated the tyrosine phosphorylation of CD133, whereas forced expression of PTPRK reduced its phosphorylation level markedly and abrogated CD133-mediated AKT phosphorylation. Endogenous CD133 expression was also closely associated with higher AKT phosphorylation in primary colon cancer cells, and ectopic expression of CD133 enhanced AKT phosphorylation. Furthermore, lower PTPRK expression significantly correlated with the poor prognosis of colon cancer patients with high expression of CD133. Thus, our present findings strongly indicate that the tyrosine phosphorylation of CD133, which is dephosphorylated by PTPRK, regulates AKT signaling and has a critical role in colon cancer progression.

Purpose To investigate the treatment outcomes of a single-session high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) using the Sonablate® for patients with localized prostate cancer. Methods Biochemical failure was defined according to the Stuttgart definition [a rise of 1.2 ng/ml or more above the nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA)] and the Phoenix definition (a rise of 2 ng/ml or more above the nadir PSA). Disease-free survival rate was defined using the Phoenix criteria and positive follow-up biopsy. Results A total of 171 patients were identified. Fifty-two (30.4 %) patients were identified to be with D’Amico low risk, 47 (27.5 %) with intermediate risk, and 72 (42.1 %) with high risk. In the median follow-up time of 43 months, there was 44 (25.7 %) and 36 (21.1 %) patients experienced biochemical failure for Stuttgart and Phoenix definition with mean (±SD) time to failure of 17.8 ± 2.1 and 19.4 ± 2.3 months, respectively. A total of 44 (25.7 %) patients were diagnosed as disease failure. Cox multivariate analysis revealed PSA nadir level (PSA cutoff = 0.2 ng/ml; HR = 9.472, 95 % CI 4.527–19.820, p

Radio variability was detected at 1.42 GHz from an area at the center of which a Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) bright source 0FGL J1847.8+3223 (B2 1846+32A) was located. The flux was detected using a two-element interferometer setup at the Waseda Nasu Observatory; the flux was at least 1200 mJy in 2004 and at least 1600 mJy in 2005. The flux of B2 1846+32A was 532 mJy in the 1980s, as observed by the Greenbank 300 telescope, and 516 mJy in the 1990s, as observed by the Very Large Array. Thus, the flux tripled from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s in the 1.4 GHz band. In the 1980s and 1990s, a few observations of B2 1846+32A were carried out; however, variability in flux was not detected. In 2008, 8.800e-08 photon(100 MeV-1 GeV) cm{sup -2} s{sup -1} and 6.400e-09 photon(1 GeV-100 GeV) cm{sup -2} s{sup -1} gamma rays were detected from B2 1846+32A by the LAT. Gamma rays had not been detected from this source by EGRET in 1991-2000. The gamma-ray flux strengthened at least twice in about 10 years. The upper limit around this source by EGRET is approximately 4.9e-08 photon(>100 MeV) cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}. The flux of B2more » 1846+32A strengthened in the 2000s, as indicated by both radio and gamma-ray measurements. These results suggest that there exists a strong correlation between the radio radiation and the gamma-ray emission. In this Letter, we present the analytical results of a strong fringe in the area including B2 1846+32A.« less

Context Irruption of large herbivore populations is characterised by three distinct phases: (1) an exponential increase in population to a peak abundance; (2) a population crash; and (3) a second increase to another population peak, typically lower than the first peak of abundance. However, there has been little study of age- and sex-specific factors that affect the post-initial irruption interactions with food sources. Aims We aimed to investigate annual survival rates of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838) in the sequent irruption of a population on Nakanoshima Island, Lake Toya, Japan, with a chronically high density during the period 2002–12. Methods Survival monitoring data were obtained for 219 individuals (93 males and 126 females) using radio-collars. Annual survival was quantified, and related factors, i.e. deer abundance and winter severity, were determined by model selection using Akaike information criterion values. Key Results The results showed that annual survival rates across sexes and age classes (fawn, yearling, prime-aged, old) decreased with increasing population density, snow depth and winter precipitation. Winter severity had a greater effect on adult survival than density regulation. Nevertheless, female adult survival was maintained at a high level, with a mean of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.88). Key conclusions Robust survival rates for adult females might contribute to the maintenance of a high-density sika deer population in the post-initial irruption. Implications We suggest that in the absence of predation and hunting, sika deer population is not able to self-regulate to the density level that avoids an irreversible impact on plants.

We report two new radio transients at high Galactic latitude, WJN J0951+3300 (α = 09h51m22s ± 10s, δ = 33°00' ± 0°.4, b = 50°542) and WJN J1039+3300 (α = 10h39m26s ± 10s, δ = 33°00' ± 0°.4, b = 60°585), which were detected by interferometric drift-scan observations at 1.4 GHz at the Waseda Nasu Pulsar Observatory. WJN J0951+3300 was detected at 16:49:32 UT on 2006 January 12 with the flux density of approximately 1760.5 ± 265.9 mJy, and WJN J1039+3300 was detected at 17:13:32 UT on 2006 January 18 with the flux density of approximately 2242.5 ± 228.7 mJy. Both of them lasted for a short duration (≤2 days). The possibility that the distribution of the WJN radio transients is isotropic was suggested in a previous study. Having re-evaluated the log N-log S relation with the addition of the two new objects reported in this paper, we find that the slope is consistent with a slope of –1.5 and the previous result. Additionally, although there are several counterparts to WJN radio transients, we found that one of the quasar counterparts within the positional error of WJN J0951+3300 could be a radio-loud quasar. We have discussed whether or not WJN J0951+3300 could be of this quasar origin.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is generally administered at a fixed dose of 0.5-1.5 g/d without considering individual body weight (BW) in Japanese renal transplant outpatients receiving maintenance therapy. We aimed to investigate the implications of the area under the curve of mycophenolic acid (MPA AUC):MMF dose ratio by individual BW and suggest the index of MMF dose according to individual BW.Forty-three Japanese patients who received a renal transplant ≥6 months before the study were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at 4 time points: at predose, 20 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours after MMF administration.The mean ± standard deviation MMF dose, MPA AUC, and BW of all patients were 581 ± 207 mg/d, 36.2 ± 18.7 μg·h/mL, and 56.3 ± 11.1 kg, respectively. Patients with a lower BW tended to have a higher MPA AUC:MMF dose ratio than patients with a higher BW. There was a significant correlation between the MMF dose:BW ratios and MPA AUC (r(2) = 0.330; P.01). The rate of MPA AUC between 30 and 60 μg·h/mL with the MMF dose:BW ratio of 10-16 mg/kg was 73.7%.Individual BW seems to affect the MPA AUC:MMF dose ratio; therefore, we need to consider individual BW when deciding on a MMF dose. The MMF dose:BW ratio of 10-16 mg/kg could predict MPA AUC between 30 and 60 μg·h/mL with a probability of approximately 75%. Therefore, it could be a useful index for outpatients, because it is difficult to draw blood frequently from such patients.

Summary What is known and objective Carbamazepine is a potent inducer of cytochrome P450 3A and P-glycoprotein. However, there are no reports of the effects of carbamazepine on more than one co-administered drug. Case summary A 53-year-old female patient with schizophrenia and hypertension was on paliperidone 12 mg/day and amlodipine 5 mg/day. When carbamazepine was added to this prescription, the plasma concentrations of both drugs decreased dramatically in a dose-dependent manner. Although the patient's psychotic symptoms did not change, as a result, her mean blood pressure increased to 160·1/103·6 mmHg from 138·4/91·4 mmHg at a carbamazepine dose of 600 mg/day. What is new and conclusion Theses cases show the effect of carbamazepine induction on two drugs simultaneously. Care is required when carbamazepine is added to drug regimens including paliperidone or amlodipine alone or together.

The double bubble tubular film (DBTF) process is a more economical way of producing biaxially oriented film, when compared to the tenter biaxially oriented film process. This film manufacturing technique has been widely used to produce biaxially oriented films because of good shrinkability and high physical properties. Recently, shrinkage film for this usage is required to have good stretchability and shrinkage strength. But the biaxial stretchability changes of polypropylenes and the reasons for such have not been reported upon systematically. In this report, the relationship between stretchability and material design of various polypropylenes (PP) for biaxially oriented film, which are most popular polymers, was investigated. Several different ethylene contents and melt flow indices (MI) of PP were examined. There was a correlation between MI, ethylene content and the stretchability of the DBTF. A random copolymer with MI 2 g/10 min and ethylene content 4.0 wt.% gave good stretchability. The most suitable composition distribution for stretching and the properties of biaxially oriented films were studied by using the temperature rising elution fractionation.

We examined the influences of regular sexual activity and marital status on salivary testosterone levels in healthy adult Japanese men. Forty-four men (20–66 years) collected their saliva thrice a day (0900–1000, 1300–1400, and 1700–1800). The testosterone levels at each collection time negatively correlated with the ages of the participants; therefore, residual testosterone levels were used for analyses after correcting for age by linear regression. The testosterone-lowering effect of marriage was marginal and the regular sexual activity more strongly associated with lower testosterone levels in morning saliva. The possible neurofeedback systems underlying the phenomenon are discussed.

Stretchability and properties of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends for biaxially oriented film was investigated in the previous report [1]. That report focused on changing the film density by blending three different densities of LLDPE. The relationship among stretchability, film density and the composition distribution was explored. In this report, several different densities and melt flow indices (MFI) of LLDPE were examined. A film with a density of about 0.915 g/cm3 displayed the best stretchability, while films not less than 2 g/10 min MFI had poor stretchability. The most suitable composition distribution for stretching was reported. The properties of biaxially oriented films were also evaluated. Furthermore, the relationship between the laboratory tenter stretched film (LTSF) and the double bubble tubular film (DBTF) was investigated. There was a correlation between the density in film over 0.910 g/cm3 and the stretchability of the DBTF and LTSF.

The bubble deformation behavior of double bubble tubular film (DBTF) of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is experimentally analyzed. Also investigated is how the bubble deformation behavior of the stretched films are changed by stretching conditions, especially stretching temperature, and how the properties of stretched films are influenced by stretching conditions. From the results, the optimum conditions required to obtain a stable bubble and good properties for the DBTF of LLDPE are indicated. The relationship between the DBTF and laboratory tenter stretched film (LTSF) is investigated in order to predict the processability and the properties of the DBTF by using the laboratory tenter biaxial stretcher. This method is not only more time efficient, but also reduces overall costs of developing the DBTF.

In order to improve the stretchability of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) for double bubble tubular film (DBTF), the blending of LLDPEs have been investigated. Three LLDPEs of varying densities were blended, and several films having different densities, molecular-weight distributions and composition distributions were produced. The stretchability and properties of these films were investigated and the relationship between the stretchability and the material properties were also discussed. The material properties of LLDPE which showed better stretchability were reported. Furthermore, the stretchability of LLDPE by using the laboratory tenter stretched film (LTSF) and the DBTF were compared. The prediction of the stretchability for the DBTF by using the LTSF was reported.

We have conducted the linear stability analysis of flow in a channel with periodically grooved parts by using the spectral element method. The channel is composed of parallel plates with rectangular grooves on one side in a streamwise direction. The flow field is assumed to be two-dimensional and fully developed. At a relatively small Reynolds number, the flow is in a steady-state, whereas a self-sustained oscillatory flow occurs at a critical Reynolds number as a result of Hopf bifurcation due to an oscillatory instability mode. In order to evaluate the critical Reynolds number, the linear stability theory is applied to the complex laminar flow in the periodically grooved channel by constituting the generalized eigenvalue problem of matrix form using a penalty-function method. The critical Reynolds number can be determined by the sign of a linear growth rate of the eigenvalues

This paper demonstrates the advanced 300mm 0.13μm BCD platform with high flexibility. This platform brings about the various combinations from ten kinds of device options and three kinds of wiring options. Especially, for DMOS which plays an important role on the BCD platform, the best in class low Rdson is realized on Si-bulk. Furthermore, the highly reliable Flash memory cell is embedded on the 0.13μm BCD platform. This cell shows the excellent retention reliability of more than 20 years under 150°C after 100K erase/write cycles can be estimated.

The response of arterial blood pressure to an increase in intrathoracic pressure has been shown to be predictive of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. We devised a new method, which we termed the arterial pressure ratio. We defined arterial pressure ratio as the ratio of systolic blood pressure of the final beat during the strain phase of the Valsalva manoeuvre to that during apnoea before the manoeuvre, and tested the accuracy of arterial pressure ratio in predicting pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. In 30 patients scheduled for elective abdominal aortic reconstruction, following induction of general anaesthesia and tracheal intubation, a 20-G catheter and pulmonary artery catheter were inserted through the radial artery and right internal jugular vein, respectively. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was then measured during a brief period of apnoea and the Valsalva manoeuvre was performed by application of pressure to the reservoir bag. Airway pressure was maintained at 30 cmH2O for 10 s and then released. Radial arterial pressure and airway pressure were recorded simultaneously, and arterial pressure ratio was calculated. There was a close linear correlation between arterial pressure ratio and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r = 0.88, p < 0.0001).

In order to minimize the refractory and relining labor cost of tundish and to achieve high productivity, a practice of hot tundish recycling has been introduced at the No. 4 slab caster at Mizushima Works. A remarkable extension of tundish refractory life is obtained with the hot cycle tundish operation. Firstly, the skull and slag is dumped out of the tundish immediately after the end of casting at casting floor, followed by a quick exchange of the tundish nozzle. Then, the tundish is kept hot enough and inert with the N 2 jet heater which can prevent the oxidation of adherent metal so as to secure the bottom slab qualities at the next casting. This report describes the successful recycle operation of hot tundish featuring the newly developed N 2 jet heater and its effects on the slab qualities.

We have designed and demonstrated a top-pinned magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) free layer, which eliminated the offset field. The key SAF structure was designed on the basis of a prediction derived from micromagnetic simulations. As a result, fabricated MTJ with an SAF free layer exhibited stable switching without applying an external field.