Search

The thermal expansion occurring when a laser beam is incident on the surface of a solid can be used to excite ultrasonic waves in the solid medium, without causing damage to the material. The resulting wavefield is characterized by a dominant shear wave and a weak compressional wave. This Letter demonstrates the possibility of generating a dominant compressional wavefield by coating the surface with a layer of clear ice. This is achieved by exploiting a minimum in the attenuation spectrum of light in ice, which occurs at around 500 nm and renders the coating transparent to green laser radiation. Ice coatings could, therefore, provide a path for the development of more sensitive laser-based nondestructive testing methods that have traditionally been affected by the poor excitability of compressional waves, especially along the direction orthogonal to the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency-dependent carrier dynamics in dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DNTT)- based organic field-effect transistors and metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors were studied by using admittance measurements. Both the real (conductance) and imaginary (capacitance) components of admittance, which have a mutually complementary relationship, were analyzed in the same way. On the basis of an experimental study of devices with different contact geometries, peaks observed in the conductance spectra corresponding to slopes in the capacitance spectra were classified into two groups. The high-frequency peak was attributed to the carrier injection from the top contact to the DNTT/insulator interface just underneath the contact while the low-frequency peaks were attributed to the drift current spreading all over the interface. The model calculation of carrier diffusion reproduces the low-frequency peaks very well. It is shown that the field-effect mobility from the accumulation region to the subthreshold region can be estimated by the fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a four-pixel array of superconducting transition-edge sensors with gold absorbers for the detection of a 29.2 keV γ -ray doublet decay from 229 Th. To identify the decay, an energy resolution better than 20 eV full width at half maximum (FWHM) is needed. We measured an energy resolution of 14 eV FWHM for 26 keV γ -ray decay from an 241 Am isotope in combined data of three pixels. We describe the design and the performance of the devices and discuss the baseline correction method to compensate the variation in the baseline, which was observed during the evaluation of the performance using the 241 Am isotope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancement and control of carrier lifetimes in p-type 4H-SiC have been investigated. In this study, thermal oxidation and carbon ion implantation methods, both of which are effective for lifetime enhancement in n-type SiC, were attempted on 147-μm thick p-type 4H-SiC epilayers. Effects of surface passivation on carrier lifetimes were also investigated. The carrier lifetimes in p-type SiC could be enhanced from 0.9 μs (as-grown) to 2.6 μs by either thermal oxidation or carbon implantation and subsequent Ar annealing, although the improvement effect for the p-type epilayers was smaller than that for the n-type epilayers. After the lifetime enhancement, electron irradiation was performed to control the carrier lifetime. The distribution of carrier lifetimes in each irradiated region was rather uniform, along with successful lifetime control in the p-type epilayer in the range from 0.1 to 1.6 μs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local distribution of orientation relationship between austenite and martensite is quantitatively examined using lath martensite in an ultra-low-carbon steel. Orientation relationship is systematically deviated between near Greninger–Troiano and Nishiyama–Wasserman orientation relationships around variant boundaries of the smallest misorientation pair, which is observed as the most frequent variant pair in the steel. Misorientation between this variant pair is decreased at some boundaries of the pair. Formation mechanism of the pair is discussed using the observed boundary characters. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of reduction of deep levels and surface passivation on carrier lifetimes in p-type 4H-SiC epilayers are investigated. The authors reported that the carrier lifetime in n-type epilayers increased by reduction of deep levels through thermal oxidation and thermal annealing. However, the carrier lifetimes in p-type epilayers were not significantly enhanced. In this study, in order to investigate the influence of surface passivation on the carrier lifetimes, the epilayer surface was passivated by different oxidation techniques. While the improvement of the carrier lifetime in n-type epilayers was small, the carrier lifetime in p-type epilayers were remarkably improved by appropriate surface passivation. For instance, the carrier lifetime was improved from 1.4 μs to 2.6 μs by passivation with deposited SiO2 annealed in NO. From these results, it was revealed that surface recombination is a limiting factor of carrier lifetimes in p-type 4H-SiC epilayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dependencies of temperature and injection level on carrier lifetimes in 50 μm thick p-type and n-type 4H-SiC epilayers have been investigated. The carrier lifetimes have been measured by differential microwave photoconductance decay measurements at various injection levels and temperatures. In both p-type and n-type epilayers, the carrier lifetimes gradually increased with increasing the injection level, which were naturally expected from the Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) model, and after taking a maximum, the lifetimes dropped at the very high-injection level. In contrast, the carrier lifetimes exhibited continuous increase with elevating the temperature for both epilayers. In addition, the impact of thermal oxidation process on the carrier lifetimes has been also investigated. The thermal oxidation process, by which the Z1/2 and EH6/7 centers were remarkably reduced that had been observed in n-type 4H-SiC in our previous work, led to the improvement of the carrier lifetimes especially for n-type epilayers. The carrier lifetime reached 4.1 μs in p-type and 6.1 μs in n-type epilayers at 250 °C with an injection level of 1.8×1016 cm-3 through the thermal oxidation processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simulation formalism for the nonlinear response of vibrational excitons is presented and applied to the OH stretching vibrations of neat liquid H2O. The method employs numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation and allows explicit treatment of fluctuating transition frequencies, vibrational couplings, dipole moments, and the anharmonicities of all these quantities, as well as nonadiabatic effects. The split operator technique greatly increases computational feasibility and performance. The electrostatic map for the OH stretching vibrations in liquid water employed in our previous study [A. Paarmann et al., J. Chem. Phys. 128, 191103 (2008)] is presented. The two-dimensional spectra are in close agreement with experiment. The fast 100 fs dynamics are primarily attributed to intramolecular mixing between states in the two-dimensional OH stretching potential. Small intermolecular couplings are sufficient to reproduce the experimental energy transfer time scales. Interference effects between Liouville pathways in excitonic systems and their impact on the analysis of the nonlinear response are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional infrared photon echo and pump probe studies of the OH stretch vibration provide a sensitive probe of the correlations and couplings in the hydrogen bond network of liquid water. The nonlinear response is simulated using numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation with a Hamiltonian constructed to explicitly treat intermolecular coupling and nonadiabatic effects in the highly disordered singly and doubly excited vibrational exciton manifolds. The simulated two-dimensional spectra are in close agreement with our recent experimental results. The high sensitivity of the OH stretch vibration to the bath dynamics is found to arise from intramolecular mixing between states in the two-dimensional anharmonic OH stretch potential. Surprisingly small intermolecular couplings reproduce the experimentally observed intermolecular energy transfer times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the process of forming for carbon nanotubes and their filling with metallic fibers developed on ion-emitting field anodes. Graphitization of the carbon nanotubes; Examination of the growth morphology and lateral dimension of metallic fibers; Investigation of the structure and composition of metallic fibers.

Highlights • A novel degradation diagnosis method for photovoltaic modules was proposed. • The proposed method utilizes xenon flash lighting system and detector capacitor. • The proposed method includes sensing process of module temperature. • The proposed method can evaluate increase of module internal series resistance. • The proposed method can find out modules with broken bypass diode. Abstract This paper proposes a novel and unique degradation diagnosis method for photovoltaic modules employing a xenon flash lighting system and a capacitor for degradation detection connected to the module output. The xenon flash lighting system is not only compact and lightweight but also small in power consumption and can be lit by batteries. Therefore, the portability of the lighting system is satisfactory, and the proposed diagnosis method is expected to be relatively easily applicable to outdoor photovoltaic power plants. In addition, since the lighting system can provide artificial and precisely controlled intense flash light to the module and this proposed method includes a sensing process of the module temperature, this proposed method can, in principle, evaluate the internal series resistance and determine accurate degradation level independent of the weather and temperature conditions. The authors carried out the numerical simulations and successfully made clear that the theoretically unavoidable measurement error of the internal series resistance is only 2% less than its variation width, confirming the validity of the basic ideas of the proposed degradation diagnosis method. The authors then performed the demonstration test experiments using a prototype experimental apparatus and investigated its practicability for real PV modules, successfully confirming that the same accuracy as expected through the simulations can be achieved also through the experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines electron and ion currents collected at the metal shield and floating shield to study the behavior of high-current vacuum arcs. Behavior of the arcs with the active anode; Property of vacuum arc on small copper electrodes; Difference between the maximum value and the value at the arc-current crest.

Studies the effect of annealing on the microstructure of co-sputtered thin films consisting of cobalt nanograins embedded in carbon. Control of the particle size; Variation in carbon concentration; Deposition chamber geometry.

We have numerically calculated transport characteristics on a Miller-Abraham network in a non-linear regime by solving the Kirchhoff's current law at each site. Assuming the Mott model, we obtained the relation between current density and electric field, J ∝ exp ( γ E ) , which has often been observed in low-mobility materials and whose mechanism has been a source of controversy for over half a century. Our numerical calculation makes it possible to analyze the energy configuration of relevant hopping sites and visualize percolation networks. Following the percolation theory proposed by Shklovskii [Shklovskii, Sov. Phys. Semicond. 10 , 855 (1976)], we show that the main mechanism of the field dependence is the replacement of dominating resistances accompanied by the geometrical evolution of the percolation networks. Our calculation is so general that it can be applied to hopping transport in a variety of systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the hypothesis that SIRT1 upregulation prior to cryopreservation helps in recuperation from cryoinjury and improves the embryo quality. Bovine blastocysts were produced in vitro , and at Day 6 or 7 after fertilization, the blastocysts were cultured with 0 or 1 μM resveratrol for 6 or 24 h. This short duration of resveratrol treatment did not affect the embryo development or the grade of the blastocysts. However, both the durations of resveratrol treatment (6 h or 24 h) significantly increased the expression levels of SIRT1. When embryos pre-treated with resveratrol (0 or 1 μM) were cryopreserved and subsequently thawed, the hatching rates following 48 h of incubation were significantly higher for the resveratrol-treated embryos than for vehicle-treated embryos. Moreover, the resveratrol pretreatment significantly increased the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in the embryos, irrespective of the treatment durations. The in vitro -produced embryos at 6 days of insemination and the in vivo -developed embryos, which were collected from the donor cows at 6.5 days of insemination, were treated with resveratrol for 6 or 24 h prior to cryopreservation, respectively. The resveratrol pretreatment (for 6 or 24 h) resulted in high conception rate after thawing and transfer to the recipients, in both the in vivo and in vitro -produced embryos. In conclusion, our results suggest that pretreatment of bovine embryos with resveratrol improves the quality of embryos after cryopreservation and thawing probably through mitochondrial synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hydrogen (H 2 ) 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 H 2 gas and CO gas (dual gas) in comparison with hydrogen gas (H 2 : 2%) alone on I-R renal injury (composition of dual gas; N 2 : 77.8%; O 2 : 20.9%; H 2 : 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) H 2 gas alone inhalation (H 2 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 H 2 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We calculate the electron excitation in cubic silicon carbide caused by the intense femtosecond laser double pulses using the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). After the first pulse ends, excited electrons should be relaxed by collisional processes. Because TDDFT does not include scattering processes, thermalization is mimicked by following three assumptions. First, we assume no collisions and relaxation processes. Second, we assume the partially thermalized electronic state defined by two quasi-temperatures in the conduction and valence bands individually. Third, we assume the thermalized electron distribution, which is expressed by single electron temperature. Our results indicate that the plasma frequency (ωpl) formed by the first pulse is the key parameter in energy absorption in the second pulse. When the plasma frequency of the plasma formed by the first laser approaches the frequency of the laser, resonant excitation by the second pulse occurs. The lower electron temperature shows higher ωpl and higher efficient energy absorption because the effective mass of the electron becomes smaller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the predictivity and applicability of previously proposed models for the reproductive toxicity of chemicals to Daphnia magna [SAR QSAR Environ. Res. 27:10, 833–850] by using external data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency database ECOTOX. These models were based on quantitative structure–activity–activity relationships (QSAARs) and a quantitative activity–activity relationship (QAAR): the models can be categorized as acute-to-chronic models with (QSAAR) and without (QAAR) structural and physicochemical (e.g. distribution coefficients, logD) descriptors. We found that the QSAAR models were suitable for chemicals with an ‘–NH2attached to aromatic carbon’ sub-structure, whereas the QAAR model was better for multicomponent compounds, coordination complexes, tin compounds and straight-chain primary amines. For chemicals with a known specific mode of action (e.g. pesticides and antibacterial agents and their derivatives), toxicity estimation within the acute-to-chronic framework requires special attention. We evaluated the applicability of the models on the basis of the descriptors in the models. We recommend that chemicals be pre-screened before their toxicities are estimated with these models: pre-screening enabled the estimation of the toxicities of some chemicals within the applicability domains of the models. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction of a ferromagnetic quantum well in a ferromagnetic tunnel junction is shown to greatly enhance the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect, due to spin filtering as well as energy filtering. We have theoretically analyzed resonant transmission probability of a magnetic double barrier heterostructure consisting of III–V based ferromagnetic semiconductor GaMnAs, and nonmagnetic semiconductor AlAs. Experimentally, we have observed very large TMR effect of such a system grown by low-temperature molecular-beam epitaxy, and have shown that some of the measured tunneling features are attributed to spin-dependent resonant tunneling. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We constructed models for acute to chronic estimation of theDaphnia magnareproductive toxicities of chemical substances from theirDaphnia magnaacute immobilization toxicities. The models combined the acute toxicities with structural and physicochemical descriptors. We used multiregression analysis and selected the descriptors for the models by means of a genetic algorithm. Of the best 100 models (as indicated by the lack of fit score), 90% included the following descriptors: acute toxicity (i.e. an activity parameter), distribution coefficient (logD) and structural indicator variables that indicate the presence of –NH2attached to aromatic carbon and the presence of a chlorine atom. We compared the predictive abilities of five of these quantitative structure–activity–activity relationship (QSAAR) acute to chronic estimation models with the predictive ability of a simple linear regression model. The comparison revealed that inclusion of structural and physicochemical descriptors such as those in QSAAR models can improve models for extrapolation from acute to chronic toxicity. Our results also provide a QSAAR framework that is expected to be useful for the further development of chronic toxicity estimation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the magnetrotransport properties of the (Ga1-xMnx) As/AlAs magnetic semiconductor superlattices (SLs), specifically dealing with the Hall effect. How the magnetic (GaMnAs)/nonmagnetic SLs were grown; Discussion on the dependence of the magnetic and transport properties on the GaMnAs well width; Features of diluted magnetic semiconductors containing a large fraction of magnetic ions in compound semiconductors.

Describes the magnetic circular dichroism spectra of Ga1-xMnxAs expitaxial films, while examining their electronic structure. Method used to observe the ferromagnetic ordering of these films; How the films were grown.

Investigates the magnetic and magnetotransport properties of novel III-V diluted magnetic semiconductors. Growing of the GaMnAs thin films on GaAs(001) substrates by low temperature molecular beam epitaxy.

We report the fabrication and evaluation of the Cu/Bi bilayer absorber with electrodeposition. We designed the Cu/Bi absorber to satisfy the requirements for scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The residual resistivity ratios of films of Cu and Bi with electrodeposition was $${5.91\pm 0.49}$$ and $${2.06\pm 0.33}$$ , respectively; these values are sufficient for the requirements of STEM. We found that the Cu/Bi bilayer absorber TES microcalorimeter experienced a pulse-shape variation and we considered that these variations were caused by the quality of the contact surface between the absorber and TES. In addition, we examined the structure of the absorber using focus ion beam analysis and STEM. The results suggest that an oxidation between the Cu and seed layer, in which the layer is an electrode for electrodeposition, yielded variations. Moreover, thermal simulation suggests that the thermal conduction between the absorber and TES caused variations. The results of this study will improve the process of Bi electrodeposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives We developed a hollow-fibre column system specifically adapted to prepare washed platelet concentrates ( WPCs). This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the hollow-fibre column system for preparing WPCs. Materials and Methods First, the percentages of platelet ( PLT) recovery and remaining plasma proteins were calculated by determining the PLT count, volume and plasma protein levels in both the prewash and postwash. Secondly, washed PLTs and unwashed control PLTs were stored for 5 days, and the changes during this 5-day storage of in vitro PLT characteristics were determined. Results The hollow-fibre column system effectively removed >98% of plasma in platelet concentrates ( PCs), and the PLT recovery was 97% on an average. The CD62P-expression level on washed PLTs immediately after washing was approximately twofold higher than that on prewashed PLTs as well as on PLTs washed via manual methods or cell washing devices. Until day 5 during storage, PLT aggregability, hypotonic shock response and swirling scores of washed PLTs were not significantly different from those of the control PCs. Conclusion Our novel hollow-fibre column system proved valuable in preparing washed PLTs with <2% of residual plasma proteins and high recovery of PLTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:A proportion of obese subjects appear metabolically healthy (MHO) but little is known about the natural history of MHO and factors predicting its future conversion to metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO).Objectives:The aim was to determine prospectively the frequency of conversion of MHO to MUO and the clinical variables that independently predicted this conversion, with a particular focus on the role of body composition.Methods:We identified 85 Japanese Americans with MHO (56 men, 29 women), aged 34-73 years (mean age 49.8 years) who were followed at 2.5, 5 and 10 years after enrollment with measurements of metabolic characteristics, lifestyle and abdominal and thigh fat areas measured by computed tomography. Obesity was defined using the Asian body mass index criterion of ⩾25 kg m−2. Metabolically healthy was defined as the presence of ⩽2 of 5 metabolic syndrome components proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III, while metabolically unhealthy was defined as ⩾3 components.Results:Over 10 years of follow-up, 55 MHO individuals (64.7%) converted to MUO. Statistically significant univariate predictors of conversion included dyslipidemia, greater insulin resistance and greater visceral abdominal (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal fat area (SAT). In multivariate analysis, VAT (odds ratio per 1-s.d. increment (95% confidence interval) 2.04 (1.11-3.72), P=0.021), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (0.24 (0.11-0.53), P<0.001), fasting plasma insulin (2.45 (1.07-5.62), P=0.034) and female sex (5.37 (1.14-25.27), P=0.033) were significantly associated with future conversion to MUO. However, SAT was not an independent predictor for future conversion to MUO.Conclusions:In this population, MHO was a transient state, with nearly two-thirds developing MUO over 10 years, with higher conversion to MUO independently associated with VAT, female sex, higher fasting insulin level and lower baseline HDL cholesterol level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose The stroke severity on admission and clinical outcomes were compared between ischaemic stroke patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation ( NVAF) of the persistent (Pe AF) and paroxysmal ( PAF) types. Methods The study comprised 9293 patients with cardioembolic stroke and NVAF who were registered in the Japanese stroke databank: 6522 had Pe AF (70.2%) and 2771 had PAF (29.8%). Stroke severity on admission and the clinical outcomes on discharge were retrospectively compared between these patient groups. Results The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (median, interquartile range) was 10 (3-20) for Pe AF patients and 7 (2-17) for PAF patients, indicating that stroke severity on admission was significantly worse in Pe AF patients than PAF patients ( P < 0.001). Good outcomes (modified Rankin scale score ≤2) were achieved by 45% Pe AF patients and 53% PAF patients. Thus, Pe AF patients had significantly poorer clinical outcomes than PAF patients ( P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher amongst Pe AF patients (11%) than PAF patients (8%) ( P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of factors contributing to clinical outcomes showed that Pe AF was a contributing factor for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.261; 95% confidence interval 1.011-1.652; P = 0.045). Conclusions Amongst cardioembolic stroke patients with NVAF, those with Pe AF have significantly higher stroke severity on admission than those with PAF, and Pe AF is a factor contributing to in-hospital mortality. Thus, our study suggests that the type of atrial fibrillation affects stroke severity and clinical outcomes following cerebral infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 57 Fe nucleus in the solar core could emit a 14.4-keV monochromatic axion through the M1 transition if a hypothetical elementary particle, axion, exists to solve the strong CP problem. Transition edge sensor (TES) X-ray microcalorimeters can detect such axions very efficiently if they are again converted into photons by a 57 Fe absorber. We have designed and produced a dedicated TES array with 57 Fe absorbers for the solar axion search. The iron absorber is set next to the TES, keeping a certain distance to reduce the iron-magnetization effect on the spectroscopic performance. A gold thermal transfer strap connects them. A sample pixel irradiated from a 55 Fe source detected 698 pulses. In contrast to thermal simulations, we consider that the pulses include either events produced in an iron absorber or gold strap at a fraction dependent on the absorption rate of each material. Furthermore, photons deposited on the iron absorber are detected through the strap as intended. The identification of all events still needs to be completed. However, we successfully operated the TES with the unique design under iron magnetization for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the natural course of cavernous nerve recovery following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP), early intervention of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LIESWT) would be more effective for enhancing overall recovery of potency. We analyzed longitudinally alterations in sexual function in patients after RARP, with focus on the effect of early and delayed intervention with LIESWT. This study was open-label prospective study. Four patients after RARP were enrolled into this study's protocol over a period between January and June 2017. This early intervention was performed three times a week for two weeks in admission and one time per week in our out patient clinic for six weeks. For the purpose of setting a control group, the same surgeon performed RARP on 4 patients over a period between June 2012 and December 2014. These patients received LIESWT and this delayed protocol was same as that by Vardi et al. The same surgeon performed RARP on 100 patients over a period between April 2012 and February 2015. These patients were assigned to the non-LIESWT group for setting another control group. Sexual function (SF) was assessed with the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC). A validated form of self-reported questionnaire was administered to the inpatients before RARP, and mailed to all patients receiving RARP at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after RARP. There was no significant inter-group difference in the baseline patient characteristics and surgical outcomes. The mean duration from RARP to the start of penile rehabilitation was 6 months for patients of the delayed LIESWT group. The SF score was significantly higher at preoperative, postoperative 6 and 9 months (p=0.0024, 0.0001, and 0.0004) in the early-LIESWT group. The SF score of early-LIESWT was significantly higher than that of delayed-LIESWT at postoperative 6 and 9 months (19.7 vs. 7.4; p = 0.0153, 26.2 vs. 6.1; p = 0.0154). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the SF score between delayed and non-LIESWT groups at all time points. Our findings show that penile rehabilitation with LIESWT immediately before urethral catheter removal improved sexual function scores. Our preliminary results suggest that LIESWT could be used as a treatment option in penile rehabilitation. Work supported by industry: no. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact surface potential based model for organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), including both tail and deep trap states across the band gap, is reported. The model has been developed on the basis of a complete surface potential approach for undoped-body OTFTs. Accurate surface potentials are calculated by explicitly including the floating backside potential that varies with applied biases. A pseudo-2D resistor model is developed to capture the structural features of the OTFT. The resistor model considers, in particular, the effects originating from a bias dependent 2D current flow in the channel region and results in accurate reproduction of the electrical characteristics. The fitting capability of the developed OTFT model is verified against measured high-performance dinaphtho thieno thiophene (DNTT) based field-effect transistor data. Accurate reproduction of the current characteristics of the OTFT test structures is verified from a week to a strong inversion regime. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Objectives CD36 antibody ( Ab) causes several disorders: neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, platelet transfusion refractoriness and non-haemolytic transfusion reactions. However, there is no gold-standard test for CD36 Ab. Materials and Methods We developed a transfectant panel cell line-based Mo Ab-independent antigen capture assay system for detection of CD36 Ab and compared it with the monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens ( MAIPA) system in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Results Our new system was characterized by (1) gene-transfected cell lines, but not panel platelets; (2) not being hampered by HLA Abs; and (3) no need to use CD36 Mo Abs to ensure the antigen specificity of this detection system. In addition, it showed a much better receiver operating characteristic curve than the MAIPA system. Conclusions The present results indicate that our new system permits highly sensitive and specific detection of CD36 Ab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design:This was a retrospective observational study.Objectives:The objectives were to describe the prognosis of upper extremity function following cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI), and to identify prognostic factors for functional recovery.Setting:Spinal Injuries Center, Japan.Methods:Sixty patients with C3-4 CSCI without major bone injury participated in the study. Patients were treated nonsurgically and evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scales for the upper and lower extremities, their residual cervical motor functions, the modified Frankel grade and an upper extremity function scale. We compared the findings for the upper extremity function scale at 6 months with those for the residual cervical motor functions and modified Frankel grade obtained 3 days after injury.Results:Most patients with CSCI who could flex their hip and knee from a supine position (95%) or who showed some active elbow extension (86%) 3 days after their injury could use a spoon at 6 months. We compared patients who used their fingers at 6 months to those who could not, and observed significant differences in age and ASIA scores for the upper and lower extremities obtained 3 days after injury. A strong correlation was observed between the initial motor scores and the extent of functional recovery at 6 months.Conclusion:Hip and knee flexion from the supine position and elbow extension 3 days after injury significantly predicted a positive prognosis for upper extremity function. Younger age and higher ASIA motor scores obtained 3 days after injury were factors associated with neurological recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present paper, we will introduce the synthesis and application of carbon nanotubes as filler for nanocomposite materials. Physical and chemical properties such as mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, chemical stability, density and affinity with the matrix vary a lot among different types of carbon nanotubes. We first will overview the main component of nanocomposite, carbon nanotube and its synthesis and purification, and introduce some of the nanocomposites and its applications that we have taken part in the development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A polycrystalline solar cell with several grains was investigated by the laser-SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) microscope. The laser-SQUID microscopy detects the magnetic field generated by a photo-induced current. This technique enables nondestructive and noncontact evaluation of semiconductor samples. A needle made of high permeability material was used to transmit the magnetic field near the sample to the SQUID. The needle and the SQUID were shifted in the x- and y-directions from the center of a laser spot. The laser-SQUID microscope images varied with needle position. This indicated the possibility of current estimation using a laser-SQUID microscope. In this study the sample was also evaluated using Laser Beam Induced Current (LBIC) which is widely used for evaluation of the conversion efficiency distribution of solar cells. The laser-SQUID microscope image was compared with the LBIC image and was found to be similar. This result showed that laser-SQUID microscopy can be used for the electrical evaluation of solar cells without contact, and furthermore has the possibility of estimation of the photocurrent direction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The permeation behavior of tritium through pure iron into the gas containing water vapor has been studied. It was found that the permeation rate of tritium was almost the same as that with no water vapor, and the major chemical form of tritium was HTO. It was also found that the permeation rate was decreased to ∼1/10 of the above value by plated with gold, and the major chemical form was HT. As for the behavior of high concentration tritium water, it was observed that the formation of the oxidized layer was prevented by the presence of tritium in water (0.23GBq/cc). A set of data for an advanced chemical exchange column has been obtained as R&D on the tritiated water processing. The packing and catalyst were uniformly mixed into the advanced column. It has been proved that there was possibility that the advanced column has a large separation factor in comparison with the ordinary columns, where the packing and catalyst were alternately packed. Tritium durability tests were also carried out for the electrolysis cell of the chemical exchange column. The ion conductivity of the main material of the cell (Nafion) was hardly decreased even in the case of 1600kGy irradiation by gamma ray. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Platelets undergo structural and biochemical alterations during in vitro storage and these are collectively called platelet storage lesions (PSL). The mitochondrion is an important cell organelle involved not only in energy production but also in the regulation of cellular functions and viability. This implies that some platelet functions may be regulated by mitochondria; hence, preservation of mitochondrial functions may be important for the maintenance of platelet quality in stored platelet concentrates (PCs). This work describes the effects of various compounds on mitochondrial functions important for the maintenance of platelet quality in in vitro stored PCs. PCs were stored at 22 °C with gentle agitation in the presence or absence of 2,4-dinitrophenol, antimycin A, acetyl--carnitine and ascorbic acid. The effects of these products on platelet quality were assessed by analysing glucose and lactate concentrations, pH of the storage medium, shape of the platelets, mitochondrial membrane potential and depolarisation, surface expression of CD62P and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. 2,4-Dinitrophenol and antimycin A increased PSL levels, whereas acetyl--carnitine reduced the level of changes in pH and mitochondrial depolarisation. Ascorbic acid in the storage medium resulted in improved levels of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. However, none of the examined reagents suppressed CD62P expression in platelets. These results suggest that preservation of mitochondrial function is fundamental, but not fully sufficient, for the maintenance of platelet in vitro quality during storage. Further research is necessary to develop methods for preserving both mitochondrial and platelet functions in in vitro stored PCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A panel of platelets expressing various human platelet antigens (HPAs) for a platelet antibody screening assay is difficult to prepare because some antigens are rarely expressed. Therefore, an alternative method without using platelets would be helpful in detecting HPA antibodies. This study describes the establishment of cell lines that stably express specific HPAs and their application for detecting specific antibodies. Wild-type β3, HPA-1b, -6b, -7b and -7 variant cDNA as well as wild-type αIIb and HPA-3b cDNA were individually co-transduced with wild-type αIIb and β3 cDNA in the K562 cell line. We performed an immunobead monoclonal antibody immobilisation of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay to evaluate this cell line panel for antibody detection using identified sera containing HPA antibodies, whose specificities had been determined by the mixed passive haemagglutination test. Of the 12 sera containing HPA-1a ( n = 2), HPA-3a ( n = 6), HPA-6b ( n = 3) or HPA-7 variant ( n = 1) antibodies, all antibodies were detected and determined by our new method, except for two HPA-3a antibodies. One of the two antibodies was also negative for conventional platelet MAIPA, suggesting that the cell line panel might be used as an alternative source of platelet antigens in the MAIPA assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustained exposure to high serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels is likely to play a role in the development of the thyroid tumor in acromegaly; however,there is no report that indicate a promoting effect on the secretion of hormones by the thyroid tumor. We report a case of acromegaly in a seventy-one-year-old female with primary subclinical hyperthyroidism. Autoantibodies including anti-thyroglobulin antibody, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody were all negative. Ultrasonography of the thyroid demonstrated a solid adenoma in the left thyroid lobe and Technetium-99m thyroid scintigraphy showed a high level of accumulation into the same lesion, indicating that toxic nodular goiter (TNG) was the cause of hyperthyroidism. Despite serum thyroid hormones remaining at normal levels, serum TSH levels went on decreasing gradually until transsphenoidal surgery to treat a growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenoma. Interestingly, as IGF-I and GH levels normalized after operation, the serum TSH level increased and finally reached the normal level without intervention to the thyroid. Additionally, accumulation of Technetium-99m seen with thyroid scintigraphy slightly decreased. The evidence obtained from this case may suggest a novel mechanism whereby excessive secretion of thyroid hormones from TNG in an acromegalic patient is regulated by IGF-I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The relationship between fibroids and infertility remains an unsolved question, and management of intramural fibroids is controversial. During the implantation phase, uterine peristalsis is dramatically reduced, which is thought to facilitate embryo implantation. Our aims were to evaluate (i) the occurrence and frequency of uterine peristalsis in infertile women with intramural fibroids and (ii) whether the presence of uterine peristalsis decreases the pregnancy rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate an association between a power-law relationship of constituents’ flows (mean versus standard deviation) and their covariance matrix on a directed bipartite network. We propose a Poisson mixture model and a method to infer states of the constituents’ flows on such a bipartite network from empirical observation without a priori knowledge on the network structure. By using a proposed parameter estimation method with high frequency financial data we found that the scaling exponent and simultaneous cross-correlation matrix have a positive correspondence relationship. Consequently we conclude that the scaling exponent tends to be 1/2 in the case of desynchronous (specific dynamics is dominant), and to be 1 in the case of synchronous (common dynamics is dominant). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of considering different downstream temperatures on the performance of a two-layer porous burner is studied numerically. A 3D numerical model based on a unit cell was implemented to correctly predict the momentum, heat and mass transfer at the interface of the two layers. Two operating modes are simulated corresponding to the burner radiating to cold and hot environments. When the burner radiates to a hot environment, its radiative heat losses are lower and, as a consequence, the temperatures and pollutants emissions are higher. Additionally, the flame front moves upstream and stabilizes nearer the interface of the two layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) with different biofunctional roles may occur simultaneously in QTL analysis. Categorizing these QTL by their functional roles is imperative for choosing markers suitable for marker-assisted selection and gene searching. The feasibility of the QTL categorization is discussed in the context of QTL analysis for chemical concentration in seed grains. Our simulated QTL analysis under simple, hypothetical histo-developmental and genetic models shows that, based on the concentration scores taken by conventional methods such as near-infrared transmittance spectroscopy (called score C), a gene can be detected as a QTL even though it has no role in the synthesis or storage of the objective chemical. Such QTL, called nominal QTL, will not be useful as a target of marker-assisted selection for a high chemical harvest. When QTL patterns obtained with score C are compared with those obtained with a modified score, score C × grain weight (called score D), nominal QTL can be distinguished and QTL can be categorized into two groups of functional categories, that is, QTL that control the size of tissues and QTL that control the rate of chemical synthesis. When QTL patterns are evaluated across multiple chemicals, QTL in each group can be distinguished by their functional charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to environmental variation, xyloglucan could fix the microfibrils to the inner surface of the wall to withstand the tensile stress generated within the G-layer. This would explain why the basal regions of stems of transgenic poplars overexpressing xyloglucanase could not bend upward. This finding has ramifications for the production of bioethanol, which requires tree cellulose to be enzymatically hydrolyzed. The level of cellulose degradation with enzymes was markedly increased in the xylem overexpressing xyloglucanase. We propose that xyloglucan serves as a key hemicellulose and a tightening tether of cellulose microfibrils in the secondary walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]