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We evaluated the filtration performance of microporous metal membranes fabricated by the rolling process. Metal wire meshes were rolled with thickness reduction ratios of 10, 20, and 30%. The pore size of the metal wire mesh membrane decreased with increasing rolling ratio, whereas the removal efficiency of the suspended solids and turbidity showed a very slight increase compared to that of an unrolled mesh membrane. The metal powder was dispersed on the surface of the rolled metal wire mesh membrane and bound with polyvinyl alcohol, then dried at 100°C for 1 h, and finally sintered at 1,000°C for 3 h. The mean pore size, suspended solids, and turbidity of the metal powder membrane at a rolling ratio of 30% were approximately 0.7 μm, 84% and 83%, respectively. Therefore, microporous metal membranes successfully fabricated by the rolling process were also sufficiently permeable filters.

Chalcogenide glass in the ternary Ge-Sb-Se system is inherently moldable, thus being considered as a strong candidate material for use in infrared-transmitting lens applications from the viewpoint of thermal and mechanical stability. In an effort to experimentally determine compositional region suitable for the molded lens applications, we evaluate its compositional dependence of hardness. Among the constituent atoms, Ge content turns out to exert a most conspicuous correlation with hardness. This phenomenological behavior is then explained in connection with the structural evolution that Ge brings about.

For an accurate analysis of hot stamping, a coupled simulation with different aspects of the process(i.e. mechanical, thermal, and phase transformation) is needed. However, coupled simulations are time consuming and costly. Therefore, the current study proposes a simplified method focused on the forming for the hot stamping simulation of a coupled torsion beam axle (CTBA) tubular beam. In this simplified method, non-isothermal conditions were assumed and only conduction was considered, since it represents the majority of the heat transfer during hot stamping. In addition, temperature and strain rate effects were also included. Moreover, an isothermal simulation was conducted and compared with a non-isothermal simulation. Finally, the simulations were verified by experiments. In conclusion, the proposed method is shown to be effective for the development of tube-type parts, and it effectively predicts the deformation of the tubular beam during hot stamping. Key Words : Boron Steel, Hot Stamping, Tubular Beam, Finite Element Simulation

Microstructure evolution of Ni-based oxide dispersion-strengthened alloy powders with milling time is investigated. The elemental powders having a nominal composition of Ni-15Cr-4.5Al-4W-2.5Ti-2Mo-2Ta-0.15Zr-1.1Y2O3in wt % were ball-milled by using horizontal rotary ball milling with the change of milling velocity. Microstructure observation revealed that large aggregates were formed in the early stages of ball milling, and further milling to 5 h decreased particle size. The average crystalline size, estimated by the peak broadening of XRD, decreased from 28 nm to 15 nm with increasing milling time from 1 h to 5 h. SEM and EPMA analysis showed that the main elements of Ni and Cr were homogeneously distributed inside the powders after ball milling of 5 h.

In ultra-precision machining, the inside temperature should be controlled precisely. The important factors are environmental conditions (outside temperature, humidity) and temperature conditions (cutting heat, spindle heat). Thus, in this study, an environmental control cell for the ultra-precision machine that could control the inside temperature and minimize effects of the surrounding environment to achieve a thermal deformation of less than 400nm of a specimen was designed and verified through C.F.D. Further, a method that could control the temperature precisely by using a blower, heat exchanger and heater was evaluated. As a result, this study established a C.F.D technic for the environmental control cell, and the specimen temperature was controlled to be within 17.465 ± 0.055℃.

We experienced a case of wide necrosis of the cervical gastric conduit during esophageal cancer surgery. We attempted to repair this defect with various methods including conservative care, stents two times, and sternocleidomastoid muscle flap without successful results. Finally, we were able to reconstruct the gastric conduit defect with rotational pectoralis major musculocutaneous (PMM) flap. PMM flap is thought to be a reconstruction method applicable to the intractable gastric conduit defect.

After North American wide area black out, various studies have been conducted to find out the reason of the disaster. One of main reasons was misoperation of generator protection system. Since then, protective coordination of generator protection system and excitation system control has been hot topic among electrical engineers. In order to analyze this problem in detail, we modeled detailed excitation system including underexcitation limiter and verified its performance and discussed protective coordination.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of the central corneal thickness (CCT)-based correction formulae for stratified CCT groups, with intraocular pressure (IOP) from the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (PDCT) as the reference standard. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Two hundred eighty-nine patients attending a specialist glaucoma practice and a mixture of normal subjects and subjects with confirmed glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Methods Intraocular pressure was measured using PDCT, Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), and the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA; Reichert Corp, Buffalo, NY). The GAT readings were obtained before automated readings and were adjusted for CCT using 4 different correction formulae. Discrepancies between GAT and CCT-corrected GAT readings were evaluated after stratification into thin, intermediate, and thick CCT groups. The IOP measurements from GAT, the ORA, and CCT-adjusted IOP were compared against PDCT IOP measurements using Bland-Altman analysis. Main Outcome Measures Mean, 95% limits of agreement, and proportion of patients with IOP difference of 20% or more between PDCT IOP and each of GAT IOP, Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg), corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc), and adjusted IOP using CCT-based correction formulae. Results Average PDCT IOP values were higher than GAT, IOPg, IOPcc, and CCT-adjusted IOP. The GAT IOP readings demonstrated poor agreement with PDCT IOP (95% limits of agreement, ± 4.7 mmHg); however, IOPg, IOPcc, and adjustment of GAT IOP with CCT-based formulae resulted in even poorer agreement (range of 95% limits of agreement, ± 5.1 to 6.7 mmHg). If PDCT was used as the reference standard, there was a 26% to 39% risk of making an erroneous IOP adjustment of magnitude of 20% or more at all levels of CCT. This risk was greatest in the patients with thicker corneas (CCT, ≥568 μm). Conclusions Adjusting IOP using CCT-based formulae resulted in poorer agreement with PDCT IOP when compared with unadjusted GAT IOP. If PDCT is the closest measure we have to intracameral IOP, there is a risk of creating clinically significant error after adjustment of GAT IOP with CCT-based correction formulae, especially in thicker corneas. This study suggests that although CCT may be useful in population analyses, CCT-based correction formulae should not be applied to individuals. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Reliability mechanisms associated with HK+MG transistors including latest FinFETs on 14nm technology node will be discussed along with circuit and product implications on reliabilty stresses and qualifications. Reliability efforts made at the transistor module level to circuit, IP blocks, and finally to a product level reliability will be discussed and limiting mechanisms and examples will be highlighted. As part of the product qual strategy, high-speed HTOL and Set level tests were leveraged to signficantly lower product dpms and seamless introduction of high volume manufacturing.

Objective Although elevated expression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia, it is unclear how hypoxia regulates placental sFlt1 expression. Thus, we investigated sFlt1 expression in placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies and in human placental hypoxia models in vitro to examine the role of the PI3K-Akt pathway in regulating the expression of this molecule. Methods We examined the expression of VEGF, PlGF, sFlt1, PI3K, Akt, and HIF-1 in placental samples from ten women with pre-eclampsia and ten normotensive control patients and in human choriocarcinoma trophoblast cells treated with 600 μM CoCl2 by Western blotting. Using models of placental hypoxia, we also determined whether inhibition of the PI3K-Akt pathway plays a direct role in regulating the expression of sFlt1. Results The VEGF, PlGF, sFlt1, PI3K, Akt, and HIF-1 levels were significantly higher in the preeclamptic placentas than the normal placentas. In the placental hypoxia models, the expression of VEGF and PlGF increased in a time-dependent manner, whereas the expression of sFlt1 plateaued after 3 h of CoCl2 treatment. The expression levels of p-Akt and PI3K were maximal after 6 and 12 h of CoCl2 treatment, respectively. The expression of HIF-1α increased in a time-dependent manner with CoCl2 treatment. Inhibition of the PI3K-Akt pathway with the PI3K-specific inhibitor LY294002 leads to decreased sFlt1 levels and unchanged or increased VEGF and PlGF levels. Conclusion Inhibition of the PI3K-Akt pathway may be a useful therapeutic approach, if it were to decrease sFlt1 secretion without inhibiting VEGF or PlGF secretion. This pathway provides a potential target for a new treatment strategy in patients with pre-eclampsia.

The effect of carbon mixing on the perpendicular magnetization of magnetron sputtered FePt thin films on our newly developed underlayer of Pt/MgO(p) composite thin-film was studied using magnetic property measurement and X-ray diffraction, and TEM microscopy. Micromagnetic simulation was carried out to study the effect of texture on the perpendicular coercivity. Unlike a general expectation, the mixing of FePt with carbon led to a significant enhancement in the perpendicular magnetization. The maximum enhancement of perpendicular magnetization was observed at about 22 vol.% of carbon, where carbon amorphous film started to completely enclose the individual FePt grains. This was because the epitaxial growth and thus perpendicular texture of ordered FePt grains were maximized in the isolated grain structure due to a maximum relaxation of coherency strain for epitaxial growth. The simulation showed that the enhancement of perpendicular texture can largely increase the perpendicular coercivity of FePt:C thin film.

Lentiviral vector system is efficient vehicles for the delivery of exogenous genes, and it is generally used in the generation of transgenic chickens. In this study, we used recombinant lentiviral vectors to generate transgenic chicks that express the human superoxide dismutase-3 gene driven by the chicken ovalbumin promoter. It is well known that superoxide dismutases (SODs) are believed to play a crucial role in protecting cells against oxygen toxicity. There are three forms of SOD proteins: cytosolic Cu- Zn SOD, mitochondrial Mn SOD, and extracellular SOD (SOD-3). The recombinant lentivirus containing the human SOD-3 gene was injected into the subgerminal cavity of freshly laid eggs. Subsequently, the embryos were incubated to hatch using phases II and III of the surrogate shell ex vivo culture system. From 341 injected embryos, the 78 chicks hatched after 21 days incubation. The hatched chicks were screened for the human SOD-3 gene by using PCR. Two of 47 male chickens that survived to sexual maturity contained the human SOD-3 gene in their semen. These results showed that our transgenic chicken generation system was completely established. (Key words : Lentivirus, microinjection, human SOD-3, chicken embryo)

Objective We investigated placental apoptosis and the expression of and interactions between 14-3-3 and Bcl-2 family proteins during preeclampsia. In addition, we explored the mechanism of Bax dissociation from 14-3-3, hypothesizing that PKC-mediated phosphorylation of 14-3-3 results in dissociation of Bax from 14-3-3 proteins, and leads to apoptosis. Methods Placental samples from 10 women with preeclampsia and 10 normotensive control patients were analyzed using M30-specific immunohistochemistry to assess placental apoptosis. Biochemical markers of cellular apoptosis, such as cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, 14-3-3, and PKC were followed by Western blotting. Interaction of 14-3-3 proteins with Bax and with PKC was assessed by immunoprecipitation. Results M30-positive cells were widespread in the preeclamptic placentas. The levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, 14-3-3 ζ, phospho-(Ser)-14-3-3, and PKC δ were significantly higher in the preeclamptic placentas than in normal placentas. Preeclampsia was also associated with weaker interactions between 14-3-3 ζ and Bax and stronger interactions between 14-3-3 ζ and PKC δ. Conclusion Our results suggest that PKC δ in preeclamptic placentas promotes Bax dissociation from 14-3-3 ζ through the phosphorylation of 14-3-3 ζ. This finding may at least in part explain the apoptosis-inducing activity of PKC δ, revealing the important role of PKC δ in the development of apoptosis-related diseases such as preeclampsia.

We present the online coupling of a free-flow isotachophoresis (FFITP) device to an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) for continuous analysis without extensive sample preparation. Free-flow-electrophoresis techniques are used for continuous electrophoretic separations using an electric field applied perpendicular to the buffer and sample flow, with FFITP using a discontinuous electrolyte system to concurrently focus a target analyte and remove interferences. The online coupling of FFITP to ESI-MS decouples the separation and detection timeframe because the electrophoretic separation takes place perpendicular to the flow direction, which can be beneficial for monitoring (bio)chemical changes and/or extensive MS(n) studies. We demonstrated the coupling of FFITP with ESI-MS for simultaneous concentration of target analytes and sample clean-up. Furthermore, we show hydrodynamic control of the fluidic fraction injected into the MS, allowing for fluidically controlled scanning of the ITP window. Future applications of this approach are expected in monitoring biochemical changes and proteomics.

The microwave dielectric properties of Ca(Li 1/4 Nb 3/4 )O 3 –CaTiO 3 ceramics have been investigated with regard to calcination temperature and the amount of CaTiO 3 additive. Ca(Li 1/4 Nb 3/4 )O 3 ceramics with an orthorhombic crystal structure can be synthesized by the conventional mixed oxide method by calcining at 750 °C and sintering at 1275 °C. The dielectric constant ( ɛ r ), quality factor ( Q × f 0 ) and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ( τ f ) for Ca(Li 1/4 Nb 3/4 )O 3 ceramics are 26, 13,000 GHz and −49 ± 2 ppm/°C, respectively. With increase in the CaTiO 3 content, ɛ r and τ f are increased and the quality factor decreased due to the solid-solution formation between Ca(Li 1/4 Nb 3/4 )O 3 and CaTiO 3 . The 0.7Ca(Li 1/4 Nb 3/4 )O 3 –0.3CaTiO 3 ceramic exhibits ɛ r of 44, quality factor ( Q × f 0 ) of 12,000 GHz and τ f of −9 ± 1 ppm/°C.

In this paper Hybrid Real Time HVDC Simulator for both operator's training and researching in Cheju-Haenam HVDC system is proposed and its performance is verified by RTDS(Real Time Digital Simulator), EMTDC(Electro-Magnetic Transient system for DC), PSS/E(Power System Simulator for Engineering), and experienced scenarios. The main objective of this paper is to represent the strategy in development of the KEPCO hybrid HVDC simulator for Cheju-Haenam HVDC system. This simulator consists of two DC stations, DC cables, external digital/analogue controllers, control desk for education, and AC networks. In cases of both startup/shutdown and normal state operations, the suitability of it for operator's education is tested. Also the dynamic performances of it are verified.

The dorsal epidural blood patch is a commonly used management technique for spontaneous intracranial hypotension from a dural CSF leak, but it may be less efficacious for cervical or ventral leaks. We report the technique of placing an anterior cervical blood patch for a large cervical ventral leak. To our best knowledge, this approach has not been reported. In the appropriately selected patient, an anterior cervical epidural blood patch may be safely used.

Nine sections from the Sajama ice core recovered from the summit of an extinct Andean volcano in Bolivia were analysed for various heavy metals to assess anthropogenic changes in the tropical upper troposphere over South America. These samples include two sections dating from 14100 to 19200 years BP, corresponding to the Last Glacial Stage (LGS), one section dating from 2800 years BP (the late Holocene), and six sections dating from AD 790 to 1988. The preliminary data, combined with data reported elsewhere, demonstrate that the heavy metal concentrations since the late Holocene are higher than in the period from the LGS to the early Holocene. The enrichment factors calculated by normalizing for crustal abundance using the metal/Al ratio in the mean upper continental crust indicate that a significant input of heavy metals attributed to anthropogenic contributions has occurred since the beginning of the 19th century for Pb and from the last century for Cd, Cu, and Zn.

We present new ice core records showing the temporal variation in the natural Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu concentrations in the Vostok Antarctic ice over the past 240,000 years. Our data show that concentrations of these heavy metals have varied remarkably over the last two glacial-interglacial cycles. The concentrations ranged from 0.9 to 21.3, 0.04 to 0.62, 3.12 to 126, and 2.27 to 37.4 pg/g for Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu, respectively. These profiles provide a better understanding of climate-related variation in the occurrence of these heavy metals in ancient Antarctic ice. The concentrations were much higher during cold glacial periods than during interglacials, and poked at the coldest glacial stages. The contribution of rock and soil dust is estimated to be close to the measured concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu, but not Cd, in the ice during cold glacial periods.

Benign metastasising leiomyoma is the existence of histologically benign smooth muscle tumours in extrauterine sites, and is a very rare disease in women with a history of benign uterine leiomyoma ...

The characteristics of fiber-reinforced plastic composites depend on the quantity and shape of the fibers. During an injection molding process of composites, fiber orientation is produced by the flow state. The molded part tends to be anisotropic. It is very important to clarify the relationship between the orientation and the injection molding conditions. In this paper, the distribution of fiber orientation by the image processing method for the injection molded products of each fiber content is measured, and numerical analysis for orientation distribution is conducted, the orientation distribution by numerical simulation being compared with the results obtained from image processing.

The expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms I, III and protein kinase-Cθ (PKCθ) in rat vastus lateralis muscle was demonstrated immunohistochemically and then correlated to the physiological metabolic fibre types: SO (slow-oxidative), FOGI, FOGII (fast-oxidative glycolytic; I more glycolytic, II more oxidative), and FG (fast-glycolytic). NOS expression in muscles from different experimental groups (normal and diabetic rats, with and without Ginkgo biloba extract treatment) was assayed by Western blotting. Generally, NOS I and PKCθ were co-expressed in fibres with predominantly oxidative metabolism (SO, FOGII). This suggests an interplay of PKCθ and NOS I in nitric oxide production by oxidative fibres. NOS III was more highly expressed in fibres with predominantly glycolytic metabolism (FOGI, FG). A somewhat lower NOS I immunoreactivity was also found in NOS III positive fibres suggesting that NOS III and NOS I are co-expressed in these fibres. Western blotting revealed that NOS I as well as NOS III expression in the vastus lateralis muscle was down-regulated in diabetes and increased after Ginkgo biloba extract treatment. These effects may be associated with a diminished glucose uptake by myocytes of diabetic muscles and with an improved muscle function after Ginkgo biloba treatment.

We have fabricated a high performance polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin film transistor (TFT) with a silicon-nitride (SiN/sub x/) gate insulator using three stacked layers: very thin laser of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), SiN/sub x/ and laser annealed poly-Si. After patterning thin a-Si:H/SiN/sub x/ layers, gate, and source/drain regions were ion-doped and then Ni layer was deposited. This structure was annealed at 250/spl deg/C to form a NiSi silicide phase. The low resistive Ni silicides were introduced as gate/source/drain electrodes in order to reduce the process steps. The poly-Si with a grain size of 250 nm and low resistance n/sup +/ poly-Si for ohmic contact were introduced to achieve a high performance TFT. The fabricated poly-Si TFT exhibited a field effect mobility of 262 cm/sup 2//Vs and a threshold voltage of 1 V.