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Hybrid aerosol deposition (HAD) is a new coating method to deposit homogeneous nano-structured ceramic coatings. An accurate evaluation of the fabricated coating properties is required. In this study, α-Al2O3 fine powder was sprayed by HAD. The obtained coatings were dense and uniform with a nanocrystalline structure. An X-ray diffraction measurement revealed that the fabricated HAD Al2O3 coatings mainly consisted of α-Al2O3 phase. The hardness and Young's modulus of the HAD Al2O3 coatings were evaluated by a micro-Vickers method and a nanoindentation method using the Weibull distribution. The hardness of HAD Al2O3 coatings measured by micro-Vickers was ~1400 HV (~15 GPa). The variation of mechanical properties of HAD coatings measured by the nanoindentation method was extremely small compared to those of plasma-sprayed coatings, which also indicates that HAD coatings contain less pores and cracks than plasma-sprayed coatings.

Deposition of protective dense environmental barrier layers is a promising solution to improve the reliability and environmental durability of the next-generation turbines and other industrial applications. In this context, spraying of fine particles could enhance the formation of fine dense coating microstructures with improved properties. In AIST we are focusing on the spraying of the fine particles via different spraying technologies including suspension plasma spraying, as well as deposition of the fine solid particles directly by aerosol deposition (AD) and plasma-assisted aerosol deposition (so-called Hybrid Aerosol Deposition; HAD. The HAD is a new coating window to spray the fine ceramic particles via the implementation of a low-power rf-plasma source to assist the aerosol deposition at room temperature. This study introduced the feasibility of utilization of HAD as an outstanding technology for deposition of dense ceramic coatings on different substrate materials and 3D deposition capability. Highly dense and well-adhered Al2O3 coatings without obvious observable cracks and bulk-like properties were successfully fabricated on different substrate materials of SUS 304, Aluminium, Al2O3 and glass, via HAD of fine particles. The substrate material and its hardness significantly influenced the first deposition step, which determined the coating adhesion and properties. Furthermore, homogeneously uniform, dense, and crack-free coating with a strong adhesion has been fabricated successfully on cylindrical substrates with 6.3 mm diameter. During HAD spraying the plasma activated the surface of the particles without reaching to the molten state, then the activated particles impact and stuck with the substrate by room temperature impact consolidation mechanism. Therefore, the fabricated coatings had the same crystal structure as the starting feedstock powder, and the activated surface act as glue and improved the deposition efficiency and 3D capabilities. Herein, the deposition phenomena of HAD makes it as a promising candidate technology for development of environmental and sealing layers of highly dense microstructure, with the targeted crystalline phase structure, without stoichiometric composition nor phase transformation and improved deposition efficiency on multi-shape components in different fields such as environmental, thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) and gas turbine applications.

Background DBA/2J kidney allografts, but not heart allografts, are spontaneously accepted indefinitely in C57BL/6 (B6) mice, through regulatory tolerance mechanism dependent on Foxp3 cells. In contrast, B6 kidneys are rejected within a week in DBA/2J recipients. We hypothesized that the tolerogenic difference of the kidneys might be due to differences in number or function of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), because these cells are potent inducers of Foxp3 cells. Methods pDCs from murine bone marrow, native kidneys, and spontaneously accepted kidney allografts were analyzed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining. Naive T cells were cocultured with pDCs in specific strain combinations and analyzed for FoxP3 induction and functionality. MEK/ERK and NFκB inhibitors were used to assess the regulatory T-cell induction pathways. pDCs and T-cell cultures were adoptively transferred before heterotopic heart transplantation to assess allograft survival. Results DBA/2J pDCs were more potent in inducing Foxp3 in B6 T cells than the reverse combination, correlating with survival of the kidney allografts. Foxp3 induction by pDCs in vitro was dependent on pDC viability, immaturity, and class II MHC mismatch and blocked by MEK/ERK and NFκB inhibition. pDC-induced Foxp3 T cells suppressed proliferation of B6 T cells in vitro, and adoptive transfer into B6 recipients 2 weeks before heterotopic DBA/2J heart transplantation resulted in prolonged allograft survival. Conclusions These data suggest that pDC-induced regulatory T cells are dependent on downstream signaling effects and on strain-dependent, MHC class II disparity with naive T cells, which may explain organ- and strain-specific differences in spontaneous tolerance.

LBA12003 Background: Radiation dermatitis (RD) secondary to radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer reduces quality of life (QoL) and can lead to treatment interruption. The exact etiology of RD is unknown, and bacteria play a role in other inflammatory dermatoses. As our group recently showed nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) prior to RT was an independent predictor of grade ≥2 RD, we conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluating efficacy of bacterial decolonization (BD) to prevent RD and improve QoL. Methods: This is a randomized phase II trial comparing BD to standard of care (SC) for adult patients with breast cancer or head and neck cancer to receive fractionated (≥ 15 fractions) RT. Patients were randomized 1:1 to the BD intervention of intranasal mupirocin ointment twice daily and chlorhexidine body wash once daily for 5 consecutive days before RT start and repeated for 5 days every other week during RT or the SC arm of emollient use as needed. The primary endpoint was development of grade ≥2 RD using Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03, and planned sample size was 80 patients. Evaluation of a preliminary cohort showed wide variability of disease in grade 2 RD, so grade 2 RD was further differentiated for more refined statistical analysis: “moderate to brisk erythema” defined as grade 2 and “patchy moist desquamation” defined as grade 2 with moist desquamation (2-MD). The secondary endpoint was patient-reported QoL assessed via the SKINDEX-16 (SD-16) questionnaire before and after RT. Bacterial culture swabs of the nares and skin at RT beginning, middle, and end were obtained for both groups. Results: 80 patients were randomized 1:1 to each arm (40 BD, 40 SC) June 2019-August 2021. 78 breast and 2 head and neck cancer patients were enrolled instead of the projected 40 of each cancer type. 76 patients were included for analysis (38 BD, 38 SC). Clinical and demographic characteristics were well balanced between arms. We demonstrated prevention of RD grades 2-MD or higher in the BD arm compared to the SC arm (0/38, 0% vs 9/38, 23.68%; P=0.002). Additionally, BD resulted in a significantly lower median RD grade compared to SC (1.19±0.7 vs 1.58±0.75, P=0.019). Finally, a linear regression model showed a significant association between BD and decreased RD grade (estimate=-0.431, 95% CI: -0.7516, -0.1054; p=0.010), even when adjusting for other RD risk factors. Most patients reported no difficulty with BD and only one patient discontinued due to itch. There was no difference in QoL outcomes between arms. Conclusions: Our results support the use of a BD regimen to prevent moist desquamation in patients receiving RT for breast or head and neck cancer. Our study included mainly breast cancer patients; thus BD efficacy needs to be tested in other solid tumors receiving RT. This is the first study demonstrating efficacy of BD to reduce RD. Given the safety and availability of this regimen, we suggest adding BD to RD prophylaxis protocols. Clinical trial information: NCT03883828.

BackgroundCurrently, five types of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) are used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. The number of cases in which multiple JAKis have been prescribed is increasing. However, the real-world efficacy and safety of JAKis and related factors require further evaluation.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of past use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on RA treatment using JAKis. The secondary objective was to investigate the safety profiles of these agents in a real-world setting.MethodsOf the 303 JAKi-treated patients in the Fukui Ishikawa Toyama Database of RA included in this study, 30 had switched from one JAKi to another (JJ group), 214 switched from a biologic agent to a JAKi (BJ group), and 47 were naïve to either biologics or JAKis (NJ group). We compared baseline factors, treatment response, and JAKi continuation rates among the three groups. Factors related to JAKi discontinuation were assessed using Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, we investigated adverse events and reported them using exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIR; incidence rates per 100 patient-years).ResultsData from the 303 cases were analyzed (mean age = 63.6 years; female, 82%; mean RA duration, 176 months). Of the 303 patients, 118, 106, 50, and 29 were treated with tofacitinib, baricitinib, peficitinib, and upadacitinib, respectively, on initial observation. Rate of concomitant use with methotrexate and prednisolone was 52% and 49%, respectively.Regarding efficacy, no significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of treatment response and JAKi continuation rates, except for the 6-month treatment response between the JJ and NJ groups. Cox regression analysis of the 303 cases revealed that only past use of JAKis during the disease history was significantly associated with JAKi discontinuation. The Kaplan–Meier method showed that patients who previously used JAKis had significantly shorter median JAKi treatment duration than those without such a history (20.9 vs. 54.7 months; p = 0.012). Treatment response was significantly poor in patients who had previously used JAKis, especially 6 months after treatment initiation.In terms of safety, the total exposure period for the 303 cases was 495 person-years, and the total number of adverse events was 161 (EAIR, 32.5). There were 12 cases (EAIR, 2.5) of serious infections, 23 cases (EAIR, 5.1) of herpes zoster, 7 cases (EAIR, 1.4) of malignant tumors, and 4 cases (EAIR, 0.8) of MACE. Adverse events led to JAKi discontinuation in 34 patients (EAIR, 6.9); the main causes of adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were infectious diseases in 10 cases (EAIR, 2) and neoplasms in 4 cases (EAIR, 0.8). Within 1 year of initiating JAKi therapy, 21 patients discontinued treatment owing to adverse events, which accounted for 27% of the reasons for treatment discontinuation.We also investigated cases of JAKi dose reduction, observed in 42 of the 303 cases. Among them, 10 patients required a re-increase in the JAKi dose, and 13 patients (56.5%) were able to maintain the reduced dose for more than 1 year. The remaining 19 patients were excluded from the analysis because the treatment duration at the lower dose had not exceeded 1 year at the time of data extraction. No difference in disease activity at the time of dose reduction was observed between those who maintained the new dose and those who did not (mean DAS28-CRP: 1.48 ± 0.26 vs. 1.89 ± 0.62).ConclusionPast use of JAKis may contribute to decreased response and continuation rates for JAKi treatment. In this study, conducted in Japan, development of herpes zoster was found to the most frequent adverse event among the priority survey items.AcknowledgementsI have no acknowledgements to declare.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

In this paper, we propose a new glass Micropore Optics (MPO), which forms a Wolter type-1 optical system into a single glass substrate without bending or alignment. We call this new X-ray condenser mirror as NXCM. In recent years, lightweight and high-productivity X-ray optics have been demanded for small satellite and detector calibration. We aim to develop a high-performance X-ray MPO by applying our fine patterning and design techniques on the basis of semiconductor-based micromachining technologies. Generally, reducing process steps and cutting out error factors make “productivity” and “resolution” better. It has been expected to form a Wolter type-1 optics directly on a base substrate. Therefore, we focused on the process technology using femtosecond laser irradiation and wet etching, which can form arbitrary fine three-dimensional structure in glass substrate, and applied this technology to MPO fabrication. Using this technique, we successfully achieved to form the two-step oblique grooves machining of 1.7 degrees in the primary stage and 5.1 degrees in the secondary stage with groove widths of 20 μm and 40 μm to the flat glass t 0.5 mm. The groove structure was confirmed by cross-sectional image. The surface roughness of the groove side wall serving as the X-ray reflection surface is expected to be improved by the better scanning of femtosecond laser and the magnetic fluid polishing process. Based on the results, we are proceeding with the production of a condenser mirror prototype while optimizing the coating process and polishing process. In this paper, we report the simulation result of focusing performance and the achievement of the fabrication process in consideration of machining accuracy and error factors. With this method, the higher aspect structure is achieved by stacking several substrates in the optical axis direction or the large area structure is achieved by tiling in the plane direction. The various types of optical structure can be considered with this method.

Many techniques developed in speech research have been successfully employed in other fields, such as automatic video semantic indexing. In this application, a user submits a textual input query for an desired object or a scene to a search system, which returns video shots that include the object or scene. Recently, a new method using Gaussian-mixture model (GMM) supervectors and support vector machines (SVMs) was proven to be very effective. In this method, speech technology such as speaker verification and adaptation techniques play very important roles.

It is very important to predict the radiated noise from the engine intake system for the effective noise control and virtual prototyping of in-cavity and outdoor noise of a vehicle. To this end, one should precisely measure the in-duct acoustic source parameters of the intake system, viz., source strength and source impedance. Usually, the noise radiation characteristics need to be expressed as a function of engine speed. In this study, acoustic source parameters of an engine intake system under engine run-up condition were measured by using the direct method. Direct method employed two external loudspeakers, turned on simultaneously, and three microphones for the separation of upstream and downstream wave components. It was noted that the frequency spectra of source impedance hardly changes with the increase of engine speed. Utilizing this fact, source strength under the engine run-up condition was calculated by assuming invariant source impedance. Predicted insertion loss and radiated sound pressure level using the measured source parameters were compared with those of measured data and predicted data using several idealized source models, which have been adopted for the calculations. A reasonably good agreement was observed between measured sound spectra at the intake orifice and predicted one using the measured source data. It was shown that the source data obtained by the present method yielded a far better prediction accuracy than those by the idealized source models.

A flexuous virus was isolated in Japan from an alstroemeria plant showing mosaic symptoms. The virus had a broad host range but had systemically latent infectivity in alstroemeria. The virus was assigned to the genus Potexvirus based on morphology and physical properties and on an analysis of the complete nucleotide sequence. The genomic RNA of the virus was 7,009 nucleotides in length, excluding the 3'-terminal poly (A) tail. It contained five open reading frames (ORFs), which was consistent with other members of the genus Potexvirus. Although nucleotide sequences of the ORFs differ from previously reported potexviruses, a phylogenetic analysis placed it phylogenetically close to Narcissus mosaic virus and Scallion virus X. Therefore, we propose that this virus should be designated as Alstroemeria virus X (AlsVX).

The present study investigated whether circuit training with body weight alone (no external load) can cause muscular hypertrophy when combined with moderate venous occlusion (‘Kaatsu Training’). Healthy women (mean age, 32.7 ± 4.0 yr; n=22) were randomly assigned into the occlusive training group (OCC, n=11) and the normal training group (NOR, n=11). Both groups performed the same circuit-training regimen consisting of six, successive exercises for muscles in the upper and lower limbs and the trunk, at a frequency of 3 sessions/wk. Each session lasted for 5-10 min. In OCC group, proximal ends of the upper and lower limbs of both sides were moderately compressed by means of ‘KAATS Sportswear’, to restrict the venous blood flow during the exercises (preset pressure, 50-80 mmHg and 80-120 mmHg for upper and lower limbs, respectively). Cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh muscle was measured with spiral computer tomography. After an 8-wk period of training, the muscle CSA of both right and left limbs showed significant increases by ∼3% (P

An overview of steady state tokamak studies in TRIAM-1M (R0 = 0.8 m, a × b = 0.12 m × 0.18 m and B = 8 T) is presented. The current ramp-up scenario without using centre solenoid coils is reinvestigated with respect to controllability of the current ramp-up rate at the medium density region of (1–2) × 1019 m−3. The plasma is initiated by ECH (fundamental o-mode at 170 GHz with 200 kW) at B = 6.7 T, and the ramp-up rate below the technical limit of 150 kA s−1 for ITER can be achieved by keeping the LH power less than 100 kW during the current ramp-up phase. The physics understanding of the enhanced current drive (ECD) mode around the threshold power level has progressed from a viewpoint of transition probability. A transition frequency, ftrans, for the ECD transition is determined as a function of PCD. At ~70 kW no transition occurs for an ftrans value of ~0.017 Hz, meaning almost zero transition probability. With increasing PCD > Pth, ftrans increases up to 10 Hz, and the transition tends to occur with high probability. The record value of the discharge duration is updated to 3 h 10 min in a low and low power (

Johann Jacob Harder first described the Harderian gland in 1694 in deer. It is found in most terrestrial animals and is located within the variable aspects of the orbit. It is believed that this gland is involved in diverse functions. Among these, it has been held to be a site of immune response, a source of thermoregulatory lipids and pheromones, act as photoprotective organ as well as part of a retinal-pineal axis. In birds, this glad was reported first in sparrow in 1918. The Harderian gland is covered by capsule and the connective tissue septa that divide the gland into numerous unequal-sized lobes and lobules. Plasma cells are found in the interacinar space and the lumina of lobules. The recent studies suggest that the Harderian gland act as an immunopotent organ in birds, and that the gland in scavenging birds contains more immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells due to their scavenging nature. Moreover, this gland shows considerable species/strain differences in terms of macro anatomy, microanatomy as well as in the dynamics of immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells among different birds. In this review, these species and strain differences are discussed based on recent studies and several goals of future research are identified. [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2018; 1(2.000): 55-60]

Background: Chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major mechanism of graft failure of transplanted organs in humans. Morphometric analysis of coronary arteries enables the quantitation of CAV in mouse models of heart transplantation. However, conventional histological procedures using single 2-dimensional sections limit the accuracy of CAV quantification. The aim of this study is to improve the accuracy of CAV quantification by reconstructing the murine coronary system in 3-dimensions (3D) and using virtual reconstruction and volumetric analysis to precisely assess neointimal thickness. Methods: Mouse tissue samples, native heart and transplanted hearts with chronic allograft vasculopathy, were collected and analyzed. Paraffin embedded samples were serially sectioned, stained and digitized using whole slide digital imaging techniques under normal and ultraviolet lighting. Sophisticated software tools were used to generate and manipulate 3D reconstructions of the major coronary arteries and branches. Results: The 3D reconstruction provides not only accurate measurements but also exact volumetric data of vascular lesions. This virtual coronary arteriography demonstrates that the vasculopathy lesions in this model are localized to the proximal coronary segments. In addition, virtual rotation and volumetric analysis enabled more precise measurements of CAV than single, randomly oriented histologic sections, and offer an improved readout for this important experimental model. Conclusions: We believe 3D reconstruction of 2D histological slides will provide new insights into pathological mechanisms in which structural abnormalities play a role in the development of a disease. The techniques we describe are applicable to the analysis of arteries, veins, bronchioles and similar sized structures in a variety of tissue types and disease model systems. Virtual slides: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/ 3772457541477230.

We have developed a new narrowband tunable filter to perform imaging spectroscopy of the solar chromosphere. Using Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LCVRs) as the tuning elements for wavelength, wide-band polarizers and super achromatic half-wave plates, it is possible to make high speed tuning (about 0.1Sec), to exclude mechanical drives (and oil tank), and to cover a wide wavelength range (510-100nm). This filter builds up with seven stages each consisting of a pair of calcites, LCVR, half-wave plates and linear polarizer. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the filter transmission is about 0.025nm at 656.3nm.We demonstrate that the concept of the universal tunable filter using the LCVR's as tuning elements is highly promising for future application to space mission and ground based observations.

To evaluate pathologic features of vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMT).Preretinal membranes removed from five patients during vitreous surgery for VMT syndrome were evaluated by electron microscopy (n = 4) and immunohistochemistry (n = 1).Electron microscopic examination revealed large segments of internal limiting lamina (ILL) in three of the four cases. Other extracellular features included two types of abnormal collagen fibrils, determined to be type I and fibrous long-spacing collagen. The myofibrocyte was the predominant cell type in all cases. Collagen types I, II, and III, as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin, were identified by immunohistochemistry.Epiretinal membranes in eyes with VMT syndrome adhered tightly to the ILL with abnormal collagen and contractile elements that included myofibrocytes.

This paper presents a high-efficiency class DE tuned power oscillator, along with the analysis, design procedure, and experimental results. It consists of a class DE inverter and a feedback-loop for phase matching and is especially applicable for high frequency performance because it minimizes the power dissipated when turning ON each MOSFET. In contrast to conventional inverters, the proposed oscillator needs an additional complicated circuit including a driver circuit to start the oscillation. The measured efficiency was over 90% at the operating frequency of 1.0 MHz and output of 2.3 W.

The DNA from 16 Lilium species and one variety endemic to or naturalized in Japan were obtained and their internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) were amplified by PCR and sequenced by cycle sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS sequences supported the validity of Comber’s classification system. It has also provided molecular evidence for the transfer of Lilium dauricum to sect. Sinomartagon. The phylogenetic relationships revealed by ITS DNA analysis were supported by previously published crossability data. The molecular phylogeny of Japanese Lilium species was discussed with reference to the putative migration routes of these species.

Phylogenetic analysis of ITS DNA sequences of various Old and New World Alliums suggests the reinclusion of Nectaroscordum and affirms the reestablishment of Caloscordum as subgenera of genus Allium. The results sanction the elimination of the Old World Allium species from subg. Amerallium Traub and endorse Wendelbo’s definition of subg. Molium (excluding sect. Porphyrason).

Phason flips accompanying the glide of a perfect dislocation has been examined using the Burkov model of the decagonal quasicrystal which is a pseudobinary alloy of Al and transition metals. It is shown that the glide of a perfect dislocation is difficult without producing chemical disorder. There are three extreme cases in the glide of a dislocation in quasicrystal: firstly conservative glide at a very high temperature where the complete phason relaxation occurs; secondly, glide producing chemical disorder; thirdly glide producing a stacking fault with the fault vector of the phason component of the Burgers vector.

Cycle sequencing of the ITS region of nuclear ribosomal DNA of L. concolor, L. dauricum and L. maculatum generated surprisingly homogenous sequences from these three species. Analysis of the few (13 out of 639) polymorphic nucleotide sites in the ITS region produced results that do not support the belief that L. maculatum is a hybrid of the two other species. Neighbor-Joining analysis of the genetic distances calculated using the Kimura 2-parameter model of base substitution confirmed the close relationship between L. dauricum and L. maculatum. The phylogenetic tree, in conjunction with the distribution pattern and morphological similarities of the two species, suggest that L. maculatum is derived from the more widely distributed L. dauricum. The results also revealed that there is sufficient molecular divergence between L. maculatum and L. dauricum to support their status as separate species.

Sequence analysis of the ITS region of nuclear ribosomal DNA from subgeneric representatives of Allium L. produced phylogenetic trees which concurred with previous conclusions based on classical taxonomy. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a closer relationship between Nectaroscordum siculum and Allium cernuum (representing Amerallium) than between A. cernuum and the rest of the Allium species employed in this study. The phylogeny of subg. Melanocrommyum based on ITS sequences largely agreed with inferences made by previous researchers based on morphology or a restriction analysis of chloroplast DNA. However, the phylogenetic positions of Allium protensum and Allium macleanii based on ITS sequences did not correspond to their morphological similarity with Allium schubertii and Allium giganteum, respectively.

This paper presents a minute analysis and experimental results of phase-controlled resonant DC-AC inverters with class E amplifiers and frequency multipliers. The circuit is composed of two identical class E amplifiers or frequency multipliers, which are used as DC-AC inverters and connected in parallel. The two inverters are driven at the same switching frequency, and the overall output power of the circuit can be controlled by varying the phase shift between the drive voltages of the two inverters. The circuit can regulate the output voltage at a constant switching frequency. The measured efficiency was over 93% at an output power of 0.98 W and a switching frequency of 0.5 MHz for both of the inverters with amplifier and frequency doubler.

Nucleic acids were extracted from frozen leaves of seven Alstroemeria L. species (A. aurea Graham, A. brasiliensis K. Spreng., A. inodora, A. ligtu L., A. paupercula Philippi, A. pelegrina L., and A. psittacina Lehm.), five Orchid types (cv. Canaria, Casablanca, Eleanor, La Paz and Paloma), two Carmen types (cv. Red Valley and Valiant), three Butterfly types (cv. Amanda, Ostara and Snow Queen) and five Hybrid types (cv. Java, Rosita, Serena, Vienna and Wilhelmina). Nine decamers (OPA02, 04, 08, 10, 13, 18 and OPB05, 07, 08 from Operon Industries, USA) were used to generate 141 RAPD fragments by PCR. Neighbor Joining analysis of genetic distances calculated from RAPD fragment data produced a phyllogram that classified the entries into three main clusters: (a) six species, (b) Orchid, Carmen and Hybrid types and (c) Butterfly types (with one species). Subgroup analysis between the parental species and the cultivar types indicated close relationships between (a) the Orchid types, A. aurea and A. paupercula, (b) the Carmen types, A. aurea and A. paupercula, (c) the Butterfly types and A. psittacina, and (d) the Hybrid types, A. paupercula and A. aurea. These results conform to the available pedigree data. Hence, RAPD and phylogenetic analyses may be useful ancillary tools in tracing the ancestry of genotypes with ambiguous pedigrees.

Cut flowers of Allium giganteum Regel were emasculated and maintained in half-strength Murashige and Skoog liquid medium supplemented with 3% sucrose and 1000 ppm each of Agrimycin(R) and Benlate(R). Wide hybridization was attempted and, through embryo rescue, putative hybrids were obtained from crosses involving A. cernuum Roth, A. oreophilum C.A. Mey. and A. schubertii Zucc. PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA followed by digestion with NdeII generated restriction profiles that confirmed the hybrid nature of the A. giganteum×A. schubertii progenies. The other putative hybrids were found to be products of self pollination.

This paper presents the analysis and experimental results of the Class DE amplifier and frequency multipliers. In the analysis, idealized operation of the Class DE amplifier and frequency multipliers is investigated. As a result, it is found that the most optimum Class DE circuits are those which employ device capacitors as shunt capacitors and utilize minimum dead time, and whose switch voltage slopes are zero as switches turn on.

Various Ag-Pd/mordenite catalysts were prepared on washcoated honeycombs and tested in terms of NOx removal from diesel exhaust gas with (CH3)2O as a reducing agent at a practical high level of space velocity. The activity was dependent upon the palladium loading. In terms of NOx removal, the order of catalytic activity was Ag(3)/Pd(0.01)/mordenite > Ag(3)/Pd(0.1)/mordenite > Ag(3)/mordenite catalyst > Ag(3)/Pd(1.0)/mordenite. It was found that a relatively small loading of palladium on Ag/mordenite catalysts led to a significant improvement in catalytic activity over a wide range of temperatures. The properties of these catalysts were also investigated by the NH3 temperature programed desorption (TPD) and BET method. It was found that Ag(3)/Pd(0.01)/mordenite had a larger amount of acid sites. It was concluded that Ag/mordenite catalyst with a small amount of palladium can effectively remove NOx over a wide range of temperatures using (CH3)2O as a reducing agent.

The relative contribution of central and peripheral mechanisms to the generation and maintenance of allograft tolerance is of considerable interest. Here, we present new evidence that regulatory T cells (Foxp3(+) ) maintain skin and heart allograft tolerance in mixed hematopoietic chimeric mice. Transient depletion of both donor- and recipient-derived Foxp3(+) cells was necessary and sufficient to induce decisive rejection of long-accepted skin and heart allografts. In contrast, stable hematopoietic chimerism remained, and there was no detectable induction of donor-specific reactivity to hematopoietic cells. Foxp3(+) cell depletion did not result in the rejection of skin grafts of only MHC-disparate donors (B6.C-H2(d) /bByJ), indicating that MHC antigens were not the target in the graft. We conclude that two different mechanisms of tolerance are present in mixed chimeras. Hematopoietic chimerism, resistant to Foxp3(+) depletion, is probably due to deletional tolerance to MHC antigens, as supported by previous studies. In contrast, regulatory tolerance mechanisms involving Foxp3(+) cells are required to control reactivity against non-MHC antigens not present on hematopoietic lineages.

Among 341 randomly amplified DNA sequences generated from 11 Allium species, 55 were purified by gel excision and subsequent reamplification by PCR. These were then used as probes in dot blot analysis to evaluate the relationships between 44 Allium accessions classified under the subgenus Rhizirideum. The hybridization signals were standardized and converted to Euclidean taxonomic distances. Unweighted Pair Group Mean analysis of the distance data generated a phyllogram which basically conformed to the classification system proposed by the Gatersleben (Germany) group. However, there was insufficient evidence to suppport the proposal to join A. chinense G. Don with A. virgunculae F. Maek. et Kitam. into sect. Sacculiferum or the recent suggestion to re-establish sect. Phyllodolon.

A new control method of a class-E rectifier is presented, which regulates the output voltage or power with elimination of the voltage pulse of the rectifier at a constant rate. When the class-E rectifier controlled by this method is used in a class-E DC/DC power converter, both the inverter and rectifier operate under zero-voltage-switching conditions. Since the rectifier is controlled by a synchronized switch, it achieves the following advantages: (1) power efficiency for low-output voltage is improved; (2) output voltage and power are controllable at a fixed operating frequency; and (3) switching noise can be reduced. Additionally, this method is suitable for applications in which the output voltage or power are changed immediately because the output voltage and power are controlled by means of replacements of pulse patterns. The output characteristics of the rectifier are analyzed under a condition that the amplitude of the input current is constant. Experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical results.

We propose a novel multiplexing technique to solve the twin image problem in optical scanning holography without the use of a spatial carrier, as commonly used in conventional off-axis holography. The technique involves simultaneously acquiring sine and cosine Fresnel zone-lens plate coded images by optical scanning. A complex addition of the two coded images will then be performed and decoded to give a twin-image rejection reconstruction. Computer simulations will be presented to demonstrate the validity of the idea.

Removal of NOx from diesel exhaust gas using C3H6, CH3OH or (CH3)2O as a reducing agent was investigated on Ag/Al2O3, Ag/ZSM-5 and Ag/mordenite catalysts over a wide range of temperatures. Among them, (CH3)2O was found to be suitable for the elimination of NOx over Ag/mordenite catalyst at the relatively low temperature of 200°C to 350°C. CH3OH was suitable over Ag/Al2O3 catalyst from 350°C to 450°C while the Ag/mordenite catalyst using (CH3)2O was superior to the Ag/Al2O3 catalyst using CH3OH with respect to the temperature range. The Ag/ZSM-5 catalyst had a poor elimination ability when compared with Ag/Al2O3 and Ag/mordenite catalysts. The effects of Ag on mordenite and Al2O3 were also investigated. It was found that Ag improved the removal of NOx in the higher range of temperatures with mordenite, while Ag improved the removal of NOx in the lower temperature range with Al2O3. It was concluded that Ag/mordenite catalyst using (CH3)2O as a reducing agent has a good ability for NOx removal over a wide range of temperatures.

A new type of high-frequency high-efficiency tuned power amplifier is proposed, analyzed and verified experimentally. It is called a Class DE tuned power amplifier because its circuit topology is very similar to that of the conventional Class D amplifier and the operation of each switch satisfies the Class E switching conditions when the switch turns on. Class E switching conditions are achieved by providing a shunt capacitor for each switch and realizing a dead-time between the switch-on-times. These conditions take into account that the amplifier operates at higher frequency than the conventional Class D amplifier. The switch voltage stress has kept on the same level to the conventional Class D amplifier. The measured efficiency was over 96% at 1 MHz.