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The rapid and facile generation of 4'-carbon radicals from oxime imidates of nucleosides via 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer induced by iminyl radicals was developed. The cyclization of 4'-carbon radicals with olefins, followed by the hydrolysis of imidate residues, provided various 2'-iO/i,4'-iC/i- and 3'-iO/i,4'-iC/i-bridged nucleosides. This operationally simple approach can be applied to the few-step syntheses of 6'iS/i-methyl-2'-iO/i,4'-iC/i-ethylene-bridged 5-methyluridine (6'iS/i-Me-ENA-T) andiS/i-constrained ethyl-bridged 5-methyluridine (iS/i-cEt-T).

New C,N,S-cyclometalated palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes have been synthesized and their structural, electrochemical, and photochemical properties examined. The blue color of these complexes in solution changed to yellow under visible-light irradiation. By measurement of the absorption spectra for quantifying changes in color, isosbestic points for each complex clearly indicated the presence of only two species responsible for the change of color. X-ray analysis revealed that the visible-light-induced yellow species were S-oxygenated sulfinato complexes. Photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) was confirmed by the direct detection of singlet oxygen luminescence at 1275 nm. The present cyclometalated palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes are efficient photosensitizers of singlet oxygen, which rapidly reacts with coordinating sulfur atoms.

Introduction: Atrial arrhythmia (AA) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) frequently co-exist, which loom as burgeoning public health problems. It is difficult to determine whether a tachycardia is the indicator or consequence of LVSD in patients with tachycardia and LVSD. Tachycardia mediated cardiomyopathy (TCM) raises a “chicken or egg” question. Regardless of the etiology, the patients with severe LVSD are considered as the candidate for the implantation of cardioverter defibrillator as primary prevention. It is well known that the LVSD improves after the successful treatment of AA in TCM population. However, enlarged left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) is considered as a parameter of irreversible LVSD. Hypothesis: Enlarged LVDd could not be a predictor for irreversible LVSD in patients with AA. Methods: We assessed patients with persistent AA and heart failure (Ejection Fraction (EF) Results: Twenty-five patients with persistent AA and LVSD (23 men; mean age 63.8±9.3 years) were enrolled in this study. After restored and maintained SR, EF and left ventricular end-systolic volume (ESV) and BNP were improved in all patients respectively (EF 30.7±10.7 to 54.0±7.3%, ESV; 82.1±32.4 to 50.6±24.1ml, BNP; 379.2±237.9 to 48.0±29.7pg/ml P60mm were observed in 5 patients (25%) before the treatment. EF was normalized in patients with severe LVSD (EF Conclusions: The unnecessary device implantation could be avoided in patients with AA and severe LVSD with aggressive rhythm control therapy. Even in the patients with severe LVSD and enlarged LVDd, LVSD is reversible when AA exists.

An Ir(III) polypyridyl complex-conjugated 14-mer oligonucleotide (IrIII-DNA) was synthesized and its hybridization properties with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were evaluated by UV-melting experiments. The stabilities of the duplexes of IrIII-DNA with 14-, 20-, and 26-mer ssDNAs were higher than those of the unconjugated oligonucleotides. The triplex of IrIII-DNA with 14-mer dsDNA was also stabilized. However, the triplexes of IrIII-DNA with 20- and 26-mer dsDNAs, flanked by 3 and 6 base pairs at the both ends of 14-mer dsDNA target, were destabilized. This is presumably because of steric repulsion between the Ir(III) complex and the protruding 3- and 6-mer dsDNA moieties which are inflexible compared to ssDNA.

Ossification of the poster longitudinal ligament (OPLL) lessens the sagittal diameter of the canal and compresses the spinal cord anteriorly. Anterior decompression directly relieves the spinal cord, as well as restores the spinal cord to its original position. Anterior decompression for OPLL is a rational operative method. In the case of the thoracic spine, the approach method differs depending on the spinal level. The manubrium splitting approach is indicated for cases of OPLL located from cervical to T3. Transpleural approach is indicated below T2 level to thoraco-lumbar level. For 55 cases, we performed anterior decompression for thoracic OPLL, and noted the surgical approach, surgical result. The JOA (Japanese Orthopedic Association) scores were investigated. We modified the scoring system for cervical myelopathy established by the JOA by excluding items involving the upper extremities. Surgical approaches were transpleural approach in 47 cases and manubrium splitting approach in 8 cases. The mean recovery rate was 42.7% for manubrium splitting approach and 53.8% with transpleural approach. The frequency of laryngeal nerve palsy was over 50% with manubrium splitting approach. Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid in the thoracic cavity was seen frequently with the transpleural approach; however, it healed spontaneously without additional treatment. Although the anterior approach is associated with some problems (such as surgical invasiveness and postoperative complications), this surgical method resulted in positive outcomes, indicating that it is a useful technique.

Introduction Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is performed to correct sagittal plane deformity. This procedure is useful with revision cases in which the number of intact discs for correction is limited. Methods Forty-four patients (10 male and 34 female) with minimum follow-up of 2 years were reviewed; all had undergone PSO revision surgery for kyphosis following previous lumbar fusion surgery. The average age at operation was 72.8 years (range 42-85 years), and the average follow-up period was 4.1 years (2-9 years). The average fusion level was 7.5 (4-13 level), and the average previously fused level was 2.4 (1-7 level). Results The average operation time was 424 min, and average blood loss was 2880 g. The average JOA score of 14.0 before operation changed to 21.8 at 1-year follow-up and to 20.7 at final follow-up. The average recovery rate at final follow-up was 45.7%. Four patients underwent re-operations for proximal junctional kyphosis and 3 patients for rod fracture. The fusion rate was 88.6%, and 13 patients (29.5%) developed subsequent vertebral fracture. The average PI-LL (Pelvic incidence minus Lumbar lordosis) at pre-op of 52.9 degrees changed to 3.8 degrees at post-op, to 13.4 degrees at 1-year follow-up, and to 14.8 degrees at final follow-up. The average correction at the PSO site was 36.0 degrees at post-op, 36.7 degrees at 1-year follow-up, and 37.0 degrees at final follow-up. The average sagittal vertical axis at pre-op of 145.0 mm decreased to 51.2 mm at 1-year follow-up; however, it increased to 75.3 mm at final follow-up. Conclusion PSO for correction of kyphosis following previous lumbar fusion surgery was an effective procedure without correction loss at the local osteotomy site; however, its surgical invasiveness and complication rate were high. Subsequent vertebral fracture, adjacent segment degeneration, and rod fracture contribute to deterioration of outcome that is evident at long-term follow-up.

Objectives The NIPPON (Nobori Dual Antiplatelet Therapy as Appropriate Duration) study was a multicenter randomized investigation of the noninferiority of short-term versus long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with implantation of the Nobori drug-eluting stent (DES) (Terumo, Tokyo, Japan), which has a biodegradable abluminal coating. Background The optimum duration of DAPT for patients with a biodegradable polymer-coated DES is unclear. Methods The subjects were 3,773 patients with stable or acute coronary syndromes undergoing Nobori stent implantation. They were randomized 1:1 to receive DAPT for 6 or 18 months. The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical and cerebrovascular events (NACCE) (all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleeding) from 6 to 18 months after stenting. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed in 3,307 patients who were followed for at least 6 months. Results NACCE occurred in 34 patients (2.1%) receiving short-term DAPT and 24 patients (1.5%) receiving long-term DAPT (difference 0.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5 to 0.3). Because the lower limit of the 95% CI was inside the specified margin of −2%, noninferiority of short-term DAPT was confirmed. Mortality was 1.0% with short-term DAPT versus 0.4% with long-term DAPT, whereas myocardial infarction was 0.2% versus 0.1%, and major bleeding was 0.7% versus 0.7%, respectively. The estimated probability of NACCE was lower in the long-term DAPT group (hazard ratio: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.86 to 2.43). Conclusions Six months of DAPT was not inferior to 18 months of DAPT following implantation of a DES with a biodegradable abluminal coating. However, this result needs to be interpreted with caution given the open-label design and wide noninferiority margin of the present study. (Nobori Dual Antiplatelet Therapy as Appropriate Duration [NIPPON]; NCT01514227)

A 300 GHz transmitter (TX) fabricated using a 40 nm CMOS process is presented. It achieves 17.5 Gb/s/ch 32-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) transmission over six 5 GHz-wide channels covering the frequency range from 275 to 305 GHz. With the unity-power-gain frequency $f_{\mathrm {max}}$ of the NMOS transistor being below 300 GHz, the TX adopts a power amplifier-less QAM-capable architecture employing a highly linear subharmonic mixer called a cubic mixer. It is based on and as compact as a tripler and enables the massive power combining necessary above $f_{\mathrm {max}}$ without undue layout complication. The frequency-dependent characteristics of the cubic mixer are studied, and it is shown that even higher data rates of up to 30 Gb/s are possible at certain frequencies, where the channel signal-to-noise ratio is high. The design and the operation of the power-splitting and power-combining circuits are also described in detail. The measurements reported herein were all made “wired” via a WR3.4 waveguide.

While several complications related to pressure-wire (PW) have been reported, mechanistic justification has not always been offered. Furthermore, interference between a PW and a protruding side-branch stent has not been previously reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate interference between PW-pullback from a main-branch with a protruded ostial stent deployed in a side-branch.In a polyurethane bifurcation vessel model, PW-pullback was performed in a main-branch following protruded ostial stenting in a side-branch. Tested PWs included PressureWire X, Comet, OptoWire, and Verrata. For each PW, pullback was performed through the same proximal cell of the protruded stent 20 times. Interference during PW-pullback was objectively analyzed with a fiberscope placed at the distal main-branch and classified into 3 grades according to the interaction with stent strut.There were significant differences in the rate of interference between the PWs. No-interference, interference without strut traction, and interference with strut traction (i.e. stent deformation) were observed as follows: 17/20, 3/20, and 0/20 in PressureWire X; 19/20, 1/20, and 0/20 in Comet; 8/20, 10/20, and 2/20 in OptoWire; and 13/20, 2/20, and 5/20 in Verrata, respectively (p for any differences:0.001). Visually identifiable major stent deformation was observed once in OptoWire due to the deep concave sensor window and twice in Verrata due to the proximal gap between the sensor and coiled-wire.PW-pullback in the main-branch after side-branch ostial stenting should be carefully performed to avoid stent deformation. Consideration on the specific mechanical features of the PW is also essential.

Previous reports showed that GuideLiner (GL) and Guidezilla (GZ) can accommodate bulky and multiple devices beyond the official profiles. However, feasibility of kissing balloon technique (KBT) through these devices is unknown. The tested devices included 7Fr-GL/GZ and respective three types of 2.5 mm semi-compliant (SC) and non-compliant (NC) balloons: conventional model (CM), tapered-tip model (TM) and latest model (LM). First, three experienced operators attempted to advance all 21 combinations of the 2 balloons through GL/GZ on the guidewires and assessed the crossability in 3 grades: easy, difficult and impossible. Second, the only balloon combinations graded as easy by all operators were tested in the polyurethane-made bifurcation model which required KBT following cross-over stenting. Within the total of 42 device combinations, only one balloon combination of double LM–NC balloons was classified as easy in both GL/GZ by consensus opinion of the operators. While two combinations of LM–SC and LM–SC/NC balloons were classified as difficult in both GL/GZ, all four combinations of LM–SC/NC and CM/TM–NC balloons were classified as difficult only in GL. Other 32 combinations were all classified as impossible. In the bifurcation model, the combination of double LM–NC balloons using GL achieved KBT while the same balloon combination with GZ failed. The feasibility of KBT using child-catheter is highly dependent on the device characteristics. The combination of latest small-profile NC balloons through GL could be clinically applicable.

In the Racz procedure, a spring guide epidural catheter (Racz catheter) is inserted in a scar tissue around an entrapped nerve root in the epidural space for intensive delivery of medications to affected nerves.

This study examined the effects of microtubule-targeting anticancer drugs (paclitaxel, cabazitaxel, and eribulin) on the expression of drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, which is encoded by MDR1. Paclitaxel and eribulin induced MDR1 promoter activity in a concentration-dependent manner, while cabazitaxel had little effect in human intestinal epithelial LS174T cells. Overexpression of the nuclear receptor pregnane X receptor (PXR) gene (NR1I2) enhanced paclitaxel- and eribulin-induced MDR1 activation, but expression of the nuclear receptor co-repressor silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid receptors (SMRT) gene (NCOR2) repressed MDR1 activation. Eribulin increased the mRNA and protein expression of P-glycoprotein in LS174T cells. Cellular uptake of rhodamine 123 and calcein-acetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM), P-glycoprotein substrates, decreased in paclitaxel- or eribulin-treated LS174T cells. Eribulin also increased MDR1 promoter activity in human breast cancer MCF7 cells. The results suggest that the microtubule-targeting anticancer drug eribulin can induce the drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein via PXR in human intestinal and breast cancer cells and thus influence the efficacy of anticancer drugs., Highlights • Eribulin activates the P-glycoprotein gene (MDR1) promoter in human intestinal LS174T and breast cancer MCF7 cells. • Eribulin increases mRNA and protein expression of P-glycoprotein in human intestinal LS174T cells. • Eribulin can induce P-glycoprotein and modulate the efficacy of anticancer drugs.

A 300-GHz CMOS receiver module with a WR-3.4 waveguide interface is presented. The CMOS receiver is flip-chip mounted on a low-cost multilayered glass epoxy printed circuit board (PCB). A transmission-line-to-waveguide transition with a back-short structure is built into the PCB. The measured conversion gain, noise figure, and 3-dB bandwidth of the receiver module are approximately −23.7 dB, 33 dB and 18.4 GHz, respectively. Packaging loss is estimated to be approximately 4 dB from the conversion gain of the CMOS chip of −19.5 dB. A wireless data rate of 20 Gbit/s with 16-QAM was achieved using the designed modules.

Introduction: We describe 5 patients who underwent operative treatment for arachnoid web (AW) and discuss the postoperative clinical outcome in each case. AW is an extremely rare disease that causes cord compression and syringomyelia in the thoracic spine. To date, 14 cases only of AW have been reported, and the effect of surgical intervention on clinical and radiologic outcomes is unknown. Methods: Five patients who underwent surgical treatment for AW were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the thoracic Japanese Orthopaedic Association (T-JOA) score. Preoperative and postoperative images were reviewed. Results: All the patients presented with spastic gait and numbness in the lower extremities. Two patients also presented with bladder-bowel dysfunction (BBD). AW, or the so-called “scalpel” sign, was seen dorsally in the thoracic spine on magnetic resonance imaging in all the patients. Syringomyelia adjacent to the web was observed in 4 patients. Fenestration and web resection without instrumentation was performed in all the cases. Overall, significant improvement was seen in locomotion and the total T-JOA score postoperatively. However, numbness in the lower extremities improved in 2 patients but was unchanged in 3 cases. BBD was ameliorated in 1 patient but remained unchanged in the other patient. Conclusions: Our experience suggests that surgical treatment, including the another patient and resection of the web, can correct the flow dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid and allow neurologic recovery, in particular locomotion, in patients with AW.

Background: Secondary prevention in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) is critically important to prevent ischaemic heart failure and reduce social burden. Pioglitazone improves vascular dysfunction and prevents coronary atherosclerosis, mainly via anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects by enhancing adiponectin production in addition to antihyperglycemic effects, thus suggesting that pioglitazone attenuates cardiovascular events in patients with mild (HbA1c levels < 6·5%) diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, we evaluated the effects of pioglitazone on cardiovascular events in patients with both previous MI and mild DM. Methods: In this multicentre, prospective, randomised, open, blinded-endpoint trial of PPAR study, we randomly assigned 630 patients with mild DM with a history of MI to undergo either DM therapy with (pioglitazone group) or without (control group) pioglitazone. DM was diagnosed using the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and mild DM was defined if HbA1c level was < 6·5%. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular death and hospitalisation caused by acute MI, unstable angina, coronary revascularisation (including percutaneous coronary intervention and cardiac bypass surgery), and stroke. HbA1C levels were 5·9 and 5·8% (p = 0.71) at baseline and 6·0 and 5·8% (p < 0.01) at 2 years for the control and pioglitazone groups, respectively. Findings: The primary endpoint was observed in 14·2% and 14·1% patients in the control and pioglitazone groups during two years, respectively; the incidence of MI and stroke was 0·3% and 2·2% and 1·0% and 0·3%, respectively. Post-hoc analyses of the 7-year observation period showed that these trends became clearer. Interpretation: Pioglitazone could not reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with mild DM and previous MI. This result contradicts the results of the IRIS trial that pioglitazone decreased cardiovascular events in stroke patients or the results of the PROactive trial that pioglitazone decreased cardiovascular events in patients with moderate DM and macrovascular disease. Funding: The Grants of Japan Heart Foundation for PPAR study. Conflict of Interest: Dr. Asakura reports grants from Acterion Pharmaceutical Japan, grants from Boehringer Ingelheim Japan, Inc., personal fees from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., personal fees from Sanofi K.K., personal fees from Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd., personal fees from MSD K.K., personal fees from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited., personal fees from ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., personal fees from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, personal fees from DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED , personal fees from Pfizer Japan Inc., personal fees from Astellas Amgen Biopharma, outside the submitted work. Dr. Kim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Asanuma reports grants from Japan Heart Foundation, during the conduct of the study; grants from Japan Society For The Promotion Of Science (Grants-in-Aid For Scientific Research), grants from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, grants from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, personal fees from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co,Ltd, personal fees from Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co, Ltd, personal fees from Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, outside the submitted work. Dr. Hamasaki has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nakama has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tsukahara reports grants from Japan Heart Foundation, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Higashino reports grants from Japan Heart Foundation, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Ishikawa reports grants from Japan Heart Foundation during the conduct of the study. Dr. Koba reports grants from Japan Heart Foundation during the conduct of the study; grants from Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd, personal fees from MSD K.K. outside the submitted work. Ethical Approval Statement: The study was performed following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Japanese ethical guidelines for clinical research.

A 300-GHz CMOS transmitter module with a WR-3.4 waveguide interface is presented. The CMOS transmitter is flip-chip mounted on a low-cost multilayered glass epoxy printed circuit board (PCB) and a transmission-line-to-waveguide transition with a back-short structure is built of the multilayered PCB. The measured output power and 3-dB bandwidth of the transmitter module are approximately −13.5 dBm and 10 GHz, respectively. A wireless data rate of 48 Gbit/s over 5 cm with 16-QAM is achieved using the module.

This paper presents a programmable wideband equalizer with hybrid Continuous-Time (CT)/Discrete-Time (DT) architecture. Unlike the conventional hybrid CT/DT circuit, the proposed architecture shares the charge between I path and Q path, enabling to achieve asymmetric frequency response. A prototype has been fabricated in 28 nm CMOS. The proposed equalizer achieves 1.6 GHz wideband asymmetric frequency response with capacitance ratio (C ratio) and clock frequency (f CK ) programmability. The proposed equalizer occupies only 0.042 mm2 of active area.

“High speed” in communications often means “high data-rate” and fiber-optic technologies have long been ahead of wireless technologies in that regard. However, an often overlooked definite advantage of wireless links over fiber-optic links is that waves travel at the speed of light c, which is about 50% faster than in optical fibers as shown in Fig. 17.9.1 (top left). This “minimum latency” is crucial for applications requiring real-time responses over a long distance, including high-frequency trading [1]. Further opportunities and new applications might be created if the absolute minimum latency and fiber-optic data-rates are put together. (Sub-)THz frequencies have an extremely broad atmospheric transmission window with manageable losses as shown in Fig. 17.9.1 (top right) and will be ideal for building light-speed links supporting fiber-optic data-rates. This paper presents a 105Gb/s 300GHz transmitter (TX) fabricated using a 40nm CMOS process.

Stent placement for treating superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions has been approved. The Zilver PTX stent, a drug-eluting stent (DES) for treating SFA lesions, has been available in Japan since 2012. However, the penetration rate of this DES has not yet been reported. This prospective multicenter registry study enrolled 314 patients (354 limbs) to be treated by stent placement in 2014 (UMIN000011551). The primary endpoint was the measurement of the penetration rate of the DES. The secondary endpoints were measuring the freedom from restenosis, freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR), freedom from major adverse limb event (MALE), and the survival rate at 12 months postoperatively. Female patients comprised 28% participants. The mean age was 73.1 ± 9.2 years. A total of 56% patients had diabetes mellitus (DM), 36% patients were receiving hemodialysis, and 30% used cilostazol at baseline. The mean lesion length was 156 ± 101 mm, and the percentage of TASC II C/D lesions was 58%. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) was observed in 32% limbs. The penetration rates of the Zilver PTX stent were only 8%. The primary patency rate was similar between DES and bare-metal stents (BMS) at 12 months postoperatively (77 vs. 84%, p = 0.52). In this study, the rates of freedom from restenosis, freedom from TLR, freedom from MALE, and the survival rate at 12 months postoperatively were 83, 86, 85, and 89%, respectively. The penetration rate of a first-generation DES placement for treating SFA lesions is low in Japan. On the other hand, BMS is well utilized and its primary patency is acceptable.

This paper presents a programmable wideband low pass filter (LPF) with a hybrid Continuous-Time (CT)/Discrete-Time (DT) equalizer. Unlike the conventional DT LPF design, the proposed LPF eliminates sample & hold circuits, enabling to achieve much wider bandwidth. The transfer function is derived from CT/DT hybrid analysis. A prototype has been fabricated in 40 nm CMOS. The proposed LPF achieves 2.5 GHz bandwidth by wideband equalization with capacitance ratio (C ratio) and clock frequency (ƒ CK ) programmability. The proposed LPF occupies 0.048 mm2 of active area.

The vast unallocated frequency band lying above 275GHz offers enormous potential for ultrahigh-speed wireless communication. An overall bandwidth that could be allocated for multi-channel communication can easily be several times the 60GHz unlicensed bandwidth of 9GHz. We present a 300GHz transmitter (TX) in 40nm CMOS, capable of 32-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) 17.5Gb/s/ch signal transmission. It can cover the frequency range from 275 to 305GHz with 6 channels as shown at the top of Fig. 20.1.1. Figure 20.1.1 also lists possible THz TX architectures, based on recently reported above-200GHz TXs. The choice of architecture depends very much on the transistor unity-power-gain frequency fmax. If the fmax is sufficiently higher than the carrier frequency, the ordinary power amplifier (PA)-last architecture (Fig. 20.1.1, top row of the table) is possible and preferable [1–3], although the presence of a PA is, of course, not a requirement [4,5]. If, on the other hand, the fmax is comparable to or lower than the carrier frequency as in our case, a PA-less architecture must be adopted. A typical such architecture is the frequency multiplier-last architecture (Fig. 20.1.1, middle row of the table). For example, a 260GHz quadrupler-last on-off keying (OOK) TX [6] and a 434GHz tripler-last amplitude-shift keying (ASK) TX [7] were reported. A drawback of this architecture is the inefficient bandwidth utilization due to signal bandwidth spreading. Another drawback is that the use of multibit digital modulation is very difficult, if not impossible. An exception to this is the combination of quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and frequency tripling. When a QPSK-modulated intermediate frequency (IF) signal undergoes frequency tripling, the resulting signal constellation remains that of QPSK with some symbol permutation. Such a tripler-last 240GHz QPSK TX was reported [8]. However, a 16-QAM constellation, for example, would suffer severe distortion by frequency tripling. If the 300GHz band is to be seriously considered for a platform for ultrahigh-speed wireless communication, QAM-capability will be a requisite.

Cellulose synthesis in plants is believed to be carried out by the plasma membrane-associated rosette structure which can be observed by electron microscopy. Despite decade-long speculation, it had not been demonstrated whether the rosette is the site of catalytic activity of cellulose synthesis. To determine the relationship between this structure and cellulose synthesis, we successfully isolated detergent-insoluble rosettes from the plasma membrane of bean epicotyls. However, the purified rosettes did not possess cellulose synthesis activity in vitro. Conversely, detergent-soluble granular particles of approximately 9.5-10 nm diameter were also isolated and exhibited UDP-glucose binding activity and possessed beta-1,4-glucan (cellulose) synthesis activity in vitro. The particle, referred to as the catalytic unit of cellulose synthesis, was enriched with a 78 kDa polypeptide which was verified as sucrose synthase like by mass spectrometry and immunoblotting. The catalytic units were able to bind to the rosettes and retained the cellulose synthesis activity in the presence of UDP-glucose or sucrose plus UDP when supplemented with magnesium. The incorporation of the catalytic unit into the rosette structure was confirmed by immunogold labeling with anti-sucrose synthase antibodies under an electron microscope. Our results suggest that the plasma membrane-associated rosette anchors the catalytic unit of cellulose synthesis to form the functional cellulose synthesis machinery.

The authors describe a strategic evaluation system for research and development (R&D) in Japan's public research institutes, using examples implemented in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Important issues include promoting coherent and concurrent research on the basis of a strategy to bring about outcomes, and performing the evaluation from the perspective of outcomes in order to develop a clear scenario that might be related to future innovations. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

目的: 流出3路起源心室頻拍 (VOT-VT) のリエントリー回路の同定, 方法と結果: 非虚血性心疾患症例 (男性3例, 女性1例) に合併したリエントリー性VOT-VTを対象.心臓電気生理学検査時, 誘発されたVOT-VT (n=5) 持続中に大動脈バルサルバ洞および心室流出路領域においてエントレインメントマッピング (EM) 施行後, カテーテルアブレーションを行った.カテーテルアブレーション成功部位 (n=5) では, 頻拍中postpacing間隔は頻拍周期と一致, あるいは刺激-QRS間隔は電位-QRS間隔と一致し, すべての成功部位はリエントリー回路上であることが示唆された, EM法によりカテーテルアブレーション成功部位を同定した, リエントリー回路出口 (exit) (n=4) は右大動脈バルサルバ洞, 大動脈弁下部, 左室流出路そして右室流出路に, 必須緩徐伝導路 (central-proximal) (n=1) は右大動脈バルサルバ洞に同定された, 総括: リエントリー性VOT-VTはEM法によりリエントリー回路出口 (exit) および必須緩徐伝導路 (central-proximal) が同定され, カテーテルアブレーション成功部位は, 大動脈バルサルバ洞および心室流出路に存在した.

The correlation between the insertion torque of a lumbar pedicle screw and the mechanical stability of the screw in the bone has been mentioned in in vitro studies. The purpose of this study was to confirm the factors affecting the insertion torque of such screws in vivo. Also, the contribution of insertion torque to the initial stability of the fusion area was to be analyzed in vivo. A series of 23 cases representing 50 lumbar vertebrae were included in this study, in which we examined bone mineral density using quantitative computed tomography (CT) prior to operation. Two screw shapes were utilized, with the insertion torque for each screw measured at two points in time. The correlation between insertion torque and mineral density was investigated. Screw positions were confirmed on postoperative CT scans, and the effect of the screw thread cutting into the cortex bone was investigated. Radiographic changes at three points during a period of 3 months were also measured, and we then evaluated the interrelations between these changes and insertion torque. Furthermore, the relation between insertion torque and instability at 3 months was investigated. Correlations of insertion torque and bone mineral density depended on screw shape. There was no correlation found with mineral density in the case of cylindrical screws. Insertion torque was not affected by the screw thread cutting into the cortex of bone. As for postoperative alignment changes, no definitive trends could be ascertained, and no interrelations with torque and alignment changes were observed. There is a possibility that insertion torque was related to early-stage stability, but no statistical relation could be determined.

The decomposition of fluorocarbons (1%) in Ar was investigated using a surface discharge-type plasma reactor. To enhance the effectiveness of plasma chemical processing, we investigated the effects of catalysts and additives. The removal rate increased when the plasma reactor was packed with TiO 2 pellets as a catalyst. The catalytic effect seems to be derived from the direct activation of the TiO 2 surface by the plasma discharge, because significant UV emission and temperature increase were not observed in the plasma reactor. The removal rate was also enhanced when water vapor, oxygen, or hydrogen was added to the reactant. In addition, the presence of TiO 2 or the additional gases or both depressed byproduct formation. Analysis of the reaction products suggested that the catalysts and additives enhanced the process by preventing the recombination of decomposed fragments.

We have observed significant enhancements in the rate and capacity of NO2 uptake caused by the injection of ozone over the zeolite H-ZSM-5, which has a high SiO2/Al2O3 ratio. We performed these experiments using a gas-flow system in which the profiles of NO2 adsorption and subsequent temperature-programmed desorption were measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We interpret these results in two ways: either by assuming that fast surface reactions lead to N2O5 formation or by considering that ozone suppresses the blockage of the reactive Bronsted-acidic protons.

We investigated the chemical transformation of low concentrations (∼100 ppm) of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in gaseous nitrogen by nonthermal plasma processing by assuming that this transformation occurs by the dominant mechanism of CFC dissociation. The calculated and experimental results indicate that the extent of CFC dissociation induced by energy transfer from electronically excited species is negligible. We suggest that dissociation by impact with high-energy plasma electrons is the process mainly responsible for the decomposition of CFC. We also discuss the possibility of optimizing this plasma process for environmental engineering in the semiconductor industry.

Decomposition of the aromatics benzene (C6H6), toluene (C6H5CH3), and o-xylene (C6H4(CH3)2) was carried out in a plasma reactor packed with BaTiO3 pellets in the presence of various background gases. The order of decomposition efficiency was C6H6 C6H5CH3>C6H4(CH3)2. When the reactant gas consisted of a mixture of C6H6, C6H5CH3, and C6H4(CH3)2, decomposition of C6H6 was suppressed, whereas the decompositions of C6H5CH3 and C6H4(CH3)2 were enhanced compared with the single-component decompositions of these aromatics. It seems that the migration of reactant molecules to the solid surface and the molecular sizes play important roles in these behaviors.

The decomposition of benzene was carried out using two types of plasma reactors packed with BaTiO/sub 3/ pellets: one had two electrodes made of stainless steel (SUS-reactor) and the other had glass layer between two concentric electrodes (GL-reactor). It was found that the decomposition efficiency and the suppression of N/sub 2/O and NO/sub x/ formations in the GL-reactor were greater than those in the SUS-reactor. On the contrary, the suppression of O/sub 3/ formation and the oxidation to CO/sub x/ in the SUS-reactor were superior to those in the GL-reactor. Furthermore, the effect of operating conditions, i.e., waveform and frequency of applied AC power, was also investigated using both the reactors.

The effect of water vapor on benzene decomposition in air was investigatedusing a nonthermal-discharge plasma reactor packed with ferroelectricmaterials. The conversion of benzene was found to decrease with an increaseof water concentration. On the other hand, the selectivity to CO2 in thedecomposition products increased with an increase of water concentration. Acomparison between the benzene conversion to CO and CO2 suggested that COformation was suppressed by water to a greater extent than was CO2formation. N2O formation also decreased with an increase of waterconcentration. These results suggest that the activity of oxygen speciesresponsible for the formation of CO and N2O is reduced by water.