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Nonlinear damping with respect to vibration amplitude is particularly important in mechanical dynamics. The addition of short fibers to damping materials is considered to result in strong nonlinear damping due to interfacial peeling at the edges of the fibers. However, little has been reported on the occurrence of nonlinear damping in short-fiber reinforced rubber due to compounding difficulties. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the damping characteristics and deformation behavior of microdeformed short-fiber reinforced rubber by X-ray computed tomography (CT). We prepared a damping material with a natural rubber (NR) matrix and micrometer-sized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber filler. The loss factor was identified by dynamic mechanical analysis, and three-dimensional strain maps were obtained using marker tracking in the CT data. The addition of 5 wt% PET fibers to NR resulted in an increase in the loss factor. Experimentally, we found that the nonlinear damping of the composite rubber is affected by the peeling of the filler/matrix interface and the strain inside the material.

BackgroundTakayasu arteritis (TAK), a granulomatous large vessel vasculitis, mainly involves the aorta and its proximal branches and commonly occurs in young females. However, studies of pregnancy in women with TAK are sparse and limited, probably due to the rarity of the disease.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to understand the status quo of medical treatments of the primary disease and outcomes of pregnancy in patients with TAK, and birth outcomes of the children in Japan.MethodsPatients with TAK who conceived after the onset of the disease and were managed at medical facilities participating in the Japan Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for Intractable Vasculitis (JPVAS) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The following information was collected from patients who had a live-born baby: age at diagnosis of TAK, disease classification, age at delivery, treatments before and during pregnancy, complications during pregnancy, birth outcomes of the children, and changes in disease activity during pregnancy and after delivery.ResultsFifty-one cases and 69 pregnancies from 19 ethics committee-approved centers were enrolled during the study period 2019–2021. Of these, 49 cases and 66 pregnancies (95.7%) resulted in delivery and live-born babies. The Numano classification of the 49 cases was as follows: type I, 11; type IIa, 15; type IIb,12; type III, 1; type IV, 1; type V, 9; with type IIa being the most common. The age of diagnosis was 22 years (13–37 years, year of diagnosis 1965–2017), the median age of the delivery of 66 pregnancies was 31 years (year of delivery 1969-2021), and the median duration of illness at delivery was nine years. There were 34 planned pregnancies (51.5%, including four pregnancies by artificial insemination/ovulation induction). Preconception therapy included prednisolone (PSL) in 51 pregnancies (77.3%, median dose 7.5 mg (range 4–30 mg)/day), immunosuppressive drugs in 18 pregnancies (27.3%, azathioprine 8, tacrolimus 7, methotrexate 4, cyclosporin A 1, and colchicine 1), biologics in 12 pregnancies (18.1%, infliximab 6, tocilizumab 5, and adalimumab 1), antihypertensive drugs in 5 pregnancies (7.6%). Surgical treatment had been performed before pregnancy in 6 cases (aortic root replacement 2, subclavian artery dilatation 1, subclavian artery bypass 1, subclavian artery stenting 1, and ascending aorta semicircular artery replacement 1). Medications used during the course of pregnancy included PSL in 48 pregnancies (72.7%, median dose 8 mg (range 4–30 mg)/day, increased in 13 pregnancies, decreased in 1 pregnancy), immunosuppressants in 13 pregnancies (19.7%, azathioprine 6, tacrolimus 6, and cyclosporin A 1), biologics 9 pregnancies (13.6%, infliximab 4, tocilizumab 4, and adalimumab 1). Immunosuppressants and biologics were discontinued in five and four pregnancies after conception. Complications during pregnancy were observed in 20 pregnancies (30.3%), with hypertension being the most common. Complications related to TAK or its treatment were severe infections in two pregnancies and aneurysm enlargement due to increased circulating plasma volume in one pregnancy. Aortic arch replacement was performed after delivery for the latter case. Relapse of TAK was observed in 4 pregnancies (6.1%) during pregnancy and in 8 pregnancies (12.1%) after delivery. One pregnancy resulted in restenosis of subclavian artery for which dilatation procedure was performed prior to the pregnancy. There were 13/66 (19.7%) preterm infants and 17/59 (28.8%) low birth weight infants; all but one had a birth weight of more than 2,000 g and no had serious postnatal abnormalities. Forty-three (82.7%) of the 52 confirmed infants were breastfeed fully or mixed.ConclusionMost of the pregnancies in patients with TAK were successfully delivered while they had low disease activity at a dose of less than 10 mg/day of PSL. Relapse occurred during pregnancy and after delivery in some cases. The babies tended to have low birth weight, but 82.7% of them were breastfed without serious complications.Disclosure of InterestsTakako Miyamae: None declared, Yusuke Manabe: None declared, takahiko sugihara Speakers bureau: TS has received honoraria from Abbvie Japan Co., Ltd., AsahiKASEI Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceutical, Pfizer Japan Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and UCB Japan Co., Grant/research support from: TS has received research grants from AsahiKASEI Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Ono Pharmaceutical., Natsuka Umezawa: None declared, Hajime Yoshifuji Speakers bureau: HY has received lecture fees from Janssen and Chugai., Naoto Tamura: None declared, Yoshiyuki Abe: None declared, Shunsuke Furuta Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.DaiichiSankyo Co.,Ltd.Asahi-Kasei Pharma Corporation, Manami Kato: None declared, Takashi Kumagai: None declared, Kaito Nakamura: None declared, Hiroko Nagafuchi: None declared, Jun Ishizaki: None declared, Naoko Nakano: None declared, Tatsuya Atsumi Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., AbbVie Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Novartis Pharma K.K., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.,TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., Consultant of: AstraZeneca plc., MEDICAL & BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES CO., LTD., Pfizer Inc., AbbVie Inc., ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO. LTD.,Novartis Pharma K.K., Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.AbbVie Inc., Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd.,Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Pfizer Inc. Alexion Inc., TEIJIN PHARMA LIMITED., Kohei Karino: None declared, Koichi Amano Speakers bureau: AbbVie GK, Asahi-Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd., Eisai, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKlein, Janssen Pharma, Pfizer Japan, Grant/research support from: Asahi-Kasei Pharma,Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd., Takahiko Kurasawa: None declared, Shuichi Ito: None declared, Ryusuke Yoshimi: None declared, Noriyoshi Ogawa: None declared, Shogo Banno: None declared, Taio Naniwa Speakers bureau: Chugai, Tanabe, Abbbvie, Eisai, Grant/research support from: Chugai, Tanabe, Abbbvie, Eisai, Satoshi Ito Speakers bureau: SI has received speaker’s fees from pharmaceutical companies., Akinori Hara: None declared, Shinya Hirahara: None declared, Haruhito A. Uchida: None declared, Yasuhiro Onishi: None declared, Yohko Murakawa Speakers bureau: Astellas, UCB, Chugai, AbbVie, Grant/research support from: Chugai, AbbVie, Yoshinori Komagata: None declared, Yoshikazu Nakaoka: None declared, Masayoshi Harigai Speakers bureau: MH has received speaker’s fee from AbbVie Japan GK, Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Boehringer Ingelheim Japan, Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Novartis Japan, Pfizer Japan Inc., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Teijin Pharma Ltd and UCB Japan., Consultant of: MH is a consultant for AbbVie, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Teijin Pharma.

The difference of the three-dimensional morphology of eutectic Si particles has been investigated in Al-7mass%Si cast alloys changing trace P and Sr contents by means of synchrotron radiation nano-tomography with Zernike phase plate. Fibrous Si morphology aligning in the same direction is observed in Al-7mass%Si-2ppmP alloy. Si particles in Al-7mass%Si-8ppmP-42ppmSr are not only of a plate-like morphology but also a coral-like and a fibrous morphology. All of the Si particles have either a fibrous morphology or a coral-like morphology in Al-7mass%Si-9ppmP-277ppmSr. It is realized that a solidification sequence affected by trace P and Sr contents changes the three-dimensional morphology of Si particles.

Toxoplasma is a common parasite worldwide that mainly affects the brain, lungs and eyes. Although toxoplasmic encephalitis is a lethal disease without treatment, past case reports show most patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed toxoplasmic encephalitis were misdiagnosed and treated as neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, which led to unfavorable outcomes. We herein describe a case of disseminated toxoplasmosis affecting all the above organs with atypical symptoms, which developed with exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus. She had initially manifested with retinochoroiditis without vitritis, mild cognitive impairment and an isolated lung mass. These are completely different from the classic symptoms of toxoplasmosis that have been reported in patients with HIV infection and/or those after hematopoietic transplantation. Our case, together with previously reported cases, suggests the manifestation of toxoplasmosis that develops in systemic lupus erythematosus patients can be different from that seen in conventional cases and varies between individual patients. Our case highlights both the difficulty in and the importance of diagnosing toxoplasmosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and provides helpful information to identify this rare, devastating, yet treatable disease.

Direct feeding of biogas to SOFC, which is derived from municipal organic wastes, has been studied aiming at the development of a carbon-neutral renewable energy system. However, in the direct-feeding of biogas to a real SOFC, strong temperature gradient generated in the cell attributed to endothermic reforming reaction can cause cell fracture in the worst case. Air addition to biogas is one of the most effective ways to solve this problem. In this study optimum air amount added to biogas was evaluated in the view points of thermo-mechanical reliability, electrochemical and internal reforming efficiencies.

Summary The waste biomass residue from satsuma mandarin juice production was extracted by wet-fine grinding and separated by centrifugation into insoluble and soluble fractions. The insoluble material was wet-screened into four fractions and analysed for crude fibre and total hydrolysable sugars. Crude fibre was almost exclusively in fractions containing particles over 50 μm, comprising about 65% of the insoluble material; this could provide a raw material high in crude fibre. The remaining insoluble fraction was almost devoid of crude fibre. The soluble extract contained up to 63% of the total pectic substances with very similar methoxyl contents and degree of esterification, but double the viscometric molecular weight of a standard citrus pectin. The method provides an alternative to that of hot acid extraction.

This paper demonstrates experimental evaluation results of a wireless sensor network system inside a reusable rocket for health monitoring system. The wireless sensor node is powered by microwave power transmission (MPT) to realize completely wireless, battery-less system. Both the MPT and wireless communication use same frequency, 5.8 GHz. Time division operation is utilized for the coexistence. Rectifier output DC power, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and packet error rate (PER) is measured using the reusable vehicle test (RVT) to evaluate the feasibility of the coexistence.

We have routinely applied an extra-strong graduated compression stocking to cesarean section patients to reduce the incidence of spinal anesthesia hypotension. Because bupivacaine has recently become available in Japan, we compared the incidence of spinal hypotension using either 2.0 ml of hyperbaric 0.3% dibucaine or 0.5% bupivacaine. There were 98 full-term parturients wearing the stocking who received 2.0 ml injection of dibucaine or bupivacaine for elective cesarean section. When systolic blood pressure decreased to 90-100 mm Hg or to less than 70% of the pre-anesthesia value, ephedrine was injected intravenously. There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure or heart rate during spinal anesthesia between the dibucaine and bupivacaine groups. Although the demographic data and various data related to anesthesia or surgery were similar in the groups, the fluid volume and the dose and incidence of ephedrine injection during anesthesia showed significant differences: the mean dose was 3.6 and 1.5 mg and the incidence was 41% and 19% in the dibucaine and bupivacaine groups, respectively. Spinal anesthesia using bupivacaine results in a lower incidence of spinal hypotension compared with dibucaine and, in combination with fitting the extra-strong stockings onto both legs, is clinically useful for cesarean sections.

Twelve elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty received lumbar epidural anaesthesia and propofol infusion at 5 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) following a 1.5-2.0 mg.kg(-1) bolus dose with preservation of spontaneous respiration via a laryngeal mask airway. Circulatory, respiratory and metabolic variables were measured before and 1, 3, 5, 15 and 30 min after release of a pneumatic thigh tourniquet. The blood pressure was decreased at all time-points and the respiratory rate increased at 1 min. The P(a)CO(2) was increased only at 1 min. Arterial blood pH and base excess were decreased at 1 and 3 min and 1, 3 and 5 min, respectively. Arterial blood lactate levels were increased at all times. These characteristics were considered to be identical to those under regional anaesthesia with conscious spontaneous respiration, showing that spontaneous respiration under this anaesthetic regimen has a similar respiratory capacity to that of conscious spontaneous respiration.

In this study, a C band 20 W class GaN high power amplifier (HPA) for microwave power transmission (MPT) to sensor nodes in a spacecraft was designed. The weight of HPA was reduced by use of carbon graphite fixture. Measurement results of the small signal S parameters and large signal input output characteristics was shown. The measured S parameter corresponded with ADS simulation result and |S 21 | was 10.6 dB at 5.8 GHz. The maximum output power was 44.2 dBm (26.3W) at 38.7 dBm RF input. The gain at 38.7 dBm RF input also was 6.1dB and gain compression from small signal condition was 4.5 dB. The lightweight GaN HPA was fabricated with carbon graphite fixture.

Because a standard type of graduated compression stocking is not effective for the prevention of spinal anesthesia hypothension during cesarean section, we have used an extra-strong type of graduated compression stocking. This study examined whether the extra-strong stocking reduces usage of vasopressor agents. Forty-eight and 47 full term parturients were fitted with the standard stocking and the extra-strong stocking, respectively. Spinal anesthesia was performed by injecting 2.0 ml 0.3% dibucaine hyperbaric solution. When systolic blood pressure decreased to 90-100 mmHg or to less than 70% of the pre-anesthesia value, ephedrine was injected. There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure or heart rate during spinal anesthesia between the groups. The mean dose of ephedrine injected during anesthesia was 12.2 and 4.3 mg, and the incidence of ephedrine injected was 85 and 49%, in the standard and extra-strong stocking groups, respectively. The extra-strong stocking group showed significantly lower values. Fitting the extra-strong stocking on both legs for cesarean sections undergoing spinal anesthesia reduced usage of vasopressor agents, suggesting a promising use of this stocking for non-invasive prophylaxis.

The present study is concerned with the immobilization of β-amylase from sweet potato tuberous roots on chitosan beads for the purpose of maltose production. Immobilized sweet potato β-amylase on Chitopearl BCW 3505 beads exhibited an activity of 142 U/g carrier. The optimum temperature of the immobilized β-amylase increased by 20°C, and thermostability was improved by about 10°C compared to free β-amylase. The additional effects of two types of the immobilized pullulanases on maltose formation were also investigated. The addition of pullulanase from Bacillus brevis gave a higher yield of maltose compared to that from Klebsiella pneumoniae. A semi-continuous production of maltose from a highly concentrated substrate (Pine-Dex #1, potato starch hydrolyzate) solution (40%, w/v) with the immobilized sweet potato β-amylase and Bacillus brevis pullulanase could be obtained at pH 6.0 and 60°C for 14 days at a higher yield (70.9%) using a horizontal rotary column reactor.

The effect of starvation on feeding behaviour was studied in hatchery-reared juveniles of the Japanese flounder in the context of improving stock enhancement strategies. Fish (54.0±5.9 mm in total length) were deprived of food (mysids) for 1, 2, or 4 days, and their subsequent feeding behaviour was observed using a video camera. The phase of feeding action, the foraging pattern, the off-bottom duration, and the swimming speed were defined and analyzed. The feeding action was divided into four phases: aim, creep, attack, and return. The foraging patterns were classified into four types. The typical foraging pattern, with a single attack and a quick return to the initial position (type A), became less common as the fish were starved, while there was a greater incidence of slower returns (type B), returns to different positions (type C), and multiple feeding (type D). The frequency of the feeding action and the duration of off-bottom swimming increased as the food deprivation period increased. The swimming speed for creeping to the mysid prey increased, but that of the return decreased as the fish were starved. These changes in feeding behaviour under starvation may prolong the time flounder juveniles spend in the water column and may result in a higher risk of predation. In the stock enhancement program of Japanese flounder, starvation should be avoided to reduce predation and improve survival.

A continuous monitor for accurately measuring long-term concentrations of low environmental radon progeny was developed in order to estimate the environmental influence of radon around a closed uranium mine. It is important to measure radon progeny concentration because almost all dose from radon is caused by its short-lived progeny. The various features of the monitor are a large sampling flow rate with 80 1.min -1 and the use of alpha energy spectrometry in a vacuum vessel. These have been adopted to obtain high sensitivity and resolution. Use of a long roll-type membrane filter and a reliable automatic system enabled continuous measurement for more than one month. The measurements using the monitors around the closed mine were carried out and the environmental effect was estimated to be less than 1 mSv.y -1 .

1. The relationship between plasma levels of a new H2-receptor antagonist, Z-300, and an active sulphoxide metabolite, and inhibitory effects on gastric acid secretion after intravenous or oral administration to dog have been examined. After both routes of administration, Z-300 in plasma eliminated with two phases, and the terminal half-lives were approximately 2 h. The level of sulphoxide in plasma reached a maximum at 0.6-0.7 h after administration, then subsequently eliminated with a half-life of approximately 6 h. 2. The maximal pharmacological effect of inhibition of gastric acid secretion (90-91%) was observed at 2 h (i.v.) and 6 h (p.o.), and the action persisted until 7 h after administration. 3. Since there was no correlation between plasma levels of Z-300 and pharmacological effects, the pharmacological effects were calculated by pharmacodynamic model including the effect compartment. The inhibition of acid output could be calculated by the amounts of Z-300 and sulphoxide corrected by pharmacological efficacy in the effect compartment. 4. These findings suggest that Z-300 contributes to the rapid appearance of the pharmacological effects in dog, whereas the sulphoxide, which eliminates slowly in plasma, contributes to duration.

1. The metabolisms of (N-[3-[3-(piperidinomethyl)-phenoxy]-propyl]-2-(2-hydroxyethyl-1-t hio) acetamide.2-(4-hydroxy benzoyl) benzoate) (Z-300) in rat have been studied. 2. Five metabolites were identified, namely as sulphoxide (SO), sulphone (SO2), phenol (PH), propionic acid (PA) and thioglycolic acid (TH) derivatives. Furthermore, two metabolites, M1 and M2, were proposed as PH conjugated to sulphate and glucuronic acid respectively. 3. There were several metabolites in the plasma samples after oral administration of 14C-Z-300. The main metabolites were PH (mainly existing as the conjugates), PA and SO, and Z-300 was present as

The Lithium Battery Energy Storage Technology Research Association (LIBES) conducts research and development on ‘Dispersed Battery Energy Storage Technology’ of the New Sun-Shine Program of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). This national project is being carried out based on the contract with New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). This R&D project for ten years with the budget of approximately Y14 billion has been started in the fiscal year 1992, and includes: (i) R&D of 20–30 kWh class high-performance ambient-temperature lithium secondary batteries, and (ii) study on the total system of lithium-battery application technology. This paper describes the project and current research activities.

An experimental study on the removal of NH/sub 3/, NO, and NO/sub x/ in concentrations of 10-40 ppm in air has been carried out using plasma chemical reaction in a streamer corona discharge. The results of the performance of dry-type and semi-wet-type reactors are compared. The effect of different types of applied voltages such as rectangular pulse, 60 Hz sinusoidal, and 18 kHz alternating voltages is investigated. During NO removal, O/sub 3/ and NO/sub 2/ are produced. NO/sub 2/ can, partially, be removed with higher power input into the discharge. Another undesirable pollutant, namely N/sub 2/O, is also produced, especially in the case of dry reactors having long residence time ( approximately 2.4 s). N/sub 2/O production decreases, essentially, to zero at 0.6 s residence time when using a semiwet reactor. In general, higher removal efficiency has been obtained with pulse voltage in a wet reactor. NH/sub 3/ in air appears to produce ozone and ammonium nitrate in a discharge. The performance of semiwet reactors with regard to the removal of submicron dust particles has also been investigated and very high removal efficiency ( approximately 93% at 0.6 s residence time) has been obtained. >

We have investigated effects of the hydrogen flow rate on growth characteristics and electrical/optical properties in InP grown by organometallic vapour phase epitaxy (OMVPE) using trimethylindium (TMIn) and tertiary-butylphosphine (TBP). The surface morphology was significantly improved with increasing hydrogen flow rate. Hall effect measurements indicated the decrease of residual impurities with hydrogen flow rate, being coincident with the photoluminescence (PL) results. These observations were discussed with reducing residence time and density of the source gases near the growth interface.

In this paper, the authors report the results of laboratory experiments on NO/sub x/ removal (DeNOx) using a nonthermal plasma process. Studies were conducted on a dry-type plasma reactor and several wet-type reactors to evaluate DeNOx efficiency. The reactor geometry was coaxial with an inner discharge electrode and an outer ground electrode wrapped on an insulating glass tube. Simulated flue gas was used in the experiment. The dry-type reactor performed better with the addition of ammonia and water vapor to the simulated gas. In the wet-type reactors, water and NaOH solution were used as absorbents and DeNOx performance was found to be the same in each case. Also, with water as the absorbent and with its pH value dropping below 3, the performance of the wet-type reactors remained constant. Studies on wet-type reactors, further, suggested that about half of NO removed by the plasma was dissociated into N/sub 2/ and O/sub 2/ and the rest was absorbed by water. The studies indicate that wet-type reactors performed better than the dry-type reactor in the removal of NO/sub x/.

Inorganic porous membranes (pore size

The electrodeposition of PbS films from an acidic solution containing Na2S2O3 and Pb(NO3)2 has been investigated. The cathodic deposition mechanism and the composition of the films deposited were examined by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement. PbS films have been deposited at −0.60 V vs. Ag / AgCl from an acidic solution with a pH value less than 3.0, containing 1 mM Na2S2O3 and 1 mM Pb(NO3)2. In the cathodic electrodeposition of PbS films from an acidic solution, colloidal sulfur played an important role.

1. Plasma levels of nizatidine and two metabolites (N-desmethyl nizatidine and nizatidine S-oxide) were studied in dogs and rats. 2. The time-courses of plasma concentration of nizatidine after i.v. and oral administration to dogs well fitted a two-compartment model. Absorption after oral administration was rapid, and the peak plasma level (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) were proportional to doses. Absolute bioavailability was close to 100%, indicating that nizatidine has a negligible first-pass effect. 3. Nizatidine was eliminated by apparent first-order kinetics after i.v. administration to rats, and the elimination in rats was faster than in dogs. Bioavailability in rats was 72.4%, indicating a slight first-pass effect in rats. 4. When plasma clearance (Clp), or volume of distribution (Vd.beta), of nizatidine were plotted against animal body weight on a log-log scale, good correlations were obtained for rats, dogs and humans. 5. Peak levels (Cmax) of two metabolites were reached at 0.5-1.0 h after oral and i.v. administration of nizatidine to dogs. The elimination curves of the two metabolites were similar to that of nizatidine. Significant relationships were found between doses of nizatidine and Cmax or AUC of both metabolites.

Author(s): Ramey, Craig A.; Bourassa, Jean B.; Furuta, Michael S. | Abstract: Seventy-one Chinese ring-necked pheasants were radio-tracked in mixed crops in Sutter County, CA. Weekly survival of 39 wild (4 native and 35 translocated) versus 32 pen-reared birds were compared at 2 sites (~2,000 ha each) during the fall 1996 agricultural harvests. Pheasant survival after 1 week was wild 74% and 79% versus pen-reared 61% and 57% at the Meridian and Nicolaus sites, respectively. Thereafter, pooled sites survival was ~linear with ~1 wild bird dying every 2.8 weeks for 7 weeks and ~1 pen-reared bird death occurred every 4.7 days for 3 weeks. Several relocated and pen-reared pheasants joined wild flocks, and their survival improved with one of each harvested during the 1997 hunting season. Both survived g400 days. All affected pheasants changed their habitat utilization and movement ecology following the harvest of their primary cover and forage crop(s). Chi square analysis of habitat use by 30 wild and 19 pen-reared pheasants demonstrated habitat preferences were greater than its availability (P l 0.01) for milo (planted only in Meridian), weeds, and corn. Their preferences for alfalfa, beets, and safflower were equal to their availability. Rice was preferred when the fields were dry, but overall it was not preferred (P l 0.01). Also, orchards (cleared of ground vegetation for nut harvests) and fallow habitats were not preferred. Movement ecology data were separated by study site because of significant habitat differences. Home ranges (95% utilization areas) using the minimum convex polygon method to compare wild versus pen-reared pheasants averaged 74 and 67 ha at Meridian and 73 and 140 ha at Nicolaus. Daily rooster and hen movements averaged 295 m and 276 m for wild birds and 335 m and 382 m for pen-reared birds at the Meridian and Nicolaus sites, respectively. Results from the first fall pheasant study in California crops demonstrated they preferred the dynamic juxtaposition of grains and weeds for cover, shelter and forage with water. Twenty-nine pheasants (58%) demonstrated habitat preferences for grains– milo, rice, and corn. Pheasant survival was related to post-harvest habitat changes. Their home range, survival, and movements were very similar at both sites although the crop mosaic and habitat relationships were very different. These new results should be included in both public and private pheasant management practices.

We experienced 2 effective cases of nifekalant hydrochloride. One patient was 76-year-old female who underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of unstable angina pectoris (AP) and ventricular fibrillation (Vf). Her cardiac function had been decreased preoperatively due to old myocardial infarction (OMI). One day after CABG, she revealed sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and Vf. Although administrations of neither lidocaine hydrochloride nor magnesium sulfate were effective, nifekalant hydrochloride finally stopped the life-threatening arrhythmia without hypotension. Another patient was 77-year-old male who underwent CABG and Dor operation. His cardiac function also had been decreased due to OMI. He revealed VT attack at midnight 3 days after operation. VT attack still appeared at next 2 midnight under lidocaine hydrochloride infusion, but finally it has disappeared after starting a drip infusion of nifekalant hydrochloride. Nifekalant hydrochloride is quite useful as a new therapeutic strategy for uncontrollable VT and Vf and for the patient who has a reduced left ventricular function because it has an inotropic effect.

In the surface acoustic wave quantum computer, the spin state of an electron trapped in a moving quantum dot comprises the physical qubit of the scheme. Via detailed analytic and numerical modeling of the qubit dynamics, we discuss the effect of excitations into higher-energy orbital states of the quantum dot that occur when the qubits pass through magnetic fields. We describe how single-qubit quantum operations, such as single-qubit rotations and single-qubit measurements, can be performed using only localized static magnetic fields. The models provide useful parameter regimes to be explored experimentally when the requirements on semiconductor gate fabrication and the nanomagnetics technology are met in the future., 13 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B

Strength of the right atrial wall suture line after tricuspid valve supra-annular implantation (TVSI) is controversial. We observed the right atrial supra-annular position of a 63-year-old male during his third mitral operation who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) and TVSI 15 years ago. Eight years later, he received the second MVR and removal of the bioprosthetic valve from the tricuspid position due to primary tissue failures. The annular size of the tricuspid valve had decreased enough to be fixed by tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) and re-TVSI was not needed at that time. In this operation, 7 years following bioprosthetic valve removal, the circularly bulging atrial wall still remained and seemed to have enough strength for holding the prosthetic valve. This finding may support the conclusion that the right atrial wall has enouth strength for holding a prosthetic valve in position.

We investigated the involvement of adenosine receptors on forced walking stress-induced analgesia using a formalin-induced paw-licking test in male mice. Exposure to forced walking stress for 6 h showed stress-induced analgesia in the second phase (10-30 min), but not in the first phase (0-10 min). In the second phase, forced walking stress-induced analgesia was blocked by theophylline, a nonselective adenosine-receptor antagonist and DPCPX, an adenosine A1-receptor antagonist, but not ZM 241385, an adenosine A2A-receptor antagonist. These findings suggest that adenosine A1 receptors are involved in the analgesic mechanism activated by the forced walking stress.

We propose a noise suppresser (AMR-NS) for the 3GPP standard AMR (adaptive multirate) speech codec. The proposed AMR-NS method is based on spectral subtraction and is structured from spectral amplitude suppression and spectral subtraction that are adaptively controlled by the input signal. The subjective evaluation results based on 3GPP performance requirements (3GPP TS26.077) in a third party testing laboratory show that the proposed AMR-NS has satisfied all the requirements for Japanese and English speech materials. It has also satisfied all the objective evaluation requirements.

Incoherence in the controlled Hamiltonian is an important limitation on the precision of coherent control in quantum information processing. Incoherence can typically be modelled as a distribution of unitary processes arising from slowly varying experimental parameters. We show how it introduces artifacts in quantum process tomography and we explain how the resulting estimate of the superoperator may not be completely positive. We then go on to attack the inverse problem of extracting an effective distribution of unitaries that characterizes the incoherence via a perturbation theory analysis of the superoperator eigenvalue spectra., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, replaced with future JCP published version

Laboratory experiments on NO/sub x/ removal were carried out using a plasma chemical process. In order to improve the NO/sub x/ removal efficiency, several different wet-type plasma reactors were designed and tested using simulated gas. A dry-type reactor was also tested. Basically the reactors consist of a discharge electrode and a glass insulating tube surrounded by a ground electrode. The injection of ammonia and water vapor together enhanced the DeNO/sub x/ performance of the dry-reactor. The wet-type reactors performed better compared with the dry reactor. In the wet-type reactors, the DeNO/sub x/ performances using water, ammonia solution and NaOH solution as the absorbent, were about the same. When water was used, the DeNO/sub x/ performance of the wet-type reactors stayed constant, even when the pH value of the water dropped to less than 3. The experimental results suggested that about half of the NO removed by the plasma process dissociated to N/sub 2/ and O/sub 2/ and that the other half became NO/sub 2/ and was absorbed in water. >

Superlattice type photodiodes of a GaAs-Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As structure were studied at room temperature. A combination of potential-well width and barrier width was sensitive to the charge multiplication factor. Using a diode with a 10 nm well and a 15 nm barrier, the detector characteristics were investigated from a point of view of achieving a high gain. This type of photodiode was confirmed to be sensitive to Cherenkov light generated in water. Effects of carrier doping up to 10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/ at room temperature on the multiplication rate is discussed.

In order to design emotional actions of computer graphic characters, the authors analysed the actions of a Bunraku puppet which is manipulated by an expert of puppet manipulation. The puppet's action is decomposed into a main part which is the motion of the puppet's axis and the accompaniment which is the relative motion with respect to the motion of the axis. The emotional actions of the puppet are explained by the phase factor and the amplitude factor of the motion of the puppet's axis. Based on this analysis, a simple method to design emotional actions are obtained.

In order to design emotional actions of humanoid, the authors analyze the motions of the axes of a Buntaku puppet which is manipulated by an expert of puppet manipulation. The axes' motion are segmented to some phrases, and the emotional factor of the puppet's action are explained by time length and amplitude of each phrase. This knowledge is interpreted by the movement score Labanotation.

The paper describes the importance of collaboration support for a digital library. Collaboration among users is required in an ordinary library. Users of a digital library can utilize advanced collaboration functions which are supported by computer systems. Four types of user in a digital library are defined: customers who utilize information from documents in libraries; reference librarians who support customers and maintain reference materials; catalog librarians who gather, organize and register documents; and providers who create, edit and publish documents. We study collaborations among these kinds of users such as collaborative searching, collaborative reading, shared glossaries, collaborative registration, and question and answer databases. We have developed a prototype of a digital library system with collaboration support mechanisms.

The roles of donor layers and acceptor stacks in the electronic properties of the charge transfer complex, $(\mathrm{BETS}{)}_{2}({\mathrm{Br}}_{2}\mathrm{TCNQ})$ were investigated by means of site-selective NMR measurements. Line broadening of ${}^{77}\mathrm{Se}$ NMR indicating a magnetic ordering on the BETS site was observed at the metal-insulator transition temperature 12 K. This transition is caused by the spin-density-wave formation on the BETS layers. ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}$ NMR on the cyano carbon in the ${\mathrm{Br}}_{2}\mathrm{TCNQ}$ molecule confirms that a spin singlet formation starts to develop on the one dimensional ${\mathrm{Br}}_{2}\mathrm{TCNQ}$ columns below 170 K and its three dimensional ordering appears below 80 K. From the analysis of the NMR line shape and shift, magnetic susceptibility was decomposed into the contributions of the BETS and ${\mathrm{Br}}_{2}\mathrm{TCNQ}$ sites.

We investigated the effects of aging on forced walking stress-induced analgesia using a formalin-induced paw licking test in male mice. Exposure to forced walking stress for 6 h showed forced walking stress-induced analgesia in all mice aged 4, 24 and 48 weeks in the second phase (10-30 min), but not in the first phase (0-10 min). In the second phase, the degree of stress-induced analgesia was age-dependent (42448 weeks). LY-235959, a competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, blocked forced walking stress-induced analgesia in mice aged 4 and 24 weeks, but not in those aged 48 weeks. Naloxone did not antagonize forced walking stress-induced analgesia in mice in any of the age groups. The present study suggests that the degree of forced walking stress-induced analgesia depends on the age of mice and confirms previous findings that forced walking stress-induced analgesia is involved in the nonopioid system via NMDA receptors.

We measured the temperature dependence of electrical resistivity of non-fluorine- substituted, oxygen-deficient LnFeAsO1-y (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Tb) under hydrostatic high pressure up to '8 GPa in order to observe pressure dependence of superconducting transition temperature Tc. In LaFeAsO0.65, onset Tc initially enhances below 4 GPa, then decreases by applying further pressure. However, the zero-resistivity temperature does not show enhancement by applying pressure. In the case of NdFeAsO1-y and TbFeAsO1-y, Tc shows monotonic decrease as increasing pressure. Tc is much more likely to go down faster if Ln with small ionic size was taken. Therefore, the bulk superconductivity is suppressed finally at ~7 GPa in TbFeAsO0.7.

Transparent electrodes were formed on Eu-doped GaN-based red-light-emitting diode (GaN:Eu LED) substrates by the screen printing of indium tin oxide nanoparticle (ITO np) inks as a wet process. The ITO nps with a mean diameter of 25 nm were synthesized by the controlled thermolysis of a mixture of indium complexes and tin complexes. After the direct screen printing of ITO np inks on GaN:Eu LED substrates and sintering at 850 °C for 10 min under atmospheric conditions, the resistivity of the ITO film was 5.2 mΩ cm. The fabricated LED up to 3 mm square surface emitted red light when the on-voltage was exceeded.

In dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, the inhibition of plasma DPP-4 activity by 80% is considered sufficient to have an effect on glycemic control improvement through the elevation of intact glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). To clarify whether or not the 80% inhibition is sufficient to protect against GLP-1 degradation, we investigated rats with a continuous infusion of exogenous GLP-1. When GLP-1 was infused into the femoral or portal vein, the steady state active GLP-1 levels in plasma significantly increased (P

We previously reported that systemic administration of yohimbine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, exerts a biphasic effect (stimulating and suppressing) on ejaculation in dogs, when this function is analyzed using the amount of ejaculated semen in response to genital stimulation. To clarify the effect of alpha2-adrenoceptor blockade on male sexual function, we investigated the effects of four selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists, rauwolscine, idazoxan, RX821002 and mydaglizole, on sexual responses (ejaculation, penile erection and pelvic thrusting behavior) elicited by manual penile stimulation in dogs. Rauwolscine (intraperitoneal, 30 min before the testing) caused a biphasic effect on ejaculation; the amount of ejaculated semen produced by the stimulation was significantly increased by the lower doses (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg), whereas it was decreased by the higher doses (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg). The higher doses of rauwolscine also markedly inhibited both penile erection and pelvic thrusting behavior. Idazoxan and RX821002, at doses of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, caused a significant increase in the amount of ejaculated semen without affecting other sexual functions. RX821002 (2.0 mg/kg), but not idazoxan (2.0 mg/kg), moderately inhibited both penile erection and pelvic thrusting behavior. Mydaglizole, a peripherally acting alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, did not affect the sexual responses at any doses (0.1-4.0 mg/kg). In the ejaculatory declining test, all alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists (0.1 mg/kg), except for mydaglizole, completely prevented the decrease in ejaculatory capacity produced by antecedent ejaculation. These results indicate that, though the range of the effective dose is narrow, the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists that can block the central alpha2-adrenoceptors have the stimulatory effects on ejaculatory function. The difference of the sexual effects may be based on the action except for the alpha2-adrenoceptor blockade.

We have purified and identified a 32-kDa protein interacting with the Dbl oncogene homology domain of mSos1(Sos-DH) from rat brains by glutathione S-transferase-Sos-DH affinity chromatography. Peptide sequencing revealed that the protein is identical to a positive regulatory E subunit (V-ATPase E) of a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, which is responsible for acidification of endosome and alkalinization of intracellular pH. The interaction between V-ATPase E and Sos-DH was confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assay. A coimmunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that a V-ATPase E protein physiologically bound to mSos1, and the protein was colocalized with mSos1 in the cytoplasm, as determined by immunohistochemistry. mSos1 was found in the early endosome fraction together with V-ATPase E and Rac1, suggesting the functional involvement of mSos1/V-ATPase E complexes in the Rac1 activity at endosomes. Overexpression of V-ATPase E in COS cells enhanced the ability of mSos1 to promote the guanine nucleotide exchange activity for Rac1 and stimulated the kinase activity of Jun kinase, a downstream target of Rac1. Thus, the data indicate that V-ATPase E may participate in the regulation of the mSos1-dependent Rac1 signaling pathway involved in growth factor receptor-mediated cell growth control.