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Objectives The aim of this AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial subgroup analysis was to examine rivaroxaban monotherapy benefits and their relation to the time between stenting and enrollment among patients after coronary stenting. Background Of 2,215 patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease in the AFIRE trial, rivaroxaban monotherapy was noninferior to rivaroxaban plus antiplatelet therapy (combination therapy) in terms of efficacy and superior for safety endpoints. However, thrombotic risk after antiplatelet therapy cessation remained a concern among 1,444 patients who had undergone coronary stenting >1 year before enrollment. Methods The benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy in coronary stenting subgroups were assessed for efficacy (a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularization, or death of any cause), safety (major bleeding defined according to International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria), ischemic endpoints, net adverse clinical event, and time between stenting and enrollment. Results Efficacy and safety endpoints for monotherapy were superior to combination therapy, with HRs of 0.70 for efficacy (95% CI: 0.50-0.98; P = 0.036) and 0.55 for safety (95% CI: 0.33-0.92; P = 0.019). For ischemic endpoints, the HR was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.58-1.15; P = 0.240). The HR became smaller with longer time between stenting and enrollment (efficacy, P for interaction = 0.158; safety, P = 0.097). Conclusions In patients with atrial fibrillation after coronary stenting, the benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy for efficacy and safety endpoints were consistent with those in the whole AFIRE trial population. The benefits became apparent with longer time between stenting and enrollment. (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease Study [AFIRE]; UMIN000016612 , NCT02642419 )

The sensitive coherent interference of electron waves arising from a specimen is useful for revealing subtle structural information in electron micrographs, which can be important for minimising dose and for rapid imaging. In general, dynamical diffraction is expected due to the useful strong interactions of electrons with matter, which can create phase contrast that violates the requisite Radon projection assumption for tomography. It is for these reasons that incoherent imaging modalities such as high angle annular dark field have been favoured to date in electron tomography of crystalline specimens, to access a monotonic relationship between specimen thickness and micrograph intensity. Here we use a geometric approach to track topological features that are robust to perturbation of the imaging conditions, to enable 3D reconstructions from electron microscope tilt series under imaging conditions that violate the Radon projection assumption, with an emphasis on phase contrast. Invoking a sparsity assumption, we demonstrate that topological features can be reliably tracked in 3D using a differential geometric form of stereoscopy, to circumvent departures from the projection approximation and reduce noise by effecting segmentation of interest points from the outset. We demonstrate this approach on a variety of different specimen and data types, from polyhedral nanoparticles, to steel dislocation networks, cryo-EM cellular structures and 3D diffuse diffraction of a relaxor ferroelectric.

In this paper, belief propagation (BP) iterative estimation of chaos-modulated signals is considered in massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. We show that signals encrypted by a certain class of chaos algorithms cannot be decoded accurately by BP decoding. To address this, we reconstruct the algorithm to allow BP decoding to be applied to the data transmitted across the massive MIMO system. Numerical results show that the proposed encryption successfully improves the bit error ratio performance. Moreover, no significant difference in the computation time required by the BP decoding is observed between the proposed encryption and the binary phase-shift keying. This suggests that the proposed encryption is practical to use with the BP method and that this approach may enhance the security of massive MIMO systems.

Background The importance of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) has been recognized widely, as it is well established that heart failure with preserved ejection fraction has a poor prognosis. Furthermore, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) is used as a marker of heart failure. However, the association between LVDD and NT-proBNP is unclear. Purpose The aim of this study was to clarify the association between LVDD and NT-ProBNP. Methods In this study, an index based on gated myocardial perfusion SPECT using CardioREPO software for the diagnosis of LVDD was used. Out of the 171 patients who underwent myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) between January 2015 and December 2018, 163 individuals (116 men and 47 women) completed MPI and NT-ProBNP. Patients were classified into 4 groups: NT-ProBNP levels below 125 pg/ml (n = 52), NT-ProBNP levels 125 to 400 pg/ml (n = 33), NT-ProBNP levels 400 to 900 pg/ml (n = 23), and NT-ProBNP levels over 900 pg/ml (n = 37). CardioREPO parameters (peak filling rate (PFR), 1/3 mean filling rate (MFR), and time to peak filling rate/R-R (TTPFR)) were compared between the 4 NT-ProBNP groups. Results Of the 163 patients, 55 had LVDD. The PFR and 1/3MFR were associated with LVDD. There was a statistically significant difference in PFR and 1/3 MFR between the NT-ProBNP levels below 125 pg/ml group and the NT-ProBNP levels 400 to 900 pg/ml group (PFR = 2.51+/-1.11 vs. 1.80+/-0.65, p = 0.001; 1/3 MFR = 1.41+/-0.55 vs. 1.06+/-0.47, p = 0.006, Table). Conclusions The MPI indices obtained by CardioREPO software were useful in the diagnosis of LVDD. The evaluation of LVDD by MPI correlated with NT-Pro BNP level is thought to have a clinical utility in the diagnosis and management of LVDD. Variable: NT-ProBNP 0-125 (n = 52) 125-400 (n = 33) 400-900 (n = 23) 900- (n = 37) p Age 66 ± 11 72 ± 11 68 ± 17 70 ± 12 0.133 Male 40 (77%) 22 (12%) 18 (78%) 23 (62%) 0.36 Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction 8 (15%) 4 (12%) 10 (43%) 27 (73%)

The vasoconstrictive and antidiuretic physiologic properties of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) have long been known. Until recently however, vasopressin was mostly used for diabetes insipidus and noctournal enuresis. This review summarizes the growing body of evidence regarding the perioperative use of vasopressin and its analogues in the management of certain forms of cardiovascular collapse. Physiologically, vasopressin is involved in regulating osmotic, volemic, and cardiovascular homeostasis. It acts via several specific vasopressin receptors that are variably distributed in the heart, kidneys and vasculature etc. Under normal conditions, its antidiuretic effect predominates and vasopressin only induces vasoconstriction at high concentrations. Regarding catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock, current evidence suggests that with adequate volume resuscitation, exogenous vasopressin in low "physiologic" doses (0.01-0.04 units/min) safely supports mean arterial pressure without adversely affecting myocardial function and splanchnic circulation. One possible explanation is that metabolic acidosis impairs the function of alpha-adrenergic (but not vasopressin) receptors, thus diminishing the response to catecholamines. Although there is yet no clear cut mortality benefit, vasopressin is now recommended as a second-line agent in septic shock for its catecholamine-sparing effect and as an alternative to epinephrine in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It has also demonstrated efficacy in ameliorating vasoplegia after cardiopulmonary bypass as well as perioperative hypotension in patients on renin-angiotensin system antagionists preoperatively. In summary, accumulating clinical experience and formal studies indicate that vasopressin has a role in restoring vascular tone in refractory vasodilatory shock states with minimal adverse effects provided that euvolemia is assured.

The synthesis by thermal decomposition of rare earth doped yttrium oxide nanoparticles was investigated. The elements of the rare earth were europium, which showed strong fluorescence, and erbium, which indicated upconversion properties. Metal-oleate complex was used as a precursor. The results of Scherrer’s equation and SEM indicated that nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. Appropriate thermal decomposition time increased fluorescence intensity of europium activators by completion of thermal decomposition of oleic acid, while too long thermal decomposition time decreased the fluorescent intensity. Fluorescence of erbium activator was observed after annealing, while it was not observed before annealing because of stronger fluorescence of oleylamine.

Bridge-shaped free-standing Si membranes (FSSM), strained by low-pressure (LP) Si x N y , plasma-enhanced (PE) Si x N y and Si x Ge 1− x stressors, were measured by convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) and the finite element method (FEM). The results of CBED show that, while the strain along the length of the FSSM is compressive in an LPSi x N y /Si sample, those along the length of the FSSM are tensile in PESi x N y /Si and Si x Ge 1− x /Si samples. The average absolute values of strains are different in FSSM with LPSi x N y , PESi x N y and Si x Ge 1− x as stressors. The FEM was used to compensate the results of CBED taking into account the strain relaxation in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation. The FEM results give the strain properties in three dimensions, and are in good agreement with the results of CBED. There is approximately no strain relaxation along the length of FSSM, and the elastic strains along the other two axes in FSSM are partially relaxed by thinning down for the preparation of TEM samples.

The site specific application of fertilizers to maintain crop growth is an essential part of precision agriculture and is required to minimise the cost of production whilst preserving the environment. The objective of this study was to develop a fertiliser rate control system, using a real-time fertiliser discharge sensor to enable variable-rate application with a significant reduced error compared to current systems. Experiments were carried out to modify the mechanical fertiliser rate adjustment system of pneumatic seeder for the automatic control of the fertiliser output rate. The results of this study indicated that: (a) the automatic setting of the target fertiliser rate and periodic checks and control of output rate could be performed efficiently, (b) the system could be significantly used for variable-rate applications with overall system errors in the range of ±5%, (c) the control system response time to step change adjustments is within the range of 0.95–1.90 s, and (d) selecting check distance intervals of more than 3 m will enable the developed system to perform the check and control processes precisely. Further experiments under field conditions are essential in order to confirm these results and perform any modifications needed to optimise system performance.

This paper presents a six-year-old patient with XXXXY syndrome, whose oral findings included a cleft soft palate, hyper- or meso-taurodontism in eight primary molars and in the mandibular permanent first molars, five congenitally missing premolars, and delayed development of the permanent tooth germs. The maxillary and mandibular primary central incisors were in a cross-bite relationship. Cephalometric findings showed a short ramus of the mandible and a short maxilla in the anterio-posterior plane. The anteroposterior jaw relationship was in harmony. The cross-bite was considered to be due to the retroinclination of the maxillary primary incisors. This case emphasises the importance of regular dental care, and monitoring of facial growth and dental development in children with XXXXY syndrome.

High temperature oxidation and erosion resistant ceramic coating materials have been recently used for turbine rotor blades under high temperature dry steam conditions. It is, therefore, important to evaluate not only the physical or mechanical properties but also characteristics of erosion and fatigue of such materials for purposes of material selection and to predict the working life of plants. Ion plated CrN samples with a sublayer of plasma nitride on martensitic stainless steel were prepared. Dynamic hardness, in a high temperature environment of 723 K, was obtained by the impact of a glass ball. Fatigue tests of the CrN coating materials were conducted at 723 K, the same temperature as is typically used in the environment of turbine rotor blades, and the results were compared with fatigue resistance at room temperature. Erosion tests by the impact of SiO 2 particles with a mean diameter of 326 μm at an impact velocity of 104 m s −1 were performed at room temperature to evaluate the fundamental erosion resistance, and the dependence of impact angle on erosion damage of CrN coating materials was compared with the resistance of an alumina bulk material. Consequently, the erosion rates at room temperature and the dynamic hardness distributions of the CrN coating materials at 723 K indicated that the materials used in this study had excellent erosion resistance and the fatigue tests for the coating materials indicated the possibility of applications to actual turbine blades that are used at 723 K.

In this paper, a new family of zero-current-transition (ZCT) power factor correction (PFC) converters is introduced. The proposed converter operates in discrete conduction mode (DCM) and provides soft switching for the main switch and the auxiliary switch with a small inductor and capacitor even in high power / high voltage application. The auxiliary circuit of proposed converter operates for an enough short time compared with the switching period. Furthermore, the auxiliary circuit maintains an almost constant operation time during a power line cycle. As a result, the proposed converter can reduce the losses of the auxiliary circuit. In this study, a steady-state analysis of the proposed converter is described, and features of this converter are compared to ones of zero-voltage-transition (ZVT) converter in theory. These theoretical analyses are verified by a prototype converter.

The spectroscopic constants of s- trans -( E )- and s- trans -( Z )-crotonaldehyde oxime ( Fig. 1 ) of normal, CH 3 CH CH–CH NOH, and deuterated, CH 3 CH CH–CH NOD, species were observed in the frequency range of 8–40 GHz in the ground vibrational state. The rotational constants of two isomers of normal species were determined to be A =27,093(151), B =1270.656(8), and C =1223.288(8) MHz for s- trans -( E ) form and A =12,239(19), B =1587.49(2), and C =1417.80(2) MHz for s- trans -( Z ) form. The inertial defects (Δ I = I c − I a − I b ) of normal and deuterated species were determined to be −3.25(11) and −3.24(20) uA 2 for s- trans -( E ) form, and −3.191(73) and −3.180(36) uA 2 for s- trans -( Z ) form, respectively. From the r s coordinates of the hydroxyl hydrogen atom determined for s- trans -( E ) and s- trans -( Z ) forms, their OH bonds were concluded to be at the trans position with respect to the C N double bond. For s- trans -( E ) form, the C 3 –C 4 torsional excited vibrational states were observed up to v =3. The vibrational frequency was found to be 90(40) cm −1 from the relative intensity measurement. The vibrational mode was nearly harmonic. The structural parameters of r (C 4 N), r (C 3 –C 4 ), ∠C 3 C 4 N and ∠C 4 NO for s- trans -( E ) and s- trans -( Z ) forms were adjusted separately to their rotational constants observed. It was found that the bond angle of ∠C 3 C 4 N in s- trans -( Z ) form are much wider than that in s- trans -( E ) form by about 10°. The rotational constants observed for s- trans -( E ) and s- trans -( Z ) forms were consistent with those calculated using MP2/6-31G(d,p) rather than 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets, and those ( B and C ) calculated for s- trans -( E ) using MP2/6-31G(d,p) were in excellent agreement with those observed.

We investigated whether the measurement of serum interleukin 18 (IL-18) and intracellular cytokine analysis of peripheral blood CD4-positive T cells (ICA-CD4+ Tc) of chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients before and two weeks after interferon (IFN) administration are useful for predicting sustained response to IFN. Twenty-nine CH-C patients received IFN every day for two weeks and three times a week for 22 weeks. Patients were divided into two groups: responders, in whom serum HCV-RNA was undetectable at the end of the follow-up (week 48), and nonresponders, in whom any other patterns were seen. Before and two weeks after IFN administration, serum IL-18 and ICA-CD4+ Tc as described by Jung et al were measured. Serum IL-18 and the relative prevalence of IFN-γ+ and IL-4+, IFN-γ+ and IL-4− (Th-1), and IFN-γ− and IL-4+ cells in the responders were significantly increased, but only the relative prevalence of Th-1 cells in the nonresponders was increased two weeks after IFN therapy. In conclusion, ICA-CD4+ Tc and the measurement of serum IL-18 might be useful for predicting IFN therapy by comparing the results between before and two weeks after IFN

In the present study, we analysed the habitat association of tree species in an old-growth temperate forest across all life stages to test theories on the coexistence of tree species in forest communities. An inventory for trees was implemented at a 6-ha plot in Ogawa Forest Reserve for adults, juveniles, saplings and seedlings. Volumetric soil water content (SMC) and light levels were measured in 10-m grids. Relationships between the actual number of stems and environmental variables were determined for 35 major tree species, and the spatial correlations within and among species were analysed. The light level had no statistically significant effect on distribution of saplings and seedlings of any species. In contrast, most species had specific optimal values along the SMC gradient. The optimal values were almost identical in earlier life stages, but were more variable in later life stages among species. However, no effective niche partitioning among the species was apparent even at the adult stage. Furthermore, results of spatial analyses suggest that dispersal limitation was not sufficient to mitigate competition between species. This might result from well-scattered seed distribution via wind and bird dispersal, as well as conspecific density-dependent mortality of seeds and seedlings. Thus, both niche partitioning and dispersal limitation appeared less important for facilitating coexistence of species within this forest than expected in tropical forests. The tree species assembly in this temperate forest might be controlled through a neutral process at the spatial scale tested in this study.

Beta-galactosyllactose is a trisaccharide containing the beta-galactosidic linkage at the nonreducing end. The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain oral streptococci could utilize four kinds of beta-galactosyllactoses. Three of four beta-galactosyllactoses were unable to support growth of the oral streptococci and to be a substrate for producing acid from the cell suspensions and dental plaque. 4'-beta-Galactosyllactose supported growth of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 35105, ATCC 49298, Streptococcus mitis ATCC 15914, Streptococcus oralis ATCC 35037, ATCC 10557 and Streptococcus milleri 10707 and produced acid from dental plaque. Although beta-galactosidase activities were observed in all the strains, 4'-beta-galactosyllactose could not be used as a carbon source for the growth of mutans streptococci. Enzymes metabolizing 4'-beta-galactosyllactose were induced when S. oralis ATCC 10557 was cultured in medium containing galactose. These results suggested that 4'-beta-galactosyllactose could be as cariogenic as lactose if it is consumed frequently and retained for a long period in the mouth.

The cariogenic potential of lactosylfructoside [O–β–D–galactopyranosyl–(1→4)–O–α–D–glucopyranosyl–(1↔2)–β–D–fructofuranoside] was estimated by experiments on oral streptococci in vitro and human dental plaque in situ. Lactosylfructoside was unable to support growth of the strains of Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus used in this study. However, it was able to support growth of strains of S. sanguis, S. mitis and S. oralis. Acid was produced rapidly by cell suspensions of S. oralis ATCC 10557 incubated with lactosylfructoside. Application of 5% w/v solution decreased the pH of human dental plaque. The minimum pH value was below 5.3. The results suggest that lactosylfructoside is as acidogenic as lactose and could be cariogenic if it is consumed frequently and retained for a long period in the mouth.

The purpose of this study is to develop a crop-row detector that can be applied to row-following control systems. In this report, the feasibility of a new method for detecting crop rows and the practicability of a trial row-following control system are discussed. Results indicate that the crop-row detector is both accurate and quick enough for practical use. In addition, the trial row-following control system appeared to work profitably at low traveling speeds.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an oxidant generated by inflammatory cells, is an important mediator of injury of endothelial cells (ECs). Here we show that H2O2 induces up-regulation of the expression of Fas, a death signal, in human ECs in culture. Flow cytometric analysis with a mAb against human Fas showed that incubation for 24 h with H2O2 induced a dose-dependent increase in the level of Fas in ECs. Coincubation with catalase, which rapidly degrades H2O2, inhibited H2O2-induced up-regulation of Fas. H2O2 also induced a dose-dependent increase in Fas mRNA level. A significant increase in Fas mRNA levels was observed from 6 h after stimulation with H2O2. Vanadate, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, significantly enhanced Fas mRNA and protein levels in H2O2-treated ECs. On the other hand, genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibited H2O2-induced Fas mRNA expression. Furthermore, a flow cytometric method with propidium iodide staining and electron microscopic analysis showed that incubation with an agonistic Ab against Fas (anti-Fas IgM) induced apoptosis in H2O2-treated cells. These findings suggest that H2O2 induces up-regulation of Fas in ECs and that activation of protein tyrosine kinase may be involved in the mechanism of H2O2-induced Fas expression. Therefore, Fas-mediated apoptosis may have a pathologic role in H2O2-induced EC injury and thereby provide a new therapeutic target.

インターフェロン療法 (IFN) 無効のC型慢性活動性肝炎 (CAH) の多くにウルソデオキシコール酸 (UDCA) の投与が奏効するが, 無効例も存在する. 今回, UDCAの有効性を予測できるか否か有効例と無効例の臨床背景を検討した. 対象はIFNの無効であったCAH 27例で, 全例にUDCA 600mg/日を投与. 血清GPTが正常上限の2倍未満に維持されたものを有効とすると, 27例中14例 (52%) が有効, 13例 (48%) が無効であった. 両群のIFN前の肝組織像, ウイルス量, IFN投与量と種類, IFN開始前, 終了時およびUDCA開始時の血清GPT, γGTP, 総胆汁酸 (FTBA) に有意な差はなかった. しかし, UDCA投与平均12.6 (3～28) カ月後の血清胆汁酸分画上, UDCA, コール酸, ケノデオキシコール酸, 胆汁酸総量に占める総タウリン抱合型胆汁酸の割合は無効例で有効例に比し有意 (p

The goal of this study is to develop the discrimination method between crop and weed which require in the automatic mechanical weeding. In this study, the hyperspectral images were used. As data for analysis and verification, the hyperspectral images were acquired in the field of the university farm. These images consisted of crops, weeds and soil surface. First, the image pixels of the plant (crop or weed) were extracted from the background soil surface. In this process, the difference of spectral patterns between plant and soil was utilized. As a result of the test, the very high-precise segmentation was achieved. Next, the image pixels of crop (sugar beet) and weeds (four species) were classified by the analysis of the difference of spectral characteristics between plant species. In this process, the classification variables were generated using wavelet transform for data compression, noise reduction and feature extraction, and then the stepwise discriminant analysis was done. As a result of the test, the success rate in the plant classification was about 80%. Finally, the technique using the spatial neighbor information (area information) was devised in order to improve the performance of the plant classification.

A thick passive film showing interference color is found to form on Ni-Cr alloys undergoing a square wave potential pulse polarization. A Ni-18Cr alloy is polarized in 5 kmolm −3 H 2 SO 4 solution at 60 °C with the potential being modulated as square wave. The thickness of the film, which can be estimated from interference color spectra, varies with the modulation potential, frequency and duration time of the process. The films obtained consist mainly of chromium hydroxide and/or oxide, and have a porous structure which permits their further growth with almost no decrease in the growth rate. Two mechanisms for film formation are found. First, chromium ions are dissolved at the active potential region provided at the lower potential of the square wave, leaving a porous oxide/hydroxide layer under the high field provided at the passive potential region applied at the higher potential of the modulation. Alternatively, if the higher potential is in the transpassive region and the lower in the passive region of chromium, the Cr(VI) ions dissolved at the higher potential can be reduced to create the thick film, which consists mainly of oxide/hydroxide of Cr(III).

Nano-level 3-D measurement is one of the key technologies for the current and future generation of production systems for semi-conductors, LCDs and nano-devices. To meet with these applications, wide range nano-level 3-D shape measurement method using combination of RGB lights has been developed. It measures the height of nano-objects using RGB lights interference color fringes. To analyze the RGB color fringes, the adaptive phase analysis method of interference fringes has been developed and achieved its efficiency. But it cannot measure the shape of edges. To meet with the difficulty, the color analysis method on xy-color plane has been introduced. The combination of the phase measurement method and the color analysis method has measured the 5 micrometer columns precisely. The evaluation shows that the method has the ability to measure the plane height at 10 nm level measuring deviation with 0,5 micrometer horizontal preciseness. For a practical application, the shape of needles for AFM has been extracted, successfully.

An optical 90/spl deg/-hybrid coherent receiver module is constructed that uses the planar lightwave circuit technique. The module consists of an optical 90/spl deg/-hybrid silica planar waveguide and two 14 GHz balanced O/E converters; the solder-bump technique is employed. For both sets of paths between the optical coupler and the twin-p-i-n photodetector pairs, the effective propagation time differences were reduced to within 4 ps. A 10 Gb/s BPSK homodyne detection experiment confirms the feasibility of the receiver. >

The safety and pharmacokinetics of BO-2727, a new injectable 1-beta-methyl carbapenem antibiotic, and its effect on the faecal microflora were evaluated in single- and multiple-dose studies involving twenty-four healthy male adult volunteers following a preliminary safety evaluation of 25, 50 and 125 mg iv doses in six volunteers. BO-2727 was administered by iv infusion over 30 min. There was a good correlation between BO-2727 concentrations assayed by HPLC and a microbiological method; the HPLC results were used in the pharmacokinetic analysis. The single-dose study indicated that plasma concentration versus time curves at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg were well described by a two-compartment open model. The mean (+/- S.D.) elimination half-life ranged from 1.41 +/- 0.21 h to 1.54 +/- 0.10 h, and the peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and the area under the plasma concentration versus time curves increased linearly with the dose. The mean urinary recoveries within the first 24 h were 70.63 +/- 5.24% to 77.38 +/- 4.55% of the dose. The highest concentration of BO-2727 in saliva was 0.72 mg/L which was reached 1 h after the start of the 1000 mg infusion and accounted for approximately 1% of the Cmax. No BO-2727 was found in faecal samples collected 24 and 48 h after a single 1000 mg dose. In the multiple-dose study, BO-2727 500 mg bd was administered for 4.5 days. There were no obvious differences in plasma concentrations and urinary recoveries between the single- and multiple-dose regimens. BO-2727 did not accumulate as determined by plasma concentrations and urinary recoveries. No marked changes in the aerobic and anaerobic faecal microflora were observed during multiple-dose administration. There were no significant adverse reactions, and likewise no abnormalities in physical and laboratory examinations that were definitely related to the drug.

1. The age- and sex-related metabolism of finasteride and the effects of P450 inducers and inhibitors were investigated using rat hepatic microsomes. 2. No marked age difference (3-13 weeks) in the rates of finasteride disappearance and the formation of 1 (omega-hydroxyfinasteride) and 4 (6 alpha-OH finasteride) was observed in the male rat. Whereas the rate of 1 formation remained about the same in male rat aged 1 year as compared with rat aged 7 weeks, a 21 and 45% decrease in the rate of finasteride disappearance and 4 formation, respectively, were observed. 3. The rates of finasteride disappearance and metabolite formation 1 and 4 in the female rat decreased with an increase in age (3-7 weeks). Metabolite 4 was hardly formed by the hepatic microsomes from the female rat at 7 weeks of age. 4. Hepatic microsomes from the male rat treated with phenobarbital (PB) and dexamethasone (Dex) increased the rate of the finasteride disappearance (PB, 5.5-fold; Dex, 11.6-fold), whereas no increase in this activity was observed after administration of beta-naphthoflavone (BNF). Similarly, pretreatment of the female rat with PB and Dex resulted in increases of 26.6 and 8.4-fold in the rate of finasteride disappearance, respectively, whereas no inductive effect on this activity was observed in the BNF-treated female rat. 5. These observations suggest that finasteride is metabolized by P4502B, P4502C, and P4503A subfamilies in the male rat and by P4502B and P4502C subfamilies in the female rat.

Visual inspections systems have proved their importance in IMS and widely used at many production lines to keep the quality of production. But to achieve their performance, they require much engineering cost and maintenance effort. It limits the wide use of the visual inspection systems. To solve these problems, the structure of the visual inspection system in IMS has been discussed and some the functions required have been developed. It monitors the performance of the visual inspection systems, collect the possible defect cases and re-organize the visual inspection system using the interactive communication with operators. Here, the structure of the visual inspection total system is discussed, and functions of the components are explained in detail.

Nano-level 3-D measurement is one of the key technologies for the current and future generation of production systems for semi-conductors, LCDs and nano-devices. To meet with these applications, wide range nano-level 3-D shape measurement method using combination of RGB laser lights has been developed. It measures the height of nano-objects from the combination of RGB LED lights interference. To analyze the combination of RGB lights, the color analysis method on xy-color plane has been introduced. In this method, the color changes on xy-color plane means the height changes. Experimental system to measure the three micro-meter height has been developed, and succeeded to measure the 50 nm step and 1000 nm step samples. The method has been applied to measure a nano-device, a contact needle for measurement. The shape of the needle has been extracted, successfully.

Nano-level 3-D measurement is one of the key technologies for the current and next generation of production systems for semi-conductors, LCDs and nano-devices. To meet with these applications, “Wide range nano-level 3-D shape measurement method using combination of RGB laser lights” has been developed. It measures the height of nano-objects from the combination of RGB LED lights combinations. To analyze the combination of RGB lights, the color analysis method on xy-color plane has been introduced. In this method, the color changes on xy-color plane means the height changes. Experimental system to measure the micro-meter heights using RGB lightings has been developed, and succeeded to measure the 50 nm step and 500 nm step samples.