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Background Although the prognostic value of non-invasive endothelial function test has been reported in several populations including heart failure patients and angina pectoris patients, it is unknown in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Furthermore, the role of endothelial dysfunction in increased risk for specific causes of death has not been investigated. Purpose To study the relation between endothelial dysfunction and the risk of death in ACS patients, both overall and with regard to the main causes of death. Method Six hundred and ninety-two patients who were hospitalized for ACS from 2010 to 2014 were enrolled. Reactive hyoeremia index (RHI) was measured to assess endothelial function non-invasively in all patients using the peripheral arterial tonometry. RHI values below 1.67 were interpreted as signs of endothelial dysfunction in accordance with the manufacturer. Patients were followed up for a median of 6.5 years. Result A mean age (standard deviation) was 66 (12) years, and 542 patients (78%) were male. The patients in this study consist of 377 ST-elevation myocardial infarction (54%), and 263 non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (38%), and 52 unstable angina (8%). Endothelial dysfunction was detected in 276 patients (40%). During the follow-up period, 84 patients (12%) died (48 from cardiovascular disease, 36 from other causes). Patients with endothelial dysfunction had an increased risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.19–2.83, p=0.006) compared with those without endothelial dysfunction. Analyses for specific causes of death showed that patients with endothelial dysfunction had a 2.4-fold higher increased risk of cardiovascular death (HR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.35 ro 4.59, p=0.003) after multivariate adjustment. However there was no significant relation between endothelial dysfunction and non-cardiovascular mortality (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.36, p=0.29). Conclusion Endothelial dysfunction is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in ACS patients. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Film boiling heat transfer properties of LH2 for various pressures and subcooling conditions were measured by applying electric current to give an exponential heat input to a PtCo wire with a diameter of 1.2 mm submerged in LH2. The heated wire was set to be horizontal to the ground. The heat transfer coefficient in the film boiling region was higher for higher pressure and higher subcooling. The experimental results are compared with the equation of pool film boiling heat transfer. It is confirmed that the pool film boiling heat transfer coefficients in LH2 can be expressed by this equation., Proceedings of the 25th International Cryogenic Engineering Conference and International Cryogenic Materials Conference 2014

In this report, we show results on the forced flow boiling heat transfer experiments for manganin plate pasted on one side of a rectangular duct. Nucleate boiling heat transfer and its Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB) heat flux were measured for various pressures, subcooling and flow velocities. The DNB heat fluxes are higher for higher subcooling and higher flow velocity. The DNB heat fluxes were compared with the experimental data for round tube of nearly equal equivalent diameter. The DNB heat fluxes for the rectangular duct are lower than those for the round tube., Proceedings of the 25th International Cryogenic Engineering Conference and International Cryogenic Materials Conference 2014

The penetration mechanism of paint type shrinkage reducing agent was modeled and the influence of its curing effect on the hydration of cement and the hydrous properties of hardened cement was investigated. With regard to the penetration mechanism, the effect of the fluid properties on permeability, coating thickness, and drip characteristics were studied, and the feasibility of evaluating the penetration depth with the Lucas-Washburn method was confirmed. The fundamental findings that the curing effect of paint type shrinkage reducing agent inhibits the reduction in moisture content and prevents hydration delay even in dry conditions were obtained. The fact that these effects inhibit the progress of drying shrinkage and carbonation, even under dry conditions, demonstrates that paint type shrinkage reducing agent promotes sound strength development. Finally, the results of an investigation on cracks in the case of application to building structures are reported.塗布型収縮低減剤の浸透機構をモデル化するとともに，養生効果がセメントの水和反応やセメント硬化体の含水性状に及ぼす影響を確認した。浸透機構については，液体特性が浸透性および塗布膜厚，液垂れ性に及ぼす影響を考察し，Lucas-Washburn式で浸透深さが評価できることを確認した。また，塗布型収縮低減剤の養生効果により，水和反応が乾燥条件下でも遅滞せず，含水率の減少を抑制する基礎的知見を得た。これらの効果により，乾燥収縮および中性化の進行を抑制し，乾燥条件下においても健全な強度発現を促すことを実証した。また，建築構造物に適用した際のひび割れ調査結果を報告している。

Self-directed behaviours (SDBs) are said to be indicative of negative emotions. The present study focused on chimpanzees’ SDBs during cognitive experiments in order to investigate how each chimpanzee reacted to his or her errors and to changes in task difficulty. We recorded and analysed the behaviour of six chimpanzees during cognitive experiments at the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, in Japan. We compared the rate of SDBs after correct trials versus incorrect trials, and in easy tasks versus difficult tasks. Our results suggest that the chimpanzees’ reactions to making an error and the degree of difficulty of the task varied depending on the individual. Three out of the six chimpanzees exhibited higher rates of SDBs after incorrect trials than after correct trials, and in difficult tasks than in easy tasks whilst the other three did not. This finding suggests that chimpanzees may differ in the degree to which they exhibit internal conflict and we should carefully assess subjective evaluations of task situations; taking these differences into consideration when conducting experimental research in chimpanzees.

A problem of controlling multi-agent systems with intermittent information exchange between the agents is considered. Through energy-based analysis, we first derive stability conditions given a communication network structure and a sampling period. Furthermore, we relate the network topology and control performance in terms of the system's aggregate energy dissipation rate.

For the development of 45w%Pb-55w%Bi cooled direct contact boiling water small fast reactor (PBWFR), Pb-Bi-water direct contact boiling two-phase flow loop has been fabricated and operated. The loop consists of a Pb-Bi flow loop (four heater pin bundle, a chimney, an upper plenum, a level meter tank, an air-water cooler, and an electromagnetic flow meter) and a water-steam flow loop (a pump, a preheated, an injection nozzle, the chimney, the upper plenum with mist separators and dryers, a condenser, a buffer tank, and an air-water cooler). At the rated operating condition system pressure is 7 MPa. The sub-cooled water was injected into a Pb-Bi flow in the chimney. A power of the heater pin bundle was controlled to obtain the inlet and outlet temperatures of the heater bundle. The Pb-Bi and steam flows were simulated analytically using one-dimensional models of frictional and form losses and a drag force. The Pb-Bi-steam two-phase frictional pressure loss was calculated by means of the two-phase flow multiplication factor of Lockhart-Martinelli model. It was found that Pb-Bi temperature decreased quickly in the chimney due to high heat transfer rate of Pb-Bi-water direct contact boiling. The volumetric overall heat transfer coefficient was 60–310 kW/m 3 K, and decreased with the superheat.

This investigation examined the haemorheological changes that occurred in rats during and after administration of high-fat diets containing 10% lard and 1% cholic acid, both with and without 2% cholesterol for a period of 2 weeks. Rats fed the high-fat diet enriched with cholesterol showed markedly impaired fluidity of whole blood, increases of blood viscosity, plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and impaired skin microcirculation shortly after the start of this diet regimen. Additionally, increased liver mass, and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes were observed after two weeks. In contrast, rats fed the high-fat, cholesterol-free diet had less pronounced haemorheological disorders, increased liver mass and lipid accumulation in the liver than rats given the cholesterol-enriched diet. Histopathologically, there were no marked changes in blood vessels or liver in rats fed these diets for 2 weeks, except for fatty liver changes. Dietary induced hypercholesterolaemia therefore contributes to the haemorheological disorder, impaired microcirculation and fatty liver change.

A criticality accident occurred on September 30, 1999 at the uranium conversion facility of the JCO Company Ltd. in Tokai-mura, Japan. A collaborating scientific investigation team was organized in two groups, the first to carry out research on the environmental impact (the environmental research group) and the second to assess the radiation effects on residents (the biological research group). This report concerns only the activities of the environmental research group. Four investigative teams were sent on different dates to the accident site and its vicinity to collect samples. About 400 samples were collected and subjected to analysis. An outline of the sampling campaign is presented here along with a brief chronology of the accident and the preliminary key results obtained by the independent research group are summarised in this Special Issue of the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.

The europium(II) sites in Sr4Al 14O25 ∶ Eu phosphor with blue emission were examined by means of high frequency (90 and 180 GHz) EPR spectroscopy. The ions occupy two low symmetry sites in the Sr4Al 14O25 lattice with |D| = 0.100 and 0.0907 cm−1 respectively; the ratio |E/D | is estimated to be 1/3 regardless of the substitution site. This implies that the crystal field surrounding europium(II) ions has non-axial symmetry. EPR spectral simulation suggests that the europium( II) ions preferentially occupy the site with the larger |D | when they substitute for strontium ions. Comparison of the EPR spectra of Sr4Al14O25 ∶ Eu and SrAl2O4 ∶ Eu,Dy phosphors shows that the Sr4Al14O25 ∶ Eu is present as an impurity in the non-stoichiometric SrAl2O 4 ∶ Eu,Dy when prepared with excess amounts of Al 2O3. Such materials have been found to have long phosphorescent characteristics.

We compared the usefulness of blood measurements of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), fructosamine and blood haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in C57BL/KsJ mice with abnormal glucose metabolism and in controls. Both streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice (db/m genotype) and genetically diabetic mice (db/db genotype) displaying a hyperglycaemia, plasma 1,5-AG level fell rapidly and dramatically. In contrast, both fructosamine and HbA1c increased so gradually that they provided an approximation of glycaemic conditions over a few weeks. Food-restricted mice displayed a slight hypoglycaemia, with fructosamien and HbA1c level reducing slightly but significantly at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively after commencement of treatment. These three glycaemic parameters were significantly correlated with blood glucose, suggesting that these three glycaemic parameters are specifically related to the abnormal glucose metabolism, and that their routine examination in mice may help delineate the metabolic derangement in the disease or provide analytical information in preclinical studies.

High frequency EPR spectra of europium(II)-doped BaAl2O4 powder phosphor have been analysed. Spectral simulation was carried out by a Fourier transform Monte Carlo method using an equation derived from the second-order perturbation of the energy levels for S=7/2. It is found that the spectra can best be interpreted in terms of europium(II) ions in two different sites. One quarter of the europium(II) ions are located in a site with a ∣D∣ of 0.345 cm-1, and the remaining europium(II) ions are in a site with a ∣D∣ of 1.08 cm-1. Estimated values of ∣E∣ are equal to 1/3

The colony-forming units granulocyte and macrophage (CFU-GM) assay, using either rat or dog haematopoietic progenitor cells, assesses the toxicity of new compounds. To identify the characteristics of colony formation in this system, a time-course study of CFU-GM assays using rat and dog bone marrow cells was tested. Neutrophil colonies, macrophage colonies and mixed colonies of neutrophils and macrophages were formed in soft agar medium. Neutrophil colonies reached their maximum number on days 3–4 and decreased markedly thereafter. Macrophage colonies reached their maximum number on days 7–8 and remained steady thereafter. Only a small number of mixed colonies of neutrophils and macrophages were formed beginning around day 4. There were no significant differences between rat and dog bone marrow cells in the occurrence of these maxima, or in any other growth phenomenon. This result suggests that to evaluate the influence of compounds on neutrophil colonies and macrophage colonies, observations should be made on days 4 and 8, respectively.

The effects of time and temperature during storage of whole blood on serum and plasma potassium concentrations was examined in dogs, monkeys, rabbits and rats. The potassium concentration measurements were performed using a flame photometer.

A parallel evaluation was performed on three automated haematology analysers, the Sysmex K-4500 and Coulter Counter S-PLUS STKR impedance analysers, and the Techinicon H*1E flow cytometry analyser. The same blood samples from animals from three different species were analysed on the same day. An analytical -comparison of haemograms from healthy monkeys, dogs, rats and phlebotomised rats was made from paired blood samples anticoagulated with dipotassium ethylenediaminetetra-acetate. Each instrument was calibrated with commercially available material based on human blood products.

Gervery hypoellipticity for a class of degenerate elliptic operators, called Grushin class, is considered. Several main tools including the heat kernel method are explained.

Blood glucose and Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were evaluated from sequestrated blood samples from mice, using a combination of the Antsense II and DCA-2000 analysers, and using only 6μl whole blood. The difference between fed and fasted blood glucose and HbA1c concentrations among four strains of mice (inbred C57BL/6N, C3H/HeN, hybrid B6C3F1 and outbred CD-1) was examined, and glucose tolerance was further evaluated in each strain by an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) using this apparatus. There was considerable variation between fed and fasted glucose and HbA1c concentrations, with C3H/HeN mice being the most glucose tolerant and CD-1 mice the least glucose tolerant. These findings did not contradict previous observations.

Long persistent phosphor crystals, SrAl 2 O 4 doped with Eu and Dy, and CaAl 2 O 4 doped with Eu and Nd have been grown by a floating zone technique. The intensities and the persistent times of the phosphorescences are found to depend on the growth atmosphere. SrAl 2 O 4 crystals grown under H 2 Ar atmosphere and CaAl 2 O 4 crystals grown under Ar atmosphere exhibit strong and long persistent green and blue phosphorescences peaking at λ = 520 and 450 nm, respectively. The spectra of the phosphorescence from the crystals are quite similar to those obtained with sintered powders used for luminous pigments. The persistent time of the phosphorescence from CaAl 2 O 4 crystals is similar to that obtained with sintered powders, while in SrAl 2 O 4 crystals, it is shorter than in sintered powders. The difference in the persistent time is found to be due to Dy and/or Nd dopant concentration added as auxiliary activators. In SrAl 2 O 4 , the Dy concentration in the crystal is about 1/100 of the sintered powders. The Dy 3+ ion is responsible to the persistent time of the phosphorescence.

An evaluation of the flow cytometric procedure for reticulocyte counting was performed, together with a comparison to a reference manual counting method. An automated reticulocyte analyser, the Sysmex R-3000™ (Flow cytometric auramine O methods) was used to enumerate the absolute reticulocyte counts and the percentage of reticulocytes in blood obtained from rats, dogs and monkeys. Simultaneously, a maturation distribution was obtained by subdividing the reticulocytes into three maturation classes according to their fluorescence intensity. The reticulocyte counts and the maturation distributions can be determined rapidly and easily. The coefficients of variation (CV) for the within-day precision study in the reticulocyte counts of the three species were found to be 9.7%–20.5% for the micro-scopic method and 4.4%–9.4% for the flow cytometric method. A very good correlation was observed between the microscopic count and flow cytometric methods (r=0.958). In conclusion, because of high reproducibility and good agreement with the manual counting method for these species, flow cytometric analysis of reticulocytes is an attractive alternative procedure to micro-scopic enumeration in toxicological studies.

In this paper, we present an AUV-based strategy for iceberg profiling and seabed gouge survey, and report the results of under-ice AUV dives conducted in Okhotsk Sea. In our strategy, a cruising AUV equipped with multiple MBESs and optical cameras achieves iceberg profiling and seabed gouge survey simultaneously, passing beneath the bottom of an iceberg. Since our AUV-based iceberg profiling and gouge survey are highly challenging missions carrying a higher safety risk, as a preliminary skirmish towards the Arctic sea mission, we conducted under-ice survey dives in ice-covered Okhotsk Sea. During these survey dives conducted in March 2012, we deployed an AUV "Aqua-Explorer 2000a" for profiling the bottoms of drifting ice-floes in an upward-looking manner. Aqua-Explorer 2000a is a cruising AUV developed and owned by Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo. Two dives were completed successfully as the under-ice survey mission. After finishing the dives, we could profile the ice-floes by using highresolution subsurface topography obtained by an MBES, and generate the photo mosaic of ice-floes along the vehicle's tracks. The dives are successful first steps towards AUV-based fully automatic iceberg profiling and gouge survey in Arctic sea.

A green emitting phosphor with very bright and long lasting phosphorescence has been newly developed. The incorporation of ion into the system as an auxiliary activator dominates the phosphorescence, thermoluminescence, and photoconductivity characteristics of the phosphor to a large extent. Evidence is presented for the mechanism that the phosphorescence is ascribed to the photoconductivity due to holes, and to the trapping and thermal release of the holes by ions in the system. The incorporation of the ion forms a highly dense trapping level located at a suitable depth in relation to the thermal release rate at room temperature, thus producing the very bright and long phosphorescence.

A sample surveillance programme is scheduled to be conducted on measurement methods of haematology parameters which will include the participation of over 70 facilities. In preparation for that programme, a preliminary study was conducted, at five of the facilities, on the effects of cold storage and transport on rat and dog blood samples.

Cimadronate (YM175) is a novel bisphosphonate with potent inhibitory activity on bone resorption under development for the treatment of tumor-induced hypercalcemia, metastatic bone disease and osteoporosis. We conducted intravenous single and repeated dose toxicity studies of cimadronate in beagle dogs. In the single dose study, animals received a single dose of 0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg of cimadronate and the animals were observed for at least 14 days. At 10 mg/kg, both the male and female dog showed toxic signs such as vomiting, decreased locomotor activities and hypothermia and were killed in extremis within a week after dosing. In the 30-day study, animals received cimadronate at a dosage of 0 (vehicle), 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 or 1 mg/kg/day. At 0.03 mg/kg/day or more, histological findings indicated an increased amount of primary spongiosa in the rib and ilium. At 1 mg/kg/day, degenerative nephropathy, aggregation of spermatozoa and glandular hypoplasia of the prostate gland were observed. On day 16 of dosing one male animal died of acute renal failure. In the 26-week study, animals received cimadronate once weekly at a dosage of 0 (vehicle), 0.31, 0.62, or 1.25 mg/kg. Histopathological examination showed an increased amount of primary spongiosa in the rib at all dosage levels. In addition, similar findings were observed in the lumbar vertebrae at 1.25 mg/kg/week. Histopathological changes in the kidney and male reproductive organs were not observed.

The Clinical Pathology Testing Working group (CPTWG) of the Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) reviewed published literature on abnormal values in clinical pathology parameters in repeat-dose toxicity studies, and conducted a survey on the use of a quality control (QC) concept and statistical analysis methods.

Of paramount importance to most toxicity studies in rats is the evaluation of haematological, coagulation and clinical chemistry parameters. In European and North American countries, the orbital venous plexus (OVP) is currently the most common route for obtaining blood, whereas in Japan the inferior vena cava (IVC) and abdominal aorta (AA) are the preferred routes. In order to compare clinical pathology parameters from the three bleeding sites, 11-week-old male F344 rats were anaesthetised by ether inhalation, and blood samples collected by IVC, AA or OVP for subsequent haematological, coagulation and plasma chemistry analysis. Collection methods utilised a plastic (5 ml) syringe and needle for IVC and AA, and glass capillary tubes (1.5 mm × 30 mm) for OVP. Ten haematology parameters, two coagulation and 22 plasma chemistry parameters were assayed, and the results compared between the three bleeding sites. The results showed there were no essential differences in the haematological or plasma chemistry values when blood was withdrawn from either the IVC or OVP. However, blood collected from the AA exhibited white cell counts of only 40%\2-60% of the values from the other two sites, and plasma glucose values showed slightly higher values. Other haematological, coagulation and plasma chemistry values showed no meaningful differences between the three bleeding sites, any differences being small and not considered to be biologically or clinically significant.

Haematological and blood chemistry data have been compared for three species of purpose-bred primates, Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkey), Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus monkey), Saimiri sciureus (squirrel monkey). These species were housed over a 9-month period in identical conditions (diet, tap water, room temperature and relative humidity, and lighting regime) in our primate facility. Blood and urine assays were conducted using the same pre-analytical conditions (blood sampling procedure, anticoagulant and storage of sample), and analytical methods (reagent and equipment).

Many regulatory toxicity guidelines and the recommendation of AACC-DACC/ASVCP joint task force of the USA on clinical pathology testing require overnight fasting for rats and non-rodents before blood sampling. However, the reason why animals must be fasted before blood sampling is unclear in toxicology studies. Fasting, one of many preanalytical conditions, can lead to false low or high values, which in turn may lead to misinterpretation of test compound effects in toxicological studies. This paper reviews the literature with respect to fasting, and reports on our own studies, in the hope of increasing the awareness among investigators of these problems. Haematocrit values and plasma chemistry values in blood obtained from rats and dogs following fasting were compared with unfasted animals. In male F344 rats, after 16 h fasting, body weight decreased. Increases in aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and decreases of plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), urea nitrogen (UN) and calcium were observed. Haematocrit, plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), total proteins (TP), glucose, and inorganic phosphorus (IP) were unchanged. In male beagle dogs after 16 h fasting, TG, PL, UN, calcium and IP were decreased. Haematocrit, ALP, TP, albumin, glucose, CHO, creatinine, AST/GOT, ALT/GPT, LDH and CPK were not changed. Our own studies show that in order to avoid excessive stress to test animals, the fasting period should be decided case by case, and not made uniform in toxicology studies. It would be useful if regulatory guidelines made some mention of both the effect of feeding, and of stress caused by fasting.

Marked interlaboratory variation exists in the analysis of various clinical chemistry parameters, particularly in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activity in the rat. Much of this variation is due to the handling of the animal prior to sampling, the method and site of sampling, and the handling of the sample prior to analysis. Such preanalytical conditions can lead to spurious high values, which in turn may lead to misinterpretation of test article effects in toxicological studies. This paper reviews the literature with respect to preanalytical conditions and their effect on LDH and CK, and reports on our own investigations, in the hope of increasing the awareness among investigators of these problems, leading to the elimination of inappropriate sampling and handling techniques.

The serum concentrations of testosterone and oestrogens were determined in stallions classified as geldings, normal (according to age) or infertile (azoospermic). There were significant differences in testosterone and oestrogen levels between the groups. Normal concentrations of testosterone and total oestrogens were attained after 16 months of age. Castrated and immature horses (15 months of age) had lower levels of testosterone and total oestrogens than did mature and infertile stallions. Azoospermic stallions had lower levels of testosterone and total oestrogens than did normal mature horses except in one case (B4) in which the level of total oestrogens was increased markedly. Critical ellipses for testosterone and total oestrogens were obtained for both groups (6-15-month-old colts and stallions aged4 years). The results suggest that serum levels of testosterone and total oestrogens may provide a sensitive index of the endocrine function of the testis in male horses.

The high frequency EPR spectra of SrAl2O4 doped with gadolinium(III) as a probe are discussed, focusing on the sites occupied by the lanthanides. This is because the emission due to europium(II) of SrAl2O4:Eu,Ln (Ln: lanthanides) is significantly affected by such substitution. The EPR spectrum of SrAl2O4:Dy,Gd showed a pattern typical for two overlapping resonances of 8S7/2 state ions with a λ = ∣D/E∣ of ⅓, suggesting that the gadolinium(III) sites have very low symmetry. From a comparison of the experimental and simulated EPR spectra it was found that both gadolinium(III) and europium(II) ions occupy strontium sites.

A 24-year-old, male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) developed acute tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a diffuse T2-weighted hyperintensive lesion, indicating inflammation at the C1-2 level. All infective, autoimmune, and vascular investigations were unremarkable.The chimpanzee's condition most resembled acute transverse myelitis (ATM) in humans. The chimpanzee was in severe incapacitated neurological condition with bedridden status and required 24-hour attention for 2 months followed by special care for over a year. Initially, corticosteroid therapy was performed, and his neurological symptoms improved to some extent; however, the general condition of the chimpanzee deteriorated in the first 6 months after onset. Pressure ulcers had developed at various areas on the animal's body, as the bedridden status was protracted. Supportive therapy was continued, and the general condition, appetite, mobility, and pressure ulcers have slowly but synergistically recovered over the course of 2 years.

We demonstrate efficient generation of a Raman-type optical frequency comb by employing adiabatic Raman excitation in an enhancement cavity. A broad frequency comb spanning over 130 THz is realized with an excitation power reduction exceeding three orders of magnitude compared with a single-pass configuration., PDF Format, 11 pages which includes text, 5 figures, their figure captions, and references

High-frequency EPR spectroscopy is applied to investigate Eu(II)-doped SrAl 2 O 4 and Sr 4 Al 14 O 25 phosphors. Their simulated spectra show that the sites available to Eu(II) ions are two in the stoichiometric SrAl 2 O 4 , while three in the non-stoichiometric one. Also, two Eu(II) sites are found in the Sr 4 Al 14 O 25 phosphor.

We present a technique that enhances the intensity of a nanosecond laser pulse by confining it in an enhancement cavity. The point of the technique is that a weak continuous-wave laser radiation, locked to the enhancement cavity, is injected into a nanosecond injection-locked pulsed laser as a seed. This leads to a stable confinement of the nanosecond pulse in the enhancement cavity. It is demonstrated that the pulsed intensity is enhanced by a factor of 120 for a 40-ns pulse, consistent with the theoretical prediction.

Molecular dynamics simulation for a 1:5 molar mixture of lithium bromide and lithium iodide was carried out with Born-Mayer-Huggins type pair potential. The self-exchange velocity of the iodide ion is greater than that of the bromide ion although the iodide ion is heavier than the bromide ion. This “anion Chemla effect” is explained from the difference in the barrier height of the potential function which the bromide ion or the iodide ion feels from the lithium ion. The pair distribution functions, the angular correlation functions and the velocity autocorrelation functions are also examined.

This computational study is motivated by the fact that there is still incomplete knowledge to date about hemodynamics of stented aortic arch aneurysms harboring a bleb. The hemodynamics in the stented and nonstented models of aortic aneurysms were analyzed and compared using the method of computational fluid dynamics. Flow activities inside the stented aneurysm model were significantly diminished, specifically the pressure and wall shear stress in the bleb were decreased, thus promoting intra-aneurysmal thrombus development and attenuating aneurysm rupture risk. The present study indicated that it is effective to treat aortic arch aneurysms with endovascular stents.

The structure of isomers in N ∼82 nuclei is reinvestigated. It is pointed out that the quasi-spin structure survives in the isomers and the final states of their decays, as apartial dynamical symmetry Using this group structure, an extended seniority reduction formula is derived and the presence of pair excitations out of the Z=64 core is revealed. By taking into account the core excitation, an anomaly in neutron effective charges for N=81 and N=83 nuclei is greatly reduced.

We are developing a VizGrid system, a teleimmersive collaboration environment on a grid infrastructure. With increased collaboration among researchers from multiple research fields, highly sophisticated support tools for remote collaboration become essential. The VizGrid system's goal is to develop these tools; it is an integrated environment consisting of a real time information sharing system between remotely located researchers and a three-dimensional (3D) image-based real-time communication system. To evaluate the system's functionality and performance, we have used it for real research problems in the medical and nuclear fusion areas. We have developed a prototype system of the teleimmersive collaboration environment in VizGrid. This paper describes the current research and development status of the prototype of volume communication environment.

A UV-hardened high-modulus ULK (ultra low-k) material is proposed for 45-nm-node Cu/low-k interconnects with homogeneous dielectric structures. An elastic modulus as high as 16 GPa was achieved for the ULK material with k=2.65. By combining this material with an advanced dielectric barrier (k=3.7), interconnect test devices with 65-nm-node dimensions were fabricated. The UV-hardened high-modulus ULK material is shown to be effective in improving electrical performance while maintaining sufficient mechanical integrity.

The ability to accurately simulate human tissues will be a valuable tool to help in medical diagnosis and treatment. Generally, complex unstructured grids are used because of human tissue simulations must deal with kinetic interactions between fluids and structures. Additionally, a lot of advanced knowledge and much time are necessary to make computational grids because human tissues shapes are complex and widely varied. As tool capable of reducing the time and the trouble required for making a grid, we have developed blood flow and blood vessel interaction simulation system, which directly uses images from medical diagnosis instruments for constructing a computational grid. We developed a technique to compute wall shear stress, which is important in blood vessel diseases, and we confirmed that our system reliably computes the wall shear stress. In this paper, we present an outline of the system, some ideas, and give some examples of computing the wall shear stress and the behavior of blood flow and blood vessel interaction

We developed a real-time network-based visualization system, using Jini technology and UNICORE. Jini technology provides an environment for creating dynamically networked components. UNICORE is grid middleware, that effectively uses computer resources. With this system a user can easily check the results of a CFD calculation in the middle of the calculation.