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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 )

Background Chest radiography is the most common diagnostic imaging test in clinical medicine, and the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) is a readily available and non-invasive tool with which to assess the volume status and cardiomegaly. However, it remains unknown whether CTR on chest radiography is associated with the incidence of HF hospitalization in AF patients remains unclear. Methods The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The inclusion criterion of the registry is the documentation of AF at 12-lead electrocardiogram or Holter monitoring at any time, and there are no exclusion criteria. We started to enroll patients from March 2011, and follow-up data were available for 4,489 patients by the end of August 2021. In the present study, 3,727 patients with available data of CTR were examined. We divided the patients into two groups according to their CTR at baseline; Higher group (CTR ≥50.0%, n=2,696) and Lower group (CTR Results The proportion of female was grater in Higher group, and the patients in Higher group were older. The patients in Higher group had higher prevalence of HF, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. During the median follow-up of 3,033 days, in Kaplan-Meier analysis, the incidence rates of HF hospitalization were higher in Higher group (Higher group: 2.5% per person-year vs. Lower group: 1.1%; p Conclusion In Japanese AF patients, patients with higher CTR had significantly higher incidence of HF hospitalization, regardless of the prevalence of prior hospitalization for HF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of incident heart failure (HF). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is an important prognostic parameter in patients with HF. However, little is known regarding the association of LVEF with incident HF in patients with AF. Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between LVEF at enrollment and incidence of HF hospitalization during follow-up period in patients with AF. Methods The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of patients with AF in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The inclusion criterion of the registry is the documentation of AF at 12-lead electrocardiogram or Holter monitoring at any time, and there are no exclusion criteria. We started to enroll patients from March 2011, and follow-up data were available for 4,489 patients by the end of August 2021. In the present study, we investigated 3,544 patients with the data of LVEF at enrollment. We divided the patients into 4 groups stratified by LVEF (reduced LVEF [LVEF Results Of 3,544 patients, the mean age was 73.6±10.7 years, 1,420 (40%) were female, 1,781 (50%) were paroxysmal AF, and 1,085 (30%) had pre-existing HF. The mean CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were 2.1±1.3 and 3.4±1.7, respectively. The mean LVEF at enrollment was 63±12% (reduced LVEF: 197 [6%], mildly reduced LVEF: 250 [7%], slightly reduced LVEF: 532 [15%] and normal LVEF: 2,565 [72%], respectively). Patients with lower LVEF demonstrated lower prevalence of female and paroxysmal AF, and had a higher CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores (all P Conclusion LVEF at enrollment could stratify the incidence of HF hospitalization in patients with AF, suggesting the importance of measuring LVEF in all patients with AF. Even mildly (LVEF: 40–49%) or slightly (LVEF: 50–59%) reduced LVEF was independently associated with the risk of incident HF in patients with AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Heart failure (HF) is one of the major complications in atrial fibrillation (AF). We previously reported that not a few AF patients without pre-existing HF (defined as prior HF hospitalization, New York Heart Association functional class≥2, or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) Methods In the Fushimi AF registry, 778 of 3,262 patients without pre-existing HF were receiving beta blockers at baseline. We investigated the incidence of new-onset HF defined as cardiac death or HF hospitalization, and all-cause death in a propensity-matched cohort (N=1,198; mean age, 71 years; 39% female; mean LVEF, 66%). Additionally, annual follow-up prescription data before the onset of events were collected in 294 of patients with beta blockers and 395 of those without beta blockers. We also investigated the association of starting or stopping beta blockers with the incidence of new-onset HF and all-cause death. Results During the median follow-up of 5.8 years, new-onset HF and all-cause death occurred in 77 (12.9%) and 118 (19.7%) of patients with beta blockers, and 70 (11.7%) and 131 (21.9%) of those without beta blockers, respectively. Incidence of new-onset HF was comparable between patients with and without beta blockers (Figure 1), and incidence of all-cause death was also comparable between the two groups (Figure 2). In exploratory subgroup analyses, there was no interaction in the association of beta blockers with the incidence of events, except for pulse rate for new-onset HF and left atrial size for all-cause death. Hazard ratio of beta blockers for new-onset HF tended to be lower in patients with higher pulse rates (>84 bpm) (Figure 1), and that for all-cause death was lower in those without left atrial enlargement (Figure 2). Of patients with follow-up prescription data, beta blockers were stopped in 55 (18.7%) and started in 97 (24.6%) patients, respectively. Patients with starting beta blockers had higher pulse rate (78.5±17.3 vs 74.9±13.9 bpm; p=0.03) and more symptomatic AF (58.8% vs 46.0%; p=0.03) compared to those without starting beta blockers, while there was no difference in baseline characteristics between those with and without stopping beta blockers. During the follow-up, the incidences of new-onset HF and all-cause death were also comparable between the patients with and without stopping beta blockers and those with and without starting beta blockers. Conclusion Beta blockers were not associated with the incidence of new-onset HF and all-cause death in AF patients without pre-existing HF. However, the exploratory subgroup analyses suggested the existence of subjects who may benefit from beta blockers. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer Healthcare, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Astellas Pharma, AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Novartis Pharma, MSD, Sanofi-Aventis, and Takeda Pharmaceutical.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the common arrhythmia and increases the risk of thromboembolism. Risk assessment for thromboembolism is important for the management of AF patients. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is identified as a risk factor for thromboembolism in CHA2DS2-VASc score. However, there are little data on clinical characteristics and cardiovascular events of AF patients with PAD. Purpose In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of AF patients with PAD. Methods The Fushimi AF Registry, a community-based prospective survey, was designed to enroll all of the AF patients who visited the participating medical institutions in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The inclusion criterion of the registry is the documentation of AF at 12-lead electrocardiogram or Holter monitoring at any time, and there are no exclusion criteria. We started to enroll patients from March 2011 and follow up data including prescription status were available in 4,464 patients from March 2011 to August 2021. Median follow-up period was 1,848 days. Results Of 4,464 patients, 183 patients had PAD (4.1%; PAD group). The mean age was higher in PAD group than no-PAD group (PAD group vs. no-PAD group: 76.7 vs. 73.5; p Conclusion AF patients with PAD had significantly higher risk for death and cardiac events, whereas the incidence of thromboembolism was similar between AF patients with and without PAD. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development

Research of the bridge elements damaged in the large earthquakes that occurred in Japan was carried out. And the correlations of the bridge design conditions and seismic damaged elements of the bridges were analyzed. Using the design documents of the seismic damaged bridge, the strength of the elements including bearings, bearing mounting components and piers were calculated. The strength hierarchy of the bridge elements was evaluated with the actual bridge damage. And strength hierarchy design of bridges to induce damage to the element that was desired in the viewpoint of serviceability and repairability of the damaged bridge when the over design earthquake occur was discussed.

A 37-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a 3-day history of right upper quadrant pain (RUQP), which worsened with deep breathing. On examination, she had fever (38°C) and RUQ tenderness. Laboratory tests showed white-cell count of 8.1 × 109/L and C-reactive protein level of 29.4 mg/L. Liver profiles were within normal range (aspartate aminotransferase 20 U/L and alanine aminotransferase 22 U/L). Immediately, contrastenhanced computed tomography (CECT) was performed (Figure 1). What is your diagnosis?

Cellular system operators have identified the critical need for standardization of femtocell devices and their associated interfaces into the operators' core networks as a critical requirement for the success of femtocell products. Driven by this demand, the UMTS/UTRAN standards community has been undertaking a large-scale and comprehensive effort to specify such standards for femtocell devices and systems that are based on the UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA family of radio access technologies. This article describes those standardization activities and provides an overview for the femtocell system architecture that has been developed within 3GPP.

We propose a new large-scale logic test element group (TEG), called a flip-flop RAM (FF-RAM), to improve the total process quality before and during initial mass production. It is designed to be as convenient as an SRAM for measurement and to imitate a logic LSI. We implemented a 10 Mgates FF-RAM using our 65-nm CMOS process. The FF-RAM enables us to make fail-bit maps (FBM) of logic cells because of its cell array structure as an SRAM. An FF-RAM has an additional structure to detect the open and short failure of upper metal layers. The test results show that it can detect failure locations and layers effortlessly using FBMs. We measured and analyzed it for both the cell arrays and the upper metal layers. Their results provided many important clues to improve our processes. We also measured the neutron-induced soft error rate (SER) of FF-RAM, which is becoming a serious problem as transistors become smaller. We compared the results of the neutron-induced soft error rate to those of previous generations: 180nm, 130nm, and 90nm. Because of this TEG, we can considerably shorten the development period for advanced CMOS technology.

We discuss the shifting magnetic field generated by a two-phase modulated wave composed of a basic wave of 60 Hz and a higher harmonic wave in terms of its use in a magnetic levitation induction linear motor. In addition, we present measurements of the propulsive and levitation forces generated by the modulated wave. When the order of the higher harmonic wave is 4, the basic wave mainly generates a propulsive force, while the higher harmonic wave generates a levitation force alone. Thus, the propulsive and levitation forces can be easily and almost independently controlled by changing the amplitude of the basic wave and that of the higher harmonic wave, respectively. When the order of the higher harmonic wave is 3 or 5, the forces can also be easily controlled, if the phase of the higher harmonic wave is the same between two phases

Most of Earth’s diamonds are connected with deep-seated mantle rocks; however, in recent years, μm-sized diamonds have been found in shallower metamorphic rocks and the process of shallow-seated diamond formation has become a hotly debated topic. Nanodiamonds occur mainly in chondrite meteorites associated with organic matter and water. They can be synthesized in the stability field of graphite from organic compounds under hydrothermal conditions. Similar physicochemical conditions occur in serpentinite-hosted hydrothermal systems. Herein, we report the first finding of nanodiamonds, primarily of 6 and 10 nm, in Hyblean asphaltene-bearing serpentinite xenoliths (Sicily, Italy). The discovery was made by electron microscopy observations coupled with Raman spectroscopy analyses. The finding reveals new aspects of carbon speciation and diamond formation in shallow crustal settings. Nanodiamonds can grow during the hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic rocks, as well as during the lithogenesis of sediments bearing organic matter.

Microearthquake observation using Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) was carried out to obtain a detailed distribution of microearthquakes beneath the area off Fukushima, in the middle section of the Japan Trench in the summer of 1997. The observation period spanned approximately one month. Almost all of the well-determined hypocenters occurred in the vicinity of the plate boundary in this region (approximately 100 km landward of the trench axis), while seismicity is markedly lower between this area and the trench itself. The seaward limit of the high seismicity region is close to the western end of the zone of direct contact between the oceanic crust and the overriding landward crust. Twenty-nine earthquakes were recorded within the overriding landward plate. Twelve earthquakes were recorded about 30 km below the plate boundary, and form a landward dipping plane that appears to be an up-dip continuation of the lower plane of the double seismic zone. The microseismicity characteristics of the plate boundary region are interpreted to be controlled by the geometry and physical properties of the plate interface. The seismic activity in the lower seismic plane near the trench is considered to relate to bending of the subducting plate and to dehydration of serpentinized Pacific Plate mantle.

We have built and evaluated a repulsive-force magnetic levitation induction linear motor having a two-phase open core. The motor uses a double file stator and a bilayer liner to provide guidance force. We investigated the energy balance of the two phases for two types of winding connections and found that the power consumptions of the two phases were nearly equal to each other in one of the windings while they were much different from each other in the other connection. This result is discussed here with the help of an equivalent circuit. We further found that increasing the frequency led to a high impedance of the exciting circuit and caused a large levitation force and high levitation efficiency.

In sub-100-nm generation, gate-tunneling leakage current increases and dominates the total standby leakage current of LSIs based on decreasing gate-oxide thickness. Showing that the gate leakage current is effectively reduced by lowering the gate voltage, we propose a local dc level control (LDLC) for SRAM cell arrays and an automatic gate leakage suppression driver (AGLSD) for peripheral circuits. We designed and fabricated a 32-kB 1-port SRAM using 90-nm CMOS technology. The six-transistor SRAM cell size is 1.25 /spl mu/m/sup 2/. Evaluation shows that the standby current of 32-kB SRAM is 1.2 /spl mu/A at 1.2 V and room temperature. It is reduced to 7.5% of conventional SRAM.

Orientation control of high T c superconductors is essential for superior device performance, because the coherence length is longer along the non- c -axis directions than along c -axis direction. In this study, we report on successful preparation of (1 1 9) oriented Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10 (Bi-2223) films by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using (1 1 0) SrTiO 3 substrates. Atomic force microscopy observations of the (1 1 9) Bi-2223 films are reported for the first time. Our films have an in-plane aligned mountain-range-shaped surface morphology. This morphology is resulting from the epitaxial relationship between the (1 1 9) Bi-2223 film and (1 1 0) substrate. The obtained films exhibited a large in-plane anisotropy as revealed by resistivity measurements and surface morphology observations.

The preparation of non c-axis oriented high Tc superconductor films with longer coherence length is one of the key technologies toward realization of viable Josephson devices. For the first time, we have succeeded in growing in-plane aligned (1 1 9)Bi-2223 films on (1 1 0)SrTiO3 substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using a two-step growth temperature procedure. This procedure was found to be effective for orientation control and phase control in comparison with a fixed growth temperature procedure. As a result, superconducting properties were improved. The surface morphology observed by atomic force microscopy showed an in-plane aligned mountain-range shape, which strongly reflects the orientation relationship between the (1 1 9)Bi-2212 film and (1 1 0)SrTiO3 substrate.

We have fabricated YBCO superconducting thin films on MgO(100) substrates by MOMBE. As source materials, we have used fluorine-free s-diketonate chelates of Y, Ba and Cu. The films annealed at 940 °C had the c-axis oriented normal to the substrate surface and showed the superconducting properties with Tc(zero resistance) of 45 K.

Using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, we examined the surface morphology of Bi-2223 superconducting thin films grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, which is closely related to the growth mechanism of Bi-2223 films. As a result, we found an anisotropic in-plane growth. The growth rate along the a-axis is larger than that along the b-axis. Finally, we report on the fabrication of c-axis oriented Bi-2223 films with a roughness less than half a unit cell.

Both simulation and field data were analyzed to compare the current MACE (multiple-trait across-country evaluation) and a proposed partition model (MACE_P) for international sire evaluation in the presence of genotype–environment (GE) interaction. The partition model decomposes the sire effect into two components: constant effect that is stable genetically across countries and interaction effect that varies from country to country. Simulation results indicate that interaction effect was estimated more accurately by MACE_P when GE interaction is strong than when it is weak. The accuracy of estimating sire effects increased as GE interaction and/or heterogeneity of sire variances between countries lessened, indicating the importance of accounting for GE interaction and heterogeneous sire variances in the international genetic evaluation. A joint analysis of Japanese and the US Holstein populations reveals that the estimated interaction correlation (rI) as a new measure of GE interaction was 0.924, suggesting little evidence of sire by country interaction for milk yield. A general formula was developed to convert the estimates of sire effects from MACE to MACE_P. Although MACE_P demands more computing resources than MACE, the use of this simple conversion formula would greatly reduce the computing requirements by MACE_P. Both constant and interaction effects estimated by MACE_P sums to the sire effect estimated by MACE. Sire (co)variances obtained as a sum of constant and interaction (co)variances estimated by MACE_P were very similar to those estimated by MACE. The partition of sire effect into the constant and interaction effects by MACE_P allows the indexing of these two component traits with different weights to maximize overall response in the presence of GE interaction.

This article reviews the primary reaction processes in rhodopsin, a photoreceptive pigment for twilight vision. Rhodopsin has an 11-cis retinal as the chromophore, which binds covalently with a lysine residue through a protonated Schiff base linkage. Absorption of a photon by rhodopsin initiates the primary photochemical reaction in the chromophore. Picosecond time-resolved spectroscopy of 11-cis locked rhodopsin analogs revealed that the cis-trans isomerization of the chromophore is the primary reaction in rhodopsin. Then, generation of femtosecond laser pulses in the 1990s made it possible to follow the process of isomerization in real time. Formation of photorhodopsin within 200 fsec was observed by a transient absorption (pump-probe) experiment, which also revealed that the photoisomerization in rhodopsin is a vibrationally coherent process. Femtosecond fluorescence spectroscopy directly captured excited-state dynamics of rhodopsin, so that both coherent reaction process and unreacted excited state were observed. Faster photoreaction of the chromophore in rhodopsin than that in solution implies that the protein environment facilitates the efficient isomerization process. Such contributions of the protein residues have been monitored by infrared spectroscopy of rhodopsin, bathorhodopsin, and isorhodopsin (9-cis rhodopsin) at low temperatures. The crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin recently reported will lead to better understanding of the mechanism in future.

An accurate analysis of short circuit electromagnetic forces in a three-phase enclosure-type gas insulated bus (GIB) has been performed. The analysis clarified the effects of the eddy currents (skin effect) and the nonlinear permeability on the materials. The calculated magnetic fields agree with the measured fields. The electromagnetic force analysis considering the skin effect and the nonlinear permeability of the magnetic materials is important in view of reducing the GIB size.

A device for studying samples with nonuniform distribution of birefringence and corresponding measurement techniques are proposed. The optical arrangement of a polarimeter is of the autocollimation type with combined probing and reverse beams. The birefringence distribution is found by processing 8 or 16 images of an object for various azimuths of polarization elements of the polarimeter, the sample being fixed. Basic formulas describing the operation of the polarimeter and sources of measurement errors are presented. Various factors that limit the sensitivity of the polarimeter are estimated and methods for weakening their influence are suggested. The experimental setup has a threshold sensitivity equal to 0.4° or 0.7 nm for a radiation wavelength of 633 nm. The setup permits the study of samples up to 18 mm in diameter with a resolution of 1024 × 1024 pixels. Results of experiments confirming the reliability of measurements and illustrating the operation of the polarimeter are presented.

In a vertically coupled dot, it is expected that generalized Kohn theorem is invalid. Then electron–electron interaction can be observed in far-infrared absorption. This interaction depends on the coupling between dots. We fabricated a vertically aligned double-dot array using a double heterostructure to investigate the coupling. The strength of the coupling depends on the confine potential of the dot. In far-infrared magneto-optical absorption measurements under pulsed photoexcitation, we observed peak shift of asymmetry states and increasing of absorption intensity of symmetry states of the dot. This is a result of the confined potential modulation by light. This indicates the possibility of optical control of the coupling.

This report describes a patient with multiple colonic ulcers and mixed connective tissue disease. The histological findings of the colonic lesions showed vasculitis with T-cell infiltration, and the peripheral T cells were frequently in the activated phase of the cell cycle. In this patient, low-dose cyclosporin treatment (2.5 mg/kg/day) inhibited the T-cell activation in the peripheral lymphocytes and was very effective in the gastrointestinal disorder, which might be related to T-cell activation. This case suggests the possibility that even low-dose cyclosporin can exert a great influence on peripheral T cells and directly inhibit T-cell activation, thereby improving symptoms related to T-cell activation.

Genotype-environment interaction arises when the ranking of genotypes changes under different environments. An alternative model was proposed to estimate the transmitting ability as a sum of a constant part common to two countries and a variable part (interaction effect) specific to each country. Separation of the constant part and the variable part in the alternative model is logical because the genes controlling a quantitative trait are unlikely to be all involved in genotype-environment interaction. The correlations between multiple-trait evaluations across countries and the transmitting abilities of the proposed alternative model were compared using a combination of four factors: 1) the size of interaction variance, 2) the number of daughters per sire, 3) the correlation of interaction effect between two countries, and 4) the availability of a sire's national evaluation in both countries. The results indicated that the correlation between the transmitting abilities of the alternative model and multiple-trait evaluations across countries was higher when sires had national evaluations in both countries rather than in either or neither country. The correlation between genetic evaluations of the two procedures dropped consistently when the number of daughters per sire changed from 100 to 30. The correlation between the two procedures in one country increased with increasing numbers of daughters in the other country. As the interaction variance increased, the correlation between the two procedures decreased, suggesting that it was important to take into account the genotype-environment interaction in global evaluations. Partition of sire effects into the constant and interaction parts permitted the combination of these two parts with different weights for international sire selection.

In this paper we propose a simple optical encoder using slit-width-modulated gratings. The distortion of the encoder signal (harmonic noise) is reduced by using the slit-width-modulated gratings to obtain a sinusoidal curve. The intensity of the light transmitted through the superimposed gratings was investigated by the Fresnel diffraction theory. The Fourier coefficient of the gratings was analysed in order to reduce the distortion of the encoder signal. For practical use, the slit width of the gratings was designed to reduce the third and fifth harmonics of the encoder signal. In the experiment, the slit-width-modulated gratings were fabricated by optical lithography. It was confirmed that the signal distortion was reduced and virtually independent of the air gap between the two gratings. Since the interpolation error is considerably suppressed, the proposed technique will be useful in precision machining.

Time resolved magneto-optical absorption measurement of a quantum dot array is carried out. In contrast to two dimensional electron gas, a difference in the absorption between with and without photoexcitation can be clearly observed in a quantum dot array. From the time variation of the difference in the absorption, the peakshift is investigated. This may not depend simply on the carrier concentration. A photoexcited carrier may change the charge state around the dot.

The development of turbine components for the automotive 100 kW ceramic gas turbine has entered the final stage of the seven-year project and is making satisfactory progress, toward the goals. The authors attained the interim targets of the aerodynamic performances and have been carrying out tests to further improve efficiency. As for ceramic parts, they have changed the material of the turbine rotor to a new one that is excellent in long-sustained and high-temperature strength properties, and have confirmed substantial strength at high temperature through hot-spin tests. After evaluating blade-vibration stress through analyses and experiments, the authors completed an endurance evaluation at 1200 C (1473 K) TIT (Turbine Inlet Gas Temperature) and a rated speed of 100,000 rpm. The authors are now carrying out endurance tests at 1350 C (1623 K) TIT. For ceramic stationary parts, they already finished the evaluations at 1200 C TIT and are also conducting an endurance test at 1350 C TIT. Using thee parts in a full-assembly test, together with other elements, they confirmed that they cause no functional problem in tests performed at 1200 C TIT level up to the rated speed (100,000 rpm), and are evaluating their performances.

The characteristics of the photoelectron emission (PE), measured by varying the wavelength of incident light, form copper subjected to oxidation treatment in air have been investigated as a function of the measurement temperature between 25 and 300°C using a gas-flow counter. The intensity of PE at a certain measurement temperature decreased with increasing oxidation temperature (100 to 800°C) and the intensity of PE for a given oxidation temperature increased with decreasing measurement temperature. The PE behavior was correlated to the chemical and electrical nature of the surfaces analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface potential measurement. A mechanism is proposed for the PE of the untreated sample which exhibited a completely different PE behavior.

We report newly developed Test-Element-Group for detecting soft failures of low-resistance-element like interconnect via using doubly nesting array. We detected the soft failure of fine via which resistance had about 10 times larger resistance than normal via using this structure manufactured in 40nm CMOS technology.

MoO3ZnO and NiOZnO were subjected to the reverse water gas shift reaction (CO2 + H2 → CO + H2O) at 903 K with excess CO. Carbon deposition (2CO → C↓ + CO2) and methanation of CO (CO + 3H2 → CH4 + H2O) took place during the reaction on NiOZnO catalyst. Contrary to this, the reaction selectively proceeded on MoO3ZnO even in the presence of a large amount of CO. Mo4+ and Mo5+ species were detected on the catalyst surface. It is deduced that the partially reduced form of supported MoO3 would be effective in improving the selectivity of the reverse water gas shift reaction.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been studied extensively as sensing elements for chemical and biochemical sensors because of their excellent electrical properties, their ultrahigh ratio of surface area to volume, and the consequent extremely high sensitivity of their surface to the surrounding environment. The extremely high sensitivity indicates that SWNTs can operate as excellent transducers when combined with piezoelectric materials. In this paper, we present a touch sensor based on SWNT thin-film transistors (SWNT-TFTs) covered with a thin film of the piezoelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)). Devices were fabricated by spin-coating a P(VDF-TrFE) layer on an SWNT-TFT, which was followed by in situ corona poling to polarize the P(VDF-TrFE) layer. We studied the effect of the corona polarity on the device characteristics and revealed that poling with a negative corona discharge induced a large amount of hole doping in the SWNTs and improved the touch-sen...

This paper describes the hybrid finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE) method for the eddy current problem including moving conductors. Electromagnetic phenomena due to the three-dimensional movement of conductors can be computed easily and naturally by the presented formulation. Its application to a simple model which has only one conductor is also given. >

The pluck and stripping techniques are used for lower ureter management in renal pelvic cancer patients. Herein, we report our experience of extracorporeal ligation of the ureter and the ureteral catheter through the trocar port, which differs from conventional laparoscopic ligation in the retroperitoneal space. This technique was selected to reduce the time needed for ureter management using the stripping technique and to provide secure ligation.We performed this stripping technique in patients with T1 and T2 stage renal pelvic cancer without imaging-evident lymph node metastasis. After transurethrally placing a ureteral catheter, we resected the circumference of the ureteral orifice. After laparoscopic nephrectomy via a retroperitoneal approach, the ureteral catheter and distal ureter were ligated extracorporeally. The catheter was pulled to invaginate the ureter so it could then be pulled through the external urethral orifice.This technique of extracorporeal ligation ensures more a secure ligation of the ureter and ureteral catheter. This modified stripping technique does not require lower ureter management with laparotomy, and it is also useful in shortening the operative time. This method is effective for relatively early stage renal pelvic cancer.

Photo-illumination on the surface of C60 single crystals and films leads to instability of the surface, resulting polymerization. The polymerized surface exhibits a high resistance to thermal sublimation so that the skin remained after sublimation of the inner part of the crystals. Studies of TEM, X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and IR spectra on the skins thus obtained indicated that it is composed of the photopolymerized C60, which still keeps the fcc structure similar to pristine C60 but is non-evaporable, and in addition an amorphous matter which comes from the decomposed C60 during illumination or during the subsequent heat treatment.

This paper describes a simple method for measuring the crosstalk attenuation of optical switches that takes into account the polarization variation of incident light. The method involves the use of a laminated film polarizer (LAMIPOL) and a polarization-maintaining fiber (PANDA). Crosstalk attenuation of 2/spl times/2 liquid-crystal optical switches for 1.3 /spl mu/m single-mode fiber is measured using the proposed method and then conventionally with a polarization controller. The similarity of the results confirms the practicality of the proposed method. >

We report on the successful preparation of intrinsic Josephson junctions on high-quality BSCCO thin films grown by MOCVD. The surface of as-grown films was very smooth with the roughness of the order of a half unit cell. Mesas were effectively structured on the grown films by the liquid-nitrogen-cooled dry etching method. A typical I–V characteristic in the c-axis direction of a BSCCO film shows the hysteresis and multiple resistive branches. The number of branches is consistent with that of junctions calculated from the height of a mesa structure. This indicates that BSCCO films consist of a series array of S(CuO2 layer)/I(SrO,BiO layers)/S(CuO2 layer) junction. The formation of stacked Josephson junctions was also confirmed by the temperature dependence and the magnetic field dependence of Ic.

Barley is produced in four provinces, Chonbuk, Chonnam, Kyungbuk, and Kyungnam, and corn is mainly produced in the Kangwon province in Korea. The natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins was surveyed in 39 barley and 46 corn samples from different areas. Five 8-ketotrichothecenes, namely deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), 4-acetylnivalenol (4-ANIV), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), and 4,15-diacetylnivalenol (4,15-DANIV), and zearalenone (ZEA) were detected in barley. DON, NIV, and ZEA were the major contaminants in barley, with mean levels of 170, 1,011, and 287 ng/g, respectively. On the other hand, DON, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), NIV, 4-ANIV, 4,15-DANIV, and ZEA were detected in corn samples. DON and 15-ADON were the major contaminants in corn, with mean levels of 310 and 297 ng/g, respectively. The survey indicated that the natural occurrence of monoacetyl-DON and the ratios of NIV to DON in two cereals were different. In addition, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of 4,15-DANIV in cereals.

To improve difficulties inherent to the conventional three-dimensional profiling system based on pattern projection method, we have proposed incorporating a recent digital device such as a MEMS scanner into projection optics. Due to this revision, first of all, such a small size system as a palm-top camera is attainable, and low cost measurement system is potentially realized. In this system, we can control the scanner to produce the projection pattern with appropriate periodical structure and sinusoidal intensity distribution. Due to this flexible pattern projection, phase-shifting technique becomes applicable for industrial inspection and measurement in automobile industry and others. The camera is as small as a photographic digital camera in dimensional size. In addition, our recent improvement of measuring performance by modulating the projected pattern is to be demonstrated.

We evaluated clinical efficacies of transvaginal mesh (TVM) reconstruction alone and those concomitant with a TVT / TOT sling for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Between January 2006 and February 2007, 138 female patients with POP under-went TVM reconstruction. The mean age was 66.6 years (range: 52-84). Fourteen individuals were qualified as grade II in the POP quantification (POP-Q) system, 85 and 39 were grades III and IV, respectively. One hundred and seventeen of 138 (85 %) cases showed SUI. Twenty-one patients without SUI underwent TVM alone, and 117 cases with SUI underwent TVM concomitant with TVT / TOT sling. Mean operation time and intra-operative bleeding was 79 min (range: 25-177) and 74 ml (range: 10-429), respectively. Mean follow-up period is 5.3 months (range: 1-14). The vaginal prolapses were cured (grade 0) in 129 cases (93 %) after the surgery. Total inter-national prostate symptom score (IPSS), its QOL score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Short Form (ICIQ-SF) significantly improved (from 12.6 to 3.9; p < 0.0001, from 5.0 to 1.0; p < 0.0001, and from 6.1 to 2.5; p < 0.01, respectively). Six of 21 cases (29 %) who underwent TVM alone showed postoperative de-novo SUI. In contrast, 116 cases (99 %) who underwent TVM concomitant with TVT / TOT, experienced a cure of SUI. Maximum flow rate did not change postoperatively in the both groups. In conclusion, the short-term efficacies of TVM reconstruction for POP are excellent, and a concomitant TVT / TOT sling prevents postoperative SUI.

A polarization-controlled switch is proposed for survivable fiber network construction to retain high survivability in case of fiber failure. The switching performance was demonstrated for FSK modulated FDM signals. The FDM signals were switched simultaneously and no degradation was observed in the bit-error-rate performance. The switch has an almost constant loss and crosstalk better than 20 dB in the 1.51-1.59 mu m wavelength range, which is much wider than that of the gain spectrum of the Er/sup 3+/-doped optical amplifier. >