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This article aims to realize an isolated dc–dc converter with high power density, high power efficiency, and low noise performance. Although a dual-active-half-bridge (DAHB) converter can achieve high efficiency, it requires input and output low-pass filters to suppress the operational ripple current and switching noise. Owing to the volume of the filters, a DAHB converter cannot be implemented with high power density. This article presents a design theory for a novel isolated bidirectional dc–dc converter with built-in filters. The proposed converter is derived from a DAHB converter and can eliminate the input and output filters via split windings and tank capacitors; the principle of elimination is based on $LC$ low-pass filter function and zero-ripple-current operation. As the number of transistors, capacitors, and magnetic cores of the proposed converter are equal to those of the DAHB converter, the application of the proposed converter allows volume reduction by eliminating the filter components at the input and output ports. Theoretical equations are derived to design a power flow control function and a filter function simultaneously. Finally, prototypes of a DAHB converter and the proposed converter are constructed for comparison. The results demonstrate that the input port noise of the proposed prototype is lower than that of the DAHB prototype by 10 dB (peak) over 1 MHz, and the proposed approach can achieve a significant improvement in efficiency.

This paper proposes an on-board charger circuit which integrates an interleaved totem-pole PFC and a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter. The proposed on-board charger features single-stage conversion and a high level of components integration. In the course of an analytical investigation, the operation principle of the proposed charger is described. With this analytical expression, the pareto-front with regard to efficiency and volume for the proposed charger was calculated. The optimal design parameters were extracted, and 3.0 kW, 100 kHz prototype was constructed. Experimental results verify the working principle and the power density of 3.2 kW/L and the efficiency of 95.4% was achieved at rated power of 2.9 kW.

This paper proposes time synchronization and an encoding technology for controlling the gate signals of a contactless power transfer system. Contactless bi-directional power transfer is controlled using 50-Mbps near field electromagnetic coupling communication that has low jitter and a phase-shift power transfer circuit. A prototype is tested to validate the performance of the proposed control operation. Relatively low jitter is detected, and efficiencies of 93.6% at ±3.3kW, 94.8% at ±1.8kW, 92.3% at ±4.0kW are achieved between 300-V systems with a 2-mm gapped .

A novel filter built-in converter with split windings is presented. Because of its extreme simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency, it has the potential to replace some of the conventional electric power conversion methods used today. The background, design, and operation of the proposed filter built-in converter are discussed in this paper. The proposed converter is derived from a dual active half bridge (DAHB) converter, and it can achieve zero-ripple-current operation and LC low-pass filter function by the split windings and tank capacitors. Due to the zero-ripple-current operation and the LC low-pass filter function, the proposed converter can eliminate or decrease the input and output filters, and with a phase-shift control strategy, all the switches are operated under zero-voltage switching (ZVS) condition. In order to design a power flow control function and a filter function simultaneously, theoretical equations for these functions are derived. Finally, the DAHB and the proposed converter prototypes are constructed for comparison. The results show that the noise in the input port of the proposed prototype is smaller than that of the DAHB prototype by 16 dB (peak), and the proposed approach can achieve a significant improvement in efficiency.

This paper discusses a MHz isolated HV/LV DC-DC converter for automotive applications. The proposed circuit is constructed with a low cost structure by using multitransformer and Si-MOSFETs to achieve frequency multiplying. Three circuit configurations namely, cascaded-type, parallel-type and cascaded-parallel-type, are considered and discussed. Fundamental control and switching behaviors are explained. A prototype based on cascaded-parallel-type was constructed to verify the validity of control theory. The experimental results show that 84% efficiency is achieved at 1.8MHz, and FFT analysis of the common mode current was evaluated to show the effectiveness of the proposed technique.

This paper presents a magnetically integrated isolated bidirectional three-port DC-DC converter (TPC) that includes an integrated dual active bridge converter (DAB) and non-isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter (NBC), each of which can be independently controlled. The proposed TPC simultaneously uses large, small, and magnetizing inductances, of which the small and magnetizing inductances are used for the DAB function, while the large inductance is used for the TPC function. The proposed magnetic component can function as any of the three inductances in the TPC. We constructed a 750 W, 175 kHz prototype of the proposed TPC along with an example of a conventional TPC and measured their respective efficiencies. The results show the efficiencies of the integrated TPC were all above 90% across the entire range of output power and were nearly equal to those of the conventional device. However, compared to the conventional type, the magnetic components in the proposed converter were 10% smaller, and the overall size of the converter was 33% smaller.

The behavior of radiation-induced complexes in MCZ silicon crystal after He irradiation was studied by highly sensitive and accurate infrared absorption spectroscopy. Samples from the same crystal that was used in the electron irradiation were employed. Many absorption lines with peak absorbance as small as 10−6 were successfully detected. Most of them were the same as those that had been observed in the electron irradiated samples and reported in the previous papers. Not only C-rich type complexes such as CiOi and ICiOi, but also C-lean type complexes such as I2O2i and IO3i were observed, in contrast to the electron case where only C-rich type had been observed in the same crystal. Peak absorbances for the He case are about half of those in the electron case. The He dose was 5 × 1013 cm−2, 1/200 of the electron dose of 1016 cm−2. Thus, the complex production rate per particle in the He case was about 100 times as large as that for electrons. The production range in the He case was restricted to within 20 microns from the surface. This range amounted to about 1/100 of that observed in the electron case where complexes had been formed uniformly throughout the 2 mm thick sample. Also, therefore, the complex concentration in the layer was about 100 times higher than that in the electron case. The annealing behavior of complexes was essentially the same as that in the electron case with minor differences.

Irradiation induced complexes of C-rich case in silicon crystal were examined by the highly sensitive and accurate infrared absorption spectroscopy. Low impurity concentration and high quality crystal was used and low dose was employed to make the reaction simple. Almost all possible absorption lines were revealed and their absorbance determined. The conversion coefficient from absorbance to the complex concentration was estimated by the plausible assumptions. The reaction was discussed in terms of concentration rather than absorbance. Intra-group reaction, chain reaction of successive addition of oxygen or self-interstitial, reaction yield and competition between the parallel reactions were described.

In the present study, applying Al2O3 capping layer as suppressing layer of oxygen diffusion to SiC-MOS structures, we investigated the effect of Al2O3 layer as suppression of reoxidation at SiO2/SiC interface and decrease of Dit. We evaluated MOS capacitors which have SiO2/SiC and Al2O3/SiO2/SiC structure on 4H-SiC (0001) Si-face epitaxial wafers after post-oxidation anneal process (N2O:N2=1:9 [slm]) at temperatures ranging from 1000 °C to 1300 °C for 30min. The Al2O3/SiO2/SiC structure of reoxidation thickness, surface roughness and Dit are smaller than those of SiO2/SiC structure. These results show that the suppression of reoxidation during POA is important to improve the SiO2/SiC interfacial qualities.

We investigated the effects of the post-oxidation annealing (POA) atmosphere on the electrical properties and interfacial roughness of SiO2 deposited on a 4H-SiC (0001) face and SiC. POA in ammonia (NH3) gave MOS capacitors with a lower interface trap density and n-channel MOSFETs with higher field-effect mobility than POA in nitrous oxide (N2O) or nitrogen (N2). In contrast, POA in N2O gave a lower interface trap density than POA in N2, but it gave the lowest field-effect mobility of all the samples. Cross-sectional TEM observations revealed that N2O POA gave a higher interfacial roughness than NH3 POA. We thus considered that N2O POA degraded the inversion-layer mobility due to increased roughness scattering.

A multi-port DC/DC converter having DC48V and DC12V ports is proposed for next generation HV sub system. The converter integrates an isolated DC/DC converter and a non-isolated DC/DC converter in one circuit. A low voltage side full-bridge and an inductor are shared by two topologies, and the number of switches and magnetic components can be saved. In the present study, a duty modulation method is proposed to reduce losses in light load condition. Moreover, to achieve compatibility of high efficiency and high power density, the switching frequency is increased and 600 V cascode type GaN FET is used for high voltage side switches. A 175 kHz, 1.0 kW prototype is constructed, and power density of 55 W/in 3 is achieved. The loss reduction in light load condition using the proposed duty modulation is verified. The measured efficiency is over 90% for a wide output range, and the maximum value achieves 93.9% for DC12V, and 95.3% for DC48V, respectively.

Radiation induced complexes in low carbon concentration, low electron dose Czochralski silicon crystal are examined by infrared absorption spectroscopy. By using the highly sensitive, highly accurate measurement and arithmetic procedures, carbon-oxygen(-self interstitial)and vacancy-oxygen complexes are detected in samples with carbon concentration about 1x1016 atoms/cm3 and electron dose about 1x1016 atoms/cm2. Also, their concentrations, are estimated by evaluating the relative oscillator strength. Quantitative analysis in high quality samples will provide important information on defect behavior in irradiated crystals.

Objectives At present, there are almost no report concerning post micturition dribble (PMD) in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). PMD may have a negative effect on the quality of life (QOL) of afflicted patients. However, question concerning PMD are not included in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, and a number of questions about PMD remain to be addressed, such as the correlation between PMD and QOL. Therefore, we investigated PMD using an original question form (IPSS added PMD) we created. Methods Between June 2006 and March 2007, the self-administered modified IPSS (IPSS with new questions included concerning PMD) was 5 obtained from 621 outpatients (394 men and 227 women) visiting our hospital. Results The PMD scores were 1.2 +/- 1.7 in men, and 0.6 +/- 1.2 in women, and thus we see that the men had a significantly higher than the women. Men's PMD scores rise from age 50 and reach a peak in the 70's. On the other hand, there is no significant change for women from the 20s and thereafter. Those with higher PMD scores were male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and females with stress urinary incontinence. In BPH group, the average PMD score was higher than patients with another urological disease. The PMD scores were appreciably high at 1.59 +/- 1.90 for the LUTS group, and had the lower value of 0.36 +/- 0.90 for the non-LUTS group. Therefore, the LUTS group was found to have a significantly higher PMD score. Men in the LUTS group (especially those with BPH) had a positive correlation between their QOL scores and PMD scores. Conclusion The following points may be revealed from the present study. In patients with LUTS (especially BPH), PMD score is higher and may impair their QOL. Even women and youth may experience PMD. A more detailed evidence concerning PMD will be needed.

Complexes formed by low dose irradiation with electron (1015-16/cm2) and He (5x1012- 5x1013/cm2) in the relatively low carbon concentration (1016/cm3) MCZ silicon were investigated by highly sensitive and quantitative IR absorption analysis. CiOi and VO were the main complexes in all cases. The concentration of these complexes was about 1015/cm3, or 10% of included carbon in the highest case. Loss of almost equal amount of Cs was observed. The concentration of CiOiI was one order of magnitude lower. Upon annealing, these lines weakened and almost disappeared at 400 oC. There were some absorption lines introduced by the annealing. VO2 was strongest among them and CsOi related structure was also confirmed. There were absorption lines at 954.9 and 962.6 cm-1 appeared after annealing at 300 oC.

This paper presents an isolated type of single-phase matrix converter topology for PHV/EV on-board battery chargers. The proposed converter is comprised of a full bridge inverter, a high frequency transformer and a matrix converter. Due to the lack of DC link bus in matrix converter, in order to suppress the power fluctuation, a power decoupling method which only employs a center-tapped high frequency transformer and a small LC buffer where requires no additional switches is applied. On the other hand, the matrix converter applies PDM (Pulse Density Modulation) which achieve ZVS (zero voltage switching) in order to generate a 50Hz/60Hz sinusoidal waveform at the grid side. As a result, this converter shows promising features small size and high efficiency. In this paper, by harmonic analysis, the effectiveness of power decoupling method is evaluated in two cases: the PDM based on the PWM as a conventional method and the PDM based on the delta-sigma conversion. In the experimental results, the power decoupling method with the PDM based on the delta-sigma conversion reduces the DC bus current ripple by 84.8% comparing to the case where the power decoupling method is not applied, while the output voltage distortion is reduced by 64.1% compared with that of the PDM based on the PWM is applied.

A three-port DC/DC converter (TPC) having DC48V and DC12V ports, and an isolated DC port is designed and analyzed. The newly designed TPC integrates a non-isolated bi-directional DC-DC (NBC) converter and an isolated dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter using a coupling inductor technique, and DC power can be delivered multi-directionally among three DC ports. In the present study, a loss estimation method for the TPC is developed in order to analyze losses in all load conditions. A 750 W, 125 kHz prototype using a Si MOSFET is constructed in order to confirm the accuracy of the newly developed estimation method. The measured efficiency is over 90% for a wide range of load conditions, and the calculated efficiency curves correspond well with the measured efficiencies. In addition, the improvement in efficiency provided by using a GaN FET is also discussed. The efficiency is expected to increase 2% by replacing the Si MOSFET with a GaN FET. Finally, a prototype using a GaN FET is constructed in order to verify the above estimation.

Radiation induced complexes in low carbon concentration, low electron dose Czochralski silicon crystal are examined by infrared absorption spectroscopy. By using the highly sensitive, highly accurate measurement and arithmetic procedures, carbon-oxygen(-self interstitial) and vacancy- oxygen complexes are detected in samples with carbon concentration about 1x1016 atoms/cm3 and electron dose about 1x1015-16 atoms/cm2. Also, their concentrations are determined with estimated accuracy within a factor of two. It is shown that the complex concentration is proportional to the dose. Secondary defect formation is suppressed in such low carbon concentration and low dose samples. Quantitative analysis in high quality samples will provide important information on defect behavior in irradiated crystals.

The medial prefrontal cortex is thought to participate in the control of micturition and urinary continence, based on evidence from clinical reports, but its exact role is not fully understood. This study investigated whether ibotenic acid lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex would influence volume-evoked micturition in urethane-anesthetized rats. The incidence and amplitude of bladder contractions were recorded during continuous saline infusion (0.1 ml/min) immediately before and 1 week after ibotenic acid (0.5 microg) or vehicle (0.5 microl) was injected into the medial prefrontal cortex. Vehicle injection did not change the incidence or amplitude of bladder contractions compared to pre-injection values. Ibotenic acid lesions prolonged the time interval between bladder contractions significantly although it did not affect the amplitude of bladder contractions. Histological analysis revealed that ibotenic acid lesions were restricted primarily to the anterior cingulate and prelimbic cortices. Larger ibotenic acid lesions extending ventrally into the infralimbic cortex produced a variable response but did not change the overall incidence or amplitude of bladder contractions significantly. These data indicate that the medial prefrontal cortex influences the timing of bladder contractions but does not affect contraction amplitudes.

Objectives To investigate the effects of edaravone on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat bladder. Increasing evidence has shown that I/R are major etiologic factors in the progression of bladder dysfunction induced by partial outlet obstruction, and that part of the damage is due to the generation of free radicals. Edaravone is a newly developed radical scavenging agent that has been used for protection against I/R injury in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods Thirty-five adult male rats were divided into five groups. Groups 1 to 4 underwent 1 hour of ischemia followed by 1 hour of reperfusion. Groups 1 to 3 were treated with edaravone at 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg body weight and group 4 with saline. Group 5 consisted of age-matched control rats. In vivo ischemia was created by clamping the vesical arteries for 1 hour. Reperfusion was accomplished by removing the clips and also lasted for 1 hour. Edaravone or saline was administered into the femoral artery after reperfusion for 30 minutes. After reperfusion, the bladder was excised and separated. The responses to electrical field stimulation, carbachol, and KCl were recorded. Other materials were analyzed for malondialdehyde as a measure of lipid peroxidation. Results Edaravone administration resulted in protection of the contractile responses to both field stimulation and carbachol, although the responses to KCl were not affected. I/R resulted in an increase in malondialdehyde, which was reduced to control levels by edaravone. Conclusions These results suggest that edaravone has a potential protective effect against I/R-induced damage in the rat bladder.

Purpose The clinical benefit of propiverine hydrochloride against overactive bladder was evaluated, and the relationships between urinary voiding functions and the pharmacokinetics were investigated by means of clinical pharmacology with PK/PD approach. Patients and methods Total 7 patients suffering urgency with urinary frequency and incontinence received propiverine hydrochloride in doses of 10 mg qd or 20 mg qd for 4 weeks, and then the doses were switched in cross-over manner to continue the treatment for further 4 weeks. The urodynamic measurements as well as pharmacokinetic samplings were done before the medication, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the starting medication, to examine the dose-response and concentration-response relationships. Results The volume at first desire to void increased according to dose increased, and the volume at first involuntary contraction tended to increase according to both dose and drug concentration in plasma. However, no apparent dose-response relationships were observed for maximum urinary flow rate and the detrusor pressure at the maximum urinary flow rate. The PK/PD analysis using Emax model suggested that, approximately 75 ng/mL of the propiverine concentration in plasma allowed the increase in the volume at first involuntary contraction for 50%. The urinary residual volume increased in dose-dependent manner only in the patients with severe grade of lower urinary tract obstruction, but scarcely increased in the patients with moderate grade or below. Conclusion Propiverine hydrochloride improved the urinary voiding functions with a tendency to depend on both dose and concentration in plasma. After the administration of propiverine hydrochloride, the concentration in plasma will immediately reach the level at which the drug can increase in the volume at first involuntary contraction for 50%, and then the concentration level will sustain the effect ranging from 10% to 50% increase in bladder volume. Furthermore, the lower urinary tract obstruction will be a predictor of increase in urinary residual volume.

We report on the transformation behaviour of the astable defects labelled EM1 (E c -0.29 eV), EM2 (E c -0.41 eV) and EM3 (E c -0.55 eV) which are induced in n-type silicon by hydrogen implantation. Hydrogen implantation was performed at 88 K with an energy of 90 keV to a dose of 2 × 10 10 cm -2 . After fabrication of Schottky diodes on the implanted surfaces, deep level transient spectroscopy measurements were made to monitor metastable behaviour of defects. All three metastable defects are regenerated with reverse-bias cooling and removed with zero-bias cooling. 10-min isochronal annealing reveals that EM1 is regenerated around 270 K and is removed around 220 K. The EM2 (EM3) regeneration temperature is around 270 K (270 K) and its removal temperature 220 K (260 K). Isothermal annealing treatments for EM1 show that its transformation follows first order kinetics for both regeneration and removal. An activation energy is 0.94 eV and a frequency factor 6 x 10 14 s -1 for regeneration of EM1, and 0.73 eV and 3 × 10 13 s -1 for its removal.

本研究は，吸収式冷凍機吸収器・蒸発器内の不凝縮性ガス非定常拡散挙動について非定常2次元計算を行い検討した．特に，不凝縮性ガスの初期条件による差異について注目し，実験結果との比較を行った．その結果，不凝縮性ガスが初期条件として容器内に一様に分布する場合には，不凝縮性ガスの平均濃度が5vol%まで，吸収器の総括熱伝達率の減少が顕著ではないのに対し，不凝縮性ガスを実験と同様に蒸発器上方の一点より注入した場合には，不凝縮性ガスの平均濃度が3vo1%の場合においても非常に低い総括熱伝達率を示し，実験結果と面致した．したがって，不凝縮性ガスの拡散挙動には，初期分布の影響があることがわかった．また，不凝縮性ガスの非定常拡散挙動を詳細に調べた結果，注入条件では，高濃度の不凝縮性ガスの存在により，吸収器上部の吸収能が急減し，一様分布の場合に観察された不凝縮性ガスを取り込む循環領域が崩壊するため，低濃度で総括熱伝達率が急減することがわかった．

Purpose: We tried to determine the β-adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes distributed in the human ureter and to clarify their functional role in ureteral relaxation.Materials and Methods: 1) Effects of β-AR agonists on either spontaneous or KCl-induced contractions of the human ureter and the antagonism by β-AR antagonists on isoprenaline (a non-selective β-AR agonist)-induced effects were evaluated in vitro. 2) Displacement by β-AR antagonists of [3H]-dihydroalprenolol binding to a membrane preparation derived from human ureteral smooth muscle was evaluated. 3) A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to determine the expression of the mRNA for β1-, β2- and β3-ARs in human ureteral smooth muscle.Results: 1) Isoprenaline and procaterol (a β2-AR agonist) concentration-dependently suppressed both spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions of the human ureter. The β3-AR agonists, CGP-12177A and CL-316243, also suppressed these ureteral contractions, but dobutamine (a β1-AR agonist) had litt...

BACKGROUND Results with respect of the state of the infused agent and the cause of unsuccessful outcome were examined in patients who were followed for more than 5 years after endoscopic surgery for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). METHODS Of 259 ureters treated by TUI (Transurethral injection) after 1988, 41 ureters (29 patients) that were followed for more than 5 years postoperatively were investigated. In all patients, teflon paste had been infused. The intervals between surgery and study enrollment ranged from 5 to 10 years, with a mean of 5.1 years. RESULTS After TUI was performed once, reflux disappeared in 30 (73%) of 41 ureters. The intervals between the detection of relapse and additional surgery ranged from 1 to 18 months, with a mean of 6.5 months. In 10 of 11 ureters with relapse, relapse was detected within one year after the initial surgery. When the presence or absence of reflux was examined at the final evaluation, there was no relapse in 34 of 39 ureters, with a mean postoperative follow-up of 5.9 years. Teflon paste could be sufficiently confirmed in 34 of 39 ureters excluding patients in whom TUI was changed to invasive surgery. However, this agent could not be confirmed in 5 ureters during follow-up. CONCLUSION Teflon paste was not confirmed by bladder echo in any patient showing an unsuccessful outcome, suggesting that success or failure in this procedure depends on the persistence of paste.

To suppress the reverse recovery surge voltage of silicon power diodes, the effects of adjusting trap energy levels through local lifetime control were investigated by device simulation and theoretical analysis of the Shockley–Read–Hall (SRH) model. In general, local lifetime control techniques localize carrier traps at the anode side of a diode and optimize the carrier lifetime profile to suppress surge voltage. However, the suppression effect of a certain localized trap density distribution on surge voltage varies with a change in trap energy level, even if the trap density distribution is the same. It became clear that deep trap energy levels suppress surge voltage more than shallow trap energy levels at 1000 A/cm2 or less. Thus, deep trap energy levels such as E t − E i = 0.0–0.2 eV are favorable for suppressing surge voltage in almost all power devices.

In this paper, we propose a novel SiC vertical JFET (VJFET) with low feedback capacitance Crss by using a device simulator. A key feature of the proposed VJFET is the p+ screen grid inserted between gate and drain electrode. The screen grid is effective to reduce the Crss by 80% compared to conventional VJFETs. Due to the low Crss, total power loss of the proposed VJFET is the lowest among existing SiC power devices. This new VJFET can be a promising candidate for a high-speed and low-loss SiC power device.

BACKGROUND In order to evaluate the precise effect of alpha-1 blocker on benign prostatic hyperplasia, symptomatic and urodynamic parameters were compared between before and after 4 week administration of tamsulosin hydrochloride (0.2 mg/day) on 18 patients with untreated benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS Symptoms were scored with international prostate symptom score (I-PSS) and urodynamic parameters were measured with pressure-flow study. RESULTS The total score of I-PSS decreased significantly although the peak urinary flow rates, average flow rates or post-void residuals did not show a significant improvement after the treatment. On the other hand, the statistical analysis of pressure-flow studies revealed a significant decrease of vesical pressure at opening, at peak flow and at end of voiding after the treatment. In one patient, in whom the voided volume and urinary flow rate kept the same level throughout the treatment course, the total energy expelled from the bladder was calculated with the formula given as W = integral (pQ)dt. Both the detrusor work and vesical work (sum of detrusor contraction and abdominal straining) showed a marked decrease after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that alpha-1 blocker relieves overload of the detrusor and improves symptoms by reducing the energy demands for bladder emptying, even in case the flow rate does not improve. The urodynamic procedure including pressure flow study is a useful means for not only diagnosing bladder outflow obstruction but also assessing overload or impaired contractility of the detrusor.

Using deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements with zero-bias and reverse-bias cooling, we have observed new metastable defects (EM1, EM2 and EM3) in n-type silicon by hydrogen implantation at temperature as low as 88 K. We have investigated the trap parameters of these metastable defects and their concentration depth profiles. Hydrogen ion implantation was performed with energies of 80 keV, 90 keV, and 100 keV to a dose of 2 x 10 10 cm -2 . The silicon substrate temperature was kept at as low as 88 K during hydrogen implantation and then was raised naturally to room temperature. From analysis of Arrhenius plots, the energy levels of EM1, EM2 and EM3 are obtained to be Ec-0.29 eV, Ec-0.41 eV and Ec-0.55 eV, respectively. The depth profiles of metastable defects in 90-key samples have a peak in the concentration around the depth of 0.68 μm, which is shallow compared with the projected range of 90 keV hydrogen. The peak position becomes deeper as the energy of ion implantation increases. This indicates that the production of metastable defects is caused by ion implantation. Additionally, comparison with helium-implanted samples suggests that implanted hydrogen is included in these metastable defects.

Isometric contractile force of rabbit prostatic tissue in response to electric field stimulation (EFS), KCl, and phenylephrine were measured at incubation temperature of 37 degrees C, before and after thermal exposure to 42 degrees C, 45 degrees C, 48 degrees C and 50 degrees C for 30 minutes. The contractile force in response to EFS decreased after thermal exposure above 45 degrees C, and the contractile force in response to KCL or phenylephrine decreased after thermal exposure above 48 degrees C. All the contractile response abolished after thermal exposure to 50 degrees C. The results indicate that the nerve is more hear-sensitive than the smooth muscle in the prostate. Histological examination revealed shrinkage of cell body and dark staining of nuclear chromatin of the smooth muscle cells after thermal exposure above 48 degrees C. The same histological change of the smooth muscle as well as degenerative change of the nerve cells was observed on the prostate 3-7 months after clinical thermotherapy. From these results, it is suggested that clinical effect of thermotherapy is brought about from both neural and muscular damage of the prostate. Since the least temperature to cause an irreversible tissue damage ranges from 48 degrees C through 50 degrees C, we believe it is ideal to heat the prostate around 50 degrees C to obtain a good clinical effect of thermotherapy on benign prostatic hyperplasia as a minimum invasive treatment.

183 Background: Antiandrogens have been used to prevent symptoms due to testosterone surge in the early phase of treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist as well as to add antitumor efficacy. Degarelix, an antagonist of GnRH does not introduce testosterone surge, however, the combination of degarelix and antiandrogen can exert a stronger antitumor effect than degarelix alone. We conducted a phase II study to investigate the early-phase efficacy and safety of combination of degarelix and bicalutamide compared with degarelix alone in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: Patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma in the prostate indicated for androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) were randomly assigned to a treatment group with either combination of degarelix and bicalutamide or degarelix alone. Degarelix was administered subcutaneously with an initial dose of 240 mg followed by 80 mg thereafter every four weeks. Bicalutamide was taken 80 mg every day. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients whose serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) declined with greater than 90% of the baseline at Day 28. Secondary endpoints were the transition of serum PSA and testosterone during treatment of 12 weeks, safety, and quality of life. Results: A total of 93 patients were evaluable in this final analysis. Median age was 75 years. Median baseline serum PSA was 10.2ng/ml. Baseline patient characteristics were well-balanced in both arms. The percentage of patients with serum PSA declines greater than 90% from baseline was 34% and 27% in the combination group and the degarelix monotherapy group, respectively (P= 0.503). The transition of serum PSA and testosterone levels were similar in both groups. No grade 3 or greater adverse event was observed in both groups. Conclusions: Adding bicalutamide on degarelix as initial ADT does not produce a greater impact on serum PSA decline in the early-treatment phase compared to degarelix alone. Clinical trial information: UMIN000011506.

Pharmacotherapy with anticholinergic agents was studied in a total of 80 patients aged 65 years or older with chief complaints of urinary frequency (4 patients) and/or ugency incontinence (76 patients). The subjects were 45 men and 35 women at the age ranging between 65 and 92 (mean 73.7). The patients received anticholinergic agents (terodiline hydrochloride 24 mg/day, oxybutynin hydrochloride 6 mg/day, propantheline bromide 60 mg/day separately or in combination) for more than two weeks. Subjective symptoms and objective findings were assessed before and after the administration. In addition, according to the result of Hasegawa's dementia rating scale the patients were divided into dementia group and non-dementia group for further evaluation of the study drugs. As a result, cystometrogram revealed significant increase of maximum bladder capacity in either dementia group or non-dementia group. There was no significant difference in rate of objective improvement between both groups. On the other hand, rate of subjective improvement was significantly higher in non-dementia group (40%) than in dementia group (15%). As mentioned above, improvement of cystometrogram findings was not associated with improvement of subjective symptoms in the demented patients. This suggests that the major cause of incontinence in demented patients is not the bladder dysfunction but the specific conditions of demented patients such as agnosia and apraxia.

We experienced transurethral teflon paste injection for 12 refluxing ureters of 7 patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Preoperative assessment of cystometry showed hypoactive bladder function with normal bladder compliance in 4 patients, and low compliance bladder (< 10 ml/cmH2O) in 1. Voiding cystography revealed grade 1 reflux in 2 ureters, grade 2 in 3, grade 3 in 2, grade 4 in 2, and grade 5 in 2. One ureter did not show reflux. Zero point two to 1.6 ml of teflon paste was injected on each ureter under cystoscopic observation. These patients were followed for a mean of 25.1 months. Reflux disappeared immediately after the first operations in all patients, however recurrence was observed in 2 ureters, in which improvement of reflux (grade 5 to 2) was achieved in 1 ureter but no improvement (grade 2 to 2) in another. Pyelonephritis was not encountered in any patients after injection. No complication was observed through the follow up period. In conclusion, we advocate that endoscopic teflon paste injection is a useful alternative to ureteroneocystostomy in the treatment of reflux in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Motor unit action potentials (MUPs) of the external urethral sphincter muscle during cystometry were analysed on six normal males. Electrodes were of concentric needle type having the exposed tip surface of 0.07 mm2, and the potential changes were analysed by automatic decomposition electromyography (ADEMG), for isolation and characterization of unit discharges. Number of analysed units was as follows: Two at rest, 4 at first desire to void, and 6 at maximum desire to void. Number of the recorded units and the firing rate were increased along with the degree of bladder filling. Average MUP figures as follows: Amplitude of 206 microV, 8.3 msec. duration, and 5.4 Hz firing rate at rest; 246 microV, 9.7 msec and 7.3 Hz at first desire to void; 277 microV. 9.7 msec and 7.2 Hz at maximum desire to void, respectively. It is concluded that external urethral sphincter maintains its urinary continence by excitation of the neuromuscular units, and by the increase in the firing rate of individual MUP during bladder filling.

We compared changes in nocturia and sleep related parameters between the anticholinergic solifenacin and placebo in patients with overactive bladder associated with nocturia.We performed subgroup analysis of data from a randomized, controlled trial of solifenacin (5 or 10 mg) in Japan. Men and women 20 years old or older with overactive bladder were eligible for study participation. Patients who voided at least once during the night at baseline and who completed efficacy and quality of life assessment at baseline and 12 weeks (treatment end) were included in analysis. We compared placebo with the posttreatment change in nocturia and daytime frequency, volume voided per micturition, sleeping time, hours of undisturbed sleep and sleep related quality of life.Subgroup analysis included 962 patients. Solifenacin 10 mg significantly decreased nocturia episodes by 0.46 episodes (p = 0.0449). Solifenacin 5 and 10 mg significantly increased nighttime volume voided per micturition by 30 and 41 ml (p = 0.0033 and0.0001, respectively). Compared with placebo (33 minutes) the hours of undisturbed sleep significantly increased by 59 and 60 minutes (p = 0.0196 and 0.0195) in patients with solifenacin 5 and 10 mg, respectively. Significant improvement was observed in sleep related quality of life for solifenacin 5 and 10 mg (each p0.001). Results must be interpreted with caution due to the exploratory nature of this analysis.Solifenacin 10 mg decreases nocturia episodes. Solifenacin 5 and 10 mg increases nighttime volume voided per micturition and may improve quality of sleep and sleep related quality of life in patients with overactive bladder.

This study investigated the correlation between the device structures and the switching power dissipation by using an index, the ratio of feedback capacitance to input capacitance. We point out that a wide-cell-pitch and an injection enhanced structure have inherently higher switching power dissipation under the fitted dV/dt and dI/dt condition because of their large index.

Our previous research has shown that dynamic avalanche phenomenon is related to the hole trap level that is induced at an energy level of Ev+0.35 eV. In this study we will describe how we used the DLTS (deep level transient spectroscopy) method and CL (cathode luminescence) method to identify that the defects which form the hole trap level are in fact CiOi that is present in the Si wafer. We fabricated diodes using wafers with different amounts of CiOi, and conducted tests for the occurrence of the dynamic avalanche phenomenon. The results verified that the dynamic avalanche phenomenon occurs in diodes with large amounts of CiOi. By controlling the impurities in the Si wafer, we were able to improve the diode characteristics and suppress oscillation of the IGBT module current and voltage waveforms, reducing switching loss.

e16005 Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist has been used for androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa). Antiandrogens have been used to prevent symptoms due...