Multilayered transformer utilizing Mn‐Zn ferrite and its application to a forward‐type DC–DC converter

This paper describes the electrical characteristics of a multilayered transformer composed of a Mn‐Zn ferrite core, and primary and secondary conductors positioned alternately not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction. In order to elucidate the operating characteristics of the two types of transformers, one was given the conventional planar winding structure and the other the new winding structure described above, and a two‐dimensional finite element method that took account of the two conditions and a constant input voltage and load current was introduced. The coupling coefficient of the conventional multilayered transformer deteriorated with increasing load current. But the coupling coefficient of the proposed multilayered transformer was independent of the load current. A forward‐type DC–DC converter using the new multilayered transformer had higher efficiency than a converter using the conventional multilayered transformer. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(4): 1–8, 2001     

Phase equilibria in the Co-Ti portion of the Co-Al-Ti ternary system

Phase equilibria of 900, 1000, and 1100 °C in the Co-Ti portion of the Co-Al-Ti system were mainly determined by energy dispersion x-ray spectroscopy. On the Ti-Al side, the β-Ti (A2) phase region is extended by the addition of Co and the β-Ti + AlTi₃ (D0₁₉) two-phase region appears in the ternary equilibrium, while the AlTi (L1₀), AlTi₃, and β-Ti phases show very low solubility of Co. It was found that the two ternary intermetallic compounds, Co₂AlTi (L2₁) and CoAl₂Ti (D8 _a ), exist over a wide solubility range along the CoAl(B2)-CoTi (B2) and CoAl₃-CoTi₃ sections, respectively. The ordering transition and the phase separation due to ordering of the β-Ti, CoAl, or CoTi and Co₂AlTi phases fundamentally possessing the bcc structure are also discussed.     

The C-terminal domain of p53 catalyzes DNA-renaturation and strand exchange toward annealing between intact ssDNAs and toward eliminating damaged ssDNA from duplex formation through preferential recognition of damaged DNA by a duocarmycin

The C-terminal domain of p53 may bind single-stranded (ss) DNA ends and catalyze renaturation of ss complementary DNA molecules, suggesting a possible direct role for p53 in DNA repair (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92, 9455-9459, 1995). We found that DU-86, a duocarmycin derivative which alkylates DNA, bound ssDNA and enhanced the DNA binding activity of the p53 C-terminus. DU-86 weakened p53-mediated catalysis of complementary ssDNA renaturation. p53 C-terminus catalyzed DNA strand transfer toward annealing between intact ssDNAs and toward eliminating DU-86-damaged ssDNA from duplex formation. These results suggest that p53, via the C-terminal domain, may play a direct role in DNA repair by preferential recognization and elimination of damaged DNA.     

Thermodynamic assessment of the Cu-In binary system

On the basis of thermodynamic properties and phase diagram data, the Cu-In binary system was thermodynamically assessed. The phases in this system were modeled using the Redlich-Kister expression for the Gibbs energies of the solution phases, adopting three-sublattice models for γ and η′, and assuming stoichiometric compounds for other intermetallic phases. Then a set of consistent parameters was obtained by the CALPHAD method, by which reasonable agreement can be realized between the thermodynamic properties for various phases and phase relations of this system.     

Microstructure of Ti-48.2 at. Pct Ni shape memory thin films

Amorphous thin films of Ti-48.2 at. pct Ni formed by sputtering were annealed at 773 K for 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 10 hours. It was found by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that the microstructure changes in the sequence of (1) Guinier-Preston (GP) zones for 5 minutes, (2) GP zones and Ti₂Ni precipitates for 1 hour, and (3) Ti₂Ni precipitates for 10 hours. A high-resolution electron microscope (HREM) revealed that Ti₂Ni precipitates have partial coherency with the TiNi matrix.     

An infant with lobar emphysema requiring lobectomy after ventricular septal defect closure]

We report a case of Castleman's disease in a 65-year-old female, revealed by a renal tumor associated with inter-aortico-cava adenopathies and renal chromophobe cell carcinoma. This observation points to the difficulties in differentiating local Castleman's disease, which may be cured by surgical excision, from multicentric disease associated with a dysimmune syndrome of uncertain prognosis. The association of multicentric Castleman's disease with a carcinoma has rarely been described. It could be the emergence of a neoplasia in a context of dysimmunity or Castleman's disease might be related to the production of interleukin 6 by a renal carcinoma.     

Mechanism underlying histamine-induced desensitization of amylase secretion in rat parotid glands

1. Histamine acted on H2 receptors in rat parotid tissues and induced the amylase secretion. Immunoblot analysis by using anti-H2 receptor protein antiserum demonstrated that histamine induced the increase and decrease in the amounts of H2 receptor proteins in basolateral and intracellular membranes, respectively. 2. Short-term treatment with histamine resulted in decreases in amylase secretion, the density of H2 receptors and their affinity for the agonists during further incubation with histamine, but showed an unaltered secretory response to isoproterenol, indicating that the histamine-induced desensitization was confined to H2 receptors. 3. This treatment triggered a 20% decrease in the histamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and a 40% decrease in the phosphorylation level of Gi2alpha protein in the tissues, resulting in an increase in pertussis toxin (IAP)-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the protein. An enhancement of cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gs protein was observed only during the first incubation with histamine. 4. This treatment triggered a 30% decrease and a 60% increase in the histamine-stimulated activities of protein kinase A and protein phosphatase 2A in the tissues, respectively. 5. Pretreatment with okadaic acid completely blocked the histamine-induced decrease in amylase secretion and increase in IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi protein. The levels of Gi2alpha and Gs alpha proteins in the tissues were not modified by histamine treatment and the level of Gi2alpha protein was not affected by pretreatment with okadaic acid, as assessed by immunoblot analyses with anti-Gi2alpha and anti-Gs alpha protein antiserum. 6. The regulation of Gi2alpha protein phosphorylation in parotid tissues plays an important role in the histamine-induced desensitization of amylase secretion.     

First total synthesis of ganglioside GT1a alpha

A first total synthesis of ganglioside GT1a alpha (IV3III6II3)Neu5AcGg4Cer) is described. The suitably protected sialyl alpha-(2-->6) ganglioside was glycosylated with the phenylthioglycoside of sialic acid in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS)-trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf), followed by further glycosylation with the methyl thioglycoside promoted by dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium triflate (DMTST), to give the heptasaccharide. The oligosaccharide obtained was converted into the title ganglioside by the introduction of ceramide and then complete deprotection.     

The structure and function of a soybean beta-glucan-elicitor-binding protein

beta-Glucan elicitor (GE), released from the cell wall of the phytopathogenic fungus Phytophthora megasperma by soybean glucanases, causes defense reactions in soybean. A GE-binding protein (GEBP) was purified from the membrane fraction of soybean root cells, and its cDNA was isolated. Expression of the cDNA clone in tobacco suspension cultured cells and in Escherichia coli conferred GE-binding activity to both. An antibody against the recombinant protein was found to inhibit the GE binding with the soybean cotyledon membrane fraction as well as the resulting accumulation of phytoalexin. Immunolocalization assays indicated that the GEBPs are located in the plasma membrane of root cells. These results suggest that the cDNA encodes a GE receptor and may mediate the signaling of the elicitor.