Estimation of partial excess Gibbs energy of solutes in infinitely dilute liquid iron base binary alloys

The partial excess Gibbs energy Δ?_B^Ex as well as the relationship between the partial enthalpy of mixing ΔH?_B and the partial excess entropy of solution ΔS?_B^Ex of various solute elements in liquid Fe, Al and Pb binary alloys were evaluated from a new solution model, in which ΔS?_B^Ex can be calculated from the values of ΔH?_B by Miedema's semi-empirical method and some relevant physical properties of the components in the alloys. These calculated values of Δ?_B^Ex were found to be in reasonable agreement with the selected values presented so far. The present model gives the values of Δ?_B^Ex, for which the experimental data are not yet available.     

Specific interaction of mannosylated glycopolymers with macrophage cells mediated by mannose receptor

Poly[N-p-vinylbenzyl-O-beta-mannopyranosyl-(1-4)-D-gluconamide] (PV-Man) is a polystyrene derivative that contains mannose moieties and interacts with the mannose-receptor-carrying macrophage cell line. To clarify the specific interaction between the PV-Man and the macrophage cell line J774A1, PV-Man polymer labeled with fluorescent fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used to amonitor the specific interaction, which was visualized by confocal laser microscopy. We found that PV-Man strongly binds to macrophage cells, probably due to a specific interaction mediated by the presence of mannose receptors on the cell membrane. The fluorescence intensity of PV-Man and macrophage cells was up to 7-fold that of any other glycopolymers bound to macrophage cells. Moreover, cellular fluorescence intensity increased significantly with increasing incubation time and polymer concentration. Many macrophage cells strongly express mannose and mannose receptor-related receptors, and receptor-mediated gene transfer via the mannose receptor using a PV-Man glycopolymer is a versatile means of targeted gene delivery into these cells.     

Electron transport behaviors across single grain boundaries in <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-type BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and ZnO

In some electroceramic materials, their unique electrical properties are due to potential barriers, i.e., double Schottky barriers (DSBs), formed at grain boundaries. So far, some researchers have revealed that the electrical properties of DSB are closely related to grain boundary characters, especially grain boundary coherency. For example, highly coherent boundary does not give PTCR or varistic property, while random types exhibit clear resistivity jump or abrupt current increment. Therefore, a concept of grain boundary design will be required for future device manufacturing, even in bulk materials. But it has not been clarified yet why the electron transport behaviors depend on them. In order to address this question, it is necessary to carry out a systematic experiment focusing on single grain boundaries using well-defined bicrystals.In the present study, we have summarized our studies with a special interest in electron transport behavior across single grain boundaries for n-type BaTiO₃, SrTiO₃ and ZnO.     

Planning facilities for elderly patients care examination room

This paper shows the development of a method of creating Diagnostic Centers for examination rooms for elderly patients. The data related to the population of patients treated in hospitals in Japan. The results of the analysis are being used to develop a suitable facility for examination of elderly patients.     

Size distribution of large grain-boundary cracks in the creep-ruptured specimens of a cobalt-based alloy

Abstracts are not published in this journal This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Direct Joining of BSCCO Superconducting Glass-Ceramics Using a Flame-Melting Method

A new method for joining bismuth-based superconducting glass-ceramics has been developed; they are joined easily by melting-annealing with a liquid natural gas (LNG) -oxygen flame. Two edge portions of the glass-ceramics to be joined are melted by a high-temperature flame, and the molten faces are placed quickly against each other. Subsequently, the joined portion is annealed sufficiently with a soft flame, resulting in a unified product with no cracks. Although the directly unified product is broken electrically, it is converted to a superconductor, with T _c∼ 90 K, by postheating at ∼ 830°C, and its critical current density is almost the same as that of the original glass-ceramic. This technique is very important for fabrication of large-sized superconducting ceramics, such as bushing apparatuses.