X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Investigation on the Low-Temperature Degradation of 2 mol% Y2O3-ZrO2 Ceramics

2 mol% Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ polycrystals were annealed in water and under vacuum to highlight the effect of the presence of H₂O on the low-temperature degradation transformation. The specimen surfaces with monoclinic phases transformed during annealing in the different environments were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with special interest on the electron binding energy change of the constituent ions of the 2 mol% Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ ceramics after the degradation transformation. It was found that no change occurred for the electron-bonding energies of core levels of zirconium ions after the transformation, whereas Y-OH bonds were formed during annealing in water. This result suggested a possibility that the preferred hydration of yttrium took place at the surface of Y₂O₃-partially-stabilized ZrO₂, which is likely to be the reason for the low-temperature degradation accelerated by the presence of H₂O.     

Discharge behaviour of electrodeposited PbO2 and Pb electrodes

The discharge behaviour of electrodeposited lead dioxide and lead electrodes was investigated under various conditions; the surfaces of the discharged electrodes were observed with a scanning electron microscope. Both the positive and negative electrodes were passivated by a covering of deposited lead sulphate crystals. The amount of lead sulphate required for passivation depended on the size of the crystals.     

Series resonant ZCS‐PFM DC‐DC power converter with high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for high‐power magnetron drive

This paper presents a single lossless inductive snubber‐assisted ZCS‐PFM series resonant DC‐DC power converter with a high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for industrial‐use high‐power magnetron drive. The current flowing through the active power switches rises gradually at a turned‐on transient state with the aid of a single lossless snubber inductor, and ZCS turn‐on commutation based on overlapping current can be achieved via the wide range pulse frequency modulation control scheme. The high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer primary side resonant current always becomes continuous operation mode, by electromagnetic loose coupling design of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer and the magnetizing inductance of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer. As a result, this high‐voltage power converter circuit for the magnetron can achieve a complete zero current soft switching under the condition of broad width gate voltage signals. Furthermore, this high‐voltage DC‐DC power converter circuit can regulate the output power from zero to full over audible frequency range via the two resonant frequency circuit design. Its operating performances are evaluated and discussed on the basis of the power loss analysis simulation and the experimental results from a practical point of view. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 153(3): 79–87, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20126     

The Ig heavy chain gene is frequently involved in chromosomal translocations in multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia as detected by in situ hybridization

Chromosome rearrangement of 14q32.33 has recurrently occurred with variable partner sites, including 11q13.3, 8q24.1, 18q21.3, and 6p21.1 in multiple myeloma (MM). To assess the actual incidence of 14q32.33 translocation and to elucidate its implication in the pathogenesis of MM, we studied 42 patients with MM, plasma cell leukemia, or plasmacytoma and 5 with monoclonal gammopathy with undetermined significance (MGUS) by G-banding and molecular cytogenetic methods. Using double-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (DCFISH) with 2 Ig heavy chain (IgH) gene probes, a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone containing variable region, and a phage clone containing gamma constant region, 14q32.33 translocation was detected as split signals of the IgH gene in 31 patients with plasma cell malignancies and 3 with MGUS. In contrast, of 40 patients who were assessed by G-banding, 3 (7.5%) showed the 14q+ chromosome. DCFISH detected a split of the IgH gene on interphase nuclei in 34 (73.9%) of 46 patients analyzed, whereas on metaphase spreads, it was in 22 (51.2%) of 43 patients analyzed. Interphase DCFISH was particularly useful to detect 14q32.33 translocation in 17 (65.4%) of 26 patients with normal karyotypes. Donor sites were identified in 11 of 22 patients demonstrated as carrying 14q32.33 translocation by metaphase FISH. Chromosome t(11;14)(q13.3; q32.33) was detected in 5 patients, t(8;14)(q24.1;q32.33) in 2, t(14;18)(q32.33;q21.3) in 2, and t(7;14)(q32.1;q32.33) in 1. A complex 14q32.33 translocation involving 3q and 16q24 was detected in 1 patient. Myeloma cells with t(7;14) showed myelomonocytoid surface antigen. Because rearrangements of 14q32.33 were closely associated with translocation of proto-oncogenes into the IgH gene, our findings indicate that 14q32.33 translocation with various partner chromosomes is a critical event in the pathogenesis of MM and MGUS.     

Online-Religion in Japan: Websites and Religious Counseling from a Comparative Cross-Cultural Perspective

This article considers the nature of online religion by examining the websites and religious counseling activities conducted by new Japanese religions. Beginning with an overview of the widespread use of the Internet in Japan and its use in religion, the article examines the cultural and social factors that keep the religious use of the Internet from becoming as pervasive in Japan as it is in the U.S. The article then describes a website with elements of online religion and the Internet-based religious counseling services being provided by ministers of the new Shintō-derived religions of Konkōkyō and Tenrikyō. These activities have successfully given some people who need religious assistance access to religious teaching. In concluding, the article examines the reasons for the success of these efforts, as well as the reasons why they have not expanded in scope, in light of the cultural and organizational advantages and disadvantages that affect Internet use.     

Thermal expansion behavior of various aromatic polyimides

The thermal expansion behavior for various aromatic polymides was investigated. Usally polymers, including polyimides, have high thermal expansion coefficients (3–6 × 10^?5 K^?1), compared with metals and ceramics. However, there are some polyimides which have very low thermal expansion coefficients below 1 × 10^?5 K^?1. This property was observed for the polymides obtained from pyromellitic dianhydride or 3,3′ 4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and aromatic diamines which were constituted of only benzene rings fused at para positions. It was proposed that their low thermal expansion coefficient related to the linearity in their polymer molecular skeltons.     

Cisplatin plus oral etoposide in the treatment of patients with advanced small cell lung cancer. Japan Clinical Oncology Group

BACKGROUND: Etoposide is a highly schedule-dependent drug. We investigated combination chemotherapy of oral etoposide and intravenous cisplatin for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with SCLC with extensive disease (ED) or limited disease (LD) with pleural effusion registered in the 21 institutions of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group were treated with oral etoposide 40 mg/m2/d for 21 days and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 of every 28-period day. The entry period was between February 1992 and August 1995. The actual percentages of patients treated with etoposide were 93.6, 89.5, 92.3 and 96.9% in the first, second, third and fourth cycles, respectively. RESULTS: Nine patients (15.8%) achieved a complete response resulting in an overall response rate of 82.5% (95% confidence interval, 70.1-91.3%). Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or 4 were observed in 36 (49.1%) and 8 (14.0%) patients, respectively. Anemia of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 28 (49.1%) patients. Nausea, vomiting, anorexia and alopecia were common adverse events. One patient died of hemoptysis due to grade 4 thrombocytopenia. The mean survival time was 47.0 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This dose and schedule of administration of etoposide in combination with cisplatin are considered to be clinically active. However, prolonged gastrointestinal toxicity of oral etoposide was a problem in comparison with the standard etoposide platinum regimen given by intravenous administration.