Impact of the vertical SOI `DELTA' structure on planar devicetechnology

A fully depleted lean channel transistor (DELTA) with its gate incorporated into a new vertical ultrathin silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure is presented. In the deep-submicrometer region, selective oxidation produces and isolates an ultrathin SOI MOSFET that has high crystalline quality, as good as that of conventional bulk single-crystal devices. Experiments and three-dimensional simulations have shown that this new gate structure has effective channel control and that the vertical ultrathin SOI structure provides superior device characteristics: reduction in short-channel effects, minimized subthreshold swing, and high transconductance     

Infrared absorption spectra of adsorbed dinitrogen on RuAl2O3K below 2000 cm−1

A new dinitrogen species is found by ir absorption at 1935 cm^?1 (Type B) when a dinitrogen species at 2020 cm^?1 (Type A) prepared from N₂ on RuAl₂O₃K is treated with H₂ above 170 °C or with NH₃ at 25 °C, or when H₂-treated catalyst is treated with N₂ at 250 °C. The Type B species is more reactive to H₂ or O₂ than the Type A species. Another ir band is found at around 1870 cm^?1 (Type C) when Type B species is evacuated at 200 °C. Both species, B and C, are likely located on the surface, while the Type A species is in an absorbed state. The Type C species is removed rapidly on introduction of H₂ or NH₃ at 25 °C, probably by displacement. The very low wavenumber, the high sensitivity to gases, and the high stability to evacuation disclose the unique character of the Type C species.     

Decomposition of water by a CaTiO3 photocatalyst under UV light irradiation

Platinized CaTiO₃ powder (band gap 3.5 eV) had a high photocatalytic activity of decomposing water into H₂ and O₂ under the irradiation of UV light, especially with photon energies above 3.8 eV. The existence of this photocatalytic activity is further supported on electrochemical grounds in that the photoinduced current spectrum measured between a CaTiO₃ single crystal and a Pt electrode without applied voltage in water showed a maximum near 4.1 eV. This result indicates that the direct measurement of the spectrum corresponding to the efficiency of water decomposition is an effective method to survey photocatalytic activities of materials.     

Monitoring system for the totally implantable ventricular assist system by use of sensors for virtual reality

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of low dose cyproterone acetate-estrogen combination (Diane) and the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism. Fourty-two women with hirsutism were included in the study. Twenty-one patients treated with cyproterone acetate (CPA) 2 mg and ethinyl estradiol (E) 35 micrograms daily on days 5-25 of the menstrual cycle, 21 with finasteride 5 mg daily. Hirsutism score, hormone levels, multiscreen blood chemistry and side effects were evaluated at three-monthly intervals for 9 months. A significant decrease in hirsutism score as compared to baseline was observed after 9 months with either CPA + E (Diane) (mean +/- SE, 15.81 +/- 1.19 vs 8.38 +/- 1.21) or finasteride treatment (17.81 +/- 1.05 vs 10.86 +/- 0.91) (p < 0.0005). The reductions in hirsutism scores (mean% +/- SE) were 14.23 +/- 2.29 vs 19.77 +/- 2.22 (p < 0.05) at 3, 40.23 +/- 4.58 vs 29.49 +/- 2.69 (p < 0.02) at 6 and 50.99 +/- 4.13 vs 39.87 +/- 3.30 (p < 0.02) at 9 months in CPA + E and finasteride groups, respectively. No significant changes were observed in hormone levels during finasteride treatment. Serum free testosterone significantly decreased at the third month of treatment, and remained suppressed for the duration of treatment in CPA + E group. DHEAS levels also decreased significantly after 6 and 9 months of therapy with CPA + E. SHBG significantly increased during CPA + E treatment. We conclude that both drugs are effective and well tolerated, but CPA + E appears to be more effective than 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride in long-term treatment of hirsute women. Diane is also a cost-effective drug.     

Excitatory mechanism of veratridine on slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors in anesthetized rabbits

The excitatory effects of veratridine on slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors (SARs) were studied before and after administration of ouabain (a Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor) in anesthetized, artificially ventilated rabbits after vagus nerve section. Administration of veratridine (40 microg/kg) stimulated SAR activity but did not significantly alter tracheal pressure. Administration of ouabain (50 microg/kg) initially stimulated SAR activity during both inflation and deflation, but after 20 min, two different types of SAR responses were observed; one became silent at the peak, of inflation only, and the other maintained excitatory activity during both inflation and deflation phases. Veratridine usually inhibited SAR activity in ouabain-treated animals, irrespective of the difference of ouabain effects. These results suggest that veratridine-induced stimulation of SARs is closely related to the change in the Na+ ion gradient, which is regulated by Na+ pump activity.     

Self-supervised learning algorithm of environment recognition indriving vehicle

We consider the problem of recognizing the driving environment of a vehicle by using information obtained from some sensors of the vehicle. Previously, we presented a recognition algorithm based on an usual method of pattern matching by use of fuzzy reasoning. Furthermore, this algorithm was extended to meet the demands of nonstandard drivers and changes of vehicle properties. In this algorithm we supposed that an extra source of knowledge (supervisor) for correcting the decision taken by the classifier could be acquired, and inevitably we expected additional sensors. To cover such weakness we present a self-supervised learning algorithm. Here the supervisor is constructed by using a-cut of the membership function of the representative class. Computer simulation on practical uses of the vehicle shows efficiency of the self-supervised learning     

An investigation into the distributive pattern, classification and functional role of the conical papillae on the posterodorsal surface of the cat tongue using SEM

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can develop in patients with esophageal achalasia either before treatment or following pneumatic dilatation or Heller myotomy. In this study we assessed the value of pre- and postoperative pH monitoring in identifying GER in patients with esophageal achalasia. Ambulatory pH monitoring was performed preoperatively in 40 patients with achalasia (18 untreated patients and 22 patients after pneumatic dilatation), 27 (68%) of whom complained of heartburn in addition to dysphagia (group A), and postoperatively in 18 of 51 patients who underwent a thoracoscopic (n=30) or laparoscopic (n=21) Heller myotomy (group B). The DeMeester reflux score was abnormal in 14 patients in group A, 13 of whom had been treated previously by pneumatic dilatation. Two types of pH tracings were seen: (1) GER in eight patients (7 of whom had undergone dilatation) and (2) pseudo-GER in six patients (all 6 of whom had undergone dilatation). Therefore 7 (32%) of 22 patients had abnormal GER after pneumatic dilatation. Postoperatively (group B) seven patients had abnormal GER (6 after thoracoscopic and 1 after laparoscopic myotomy). Six of the seven patients were asymptomatic. These findings show that (1) approximately one third of patients treated by pneumatic dilatation had GER; (2) symptoms were an unreliable index of the presence of abnormal GER, so pH monitoring must be performed in order to make this diagnosis; and (3) the preoperative detection of GER in patients with achalasia is important because it influences the choice of operation.     

Mutational analysis of the N-ras gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a study of 125 Japanese pediatric cases

Many antibiotic resistance mutations arise in pathogenic bacteria that harbor plasmids (R-plasmids). Resistance to third generation cephalosporins, for instance, largely occurs by one or more point mutations in plasmid bla genes that expand the resistance spectrum of beta-lactamases. Here I review relevant evidence underlying the worldwide emergence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The conclusion reached is that the origin of these resistance-conferring mutations cannot be explained by a series of single point mutation and selection events. Instead, highly advantageous stochastic processes might exist that generate alterations in the sequence or the conformation of particular regions in chromosomal or plasmid genomes such as bla, i.e., recombination or mutation. Several explanations for the origin of ESBLs are reviewed but direct experimental evidence to support or to invalidate them is still lacking. The cellular conditions under which ESBLs arise are unknown; however, involvement of nutritional stresses inside natural animal hosts and of plasmid conjugal functions appear likely.     

The production of high-purity aluminum in Japan

The two most widely industrialized techniques for aluminum refining are the three-layer electrolytic refining process and the segregation process. The three-layer process uses molten salt electrolysis to produce aluminum of greater than 99.99% purity. The segregation process produces aluminum of 99.98–99.99% purity. Although aluminum refined by the segregation process has a somewhat lower purity than that produced by the other methods, the segregation process has become increasing common since it consumes less energy. Ultrahigh-purity aluminum (99.9999%), which has uranium and thorium impurities reduced to less than 1 ppb, can also be produced.     

Hepatitis C virus infection and heart diseases: a multicenter study in Japan

We present our experience of transcutaneous truncal anaesthesia of the maxillary nerve in association with transmucosal anaesthesia of the sphenopalatine ganglion in surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. Twelve patients with a skeletal transverse discrepancy of the maxilla were treated in our department from 1994 to 1995. Maxillary transcutaneous nerve block was done with a Quincke 8 cm spinal needle together with transmucosal anaesthesia of the sphenopalatine ganglion. Mepivacaine without adrenaline and sodium bicarbonate 1/10 was used for truncal anaesthesia and lidocaine-prilocaine cream for transmucosal anaesthesia. A Le Fort I osteotomy, lateral nasal wall osteotomy, pterygomaxillary osteotomy, and a palatal osteotomy were done for all patients before the maxillary expansion. Total anaesthesia of the maxillary area facilitated the operations and appreciably reduced the amount of postoperative pain. The ease of achieving effective anaesthesia before and after operation and the absence of side-effects make this form of anaesthetic particularly useful in surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion.