Polymer electrolyte with large temperature-dependent conductivity for novel electrochromic imaging

Novel polymer electrolyte aimed for space-selective electrochromic imaging was prepared with poly(vinylbutyral) (PVB), poly(ethyleneglycole) (PEG2000) and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). A spreading of the electrochromic image is a shortcoming when the electrochromic image is space-selectively formed by electrochemical reaction. This is due to a cell formation between colored and uncolored parts through ionic conductor. In order to inhibit the spreading, it would be effective to apply a polymer electrolyte with very low ionic conductivity at room temperature to the imaging system. On this basis, the present electrolyte was designed to have large difference in ionic conductivity between high and low temperatures. Namely, this polymer electrolyte enables writing and erasing at high temperature due to high ionic conductivity, and the image is expected to be preserved without change at ambient temperature due to very low ionic conductivity. The thermal and conductive properties of the polymer electrolyte were analyzed. Further, space-selective electrochromic image was formed on the device with the present polymer electrolyte at 100 °C, and was revealed to be stable without change for more than a week when the device was kept at 20 °C.     

Business scenario evaluation using Monte Carlo simulation on qualitative and quantitative hybrid model

We propose a business scenario evaluation method using a qualitative/quantitative hybrid model. In order to evaluate business factors with qualitative causal relations, we introduce statistical values based on propagation and combination of effects of business factors by Monte Carlo simulation. In propagating an effect, we divide a range of each factor by landmarks and decide an effect to a destination node based on the divided ranges. In combining effects, we determine an effect of each arc using contribution degree and sum all effects. Through applied results to practical models, it is confirmed that there are no differences between results obtained by quantitative relations and results obtained by the proposed method at the risk rate of 5%. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(3): 9–18, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20950     

Gel electrolyte-based flexible electrochromic devices showing subtractive primary colors

We studied flexible electrochromic devices containing phthalate derivative which showed reversible color change between water transparent and subtractive primary color by electrochemical reaction. Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)-based gel electrolyte was prepared to apply the flexible electrochromic device. The ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte depended on the polymer content, and was higher than 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 25 °C at the PVB content of 33 wt%. Redox reaction of phthalate derivatives was successfully achieved in the gel electrolyte. It is revealed that PVB-based gel electrolyte works well as the material for flexible electrochromic devices showing subtractive primary colors.     

Iodine Excess as an Environmental Risk Factor for Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

The global effort to prevent iodine deficiency disorders through iodine supplementation, such as universal salt iodization, has achieved impressive progress during the last few decades. However, iodine excess, due to extensive environmental iodine exposure in addition to poor monitoring, is currently a more frequent occurrence than iodine deficiency. Iodine excess is a precipitating environmental factor in the development of autoimmune thyroid disease. Excessive amounts of iodide have been linked to the development of autoimmune thyroiditis in humans and animals, while intrathyroidal depletion of iodine prevents disease in animal strains susceptible to severe thyroiditis. Although the mechanisms by which iodide induces thyroiditis are still unclear, several mechanisms have been proposed: (1) excess iodine induces the production of cytokines and chemokines that can recruit immunocompetent cells to the thyroid; (2) processing excess iodine in thyroid epithelial cells may result in elevated levels of oxidative stress, leading to harmful lipid oxidation and thyroid tissue injuries; and (3) iodine incorporation in the protein chain of thyroglobulin may augment the antigenicity of this molecule. This review will summarize the current knowledge regarding excess iodide as an environmental toxicant and relate it to the development of autoimmune thyroid disease.     

The interior coil inference method with the logic parts attaching algorithm for automatic regeneration of sequential control programs

For the replacement of old sequential controllers for plants by modern programmable controllers (PCs), we have developed the sequential control program automatic inductive regeneration (SPAIR) method and system from input–output signals and action specifications of a target controller. However, this method cannot regenerate the logic included in the interior coils. Therefore, we propose an efficient interior coil logic inference method for SPAIR using the Logic Parts Attaching Algorithm. In this method, the target logic of the interior coil is acquired by the selective attachment of logic parts. We confirmed its effectiveness through the application of the method to some original controllers including interior logic. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 137(1): 42–47, 2001     

Electrochemically-switchable emission and absorption by using luminescent Lanthanide(III) complex and electrochromic molecule toward novel display device with dual emissive and reflective mode

Electroswitching of emission and coloration was achieved by a combination of a luminescent Eu(III) complex and an electrochromic molecule of diheptyl viologen (HV²⁺), indicating that the complex-molecule combination could be used as a display material with dual emissive and reflective modes. The coloration of the material was associated with the electrochromism of HV²⁺. Emission control was found to be possible due to the electrochromism of HV²⁺ via intermolecular energy transfer from the excited state of the Eu(III) ion to the reduced state of HV⁺. By using this mechanism, dual emissive and reflective representation of numerical characters were demonstrated.     

New Therapeutic Targets for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Integrin Family, α8β1 and α11β1, Induced Specifically on Activated Stellate Cells

A huge effort has been devoted to developing drugs targeting integrins over 30 years, because of the primary roles of integrins in the cell-matrix milieu. Five αv-containing integrins, in the 24 family members, have been a central target of fibrosis. Currently, a small molecule against αvβ1 is undergoing a clinical trial for NASH-associated fibrosis as a rare agent aiming at fibrogenesis. Latent TGFβ activation, a distinct talent of αv-integrins, has been intriguing as a therapeutic target. None of the αv-integrin inhibitors, however, has been in the clinical market. αv-integrins commonly recognize an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence, and thus the pharmacophore of inhibitors for the 5-integrins is based on the same RGD structure. The RGD preference of the integrins, at the same time, dilutes ligand specificity, as the 5-integrins share ligands containing RGD sequence such as fibronectin. With the inherent little specificity in both drugs and targets, “disease specificity” has become less important for the inhibitors than blocking as many αv-integrins. In fact, an almighty inhibitor for αv-integrins, pan-αv, was in a clinical trial. On the contrary, approved integrin inhibitors are all specific to target integrins, which are expressed in a cell-type specific manner: αIIbβ3 on platelets, α4β1, α4β7 and αLβ2 on leukocytes. Herein, “disease specific” integrins would serve as attractive targets. α8β1 and α11β1 are selectively expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and distinctively induced upon culture activation. The exceptional specificity to activated HSCs reflects a rather “pathology specific” nature of these new integrins. The monoclonal antibodies against α8β1 and α11β1 in preclinical examinations may illuminate the road to the first medical agents.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organochlorines in archived northern fur seal samples from the Pacific coast of Japan, 1972-1998

The present study clearly indicated possible prolonged and chronic marine pollution by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) unless the international regulatory measures are reinforced substantially. Fat tissues of female northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), collected at 10 time periods between 1972 and 1998 from the Pacific coast of northern Japan, were analyzed for PBDEs and organochlorine compounds (OCs). PCBs and DDTs were the predominant contaminants in the fur seal samples. PBDEs were detected in all the samples analyzed, the values ranging from 0.33 to 100 ng/g lipid wt. with predominance of BDE-47. The lowest PBDE levels were in the fur seals collected in 1972, with the peak concentration around 1991-1994 and then decreased to about 50% in 1997-1998. Compositions of higher brominated congeners increased since 1972, while some lower brominated congeners decreased, implying a change in the pattern of use, particularly the increased use of highly brominated diphenyl ethers during 1972-1998. In the meantime, PCB compositions in fur seals showed no temporal variation, suggesting a continuous input of PCBs into the marine environment in significant quantities. As peak concentrations of PBDEs occurred later than OCs, it is essential to follow up the patterns of PBDEs pollution that may be of great concern in the future. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the contamination by PBDEs in marine mammals from the Asia-Pacific waters.     

Bi-based electrochromic cell with mediator for white/black imaging

We studied electrochemical properties of bismuth deposit, which showed reversible color change from colorless clear to black by electrochemical reaction, toward paper-like electronic imaging device. Bismuth salt in an electrolyte solution is colorless clear, but turned to black by the electrodeposition on an electrode. Namely, bismuth ion (Bi³⁺) dissolved in the electrolyte solution (colorless clear) is electrochemically reduced on the electrode to deposit the Bi metal showing black color. The Bi deposit on the electrode is electrochemically oxidized to dissolve the deposit into the solution. These processes enable the color change between colorless clear and black. However, the stability of the switching between colorless and black state is not sufficient due to less electroactivity of bismuth deposit. To improve the switching stability of the present electrochromic cell, various mediators were employed to add into the electrolyte solution. Reversible white/black display cell has been successfully demonstrated.     

An information service system using bluetooth in an exhibition hall

In an exhibition hall, it is important to provide visitors with information about the exhibit. In this paper, an information service system using Bluetooth in an exhibition hall is proposed. This system automatically provides an explanation of the nearby exhibit to visitors based on the estimated location information. This system can also act as a guide through the exhibit, leading the recommended tour. Moreover, several management support functions using the visitors’ location log are proposed. To keep continuous connection between access points and a visitor’s mobile device for smooth browsing operation, a pre-download method and a special handover are proposed. The pre-download method decides the information to be downloaded based on the visitor browse. The download order is determined based on the prediction of the visitor movement. Through the simulation in various room-layouts, access point layouts and walking routes, the effectiveness of the proposed methods are shown. The prototype of the information service system that installs the proposed methods has been developed.