Extended AB Period Study of the Electron Pairing Transition int-J Ladders

The extended Aharonov-Bohm period test, recently proposed by the present authors, is used to study the electron pairing transition in the t-J ladders. The critical point is detected as a gap opening in the extended spectral flow. The result suggests a pairing prior to the onset of a phase separation, which is consistent with a recent Tomonaga-Luttinger analysis.     

A practical high-latchup immunity design methodology for internalcircuits in the standard cell-based CMOS/BiCMOS LSIs

A practical high-latchup-immunity design methodology is proposed for high-density internal circuits in standard cell-based CMOS/BiCMOS LSIs. Both locally injected trigger current and uniformly generated trigger current were measured using a new test structure. Focusing on the difference in the well shunt resistance between local and uniform trigger currents, a practical latchup-free guideline based on an analytical model for uniformly generated trigger current in the well is presented for the periodic placement of well contacts dependent on parasitic device parameters, on generated trigger current level, and a layout pattern size     

Beam test of the CsI(Tl) calorimeter for the BELLE detector at the KEK-B factory

We studied the performance of a prototype electromagnetic calorimeter for the BELLE detector at the KEK proton synchrotron for an energy range of 0.25–3.5 GeV. The prototype consisted of an array of 6 × 5 CsI(Tl) crystals with 30 cm length (16.2 radiation lengths) and about 6 cm × 6 cm cross section. The scintillation light of each CsI(Tl) crystal was read out by two large-area PIN photodiodes and charge-sensitive preamplifiers attached at the rear face of the crystal. We measured the energy and position resolution for electrons and the e/π separation for two sets of matrix configurations: one corresponded to the center and the other to the edge of the barrel calorimeter. The overall performance measured by the test proves that the prototype calorimeter is satisfactory for the use in the BELLE detector.     

Investigation into the therapeutic efficacy of continuous isoproterenol inhalation in relation to respiratory infections in asthmatic children

In our Department, continuous isoproterenol inhalation therapy has been conducted on status asthmatics over the last 10 years. In the present study, we investigated whether there are any differences in the therapeutic efficacy of continuous inhalation of isoproterenol in the presence or absence of respiratory infections which may induce or aggravate asthma attacks. The treatment period was significantly longer in patients with pneumonia. Further prolongation of the treatment period was noted in patients with atelectasis. However, there were no apparent differences in therapeutic efficacy according to age or the severity of attacks. These findings suggest that continuous inhalation of isoproterenol is very effective for status asthmatics if respiratory infections are thoroughly controlled.     

Immunocytochemical localization of chymase to cytoplasmic vesicles after rat peritoneal mast cell stimulation by compound 48/80

The subcellular events responsible for release of mediators by mast cells may help to clarify roles for mast cells in health and disease. In this study we show that the granule-associated protease chymase is also within cytoplasmic vesicles in appropriately stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. Rat peritoneal mast cells were recovered before or 1-10 sec after exposure to the secretogogue compound 48/80 (10 micrograms/ml) and then were examined by radioimmunoassay to quantify histamine release or were processed, using routine methods for postembedding immunoelectron microscopy, to identify the subcellular localization of chymase. In comparison to unstimulated cells, compound 48/80 stimulated cells in two independent experiments showed an increase (15%, 28%) in the surface area of the cell and a decrease (12%, 6%) in the surface area of the total granule compartment before degranulation channel formation. These global cellular changes occurred in a background of transient but significant (p < 0.01) increases in the area and number of chymase-immunoreactive vesicles per microns2 cytoplasm. These changes were detectable at 5 or 7 sec after stimulation with compound 48/80 but returned to near prestimulation levels by 9 or 10 sec after addition of compound 48/80 (total cumulative histamine release was 28% by 8 sec and 47% by 14 sec). These observations suggest that vesicles participate in the early stages of regulated secretion of chymase from rat peritoneal mast cells.     

Interconnection-free biomolecular computing

The basic concept of interconnection-free biomolecular computing and its realization in a computing model based on the massive, natural parallelism between enzymes and their substrates are described. An approach to implementing the model is presented. The approach involves two primitive switching functions: detecting specific substrates in solution using enzyme-based biosensors and producing specific substrates in response to the electric signal from the biodevice's selection function. The major challenges involved in implementing the computational model are reviewed     

Correlates and prognosis in relation to intellectual dysfunction in a community-residing elderly population

To estimate the risk factors for intellectual dysfunction and examine its prognosis in a community-residing (non-institutionalized) elderly population, a randomly selected sample of 1,473 elderly people aged 65 years and over living in S city, Osaka Prefecture, was studied in October 1992, and data were obtained from 1,383, a response rate of 93.9%. A cohort of 1,383 was followed for 42 months and follow-up was completed for 1,300 (94.0%). The main results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of intellectual dysfunction did not differ significantly between sexes, and there was an increasing prevalence of intellectual dysfunction with age in both sexes. The prevalence of severe intellectual dysfunction was found to increase highly at age 85 and over. 2) By univariate analysis, odds ratios for age older than 75 years, low Activities of Daily Living (ADL), urinary and fecal incontinence, and no participation in social activities were significantly higher than 1 in any level of mild, moderate, and severe intellectual dysfunction. In the multivariate analysis using logistic regression, age older than 75 years and urinary and fecal incontinence showed significant higher odds ratios than 1 for severe intellectual dysfunction, and low ADL and treatment for hypertension also showed significant higher odds ratios than 1 for moderate intellectual dysfunction. 3) From analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative survival rates decreased with a decline in intellectual functioning in both age groups of 65-74 and 75 years and older. 4) Application of the Cox proportional hazards model resulted in adjusted hazard ratio for severe intellectual dysfunction of 1.79 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.12), controlling for other factors such as sex, age, general health status, incontinence and social activities.     

An analysis of young people’s use of and attitudes toward cell phones

Cell phones are a pervasive new communication technology, especially among college students. This paper examines college students’ cell phone usage from a behavioral and psychological perspective. Utilizing both qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative (survey) approaches, the study suggests these individuals use the devices for a variety of purposes: to help them feel safe, for financial benefits, to manage time efficiently, to keep in touch with friends and family members, et al. The degree to which the individuals are dependent on the cell phones and what they view as the negatives of their utilization are also examined. The findings suggest people have various feelings and attitudes toward cell phone usage. This study serves as a foundation on which future studies will be built.     

Skew simulation of a paper transferred by rubber rollers in printers

A skew of a paper transferred by rubber rollers in printers is simulated by FEM software. Effects of an imbalance of preload, an imbalance distribution of coefficient of friction and a front tension on the paper skew are investigated and how to determine the skew direction are shown. A simulation model is composed of a feed roller, a preload roller and a paper. The feed roller is rotated forcibly by a certain degree at every calculation step and a deformation, displacement and strain of the paper and rollers are calculated. A series of calculation results is shown as a motion simulation. The results show that the paper skews to the smaller preload side, to the smaller coefficient of friction side, or to the opposite side of the front tension. Further, effects of a skew prevention guide plate is simulated.