A 220-MHz pipelined 16-Mb BiCMOS SRAM with PLL proportionalself-timing generator

This 512 Kw×8 b×3 way synchronous BiCMOS SRAM uses a 2-stage wave-pipeline scheme, a PLL self-timing generator and a 0.4-μm BiCMOS process to achieve 220 MHz fully-random read/write operations with a GTL I/O interface. Newly developed circuit technologies include: 1) a zig-zag double word-line scheme, 2) a centered bit-line load layout scheme, and 3) a phase-locked-loop (PLL) with a multistage-tapped ring oscillator which generates a clock cycle proportional pulse (CCPP) and a clock edge lookahead pulse (CELP)     

Direct observation of time-dependent space charge profiles in XLPEcable under high electric fields

Space charge distribution was measured, applying an electric field of >1 MV/cm to 3 mm thick XLPE cable insulation. Improving the conventional pulse electro-acoustic method, a new method was developed to measure space charge when applying HV to cables. Under high field, hetero charges were formed soon after voltage application, followed by an injection from the cathode. Then intermittent injections of charge packets from the anode took place. The space charge distribution kept changing without becoming stabilized. A simulation was done assuming hysteresis of the injection characteristics. The observed intermittent injection near the anode was qualitatively reproduced using computer simulation     

Mean molal activity coefficients of aqueous scandium chloride, nitrate, bromide and perchlorate solutions at 25.0°

The mean molal activity coefficients of aqueous scandium chloride, nitrate, bromide and perchlorate solutions were determined at 25.0° for dilute to saturated concentrations, together with the activities of water. In the dilute solutions of scandium halides, the activity coefficients were obtained from electromotive force measurements on galvanic cells, and the osmotic coefficients of all four solutions above 0.1 mol kg⁻¹ were determined from the isopiestic measurements. Least-squares equations were fitted to these coefficients, which were then used to calculate the mean molal activity coefficients and water activities. The relationships between these results and the corresponding activity data for other rare earth salts, and to the cation hydration and ionic interactions, are discussed. The results on scandium perchlorate solutions suggested that the inner-sphere hydration number of tervalent scandium ion may be seven.     

A novel tungsten light-shield structure for high-density CCD imagesensors

A novel tungsten light-shield structure has been developed. Tungsten film properties, the device configuration with the tungsten light-shield structure, and experimentally achieved results regarding device characteristics are described. Optical measurement clarified that tungsten film has a sufficiently low transmittance value for practical use for more than 200-nm-thick film and is stable up to 1000°C. The good step coverage and low reflectance, such as 20-40% for aluminum, required for light-shield film were also obtained. A tungsten light-shield structure was applied to a 1/2-in format 668(H)-pixel×575(V)-pixel charge coupled-device (CCD) image sensor. An extremely low smear value, less than 0.001%, was obtained for a 300-nm film thickness     

Stress intensity factors of microstructurally small crack

The stress intensity factor (SIF) is widely used for evaluating integrity of cracked components. Averaging the anisotropy of each crystal, the macroscopic behavior of polycrystalline materials is isotropic and homogenous in terms of elastic deformation. However, the anisotropic and/or inhomogeneous property influences on the stress field around a crack if the crack size is small in comparison with the grain. Thus, the SIF of the microstructurally small crack may differ from that in the isotropic body. In present study, the effect of anisotropic/inhomogeneous elasticity on the SIF is investigated by using the finite element analysis (FEA). At first, the SIFs of semi-circular crack in a single crystal and a polycrystalline material are calculated. These reveal that the magnitude of SIF is dependent not only on the crystal orientation but also on the deformation constraint by the neighboring crystals. Then, the statistical scatter of SIF due to the random orientation of crystal orientation in a polycrystal is examined by a Monte Carlo simulation.     

Lipid-Lowering Effect of Eriocitrin, the Main Flavonoid in Lemon Fruit, in Rats on a High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diet

ABSTRACT:  Eriocitrin (eriodictyol 7- O -β-rutinoside) is the main flavonoid in lemon fruit. In this study, eriocitrin was investigated for its lowering effect on serum and hepatic lipids in high-fat and high-cholesterol fed rats. Rats in the control group ( N = 6) were fed a 20% lard and 1% cholesterol diet for 21 d, and rats in the 0.35% eriocitrin group ( N = 6) and 0.70% eriocitrin group ( N = 6) were fed a diet supplemented with eriocitrin 0.35% and 0.70%, respectively. The content of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride in the eriocitrin group was no different from that of the control group. The total cholesterol, VLDL+LDL, triglyceride, and phospholipid in the serum of the 0.35% eriocitrin group showed significantly lower concentrations than the control group ( P < 0.05), although there was no difference in the HDL concentrations among the groups. The lowering effect of eriocitrin for serum total cholesterol was thought to be caused by a decrease in VLDL+LDL. The 0.35% eriocitrin group was shown to have a significant increase in excretion of fecal bile acid ( P < 0.05) and a tendency for enhanced hepatic m-RNA levels of LDL receptor in comparison with the control group.     

Enzymatic degradation of esters of dichloropropanols: removal of chlorinated glycerides from processed foods

The esters of dichloropropanols from the byproduct of hydrolysates during food processing were degraded by the cell-free extracts of a dichloropropanol-assimilating bacterium of Pseudomonas sp. OS-K-29. 1-Acyloxy-2,3-dichloropropane was hydrolysed into the corresponding carbonic acid and 2,3-dichloropropanol, and then the dichloropropanol was dechlorinated. The esterase activity of the cell-free extracts was effective for the esters of the dichloropropanols and monoacylglycerides, but not for hydrolysing the lipase substrates such as triacylglycerides and Tween 60. A comparative study using a series of octanoyl glycerides and the esters of the dichlopropanols showed that the substrate specificities of the cell-free extracts were similar to the monoacylglyceride lipase from Penicillium camembertii.     

Effect of sulfasalazine on B cell hyperactivity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of sulfasalazine on B cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Reversed hemolytic plaque assay and 3H-thymidine incorporation were measured. RESULTS: B cells from patients with RA showed hyperactivity to stimulation by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I. Sulfasalazine significantly inhibited this B cell hyperactivity in a dose dependent manner. The kinetic study and a decrease in 3H-thymidine incorporation on Day 3 indicate that sulfasalazine inhibited the early phase (0-48 h) of B cell proliferation in these patients. Sulfapyridine also inhibited B cell hyperactivity in these patients, but 5-aminosalicylic acid and N-acetylsulfapyridin had no significant effect. CONCLUSION: Sulfasalazine exhibited a direct immunosuppressive effect on B cell hyperactivity in patients with RA, which may be responsible for its therapeutic effectiveness in this disorder.