Sol–gel and rf sputtered AZO thin films: analysis of oxidation kinetics in harsh environment

Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin film, which possess the advantages of low cost, low sheet resistance and high transmittance, are one of the most promising candidates to replace indium tin oxide films as the transparent electrode. However, oxidation causes a substantial increase in the sheet resistance of AZO film after exposing in ambient and especially, damp heat environment. In this work, we compare structural, optical, electrical properties and environmental stability between films prepared by two different methods: sol–gel and rf sputtering. Experimental results indicate that the properties of film can be affected by different deposition method. From the X-ray diffraction analysis, all films have hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with different preferable orientation in two different methods. Optical transmittance spectra of the AZO films exhibited transparency higher than about 80 % within the visible wavelength region and the optical band gap (E_g) of these films was increased in sputtered film, probably due to the increase of carrier concentration. The better environmental stability was found in AZO film prepared by sputtering method. Improved surface morphology and enhancement of crystal orientation (110) was considered for this improvement.     

Dystrophin acts as a transplantation rejection antigen in dystrophin-deficient mice: implication for gene therapy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal and common X-linked recessive disease caused by a defect in dystrophin. Normal myoblast transplantation and dystrophin gene transfer have been expected to correct the deficiency in the muscles, but their clinical application has been hampered by the limited preservation of dystrophin-positive myofibers. In this study we investigated the mechanism for immunologic rejection of normal C57BL/10 (B10) myoblasts transplanted into dystrophin-deficient mdx mice, an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We found that mdx mice develop CTL specific for dystrophin itself, which were CD8 dominant and restricted by H-2Kb. We identified several antigenic peptides derived from dystrophin that bind to H-2Kb and are recognized by the mdx anti-B10 CTL. Immunologic tolerance against dystrophin was successfully induced by i.v. injection of these peptides before B10 myoblast transplantation, which resulted in sustained preservation of dystrophin-expressing myofibers in mdx mice. These results demonstrate that dystrophin is antigenic in dystrophin-deficient mice and that immunologic regimen would be necessary to achieve the persistent expression of introduced dystrophin in the muscles of dystrophin-deficient individuals.     

A case of primary splenic large cell lymphoma with a t(9;14)(p13;q32)

Appropriately substituted 2,3-dihydro-7H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-7-ones 9-12 and 18 were considered as annulated analogues of HEPT (1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)-thymine), and some of these compounds were also found active against HIV-1, the most active one being 2,3-dihydro-5-[(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl]-3-ethoxy-6-ethyl-7H- thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-7-one (10b). S-Alkylation of 5-alkyl-6-(arylmethyl)-2-thiouracils 1-4 was performed with 2-bromoacetaldehyde acetals to furnish the S-[bis(alkoxy)ethyl] derivatives 5-8 and with allyl bromide to furnish S-allyl derivatives 17. The target compounds 9-12 were obtained by an N1 regioselective intramolecular cyclization reaction of silylated 5-8 using trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMS triflate) as the catalyst. Treatment of the S-allyl derivatives 17 with bromine in dry methylene chloride afforded the 3-(bromomethyl) derivatives 18.     

Requirement of CD28-CD86 co-stimulation in the interaction between antigen-primed T helper type 2 and B cells

The interaction between CD28 and its ligands, CD80 and CD86, is crucial for an optimal activation of antigen-specific T cells. However, the requirement of CD80 or CD86 co-stimulation in Th2 cell differentiation and activation is controversial. Freshly isolated murine CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were incubated with P815 transfectants expressing a similar level of either CD80 or CD86 in the presence of anti-CD3 mAb. Both CD80 and CD86 co-stimulated the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at comparable time-kinetics and magnitude, but CD86 alone was able to co-stimulate IL-4 and especially IL-10 production in CD4+ T cells. In typical Th2-dependent immune responses elicited by Nippostrongylus brasillensis infection, the anti-CD86 mAb treatment but not the anti-CD80 mAb treatment efficiently inhibited antigen-specific IgE and IgG1 production, which was accompanied with the reduced IL-4 production. Our results suggest that CD86 co-stimulation plays a dominant role not only in the primary activation of Th2 cells but also in the secondary interaction between antigen-primed Th2 cells and B cells.     

Radical resection of primary malignant melanoma of the gallbladder with multiple metastases: report of a case

We present herein an usual case of primary malignant melanoma of the gallbladder in a 51-year-old man in whom an exploratory laparotomy for melena revealed six malignant melanoma lesions located in the gallbladder, main pancreatic duct, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and a mesenteric lymph node. Total pancreatectomy was performed and histologically, junctional activity was seen only in the gallbladder, suggesting that this was the primary site. No melanotic lesions were found on the skin or eyes. The metastases to the main pancreatic duct and gastrointestinal tract appeared likely to have occurred as a consequence of the mucosal dissemination of the tumor cells shed into the bile. The post-operative course was uneventful and combined chemotherapy was administered for 16 months. No new metastatic lesions were found until 21 months postoperatively, when metastases were detected in the brain and thoracic spinal cord. These metastatic tumors were removed surgically, but the patient died from cerebral disturbance 26 months after the initial operation. Thus, we consider that aggressive surgical therapy was effective for extending the survival time and improving the quality of life of this patient.     

Evaluating a behavioral demand response trial in Japan: evidence from the summer of 2013

This paper presents results from a behavioral demand response trial targeted to both grid and residential peak hours, in which weekly feedback via paper-based reports, real-time feedback via an in-home display, 30-minute tiered rate, and email prompts are adopted to almost 230 residential customers of a condominium in Funabashi, a city located in Greater Tokyo. Through a randomized experiment, we find that the peak saving impact during grid peak hours (1–4 pm, weekdays only) was 11.6 %, given that all the four interventions provided all at once. In addition, the results show that the variation in peak saving effects by household characteristics exists, and the variation differs among packages of peak saving interventions. Furthermore, we analyzed how much informational elements in weekly reports are considered as useful by residential customers. These results suggest that feedback-based approaches for peak saving can promote households’ energy conservation behavior.     

Pulverization mechanism of hydrogen storage alloys on microscale packing structure

In-situ and transient visualizations of the packing structure of a hydrogen storage alloy bed are carried out using an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. The packing structure is clearly observed on the microscale using the CT system. When the alloy bed is subjected to hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles, the pulverization progresses from the lower to the upper regions of the bed. After several hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles, the packing structure in the lower region of the bed changes and the microstructural void decreases slightly. Based on these results, we propose a pulverization mechanism of the packed bed in which the friction between particles affects the pulverization process.     

Large area ZnO films optimized for graded band-gap Cu(InGa)Se2-based thin-film mini-modules

In this study, two deposition methods (i.e. MOCVD and sputtering methods) to prepare n-type ZnO window layers for CIGS-based thin-film solar cells are discussed. In order to make ZnO : Al transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering comparable to ZnO : B TCO prepared by MOCVD, a new ZnO sputtering process is proposed by introducing a multilayer structure. Using these films, CIGS thin-film solar cells with efficiencies of greater than 14% have been fabricated with an active area of 3.2 cm². This structure was adapted to fabricate CIGS thin-film mini-modules with efficiencies around 11% having aperture area of 50 cm².