Clarification of differences between variable achromatic color and variable chromatic color methods in the Helmholtz–Kohlrausch effect

The Helmholtz–Kohlrausch effect consists of two different approaches: the variable achromatic color (VAC) and variable chromatic color (VCC) methods. In this article the difficult conceptual difference between the methods is clarified using new explanations with their schematic figures. The concept of loci with various parameters on B / L or L / Y ratios is completely different between the two methods. The VCC method can determine perceived lightness values for achromatic and chromatic colors in the whole color space. The VAC method gives perceived lightness deviation between reference achromatic color and each of the various test chromatic colors both kept at the same Munsell Value. The VAC method can never give any information on equiperceived lightness to test chromatic colors. Despite the difference between the two methods, misuse of the VAC method is sometimes found for perceived lightness studies of various chromatic colors, because of its ease in observations. An example is shown for the L scale of OSA‐UCS. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 31, 146–155, 2006     

Synthesis and enzymatic degradation of regular network aliphatic polyesters

Regular network aliphatic polyesters were prepared from glycerol (Yg) and a series of various length aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (HOOC-(CH2)_n−2-COOOH, n = 4–10, 12 and 14). Prepolymers prepared by melt polycondensation were cast from dimethylformamide solution and post-polymerized at 230°C for various times to form a network. The resultant films were transparent, flexible and insoluble in organic solvents. The degree of reaction (D_R) estimated from the infrared absorbance of -OH and >CH₂ or >CH groups increased with increasing post-polymerization time and length of methylene chain. The heat distortion temperature also increased with increasing post-polymerization time and was 55, 28, 15, 6, 0, −1, −5, 4 and 32°C for Yg4, Yg5, Yg6, Yg7, Yg8, Yg9, Yg10, Yg12 and Yg14 post-polymerized for 4 h, respectively. Wide angle X-ray scattering patterns showed a distinct single diffraction peak, suggesting some ordered structure due to the establishment of a regular network. Density, water absorption and weight loss by alkali hydrolysis decreased with increasing methylene chain length. The enzymatic degradation was estimated by weight loss of the network films in a buffer solution of lipase at 37°C. The films of Yg4, Yg5, Yg6 and Yg7 showed no weight loss, but the weight loss increased greatly for Yg8, Yg9 and Yg10, and then decreased abruptly for Yg12 and Yg14. This suggests that the enzymatic degradation is affected by network structure, which allows the lipase to penetrate, and by the concentration of the enzymatically degradable ester linkage.     

LEAK-BEFORE-BREAK CONDITIONS OF PLATES AND PIPES UNDER HIGH FATIGUE STRESSES

The leak-before-break(LBB) behaviour of a structural component under high fatigue stress, low-cycle fatigue conditions is an important problem in nuclear power plants, liquid nitrogen gas tankers and chemical plants. This paper is an experimental study to clarify the crack shape at penetration, crack opening behaviour after penetration and the LBB condition for plate specimens and pipe specimens. The fatigue load which realizes the LBB condition, P^F_LBB' is based on a net-stress criterion. It is found that P^F_LBB is dependent only on the initial crack length a₀. Furthermore, it is shown that the crack opening displacement V at the centre of a penetrated crack can be derived using the gross stress, σ_G' and the front surface crack length, a_s' together with the back surface crack length, a_b.     

A dnaA box can functionally substitute for the priming signals in the oriV of the broad host-range plasmid RSF1010

The initiation of replication from oriV RSF1010, the replication origin of the broad host-range plasmid RSF1010, depends on RepA (helicase), RepB' (primase), and RepC (initiator protein), encoded by RSF1010 itself, while this initiation event in E. coli is independent of dnaA, dnaB, dnaC, and dnaG [Scherzinger et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 654-658; Scholz et al. (1985) in: Plasmids in Bacteria, pp. 243-259, Plenum, New York; Haring and Scherzinger (1989) in: Promiscuous Plasmids of Gram-negative Bacteria, pp. 95-124, Academic Press, London; Scherzinger et al. (1991) Nucl. Acids Res. 19, 1203-1211]. We showed in this work that a newly constructed origin consisting of an oriV RSF1010 and a DnaA protein binding site, the dnaA box, inserted near oriV RSF1010 (oriV RSF1010-dnaA box) could function without RepB' primase, but required RepA and RepC. This oriV RsF1010-dnaA box could not replicate in a dnaA46 strain in which only RepA and RepC were supplied, even at a permissive temperature. These results indicate that an inserted dnaA box can functionally substitute for the RSF1010-specific ssi signals, the RepB' dependent priming signals in oriV RSF1010, and can direct a priming pathway different from the RSF1010-specific one, but related to DnaA protein.     

Development of non-iodized oily agent in targeting chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new oily agent in targeting chemoembilization for hepatocellular carcinoma. The oily preparation was made by mixing non-iodinated poppy seed oil and a thickener to obtain the same viscosity as Lipiodol. The oily preparation and Lipiodol were compared by injecting them into the hepatic artery of rabbits inoculated with VX 2 carcinoma in their liver. On the CT scan following intra-arterial injection, tumors were visibly stained in the non-iodinated preparation group, whereas the Lipiodol group was not evaluable because of excessively high attenuation. The non-iodinated oily preparation was concluded to be of clinical significance.     

Construction of a cost-effective failure analysis service network––microelectronic failure analysis service in Japan

A failure analysis network has been constructed for providing cost-effective failure analysis service. In Japan, physical/chemical analysis service has been provided for long time by professional companies, who offer virtually all types of surface and material analyses. On the other hand, history of real failure analysis service is short, and there had been no professional company directed to it. However, a wide range of the failure analysis services has recently become available through a failure analysis network based on collaboration among professional physical/chemical analysis companies, electrical failure analysis companies, universities with specific technologies, and some companies with special techniques. Collaboration with the professional analysis equipment manufacturers will be the next stage in the network's construction.     

Clinical utility of the free prostate specific antigen (PSA), alpha 1-antichymotrypsin-complexed PSA, and free/total PSA ratio using the specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay "E-plate EIKEN PSA"

We studied the clinical significance of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) ratio: free-PSA/total-PSA and free-PSA/complex-PSA to discriminate between prostate cancer (PC) and prostate benign disease (non-PCa) by using total-PSA, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin complexed (complex)-PSA and free-PSA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits newly developed at EIKEN Chemical Co, Ltd. Fre-PSA and complex-PSA ELISA kits demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. Total-PSA ELISA kit also demonstrated equimolarity for free-PSA and complex-PSA. On the total-PSA range of 4-10 ng/ml, free-PSA/total-PSA% (f/t%) and free-PSA/complex-PSA% (f/c%) were very useful to discriminate between PCa and non-PCa by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis as well as PSA density (PSA-D) but not free-PSA level. F/t% and f/c% were even useful to discriminate early stage PCa (i.e. A1 or B0) from non-PCa by the Mann-Whitney U-test.     

Hemostasis of gastric variceal hemorrhage by transileocoecal and transhepatic obliteration

On the basis of the latest achievements in anesthesia and reanimation, as well as the results of special military medical exercises and documents which depict the experience of local wars, the article shows the basic features of a conception about field anesthesia and reanimation. Taking into account the experience gained in Afghanistan the author determines the principles of its organization and approaches towards the solution of important tasks assigned to anesthesiological and reanimation service in combat conditions.