ESD phenomena in GMR heads in the manufacturing process of HDD and GMR heads

It is well known that giant magnetoresistive (GMR) heads used for hard disk drives (HDD) are very sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). In this paper, we describe a method of categorizing ESD damage modes from a standpoint of magnetic influences on the heads as observed by quasi-static test (QST) characteristics as well as electromagnetic characteristics like off-track profiles. In addition, we report an example of GMR stack interlayer diffusion which is one type of hard ESD damage. We also present an example of ESD damage that happened in an actual production process and its preventive measures as guidelines.     

Thiamine pyrophosphatase activity in the Golgi apparatus of calcitonin-treated osteoclasts.

The thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activity described by Novikoff and Goldfisher was examined in osteoclasts affected by calcitonin in order to elucidate whether the morphological and functional changes of the osteoclasts have an influence over the secretion function of their Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus of osteoclasts of which the ruffled border had disappeared and bone resorption discontinued as the result of treatment with calcitonin showed a slight TPPase activity. The reaction products of the enzyme in these inactive osteoclasts were distinctly fewer than that of control osteoclasts, which were not affected by calcitonin. From these results, it is suggested that there may be a connection between the morphological and functional changes of osteoclasts and the secretion function of the Golgi apparatus.     

Immunohistochemical localization of advanced glycosylation end products in coronary atheroma and cardiac tissue in diabetes mellitus

Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) accumulate on long-lived extracellular matrix proteins and have been implicated in the micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Within the arterial wall, AGE-modified proteins increase vascular permeability, inactivate nitric oxide activity, and induce the release of growth-promoting cytokines. Recently developed anti-AGE antibodies were used in an immunohistochemical analysis of coronary arteries obtained from type II diabetic and nondiabetic patients. High levels of AGE reactivity were observed within the atherosclerotic plaque present in vessels from selected patients with diabetes. Considered together with the pathological effects of AGEs on vascular wall homeostasis, these data support the role of advanced glycosylation in the rapidly progressive atherosclerosis associated with diabetes mellitus.     

Frequency control techniques in coherent multichannel LAN's

This paper describes frequency control techniques for cold start and channel recognition functions in coherent multichannel local area networks. A Z-cut quartz etalon can be used to stabilize the optical transmitter frequencies. The capture range and the influence of humidity on a Fabry-Perot etalon are discussed. The frequency deviation of the optical transmitter was estimated to be less than ±1 GHz in the long term. A double AFC loop has been proposed for local LD frequency control. It showed a wide capture range of ±100 GHz. Coherent FDM receiver switching to the desired channel was demonstrated over a range from 0 to 40°C in an experiment     

Patients with ultrasonic coarse-nodular cirrhosis who are anti-hepatitis C virus-positive are at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The relationship between echosonographic patterns of patients with cirrhosis who are antihepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive, the DNA synthesis of hepatocytes, and the risk for HCC were studied. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with anti-C-100 antibody-positive and Child's grade A posthepatitic cirrhosis were studied. DNA synthesis activity was measured by a bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU, a thymidine analogue)-labeling index (LI), using the BrdU-anti-BrdU in vitro method, and the patients were followed prospectively by frequent liver ultrasonography for 3 years. The ultrasound patterns were classified into fine, coarse, and coarse-nodular (CN) patterns, and the reproducibility of the classification in practical use also was confirmed. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients with high DNA synthesizing cirrhosis (BrdU LI > or = 1.5%), 10 (48%) showed coarse-nodular, 5 (24%) coarse, and 6 (29%) fine pattern in ultrasonography. Conversely, of the 17 patients with low DNA synthesizing LC (BrdU LI < 1.5%), only 1 (6%) showed coarse-nodular, 2 (12%) coarse, and 14 (82%) fine pattern. A significant relationship was found between the two groups of BrdU LI and ultrasound imaging patterns (P < 0.05). The incidence of CN pattern was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the high DNA synthesizing group than in low DNA synthesizing group. Of the 11 patients with CN pattern by ultrasound imaging, 10 (91%) were in the high DNA synthesizing group, and 9 (82%) developed HCC during the follow-up period, compared with 3 of 7 (43%) with coarse, and only one of 20 (5%) with fine pattern developed HCC. The incidence of HCC was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in patients with a CN cirrhosis pattern than in those with a fine pattern. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis who are anti-HCV-positive, the CN pattern by ultrasound imaging indicates increased DNA synthesis of hepatocytes and a high risk for developing HCC.     

Mutations in the N-terminal globular domain of the type X collagen gene (COL10A1) in patients with Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Improved dental stone has been widely used for producing dies for the fabrication of restorations with the lost-wax technique. Improved dental stone is used for several reasons, but it is selected most often because of its reasonable cost, ease of use, and ability to produce consistent results. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the ability of an epoxy resin die material and a type IV dental stone to dimensionally reproduce a custom-fabricated metal die. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dies were fabricated and measurements were made from three reference lines. Measurements were repeated three times for the master die and for the specimen dies. A mean measurement and percent relative change for each dimension was calculated. RESULTS: A significant difference in the relative change for die height was found between the groups studied (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This epoxy die system will provide a degree of dimensional accuracy comparable to gypsum when used with addition silicone impression material.     

Geographic distribution of medical supplies and the numbers of hospital inpatients in the secondary medical areas in Japan

A secondary medical area is defined as a medical administrative area under the Medical Care Law by which every prefectural government is expected to provide general medical care supplies such as beds for inpatients. This study evaluated the distribution in medical supplies among the secondary medical areas in Japan and the correlation between medical supply and demand. The numbers of hospital inpatients (residence of patients), physicians, and general beds excluding those for mental disorders and tuberculosis were analysed in relation to the population in all secondary medical areas in Japan. Those data were obtained from surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The main results were as follows; 1) The distribution of physicians and general hospital beds among the secondary medical areas was not equal. 2) Even adjusted for the sex and age distribution, the highest hospital inpatients/population ratio among the secondary medical areas was four times as large as that of the lowest. 3) With multiple regression models, two independent variables (normal hospital beds/population ratio and aged 65 and over/total population ratio) accounted about 60% of the variance in hospital inpatients/population ratio. 4) The differences in medical supplies among the secondary medical areas may cause the differences in hospital inpatients/population ratio.