DNA promotes the activation of oxygen molecules by binuclear cobalt(II) compounds

We have observed that binuclear cobalt(II) compounds with H(HPTP), Co₂(HPTP)(CH₃COO)(ClO₄)₂ and Co₂(HPTP)Cl(ClO₄)₂, react with oxygen molecules when DNA is present in the solution, cleaving the DNA (H(HPTP) denotes N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-diaminopropane-2- ol).     

Analysis of Organisation-Committed Human Error by Extended CREAM

This report analyses the results of the human error classification scheme of CREAM applied to organisation-committed human errors related to six departments. These human errors were not caused by the tasks spotlighted by CREAM, but were concentrated on managerial or administrative tasks, so that the authors have corrected and analysed the definitions and links of cause–effect relations related to the large organisation by means of an extended method of CREAM. Considering human errors on the basis of these analyses, findings have allowed the authors to come up with effective relations between organisation-related causal factors and person-related ones. This has demonstrated that organisation-caused human errors are sufficiently analysable by means of the extended method of CREAM.     

Preparation of mesoporous silica replica using ordered mesoporous carbon by vapor phase transport of silica source

A new vapor phase transport (VPT) technique to prepare an inverse silica replica of an ordered mesoporous carbon was developed. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was infiltrated in mesoporous carbon CMK-3 as the hard template at 180 °C for 48 h under an autogenous pressure in an autoclave in the presence of water. The samples obtained by removal of CMK-3 retained structural regularity of CMK-3 with little shrinkage of framework, which were characterized by SAXRD, N₂ adsorption, TG-DTA, and SEM. Influence of preparation temperature on the loading amount of silica was investigated. The multi-step replication process was monitored by characterizing the replicated materials as well as intermediate composites.     

Investigation of localized deformation in partially saturated sand under triaxial compression using microfocus X-ray CT with digital image correlation

In this paper, localized deformation in partially saturated sand was investigated quantitatively using microfocus X-ray computed tomography (CT) and an image analysis of the CT images. Triaxial compression tests on a partially saturated dense Toyoura sand specimen were carried out under a low confining pressure and under drained conditions for both air and water. The development of localized deformation was observed macroscopically using microfocus X-ray CT, and the displacement field over the entire specimen was quantified by an image analysis of the CT images with the digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The progressive development of shear bands is discussed with reference to these images. In addition, the region of localization was observed microscopically by partial CT scanning on a micron scale with high spatial resolution. Changes in the particulate structures are also discussed herein. The DIC image analysis of the partial CT images provided a microscopic displacement field and indicated that very fine localized shear deformation developed before the shear bands had become visible in the macroscopic investigation.     

Application of a λ/4-shifted DFB laser/electroabsorptionmodulator monolithically integrated light source to single-chip pulsegenerator with variable repetition rate

The authors have demonstrated the application of a 1.55-μm λ/4-shifted DFB laser/InGaAsP electroabsorption modulator monolithically integrated light source to a single-chip pulse generator with variable repetition rate for soliton transmission for the first time. Quasi-transform-limited pulses with a time-bandwidth product of 0.31 were successfully generated up to 8.6-GHz repetition rates by the sinusoidally driven integrated modulator having high modulation efficiency of 13 dB/V. No change of lasing wavelength was observed in the operation scheme of the integrated device as a pulse generator     

Recombinant human growth-regulated oncogene-alpha induces T lymphocyte chemotaxis. A process regulated via IL-8 receptors by IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13

The human cytokine growth-regulated oncogene (GRO)-alpha is a small glycoprotein secreted by monocytes, endothelial cells, glycoprotein secreted by monocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, synovial cells, and some tumor cells such as melanoma cells. It is structurally related to IL-8 and can activate neutrophils, whereas it induces chemotaxis, exocytosis, and a respiratory burst in neutrophils. To date, its functions on T lymphocytes have not been well established. We report here that recombinant human (rh)GRO-alpha is a potent chemoattractant for freshly isolated T lymphocytes, but not for anti-CD3 mAb-activated T lymphocytes. It attracts CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte subsets to an equal extent. The migrating T lymphocytes toward rhGRO-alpha are predominantly CD45RO+ memory CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. The chemotactic migration of T lymphocytes toward rhGRO-alpha is stimulated via the IL-8 receptors on the cells. This process can be augmented by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, and inhibited by IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. In addition, we also document that on T lymphocytes there exist IL-8 receptors that can be up-regulated by IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-2. Our results demonstrate that rhGRO-alpha gene encodes for an inflammatory mediator that stimulates the directional migration of T lymphocytes. It may thus be another important mediator in the diseases in which T lymphocytes form the major constituent of the cellular infiltration.     

Bias-temperature life tests for planar-type VPE-grown InGaAs/InP heterostructure APD's

The fabrication processings and the preliminary bias-temperature life tests for planar-type InGaAs/InP heterostructure avalanche photodiodes (HAPD's) made from VPE-grown wafers are presented. The plasma deposited SiNxpassivation film showed a surface state density Nssof less than 10¹²cm^-2. eV^-1. An anomalous behavior of Cd diffusion velocity was observed in the process of the guard-ring formation. A Cr/Au p-side electrode made it possible to reduce the contact failure compared to an Au/Zn contact. Bias-temperature life tests were carried out at three temperature levels: 80, 120, and 180°C. Low-bias life tests (V_{R} = 10V) were tried at first for the diodes without a guard-ring structure for times exceeding 10 000 h. The HAPD's with the guard-ring have been tested under the condition of high electric field (>4 times 10^{5}V/cm). The stable devices have been operating up to 6000 h under the high field condition even at 180°C. The HAPD's are still at the prototype stage. Thus, the test results are considered to be encouraging as to achieving highly reliable photodiodes.     

A case of plasma component exchange using membrane plasma separator EVACURE™

Purpose:  Performed free coagulant hemodialysis to patients having hemorrhage with the hope to avoid aggravation of bleeding caused by anticoagulant agent from dialysis. Method:  Examined 19 cases of patients with bleeding tendency, whether it is possible to perform free coagulant hemodialysis by using PAES membrane, EVAL membrane, PS membrane, Cellulose triacetate membrane and Vitamin‐E modified‐dialysis membrane. Result:  With PAES membrane, the result showed a non‐ blockade rate of 91% after four hours and 100% after two hours. Therefore, blockade was prevented with a fairly high rate. In cases of blockade, most of them were possibly avoidable with a little contrivance as the reason were lack of establish blood flow rate, faulty position of a needle, etc. Conclusions:  By using PAES membrane, it was possible to perform free coagulant hemodialysis. In order to completely have no blockade of blood lines in the future, we must strive further on.     

Optically synaptic films using spiropyran J-aggregates

Spiropyran SP1822 J-aggregate LB films show a non-linear photochromic response with a threshold against the incident light intensity of a CW dye laser. Using two laser beams operating below the threshold level intensity, the logic ‘AND’ function was found to be optically stored as an overlapping region of two incident patterns. We proposed the adoption of an LB film of spiropyran J-aggregates to store the memory matrix T_ijkl as an overlapping region of learning input pattern V_ij and multi-image input pattern V_kl in order to construct an optical neural network system based on Hopfield model.     

A tunable waveguide CO2 laser with expanded tuning range

A method of expanding the tuning range of the CW CO₂ waveguide laser making use of a Fabry-Perot type light modulator is proposed. A preliminary experiment has been done to confirm the workability of the proposed scheme.