Wide distribution of [3H](-)-epigallocatechin gallate, a cancer preventive tea polyphenol, in mouse tissue

The increasing recognition of green tea and tea polyphenols as cancer preventives has created a need for a study of their bioavailability. For this purpose, we synthesized [3H] (-)-epigallocatechin gallate ([3H]EGCG) with a specific activity of 48.1 GBq/mmol and directly administered the solution into the stomachs of CD-1 female or male mice. Radioactivity in the digestive tract, various organs, blood, urine and feces was measured with an oxidizer at various times after administration and significant radioactivity was found in the previously reported target organs of EGCG and green tea extract (digestive tract, liver, lung, pancreas, mammary gland and skin), as well as other organs (brain, kidney, uterus and ovary and testes) in both sexes. Incorporation of radioactivity in the cells was confirmed by microautoradiography. Within 24 h, 6.6 (females) and 6.4% (males) of total administered radioactivity was excreted in the urine and 37.7 and 33.1% in feces. HPLC analysis of urine from both sexes revealed that 0.03-0.59% of administered [3H]EGCG, along with at least five metabolites, was excreted. In addition, we found that a second, equal administration to female mice after a 6 h interval enhanced tissue levels of radioactivity in blood, brain, liver, pancreas, bladder and bone 4-6 times above those after a single administration. These results suggest that frequent consumption of green tea enables the body to maintain a high level of tea polyphenols and this paper is the first pharmacological evidence of a wide distribution of [3H]EGCG in mouse organs, indicating a similar wide range of target organs for cancer prevention in humans.     

Network Expansion Planning Using Improved Controlled NSGA‐II

This paper presents the application of multiobjective optimization methods to network expansion planning. Distribution network expansion planning minimizes system cost and distribution loss while satisfying the constraints. Problem formulation yields combinatorial optimization problems that are difficult to solve due to their complexity. This research applies a genetic algorithm, which is a meta‐heuristics method. The present study proposes a new method of multiobjective optimization: NSGA‐II, SPEA2, and Controlled NSGA‐II are assumed to be the best methods now. The proposed method introduces the concept of a linkage identification genetic algorithm, enabling more efficient searching than methods hitherto known. In the past, most research on network expansion planning did not include the load curve. This research demonstrates that the investigation must include the load curve. It also proposes a new method of search including the load curve.     

A study on the deterioration characteristics of power capacitors with oil-impregnated paper

Power capacitors are highly reliable due to their completely enclosed configuration. They are relatively trouble-free over the long term. However, their dielectric strength can be reduced due to some stresses, including overvoltage application or thermal degradation of the insulation material during long periods of operation; these events can result in dielectric breakdown of capacitors in extreme cases. Since almost all power capacitors with oil-impregnated paper have been operated for more than twenty years, some kind of failure should be expected. To prevent these incipient accidents, it is important to examine the insulation deterioration mechanism and evaluate the degree of deterioration before capacitor breakdown. To establish a diagnostic method of deterioration of the capacitors with oil-impregnated paper, we have conducted thermally and electrically accelerated deterioration tests and investigated the changes of their characteristics. Based on the experimental results we obtained, it can be concluded that the behavior of the oil-dissolved gases can be used as a useful index to diagnose the insulation deterioration of these capacitors.     

Producing titanium through an electronically mediated reaction

The fundamental aspects of an electronically mediated reaction (EMR) and its usefulness for titanium production are well delineated by reliable experimental evidence. EMR provides an effective method for controlling the location and morphology of the metal deposit. An alternative mechanism for magnesium transport along the titanium sponge/MgCl₂ interface is also provided by EMR. Exploitation of the full potential of EMR will aid the automation of extraction processes for reactive metals, with significant cost benefits.     

The role of xanthine dehydrogenase (xanthine oxidase) in ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat kidney

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) are enzymes involved in the metabolism of purines in various organisms. XO produces superoxide radicals, suggesting that is responsible for tissue ischemia-reperfusion injury. To test this notion further studies were performed on rat kidneys and the time course of changes in purine nucleotides, oxypurines and XDH and XO activity was determined. At 24 hours after reperfusion subsequent to 30-minute ischemia, serum creatinine increased to 0.83 +/- 0.74 mg/dl from 0.28 +/- 0.06 mg/dl (the level prior to ischemia, the control). Renal ATP and ADP contents were reduced after ischemia lasting for 30 minutes and restored 10 minutes after reperfusion following 30 minutes of ischemia. The renal AMP content increased after 30 minutes of ischemia and recovered within 10 minutes after reperfusion. The total adenine nucleotide (TAN) content was reduced gradually during ischemia-reperfusion in the rat kidney. Although the energy charge was reduced following 30 minutes of ischemia, it was restored to the control level 10 minutes following reperfusion. Hypoxanthine (HX) and xanthine (X), which had accumulated at 30 minutes after ischemia, were reduced to the control levels 10 minutes after reperfusion. There were no significant changes in the pre-ischemia values of total XDH and XO activities or XDH/XO ratio during the period nor at various time intervals (up to 24 hours) during reperfusion. It was shown that HX and X accumulate without significant conversion of XDH to XO during ischemia. Therefore the putative role of XO in ischemia-reperfusion injury seems to more complex than initially predicted.     

Multi-pillar surrounding gate transistor (M-SGT) for compact andhigh-speed circuits

The M-SGT has a three-dimensional structure, which consists of the source, gate, and drain arranged vertically. The gate electrode surrounds the crowded multipillar silicon islands. Because all the sidewalls of the pillars are used effectively as the transistor channel, the M-SGT has a high-shrinkage feature. The area occupied by the M-SGT can be shrunk to less than 30% of that occupied by the planar transistor. The small occupied area and the mesh-structured gate electrode lead to the small junction capacitance and the small gate electrode RC delay, resulting in high-speed operation. The fabrication of the M-SGT CMOS inverter chain is discussed. The propagation delay reduces to 40%, compared with the planar transistor inverter chain     

Purification and characterization of an NAD-malic enzyme from Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017

An NAD-malic enzyme was purified to homogeneity from Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017, and its molecular characteristics were surveyed. The enzyme exhibited native and subunit molecular masses of 388 and 85 kDa, respectively, suggesting that it exists as a homotetramer, and was activated by metabolic intermediates in glycolysis. The role of the enzyme in bacteroids' carbon metabolism is discussed.     

Designing carbon materials with unique shapes using polymer blending and coating techniques

Three carbon materials having unique and precise shapes were prepared using a polymer blend technique and coating as an auxiliary technique. The polymer blend consists essentially of two kinds of polymers, i.e. a carbon precursor polymer and a decomposable polymer which disappears by pyrolysis without leaving a carbon residue. One of the carbon materials prepared is a carbon fiber including many thin pores, with diameters of sub-μm to 1 μm, elongated along the fiber axis. The next is a carbon tube including a large amount of thin carbon fibers aligned densely along the tube surface. The last one is a microscopic multi-walled carbon tube consisting of three or four walls. The preparation procedures and SEM photographs of these materials are presented and possible applications are discussed briefly.