The Introduction of Economic Methods to Scientometrics: The Citing-Cited Table and the Autopoietic Systems of Citations

The paper is introducing an economic method (interindustry relations analysis) into studies of autopoietic systems and shows its application to scientometrics, which can also be regarded as the analysis of autopoietic systems. The merit of the application is discussed, and the outline of the proof of a related theorem is suggested in the appendix.     

Prefabricated free jejunal transfer: a new reconstructive technique for high pharyngeal defects

A new method that uses a prefabricated free jejunal transfer has been applied to three cancer patients with pharyngoesophageal defects with a high pharyngeal deficit extending up to the nasopharynx. In this method, the jejunum harvested in the usual manner is divided into two segments with a single vascular pedicle. Its distal segment is used to reconstruct the cervical esophagus, and its proximal segment is turned over to create a mucosal patch to cover the high pharyngeal defects. The two segments are then co-apted in a side-by-side anastomosis. The esophagus can be reconstructed in a naturally straight shape without a curved portion or blind loop formation, thus leading to good swallowing function. In our series, all grafts survived well and there was no complication directly related to jejunal transfer. All patients could tolerate a soft diet without difficulty. This method is easy to perform and applicable to any shape or size of very high pharyngeal defects that cannot be reconstructed properly by other methods. Although patients with an advanced hypopharyngeal cancer usually have a poor prognosis, this technique allows a better quality of life for a probable short life span.     

Strain-induced crystallization of peroxide-crosslinked natural rubber

Effect of network-chain density (ν) on the strain-induced crystallization of peroxide-crosslinked natural rubber was studied by fast time-resolved synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction. It was observed that the elongation ratio at the onset of strain-induced crystallization (α_c) became smaller with the increase of ν. The difference of the entropy between the undeformed and deformed states at each α_c was nearly equal in spite of the variation of ν. The calculated melting temperature at α_c of the samples was also almost the same regardless of their ν. These observations mean that the strain-induced crystallization occurred when the deformation brought about a definite entropic state for peroxide-crosslinked natural rubber. They agreed with the prediction by Flory and were consistent with the classical theory of rubber elasticity.     

Preparation and properties of fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomer/fluoresceins nanocomposites

Self-assembled fluorinated oligomeric aggregates formed by fluoroalkyl end-capped N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)acrylamide oligomers, N,N-dimethylacrylamide oligomers, and acrylic acid oligomers in methanol could recognize selectively fluoresceins as guest molecules to form a new class of fluorinated aggregates/fluoresceins nanocomposites. These fluorinated fluoresceins nanocomposites were found to exhibit an extraordinarily enhanced light absorption (λ_max: ca. 440 nm) compared to that (λ_maxs: 452 and 480 nm) of the parent fluorescein in the absence of fluorinated aggregates. On the other hand, fluoroalkyl end-capped 2-carboxyethyl acrylate oligomers, which possess no aggregate characteristic in methanol solutions, could not afford such an enhanced light absorption peak under similar conditions. Not only fluorescein but also fluorescein derivatives such fluoresceinamine, carboxyfluorescein, and fluorescein isothiocyanate afforded similar enhanced narrow absorption peaks under similar conditions. Naphthofluorescein was also encapsulated into these fluorinated oligomeric aggregate cores to afford fluorinated aggregates/naphthofluorescein composites, and these fluorinated naphthofluorescein composites afforded an extremely enhanced narrow absorption peak around 520 nm.     

Crystal form and phase structure of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polyamide 11/clay nanocomposites by high-shear processing

Polyamide 11 (PA11)/clay, Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/clay and PVDF/PA11/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt processing using a high shear extruder. Two types of organoclay with different modified alkyl tails and different polarities were used for PA11 and PVDF nanocomposites. PA11 nanocomposites derived from an organoclay having one alkyl tail show a well-exfoliated morphology but no crystal form transformation, whereas those derived from an organoclay having two alkyl tails give a little worse clay dispersion with the clear alpha to gamma crystal form transition with the addition of the clay. In contrast, the PVDF composites derived from the two organoclays result in a poor dispersion. In addition, PVDF/PA11 blend nanocomposites with a novel morphology have been fabricated using the high-shear extruder. It was found that the clay platelets were selectively dispersed in the PA11 phase with the size of larger than 200 nm, while no clay platelets were located in the PVDF phase and in the PA11 nanodomains with the size of smaller than 200 nm. Moreover, the addition of organoclay shows significant effects on the phase structure of PVDF/PA11 blends.     

Effect of the load condition on frictional heat generation and temperature increase within a tri-cone bit during high-temperature formation drilling

To investigate the effect of the load condition on frictional heat and temperature within a tri-cone bit, a series of experiments were performed to simulate the mechanical conditions during drilling. The bearing characteristic number, which indicates load conditions such as rotation speed, weight on the bit, and flow resistance, was used to interpret the results. The Stribeck curve of the bearing shows the bearing was in a state of mixed (boundary + elasto-hydrodynamic) lubrication, not in a smooth hydrodynamic lubrication. When drilling high-temperature formations, the bottomhole temperature is higher than that in the experiment, and mixed lubrication progresses to boundary lubrication. The temperature within the bit increases readily, damaging the O-ring seal in the journal bearing.     

Impact of bag-in-box packaging on the quality attributes of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Cabbage is one of the most widely grown, traded and consumed vegetables in the world. Therefore, it is vital to maintain cabbage quality after harvest; it is especially critical to counteract water loss in order to maintain quality during storage. In this study, we investigated the effect of a bag-in-box packaging on water loss in cabbages during 15 days of storage at 10°C and 90% relative humidity. The bag-in-box packaging included a low-density polyethylene bag along with a corrugated board box, whereas the control comprised a corrugated board box without any waterproofing ability. The changes in green colour, soluble solids content and ascorbic acid content of cabbage were evaluated as fundamental qualities. After storage, water loss from control samples was evaluated to be 6%; however, the bag-in-box packaging reduced the water loss to 0.3%. Moreover, the bag-in-box did not affect the tested fundamental qualities despite a delay in the cooling process. In conclusion, the bag-in-box packaging could be effective at maintaining the quality of cabbages and other leafy vegetables during storage and distribution for 15 days.     

Assessment of safety and efficacy of pine bark extract in normal and ovariectomized mice

We evaluated the influence of pine bark extract (PBE) on organs, the cytochrome-P450 (CYP) activities in liver and estrogenic effects in normal and ovariectomized (OVX) female mice. The PBE did not affect organ weights and liver-function indexes (activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino transferase, and alanine amino transferase) at doses; 0.04%, 0.4%, and 2.0% PBE in the diet, in normal and OVX female mice. In the OVX mice, CYP1A1 activity was significantly higher in the 0.4% and 2.0% PBE groups than in the OVX control group, and in the 0.4% and 2.0% PBE groups were significantly higher than in the 0.04% PBE group. CYP1A2 and 3A4 activities were significantly higher in the 2.0% PBE group than in all other groups. The PBE did not affect uterine weight and femoral bone mineral density at all PBE doses. These results showed that the dose of PBE at the recommended human intake, had no toxic and estrogenic effects in normal female and OVX mice, however, it may need attention to use the excess intake of PBE with some drugs in postmenopausal women.     

The three-dimensional architecture of retinal blood vessels in KK mice, with special reference to the smooth muscle cells and pericytes

In the present study, the three-dimensional architecture of retinal vasculature was studied in KK mice, by combined use of resin injection, chemical treatment and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In particular, Mercox/methylmethacrylate resin-injected eye tissues were subjected in sequence to NaClO immersion, ultrasonication and HCl treatment. The present technological innovation made possible SEM visualization of deeper retinal vasculature. In KK mice, the tunica media of stem arterioles and of first and second order branches consisted of a single layer of spindle-shaped smooth muscle cells provided with spine-like cytoplasmic processes. In addition, there occurred small triangular smooth muscle cells provided with slender cytoplasmic processes. The processes, giving off tiny secondary processes, overlapped with each other, thus forming assemblages around branching sites. Such a structure was particularly prominent for those branching sites where parent arterioles gave rise to their branches in a side arm-like pattern. The third (and occasionally fourth) order branches were surrounded by atypical smooth muscle cells, with considerable dimension of endothelial surface remaining uncovered. Capillary pericytes consisted of fusiform cell bodies and slender cytoplasmic processes. Smooth muscle cells of retinal venules differed from those of arterioles. They were stellate in shape, exhibiting several cytoplasmic processes.     

Characteristic distribution of gap junctions in rat lacrimal gland in vivo and reconstruction of a gap junction in an in vitro model

We investigated localization of the gap junction in rat lacrimal gland in vivo and in vitro using electron microscopy and immunostaining with anti-connexin32 (Cx32) monoclonal antibody (HAM8). In immunofluorescence study of lacrimal gland tissues, Cx32 protein appeared to exist not only at the intercellular borders of acinar cells, but also in the basal regions, where there apparently was no contact with adjacent acinar cells. Thin sectioning and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that lacrimal acinar cells formed autocellular gap junctions (reflexive gap junctions) in the basal regions and intercellular gap junctions with adjacent acinar cell membranes. In immunofluorescence study of primary culture, Cx32 protein was found on the free surfaces of isolated acinar cells at the early stage of culture. With culturing time, cell aggregates were formed. We observed Cx32 immunoreactivity between acinar cells in these aggregates, but not on their free surface. Electron microscopic study confirmed that these aggregates possessed intercellular gap junctions and morphologically differentiated acinar-like structures. However, reflexive gap junctions were not observed in these aggregates. In conclusion, lacrimal acinar cells form intercellular and reflexive gap junctions in vivo. On the other hand, the existence of an acinar-like structure and intercellular gap junctions indicates that acinar cells differentiated in vitro morphologically. The cells may communicate with each other through these junctions, organizing themselves into an acinar cell network in an in vitro situation.