Polytetrafluoroethylene processing characteristics using high-energy X-ray

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microstructures’ processing characteristics using X-ray photo dcomposition and desorption are studied in the highest energy region (2 keV to >12 keV). While the exposed surface states are seen melting and boiling from the remaining bubble structure of the irradiated surface, basic photochemistry of PTFE is also same as previous reports and high-aspect ratio structures are successfully formed. We developed new Ni stencil electroformed stencil masks and successfully fabricated first and practical example of PTFE micro fluidic parts. The characteristics of fabricated micro fluidic parts, a PTFE fluid filter for vertical fluid flow operation which works as passive valve, agreed with the calculated results. This suggests that the accuracy of patterning is adequate to apply this technique to fabricate microfluidic parts and other various microparts.     

Basic study about cooperative movement between a human and an agent with entrainment

The use of an agent in the environment, as in medical treatment, welfare, the construction field, and the home, is examined. It is necessary for the agent to be able to work cooperatively with a human, and that may be a problem. Therefore, this study pays attention to the phenomenon that is called entrainment. This is the phenomenon where the rhythm of a certain person and the partner in the communication is synchronized. The purpose of this study is to perform a basic examination into applying an entrainment in order to realize cooperation in operations between a human and an agent. Since many human rhythms are expressed by a nonlinear oscillator, we simulated limited cycle oscillators, which are one of two nonlinear oscillators that cause interactions between agents, as the basic examination for this achievement. Consequently, entrainment of limited cycle oscillators with rhythms which differ has been checked in certain conditions. As a result, the possibility that cooperative movement could be gained was suggested.     

Refined mapping of a gene responsible for Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy: evidence for strong linkage disequilibrium

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), the second most common form of childhood muscular dystrophy in Japan, is an autosomal recessive severe muscular dystrophy associated with an anomaly of the brain. After our initial mapping of the FCMD locus to chromosome 9q31-33, we further defined the locus within a region of approximately 5 cM between loci D9S127 and CA246, by homozygosity mapping in patients born to consanguineous marriages and by recombination analyses in other families. We also found evidence for strong linkage disequilibrium between FCMD and a polymorphic microsatellite marker, mfd220, which showed no recombination and a lod score of (Z) 17.49. A "111-bp" allele for the mfd220 locus was observed in 22 (34%) of 64 FCMD chromosomes, but it was present in only 1 of 120 normal chromosomes. This allelic association with FCMD was highly significant (chi 2 = 50.7; P < .0001). Hence, we suspect that the FCMD gene could lie within a few hundred kilobases of the mfd220 locus.     

Superconductivity in the tetragonal phase of La1.9Bi0.1CuO4+δ annealed under high oxygen pressure

We have investigated the relation between the crystal structure and superconductivity in La_1.9Bi_0.1CuO₄₊ , in which the phase separation observed in La₂CuO₄₊ is suppressed. A phase diagram in theT– plane is given for La_1.9Bi_0.1CuO₄₊ with excess oxygen. For very small values, the crystal structure is orthorhombic, and an orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition occurs markedly at 0.03 in the measured temperature range between 13 and 293 K. Superconductivity is observed in the range of 0.04<<0.11. This is clear evidence thathigh-T _c superconductivity also appears in the tetragonal phase.     

Derivation and implementation of a cone-beam reconstruction algorithm for nonplanar orbits

B.D. Smith (ibid., vol.MI-4, p.15-25, 1985; Opt. Eng., vol.29, p.524-34, 1990) and P. Grangeat (These de doctorat, 1987; Lecture Notes in Mathematics 1497, p.66-97, 1991) derived a cone-beam inversion formula that can be applied when a nonplanar orbit satisfying the completeness condition is used. Although Grangeat's inversion formula is mathematically different from Smith's one, they have similar overall structures to each other. The contribution of the present paper is two-fold. First, based on the derivation of Smith, the authors point out that Grangeat's inversion formula and Smith's one can be conveniently described using a single formula (the Smith-Grangeat inversion formula) that is in the form of space-variant filtering followed by cone-beam back projection. Furthermore, the resulting formula is reformulated for data acquisition systems with a planar detector to obtain a new reconstruction algorithm. Second, the authors make two significant modifications to the new algorithm to reduce artifacts and numerical errors encountered in direct implementation of the new algorithm. As for exactness of the new algorithm, the following fact can be stated. The algorithm based on Grangeat's intermediate function is exact for any complete orbit, whereas that based on Smith's intermediate function should be considered as an approximate inverse excepting the special case where almost every plane in 3D space meets the orbit. The validity of the new algorithm is demonstrated by simulation studies.     

High-rate Decoupled Water Electrolysis System Integrated with α-MoO3 as a Redox Mediator with Fast Anhydrous Proton Kinetics

Hydrogen is a promising alternative to fossil fuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Decoupled water electrolysis system using a reversible proton storage redox mediator, where the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction are separated in time and space, is an effective approach to producing hydrogen gas with high purity, high flexibility, and low cost. To realize fast hydrogen production in such a system, a redox mediator capable of releasing protons rapidly is required. Herein, α-MoO₃, with an ultrafast proton transfer property that can be explained by a dense hydrogen bond network in the lattice oxygen arrays of HxMoO₃, is examined as a high-rate redox mediator for fast hydrogen production in acidic electrolytes. The α-MoO₃ redox mediator shows both a large capacity of 204 mAh g⁻¹ and fast hydrogen production at a current rate of 10 A cm⁻²(≈153 A g⁻¹), outperforming most of the previously reported solid-state redox mediators.     

A novel radial orientation treatment of nematic liquid crystals using magnetic field lines with permanent magnet and applying the assisted electric field

Recently, there has been considerable research on optical devices, such as liquid crystal (LC) lenses and special optical plates, using LCs. In such devices, relatively small LC cells are frequently used, or unique LC orientations are required. As an LC orientation process, we focused on the LC director's orientation induced by the magnetic force line distribution of a small neodymium magnet. We propose a simple method for obtaining radial orientation, which is rather difficult to obtain using the ordinary rubbing method. The initial orientation in the LC cell is a vertical orientation cell with almost zero azimuth anchoring. With the proposed method, the reorientation process is performed with an assisting electric field and a small permanent magnet, unlike the conventional magnetic field orientation process that requires a large electromagnet. Furthermore, a polymer stabilization treatment is used to fix the obtained radial orientation pattern in the LC cell. After the treatment, the applying voltage can control the tilt angle of the director in weak polymer treatment, and a completely fixed orientation pattern can be obtained that in strong.     

Revolving Vernier Mechanism Controls Size of Linear Homomultimer

A new kind of the Vernier mechanism that is able to control the size of linear assembly of DNA origami nanostructures is proposed. The mechanism is realized by mechanical design of DNA origami, which consists of a hollow cylinder and a rotatable shaft in it connected through the same scaffold. This nanostructure stacks with each other by the shape complementarity at its top and bottom surfaces of the cylinder, while the number of stacking is limited by twisting angle of the shaft. Experiments have shown that the size distribution of multimeric assembly of the origami depends on the twisting angle of the shaft; the average lengths of the multimer are decamer, hexamer, and tetramer for 0°, 10°, and 20° twist, respectively. In summary, it is possible to affect the number of polymerization by adjusting the precise shape and movability of a molecular structure.     

Factors associated with serum magnesium and vascular stiffness in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Introduction : We evaluated the associated factors of serum magnesium in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between low serum magnesium and arteriosclerosis in these patients. Methods : In 129 patients on MHD, we evaluated the blood levels of magnesium, brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (ba‐PWV), ankle‐brachial index (ABI), and intima‐media thickness of the common carotid artery (IMT). Findings : In MHD patients, the serum level of magnesium was significantly correlated with age, calcium, TNF‐α, albumin, and ba‐PWV but not with ABI or IMT. In the multiple regression analysis, albumin (P = 0.0001, β = 0.31) and calcium (P = 0.029, β = 0.18) were selected as significant predictors of the magnesium level in MHD patients. Furthermore, the serum level of magnesium, as well as systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0001, β = 0.32) and age (P = 0.005, β = 0.25), were selected as significant (P = 0.012, β = ?0.22) predictors of ba‐PWV in MHD patients. Discussion : In MHD patients, the serum magnesium level was associated with the serum levels of calcium and albumin. Furthermore, a low serum magnesium level in MHD patients was associated with the index of vascular stiffness.     

Heparan sulfate proteoglycan on endothelium efficiently induces integrin-mediated T cell adhesion by immobilizing chemokines in patients with rheumatoid synovitis

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and chemokines in integrin-mediated T cell adhesion to endothelial cells in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Endothelial cells were purified from RA synovium. Expression of heparan sulfate, chemokines, and adhesion molecules on the endothelium was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis or flow cytometry. The effects of chemokines and heparan sulfate on T cell adhesion to RA endothelium were estimated with relevant antibodies and signaling inhibitors. Production of chemokines from synovial T cells was detected by Northern blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The endothelium in RA synovium highly expressed HSPG. The soluble form of chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta (MIP-1beta), induced T cell adhesion to the endothelial cells. When MIP-lalpha and MIP-1beta were immobilized on RA endothelial cells, a more efficient integrin-mediated adhesion of T cells was induced compared with their soluble form. The induced T cell adhesion was reduced by pretreatment with either heparitinase, anti-MIP-lalpha antibody, or anti-MIP-lbeta antibody, indicating that these chemokines were bound to heparan sulfate on the cells. T cell adhesion was also inhibited by pertussis toxin, wortmannin, and cytochalasin B. MIP-lalpha and MIP-1beta were found on vessels in RA synovium in vivo, which were spontaneously produced from T cells purified from RA synovium. CONCLUSION: Endothelial cells in RA synovium characteristically express HSPG, which is involved in T cell integrin triggering by "posting" chemokines, which are produced by synovial T cells, and by "relaying" them to their receptors on T cells, which activate G protein-dependent phosphoinositide 3-kinase and actin-dependent integrin triggering.