Quantitative estimation of the bitter taste intensity of oxyphenonium bromide reduced by cyclodextrins from electromotive force measurements

The bitter taste of oxyphenonium bromide, an antiacetylcholine drug, is suppressed by cyclodextrins. The extent of the suppression can be predicted from the electromotive force measurements with an oxyphenonium bromide-selective electrode. The relationship between the bitter taste intensity and the electromotive force holds true, regardless of the kind and concentration of natural and modified cyclodextrins. This result is explicable on the basis of the observation that both the bitter taste and the electric potential are determined by the concentration of free oxyphenonium bromide. Some implications and limitations of the present approach are discussed.     

Minimal effect of brain temperature changes on glutamate release in rat following severe global brain ischemia: a dialysis electrode study

Using a dialysis electrode, we recently developed an oxygen-independent system for real-time measurement of the glutamate concentration in the extracellular space ([Glu]e) during ischemia. This system allows separate evaluation of intra-ischemic biphase [Glu]e elevation, i.e. release from synaptic vesicles (1st phase), reversed uptake of glutamate from metabolic pools in neuronal cells (2nd phase), and post-ischemic glutamate re-uptake in ischemia-reperfusion models. Using the system, we attempted to clarify the relationship between biphase glutamate release and brain temperature in a model of acute global ischemia produced by transecting both carotid arteries. Our results showed that, in contrast to mild hyperthermia, hypothermia did not inhibit the 1st phase of [Glu]e release, and changes in intra-ischemic brain temperature had a minimal effect on the 2nd phase of [Glu]e elevation during severe acute ischemia. These findings, together with our previous data, indicate that brain temperature change in the intra-ischemic period plays an important role in disturbance of the glutamate re-uptake system during ischemia.     

Effects of amino compounds on the formation of γ-tocopherol reducing dimers in autoxidizing linoleate

The effects of various amino compounds trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), tri-n-octylamine (TOA), phosphatidyl choline (PC), and phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) on the oxidative decomposition of γ-tocopherol (γ-Toc) and on the formation of its reducing dimers were investigated during the autoxidation of methyl linoleate (ML). In general, γ-Toc diphenyl ether dimer (γ-TED) was formed in preference to two atropisomers of γ-Toc biphenyl dimers [γ-TBD(H) and (L)] in autoxidizing ML. This relationship, however, was reversed when TMAO was added. As the presence of TOA, PC, or PE did not promote the formation of γ-TBD, the preferential formation of γ-TBD was believed to be based on the interaction between TMAO and oxidation products formed from γ-Toc. Effects of TMAO and TOA on the interconversion of γ-Toc reducing dimers were investigated. γ-TED was found to be converted into γ-Toc and γ-TBD(L) in autoxidizing ML. But γ-TBD(H) could not be detected, and the amount of γ-TBD(L) formed was very small. γ-TBD(H) and (L) were formed from their respective atropisomers. In this case, the formations of γ-Toc and γ-TED could not be detected. Therefore, it was concluded that the conversion of γ-TED into γ-TBD and vice versa can be neglected in any event.     

Microdosimetry of neutron field for boron neutron capture therapy at Kyoto university reactor

Microdosimetric single event spectrum in a human body simulated by an acrylic phantom has been measured for the clinical BNCT field at the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). The recoil particles resulting from the initial reaction and subsequent interactions, namely protons, electrons, alpha particles and carbon nuclei are identified in the microdosimetric spectrum. The relative contributions to the neutron dose from proton, alpha particles and carbon are estimated to be about 0.9, 0.07 and 0.3, respectively, four depths between 5 and 41 mm. We estimate that the dose averaged lineal energy, yD decreased with depth from 64 to 46 keV microm(-1). Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of this neutron field using a response function for the microdosimetric spectrum was estimated to decrease from 3.6 to 2.9 with increasing depth.     

Orbital Magnetism in Confined Two-Dimensional Systems

The way how the Landau diamagnetism emerges in finite two-dimensional systems, disc and ring, has been clarified by examining both the field dependences of the magnetization and the spatial distribution of the persistent currents induced by the magnetic field.     

Isotopic fractionation and profile evolution of a melting snowcover

Successive snow pits were dug intensively in a melting snowcover. Water was successfully separated from snow grains in the field for the first time. By measuring δ¹⁸O values of water and snow grain samples as well as comparing isotopic profiles, it is found that meltwater percolating down in snow develops quick and clear isotopic fractionation with snow grains, but exerts no clear impact on the δ¹⁸O profile of the snowcover through which the meltwater percolates.     

Input power factor control of three‐phase to three‐phase matrix converters

This paper presents input power factor control of three‐phase to three‐phase matrix converters. The authors propose three kinds of switching patterns for the matrix converters that can realize an arbitrary input‐power‐factor angle between 0 and 2π and reduce the number of commutations in all three phases to four during the control period. Also, the control range of the output voltage reference in the proposed control scheme is derived. The improvement of the input power factor by using the proposed control algorithm has been verified by experiments. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 178(3): 42–52, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21199     

MOCVD preparation of SBTN thin films from two organometallic sources bottles

Abstract

SrBi₂(Ta_0.7Nb_0.3)₂O₉ (SBTN) films were first prepared on (111)Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates by MOCVD from only two organometallic source bottles. Bi(CH₃)₃ and the mixture of Sr[Ta(O°C₂H₅)₆]₂ and Sr[Nb(O°C₂H₅)₆]₂ were used as source materials. High compositional reproducibility was obtained; the Nb/(Ta+Nb) ratio was the same as the mixing ratio of the source. Sr/(Ta+Nb) and Bi/(Ta+Nb) ratios can be controlled by the reactor pressure and the input gas flow rate ratio of the source gases. Almost single phase of SBTN was obtained for the film deposited at 500°C and the following heat-treated at 800°C in O₂ atmosphere. Pr and Ec values of 330 nm-thick SBTN film were 8.5 μC/cm² and 91 kV/cm, respectively and were larger than those of SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ film. There was no degradation after 5x10¹⁰ cycles polarization switching.     

1.3-/spl mu/m AlGaInAs strain compensated MQW-buried-heterostructure lasers for uncooled 10-gb/s operation

We have successfully fabricated 1.3-/spl mu/m AlGaInAs strain-compensated multiple-quantum-well (MQW) buried-heterostructure (BH) lasers by narrow-stripe selective metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy. Based on the optimization of AlGaInAs strain compensated MQW and the Al-oxidation-free BH process, we obtained a low-threshold current of 12.5 mA and a relaxation frequency of more than 10 GHz at 85/spl deg/C for Fabry-Perot lasers. For distributed feedback lasers, we demonstrated a 10-Gb/s operation and transmission of over 16 Km for a single mode fiber at 100/spl deg/C. Furthermore, a record-low 25.8-mA/sub p-p/ modulation current for a 10-Gb/s modulation at 100/spl deg/C was demonstrated with shorter cavity and high grating-coupling coefficient. A median life of more than 1/spl times/10/sup 5/ h at 85/spl deg/C was estimated after an aging test of over 5000 h for these lasers. These superior characteristics at high temperatures were achieved by the combination of the high differential gain of AlGaInAs strain compensated MQW and the BH structure.