n-channel formation on semi-insulating InP surface by m.i.s.f.e.t.

InP m.i.s.f.e.t.s using Fe-doped semi-insulating material surface have been fabricated. The devices, composed of sulphur-diffused n-type source and drain and c.v.d. Al2O3 gate insulator, exhibited n-channel normally-off behaviour and a source drain capacitance two orders of magnitude smaller than that of p-InP m.i.s.f.e.t.s with the same dimensions.     

Selectively ion implanted Gunn-f.e.t. integrated circuits for pulse regenerator

A planar GaAs integrated Gunn-effect device and f.e.t. connected in cascade have been fabricated using selective sulphur-ion implantation. High-speed pulse regeneration and pulse amplification have been realised under d.c. bias condition. Output voltage and voltage gain of the regenerated pulse of 1 ns width were 1.7 V and 18.6 dB, respectively.     

Production of anti-CD2 chimeric antibody by recombinant animal cells

Expression vectors for chimeric anti-CD2 antibody were constructed in order to clarify the importance of the expression ratio of heavy (H-) and light (L-) chains of antibody to antibody production in animal cells. The antibody genes were introduced into cells using plasmid DNA vectors or replication-defective retroviral vectors. Productivity was maximal when the expression ratio of H-and L-chains was 1:1, and decreased when the ratio was not equal. We also examined the expression of antibody using one-packed vectors in which the bicistronic expression of H- and L-chain genes was mediated by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) sequence derived from encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). The translation efficiency was unbalanced between 5'Cap- and IRES-dependent genes. Using the retroviral vectors, it was estimated that the IRES-dependent translation efficiency was 5-fold lower than the 5'Cap-dependent translation efficiency. The cells exhibiting an unbalanced expression of H- and L-chains tended to accumulate H-chain protein.     

Hydrogen storage and thermal conductivity properties of Mg-based materials with different structures

Mg-based hydrogen storage materials can be very promising candidates for stationary energy storage application due to the high energy density and low cost of Mg. Hydrogen storage kinetics and thermal conductivity are two important factors for the material development for this kind of application. Here we studied several types of Mg-based materials with different structure-micrometer scale Mg powders, Mg nanoparticles, single crystal Mg, nanocrystalline Mg₅₀Co₅₀ BCC alloy and Mg thin film samples. It seems the Mg materials with good kinetics usually are the ones with nanostructure and tend to show poor thermal conductivity due to electron/phonon scattering resulting from more interfaces and boundaries in nanomaterials. Based on this work, good crystallinity Mg phase incorporated in carbon nano framework could be one promising option for energy storage.     

Effect of Hydrothermal Waves on Evaporation Distribution During Drop Evaporation

The objective of this study is to clarify physical mechanisms involved in the evaporation of small (a few microliters) sessile drops. We aim to understand the relation between local thermal information at the solid–liquid interface and overall evaporation. An infrared (IR) camera and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera were used to determine the temperature and heat flux distribution at the solid–liquid interface and the profile of the evaporating drop, respectively. The temperature distribution at the solid–liquid interface was determined using a multilayer substrate consisting of a silicon wafer coated with a thin thermal insulator that is partially transparent to IR. The liquids used were water and FC-72. The evaporation rate of water drops was found to occur mostly at the contact line. However, the heat transfer distribution at the liquid–solid interface was relatively uniform, indicating the heat transferred from the wall must be transported within the drop to the contact line. The mechanisms by which this occurs have yet to be determined. In contrast, the evaporation rate of FC-72 drops where hydrothermal waves were present was found to be proportional to the liquid–vapor interface area rather than the circumference of the drop, indicating a more uniform distribution of evaporation.     

Physical intuitions about support relations in monkeys (Macaca fuscata) and apes (Pan troglodytes).

Nonhuman primates, like humans, have demonstrated various physical intuitions. Cacchione and Krist (2004) examined chimpanzees' intuitions about support relations with the violation-of-expectation task. They reported that the chimpanzees possessed intuitions about support, but their intuitions differed from those of humans in part; they were sensitive to “contact/no-contact” and “amount of contact” but not “type of contact” rule. To further explore intuitions about support in nonhuman primates, we conducted similar experiments on monkeys (Japanese monkeys) and apes (chimpanzees). In three experiments, we presented physically possible and impossible events of different support relations to the participants and measured their looking times. The results reveal that the chimpanzees and monkeys detect the violations of “contact/no-contact” and “amount of contact” but not “type of contact” variable. Therefore, the apes and monkeys possess similar intuitions; however, these intuitions differ in part from those of humans. The present study provides new and corroborative evidence of intuitions about support in nonhuman primates. However, this again leads to the question of distinctive understanding about support relations among primate species. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A close correlation in the expression patterns of Af-6 and Usp9x in Sertoli and granulosa cells of mouse testis and ovary

Usp9x, an X-linked deubiquitylating enzyme, is stage dependently expressed in the supporting cells (i.e. Sertoli cells and granulosa cells) and germ cells during mouse gametogenesis. Af-6, a cell junction protein, has been identified as a substrate of Usp9x, suggesting a possible association between Usp9x and Af-6 in spermatogenesis and oogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of Af-6 and Usp9x and their intracellular localization in testes and ovaries of mice treated with or without pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), an FSH-like hormone. In both testes and ovaries, Af-6 expression was predominantly observed in supporting cells, as well as in steroidogenic cells, but not in any germ cells. In Sertoli cells, Af-6 was continuously expressed throughout postnatal and adult stages, where both Af-6 and Usp9x were enriched at the sites of Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-spermatid junctions especially at stages XI-VI. In the granulosa cells, Af-6, as well as Usp9x, was highly expressed in primordial and primary follicles, but its expression rapidly decreased after the late-secondary follicle stage. Interestingly, in PMSG-treated mice, the expression levels of Af-6 and Usp9x were synchronously enhanced, slightly in Sertoli cells and strongly in granulosa cells of the late-secondary and Graafian follicles. Such closely correlated expression patterns between Af-6 and Usp9x clearly suggest that Af-6 may be deubiquitylated by Usp9x in both Sertoli and granulosa cells. It further suggests that the post-translational regulation of Af-6 by Usp9x may be one potential pathway to control the cell adhesion dynamics in mammalian gametogenesis.     

Nonisothermal gravimetric investigation on kinetics of reduction of magnesia by aluminum

An investigation of the reduction of magnesia by aluminum was carried out using a nonisothermal gravimetric technique under an argon atmosphere, in the temperature range from 1273 to 1873 K. The mixture of magnesia and aluminum powders was formed into a pellet under various isostatic pressures. It was found that magnesia is reduced by aluminum to form magnesium and spinel at first, and then the excess aluminum reacts with spinel slowly. The temperature at which the reaction starts increases with an increasing heating rate. The reaction rate is also affected by pellet-forming conditions. A kinetic model is proposed to explain the experimental results. The activation energy of the reduction of magnesia by aluminum is 151.2 kJ/mol. Good agreement between calculated and experimental results is obtained.     

Characteristic properties of equine milk proteins

Summary Properties of three equine milk proteins, lysozyme, α-lactalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin, were investigated and compared with the corresponding ones of bovine milk. The subsite structure similar to that in hen egg lysozyme was assumed in the functional region of lysozyme from interaction with inhibitors. α-lactalbumin has structures similar to those of bovine, but less stability of its intact and 3SS forms are observed than the corresponding bovine irrespective of [Ca²⁺] because of the entropy factors. Although the folding of β-lactoglobulin at acid pH is very similar to that of the bovine protein the conformation of the I strand is different from that of bovine I strand at neutral pH according to NMR data.