Theoretical study on possible usage of difluoromethylene fullerenes as electron-transport materials

The usefulness of the difluoromethylene fullerenes C₆₀(CF₂)_n(n = 1, 2) materials for the organic devices is theoretically discussed, comparing with C₆₀, about the following three points: electron transport in the material, electron injection from the electrode into the material, and thin-film formation of the material. Concerning the thin-film formation, dipole moments are calculated. Frontier orbital energies and adiabatic electron affinities are discussed in connection with the electron injection from the electrode into the material. Additionally, the inter-molecular electron transport is discussed from the viewpoint of the reorganization energy based on the Marcus theory. These results indicate the usage of some C₆₀(CF₂)_n isomers as the useful electron-transport materials.     

A density functional theory study on the degradation mechanism of thin film of organic semiconductor by water molecules

Hybrid density functional theory calculations have been carried out for the organic-inorganic hybrid complex of 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (NTCDA) with an indium atom (In) to elucidate the degradation mechanism of thin films of molecular organic semiconductors by water molecules. This compound has been used as an organic semiconductor. The band gap of NTCDA was calculated to be as high as 3.39 eV as a single molecule, whereas a new band of NTCDA was formed as low-lying excited state (1.64 eV) after the interaction with the In atom. The water molecule attacked preferentially the In atom of In-NTCDA, and the solvation structure was formed around the In atom (solvation). Further addition of a water molecule to the system, the In atom is stripped off from NTCDA by water molecules, and solvation shell around the In atom is formed (separated solvation). The hydrogen-bond network was broken by the formation of solvation shell. The mechanism of degradation of the electron conductivity has been discussed on the basis of theoretical results.     

Regression of glomerular injury by kallikrein infusion in Dahl salt-sensitive rats is a bradykinin B2-receptor-mediated event

AIMS: We investigated whether kallikrein infusion attenuates renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive rats with hypertension and assessed the role of bradykinin-nitric oxide axis in the renal protection using HOE-140, the bradykinin type-2 (B2) receptor specific antagonist. METHODS: Subdepressor dose of purified rat urinary kallikrein (RUK) (400 ng/day) was continuously infused through the jugular vein by an osmotic mini-pump for 4 weeks in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats fed a high-salt (2% NaCl) diet. RESULTS: Blood pressure increased in a time-dependent manner in Dahl S rats fed a high-salt diet. The RUK infusion did not influence the elevation of blood pressure in Dahl S rats. However, the RUK infusion significantly decreased urinary protein excretion, and increased glomerular filtration rate, as compared with untreated high-salt Dahl S rats. Morphological investigation disclosed that the RUK infusion significantly attenuated glomerulosclerosis and arterial and tubular injuries in the kidney of hypertensive Dahl S rats. The RUK infusion produced an increase in urinary excretions of nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. In addition, the RUK infusion enhanced the generation of nitric oxide from the kidney slices. The functional and morphological effects of the RUK infusion on the kidney were completely lessened by co-administration of the bradykinin B2-receptor antagonist, HOE-140. CONCLUSION: Long-term infusion of subdepressor dose of rat urinary kallikrein attenuates functionally and morphologically the progression of renal injury in Dahl rats susceptible to salt-induced hypertension, and that the protection is mediated by stimulation of bradykinin B2 receptor.     

Optically stimulated luminescence in an imaging plate using BaFi:Eu

BaFI:Eu phosphors are fabricated using a new method of synthesis: liquid phase synthesis, in which the phosphor particles are formed through the association of Ba2+ ions, F-ions and Eu2+ ions in solution. An intense optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) peak at about 410 nm is observed by stimulating X ray irradiated BaFI:Eu phosphor with about 550-750 nm light. It is found that the peak wavelength of the optically stimulation spectrum is about 690 nm. This result suggests that the semiconductor laser can be used as the stimulating light source. It is also found that the OSL intensity is increased with increasing the X ray dose. The BaFI:Eu phosphor as a photostimulable material for the imaging plate of a computed radiography system provides the following advantages; (1) high X ray absorption coefficient, (2) high monodispersion in size which would contribute to sharp images, (3) high OSL and thus low luminescence mottle and (4) high DQE (detective quantum efficiency).     

Molecular cloning of cDNA for pro-phenol-oxidase-activating factor I, a serine protease is induced by lipopolysaccharide or 1,3-beta-glucan in coleopteran insect, Holotrichia diomphalia larvae

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of minimally diluted tepid blood cardioplegia, a prospective, randomized study was undertaken. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to receive standard 4:1 diluted tepid blood cardioplegia (4:1 group, n = 18) or minimally diluted tepid blood cardioplegia (Mini group, n = 19). Cardioplegic solution was delivered in an intermittent antegrade fashion in both groups. Myocardial oxygen and lactate metabolism, release of the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and cardiac function were measured during and after the operation. RESULTS: Myocardial oxygen consumption was significantly greater and lactate release was significantly lower in the Mini group than in the 4:1 group during cardioplegia. Minimally diluted blood cardioplegia resulted in more prompt resumption of lactate extraction, lower levels of release of the myocardial-specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances during reperfusion, and better postoperative left ventricular function compared with the standard 4:1 cardioplegia. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally diluted tepid blood cardioplegia may provide superior myocardial protection than the standard 4:1 dilution technique by optimizing the aerobic environment through an increase in oxygen supply during intermittent cardioplegia.     

Digital control of three-phase PWM inverter with LC filter

A digital control algorithm for the three-phase sinusoidal voltage inverter with an output LC filter has been developed. To take the transient of the LC filter during the discretization time into consideration, a fourth-order matrix state equation of the current and the voltage on the d-q frame is discretized. Precise discrete equations for the inverter are introduced. Using these equations, a deadbeat controller consisting of a d-g current minor loop and a d-q voltage major loop, with precise decoupling of the d-q components, was developed. The voltage major loop controller assures the sinusoidal output voltage and stabilizes the system. A deadbeat controller is used because both the current minor loop and the voltage major loop can used one sampling response. The validity of these techniques is confirmed by simulation studies. This method is expected to be useful for direct digital control of large-capacity sinusoidal voltage inverters using low-switching-frequency devices     

In vivo acceleration of ultrasonic tissue heating by microbubble agent

The ultrasonic power absorbed by a microbubble in its continuous wave response is estimated through numerically solving a version of the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. At an ultrasonic frequency of 3 MHz, a resonant microbubble, approximately 1.1 microm in radius, showed an absorption cross section of about 0.005 mm2 in its low power response. This estimation predicts that the tissue ultrasonic absorption will be doubled when such microbubbles are delivered to the tissue at a concentration of about eight bubbles/mm3 in tissue. An exteriorized murine kidney was exposed to focused ultrasound at 3.2 MHz in degassed saline, and the tissue temperature change was measured. With an intravenous bolus administration of a microbubble agent, the ultrasonically induced temperature elevation was multiplied by up to five times. The enhancement in temperature elevation gradually decreased as the microbubble agent was eliminated from the body. The experimental results agreed with the prediction in the order of magnitude. This effect may have a potential use to enhance the throughput as well as the selectivity of focused ultrasound treatment.     

Two-dimensional DNAPL migration affected by groundwater flow in unconfined aquifer

The dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) migration process was experimentally investigated in a laboratory-scale tank (150 cm width, 82.5 cm height, and 15 cm depth) to assess a site characterization on DNAPL contamination below a groundwater table. The heterogeneous ground of the tank model consisted of Toyoura sand (hydraulic conductivity, k = 1.5 x 10(-2) cm/s for void ratio, e = 0.62) and silica #7 sand (k = 2.3 x 10(-3) cm/s for e = 0.72). A series of experiments was carried out with or without lateral groundwater flow. Hydrofluoroether was used as a representative DNAPL. The main results obtained in this study are as follows: (1) the DNAPL plume does not invade into the less permeable soil layer with higher displacement pressure head; (2) the DNAPL plume migrates faster with lateral groundwater flow than without it; (3) lateral groundwater flow does not affect lateral DNAPL migration; rather, it promotes downward migration; and (4) pore DNAPL pressure without groundwater flow is higher than that with it. The above experimental results were compared with numerical analysis. The fundamental behaviors of DNAPL source migration observed experimentally are expected to be useful for assessing the characteristics of two-dimensional DNAPL migration in an aquifer.