Cosmic ray neutron-induced soft errors in sub-half micron CMOScircuits

We numerically investigated cosmic ray neutron-induced soft errors in sub-half micron CMOS SRAM and latch circuits at sea level. For our purpose, we developed an original simulator which reproduces well the experimental charge collection data. We investigated soft error rates (SERs) and showed that the neutron-induced SERs in the SRAM are the same order as those due to α-particles and the SERs in the latch are dominated by neutrons     

Report management system using Web server and search engine

PURPOSE: To develop a management system of written reports using a Web server and search engine. METHODS: All the reports written through word processing software in the local area network in the radiology department were automatically transferred to one of the PC servers, in which a Web server and search engine were in operation. Previous reports, approximately eighty thousand, were also registered. Using Web browsers and the program developed by hypertext mark-up language and JavaScript, all the reports were readily accessible by keywords, or by any words within reports. RESULTS: Over 100, 000 reports were easily accessible using Web browsers, based on our one-year experience. Maintaining the Web server and search engine, and upgrading the program were easily managed in our daily practice. CONCLUSION: The report management system we developed is flexible, scalable, and easy to maintain. It is an effective way to manage a large volume of radiology reports written through word processing software.     

Effects of large doses of estrogen on prolactin and growth hormone release

The effects of large doses of estrogen on prolactin (PRL) release were assessed. Circulating PRL levels in response to intravenous infusion of 17 beta-estradiol (E2), at a rate of 50 mug per hour for 4 hours, were studied in 10 subjects, and a chronic administration of ethinyl estradiol (EE) at a dose of 400 mug per day, for 1 week, was evaluated in five hypogonadal subjects. There was a significant depression of serum level of PRL during the E2 infusion and a significant increase in PRL release after discontinuation of the infusion. The chronic treatment of large doses of EE induced a more rapid (within 36 hours) and a significantly greater elevation of PRL levels at the end of 1 week treatment than those found during smaller doses of EE administration, as reported previously. These data suggest that acute treatment of estrogen may have a biphasic action on the pituitary PRL section and that the augmentatory effect of estrogen on PRL secretion is dose-dependent in human beings.     

Directionally evolving genetic code: the UGA codon from stop to tryptophan in mitochondria

We investigated the effects of the receptor-coupled protein tyrosine kinase (RTK) v-Fms on the membrane current properties of NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts. We found that v-Fms, the oncogenic variant of the macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor c-Fms, activates a K+ current that is absent in control cells. The activation of the K+ current was Ca2+-dependent, voltage-independent, and was completely blocked by the K+ channel blockers charybdotoxin, margatoxin and iberiotoxin with IC50 values of 3 nM, 18 nM and 76 nM, respectively. To identify signalling components that mediate the activation of this K+ current, NIH3T3 cells that express different mutants of the wild-type v-Fms receptor were examined. Mutation of the binding site for the Ras-GTPase-activating protein led to a complete abolishment of the K+ current. A reduction of 76% and 63%, respectively, was observed upon mutation of either of the two binding sites for the growth factor receptor binding protein 2. Mutation of the ATP binding lobe, which disrupts the protein tyrosine kinase activity of v-Fms, led to a 55% reduction of the K+ current. Treatment of wild-type v-Fms cells with Clostiridium sordellii lethal toxin or a farnesyl protein transferase inhibitor, both known to inhibit the biological function of Ras, reduced the K+ current amplitude to 17% and 6% of the control value, respectively. This is the first report showing that an oncogenic RTK can modulate K+ channel activity. Our results indicate that this effect is dependent on the binding of certain Ras-regulating proteins to the v-Fms receptor and is not abolished by disruption of its intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity. Furthermore, our data suggest that Ras plays a key role for K+ channel activation by the oncogenic RTK v-Fms.     

Prediction of tree initiation by analysis of discharge magnitude and discharge luminescence at each phase angle section

Partial discharge is one of the causes of deterioration of insulating polymer materials subjected to high voltages. In this case, the deterioration that is caused by partial discharges in gaps, such as voids inside an insulator, is of particular importance. In this study, the prediction of tree initiation due to partial discharge occurring in voids is considered. New tree initiation diagnostic methods are proposed by measuring discharge magnitude and discharge luminescence in each phase angle section of the applied voltage. It is noted that some samples revealed different time dependence of partial discharge patterns even under the same measurement condition. These patterns were the case of occurrence of swarming pulsive micro discharges (SPMDs) before tree initiation and the case of no occurrence of SPMDs. The prediction of tree initiation by using moving average of the discharge magnitude is discussed. We propose the parameters to reflect a pre‐tree initiation mode and also evaluate their usefulness for the prediction of tree initiation by using moving average analysis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 143(2): 22–29, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10076     

Numerical modeling of a hydrothermal system around Waita volcano, Kyushu, Japan, based on resistivity and self-potential survey results

A self-potential survey has been conducted around Waita volcano, Kyushu, Japan. A large negative anomaly, generally interpreted as a surface recharge zone, has been observed at medium altitude. However, combined resistivity and self-potential modeling suggests that this anomaly is not necessarily related to surface recharge but to a high permeability column within the body of the volcano. This column encourages lateral flow, which results in a mixture of meteoric water and hot fluid flowing laterally towards the Takenoyu geothermal system. Such a combined modeling analysis has proved to be a useful technique for imaging subsurface fluid circulations.     

Nanoscale Origins of Nonlinear Behavior in Ferroic Thin Films

The nonlinear response of a ferroic to an applied field has been studied through the phenomenological Rayleigh Law for over a hundred years. Yet, despite this, the fundamental physical mechanisms at the nanoscale that lead to macroscopic Rayleigh behavior have remained largely elusive, and experimental evidence at small length scales is limited. Here, it is shown using a combination of scanning probe techniques and phase field modeling, that nanoscale piezoelectric response in prototypical Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ films appears to follow a distinctly non‐Rayleigh regime. Through statistical analysis, it is found that an averaging of local responses can lead directly to Rayleigh‐like behavior of the strain on a macroscale. Phase‐field modeling confirms the twist of the ferroelastic interface is key in enhancing piezoelectric response. The studies shed light on the nanoscale origins of nonlinear behavior in disordered ferroics.     

Distribution of systemic blood flow during normothermic extracorporeal circulation (evaluation by radioactive microsphere method)

The aim of this study was to point out a hemisphere asymmetry in focal brain-damaged patients and a hand asymmetry in normals on halving binocularly a horizontal line. 50 left hemisphere and 53 right hemisphere patients (both subdivided by presence/absence of visual field defect) and 50 controls (divided by the hand they used to carry out the task) were employed. 4 differently long segments made up the test material and the error scores with respect to the geometric midpoint were worked out by means of parametric statistical procedures. It turned out that: (i) healthy subjects committed a mean leftward displacement, regardless of the hand they used. All the same, only the halving error committed by the right hand is significant keeping as reference the geometric midpoint of the segment; (ii) left and right hemisphere-damaged patients committed halving errors, that are opposite in direction, leftward for the former and rightward for the latter; (iii) the behaviour of right patients with visual field defects is the only to be significantly different from that of the corresponding controls. Our findings point to prevailing importance of the right hemisphere mainly of its posterior areas, in the halving task.     

Crystal Structure of Okadaic Acid Binding Protein 2.1: A Sponge Protein Implicated in Cytotoxin Accumulation

Okadaic acid (OA) is a marine polyether cytotoxin that was first isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. OA is a potent inhibitor of protein serine/threonine phosphatases (PP) 1 and 2A, and the structural basis of phosphatase inhibition has been well investigated. However, the role and mechanism of OA retention in the marine sponge have remained elusive. We have solved the crystal structure of okadaic acid binding protein 2.1 (OABP2.1) isolated from H. okadai; it has strong affinity for OA and limited sequence homology to other proteins. The structure revealed that OABP2.1 consists of two α‐helical domains, with the OA molecule deeply buried inside the protein. In addition, the global fold of OABP2.1 was unexpectedly similar to that of aequorin, a jellyfish photoprotein. The presence of structural homologues suggested that, by using similar protein scaffolds, marine invertebrates have developed diverse survival systems adapted to their living environments.     

Improvement in ozone yield using discharge superposition method

The efficiency of ozonizers using silent discharge is very low compared with the theoretical value. Although many studies have attempted to improve the efficiency of ozonizers, we cannot expect to do so without changing the process of ozone generation. In this study, two high voltages are applied to an ozonizer which has three electrodes (central, surface, and outer electrodes) arranged coaxially, and the phase difference between applied voltages can be changed. The silent and surface discharges are superposed in the same space of the ozonizer. This paper considers the optimum experimental conditions leading to improved efficiency of an ozonizer using the discharge superposition method. It is found that when two kinds of discharges are superposed while using the central electrode as a common‐ground electrode, the maximum ozone yield efficiency is obtained, especially at a phase difference of about 180°. However, when using the surface electrode as a common‐ground electrode, the ozone efficiency is higher at phase differences of about 90° or 270° than at other angles. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 126(1): 1–6, 1999