Efficient and precise cutting of zirconia ceramics using heated cutting tool

The thermally assisted machining of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal using a cutting tool heated with induction heating was proposed. Although the conventional thermally assisted machining cannot be applied to drilling, the proposed method can be. Heat transfer from the heated cutting tool to the workpiece was simulated analytically, and the result showed that heating of the tool up to 500 °C produced an increase of 150–400 °C in the workpiece temperature. Cutting experiments demonstrated an improvement in machinability.     

Differential Effects of Fkbp4 and Fkbp5 on Regulation of the Proopiomelanocortin Gene in Murine AtT-20 Corticotroph Cells

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is stimulated in response to stress. When activated, it is suppressed by the negative feedback effect of glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids directly inhibit proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) gene expression in the pituitary. Glucocorticoid signaling is mediated via glucocorticoid receptors, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, and the FK506-binding immunophilins, Fkbp4 and Fkbp5. Fkbp4 and Fkbp5 differentially regulate dynein interaction and nuclear translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor, resulting in modulation of the glucocorticoid action. Here, we explored the regulation of Fkbp4 and Fkbp5 genes and their proteins with dexamethasone, a major synthetic glucocorticoid drug, in murine AtT-20 corticotroph cells. To elucidate further roles of Fkbp4 and Fkbp5, we examined their effects on Pomc mRNA levels in corticotroph cells. Dexamethasone decreased Pomc mRNA levels as well as Fkpb4 mRNA levels in mouse corticotroph cells. Dexamethasone tended to decrease Fkbp4 protein levels, while it increased Fkpb5 mRNA and its protein levels. The dexamethasone-induced decreases in Pomc mRNA levels were partially canceled by Fkbp4 knockdown. Alternatively, Pomc mRNA levels were further decreased by Fkbp5 knockdown. Thus, Fkbp4 contributes to the negative feedback of glucocorticoids, and Fkbp5 reduces the efficiency of the glucocorticoid effect on Pomc gene expression in pituitary corticotroph cells.     

Inverse method for the detection of a foreign object using microwave measurements

A two-dimensional inverse computing method to detect an internal object using microwave measurements is presented. The modelling of the application system has been directed towards the eventual in vivo detection of breast tumours, in particular. This procedure will enable the non-destructive determination of the internal object size and location. The model procedure has been tested by using complex reflection coefficients measured in a microwave experimental application system. Measured data agree with the theoretical calculations.     

Maturation of rat dendritic cells during intrahepatic translocation evaluated using monoclonal antibodies and electron microscopy

Specific populations of hepatic sinusoidal cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies that recognize monocytes/macrophages (ED1), tissue macrophages (Kupffer cells) (ED2), MHC class II (Ia) antigen (MRC OX6), and dendritic cells/gamma,delta T-cells (MRC OX62) and analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The majority of ED1(+) and/or ED2(+) cells were localized to the hepatic parenchyma, whereas OX6(+) and/or OX62(+) cells were more densely distributed within Glisson's sheath than in the hepatic parenchyma. Double-immunoperoxidase staining of normal liver for ED1, ED2, and OX6 identified dendritic cells (DC) of two different phenotypes, ED1(+)ED2(-)OX6(+) and ED1(-)ED2(-)OX6(+). DC can be classified into three different types based on ultrastructural characteristics. The first type (type I) is characterized by one or more long cytoplasmic processes and a well-developed lysosomal system. The second type (type II) has an inconspicuous lysosomal system, abundant hyaloplasm, and characteristic short cytoplasmic processes. The third type (type I-II) has cytologic features intermediate between those of type I and type II DC. At the electron-microscopic level, these three cell types are found in the sinusoidal lumen, whereas the majority of type II DC are located in the space of Disse and Glisson's sheath. Furthermore, some OX6-labeled elongated DC appeared to traverse the lumen of sinusoids through endothelial pores to enter the space of Disse. One hour after intravenous injection of latex particles (0.81 micrometer in diameter), numerous latex-laden dendritic cells (ED1(+)OX6(+), type I and type I-II) were detected in the lumen of hepatic sinusoids, but not in the space of Disse or Glisson's sheath. These findings suggest that normal rat liver contains resident dendritic cells which downregulate phagocytic activity and mature into potent accessory cells during migration from the portal vein toward the central vein. These DC then traverse the sinusoidal lumen to the hepatic lymph system via the space of Disse.     

Transient complete left bundle branch block during epidural anesthesia with mepivacaine

A 65-year-old woman with ovarian tumor was scheduled for abdominal total hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy under epidural anesthesia. Preoperative examinations revealed no abnormalities including ECG. Twenty minites after the epidural injection of mepivacaine, widened QRS complexes, which were diagnosed as complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) later, appeared on ECG. At that time, heart rate (HR) was 150.min-1. CLBBB disappeared when HR decreased to 110.min-1 following the administration of pindolol and verapamil. The operation was postponed. Exercise-treated ECG showed neither CLBBB nor ischemic change even when HR increased to 160.min-1. Two weeks later the operation was attempted again. CLBBB appeared again twenty minites after the epidural injection of mepivacaine. The CLBBB disappeared 5 minites after the induction of general anesthesia when HR decreased to 100.min-1. The operation was performed uneventfully. The effective refractory period (ERP) is shortened with the increase in HR, but the shortning of ERP varies in different part of the cardiac conduction system. In tachycardia, ERP of left bundle branch is longer than that of right one. Because the cardiac conduction system is depressed by local anesthetics, it is speculated that ERP of left bundle branch is elongated further by mepivacaine and CLBBB appeared in this case.     

植被净初级生产力的遥感模型在武汉地区的应用

卫星遥感成为观测和估算地面植被净初级生产力的一种极其有利的工具|其原因不仅仅在于它将人们从繁重的地面实验中解放出来|同时也因为它能够实现对大范围区域的植被净初级生产力进行实时监测。为了更加充分有效地利用卫星数据获取植被信息|我们在模式分解方法的基础上|建立了一种新的植被指数(VIPD)。根据地面实验建立的相应光合成曲线估算模型|估算武汉地区地域性植被净初级生产力（NPP）研究该地区植被生长年间变化状况。并通过和不同方法估算结果及地面调查结果进行比较|检验模型对该地区的适用情况|为该地区植被NPP长期监测研究提供可靠依据。     

Model-less visual servoing using modified simplex optimization

This article describes a robot positioning task with respect to a static target by visual servoing. The vision system is uncalibrated, and the kinematic model of the robot may be totally unknown. The displacements of the robot at joint level are generated in real time in order to minimize the objective function. The objective function includes the quadratic error between the current and the desired target images. A simplex method is used to minimize the objective function, and a Newton-like method is also used near convergence. We successfully validated this method with simulations under the graphic library OpenGL. This work was presented in part at the 10th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, February 4–6, 2005     

Construction experiences with SSC collider dipole magnets atFermilab

Full length and short model SSC (Superconducting Super Collider) 50 mm bore dipoles are being built and tested at Fermilab. The mechanical design of these magnets has been determined from experience with the construction of previous superconducting magnets. Construction experience includes coil fabrication, ground insulation, instrumentation, collaring, and yoke assembly. Fabrication techniques are explained, and construction problems and their solutions are reviewed. The relationship of short to long model construction is discussed