Enhanced Infrared Absorption of C60 on Thin Evaporated Pd Island Films

Infrared transmission spectra of C₆₀ multilayers on thin Pd films deposited onto surface-oxidized Si(100) and hydrogen-terminated Si(111) substrates are reported. In both cases, the spectra in the 1500–1100 cm⁻¹ region exhibited bands at 1444, 1429, and 1182 cm⁻¹ due, respectively, to the A_g (2), T_1u (4), and T_1u (3) modes. The appearance of the A_g (2) mode, which is originally infrared inactive (Raman active), reveals electron transfer from the metal to chemisorbed C₆₀. Indeed, increasing the thickness of C₆₀, the A_g (2) mode intensity saturated more rapidly than the T_1u (4) and T_1u (3) modes. The originally infrared active T_1u (4) and T_1u (3) modes were enhanced in intensity depending upon the Pd thickness. Actually, while both substrates gave nearly the same magnitude of enhancement, the optimum Pd thickness was smaller on the hydrogen-terminated surface than on the surface-oxidized surface. On the other hand, the A_g (2) mode was less intense on the hydrogen-terminated surface than on the oxidized surface, suggestive of a shortage of chemisorbed C₆₀ and thus pointing out the importance of the metal film morphology. Indeed, Pd films deposited on the two substrates gave rise to quite different AFM images. We also show that, regardless of the substrate, the A_g (2) mode is an order of magnitude smaller than for Ag deposition, though no remarkable intensity differences were observed with respect to the T_1u (4) and T_1u (3) modes.     

Optical neurochip with learning capability

A dynamic optical neurochip with variable synaptic interconnection capability has been reported. A novel type of photodetector called a variable sensitivity photodetector has been developed for the synaptic interconnection of neural networks. It utilizes a metal-semiconductor-metal structure whose quantum efficiency can be modulated by an applied bias voltage. The fabricated dynamic optical neurochip consists of an 8×8 variable sensitivity photodetector (VSPD) array and an 8 line-shaped LED array. It is shown that this device is suitable for learning in neural networks. The application to pattern classification is demonstrated     

Remnants of chylomicron and very low density lipoprotein impair endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation

Given the multiple impairments in host defense that occur during HIV infection, patients with AIDS are at risk for a variety of pleural infections and neoplasms. Of infectious causes, bacterial parapneumonic effusions and empyemas and tuberculous pleurisy occur more frequently than effusions caused by P. carinii. In each case, therapy is directed at eradication of the causative organisms. In the setting of systemic Kaposi's sarcoma, pleural involvement is common, although diagnosis is difficult and therapeutic options are limited. Pleural effusions caused by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma often occur in the setting of pulmonary parenchymal disease and can be diagnosed cytologically. The recently described entity of primary effusion lymphoma occurs in the absence of solid-organ involvement. The development of a spontaneous pneumothorax in a HIV-infected individual should prompt a search for P. carinii infection. Although these pneumothoraces often recur and are difficult to manage, recent series suggest that surgical approaches to bronchopleural fistulas are reasonable in selected patients.     

A highly repetitive sequence isolated from genomic DNA of the medaka (Oryzias latipes)

In order to investigate the relationship between various temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain levels and the detection of high signal intensity (joint effusion) on T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 19 consecutive patients who complained of unilateral painful TMJ hypomobility (closed locking) were involved in this study. All patients were clinically examined in a routine manner, and all patients rated their pain levels by a visual analogue scale and eight pain questionnaire prior MRI study. T1 and T2 weighted MRI was taken in sagittal section at unilateral affected joint side. The presence or absence of a high signal intensity spot within the TMJ compartment were judged by three examiners. The high signal intensity was detected in 10 joints, but not in 9 joints. In between these two groups, the pain ratio was calculated and compared. The data showed that there was no significant statistical correlation between pain levels and the presence of high signals. This study disclosed that the MRI detection of high signal intensity in the closed locking TMJ did not directly relate to the presence of TMJ pain nor the increased pain level. These indicate the need of further larger studies.     

Calcium ion as a second messenger for o-nitrophenylsulfenyl-adrenocorticotropin (NPS-ACTH) and ACTH in bovine adrenal steroidogenesis

o-Nitrophenyl sulfenyl-modified ACTH (NPS-ACTH) stimulated steroidogenesis acutely in bovine fasciculata-reticularis cells without increase in cellular cAMP synthesis. Application of NPS-ACTH to the cultured cells induced Ca2+ signals in individual cells as detected by video-enhanced microscopic fluorescence measurements. The percentage of Ca2+ signaling cells corresponded well with the increase of steroidogenesis induced by NPS-ACTH below 1 nM. Treatment of the cells with nicardipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker, suppressed the Ca2+ signals except for the transient increase just after the addition of NPS-ACTH and also blocked completely the stimulative effect on the steroidogenesis of NPS-ACTH below 1 nM. At a dosage of NPS-ACTH higher than 10 nM, the stimulative effect of steroidogenesis was partly suppressed by nicardipine and also by AA-861, a lipoxygenase inhibitor. The action of NPS-ACTH might be mediated by both Ca2+ and lipoxygenase metabolite(s) of arachidonic acid as dual second messengers. The effect of ACTH in pM range on the steroidogenesis was suppressed completely by the treatment with nicardipine and AA-861 at the same time, indicating that the action was mediated by both Ca2+ and the lipoxygenase metabolite(s) but not by cAMP. cAMP plays a significant role as a second messenger for ACTH action only at ACTH concentrations greater than 10 pM.     

Tests for atopic antigens

It is important to determine what kind of antigen is involved in atopic asthma for appropriate management as well as diagnosis. We can measure total IgE and antigen specific IgE antibodies by means of RIA and EIA in vitro. Antigen specific IgE antibodies can be detected more sensitively by skin tests consisting of intradermal, prick and scratch tests, among which the intradermal test is most sensitive. To study if the antibody thus detected is functional, there are in vivo tests such as the provocation test and eye reaction with the corresponding antigen and in vitro tests such as the histamine release assay and CAST. In Japan we tend to prefer in vitro assays, while the skin test has been recommended more than in vitro assays in the United States.     

Observations of high-field domains in GaxIn1 ? xSb Gunn diodes

The properties of high-field domains in GaxIn1-xSb Gunn diodes (0.4 < x < 0.82) have been studied by measuring the surface potential on the diodes. The domain velocities vary with the Ga composition x, 5.3?6.1×106 cm/s for0.8 > x > 0.55 and 10×106 cm/s for x = 0.4, but they are almost independent of the applied voltage, even if the electron concentration is increased by the impact ionisation in the domain at high applied voltages for the small-x samples.