Improved performance of subcarrier multiplexed multichannel AM-VSBvideo signal transmission using Pr3+-doped fluoride fibreamplifier

The performance of 40 channel AM-VSB video signal transmission using a Pr³⁺-doped fluoride fibre amplifier (PDFA) was examined. The PDFA improves the loss budget by 10 dB for 52 dB CNR, and distortion levels almost satisfy the CATV trunk line specifications. The video quality degradation after PDFA amplification was `imperceptible' in subjective tests     

Molecular cloning of a novel melanocortin receptor

Using the technique of the polymerase chain reaction primed with oligonucleotides based on the homologous transmembrane regions of seven transmembrane G protein-linked receptors, we isolated three full-length human genes that encode a novel subgroup of this receptor family. Recently, two of these receptors were identified as specific for alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone. We report the molecular cloning and pharmacologic characterization of a third member of this subgroup. The gene for this receptor encodes a protein of 361 amino acids in length. Its pharmacology characterizes it as an MSH receptor specific to the heptapeptide core common to adrenocorticotropic hormone and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-MSH. By Northern blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction, it is expressed in brain, placental, and gut tissues but not in melanoma cells or in the adrenal gland. These findings may yield insight into the physiology of peptides derived from pro-opiomelanocortin post-translational processing.     

In-plane transport properties of Si/Si1-xGexstructure and its FET performance by computer simulation

Transport properties of ungated Si/Si_1-xGe_x are studied by an ensemble Monte Carlo technique. The device performance is studied with a quantum hydrodynamic equation method using the Monte Carlo results. The phonon-scattering limited mobility is enhanced over bulk Si, and is found to reach 23000 cm²/Vs at 77 K and 4000 cm²/Vs at 300 K. The saturation velocity is increased slightly compared with the bulk value at both temperatures. A significant velocity overshoot, several times larger than the saturation velocity, is also found. In a typical modulation-doped field-effect-transistor, the calculated transconductance for a 0.18 μm gate device is found to be 300 mS/mm at 300 K. Velocity overshoot in the strained Si channel is observed, and is an important contribution to the transconductance. The inclusion of the quantum correction increases the total current by as much as 15%     

Correlates and prognosis in relation to intellectual dysfunction in a community-residing elderly population

To estimate the risk factors for intellectual dysfunction and examine its prognosis in a community-residing (non-institutionalized) elderly population, a randomly selected sample of 1,473 elderly people aged 65 years and over living in S city, Osaka Prefecture, was studied in October 1992, and data were obtained from 1,383, a response rate of 93.9%. A cohort of 1,383 was followed for 42 months and follow-up was completed for 1,300 (94.0%). The main results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of intellectual dysfunction did not differ significantly between sexes, and there was an increasing prevalence of intellectual dysfunction with age in both sexes. The prevalence of severe intellectual dysfunction was found to increase highly at age 85 and over. 2) By univariate analysis, odds ratios for age older than 75 years, low Activities of Daily Living (ADL), urinary and fecal incontinence, and no participation in social activities were significantly higher than 1 in any level of mild, moderate, and severe intellectual dysfunction. In the multivariate analysis using logistic regression, age older than 75 years and urinary and fecal incontinence showed significant higher odds ratios than 1 for severe intellectual dysfunction, and low ADL and treatment for hypertension also showed significant higher odds ratios than 1 for moderate intellectual dysfunction. 3) From analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative survival rates decreased with a decline in intellectual functioning in both age groups of 65-74 and 75 years and older. 4) Application of the Cox proportional hazards model resulted in adjusted hazard ratio for severe intellectual dysfunction of 1.79 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.12), controlling for other factors such as sex, age, general health status, incontinence and social activities.     

Prognostic factors in radiation-treated esophageal carcinoma

Prognostic factors in esophageal carcinoma treated with irradiation were examined. The prognosis of 111 patients without metastasis who had received more than 60 Gy was analyzed. Significant associations were found between survival rates and tumor length, stage, radioresponse of the primary tumor and the s.c. X-P classification based on barium contrast radiography; superficial type (tumor limited to the surface of the esophageal wall), tumorous type (solid mass without ulceration), Ul-A type (tumor with shallow ulceration with regular margin), Ul-B type (tumor with deep ulceration or irregular ulcer margin), and funneled type (tumor invading the esophageal wall in a scirrhous pattern). In multiple regression analysis, the X-P classification had the strongest correlation with survival and the survival rates of patients with the superficial type, the tumorous type and the s.c. Ul-A type were significantly higher than those of patients with the other tumor types (p < 0.001).     

A 64-Mb DRAM with meshed power line

A 64-Mb dynamic RAM (DRAM) has been developed with a meshed power line (MPL) and a quasi-distributed sense-amplifier driver (qDSAD) scheme. It realizes high speed, t_RAS=50 ns (typical) at V_cc=3.3 V, and 16-b input/output (I/O). This MPL+qDSAD scheme can reduce sensing delay caused by the metal layer resistance. Furthermore, to suppress crosstalk noise, a V_SS shield peripheral layout scheme has been introduced, which also widens power line widths. This 64-Mb DRAM was fabricated with 0.4-μm CMOS technology using KrF excimer laser lithography. A newly developed memory cell structure, the tunnel-shaped stacked-capacitor cell (TSSC), was adapted to this 64-Mb DRAM     

Lipid-Lowering Effect of Eriocitrin, the Main Flavonoid in Lemon Fruit, in Rats on a High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diet

ABSTRACT:  Eriocitrin (eriodictyol 7- O -β-rutinoside) is the main flavonoid in lemon fruit. In this study, eriocitrin was investigated for its lowering effect on serum and hepatic lipids in high-fat and high-cholesterol fed rats. Rats in the control group ( N = 6) were fed a 20% lard and 1% cholesterol diet for 21 d, and rats in the 0.35% eriocitrin group ( N = 6) and 0.70% eriocitrin group ( N = 6) were fed a diet supplemented with eriocitrin 0.35% and 0.70%, respectively. The content of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride in the eriocitrin group was no different from that of the control group. The total cholesterol, VLDL+LDL, triglyceride, and phospholipid in the serum of the 0.35% eriocitrin group showed significantly lower concentrations than the control group ( P < 0.05), although there was no difference in the HDL concentrations among the groups. The lowering effect of eriocitrin for serum total cholesterol was thought to be caused by a decrease in VLDL+LDL. The 0.35% eriocitrin group was shown to have a significant increase in excretion of fecal bile acid ( P < 0.05) and a tendency for enhanced hepatic m-RNA levels of LDL receptor in comparison with the control group.     

Simulation with an improved plasma model utilized to design a new structure of microwave plasma discharge for chemical vapor deposition of diamond crystals

A new structure of microwave plasma for chemical vapor deposition of diamond crystal is proposed. The structure is designed numerically, for which an improved model given in our previous work [H. Yamada et al., J. Appl. Phys. 101 (2007), art. no. 063302.] is utilized. The experimental observations and numerical predictions agree well with each other. It is demonstrated experimentally that the proposed structure can achieve a growth rate larger than 50 μm/h over an area 1 in. in diameter.