Stacking faults in an epitaxially grown PbTiO3 thick film and their size distribution

The microstructure of an epitaxial PbTiO₃ thick film, grown on a SrRuO₃/SrTiO₃ substrate at 600 °C by pulsed-MOCVD method, was investigated by using transmission electron microscopy. A number of extrinsic or intrinsic stacking faults were observed in the epitaxial PbTiO₃ thick film and they were parallel to the (0 0 1) plane of the PbTiO₃. We also investigated the size distribution of these stacking faults. The width of these stacking faults along the [1 0 0] axis of the PbTiO₃ was very small, ranging from 2 to 13 nm. It was also revealed that the size distribution of stacking faults depends on the position in the film: near the surface, near the substrate, near threading dislocations, and near 90° domain boundaries.     

Distribution Behavior of Nb,Ta, and Pa as Homologues of Db in Cation Exchange and Solid-Liquid and Liquid-Liquid Extractions by Aliquat 336 from Hydrochloric Acid

Detailed chemical studies on transactinide elements will clarify their characteristic properties caused by strong relativistic effect. In this work, to realize chemical study on transactinide element ₁₀₅Db, cation exchange, and solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extractions of micro amounts of Nb, Ta (homologues of Db), and Pa (pseudo homologue) by Aliquat 336 were performed employing hydrochloric acid. Clearly different chloride complex formations and distribution reaction kinetics were observed among these elements, and the present results are useful for studying the chemical properties of Db. Based on these results, we propose suitable experimental conditions for Db.     

A procedure to analyze surface profiles of the protein molecules visualized by quick-freeze deep-etch replica electron microscopy

Quick-freeze deep-etch replica electron microscopy gives high contrast snapshots of individual protein molecules under physiological conditions in vitro or in situ. The images show delicate internal pattern, possibly reflecting the rotary-shadowed surface profile of the molecule. As a step to build the new system for the "Structural analysis of single molecules", we propose a procedure to quantitatively characterize the structural property of individual molecules; e.g. conformational type and precise view-angle of the molecules, if the crystallographic structure of the target molecule is available. This paper presents a framework to determine the observed face of the protein molecule by analyzing the surface profile of individual molecules visualized in freeze-replica specimens. A comprehensive set of rotary-shadowed views of the protein molecule was artificially generated from the available atomic coordinates using light-rendering software. Exploiting new mathematical morphology-based image filter, characteristic features were extracted from each image and stored as template. Similar features were extracted from the true replica image and the most likely projection angle and the conformation of the observed particle were determined by quantitative comparison with a set of archived images. The performance and the robustness of the procedure were examined with myosin head structure in defined configuration for actual application.     

Performance of plastic gear made of carbon fiber reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone: Part 2

Five kinds of PEEK/CF composites, made by blending poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) with three kinds of PAN type carbon fibers (CFs) and two kinds of pitch type CFs respectively, were injection-molded into gears. Their gear performance such as the load capability and the wear of tooth were evaluated. The wear properties of PEEK/CF gears extremely varied depending on the kinds of CFs, when the same type gears were combined and grease was initially applied. Also, the load capabilities were significantly influenced by the affinity between PEEK and CF. A composite gear reinforced with CF of the highest density indicated the highest load capability irrespective of the test conditions, due to the lowest abrasive property of the CF as well as the excellent affinity between PEEK and CF. Its load capability under a high temperature running condition was found to be superior to that of polyamideimide (PAI) composite gear or polyphenylenesulphide (PPS) composite gear.     

Quantitative evaluation of bone resorption activity of osteoclast‐like cells by measuring calcium phosphate resorbing area using incubator‐facilitated and video‐enhanced microscopy

Quantitative evaluation of the ability of bone resorption activity in live osteoclast‐like cells (OCLs) has not yet been reported on. In this study, we observed the sequential morphological change of OCLs and measured the resorbing calcium phosphate (CP) area made by OCLs alone and with the addition of elcatonin utilizing incubator facilitated video‐enhanced microscopy. OCLs, which were obtained from a coculture of ddy‐mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells, were cultured on CP‐coated quartz cover slips. The CP‐free area increased constantly in the OCLs alone, whereas it did not increase after the addition of elcatonin. This study showed that analysis of the resorbed areas under the OCL body using this method enables the sequential quantitative evaluation of the bone resorption activity and the effect of several therapeutic agents on bone resorption in vitro. Microsc. Res. Tech, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Epitaxial growth of WOx nanorod array on W(001)

Nanorods of substoichiometric tungsten oxide (WO_x) were grown on W(001) substrates. Two methods for the growth of nanorods were used: oxidation of the substrate under appropriate conditions and the deposition of tungsten oxide from a tungsten foil heated in the presence of oxygen. The grown nanorods were observed using a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. The diameters of the nanorods were 5–20 nm. The nanorods were slightly inclined from the directions parallel or normal to the surface. The inclination of nanorods was explained in terms of the epitaxial relationship between WO₃ crystals and the W(001) substrate. The WO₃ crystals formed at the initial stage of growth act as the nuclei of WO_x nanorods. We observed selective enhancement of the growth in a certain epitaxial direction depending on the method of growth, and an array of WO_x nanorods was produced on the W(001) substrate.     

The effect of small dose of topiroxostat on serum uric acid in patients receiving hemodialysis

Introduction : Topiroxostat, a recently developed xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is expected to have fewer adverse effects than allopurinol because it has different mechanism of action from alloprinol. However, its dosage, usage and safety have not been established in patients with impaired renal function or those undergoing dialysis at the development since no studies was conducted in these patients. Methods : Cross over clinical trial using 3 months of allopurinol and topiroxostat on 27 maintain Japanese HD patients were carried out. The effects on oxidative stress status of both drugs were also evaluated by measuring oxidation reduction potential. Findings : Twenty‐five of twenty‐seven patients completed study. The mean serum uric acid levels in the topiroxostat‐treated arm was significantly lower than it in the allopurinol‐treated arm time‐dependently (P < 0.0001). Corrected oxidative stress ratio defined as biological antioxidant potential/diacron reactive oxygen metabolites was significantly increased in topiroxostat‐arm (*P = 0.0035), but not in allopurinol‐arm (P = 0.1429). No significant difference was seen in diacron reactive oxygen metabolites, biological antioxidant potential, static oxidation‐reduction potential, and capacity oxidation‐reduction potential between pre and post treatment of both drugs. Discussion : It is suggested that a low dose of topiroxostat decreased serum uric acid sufficiently to maintain it below 7.0 mg/dL in patients receiving hemodialysis.     

Control of optical bandgap energy and optical absorption coefficient by geometric parameters in sub-10 nm silicon-nanodisc array structure

A sub-10 nm, high-density, periodic silicon-nanodisc (Si-ND) array has been fabricated using a new top-down process, which involves a 2D array bio-template etching mask made of Listeria-Dps with a 4.5 nm diameter iron oxide core and damage-free neutral-beam etching (Si-ND diameter: 6.4 nm). An Si-ND array with an SiO(2) matrix demonstrated more controllable optical bandgap energy due to the fine tunability of the Si-ND thickness and diameter. Unlike the case of shrinking Si-ND thickness, the case of shrinking Si-ND diameter simultaneously increased the optical absorption coefficient and the optical bandgap energy. The optical absorption coefficient became higher due to the decrease in the center-to-center distance of NDs to enhance wavefunction coupling. This means that our 6 nm diameter Si-ND structure can satisfy the strict requirements of optical bandgap energy control and high absorption coefficient for achieving realistic Si quantum dot solar cells.     

Construction of superconducting bulk magnet magnetron sputtering apparatus for fabrication of highly reflective optical mirrors

We have developed the two-cathode magnetron sputtering apparatus equipped with superconducting permanent magnet to produce Mo/Si multi-layer films, which would potentially serve as a high-quality optical mirror at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength of 13.5 nm. The best deposition condition was searched by analyzing the structure of the inter-diffusion layer formed in the Mo/Si bi-layer film prepared under different deposition conditions. It was found that (1) Xe gas should be used as inert gas species, (2) its pressure is lower than 4 × 10⁻² Pa, (3) a throw distance is longer than 250 mm and (4) discharge voltage around 2 kV. By making full use of these data, we synthesized Mo/Si multi-layer films and analyzed the structure and its effect on the reflectivity. The highest EUV-reflectivity so far obtained is 67% in the normal incident condition.     

Molecular Dynamics Study of Radial Corrugation in Carbon Nanotubes

Molecular dynamics simulations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes under hydrostatic pressure are performed to elucidate the novel class of radial buckling in the systems. It is revealed by all-atom simulations that the initial circular cross section transforms into a flower-like wavy configuration at critical pressure on the order of hundreds mega pascals or less. This kind of radial buckling, called radial corrugation, originates from the competition of the three relevant energies in the system: in-plane strain energy, van der Waals interaction energy between adjacent tubes, and out-of-plane bending energy. Their possible consequences for physical properties of carbon nanotubes are also discussed.