A 34-ns 16-Mb DRAM with controllable voltage down-converter

A high-speed 16-Mb DRAM with high reliability is reported. A multidivided column address decoding scheme and a fully embedded sense-amplifier driving scheme were used to meet the requirements for high speed. A low-power hybrid internal power supply voltage converter with an accelerated life-test function is also proposed and was demonstrated. A novel substrate engineering technology, a retrograded well structure formed by a megaelectronvolt ion-implantation process, provides a simple process sequence and high reliability in terms of soft error and latch-up immunity.<>     

Affinity of T-3761 to ocular melanin and intraocular dynamics

The affinity of T-3761 to melanin was examined with synthetic melanin comparing other quinolones. The binding rates with synthetic melanin were from 37% to 48% for tosufloxacin, sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. Binding rate of ofloxacin at 28% was lower and T-3761 was lowest at 22%. Intraocular dynamics of T-3761 and ofloxacin were investigated in pigmented rabbits after a single oral administration at a dose of 20 mg/kg. In both drugs, the concentrations in the melanin bearing tissues were higher and the disappearances from the melanin bearing tissues were more slowly than those of the non-melanin bearing tissues. T-3761 concentrations in the melanin bearing tissues were significantly lower than ofloxacin. In vitro uptake amount to melanin bearing tissue of ofloxacin was 1.4-2.4 times larger than that of T-3761.     

Computational techniques for the verification of hybrid systems

Hybrid system theory lies at the intersection of the fields of engineering control theory and computer science verification. It is defined as the modeling, analysis, and control of systems that involve the interaction of both discrete state systems, represented by finite automata, and continuous state dynamics, represented by differential equations. The embedded autopilot of a modern commercial jet is a prime example of a hybrid system: the autopilot modes correspond to the application of different control laws, and the logic of mode switching is determined by the continuous state dynamics of the aircraft, as well as through interaction with the pilot. To understand the behavior of hybrid systems, to simulate, and to control these systems, theoretical advances, analyses, and numerical tools are needed. In this paper, we first present a general model for a hybrid system along with an overview of methods for verifying continuous and hybrid systems. We describe a particular verification technique for hybrid systems, based on two-person zero-sum game theory for automata and continuous dynamical systems. We then outline a numerical implementation of this technique using level set methods, and we demonstrate its use in the design and analysis of aircraft collision avoidance protocols and in verification of autopilot logic.     

Ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy and contralateral downbeat nystagmus due to unilateral paramedian thalamopenduncular infarction--a case report

A case of midbrain and thalamic infarction which showed complete oculomotor nerve palsy of the ipsilateral eye and monocular downbeat nystagmus, ptosis, upward movement disturbance and adduction disturbance of the contralateral eye was reported. The patient is a 53-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital because of sudden onset of double vision. Head magnetic resonance imaging showed unilateral midbrain and thalamic infarction. The midbrain lesion was located in the paramedian area and the bilateral ptosis, bilateral upward gaze palsy and adduction disturbance of the contralateral eye were considered to be caused by the lesion involving the unilateral oculomotor nucleus. This case is considered to be important because the association of contralateral monocular downbeat nystagmus is very rare.     

Twelve cases of systemic lupus erythematosus in boys]

We compared clinical findings in 12 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in boys with those in 49 cases in girls. The age at which SLE developed in boys was consistent with that of infantile SLE and there was no age specificity. Momy cases in boys were diagnosed earlier as compared with cases in girls. Symptoms of infantile SLE, such as fever, arthalgia, butterfly rash, and urinary abnormalities, did not differ between boys and girls. However, a higher percentage of boys (58.3%) had central nervous system complications at onset than did girls (30.6%). Platelet counts tended to be higher in boys than in girls, a finding that suggests SLE tends to be more severe in boys than in girls. The incidence in the appiarance of LE cells, anti-Sm antibodies and immune complexes was higher in boys than in girls. Type IV or V renal pathologic changes (World Health Organization Histologic Classification) were present in 70% of boys. Our findings suggest that SLE in boys is more severe than that in girls and is more likely to be associated with central nervous system complications and severe renal complications.     

Managing transboundary rivers: The case of the Mekong river basin

Abstract

During the last decade, leaders of the Mekong Countries have found it mutually advantageous to open up the Mekong Sub‐Region (MR) for development and trade, which promises some degree of political stability and regional security. Within the present political, cultural, and economic dynamics, the Mekong River Basin (MRB) ‐ one of the major international river basins in MR ‐ is a powerful catalyst for regional cooperation that facilitates sustainable development and regional stability; if, that is, the effective management intervention is in place to make sure that the benefits and costs of river basin development are spread equitably and peacefully. Nonetheless, there are numerous stumbling blocks in achieving integrated and balanced MRB management, such as limited success in real basin wide planning, implementation and monitoring and a poor knowledge base for supporting informed decision making and, finally, political impediments.

A workable and truly regional cooperative mechanism for integrated management of the MRB is yet to be developed, regardless of the existence of numerous regional institutions and organizations. The present paper proposes new schemes with (re)designing principles and performance determinants for a regional cooperative mechanism.     

Oxygen pressure measurements of silica saturated Fe-O-SiO2 melts by the EMF method using zirconia solid electrolyte

The thermodynamic properties of silica-saturated iron silicate slags have been studied from oxygen partial pressure measurements using a solid electrolyte galvanic cell. The oxygen activity in molten silver bath equilibrated with iron silicate slags was determined by the following cell type, Pt, NiNiOJO= /slag-Ag(O), LaCrO₃, Pt at temperatures between 1473 and 1573 K for the slags ranging in compositions from iron saturation to magnetite saturation. The oxygen partial pressures obtained in this investigation were in good agreement with those given by the previous study using the CO-CO₂ gas equilibrium method. The data showed that the Fe^{+ ++}/Fe⁺⁺ ratio is proportional to . Formerly Graduate Students, Kyoto University     

Micro electro-discharge machining using water as a working fluid 2: Narrow slit fabrication

Micro-electro discharge machining (MEDM) using water as a working fluid, with its advantages of high removal rate and low electrode wear without formation of carbonaceous material, for deep micro-hole drilling with large ratios of depth to diameter is applied to the fabrication of narrow slits used for ultra-violet spectrometers. The optimum condition for narrow slit fabrication is investigated concerning the electric discharge circuit and combinations of electrode, workpiece materials and electrode polarity.

As a result, it is possible to fabricate fine slits as narrow as 20 μm wide and 3 mm long with fairly fine surface roughness of around 1 μm. Comparative estimation with an optical diffraction method shows that slits made by MEDM and commercially available ones made by photoetching are both of the same level in quality as determined from the higher order spots of the diffraction pattern. The MEDM method is superior to photoetching in fabricating finer and more accurate slits much faster.     

Growth of NiWO4 crystals from a Na2W2O7 flux

Well-formed rod crystals of NiWO₄ were grown from a Na₂W₂O₇ flux by a slow cooling method. The solubility of NiWO₄ in Na₂W₂O₇ increased with increasing temperature. At 1100 °C, NiWO₄ was dissolved in Na₂W₂O₇ at a concentration of about 45 mol %. The eutectic temperature was 615± 5 °C. Flux growth was conducted by heating mixtures at 1100 °C for 10 h, followed by cooling to 500 °C at a rate of 5 °C h^–1. The brownish and transparent crystals up to 15 mm in length were grown from the mixtures of about 40 g. The most suitable solute content was 30 mol %. The grown crystals were bounded by the {100}, {010}, {110}, {102}, and {111} faces. In certain instances, the {111} faces disappeared. The EPMA data showed that sodium from the flux used was not contained within the grown crystals. The crystals of NiWO₄ had a d.c. electrical resistivity of about 1 × 10¹¹ cm.     

Performance Maintenance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using a Latent Heat Storage Material

Recently, there has been considerable interest in various renewable energies. Among them, solar cell production has increased markedly because the photovoltaic is a clean and safe power generation method. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has attracted much attention as an alternative to silicon solar cells due to lower manufacturing costs and plentiful resources for DSSC production. However, the performance of DSSCs has been limited by their durability and low photoelectric conversion efficiency. Temperature control of DSSCs via phase-change materials (PCMs) is expected to improve performance. In this study, DSSCs were heated or cooled with a heat exchanger copper block that was in contact with a PCM (heptadecane), while being irradiated by a solar simulator light source. The durability and photoelectric conversion efficiency of the DSSC improved under PCM temperature control.