The development of an electrodischarge machine for micro-hole boring

This paper describes an electrodischarge machine^† for micro-hole boring capable of improved accuracy and performance in boring precision small diameter holes in components such as ink jet nozzles for printers, electron gun apertures for graphic displays, micro-connectors for high-speed computers, and optical components for telecommunications. Micro-energy discharging permits machining of 15–300 μm diameter micro-holes with a roundness accuracy of 0.5 μm or better and a surface roughness less than 0.1 μm. No bending stress is applied to the tool electrode, therefore high precision machining of cylindrical surfaces, machining with very thin side-walls, and machining of overlapping multiple-holes are all possible, regardless of the hardness of any electrically conductive material. Tool electrodes of any diameter are machinable using reversed-polarity electric discharge and are replaceable in the same way as conventional drills. Travel of the tool electrode is controlled automatically by microprocessor, thus eliminating the need for a skilled operator.     

Lower Irritation Potential of Laureth‐3 Carboxylate Amino Acid Salt

Sodium laureth sulfate and amino acid type surfactants have been categorized as low‐skin irritation chemicals based on results of previous skin irritation tests. However, detergent‐induced skin irritation still occurs. Detergents with a low‐skin irritation effect are required, since the number of cosmetics for sensitive skin has increased. Therefore, an in vitro method of testing the safety of cosmetics for sensitive skin is required. Skin irritation by anionic surfactants was investigated to determine the effect of laureth‐3 carboxylate (polyoxyethylene lauryl carboxymethyl ether) amino acid salt on skin irritation. In addition, sodium laureth sulfate and amino acid type surfactants, regarded as low‐irritation surfactants, were also tested for skin irritation. The skin irritation effect of laureth‐3 carboxylate lysine salt (Surfactant 1 ), sodium laureth sulfate (Surfactant 2 ), and sodium N‐lauroyl glutamate (Surfactant 3 ) were investigated using a reconstructed human cultured epidermal model, LabCyte EPI‐MODEL24 6D. Cell viabilities of cultured epidermal cells exposed to Surfactant 1 (5.0 % aq.), Surfactant 2 , and Surfactant 3 were 82.0, 45.0 and 19.1 %, respectively. There were significant differences in cell viability upon exposure to 5.0 % aqueous test solutions of the three test chemicals. The results of the current investigation indicate that Surfactant 1 has a low skin‐irritation effect.     

LATTICE DEFECTS IN SOLID HELIUM

本文讨论了有关固体氦中晶格缺陷的若干问题,包括 1.hop ~4He中的范性形变 2.声速的反常温度关系 3.hcp ~4He和bcc ~3He中均匀蠕变的力     

Technologies towards patterned optical foils applied to transflective LCDs

Abstract— For better front‐of‐screen performance for transflective LCDs, a technology with extra free optimization parameters for the optical stack is needed. Thin wet coatable retarders which enable adjustment of the optical activity on the (sub)pixel level have been developed. Isotropic domains have been created in nematic retardation films by thermal patterning or photopatterning. Employing such a patterned retarder in a transflective LCD leads to an LCD that is lighter and thinner with good reflectivity, high transmission, and low chromaticity at all gray levels and wide viewing angles. The patterned thin‐film technology has been proven to be versatile and applicable in various LCD designs.     

Single-pulse ultraviolet laser recording of periodically poled structures in polymer thin films

A simple fabrication technique for nonlinear polymeric optical waveguide patterns is introduced based on the two-beam interference method. We determined that the second-order nonlinearity of poled polymer films is erased by single-pulse ultraviolet (UV) laser irradiation. The erasure mechanism for second-order nonlinearity is discussed. To form a periodic structure in an optical polymer waveguide, two types of optical configuration of two-beam interference were arranged, and a single-pulse UV laser was exposed directly onto poled films. We prove that this method provides a simple way to fabricate volume-type and ridge-type periodically poled structures, i.e., chi((2)) gratings, from the submicrometer to the millimeter range.     

Steroid hormones and their receptors in the brain

Steroid hormones regulate several important functions of the brain by altering the expression of particular genes through their receptors. First in this paper the localization of glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity and mRNA in the brain was examined. Second biphasic effects of glucocorticoid on the hippocampus was described and particular emphasis was given on the apoptosis. Third the significance of estrogen receptor in the sexually dimorphic areas was discussed. These results suggest that steroids modulate the gene expression along with the alteration of cell structures in a different manner in a tissue-specific pattern.     

High levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 in patients with colorectal cancer: association with disease progression

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Contribution of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) to tumor progression has been suggested. However, little is known about the role of TGF-beta 1 in colorectal cancer. Plasma TGF-beta 1 levels and its expression were analyzed in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Plasma TGF-beta 1 levels were measured in 22 patients with colorectal cancer using a TGF-beta 1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of TGF-beta 1 messenger RNA and immunohistochemical distribution of the protein in colorectal cancer tissues were examined. RESULTS: Plasma TGF-beta 1 levels in patients with colorectal cancer (14.8 +/- 8.4 ng/mL) were significantly higher than in normal controls (1.9 +/- 1.4; n = 22) (P < 0.001). After curative surgical resection, plasma TGF-beta 1 levels decreased in examined patients from 11.9 +/- 6.7 to 3.8 +/- 1.2 ng/mL (P < 0.01). TGF-beta 1 messenger RNA was about 2 1/2 times more abundant in colorectal cancer tissues than in control (P < 0.01). TGF-beta 1 was detected in the cytoplasm of colorectal cancer cells immunohistochemically. Both TGF-beta 1 messenger RNA expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and its plasma levels were associated with tumor stage of Dukes' classification (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that plasma TGF-beta 1 levels may reflect overexpression of the gene in colon cancer tissues and are associated with disease progression.     

Development of porous ceramics with well-controlled porosities and pore sizes from apatite fibers and their evaluations

Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics possessing well-controlled porosities and pore sizes were developed by firing apatite-fiber compacts mixed with carbon beads and agar. The total porosities could be controlled in the range from 40 to 85% by varying compaction pressure (20-40 MPa), firing temperature (1000-1300 degrees C) and carbon/HAp ratio (0/10-10/10 (w/w)). Most of the pores were regarded as open pores. The pore sizes were mainly affected by the carbon-bead diameter (5, 20 or 150 microm) and partly by the compaction pressure and the firing temperature. The pore sizes of the porous HAp ceramics derived from the carbon beads of 150 microm in diameter were distributed in the two separate ranges of several micrometers and more than 100 microm.