SrO capping effect for La2O3/Ce-silicate gate dielectrics

The chemical bonding states and electrical characteristics of SrO capped La₂O₃/CeO_x gate dielectric have been examined. Angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement has revealed that Sr atoms diffuse into silicate layer to form SrLa-silicate after annealing. Owing to the incorporation of Sr atoms into silicate layer, a transistor operation with an equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) below 0.5 nm has been demonstrated. A strongly degraded effective electron mobility of 78 cm²/V s at 1 MV/cm has been obtained, which fit well with the general trend in small EOT range below 1 nm. Although process optimization is needed to improve the performance of transistors, Sr capping technique can be useful for EOT scaling.     

Silicon planar-apertured probe array for high-density near-field optical storage

We propose a novel, to our knowledge, silicon planar-apertured probe array as an optical head for high-density near-field optical storage. In comparison with a conventional fiber probe employed for near-field optical storage the apertured probe array has a higher readout data-transmission rate and better mechanical durability. A probe array with an aperture size of 100 nm was fabricated by use of photolithography and wet etching of a silicon wafer. Subwavelength-readout capability was demonstrated by use of one aperture of the probe array. Furthermore, we achieved a 16 times increase in the light-transmission efficiency of the probe array by installing glass-sphere microlenses on each aperture. The increase was confirmed by measurement of the near-field optical intensity.     

Experimental study for high effective mobility with directly deposited HfO2/La2O3 MOSFET

We experimentally examine the effective mobility in nMOSFETs with La₂O₃ gate dielectrics without SiO_x-based interfacial layer. The reduced mobility is mainly caused by fixed charges in High-k gate dielectrics and the contribution of the interface state density is approximately 30% at N_s = 5 × 10¹¹ cm^?2 in the low 10¹¹ cm^?2 eV^?1 order. It is considered that one of the effective methods for improving mobility is to utilize La-silicate layer formed by high temperature annealing. However, there essentially exists trade-off relationship between high temperature annealing and small EOT.     

A new family of heparin-binding growth/differentiation factors: increased midkine expression in Wilms' tumor and other human carcinomas

Midkine (MK) and heparin-binding growth-associated molecule/pleiotrophin form a new family of heparin-binding growth/differentiation factors. We studied MK gene expression in human tumors. In normal human reference tissues, MK was highly expressed in the mucosal tissue of the small intestine, moderately in the thyroid, weakly in the tissues of the lung, colon, stomach, kidney, and spleen, and not at all in the liver. All of 6 surgically removed specimens of Wilms' tumor highly expressed MK. Also, a moderate to intense level of MK expression was noted in the majority of surgically removed hepatocellular carcinomas. The MK mRNA level was analyzed in a number of cultured and nude mice-transplanted lines of human tumors. In stomach, colon, pancreatic, lung, and esophageal carcinomas, a moderate to high level of MK expression was found in the majority of them. These results suggest an important role of MK in the development and/or biological behavior of tumors and raised a possibility to use MK as a diagnostic marker. Heparin-binding growth associated molecule/pleiotrophin mRNA was low or scarcely detectable in samples analyzed thus far except for significant levels of the expression that were observed in PA-1 teratocarcinoma cells and in some surgical specimens of Wilms' tumor.     

Photosensitized hydrogen evolution from water using a single-walled carbon nanotube/fullerodendron/SiO2 coaxial nanohybrid

A coaxial nanohybrid consisting of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), fullerodendron, and SiO(2) shows high-efficiency light-driven hydrogen evolution from water. Upon visible light irradiation, SWCNT/fullerodendron/SiO(2) coaxial nanohybrid shows hydrogen evolution activity in the presence of methyl viologen (MV(2+)), benzyldihydronicotinamide (BNAH), and a colloidal polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)-Pt.     

Importance of Kupffer Cells in the Development of Acute Liver Injuries in Mice

Kupffer cells reside within the liver sinusoid and serve as gatekeepers. They produce pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and other biologically important molecules upon the engagement of pattern recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors. Kupffer cell-ablated mice established by in vivo treatment with clodronate liposomes have revealed many important features of Kupffer cells. In this paper, we review the importance of Kupffer cells in murine acute liver injuries and focus on the following two models: lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury, which is induced by priming with Propionibacterium acnes and subsequent challenge with LPS, and hypercoagulability-mediated acute liver failure such as that in concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis. Kupffer cells are required for LPS sensitization induced by P. acnes and are a major cellular source of interleukin-18, which induces acute liver injury following LPS challenge. Kupffer cells contribute to Con A-induced acute liver failure by initiating pathogenic, intrasinusoidal thrombosis in collaboration with sinusoidal endothelial cells. The mechanisms underlying these models may shed light on human liver injuries induced by various etiologies such as viral infection and/or abnormal metabolism.     

Development of bifacial PV cells for new applications of flat-plate modules

Bifacial cells have been developed for use in flat-plate static-concentrator modules and bifacial photovoltaic modules. All but one of the fabrication processes are conventional mass production processes, making it possible to produce these cells at low cost. By using 12.5×12.5 cm SOG wafers, bifacial cells with about 15% front- and 10.5% rear-illumination efficiencies have already been developed, and cells achieving higher efficiencies for both surfaces are being developed now. By applying these cells, a bifacial-cell-type flat-plate static-concentrator module showed 82% optical-collection efficiency for normal-incident light with a 2.0 concentration ratio. We have also applied bifacial cells for non-concentrating bifacial modules and developed a new application that reduces the limitations on PV module installation.