折叠之舞

这所住宅位于日本古老的首都--京都中心传统住宅街区内,由建筑师Kentaro Takeguchi+Asako Yamamoto/ALPHAVILLE共同设计建造。由于地区性建筑规范和邻里关系的制约,住宅外部延续了日本传统木制别墅的特征,尽量低调谦和地融入外部传统街区环境之中。当夜暮降临,透过住宅临街的木质格栅散透出柔和的暖光,晕染着这个     

Mutated KIT Tyrosine Kinase as a Novel Molecular Target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

KIT is a type-III receptor tyrosine kinase that contributes to cell signaling in various cells. Since KIT is activated by overexpression or mutation and plays an important role in the development of some cancers, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors and mast cell disease, molecular therapies targeting KIT mutations are being developed. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), genome profiling via next-generation sequencing has shown that several genes that are mutated in patients with AML impact patients’ prognosis. Moreover, it was suggested that precision-medicine-based treatment using genomic data will improve treatment outcomes for AML patients. This paper presents (1) previous studies regarding the role of KIT mutations in AML, (2) the data in AML with KIT mutations from the HM-SCREEN-Japan-01 study, a genome profiling study for patients newly diagnosed with AML who are unsuitable for the standard first-line treatment (unfit) or have relapsed/refractory AML, and (3) new therapies targeting KIT mutations, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors. In this era when genome profiling via next-generation sequencing is becoming more common, KIT mutations are attractive novel molecular targets in AML.     

Surface modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) by plasma polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol)

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was ‘polymerized’ onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surface by radio frequency (RF) plasma polymerization of PEG (average molecular weight 200 Da) at a monomer vapour partial pressure of 10 Pa. Thin films strongly adherent onto PET could be produced by this method. The modified surface was characterized by infra red (IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cross-cut test, contact angle measurements and static platelet adhesion studies. The modified surface, believed to be extensively cross-linked, however showed all the chemical characteristics of PEG. The surface was found to be highly hydrophilic as evidenced by an interfacial free energy of about 0.7 dynes/cm. AFM studies showed that the surface of the modified PET became smooth by the plasma polymerized deposition. Static platelet adhesion studies using platelet rich plasma (PRP) showed considerably reduced adhesion of platelets onto the modified surface by SEM. Plasma ‘polymerization’ of a polymer such as PEG onto substrates may be a novel and interesting strategy to prepare PEG-like surfaces on a variety of substrates since the technique allows the formation of thin, pin-hole free, strongly adherent films on a variety of substrates.     

Behavioral responses of malePeriplaneta americana L. to female sex pheromone components,periplanone-A and periplanone-B

Bioassays were performed on malePeriplaneta americana L. using synthetic (–)-periplanone-B (P-B) and Hauptmann's (–)-periplanone-A (P-A), and their mixtures at various ratios to estimate the roles of both periplanones for the sexual communication of the species. Both P-A and P-B elicited qualitatively the same responses, such as antennal movement, rapid locomotion, wing raising, and homosexual behavior of male cockroaches, but the threshold of the pheromone activities for P-B was two orders of magnitude lower than that of P-A. Neither synergistic nor inhibitory but only a simple integrated effect on the responses was observed when mixtures of P-A and P-B were applied.     

Novel Fabrication of High-Quality ZrO2 Ceramic Thin Films from Aqueous Solution

We report on the direct deposition of high-quality ZrO₂ thin films on various kinds of substrates by the liquid phase deposition method. After reaction for 24 h, thin films formed on various kinds of substrates, and the obtained thin film was comprised of densely packed nano-sized particles. The film annealed at 500°C showed a tetragonal phase at room temperature and this phenomenon has been discussed from the viewpoint of crystallite size effect. The result of optical transmittance measurement revealed that high transparency, more than 70% transmittance, has been achieved for the film after annealing at 900°C.     

Studies of oxidation behaviors of CdTe in ammoniacal basic electrolytes

The time variations in the electrode potential and mass of an electrodeposited CdTe layer when immersed in a deposition bath under an open-circuit condition were examined using an electrochemical QCM in order to observe the oxidation behavior due to dissolved oxygen. The morphology, composition, and crystallinity of the CdTe layer were also examined by SEM, EPMA, and XRD measurements. In the early stage of immersion, mostly only Cd atoms in the CdTe were found to dissolve from the zinc blende-type CdTe lattice, keeping the flat and smooth surface morphology intact. Then, the remaining Te formed a lattice of elemental Te and covered the CdTe layer. The electrolyte could penetrate the Te layer and access the CdTe layer's surface because the Te layer was porous due to the elution of Cd atoms. Therefore, the preferential dissolution of Cd species continued to occur, and finally, only the porous Te layer remained on the substrate. This dissolution of CdTe supports the validity of the potential-pH diagram of the Cd-Te-NH₃-H₂O system.     

GHTA welding phenomena of an aluminium alloy in a vacuum

The midair disintegration of the space shuttle 'Colombia', in which the total crew of 7 members was lost, occurred on 1^st February 2003. The circumstances of the crash shown on TV screens reaffirmed the public's view of the risks of space development and the importance of security. NASA has stopped any further space shuttle launches until the causes are fully investigated - a postponement of the completion of the International Space Station is inevitable. The operational life of the ISS is considered to be 10 years but it could be quite possible to prolong this if required for various reasons. Accordingly, it is highly likely that there will be requests for remodelling in order to achieve high levels of functional performance and to repair damage caused by debris impact and for other reasons. In order to meet these requirements it is essential to establish space welding technology.¹     

Deformation of Alumina Droplets on Micro-Patterned Substrates Under Plasma Spraying Conditions

The deformation of plasma-sprayed alumina droplets of 35-55 μm diameter d with an impact velocity of around 90 m/s has been investigated over various micro-patterned substrates with an arithmetic mean roughness of 0.5 μm. On a line-and-space pattern, droplets exhibited elliptical splats extending in the direction perpendicular to the line, when the normalized pattern spacing λ (= x/d) was 0.1-0.3, where x is the pattern spacing. The fingering of the splats was also caused by a concave pattern as well as by a convex pattern and the number of fingers significantly increased at λ = 0.2. In addition, holes suggesting air entrapment were observed off center in the bottom side of each splat by approximately 1.5 times the radius of the droplets, regardless of the pattern. These results suggest the importance of the surface design of substrate on the micrometer scale in plasma spraying.     

Correlation between corrosion rate and AE signal in an acidic environment for mild steel

The AE method is an effective technique for inspecting corrosion damage of mild steel, such as tank bottom floors. However, the correlation between AE signals and corrosion behaviour for mild steel has not yet been fully clarified. In the present study, the authors considered that the corrosion regions of bottom floors become a strong acid environment by Cl⁻, as reported in a previous study. Thus, the polarization resistance for the test pieces of mild steel was measured with an AC impedance method under a strong acid environment. It was clear that the polarization resistance indicated the corrosion rate for a test piece of mild steel in the experiments. While measuring the AE signals, the corrosion rate was monitored with a test piece. As a result, the AE signal showed good correlation with the corrosion rates of the test pieces. The corrosion behaviour of the test pieces was then discussed with the corrosion potential measured during the experiments. Furthermore, the cathode current was changed to control the generated hydrogen gas volume. The volume of the hydrogen gas generated from the cathode reaction was correlated to the AE signals.