Practical studies on rockfall simulation by DDA

In this paper,simulations of real rockfall by discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) are conducted.In the simulations,the energy losses of rockfall are categorized into three types,i.e.the loss by friction,the loss by collision,and the loss by vegetation.Modeling of the energy loss using absolute parameters is conducted by the DDA method.Moreover,in order to verify the applicability and validity of the proposed DDA,field tests on rockfall and corresponding simulations of rockfall tests by DDA are performe...     

Detection of short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms by microchip electrophoresis for individual identification of cattle

A simple and rapid detection of short tandem repeat (STR) markers was studied as a screening test for individual identification of cattle. DNAs were extracted from eight commercial beef samples by a proteinase K-boil method followed by purification with 2-propanol precipitation. Five STR markers, known to be highly polymorphic, were amplified by PCR and analyzed both by a conventional sequencing analysis (SEQ) and by a proposed microchip electrophoresis (MEP). Every marker revealed high polymorphism, such as 5-9 alleles in SEQ analysis, and 4-6 alleles in MEP analysis. This simple and rapid MEP analysis is expected to be an effective screening tool with use of confirmatory SEQ analysis.     

采用第6代IGBT硅片的IGBT模块

从2007年开始上市的最新NX系列绝缘栅双极型晶体管(Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor,简称IGBT)模块,采用统一的封装和功率硅片.其端子和电路结构具有前所未有的灵活性.在NX系列开发的第1阶段,采用的第5代载流子存储式沟槽型双极型晶体管(Carrier Stored Trench Gate Bipolar Transistor,简称CSTBTTM)硅片技术实现了高效性能.介绍在NX系列开发的第2阶段所采用的1.2 kv第6代IGBT硅片技术.新的第6代IGBT模块进一步提高了效率并降低了噪声,从而拓宽了客户的应用范围.     

The effect of the structural order of isotactic polypropylene containing magnetically aligned nickel particles on its electrical resistivity

The effect of the high order structure of an isotactic polypropylene (PP) composite on the resistivity of composites containing magnetically aligned Ni particles was studied. Only a small amount of particles needed to be added for the composite material to become conducting after heating while in a magnetic field. The Ni columns formed on applying the field were distorted by the formation of large PP spherulites. Changes to the crystallization process due to the addition of a nucleating agent gave rise to changes in the columnar structure, resulting in large changes in the resistivity of the composite material. Controlling the high order structure of the polymer matrix including its morphology is very important in order to be able to control the magnetically aligned Ni structure.     

Oxidative Stress/Angiotensinogen/Renin-Angiotensin System Axis in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

Although recent studies have proven that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockades retard the progression of diabetic nephropathy, the detailed mechanisms of their reno-protective effects on the development of diabetic nephropathy remain uncertain. In rodent models, it has been reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important for intrarenal angiotensinogen (AGT) augmentation in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. However, no direct evidence is available to demonstrate that AGT expression is enhanced in the kidneys of patients with diabetes. To examine whether the expression levels of ROS- and RAS-related factors in kidneys are increased with the progression of diabetic nephropathy, biopsied samples from 8 controls and 27 patients with type 2 diabetes were used. After the biopsy, these patients were diagnosed with minor glomerular abnormality or diabetes mellitus by clinical and pathological findings. The intensities of AGT, angiotensin II (Ang II), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization and/or immunohistochemistry. Expression levels were greater in patients with diabetes than in control subjects. Moreover, the augmented intrarenal AGT mRNA expression paralleled renal dysfunction in patients with diabetes. These data suggest the importance of the activated oxidative stress/AGT/RAS axis in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.     

Evaluation of an oleic acid water-in-oil-in-water-type multiple emulsion as potential drug carriervia the enteral route

A water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion composed of oleic acid was used as a carrier of carboxyfluorescein (CF)via the enteral route, as a model for future drug transport. The absorption of CF in the small intestine of rats given the emulsion (W/O/W group) was compared with the absorption in a group administered CF alone (CF group), and a surface-active agent in CF solution (MM group). Higher amounts of CF were absorbed in the W/O/W and MM groups than in the CF group. At 120 min, the amount of CF remaining in the intestinal tract was smaller in the MM group than in the W/O/W group. In the early period, CF excretion into bile was higher in the MM group than in the W/O/W group was higher than in the MM group (non-specific). The blood CF level was significantly higher at 240 and 360 min in the W/O/W group than in the other two groups. The highest concentration in lymph was found in the W/O/W group. The W/O/W emulsion was considered superior to the micelles because it maintained a higher blood level of CF over long periods and transferred it to the lymph. This suggests that the W/O/W emulsion is applicable as a drug carriervia the enteral route.     

Nanoprint lithography of gold nanopatterns on polyethylene terephthalate

Nano-order metal pattern printing on plastic substrates was established by using hard stamp nanoprint lithography (NPL). A spin-on-glass (SOG) material, which is almost the same as quartz in composition, was used as the material for the hard stamp. The SOG acted as a positive-tone electron beam (EB) resist. Nanopatterns were fabricated by using electron beam lithography (EBL), and a developed pattern of SOG was used as the hard stamp. Further, two types of release coating methods were utilized. One method used a conventional silan coupling agent and the other, a chromium layer. After comparing the results of the methods, we found that the chromium layer formed a smooth surface and therefore used this layer as the release layer. In addition, chromium was changed to Cr₂O₃ because of the exposure to atmospheric air. Gold was used as the transfer metal and was deposited on the hard stamp covered with the chromium release layer. This stamp was then placed in contact with a PET substrate at 80 °C for 30 min. A gap width of less than 30 nm of gold was transferred onto the PET substrate. This process is very simple, and yet, it makes it possible to obtain a very high resolution metal pattern transfer by using hard stamp NPL.     

Heart current in an anatomically realistic human model due to contact with a low-frequency energized source

Distributions of 60 Hz contact current around and inside the heart of the anatomically realistic human body are demonstrated under four scenarios: left hand to both feet, right hand to both feet, hand to hand, and foot to foot. The heart-current ratios and the heart-current factors are calculated. The new numerical method which is partly modified from the conventional scalar potential finite difference (SPFD) method is proposed. It is found that a part of ∼33–40% of the total contact current passes through the heart in three scenarios of one hand to either the other hand or feet, and these heart-current ratios are much larger than the ones reported by Freiberger. Furthermore, the heart-current factor is almost the same as the one in IEC 60479-1 for the right-hand-to-feet path, but is twice as much as the one in IEC 60479-1 for the hand-to-hand path. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.