A phase II study of high-dose epirubicin (EPI) plus cyclophosphamide (CPA) with G-CSF for breast cancer patients with visceral metastases or hormone-independent tumors: a trial of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group

In a previous study, we found that oral chromium nicotinate overcame sucrose-induced hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Accordingly, we examined more chromium compounds to determine if others were more or less effective in regulating blood pressure (BP) of SHR. Since chromium is postulated to be an antioxidant, we also assessed the ability of different chromium compounds to alter free radical formation measured by determining thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The control group of SHR ingested a diet low in chromium, and 5 other groups ate the same diet with various chromium compounds added at 5 ppm-chloride, acetate, nicotinic acid-glycine-cysteine-glutamic acid (NA-AA), picolinate, and nicotinate. Following this, the rats were challenged with drinking water containing 5% and 10% w/v sucrose. Except for NA-AA, all chromium compounds inhibited the sucrose-induced elevation of systolic BP; and acetate, picolinate, and nicotinate chromium compounds lowered HbAIC below control. Only chromium acetate and nicotinate significantly lowered both hepatic and renal TBARS. Chromium picolinate lowered hepatic TBARS, and chromium chloride and NA-AA lowered neither. We conclude that chromium, rather than a specific ligand, plays a major role in ameliorating sucrose-induced BP elevations and can act as an antioxidant.     

cDNA cloning, tissue distribution, and subcellular localization of horseshoe crab big defensin

A full-length cDNA for horseshoe crab big defensin with a strong antimicrobial activity was obtained from a hemocyte cDNA library. The open reading frame of the cDNA coded for an NH2-terminal signal sequence followed by a propeptide and the mature big defensin. The propeptide is linked to the mature protein through an -Arg-X-Lys/Arg-Arg- motif, the processing site for Kex2-like proteases. Northern blot analysis revealed that big defensin is expressed in all the tissues tested, suggesting that big defensin plays an important role not only in hemocytes but also in other tissues for host defense. The subcellular localization, determined by immunocytochemistry at ultrastructural level, confirmed the previous findings obtained by biochemical analysis that big defensin locates in both small and large granules in hemocytes. Big defensin is the first example to demonstrate the existence of broad tissue distribution in horseshoe crab.     

Benzobisthiazole as Weak Donor for Improved Photovoltaic Performance: Microwave Conductivity Technique Assisted Molecular Engineering

New donor–acceptor‐type copolymers comprised of benzobisthiazole (BBTz) as a weak donor rather than acceptor are proposed. This approach can simultaneously lead to deepening the HOMO and LUMO of the polymers with moderate energy offset against fullerene derivatives in bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaics. As a proof‐of‐concept, BBTz‐based random copolymers conjugated with typical electron acceptors: thienopyrroledione (TPD) and benzothiadiazole (BT) based on density functional theory calculations are synthesized. Laser‐flash and Xe‐flash time‐resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) evaluations of polymer:[6,6]‐phenyl C₆₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends are conducted to screen the feasibility of the copolymers, leading to optimization of processing conditions for photovoltaic device application. According to the TMRC results, alternating BBTz‐BT copolymers are designed, exhibiting extended photoabsorption up to ca. 750 nm, deep HOMO (–5.5 to –5.7 eV), good miscibility with PCBM, and inherent crystalline nature. Moreover, the maximized PCE of 3.8%, the top‐class among BBTz‐based polymers reported so far, is realized in an inverted cell using TiO_x and MoO_x as the buffer layers. This study opens up opportunities to create low‐bandgap polymers with deep HOMO, and shows how the device‐less TRMC evaluation is of help for decision‐making on judicious molecular design.     

Improving the detection of requirements discordances among stakeholders

This paper introduces a technique to identify requirements discordances among stakeholders. This technique is validated in experiments. An extended version of the goal-oriented requirements elicitation method, named attributed goal-oriented analysis (AGORA), and its supporting tool are used. Two types of requirements discordances among stakeholders are defined: the first arises from the different interpretations by the stakeholders and the second is the result of different evaluations of preferences. Discordances are detected by the preference matrices in AGORA. Each preference matrix represents both preferences of each stakeholder and the estimated preferences of other stakeholders. A supporting tool for the AGORA method was developed. This tool is a groupware that seamlessly combines face-to-face meetings for goal elicitation and distributed individual sessions for scoring preference values. The experimental results showed that the proposed classification of discordances was sound and that the occurrences of the requirements discordances could be detected by preference matrices.     

Resonance stub effect in a transition from a through via hole to a stripline in multilayer PCBs

We present results of study of the resonance stub effect occurring in a transition from a through via hole to a stripline in a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB). This effect for via structures including ground vias is estimated by numerical simulations and measurements in the frequency band up to 20 GHz. Ways to alleviate problems in the design of interconnections embedded in multilayer PCBs due to the resonance stub effect and possible applications of the effect in microwave filtering are traced.     

Development of an Accurate Positioning System Using Low-Cost L1 GPS Receivers

Abstract:   The present article reports the development of an accurate positioning system based on GPS technology. This system employs an inexpensive L1 GPS receiver and a small patch antenna. As these devices are very inexpensive and small, they can be attached to an array of sensor nodes of a wireless network sensing system. In the present study, we first develop a program that can be used to estimate the relative positions of receivers and evaluate its performance. Next, a number of experiments were conducted to assess the performance of the inexpensive L1 GPS receiver with a patch antenna. Compared to the results obtained using a sophisticated antenna, the present measurement system, which uses a patch antenna, is less accurate. However, the present system achieves an accuracy of 1–2 cm. This system can be used as a localization system for the sensor nodes or, because of its accuracy, as a displacement monitoring system.     

Effectiveness of an energy-consumption information system for residential buildings

The authors have proposed a method of reducing the energy consumption in residential buildings by providing household members with information on energy consumptions in their own houses. An on-line interactive “energy-consumption information system” that displays power consumptions of, at most, 18 different appliances, power and city-gas consumption of the whole house and room temperature, for the purpose of motivating energy-saving activities has been constructed and the effectiveness of the system investigated by installing it in 10 residential buildings. The experiment showed that energy-saving consciousness was raised and energy consumption was in fact reduced by the energy-saving activities of the household members. In this paper, the system is described in detail and the effectiveness of reducing energy-consumption of the whole house and for space heating will be discussed. Also the energy-saving activities in a certain household are shown by using load duration curves.     

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of E5324, an inhibitor of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits

E5324, n-butyl-N'-[2-[3-(5-ethyl-4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propoxy]-6- methylphenyl]urea, a novel and potent inhibitor of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), was evaluated for its anti-atherosclerotic and lipid-lowering effects in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. At 3 months of age, 40 male WHHL rabbits were divided into 4 groups. The rabbits were fed a standard rabbit chow (control group), or standard rabbit chow containing E5324 (0.1% or 0.02%) or 1% probucol for 16 weeks. Even the high dose of E5324 did not lower the plasma total cholesterol levels throughout the experiment. Probucol slightly reduced the plasma cholesterol levels, and showed anti-atherosclerotic activity, i.e., reductions of atherosclerotic plaque formation and cholesterol content in the aorta. Although E5324 did not lower plasma cholesterol, atherosclerotic plaque formation in the aortic arch and thoracic aorta was reduced (by about 34% and 41%, respectively, at the high dose; P < 0.05). Cholesterol content in the aortic arch and thoracic aorta was also reduced (by about 59% and 62% at the high dose, respectively) compared with the control. These results suggest that E5324 acts directly on the arterial wall through ACAT inhibition, and prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in WHHL rabbits.