Resistance to wear and cavitation erosion of bearing alloys

Sliding wear and vibratory cavitation erosion tests in paraffin oil were carried out on bearing alloys, i.e. tin-based and lead-based white metals, Cu-Pb alloy and leaded bronze. In lubricated wear under mild conditions the surface is worn smooth and a slight difference exists between the wear resistances of the four alloys. In cavitation erosion an eroded surface which is much rougher than the worn surface is formed. Cavitation erosion is affected strongly by the composition and crystal structure of the alloy and thus the erosion resistances of the four alloys differ greatly, the ranking of resistance being lead-based white metal < Cu-Pb alloy < tin-based white metal < leaded bronze. The surface damage, which is caused by the joint action of cavitation erosion and wear, was also investigated by rubbing the eroded surfaces which had been exposed to cavitation erosion for various times. This damage becomes larger with increasing cavitation damage. The resistance to this damage differs much more in the four alloys tested and tends to correlate with the results of the erosion tests rather than those of the wear tests. Therefore, it is clear that the cavitation erosion resistance should be considered in the selection of bearing materials.     

The Association of Cholesterol Uptake and Synthesis with Histology and Genotype in Cortisol-Producing Adenoma (CPA)

Cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA) is composed of clear and compact cells. Clear cells are lipid abundant, and compact ones lipid poor but associated with higher production of steroid hormones. PRKACA mutation (PRKACA mt) in CPA patients was reported to be associated with more pronounced clinical manifestation of Cushing’s syndrome. In this study, we examined the association of histological features and genotypes with cholesterol uptake receptors and synthetic enzymes in 40 CPA cases, and with the quantitative results obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis in 33 cases to explore their biological and clinical significance. Both cholesterol uptake receptors and synthetic enzymes were more abundant in compact cells. GC-MS analysis demonstrated that the percentage of compact cells was inversely correlated with the concentrations of cholesterol and cholesterol esters, and positively with the activity of cholesterol biosynthesis from cholesterol esters. In addition, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), which catalyzes cholesterol biosynthesis from cholesterol esters, tended to be more abundant in compact cells of PRKACA mt CPAs. These results demonstrated that both cholesterol uptake and biosynthesis were more pronounced in compact cells in CPA. In addition, more pronounced HSL expression in compact cells of PRKACA mt CPA could contribute to their more pronounced clinical manifestation.     

Identification of Neoantigens in Cancer Cells as Targets for Immunotherapy

The clinical benefits of immune checkpoint blockage (ICB) therapy have been widely reported. In patients with cancer, researchers have demonstrated the clinical potential of antitumor cytotoxic T cells that can be reinvigorated or enhanced by ICB. Compared to self-antigens, neoantigens derived from tumor somatic mutations are believed to be ideal immune targets in tumors. Candidate tumor neoantigens can be identified through immunogenomic or immunopeptidomic approaches. Identification of neoantigens has revealed several points of the clinical relevance. For instance, tumor mutation burden (TMB) may be an indicator of immunotherapy. In various cancers, mutation rates accompanying neoantigen loads may be indicative of immunotherapy. Furthermore, mismatch repair-deficient tumors can be eradicated by T cells in ICB treatment. Hence, immunotherapies using vaccines or adoptive T-cell transfer targeting neoantigens are potential innovative strategies. However, significant efforts are required to identify the optimal epitopes. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the identification of neoantigens and discussed preclinical and clinical studies based on neoantigens. We also discuss the issues remaining to be addressed before clinical applications of these new therapeutic strategies can be materialized.     

Effects of V content on hydrogen storage properties of V–Ti–Cr alloys with high desorption pressure

Hydrogen storage is one of the most important issues to realize hydrogen society especially for on-board usage. Recently, high-pressure metal hydride (MH) tank attracts many attentions due to its high volumetric hydrogen storage density and relatively easy heat management. To emphasize its merits, further improvements of properties of MH, such as capacity, hydrogen desorption capability at low temperature and durability, are required. In this paper, V–Ti–Cr alloys of V-rich compositions were investigated with perspective of increasing of hydrogen desorption pressure and durability. In both of 60at%V–Ti–Cr and 80at%V–Ti–Cr alloys, good relationship between hydrogen desorption pressure and Ti content was observed. In comparing with 60at%V–Ti–Cr alloys, 80at%V–Ti–Cr alloys showed good durability. It is quite notable that relationship between limitation line (upper substitution limit of Ti by Cr without degradation of hydrogen capacity) and desorption pressure for V–Ti–Cr ternary system with V-rich composition is clarified. And also, it is revealed that in the case of V–Ti–Cr ternary system, not only Ti/Cr ratio but also V content is important factor to obtain alloys with high hydrogen desorption pressure. 75at%V–5at%Ti–Cr as-cast sample showed good durability, hydrogen desorption capability at low temperature and relatively high effective hydrogen capacity simultaneously.     

Efficient electron transport in 4,4′-bis[N-(1-napthyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl and the applications in white organic light emitting devices

The electron transport capability of 4,4′-bis[N-(1-napthyl)-N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl (α-NPD) was investigated by fundamental physical measurements named as current–voltage (I–V) electrical property evaluation and displacement current measurement (DCM). In electron-dominated devices, the I–V characteristics of α-NPD were similar as that of (8-hydroxyquinolino) aluminum (Alq₃) owing to their same order of electron mobilities. The interface of Al/LiF and α-NPD was proven to be an Ohmic contact through the evaluation of I–V characteristics at low bias regime (<3 V). And an electron injection barrier, 0.21 eV, at Al/LiF/α-NPD was obtained by extrapolating the temperature dependent I–V curves. The electron transport behavior in α-NPD film was further confirmed by DCM evaluations. Furthermore, an efficient white organic light emission device was successfully fabricated by using α-NPD as hole transport layer and electron transport layer, respectively.     

Cathode properties of metal trifluorides in Li and Na secondary batteries

Fluorine compounds have high discharge voltage due to its highly ionic metal-ligand bonds. In them, perovskite-type metal trifluorides with corner sharing matrix have large bottlenecks of diffusion pathways for intercalants. Iron trifluoride composites (FeF₃-C) prepared by planetary ball milling with carbon showed reversible charge/discharge behavior not only for Li, but also for Na anodes. X-ray diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy were applied to characterize the electrochemical properties of FeF₃ vs. Li and Na anodes. The cathode performances of the other commercially available transition metal trifluorides such as MF₃ (M = Ti, V, Mn, Co) have been also investigated.     

Cloning and characterization of a β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (BmFDL) from silkworm Bombyx mori

In insects, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (GlcNAcase) participates in critical physiological processes such as fertilization, metamorphosis, and glycoconjugate degradation. Insects produce glycoproteins carrying paucimannosidic-type N-glycans, the terminal GlcNAc residue of which is cleaved by a GlcNAc-linkage specific GlcNAcase, also known as the fused lobes (FDL) protein. To obtain information on the structure of GlcNAcases and insight into their contribution to physiological processes, we cloned Bombyx mori FDL (BmFDL) from silkworm larvae. The full-length cDNA (1.9 kb) encoded a protein of 633 amino acids with 42% amino acid sequence identity to Drosophila melanogaster FDL (DmFDL). Recombinant BmFDL cleaved only β-1,2-linked GlcNAc residues from the α-1,3 branch of biantennary N-glycan. This substrate specificity was similar to that of DmFDL. Microsomal FDL activity was inhibited by anti-BmFDL antibodies. Taken together, our results suggest that BmFDL is a N-glycan-processing GlcNAcase in B. mori.     

Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes of palladium thin films measured in situ by spectroscopic ellipsometry

The hydrogenation and dehydrogenation switching processes of Pd thin films were analyzed by measuring in situ in real time the variation in ellipsometric Ψ and Δ during hydrogenation and dehydrogenation using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The hydrogenation proceeded from the film surface and a mixture layer of metal and hydride was formed at the surface. With time elapse, the thickness of the mixture layer increased rapidly. After the whole Pd metal layer transformed to the mixture layer, the concentration of hydride in the mixture layer increased. Finally, the concentration reached 1; the whole Pd in the mixture layer was hydrogenated, and the hydrogenation of Pd was complete. On the other hand, the dehydrogenation proceeded in a way completely opposite to the hydrogenation process; the concentration of hydride in the mixture layer decreased, Pd metal layer was formed at the interface between the film and the substrate, and the whole layer returned to Pd metal. The dehydrogenation proceeds much faster than hydrogenation.     

Combined biochemistry and histocytochemistry as a tool to investigate Ecto-ATPase in the cardiac muscle

Ecto-ATPase (ecto-adenosine triphosphatase), a key enzyme of cardiac metabolism, is responsible for modulation of the concentration of extracellular nucleotides in the heart. We present methodology consisting of the combined use of biochemical and histocytochemical techniques to study its properties. Using samples from essentially the same preparation, we applied biochemistry and histocytochemistry to determine biochemical characteristics of ecto-ATPase and an in situ localization of its reactivity. Our results indicated that detected enzyme resists fixation, depends on divalent ions, and hydrolyzes ATP, but not AMP or ADP-beta-S. Reaction product of the enzyme activity was found confined to the extracellular surface of the plasma membrane of cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells due to the corresponding orientation of the enzyme active sites. Experiments using an inhibitor justified specificity of the reaction. When used together with molecular biological and immunocytochemical techniques, the present methodological approach should be capable of yielding important information about the actual ability of ecto-ATPase to operate.     

Minimal design for human–agent communication

Robots have been envisaged as both workers and partners of humans from the earliest period in their history. Therefore, robots should become artificial entities that can socially interact with human beings in social communities. Recent advances in technology have added various functions to robots. The development of actuators and grippers show us infinite possibilities for factory automation, and robots can now walk and perform very smoothly. All of these functions have been developed as solutions for improving robot movement and performance. However, there are many remaining problems in the communication between robots and humans. Communication robots provide one approach to the realization of embodied interfaces. Furthermore, the unsolved problems of human–robot communication can be clarified by adopting the concept of subtractive methods. In this article, we consider the minimal design of robots from the viewpoint of designing communication. By minimal design, we mean eliminating the nonessential portions and keeping only the most fundamental functions. We expect that the simple and clean nature of minimally designed objects will allow humans to interact with these robots without becoming uninterested too quickly. By exploiting the fact that humans have “a natural dislike for the absence of reasoning,” artificial entities built according to minimal design principles can extract the human drive to relate with others. We propose a method of designing a robot that has “character” and is situated in a social context from the viewpoint of minimal design. This work was presented in part at the 10th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, February 4–6, 2005