Correlations of Hepatic Hemodynamics,Liver Function,and Fibrosis Markers in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Comparison with Chronic Hepatitis Related to Hepatitis C Virus

The progression of chronic liver disease differs by etiology. The aim of this study was to elucidate the difference in disease progression between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by means of fibrosis markers, liver function, and hepatic tissue blood flow (TBF). Xenon computed tomography (Xe-CT) was performed in 139 patients with NAFLD and 152 patients with CHC (including liver cirrhosis (LC)). The cutoff values for fibrosis markers were compared between NAFLD and CHC, and correlations between hepatic TBF and liver function tests were examined at each fibrosis stage. The cutoff values for detection of the advanced fibrosis stage were lower in NAFLD than in CHC. Although portal venous TBF (PVTBF) correlated with liver function tests, PVTBF in initial LC caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH-LC) was significantly lower than that in hepatitis C virus (C-LC) (p = 0.014). Conversely, the liver function tests in NASH-LC were higher than those in C-LC (p < 0.05). It is important to recognize the difference between NAFLD and CHC. We concluded that changes in hepatic blood flow occurred during the earliest stage of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD; therefore, patients with NAFLD need to be followed carefully.     

Focus on Extracellular Vesicles: Development of Extracellular Vesicle-Based Therapeutic Systems

Many types of cells release phospholipid membrane vesicles thought to play key roles in cell-cell communication, antigen presentation, and the spread of infectious agents. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry various proteins, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs), like a “message in a bottle” to cells in remote locations. The encapsulated molecules are protected from multiple types of degradative enzymes in body fluids, making EVs ideal for delivering drugs. This review presents an overview of the potential roles of EVs as natural drugs and novel drug-delivery systems.     

Application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Evaluation of Drying Stress on Lumber Surface: A Comparison of Artificial Neural Networks and Partial Least Squares Regression

This study aimed to examine the feasibility of evaluating the stress level at the surface of lumber during drying using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with artificial neural networks (ANNs). Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) lumber with an initial moisture content ranging from 41.1 to 85.8% was dried using a commercial drying schedule. An ANN model for predicting surface-released strain (SRS) was developed based on NIR spectra collected from the lumber during drying. The predictive ability of the ANN model was compared with a partial least squares (PLS) regression model.

The ANN model showed good correlation between laboratory-measured SRS and predicted SRS with an R ² of 0.79, a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.0009, and a ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) of 1.81. The PLS regression model gave a lower R ² of 0.69, a higher RMSEP of 0.0010, and a lower RPD of 1.38 than the ANN model, suggesting that the predictive performance of the ANN model was superior to the PLS regression model. The SRS evolution during drying as predicted by the models showed a similar trend to the laboratory-measured one. The predicted elapsed times to reach maximum tensile SRS and stress reversal roughly coincided with the laboratory-measured times. These results suggest that NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis has the potential to predict the drying stress level on the lumber surface and the critical periods during drying, such as the points of maximum tensile stress and stress reversal.     

Development of a new heterojunction structure (ACJ -HIT) and its application to polycrystalline silicon solar cells

A new solar cell structure named HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) has been developed based on new artificially constructed junction (ACJ) technology. In this structure a non-doped a-Si thin layer was inserted between the p(a-Si)/n(c-Si) heterojunction, improving the output characteristics and achieving a conversion efficiency of 18.1%. This structure was applied to cast polycrystalline silicon solar cells of a practical size. A high conversion efficeincy of 13.6% was obtained with a cell size of 10 cm × 10 cm using various technologies, including hydrogen plasma passivation.     

Effect of Talc Size on Surface Roughness and Glossiness of Polypropylene Injection Molding Application to Automotive Plastics

Talc-containing polypropylene (PP) resin is extensively employed in automobiles. Herein, considering the microstructure transfer process in injection molding, the effect of the talc's dispersibility and particle size on this process and its impact on the gloss level of the product were investigated. Results show that a fine unevenness of about several micrometers was self-formed by the shrinkage of PP in nontransferred areas due to the blending of talc. Additionally, the amount of self-formed unevenness tended with an increase in the average particle size of talc. Furthermore, due to PP shrinkage and different densities of talc, it was observed that a fine tiger-stripe pattern was self-formed using special molds with modified microstructure. This self-formed fine unevenness changes the gloss level owing to the diffused light reflection effect. This study proposes controlling this change by controlling the average particle size of talc and structure of the mold. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:132–139, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation of raspberry‐like poly(methyl methacrylate) particles by seeded dispersion polymerization

The facile preparation of nonspherical raspberry‐like poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles by seeded dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on micron‐sized PMMA seed particles was described. Various polymerization parameters influencing the particle morphology, as well as the polymerization kinetic and morphological stability, were investigated in detail. It was found that the following polymerization conditions were necessary to prepare this kind of nonspherical particles: a relatively low temperature, an appropriate ratio of seed/MMA, an initiator with a relatively low decomposition rate, and a relatively low initiator concentration. These particles showed very good morphological stability at room temperature, but they changed to the spherical ones when heat treated at 60°C in methanol solution of MMA. The experimental results suggest that the prepared PMMA particles were kinetically favored and the localized polymerization of the MMA monomer on PMMA seed particle surface was responsible for the formation of the raspberry‐like particles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

THREE‐DIMENSIONAL SEISMIC GEOMORPHOLOGY OF PALEOKARST IN THE CRETACEOUS MACAÉ GROUP CARBONATES,CAMPOS BASIN,BRAZIL

Three‐dimensional seismic data from an oilfield in the Campos Basin, SE Brazil, was used to characterize a karstified unconformity surface at the top of the Albian – Cenomanian Macaé Group. Macaé Group carbonates underwent intense karstification associated with subaerial exposure during a period of some 10 to 15 Ma resulting in the development of canyons, valleys, sinkholes and cave systems. The carbonates host commercial oil accumulations at a number of important oil fields. Understanding how the karstification process has affected the carbonates' reservoir properties is essential for future exploration, not only to improve recovery rates but also to avoid drilling‐related issues such as thief zones. In this context, this study aims to characterize the top‐Macaé Group paleokarst system by investigating the morphology of the associated reflectors recorded on seismic data, together with endokarst features in the underlying carbonate succession such as cave systems and collapse structures. The top‐Macaé Group seismic horizon can be divided into two principal geomorphological domains: highlands, characterized by abrupt relief with well‐developed erosional features; and lowlands, marked by a smoother topography. Collapse sinkholes occur in both domains and take the form of closed circular depressions. The study of endokarst features from an analysis of amplitude anomalies (bright spots) indicates the presence of heterogeneous cave systems. The interpreted data contributes to a better understanding of the spatial distribution of the paleokarst system in the Macaé Group carbonates and may assist with future hydrocarbon exploration in the Campos Basin.     

Electrochemical analysis of perpendicular mesoporous Pt electrode filled with pure water for clarifying the active region in fuel cell catalyst layers

A perpendicular mesoporous platinum film is used as a model electrode to clarify the effectiveness of catalysts inside agglomerates of fuel cell catalyst layers on the basis of experimental facts. The analysis clarifies that: (i) Pt surface even apart from Nafion ionomer phase can be electrochemically active; (ii) its response is different from that of the surface covered with ionomer; and (iii) ionic resistance in pores filled with pure water is too high (ca. 0.18 MΩ cm) for fuel cell reactions to smoothly occur. We conclude that such catalysts in pores filled with pure water are ineffective for fuel cell reactions due to the high ionic resistance, though their catalytic activity is possibly higher than that of the catalysts covered with Nafion.     

Criteria for versatile GaN MOVPE tool:high growth rate GaN by atmospheric pressure growth

Growth rate has a direct impact on the productivity of nitride LED production.Atmospheric pressure growth of GaN with a growth rate as high as 10μm/h and also Al_0.1Ga_0.9N growth of 1μm/h by using 4 inch by 11 production scale MOVPE are described.XRD of（002） and（102） direction was 200 arcsec and 250 arcsec, respectively.Impact of the growth rate on productivity is discussed.