Liquid phase growth of graphene on silicon carbide

We developed a novel method to produce graphene on silicon carbide (SiC) at a temperature as low as 1000 °C. The method is based on liquid phase growth (LPG) of graphene mediated by liquid gallium, which acts not only as a flux to store carbon dissolved from a surface of SiC when heated, but also as a catalyst to promote the formation of graphene on SiC when cooled. Our experimental results revealed that gallium-treated SiC substrates are coated with uniform and continuous graphene films. The LPG method is able to supply graphene films consisting of one to several hundreds of layers, depending on heating temperatures. Our approach can not only provide an alternative way to form graphene natively on SiC, but will also bring a technological breakthrough in industrial applications of graphene, e.g. the realization of graphene-on-insulator substrates.     

Phase I clinical study of oxaliplatin

Oxaliplatin is a new platinum derivative. A multicentric phase I study was conducted with a monotherapy of Oxaliplatin. A total of 20 patients were enrolled who had histologically proven 6 ovarian cancers, 5 uterine cervix cancers, 3 lung cancers, 3 breast cancers, 1 endometrial cancer, 1 gastric cancer, and 1 colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatin was administered as a 2-hour infusion at doses of 20, 40, 80, 130, and 180 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, for a total of 30 cycles. A dose-related and reversible peripheral sensory neuropathy was the dose-limiting toxicity with minimal hematotoxicity and no nephrotoxicity. No hydration was needed. The plasma platinum concentration was biphasically decreased. Cmax and AUC were dose-dependent. T1/2 beta was 31.3 hours. The recommended dose for further studies was 130 mg/m2. A partial response was observed in endometrial cancer.     

How small the contacts could be optimal for nanoscale organic transistors?

We report on a study seeking an optimized contact configuration for organic transistors that minimizes contact effects but maintains smallest contact size. We begin with the bulk access resistance in staggered transistors which results from the charge transport through the organic semiconductor film. Bulk access resistance is an intrinsic contributor to the contact resistance which has been little understood due to lack of a reliable study tool. In this work, we utilize the inner transported power inside the semiconductor film as a medium to investigate the contact resistance and the relevant contact effects. We examine the influences of the organic film thickness (t_SC), the channel length (L), the underlying charge transport and various organic semiconductor materials with variable carrier mobility. A roughly optimal contact length (L_C) of L_C0 ≈ 6t_SC is obtained. The results reveal that besides the device architecture the underlying charge transport should be also taken into account in designing organic transistors for practical application.     

Condensation heat transfer on tubes in actual flue gas (Parametric study for condensation behavior)

In order to improve boiler efficiency, latent heat recovery from the flue gas is a very important concept. Condensation heat transfer on horizontal tubes was investigated experimentally by using flue gas from a natural gas boiler. The parametric studies concerning the effects of tube stages, gas velocities, SO₂ in the flue gas, and Teflon‐lined tubes were conducted at a wide range of tube surface temperature. The heat transfer was enhanced at the second stage due to the wake turbulence of the first stage. No significant decrease of the condensation in the second stage due to the condensate falling from the first stage could be observed. Even at the high gas velocity condition, the condensation pattern was similar to that observed in previous low gas velocity experiments. The effect of SO₂ in the flue gas on the condensation behavior could not be observed. The heat and mass transfer behaviors on stainless‐steel and Teflon‐lined surfaces were well predicted with the analogy correlation. The above results suggested that the heat and mass transfer were dominated by the convection and diffusion process on the gas side. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 32(2): 153–166, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.10079     

Prefabricated osteomusculocutaneous flaps using calvarial bone: experimental study

Prefabricated osteomusculocutaneous flaps using free calvarial bone were examined and evaluated in a rat model. The animals were divided into two groups according to prefabrication time: 14 days in Group 1 (n = 10) and 28 days in Group 2 (n = 10). Nine of 10 preparations demonstrated neovascularization in Group 1, and all flaps showed neovascularization in Group 2. One flap was lost in Group 1 as a result of infection. Each group was evaluated histopathologically before the second stage of the experiment. Muscles without atrophy and osteocytes were noted in Group 1; however, Group 2 animals had both muscle atrophy and nonviable bone. The prefabricated osteomusculocutaneous flaps were then transferred as both island and free flaps. Flap viability was assessed on postoperative day 7 by macroscopic observation. Although all flaps survived in the island-flap group, two flaps failed to survive due to technical error in the free-flap group. Neovascularization was clearly evident by 2 weeks in the osteomusculocutaneous flaps; after 4 weeks, complete atrophy of the muscle meant that the flaps could no longer be characterized as osteomusculocutaneous. Clinically, it might be possible to use the outer table alone, in which case both thin skin and bone would be desirable. This study may provide a model for this approach.     

Effect of drug combination of antitumor activity and myelotoxicity

Concentrations of cortisol, corticosterone and cortisone in the plasma and adrenal glands, liver glycogen and plasma glucose of foetal, newborn and mother guinea-pigs were estimated during the last 6 days of pregnancy and throughout the first 24 h post partum. At the same time progesterone was measured in the plasma of the mother. During the prepartum rise in foetal plasma cortisol levels and liver glycogen, no significant change in the foetal adrenal cortisol content was observed. The plasma and adrenal cortisol concentrations of the mother were much higher than those observed in the foetus and increased significantly before parturition. In the mother as in the foetus, cortisone and corticosterone represent only a small percentage of corticosteroids compared with cortisol. These results indicate that the autonomous capacity of foetal adrenals, inhibited by maternal secretions before term, appears suddenly at birth.     

cDNA sequence for rkST1, a novel member of the sodium ion-dependent glucose cotransporter family

A full length cDNA for rkST1, a novel member of the Na+/glucose cotransporter family, was cloned from rabbit kidney and sequenced. The coding sequence comprised 2022 base pairs and 674 amino acids. rkST1 beared 50-60% amino acid identity to the other cotransporters and was characteristic in respect of its expression in brain in addition to kidney among the cotransporters.     

Development of a micro total analysis system incorporating chemiluminescence detection and application to detection of cancer markers

We developed a micro total analysis system (mu-TAS) incorporating chemiluminescence detection, in which the chemiluminescence reaction of isoluminol isothiocyanato (ILITC) (as a chemiluminescence reagent for labeling)-microperoxidase (as a catalyst)-hydrogen peroxide (as an oxidant) was adopted. The analysis system performed the following three processes on a microchip: immune reaction for high selectivity, electrophoresis for formation and transportation of the sample plug, and chemiluminescence detection for high sensitivity. The three processes were compactly integrated onto the microchip to give the mu-TAS. The microchip contained two microchannels that crossed at an intersection, while the ends of the microchannels accessed four reservoirs. As the first process, the immune reaction was performed using an antibody-immobilized glass bead. The glass bead was placed in one of the reservoirs along with antigen (analyte) and a known amount of ILITC-labeled antigen to set up a competitive immune reaction. For electrophoresis, as the second process, the reactant after the immune reaction was fed electrophoretically into the intersection resulting in a sample plug. The sample plug was then moved into another reservoir containing hydrogen peroxide solution. At this point, chemiluminescence detection was performed as the third process: the labeled antigen mixed with the hydrogen peroxide and the catalyst included in the migration buffer to produce chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescence was detected by a photomultiplier tube located under the reservoir. The mu-TAS described here was capable of determining, with high selectivity and sensitivity, human serum albumin or immunosuppressive acidic protein as a cancer marker in human serum.