Preparation of Laminin-apatite-polymer Composites Using Metastable Calcium Phosphate Solutions

A synthetic polymer with a laminin-apatite composite layer on its surface would be useful as a percutaneous device. The preparation of such a composite was attempted in the present study using poly（ ethylene terephthalate ） （PET） and polyethylene （PE） as the synthetic polymer. PET and PE plates and those pretreated with an oxygen plasma were alternately dipped in calcium and phosphate ion solutions, and then immersed in a metastable calcium phosphate solution supplemented with laminin （ LCP solution ）. The PET and PE plates pretreated with an oxygen plasma formed a uniform and continuous layer of a laminin-apatite composite on their surfaces. In contrast, the PET and PE plates that had not been pretreated with an oxygen plasma did not form a continuous layer of a laminin-apatite composite on their surfaces. The hydrophilic functional groups on the PET and PE surfaces introduced by the plasma treatment were responsible for the successful laminin-apatite coruposite coating.     

Tuple calculus: Formal definition and conversion from first-order calculus

In classical database theory, relational calculus has long been used in expressing query formulae and integrity constraints. In fact, relational calculus formulae are much easier to deal with than first-order formulae when evaluating queries and validating database updates in the database environment. In deductive databases, however, first-order calculus is preferred because it is convenient when proof procedures are involved. Since both situations should coexist in advanced information systems, it is very desirable to devise a conversion procedure between relational calculus and first-order calculus. In this paper, interpretation of first-order formulae in the database environment is discussed first, then tuple calculus, an extension of relational calculus, is presented. This extension enables us to describe query formulae and general rules necessary in advanced information systems, in particular, dealing with complex objects. Finally, a conversion algorithm from first-order formulae into tuple calculus formulae is presented. Several application issues are also included.     

A 0.1-μm delta-doped MOSFET fabricated with post-low-energyimplanting selective epitaxy

A simple fabrication technology for delta-doped MOSFETs, named post-low-energy implanting selective epitaxy (PLISE) is presented. The PLISE technology needs no additional photo-lithography mask, deposition step or etching step even for CMOS devices. The only additional step is growing undoped epitaxial channel layers by UHV-CVD after the channel implantation. With this technology, delta-doped NMOSFETs with 0.1-μm gate length were successfully fabricated. By optimizing the epi-layer thickness and the channel doping level, short-channel effects are suppressed enough to achieve 0.1-μm gate length. Moreover, the junction capacitance at zero bias is reduced by 50%     

The temperature dependence of luminescence from a long-lasting phosphor exposed to ionizing radiation

The temperature dependence of luminescence from a long-lasting phosphor (LLP), SrAl₂O₄ : Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺, exposed to ionizing radiation has been measured to understand the LLP luminescence mechanism. Evaluation of the decay constants of the LLP exposed to -, β- or γ-rays at temperatures from 200 to 390 K showed that the decay constant is divided into four components ranging from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻¹ s⁻¹ with activation energies of 0.02–0.35 eV.

Total luminous intensity from the LLP with changing irradiation temperature has its maximum value around the room temperature. Irradiation at elevated temperature (390 K) has the total luminescence pattern with monotonous decrease as temperature rises. As a result of evaluating the temperature dependence of luminescence, the luminescence mechanism is considered as follows:

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Fiber-optic devices for local area network application

Recent developments on fiber-optic devices are reviewed from the local area network (LAN) application viewpoint. Future technical trends are also discussed, along with current research activities. In local area network systems, low device cost and easy maintenance or maintenance-free devices are especially required. Light sources and photodetectors suitable for the systems are described. InGaAsP/InP light emitting diodes can cover a broad application field, up to a gigabits per second super high-speed network region. Optical passive devices, which include branching couplers, switches and connectors, are mentioned as essential components. Compact transmitter/receiver module technology is a key factor in realizing optical-fiber local area network systems. An example of 200-Mbit/s transmitter/receiver module is reported.     

Effect of Forming Pressure on the Internal Structure of Alumina Green Bodies Examined with Immersion Liquid Technique

Green bodies prepared by compaction of alumina granules were made transparent by an immersion liquid technique, and the internal structure was characterized with an optical microscope to study the effect of forming pressure on the internal structure. Clear images obtained by the technique provide more detailed information than other existing methods for structures ranging from one to tens of micrometers. Intergranular pores were present between unfractured granules. Their sizes and concentration tended to decrease with increasing forming pressure. However, pores were clearly present even in the green body prepared at 600 MPa. A rod- and needlelike feature was also found and was concluded to correspond to a high-density region. The significance of large pores and high-density regions on processing as well as the details of the technique is discussed.