New color TV cameras for ultraviolet, near infrared and visiblelight

Two kinds of TV cameras have been developed that are capable of showing the wavelengths of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light by means of a false color method. One is sensitive to wavelengths from 250 to 650 nm (ultraviolet to yellow). It can simulate the color vision of the honey bee and other insects, reproducing the nectar guide of a flower or displaying the sex of a cabbage white moth, which is indistinguishable to the naked eye. The other is sensitive to a wider wavelength of 250 to 1,050 nm (ultraviolet to near infrared). According to the filter selected, it obtains not only visual images of invisible light information but also pictures same as those from an ordinary color camera. These TV cameras can be applied in many fields, including science, art, medicine, and industry     

The effects of R-75,317 on antiglomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis in rats

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent inflammatory mediator which is released by various inflammatory cells and produced by certain tissues, including the kidney. PAF has been shown to increase glomerular permeability to protein and to decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by contracting mesangium. On the basis of these observations, it has been suspected that PAF may play a role as mediator of glomerular damage in glomerular nephritis. To examine this possibility, we studied the effects of a specific PAF antagonist, R-75,317, on the development of an experimental model of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis was initiated by injecting rabbit anti-rat GBM serum into rats. Proteinuria gradually developed after serum injection, plateaued at week 2, and remained at the high level of week 2 throughout the experimental period (6 wk). Chronic treatment with R-75,317 (10 mg/kg/day i.p.) tended to delay the onset of proteinuria and significantly accelerated the recovery phase. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) fell to 40% at week 3. R-75,317 treatment completely prevented this decline of Ccr. Histological changes in this model (glomerular hypertrophy, proliferation of mesangial matrix and interstitial fibrosis) were also ameliorated by the R-75,317 treatment. The results suggest that PAF may play a role in the development of glomerulonephritis and that PAF antagonists could be used in the treatment of human renal disease. Based on a paper presented at the Third International Conference on Platelet-Activating Factor and Structurally Related Alkyl Ether Lipids, May 1989.     

Integrated-optic dispersion slope equalizer for N/spl times/ several tens of Gb/s WDM transmission

We report a dispersion slope equalizer on a planar lightwave circuit for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission. This device consists of an array of lattice-formed equalizers with different compensation values fabricated on one wafer and arrayed-waveguide gratings for wavelength multi/demultiplexing. We describe its configuration, operational principle, parameter design, fabrication, and measured characteristics in detail. N/spl times/20 and N/spl times/40 Gb/s slope equalizers were fabricated and their characteristics agreed well with designed values. We also report a reduction in the bias electrical power needed for thermooptic phase shifters in the equalizer array that we realized by employing a phase trimming technique normally used for optical switches.     

Contribution of IL-1 beta to the enhancement of Campylobacter rectus lipopolysaccharide-stimulated PGE2 production in old gingival fibroblasts in vitro

Campylobacter rectus is associated with adult periodontitis. We previously reported that C. rectus lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in old cells of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) is higher than that in young cells. The present study examined whether an enhancement of C. rectus LPS-stimulated interleukin (IL)-1 beta production in old HGFs contributed to the increased production of PGE2. LPS was prepared from C. rectus ATCC33238. HGFs were established from healthy gingiva in three patients, aged 10-12 years. Cellular aging in culture was determined with increasing doubling. The cultured cells were treated with LPS (0.01-10 micrograms/ml), and the amount of IL-1 beta in the medium was measured after a 24 h incubation. The LPS-stimulated IL-1 beta production in each old cell (corresponding to 57-67% of complete life-span) was increased (1.6-2.6 times) compared to that in the young cells (corresponding to 17-20% of the life-span). The IL-1 beta mRNA synthesis in the presence of LPS in the old cells was higher than that in the young cells. The enhancement of LPS-stimulated PGE2 production was inhibited by anti-IL-1 beta antibody and by IL-1 receptor antagonist. These findings suggest that the greater ability of old cells to produce PGE2 in response to C. rectus LPS is due to their greater level of IL-1 beta.     

Eight-channel flat spectral response arrayed-waveguide multiplexer with asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder filters

An eight-channel flat spectral response arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer with asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder filters has been fabricated on the planar lightwave circuit (PLC). The monotonic spectral loss characteristics of AWG have been canceled by the opposite spectral response in the asymmetric MZ filter. The 1.5 dB bandwidth of 141 GHz and 3 dB bandwidth of 159 GHz are obtained for the 200 GHz channel spacing. The 1.5 dB bandwidth becomes 1.8 times wider than that of the conventional AWG. Crosstalks to neighboring and all other channels are less than -24 dB and the on-chip insertion losses range from 7.0 to 7.4 dB, respectively.     

HLA-A26 subtype A pockets accommodate acidic N-termini of ligands

BACKGROUND: Fiberoptic flexible sigmoidoscopy (FFS) is routinely requested preoperatively as part of evaluation of pelvic masses to exclude colonic involvement by the tumor or concurrent colonic neoplasm. The aim of our study was to evaluate the utility of preoperative FFS in patients with suspected gynecologic malignancy. METHODS: FFS, performed using a 60 cm sigmoidoscope, evaluated (1) presence of bowel involvement by the tumor, (2) extrinsic compression by the tumor, and (3) presence of colonic neoplasms. FFS findings were correlated with surgical findings. RESULTS: A total of 107 women underwent preoperative FFS and subsequent surgery. Eleven patients (11%) had lower gastrointestinal symptoms. At surgery, 63% of pelvic tumors were malignant and 37% were benign. The most common abnormality at FFS was colonic polyps in 23 patients (21%). Colonic adenomas were found in 11 patients (10%). Extrinsic compression by the tumor without mucosal abnormalities was seen in 15 patients (14%). The most common intraoperative finding was tumor adhering to the bowel in 18 patients requiring dissection, but only 1 patient required bowel resection. Eight of these 18 patients had preoperative lower gastrointestinal symptoms. All 15 patients with extrinsic compression at FFS had tumor adhering to the bowel. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic masses cause extrinsic compression at FFS in 14% of patients. This is suggestive of tumor adherent to the bowel at surgery. However, bowel resection is rarely required because of tumor involvement. Most patients with bowel adherence by tumor have lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Colonic adenomas are found in one tenth of patients, mostly in patients older than 50 years of age. Preoperative FFS does not change the surgical management of pelvic tumors. Screening FFS is indicated in all patients with pelvic tumors over age 50, as in persons with average risk, but is otherwise unnecessary in evaluation of pelvic masses.     

Characterization of Silicon Carbide–Silicon Nitride Composite Ultrafine Particles Synthesized Using a CO2 Laser by Silicon-29 Magic Angle Spinning NMR and ESR

The structure of silicon carbide–silicon nitride (SiC–Si₃N₄) composite particles synthesized using a CO₂ laser was studied by magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) and electron spin resonance (ESR). The structure around Si atoms changed by introducing N. C atoms around Si were substituted by N atoms, and N-rich configurations around Si atoms increased stepwise as the N content increased. The low N content composite particles consisted of mainly SiC phase containing dissolved N. N atoms were partly present in β-SiC microcrystal and partly in the grain boundary layer in the particle. N atoms were tetrahedrally surrounded by four Si atoms in β-SiC microcrystal and were trivalent state bonded to three Si atoms in the grain boundary layer. The high N content particles consisted of SiC, Si₃N₄, and amorphous phases, whose amount depended on N content.     

Role of tungsten in promoting selective reduction of NO with CO over Ir/WO3–SiO2 catalysts

Catalytic hydrogenation of naphthalene to decalin was studied over a carbon-supported rhodium catalyst in supercritical carbon dioxide solvent at 333 K, and the results were compared with those in an organic solvent. cis-, trans-Decalin and tetralin were formed from the beginning of the reaction in supercritical carbon dioxide. Higher concentration of hydrogen in carbon dioxide solvent and on the active site, and also the suppression of desorption of partially hydrogenated tetralin molecules from the active site would be responsible for higher selectivity to cis-decalin in supercritical carbon dioxide than that in an organic solvent.     

Effect of polymer density on polyethylene hollow fiber membrane formation via thermally induced phase separation

Microporous high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) hollow fiber membranes were prepared from polyethylene–diisodecyl phthalate solution via thermally induced phase separation. Effect of the polyethylene density on the membrane structure and performance was investigated. The HDPE membrane showed about five times higher water permeability than the LDPE membrane because it had the larger pore and the higher porosity at the outer membrane surface. The formation of the larger pore was owing to both the initial larger structure formed by spinodal decomposition and the suppression of the diluent evaporation from the outer membrane surface due to the higher solution viscosity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 471–474, 2004