DNA damage induced by m-phenylenediamine and its derivative in the presence of copper ion

We have previously reported that long-term priming of human polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN) with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) increased the fMLP-stimulated calcium influx. We now show that also after short-term incubation with IFN-gamma, PMN calcium metabolism is modulated. Single adherent cells in three different calcium-containing buffers (high, normal, and low [Ca2+]) were stimulated with the bacterial peptide fMLP or the Ca-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (Tg) after about 5 min preincubation with IFN-gamma. The results of this protocol indicated that IFN-gamma increases both calcium influx and calcium sequestration. Store dependent Ca2+ influx, directly measured on readdition of calcium to Tg-treated cells incubated in EGTA buffer, was significantly enhanced in IFN-gamma-treated cells. This effect of IFN-gamma was enhanced by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A. Strikingly, in low extracellular calcium concentrations, IFN-gamma induced calcium transients in 20%-60% of the cells. The proportion of PMN responding with Ca2+ transients increased with decreasing extracellular calcium concentration. Average lagtime from addition of IFN-gamma to a response that could be measured was 7.3 sec, and average increase in [Ca2+] above the basal level was 790 nM. These IFN-gamma-induced transients could not be depressed by herbimycin A. Thus, IFN-gamma can increase capacitative calcium influx, induce calcium transients, and possibly affect calcium sequestration in human PMN.     

The use of phase diagrams and thermodynamic databases for electronic materials

Phase diagrams and a thermodynamic database constructed by the Calculation of Phase Diagrams approach offer powerful tools for alloy design and materials development. This article presents recent progress on the thermodynamic database for microsolders and copper-based alloys, which is useful for the development of lead-free solders and prediction of interfacial phenomena between solders and the copper substrate in electronic packaging technology. In addition, examples of phase diagram applications are presented to facilitate the development of Co-Cr-based magnetic recording media in hard disks and new ferromagnetic shape-memory alloys. For more information, contact K. Ishida, Tohoku University, Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Aoba-yama 02, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.     

Effect of grain size on creep of Ti-53.4mol%Al intermetallics at 1100 K

Constant stress creep under compression stress, 100 to 316 MPa, at 1100 K was investigated on single-phase TiAl intermetallics. The material was ingot-cast, isothermally forged, and then annealed to produce stable equi-axed grain structures, whose average grain diameters were 25, 42 and 70m. Creep curves were very similar among the three specimens with different grain diameters and the creep rates at a given strain, as well as the minimum creep rates, depended little on grain size. Two regimes were observed on the stress dependence of the minimum creep rate. The stress exponent under high stresses was about 4.5, independent of grain size. Under stresses lower than about 150 MPa it became about 8.     

Fast computation of computer-generated hologram using Xeon Phi coprocessor

We report fast computation of computer-generated holograms (CGHs) using Xeon Phi coprocessors, which have massively x86-based processors on one chip, recently released by Intel. CGHs can generate arbitrary light wavefronts, and therefore, are promising technology for many applications: for example, three-dimensional displays, diffractive optical elements, and the generation of arbitrary beams. CGHs incur enormous computational cost. In this paper, we describe the implementations of several CGH generating algorithms on the Xeon Phi, and the comparisons in terms of the performance and the ease of programming between the Xeon Phi, a CPU and graphics processing unit (GPU).     

Plasma developable photoresist containing electronic excitation energy quenching system

A dry developable negative working resist composition comprised of poly(methyl isopropenyl ketone) (PMIPK) and 4-methyl-2,6-di(4′-azido-benzylidene) cyclohexanone-1 was examined. The main photochemical product formed in the resist pattern was found to be a secondary amine which crosslinks PMIPK. Post-annealing forms a hydrogen-bonded product which shows a powerful electronic excitation energy quenching effect. The quencher is more powerful than the aromatic compound arising from the azide by post-annealing only. The residual resist thickness of the negative pattern is about 80 percent of the initial thickness of the coating in spite of all the azide compound remaining in the resist coating. The obtained dry developed resist pattern has a high dry etch resistance. Etchings of Si and SiO₂ were performed by plasma and reactive ion etching, respectively.     

Moiré‐reduction methods for integral videography autostereoscopic display with color‐filter LCD

Abstract— Moiré‐reduction methods for integral videography displays are proposed. Integral videography is based on the principles of integral photography and extended real‐time video processing. There are two moiré‐reduction methods that can be used for integral videography displays that have a lens array and a liquid‐crystal display. The first is color moiré, and the second is intensity moiré. To reduce color moiré, an optimized color‐filter layout in the liquid‐crystal display was used. To reduce intensity moiré, a defocusing method was used. Adesign of a viewing area for the integral videography display is also presented. To control the viewing area, the lens pitch and the shape of the integral videography elemental image was changed. A 5‐in. integral videography display was implemented by using the proposed methods, and an integral videography display was evaluated.     

Thermodynamic evaluation of Cu– system based on newly determined Gibbs energy of formation of

Thermodynamic evaluation of Cu–Cu₃P system has been conducted by applying subregular solution model with Gibbs energy of Cu₃P formation that was newly determined by means of triple Knudsen cell mass spectrometry. Both the calculated vapor pressure of phosphorus and phase diagram of Cu–P system are excellently consistent with the literature data in the composition range of Cu–Cu₃P, indicating that there is no significant thermodynamic inconsistency between the present work based on the Gibbs energy of Cu₃P formation determined and the literature data.     

Study on high performance ice slurry formed by cooling emulsion in ice storage (discussion on adaptability of emulsion to thermal storage material)

This study focuses on an emulsion as a new thermal storage material for ice storage. Two types of emulsions were formed using an oil–water mixture with a small amount of additive. A silicone, light and lump oils were used. The water contents of the emulsions were 70, 80 and 90%. The additive was an amino group modified silicone oil. No depression of freezing point was observed for the emulsions because of their hydrophobic properties. In order to determine the structure of the emulsions, their electrical resistances were measured. Moreover, components of the liquids separating from the emulsions were analyzed. The results indicated that one emulsion was a W/O type emulsion, while the other was an O/W type. Finally, adaptability of the two emulsions to ice storage was discussed, it was concluded that a high performance ice slurry could be formed by the W/O type emulsion.