National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

About: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is a government organization based out in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Thin film. The organization has 22114 authors who have published 65856 publications receiving 1669827 citations. The organization is also known as: Sangyō Gijutsu Sōgō Kenkyū-sho.

Superconductivity in Novel BiS2-Based Layered Superconductor LaO1-xFxBiS2

Abstract: Layered superconductors have provided some interesting fields in condensed matter physics owing to the low dimensionality of their electronic states. For example, the high- T c (high transition temperature) cuprates and the Fe-based superconductors possess a layered crystal structure composed of a stacking of spacer (blocking) layers and conduction (superconducting) layers, CuO 2 planes or Fe-Anion layers. The spacer layers provide carriers to the conduction layers and induce exotic superconductivity. Recently, we have reported superconductivity in the novel BiS 2 -based layered compound Bi 4 O 4 S 3 . It was found that superconductivity of Bi 4 O 4 S 3 originates from the BiS 2 layers. The crystal structure is composed of a stacking of BiS 2 superconducting layers and the spacer layers, which resembles those of high- T c cuprate and the Fe-based superconductors. Here we report a discovery of a new type of BiS 2 -based layered superconductor LaO 1- x F x BiS 2 , with a T c as high as 10.6 K.

Room Temperature Impact Consolidation (RTIC) of Fine Ceramic Powder by Aerosol Deposition Method and Applications to Microdevices

Abstract: Ceramic integration technology requires downsizing and/or improvement of device performance in many applications, such as in the fabrication of microelectromechanical systems, display devises, fuel cells, optical devices, and RF components. For these applications, realization of high-speed deposition rate, low process temperature, and fine patterning in ceramic coating are very important. The aerosol deposition (AD) method has many advantages for above requirements in comparison with conventional thin-film method or thermal spray coating technology. In this article, advantages of the AD method are highlighted by realizing a comparison with conventional thin-film methods and thermal spray technology. Challenges associated with AD method are also highlighted. At the end, examples of integration of AD method in the fabrication of electronic components are also given to show the easiness in usage and in integration of this method in the device process flow.

MicroRNA-140 is expressed in differentiated human articular chondrocytes and modulates interleukin-1 responses.

Abstract: Objective MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of noncoding small RNAs that act as negative regulators of gene expression. MiRNA exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns, and changes in their expression may contribute to pathogenesis. The objectives of this study were to identify miRNA expressed in articular chondrocytes, to determine changes in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage, and to address the function of miRNA-140 (miR-140). Methods To identify miRNA specifically expressed in chondrocytes, we performed gene expression profiling using miRNA microarrays and quantitative polymerase chain reaction with human articular chondrocytes compared with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The expression pattern of miR-140 was monitored during chondrogenic differentiation of human MSCs in pellet cultures and in human articular cartilage from normal and OA knee joints. We tested the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on miR-140 expression. Double-stranded miR-140 (ds–miR-140) was transfected into chondrocytes to analyze changes in the expression of genes associated with OA. Results Microarray analysis showed that miR-140 had the largest difference in expression between chondrocytes and MSCs. During chondrogenesis, miR-140 expression in MSC cultures increased in parallel with the expression of SOX9 and COL2A1. Normal human articular cartilage expressed miR-140, and this expression was significantly reduced in OA tissue. In vitro treatment of chondrocytes with IL-1β suppressed miR-140 expression. Transfection of chondrocytes with ds–miR-140 down-regulated IL-1β–induced ADAMTS5 expression and rescued the IL-1β–dependent repression of AGGRECAN gene expression. Conclusion This study shows that miR-140 has a chondrocyte differentiation–related expression pattern. The reduction in miR-140 expression in OA cartilage and in response to IL-1β may contribute to the abnormal gene expression pattern characteristic of OA.

Reversal of subjective temporal order due to arm crossing.

Abstract: How does the brain order successive events? Here we studied whether temporal order of two stimuli delivered in rapid succession, one to each hand, is determined before or after the stimuli are localized in space. When their arms were crossed, subjects could accurately report the temporal order, even when the interval between stimuli was as short as 70 ms. In most trials, subjects could also judge temporal order when their arms were crossed, but only if given adequate time (>1 s). At moderately short intervals (<300 ms), crossing the arms caused misreporting (that is, inverting) of the temporal order. Thus, at these intervals, the determining factor of temporal order was the spatial location of the hands. We suggest that it is not until the spatial locations of the hands are taken into account that the cutaneous signals from the respective hands are ordered in time.