Showing papers by "Waseda University published in 2004"
Book•
01 Jan 2004TL;DR: In this paper, Bilinearization of soliton equations is discussed and the Backlund transformation is used to transform the soliton equation into a linear combination of determinants and pfaffians.
Abstract: Preface Foreword 1. Bilinearization of soliton equations 2. Determinants and pfaffians 3. Structure of soliton equations 4. Backlund transformations Afterword References Index.
2,132 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the future of mesoscopic properties of nanocomposite polymers is discussed, and several interesting results to indicate the foreseeable future have been revealed, some of which are described on materials and processing, together with basic concepts and future direction.
Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites are defined as polymers in which small amounts of nanometer size fillers are homogeneously dispersed by only several weight percentages. Addition of just a few weight percent of the nanofillers has profound impact on the physical, chemical, mechanical and electrical properties of polymers. Such change is often favorable for engineering purpose. This nanocomposite technology has emerged from the field of engineering plastics, and potentially expanded its application to structural materials, coatings, and packaging to medical/biomedical products, and electronic and photonic devices. Recently these 'hi-tech' materials with excellent properties have begun to attract research people in the field of dielectrics and electrical insulation. Since new properties are brought about from the interactions of nanofillers with polymer matrices, mesoscopic properties are expected to come out, which would be interesting to both scientists and engineers. Improved characteristics are. expected as dielectrics and electrical insulation. Several interesting results to indicate the foreseeable future have been revealed, some of which are described on materials and processing in the paper together with basic concepts and future direction.
889 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the centrality dependence of transverse momentum distributions and particle yields at the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (HIC).
Abstract: The centrality dependence of transverse momentum distributions and yields for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}},{K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}},p$, and $\overline{p}$ in $\text{Au}+\text{Au}$ collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{GeV}$ at midrapidity are measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. We observe a clear particle mass dependence of the shapes of transverse momentum spectra in central collisions below $\ensuremath{\sim}2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{GeV}∕c$ in ${p}_{T}$. Both mean transverse momenta and particle yields per participant pair increase from peripheral to midcentral and saturate at the most central collisions for all particle species. We also measure particle ratios of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}∕{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$, ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}∕{K}^{+}$, $\overline{p}∕p$, $K∕\ensuremath{\pi}$, $p∕\ensuremath{\pi}$, and $\overline{p}∕\ensuremath{\pi}$ as a function of ${p}_{T}$ and collision centrality. The ratios of equal mass particle yields are independent of ${p}_{T}$ and centrality within the experimental uncertainties. In central collisions at intermediate transverse momenta $\ensuremath{\sim}1.5--4.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{GeV}∕c$, proton and antiproton yields constitute a significant fraction of the charged hadron production and show a scaling behavior different from that of pions.
622 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reported the observation of a state consistent with X(3872) decaying into J/ψπ+π-decomposition, where the observed width was consistent with the detector resolution and the results were found to be converging well with the measurements by the Belle Collaboration using b± decays.
Abstract: The observation of a state consistent with X(3872) decaying into J/ψπ+π- was reported. The X(3872) mass was measured to be 3871.3±0.7(stat)±0.4(syst)MeV/c2 from a sample of 730±90 candidates. The observed width was consistent with the detector resolution. The results were found to be converging well with the measurements by the Belle Collaboration using b± decays.
455 citations
TL;DR: The First International Signature Verification Competition (SVC2004) recently was organized as a step towards establishing common benchmark databases and benchmarking rules and the experience gained will be very useful to similar activities in the future.
Abstract: sssHandwritten signature is the most widely accepted biometric for identity verification. To facilitate objective evaluation and comparison of algorithms in the field of automatic handwritten signature verification, we organized the First International Signature Verification Competition (SVC2004) recently as a step towards establishing common benchmark databases and benchmarking rules. For each of the two tasks of the competition, a signature database involving 100 sets of signature data was created, with 20 genuine signatures and 20 skilled forgeries for each set. Eventually, 13 teams competed for Task 1 and eight teams competed for Task 2. When evaluated on data with skilled forgeries, the best team for Task 1 gives an equal error rate (EER) of 2.84% and that for Task 2 gives an EER of 2.89%. We believe that SVC2004 has successfully achieved its goals and the experience gained from SVC2004 will be very useful to similar activities in the future.
454 citations
TL;DR: In this article, large-size single crystals of β-Ga 2 O 3 with 1-inc in diameter have been grown by the floating zone technique and the stable growth conditions have been determined by the examination of the crystal structure.
450 citations
TL;DR: In this article, organic-derived nitroxide radicals, including their polymer derivative, poly(2,2,6, 6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy methacrylate) (PTMA), were characterized as a new class of cathode-active materials for lithium batteries.
449 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of hydrogen in reducing ductile crack growth resistance is attributed to the increased creation of vacancies on straining, which is supported by a recent finding of amorphisation associated with crack growth.
Abstract: Recent studies of the characteristics and mechanism of hydrogen related failure in steels are overviewed. Based on an analysis of the states of hydrogen in steels, the role of hydrogen in reducing ductile crack growth resistance is attributed to the increased creation of vacancies on straining. Cases showing the involvement of strain induced vacancies in susceptibility to fracture are presented. The function of hydrogen is ascribed to an increase in the density of vacancies and their agglomeration, rather than hydrogen itself, through interactions between vacancies and hydrogen. The newly proposed mechanism of hydrogen related failure is supported by a recent finding of amorphisation associated with crack growth.
375 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a maintenance framework that shows management cycles of maintenance activities during the product life cycle, identifying technical issues of maintenance and discuss the advances of technologies supporting the change in the role of maintenance.
343 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the plasma concentrations of inflammatory mediators including cytokines induced by a single bout of eccentric exercise and again 4 weeks later by a second bout of the same muscle group.
Abstract: The aims of this study were to examine the plasma concentrations of inflammatory mediators including cytokines induced by a single bout of eccentric exercise and again 4 weeks later by a second bout of eccentric exercise of the same muscle group. Ten untrained male subjects performed two bouts of the eccentric exercise involving the elbow flexors (6 sets of 5 repetitions) separated by four weeks. Changes in muscle soreness, swelling, and function following exercise were compared between the bouts. Blood was sampled before, immediately after, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 24 h (1 d), 48 h (2 d), 72 h (3 d), 96 h (4 d) following exercise bout to measure plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, plasma concentrations of myoglobin (Mb), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), myeloperoxidase (MPO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), heat shock protein (HSP) 60 and 70. After the first bout, muscle soreness increased significantly, and there was also significant increase in upper arm circumference; muscle function decreased and plasma CK activity and Mb concentration increased significantly. These changes were significantly smaller after the second bout compared to the first bout, indicating muscle adaptation to the repeated bouts of the eccentric exercise. Despite the evidence of greater muscle damage after the first bout, the changes in cytokines and other inflammatory mediators were quite minor, and considerably smaller than that following endurance exercise. These results suggest that eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage is not associated with the significant release of cytokines into the systemic circulation. After the first bout, plasma G-CSF concentration showed a small but significant increase, whereas TNF-alpha and IL-8 showed significant decreases compared to the pre-exercise values. After the second bout, there was a significant increase in IL-10, and a significant decrease in IL-8. In conclusion, although there was evidence of severe muscle damage after the eccentric exercise, this muscle damage was not accompanied by any large changes in plasma cytokine concentrations. The minor changes in systemic cytokine concentration found in this study might reflect more rapid clearance from the circulation, or a lack of any significant metabolic or oxidative demands during this particular mode of exercise. In relation to the adaptation to the muscle damage, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 might work as one of the underlying mechanisms of action.
326 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the accuracy of estimating the volume of limb muscles (MV) using ultrasonographic muscle thickness (MT) measurements and found that MT was a good predictor of MV when combined with limb length.
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of estimating the volume of limb muscles (MV) using ultrasonographic muscle thickness (MT) measurements. The MT and MV of each of elbow flexors and extensors, knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors were determined from a single ultrasonographic image and multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, respectively, in 27 healthy men (23–40 years of age) who were allocated to validation (n=14) and cross-validation groups (n=13). In the validation group, simple and multiple regression equations using MT and a set of MT and limb length, respectively, as independent variables were derived to estimate the MV measured by MRI. However, only the multiple regression equations were cross-validated, and so the prediction equations with r
2 of 0.787–0.884 and the standard error of estimate of 22.1 cm3 (7.3%) for the elbow flexors to 198.5 cm3 (11.1%) for the knee extensors were developed using the pooled data. This approach did not induce significant systematic error in any muscle group, with no significant difference in the accuracy of estimating MV between muscle groups. In the multiple regression equations, the relative contribution of MT for predicting MV varied from 41.9% for the knee extensors to 70.4% for the elbow flexors. Thus, ultrasonographic MT measurement was a good predictor of MV when combined with limb length. For predicting MV, however, the unsuitability of a simple equation using MT only and the difference between muscle groups in the relative contribution of MT in multiple regression equations indicated a need for further research on the limb site selected and muscle analyzed for MT measurement.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the ferrimagnetic spiral ordering of the normal spinel ferrimagnets and propose the concept of ''weak magnetic geometrical frustration'' to explain these magnetic properties comprehensively.
Abstract: We reinvestigate the ferrimagnetic spiral ordering of the normal spinel ferrimagnets $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ $({T}_{\mathrm{C}}\ensuremath{\simeq}93\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$ and $\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ $({T}_{\mathrm{C}}\ensuremath{\simeq}51\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$, in which magnetic ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ ions occupy the $A$ sites and magnetic ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ ions occupy the $B$ sites, by neutron scattering experiments and magnetization measurements on single crystal specimens. Neutron scattering experiments revealed that the fundamental reflections show coherent Bragg peaks at all temperatures below ${T}_{\mathrm{C}}$, while the satellite reflections are diffusive even in the lowest temperature phase below ${T}_{\mathrm{F}}$ ($\ensuremath{\simeq}13\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ for $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and $\ensuremath{\simeq}14\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ for $\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$). These facts indicate the simultaneous formation of a long-range order of the ferrimagnetic component and of a short-range order of the spiral component in the lowest temperature phase. The correlation length of the ferrimagnetic long-range order is estimated to be larger than $50\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ below ${T}_{\mathrm{C}}$, while that of the spiral short-range order is estimated to be $3.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ at $8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ for $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and $9.9\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ at $4\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ for $\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. In magnetization measurements, a reentrant-spin-glass-like behavior of the ferrimagnetic domains was found in the two chromites. In order to explain these magnetic properties comprehensively, we propose the concept of ``weak magnetic geometrical frustration;'' magnetic geometrical frustration among the $B$ sites forming the pyrochlore lattice survives even if magnetic ions occupy the other sublattices ($A$ sites). The weak magnetic geometrical frustration leads to the spiral short-range order. Since the magnitude of magnetic moments of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ ions at the $A$ sites ($5{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}$ spin-only value) is larger than that of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$ ions at the $A$ sites ($3{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}$ spin-only value), the degree of magnetic geometrical frustration among the $B$ sites in $\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ is weaker than that in $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$; therefore, the correlation length of the spiral component in $\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ $(9.9\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm})$ is larger than that in $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ $(3.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm})$. The reentrant-spin-glass-like behavior of the ferrimagnetic domains is caused by freezing and fluctuation of the spiral component.
TL;DR: In this article, partial discharge degradation of polyamide both without nanoscale fillers (nanofillers) and with 2,4 and 5 wt% additions of nanophillers was investigated.
Abstract: Partial discharge (PD) degradation of polyamide both without nanoscale fillers (nanofillers) and with 2,4 and 5 wt% additions of nanofillers was investigated. Such materials were subjected to PDs using the IEC (b) electrodes for evaluation. Comparisons were made as to the surface roughness observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. It was found that the change in the surface roughness is far smaller in specimens with nanofillers than those without nanofillers, and that the 2 wt% addition is sufficient for improvement of the surface roughness. Furthermore, it was elucidated that the difference of surface roughness of the degraded area due to PDs among the specimens originates from the difference in their crystalline structures. These results indicate that polyamide nanocomposite is more resistance to PDs than polyamide without nanofillers.
TL;DR: In this article, a near-infrared image of the Herbig Ae star AB Aur was obtained with the Coronagraphic Imager with Adaptive Optics mounted on the Subaru Telescope.
Abstract: We present a near-infrared image of the Herbig Ae star AB Aur obtained with the Coronagraphic Imager with Adaptive Optics mounted on the Subaru Telescope. The image shows a circumstellar emission extending out to a radius of r = 580 AU, with a double spiral structure detected at r = 200-450 AU. The surface brightness decreases as r-3.0±0.1, steeper than the radial profile of the optical emission possibly affected by the scattered light from the envelope surrounding AB Aur. This result, together with the size of the infrared emission similar to that of the 13CO (J = 1-0) disk, suggests that the spiral structure is indeed associated with the circumstellar disk but is not part of the extended envelope. We identified four major spiral arms, which are trailing if the brighter southeastern part of the disk is the near side. The weak gravitational instability, maintained for millions of years by continuous mass supply from the envelope, might explain the presence of the spiral structure at the relatively late phase of the pre-main-sequence period.
TL;DR: The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured charged hadron yields at midrapidity over a wide range of transverse momenta in this article.
Abstract: The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured charged hadron yields at midrapidity over a wide range of transverse momenta $(0.5l{p}_{T}l10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{GeV}∕c)$ in $\text{Au}+\text{Au}$ collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{GeV}$. The data are compared to ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ measurements from the same experiment. For both charged hadrons and neutral pions, the yields per nucleon-nucleon collision are significantly suppressed in central compared to peripheral and nucleon-nucleon collisions. The suppression sets in gradually and increases with increasing centrality of the collisions. Above $4--5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{GeV}∕c$ in ${p}_{T}$, a constant and almost identical suppression of charged hadrons and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$'s is observed. The ${p}_{T}$ spectra are compared to published spectra from $\text{Au}+\text{Au}$ at $\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=130$ in terms of ${x}_{T}$ scaling. Central and peripheral ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ as well as peripheral charged spectra exhibit the same ${x}_{T}$ scaling as observed in $p+p$ data.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong1, Nanyang Technological University2, Loyola University Chicago3, University at Albany, SUNY4, I-Shou University5, New Mexico State University6, VU University Amsterdam7, Boğaziçi University8, University of Burgundy9, Waseda University10, Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University11
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the findings of a 12-nation study designed to test empirically the relationships between societal cultural values, individual social beliefs, and the perceived effectiveness of different influence strategies.
Abstract: This paper reports the findings of a 12-nation study designed to test empirically the relationships between societal cultural values, individual social beliefs, and the perceived effectiveness of different influence strategies. The relationships between three types of broad influence strategy (persuasive, assertive, and relationship based) and four dimensions of individual beliefs (cynicism, fate control, reward for application, and religiosity) were examined. Three of Project GLOBE’s cultural values (in-group collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, and future orientation) were selected to investigate their direct effects on the rated effectiveness of influence strategies, and their possible interaction with dimensions of individual beliefs. Results showed that different dimensions of individual social beliefs predict the perceived effectiveness of the three types of influence strategy, and that cultural values can moderate the strength of the relationship between these dimensions of individual social beliefs and the perceived effectiveness of influence strategies. Journal of International Business Studies (2004) 35, 284–305.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the impact of changes in the real exchange rate and its volatility on FDI and found that the depreciation of the currency of the host country attracted FDI, while the high volatility of the exchange rate discouraged FDI.
Abstract: In the light of the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the promotion of economic development, this paper examines the impact of the changes in the real exchange rate and its volatility on FDI. Examining Japan's FDI by industries, we found that the depreciation of the currency of the host country attracted FDI, while the high volatility of the exchange rate discouraged FDI. Our results suggest the need to avoid over-valuation of the exchange rate and to maintain stable but flexible exchange rate in order to attract FDI.
25 Oct 2004
TL;DR: This paper develops techniques and schemes to identify elephant flows in periodically sampled packets that are generic and require no per-packet processing; hence, they allow a very cost-effective implementation for being deployed in large-scale high-speed networks.
Abstract: Identifying elephant flows is very important in developing effective and efficient traffic engineering schemes. In addition, obtaining the statistics of these flows is also very useful for network operation and management. On the other hand, with the rapid growth of link speed in recent years, packet sampling has become a very attractive and scalable means to measure flow statistics; however, it also makes identifying elephant flows become much more difficult. Based on Bayes' theorem, this paper develops techniques and schemes to identify elephant flows in periodically sampled packets. We show that our basic framework is very flexible in making appropriate trade-offs between false positives (misidentified flows) and false negatives (missed elephant flows) with regard to a given sampling frequency. We further validate and evaluate our approach by using some publicly available traces. Our schemes are generic and require no per-packet processing; hence, they allow a very cost-effective implementation for being deployed in large-scale high-speed networks.
TL;DR: Cell lifting behaviors upon hydration are similar to results using soluble RGDS in culture as a competitive substitution for immobilized ligands, and are important for control of specific interactions between proteins and cells, and subsequent "on-off" regulation of their function.
TL;DR: It is observed that the two adjacent and the initial classifiers are associated with a right triangle in the scale via the Bregman divergence, called the Pythagorean relation, which leads to a mild convergence property of the U-Boost algorithm as seen in the expectation-maximization algorithm.
Abstract: We aim at an extension of AdaBoost to U-Boost, in the paradigm to build a stronger classification machine from a set of weak learning machines. A geometric understanding of the Bregman divergence defined by a generic convex function U leads to the U-Boost method in the framework of information geometry extended to the space of the finite measures over a label set. We propose two versions of U-Boost learning algorithms by taking account of whether the domain is restricted to the space of probability functions. In the sequential step, we observe that the two adjacent and the initial classifiers are associated with a right triangle in the scale via the Bregman divergence, called the Pythagorean relation. This leads to a mild convergence property of the U-Boost algorithm as seen in the expectation-maximization algorithm. Statistical discussions for consistency and robustness elucidate the properties of the U-Boost methods based on a stochastic assumption for training data.
TL;DR: bench studies demonstrated that, at the same wall shear stress in a capillary tube, the level of hemolysis was significantly greater for turbulent flow as compared with laminar flow, confirming that turbulent stresses contribute strongly to blood mechanical trauma.
Abstract: Experimental and computational studies were performed to elucidate the role of turbulent stresses in mechanical blood damage (hemolysis). A suspension of bovine red blood cells (RBC) was driven through a closed circulating loop by a centrifugal pump. A small capillary tube (inner diameter 1 mm and length 70 mm) was incorporated into the circulating loop via tapered connectors. The suspension of RBCs was diluted with saline to achieve an asymptotic apparent viscosity of 2.0 +/- 0.1 cP at 23 degrees C to produce turbulent flow at nominal flow rate and pressure. To study laminar flow at the identical wall shear stresses in the same capillary tube, the apparent viscosity of the RBC suspension was increased to 6.3 +/- 0.1 cP (at 23 degrees C) by addition of Dextran-40. Using various combinations of driving pressure and Dextran mediated adjustments in dynamic viscosity Reynolds numbers ranging from 300-5,000 were generated, and rates of hemolysis were measured. Pilot studies were performed to verify that the suspension media did not affect mechanical fragility of the RBCs. The results of these bench studies demonstrated that, at the same wall shear stress in a capillary tube, the level of hemolysis was significantly greater (p < 0.05) for turbulent flow as compared with laminar flow. This confirmed that turbulent stresses contribute strongly to blood mechanical trauma. Numerical predictions of hemolysis obtained by computational fluid dynamic modeling were in good agreement with these experimental data.
TL;DR: It is suggested that activity of the orexin neuron in the LHA contributes to the promotion and maintenance of FAA.
Abstract: Daily restricted feeding (RF) produces an anticipatory locomotor activity rhythm and entrains the peripheral molecular oscillator independently of the central pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). As orexins (hypocretins) are neuropeptides that coordinate sleep/wake patterns and motivated behaviours, such as food seeking, we studied the involvement of orexin in the food anticipatory activity (FAA) induced by RF. Daily RF shifted the mRNA rhythm of a clock-controlled gene mDbp in the cerebral cortex and caudate putamen but not in the SCN. Under these experimental conditions, prepro-orexin mRNA and orexin A immunoreactivity in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) did not show daily variation. Fasting increased the number of orexin A-ir cells, while RF did not. However, RF shifted the peak of Fos expression of the orexin neurons from night to day. Genetic ablation of orexin neurons in orexin/ataxin-3 transgenic mice severely reduced the formation of FAA under RF conditions. The expression of mNpas2 mRNA, a transcription factor thought to be involved in regulation of the food entrainable oscillator as well as mPer1 and mBmal1 mRNA, was reduced in the forebrain of orexin/ataxin-3 mice. Based on these results, we suggest that activity of the orexin neuron in the LHA contributes to the promotion and maintenance of FAA.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a 36 cm 2, passive, air-breathing, room-temperature, direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).
TL;DR: In this paper, a design for a novel micro direct methanol fuel cell (μ-DMFC) of 0.018 cm2 active area is described, which was prepared using a series of fabrication steps from micro-machined silicon wafer including photolithography, deep reactive ion etching, and electron beam deposition.
TL;DR: Myosin V is a double-headed processive molecular motor that moves along an actin filament by taking 36-nm steps and it is proposed that the 12-nm substep occurs after ATP binding to the bound trailing head and the 24- nm substep results from a mechanical step following the isomerization of an actomyosin-ADP state on the bound leading head.
Abstract: Myosin V is a double-headed processive molecular motor that moves along an actin filament by taking 36-nm steps. Using optical trapping nanometry with high spatiotemporal resolution, we discovered that there are two possible pathways for the 36-nm steps, one with 12- and 24-nm substeps, in this order, and the other without substeps. Based on the analyses of effects of ATP, ADP and 2,3-butanedione 2-monoxime (a reagent shown here to slow ADP release from actomyosin V) on the dwell time and the occurrence frequency of the main and the intermediate states, we propose that the 12-nm substep occurs after ATP binding to the bound trailing head and the 24-nm substep results from a mechanical step following the isomerization of an actomyosin-ADP state on the bound leading head. When the isomerization precedes the 12-nm substep, the 36-nm step occurs without substeps.
TL;DR: The results showed that the low-intensity exercise and occlusive stimuli have cooperative effects in the long-term adaptation of muscle and an acute response to growth hormone.
Abstract: To obtain insight into the relative contributions of exercise and occlusive stimuli to these muscular adaptations, the present study investigated the short- and long-term effects of varied combinations of low-intensity exercise and vascular occlusion. The subjects were separated into 3 groups (n = 6 for each group): low-intensity with vascular occlusion (LIO), low-intensity without vascular occlusion (LI), and vascular occlusion without exercise (VO). LIO and LI groups performed bilateral knee extension exercises in seated positions with an isotonic extension machine. In the LIO group, both sides of the thigh were pressure-occluded at the proximal end by means of a tourniquet during the entire session of exercise (approximately 10 min), whereas only the occlusion with the same pressure and duration was given in the VO group. The mean occlusion pressure was 218 +/- 8.1 mmHg (mean +/- SE). The exercise session consisted of five sets of exercise at an intensity of 10-20% 1RM and was performed twice a week for 8 wk. After the period of exercise training, isometric and isokinetic strengths at all velocities examined increased significantly in the LIO group (p < 0.05), whereas no significant change in strength was seen in the LI and VO groups. The increase in muscular strength in LIO was associated with a significant increase in the cross-sectional area of knee extensor muscles by 10.3 +/- 1.6%. The plasma growth hormone concentration measured 15 min after the session of exercise showed a marked increase only in LIO. The results showed that the low-intensity exercise and occlusive stimuli have cooperative effects in the long-term adaptation of muscle and an acute response to growth hormone.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the impact of changes in the real exchange rate and its volatility on FDI and found that the depreciation of the currency of the host country attracted FDI, while the high volatility of the exchange rate discouraged FDI.
Abstract: In the light of the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the promotion of economic development, this paper examines the impact of the changes in the real exchange rate and its volatility on FDI. Examining Japan's FDI by industries, we found that the depreciation of the currency of the host country attracted FDI, while the high volatility of the exchange rate discouraged FDI. Our results suggest the need to avoid over-valuation of the exchange rate and to maintain stable but flexible exchange rate in order to attract FDI.
TL;DR: In this paper, the complex dielectric spectra of ethanol/water mixtures at 25 °C for the nine molar fractions of ethanol, XEA = 004, 008, 011, 018, 03, 05, 07, 09, and 10, was determined.
Abstract: We have determined the complex dielectric spectra of ethanol/water mixtures at 25 °C for the nine molar fractions of ethanol, XEA = 004, 008, 011, 018, 03, 05, 07, 09, and 10, in the frequency range 01 ≤ ν/GHz ≤ 89 using TDR in 01 ≤ ν/GHz ≤ 25 and waveguide interferometers in 13 ≤ ν/GHz ≤ 89 At 03 ≤ XEA ≤ 10, a three-step relaxation model turns out to be most appropriate Besides a Cole−Cole relaxation for the dominating low-frequency process (j = 1), assigned to the cooperative dynamics of the H-bond system, which exhibits a pronounced increase of its relaxation time, τ1, when going from XEA = 0 to 1, two additional Debye terms (j = 2 and 3) with the relaxation times of τ2 ≈ 10 ps and τ3 ≈ 1−2 ps are required to reproduce the high-frequency part of the spectrum In view of the well-established relaxation mechanisms of pure liquids, these high-frequency processes can be validly assigned to the motion of singly H-bonded ethanol monomers at the ends of the chain structure (j = 2) and the flipp
TL;DR: A new method for the expression and purification of recombinant human histones and found that the purified recombinant CENP-A protein formed a nucleosome-like structure with histones H2A, H2B, and H4.
TL;DR: High-level emotional distress was significantly associated with younger patient age, female family gender, the experience of the physician stating she/he could do nothing for the patient, the physician's unwillingness to explore their feelings, and prognostic disclosure of definite survival periods without probabilities or ranges.