Showing papers by "Waseda University published in 2005"

Proposal of a multi-core model for polymer nanocomposite dielectrics

Abstract: A multi-core model, i.e. a simplified term of a multi-layered core model, is proposed as a working hypothesis to understand various properties and phenomena that polymer nanocomposites exhibit as dielectrics and electrical insulation. It gives fine structures to what are called "interaction zones". An interfacial layer of several tens nm is multi-layered, which consists of a bonded layer, a bound layer, and a loose layer. In addition, the Gouy-Chapman diffuse layer with the Debye shielding length of several tens to 100 nm is superimposed in the interfacial layer to cause a far-field effect. Nano-particles may interact electrically with the nearest neighbors each other due to this effect, resulting in possible collaborative effect. Such a multi-core model with the far-field effect is discussed, for example, to explain partial discharge (PD) resistance of polyamide layered silicate nanocomposites, and is verified to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Dielectric nanocomposites with insulating properties

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites possess promising high performances as engineering materials, if they are prepared and fabricated properly. Some work has been recently done on such polymer nanocomposites as dielectrics and electrical insulation. This was reviewed in 2004 based on the literatures published up to 2003. New significant findings have been added since then. Furthermore, a multi-core model with the far-distance effect, which is closely related to an "interaction zones", has been proposed from consideration of mesoscopic analysis of electrical and chemical structures of an existing interface with finite thickness. It is speculatively examined in the paper how the model works for various properties and phenomena already found in nanocomposites as dielectrics focusing on electrical characteristics, resistance to high voltage environment, and thermal properties.

Characterization of inflammatory responses to eccentric exercise in humans.

Abstract: Eccentric exercise commonly results in muscle damage. The primary sequence of events leading to exercise-induced muscle damage is believed to involve initial mechanical disruption of sarcomeres, followed by impaired excitation-contraction coupling and calcium signaling, and finally, activation of calcium-sensitive degradation pathways. Muscle damage is characterized by ultrastructural changes to muscle architecture, increased muscle proteins and enzymes in the bloodstream, loss of muscular strength and range of motion and muscle soreness. The inflammatory response to exercise-induced muscle damage is characterized by leukocyte infiltration and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines within damaged muscle tissue, systemic release of leukocytes and cytokines, in addition to alterations in leukocyte receptor expression and functional activity. Current evidence suggests that inflammatory responses to muscle damage are dependent on the type of eccentric exercise, previous eccentric loading (repeated bouts), age and gender. Circulating neutrophil counts and systemic cytokine responses are greater after eccentric exercise using a large muscle mass (e.g. downhill running, eccentric cycling) than after other types of eccentric exercise involving a smaller muscle mass. After an initial bout of eccentric exercise, circulating leukocyte counts and cell surface receptor expression are attenuated. Leukocyte and cytokine responses to eccentric exercise are impaired in elderly individuals, while cellular infiltration into skeletal muscle is greater in human females than males after eccentric exercise. Whether alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis influence inflammatory responses to muscle damage is uncertain. Furthermore, the effects of antioxidant supplements are variable, and the limited data available indicates that anti-inflammatory drugs largely have no influence on inflammatory responses to eccentric exercise. In this review, we compare local versus systemic inflammatory responses, and discuss some of the possible mechanisms regulating the inflammatory responses to exercise-induced muscle damage in humans.

Measurement of the J/ψ meson and b-hadron production cross sections in pp̄ collisions at √s = 1960 GeV

Abstract: The authors present a new measurement of the inclusive and differential production cross sections of J/{psi} mesons and b-hadrons in proton-antiproton collisions at {radical}s = 1960 GeV The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 397 pb{sup -1} collected by the CDF Run II detector They find the integrated cross section for inclusive J/{psi} production for all transverse momenta from 0 to 20 GeV/c in the rapidity range |y| 125 GeV/c They find the total cross section for b-hadrons, including both hadrons and anti-hadrons, decaying to J/{psi} with transverse momenta greater than 125 GeV/c in the rapidity range |y(J/{psi})| < 06, is 0330 {+-} 0005(stat){sub -0033}{sup +0036}(syst) {mu}b Using a Monte Carlo simulation of the decay kinematics of b-hadrons to all final states containing a J/{psi}, they extract the first measurement of the total single b-hadron cross section down to zero transverse momentum at {radical}s = 1960 GeV They find the total single b-hadron cross section integrated over all transverse momenta for b-hadrons in themore » rapidity range |y| < 06 to be 176 {+-} 04(stat){sub -23}{sup +25}(syst) {mu}b« less

Efficient delivery of small interfering RNA to bone-metastatic tumors by using atelocollagen in vivo

Abstract: Silencing of gene expression by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is rapidly becoming a powerful tool for genetic analysis and represents a potential strategy for therapeutic product development. However, there are no reports of systemic delivery for siRNAs toward treatment of bone-metastatic cancer. Accordingly, we report here that i.v. injection of GL3 luciferase siRNA complexed with atelocollagen showed effective reduction of luciferase expression from bone-metastatic prostate tumor cells developed in mouse thorax, jaws, and/or legs. We also show that the siRNA/atelocollagen complex can be efficiently delivered to tumors 24 h after injection and can exist intact at least for 3 days. Furthermore, atelocollagen-mediated systemic administration of siRNAs such as enhancer of zeste homolog 2 and phosphoinositide 3′-hydroxykinase p110-α-subunit, which were selected as candidate targets for inhibition of bone metastasis, resulted in an efficient inhibition of metastatic tumor growth in bone tissues. In addition, upregulation of serum IL-12 and IFN-α levels was not associated with the in vivo administration of the siRNA/atelocollagen complex. Thus, for treatment of bone metastasis of prostate cancer, an atelocollagen-mediated systemic delivery method could be a reliable and safe approach to the achievement of maximal function of siRNA.

Nuclidic Mass Formula on a Spherical Basis with an Improved Even-Odd Term

Abstract: 1Advanced Science Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI), Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan 2Senior High School of Waseda University, Tokyo 177-0044, Japan 3Advanced Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan 4Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-8959, Japan 5The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Saitama 351-0198, Japan

Enhancing semiconductor device performance using ordered dopant arrays

Abstract: For semiconductors to work properly, it is necessary to improve their electrical properties by adding small amounts of impurities, such as boron, to the semiconducting material, a process called doping. Until now it has been sufficient to introduce dopant atoms randomly. But as semiconductor devices continue to shrink, they will soon reach a size where fluctuations in dopant atom numbers will begin to influence electrical characteristics: dopant distribution can no longer be assumed to be homogeneous if the distance randomly separating these atoms is on a similar scale to the device itself. Shinada et al. have investigated the role of dopant disorder, using a recently developed single-ion implantation technique to implant dopant ions one-by-one into a fine semiconductor region. The results highlight the improvements in device performance that should be achievable through atomic-scale control of the doping process, and may even enhance the prospects for realizing silicon-based solid-state quantum computers. As the size of semiconductor devices continues to shrink, the normally random distribution of the individual dopant atoms within the semiconductor becomes a critical factor in determining device performance—homogeneity can no longer be assumed1,2,3,4,5. Here we report the fabrication of semiconductor devices in which both the number and position of the dopant atoms are precisely controlled. To achieve this, we make use of a recently developed single-ion implantation technique6,7,8,9, which enables us to implant dopant ions one-by-one into a fine semiconductor region until the desired number is reached. Electrical measurements of the resulting transistors reveal that device-to-device fluctuations in the threshold voltage (Vth; the turn-on voltage of the device) are less for those structures with ordered dopant arrays than for those with conventional random doping. We also find that the devices with ordered dopant arrays exhibit a shift in Vth, relative to the undoped semiconductor, that is twice that for a random dopant distribution (- 0.4 V versus -0.2 V); we attribute this to the uniformity of electrostatic potential in the conducting channel region due to the ordered distribution of dopant atoms. Our results therefore serve to highlight the improvements in device performance that can be achieved through atomic-scale control of the doping process. Furthermore, ordered dopant arrays of this type may enhance the prospects for realizing silicon-based solid-state quantum computers10.

Plasma cytokine changes in relation to exercise intensity and muscle damage

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of exercise intensity and exercise-induced muscle damage on changes in anti-inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Nine well-trained male runners completed three different exercise trials on separate occasions: ( 1) level treadmill running at 60% VO2max (moderate-intensity trial) for 60 min; (2) level treadmill running at 85% VO2max (high-intensity trial) for 60 min; (3) downhill treadmill running ( - 10% gradient) at 60% VO2 max (downhill running trial) for 45 min. Blood was sampled before, immediately after and 1 h after exercise. Plasma was analyzed for interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-13, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), prostaglandin E-2, leukotriene B-4 and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The plasma concentrations of IL-1ra, IL-12p40, MCP-1 and HSP70 increased significantly (P< 0.05) after all three trials. Plasma prostaglandin E-2 concentration increased significantly after the downhill running and high-intensity trials, while plasma IL-10 concentration increased significantly only after the high-intensity trial. IL-4 and leukotriene B4 did not increase significantly after exercise. Plasma IL-1ra and IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher ( P< 0.05) after the high-intensity trial than after both the moderate-intensity and downhill running trials. Therefore, following exercise up to 1 h duration, exercise intensity appears to have a greater effect on anti-inflammatory cytokine production than exercise-induced muscle damage.

Postbounce Evolution of Core-Collapse Supernovae: Long-Term Effects of the Equation of State

Abstract: We study the evolution of a supernova core from the beginning of the gravitational collapse of a 15 M☉ star up to 1 s after core bounce. We present results of spherically symmetric simulations of core-collapse supernovae by solving general relativistic ν-radiation hydrodynamics in the implicit time differencing. We aim to explore the evolution of shock waves in the long term and investigate the formation of proto-neutron stars together with supernova neutrino signatures. These studies are done to examine the influence of the equation of state (EOS) on the postbounce evolution of shock waves in the late phase and the resulting thermal evolution of proto-neutron stars. We compare two sets of EOSs, namely, those by Lattimer and Swesty (LS-EOS) and by Shen et al. (SH-EOS). We found that, for both EOSs, the core does not explode and the shock wave stalls similarly in the first 100 ms after bounce. A revival of the shock wave does not occur even after a long period in either case. However, the recession of the shock wave appears different beyond 200 ms after bounce, having different thermal evolution of the central core. A more compact proto-neutron star is found for LS-EOS than SH-EOS with a difference in the central density by a factor of ~2 and a difference of ~10 MeV in the peak temperature. The resulting spectra of supernova neutrinos are different to an extent that may be detectable by terrestrial neutrino detectors.

Fruitless specifies sexually dimorphic neural circuitry in the Drosophila brain

Abstract: The Drosophila fruitless (fru) gene product Fru has been postulated to be a neural sex determination factor that directs development of the central nervous system (CNS), thereby producing male-typical courtship behaviour and inducing male-specific muscle. Male-specific Fru protein is expressed in small groups of neurons scattered throughout the CNS of male, but not female, Drosophila. Collectively, these observations suggest that Fru 'masculinizes' certain neurons, thereby establishing neural substrates for male-typical behaviour. However, specific differences between neurons resulting from the presence or absence of Fru are unknown. Previous studies have suggested that Fru might result in sexual differences in the CNS at the functional level, as no overt sexual dimorphism in CNS structure was discernible. Here we identify a subset of fru-expressing interneurons in the brain that show marked sexual dimorphism in their number and projection pattern. We also demonstrate that Fru supports the development of neurons with male-specific dendritic fields, which are programmed to die during female development as a result of the absence of Fru. Thus, Fru expression can produce a male-specific neural circuit, probably used during heterosexual courtship, by preventing cell death in identifiable neurons.

Relation between dielectric and low-frequency Raman spectra of hydrogen-bond liquids.

Abstract: We analyzed the complex dielectric and Raman spectra of hydrogen-bond liquids in the microwave to terahertz frequency range. As for water and methanol, the high-frequency component of the dielectric spectrum, i.e., the small deviation from the principal Debye relaxation, clearly corresponds to the Raman spectrum. This indicates that the cooperative relaxation, accompanied by huge polarization fluctuation, is virtually not Raman active, whereas the faster processes reflect common microscopic dynamics. For ethylene glycol, the shape of the Raman spectrum also resembles that of the high-frequency deviation of the dielectric spectrum, but, additionally, a weak manifestation of the cooperative relaxation arising from quadrupolar conformers is detected.

Postbounce evolution of core-collapse supernovae: Long-term effects of equation of state

Abstract: We study the evolution of supernova core from the beginning of gravitational collapse of a 15Msolar star up to 1 second after core bounce. We present results of spherically symmetric simulations of core-collapse supernovae by solving general relativistic neutrino-radiation-hydrodynamics in the implicit time-differencing. We aim to explore the evolution of shock wave in a long term and investigate the formation of protoneutron star together with supernova neutrino signatures. These studies are done to examine the influence of equation of state (EOS) on the postbounce evolution of shock wave in the late phase and the resulting thermal evolution of protoneutron star. We make a comparison of two sets of EOS, that is, by Lattimer and Swesty (LS-EOS) and by Shen et al.(SH-EOS). We found that, for both EOSs, the core does not explode and the shock wave stalls similarly in the first 100 milliseconds after bounce. The revival of shock wave does not occur even after a long period in either cases. However, the recession of shock wave appears different beyond 200 milliseconds after bounce, having different thermal evolution of central core. A more compact protoneutron star is found for LS-EOS than SH-EOS with a difference in the central density by a factor of ~2 and a difference of ~10 MeV in the peak temperature. Resulting spectra of supernova neutrinos are different to the extent that may be detectable by terrestrial neutrino detectors.

Independent and sequential recruitment of NHEJ and HR factors to DNA damage sites in mammalian cells.

Abstract: Damage recognition by repair/checkpoint factors is the critical first step of the DNA damage response. DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) activate checkpoint signaling and are repaired by nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) pathways. However, in vivo kinetics of the individual factor responses and the mechanism of pathway choice are not well understood. We report cell cycle and time course analyses of checkpoint activation by ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and damage site recruitment of the repair factors in response to laser-induced DSBs. We found that MRN acts as a DNA damage marker, continuously localizing at unrepaired damage sites. Damage recognition by NHEJ factors precedes that of HR factors. HR factor recruitment is not influenced by NHEJ factor assembly and occurs throughout interphase. Damage site retention of NHEJ factors is transient, whereas HR factors persist at unrepaired lesions, revealing unique roles of the two pathways in mammalian cells.

Origin of the metallic properties of heavily boron-doped superconducting diamond

Abstract: The recent discovery that heavily boron-doped diamond is a superconductor with a transition temperature of 7.4 K raises the prospect of superconducting devices with the unique properties of diamond. A study of the electronic structure responsible for superconductivity in heavily boron-doped diamond supports the idea that superconductivity is phonon-mediated, and provides information on the electronic structure that must be retained in order to harness this effect in practical devices. The physical properties of lightly doped semiconductors are well described by electronic band-structure calculations and impurity energy levels1. Such properties form the basis of present-day semiconductor technology. If the doping concentration n exceeds a critical value nc, the system passes through an insulator-to-metal transition and exhibits metallic behaviour; this is widely accepted to occur as a consequence of the impurity levels merging to form energy bands2. However, the electronic structure of semiconductors doped beyond nc have not been explored in detail. Therefore, the recent observation of superconductivity emerging near the insulator-to-metal transition3 in heavily boron-doped diamond4,5 has stimulated a discussion on the fundamental origin of the metallic states responsible for the superconductivity. Two approaches have been adopted for describing this metallic state: the introduction of charge carriers into either the impurity bands6 or the intrinsic diamond bands7,8,9. Here we show experimentally that the doping-dependent occupied electronic structures are consistent with the diamond bands, indicating that holes in the diamond bands play an essential part in determining the metallic nature of the heavily boron-doped diamond superconductor. This supports the diamond band approach and related predictions, including the possibility of achieving dopant-induced superconductivity in silicon and germanium7. It should also provide a foundation for the possible development of diamond-based devices10.

Hybrid genetic algorithm for multi-time period production/distribution planning

Abstract: In this paper, we deal with a production/distribution problem to determine an efficient integration of production, distribution and inventory system so that products are produced and distributed at the right quantities, to the right customers, and at the right time, in order to minimize system wide costs while satisfying all demand required. This problem can be viewed as an optimization model that integrates facility location decisions, distribution costs, and inventory management for multi-products and multi-time periods. To solve the problem, we propose a new technique called spanning tree-based genetic algorithm (hst-GA). In order to improve its efficiency, the proposed method is hybridized with the fuzzy logic controller (FLC) concept for auto-tuning the GA parameters. The proposed method is compared with traditional spanning tree-based genetic algorithm approach. This comparison shows that the proposed method gives better results.

Systematic studies of the centrality and √sNN dependence of the dET/dη and dNch/dη in heavy ion collisions at midrapidity

Abstract: The PHENIX experiment at the relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) has measured transverse energy and charged particle multiplicity at midrapidity in $\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at center-of-mass energies $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}=19.6,130$, and $200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{GeV}$ as a function of centrality. The presented results are compared to measurements from other RHIC experiments and experiments at lower energies. The $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ dependence of $dE{}_{T}/d\ensuremath{\eta}$ and $dN{}_{\mathrm{ch}}/d\ensuremath{\eta}$ per pair of participants is consistent with logarithmic scaling for the most central events. The centrality dependence of $dE{}_{T}/d\ensuremath{\eta}$ and $dN{}_{\mathrm{ch}}/d\ensuremath{\eta}$ is similar at all measured incident energies. At RHIC energies, the ratio of transverse energy per charged particle was found to be independent of centrality and growing slowly with $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}$. A survey of comparisons between the data and available theoretical models is also presented.

Current Japanese Reforms In English Language Education: The 2003 “Action Plan”

Abstract: In response to growing criticism that Japanese do not have sufficient communicative skills in English, the Japanese government proposed a five-year “Action Plan to Cultivate Japanese with English Abilities” in 2003. This paper examines the context and content of this plan as well as the initial reactions to it in various educational settings. The Action Plan itself reflects a number of conflicting ideological orientations, including: (1) whether Japan should pursue a policy of multilingualism or one favoring the spread of English; (2) whether Japan should emphasize international understanding or simply English education; and (3) promoting egalitarianism versus allowing for individualized education. Despite the challenges that these conflicting goals present, the Action Plan gives greater autonomy to teachers and local governments and thus may improve English education by enabling them to become active participants in the development of language education policies rather than simply being passive consumers of such policies.

Control of decoherence: Analysis and comparison of three different strategies

Abstract: We analyze and compare three different strategies, all aimed at controlling and eventually halting decoherence. The first strategy hinges upon the quantum Zeno effect, the second makes use of frequent unitary interruptions (``bang-bang'' pulses and their generalization, quantum dynamical decoupling), and the third uses a strong, continuous coupling. Decoherence is shown to be suppressed only if the frequency $N$ of the measurements or pulses is large enough or if the coupling $K$ is sufficiently strong. Otherwise, if $N$ or $K$ is large, but not extremely large, all these control procedures accelerate decoherence. We investigate the problem in a general setting and then consider some practical examples, relevant for quantum computation.

Deep Impact: Observations from a worldwide Earth-based campaign

Abstract: On 4 July 2005, many observatories around the world and in space observed the collision of Deep Impact with comet 9P/Tempel 1 or its aftermath. This was an unprecedented coordinated observational campaign. These data show that (i) there was new material after impact that was compositionally different from that seen before impact; (ii) the ratio of dust mass to gas mass in the ejecta was much larger than before impact; (iii) the new activity did not last more than a few days, and by 9 July the comet's behavior was indistinguishable from its pre-impact behavior; and (iv) there were interesting transient phenomena that may be correlated with cratering physics.

An organic thyristor

Abstract: Thyristors are solid-state electronic devices that work rather like diodes; once activated a thyristor will remain conducting until the current falls to zero and reverses direction, when it will turn off. They are widely used as inverters (d.c.-to-a.c. converters) and for smooth control of power in a variety of applications, for example motors and refrigerators. Sawano et al. now report the discovery of thyristor-like behaviour in a conducting organic salt. Unlike conventional thyristors, this organic material exhibits thyristor-like behaviour as a bulk phenomenon. Thyristors are a class of nonlinear electronic device that exhibit bistable resistance—that is, they can be switched between two different conductance states1. Thyristors are widely used as inverters (direct to alternating current converters) and for the smooth control of power in a variety of applications such as motors and refrigerators. Materials and structures that exhibit nonlinear resistance of this sort are not only useful for practical applications: they also provide systems for exploring fundamental aspects of solid-state and statistical physics. Here we report the discovery of a giant nonlinear resistance effect in the conducting organic salt2 θ-(BEDT-TTF)2CsCo(SCN)4, the voltage-current characteristics of which are essentially the same as those of a conventional thyristor. This intrinsic organic thyristor works as an inverter, generating an alternating current when a static direct-current voltage is applied. Whereas conventional thyristors consist of a series of diodes (their nonlinearity comes from interface effects at the p-n junctions), the present salt exhibits giant nonlinear resistance as a bulk phenomenon. We attribute the origin of this effect to the current-induced melting of insulating charge-order domains, an intrinsically non-equilibrium phenomenon in the sense that ordered domains are melted by a steady flow.

Catalytic activities and coking resistance of Ni/perovskites in steam reforming of methane

Abstract: Steam reforming of methane for the purpose of hydrogen production was performed using nickel catalysts supported on a variety of perovskites, including LaAlO3, LaFeO3, SrTiO3, BaTiO3, La0.4Ba0.6Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ, to compare the catalytic activity and resistance to coking of these catalysts to those of the conventional Ni/α-Al2O3 catalyst. Ni/LaAlO3 and Ni/SrTiO3 showed high catalytic activities among the Ni/perovskites and longer-term stabilities than the conventional catalyst. Temperature programmed oxidation of carbon deposited on used catalysts revealed that inactive carbon species detected on Ni/α-Al2O3 were not formed in the case of Ni/LaAlO3. The results of temperature programmed reduction confirmed that consumption and recovery of the lattice oxygen in perovskites occurred during the reaction, and that the reducibility of perovskites had a great impact on the steam reforming activity. The lattice oxygen in perovskites is considered to play important roles in promoting the oxidation of CHx fragments adsorbed on metallic nickel.

Improvement in the accuracy of multiple sequence alignment program MAFFT.

Abstract: In 2002, we developed and released a rapid multiple sequence alignment program MAFFT that was designed to handle a huge (up to approximately 5,000 sequences) and long data (approximately 2,000 aa or approximately 5,000 nt) in a reasonable time on a standard desktop PC As for the accuracy, however, the previous versions (v4 and lower) of MAFFT were outperformed by ProbCons and TCoffee v2, both of which were released in 2004, in several benchmark tests Here we report a recent extension of MAFFT that aims to improve the accuracy with as little cost of calculation time as possible The extended version of MAFFT (v5) has new iterative refinement options, G-INS-i and L-INS-i (collectively denoted as [GL]-INS-i in this report) These options use a new objective function combining the weighted sum-of-pairs (WSP) score and a score similar to COFFEE derived from all pairwise alignments We discuss the improvement in accuracy brought by this extension, mainly using two benchmark tests released very recently, BAliBASE v3 (for protein alignments) and BRAliBASE (for RNA alignments) According to BAliBASE v3, the overall average accuracy of L-INS-i was higher than those of other methods successively released in 2004, although the difference among the most accurate methods (ProbCons, TCoffee v2 and new options of MAFFT) was small The advantage in accuracy of [GL]-INS-i became greater for the alignments consisting of approximately 50-100 sequences By utilizing this feature of MAFFT, we also examined another possible approach to improve the accuracy by incorporating homolog information collected from database The [GL]-INS-i options are applicable to aligning up to approximately 200 sequences, although not applicable to thousands of sequences because of time and space complexities