Switching magnetic vortex core by a single nanosecond current pulse

In a ferromagnetic nanodisk, the magnetization tends to swirl around in the plane of the disk and can point either up or down at the center of this magnetic vortex. This binary state can be useful for information storage. It is demonstrated that a single nanosecond current pulse can switch the core polarity. This method also provides the precise control of the core direction, which constitutes fundamental technology for realizing a vortex core memory.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Current-driven resonant excitation of magnetic vortex

A magnetic vortex core in a ferromagnetic circular nanodot has a resonance frequency originating from the confinement of the vortex core. By the micromagnetic simulation including the spin-transfer torque, we show that the vortex core can be resonantly excited by an AC (spin-polarized) current through the dot and that the resonance frequency can be tuned by the dot shape. The resistance measurement under the AC current successfully detects the resonance at the frequency consistent with the simulation.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

Deep CO Observations and the CO-to-H_2 Conversion Factor in DDO 154, a Low Metallicity Dwarf Irregular Galaxy

We present a deep spectroscopic search for CO emission in the dwarf irregular galaxy DDO154, which has an Oxygen abundance of only 1/20 the solar value. The observations were conducted in order to constrain the CO-to-$\mathrm{H_2}$ conversion factor at low metallicity. No CO was detected, however, despite being one of the sensitive observations done towards galaxies of this type. We succeed in putting a strong lower limit on the conversion factor, at least 10 times the Galactic value. Our result supports previous studies which argue for a high conversion factor at low metallicity.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in PAS

Initial Report of Hybrid Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer:Reduced Bleeding, Clear Vision, and Secure Surgical Margins

To evaluate morbidity in Hybrid Radical Prostatectomy (HRP, hybridized laparoscopic and open retropubic radical prostatectomy). The operative and pathological outcomes obtained in 25 consecutive patients who underwent HRP were reviewed. The median operating time was 220min, median blood loss was 550ml, and no patient required an allogenic blood transfusion. No severe postoperative complications were observed. The surgical margin was positive in 12% of all patients, and in 1 patient with pT2 or less (4.5%). These results indicate that HRP is safe and may be able to combine the benefits of both laparoscopic and open procedures.</p

The examination of endoscopic findings in 221 cases of rheumatoid arthritis treated with Japanese Oriental (Kampo) medicine

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of Japanese Oriental (Kampo) medicine on treatment of rheumatic arthritis (RA) patients from the point of view of preventing the complication of gastroduodenal ulcer. METHODS: We examined endoscopic findings and contents of treatment in 221 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases treated with Japanese Oriental (Kampo) medicine retrospectively. RESULTS: A gastroduodenal ulcer was found in 10 patients (4.5%), an ulcer scar was found in 21 patients (9.5%) and a cancer was found in 6 cases (2.7%). Next, we compared the incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers in the group of patients who were receiving nonsteroidal antiinflammtory drugs (NSAIDs) therapy with the group of patients treated with Kampo medicine alone. The incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers was 9.3 % in NSAIDs group and 2.1 % in the group of patients treated with Kampo medicine alone. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers in RA patients treated with Kampo medicine was lower than that in other studies carried out in patients with RA. These findings suggested that treatment with Kampo medicine for RA is beneficial from the point of view of preventing gastroduodenal complication. 和漢薬治療中の関節リウマチ(RA)患者の胃十二指腸病変を検討した。【方法】当科で和漢薬治療中のRA患者のうち,1980年1月から2000年10月までに上部消化管内視鏡検査を施行した221例について内視鏡所見とRAの活動度,治療内容との関連を検討した。【結果】対象221例中,活動性の消化性潰瘍は10例(4.5%)。内訳は胃潰瘍9例,十二指腸潰瘍3例であった。潰瘍瘢痕は21例(9.5%)。内訳は胃潰瘍瘢痕16例,十二指腸瘢痕5例であった。その他,びらん性変化が12例(5.4%),早期胃癌が4例(1.8%)に認められた。非ステロイド性消炎鎮痛剤(NSAIDs)またはステロイド剤(ス剤)併用治療群(107例)と和漢薬単独治療群(96例)で比較検討すると,前者の活動性胃十二指腸潰瘍合併例が10例(9.3%)であるのに対し,後者では2例(2.1%)とNSAIDsまたはス剤併用群に有意に多く活動性潰瘍が合併していた。【考察】1999年CheatumらはNSAIDs服用中のRA患者の胃十二指腸病変を内視鏡検査で検討し,1009例中239例(23.6%)に胃または十二指腸潰瘍があったことを報告している。RA患者の胃十二指腸潰瘍の合併頻度については,Farahらの185例中67例(1988年),塩川らの1008例中175例(1991年)などがあり,いずれもNSAIDs投与との関連性が指摘されている。今回の検討では,221例中10例とこれらの報告と比較して少ない傾向にあった。和漢薬を中心とした治療で,NSAIDs使用を最小限にとどめることにより,消化性潰瘍の合併を減らしうる可能性が示唆された

Chlorophyll d production in crushed algae in aqueous acetone

journal articl

Binding of Scandium Ions to Metalloporphyrin?Flavin Complexes for Long-Lived Charge Separation

journal articl

Transient improvement of urticaria induces poor adherence as assessed by Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8.

Poor adherence to medication is a major public health challenge. Here, we aimed to determine the adherence to oral and topical medications and to analyze underlying associated factors using the translated Japanese version of Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 regarding urticaria treatment. Web-based questionnaires were performed for 3096 registered dermatological patients, along with a subanalysis of 751 registered urticaria patients in this study. The adherence to oral medication was significantly associated with the frequency of hospital visits. Variables that affected the adherence to topical medication included age and experience of drug effectiveness. The rate of responses that "It felt like the symptoms had improved" varied significantly among the dermatological diseases treated with oral medications. Dermatologists should be aware that adherence to the treatment of urticaria is quite low. Regular visits and active education for patients with urticaria are mandatory in order to achieve a good therapeutic outcome by increasing the adherence