Deposition of hydroxyapatite on SiC nanotubes in simulated body fluid

SiC nanotubes can become candidate reinforcement materials for dental and orthopedic implants due to their light weight and excellent mechanical properties. However, the development of bioactive SiC materials has not been reported. In this study, hydroxyapatites were found on SiC nanotubes treated with NaOH and subsequently HCl solution after soaking in simulated body fluid. On the other hand, hydroxyapatites did not deposit on as-received SiC nanotubes, the SiC nanotubes with NH4OH solution treatment and SiC bulk materials with NaOH and subsequently HCl solution treatment. Therefore, we succeeded in the development of bioactive SiC nanotubes by downsizing SiC materials to nanometer size and treating with NaOH and subsequently HCl solutions for the first time

Regional connectivity in continental ASEAN

This chapter examines the issue on Mekong region’s connectivity on quantitative base through the analysis of the gravity trade model and its modified fragmentation model. The main findings are as follows: First, the evolution of international production networks (IPNs) between Thailand and Vietnam as well as the other advanced ASEAN could be identified in terms of their two-way trade integration of machinery parts and components beyond the gravity trade standard. Second, the trade intensity of machinery parts and components, in particular, the one between Thailand and Vietnam, could be partly explained by the fragmentation factors, i.e. their gaps in per capita GDP and the relatively lower service-link costs in Vietnam, through the fragmentation-model estimation. Third, the trade disintegration of machinery parts and components between Thailand and Mekong latecomers, such as Cambodia and Myanmar, could be explained by their higher service-link costs also through the fragmentation-model estimation. This chapter also investigates the border area development in Mekong region, which is a crucial issue for the connectivity in a continental area. Since the border areas have their own area-advantages called “border bonuses”: “complementary factor endowment” and “cross-border infrastructure services”, the areas might be the real gateways for IPN penetration across the countries in Mekong region, if their development were carefully designed. This was proved by the success stories of forerunners: the Maquila case at US-Mexico border and the Savannakhet SEZ at Thai-Lao PDR border. Considering their lessons, the strategies for border area development should be careful designing of institutional frameworks for Special Economic, enhancing outer-link connectivity from borders to central cities, and securing labor forces with skill developments

Regional connectivity in continental ASEAN

This chapter examines the issue on Mekong region’s connectivity on quantitative base through the analysis of the gravity trade model and its modified fragmentation model. The main findings are as follows: First, the evolution of international production networks (IPNs) between Thailand and Vietnam as well as the other advanced ASEAN could be identified in terms of their two-way trade integration of machinery parts and components beyond the gravity trade standard. Second, the trade intensity of machinery parts and components, in particular, the one between Thailand and Vietnam, could be partly explained by the fragmentation factors, i.e. their gaps in per capita GDP and the relatively lower service-link costs in Vietnam, through the fragmentation-model estimation. Third, the trade disintegration of machinery parts and components between Thailand and Mekong latecomers, such as Cambodia and Myanmar, could be explained by their higher service-link costs also through the fragmentation-model estimation. This chapter also investigates the border area development in Mekong region, which is a crucial issue for the connectivity in a continental area. Since the border areas have their own area-advantages called “border bonuses”: “complementary factor endowment” and “cross-border infrastructure services”, the areas might be the real gateways for IPN penetration across the countries in Mekong region, if their development were carefully designed. This was proved by the success stories of forerunners: the Maquila case at US-Mexico border and the Savannakhet SEZ at Thai-Lao PDR border. Considering their lessons, the strategies for border area development should be careful designing of institutional frameworks for Special Economic, enhancing outer-link connectivity from borders to central cities, and securing labor forces with skill developments

Specifying and verifying sensor networks: An experiment of formal methods

10.1007/978-3-540-88194-0-20Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)5256 LNCS318-33

Analysis of Decolorization Mechanism by Azo Dyes Decolizing Microorganism

The mehcanism of azo dyes decolorization by Candida sp. MK-1, Aeromonas sp. B-5 and Actinobacillus sp. B-11 were analyzed. The maximal decolorization activity was observed at pH 7.5 and 30℃ on Candida sp. MK-1, at alkaline and at 35℃ on Aeromonas sp. B-5 and Actinobacillus sp. B-11. The HPLC analysis of the supernatant of the Acid Red 27 detected in the blank. The retention time of this peak matched that of a reference standard compound of 4-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonate, produced by reductive cleavage of Acid Red 27. The decolorization of azo dyes with cell free extract of Candida sp. MK-a was promoted by the addition of several coenzymes or lawsone. The remarkable promotion of decolorization was observed by the addition of glutamate dehydrogenase with α-ketoglutarate and NH4+. Therefore, it was suggested that Candida sp. MK-1 azoreductase catalyzed decolorization of azo dye by NADPH dependent reductive cleavage

Mechanisms With Clinical Implications for Atrial Fibrillation–Associated Remodeling: Cathepsin K Expression, Regulation, and Therapeutic Target and Biomarker

Background: The cysteine protease cathepsin K (CatK) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and plasma CatK levels and to investigate the expression of and therapeutic target for CatK in vivo and in vitro. Methods and Results: Plasma CatK and extracellular matrix protein peptides (intact procollagen type I of N‐terminal propeptide; carboxyl‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [ICTP]) were measured in 209 consecutive patients with AF (paroxysmal AF, 146; persistent AF, 63) and 112 control subjects. In addition, the regulation of CatK expression was investigated in vivo and vitro. Patients with AF had higher plasma CatK and ICTP levels than did control subjects. Patients with persistent AF had higher levels of plasma CatK and ICTP than did patients with paroxysmal AF. CatK was correlated with ICTP concentration and left atrial diameter in all subjects. In rabbits, superoxide production, CatK activity, fibrosis, and the levels of atrial tissue angiotensin II, angiotensin type 1 receptor, gp91phox, phospho‐p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and CatK were greater in those with tachypacing‐induced AF than in controls, and these changes were reversed with angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist. Olmesartan and mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitor decreased the CatK expression induced by angiotensin II in rat neonatal myocytes. Conclusions: These data indicated that increased plasma CatK levels are linked with the presence of AF. Angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist appears to be effective in alleviating atrial fibrosis in a rabbit AF model, partly reducing angiotensin type 1 receptor‐p38mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐dependent and ‐independent CatK activation, thus preventing AF

Superconductivity in quantum-dot superlattices composed of quantum wire networks

Based on calculations using the local density approximation, we propose quantum wire networks with square and plaquette type lattice structures that form quantum dot superlattices. These artificial structures are well described by the Hubbard model. Numerical analysis reveals a superconducting ground state with transition temperatures $T_c$ of up to 90 mK for the plaquette, which is more than double the value of 40 mK for the square lattice type and is sufficiently high to allow for the experimental observation of superconductivity.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure