Method for Identifying Type of Eddy-Current Displacement Sensor

Eddy-current (EC) displacement sensors are used in a device for measuring the shaft vibration of turbines. An EC displacement sensor is composed of a sensor probe and an impedance/output voltage (Z/V) converter. In a power plant in the U. S., the type of the sensor probe and the displacement from the turbine shaft to the tip of the sensor probe (displacement x) are not controlled. For this reason, when only the Z/V converter breaks down, the plant is stopped and dismantled, and both the Z/V converter and the sensor probe are replaced. This results in two problems, i.e., the unstable supply of electric power when the power plant is stopped and the high cost of dismantling the plant. If both the type of the sensor probe and x are identified during turbine operation, the aforementioned problems could be solved. In this paper, we describe that the three types of the sensor probe and x can be identified by comparing the measured the maximum quality factor Q(EC) (max) and frequency f(o) at Q(EC) (max) with the Q(EC) (max) versus f(o) characteristics of sensor probes.ArticleIEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MAGNETICS. 47(10):3554-3557 (2011)journal articl

Magnetic anisotropy driven by ligand in 4d transition metal oxide SrRuO3

The origin of magnetic anisotropy in magnetic compounds is a longstanding issue in solid state physics and nonmagnetic ligand ions are considered to contribute little to magnetic anisotropy. Here, we introduce the concept of ligand driven magnetic anisotropy in a complex transition-metal oxide. We conducted X ray absorption and X ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopies at the Ru and O edges in the 4d ferromagnetic metal SrRuO3. Systematic variation of the sample thickness in the range below 10 nm allowed us to control the localization of Ru 4d t2g states, which affects the magnetic coupling between the Ru and O ions. We found that the orbital magnetization of the ligand induced via hybridization with the Ru 4d orbital determines the magnetic anisotropy in SrRuO3

Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 2 Modulates the Lipopolysaccharide-Elicited Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Macrophage-like HL-60 Cells

We investigated the regulatory roles of USP2 in mRNA accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophage-like cells after stimulation with a toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 ligand, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Human macrophage-like HL-60 cells, mouse macrophage-like J774.1 cells, and mouse peritoneal macrophages demonstrated negative feedback to USP2 mRNA levels after LPS stimulation, suggesting that USP2 plays a significant role in LPS-stimulated macrophages. USP2 knockdown (KD) by short hairpin RNA in HL-60 cells promoted the accumulation of transcripts for 25 of 104 cytokines after LPS stimulation. In contrast, limited induction of cytokines was observed in cells forcibly expressing the longer splice variant of USP2 (USP2A), or in peritoneal macrophages isolated from Usp2a transgenic mice. An ubiquitin isopeptidase-deficient USP2A mutant failed to suppress LPS-induced cytokine expression, suggesting that protein ubiquitination contributes to USP2-mediated cytokine repression. Although USP2 deficiency did not accelerate TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6-nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling, it increased the DNA binding ratio of the octamer binding transcription factor (Oct)-1 to Oct-2 in TNF, CXCL8, CCL4, and IL6 promoters. USP2 decreased nuclear Oct-2 protein levels in addition to decreasing the polyubiquitination of Oct-1. In summary, USP2 modulates proinflammatory cytokine induction, possibly through modification of Oct proteins, in macrophages following TLR4 activation

Caregiver Burden for Impaired Elderly Japanese with Prevalent Stroke and Dementia under Long-Term Care Insurance System

Background: Limited data are available on caregiver burden for stroke and dementia patients. We examined the associations of prevalent stroke and dementia with family caregiver burden in Japanese general populations. Methods: A total of 916 Japanese home caregivers, whose family members were covered by long-term care insurance, responded to the caregiver burden questionnaire. The questionnaire included the caregiver\u27s age, sex and employment status, the patient-caregiver relationship, the patient\u27s history of stroke, symptoms of dementia, care levels under long-term care insurance and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. Results: The mean total score from the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview was 12% higher in patients with stroke than in those without (p = 0.02) and 40% higher in those with dementia than in those without (p < 0.001). Compared with nonstroke patients without dementia, the mean total score was 21% higher in stroke patients without dementia (p = 0.01), 49% higher in nonstroke patients with dementia (p < 0.001) and 55% higher in stroke patients with dementia (p < 0.001). After adjustment for the caregiver\u27s age, sex and employment status, the patient-caregiver relationship, and the patient\u27s care level and community, the higher scores remained statistically significant for nonstroke patients with dementia and for stroke patients with dementia but not for stroke patients without dementia. Conclusions: Prevalent stroke and, more strongly, dementia were associated with increased family caregiver burden. Among patients with dementia, the presence of stroke did not enhance caregiver burden further

Neuropeptide signaling through neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 receptors augments antigen presentation by human dendritic cells

Background: Neurotransmitters, including substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), are widely distributed in both the central and peripheral nervous system and their receptors, neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) and neurokinin-2 receptor (NK2R), are expressed on immune cells. However, the role of the NKA-NK2R axis in immune responses relative to the SP-NK1R signaling cascade has not been elucidated. Objective: We sought to examine the effect of neuropeptide signaling through NK1Rand NK2R on antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) and the subsequent activation of effector Th cells. Methods: Expression levels of NK1R, NK2R, HLA-class II and costimulatory molecules of human MoDCs and cytokine production by birch pollen antigen-specific CD4+ T cells cocultured with MoDCs in the presence of NK1R and NK2R antagonists were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR, flow cytometry or ELISA. NK1R and NK2R expression in the lung of patients with asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Human MoDCs significantly upregulated NK2R and NK1R expression in response to poly I:C stimulation in a STAT1-dependent manner. Both NK2R and NK1R were expressed on alveolar macrophages and lung DCs from patients with asthma and pneumonitis hypersensitivity. Surface expression levels of HLA-class II and costimulatory molecules on DCs were modulated by NK1R or NK2R antagonists. Activation of birch pollen-derived antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and their production of cytokines including IL-4 and IFN-γ as well as IL-12 production by MoDCs, were suppressed by blocking NK1R or NK2R after in vitro antigen stimulation. Conclusions: NK1R- and NK2R-mediated neuropeptide signaling promotes both innate and acquired immune responses through activation of human DCs

The joint impact on being overweight of self reported behaviours of eating quickly and eating until full : cross sectional survey

Objective To examine whether eating until full or eating quickly or combinations of these eating behaviours are associated with being overweight