TOPOLOGICALLY MINIMAL REALIZATION OF A NEGATIVE RESISTOR USING NULLORS AND POSITIVE RESISTORS

Although it is heuristically well-known that a negative resistor can be realized with nullors and positive resistors, the minimal realization of it have not been discussed systematically in detail. In this paper, based upon the general fundamental properties of linear active networks, it is proved systematically that nullors not less than one (two) and positive resistors not less than three ( one, respectively ) are necessary to realize a negative resistor and there exist only two circuits for the topologically minimal realization disregarding the labelling of nullors and resistors

Aging effect on microstructure of cold groove-rolled α′-type Ti-12 mass%V-2 mass%Al alloys studied by transmission electron microscopy

Microstructure and phase decomposition of hexagonal α′ martensite in cold groove rolled (CGR) Ti-12 mass% V-2 mass% Al alloys have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. Acicular structure of the α′ martensite changes into equiaxed α′ grains by CGR with a cold reduction of 75%. After aging at 573K for 500 h, local Moiré fringes disappear and diffraction rings become sharp due to recovery. However, Vickers hardness also increased in spite of the recovery. Partitioning of solute atoms and/or formation of fine precipitates can be possible cause for the observed age-hardening. Although a CGR alloy is characterized by a microstructure with polycrystalline equiaxed grains, following orientation relationship is locally observed between β precipitates and α grains after aging at 673 K: (101)β // (011̄1̄)α, [010]β // (101̄1)α. Electron tomography revealed a heterogeneous nucleation and growth of β precipitates in the deformed α′ matrix. © 2014 The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials

Alteration of transbilayer phospholipid compositions is involved in cell adhesion, cell spreading, and focal adhesion formation

We previously showed that P4-ATPases, ATP10A/ATP8B1, and ATP11A/ATP11C have flippase activities toward phosphatidylcholine (PC), and aminophospholipids [phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine], respectively. Here, we investigate the effect of PC-specific flippases versus aminophospholipid-specific flippases in cell spreading on the extracellular matrix. Expression of PC-flippases, but not PS-flippases, delayed cell adhesion, cell spreading and inhibited formation of focal adhesions. In addition, overexpression of a PS-binding probe that sequesters PS in the cytoplasmic leaflet delayed cell spreading and inhibited formation of focal adhesions. These results suggest that elevation of PC at the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane by expression of PC-flippases may reduce the local concentration of PS or phosphoinositides, required for efficient cell adhesion, focal adhesion formation, and cell spreading

Nonlocal self-organization of long stacking faults from highly strained nanocomposite film of complex oxide

Elastic strain and defects are important key words for controlling structure and properties in films. While epitaxial strain and misfit dislocations have been discussed in conventional films, the evolution of strain and defect can be significantly varied by nanocomposite strain and complicated defects in oxides. In the present study, long stacking faults with a spacing of 5–30 nm and a length of >500 nm were self-organized by ex situ annealing highly strained nanocomposite films of YBa2Cu3O7–δ (YBCO) + BaMO3 (M = Hf, Sn). It is surprising that the nonlocal nature of stacking faults, namely, the structural correlation over >500 nm, was observed in spite of the local configuration of the nanocomposite interface. This kind of structural variation was not observed in the pure YBCO film without nanorods, even when the same annealing was performed. A strain energy analysis showed that the stacking fault formation led to the strain energy minimum by reducing the nanocomposite strain. The layered structure of YBCO stacking faults and the large nanocomposite strain realized the present nonlocal self-organization, which is not observed in the conventional systems with epitaxial strain and misfit dislocations

Absence of Tc-Pinning Phenomenon Under High Pressure in High-Entropy REO0.5F0.5BiS2 Layered Superconductor

Recently, robustness of superconductivity (transition temperature, Tc) under high pressures has been observed in high-entropy alloy (HEA), bcc-type Ti-Zr-Hf-Nb-Ta, and HEA-type compounds (Ag,In,Sn,Pb,Bi)Te with a NaCl-type structure. Since those materials have three-dimensional crystal structure, investigation on the pressure dependence of Tc of low-dimensional materials is needed to understand the phenomena. Here, we investigated the superconducting properties and the crystal structure of BiS2-based layered system REO0.5F0.5BiS2. Although the robustness of Tc was induced in MTe with increasing M-site configurational entropy, the increase in RE-site configurational entropy does not induce robustness of Tc under high pressures in REO0.5F0.5BiS2. The crystal structure of HEA-type REO0.5F0.5BiS2 was confirmed as monoclinic P21/m, which is the same space group as the zero-entropy counterpart LaO0.5F0.5BiS2. The results suggest that an increase in configurational entropy at blocking layers do not affect crystal structure and superconducting properties under high pressures in the BiS2-based layered system.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Normal meal tolerance test is preferable to the glucagon stimulation test in patients with type 2 diabetes that are not in a hyperglycemic state: Comparison with the change of C-peptide immunoreactivity

Aims/Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the properties of the glucagon stimulation test (GST) and the normal meal tolerance test (NMTT) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 142 patients with type 2 diabetes, and carried out a GST and a NMTT. We carried out the NMTT using a calorie-controlled meal based on an intake of 30 kcal/kg ideal bodyweight/day. We calculated the change in C-peptide immunoreactivity (ΔCPR) by subtracting fasting CPR from the CPR 6 min after the 1-mg glucagon injection (GST) or 120 min after the meal (NMTT). Results: Mean ΔCPR for the GST was 2.0 ng/mL, and for the NMTT was 3.1 ng/mL. A total of 104 patients had greater ΔCPR in the NMTT than the GST, and the mean ΔCPR was significantly greater in the NMTT than the GST (P < 0.05). To exclude any influence of antidiabetic drugs, we examined 42 individuals not taking antidiabetic agents, and found the mean ΔCPR was significantly greater in the NMTT than the GST (GST 2.4 ng/mL, NMTT 4.3 ng/mL; P < 0.05). To consider the influence of glucose toxicity, we carried out receiver operating characteristic analyses with fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin. The optimal cut-off levels predicting GST ΔCPR to be larger than NMTT ΔCPR were fasting plasma glucose 147 mg/dL and glycated hemoglobin 9.0% (fasting plasma glucose: sensitivity 0.64, specificity 0.76, area under the curve 0.73; glycated hemoglobin: sensitivity 0.56, specificity 0.71, area under the curve 0.66). Conclusions: The NMTT is a reliable insulin secretion test in patients with type 2 diabetes, except for those in a hyperglycemic state

Quantitative Features of serum sIL-2R level in Patients with Mature B-Cell Lymphoma? Involvement of LDH

Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and soluble IL-2 Receptor-alpha (sIL-2R) levels are monitored as a marker ofdisease activity in patients with lymphoma. Although adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells are well known to release large amounts ofsIL-2R,it remains unclear to what extent B-cell lymphoma cells shed sIL-2R in sera. Subtypes of mature B-cell lymphoma, includingCD25+ hairy leukemic cells, were examined for the characteristics of sIL-2R levels in each subtype. In normal controls, theserum sIL-2R mean value was 260u/mL.The median serum sIL-2R value for 64 B-cell lymphoma cases was 506 u/mL;by subtypethe median values were as follows: 1157 u/mL for 7 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/hairy cell leukemia (CLL/HCL), 451u/mL for 38 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 456 u/mL for 19 cases of follicular Lymphoma (FL). The medianvalues of serum LDH activity by the above subtypes were 175 IU/mL, 204 IU/mL, and 198 IU/mL, respectively. There wasdistinct inter-subtype and inter-patient variation of serum sIL-2R.In particular, inter-case variation could be grouped into value forthree concentration ranges: less than 300 u/mL, 300-1000 u/mL, and greater than 1000 u/mL. Cases with serum sIL-2R valuesof 1000 u/mL or more tended to have an especially high sIL-2R to LDH ratio, suggesting a close relationship between high sIL-2Rand CD25-expressing lymphoma cells. With respect to sIL-2R and LDH levels, CLL/HCL, DLBCL, and FL showed similar distributions.Moreover, for sIL-2R levels exceeding 1000u/mL, sIL-2R levels were randomly high according to the LDH status. Conclusively,the combination of serum sIL-2R level and LDH activity can provide a better understanding of characteristics of subtypesof mature B-Cell Lymphoma and can be used as a reliable surrogate marker for evaluating numerical and biological data

3Dマッピングシステムを用いた両心房Stimulus-V mapによる順行性速伝導路入口部の解剖学的位置並び特徴の検討

Purpose Previous studies examined the right atrial (RA) input site of the antegrade fast pathway (AFp) (AFpI). However, the left atrial (LA) input to the atrioventricular (AV) node has not been extensively evaluated. In this study, we created three-dimensional (3-D) bi-atrial stimulus-ventricle (St-V) maps and analyzed the input site and characteristics of the AFp in both the RA and LA. Methods Forty-four patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or WPW syndrome were included in this study. Three-dimensional bi-atrial St-V mapping was performed using an electroanatomical mapping system. Sites exhibiting the minimal St-V interval (MinSt-V) were defined as AFpIs and were classified into seven segments, four in the RA (F, S, M, and I) and three in the LA (M1, M2, and M3). By combining the MinSt-V in the RA and LA, the AFpIs were classified into three types: RA, LA, and bi-atrial (BA) types. The clinical and electrophysiological characteristics were compared. Results AFpIs were most frequently observed at site S in the RA (34%) and M2 in the LA (50%), and the BA type was the most common (57%). AFpIs in the LA were recognized in 75% of the patients. There were no clinical or electrophysiological indicators for predicting AFpI sites. Conclusions Three-dimensional bi-atrial St-V maps could classify AFpIs in both the RA and LA. AFpIs in the LA were frequently recognized. There were no significant clinical or electrophysiological indicators for predicting AFpI sites, and 3-D bi-atrial St-V mapping was the only method to reveal the precise AFp input site

Lattice Anharmonicity in BiS2-Based Layered Superconductor RE(O,F)BiS2 (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd)

We studied Gr\"uneisen parameter ({\gamma}G) to investigate lattice anharmonicity in a layered BiS2-based superconductor system REO1-xFxBiS2 (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd), where in-plane chemical pressure was tuned by substituting the RE elements. With increasing in-plane chemical pressure, bulk modulus remarkably increases, and a high {\gamma}G is observed for RE = Nd. The dependence of {\gamma}G on in-plane chemical pressure exhibits a good correlation with Tc, and a higher Tc is achieved when {\gamma}G is large for RE = Nd. In addition, {\gamma}G shows a slight decrease by a decrease of F concentration (x) in REO1-xFxBiS2. Our results show that the anharmonic vibration of Bi along the c-axis is present in REO1-xFxBiS2, and the enhancement of the anharmonicity is positively linked to superconducting Tc and pairing mechanisms.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure