Measurement of nonlinear frequency shift coefficient in spin-torque oscillators based on MgO tunnel junctions

The nonlinear frequency shift coefficient, which represents the strength of the transformation of amplitude fluctuations into phase fluctuations of an oscillator, is measured for MgO-based spin-torque oscillators by analyzing the current dependence of the power spectrum. We have observed that linewidth against inverse normalized power plots show linear behavior below and above the oscillation threshold as predicted by the analytical theories for spin-torque oscillators. The magnitude of the coefficient is determined from the ratio of the linear slopes. Small magnitude of the coefficient has been obtained for the device exhibiting narrow linewidth at high bias current.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in Applied Physics Letter

Amplitude-Phase Coupling in a Spin-Torque Nano-Oscillator

The spin-torque nano-oscillator in the presence of thermal fluctuation is described by the normal form of the Hopf bifurcation with an additive white noise. By the application of the reduction method, the amplitude-phase coupling factor, which has a significant effect on the power spectrum of the spin-torque nano-oscillator, is calculated from the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equation with the nonlinear Gilbert damping. The amplitude-phase coupling factor exhibits a large variation depending on in-plane anisotropy under the practical external fields.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Journal of Applied Physics via MMM 200

CORPORATE WORKERS’ IMAGES OF FARMING AND STRESS ALLEVIATION THROUGH GARDENING ACTIVITIES: A CASE STUDY OF ONE-DAY GARDENING TOUR IN A SUBURB OF TOKYO

This study explores the potential of one-off gardening experience tours for the reduction of mental stress of urban corporate workers. By using both medical and sociological data, it examines how the participants’ preconceived images of farming and other factors may influence the stress-reducing effects of gardening activities. The examination of several salivary substances and a medical questionnaire (POMS2®) suggest that the gardening activity had a clear stress-reducing effect for most participants. It was also revealed that the stress-reducing effect was greater for those who have positive images of farming than those with negative images. This suggests that gardening activities may not necessarily be beneficial for all walks of life, depending on one’s preconceived image of farming. At the same time, in order to evaluate the stress-reducing effect of the entire tour, there is a need to pay attention to aspects other than the gardening activity itself, in particular communication with the other participants as well as travel distances

Structural basis for improved efficacy of therapeutic antibodies on defucosylation of their Fc glycans

Removal of the fucose residue from the N-glycans of the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG) results in a dramatic enhancement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) through improved affinity for Fcγ receptor IIIa (FcγRIIIa). Here, we present the 2.2-Å structure of the complex formed between nonfucosylated IgG1-Fc and a soluble form of FcγRIIIa (sFcγRIIIa) with two N-glycosylation sites. The crystal structure shows that one of the two N-glycans of sFcγRIIIa mediates the interaction with nonfucosylated Fc, thereby stabilizing the complex. However, fucosylation of the Fc N-glycans inhibits this interaction, because of steric hindrance, and furthermore, negatively affects the dynamics of the receptor binding site. Our results offer a structural basis for improvement in ADCC of therapeutic antibodies by defucosylation

A PILOT STUDY TO MEASURE FORCE DEVELOPMENT DURING A SIMULATED MALTESE CROSS FOR GYMNASTICS STILL RINGS

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

A Pilot Study to Measure Force Development during a Simulated Maltese Cross for Gymnastics Still Rings

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

Intestinal Nature in Gallbladder Carcinoma with Reference to its Histogenesis

Forty advanced cases of gallbladder carcinoma were examined by the use of histochemical and immunohistological methods, in which attention was focused on intestinal metaplasia seen in and around the lesions. Twenty-nine percent for cases of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma displayed goblet cell-type carcinoma cells within the lesions, while no similar cell was evident in cases of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Ten percent for cases of gallbladder carcinoma included endocrine cells within neoplastic tissues, all of which consisted of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and mucosal areas adjacent to which also contained similar cells. Mucosal areas in the proximity to foci of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma demonstrated a marked increase in the amount of non-sulfated acid mucin, but no such tendency was discernible around foci of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Lysozyme immunoreactivity was identifiable in a high percent of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma foci and their surrounding mucosal areas, while similar reactivity was rarely present in cases of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. It may be suggested from these results that an intimate relationship would exist in between intestinal metaplasia and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma occurring in the gallbladder. It is, however, to be determined whether or not intestinal metaplasia alone would act as a precancerous lesion like adenoma, dysplasia and possibly hyperplastic polyp for the histogenesis of gallbladder carcinomas