Nucleation Kinetics in the Krafft Transition(Poster session 2, New Frontiers in Colloidal Physics : A Bridge between Micro- and Macroscopic Concepts in Soft Matter)

この論文は国立情報学研究所の電子図書館事業により電子化されました。C16ピリジニウム界面活性剤のKrafft転移の動的過程が、過飽和溶液から結晶核が形成する過程と類似現象であること、結晶核形成誘導期間tが、過飽和度Sの対数の-3乗に比例すること、形成される水和固体が準安定の場合と安定状態の場合では、tとSの上記関係の比例係数が異なることを見出した。The surfactant molecules with alkyl chains in the solid state at a decreased temperature form the hydrated crystal in water, which is called as the Krafft transition. The hydrated solids or crystals usually form the multilamella structures consisting of bilayers. Recently we have found the long-lived metastable hydrated solid in the Krafft transition process of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in water through the measurements of the small-angle X-ray scattering, the electric conductance and the calorimetry. The multilamella structures in the metastable and stable solids, respectively, are composed of ordinary bilayers and interdigitated bilayers, which have been identified by their lattice spacings. It has been found that a time lag between drops of an electric conductance, k and a temperature, T exists in the Krafft transition process of CPC. The time lag is the induction period of the formation of hydrated solid, during which the molecules overcome the activation barrier in order to form a critical nucleation cluster

Electron Beam Lithography for Large Area Patterning 1: Development of Large Field Deflection E-Beam Lithography System

A novel electron beam system has been designed and developed specifically for large area patterning of electronic devices such as printed wiring boards. The prototyped system features a large field deflection, high scanning speed and stably focused beam in the large field. An electron gun with a LaB5 flat cathode was used by operating at 1750-1800 K. The electron beam column provides an electron probe of less than 40 μm in diameter with a current of 50 μA at 60 kV. Fast and large field deflections by a magnetic deflection system enables an area of 104 mm x 104 mm to be covered. The scanning speed can range up to 254 m/s. Particular attention was paid to the materials and shapes of the optics column to minimize the influence of eddy currents from the point of view of controlling the dynamic behavior of beam deflection. It is confirmed that the system can provide accurate beam deflection within a ±20 μm (3) tolerance for the quite large field of 52 mm x 52 mm

Availability of a remote online hemodynamic monitoring system during treatment in a private dental office for medically high-risk patients

The importance of systemic management to prevent accidents is increasing in dentistry because co-morbid illnesses in an aging society and invasive surgical procedures are increasing. In this prefecture, a new medical system called the remote online hemodynamic monitoring system (ROHMs) was started in 2001. Eight private dental offices participated in this trial. When dental practitioners feel the risk of a dental procedure, they can contact via ROHMs to this hospital. Then, the hemodynamic data (blood pressure, heart rate, ECG, SpO2, and RPP) of the patient in the clinic can be transmitted here via the internet, and the images and the voice can be transmitted as well. The availability of this system was assessed in 66 patients (98 cases). The most frequent complications were hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus. Systemic management included monitoring during the dental procedure (71.4%), checking vital signs after an interview (15.3%), and monitoring under sedation (13.3%). There were 35.7% of all cases where an unscheduled procedure was necessary for the systemic management. Based on a questionnaire, the majority of the patients felt relieved and safe. This system creates a situation where a specialist is almost present during the procedure. This system will provide significant assistance for future medical cooperation for risk management

A Case of Mediastinal Lymph Node Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Site Treated with Docetaxel and Cisplatin with Concurrent Thoracic Radiation Therapy

Mediastinal lymph node carcinoma of unknown primary site is rare and may have a better prognosis if extensive treatment is performed. Case, A 69-year-old-male presented with a persistent cough. Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a large tumor 9.5×8.2cm, in the mediastinum, compressing the right main bronchus, the right pulmonary artery, and the superior vena cava. Because fiberoptic bronchoscopy was insufficient for diagnosis, mediastinoscopic tumor biopsy under general anesthesia was undertaken. Histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma. Extensive examinations revealed no other neoplastic lesion except in the mediastinum. Mediastinal lymph node carcinoma of unknown primary site was diagnosed. The patient was treated with docetaxel and cisplatin with concurrent thoracic radiation therapy. A month after the start of chemoradiotherapy, the mediastinal tumor regressed markedly. The patient remained free of symptoms without regrowth of the primary site. Exploration of the body showed no further abnormalities 20 months after disease onset

Thymoproteasomes produce unique peptide motifs for positive selection of CD8+ T cells

Positive selection in the thymus provides low-affinity T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement to support the development of potentially useful self-major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-restricted T cells. Optimal positive selection of CD8+ T cells requires cortical thymic epithelial cells that express β5t-containing thymoproteasomes (tCPs). However, how tCPs govern positive selection is unclear. Here we show that the tCPs produce unique cleavage motifs in digested peptides and in MHC-I-associated peptides. Interestingly, MHC-I-associated peptides carrying these tCP-dependent motifs are enriched with low-affinity TCR ligands that efficiently induce the positive selection of functionally competent CD8+ T cells in antigen-specific TCR-transgenic models. These results suggest that tCPs contribute to the positive selection of CD8+ T cells by preferentially producing low-affinity TCR ligand peptides

A Cadmium-Free Cu2ZnSnS4/ZnO Hetrojunction Solar Cell Prepared by Practicable Processes

A cadmium-free Cu2ZnSnS4/ZnO hetrojunction solar cell with conversion efficiency of 4.29% has been obtained. The Cu2ZnSnS4 absorber film was formed utilizing sulfurization of laminated metallic precursors, and the ZnO buffer layer was then deposited on it by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. In comparison with a conventional Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS hetrojunction solar cell, the open circuit voltage as well as the relative quantum efficiency at the short-wavelength regions was increased. The in-plane homogeneity of p-n junction was improved by depositing the ZnO layer on Cu2ZnSnS4 film via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. (C) 2011 The Japan Society of Applied PhysicsArticleJAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS. 50(3): 032301 (2011)journal articl