High-speed simulation of PCB emission and immunity with frequency-domain IC/LSI source models

Some recent results from research conducted in the EMC group at Okayama University are reviewed. A scheme for power-bus modeling with an analytical method is introduced. A linear macro-model for ICs/LSIs, called the LECCS model, has been developed for EMI and EMS simulation. This model has a very simple structure and is sufficiently accurate. Combining the LECCS model with analytical simulation techniques for power-bus resonance simulation provides a method for high-speed EMI simulation and decoupling evaluation related to PCB and LSI design. A useful explanation of the common-mode excitation mechanism, which utilizes the imbalance factor of a transmission line, is also presented. Some of the results were investigated by implementing prototypes of a high-speed EMI simulator, HISES. </p

Proton beam therapy for bone sarcomas of the skull base and spine: A retrospective nationwide multicenter study in Japan

We conducted a retrospective, nationwide multicenter study to evaluate the clinical outcomes of proton beam therapy for bone sarcomas of the skull base and spine in Japan. Eligibility criteria included: (i) histologically proven bone sarcomas of the skull base or spine; (ii) no metastases; (iii) ≥20 years of age; and (iv) no prior treatment with radiotherapy. Of the 103 patients treated between January 2004 and January 2012, we retrospectively analyzed data from 96 patients who were followed-up for >6 months or had died within 6 months. Seventy-two patients (75.0%) had chordoma, 20 patients (20.8%) had chondrosarcoma, and four patients (7.2%) had osteosarcoma. The most frequent tumor locations included the skull base in 68 patients (70.8%) and the sacral spine in 13 patients (13.5%). Patients received a median total dose of 70.0 Gy (relative biological effectiveness). The median follow-up was 52.6 (range, 6.3–131.9) months. The 5-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and local control rates were 75.3%, 49.6%, and 71.1%, respectively. Performance status was a significant factor for overall survival and progression-free survival, whilst sex was a significant factor for local control. Acute Grade 3 and late toxicities of ≥Grade 3 were observed in nine patients (9.4%) each (late Grade 4 toxicities [n = 3 patients; 3.1%]). No treatment-related deaths occurred. Proton beam therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of bone sarcomas of the skull base and spine in Japan. However, larger prospective studies with a longer follow-up are warranted

Production of 4-Deoxy-L-erythro-5-Hexoseulose Uronic Acid Using Two Free and Immobilized Alginate Lyases from Falsirhodobacter sp. Alg1

Falsirhodobacter sp. alg1 expresses two alginate lyases, AlyFRA and AlyFRB, to produce the linear monosaccharide 4-deoxy-L-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronic acid (DEH) from alginate, metabolizing it to pyruvate. In this study, we prepared recombinant AlyFRA and AlyFRB and their immobilized enzymes and investigated DEH production. Purified AlyFRA and AlyFRB reacted with sodium alginate and yielded approximately 96.8% DEH. Immobilized AlyFRA and AlyFRB were prepared using each crude enzyme solution and &kappa;-carrageenan, and immobilized enzyme reuse in batch reactions and DEH yield were examined. Thus, DEH was produced in a relatively high yield of 79.6%, even after the immobilized enzyme was reused seven times. This method can produce DEH efficiently and at a low cost and can be used to mass produce the next generation of biofuels using brown algae

Regioisomer effects of [70]PCBM on film structures and photovoltaic properties of composite films with a crystalline conjugated polymer P3HT

Despite the wide prevalence of [6, 6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester ([70]PCBM) as an electron acceptor in high-performance organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, [70]PCBM has been generally used as a mixture of regioisomers. In this study, we utilized regioisomerically pure α- and β-[70]PCBM in combination with a crystalline conjugated polymer donor, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to investigate systematically the regioisomer effects of [70]PCBM on structures and electronic and photovoltaic properties of the composite films. Notably, the β-isomer induced a face-on P3HT packing in the blend film, whereas an edge-on alignment of P3HT was observed in the composite films with the α-isomer as well as the regioisomer mixture (mix-[70]PCBM). The hole mobility in a vertical direction to the substrate in the P3HT:β-[70]PCBM film was higher than those in P3HT:α-[70]PCBM and P3HT:mix-[70]PCBM due to the face-on P3HT packing. Reflecting the superior hole mobility, the OPV device based on the P3HT:β-[70]PCBM film showed a higher power conversion efficiency of 3.69% than the devices based on the other composite films (3.11–3.21%). The results obtained here demonstrate that the use of regioisomerically pure [70]fullerene mono-adducts can modulate the polymer packing direction in the blend film, which is an unprecedented approach to improve the device performances of OPVs

Temporal fluctuation in the abundance of alginate-degrading bacteria in the gut of abalone Haliotis gigantea over 1 year

In this study, we identified and enumerated alginate-degrading bacteria in the gut of abalone over 1-year period. From a total of 360 colonies growing on agar medium enriched with alginate, 251 isolates (70%) had the ability to degrade alginate. In addition, a high number of viable alginate-degrading bacteria were detected throughout the survey period. Alginate-degrading bacteria were more abundant in the cold season relative to thesummer season (10(7) vs. 10(4)CFUg(-1), respectively). Strong positive correlation was also observed between the number of alginate-degrading bacteria and feed intake (R=0.854; P<0.01). The identified alginate-degrading bacteria comprised of 35 species grouped into 11 genera including Algibacter, Formosa, Polarybacter, Tamlana, Tenacibaculum (CFB group), Roseobacter, Ruegeria, Silicibacter (-proteobacteria), Agarivorans, Shewanella and Vibrio (-proteobacteria) respectively. More than 80% of the isolated alginate-degrading bacteria belonged to the genus Vibrio, showing high homology to Vibrio cyclotorophicus, Vibrio splendidus, Vibrio halioticoli and Vibrio neonatus. Based on the results, it was suggested that algal-polysaccharide (alginate) degrading bacteria (mainly Vibrio) commonly exist in the gut of abalone and may play an important role in the degradation and digestion of the host's feed

Cell-Penetrating Peptide–Peptide Nucleic Acid Conjugates as a Tool for Protein Functional Elucidation in the Native Bacterium

Approximately 30% or more of the total proteins annotated from sequenced bacteria genomes are annotated as hypothetical or uncharacterized proteins. However, elucidation on the function of these proteins is hindered by the lack of simple and rapid screening methods, particularly with novel or hard-to-transform bacteria. In this report, we employed cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) –peptide nucleotide acid (PNA) conjugates to elucidate the function of such uncharacterized proteins in vivo within the native bacterium. Paenibacillus, a hard-to-transform bacterial genus, was used as a model. Two hypothetical genes showing amino acid sequence similarity to ι-carrageenases, termed cgiA and cgiB, were identified from the draft genome of Paenibacillus sp. strain YYML68, and CPP–PNA probes targeting the mRNA of the acyl carrier protein gene, acpP, and the two ι-carrageenase candidate genes were synthesized. Upon direct incubation of CPP–PNA targeting the mRNA of the acpP gene, we successfully observed growth inhibition of strain YYML68 in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, both the function of the candidate ι-carrageenases were also inhibited using our CPP–PNA probes allowing for the confirmation and characterization of these hypothetical proteins. In summary, we believe that CPP–PNA conjugates can serve as a simple and efficient alternative approach to characterize proteins in the native bacterium

Regioisomer effects of [70]fullerene mono-adduct acceptors in bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells

Despite numerous organic semiconductors being developed during the past decade, C70 derivatives are predominantly used as electron acceptors in efficient polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, as-prepared C70 mono-adducts intrinsically comprise regioisomers that would mask individual device performances depending on the substituent position on C70. Herein, we separate the regioisomers of C70 mono-adducts for PSC applications for the first time. Systematic investigations of the substituent position effect using a novel symmetric C70 mono-adduct ([70]NCMA) and a prevalent, high-performance one ([70]PCBM) reveals that we can control the structures of the blend films with conjugated polymers and thereby improve the PSC performances by regioisomer separation. Our approach demonstrates the significance of exploring the best-matching regioisomer of C70 mono-adducts with high-performance conjugated polymers, which would achieve a remarkable progress in PSC devices

Formosa haliotis sp. nov., a brown-alga-degrading bacterium isolated from the gut of the abalone Haliotis gigantea

Four brown-alga-degrading, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated, gliding and rod-shaped bacteria, designated LMG 28520(T), LMG 28521, LMG 28522 and LMG 28523, were isolated from the gut of the abalone Haliotis gigantea obtained in Japan. The four isolates had identical random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns and grew optimally at 25 degrees C, at pH 6.0-9,0 and in the presence of 1.0-4.0 % (w/v) NaCI. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the isolates in the genus Formosa with Formosa algae and Formosa arctica as closest neighbours. LMG 28520(T) and LMG 28522 showed,100 % DNA-DNA relatedness to each other, 16-17 % towards F. algae LMG 28216(T) and 17-20 % towards F. arctica LMG 28318(T); they could be differentiated phenotypically from these established species. The predominant fatty acids of isolates LMG 28520(T) and LMG 28522 were summed feature 3 (iso-C-15:0 2-OH and/or C-16:1 omega 7c), iso-C-15:1 G and iso-C-15:0. Isolate LMG 28520(T) contained menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the major respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and an unknown lipid as the major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 34.4 mol% for LMG 28520(T) and 35.5 mol% for LMG 28522. On the basis of their phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, and differential phenotypic properties, the four isolates are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Formosa, for which the name Formosa haliotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 28520(T) (= NBRC 111189(T))

High-speed simulation of PCB emission and immunity with frequency-domain IC/LSI source models

Abstract Some recent results from research conducted in the EMC group at Okayama Universiry are reviewed A scheme for power-bus modeling with an analytical method is introduced. A linear macro-model for ICdLSIs. called the LECCS model, has been developed for EM and EMS simulation. This model has a very simple structure and is suficiently accurate. Combining the LECCS model with analytical simulation techniques for power-bus resonance simulation provides a method for high-speed E M simulation and decoupling evaluation related to PCB and LSI design. A usefir explanation of the common-mode excitation mechanism, which utilizes the imbalancefactor of a transmission line, is also presented. Some of the results were investigated by implementingprototypes of a high-speed EM7 simulator, HISES