Fabrication of Copper/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composites Containing Different Sized Nanotubes by Electroless Deposition

Cu/multiwalled carbon nanotube(MWCNT) composites containing two different sized MWCNTs were fabricated using an electroless deposition technique in aqueous solution. In order to disperse the MWCNTs in the solution, an anionic dispersant of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and a polymeric dispersant of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) were used. The dispersibility of the MWCNTs in solution was evaluated by measuring the particle size distribution. The zeta potential for the MWCNTs was also evaluated to examine the dispersibility. Uniform Cu/MWCNT composites containing the two different sized MWCNTs were fabricated through the electroless copper deposition process from a solution containing copper ions, a complexing agent, a reducing agent, and two dispersants, SDS and HPC, in addition to the two different sized MWCNTs. (C) The Author(s) 2014. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. All rights reserved.ArticleJOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY. 162(1):D68-D73 (2015)journal articl

Sustainable Public Debt, Credit Constraints, and Social Welfare

Whether the sustainability of public debt is promoted or foiled by credit market imperfections depends upon the fiscal policy rules. Under the golden rule, as credit constraints dissipate, public debt is more likely sustainable, whereas under the balanced budget rule, it is less likely sustainable. We also examine the social welfare under the two different fiscal rules. The balanced budget rule is more beneficial to the super-near future generations than the golden rule, whereas the golden rule is more beneficial to the near future generations than the balanced budget rule. However, to the far future generations, the balanced budget rule once again becomes more beneficial than the golden rule.Fiscal sustainability; credit constraints; social welfare; heterogeneous agents endogenous growth

Fabrication of copper/single-walled carbon nanotube composite film with homogeneously dispersed nanotubes by electroless deposition

Copper/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite films were fabricated by electroless deposition. The SWCNTs were formed using the water-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. To prepare copper/SWCNT composite plating baths with homogeneously dispersed SWCNTs, magnetic stirring, ultrasonic homogenization, and collision-type atomization were examined as mechanical methods for the disintegration of SWCNT bundles. Appropriate dispersants were added to the plating baths to avoid re-aggregation of the disintegrated SWCNTs. The degree of SWCNT dispersion in the copper/SWCNT composite plating bath was evaluated using a particle size analyzer, and the microstructures of the copper/SWCNT composite films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Collision-type atomization most significantly improved the degree of SWCNT dispersion in the composite plating bath. Using this treatment method, copper/SWCNT composite films with homogeneous dispersions of SWCNTs were successfully fabricated by electroless deposition. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://cleativecommonhorghicensehby-nc-nd74,0/).ArticleMATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS. 7:101-107 (2016)journal articl

Regulation of Adrenomedullin and its Family Peptide by RAMP System – Lessons from Genetically Engineered Mice

Adrenomedullin (ADM), originally identified as a vasodilating peptide, is now recognized to be a pleiotropic molecule involved in both the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and circulatory homeostasis. Homozygotes of ADM knockout mice (ADM-/-) were lethal at mid-gestation with abnormalities of vascular development and this finding clarified the angiogenic potency of ADM. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which has a structure and function similar to that of ADM, has been identified as a family peptide of ADM. Unlike ADM-/-, CGRP-/- were apparently normal. Therefore, the study of knockout mice first clarified the distinctly different physiological roles between ADM and CGRP. In contrast, heterozygotes of ADM knockout mice (ADM+/-) were alive but showed blood pressure elevation, reduced neovascularization, and enhanced neointimal formation by arterial injury. Based on these observations, there was hope ADM would have a therapeutic use. However, ADM has a short half-life in the blood stream and its application in chronic disease has limitations. Therefore, we focused on the ADM receptor system. The calcitonin-receptor-like receptor (CLR), which is the ADM receptor, associates with one of the accessory proteins, called receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). By interacting with RAMP1, CLR exhibits a high affinity for CGRP, whereas by interacting with either RAMP2 or -3, CLR exhibits a high affinity for ADM. We generated RAMP knockout mice and found that vascular phenotypes similar to ADM-/- were reproduced only in RAMP2-/-. This shows that RAMP2 is the key determinant of the vascular functions of ADM. RAMP2 could be an attractive therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases.ArticleCURRENT PROTEIN & PEPTIDE SCIENCE. 14(5):347-357 (2013)journal articl

Interfacial fracture strength property of micro-scale SiN/Cu components

AbstractThe strength against fracture nucleation from an interface free-edge of silicon-nitride (SiN)/copper (Cu) micro-components is evaluated. A special technique that combines a nano-indenter specimen holder and an environmental transmission electron microscope (E-TEM) is employed. The critical load at the onset of fracture nucleation from a wedge-shaped free-edge (opening angle: 90°) is measured both in a vacuum and in a hydrogen (H2) environment, and the critical stress distribution is evaluated by the finite element method (FEM). It is found that the fracture nucleation is dominated by the near-edge elastic singular stress field that extends about a few tens of nanometers from the edge. The fracture nucleation strength expressed in terms of the stress intensity factor (K) is found to be eminently reduced in a H2 environment

A prospective randomized trial comparing the clinical effectiveness and biocompatibility of heparin-coated circuits and PMEA-coated circuits in pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECT:　 We compared the clinical effectiveness and biocompatibility of poly-2-methoxyethyl acrylate (PMEA)-coated and heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits in a prospective pediatric trial.　 METHODS:　 Infants randomly received heparin-coated (n=7) or PMEA-coated (n=7) circuits in elective pediatric cardiac surgery with CPB for ventricular septum defects. Clinical and hematologic variables, respiratory indices and hemodynamic changes were analyzed perioperatively.　 RESULTS:　 Demographic and clinical variables were similar in both groups. Leukocyte counts were significantly lower 5 minutes after CPB in the PMEA group than the heparin group. Hemodynamic data showed that PMEA caused hypotension within 5 minutes of CPB. The respiratory index was significantly higher immediately after CPB and 1 hour after transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the PMEA group, as were levels of C-reactive protein 24 hours after transfer to the ICU.　 CONCLUSION:　 Our study shows that PMEA-coated circuits, unlike heparin-coated circuits, cause transient leukopenia during pediatric CPB and, perhaps, systemic inflammatory respiratory syndrome after pediatric CPB

Adrenomedullin in sinusoidal endothelial cells play protective roles against cold injury of liver

Donor organ damage caused by cold preservation is a major problem affecting liver transplantation. Cold preservation most easily damages liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), and information about the molecules modulating LSECs function can provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies. Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide known to possess anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. AM is abundant in vascular endothelial cells, but levels are comparatively low in liver, and little is known about its function there. In this study, we demonstrated both AM and its receptors are expressed in LSECs. AM treatment reduced LSECs loss and apoptosis under cold treatment. AM also downregulated cold-induced expression of TNF alpha, IL1 beta, IL6, ICAM1 and VCAM1. AM reduced apoptosis and expression of ICAM1 and VCAM1 in an in vivo liver model subjected to cold storage. Conversely, apoptosis was exacerbated in livers from AM and RAMP2 (AM receptor activity-modifying protein) knockout mice. These results suggest that AM expressed in LSECs exerts a protective effect against cold-organ damage through modulation of apoptosis and inflammation.ArticlePEPTIDES. 31(5):865-871 (2010)journal articl

Regulation of Adrenomedullin and its Family Peptide by RAMP System - Lessons from Genetically Engineered Mice

Adrenomedullin (ADM), originally identified as a vasodilating peptide, is now recognized to be a pleiotropic molecule involved in both the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and circulatory homeostasis. Homozygotes of ADM knockout mice (ADM-/-) were lethal at mid-gestation with abnormalities of vascular development and this finding clarified the angiogenic potency of ADM. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which has a structure and function similar to that of ADM, has been identified as a family peptide of ADM. Unlike ADM-/-, CGRP-/- were apparently normal. Therefore, the study of knockout mice first clarified the distinctly different physiological roles between ADM and CGRP. In contrast, heterozygotes of ADM knockout mice (ADM+/-) were alive but showed blood pressure elevation, reduced neovascularization, and enhanced neointimal formation by arterial injury. Based on these observations, there was hope ADM would have a therapeutic use. However, ADM has a short half-life in the blood stream and its application in chronic disease has limitations. Therefore, we focused on the ADM receptor system. The calcitonin-receptor-like receptor (CLR), which is the ADM receptor, associates with one of the accessory proteins, called receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). By interacting with RAMP1, CLR exhibits a high affinity for CGRP, whereas by interacting with either RAMP2 or -3, CLR exhibits a high affinity for ADM. We generated RAMP knockout mice and found that vascular phenotypes similar to ADM-/- were reproduced only in RAMP2-/-. This shows that RAMP2 is the key determinant of the vascular functions of ADM. RAMP2 could be an attractive therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases.ArticleCURRENT PROTEIN & PEPTIDE SCIENCE. 14(5):347-357 (2013)journal articl

Induction of LYVE-1/stabilin-2-positive liver sinusoidal endothelial-like cells from embryoid bodies by modulation of adrenomedullin-RAMP2 signaling

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a useful source for various cell lineages. So far, however, progress toward reconstitution of mature liver morphology and function has been limited. We have shown that knockout mice deficient in adrenomedullin (AM), a multifunctional endogenous peptide, or its receptor-activity modifying protein (RAMP2) die in utero due to poor vascular development and hemorrhage within the liver. In this study, using embryoid bodies (EBs)-culture system, we successfully induced liver sinusoidal endothelial-like cells by modulation of AM-RAMP2. In an EB differentiation system, we found that co-administration of AM and SB431542, an inhibitor of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) receptor type 1, markedly enhanced differentiation of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1)/stabilin-2-positive endothelial cells. These cells showed robust endocytosis of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) and upregulated expression of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs)-specific markers, including factor 8 (F8), Fc-gamma receptor 2b (Fcgr2b), and mannose receptor C type 1 (Mrc1), and also possessed fenestrae-like structure, a key morphological feature of LSECs. In RAMP2-null liver, by contrast, LYVE-1 was downregulated in LSECs, and the sinusoidal structure was disrupted. Our findings highlight the importance of AM-RAMP2 signaling for development of LSECs. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.ArticlePEPTIDES. 32(9):1855-1865 (2011)journal articl