An interactive system for constructing cat''s cradle string diagram using GA

In many method of the cat's cradle string diagram processing in use today, there is no a strong emphasis on user interaction. This paper discusses a method for constructing cat's cradle string diagram in 2-D. The method uses a string representation and processing in 2-D which preserves the topology characteristics of the string diagram and also uses a small data volume. The inputted string diagram is transformed onto its cat's cradle string diagram by geometric transformation and GA. The method allows the user to interactively construct a cat's cradle string diagram. Three operations are used for constructing cat's cradle diagram, they are pull (over and under), release and exchange. An implemented program executed some shapes of cat's cradle for verifying the method.     

Length distribution of aluminum etch tunnels

A model was derived for the length distribution of aluminum etch tunnels, based on an assumed constant death rate per unit length. Both active and dead tunnels were accounted. The model gives reasonable fits to measured tunnel length distribution data with two adjustable parameters, the death rate per unit length and the number of active tunnels. The death rate parameter has a value of about 2% of tunnels dying per m of growth length for the set of experimental data. The numbers of active and dead tunnels appear to be consistent with other tunnel measurements.     

Effect of 26,26,26,27,27,27-Hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the expression of vitamin-D-responsive genes in vitamin-D-deficient mice

26,26,26,27,27,27-Hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (ST-630) is a newly developed agent to maintain the levels of calcium and phosphorus in blood. Herein, we investigated the effect of this compound on the expression of vitamin-D-responsive genes in vitamin-D-deficient mice. ST-630 was more effective than 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] with respect to the induction of Cyp24 and calbindin-D9k mRNAs in the kidney and in the small intestine. Moreover, the increase in mRNA levels of vitamin-D-responsive genes induced by ST-630 lasted longer than that induced by 1,25(OH)2D3. These results indicate that ST-630 was more effective in inducing Cyp24 and calbindin-D9k gene expression than 1, 25(OH)2D3 when both compounds were injected into vitamin-D-deficient mice.     

Immediate and late results of the surgical treatment of the aneurysms and dissections of the ascending aorta

Cyclosporine (CsA) and some of its metabolites (M9, M17, M18, M21) have been determined by means of an LC-MASS method in eight psoriatic patients developing nephrotoxicity. In comparison with a control group (15 psoriatics who after the same period of time, with the same daily dose, did not develop nephrotoxicity) they showed an increase of CsA metabolites, especially M17. Because M17 blood concentrations in the nephrotoxic group tended to be higher than in the control group from the first week of treatment we suggest that M17 might be considered a marker of ongoing nephrotoxicity.     

Low-temperature polysilicon TFT with two-layer gate insulator usingphoto-CVD and APCVD SiO2

The performance of polysilicon thin-film transistors (TFTs) formed by a 600°C process was improved using a two-layer gate insulator of photochemical-assisted vapor deposition (photo-CVD) SiO₂ and atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) SiO₂. The photo-CVD SiO₂, 100 Å thick, was deposited on polysilicon and followed by APCVD SiO₂ of 1000 Å thickness. The TFT had a threshold voltage of 8.3 V and a field-effect mobility of 35 cm²/V-s, which were higher than those of the conventional TFT with a single-layer gate SiO₂ of APCVD. Hydrogenation by hydrogen plasma was more effective for the new TFT than for the conventional device     

Formation of acrylamide in a processed food model system, and examination of inhibitory conditions

Acrylamide (AAm) is formed from asparagine (Asn) and reducing sugar during cooking of foods at high temperature. We examined the formation of AAm in a model system using a glass fiber filter paper, and looked for suitable conditions for inhibiting AAm formation. In frying, the formation rate was about 10 times that in a moistureless oven. Increase of frying temperature and frying time increased AAm formation when the residual moisture was 5% or less. AAm increased with increasing amount of glucose (Glc) addition up to 1:1 with respect to Asn, but then decreased. On the other hand, in the case of fructose, as the amount added was increased, AAm increased accordingly. The AAm formation rate with respect to Asn increased when valine (Val) was co-present in a Glc and Asn reaction system. Cysteine and lysine inhibited the AAm formation rate. Pathways for the formation of AAm are proposed.     

Dependence of zero-shear viscosity and steady-state compliance on molecular weight between entanglements for ethylene-cycloolefin copolymers

Dynamic viscoelastic properties of a series of cyclic olefin copolymers have been investigated. The specimens differ in total molecular weight as well as molecular weight between entanglements. The angular frequency (ω) dependence curves of dynamic storage and loss moduli (G′ and G″, respectively) of the specimens have shown that G′ ∝ ω² and G″ ∝ ω in the terminal region, and a plateau region at high ω. On the basis of the experimental results, the dependence of total molecular weight as well as molecular weight between entanglements has been examined for zero-shear viscosity (η₀) and steady-state compliance (J_e). It is shown that for the melts of the copolymers in the entangled regime, M_w being the weight-average molecular weight and M_e the molecular weight between entanglements. The steady-state compliance J_e for the melts scales with M_e and M_w as .     

Current Concepts of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic condition associated with significant neurological deficit and social and financial burdens. It is currently being managed symptomatically with no real therapeutic strategies available. In recent years, a number of innovative regenerative strategies have emerged and have been continuously investigated in clinical trials. In addition, several more are coming down the translational pipeline. Among ongoing and completed trials are those reporting the use of mesenchymal stem cells, neural stem/progenitor cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, and Schwann cells. The advancements in stem cell technology, combined with the powerful neuroimaging modalities, can now accelerate the pathway of promising novel therapeutic strategies from bench to bedside. Various combinations of different molecular therapies have been combined with supportive scaffolds to facilitate favorable cell–material interactions. In this review, we summarized some of the most recent insights into the preclinical and clinical studies using stem cells and other supportive drugs to unlock the microenvironment in chronic SCI to treat patients with this condition. Successful future therapies will require these stem cells and other synergistic approaches to address the persistent barriers to regeneration, including glial scarring, loss of structural framework, and immunorejection.