Nakanishi (Japan)

This short review provides an overview of advancements in the characterization of defects in silicon carbide (SiC) wafers using polarized light observation. SiC, which has a wide bandgap and excellent thermal and electrical properties, is widely used in power devices. However, various defects such as threading screw dislocations (TSD), threading edge dislocations (TED), and basal plane dislocations (BPD) can significantly affect device performance and reliability. Polarized light observation offers a nondestructive method for visualizing these defects and analyzing the stress fields induced within the SiC crystal structure. This paper summarizes recent developments in this technique, including the application of analyzer rotation to enhance the contrast in defect visualization. Furthermore, the development of automated systems for rapid wafer evaluation is discussed, highlighting the role of polarized light observation in improving quality control and production efficiency in SiC power device manufacturing.

ドリップ灌漑はヨーロッパ，イスラエルなどを中心に世界に普及しているが，日本では全灌漑地の2%でしか使用されていない．その理由は，日本は四季を通じて十分な降雨があるため，露地栽培でドリップ灌漑は必須ではないとみなされてきたためと考えられる．本研究では，降雨が十分にある日本の露地において，ドリップ灌漑を導入することで，ピーマンの単位面積あたり収量を増加させることができるのではないかという仮説を検証した．「ドリップ灌漑の有無」「固形肥料・液体肥料の違い」の2要因を設定し，そのどちらが影響しているか，あるいは交互作用があるかを検証するために，ピーマンを用い，二元配置の分散分析実験を行った．結果は，「固形肥料・液体肥料の違い」に関わらず，ドリップ灌漑をした試験区の方が，ドリップ灌漑をしなかった試験区（天水のみ区）より収量（生重量），乾燥重量，着果数が増加した．とくに収穫量が落ちてくる9,10月の収量が，ドリップ灌漑区で多くなっていた．その差の要因は多頻度灌水にあると考えられ，日本の露地のように十分な降雨がある耕地においても，ドリップ灌漑により毎日定期的に灌水することで，ピーマンの着果数を増やし，収量を増加させることができることが示唆された．

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), coded by LIPA gene, is key role player of LDL receptor pathway, and LIPA is a susceptibility gene for CAD in many GWAS studies. LAL hydrolyzes cholesterol-ester in hepatocytes, and is essential for M2 activation of macrophages. Furthermore, LAL-deficiency, with increased LDL-C and premature CAD, has been focused as underdiagnosed disease similar to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). On the other hand, little is known about the role of physiological LAL activity on atherosclerosis. We investigated LIPA gene as genetic cause of FH, and LAL activity in CAD high-risk group. Methods: This study consisted of two parts. First part was genetic analysis of LIPA gene. From 940 clinically diagnosed hetero-FH patients in Japan, pathogenic mutations were identified in 788 patients through screening in LDLR, PCSK9, and APOB genes. All coding regions of LIPA gene were investigated in 143 hetero-FH patients without pathogenic mutation in those genes. Identified variants were also evaluated in 200 genetically confirmed hetero-FH, 200 non-FH dyslipidemia, and 250 general population samples. Second part was LAL acclivity measurement with very recently developed fluorometric assay method using dried blood spots. A total of 122 CAD high-risk patients (M/F: 67/55, age: 65 ± 15 yrs, established CAD: 34%, DM: 46%, hetero-FH: 25%) were investigated their LAL activity. Results: Analysis in LIPA gene revealed no patients with LAL-deficiency among FH without confirmed mutations. All variants identified were considered as benign. Intriguingly, common LIPA T16P carriers showed lower pre-treatment LDL-C in genetically confirmed hetero-FH (LDL-C 215±61 vs. 242±70 mg/dL, p <0.05). In activity analysis, LAL activity correlated positively with BMI (R 2 : 10%, p <0.0005), γGTP (R 2 : 11%, p <0.0005), and HbA1c (R 2 : 5%, p <0.05), and negatively with LDL-C (R 2 : 4%, p <0.05). Exclusion of FH did not change these results. LAL might have a protective role in obesity, like metabolic syndrome does not necessarily reveal high LDL-C. Conclusion: LAL-deficiency was not common genetic cause of FH in Japan. LAL activity increased with obesity, and negatively correlated with LDL-C. Further study will clarify the role of LAL in atherosclerosis.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the buffering effects of job resources, utilizing the job demands-control (or demand-control-support) and effort-reward imbalance models (i.e., job control, workplace social support, and extrinsic reward), on the association of overtime work hours with psychological distress in Japanese employees. A total of 1,198 participants (valid response rate = 93.7 %) from five branches of a manufacturing company in Japan completed a self-administered questionnaire comprising the scales assessing job resources, psychological distress, and demographic characteristics. We obtained the information on working hours in the most recent month from the personnel records of the surveyed company. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. In a series of analyses, interaction term of overtime work hours with each job resource was included in the model. Significant interaction effect of overtime work hours with job control was observed. Among the low job control group, the long overtime (80 h or more) subgroup had a significantly higher prevalence odds ratio of psychological distress compared to the short overtime (44 h or less) subgroup. No significant association of overtime work hours with psychological distress was found among the high job control group. On the other hand, there was no significant interaction effect of overtime work hours with workplace social support or extrinsic reward. The present findings suggest that high job control has an effect on reducing psychological distress in relation to overtime work hours in Japanese employees.

MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) are an important technological field that is expected as a small-sized, energy-saving and high-performance key device. However, since development of MEMS requires considerable expenses and time, reduction of the testing expense, shortening of the development period and improvement of the yield ratio are expected with use of a simulator. Although leading MEMS foundries have begun to utilize simulators made abroad, purely domestic “Computer Aided Engineering System for Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MemsONE)” developed in a national project have come into use recently.

To isolate, identify and determine the prevalence of yeasts in the oral cavity of individuals and to test the minimum inhibitory dilution (MID) of Kolorex against the yeasts isolated. Twenty-nine individuals of both sexes aged on average 61.3 years were evaluated at the dental clinic in order to isolate and identify yeasts from their oral cavity, with and without lesions, and to determine the MID of the commercial phyto-product Kolorex against the strains isolated. The antifungal activity of the product tested was determined by the technique of dilution on a solid medium. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was measured by biotinylated antibody assay by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Yeasts of the genus Candida were detected in the saliva of 45.4% of the 11 individuals with a clinically healthy mouth and in 88.2% of 17 individuals with oral lesions. In the group with oral candidiasis we isolated in tongue and lesion, respectively, for each species: C. tropicalis (5.8% and 11.7%), C. glabrata (5.8% and 5.8%) and C. parapsilosis (0% and 5.8%), in addition to C. albicans as the only species or in association with others, respectively (64.7% and 70.5%). The total clonal formation unit (CFU) (counts/mL) in the saliva showed a higher mean value in the group with oral candidiasis (158.3x10(3)) than in the control group (64.6x10(3)). Most of the 70 test strains (95.7%) were sensitive to Kolorex by presenting a MID of 1:20. Sixty percent of strains from the 70 healthy sites showed results similar to those obtained with strains from oral lesions. Different results were mainly observed among different species. Patients with oral lesions showed a significant time-course increase of the level of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP 1) as compared to those without lesions or to healthy people in whom Candida has not been detected (P<0.05). Co-culture with Kolorex using aliquots from the same patients with oral lesions inhibited such event (P<0.05). Although this study was focused on oral cavity candidiasis, the results indicate the possibility of a broader use of the antifungal Kolorex in the prevention and treatment of mucosal candidiasis located elsewhere.

Embossing roll processing is one of various highly efficient processing methods for continuously printing a pattern designed on the surface of a roll onto sheets and plates. Efforts to apply the embossing roll processing method to the fabrication of micro components have drawn attention recently. This paper details our study to produce a micro patterned embossing roll with a 3D X-ray lithography process. More specifically, the outer surface of a cylindrical steel roll (12 mm in diameter) was coated with photo resist, and 3D X-ray lithography with synchrotron radiation was employed to fabricate a hole-shaped pattern (approx. 10 mum in diameter) on the outer surface. The outer surface of the roll was then plated with copper to fabricate copper dots (each approx. 10 mum in diameter), which were used as etching masks to perform wet etching on the roll. Consequently, we were able to fabricate a structure whose outer surface is dotted with numerous microstructures. However, edge of the pattern part that was masked by copper was underetched, and the expected shape was not able to obtain. Then, we examined the possibility of the processing by the verification of the problem of a wet etching, and the dry etching

A small composite esophageal carcinoma measuring 1.5 x 1.4 x 1.0 cm is described. The tumor had a polypoid elevation with a superficial extension. Histologic examination revealed invasion of the submucosal layer and multidirectional differentiation, including neuroendocrine, squamous, ciliated glandular, and sarcomatous components. The neuroendocrine component was strongly positive for chromogranin and formed the bulk of the polypoid tumor. The squamous cell carcinoma exhibited a superficial extension. The adenocarcinoma was located in a small region of the tumor and contained ciliated glandular cells. The spindle cell sarcomatous component, which was positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and negative for cytokeratin, exhibited no specific mesenchymal differentiation. Each component was found in 60%, 10%, 5%, and 25% of the tumor, respectively. Cases of small composite esophageal carcinoma containing various carcinomatous and sarcomatous components are extremely rare.

Serotoninergic (5-HT) neuron is well known as a potent inflammatory mediator which leads to pain behaviour. However, which 5-HT receptor subtypes are involved in peripheral sensitization has not been understood. Sarpogrelate HC1 (MCI) is a newly produced compound and that affects 5-HTergic neurons. No data examined the effect of MCI on inflammatory pain response in relation to activation of selective subtype of 5-HT receptors. The present study was designed to evaluate the modulating effect of systemic or local administration of MCI on the instances of flinching behavior after formalin injection into the rat paw. The effects were compared with those of ketanserine, 5-HT_<2A> antagonist. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to formalin testing. During 60 min period after injection pain behaviour expressed as flinches of the injected hind paw was counted in 5 min intervals. Rats were divided into two series of study ; 1) i.p. or 2) s.c. drug administration. 1) MCI in a dose of 1, 3, 10mg/kg, given i.p. 30 min prior to formalin injection significantly and dose-dependently attenuated biphasic increases in flinching behavior ; phase 1 (max. 10 flinches/min at 1 min) and phase 2 (max. 17 flinches/min at 35-50 min). The ED50 calculated is 3.5mg/kg for the phase 1 and 3.5mg/kg for the phase 2, respectively. This attenuating effect was reversed by the coadministration of α-methyl-5-HT, 5mg/kg, i.p., 5-HT_<2A> agonist. Ketanserine 10mg/kg, i.p., 5-HT_<2A> antagonist similary attenuated flinches during both phase 1 and 2 periods. 2) MCI in a dose of 5μg given s.c. attenuated biphasic increases in flinching behavior and this effect was attenuated by giving α-methyl-5-HT, 5μg while it did not affect by giving 8-OH-DPAT 5μg, s.c., 5-HT_<1A> agonist. Ketanserine 5μg given s.c., attenuated flinches during both phase 1 and 2 periods. Although the formalin test reflects, as does any acute injury state, a surprisingly complex series of events, the initial afferent barrage generates an augmented state of spinal processing, as well as a subsequent phase in which the ongoing afferent input evokes peripheral tissue inflammation. The present results demonstrate that systemic or local MCI administration provokes antinociceptive effect on formalin-produced inflammatory pain behaiour and this effect was reversed by 5-HT_<2A> receptor agonist. The results confirm that Ketanserin, 5-HT_<2A> receptor antagonist, also attenuated formalin-evoked pain behaviour. It is suggested that MCI has a beneficial effect on developing inflammatory pain behaviour via inhibiting selective 5-HT_<2A> receptor.