Microstructure analysis of Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets improved by Tb-metal vapour sorption.

Behaviours of constituent elements in the Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets improved by Tb-metal vapour sorption have been investigated by using an analytical transmission microscopy. It was found that a triple junction of the grain boundaries consists of fine Nd-O crystalline and amorphous phase. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that the amorphous phase mainly consists of Co, Nd and Tb. The Tb-treatment causes the formation of the amorphous Co-Nd(Tb) wetting-layer phase which wraps each Nd(2)Fe(14)B grain. The results suggest that the wrapped structure prevents the nucleation of magnetic reversed domains and then improves significantly the coercivity of the magnet.

Proline residue-modified polycationic analogs of gramicidin S with high antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and low hemolytic activity.

Novel polycationic analogs of the cyclic decapeptide antibiotic, gramicidin S, possessing NH(2), D/L-Phe-NH or L-Lys-NH groups at the 4alpha- or 4beta-positions of the L-Pro residues, were synthesized. While L-Pro(4alpha/beta-NH(2))-containing analogs exhibited much weaker antibacterial activity, the D/L-Phe and L-Lys-substituted analogs exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria than the parent gramicidin S. All of these additional amino group-containing analogs showed substantially reduced toxicity against human blood cells.

Environmentally benign formation of polymeric microspheres by rapid expansion of supercritical carbon dioxide solution with a nonsolvent.

A novel method is reported for forming polymer microparticles, which reduce atmospheric emissions of environmentally harmful volatile organic compounds such as toluene and xylene used as paint solvent in paint industry. The polymer microparticles have formed through rapid expansion from supercritical solution with a nonsolvent (RESS-N). Solubilization of poly(styrene)-b-(poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-poly (glycidyl methacrylate)) copolymer(PS-b-(PMMA-co-PGMA), MW = 5000, PS/PMMA/PGMA = 2/5/3), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, M. W = 4000), bisphenol A type epoxy resin (EP, MW = 3000), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA; MW = 15000, 75000, 120000), and poly(oxyalkylene) alkylphenyl ether (MW = 4000) in carbon dioxide (CO2) was achieved with the use of small alcohols as cosolvents. The solubility of the PS-b-(PMMA-co-PGMA) is extremely low in either CO2 or ethanol but becomes 20 wt % in a mixture of the two. Because ethanol is a nonsolvent for the polymer, it can be used as a cosolvent in rapid expansion from supercritical solution to produce 1-3 microm particles that do not agglomerate. Obtained polymer particles by RESS-N were applied as powder coatings. The resulting coatings have a smooth and coherent film. The particle size distribution of microspheres was controlled by changing the polymer concentration, preexpansion pressure, temperature, and injection distance. The feed compositions were more effective than the other factors in controlling the particle size. The polymeric microparticles formed by RESS-N method can be utilized to make the thin coating film without anytoxic organic solvents and/or surfactants.

Respiratory function in handicapped children.

The aim of this study was to evaluate respiratory function of severely handicapped children. Tidal volumes and respiratory rates were determined in a total of 130 children with different clinical motor abilities. Tidal volume of non-sitters (n = 39) was significantly lower than ambulators (n = 49) or sitters (n = 42) (p less than 0.01). There was no difference in respiratory rate among the three groups. Among 45 children whose vital capacity could be determined, the tidal volumes showed a significant correlation with vital capacity (r = 0.56, p less than 0.001). Among four children whose tidal volume was less than 200 ml and respiratory rate was more than 30 cpm, blood gas analysis revealed hypoxia in three of them. The tidal volumes, therefore, would be a useful guide to estimate respiratory functions. It was concluded that the respiratory function in a non-sitter with reduced tidal volume is impaired, and that preventive measures must be taken against respiratory infection.

[Comparison of walking exercises in air and in water in children with cerebral palsy].

To compare the effect of walking exercise in water with that in air in cerebral palsied children, we measured in ten subjects oxygen uptake (VO2) during walking for 3-minutes. In 7 children with spastic type of cerebral palsy, VO2 values were significantly lower in exercises in water than in air (p less than 0.05). No significant differences were found in athetotic children. In 5 children with crouched posture VO2 showed a tendency to be lower in exercises in water than in air (0.05 less than p less than 0.1). In contrast, significant differences were not found in 5 children without crouched posture. Children with spasticity or crouched posture may be able to walk in water more than in air.

Kabuki make-up (Niikawa-Kuroki) syndrome: a study of 62 patients.

These 62 patients with the Kabuki make-up syndrome (KMS) were collected in a collaborative study among 33 institutions and analyzed clinically, cytogenetically, and epidemiologically to delineate the phenotypic spectrum of KMS and to learn about its cause. Among various manifestations observed, most patients had the following five cardinal manifestations: 1) a peculiar face (100%) characterized by eversion of the lower lateral eyelid; arched eyebrows, with sparse or dispersed lateral one-third; a depressed nasal tip; and prominent ears; 2) skeletal anomalies (92%), including brachydactyly V and a deformed spinal column, with or without sagittal cleft vertebrae; 3) dermatoglyphic abnormalities (93%), including increased digital ulnar loop and hypothenar loop patterns, absence of the digital triradius c and/or d, and presence of fingertip pads; 4) mild to moderate mental retardation (92%); and 5) postnatal growth deficiency (83%). Thus the core of the phenotypic spectrum of KMS is rather narrow and clearly defined. Many other inconsistent anomalies were observed. Important among them were early breast development in infant girls (23%), and congenital heart defects (31%), such as a single ventricle with a common atrium, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, coarctation of aorta, patent ductus arteriosus, aneurysm of aorta, transposition of great vessels, and right bundle branch block. Of the 62 KMS patients, 58 were Japanese, an indication that the syndrome is fairly common in Japan. It was estimated that its prevalence in Japanese newborn infants is 1/32,000. All the KMS cases in this study were sporadic, the sex ratio was even, there was no correlation with birth order, the consanguinity rate among the parents was not high, and no incriminated agent was found that was taken by the mothers during early pregnancy. Three of the 62 patients had a Y chromosome abnormality involving a possible common breakpoint (Yp11.2). This could indicate another possibility, i.e., that the KMS gene is on Yp11.2 and that the disease is pseudoautosomal dominant. These findings are compatible with an autosomal dominant disorder in which every patient represents a fresh mutation. The mutation rate was calculated at 15.6 X 10(6).