GaZnO and GaZnON thin films were deposited on both Si (100) and c-axis oriented sapphire substratesby RF co-sputtering of ZnO target and Ga2O3tablets in Ar/O2 and Ar/N2, respectively, by changing the number of Ga2O3tablets (NGa2O3) placed on the ZnO target in the range of 0 to 16.They were subsequently annealed in N2 at 800 °C and then, some of the samples formed by Ar/O2-sputtering were subjected to NH3 treatment at 650 °C for nitridation. XRD measurements revealed that the c-axis lattice parameter calculated from the ZnO (002) peak for GaZnON film son Si (100) was remarkably larger than for GaZnO films on Si (100). Moreover, ZnO (002) was observed up to NGa2O3=16 for GaZnON films formed on sapphire, while no XRD peaks were observed above NGa2O3=8 for GaZnON films on Si(100). Optical band-gap ofGaZnO and GaZnON films became wider from 3.34to 3.67 eVand from 3.21to 3.40 eV, respectively, with increasing NGa2O3 from 0 to 16. Photoluminescence spectra of GaZnO films showed band-to-band emission at 380nm, while those of GaZnON films exhibited broad and weak peaks centered at 550 nm and 647nm.

Production of biodiesel fuel (fatty acid methyl ester) by use of conventional method (alkaline catalyst method) requires deacidification process prior to the reaction and refining process to remove the catalyst after the reaction. These processes increase total cost required for production of biodiesel fuel. In order to solve the problem, authors recently proposed a method called superheated methanol vapor method. In a process with this method, superheated methanol vapor is continuously bubbled into the oil in the reactor vessel and reacted with triglycerides to form fatty acid methyl ester and glycerol. The fatty acid methyl ester and glycerol formed flows out of the reactor together with unreacted methanol vapor and is collected using a condenser. Reaction using the superheated methanol vapor method can be conducted at atmospheric pressure. Production of fatty acid methyl ester by use of the superheated methanol vapor method does not require refining process after the reaction because no catalyst is used in this method and fatty acid methyl ester can be separated from glycerol simply by sedimentation. The method does not require deacidification process prior to the reaction because not only triglyceride but also free fatty acid can be converted into fatty acid methyl ester by use of the method. Therefore, both initial and running costs required for biodiesel production are thought to be reduced by applying the method. In order to estimate the cost required by a process based on the superheated methanol vapor method, a demonstration plant (design productivity: 400 L/d) was constructed and its efficiency was evaluated. The plant could produce 425 L of fatty acid methyl ester in a day from used frying oil. Energy consumed in each unit of the demonstration plant was measured (electrical energy and thermal energy). Based on the energy consumption data obtained with the demonstration plant, production cost required with a practical scale plant (designed productivity: 6000 kL/y) was calculated. The cost required by the practical scale plant with the superheated methanol vapor method was estimated to be 40.2 yen/L (about 40 cent/L) while the cost required by a plant with the alkaline catalyst method was 62.5 yen/L (about 62 cent/L). The estimated cost includes depreciation cost, cost of repairing, labor cost, methanol cost and energy cost (heat and electricity). Most of the energy consumed by the plant was thermal energy and the plant could be automatically controlled. Therefore, required cost will be further decreased by installing the plant next to an incineration facility because thermal energy can be supplied from the facility and the labor cost can also be supported by the facility.

TEX101, a glycoprotein we recently identified, is primarily characterized as a unique germ-cell-specific marker protein that shows sexually dimorphic expression during mouse gonad development. Based on data obtained from molecular biological as well as immuno-morphological studies, we believe this molecule may play a role in the process underlying germ cell formation. However, many points remain unclear as the molecular characteristics and its physiological functions are far from being completely understood. To clarify the molecular basis of TEX101, we herein report a further biochemical characterization of the molecule using testicular Triton X-100 extracts from mice. Deglycosylation studies using endoglycohydrolases that delete N-linked oligosaccharides (OS) from the molecule show that TEX101 is highly (approximately 47%) N-glycosylated. All potential N-glycosylation sites within TEX101 are glycosylated and most of these sites are occupied by endoglycosidase F2-sensitive biantennary complex type OS units. In addition, an extremely low population among TEX101 possesses only endoglycosidase H-sensitive hybrid type OS units. In studies using phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C against native testicular cells or TEX101 transfectant, the enzyme treatment caused major reduction of the TEX101 expression on the cell, suggesting that TEX101, at least in part, is expressed as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein. Taken together, these findings will help elucidate the molecular nature of TEX101, a marker molecule that appeared on germ cells during gametogenesis.

Cubic GaN is successfully grown on β-Ga2O3 by molecular beam epitaxy for the first time. Prior nitridation of the (100) β-Ga2O3 single-crystal substrate by exposure to electron cyclotron resonance nitrogen plasma causes the formation of a surficial (001) c-GaN layer, upon which homo-epitaxial growth of c-GaN can be achieved by radio-frequency molecular beam epitaxy. The epitaxial relationship is confirmed by electron microscopy to be (001) c-GaN // (100) β-Ga2O3, [110] c-GaN // [010] β-Ga2O3, and [1-10] c-GaN // [001] β-Ga2O3.

During the process of follicular atresia, cells are observed to invade the zona pellucida (invasive cells) where they presumably play an important role in eliminating degraded oocytes. Although our preliminary studies have suggested that these cells may originate from granulosa cells and not from macrophages, a detailed morphological analysis of the cells has not been conducted. The objective of this study was to characterize the cells more precisely by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, using sexually immature mice. The results show that the invasive cells were first observed within advanced primary (non-antral) atretic follicles. The cells frequently contained cytoplasmic lysosome-like granules after passing through the zona pellucida. F4/80 and Mac-1, reported as macrophage-specific antibodies, were reactive with the cells in most cases, but some immunonegative invasive cells were also observed. The ultrastructural features of the invasive cells were quite similar to those of granulosa cells, not macrophages. Gap junctions, which are typical cytoplasmic structures of epithelial cells, were frequently identified between neighbouring cells. Although direct evidence indicating a contribution by the cells to the elimination of degenerated oocytes was not obtained, our results strongly suggest that the invasive cells originated from granulosa cells surrounding the zona pellucida, and that they may have a macrophage-like cell function for the elimination of oocytes from atretic follicles in mice.

We have investigated the optical design for the Japan astrometry satellite mission (JASMINE). In order to accomplish measurements of astrometric parameters with high accuracy, optics with a long focal length and a wide focal plane for astrometry are required. In 1977 Korsch proposed a three mirror system with a long focal length and a wide focal plane. The Korsch system is one of the convincing models. However, the center of the field is totally vignetted because of the fold mirror. Therefore we consider an improved Korsch system in which the center of the field is not vignetted. Finally, we obtain the diffraction limited optical design with small distortion. Our project needs a common astrometric technique to obtain precise positions of star images on solid state detectors to accomplish its objectives. In order to determine the centers of stars, an image of the point source must be focused onto the CCD array with a spread of a few pixels. The distribution of photons (photoelectrons) over a set of pixels enables us to estimate positions of stars with sub-pixel accuracy. We modify the algorithm to estimate the real positions of stars from the photon weighted mean, which was originally developed by the FAME (Full-Sky Astrometric Mapping Explorer) group. Finally, we obtain the results from the experiment that the accuracy of estimation of distance between two stars has a variance of about 1/300 pixel; that is, the error for one measurement is about 1/300 pixel, which is almost an ideal result given by Poisson photon noise. We also investigate the accuracy of estimation of positions with a different size of PSF. In this case also, we find that the accuracy of estimation has a variance of about 1/300 pixel.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

This paper describes studies on high-quality InN growth on sapphire by RF-MBE. Critical procedures to obtain high-quality InN films were investigated and (1) nitridation process of sapphire substrates prior to growth, (2) precise control of V/III ratio and (3) selection of optimum growth temperature were found to be essential. Detailed structural characterizations by XRD, TEM, Raman scattering and EXAFS indicate that InN films obtained in this study have ideal hexagonal wurtzite structure. FWHMs of ω-2Θ mode XRD and E2(high)-phonon-mode of Raman scattering are as small as 28.9 arcsec and 3.2 cm-1, respectively. True band gap energy of InN is also discussed based on optical characterization results obtained from well-characterized hexagonal InN grown in this study. PbS, instead of InGaAs, was used as a detector for PL study in order to solve the problem coming from the cut-off wavelength of InGaAs detector. Based on these systematic studies on structural and optical property characterizations using high-quality InN, true band-gap energy of InN is suggested to be less than 0.67 eV and approximately 0.65 eV at room temperature. Single-crystalline InN films are also successfully grown on Si substrates by a brief nitridation of the Si substrates. Significant improvement of InN crystal quality on Si substrates by the insertion of an AlN buffer layer is also demonstrated.

YBa2Cu3O7−y(Y123) and Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O7−y (Nd123) films were deposited by the metalorganic deposition method, and the growth mechanism of these films was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The Y123 and Nd123 films were prepared by spin-coating LaAlO3 (001) and SrTiO3 (STO) (001) substrates, respectively, with solutions including trifluoroacetates. Then, the samples were heat treated at 673 K in a humid O2 gas flow to form amorphous precursor films. Finally, the precursor films were heated at higher temperatures for 0–30 min in a humid Ar/O2 gas flow and cooled rapidly from those annealing temperatures. It was found that CuO crystals with a size of 10–20 nm are segregated in the Y123 and Nd123 amorphous precursor films. In the Y123 quenched film prepared by cooling the precursor film rapidly after the heat-treatment at 1048 K for 30 min, a polycrystalline film including Y2Cu2O5, BaF2, and CuO crystals was found to be generated on the c-axis-oriented Y123 film. In contrast, in the Nd123 quenched films, (NdBa)2CuO4(Nd201) phase was found to be formed first on the surface of the STO substrate. In conclusion, the c-axis-oriented Y123 film is formed by diffusion and reaction of Y2Cu2O5, BaF2, and CuO crystals, and the Nd201 phase reacts with BaF2 and CuO crystals in a humid atmosphere to form a c-axis-oriented Nd123 film.

A simple method, floating zone melting vapor, was used for fabricating nanowires of Si-Ge material. Single-crystalline nanowires were successfully synthesized. TEM images of these nanowires indicated that each nanowire consists of an inner single-crystalline core and an outer layer. An observation using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that almost all nanowires have a similar growth orientation to the crystalline core: [210]. The coexistence of germanium-self-catalyzed and oxide-assisted mechanisms has also been suggested.

Pensions are a controversial issue in Britain. During the past fifty years, pension reforms have been challenged by the competing policies of the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. There were differences in the nature, scope and extent of pension policies between them: the Conservatives encouraged private pension provision while the Labour Party promoted state provision. Based on core principles of freedom and personal responsibility, the Conservatives persistently over time implemented policies in line with these beliefs. This article explores this transformation of the post-war pension regime. An attempt is made here to sketch out a new explanation of this transformation in drawing on recent theories of the role of ideas and ideology in the policy process. The recent apparent convergence in policy thinking on pensions between the Labour Party and the Conservative Party highlights the importance of core ideological principles.

In the SELenological and ENgineering Explorer (SELENE) project which is the Japanese lunar program to be launched in 2003 by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), we measure angular distance between a radio transmitter on a relay satellite, that on the Moon and quasars by differential VLBI and determine amplitudes of the physical librations, gravitational harmonic coefficients of the Moon and lunar ephemeris with an accuracy one or two orders higher than before in cooperation with 4-way Doppler measurements and two-way Doppler and ranging measurements using the lunar orbiter and the relay satellite. We are proposing another selenodetic mission, In situ Lunar Orientation Measurement (ILOM) to study lunar rotational dynamics by direct observations of the lunar physical libration from the lunar surface with an accuracy of 1 milliarcsecond in a post-SELENE project which will be launched about three years after SELENE. Year-long trajectories of the stars provide information on various components of the physical librations and we will also try to detect the lunar free librations in order to investigate the lunar mantle and the liquid core.