Using organic transistors with a floating gate embedded in hybrid dielectrics that comprise a 2-nanometer-thick molecular self-assembled monolayer and a 4-nanometer-thick plasma-grown metal oxide, we have realized nonvolatile memory arrays on flexible plastic substrates. The small thickness of the dielectrics allows very small program and erase voltages (< or = 6 volts) to produce a large, nonvolatile, reversible threshold-voltage shift. The transistors endure more than 1000 program and erase cycles, which is within two orders of magnitude of silicon-based floating-gate transistors widely employed in flash memory. By integrating a flexible array of organic floating-gate transistors with a pressure-sensitive rubber sheet, we have realized a sensor matrix that detects the spatial distribution of applied mechanical pressure and stores the analog sensor input as a two-dimensional image over long periods of time.

The electronics fields face serious problems associated with electric power; these include the development of ecologically friendly power-generation systems and ultralow-power-consuming circuits. Moreover, there is a demand for developing new power-transmission methods in the imminent era of ambient electronics, in which a multitude of electronic devices such as sensor networks will be used in our daily life to enhance security, safety and convenience. We constructed a sheet-type wireless power-transmission system by using state-of-the-art printing technologies using advanced electronic functional inks. This became possible owing to recent progress in organic semiconductor technologies; the diversity of chemical syntheses and processes on organic materials has led to a new class of organic semiconductors, dielectric layers and metals with excellent electronic functionalities. The new system directly drives electronic devices by transmitting power of the order of tens of watts without connectors, thereby providing an easy-to-use and reliable power source. As all of the components are manufactured on plastic films, it is easy to place the wireless power-transmission sheet over desks, floors, walls and any other location imaginable.

Plasma BNP increases in proportion to the extent of RV dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension.

In our institute, 1100 patients with a history of Kawasaki disease have been catheterized for selective coronary arteriography. Their age at examination ranged from four months to 13 years. Coronary artery lesions (CAL) were found in 262 patients. As far as the type of the CAL was concerned, occlusion was noted in 20 (7.6%), segmental stenosis in 15 (5.7%), localized stenosis in 62 (23.7%), aneurysm in 93 (35.5%), and dilatation in 72 patients (27.5%). In terms of the total number of lesions, there were 23 occlusions, 19 segmental stenoses, 109 localized stenoses, 449 aneurysms and 307 dilatations. The 262 patients with CAL were analyzed according to the interval from the onset to the time of selective coronary arteriography. The incidence of both occlusion and segmental stenosis was lowest in the group who were catheterized shortly after the onset of disease, whereas the prevalence of aneurysm was highest in this group. But the prevalence of dilatation was highest in the group of patients who were catheterized late. A total of 12 patients had to undergo femoral arterial thrombectomy for arterial thrombosis following the catheterization, but no other major complication was experienced.

No abstract