Using high-resolution intravital charge-coupled device video microscopy, we visualized the epicardial capillary network of the beating canine heart in vivo to elucidate its functional role under control conditions, during reactive hyperemia (RH), and during intracoronary adenosine administration. The pencil-lens video-microscope probe was placed over capillaries fed by the left anterior descending artery in atrioventricular-blocked hearts of open-chest, anesthetized dogs paced at 60-90 beats/min (n = 17). In individual capillaries under control conditions, red blood cell flow was predominant during systole or diastole, indicating that the watershed between diastolic arterial and systolic venous flows is located within the capillaries. Capillary flow increased during RH and reached a peak flow velocity (2.1 +/- 0.6 mm/s), twice as high as control (1.2 +/- 0.5 mm/s), with enhancement of intercapillary cross-connection flow and enlargement of diameter (by 17%). With adenosine, capillary flow velocity significantly increased (1.8 +/- 0.7 mm/s). However, the increase in volumetric capillary flow with adenosine estimated from red blood cell velocity and diameter was less than the increase in arterial flow, whereas that during RH was nearly equivalent to the increase in arterial flow. There was a time lag of approximately 1.5 s for refilling of capillaries during RH, indicating their function as capacitance vessels. In conclusion, the coronary capillary network functions as 1) the major watershed between diastolic-dominant arterial and systolic-dominant venous flows, 2) a capacitor, and 3) a significant local flow amplifier and homogenizer of blood supply during RH, but with adenosine the increase in capillary flow velocity was less than the increase in arterial flow.

We have developed a health monitoring system for elderly people living alone. We monitored the in-house movements of eight subjects (average age 81 years) by placing infrared sensors in each room of their homes. Because their movements were unrestricted, monitoring could last longer than other forms of monitoring. Continuous monitoring was performed for 80 months in total. We found that each subject had a specific pattern of movements. We estimated their health condition by comparing the duration of stays in specific rooms, such as the lavatory, with previously recorded data. If after analysis an unusual state was detected, we informed the family of the incident. Final decisions should be made by the family members, not automatically by computer software. For example, after contacting the subject or a neighbour by telephone, family members could call for an ambulance or arrange a visit by a doctor or home help. Thus, this system reduced anxiety for both the elderly subjects living alone and their family members.

: The intravital pencil lens-probe videomicroscopy can be a powerful tool for in vivo observation of renal microcirculation, with intact renal microvascular responses to two important renal homeostatic mechanisms, angiotensin II and tubuloglomerular feedback.

We have developed a health monitoring system for elderly people living alone. We monitored the in-house movements of eight subjects (average age 81 years) by placing infrared sensors in each room of their homes. Because their movements were unrestricted, monitoring could last longer than other forms of monitoring. Continuous monitoring was performed for 80 months in total. We found that each subject had a specific pattern of movements. We estimated their health condition by comparing the duration of stays in specific rooms, such as the lavatory, with previously recorded data. If after analysis an unusual state was detected, we informed the family of the incident. Final decisions should be made by the family members, not automatically by computer software. For example, after contacting the subject or a neighbour by telephone, family members could call for an ambulance or arrange a visit by a doctor or home help. Thus, this system reduced anxiety for both the elderly subjects living alone and their family members.

ZnSnP2 is a promising candidate for solar absorber materials from the viewpoint of high absorption and earth‐abundant constitution elements. In this paper, we fabricated ZnSnP2 crystals by flux method based on the phase diagram of Sn‐ZnP2 pseudo‐binary system and investigated their properties for an application to photovoltaics. The crystal growth experiments with the cooling rate of 0.7 and 12 °C/h were carried out and we successfully obtained ZnSnP2 crystals with the diameter of 8mm and the thickness of a few mm by a slow cooling rate. The structure of grown crystals studied by X‐ray diffraction was indicated to be chalcopyrite‐type ZnSnP2. In addition, the decrease of the degree of order was observed with the increase of cooling rate. The lattice constants of a and c axes are 5.649 and 11.295 Å, respectively. The composition of grown crystals is a near stoichiometric ratio of ZnSnP2 by EDX analysis. The bandgaps of ZnSnP2 crystals obtained by cooling rate of 0.7 and 12 °C/h were estimated to be 1.61 and 1.48 eV, respectively, which is caused by the difference of the degree of order. The hall‐resistivity measurement showed that ZnSnP2 crystals with a slow cooling rate has a p‐type conduction. The resistivity, the hole concentration and the mobility are 10∼70 Ωcm, 6·1016∼2·1017 cm‐3, and 1∼3 cm2V‐1s‐1. The obtained properties are suitable for an absorber of photovoltaics. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)