Dynamic dipole-dipole interactions between excitons in quantum dots of different sizes

A model of the resonance dynamic dipole-dipole interaction between excitons confined in quantum dots (QDs) of different sizes at close enough distance is given in terms of parity inheritance and exchange of virtual photons. Microphotoluminescence spectra of GaAs-AlGaAs coupled QDs are proposed to be analyzed by this model, including features created by high-speed random switching, depending on the carrier configuration in and around the QD pair, between the dipole-dipole split states and the nonsplit states to give double peaks at both of the QDs.     

AlGaAs OEIC transmitters

The state of the art of AlGaAs OEIC transmitters is discussed, considering the concept, and their history, as well as examples, designs, fabrication, materials, and future vistas. Experimental results in the gigabit-per-second regime are demonstrated.     

Lightning occurrence data observed with lightning location systems of electric power companies in Japan: 2009–2013

Nine electric power companies in Japan have been collecting lightning data with lightning location systems. Five years of the lightning data (2009–2013) are summarized and analyzed in this paper. The recent annual number of lightning flashes of which the current is more than 10 kA in Japan is around 1 million. The variations of lightning occurrence characteristics by areas, seasons, and so on, are clarified. Meteorological conditions that may affect lightning occurrence are also discussed. Furthermore, we show that there is a clear correlation between the number of lightning strikes and the outage rate of transmission lines. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Therapeutic trials for promotion of faecal excretion of PCDFs by the administration of rice bran fiber and cholestyramine in Yusho patients

Two girls with Swyer syndrome (SS) were described. Diagnosis was established according to clinical data and ultrasound, laparoscope, histopathological, hormonal and cytogenetical examinations. One presents diagnostic possibilities followed advanced methods in genetics. The GTG and RBG high resolution bounding technique and replication analysis of short arms (Xp and Yp) were employed. Normal structure of end segments of X and Y chromosomes was mentioned. Molecular DNA analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) did not find any mutation in SRY gene. Normal structure of this gene does not exclude possibility of SS existence. Our data implicates on the other mechanism of these disturbances.     

Distribution and frequency of gastric cancer at the para-cardiac region and fornix

To clarify the distribution and frequency of gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach, especially in the para-cardiac region and fornix, we reviewed 634 lesions of all gastric cancers in any location in the University Hospital of Tsukuba University from April 1985 to March 1992. The para-cardiac region was defined as a circular area of 6 cm in diameter around the cardia. We found 56 lesions (8.8%) in the para-cardiac region, almost all of which were concentrated in the distal half of the para-cardiac region, and only three of which (0.47%) were in the fornix. Cancer in the upper third of the stomach tended to occur predominantly in aged male patients, and histologically most of them were classified as having differentiated adenocarcinoma. Since the percentage of advanced cancer at the para-cardiac region was much higher than at any other location, we should be careful to obtain double-contrast images of sufficient quality during the upper gastrointestinal examinations and not to overlook subtle changes in this region during the interpretation of films.     

Oxygen incorporation in hexagonal and amorphous nickel films

The incorporation of oxygen in r.f. sputtered nickel films 200–400 Å thick was observed by means of intensity analysis of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis spectra from the Ni 2p_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} and O 1s energy levels. The films were of f.c.c, h.c.p. or amorphous structure depending on the deposition rate and temperature and also the vacuum annealing conditions. The structures were determined by electron diffraction. The surface regions of the metastable films of h.c.p. and amorphous structures contain excess oxygen which is incorporated at positions other than the octahedral coordination sites.     

Application of mesoscale ensemble forecast method for prediction of wind speed ramps

Sudden changes in wind speed, so‐called wind speed ramps, are a major concern for wind power system operators. The present study applies the mesoscale ensemble forecast method for the prediction of wind speed ramps at wind farms in Japan and evaluates the ability and utility of this method. The mesoscale ensemble forecast in this study (ENS21) consists of 21 members with a horizontal resolution of 10 km for a 5‐year period. The simulated results show that ENS21 produces better accuracy than the deterministic forecast with a horizontal resolution of 10 km (DET_L). On the other hand, the deterministic forecast with a horizontal resolution of 5 km (DET_H) also produces better accuracy than DET_L. From a practical perspective, however, the ENS21 is computationally expensive. Thus, the eight‐member mesoscale ensemble forecast (ENS8) with as same computational cost as a deterministic forecast with a horizontal resolution of 5 km (DET_H) is also evaluated. The simulated results show that ENS8 has almost same accuracy as ENS21 and DET_H in wind speed ramp forecasts. ENS8 has advantages over ENS21 and DET_H because ENS8 is computationally efficient and is able to benefit wind power operators with flexibility in the selection of probability thresholds for decision processes compared with a single. It can be concluded that the mesoscale ensemble forecast method is more useful for prediction of the wind speed ramp than the single deterministic forecast method with the same computational cost if the ensemble members are successfully selected.     

Postnatal exposure to chlorinated dioxins and related chemicals on thyroid hormone status in Japanese breast-fed infants

Effects of postnatal exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) on thyroid hormone status were studied in the peripheral blood of 36 breast-fed Japanese infants. Estimated total intakes of these chemicals in toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) converted into 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) from the breast milk significantly and negatively correlated with the levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood of breast-fed babies. Therefore, exposure to background levels of the highly toxic organochlorine chemicals through the breast milk may cause some effects on thyroid hormone status in Japanese infants.     

Characteristics of transient heat transfer during quenching of a vertical hot surface with a falling liquid film

An experimental study has been conducted to elucidate characteristics of transient heat transfer during quenching of a vertical hot surface with a falling liquid film. The experiment was done at atmospheric pressure for the following conditions: an initial surface temperature from 200 to 400^°C, a subcooling of 20– 80 K, average velocity of 0.52– 1.24 m/s, and the block material is copper and carbon steel. The surface temperature and heat flux are estimated from the measured temperatures in the block during the quench by a two‐dimensional inverse solution. It follows that as the position of wetting advances downward, the position at which the heat flux becomes a maximum also advances downward. The time at which the position of maximum heat flux begins to move is one of the most important parameters and can be predicted by a proposed correlation. In addition, it is revealed that the maximum heat flux for copper depends on the length to which it occurs from the leading edge. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(6): 345– 360, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20167     

Specificity of the sequence in Phe-Gln-Val-Val-Cys (-3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl)-Gly-NH2--a selective inhibitor of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation

The aim was to describe the appearance of the calcified cartilage zone (CCZ) and to determine its dimensional relationship to the articular cartilage thickness in the normal human temporomandibular joint. An autopsy material comprising 21 joints from 12 elderly individuals was examined microscopically. The appearance of the CCZ was examined, and the thickness of the CCZ and of the total articular cartilage was measured in 18 different positions in each joint. The CCZ was outlined by a flat or gently undulating tidemark and an irregular osteochondral junction. The cellularity of the CCZ varied extensively. The cells were numerous in the CCZ when the overlying articular cartilage displayed high cellularity. Statistical analysis of the measurements demonstrated a relationship (p < 0.001) between the thickness of the CCZ and of the articular cartilage. Our findings, both qualitative and quantitative, indicate a close relationship between the physiology of the CCZ and of the overlying articular cartilage.