Hydroliquefaction of low-sulfur coals using iron carbonyl complexes—Sulfur as catalysts

Hydroliquefaction of low-sulfur Australian coals (Wandoan and Yallourn) was studied using iron carbonyl complexes as catalyst. The addition of Fe(CO)₅ (2.8 wt% Fe of coal) increased coal conversion from 48.6 to 85.2% for Wandoan coal, and from 36.7 to 69.7% for Yallourn coal in 1-methylnaphthalene at 425°C under an initial hydrogen pressure of 50 kg cm^?2. When molecular sulfur was added to iron carbonyls (Fe(CO)₅, Fe₂(CO)₉ and Fe₃(CO)₁₂), higher coal converions ( > 92%) and higher oil yields (>46%) were obtained, along with an increase in the amount of hydrogen transferred to coal from the gas phase (0.2 to 2.8%, d.a.f. coal basis). In the liquefaction studies using a hydrogen donor solvent, tetralin, Fe(CO)₅S catalyst increased the amount of hydrogen absorbed from the gaseous phase and decreased the amount of naphthalene dehydrogenated from tetralin. The direct hydrogen transfer reaction from molecular hydrogen to coal fragment radicals seems to be a major reaction pathway. Organic sulfur compounds, dimethyldisulfide and benzothiophene, and inorganic FeS₂ and NiS were found to be good sulfur sources to Fe(CO)₅. From X-ray diffraction analyses of liquefaction residues, it is concluded that Fe(CO)₅ was converted into pyrrhotite (Fe_1?xS) when sulfur was present, but into Fe₃O₄ in the absence of sulfur.     

Integrated-optic dispersion slope equalizer for N/spl times/ several tens of Gb/s WDM transmission

We report a dispersion slope equalizer on a planar lightwave circuit for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission. This device consists of an array of lattice-formed equalizers with different compensation values fabricated on one wafer and arrayed-waveguide gratings for wavelength multi/demultiplexing. We describe its configuration, operational principle, parameter design, fabrication, and measured characteristics in detail. N/spl times/20 and N/spl times/40 Gb/s slope equalizers were fabricated and their characteristics agreed well with designed values. We also report a reduction in the bias electrical power needed for thermooptic phase shifters in the equalizer array that we realized by employing a phase trimming technique normally used for optical switches.     

Studies on the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of olefinic protons of conjugated fatty acid methyl esters

The NMR spectra of olefinic protons in the four representative conjugated fatty acid methyl esters, methylcis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoate, methyltrans-9,trans-11-octadecadienoate, methyl α eleostearate, and methyl β eleostearate, were studied. The chemical shift of each olefinic proton in these compounds was determined by considering their intramolecular environment. Coupling constants were also obtained as the results of spectral analysis.     

Spatiotemporal conversion of auditory information for cochleotopic mapping

Auditory communication signals such as monkey calls are complex FM vocal sounds and in general induce action potentials in different timing in the primary auditory cortex. Delay line scheme is one of the effective ways for detecting such neuronal timing. However, the scheme is not straightforwardly applicable if the time intervals of signals are beyond the latency time of delay lines. In fact, monkey calls are often expressed in longer time intervals (hundreds of milliseconds to seconds) and are beyond the latency times observed in the brain (less than several hundreds of milliseconds). Here, we propose a cochleotopic map similar to that in vision known as a retinotopic map. We show that information about monkey calls could be mapped on a cochleotopic cortical network as spatiotemporal firing patterns of neurons, which can then be decomposed into simple (linearly sweeping) FM components and integrated into unified percepts by higher cortical networks. We suggest that the spatiotemporal conversion of auditory information may be essential for developing the cochleotopic map, which could serve as the foundation for later processing, or monkey call identification by higher cortical areas.     

Development and Evaluation of a Robust Sandwich Immunoassay System Detecting Serum WFA-Reactive IgA1 for Diagnosis of IgA Nephropathy

Aberrant glycosylation of IgA1 is involved in the development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). There are many reports of IgAN markers focusing on the glycoform of IgA1. None have been clinically applied as a routine test. In this study, we established an automated sandwich immunoassay system for detecting aberrant glycosylated IgA1, using Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) and anti-IgA1 monoclonal antibody. The diagnostic performance as an IgAN marker was evaluated. The usefulness of WFA for immunoassays was investigated by lectin microarray. A reliable standard for quantitative immunoassay measurements was designed by modifying a purified IgA1 substrate. A validation study using multiple serum specimens was performed using the established WFA-antibody sandwich automated immunoassay. Lectin microarray results showed that WFA specifically recognized N-glycans of agglutinated IgA1 in IgAN patients. The constructed IgA1 standard exhibited a wide dynamic range and high reactivity. In the validation study, serum WFA-reactive IgA1 (WFA+-IgA1) differed significantly between healthy control subjects and IgAN patients. The findings indicate that WFA is a suitable lectin that specifically targets abnormal agglutinated IgA1 in serum. We also describe an automated immunoassay system for detecting WFA+-IgA1, focusing on N-glycans.     

基于Ti-MgF2金属陶瓷的高效率四层光热转换薄膜的研究

理论上研究了吸收层材料的光学常数,该常数满足从紫外线到近红外波长范围的四层结构的光子-热转换的高效率。通过使用有效介质近似（EMA）模型,复合材料（金属陶瓷）的光学性能与模拟材料的光学性能非常吻合。此外,提出了使用Ti-MgF₂金属陶瓷作为吸收层的具有高光子-热转换效率的四层膜结构,其在300~1 600 nm的波长范围内具有约95.1％的高吸收率。研究结果为实现高效率的光热转换器件提供了新途径,显示了优良的应用前景。     

Chemical sensing by an electrical oscillator: Detection and quantification of cationic surfactants

A new chemical sensing system using an electrical oscillator has been developed. This sensing system measures the electrical ‘non-linearity’ at the surface of an electrode immersed in a test solution: a sinusoidal voltage is applied to the electrode and the higher harmonics of the output current are obtained by Fourier transformation. This sensing system has been used to detect and quantify surfactant molecules in solutions. The relative intensity P₂/P₁ of the peaks of the second (P₂) and first (P₁) harmonics in the output current was found to be linearly correlated with the logarithms of the concentrations of cationic surfactants such as cetylpyridium bromide (CPB) and cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), but not with those of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or the neutral surfactant Triton X-100. The reproducibility of this sensing system was shown to be excellent.     

InGaP//GaAs//c‐Si 3‐junction solar cells employing spectrum‐splitting system

In this work, we practically demonstrated spectrum‐splitting approach for advances in efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Firstly, a‐Si:H//c‐Si 2‐junction configuration was designed, which exhibited 24.4% efficiency with the spectrum splitting at 620 nm. Then, we improved the top cell property by employing InGaP cells instead of the a‐Si:H, resulting in an achievement of efficiency about 28.8%. In addition, we constructed 3‐junction spectrum‐splitting system with two optical splitters, and GaAs solar cells as middle cell. This InGaP//GaAs//c‐Si architecture was found to deliver 30.9% conversion efficiency. Our splitting system includes convex lenses for light concentration about 10 suns, which provided concentrated efficiency exceeding 33.0%. These results suggest that our demonstration of 3‐junction spectrum‐splitting approach can be a promising candidate for highly efficient photovoltaic technologies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation investigation between contact approach speed of handheld metal rod and discharge parameters from charged human body

Characteristic measurement of contact discharge currents are made through a hand-held metal rod from charged human body. Correlation coefficients are obtained, through Statistic Package for Social Science （SPSS）, for various charge voltages, which is based on the effect test of electrode contact approach speeds on discharge current parameters of current peaks, maximum rising slope and spark lengths. Discharge parameters at charge voltage 300V are independent on approach speed. For charge voltages equal to and higher than 500V, the contact approach speed has strong positive correlation with discharge parameters of the peak current and the maximum rising slope, whereas has strong negative correlation with the spark length.     

a-SiC:H/SiO2 Laminated Polarization Splitter for the Wavelength Region Longer Than 1.3 μm Prepared by Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition

A laminated polarization splitter for the wavelength region longer than 1.3 μm is fabricated for the first time. It is composed of a-SiC:H/SiO₂ alternative multilayers prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Splitting behavior is also verified experimentally. It has low absorption loss even for the wavelength region around λ = 1.3 μm because the band-gap energy of a-Sic is larger than that of a-Si. The measured splitting angle is 13.8°, which is 2.4 times larger than the 5.7° splitting angle of rutile. The absorption loss of the multilayer is reduced to 1 × 10^-3 dB/μm at λ = 1.3 μm. The magnitude of the residual stress is 9.45 × 10⁸ dyn/cm², which is about one-third of that prepared by the rf bias sputtering equipment which is used for another project of our group. The deposition rate of SiO₂, is increased to 135 nm/min, which is 27 times larger than that prepared by the sputtering equipment.