Optimum design of a grazing-incidence flat-field spectrograph with a spherical varied-line-space grating

A grazing-incidence spectrograph is designed by use of the flat-field image-focusing property of a spherical varied-line-space grating. Optimum grating parameters for mechanical ruling are selected by application of genetic algorithms. Two gratings, one for 2-5-nm and the other for 5-20-nm spectral regions, are designed, and their fabrication tolerances are analyzed.     

Rapid Testing for Noise Immunity of Electron Devices

Current switching in power control devices sometimes has serious noise difficulties. This paper presents a method of testing and measuring noise immunity. The noise immunity of a thyristor with magnetic core or unijunction transistor is analyzed and measured. The experiment agrees well with the theory.     

Effect of the structure of cationic polysulfone on the flocculation of kaolinite

The behavior of polycations as flocculants for kaolinite was examined by means of turbidity measurement, with the use of the following four kinds of cationic polysulfones, with molecular weights ranging from 14,000 to 330,000; diallyldimethylammonium chloride SO₂ copolymer [P(DADMAmCl? SO₂)], diallyldiethylammonium chloride–SO₂ copolymer [P(DADEAmCl? SO₂)], diallylmethylamine hydrochloride–SO₂ copolymer [P(DAMA? HCl? SO₂)], diallylamine hydrochloride–SO₂ copolymer [P(DAAHCl? SO₂)]. The effect of the degree of polymerization on the flocculation was remarkable at low molecular weight range. The flocculation value, which is defined as the quantity of the polycation required to obtain 50% transparency at 660 mμ of the supernatant fluid of 2% kaolinite suspension, was inversely proportional to the degree of polymerization to the 0.734 power in the case of P(DADMAmCl? SO₂). This can be understood as the extension of Schulze-Hardy's law. The four different kinds of polysulfones having a similar molecular weight show almost the same capacity for flocculation in acidic or neutral solution. In alkaline solution, however, P(DAMAHCl? SO₂) and P(DAA? HCl? SO₂) are less effective and have higher flocculation values than P(DADMAmCl? SO₂) and P(DADEAmCl? SO₂), which are classified as polyquaternary ammonium chlorides. Moreover the difference increases with increasing pH. This may be attributable to the difference of the dissociability of the polycation. The degree of dissociation of P(DAMA? HCl? SO₂) or P(DAA? HCl? SO₂) decreases with increasing pH and more additive is required to neutralize negative charges on kaolinite. On the other hand, P(DADMAmCl? SO₂) and P(DADEAmCl? SO₂) are almost completely dissociated and are good flocculants over a wide range of pH.     

Development of new dosimetry using extended DNA fibers

We applied fluorescent microscopy to monitor the damage of DNA upon exposure to gamma radiation. Our developed dosimetry demonstrated that the number of breaks in DNA is proportional to the dose of the irradiation but is not dependent on dose rate of the irradiation and the GC content of DNA.     

Some new sulfo-spinels containing iron-group transition metals

The study of the cation site preferences related to Rh³⁺ or Sn⁴⁺ ions in the spinel lattice leads to a series of new spinels. Various sulfo-spinels containing some of the transition elements such as Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, have been synthesized and the cation distributions and u-parameters were determined. Some magnetic and electrical properties were measured for Fe₂RhS₄ and Cd_1?xFe_1+xSnS₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.9).     

Immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes in the corpus luteum and placenta of the Japanese black bear, Ursus thibetanus japonicus, during pregnancy

The Japanese black bear, Ursus thibetanus japonicus, is a seasonal breeder and shows delayed implantation for several months during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to clarify the steroidogenic capability of the corpus luteum and placenta during pregnancy, including both delayed implantation and fetal development, by immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes in these organs of the Japanese black bear. Ovaries and placentae from 15 wild Japanese black bears, which had been killed legally by hunters and were thought to be pregnant, were used in an immunocytochemical study to localize the cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD), 17alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (P450c17) and aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method using polyclonal antisera raised in mammals against P450scc, 3betaHSD, P450c17 and P450arom. P450scc and 3betaHSD were localized in all luteal cells throughout pregnancy. P450c17 was present in a few luteal cells, especially in the outer area of the corpus luteum throughout pregnancy, but the number of positively immunostained cells decreased during the post-implantation period. Cells positively immunostained for P450c17 were significantly smaller than negatively immunostained cells (P < 0.01). P450arom was present sporadically in a few luteal cells throughout pregnancy, but the number of positively immunostained cells decreased during the post-implantation period. The size of cells positively immunostained for P450arom was not significantly different from that of negatively immunostained cells. The whole placenta was negatively immunostained for P450scc, 3betaHSD and P450c17, but P450arom was present in the syncytiotrophoblasts and endothelial cells of maternal blood vessels. These results indicate that, in the Japanese black bear, corpora lutea are a source of progesterone which may play an important role in the maintenance of delayed implantation and fetal development during pregnancy. Corpora lutea have a minimum capability to synthesize androgen in small luteal cells and oestrogen in normal-sized luteal cells during pregnancy, and placentae have the ability to synthesize oestrogen during late pregnancy.     

Conservation and Improvement of the Natural Environment in Reservoir Watersheds in Japan

This paper discusses environmental conservation in reservoir watersheds, an important aspect relating to dam construction. The discussion of the subject describes how, in response to today's growing awareness of environmental issues, measures to absolutely minimize the effects on the environment of a dam project that will submerge the natural environment should be included in initial project plans, and how special concern for the environment ought to be shown throughout project implementation. Details are explained by introducing examples encountered in Japan.     

Development of a 400 kJ Nb3Sn superconducting magnet for an SMES system

An Nb₃Sn superconducting magnet to store 400 kJ was developed as a unit magnet for a 2.4-MJ SMES system used for stabilization studies of electrical power systems. The superconducting magnet consists of a cryostat and an Nb₃Sn coil. The dimensions of the coil are: 340 mm inner diameter, 700 mm outer diameter and 177 mm axial length. The pool-cooled coil is a stack of 20 Nb₃Sn double pancakes, and the cooling channels are aligned between pancake coils. To reduce Joule loss in electrical power converters, the maximum operating current of the coil is designed to be 350 A, which is one order of magnitude less than the operating currents of similar scale coils for pulse use. The conductor is an Nb₃Sn monolithic conductor with cross section 1.50 × 2.38 mm. For good superconducting stability and high dielectric strength of the coil, the Nb₃Sn double pancakes were wound by the react-and-wind technique. Operation of dc current to 105% (367.5 A) of the design operating current was achieved without quench. After the whole of the coil was exposed out of liquid helium, the coil did not quench under 120 A current operation for more than 2 hours. It was verified that the coil was stable for the SMES system. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 121(3): 44–52, 1997     

Effect of heparin on high glucose induced proliferation and expression of matrix metalloproteinases in normal human mesangial cells

Background The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a complex pathophysiological process. Its precise mechanism is not fully known. In recent years it has been recognized that synthesis of various extracelluar matrix (ECM) components may increase, and that degradation of ECM may decrease in DN. It was reported heparin could inhibit mesangial cells proliferation in vitro. The main aim of this study is to explore whether heparin inhibits proliferation of mesangial cells grown in high glucose concentration and to measure the effect of heparin on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in mesangial cells. Methods The medium contained either low glucose (5 mmol/L) or high glucose (25 mmol/L). The concentrations of heparin in the culture medium were 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 or 400 μg/mL. A metabolic (WST-1) assay was used to measure mesangial cell proliferation and Western blot analysis was used to measure MMPs expression of mesangial cells. Results Normal human mesangial cell (NHMC) proliferation was higher in high glucose (HG) medium than in low glucose (LG) medium. They showed a 1.93 fold expansion after 72 h in high glucose in contrast to a 1.63 fold expansion in low glucose. In the presence of heparin, mesangial cells proliferation was inhibited, which was more obvious at high glucose concentrations than at low glucose concentrations. In high glucose, with heparin concentration of 50, 100, 200 and 400 μg/mL, the mesangial cells showed a 0.61 fold, 0.52 fold, 0.52 fold and 0.41 fold reductions in cell number compared to cells grown without heparin. In low glucose, only concentrations of 200 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL showed reduction in cell number, namely 0.54 fold and 0.45 fold, when compared to cells grown without heparin. In Western blot analysis, MMP₁, MMP₂, MMP₃ and MMP₉ was expressed by mesangial cells expressed in both high and low glucose concentrations, which was more prominent in high glucose medium. Incubation of heparin further increased expression of MMP₁, MMP₂, MMP₃ and MMP₉. Conclusions This study suggests that glucose can accelerate mesangial cell proliferation while heparin can reduce proliferation, being more obvious at high glucose concentrations. Higher glucose concentrations led to increased MMP expression, which may take part in the regulation of mesangial matrix synthesis and degradation. Addition of heparin resulted in a corresponding increase in MMP expression, most notably at high glucose concentrations, indicating a potentially renoprotective role in DN. Foundation item: Project (30370663) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

The pharmacokinetics of water-in-oil-in-water-type multiple emulsion of a new tacrolimus formulation

We developed a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W)-type multiple emulsion of a new tacrolimus formulation. A potential approach to avoid the complications of systemic immunosuppression and simultaneously enhance immunosuppressive efficacy is to deliver immunosuppressive agents locally to the site of the target organs. The W/O/W emulsion is dispersed oil drops containing smaller water droplets that allow the delivery of drugs preferentially to the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Since the liver and the spleen are primary components of the RES, and the brain and the kidney have a poor RES, we hypothesized that a W/O/W emulsion of tacrolimus would prossess the pharmacokinetic benefits of local immunosuppression. We evaluated this hypothesis in a rat model. The tacrolimus levels of whole blood, the liver, spleen, brain, and kidney in rats given intravenous emulsions of tacrolimus (W/O/W group) were compared with a group administered tacrolimus alone (T group). There were no significant differences between the pharmacokinetic parameters of W/O/W group and T group based on whole blood data. However, the W/O/W group had significantly decreased tacrolimus levels in the brain and kidney, and significantly increased levels in the liver and spleen compared with the T group. These data suggest that the W/O/W emulsion is applicable as an intravenous drug carrier for local immunosuppression.