Application of the acoustic emission technique to the react and wind processed Nb3Sn superconducting magnet

A technique combining acoustic emission and voltage measurement is applied to quench experiments conducted on a newly fabricated Nb₃Sn superconducting magnet. Based on the results, the training mechanism, epoxy potting effect and conductor degradation due to the electromagnetic force are discussed.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of a benign cystic mesothelioma of pleura

We are reporting on the case of a 44-year-old woman upon which video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of a benign cystic mesothelioma of the pleura was performed. To our knowledge, this is the second report on a case of a benign cystic mesothelioma of the pleura. The cyst in our case was solitary and was easily excised. Microscopic examination revealed that the cyst was lined by a single layer of flattened and cuboidal cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the cells lining the cyst stained positively for keratin and negatively for factor VIII-related antigen. Benign cystic mesothelioma of the pleura was diagnosed based on histological findings. For seven months her condition has been monitored at our out-patient clinic with no signs of recurrence. However, continued careful observation is required because benign cystic mesothelioma often recurs locally. Local recurrence is thought to be related to incomplete resection of the tumor. Therefore, careful observations and techniques to ensure complete resection of the cyst, are important during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.     

Synthesis of a high pressure phase of FePO4

A CrVO₄ type FePO₄ polymorph with a=5.227, b=7.770 and $\text{c}\text{=6.322}\text{A}\text{?}$ has been synthesized at 50 kb and 900° C. The density is 3.90 g/cc, and increase of 22.6% over the quartz modification. The results of magnetic and Mossbauer effect measurements indicate that iron ions are in the high spin trivalent state in both phases. The quadrupole splitting of 1.90 mm/sec for Fe³⁺ of the high pressure phase is much larger than the 0.60 mm/sec for low pressure phase.     

Performance Analysis of Mixed-Base Modulation System

In this paper the performance of the mixed-base modulation (MBM) system is analyzed for the case where the input signal is a sample function of a Gaussian random process and an optimum stretching is employed. The comparison of theoretical performance of the MBM system with that of other common modulation schemes such as FM and PCM/PSK shows that it provides performance much better than that of those schemes where the same bandspread factor is employed.     

A new compound K2Cr8O16 with hollandite type structure

A new compound, K₂Cr₈O₁₆ with the hollandite-type structure was synthesized under high temperature-pressure conditions ranging from 1100° to 1250° C and from 55 to 65 kbars. Its crystal structure was classified as C³₂h - C2/m with the lattice parameters a=13.820, b=2.941, c=9.772 A and β=135°. Ferromagnetism was observed in this compound whose Curie temperature was 225 K and magnetic moment was approaximately 18 μ_B.     

Endogenous glucocorticoids decrease the acinar cell sensitivity to apoptosis during cerulein pancreatitis in rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We recently showed that activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis may mitigate the progress of acute pancreatitis. To clarify the mechanism, the role of endogenous glucocorticoids in pancreatic acinar cell death was examined. METHODS: The occurrence of apoptosis was studied in adrenalectomized or sham-operated rats with or without cerulein-induced pancreatitis. The effects of RU38486, a glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist, on the survival of cultured acinar cells (AR42J) were also examined. RESULTS: Adrenalectomy caused increases in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) of acinar nuclei depending on the time after adrenalectomy but not of other cell types in the pancreas and in other digestive organs. Electron microscopy showed the characteristic features of apoptosis in the TUNEL-labeled acinar cells. In cerulein pancreatitis of adrenalectomized rats, the TUNEL-labeled acinar nuclei increased remarkably depending on the time after cerulein infusion. Replacement of glucocorticoids blocked the occurrence of apoptosis in these experiments. RU38486 induced dose dependently the apoptosis of AR42J cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that endogenous glucocorticoids are an important factor for acinar cell survival. Endogenous glucocorticoids may protect acinar cells by decreasing their sensitivity to the induction of cell death during acute pancreatitis.     

Precision lattice parameter measurements on doped indium phosphide single crystals

Precision lattice parameter measurements have been made for various dopants as a function of doping concentration in order to provide a basis for understanding the reduction in dislocation density in heavily doped crystals. For the two dopants, Zn and S, which most effectively reduce the dislocation density, a monotonic decrease in lattice parameter with concentration is found for concentrations up to the mid 10¹⁸ cm^-3 level. On the other hand, a slight increase in lattice parameter is found for doping with tin which dose not reduce the dislocation density.     

Metal Complexes of π-Conjugated Polymers

π-Conjugated chelating polymers such as poly(2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-diyl), poly(1,10-phenanthroline-3,8-diyl), and salophen polymers have been prepared by organometallic polycondensations. The obtained polymers form metal complexes with various metal species such as [Ru(bpy)₂]²⁺ and CuCl₂. Metal complexes of π-conjugated ligands are also polymerized by dehalogenative organometallic polycondensations. Some of the metal complexes of π-conjugated polymers exhibit electrical conducting nature and show catalytic activity for redox reactions.     

Purification and Characteristics of Feruloyl Esterase from Aspergillus awamori G-2 Strain

ABSTRACT:  For food industry production processes and other uses, a mold that produces high levels of feruloyl esterase was obtained from laboratory mold collections and other sources. It was Aspergillus awamori G-2 that produces high levels of feruloyl esterase. The feruloyl esterase was purified using ion-exchange chromatography, size-exclusion chromatography, and HPLC chromatography. The enzyme was identified as a monomer protein using size-exclusion chromatography. Its optimum temperature and pH were, respectively, 40 °C and pH 5. Its activity was stable at pH 3 to 5. The enzyme was combined with xylan and starch, but it was absorbed by cellulose. The km of the feruloyl esterase was 0.0019% (0.01 mM). The enzyme showed stable activity at pH 3 and 50 °C, making this enzyme useful for food production.