Floorplan design problem using improved genetic algorithm

Genetic algorithms (GA) are applicable to many kinds of difficult problems. When a population keeps enough diversity and similarity, GA can obtain good solutions quickly. However, because these often compete with each other, it is difficult to fulfill both of these conditions simultaneously. In this article, taking these into consideration, we propose a new GA for the floorplan design problem, and aimed at improving the efficiency of calculation, the maintenance of the solution’s population diversity, and reduction of the number of parameters. We applied it to two MCNC (originally established as the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina) benchmark problems. The experimental results showed that the proposed method performed better than the existing methods. This work was presented, in part, at the 8th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 24#x2013;26, 2003     

Separation of linear and non-linear imaging components in high-resolution transmission electron microscope images

Linear and non-linear image components in high-resolution transmission electron microscope images were successfully separated by applying a bandpass filter to the three-dimensional Fourier spectrum of its through-focus series of images. In the observed lattice image of a wedgeshaped Si [110] crystal, we determined the magnitude of the contribution of the non-linear imaging components to the total image intensity distribution. The contribution was proved to become sometimes larger than that of the linear imaging component, even at a thickness of 13 nm.     

Real-time observation of spherical aberration-free phase image using high-speed image processing CCD video camera

Spherical aberration-free phase images have been observed at a time resolution of 1/30 s for the first time by using a defocus-image modulation processing electron microscope (DIMP-EM) combined with a newly developed high-speed image processing CCD video camera. In a profile image of the Au (011) crystal surface, no extra interference fringes were observed outside the crystal region, which clearly demonstrates successful correction of spherical aberration in real-time. The novel real-time DIMP-EM enabled the dynamic observation of surface and interface phenomena at an atomic level.     

Determination of carcinoembryonic antigen in human sera by integrated bead-bed immunoassay in a microchip for cancer diagnosis

A bead-bed immunoassay system was structured on a microchip and applied to determine carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which is a commonly used marker of colon cancer. Polystyrene beads precoated with anti-CEA antibody were introduced into a microchannel, and then a serum sample containing CEA, the first antibody, and the second antibody conjugated with colloidal gold were reacted successively. The resulting antigen-antibodies complex, fixed on the bead surface, was detected using a thermal lens microscope (TLM). A highly selective and sensitive determination of an ultratrace amount of CEA in human sera was made possible by a sandwich immunoassay system that needs three antibodies for an assay. A detection limit dozens of times lower than the conventional ELISA was achieved. Moreover, when serum samples for 13 patients were assayed with this system, there was a high correlation (r = 0.917) with the conventional ELISA. The integration reduced the time necessary for the antigen-antibody reaction to approximately 1%, thus shortening the overall analysis time from 45 h to 35 min. Moreover, troublesome operations required for conventional heterogeneous immunoassays could be much simplified. This microchip-based diagnosis system is the first microchip-based system that is practically useful for clinical diagnoses with short analysis time, high sensitivity, and easy procedures.     

Effects of carp and tuna oils on 5-fluorouracil-induced antitumor activity and side effects in sarcoma 180-bearing mice

In this study, we examined the effects of fish oils on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced antitumor activity in mice. First, we examined the antitumor activity of the oral administration of two fish oils (carp oil and tuna oil) in sarcoma 180-bearing mice. Carp oil (0.2 and 0.4 mL/mouse) and tuna oil (0.2 and 0.4 mL/mouse) had no effects on tumor growth. Next, we examined the combined effects of 5-FU plus two fish oils (carp oil and tuna oil) on the antitumor activity and side effects compared to the effects of 5-FU alone (12.5 mg/kg/d). We found that carp oil (0.4 mL/mouse) or tuna oil (0.2 or 0.4 mL/mouse) enhanced the ability of 5-FU (12.5 mg/kg/d) to prevent tumor growth, without increasing side effects such as myelotoxicity and immunocompetent organ toxicity. Tuna oil (0.2 mL/mouse) slightly reduced body weight as compared to the effects of 5-FU alone and water alone (control). The area under the curve (AUC) (0–120 min) of blood 5-FU levels was reduced by the oral co-administration of 5-FU with carp oil or tuna oil. Apparent T _max was shortened by the oral co-administration of 5-FU with carp oil or tuna oil. On the other hand, AUC (0–4 h) of 5-FU incorporation into tumor RNA fraction was not affected by the oral co-administration of 5-FU with carp oil or tuna oil.     

Online Earthquake Response Test for Stratified Layers of Clay and Sand

Artificial islands often consist of layers of alluvial clay and reclaimed soil of varying order and thickness. Soft clay layers have nonlinear characteristics and can both amplify and attenuate earthquake ground motions. Liquefied ground impedes propagation of shear waves and thus attenuates the earthquake accelerations. Online testing is a method of feeding soil response characteristics directly from soil samples into a modeling algorithm. The effects of the layer thickness, configuration, and degree of consolidation on the earthquake response characteristics of alternating layers of clay and sand have been investigated. The degree of liquefaction and strain generated in sand adjacent to clay layers increased with the degree of consolidation. Clay layers attenuate the motions of sand layers for short period vibrations but amplify the long period motions, increasing the strain in overlying liquefied sand layers. Clay layers which were closer to the ground surface or of greater thickness tended to increase the surface accelerations. Normalized cumulative energy loss was larger in clay than in sand increasing with a decreasing degree of consolidation.     

High-speed oxide coating by laser chemical vapor deposition and their nano-structure

Oxide thick films, partially yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and titania (TiO₂), were prepared by laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD). The assistance of laser tremendously increased the deposition rate for YSZ and TiO₂ films up to 660 and 2500 μm/h, respectively. The increase in the deposition rate was accompanied by plasma formation around the deposition zone, and the plasma was observed over critical values of laser power and substrate pre-heating temperature. A wide variety of morphologies of films from feather-like columnar to dense microstructures were obtained depending on deposition conditions. The columnar structure contained a large amount of nano-pores at columnar boundary and inside grains. These columnar structure and nano-pores were advantageous for applying YSZ films to thermal barrier coatings.     

Heat transfer in an inclined enclosure with an inner rotating plate

The effects of an inner rotating plate on the heat transfer in a differentially heated inclined enclosure were investigated experimentally. The aspect ratio of the enclosure (height/width) was 1 throughout the experiments. An acrylic plate with a small thermal conductivity was installed horizontally at the center of the square enclosure, and was rotated at various speeds by using a motor attached outside of the enclosure. The inclination angle of the enclosure was varied from –90° to 90°. Purified water was used for the working fluid. The flow pattern was sketched by a visualization experiment using aluminum powder. The heat transfer enhancement can be clearly seen for the inclined enclosure with the hot wall downward facing. The rotating plate used here is useful for the regulation of a wide‐ranging heat transfer rate. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(4): 331–340, 2001