Nonreciprocity in optical waveguide: experiment

We have demonstrated nonreciprocity in a magneto-optic waveguide by measuring the polarisation of the light emerging out of the channel waveguide, where a magnetic field was applied along the propagation direction. Nonreciprocity in an optical waveguide, in which the phase matching between the orthogonally polarised modes is not satisfied, leads to the opposite rotation of the major axis of the ellipse of the output light polarisation as reversing the propagation direction.     

Vacancy site occupation by Co and Ir in half-Heusler ZrNiSn and conversion of the thermoelectric properties from n-type to p-type

The n-type thermoelectric properties of the half-Heusler compound ZrNiSn can be converted to p-type by the addition of Co and Ir. We found that Co and Ir atoms preferably occupy the vacancy sites instead of substituting at Ni sites. This implies that the phase stability of the compound gradually changes towards that of the Heusler compound Zr(Ni,M)₂Sn, where M is Co and/or Ir. The occupation of vacancy sites by Co and Ir atoms leads to a drastic reduction in lattice thermal conductivity owing to the enhancement of phonon scattering by the solid solution effect.     

Seismic proof test of a reinforced concrete containment vessel (RCCV): Part 1: Test model and pressure test

In Japan, the Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (NUPEC), sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), has been conducting a series of seismic reliability proving tests using full-scale or close to full-scale models to simulate actual important equipment that is critical for seismic safety of nuclear power plants. The tests are intended to validate the seismic design and reliability with a sufficient margin even under destructive earthquakes. A series of tests was carried out on a reinforced concrete containment vessel (RCCV) for advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) from 1992 to 1999. A large-scale high-performance shaking table at Tadotsu Engineering Laboratory, the largest in the world, was used for this test. Part 1 reports the test model and the results of pressure and leak tests. Part 2 describes test procedures, input waves and the results of verification tests such as changes of stiffness, characteristic frequency and damping ratio, the failure of the model and the load deflection. Part 3 shows the seismic safety margin that was evaluated from the energy input during the failure test to a design basis earthquake. Part 4 reports simulation analysis results by a stick model with lumped masses.     

eaeA genes in Escherichia coli derived from Japanese patients with sporadic diarrhea

To investigate the prevalence of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli, we examined 364 strains isolated from the feces of 9,684 patients with diarrhea at the Anjo Kosei Hospital in Japan for the presence of eaeA. Twenty-nine (8%) of the strains were eaeA positive. Of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), 11 of the 87 (13%) strains were for the positive eaeA gene. The serotypes and the numbers of eaeA-positive strains among the strains tested were as follows: O26:H-(2/3), O55:H7 (4/4), O55:H-(2/ 2) and O128:H2(3/3). Two enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strains (Verotoxin positive O157:H7) were also eaeA positive. Among 260 non-EPEC strains that were not categorized as diarrheagenic E. coli, 16 (6%) were eaeA positive. Those serotypes were as follows: O15:H2, O20:H6, O28:H28, O63:H6. O153:H7, O28:H6, O153:H19 and O157:H45. EPEC strains including O18:H7 and six other serotypes, enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) were all eaeA negative.     

Contributions of generators for power flow and loads in a power system

Because of the introduction of deregulation and competition in the electricity supply industry, large numbers of IPPs (Independent Power Producers) will get into the market. It has become much more important to be able to determine which generators are supplying a particular load, which generator is responsible for transmission line congestion, and what is each generator's contribution to the system losses. In this paper, we propose a way to calculate these contributions automatically. The applicability of the proposed technique is demonstrated using the EAST 10 47‐bus power system. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 144(3): 28–35, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10181     

Prediction of a New Ligand-Binding Site for Type 2 Motif based on the Crystal Structure of ALG-2 by Dry and Wet Approaches

ALG-2 is a penta-EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding protein and interacts with a variety of intracellular proteins. Two types of ALG-2-binding motifs have been determined: type 1, PXYPXnYP (X, variable; n = 4), in ALIX and PLSCR3; type 2, PXPGF, in Sec31A and PLSCR3. The previously solved X-ray crystal structure of the complex between ALG-2 and an ALIX peptide containing type 1 motif showed that the peptide binds to Pocket 1 and Pocket 2. Co-crystallization of ALG-2 and type 2 motif-containing peptides has not been successful. To gain insights into the molecular basis of type 2 motif recognition, we searched for a new hydrophobic cavity by computational algorithms using MetaPocket 2.0 based on 3D structures of ALG-2. The predicted hydrophobic pocket designated Pocket 3 fits with N-acetyl-ProAlaProGlyPhe-amide, a virtual penta-peptide derived from one of the two types of ALG-2-binding sites in PLSCR3 (type 2 motif), using the molecular docking software AutoDock Vina. We investigated effects of amino acid substitutions of the predicted binding sites on binding abilities by pulldown assays using glutathione-S-transferase -fused ALG-2 of wild-type and mutant proteins and lysates of cells expressing green fluorescent protein -fused PLSCR3 of wild-type and mutants. Substitution of either L52 with Ala or F148 with Ser of ALG-2 caused loss of binding abilities to PLSCR3 lacking type 1 motif but retained those to PLSCR3 lacking type 2 motif, strongly supporting the hypothesis that Pocket 3 is the binding site for type 2 motif.     

Dark Current Characteristics of a Radiation Detector Array Developed Using MOVPE-Grown Thick CdTe Layers on Si Substrate

We present reverse bias current (dark current) characteristics of a two-dimensional monolithic pixel-type nuclear radiation detector array fabricated using metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE)-grown thick CdTe epitaxial layers on Si substrate. The (14?×?8) pixel array was formed by cutting deep vertical trenches using a dicing saw, where each pixel possesses a p-CdTe/ n-CdTe/n ⁺-Si heterojunction diode structure. The dark currents showed pixel-to-pixel variations when measured at higher applied biases exceeding 100?V. The dark current had a dependence on the pixel thickness, where pixels with lower CdTe thickness exhibited higher currents. Moreover, the temperature dependence of the dark current revealed that a deep level with activation energy of around 0.6?eV is responsible for the observed dark currents and their pixel-to-pixel variation. We discuss that the effective ratio of Te to Cd at the growth surface is a major factor that controls the thickness variation, and is also responsible for the formation of 0.6?eV deep levels.     

Levee damage and bridge scour by 2019 typhoon Hagibis in Kanto Region,Japan

Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in Japan at 19:00 JST on 12th October 2019. The heavy rainfall caused by the typhoon was mostly concentrated within a 24-hour period; it brought devastating damage to eastern Japan. This report focuses on the flood-induced levee damage and bridge scour generated by the typhoon in the Kanto region. The levee breaches occurred mainly in the northern part of the region. They were concentrated along the Kuji and Naka Rivers and tributaries of the Tone and Arakawa Rivers. In most breached locations, the cause of the damage was the landward overtopping of the river water. Surface erosion on the slope of the protected side and/or slope failure on the protected side due to seepage-induced instability were the main causes of the levee breaches. Apart from the flooding induced by the inundation of the river water, inland flooding was also found. Damage to a river bridge due to local scour revealed the importance of considering the movement of sandbars in river channels, i.e., changes in the river flow conditions, when assessing the risks of bridge scour.     

An evaluation method of PV systems

Data evaluation methods have wide adaptations, such as feedbacks to PV system operation management and design. The authors have already developed sophisticated verification method (SV method) of PV systems, which is a simple evaluation method to identify six kinds of system loss rates using basic information and simple four measurable data. This time, the authors introduced quality diagnosis to our previous model for compensating the measurement errors in field data, and improved the algorithm of the model. Consequently, validity of the evaluation result became better than the previous model.