Field instrument for simultaneous large dynamic range measurement of atmospheric hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, and sulfur dioxide

We describe a membrane-based collection/analysis system that differentially monitors H2S and CH3SH, and to which a conductometric SO2 analyzer using the same collector was coupled. A diffusion scrubber (DS) comprised of a Nafion tube collects H2S selectively while a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (pPTFE) DS collects both H2S and CH3SH. Both gases are measured via their ability to react with fluorescein mercuric acetate (FMA) which results in decreased fluorescence. The limited dynamic range of a negative signal procedure was overcome by using dual DS units comprised of short and long scrubbers, placed serially in the liquid flow line. Different DS designs and membrane materials were investigated. H2S, CH3SH, and SO2 from a biogenic point source were continuously measured, and the H2S/CH3SH data compared well with a standard procedure involving Tedlar bag collection, preconcentration and thermal desorption from a Tenax trap, and measurement by gas chromatography/flame photometric detection. Walkaround portability of the instrument and very large dynamic range measurement of H2S and SO2 were demonstrated around the Mt. Aso volcano.     

Optical and adhesive properties of composite silica-impregnated Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu2+ phosphor films prepared on silica glass substrates

The compaction of a Eu-doped Ca-α-SiAlON phosphor powder was performed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The effect on the adhesion and optical properties of the silica precursor as both a binder of the powder and a filler of the air voids were evaluated. The adhesion of the silica impregnated composite film to the silica glass substrate was characterized by the tape test. The improvement of the external quantum efficiency was confirmed from the PL spectra measurement after the silica impregnation. The temperature dependence of the external quantum efficiency was also investigated in order to discuss the advantage of using the silica precursor as a binder for high-brightness LED applications.     

From the Sup-Decomposition to Sequential Decompositions

W-operators are discrete set operators that are both translation invariant and locally defined within a finite window W. A particularly interesting property of W-operators is that they have a sup-decomposition in terms of a family sup-generating operators, that are parameterized by the operator basis. The sup-decomposition has a parallel structure that usually is not efficient for computation in conventional sequential machines. In this paper, we formalize the problem of transforming sup-decompositions into purely sequential decompositions (when they exist). The techniques were developed for general W-operators, specialized for increasing W-operators and applied on operators built by compositions of dilations and erosions.     

Improvement of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) blended hydrogel by radiation crosslinking

1IntroductionHydrogelisapolymericmaterial(syntheticornaturaJ)whichswellswhenplacedincontactwithwaterbutisnotsolubleandhastheabililtytoretainwaterwithinitsstructare.InIecentyears,muchattentionhasbeenfocusedontheresearchanddevelopmentofthepolymerhydIogelsforbiomaterials,suchascontactlenses,wounddressing,enzymeimmunoassay,cathetersanddIugdeliverysystems[1~3].Adressingisoftencoveredonthewotmdtoaccelerateitshealing.TheIearetwokindsofdiessings:drytypeandwettype.Ithasbeenreportedthatheallngwithawe…     

Impact of systemic depulsation on tissue perfusion and sympathetic nerve activity

BACKGROUND: We postulated that pathophysiologic processes under nonpulsatile circulation are related to the behavior of the sympathetic nerve activity that regulates tissue perfusion. METHODS: Pulsatile and nonpulsatile pumps were installed in parallel in the left heart bypass circuit of anesthetized goats (n = 9) so that pulsatile circulation could be converted to nonpulsatile circulation instantly. At 5 minutes before and after systemic depulsation, we measured hemodynamic indices, renal nerve activity, and regional blood flow of the brain, heart, and renal cortex. RESULTS: Renal nerve activity was significantly elevated after systemic depulsation (15.6 +/- 9.3 versus 19.4 +/- 9.8 microV), when mean aortic pressure remained almost constant. The renal cortical flow was significantly reduced after depulsation (3.61 +/- 1.23 versus 2.93 +/- 1.19 mL.min-1.g-1), whereas no significant difference was found in the regional blood flow of the brain or the heart. CONCLUSIONS: The significant reduction of renal cortical blood flow after systemic depulsation is associated with a significant increase in renal nerve activity. Our results suggest that increased renal nerve activity plays an important role in the reduction of renal function after systemic depulsation.     

Driving simulator experiment on the moving stability of an automobile under strong crosswind

In expanding expressway networks in Japan, various types of structures have been constructed, e.g., long span bridges and bridges with high piers. The expressway structures are well designed for the external dynamic forces, e.g., earthquakes and strong winds. However, for further safety promotion of the expressway networks, it is important to evaluate the drivers’ responses under strong dynamic disturbances. The present authors have investigated the moving stability of a vehicle under seismic motion based on both numerical simulation and virtual experiments using a driving simulator. Strong crosswind is considered as another factor that makes it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles. This study investigates the moving stability of a vehicle under strong crosswind based on numerical analyses and driving simulator experiments. To predict the future position of a moving vehicle including the reaction of a driver, the second-order predictable correction model is used in the numerical analyses. The results obtained from the numerical and experimental studies are compared and the validity of the driver model is discussed. It is expected that this research is helpful for the decision-making of expressway closure under strong wind and the design of wind barriers.