A tunable waveguide CO2 laser using Fabry-Perot modulator and fox-smith type mode selector

A tunable waveguide CO₂ laser was constructed and tested. Efficient output was obtained over expanded tuning range making use of the coupling modulation through the F-P modulator. A fox-smith type mode selector was used to obtain the tuning range wider than the longitudinal mode spacing. A continuous tuning range of 2.2GHz was experimentally obtained.     

Investigation of cobalt deposition using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance

Electrodeposition of cobalt from sulfate solutions at different pH values was investigated using the EQCM technique coupled with cyclic voltammetry. The results show that cobalt hydroxide is formed simultaneously with cobalt deposition during the early stages of reduction due to the pH variation near the electrode surface caused by the parallel hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This result was confirmed using M/z values calculated using the Sauerbrey equation and Faraday's law, which showed the presence of cobalt hydroxide in the electrodeposits. A flux model was developed and it assumes a direct reduction of cobalt, simultaneous HER and the formation of cobalt hydroxide during the early stages of deposition at pH 4.10. When the solution pH is decreased to 3.33 only the direct cobalt reduction is observed without any hydroxylated species formation.     

Low wet etching rates of ZnO films prepared by sputtering of mixed ZnO and AlN powder targets

ZnO films codoped with Al and N have been prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering in an Ar atmosphere, using targets of mixtures of ZnO and AlN powders. The Al-doped ZnO films are transparent, whereas the films codoped with Al and N are colored. The Al- and N-concentrations in the colored films are estimated to be 4–7 at.% and 1–2 at.%, respectively. No enhancement of the carrier density is seen in the colored ZnO films, whereas the colored films exhibit lower etching rates of 3–5 nm/s in a 0.1 M HCl solution, in comparison with the Al-doped ZnO films. For the colored film, the anisotropic grain growth occurs, and cubic grains are produced after etching. The low etching rates of the colored films are ascribed to the epitaxial growth of AlN films on the surfaces of ZnO grains, rather than the incorporation of Al–N and Al–O bonds into the ZnO lattice.     

High-speed-response InGaAs/InP heterostructure avalanche photodiode with InGaAsP buffer layers

The optical response time of an InGaAs/InP heterostructure avalanche photodiode (HAPD) with InGaAsP buffer layers is reported. It is shown that the buffer layers play an important role in reduction of the pile-up effect and are considered to be effective in achieving high-speed InGaAs/InP HAPDs.     

Use of animal fats in rations for beef cattle

Summary Choice yearling Hereford steers were fed pellets containing 5.53% edible beef tallow, 68.14% ground corn cobs, 14.73% soybean oil meal, 9.20% blackstrap molasses, 1.31% urea, and 1.08% feeding bonemeal. In addition to the pellets, the steers received ground ear corn, brome hay, vitamin A supplement, and trace minerals. The steers receiving this ration gained 300 pounds in a total feeding period of 150 days for an average daily gain of 2.0 pounds. Comparable steers on a standard ration consisting of ground shelled corn, soybean oil meal, brome hay, vitamin A supplement, and trace minerals gained 317 pounds with an average daily gain of 2.11 pounds. Another group of steers were fed corn oil pellets. These steers gained 261 pounds per head or an average daily gain of 1.74 pounds. No digestive disturbances were observed throughout the feeding period in Lot 2 fed the beef tallow pellets. There were no apparent differences in carcass quality when the animals were slaughtered. The beef tallow pellets were prepared to have approximately 75% as much energy as corn, assuming that one pound of fat contributed 2.25 times more energy than a pound of carbohydrates. In this feeding test the economy of gain was in favor of the group of steers fed the beef tallow pellets. Published with the approval of the director as Paper No. 628, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Water electrolysis under microgravity: Part II. Description of gas bubble evolution phenomena

Water electrolysis is carried out in both alkaline (25 and 2 wt.% KOH) and acidic (0.1N H₂SO₄) solutions for 8 s under a microgravity (μ-G) environment realized in a drop shaft. The effects of gravitational strength on gas bubble evolution behavior are analyzed in consideration of various factors (bubble movement, bubble assembly and single bubble). Under a μ-G environment, a collection of fine gas bubbles forms a froth layer in alkaline solutions, whereas bubbles frequently coalesce in acidic solution. Moreover, H₂ gas bubbles in alkaline jump from a cathode surface and O₂ bubbles often coalesce on an anode. In acidic solution both H₂ and O₂ bubbles frequently coalesce on electrode surfaces. Such gas bubble movements are reflected in the coalescence number and bubble residence time. A single bubble is characterized by the bubble size and the dynamic contact angle between a gas bubble and a Pt electrode, however, these factors are not essentially influenced by the gravitational strength.     

Water electrolysis under microgravity: Part 1. Experimental technique

Water electrolysis was conducted in both alkaline (25 wt.% KOH, 2 wt.% KOH) and acid (0.1N H₂SO₄) solutions for 8 s under microgravity environment realized in a drop shaft. The gas bubble formation of hydrogen and oxygen on platinum electrodes was observed by CCD camera. In alkaline solutions, a bubble froth layer grew on the electrode surface. Hydrogen bubble size was smaller than that of oxygen. The current density at constant potential decreased continually with time. In spite of the growth of a bubble froth layer on the electrode, the electrolysis never stopped, apparently because fresh electrolyte is supplied to the electrode surface by microconvection induced by the gas bubble evolution. In acid solution, hydrogen gas bubbles frequently coalesced on the cathode surface, yielding a larger average bubble than that of oxygen. The current density did not vary at constant potentials from -0.4 to −0.8 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), because the effective electrode surface area was significantly reduced by the larger bubble size compared to alkaline electrolyte. The present experiments indicate that, especially in a microgravity environment, the bubble evolution behavior and the resultant current-potential curves are significantly influenced by the wettability of the electrode in contact with the electrolyte.     

Histopathological aspects of dural arteriovenous fistulas in the transverse-sigmoid sinus region in nine patients

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) have been primarily thought to be acquired lesions, formed after sinus thrombosis. The pathogenesis of DAVF, however, is still controversial. We have studied histopathological aspects of DAVFs in resected specimens obtained from nine patients, to obtain clues to the pathogenesis of DAVFs. METHODS: Histological comparison was made among nine DAVF cases and five control cases without venous sinus disease. In addition, the relationship between the clinical course and histological aspects was investigated. RESULTS: The essential abnormality found was a connection between the dural arteries and the dural veins within the venous sinus wall, through small vessels averaging approximately 30 microns in diameter. By using several staining methods, we confirmed that the vessels were part of the venous system; we named these dilated venules "crack-like vessels." CONCLUSIONS: The development of abnormal communications between dural arteries and dural veins (crack-like vessels) is regarded as the essential part of the pathogenesis of DAVFs, and sinus thrombus is not thought to be an essential lesion of DAVFs. It might be postulated that sinus hypertension caused by stenocclusive disease of the venous sinuses triggers the development of fistulous connections between arteries and veins in the dural wall, which may result in increasingly dilated venules and the formation of DAVFs.