Mechanical and thermal properties of HVOF sprayed Ni based alloys with carbide

The objective of the present study is to develop multi-functioned coating to the components, which are made of copper with electroplated Ni and are widely used for steel making industry. In this paper, we report the mechanical and thermal properties of Ni based superalloys with carbide sprayed by high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF), and the detailed effects of sprayed material, spraying conditions, and initial powder structure on these properties. It was found that, among commercial Ni self-fluxing alloys (without fusing treatment), coating with a carbon content of 0.58 mass% had the most preferable properties, with a good balance of the hardness, strength, and thermal shock resistance. The thermal shock resistance depended not only on the strength of the coating but also on the volume contraction when tested at high temperatures. For the several developed Ni based superalloys with carbide, Ni20Cr8Mo5Fe–WC and Ni16Cr15Mo3–WC demonstrated the prominent adhesion strength and thermal shock resistance with high Galvanic corrosion resistance through optimized spraying condition. Also, 20 mass% NiCr–Cr₃C₂ coating sprayed by using employed relatively small primary particle succeeded in achieving the multi-superior properties; high adhesion strength, high corrosion resistance and thermal shock resistance.     

Secondary abnormality of carnitine biosynthesis results from carnitine reabsorptional system defect in juvenile visceral steatosis mice

We characterized the L-carnitine transport system which is defective in the kidney of juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mice by using kidney slices and carnitine-related compounds, and evaluated the influence of the transport defect on the biosynthetic pathway of carnitine. The JVS mouse transport system defect, calculated as the difference in the transport activity between control and JVS mice, was simulated in control by gamma-butyrobetaine (gamma-BB) and acetyl L-carnitine. gamma-BB hydroxylase activity in the liver of JVS mice was double that of control mice, but the hepatic level of gamma-BB in JVS mice was lower than in control mice, suggesting that the conversion of gamma-BB to carnitine is not activated in the liver of JVS mice. JVS mice showed higher fractional excretions not only of L-carnitine but also of gamma-BB and acetyl L-carnitine than control mice, indicating disturbed reabsorption of gamma-BB and acetyl L-carnitine. The disturbed reabsorption of gamma-BB in JVS mice is consistent with the fact that the amount of urinary gamma-BB in JVS mice was four times that of control. The sum of the concentrations of L-carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine and gamma-BB in the urine of JVS mice was not significantly different from that of the control, suggesting no remarkable increase of biosynthesis of gamma-BB and carnitine in JVS mice. All these findings suggest that the carnitine transport system plays a role in the transport of gamma-BB and that carnitine deficiency is aggravated by the disturbed reabsorption of gamma-BB in the kidney.     

Expression, exon-intron organization, and chromosome mapping of the human sodium iodide symporter

The active iodide uptake of the thyroid gland in humans is mediated by the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS). In this report, we show that hNIS expression was detected primarily in thyroid tissue, but also in breast, colon, and ovary tissues. Expression of hNIS is greatly reduced in thyroid tumors compared to normal thyroid tissue. Among tumor tissues, hNIS expression appears to be variable, consistent with the variable response to radioiodide treatment observed for thyroid carcinomas. The coding region of hNIS is interrupted by 14 introns, and the nucleotide sequence of each exon-intron junction is reported. Using this information, an alternatively spliced form of hNIS was identified. Finally, the chromosome location of the hNIS gene was mapped to chromosome 19p.     

Self-healing algorithm for logical mesh connection on ring networks

A self-healing algorithm is proposed for a ring network connected as a logical mesh. It offers good performance in terms of protection line capacity, restoration time, and survivability against multiple failures     

A load dispatch method using fractional programming and semidefinite programming

This paper describes a load dispatch method which minimizes power cost—[fuel cost]/[electric output]—for a power system with thermal plants and energy storage facilities. The proposed method employs fractional programming to convert a minimization problem with fractional objective function to a series of quadratic minimization problems, and semidefinite programming to solve converted problems. The method provides the optimum time‐dependent power output/input and storage level of energy storage facilities as well as time‐dependent power output of thermal plants. The method has been applied to a power system with five thermal plants, two energy storage facilities of various performances, and five load demands. The optimum load scheme of four time mesh points is obtained for the thermal plants and energy storage facilities. The fractional programming successfully converges the optimal scheme through a few iterations. The semidefinite programming deals with a variable matrix of 164 dimensions, and 185 inequality constraints. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 138(2): 49–58, 2002     

HPLC Elution Behavior of La-Fullerenes Investigated by Radiochemical Method

HPLC elution behaviors of La-fullerenes were investigated by use of the radiochemical methods. Elution curves of La-fullerenes could be observed in detail for the first time, and the persistent presence of La in the whole elution curve was demonstrated. Production of La-fullerenes containing a radioactive ¹⁴⁰La could be achieved for the first time.