Development of aseismic design of piping, vessels and equipment in nuclear facilities

This report involves the development of aseismic design procedures of piping, vessels and equipment in Japan. These mechanical structures show their various characteristics of vibration. Pressure boundaries, a containment vessel and safety systems belong to such structures. The vital components of nuclear power plants are classified to “A” class according to the classification for the aseismic design in Japan. All components in “A” class are required to be based on dynamic earthquake-resistant design, of which level is decided in consideration of local seismisity.

For dynamic design purposes, the following processes are the most important: 1. estimating eigenfrequencies and modes of the system; 2. estimating its damping characteristics; 3. estimating the behavior of the system during strong earthquakes; 4. deciding the design criteria, especially the allowable stresses to earthquake loadings.     

增强联机能力 嵌入式软件赋予投影机更多可能

为了延续在投影机市场的领先地位,Epson希望他们的投影机能够兼具更强的联机能力,更简易的设定,以及无线传输的功能.在与微软合作的开发项目中,Epson选择使用Windows Embedded CE 6.0嵌入式平台,开发智能型,具有联机功能的服务导向投影机.型号EMP-1825(美国型号PowerLite 1825)的网络投影机,内建CE 6.0,不仅侦测容易,可快速设定,亦能由无线传输接收影音内容和简报档案.     

Introduction of conductivity on non-conducting polyaniline by low-energy proton implantation

The semiconductor characteristics of a non-conducting polyaniline pellet can be modified by implantation of low-energy protons, that is, the resistivity became less than 50 Ω cm by proton doping at the fluence rate and fluence of 4 × 10¹¹ ions/cm²/s and 1 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm², respectively. The resistivity increased with the increasing fluence rate of the protons. FT/IR spectra have shown that a new band resulted from the appearance of N⁺-H due to the proton implantation.     

Synergistic anti-influenza virus A (H1N1) activities of PM-523 (polyoxometalate) and ribavirin in vitro and in vivo

A Kegin-type polyoxometalate, PM-523, in combination with ribavirin, was tested for its therapeutic effectiveness against influenza virus (FluV) A (H1N1) infection in tissue culture and in mice. PM-523 [(PriNH3)6H [PTi2W10O38(O2)2] x H2O, where Pri is isopropanol] and ribavirin individually inhibited FluV A-induced cytopathic effects in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells at median effective concentrations (EC50s) of 30 and 34 microM, respectively, and at 70% effective concentrations (EC70s) of 48 and 72 microM, respectively. On the other hand, a combination of PM-523 and ribavirin at a ratio of 1:16 exhibited lower EC50s and EC70s than each compound used singly, and combination indices were less than 1. A wide range of combinations of PM-523 and ribavirin at ratios of from 1:128 to 1:1 exhibited additive or synergistic anti-FluV effects in MDCK cells. When these compounds were tested for their anti-FluV A activities in vivo by aerosol exposure of mice which had been infected with a lethal dose of FluV A by an intranasal route, a 1:16 combination of PM-523 and ribavirin was found to have a significantly better therapeutic effect than a single dose of either compound used singly with respect to both the survival rate of the mice and the virus titer in the lungs of the infected mice. PM-523 was effective for the treatment of experimental FluV infection, and in combination with ribavirin, PM-523 exhibited enhanced anti-FluV effects in vitro and in vivo compared with the effect of PM-523 alone.     

Effect of disinfection by microwave irradiation on the strength of intact and relined denture bases and the water sorption and solubility of denture base and reline materials

This study evaluated the influence of microwave disinfection on the strength of intact and relined denture bases. Water sorption and solubility were also evaluated. A heat‐polymerized acrylic resin (Lucitone 550) was used to construct 4‐mm‐thick (n = 40) and 2‐mm‐thick (n = 160) denture bases. Denture bases (2‐mm) were relined with an autopolymerizing resin (Tokuso Rebase Fast, Ufi Gel Hard, Kooliner, or New Truliner). Specimens were divided into four groups (n = 10): without treatment, one or seven cycles of microwave disinfection (650 W for 6 min), and water storage at 37°C for 7 days. Specimens were vertically loaded (5 mm/min) until failure. Disc‐shaped specimens (50 mm × 0.5 mm) were fabricated (n = 10) to evaluate water sorption and solubility. Data on maximum fracture load (N), deflection at fracture (mm), fracture energy (N mm), water sorption (%), and solubility (%) were analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance and Student–Newman–Keuls tests (α = 0.05). One cycle of microwave disinfection decreased the deflection at fracture and fracture energy of Tokuso Rebase Fast and New Truliner specimens. The strength of denture bases microwaved daily for 7 days was similar to the strength of those immersed in water for 7 days. Microwave disinfection increased the water sorption of all materials and affected the solubility of the reline materials. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

One Week of CDAHFD Induces Steatohepatitis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction with Oxidative Stress in Liver

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been rapidly increasing worldwide. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) has been used to create a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are some reports on the effects on mice of being fed a CDAHFD for long periods of 1 to 3 months. However, the effect of this diet over a short period is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of 1-week CDAHFD feeding on the mouse liver. Feeding a CDAHFD diet for only 1-week induced lipid droplet deposition in the liver with increasing activity of liver-derived enzymes in the plasma. On the other hand, it did not induce fibrosis or cirrhosis. Additionally, it was demonstrated that CDAHFD significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration with severe oxidative stress to the liver, which is associated with a decreasing mitochondrial DNA copy number and complex proteins. In the gene expression analysis of the liver, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were significantly increased by CDAHFD. These results demonstrated that 1 week of feeding CDAHFD to mice induces steatohepatitis with mitochondrial dysfunction and severe oxidative stress, without fibrosis, which can partially mimic the early stage of NASH in humans.     

Effect of ribavirin on subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus infections in hamsters

The antiviral activity of ribavirin was studied in hamsters infected with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus. Ribavirn did not improve the survival of infected hamsters when administered intraperitoneally at the maximal nonlethal dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 10 days. However, when administered intracranially, ribavirin improved the survival of infected hamsters in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% effective dose was calculated to be 1.4 mg/kg/day, and the selectivity index, based on the ratio of the 50% lethally toxic dose (31 mg/kg/day) to the 50% effective dose, was 22. When begun 12 h, but not 36 h, postinfection, ribavirin at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day completely prevented mortality and inhibited the replication of SSPE virus in brains of infected hamsters. Intrathecal or intraventricular administration of ribavirin should be explored for potential use in the treatment of patients with SSPE.     

Enhanced and Engineered d0 Ferromagnetism in Molecularly‐Thin Zinc Oxide Nanosheets

Molecularly‐thin nanosheets are ultimate two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials potentially giving unusual physical and chemical properties due to the strong 2D quantum and surface effects. Here, it is demonstrated that 1.5‐nm‐thick ZnO nanosheets exhibit greatly enhanced room‐temperature ferromagnetism. Saturation magnetization value of the nanosheets with intercalated dodecyl sulfate layers is approximately 100 times that of ZnO mesocrystals. Anion exchange with dodecyl phosphate layers strongly suppresses ferromagnetic ordering as a result of surface defect passivation while maintaining bulk‐like n‐type semiconducting properties, which reveals significance of interfacial states to engineer functional properties of nanosheet‐based hybrid materials.     

Effect of a curved duct upstream on performance of small centrifugal compressors for automobile turbochargers

Since the automobile turbochargers are installed in an engine compartment with limited space, the ducts upstream of the turbocharger compressor may be curved in a complex manner. In the present paper, the effect of a curved duct upstream on performance of small centrifugal compressors for automobile turbochargers is discussed. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a turbocharger compressor validated for the compressor model with the straight pipe applied to the compressor with the curved pipe are executed, and the deterioration of the performance for the curved pipe is confirmed. It is also found that the deterioration of compressor performance is caused by the interaction of the secondary flow and the impeller.