Measurement of self-diffusion coefficients in Li ionic conductors by using the short-lived radiotracer of 8Li

For the effective use of short-lived radioactive beams, soon to be available at the Tokai Radioactive Ion Accelerator Complex, the authors have developed a radiotracer method for diffusion studies in solids. The experimental test was performed by the measurement of the diffusion coefficients of Li in a sample of the compound βLiAl using an α-emitting radiotracer of ⁸Li (T_1/2=0.84 s). It was found that the time-dependent yields of the α particles from the diffusing ⁸Li that was initially implanted in the sample could be used as a measure of the diffusivity of the tracer in a nondestructive way. The method was applied to measure the self-diffusion coefficients of Li in βLiGa, and for investigating how the Li diffusion in the Li ionic conductors is affected by the concentration of atomic defects (i.e., the existence of the atomic vacancies of Li and the defects in Ga sites that are replaced by Li).     

Data Center as a Key Player of a District Electric Power and Heat Network System： A Comparison in Urban and Suburb Regions

A DC （data center） demands air-conditioning power as large as the 1/3-1/2 of total electricity consumption. Thus, energy saving of cooling power of DC yields considerable effect on both economic and environmental views. PV （Photovoltaic） and absorption refrigerator with CGS （cogeneration systems） or gas boiler are possible power saving options. The waste warm air from DC would be utilized for greenhouse heating when DC and greenhouse locate near in the suburbs. In this study, the authors develop an energy network model to assess the potential contribution of DC as a major electric power and chilled air consumer as well as the warm air supplier in a district to the energy efficiency improvement. The evaporation heat of LNG （liquefied natural gas） utilization is also considered as well as PV, CGS. This model is applied to the cases of the urban area in Tokyo which involves athletic center, shops and hospital and the suburbs including greenhouse and then compared.     

Bright-field scanning confocal electron microscopy using a double aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope

Scanning confocal electron microscopy (SCEM) offers a mechanism for three-dimensional imaging of materials, which makes use of the reduced depth of field in an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope. The simplest configuration of SCEM is the bright-field mode. In this paper we present experimental data and simulations showing the form of bright-field SCEM images. We show that the depth dependence of the three-dimensional image can be explained in terms of two-dimensional images formed in the detector plane. For a crystalline sample, this so-called probe image is shown to be similar to a conventional diffraction pattern. Experimental results and simulations show how the diffracted probes in this image are elongated in thicker crystals and the use of this elongation to estimate sample thickness is explored.     

High‐pixel‐rate grating‐light‐valve laser projector

Abstract— A high‐pixel‐rate, high‐contrast (30,000:1) wide‐color‐gamut grating‐light‐valve laser projector is reported. A new optical engine enabling high‐frame‐rate (240 Hz) scan projection is employed. Panoramic wide‐angle‐scan projection with a 64:9 aspect ratio was also developed. Speckle noise is eliminated using a simple but highly efficient technique. The optical throughput efficiency of the grating‐light‐valve laser projector is reviewed.     

Quantitative structural analysis of twin boundary in alpha-Zn7Sb2O12 using HAADF STEM method

The structure and composition of the 1/4{110} twin boundary in alpha-Zn7Sb2O12 have been determined by using quantitative high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF STEM) analysis. The noise in the experimental HAADF STEM images is reduced by using the maximum entropy method and average processing, and the parameters used in dynamical simulations are experimentally determined. From the analysis, it has been found that octahedral sites in the twin boundary slightly shift parallel to the [110] direction, and a reduction of the Sb concentration at the octahedral sites on the plane adjacent to the twin boundary was detected. The reduction was measured from three regions in the same twin boundary, and the Sb concentrations were 4 +/- 3, 8 +/- 3 and 19 +/-2 at% from 33 at%.     

A novel method for three-dimensional observation of the vascular networks in the whole mouse brain

A novel method for acquiring serial images suitable for three-dimensional reconstruction of vascular networks in the whole brain of mouse was developed. The brain infused with a White India ink-gelatin solution was fixed and embedded in paraffin containing Sudan Black B through xylene also containing Sudan Black B. Each sliced surface of the paraffin block was coated with liquid paraffin and its image was serially acquired. Coating with liquid paraffin extremely improved the quality of the image. The series of serial images was free of distortion and a three-dimensional image was reconstructed without the problem of the alignment and registration of adjacent images. The volume-rendered image indicated three-dimensional distribution of blood vessels in a whole brain. No ghost or shadow was observed on a volume-rendered image of the White India ink-gelatin infused brain. The z-axial resolution examined on the orthogonal sections reconstituted from serial images obtained at an interval of 5 mum showed no cross talk, indicating that the z-axial resolution was no larger than 5 mum. A proper understanding of the vascular system in a whole brain is indispensable to reveal the development of the vascular system in the brain of normal and genetically manipulated mouse and vascular alterations in pathological situation, such as stroke and neurodegenerative disease. Although simple and inexpensive, this method will provide fundamental information on the vascular system in a whole brain.     

Correction to: Development of a behavioral trajectory measurement system (Bucket-ANTAM) for organisms moving in a two-dimensional plane

Artificial Life and Robotics -     

Fabrication and properties of novel composites in the system Al–Zr–C

Composite bodies in the system Al–Zr–C, with about 95% relative density, were obtained by heating the compact body of powder mixture consisting of Al and ZrC (5 : 1 mol %) in Ar at 1100–1500°C for various lengths of time. Components of the material heated at more than 1200°C were Al, Al3Zr, ZrC and AlZrC2. The Al3Zr exhibited plate-like aggregation, and its size increased with increasing temperature. In the material heated at 1500°C for 1 h, the largest plate-like Al3Zr aggregation was 2000 m long and 133 m thick. Then the AlZrC2 was present as well-proportioned hexagonal platelet particles with a 8–9 m diameter and a 1–2 m thickness in the interior of the plate-like Al3Zr aggregation and Al matrix phase. The average three-point bending strength of the bodies was 140–190 MPa, and the maximum strength was 203 MPa in the body heated at 1300°C for 1 h. The body heated at 1500°C for 1 h showed high oxidation resistivity to air up to 1000°C.     

Transient accumulation of proteins at interrod and rod enamel growth sites

Conceptually, there should be a brief interval in time when newly secreted proteins "pile up" at secretory sites just outside the membrane of ameloblasts. Indeed, previous cytochemical studies have suggested that glycosylated and/or sulfated glycoproteins accumulate at enamel growth sites. Colloidal gold lectin cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry with antibodies to enamel proteins and phosphoserine, combined with cycloheximide and brefeldin A to inhibit protein synthesis and secretion, were applied to characterize the distribution of newly formed proteins at enamel interrod and rod growth sites. Although enamel growth sites show a "rarefied" appearance, the results indicate that one or more subclasses of enamel proteins accumulate near the cell surface at sites where elongation of enamel crystallites contributes to thickening of the enamel layer. These proteins are glycosylated and/or phosphorylated and, at least in the case of the glycosylated ones, are rapidly processed after they are released extracellularly. In contrast, immunolabeling for amelogenins is generally weaker near the cell surface and more intense at a short distance away from the site where crystallites elongate. The data suggest that the enamel proteins accumulating at growth sites likely belong to the non-amelogenin category and play a transient role in promoting the lengthening of crystallites. It is concluded that areas near the ameloblast membrane where certain enamel proteins accumulate in fact constitute the equivalent of a mineralization front.