In situ high temperature TEM observation of interaction between multi-walled carbon nanotube and in situ deposited gold nano-particles

Interaction between multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and deposited gold nano-particles has been dynamically observed in a 200 kV transmission electron microscope (TEM) using a specimen heating holder. Gold particles with diameters of several tens of microns were mixed with MWNTs to mount on the heating element of a specimen heating holder. The gold particles were instantaneously heated to 1373 K to deposit gold nano-particles on the MWNTs from a very short distance. The MWNTs were then heated to 1073 K to observe interaction between the deposited gold nano-particles and MWNTs. Some gold nano-particles drilled through the wall of the MWNT and entered the capillary space of the MWNTs. To characterize the mechanism of the transition of the gold nano-particles into the capillary space of the MWNT, high resolution TEM observation of the deformed wall of MWNT was also carried out.     

Gaussian process motion graph models for smooth transitions among multiple actions

We propose a unified model for human motion prior with multiple actions. Our model is generated from sample pose sequences of the multiple actions, each of which is recorded from real human motion. The sample sequences are connected to each other by synthesizing a variety of possible transitions among the different actions. For kinematically-realistic transitions, our model integrates nonlinear probabilistic latent modeling of the samples and interpolation-based synthesis of the transition paths. While naive interpolation makes unexpected poses, our model rejects them (1) by searching for smooth and short transition paths by employing the good properties of the observation and latent spaces and (2) by avoiding using samples that unexpectedly synthesize the nonsmooth interpolation. The effectiveness of the model is demonstrated with real data and its application to human pose tracking.     

An experimental study for transmitting MPEG-2 streams over ATM networks

This paper presents a comparative study of different techniques aiming at transmitting MPEG-2 streams over ATM networks, with emphasis on the presentation of practical results achieved on an experimental platform available at LSI, a laboratory of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. This study has the purpose to determine some tuning parameters for optimizing the implementation of distributed multimedia applications on different network technologies. The focus of this experimental study has been on non-native ATM techniques like “Classical IP over ATM” and “LAN Emulation”, as well as native ATM techniques based on direct access service primitives to AAL5. The influence of different parameters, like packet length, buffer size, CPU speed, on the resulting throughput has been studied. Furthermore, a testing tool is being developed for assessing the transmission of MPEG-2 streams based on the practical experience achieved so far. These results will permit the evaluation of different network technologies and also help in the development of distributed multimedia applications like video-on-demand, videoconferencing and telemedicine.     

Pb-free surface-finishing on electronic components’ terminals for Pb-free soldering assembly

Pb-free solderable surface finishing is essential to implement Pb-free solder assembly in order to meet with the growing demand of environmental consciousness to eliminate Pb from electronic products. Two types of widely applicable Pb-free surface finishing technologies are developed. One is the multilayer-system including Pd with Ni undercoat. Heat-resistance of Pd enables whole-surface-plating on to leadframe before IC-assembling process. The other is the double-layer-system with low-melting-point-materials, for example, thicker Sn underlayer and thinner Sn-Bi alloy overlayer, dilutes Sn-Bi alloy’s defects of harmful reactivity along with substrate metal and mechanical brittleness with keeping its advantages of solder-wettability and no whisker.     

Spherical approximation for multiple cameras in motion estimation: Its applicability and advantages

Estimating motions of a multi-camera system which may not have overlapping fields of view is generally complex and computationally expensive because of the non-zero offset between each camera’s center. It is conceivable that if we can assume that multiple cameras share a single optical center, and thus can be modeled as a spherical imaging system, motion estimation and calibration of this system would become simpler and more efficient.     

Hydroboration copolymerization

Summary Organoboron copolymers were prepared by polyaddition of diene mixture or diene/diyne mixture, respectively, with thexylborane (1). When a mixture of dienes such as 1,2-diallyloxyethane (2a) and p-diallylbenzene (2b) was polymerized with 1, the peaks in GPC using both UV and RI detectors were shifted to higher molecular weight regions with the increase of the amount of 1. The molecular weight distribution of the copolymer obtained by this method indicated clear difference from that of a mixture of two homopolymers. On the other hand, when the poymerization between 1 and 1,7-octadiene (2c) was carried out in the presence of a trace amount of 1,7-octadiyne (4), the molecular weights of organoboron polymers were found to be increased when the ratio of 4/2c was increased.     

Coherent Cooper-Pair Tunneling Through Capacitively-Coupled Superconducting Charge Qubits

Coherent Cooper-pair tunneling phenomena through two superconducting charge qubits are studied. The maximum current through the first qubit is calculated in the presence of the second qubit capacitively coupled to it. It is shown that the effective Josephson coupling of the second qubit may increase the maximum current of the first qubit by cooperative hopping of Cooper-pairs. The modulation of the maximum current by the external current through the second qubit is also discussed.     

Study of magnetic field assisted mechanochemical polishing process for inner surface of Si3N4 ceramic components: Finishing characteristics under wet finishing using distilled water

This study discusses the finishing characteristics of a magnetic field assisted mechanochemical polishing process using Cr₂O₃ abrasive mixed with magnetic particles in the case of wet finishing using distilled water, which was proposed for internal finishing of Si₃N₄ fine ceramic tubes. It was clarified that a highly accurate finishing can be achieved more efficiently in the case of wet finishing using distilled water compared with dry finishing. Moreover, those conditions necessary to achieve high efficiency finishing are discussed.     

Clinicopathological features of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer

From 1979 through 1992, 482 cases with solitary early gastric cancer were resected in the Department of Surgery of the National Kyushu Medical Center Hospital. Among the 482 cases, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was 10.0% (48/482). The features of lymph node metastasis were studied while taking into account the combination of clinicopathological findings of the gastric cancer. Lymph node metastasis was rare in both the differentiated type mucosal cancers and submucosal cancers measuring 20 mm or smaller in size without depression. From these results, for early gastric cancer with the above-mentioned characteristics, either endoscopic therapy or local resection without lymph node dissection is considered to be sufficient treatment to obtain a favorable outcome.