Response function estimation with fine energy bins for the energy-resolved computed tomography using a transXend detector

A new ‘transXend’ detector system has been developed for energy-resolved computed tomography (CT). It consists of several segmented detectors that measure X-rays as electric currents. Response functions of segmented detectors are estimated using component materials of a body under inspection to unfold X-ray spectra. To avoid material-dependent measurements, response functions inherent to segmented detectors are evaluated by Monte Carlo calculations. CT was performed for a phantom consisting of five resins and was analyzed by the estimated response functions. The linear attenuation coefficients for the five resins have excellent agreement with database values.     

Compatibility of erbium oxide coating with liquid lithium–lead alloy and corrosion protection effect of iron layer

Li–Pb compatibility of Er₂O₃ and Er₂O₃-Fe two-layer coatings has been explored for an understanding of corrosion behaviors and effects of the protection layer. The coatings were peeled off after static Li–Pb immersion test at 600 °C due to the degradation of adhesion between the coating–substrate interface. A loss of Er and then subsequent corrosion of Er₂O₃ were shown after immersion at 500 °C for 500 and 1505 h. However, the outer Fe layer played a role to decrease corrosion rate of the coatings by comparing with the results of Er₂O₃ single layer coatings. Deuterium permeation measurements after corrosion tests at 500 °C showed that the Er₂O₃ coatings kept permeation reduction factors of 10²–10³ after 500 h immersion, but seriously degraded after 1505 h immersion. Corrosion mechanisms suggest that corrosion protection properties will be modified by an optimization of the outer Fe layer and a control of oxygen concentration in Li–Pb.     

Adaptation to climate change and conservation of biodiversity using green infrastructure

In recent years, we have experienced mega‐flood disasters in Japan due to climate change. In the last century, we have been building disaster prevention infrastructure (artificial levees and dams, referred to as “grey infrastructure”) to protect human lives and assets from floods, but these hard protective measures will not function against mega‐floods. Moreover, in a drastically depopulating society such as that in Japan, farmland abandonment prevails, and it will be more difficult to maintain grey infrastructure with a limited tax income. In this study, we propose the introduction of green infrastructure (GI) as an adaptation strategy for climate change. If we can use abandoned farmlands as GI, they may function to reduce disaster risks and provide habitats for various organisms that are adapted to wetland environments. First, we present a conceptual framework for disaster prevention using a hybrid of GI and conventional grey infrastructure. In this combination, the fundamental GI, composed of forests and wetlands in the catchment (GI‐1) and additional multilevel GIs such as flood control basins that function when floodwater exceeds the planning level (GI‐2) are introduced. We evaluated the flood attenuation function (GI‐1) of the Kushiro Wetland using a hydrological model and developed a methodology for selecting suitable locations of GI‐2, considering flood risk, biodiversity and the distribution of abandoned farmlands, which represent social and economic costs. The results indicated that the Kushiro Wetland acts as a large natural reservoir that attenuates the hydrological peak discharge during floods and suitable locations for introducing GI‐2 are concentrated in floodplain areas developing in the downstream reaches of large rivers. Finally, we discussed the network structure of GI‐1 as a hub and GI‐2 as a dispersal site for conservation of the Red‐crowned Crane, one of the symbolic species of Japan.     

Accumulation of ectoine in the halotolerant Brevibacterium sp. JCM 6894

Resting cells of Fusarium moniliforme strain MS31 produced (R)-1-phenylpropanol from propylbenzene. The components of the medium and the reaction conditions were adjusted to increase the specific activity of the hydroxylating enzyme involved. Glucose and sodium nitrate were selected as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The substrate, propylbenzene, inhibited fungal growth and the activity of the enzyme. Acetoin added to the medium increased both growth and activity of the enzyme, and hydroxylation of propylbenzene increased by 1.4-fold. Maximum bioconversion of propylbenzene by resting cells of the fungus was at 25-30 degrees C and pH 7.0 with cells at concentration of 40 mg (dry) per milliliter of reaction mixture. Conversion was accelerated as soon as propylbenzene was added; slowing 2 h later. In the end, F. moniliforme strain MS31 produced (R)-1-phenylpropanol with an enantiomeric excess of 98% at the concentration of 16 mM (2.2 mg.ml(-1)).     

Phase-transition temperatures and piezoelectric properties of (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-(Bi1/2Li1/2)TiO3-(Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3 lead-free ferroelectric ceramics.

The phase-transition temperatures and piezoelectric properties of x(Bi(1/2)Na(1/2))TiO3-y(Bi(1/2)Li(1/2))TiO3-z(Bi(1/2)K(1/2))TiO3 [x + y + z = 1] (abbreviated as BNLKT100(y)-100(z)) ceramics were investigated. These ceramics were prepared using a conventional ceramic fabrication process. The phase-transition temperatures such as depolarization temperatures T(d), rhombohedraltetragonal phase transition temperature T(R-T), and dielectric-maximum temperature T(m) were determined using electrical measurements such as dielectric and piezoelectric properties. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of BNLKT100(y)-100(z)) show the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between rhombohedral and tetragonal at approximately z = 0.20, and the piezoelectric properties show the maximum at the MPB. The electromechanical coupling factor k(33), piezoelectric constant d(33) and T(d) of BNLKT4-20 and BNLKT8-20 were 0.603, 176 pC/N, and 171 degrees C, and 0.590, 190 pC/N, and 115 degrees C, respectively. In addition, the relationship between d33 and Td of tetragonal side and rhombohedral side for BNLKT4-100z and BNLKT8-100z were presented. Considering both high Td and high d(33), the tetragonal side of BNLKT4-100z is thought to be the superior composition. The d(33) and T(d) of BNLKT4-28 were 135 pC/N and 218 degrees C, respectively. Moreover, this study revealed that the variation of T(d) is related to the variation of lattice distortion such as rhombohedrality 90-alpha and tetragonality c/a.     

cis/trans-Isomerisation of triolein,trilinolein and trilinolenin induced by heat treatment

To estimate the trans-fatty acid production of edible oils during the frying process, 1.0 g of triolein, trilinolein and trilinolenin, as representative oils, were heated at 180 °C for a defined period. The amounts of trans-fatty acids in heated triacylglycerols were quantitatively determined by gas chromatography after methylation. It was revealed that heating induced cis to trans-isomerisation of unsaturated triacylglycerols, and that trans-fatty acid amounts increased gradually, depending on the heating period. For example, trans-isomer amounts in triolein, trilinolein and trilinolenin (per gram) were 5.8 mg, 3.1 mg and 6.5 mg, respectively, after 8 h incubation at 180 °C. At that time, the contents of polar compounds contained in the heated triolein, trilinolein and trilinolenin were 22%, 27% and 31%, respectively. When triolein was heated under a N₂ stream, neither trans-isomerisation nor polar compounds were detected. The addition of α-tocopherol (1.0%) to triolein significantly prevented not only lipid oxidation but also trans-isomerisation during heating. A commercially available vegetable oil was also heated under the same conditions as these model oils. Compared with the trans-isomerisation in model oils, the degree of trans-isomerisation in the edible oil was relatively low. Tocopherols in the oil would prevent not only lipid oxidation but also isomerisation. These results suggest that the geometric isomerisation of unsaturated fatty acids during heating accompanies lipid oxidation.