All-optical wavelength conversion in a GaInAsP/InP optical gate loaded with a Bragg reflector

All-optical wavelength conversion employing a GaInAsP/InP nonlinear distributed-feedback waveguide switch is investigated. The device has the advantages of simple structure, compactness, polarity-noninverted operation, and feasibility of integration with other photonic devices such as semiconductor optical amplifier and modulators. We show that the device exhibits constant conversion efficiency around -9.2 dB in a signal-wavelength range of 1530-1560 nm. Furthermore, this device can potentially be made polarization independent.     

Study on flow-induced vibration of head–disk assembly mechanisms in actual hard disk drive

Achieving ultra-high magnetic-recording density in hard disk drives (HDDs) requires clarification of flow-induced vibration issues. In particular, it is necessary to reduce the flow-induced disk vibration called disk flutter. Thus far, however, there has been no experimental research related to disk flutter in actual HDDs. For this study, therefore, the disk-flutter issues have been studied experimentally, using an actual 2.5-in. HDD with one disk and two magnetic heads. The aim was to study the effect of operating magnetic-head mechanisms on flow-induced disk flutter. This study evaluated disk flutter as well as static pressure distribution in the actual HDD, by taking measurements while changing the operating modes of the magnetic-head mechanism as well as the number of operating air-bearing sliders. The study demonstrated that the disk-flutter amplitude increases and its frequency decreases when the magnetic-head mechanisms are operating. It was also found that the amount of decrease in the disk-flutter frequency depends on the number of operating air-bearing sliders whose amplitude increase varies with the specific operating mode of the head mechanisms, such as whether it is in track-following or seek modes. In addition, operation of the magnetic-head mechanisms generated non-uniform static pressure distribution within the HDD. These factors suggest that a decrease in disk-flutter frequency results from the slider-coupled vibration and an increase in disk-flutter amplitude results from the static pressure changes as well as air-following changes, as these vary with the actual operation of the disk head mechanism. From these experimental results, it appears that the disk-flutter issues in actual HDDs should be considered as a system that includes the operation of the magnetic-head mechanisms and disk-coupled vibration.     

A Single Mutation at the Ferredoxin Binding Site of P450 Vdh Enables Efficient Biocatalytic Production of 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D3

Vitamin D₃ hydroxylase (Vdh) from Pseudonocardia autotrophica is a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase that catalyzes the two‐step hydroxylation of vitamin D₃ (VD₃) to produce 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)VD₃) and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1α,25(OH)₂VD₃). These hydroxylated forms of VD₃ are useful as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of conditions associated with VD₃ deficiency and VD₃ metabolic disorder. Herein, we describe the creation of a highly active T107A mutant of Vdh by engineering the putative ferredoxin‐binding site. Crystallographic and kinetic analyses indicate that the T107A mutation results in conformational change from an open to a closed state, thereby increasing the binding affinity with ferredoxin. We also report the efficient biocatalytic synthesis of 25(OH)VD₃, a promising intermediate for the synthesis of various hydroxylated VD₃ derivatives, by using nisin‐treated Rhodococcus erythropolis cells containing Vdh_T107A. The gene‐expression cassette encoding Bacillus megaterium glucose dehydrogenase‐IV was inserted into the R. erythropolis chromosome and expressed to avoid exhaustion of NADH in a cytoplasm during bioconversion. As a result, approximately 573 μg mL^?1 25(OH)VD₃ was successfully produced by a 2 h bioconversion.     

Fracture Energy of an Aligned Porous Silicon Nitride

The fracture energy of a porous silicon nitride with aligned fibrous grains was investigated, using a chevron-notched-beam technique. A crack was constrained to propagate normal to the grain alignment. The obtained fracture energy was ∼500 J/m², which was ∼7 times larger than that of a dense silicon nitride with randomly oriented fibrous grains. The large fracture energy was attributable primarily to the sliding resistance associated with interlocking grains.     

Plastic Buckling Transition Modes in Moderately Thick Cylindrical Shells

Moderately thick perfect cylindrical shells under axial compression first exhibit an axisymmetric buckling mode, where a localization of buckling patterns, referred to as an elephant foot bulge, is caused by the first plastic bifurcation. However, the transition from the axisymmetric buckling mode to a nonaxisymmetric buckling mode, referred to as a diamond buckling mode, may occur due to the next bifurcation if we continue the loading under displacement control. Herein, this phenomenon is examined, based on a rigorous plastic bifurcation analysis. As a result, it is observed that the circumferential wave number of the diamond buckling mode increases with the decrease of the wall thickness. The boundary conditions also considerably influence the occurrence of diamond buckling. It is found that the strain concentration is intensified for the diamond buckling modes, compared with the axisymmetric modes.     

An anaerobic bacterium isolated from Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus

Eight strains of bacteria which could not grow under aerobic conditions, were isolated from Japanese spiny lobster. All the strains were Gram-positive, non-sporeforming cocci, and grew well under anaerobic conditions. The strains required a decreased oxygen tension rather than an increased CO₂ tension. Catalase, oxidase, nitrate reductase and urease were not produced. The strains fermented glucose, cellobiose, trehalose and levulose. Indole and H₂S were not produced. Macromolecule substances including starch, esculin, casein, gelatin and chitin were not hydrolyzed. Lactic acid was the sole product from peptone-yeast extract-Fildes solution-glucose broth. Fermentable carbohydrates were not required. The strains could grow at 20 to 37°C, and required NaCl for growth. From the above results, the strains were identified as anaerobic (aerotolerant) Streptococcus sp.     

Solution Property and Irradiation Effect of Random Copolypeptides Composed of Ala and Pro Residues

Summary Poly(proline) and random copolypeptide composed of Pro and Ala residues were synthesized, and their solution properties and molecular conformation were investigated. Aqueous solutions of the polypeptide were irradiated with γ-rays above the transition temperature. It was shown that the transition temperature of the aqueous solution of the copolypeptide is influenced by Ala-residue content and γ-ray irradiation.     

Determination of Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation for phenolic resins containing alkylenediamine in the main chain and estimation of their molecular conformation in tetrahydrofuran solution

Summary Phenolic resins containing alkylenediamine in the main chain could be prepared by the co-condensation reaction of phenol, formaldehyde and alkylenediamines such as ethylenediamine and hexamethylenediamine. The molecular structures were determined by¹H-NMR spectra, IR spectra and nitrogen content. The molecular conformation of these resins in THF solution were studied from the viscosity measurements, and it became clear that the molecules were considerably compact compared with linear vinyl polymers. To clarify the reason of this phenomenon, the resins whose degrees of branching were different from each other and the resins whose phenolic hydroxyl groups were acetylated were prepared. From viscosity data, it was pointed out that the intramolecular hydrogen bonding contributes to the compaction of the phenolic resins containing alkylenediamine in the main chain more strongly than the branching does.