High Speed HPD for Photon Counting

We have succeeded in the development of a high-speed Hybrid Photodetector (HPD), by using a reduced electron lens and a newly developed avalanche diode (AD) with very low capacitance. The HPD shows fast time response of less than 500 ps in both rise and fall times, and good timing resolution of 26 ps (one sigma) for single photons at full illumination on a photocathode 8 mm in diameter. Limiting factors of the timing resolution were further investigated, and were found to be the transit time difference of electrons in vacuum along the photocathode and the jitter of the electronics. The timing resolution is 15 ps for illumination of less than 5 mm on the central part of the photocathode, which includes the jitter of 13 ps from the electronics. This resolution is the world's highest for HPDs, and matches the resolution of MCP-PMTs. Both a GaAsP photocathode having close to 50% quantum efficiency in the visible and a bialkali photocathode having 34% QE in the UV were fabricated in view of making this device available for various applications. In this paper, we report the results of our evaluation, including discussion about the limiting factors of the timing resolution for the new HPD.     

Defect Control in a Selective Reduction Reaction to Synthesize a Metal/Ceramic Nanocomposite

A metal/ceramic nanocomposite was synthesized by defect control in a selective reduction reaction of a complex solid solution. The defect type of a (Co, Mg)O solid solution was controlled by doping oxides with different valencies. The controlled defects strongly affected the reduction reaction behaviors as well as material morphologies after the reaction. In the case of scandium doping, the diffusion was rate controlling in the reduction reaction, and metals of a nanocolumn-like structure were highly dispersed into the matrix. On the other hand, in the case of lithium doping, the interface reaction was rate controlling in the reaction, and metal nanoparticles were highly dispersed into the matrix.     

Electrooptical‐responsive microsphere with ferroelectric liquid crystalline segments

We synthesized a ferroelectric liquid crystalline monomer (4‐[4′‐(7‐octeneloxy)benzoyloxy]benzoate‐2‐methylbutyester, OBBM) possessing both carboxyl p‐benzolxybenzoate and carboxyl (s)‐(‐)‐2‐methylbutylester as a mesogenic group in its side chain. The liquid crystalline and styrene monomers were employed to make matrices of microspheres prepared by dispersion, suspension, or emulsion polymerization. In this study, we investigated, in detail, physicochemical properties, thermal responses, and electrooptical responses of the microspheres possessing liquid crystalline abilities. The ferroelectric liquid crystalline monomer OBBM had a thermotropic liquid crystalline ability, two‐phase transition temperatures, and a Smectic C* texture, which is characteristic of ferroelectric liquid crystalline substances. The microspheres prepared also exhibited a liquid crystalline ability, and the phase‐transition temperatures toward the liquid crystalline segments into the microspheres prepared by copolymerizing the liquid crystalline and styrene monomers could be decreased with increasing of the styrene monomer. Furthermore, we found that the microspheres remarkably exhibited electrooptical responses at about 8 V. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2490–2499, 2001     

A 52-week feeding study of genetically modified soybeans in F344 rats

A chronic feeding study to evaluate the safety of the genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soybeans (GM soybeans) was conducted using rats. F344 DuCrj rats were fed diet containing GM soybeans or Non-GM soybeans at the concentration of 30% in basal diet. Non-GM soybeans were closely related strain of GM soybeans. These two diets were adjusted to an identical nutrient level. In this study, the influence of GM soybeans on rats was compared with that of the Non-GM soybeans, and furthermore, to assess the effect of soybeans themselves, the groups of rats fed GM and Non-GM soybeans were compared with a group fed commercial diet (CE-2). General conditions were observed daily and body weight and food consumption were recorded. At the intermediate examination (26 weeks), and at the termination (52 weeks), animals were subjected to hematology, serum biochemistry, and pathological examination. There were several differences in animal growth, food intake, serum biochemical parameters and histological findings between the rats fed the GM and/or Non-GM soybeans and the rats fed CE-2. However, body weight and food intake were similar for the rats fed the GM and Non-GM soybeans. Gross necropsy findings, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, organ weights, and pathological findings showed no meaningful difference between rats fed the GM and Non-GM soybeans. These results indicate that long-term intake of GM soybeans at the level of 30% in diet has no apparent adverse effect in rats.     

Voltage deterioration of XLPE wires in water under gamma rayirradiation

Three types of cross-linked polyethyline (XLPE) wire were developed for insulation of internal pump motors (wet type) used in an advanced boiling water reactor. By applying gamma ray irradiation of 10 ⁴ to 10⁶ Gy and electric stress in hot water simultaneously or sequentially, the effect of gamma ray irradiation is examined. The effect of combined stresses in a large scale functional test is also described. It is proved that the gamma ray irradiation less than 10⁶ Gy does not deteriorate the properties of the insulation of the wires. In the irradiational environment of 5×10 ⁴ Gy where the internal pump motor is served, it is concluded that the wires have sufficient reliability     

Acyclovir-resistant herpes zoster encephalitis successfully treated with vidarabine: a case report

A 78-year-old man developed herpes zoster virus (HZV) encephalitis. Initially, treatment with aciclovir (750 mg per day) improved CSF cell count and protein level. During the treatment, however, encephalitis in the patient deteriorated in spite of the treatment with aciclovir, suggesting that HZV in the patient had become resistant to aciclovir. Subsequent treatment with vidarabine (600 mg per day, for 15 days) resulted in dramatic improvement in CSF pleocytosis. About two months after the discontinuation of vidarabine, the CSF cell count was normal. The patient became alert gradually, but his amnestic syndrome remained unchanged. Vidarabine may be recommended in the treatment of HZV encephalitis when aciclovir is not effective.     

Candida arthritis after total knee arthroplasty--a case of successful treatment without prosthesis removal

Spondylolisthesis with or without spondylolysis is common in the lumbar spine. Associated fracture in the pedicle ('pediculolysis') is unusual. The margins of pedicular stress fractures, like spondylolysis, usually appear sclerotic. A patient with a pedicular stress fracture with minimal marginal sclerosis suggesting an injury of recent onset is presented here. There was associated bilateral spondylolysis. The findings in this patient suggest that established pediculolysis probably represents a stress fracture that has failed to heal.     

An integrated machine scheduling and personnel allocation problem for large-scale industrial facilities using a rolling horizon framework

Optimization and Engineering - In this study we present an optimization problem where machine scheduling and personnel allocation decisions are solved simultaneously. The machine scheduling...