Two-dimensional full-electromagnetic Vlasov code with conservative scheme and its application to magnetic reconnection

A detailed procedure of full-electromagnetic Vlasov simulation technique is presented. Our new unsplitting conservative scheme exactly satisfies the continuity equation for charge. The implicit Finite Difference Time Domain method is also adopted for computation of electromagnetic fields, which is not restricted by the CFL condition for light. The Geospace Environment Modeling magnetic reconnection challenge problem is adopted as a benchmark test. The characteristics of the present Vlasov code are studied by varying the resolution in configuration space.     

Purification, characterization, and sequence determination of phospholipase D secreted by Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum

Phospholipase D (PLD), secreted into the culture medium of an actinomycete, Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum, has been purified to homogeneity and characterized. The Stv. cinnamoneum PLD efficiently catalyzes both the hydrolysis and transphosphatidylation of various phospholipids, including phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylserine (PS). However, the substrate specificity differs between the two reactions; PE serves as the most preferred substrate for the hydrolysis, but PC and PS are better substrates than PE for the transphosphatidylation. In addition, the transphosphatidylation but not the hydrolysis of PE and PC is markedly activated on the addition of metal ions, especially Al3+. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence determination of the Stv. cinnamoneum PLD revealed the presence of common structural motifs identified in all PLD sequences from various species.     

Novel iridium complex and its copolymer with N-vinyl carbazole for electroluminescent devices

A novel iridium complex having the polymerizable functional group as one of the ligands, bis(2-phenylene pyridine) acrylate iridium lr(ppy)2Ac was synthesized as a phosphorescent dopant for electroluminescent (EL) devices. It has a photoluminescence spectrum peak at about 530 nm. EL devices were fabricated by doping lr(ppy)2Ac into host materials, such as BCP (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVCz). Bright blue-green luminescence of about 12 000 cd/m2 was observed for an EL device having a structure of indium-tin oxide JTO)/1r(ppy)2Ac-doped TPD:PVCz/BCP/Alq3 [tris(8-hdroxyquinoline) aluniinuml/Mg:Ag. Furthermore, the iridium complex was copolymerized with N-vinyl carbazole (VCz) to form a random copolymer with a number average molecular weight of about 1000. An EL device using this hole-transport layer gave bright blue-green emission of more than 6000 cd/m2. These results indicate that lr(ppy)2Ae, especially its copolymer with VCz, can be a promising phosphorescent material for organic EL devices.     

An assay method for nitric oxide-related compounds in whole blood

The tibialis anterior muscle and soleus muscle of apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice were examined by light and electron microscopy. By light microscopy, sarcoplasmic inclusions were seen in tibialis anterior muscle and 40% of type 2 myofibers were affected in all animals over 8 months of age. These inclusions reacted for nonspecific esterase, cytochrome oxidase, and myoadenylate deaminase and were also periodic acid Schiff positive and stained basophilic with hematoxylin. Moreover, they reacted immunocytochemically with an antibody specific to fragment 17 to 24 of the published sequence of Alzheimer's cerebrovascular amyloid peptide. Immunoreactivity was lost when the antibody was adsorbed with the appropriate synthetic peptide. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions consisted of tubular arrays and were similar to those observed in human muscle in several pathological conditions. In type 1 myofibers of both tibialis anterior and soleus muscle, however, mitochondrial abnormalities including an increase in their number and size were detected, but tubular aggregates were not seen. These large mitochondria possessed an electron-dense inner chamber with an increased number of tightly packed cristae. The results obtained suggest that in these mice there is a disturbed lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle fibers that manifests itself with an accumulation of phospholipid in the form of sarcoplasmic reticulum tubules in the type 2 fibers and enlarged mitochondria with tightly packed cristae in the type 1 fibers. In addition, beta-amyloid protein was closely associated with the accumulated tubules and vesicles of sarcoplasmic reticulum and may represent dysregulation of amyloid precursor protein metabolism.     

Lattice Boltzmann simulation of droplet collision dynamics

A lattice Boltzmann method for two-phase fluid flows with large density ratios is presented. The method is applied to the simulations of binary droplet collisions for various Weber numbers of 20<We<80 and for impact parameters of 0?B<0.82 at the Reynolds number of Re=2000. Two droplets with the same diameter are considered. The density ratio of the liquid to the gas is fixed at 50. Coalescence collision and two different types of separating collisions, namely reflexive and stretching separations, are simulated. The boundaries between the coalescence collision and both of the separating collisions are found and compared with an available theoretical prediction in good agreement. The mixing processes during separating collisions are also simulated for various impact parameters at We≈80, and the relation between the mixing rate and the impact parameter is obtained.     

Long-term results of mitral valvuloplasty for mitral regurgitation

From July 1979 to February 1995, 126 patients, including 4 reoperations, aged between 6 months and 77 years underwent mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation. The patients were divided in two groups, 46 patients aged less than 16 years in pediatric age group and the other 80 patients in a dult group. The methods consisted of asymmetric annuloplasty (Kay-Reed method) in 98 patient, Carpentier-Edwards ring annuloplasty in 14, quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet with annuloplasty in 9, and chordal and leaflet repair in 5. There was no hospital nor late death in pediatric age group. Three hospital deaths and one late death were in adult group. Follow-up was 96% complete and totaled 812.1 patient years. Reoperations underwent in 3 pediatric patients and 9 adults. At 15 years' follow-up, freedom from reoperation was 91.5 +/- 4.7% in pediatric age group and 67.1 +/- 12.7% in adults. Freedom from event was 63.5 +/- 12.1% in adult group. These results suggest that mitral repair with Kay-Reed method in pediatric age group is favorable for long-term. In contrast, indications for mitral reconstraction with other methods including ring annuloplasty should be extended for aged patients with severely dilated annuls and degenerated leaflets.     

Influence of electrolyte additives on safety and cycle life of rechargeable lithium cells

The influence of electrolyte additives on the safety and cycle life of 4V-class lithium cells is examined. The electrolyte solution employed was 1 M LiClO₄-propylene carbonate, the most widely used electrolyte in lithium battery research. The additives studied were ten organic aromatic compounds including biphenyl, cyclohexylbenzene and hydrogenated diphenyleneoxide. For safety, focus was given to the overcharging tolerance of the lithium cells. Biphenyl is well-known as an overcharge protection additive. The purpose of this work was to find additives with a higher oxidation potential and longer charge–discharge cycle life than biphenyl. The oxidation potentials and currents of the additives were measured to determine whether or not these compounds work as overcharge protection additives. Charge–discharge cycling efficiencies were examined for lithium metal anodes. The results showed that cyclohexylbenzene and hydrogenated diphenyleneoxide have a higher oxidation potential and a higher lithium cycling efficiency than biphenyl.     

A new shear technique: Semi Continuous Shear Flow (SCSF) in medium and ultra high molecular weight Polyhydroxybutyrate blends

In MMWT/UHMWT PHB blends (99.5/0.5), (99/1), (98/2) and (97/3) we demonstrate that by applying our new shear technique, “semi continuous shear flow”, copious fibre formation is guaranteed, irrespective of the ultra high molecular weight composition. The shishes formed via this technique are extremely stable being able to maintain their stability for at least 5–10 min. When this technique was applied to MMWT/UHMWT PHB blends of compositions (95/5), (90/10) and (85/15) disorientated fibres were observed in the flow direction. On increasing the UHMWT component, distinct unordered and intertwining of fibres resulted and with severe shearing orientation occurred, however shish formation was limited. We propose the optimum conditions for shish formation and the critical molecular weight necessary for entanglement.     

Closed rupture of a finger extensor following the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure: a case report

A case of closed rupture of the ring extensor digitorum tendon following performance of the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure is presented. This complication is not rare following performance of the Darrach procedure. The operative findings indicated that the rupture was caused by an impingement of the tendon between the proximal stump of the ulna and the extensor retinaculum. The patient was successfully treated with shortening of the proximal ulnar stump and tendon transfer.