Ionic current model of bipolar cells in the lower vertebrate retina

We propose an ionic current model of bipolar cells based on the published experimental data. Five types of ionic currents identified in bipolar cell bodies, Ih, IKv, IA, ICa and IK(Ca) were described by a mathematical formulation similar to the Hodgkin and Huxley (Journal of Physiology, 117, 500-544, 1952) equations. The model parameters were estimated from the voltage clamp data. In simulation, we demonstrate that the present model reproduces not only the voltage clamp responses but also the current clamp responses of the bipolar cells. As a result, the model provides a better understanding of the functional role of the ionic currents in bipolar cells in generating the electrical responses.     

A digital driving method using pulse-density modulation with a random dither matrix for higher motion image quality

We propose a new digital driving technique using pulse-density modulation (PDM) with a random dither matrix for evenness of luminance uniformity and higher motion image quality. As a digital driving technique, pulse-width modulation (PWM) is conventionally used for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays in order to improve luminance uniformity. However, in PWM driving, it is difficult to realize high-frame-rate driving for improving motion image quality. On the other hand, it is considered that PDM driving method is effective to obtain high motion image quality because of non-frame-refreshing property. In the present paper, we proposed a PDM driving technique using a random dither matrix and evaluated the relationship between the display image quality and the driving frequency in the proposed method through simulations. As a result, it is confirmed that good image quality can be obtained by using a blue-noise mask as a random dither matrix at a practical driving frequency. Moreover, we demonstrated the proposed technique using an actual AMOLED panel.     

Determination of fatty acid composition by gas chromatography: I. Analysis with use of thermal conductivity detector

For the purpose of establishing a standard method for the gas chromatographic determination of fatty acid composition, a collaborative study team has carried out replicate analyses of specified samples using gas chromatographs equipped with thermal conductivity detectors and has examined the entire set of experimental data by a statistical method. From the results of the four collaborative works it was found that deviation of analytical values from exact composition and interlaboratory scattering of data may be considerably decreased by the following means: (a) enlarging the size of narrow peaks (less than 5 mm at a half height) or peaks with low height by adjusting the attenuator range or chart speed; (b) correcting the analytical values by using correction factors determined from analysis of known mixtures having composition similar to that of an unknown sample. Presented at the JOCS-AOCS Joint Meeting, Los Angeles, April 1972.     

Digital Low-Pass Differentiation for Biological Signal Processing

Digital low-pass differentiation is often required in processing various biological or biomechanical data. However, both the nature of biological signals and the use of micro-or minicomputers in such applications imply the need for simple, low-order, and fast differentiation methods, rather than sophisticated high-order algorithms. Responding to this need, we investigate here the low-pass first- and second-order digital differentiation from both theoretical and practical points of view, in order to achieve good and simple algorithms. In contrast with most of the research works previously done in this field, whose main aim was to achieve better accuracy even in the cost of using quite high-order algorithms, we restrict ourselves in this study only to low orders, being interested not only in the accuracy achieved, but also in the simplicity of the algorithm. After discussing the theoretical considerations concerning our optimum low-pass differentiation filters, we present our simple low-order filters and show them to be not only very convenient for use, but also almost optimum.     

Synthesis of artificial N-glycopolypeptides carrying N-acetyllactosamine and related compounds and their specific interactions with lectins

Artificial N-glycopolypeptides carrying N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) or related compounds were synthesized. First, sugars were converted into their corresponding beta-glycosylamines with ammonium hydrogen carbonate. Then, the beta-glycosylamines were condensated with the carboxyl groups of poly(L-glutamic acid). N-Glycopolypeptides with different degrees of substitution of sugars were isolated by passage through a column of Sephadex G-25. These synthetic polymers were used as model compounds in the analysis of oligosaccharide-lectin interactions. Interactions with some lectins were investigated by agar-gel double-diffusion tests and in terms of inhibition of hemagglutination. A glycopolypeptide substituted with LacNAc reacted with Erythrina cristagalli agglutinin (ECA), peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin (PNA), Ricinus communis agglutinin-120 (RCA120), wheat germ (Triticum vulgaris) agglutinin (WGA) lectins, which recognize either galactosyl or N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues. Other synthetic glycopolymers carrying N-acetylisolactosamine, GlcNAc, N,N'-diacetylchitobiose, or N,N', N"-triacetylchitotriose also reacted with WGA, and these last two polymers inhibited hemagglutination most. Of these five glycopolypeptides, only the one substituted with LacNAc reacted with ECA. These sugar-substituted glycopolypeptides interacted specifically with the corresponding lectins, no matter how much shorter the sugar side chains of the glycopolymers were than those of natural glycoproteins.     

A study on a driving method of OLED displays for better motion image quality with adaptive temporal aperture control

Degradation of motion image quality by motion blur on hold‐type displays, such as liquid‐crystal displays and organic light‐emitting diode displays, is a well‐known issue. To improve motion image quality, a driving method with a shorter temporal aperture has been proposed. However, a shorter temporal aperture requires higher instantaneous luminance on displays. Higher instantaneous luminance accelerates the lifetime degradation of organic light‐emitting diode. Therefore, we have been developing a driving method with adaptive temporal aperture control for a longer lifetime and better motion image quality. However, two image quality degradations were perceived when this driving method was applied. One of these degradations was caused at the boundary between the different temporal apertures. The other degradation was caused by switching the temporal aperture between frames. Hence, we have also proposed transition area and period insertion methods to suppress these degradations. In this paper, we discuss the mechanism of these degradations and confirm the effectiveness of our proposed methods by subjective evaluations. In the results, the degradations were suppressed by inserting 80 lines of transition area and by inserting 50 frames of transition period.     

Fabrication and characterization of microtubular and flattened ribbed SOFCs prepared by the multi-dip coating and co-firing

Presently, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are among the most efficient type of fuel cells and are expected to play a significant role in the next generation of energy conversion systems. Many types of SOFCs have been investigated in an effort to improve operational temperature tolerance. One particularly unique configuration is the microtubular cell, which has a large specific surface area per unit volume and can improve cell performance if integrated into stacks. In this paper, ceramic microtubular cells of diameter less than 1 mm were prepared via a multi-dip coating method. Steel wire was coated with polystyrene to make microtubular and flattened ribbed cells (FRCs). Green microtubular cells were separated from the wire by dissolving the polystyrene layer and co-firing at 1350 °C. These tubular cells show good linearity and a maximum power density of 0.14 W/cm² at 550 °C. This coating process can be easily automated in comparison to the conventional extrusion process.     

Counter-Rotating Type Tidal Stream Power Unit Boarded on Pillar （Perform- ances and Flow Conditions of Tandem Propellers）

The authors have invented the unique counter-rotating type tidal stream power unit composed of the tandem pro- peUers and the double rotational armature type peculiar generator without the traditional stator. The front and the rear propellers counter-drive the inner and the outer armatures of the peculiar generator, respectively. The unit has the fixftful advantages that not only the output is sufficiently higher without supplementary equipment such as a gearbox, but also the rotational moment hardly act on the pillar because the rotational torque of both propel- lers/armatures are counter-balanced in the unit. This paper discusses experimentally the performances of the power unit and the effects of the propeller rotation on the sea surface. The axial force acting on the pillar in- creases naturally with the increase of not only the stream velocity but also the drag of the tandem propellers. Be- sides, the force vertical to the stream also acts on the pillar, which is induced from the Karman vortex street and the dominant frequencies appear owing to the front and the rear propeller rotations. The propeller rotating in close to the sea surface brings the abnormal wave and the amplitude increases as the stream velocity is faster and/or the drag is stronger.