Scattering loss of antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides

The scattering loss of two-dimensional antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROW) and of ARROW-B, which has a similar structure to ARROW and less polarization dependence, are analyzed by the first-order perturbation theory. Calculated results are compared with those of conventional three layer waveguides. Optimum design for the reduction of scattering loss of these ARROW-type waveguides is discussed. It was found that the scattering loss of ARROW-type waveguides is no larger than that of a conventional waveguide having a relative refractive-index difference, Δ of 2.5%, despite each interface of ARROW-type waveguides having a large Δ, normally larger than 20%. The optimum design for the reduction of essential radiation loss of ARROW is also optimum for the reduction of scattering loss     

Combined evaluation of preoperative serum sialyl-Tn antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen levels is prognostic for gastric cancer patients

A clean-up procedure to obtain a minimal detectable concentration of 5-10 ng bupivacaine enantiomer per milliliter human plasma is described. The procedure consists of precipitation of plasma proteins using acetonitrile, followed by solid-phase extraction using a cyano column. The eluate is then made alkaline, and bupivacaine is extracted using n-hexane. After evaporation of n-hexane, the residue is redissolved in the eluent used for HPLC analysis. The HPLC method has been described previously. The minimal detectable concentrations using this method are ca. 8 and 10 ng/ml for R-(+)- and S-(-)-bupivacaine, respectively. For both enantiomers, r2 is > 0.995 over the range of 9.5-760 ng/ml enantiomer.     

Spontaneous IgE production in asthmatic children

In this study, we demonstrated spontaneous IgE production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of asthmatic children. In 26 asthmatic children, the level of spontaneous IgE ranged 0.1-15.0 IU/ml and in 5 healthy normal children showed under 0.051 IU/ml. In 5 of asthmatic children, specific antibody of Dermatophagoides farinae was detected from PBMC by CAP RAST. In healthy normal children, specific antibody of Df was not detected. Spontaneous IgE production by PBMC and serum IgE level showed well correlation (gamma = 0.835, p < 0.001). Spontaneous IgE production and specific antibody of Df by PBMC also showed well correlation (gamma = 0.717, p < 0.001) IgE production of asthmatic children was inhibited by IFN-gamma.     

Polycrystalline Si thin-film solar cell prepared by solid phase crystallization (SPC) method

The solid phase crystallization (SPC) method has been studied for fabricating polycrystalline (poly) Si thin films for solar cells. The approach was to optimize the “partial doping structure” (nondoped a-Si/phosphorus(P)-doped a-Si) which we proposed as a starting structure before SPC. A conversion efficiency of 6.3% was obtained by using nondoped a-Si with a large structural disorder. This cell showed a collection efficiency of 51% at a wavelength of 900 nm. In order to significantly reduce the incubation time which is the important factor for the enlargement of the grain size, P doping of more than 10²⁰ cm⁻³ was required for the P-doped layer.     

Electrochemical passivation of copper-aluminium-silver alloy in sodium hydroxide solution

The effect of consecutive cyclic polarization of a new heat treated and mechanically polished Cu-Al-Ag alloy of entirely new composition with a high aluminium content on the surface microstructure has been studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The electrochemical behaviour of this alloy in 0.5 m NaOH has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and impedance measurements. Repetitive triangular sweeps (RTPS) potential scans between hydrogen and oxygen evolution in alkaline media lead to preferential dissolution of the aluminium. The steady state I-E profile of the alloy after the RTPS pretreatment indicates surface dealloying of aluminium due to its preferential dissolution, and shows a characteristic similar to that for high purity copper and silver.     

Ordering and organization in ionic solutions and emulsions

Recent studies on ionic distribution in solutions and in suspensions were reviewed. Suspensions of latex particles, which were large enough to be seen under an ultramicroscope, were investigated by the 2-D Fourier transformation. The micrograph showing ordered structures gave discrete scattering spots, whereas those of disordered arrangements displayed no spots or halos. The two-state structure gave a limited number of halo, confirming our previous conclusion that the very frequently observed single, broad scattering peak was reminiscent of some kind of ordering of solute species. By using an image data analyser, the crystallization process was shown to follow the Ostwald ripening mechanism. The concurrent study by the quasi elastic light scattering method and by the Fourier analysis gave consistent scattering profiles, which indicated that the ordering phenomena took place in the entire volume of suspensions. The scattering intensity (correctly the lattice factor) was calculated for cubic systems with paracrystalline distortion. The peak intensity was lowered by enhanced distortion, while the peak position itself was not affected. This justifies our previous treatment of the single, broad peak in terms of the Bragg equation. The experimentally found scattering curve was compared with this theoretical calculation; the degree of distortion was evaluated.     

Sn whisker growth during thermal cycling

Pure Sn plating on ceramic chip capacitors was tested by thermal cycling both in air and in vacuum for up to 3000 cycles and the whisker growth mechanism was clarified. A thin crystalline SnO layer is formed on the surface of Sn plating and whiskers, which exhibits a high level of cracking. Thermal cycling whiskers exhibit two distinct features: fine striation rings on the whisker side face vertical to the whisker growth axis; and deep grooves at the root of the whiskers. One ring of the fine striations corresponds to each thermal cycle. The formation of the grooves can be attributed to thermal cycle cracking along grain boundaries of Sn followed by oxidation and growth of whiskers from the root grains. The characteristic winding feature observed for thermal cycling whiskers can be attributed to the formation of root grooves with severe oxidation. Whisker growth in vacuum is faster than in air. Whiskers grown in vacuum are thinner and longer than whiskers grown in air, while the whisker density is not influenced by atmosphere. The interval of striation rings is wider for vacuum-grown whiskers as compared with air-grown whiskers.     

Surface decontamination of fig fruit by combination of infrared radiation heating with ultraviolet irradiation

The application of single and sequential treatments of infrared radiation (IR) heating and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to surface decontamination was investigated in relation to extending the shelf life of fig fruits. In addition, the inactivation effects of IR heating or UV irradiation, and their sequential treatments on fig fruit related yeast were also investigated. The sequential treatment of IR heating and UV irradiation was effective in the surface decontamination of fig fruits. The fungal counts detected after sequential treatments were lower than those obtained after a single treatment or in control samples. The number of fruits damaged by the growth of mold and yeast was also reduced after 30 s IR heating followed by 30 s UV irradiation. The sequential treatment was found to be highly suitable for decontamination of fig fruit surface, since few unfavorable effects were observed with regard to the surface color, hardness score, and respiration of fruits during storage. Single treatment with IR heating or UV irradiation had little effect on the inactivation of isolated Rhodotorula mucilaginosa cells. However, R. mucilaginosa cells were successfully inactivated by sequential treatment with IR and UV. The killing efficiencies appeared to be independent of the order in which IR heating and UV irradiation were applied to the samples. It was hypothesized that the DNA damage caused by UV irradiation and the inhibition of its repair might be enhanced by the thermal energy of IR heating to a sub-lethal level, since the temperature monitored during IR heating was considerably lower than the lethal level of R. mucilaginosa cells.     

HD motion‐picture evaluation method for overdrive technology in the frequency domain

Abstract— In this paper, the development of an advanced level‐adaptive overdrive (A‐LAO) method applicable to a full‐HD LC projector with 1.84 Mpixels, which reduced the gray‐level response time to less than 16 msec, is introduced. In addition, it is shown that a response of less than 8 msec can be achieved by combining the A‐LAO method with a frame interpolation method (120‐Hz refresh). A new motion‐picture evaluation method using frequency‐domain analysis, in other words, perceived bandwidth instead of the conventional time‐domain‐analysis response time evaluation, is reported.