Analysis of large deflection of plates by the finite element method

The large deflection problem of a rectangular plate is analysed by using the finite element method and employing the iteration technique. In the present study, the stiffness matrix of a rectangular plate element for bending proposed by Greene is employed, and results of numerical examples duly justifies applicability of the present method.     

Distribution of ytterbium (Yb) in cells of Streptomyces sp. YB-1 which can accumulate Yb, and reusability of cells and cell membrane as bioadsorbent for Yb

The cells of Streptomyces sp. YB-1 adsorbed 4-6 mg ytterbium (Yb) per g dry weight. The Yb contents of the cell wall fraction, cell-free extract, and cell membrane fraction were 11%, 2%, and 87%, respectively. The Yb content in the cell membrane fraction was 20-25 mg per g dry weight. The adsorbed Yb could be quantitatively desorbed by treating the cell membrane fraction with 1 mM EDTA and 1 M HCl at 37 degrees C for 4 h. Treatment with 1 M NaOH caused Yb desorption to some extent. Treatments with proteinase K, lysozyme, 0.5% Triton X-100, 0.4% sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 1 M NaCl did not cause Yb desorption. Elemental analysis of Yb-adsorbed materials after removal of proteins and then extraction of lipids from the membrane fraction revealed that the molar ratio of Yb and P in the materials was about 1:1. The cells and the membrane fraction could be used repeatedly as a bioadsorbent for Yb.     

Purification and characterization of an extracellular beta-agarase from Bacillus sp. MK03

A new beta-agarase was purified from an agarolytic bacterium, Bacillus sp. MK03. The enzyme was purified 129-fold from the culture supernatant by ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion exchange and gel filtration column chromatographic methods. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Estimation of the molecular mass by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration gave values of 92 kDa and 113 kDa, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme showed no homology to those of other known agarases. The optimum pH and temperature for this enzyme were 7.6 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The predominant hydrolysis product of agarose by this enzyme was neoagarotetraose, indicating the cleavage of beta-1,4 linkage. This enzyme could hydrolyze neoagarohexaose to produce neoagarotetraose and neoagarobiose; it could not hydrolyze these products. The enzyme digested agarose by endo-type hydrolysis.     

Effect of grain size distribution on the strength of porous Si3N4 ceramics composed of elongated β-Si3N4 grains

The grain size distributions (diameter and aspect ratio) of porous Si₃N₄ ceramics composed of elongated -Si₃N₄ grains were evaluated statistically, and their effect on the pore size distribution and the flexural strength of the porous Si₃N₄ was investigated. Porous Si₃N₄ ceramics having porosities of 27 to 43% and median pore diameters of 0.56 to 0.96 m were used as specimens. The grain diameter distribution was well correlated to the pore size distribution of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramics. We concluded that the strength of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramics increased with increasing grain length of -Si₃N₄ as well as with decreasing porosity.     

Confined‐error‐diffusion algorithm for flat‐panel display

Abstract— The reduction of a structural pattern at specific gray levels caused by digital halftone methods is the subject of this paper. This problem is more severe in some flat‐panel displays because their black levels typically are brighter than other display blocks. A patented halftone algorithm, confined error diffusion (CED), that confines the error‐carry within the dither mask is described and extended. First, the CED algorithm that dynamically applies random error diffusion or the ordered‐dither method, depending upon image content, is described in detail. Finally, we propose an advanced CED algorithm for improving the gradation characteristics of the CED algorithm. The performance of the proposed algorithms is compared to the experimental results for natural test images. In order to verify the halftone quality, a structural similarity measure for color images by taking into account the interrelation between color channels is proposed, and the results based on the proposed method, the color similarity measure method, is given.     

New DC Chopper Circuits Using Fast-Switching Reverse-Conducting Thyristors for Low-Voltage DC Motor Control

Fast- switching reverse-conducting thyristors have been developed and used in dc chopper apparatus to control the speed of highvoltage dc traction motors. The newly developed dc chopper circuit and its application for low-voltage dc motor control are discussed. The fast-switching reverse-conducting thyristor is utilized as the main thyristor to control load current.     

Cloning of a cDNA encoding the human transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor: heterogeneity of the mRNA

A combined study of anterograde axonal degeneration and Golgi electron microscopic technique was designed to examine the distribution and density of axon terminals from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) over layer III pyramidal cells in the prelimbic cortex of the rat. The reconstructive analysis of serial ultrathin sections of gold-toned apical and basal dendrites of layer III pyramidal cells showed that degenerating thalamocortical axon terminals from MD formed asymmetrical synaptic contacts predominantly with dendritic spines of the identified basal dendrites as well as apical dendrites. There was little difference in the numerical density of thalamocortical synapses from MD per unit length of both apical and basal dendrites.     

Photo response analysis in CCD image sensors with a VOD structure

Photo response in CCD image sensors with Vertical-Overflow-Drain (VOD) was analyzed in an attempt to discover a way to lessen the photo response rise that accompanies increasing incident light intensity in the saturation region. A photo response analysis based on transistor I-V characteristics revealed that the extent of rise in the saturation region is uniquely determined by the non-ideality factor and temperature. Calculation of the non-ideality factor and its dependence on P-well impurity concentration and layer thickness further revealed that fabrication of P-wells with lower impurity concentrations and thicker layers would be effective in suppressing photo response rise