Variable-length segmental transmission line and its design guidelines

Waveform distortion is a serious problem in higher-frequency signals on printed circuit boards (PCBs). To overcome this problem, we have already proposed the segmental transmission line (STL) method, which divides transmission lines into several segments with different line widths. Each line width is adjusted to make the reflection noises cancel each other out in order to minimize the signal distortion. In this research, we first analyze the waveform reshaping mechanism of STL. Next, we apply STL to a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) clock-line for high-speed computers. The results give helpful guidelines for STL designs, which shows the efficiency of STL. This work was presented in part at the 12th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 25–27, 2007     

Signal-integrity improvement method and its robustness evaluation for VLSI and VLSI-packaging

Nowadays, a GHz frequency signal needs to be propagated on a printed circuit board (PCB) with low distortions. In addition, a higher-frequency signal of 10 GHz or more will also need to be propagated with low distortion in very-large-scale integration (VLSI) in the future. However, signal propagation with low distortion is getting more and more difficult as the frequency increases. In order to solve this problem and to ensure signal integrity, we have proposed a novel transmission line called a “segmental transmission line” (STL). In the STL, a transmission line is divided into multiple segments of individual characteristic impedance. The multiple segments are designed to fix the waveform distortion on the transmission line by solving a combinatorial explosion problem using a genetic algorithm. In a previous article, we have shown the effectiveness of an STL designed for a GHz clock signal in computer simulations. We have also fabricated two scaled-up STL prototypes for a clock signal using real printed circuit boards (PCBs). In this article, we input a random signal by changing its frequency to the scaled-up STL prototype designed for a 150-MHz clock signal. We show that the STL has high robustness to the random signals and the frequency fluctuations, which indicates the generality of the STL technique.     

Mechanisms behind tailing in the pressure inactivation curve of a clinical isolate of Escherichia coli O157:H7

The tailing in pressure inactivation curve of clinically isolated Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated. A typical tailing was observed after the treatment period for 30min when 10(7) CFU/ml of the cell suspension was subjected to pressure treatment at 300MPa and 25 degrees Celsius. There was no effect on the tailing profiles by the addition of pressure-killed cells and released cellular components. When cells survived at a tail portion were re-propagated (tail-culture) and subjected to second pressure treatment, the cells of the tail-culture exhibited eminently higher barotolerance compared to those of the original-culture, suggesting that the presence of genetically pressure-resistant subpopulation was responsible for the tailing. The cytoplasmic membrane of the tail-culture cells had higher stability to a pressure treatment at 100MPa for 10min than that of the original-culture, which was evidenced by lower permeability to ethidium bromide. The addition of non-ionic surfactants including 0.5microl/ml polyoxyethylene p-t-octylphenyl ester (Triton X-100) and 0.53mg/ml lauric sugar ester dramatically reduced the level of tailing and made the inactivation curve linear.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on the odours of cloudy apple juice

Ascorbic acid is used in apple juice as an antibrowning agent. This study investigated the effect of ascorbic acid (0.0–0.2% w/v) on the odours of cloudy apple juice using sensory evaluation and gas chromatography (GC). The increase in ascorbic acid concentration in the apple juice resulted in increases in green and unnatural odours and decreases in fresh, fruity and apple-like odours. In the GC determination, 23 volatile compounds were detected in apple juice. Aroma value, which showed the relative importance of volatile compounds, was used to elucidate the changes in odours of apple juice due to the addition of ascorbic acid. The aroma values of hexanal and trans-2-hexenal in the apple juice with 0.2% w/v ascorbic acid increased about 4 and 5-fold from those in the ascorbic acid-free apple juice, respectively. On the other hand, the aroma values of esters insignificantly changed in the apple juice with ascorbic acid. The increases in aroma values of aldehydes corresponded well with the increase in green odour in the apple juice with ascorbic acid.     

Formation of thermosensitive copolymer beads having phosphinic acid groups and adsorption ability for metal ions

Hydrophilic thermosensitive copolymer beads having phosphinic acid groups were prepared by suspension copolymerization of acryloyloxypropyl n‐octylphosphinic acid (APPO), N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm), and tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (4G). The thermosensitivity and the adsorption ability of the copolymer beads for metal ions beads were studied. The APPO‐NIPAAm‐4G copolymer beads were obtained in a good yield by suspension copolymerization of monomers (APPO, NIPAAm, and 4G) dissolved in chloroform, in a saturated Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution in the presence of surfactant and MgCO₃. The APPO‐NIPAAm‐4G copolymer beads had higher adsorption ability for lanthanide metal ions (Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺, Nd³⁺, or La³⁺) than for main transition metal ions (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, or Co²⁺). Furthermore, it was also found that the APPO‐NIPAAm‐4G copolymer beads had selective adsorption ability between lanthanide metal ions, and the order of adsorption ability for lanthanide metal ions was as follows: Eu³⁺ > Sm³⁺ > Nd³⁺ > La³⁺. The selective adsorption for these metal ions from their mixed solutions was performed by both a batch method and a column method. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 449–460, 2006     

Fat Utilization in Healthy Subjects Consuming Diacylglycerol Oil Diet: Dietary and Whole Body Fat Oxidation

Several studies in animals and humans have reported beneficial effects of diacylglycerol (DAG) on lipid and energy metabolism. We assessed the effect of DAG versus triacylglycerol (TAG) treatment on total energy expenditure (TEE), total fat oxidation (Fox) and respiratory quotient (RQ), and measured the oxidation rate of each oil using a respiratory chamber and the 13C-stable isotope. Eleven healthy subjects participated in a double-blind, randomized crossover study. Subjects consumed an energy maintenance diet consisting of 55% of total calories from carbohydrate, 15% from protein and 30% from fat during both the 3-day pre-chamber and 36-h chamber period. Fifty percent of the fat was test oil, containing either DAG oil or TAG oil. The oxidation rate of ingested test oils was determined by monitoring 13CO2 excretion in the breath from 13C-labeled diolein or 13C-labeled triolein. There were no significant differences in TEE, RQ and total Fox between the DAG and TAG treatment in the overall analysis. In the subgroup analysis, DAG treatment decreased RQ significantly in subjects with a high fat ratio (HFR) compared to TAG treatment. In addition, ingested diolein oxidation in DAG treatment was significantly faster than triolein oxidation in TAG treatment in the HFR group. Enhanced fat utilization with DAG treatment and rapid oxidation of ingested DAG may, at least in part, explain the greater loss of body weight and body fat related to DAG consumption found in the weight-loss studies.     

Pharmacokinetics of the protease inhibitor KNI-272 in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in nonhuman primates after intravenous dosing and in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children after intravenous and oral dosing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of routine falloposcopy in infertile patients undergoing basic infertility investigations, and to determine its usefulness in comparison with other tubal investigation methods. Seventy-five infertile women were selected based on the following criteria: 2 years of infertility, age between 18 and 40 years, normal ovulation, and partner with normal spermatozoa. Based on the results of the classical means of tubal evaluation (hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy), these patients were classified in one of two groups: tubal or unexplained infertility. All patients underwent a falloposcopy under general anaesthesia. The procedures were performed by the same surgeon with the linear everting catheter. Based on the falloposcopic findings, these patients were then reclassified in one of two other groups: falloposcopic tubal or falloposcopic unexplained infertility. The mean outcome measures were catheterization rate, duration of the procedure, pregnancy rates, complication rate and predictive value of Falloposcopy. The tubal catheterization rate was 94.5%. The mean duration of falloposcopy was 19 min per tube. Based on a standard scoring system, the spontaneous pregnancy rates were 27.6% for a score <20; 11.5% for a score between 21 and 30; and 0% if the score was >30. Complication rate was 5.1% of pinpoint perforations of the tube. With Cox's statistical model, none of the parameters analysed was statistically predictive of intrauterine pregnancy. We conclude that the greater accuracy of diagnosis by falloposcopy may indicate that it should be incorporated into the initial screening of infertile patients.     

Use of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) pulse sequences in perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) techniques in patients with perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. 13 patients with a history of perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (age range 1 month to 3.6 years) underwent T1 and T2 weighted spin echo and FLAIR imaging with a 1.5 T superconducting unit. FLAIR images were qualitatively evaluated in comparison with T1 and T2 weighted images by three experienced radiologists. Quantitative analysis (contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio) was also performed. FLAIR images were preferred to T1 and T2 weighted images in the demonstration of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), cystic PVL and subcortical lesions near the brain surface. On T1 and T2 weighted images, almost all lesions were demonstrated as hypointense or hyperintense areas, respectively. However, FLAIR images could differentiate cystic lesions by their signal intensities. FLAIR images were not diagnostic in two cases with PVL. In conclusion FLAIR sequences provide useful information in patients with perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.     

Energy Problems and Energy Control System in the Japanese Steel Industry

With the second oil crisis as a turning point, energy issues have come to occupy a most vital position in business. For the steel industry in particular, which is a heavy oil consumer, energy conservation is as vital as it is anywhere. Steelmakers are therefore committed to a variety of energy-conserving measures, including (1) the installation of waste heat recovery facilities, (2) the organization of elaborate economizing campaigns, (3) the orientation toward continuous operations (continuous casting, etc.) by integrating indispensable processes and excluding dispensable ones, and (4) the increased use of hot rolling and direct rolling, etc.

On the other hand, the steel industry has energy-generating facilities and by-product energy-generating processes that form a complicated energy supply-demand structure. Energy balance is intimately related to the operating rate and the operating method of each steel works, and this so much so that the minimization of specific energy costs does not necessarily entail total cost minimization.

Because of this, there is a rapidly expanding need for a scientifically built “software system” within which the aforementioned relationships are quantitatively analyzed to minimize overall plant costs in relation to the changing external environment. This paper discusses this system by referring to the developments and achievements made so far by the Yawata works of Nippon Steel Corporation.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol) fiber radicals induced by photo-irradiation at room temperature

The decay behavior of radicals produced on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber by photo-irradiation at room temperature and the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on the irradiated PVA fiber were investigated. Two kinds of stable radicals showing singlet and triplet spectra were indicated for both unsensitized and ferric ion-sensitized samples, especially with the emphasis of triplet component radical. The decay of radicals was promoted by contact with various organic solvent-water solutions, which effects were in the order of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)–water > acetone–water > water > dioxane–water > methanol–water. On the other hand, graft copolymerization of MMA on the preirradiated sample was effectively initiated with the aid of a little water or a mixed solution of organic solvent and water. Methanol and dioxane, which decay radicals milder than acetone and DMSO do, contributed to give a higher per cent grafting. As no initiation took place with the unirradiated sample, it is concluded that the ability of preirradiated samples to initiate graft copolymerization should be caused by the PVA fiber radicals, which are smoothly produced by photo-irradiation at room temperature and show a triplet spectrum.