Measurement of RF Transmission Mode in ITER Relevant EC H&;CD Transmission Line

The preliminary results of mode measurement in the ITER relevant 40 m long transmission test line composed from 63.5 mm diameter corrugated waveguides and miter bends are presented. The field patterns were measured by taking temperature profiles on a paper screen placed in front of the waveguide end using an infrared imaging camera. The complex electric field at the waveguide end was retrieved from the measured temperature profiles. As a result, the transmission power includes 87% of HE₁₁ mode and 6% of LP₁₁ odd (HE₂₁+TE₀₁) mode and small ratios of other modes. The mode content had small dependence on length of the transmission line. This result indicated that the higher order mode content generated at the input of the transmission line is conserved and propagated through the transmission line. This suggests that the initial RF coupling to the waveguide is critical since it affects the launcher efficiency.     

Characterization of plasma membrane H+-ATPase from salt-tolerant yeast Candida versatilis

Plasma membrane was isolated from the salt-tolerant yeast Candida versatilis and the ATPase in plasma membrane was characterized. The ATPase was a typical H⁺-ATPase with similar properties to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii enzymes. It was reacted with antibody (IgG) raised against S. cerevisiae plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase. The ATPase activity was not changed by adding NaCl and KCl to the assay solutions, but was increased by NH, especially by ammonium sulfate. In vivo stimulation of ATPase activity was observed by the addition of NaCl into the culture medium, as observed in Z. rouxii. No in vivo activation of H⁺-ATPase by glucose metabolism was observed in C. versatilis cells and the activity was independent of the growth phase, like Z. rouxii and unlike S. cerevisiae cells.     

The integration of science explorations through the use of Earthimages in middle school curriculum

KidSat was a pilot project dedicated to bringing students to the center of the learning process. In this unique pilot program. KidSat created a dynamic collaboration among middle school, high school, and university students with scientists, engineers, teachers, and educational theorists to create a program that tied “real-time” science exploration and discovery to learning in the classroom. This project, supported by NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), Johnson Space Center (JSC), and corporate and individual donors, inspired and motivated young people to expand their knowledge base through the use of Earth images. Middle school students from across the country controlled a student-designed, digital camera mounted onboard three space shuttle missions. Images from this instrument were incorporated into the teaching process and demonstrated the importance of using real data to excite and motivate young people. By providing students the opportunity to learn through analysis of self-chosen images of the Earth taken from the space shuttle, the acquisition of knowledge became more relevant and applicable to all subject areas. This initiative changed the expectations of many participants as to what students can learn and accomplish when provided with exciting content, well-trained teachers, and access to real data     

Tree colonization trends on a sediment bar after a major flood

Tree mortality and regeneration in riparian areas are greatly influenced by flooding. The elevational distribution of Salix spp. and Robinia pseudoacacia were investigated by observing densities and standing conditions before and after a major flood on a sediment bar in the middle reaches of the Arakawa River in Kumagaya, Japan. The subsequent tree recruitment was also examined. R. pseudoacacia was easily washed away with the eroded sediment, whereas Salix spp. was found to be more tolerant. Both species were able to survive even after collapsing, provided that their roots were fully or partially embedded in the sediment. Re‐shooting of collapsed trees, rather than emergence from saplings (either by seeds or vegetative fragments), was observed to be the major method of recruitment after the flood. Therefore, tree density before the flood was unchanged, unless the trees were subject to washing away. Salix spp. recruitment was mainly observed in low‐lying areas and R. pseudoacacia in elevated areas. Recruitment from saplings was species‐specific. Salix spp. at high elevations originated mainly from shoot fragments as they need high levels of moisture for seed germination and at higher elevations, sediment moisture content is very low. R. pseudoacacia, on other hand, originated mainly from roots and seeds. At a given elevation, past recruitment patterns indicated that the annual recruitment of trees increased with tree density up to a particular threshold of recruitment density. Further increases in tree density beyond that optimum value resulted in a decline in recruitment. Furthermore, threshold density was observed to increase along with elevation for R. pseudoacacia while declining with Salix spp. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance analysis of a CO2 recycling system which utilizes solar energy

In this report, a CO₂ recycling system is proposed and designed for the purpose of CO₂ mitigation through utilization of solar energy (photovoltaic power generation). A performance analysis of the potential of this system for CO₂ reduction is performed as one of the life cycle analyses (LCA) of this system. The CO₂ emission from building the photovoltaic (PV) power generation facilities represents the largest fraction of CO₂ emission and accounts for 81 per cent of the CO₂ emission from building of plants. The CO₂ balance ratio of the system is approximately 1.4. It clearly reveals that this system would be an effective way to reduce CO₂ emissions and to utilize PV power generation as a natural energy source. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Super environment-friendly electrodeposition paint

Super low VOC due to new composition/reaction mechanism can minimize the environmental risk as it does not contain lead and tin, hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and endocrine disrupters (EPA/67 items, SPEED’98/JEA/67 items) currently specified as contaminants. New EAD (electrolyzed activate deposition paint) is not the only conventional cure agent or solvent, but also the super low VOC, HAPs materials and endocrine disrupters. The electric energy used by EAD is utilized for the reaction but not for the deposition. EAD consists of two technologies. One is propargyl group change to the allene by using electrodeposition. Propargyl group is stable, but allene group is highly polymerizing. As a result, EAD had high bath stability. The other is sulfonium change to sulfide by using electrodeposition. This sulfonium salt is lost as a result of the electrolytic reduction, and hence can be irreversibly rendered non-conductive. As a result, EAD showed high throwing power.     

A fuzzy model to control the temperature in the cooling of metal molds with a spray robot

In a die-casting operation, the die spray is the key to quality and productivity, but the die-spray operation depends on parameter settings such as the spray volume and the operator's experience, even when a robot sprayer is used. The purpose of this study was to establish an intelligent system to control the surface temperature of a die with a water-based mist spray. A fuzzy model was applied to determine the optimum mist spray volume. The results generated show a good match with the actual measurements of the rate of the temperature drop versus the spray-mist volume. After the fuzzy analysis, the spray parameters calculated were used to control an actual die temperature experiment conducted on a heated plate model. The fuzzy model constructed by using fundamental experiments allowed the die spray operation to maintain a predetermined spray volume. This work was presented in part at the Fourth International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 19–22, 1999