Real-time measurements of spatial velocity distribution with a laser Doppler imaging system

A new laser Doppler imaging system with a TV camera has been constructed, which brightly displays 1-D velocity distribution on a monitor. Some characteristics of this system have been experimentally investigated from measurements of simple velocity distribution on a constantly rotating ground glass disk. From an adaptation to fluid flow, it has been shown that the measurements of spatial velocity distribution can be achieved in real time.     

A concept of the multipurpose liquid metallic-fueled fast reactor system (MPFR)

Against fossil fuels, the nuclear energy is the only alternative energy source in the next century. Such energy source as the future nuclear power plant is expected to meet the following requirements. First, high temperature output for the multiple energy conversion capability as the electricity generation and the production of alternative fuels (hydrogen), which can be used widely in transportation systems. Second, the capability for siting close to the energy consumption area without onsite refueling. Third, the capability for nuclear fuel breeding and incineration of long-lived fission products, and fourth, the harmonization between active and passive safety features. This paper describes the basic concept of the Multipurpose liquid metallic-fueled Fast Reactor system (MPFR), which satisfies all mentioned requirements with introducing the U-Pu-x (x: Mn, Fe, Co) liquid metallic alloys for the fuel. We can obtain such characteristics as high operational temperature of the reactor (between 550 °C and 1200 °C) and elongation of the core operational lifetime by the inherent fission product separation in the liquid fuel by using these alloys. The enhanced self-controllability is achieved by the thermal expansion of liquid fuel; and the re-criticality phenomenon at the core compaction events can be eliminated by discharging of the liquid fuel from the core.     

Tracking and erosion of HTV silicone rubbers of different thickness

Tracking and erosion behaviors of high temperature vulcanized (HTV)-silicone rubber (SIR) of 0.5 to 6.0 mm thicknesses were investigated in order to obtain the optimum thickness for enhancing tracking and erosion resistance under various leakage current levels. Under low leakage current, thinner samples showed a higher tracking and erosion resistance, while under medium and high leakage current, thicker samples showed better resistance to these behaviors. The optimum thickness to prolong the time to tracking and erosion failure appeared in the range of 1.0 to 3.0 mm thickness. The content of an initial low molecular weight (LMW) silicone fluid was shown to be closely related to the development of leakage current and high temperature thermal spots. The results indicate that the sample thickness is crucial to the ability of HTV-SIR to withstand a large number of high temperature thermal spots under condition of high level leakage current     

Volatile Flavor Compounds of Sweetened Condensed Milk

ABSTRACT: The volatile compounds of sweetened condensed milk (SCM) were investigated to explain their contribution to SCM flavor. Commercially processed SCM was diluted with water and the volatiles were isolated by simultaneous steam distillation-extraction under reduced pressure. Commercial liquid milk was used for comparison. The odor concentrate was analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and then fractionated by silica gel TLC and preparative GC to determine the contributors to SCM flavor. Major volatile compounds were 10 fatty acids, 14 lactones, 10 ketones, 13 hydrocarbons, 8 alcohols, 4 aldehydes, and 8 miscellaneous compounds. δ-Decalactone and δ-dodecalactone were the principal contributors to SCM flavor although the other lactones may contribute as well.     

Solid electrolyte of tantalum oxide thin film deposited by reactive DC and RF magnetron sputtering for all-solid-state switchable mirror glass

All-solid-state switchable mirror glass was prepared by magnetron sputtering. The device exhibited the multi-layer structure of Mg₄Ni/Pd/Ta₂O₅ on WO₃/ITO/glass substrate. The Mg₄Ni, Pd, and Ta₂O₅ in the device acted as optical switches, proton injector and solid electrolyte, respectively. Reactive DC magnetron sputtering was employed as a new deposition method for Ta₂O₅ electrolyte thin film for the device. The transmittance of the device, at a wavelength of 670 nm using reactive DC-sputtered Ta₂O₅ thin film, reached 0.1% (a reflective state) to 48% (a transparent state). The transmittance change occurred in less than 40 s when 5 V was applied, and the switching speed was 60 times faster than that of the device using reactive RF-sputtered Ta₂O₅ thin film.     

Intermittent administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ameliorates glucose metabolism and prevents pancreatic exhaustion in diabetic mice

We previously demonstrated that repetitive administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ameliorates glucose metabolism and energy expenditure in obese diabetic db/db mice. However, we have not evaluated in detail the effect of single or intermittent BDNF administration on glucose metabolism in a diabetic animal model. The objectives of this study were to examine the dose-response effect and dosing interval of BDNF administration in db/db mice and to evaluate the effect of intermittent BDNF administration on pancreatic function in db/db mice. We evaluated the dose-response effect of BDNF by single administration in db/db mice. First, single administration of BDNF greater than 70 mg/kg significantly reduced blood glucose concentration one day after administered, and the BDNF effect was maintained for 6 d. Next, the effects of BDNF administered twice a week at 4, 10, 25, and 62.5 mg/kg on blood glucose concentration, and the effects of BDNF administered once a week at 10, 20, 30, 50, and 70 mg/kg on blood glucose concentration were examined in db/db mice. In the intermittent treatment studies, BDNF dose-dependently ameliorated glucose metabolism by not only the twice-a-week administration but also the once-a-week administration. Lastly, because BDNF reduces the food intake of obese hyperphagic diabetic mice, the effects of BDNF administered once or twice a week on the blood glucose concentration and plasma and pancreatic insulin concentrations in db/db mice were compared with those of the vehicle under pair-fed conditions. Under pair-fed conditions, the intermittent administration of BDNF (25 mg/kg, twice a week, or 50 mg/kg, once a week) significantly reduced the blood glucose concentration and increased the plasma and pancreatic insulin concentrations compared with those in the pair-fed vehicle-treated db/db mice. This indicates that the prolonged hypoglycemic effect of BDNF is not simply due to the reduction of food intake. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the intermittent administration of BDNF ameliorates glucose metabolism and prevents pancreatic exhaustion in obese diabetic mice. These findings indicate that BDNF may have potential as a unique hypoglycemic agent for the treatment of diabetes at a fundamental level with good patient compliance.     

Paracrine effect of human chorionic gonadotropin ectopically produced from papillary thyroid cancer cells on growth and function of FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells

It is well known that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is sometimes secreted from nontrophoblastic neoplasms. To elucidate the role of ectopic hCG, we investigated the effect of hCG produced from a papillary thyroid cancer cell line (B-CPAP cells) on stimulation and growth promotion of FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells. Ectopic hCG contained in the culture medium of B-CPAP cells was purified using gel filtration and bioassayed for thyrotropic activity in FRTL-5 cells. Addition of ectopic hCG (up to 5.2 x 10(4) IU/L) increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation and 3H-thymidine incorporation in FRTL-5 cells dose dependently. These effects were almost as potent as the stimulation induced by standard hCG CR-127. After the absorption of the ectopic hCG by anti-hCG-beta monoclonal antibody, the cAMP accumulation was significantly decreased. Analysis of ectopic hCG isoforms with different isoelectric points indicated the predominance of the acidic hCG isoform with isoelectric point (pI) 3.8-3.2 that is the major isoform of standard hCG. Basic isoforms (pI 5.7-5.3) with higher thyrotropic potency were also detected. These results indicate that the ectopic hCG secreted from papillary thyroid cancer cells possess intrinsic thyroid-stimulating and growth-promoting activity. The ectopic hCG may act as an autocrine-paracrine factor in nontrophoblastic neoplasms.     

Fabrication of Nonadditive Mica Ceramics by Hot Isostatic Processing

Powder compacts of synthetic mica (fluorphlogopite) encapsulated in a boro–silicate glass tube were isostatically hot–pressed in a Roy–Tuttle–type pressure vessel. Synthetic mica was sintered to a density of 2.60 g/cm³ (91.2% of theoretical density) without additives under 98 MPa of water at 800°C for 45 min.     

Development of novel method for screening microorganisms using symbiotic association between insect (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) and intestinal microorganisms

It is becoming increasingly difficult to isolate novel useful microorganisms from the natural environment using conventional screening methods based on pure culture techniques. A novel method for screening microorganisms in symbiotic association with insects was developed. This method involves the following two steps. In the first step, the existence of desired microorganisms that grow well by degrading difficult-to-degrade materials in the gut of insects is detected using the survivability of insects as an indicator. In the second step, the desired microorganisms are selected from the surviving insects. The second step is based on an idea that the guts of insects act as continuous-culture systems whereby microorganisms that cannot degrade diet components are washed out whereas those that can degrade diet components are retained and made to multiply in the gut. Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki was fed with an artificial diet containing phenol as a model of lignin-derived and difficult-to-degrade compound. Each C. formosanus feeding on an artificial diet containing 100 mg/l phenol had different levels of adaptation to the toxicity of phenol. About 20% of C. formosanus fed with an artificial diet containing 100 mg/l phenol died within a few days whereas others survived for more than 10 d. The structure of the intestinal microorganisms of the surviving C. formosanus fed with the 100 mg/l phenol artificial diet gradually changed and was very different from that of the bacterial communities obtained from the enrichment culture of wood-feeding C. formosanus using an artificial medium containing phenol as a sole carbon source. Furthermore, Only three species (as DGGE band) were detected from the gut of wood-feeding C. formosanus, whereas 200 times more phenol-degrading microorganisms were detected in the gut of C. formosanus feeding on a phenol artificial diet. Out of these nine species (as DGGE band) of phenol-degrading microorganisms were isolated. The screening method developed in this study can also be applied to various insects, leading to the isolation of various microorganisms that can degrade difficult-to-degrade compounds.