A 39-to-45-Gbit/s multi-data-rate clock and data recovery circuit with a robust lock detector

We describe a 40-Gbit/s-class clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit with an extremely wide pull-in range. A Darlington-type voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is newly designed to cover the STM-256/OC-768 full-rate-clock frequencies with a wide frequency margin. We also describe a new lock detector using an exclusive-NOR gate. The CDR IC was fabricated using InP/InGaAs HBTs. Error-free operation and wide eye opening were confirmed for 40-, 43-, and 45-Gbit/s PRBS with a word length of 2/sup 31/ - 1. We attached a frequency search and phase control (FSPC) circuit to the chip as a new frequency acquisition aid, and this allows the CDR circuit to pull in throughout a 39-45-Gbit/s range. The peak-to-peak and rms jitter of the recovered clock were 3.6 and 0.48 ps, respectively.     

PMD compensation in optical coherent single carrier transmission using frequency-domain equalisation

The transmission performance of optical single-carrier (SC) transmission using frequency-domain equalisation (FDE) to counter polarisation mode dispersion (PMD) is evaluated. 25 Gbit/s coherent optical SC transmission using FDE (CO-SC-FDE) is demonstrated in the presence of a significant amount of differential group delay (DGD). The results show that CO-SC-FDE compensates for the influence of the 125 ps DGD; the OSNR penalty is 0.81 dB.     

Diagnosis and treatment of tumours in the pineal region

In a series of 3.072 cases of intracranial neoplasms up to the end of 1973 there were 82 tumours in the pineal region (2.7%), excluding meningiomas of the falx and tentorium. More than half (forty seven) were pinealomas (two cell pattern type tumours, and pineoblastomas), twelve were teratomas, eight were ependymomas, three were epidermoids, and the remainder were gliomas. In addition to ventriculography, millipore filter-cell culture of cerebrospinal fluid, and fibre ventriculoscopy were found useful for diagnosis. Most of the patients were treated by surgery followed by radiotherapy. Results with the pinealomas were fairly good, the one year, five year, and ten year survival rates being 87.5%, 71.4%, and 33.3% in those below the age of 15 years, and 80.0%, 46.2%, and 12.5% in those above that age. The radiosensitivity of pinealomas and the beneficial effect of reduction of tumour bulk by direct surgery may both be important factors in the achievement of good results.     

Levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and thermostable direct hemolysin gene-positive organisms in retail seafood determined by the most probable number-polymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) method

The incidence and levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and thermostable direct hemolysin gene (tdh)-positive organisms in retail seafood were determined. The most probable number-polymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) method using a PCR procedure targeting the species-specific thermolabile hemolysin gene (tlh) and tdh was used to determine the levels of V. parahaemolyticus and tdh-positive organisms, respectively. In seafood for raw consumption, V. parahaemolyticus was found in four (13.3%) of 30 fish samples, 11 (55.0%) of 20 crustacean samples, and 29 (96.7%) of 30 mollusc samples. Levels of V. parahaemolyticus were below 10(4) MPN/100 g in all fish and crustacean samples tested. However, they were above 10(4) MPN/100 g in 11 (36.7%) of the 30 mollusc samples. In all seafood for raw consumption, the level of tdh-positive organisms was below the limit of detection (< 30 MPN/100 g). In seafood for cooking, V. parahaemolyticus was found in 15 (75.0%) of 20 fish samples, nine (45.0%) of 20 crustacean sample, and 20 (100%) of 20 mollusc samples. Levels of V. parahaemolyticus were above 10(4) MPN/100 g in only three (15.0%) and one (5.0%) of the 20 fish and 20 crustacean samples, respectively. However, they were above 10(4) MPN/100 g in 18 (90.0%) of the 20 mollusc samples. In seven (35.0%) of the 20 mollusc samples, tdh-positive organisms were found and their levels ranged from 3.6x10 to 1.1 x 103 MPN/100 g. From four of seven tdhpositive samples, tdh-positive V. parahaemolyticus was isolated.     

Transfer of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides to disaccharides by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Arthrobacter protophormiae

Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Arthrobacter protophormiae (Endo-A) has transglycosylation activity, and high-mannose-type oligosaccharides are transferred to suitable glycosides as acceptor substrates. The acceptor specificity of Endo-A-catalyzed transglycosylation toward various disaccharides was investigated. To identify an effective acceptor for the transglycosylation by Endo-A, the reaction was carried out using various disaccharides. Endo-A transferred high-mannose-type oligosaccharides more efficiently to beta-linked disaccharides (cellobiose, gentiobiose, sophorose, and laminaribiose) than to alpha-linked disaccharides (isomaltose, maltose, nigerose, kojibiose, and trehalose) as acceptor substrates. The transglycosylation products, (Man)6GlcNAc-Glc-beta-Glc, were more rapidly hydrolyzed than (Man)6GlcNAc-Glc-alpha-Glc. These results indicate that Endo-A recognizes the anomeric configuration of the acceptor substrates, and beta-linked glycosides are suitable for the synthesis of transglycosylation products.     

Characterization of Aspergillus oryzae glycoside hydrolase family 43 β-xylosidase expressed in Escherichia coli

This is the first report of glycoside hydrolase family 43 β-xylosidase from Aspergillus oryzae. To characterize this enzyme, the recombinant enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli. Unlike known β-xylosidases from fungal origins, the enzyme did not show substrate ambiguity and was stable at alkaline pH.     

Catalytic combustion of hydrogen—IV. Fabrication of prototype catalytic heaters and their operating properties

Two prototypes of catalytic heaters operating on hydrogen were fabricated and their performances were tested for combustion efficiency and temperature distribution over the catalyst surface. A heater in which hydrogen was mostly introduced from the bottom of a catalyst body exhibited substantial temperature uniformity and achieved a high combustion efficiency. The hydrogen fuelled catalytic heater offers an adjustable heat output ranging from 0 to 1.5 kcal cm^?2 h^?1 with Pt-impregnated nickel foam as a catalyst. The composite oxide of Co, Mn and Ag yielded slightly inferior results but sustained smooth hydrogen combustion. Detailed experiments were conducted for the investigation of changes in local combustion efficiency, local amount of air entrained from the ambience, and local surface temperature with the vertical position from the catalyst bottom.     

Single-step synthesis and characterization of single-walled carbon nanohorns hybridized with Pd nanoparticles using N2 gas-injected arc-in-water method

Single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) hybridized with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were synthesized by a single-step gas-injected arc-in-water method (GI-AIW) with a Pd wire inserted inside the anode hole. In the arc zone, carbon and Pd were vaporized simultaneously, leading to the formation of hybrid material of SWCNHs and Pd nanoparticles due to effective quenching. Based on TEM and CO chemisorption analyses, Pd nanoparticles were found to be embedded inside SWCNH aggregates. The size of Pd nanoparticles, determined by X-ray diffraction, was in the range of 3–6 nm when Pd wires with diameters of 0.1 and 0.3 mm were used. Using a Pd wire with a diameter larger than 0.5 mm results in larger Pd nanoparticles which tend to be exposed to the outer surface of the hybrid material. According to thermogravimetric analyses, the weight fraction of Pd nanoparticles is increased by increasing the Pd wire diameter although the yield of Pd nanoparticles decreased. SWCNHs hybridized with dispersed Pd nanoparticles, synthesized with 0.1 mm Pd wire, exhibited strong anti-oxidation resistance with a highly graphitic structure.     

Generation of New Artificial Metalloproteins by Cofactor Modification of Native Hemoproteins

Heme can be removed from a number of native hemoproteins, thus forming corresponding apoproteins, each of which provides a site for binding of a metal complex. In one example, myoglobin, an O₂ storage protein, can be reconstituted with iron porphycene to dramatically enhance the O₂ affinity. Although it is known that myoglobin has poor enzymatic activity, the insertion of iron corrole or iron porphycene into apomyoglobin increases its H₂O₂-dependent peroxidase/peroxygenase activities. Furthermore, reconstitution with manganese porphycene promotes hydroxylation of an inert C H bond. It is also of interest to insert a non-porphyrinoid complex into an apoprotein. A cavity of apocytochrome c has been found to bind a diiron carbonyl complex, serving as a functional model of diiron hydrogenase. Aponitrobindin has a rigid β-barrel structure that provides an excellent cavity for covalently anchoring a metal complex. A rhodium complex embedded in the cavity of genetically modified nitrobindin has been found to promote stereoselective polymerization of phenylacetylene.