Limiting negations in non-deterministic circuits

The minimum number of NOT gates in a Boolean circuit computing a Boolean function f is called the inversion complexity of f. In 1958, Markov determined the inversion complexity of every Boolean function and, in particular, proved that log₂(n+1) NOT gates are sufficient to compute any Boolean function on n variables. In this paper, we consider circuits computing non-deterministically and determine the inversion complexity of every Boolean function. In particular, we prove that one NOT gate is sufficient to compute any Boolean function in non-deterministic circuits if we can use an arbitrary number of guess inputs.     

Proteomics integrated with Escherichia coli vector-based vaccines and antigen microarrays reveals the immunogenicity of a surface sialidase-like protein of Propionibacterium acnes

Proteomics is a powerful tool for the identification of proteins, which provides a basis for rational vaccine design. However, it is still a highly technical and time‐consuming task to examine a protein's immunogenicity utilizing traditional approaches. Here, we present a platform for effectively evaluating protein immunogenicity and antibody detection. A tetanus toxin C fragment (Tet‐c) was used as a representative antigen to establish this platform. A cell wall‐anchoring sialidase‐like protein (SLP) of Propionibacterium acnes was utilized to assess the efficacy of this platform. We constructed an Escherichia coli vector‐based vaccine by overexpressing Tet‐c or SLP in E. coli and utilized an intact particle of E. coli itself as a vaccine (E. coli Tet‐c or SLP vector). After ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, the E. coli vector‐based vaccines were administered intranasally into imprinting control region mice without adding exogenous adjuvants. For antibody detection, we fabricated antigen microarrays by printing with purified recombinant proteins including Tet‐c and SLP. Our results demonstrated that detectable antibodies were elicited in mice 6 weeks after intranasal administration of UV‐irradiated E. coli vector‐based vaccines. The antibody production of Tet‐c and SLP was significantly elevated after boosting. Notably, the platform with main benefits of using E. coli itself as a vaccine carrier provides a critical template for applied proteomics aimed at screening novel vaccine targets. In addition, the novel immunogenic SLP potentially serves as an antigen candidate for the development of vaccines targeting P. acnes‐associated diseases.     

Technique for anisotropic extension of organic crystals: application to temperature dependence of electrical resistance

We have developed a technique for the anisotropic extension of fragile molecular crystals. The pressure medium and the instrument, which extends the pressure medium, are both made from epoxy resin. Since the thermal contraction of our instrument is identical to that of the pressure medium, the strain applied to the pressure medium has no temperature dependence down to 2 K. Therefore, the degree of extension applied to the single crystal at low temperatures is uniquely determined from the degree of extension in the pressure medium and thermal contractions of the epoxy resin and the single crystal at ambient pressure. Using this novel instrument, we have measured the temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of metallic, superconducting, and insulating materials. The experimental results are discussed from the viewpoint of the extension (compression) of the lattice constants along the parallel (perpendicular) direction.     

Formation of Zirconia Solid Solutions Containing Alumina Prepared by New Preparation Method

In the system ZrO₂–Al₂O₃, a new method for preparing ZrO₂ solid solutions from ZrCl₄ and AlCl₃ using hydrazine monohydrate is investigated. c -ZrO₂ solid solutions containing up to ∼40 mol% Al₂O₃ crystallize at low temperatures from amorphous materials. The formation mechanism is discussed from IR spectral data. The values of the lattice parameter α increase linearly from 0.5072 to 0.5105 nm with increasing Al₂O₃ content. At higher temperatures, transformation of the solid solutions proceeds as follows: c ( SS ) → t ( ss ) → t ( ss ) +α-Al₂O₃→ m +α-Al₂O₃. m -ZrO₂–α-Al₂O₃ composite ceramics are fabricated by hot isostatic pressing for 2 h at 1250°C and 196 MPa. Microstructures and mechanical properties are examined, in connection with increasing Al₂O₃ content.     

Full Band Monte Carlo Study for Two-Dimensional Hole Transport in Strained Si p-MOSFETs

Transport properties of the two-dimensional hole gas in inversion layer of strained Si/SiGe p-MOSFETs are investigated using the full-band Monte Carlo simulator based on the nonlocal pseudopotential calculation. The hole mobility is significantly enhanced by the strain in the case of Ge content of ≥20%. Moreover, we also present the high-field transport characteristics of 2D holes. In contrast to the low-field mobility, the hole saturation velocity does not significantly enhanced by the strain.     

Linear bipolar OTAs employing exponential‐law circuits

This paper presents design of linear bipolar OTAs, which are composed of two function blocks; one is an exponential‐law circuit and the other is a core cell. Multi‐tanh cells are employed as the core cell. This kind of OTA has lower power dissipation relatively to the conventional multi‐tanh cell. According as the order of the multi‐tanh core cell becomes higher, the number of circuit realization for the core cell increases. For example, we have two OTAs for the core circuit of an emitter‐coupled pair and four OTAs for the doublet core cell. Thus, we consider the generalized OTAs for an arbitrary order n of the core cell and obtain a formula to give the realization number of the linear OTAs for n. According to the formula, there must be eight OTAs in the case of n=3. All of the eight OTAs are examined. Analysis and simulation results show that the OTAs have advantage in their characteristics, such as linear input range, power dissipation, noise, and frequency response. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Feasibility of a 1,400 m Span Steel Cable-Stayed Bridge

This paper describes the feasibility of 1,400 m steel cable-stayed bridges from both structural and economic viewpoints. Because the weight of a steel girder strongly affects the total cost of the bridge, the writers present a procedure to obtain a minimum weight for a girder that ensures safety against static and dynamic instabilities. For static instability, elastoplastic, finite-displacement analysis under in-plane load and elastic, finite-displacement analysis under displacement-dependent wind load are conducted; for dynamic instability, multimodal flutter analysis is carried out. It is shown that static critical wind velocity of lateral torsional buckling governs the dimension of the girder. Finally, the writers briefly compare a cable-stayed bridge with suspension bridge alternatives.     

Reduction of defects and improvement in the performance of blue phosphor for thick‐dielectric electroluminescent displays using Color‐by‐Blue

Abstract— Defect‐free large‐area inorganic thick‐dielectric EL (TDEL) displays using Color by Blue (CBB) technology have been successfully developed. We have achieved the world's highest blue‐phosphor luminance of 900 cd/m² for a single‐pixel device by using CBB and by optimizing the e‐beam gun configuration and the flow rate of H₂S in the vacuum chamber. By analyzing the defects on panels with triple‐pattern phosphors and CBB panels, we also found that the number of defects on CBB panels can be drastically reduced compared with those on triple‐pattern panels. The defect‐free 17‐in. VGA CBB panels show better characteristics, a high peak luminance of 600 cd/m² and a high contrast ratio of 1000:1, compared with those of triple‐pattern panels.     

Nanowrinkled and Nanoporous Polyethylene Membranes Via Entanglement Arrangement Control

Crystalline homopolymers, including polyethylene (PE), which has the simplest architecture, form a nanometer‐sized combination of crystalline and amorphous components, but their arrangement control, similar to self‐assembled phase‐separation of block‐copolymers, is usually difficult. However, molecular entanglements trapped between crystalline and amorphous components of homopolymers coincide with the segmental linking points on the interfaces of the microphase separation for block copolymers. Nanowrinkled PE membranes are prepared with a network of 30 nm‐thick homogeneous lamellae using a novel entanglement control technique composed of biaxial melt‐drawing and melt‐shrinking procedures, which are limited for highly entangled ultrahigh molecular weight materials. Such a network arrangement of nanowrinkling lamellae spreading on membrane surface and also across the membrane thickness improves the mechanical properties of both tensile strength and tearing strength. Subsequent cold‐drawing causes delamination of the lamellar interfaces, leading to the resultant nanoporous morphology composed of passing‐through channels that are several tens of nanometers in diameter, without any solvent processing.     

Catalytic effect of bis (cyclopentadienyl) nickel II on the improvement of the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation of Mg-MgH2 system

Bis(cyclopentadienyl) nickel II is one of the best precursors of nickel catalyst which remarkably improved the hydrogen absorption-desorption of Mg–MgH₂ system. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Furrier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed that bis (cyclopentadienyl) nickel II decomposed into metallic nickel during ball milling with MgH₂. The nickel thus formed has homogeneously doped over the Mg - MgH₂ surface. The Ni-doped Mg-MgH₂ have shown the excellent catalytic effect on hydrogen absorption-desorption. The catalyzed MgH₂ could desorb hydrogen below 225 °C (T_onset) under Ar flow, and absorb hydrogen at 50 °C under 1.5 MPa H₂ pressure. The hydrogen absorption-desorption temperatures are remarkably decreased as compared to the uncatalyzed Mg-MgH₂ system under the identical experimental conditions.