Spot-size converted 1.3 μm laser with butt-jointed selectivelygrown vertically tapered waveguide

A 1.3 μm laser has been developed with a butt-jointed selectively grown spot-sire converter (SSC). The SSC vertically tapered waveguide and strained multiquantum well (MQW) active region are independently optimised. The laser was buried with semi-insulating InP to reduce optical loss in the SSC. A threshold current of 7 mA and an output power of >20 mW were obtained. Minimum coupling loss to a flat-end fibre of 1.06 dB was achieved. Long-term stability was also confirmed     

Heavy metal concentrations in urban snow as an indicator of air pollution

Manganese, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr and Cd concentrations in snow collected in and around urban areas and from snow dumping stations in Hokkaido were determined by Zeeman-type atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We compared the heavy metal concentrations in the snow with background levels to see whether they could be used as an effective indicator of urban air pollution. The heavy metal concentrations in the snow clearly increased towards the center of the city of Sapporo; they were influenced by local pollution in the industrial area of the city and by the effect of the seasonal wind from the northwest. In the cities, we found the greatest influence on heavy metal concentrations was air pollution caused by industrial activities. The elemental concentrations in urban snow were from several to tens of times higher than background levels. The mean concentrations of the elements studied were in the order Mn greater than Zn greater than Pb greater than Cu greater than Cr greater than Cd, the same as in water except for Pb. We propose that data on trace metal concentrations in snow are a reliable guide to the degree of air pollution, and can be used as a simple and effective indicator of urban air pollution.     

Inhibition of oxidation of low density lipoprotein by troglitazone

The effect of a new oral hypoglycemic agent troglitazone, (+/-)-5-[4-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl-methoxy)benz yl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione as an antioxidant against the free radical-mediated oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) was studied. The oxidation of LDL gives cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide as major primary products. Troglitazone incorporated exogenously into LDL inhibited the oxidations of LDL induced by either aqueous or lipophilic peroxyl radicals and suppressed the formation of lipid hydroperoxides efficiently. Ascorbic acid added into the aqueous phase spared both endogenous alpha-tocopherol and troglitazone in LDL. It was also found by absorption spectroscopic and electron spin resonance (ESR) studies that troglitazone reacted rapidly with a galvinoxyl radical to give a chromanoxyl radical which gives the same ESR spectrum as alpha-tocopherol. This ESR spectrum disappeared rapidly when ascorbic acid was added into the system. These results show that troglitazone acts as a potent antioxidant and protects LDL from oxidative modification.     

Production of thick and highly uniform CD2 targets for measurements

Thick deuterated polyethylene (CD₂) targets were produced by heating and pressing the CD₂ powder. The thickness of the CD₂ targets are from 24 to 560 mg/cm². The uniformity of the target thickness is ±20 μm (2.2 mg/cm²). These targets were used as deuteron targets in the measurement of the elastic scattering at .     

Monitoring serum tryptic activity and effect of trypsin inhibitor on rat acute pancreatitis

The effect of a novel synthetic trypsin inhibitor, 4-(2-succinimidoethylthio)-phenyl 4-guanidinobenzoate methanesulfonate (E3123), on severe acute pancreatitis was studied in trypsin-taurocholate-induced acute experimental pancreatitis in rats. Rats were divided into four groups according to difference of subdivided doses of E3123 with fixing the total dose at 3 mg/kg body weight. Group A: 1.5 mg/kg of E3123 subcutaneously (SC) each at 1 h before and after induction of pancreatitis. Group B: 1 mg/kg SC each at 1 h before, 1 and 3 h after induction. Group C: 1.5 mg/kg SC each at 1 and 3 h after induction. Group D: 1.5 mg/kg SC each at 3 and 5 h after induction of pancreatitis. The survival rate at 24 h was significantly improved in group B (77% in group B, vs. 36% in paired control; p < 0.01) and in group C (70 vs. 38%; p < 0.05), but not in group A or D. Residual tryptic activity of serum alpha 2-macroglobulin trypsin complex (alpha 2M-TRY) was reduced after the injection of E3123 though immunoreactive trypsin remained unchanged in the early phase of pancreatitis. The reduction of alpha 2M-TRY reflected the inhibitory capacity of E3123 in plasma. E3123 showed favorable effects on the initial stage of severe acute pancreatitis and the effects were probably based on the inhibition of alpha 2M-TRY activity in serum.     

Construction and performance of one- and two-dimensional large position-sensitive liquid and plastic scintillation detectors — an application to a neutron polarimeter

Large one- and two-dimensional position-sensitive neutron detectors have been developed. Their shapes are a long block and a square and their sizes are 100×10×7.5 cm³ and 100×100×10 cm³ for one- and two-dimensional detectors, respectively. Both liquid and plastic scintillators are employed as detector materials. Position resolutions are examined by using monoenergetic neutron beams with energies of 61.6 MeV. The obtained position resolutions in FWHM are 3–5 cm and 4–14 cm for one- and two-dimensional detectors, respectively. Position resolutions are poor near the corner of the two-dimensional detector irrespective of scintillator materials. Scintillation light responses have been compared with predictions of Monte Carlo calculations. Neutron polarimeters at an intermediate energy have been developed by utilizing the position sensitivity of these detectors.     

Effect of heat pretreatment on electrical conductance changes by NO2 adsorption of lead phthalocyanine thin film

The sensing characteristics of an NO₂ gas sensor using lead phthalocyanine thin film are influenced by heat-pretreatment time and ambient gas. The response behaviour of conductance for the change in ambient gas was characterized using Elovich's equation. The first stage in the adsorption and desorption kinetics reflects surface phenomena and the second stage the film diffusion. Both components were improved by heat treatment in air. The rising time in the NO₂ adsorption process was within 2 min, and the recovery time within 5 min at 130 °C for the film annealed in air for 1 h. The heat pretreatment induced the formation of a continuous layer of fine particles, ∼ 0.1 μm in size, and larger single crystals isolated from each other, which formed on the continuous layer. The formation of the larger single crystals is not preferable in fabricating a sensor with fast rising and recovery times.     

Pulsed chemical vapour infiltration of SiC to three-dimensional carbon fibre preforms

Three-dimensional carbon fibre preforms were infiltrated with silicon carbide from a gas system of CH₃SiCl₃-H₂ using a process of pressure pulsed chemical vapour infiltration. To infiltrate to a deep level, the temperature had to be lowered to 870–900°C, and the hold time per pulse below 1.0 s. Three-dimensional carbon fibre preforms partly filled with SiC fine powder were compared with those without filler. The weight of the preforms increased linearly with increasing number of pulses up to 10⁵ when no filler was present. However, the weight increase slowed down above 8×10⁴ pulses when the filler was used. Preforms with and without SiC filler showed three-point flexural strengths of 160 and 80 MPa after CVI of 10⁵ pulses, respectively. In order to improve the strength, a denser filling of SiC powder is necessary.     

A model for crack-face bridging

A novel model for crack-face bridging is addressed. The model successfully makes analytical predictions for the compliance changes of crack-face bridging systems during crack extension as well as recutting crack-face bridges developed after crack extension. Numerical results of the model are compared with those derived from the boundary element analysis where several possible profiles of the distribution of crack-face bridging tractions are examined. An experimental application of the model to the crack-face fiber bridging of a laminal carbon-fiber/carbon-matrix composite is attempted.