Mechanical properties and deformation mechanism of polyoxymethylene chain in the crystalline state

The true crystallite modulus of polyoxymethylene (POM) was evaluated experimentally and thoeretically as a function of temperature. The mechanical deformation mechanism of POM was lattice-dynamically predicted and confirmed by measuring the stress-induced vibrational frequency shifts of the infrared and Raman spectra, which were interpreted on the basis of anharmonic potential field.     

Photoluminescence analysis of InGaP top cells for high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells

A way of evaluate the minority-carrier lifetime by using photoluminescence (PL) measurement is proposed which includes self-absorption. The room-temperature PL intensity is analyzed theoretically for bulk crystals and a device with n⁺-p junction configuration, based on a one-dimensional model. Photoluminescence analysis of In_0.5Ga_0.5P solar cells grown on GaAs and Si substrates by MOCVD (metal organic vapor deposition) have been carried out and compared with the properties of the In_0.5Ga_0.5P solar cells. By improving minority-carrier lifetime, high-efficiency In_0.5Ga_0.5P cells on GaAs substrates with an efficiency of 18.5% have been made.     

Photoautotrophic cultivation of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a method for carbon dioxide fixation and α-linolenic acid production

Focusing on CO₂ fixation and α-linolenic acid (ALA) production, photoautotrophic cultivation of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was investigated by using a culture medium of pH 6.8 under a 5 vol% CO₂-enriched atmosphere. The optimum cultivation temperature and light intensity for growth were 25°C and 12 klux, respectively. The cellular ALA content nearly doubled to 11.9 mg/g of dry cells when the concentration of culture medium was doubled. Simulation of chemostat cultivation showed that the rate of CO₂ fixation and ALA productivity per unit volume of culture medium could reach 1.01 kg CO₂/(m³ · d) and 7.46 g ALA/(m³ · d), respectively, at a cell concentration of 0.57 kg cells/m³.     

A DSP for DCT-based and wavelet-based video codecs for consumerapplications

We have developed a video digital signal processor (VDSP1) which performs real-time encoding and decoding for discrete cosine transform- (DCT-) based algorithms such as ITU-T H.261, H.263 and wavelet-based subband encoding algorithms. This LSI is suitable for consumer applications, as it was implemented using 0.5 μm CMOS process technology to realize compactness (one million transistors on 65 mm²) and low power (maximum: 560 mW). It features a processing unit which performs wavelet filtering at high speeds, a compact DCT circuit, and a fast, flexible DRAM interface for low-cost systems. At 40 MHz, a single chip is capable of processing quarter common intermediate format (QCIF) (176×144 pixels) size pictures at a rate greater than 15 frames/s     

The frequency dependent regenerator cold section and hot section positional reversal in a coaxial type thermoacoustic Stirling heat pump

We have constructed and tested two travelling wave thermoacoustic heat pumps using a coaxial configuration with the regenerator positioned in the annulus. We discovered a frequency dependent positional reversal of the cold section and hot section of the regenerator within the test frequency range. By decomposing the measured pressure wave within the annulus, we obtained the positive (w₊) and negative (w₋) propagating travelling waves. It has been revealed the change of frequency is accompanied by a change in magnitudes of w₊ and w₋ which is in part influenced by the presence of travelling wave attenuation through the regenerator. The resulting change of dominant travelling wave on a given end of the regenerator will then change the direction of thermoacoustic heat pumping at that end. This will alter the regenerator temperature distribution and may reverse the cold and hot sections of the regenerator. As the reversal does not require additional moving parts, merely a change in frequency, this feature in coaxial travelling wave devices has tremendous potential for applications which require both heating and cooling operation.     

Magnetic separation of cells from developing embryoid bodies using magnetite cationic liposomes

Embryoid bodies resemble post-implantation egg-cylinder stage embryos and are used to differentiate embryonic stem cells in vitro. In this study, we enriched mouse vasa homolog-positive germ cells from embryoid bodies after 8d of differentiation using a magnetic separation method with magnetite cationic liposomes.     

ION-EXCHANGE SELECTIVITY FOR ALKALI METAL IONS ON A CRYPTOMELANE-TYPE HYDROUS MANGANESE DIOXIDE

ABSTRACT

A cryptomelane-type hydrous manganese dioxide in the H⁺ form has been studied for its ion-exchange selectivity for Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+/H+ exchange at 30*C. The distribution coefficients for each alkali cation were calculated as a function of the initial concentration of exchanging cations in the presence of a constant total normality of 0.1 N. The separation factor for the Na+ - K+ pair attained 1.3 x 10" at X_x→0 This extremely high selectivity can be attributed to the rigid tunnel structure with an opening which is only accessible to less hydrated cations, those that shed their hydration shell easily and those with crystal ionic radius of approximately 1.4A.     

Homologous Recombination-Independent Large Gene Cassette Knock-in in CHO Cells Using TALEN and MMEJ-Directed Donor Plasmids

Gene knock-in techniques have rapidly evolved in recent years, along with the development and maturation of genome editing technology using programmable nucleases. We recently reported a novel strategy for microhomology-mediated end-joining-dependent integration of donor DNA by using TALEN or CRISPR/Cas9 and optimized targeting vectors, named PITCh (Precise Integration into Target Chromosome) vectors. Here we describe TALEN and PITCh vector-mediated integration of long gene cassettes, including a single-chain Fv-Fc (scFv-Fc) gene, in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, with comparison of targeting and cloning efficiency among several donor design and culture conditions. We achieved 9.6-kb whole plasmid integration and 7.6-kb backbone-free integration into a defined genomic locus in CHO cells. Furthermore, we confirmed the reasonable productivity of recombinant scFv-Fc protein of the knock-in cells. Using our protocol, the knock-in cell clones could be obtained by a single transfection and a single limiting dilution using a 96-well plate, without constructing targeting vectors containing long homology arms. Thus, the study described herein provides a highly practical strategy for gene knock-in of large DNA in CHO cells, which accelerates high-throughput generation of cell lines stably producing any desired biopharmaceuticals, including huge antibody proteins.