3.5-Gb/s×4-ch Si bipolar LSI's for optical interconnections

The 3.5-Gb/s, 4-ch transmitter and receiver LSI's described here include a 5-to-1 multiplexer, a 1-to-5 demultiplexer, and analog PLL circuits that can generate high-speed clock (3.5 GHz) and retimed data. The chips make it possible to connect twenty pairs of 700-Mb/s electrical ports (14-Gb/s throughput) without any external elements even for the PLL. Both the transmitter and receiver LSI are 4.5-mm-square and are fabricated by a 40-GHz 0.5-μm Si bipolar process. The transmitter LSI dissipates 2.5 W, and the receiver LSI dissipates 3.6 W. Both have -4.5- and -2-V supply voltages     

Preparation of Anode/Electrolyte Ceramic Composites by Coextrusion of Pastes

Anode/electrolyte two-layer ceramic composites for tubular solid oxide fuel cells were prepared through coextrusion of multiple pastes containing a water-based binder (an aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose). The multibillet extrusion (MBE) technique was found to be effective in achieving the anode/electrolyte composite pipes. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the wall thickness of both anode and electrolyte layers by raising the extrusion ratio of each layer. The extrusion pressure and binder content required to obtain sound extrudates decreased with an increase in the fraction of nickel oxide in an anode layer. It is feasible to decrease the difference in the sintering shrinkage between the anode and electrolyte layers by incorporating calcined coarse yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder in the electrolyte layer. The incorporation of coarse YSZ powder in an anode is effective in forming a continuous NiO network within the YSZ matrix.     

TNF-alpha stimulates glucose uptake in L6 myoblasts

The mechanism of TNF-alpha to regulate glucose metabolism remains unclear. To further delineate the TNF-alpha signal transduction pathway mediating glucose metabolism, we utilized L6 rat myoblasts which contain the receptors for the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and TNF-alpha, and the ability of both ligands to stimulate glucose uptake was compared. IGF-I (6.5 nM) maximally stimulated glucose uptake 7-fold after 24 h incubation, while 23 nM TNF-alpha maximally stimulated glucose uptake 3-fold only after 48 h incubation. IGF-I receptor beta-subunit, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase were all phosphorylated in response to 6.5 nM IGF-I after 10 min incubation. In contrast, the treatment with 23 nM TNF-alpha failed to phosphorylate either IGF-I receptor beta-subunit or IRS-1 but did phosphorylate MAP kinase as much as IGF-I did. Despite a similar extent to which TNF-alpha induced MAP kinase phosphorylation as IGF-I did, TNF-alpha stimulated glucose uptake less compared to IGF-I. The results indicate that MAP kinase phosphorylation is not sufficient for glucose uptake in L6 myoblasts. TNF-alpha-elicited signal transduction to glucose uptake may utilize a different pathway from that seen with IGF-I.     

极性溶剂在高分子膜内溶解扩散行为预测

使用^1H核磁共报分析方法，证明聚丙烯酸酯的三氯甲烷溶液中氢键的存在，并研究了三氯甲烷在聚丙烯酸酯中的溶解扩散行为．由于氢键存在加强分子间相互作用，使得溶解性增强，扩散性减小．使用LFHB-EOS模型计算溶解性，自由体积理论推算扩散系数，同时考虑耐溶剂基膜的抑制溶胀效果，建立数学模型计算渗透通量．对高分子溶液相平衡计算而言，当高分子的分子量大于一定值以后，溶剂的溶解性与分子量无关．三氯甲烷在充填型复合膜中的渗透通量计算结果和蒸汽渗透实验测定基本一致，表明以化工热力学的物性推算为基础进行有机溶剂分离膜设计研究在合有氢键作用的极性溶剂体系取得成功。     

Single-electron logic device based on the binary decision diagram

The unit device consists of four tunnel junctions and operates as a two-way switch for single-electron transport. Any combinational logic can be implemented by connecting identical unit devices into a cascade to build the tree of a BDD graph. Several sample designs are presented for logic circuits of NAND, NOR, exclusive-OR, and AND-OR combinational logic. Computer simulation shows that the designed circuits perform the logic operations correctly     

Effects of Transition-Metal Substitution on the Catalytic Properties of Barium Hexaaluminogallate

The effects of the substitution of transition-metal ions and/or reductant gases on the catalytic properties of barium hexaaluminogallate were investigated. Transition-metal-substituted hexaaluminogallates (BaM(Al,Ga)₁₁O₁₉, M = transition metal, Al/Ga = 9/3) were synthesized from aqueous metal nitrates and ammonium carbonate by the coprecipitation followed by crystallization at 1100°C. The direct NO _x reduction was observed over BaM(Al,Ga)₁₁O₁₉ to be around 10%. The NO _x removal activity of BaM(Al,Ga)₁₁O₁₉ powders was improved by addition of C₃H₆ as a reductant gas. Co-, Ni- and Cu-substituted BaM(Al,Ga)₁₁O₁₉ catalysts exhibited about 40% NO _x reduction with C₃H₆ in excess oxygen at a high space velocity of 10 000 h⁻¹. The NO _x reduction on Mn- and Fe-substituted BaM(Al,Ga)₁₁O₁₉ catalysts was less than 10% even in the presence of C₃H₆. The temperature of the effective NO _x reduction on BaM(Al,Ga)₁₁O₁₉ catalysts could be adjusted from 350° to 500°C by the selection of the transition-metal substitution in the catalysts. The catalysts hold high activities for NO _x reduction even at 500°C in water vapor produced in the combustion system of reductant gases.     

One-compartment electrochemical H2 generator from borohydride

A one-compartment membrane-less electrochemical H₂ generator from borohydride was realized using a Rh porphyrin and RuO₂ as the anode and cathode, respectively. H₂ generation from this cell was successfully controlled electrochemically by varying the potential applied. The regulation of H₂ generation was based on the selectivity of the anode and cathode. We found that RuO₂ exhibits H₂O electro-reduction activity without electro-oxidation or chemical decomposition of borohydride, and used the catalyst as a selective cathode in the electrochemical H₂ generator. Anode and cathode potentials of the electrochemical H₂ generator were measured separately. The both potentials were discussed in terms of the catalytic activities of a Rh porphyrin and RuO₂.     

Development of a Finger-Shaped Muscle Hardness Tester and Its Measurement Cases

As the background of our study, we requested that practitioners use muscle hardness testers to conduct a digital assessment of muscle hardness layers that they can feel by palpation. We developed muscle hardness testers to assess muscle hardness digitally from the reaction force and the depth in pushing a finger-shaped indenter, thereby simulating palpation. To assess muscle hardness digitally, we proposed this means using the reaction force and depth that are measured when the indenter is pushed, along with the elastic constant, and the differential elastic modulus. The tester is designed to be useful to ascertain effects of, or follow the course of, muscle layer treatment applied for shoulder stiffness and other conditions. As described herein, we confirmed the effectiveness of digital assessment using foam rubber consisting of an upper layer and a lower layer, respectively simulating the cortical and muscle layers of a human body. Additionally, monitoring six subjects, we digitally assessed the change of hardness of the trapezius muscle by changing the position of the upper extremity. Next, we were able to measure the change of hardness before and after treatment for 21 subjects with shoulder stiffness.