Microwave path-loss modeling in urban line-of-sight environments

To model the path-loss characteristics in microwave urban line-of-sight (LOS) propagation, we performed measurements in metropolitan Tokyo at frequencies of 3.35, 8.45, and 15.75 GHz. The actual breakpoint distance was shorter than the theoretical one because of the influence of vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects on the road. This effect has been referred to as effective road height. We found that the breakpoint disappeared when the mobile-antenna height approached the effective road height. Based on these breakpoint characteristics, we propose new upper- and lower-bound formulas for LOS path loss in urban microcellular environments. They will be useful for the system and cell design of fourth-generation multimedia mobile communication systems using microwave bands.     

Effects of multiple interruptions on post‐arc current,reignition, and lifetime of distribution breaker

The purpose of this investigation is to study the interruption performance of the Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) currently used for the protection of low‐voltage circuits. It is anticipated that interruptions, especially numerous high‐current interruptions, will degrade interruption performance. In order to investigate the performance change after many interruptions, it is important to understand the interruption characteristics. Multiple‐interruption experiments at large currents were conducted and the phenomena which govern the success or failure of interruption were identified. It was shown that after multiple interruptions a post‐arc current begins to flow and that the duration of the arc is ten to a few hundred microseconds. In order to explore the relationship between the post‐arc current and the degradation of the interruption characteristics, the conditions governing the post‐arc current were investigated experimentally. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(4): 42–49, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10358     

Probing of DNA-binding sites of Escherichia coli RecA protein utilizing 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid

RecA protein of Escherichia coli plays an essential role in homologous recombination of DNA strands. To analyze the interaction of RecA with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), we performed a fluorescence competition assay employing 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS) as an extrinsic fluorescent probe. ANS bound to RecA at three sites, leading to enhancement of ANS fluorescence. Addition of synthetic polynucleotides to the RecA-ANS complex in the absence of a nucleotide quenched the ANS fluorescence, indicating displacement of ANS molecules by ssDNA. Less effective quenching by poly(dA) suggests that the nucleoprotein filament on poly(dA) may differ from those on poly(dT) and poly(dC). A titration experiment with poly(dT) and poly(dA) showed clear stoichiometric binding of 3.5 nucleotides per protein. The site size for poly(dC) was 7.0, which could be explained by the formation of a double helix of poly(dC). ATP and other nucleotides also displaced the ANS. To identify ANS-binding sites, ANS was incorporated into RecA by UV irradiation, and fluorescent peptides were isolated from the proteolytic digest. Sequence analysis suggested that ANS binds to or near the ATP-binding region. These results suggest that the fluorescence quenching and photoincorporation assay using ANS may be useful for the analysis of the interaction of a protein and its ligand.     

Optimization of β-Glucosidase, β-Xylosidase and Xylanase Production by Colletotrichum graminicola under Solid-State Fermentation and Application in Raw Sugarcane Trash Saccharification

Efficient, low-cost enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic residues is essential for cost-effective production of bioethanol. The production of β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase and xylanase by Colletotrichum graminicola was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Maximal production occurred in wheat bran. Sugarcane trash, peanut hulls and corncob enhanced β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase and xylanase production, respectively. Maximal levels after optimization reached 159.3 ± 12.7 U g⁻¹, 128.1 ± 6.4 U g⁻¹ and 378.1 ± 23.3 U g⁻¹, respectively, but the enzymes were produced simultaneously at good levels under culture conditions optimized for each one of them. Optima of pH and temperature were 5.0 and 65 °C for the three enzymes, which maintained full activity for 72 h at 50 °C and for 120 min at 60 °C (β-glucosidase) or 65 °C (β-xylosidase and xylanase). Mixed with Trichoderma reesei cellulases, C. graminicola crude extract hydrolyzed raw sugarcane trash with glucose yield of 33.1% after 48 h, demonstrating good potential to compose efficient cocktails for lignocellulosic materials hydrolysis.     

Comparison of top-down and bottom-up estimates of sectoral and regional greenhouse gas emission reduction potentials

The Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC reports that greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by about 30–50% in 2030 at costs below 100 US$/tCO₂ based on an assessment of both bottom-up and top-down studies. Here, we have looked in more detail into the outcomes of specific models and also analyzed the economic potentials at the sectoral and regional level. At the aggregated level, the findings of the IPCC report are confirmed. However, substantial differences are found at the sectoral level. At the same time, there seems to be no systematic difference in the reduction potential reported by top-down and bottom-up approaches. The largest reduction potential as a response to carbon prices exists in the energy supply sector. Reduction potential in the building sector may carry relatively low costs. Although uncertainties are considerable, the modeling results and the bottom-up analyses all suggest that at the global level around 50% of greenhouse gas emissions may be reduced at carbon price (costs) below 100$/tCO₂-eq—but with a wide range of 30–60%. At a carbon price (costs) less than 20$/tCO₂-eq, still 10–35% of emissions may be abated. The variation of results is higher at low carbon-price levels than at high levels.     

Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition growth of high optical quality and high mobility GaN

Hall mobilities as high as 702 and 1230 cm²/Vs at 300 and 160K along with low dislocation densities of 4.0 × 10⁸ cm^-2 have been achieved in GaN films grown on sapphire by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. High growth temperatures have been established to be crucial for optimal GaN film quality. Photoluminescence measurements revealed a low intensity of the deep defect band around 550 nm in films grown under optimized conditions.     

Glass film structure of grain-oriented silicon steel using aluminum nitride as an inhibitor

The composition and structure of glass (silicate) film formed during secondary recrystallization annealing of grain- oriented 3% Si steel using aluminum nitride as an inhibitor was investigated. The glass film consisted of spinel (MgO AI2O3) and forsterite [2(MgO) SiO2], and the AI2O3 component of spinel originates from aluminum generated by the decomposition of aluminum nitride. From the location and the morphology of the spinel, it was concluded that aluminum reacts with forsterite to form spinel.     

Development of partial discharge detection method using an autoregressive model in gas-insulated switchgears (GIS)

Gas-insulated switchgears (GIS) are important equipment in electric-supply stations where advanced techniques for safety and maintenance are required. As a result, a system is being developed that can automatically monitor and diagnose a GIS in service. This article focuses on some problems concerning insulating functions of GIS to discuss a method of signal processing for partial discharge detection and position identification. For sensors, potential detectors were installed on flanges of the GIS. Focusing on the potential fluctuations measured by these detectors, an autoregressive model is designed for potential fluctuation in a state without any partial discharge. This model is called a normal state model. The difference was found between potential fluctuations measured during partial discharge and those of the normal state model. The index of whiteness test method of the residual random process is a useful parameter for representing this difference, and the use of this method allowed detection of partial discharge that could not be found at normal potential levels. These results indicate bright prospects for manufacturing a monitoring system that can detect deterioration in GIS insulation with a high sensitivity in an early stage and that also operates on-line.     

Magnetic and Electrical Properties of Single-Crystal La1.99Sr0.01Cu1 ? yNiyO4

We report the out-of-plane and in-plane magnetic susceptibility and resistivity of Ni-doped La_1.99Sr_0.01CuO₄ single crystals grown by Traveling-Solvent Floating-Zone technique. Our data shows that in lightly Sr-doped compounds the Néel temperature T _N increased with increasing Ni concentration. At high temperatures, the resistivity is described within the impurity band conduction model. As the temperature is lowered, the resistivity behavior change to the variable range hopping model associated with the evolving of antiferromagnetic ordering.