A study of suppression of vapor explosions by adding inversely soluble polymers

The mechanism of the suppression of vapor explosions by adding inversely soluble polymers in water is studied. Vapor explosion experiments and quench experiment are conducted using a silver test piece. Polymetric solution (polyethylene oxide), of concentrations from 0 to 500 wppm, whose normalized viscosity (by water) varies from 1.00 to 2.00, is used. No vapor explosion is observed in the aqueous polymer solution at a concentration higher than 200 wppm. Quench experiments using the silver test piece submerged in the polymer solution and water are performed in order to examine the stability of film boiling. The suppression of the vapor film collapse is attributed to the precipitation of polyethylene as a gel around the vapor film. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(4): 297–306, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.10037     

Construction of a brain–machine hybrid system to evaluate adaptability of an insect

Insects perform adaptive behavior according to changing environmental conditions using comparatively small brains. Because adaptability is generated through the relationship among brain, body and environment, it is necessary to examine how a brain works under these conditions. In this study, to understand neural processing involved in adaptive behavior, we constructed a brain–machine hybrid system using motor signals related to the steering behavior of the male silkworm moth for controlling a two-wheeled mobile robot. We developed this hybrid system according to the following steps. (1) We selected steering signals corresponding to walking direction that were activated during neck swinging induced by optic flow and pheromone stimuli. (2) To control a robot by neural activity, we implemented a spike-behavior conversion rule such that frequency of the left and right neck motor neurons’ spikes was linearly converted into rotation of the wheels. (3) For electrophysiological multi-unit recordings on a robot, we developed small amplifiers. Using this hybrid system, we could observe the programmed behavioral pattern and orientation toward a pheromone source. Moreover, we compared the orientation behavior of moths and that of the hybrid system at different pheromone stimulus frequencies. From these experiments, we concluded that we could reconstruct silkworm moth behavior on the hybrid system.     

The significance of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase for predicting early stage diabetic nephropathy

We studied urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy in 27 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with a microalbumin level below 20 mg on 24-hour urine sample. Microalbumin and NAG excretion were measured in 24-hour urine samples collected on three separate occasions within seven days of admission. Creatinine clearance was determined simultaneously. There was a significant negative correlation between the creatinine clearance and 24-hour urinary NAG (r = -0.38, p < 0.05). Elevation of urinary NAG may indicate decreased renal function during early stage NIDDM nephropathy.     

Diffusion-limited characteristics of mechanically induced currents in polypyrrole/Au-membrane composites

A mechanically induced current (MIC) in a polypyrrole/Au-coated membrane (PPy/Au-membrane) composite with various surface morphologies was investigated, and the electrolyte conditions were determined in an electrochemical cell. A MIC was induced on porous PPy/Au-membranes with a thin layer of PPy. Conversely, relatively small MICs were observed in non-highly porous films such as freestanding films and PPy/Au-membranes with thick PPy deposits. A MIC smaller by one order of magnitude was also observed in a Au-membrane without PPy. These results indicated that the MICs was due to a charging phenomenon in both the redox and the double layer capacitances. The MIC also varied with supporting electrolyte and their concentration. The MIC was strongly reduced in solutions with diluted electrolytes and with bulky cationic electrolytes, indicating that the number and the penetration speed of mobile ions limited the magnitude of the MIC. These characteristics indicated that the MIC was essentially a diffusion limited current. A two-electrode MIC cell was also configured to investigate a power generation film in a normal saline solution, which can possibly be utilized for biomedical applications.     

Amperometric biosensor with a composite membrane of sol-gel derived enzyme film and electrochemically generated poly(1,2-diaminobenzene) film

The crystal structure of the NF-kappa B p65 (RelA) homodimer in complex with a DNA target has been determined to 2.4 A resolution. The two p65 subunits are not symmetrically disposed on the DNA target. The homodimer should optimally bind to a pseudo-palindromic nine base pair target with each subunit recognizing a 5'GGAA-3' half site separated by a central A-T base pair. However, one of the subunits (subunit B) encounters a half site of 5'-GAAA-3'. The single base-pair change from G-C to A-T results in highly unfavorable interactions between this half site and the base contacting protein residues in subunit B, which leads to an 18 degrees rotation of the N-terminal terminal domain from its normal conformation. Remarkably, subunit B retains all the interactions with the sugar phosphate backbone of the DNA target. This mode of interaction allows the NF-kappa B p65 homodimer to recognize DNA targets containing only one cognate half site. Differences in the sequence of the other half site provide variations in conformation and affinity of the complex.     

Effect of silicon content and carbon addition on primary recrystallization of Fe-3 pct si

A study was made on the effect of the increase of silicon content and the addition of carbon on the primary recrystallization of silicon steel sheet containing MnS and AlN as inhibitors. The increase of silicon content led to the reduction of the size of primary grains and the intensity of {110} that is considered to represent the amount of {110}〈001〉-oriented nuclei, to the gain of the size of precipitates, and to the coarse dispersion of the precipitates. The carbon addition promoted primary recrystallization and decreased the size of primary grains. From the points mentioned earlier, the increase of silicon content is considered disadvantageous, and the carbon addition is advantageous to the secondary recrystallization of the {110}〈001〉 texture.     

Gait analysis of people walking on tactile ground surface indicators.

Tactile ground surface indicators installed on sidewalks help visually impaired people walk safely. The visually impaired distinguish the indicators by stepping into its convexities and following them. However, these indicators sometimes cause the nonvisually impaired to stumble. This study examines the effects of these indicators by comparing the kinematic and kinetic variables of walking on paths with and without indicators. The results suggest that walking on the indicators causes extra movements of the lower extremities such as increased minimum toe heights during the midswing phase, increased peak hip flex moments, and increased peak hip heights. This study also suggests that a functional leg length discrepancy while walking on the indicators is one of the reasons for the extra movements of the lower extremities. Therefore, we designed a new recessed tactile surface to offset the differences of surface depth while walking on the path containing indicators, and found that the newly designed recessed tactile surface was effective in reducing the extra movements while walking on the path in which indicators were installed. These indicators may help both the visually impaired and elderly people with normal vision to walk safely.     

Loss of tuberin from cerebral tissues with tuberous sclerosis and astrocytoma

We studied the expression of tuberin, the TSC2 gene product, in cerebra with or without tuberous sclerosis. Tuberin was abundant in the gray matter of normal cerebra, but was undetectable in the subependymal astrocytomas from 3 patients with tuberous sclerosis. In 1 patient, cortical tubers and normally appearing cortical tissue also showed a marked loss of tuberin. These results indicate the critical role of tuberin in the neuropathology of tuberous sclerosis.     

Studies on the constituents of Calliandra anomala (Kunth) Macbr. I. Structure elucidation of two acylated triterpenoidal saponins

Two novel triterpenoidal saponins, called calliandra saponins A and E, were isolated from the branches of Calliandra anomala (Kunth) Macbr. On the basis of the chemical and physiocochemical evidence, their structures were defined as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl++ +-(1-->6)-2- acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid 28-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D - xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[(6S)-2-trans- 2,6-dimethyl-6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-2,7-octadienoyl-(1-->6)]-bet a-D- glucopyranosyl) ester (4) and 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl++ +-(1-->6)-2- acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid 28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D - xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[(6'S)-2'-trans- 2',6'-dimethyl-6'-O-(2-O-(6S)-2-trans-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-2,7-octa dienoyl)- beta-D-xylopyranosyl-2',7'-octadienoyl-(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyr ano syl] ester (5), respectively.