Scanning image detection (SID) system for conventional transmission electron microscope (CTEM) images

A new image detection system has been developed to display transmission electron microscope (TEM) images on a CRT without a video camera system. Deflection coils placed in both the upper space of an objective lens and in the lower space of the first intermediate lens scan a small electron probe simultaneously. The electrical signal acquired through an improved scintillator and a photomultiplier is synchronized with the scanning signal and displayed in a similar fashion to a conventional scanning TEM (STEM) instrument. A preliminary system using a 100 kV conventional TEM (CTEM) equipped with a hairpin-type electron gun, produced an image with a spatial resolution of 1 nm.     

Lithium silicon sulfide as an anode material in all-solid-state lithium batteries

The electrochemical properties of Li₂SiS₃ were investigated in a solid electrolyte. Li₂SiS₃ was converted to elemental Si, and the resultant Si was formed into Si-Li alloy in the reduction process; however, the reverse reaction was not completed due to the loss of electronic conduction upon reoxidation. FeS was dispersed as a conductive additive in Li₂SiS₃ films by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The addition allowed successive reactions to proceed at a large capacity with small capacity-fading during the cycling process in spite of the small FeS fraction. This result indicates that Li₂SiS₃ + FeS thin film is a promising anode for solid-state lithium batteries.     

New type of pressurized cultivation method providing oxygen for piezotolerant yeast

For efficient oxygen supply to pressurized culture, we developed a method using a highly pressurized membrane reactor with an air-saturated medium circulation system. The new method increased the cell growth of aerobic yeast approximately 20 folds larger than that in the case of using a conventional method.     

Development of confocal laser microscope system for examination of microscopic characteristics of radiophotoluminescence glass dosemeters

A confocal laser microscope system was developed for the measurement of radiophotoluminescence (RPL) photons emitted from a minute alpha-ray-irradiated area in an RPL glass dosemeter. The system was composed mainly of an inverted-type microscope, an ultraviolet laser, an XY movable stage and photon-counting circuits. The photon-counting circuits were effective in the reduction of the background noise level in the measurement of RPL photons. The performance of this microscope system was examined by the observation of standard RPL glass samples irradiated using (241)Am alpha rays. The spatial resolution of this system was ～ 3 μm, and with regard to the sensitivity of this system, a hit of more than four to five alpha rays in unit area produced enough amount of RPL photons to construct the image.     

CREEP-FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH AND FRACTOGRAPHY OF A TYPE 304 STAINLESS STEEL AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE

Abstract— Creep-fatigue crack growth behaviour of a Type 304 stainless steel under four types of reversed loading patterns (P-P, P-C, C-P and C-C) was investigated and the results are discussed in the light of fracture mechanics and fractography. The crack growth rate for all of the four types of loading was successfully correlated in terms of the cyclic integral range λ J. It was unnecessary, for practical purpose, to divide Ay into a fatigue component, λ J _f, and a creep component, λ J _c, as has been done elsewhere. The transition of the correlating fracture mechanics parameter from fatigue to creep was not necessarily associated with the fracture morphology. This was related to the longer transition hold time in morphology in C-C type loading compared to C-P type loading, and was attributed to recovery of grain boundary sliding during the compression hold in the C-C type loading.     

Effect of cross-flow on the frequency of bubble formation from a single-hole nozzle

Bubble formation from a single-hole nozzle placed vertically upward in a rotating water bath was investigated using a high-speed video camera. Air was used as the working gas. The measured values of the frequency of bubble formation, f _B, were compared with those observed in a stationary bath, f _B0. The velocity of cross-flow, ν_θ, affected the bubble formation significantly when it exceeded a critical value, ν_θc . The ratio of f _B to f _B0 was unity for ν_θ≦ν_θc , but it changed in a complex manner for ν_θ>ν_θc . In the latter case, when the air flow rate Q _g was relatively low, f _B/f _B0 became larger than unity irrespective of Q _g, and an empirical correlation of f _B/f _B0 was proposed as a function of ν_θ and the inner diameter of the nozzle, d _ni. As the gas flow rate increased, f _B/f _B0 decreased monotonically and became smaller than unity, and an empirical correlation of f _B/f _B0 was derived as a function of Q _g, ν_θ, and d _ni. These empirical correlations could approximate the measured values of f _B/f _B0 within a scatter of −15 to +20 pct.     

Recent advances in phosphorylation of food proteins: A review

Phosphorylation is a useful method for improving the functional properties of food proteins. In this article, various methods of phosphorylation are reviewed. Dry-heating phosphorylation, a method developed recently, is also introduced. Some characteristics of phosphate groups are involved, and the effects of phosphorylation on the structural changes, the functional properties, and the physiological functions in vitro of food proteins, are discussed. The types of phosphate linkages and the phosphopeptides from phosphorylated proteins are identified. The molten (partially unfolded) conformations of food proteins formed by phosphorylation are discussed. The phosphorylation of food proteins improved a number of functional properties, including heat stability, emulsifying properties, foaming properties, gelling properties, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, and calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability. In vitro physiological function studies of protein (α-lactoalbumin) indicated that the digestibility (ovalbumin) was improved and the inflammatory response (α-lactoalbumin) was suppressed by phosphorylation. Experiments with animals are necessary to evaluate the toxicity and physiological functions of phosphorylated proteins.     

一种新的使用两种比特分辨率图象的块匹配运动估计算法及其低功耗VLSI结构

本文给出了一种新的块匹配运动估计算法,它根据视频图像内容的复杂程度自适应地选择常规的或者低比特分辨率的图像来进行块匹配,并且采用了一种混合使用两种比特分辨率图像的新望远镜搜索算法.模拟结果表明,新算法具有较低的计算复杂性,并且能够保证较好的视频质量.基于该算法,我们设计了一种新的脉动阵列结构的搜索引擎.该引擎具有可分割的数据通道,从而在使用低比特分辨率图像进行块匹配时能够通过加强处理的并行性来提高吞吐率.新的运动估计器可工作在较低的时钟频率和电源电压之下,具有低的功耗消耗.