Acoustic emission from superconducting magnets

We have shown experimentally that the acoustic emission (AE) is an effective means of monitoring the operating conditions of superconducting magnets and can be used to prevent catastrophic quenching. the signal-to-noise ratio of AE transducers at liquid helium temperature has been found to be about 18 dB higher than that at room temperature; AE originating from a superconducting magnet and those from the liquid helium shower can be clearly discriminated by observing their wave forms and frequency spectra. These results are also discussed from a theoretical view point based on an elastic medium model for the superconducting magnet.     

An integrated-optic Fourier processor using an acoustooptic deflector and Fresnel lenses in As2S3waveguide

An integrated-optic Fourier processor consisting of an acoustooptic (AO) deflector and graded-index Fresnel lenses in an As2S3waveguide on a SiO2/Si substrate is proposed and the prototype device is demonstrated. For the interdigital transducer (IDT) for surface acoustic wave excitation, a two-stage array of uniform-period IDT and a chirped IDT using a ZnO piezoelectric film are adopted. High efficielicy and low drive power, as well as wide bandwidth of one octave in the device with a chirped IDT, have been obtained and the Fourier transformation function has been confirmed.     

1.5-1.6 µm GaInAsP/InP dynamic-single-mode (DSM) lasers with distributed Bragg reflector

The theoretical bases and the experimental results of the dynamic behavior of1.5-1.6 mum GaInAsP/InP dynamic-single-mode (DSM) lasers with distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) are given. A condition for the single-mode operation of a rapidly modulated DBR laser, called a "dynamic-single-mode laser," and the dynamic spectral width were theoretically presented. Experimentally, buried-heterostructure distributed-Bragg-reflector integrated-twin-guide (BH-DBR-ITG) and buried-heterostructure butt-jointed-built-in distributed-Bragg-reflector (BH-BJB-DBR) lasers emitting at the wavelength of1.5-1.6 mum were directly modulated up to 3 GHz, and the stable single-mode operations were obtained in both types of lasers. The dynamic spectral width at the worst modulation condition was measured to be 0.27 nm, which was aboutfrac{1}{35}times smaller than that of conventional lasers.     

Evidence for association between renal cell carcinomas and renal cystic diseases: nationwide survey in Japan

The crucial issues in a policy debate are often matters of perception and interpretation rather than fact, and the values and norms that influence perceptions are central to an understanding of conflict in the policy arena. For example, science's norms of objectivity and disinterestedness are being modified today to accommodate closer academic-industry ties. The author traces in detail how these ties and the accompanying public distrust have developed, beginning with the post-World-War-II increase in public support for basic research and continuing with subsequent pieces of legislation that lowered the barriers between academic and industrial research in order to reap economic benefits. He then analyzes the impact of financial incentives in university-industry relationships on science and on public perceptions of science, and the price both science and the public would pay if the public loses trust in science and refuses to support it. He also reviews the history of the ill-fated National Institutes of Health guidelines for university-industry collaborations proposed in 1979 and the subsequent history of the policy on this topic recently adopted by the Public Health Service. He maintains that the PHS policy poses both a risk (the temptation to enforce the policy loosely) and an opportunity (for research institutions to grasp the initiative and develop meaningful conflict-of-interest guidelines of their own). But the policy falls short of responding to the much broader range of concerns associated with university-industry research collaboration, for example, the possible effects of such collaboration on the traditional openness and sharing among scientists. The available data on these effects are mixed. He concludes by maintaining that scientists and their industry partners should address the issues surrounding their collaboration now rather than waiting for negative events to trigger public arousal and force a mutually unsatisfying political solution. This article is one of three in this issue of Academic Medicine that deal with issues of conflict of interest in university-industry research relationships. These articles are discussed in an overview that precedes them.     

Antimicrobial activity of novel furanonaphthoquinone analogs

Analogs of furanonaphthoquinone (FNQ) from Tecoma ipe Mart had MICs ranging from 1.56 to 25 microg/ml against gram-positive bacteria. FNQ showed significantly lower MICs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus than against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. FNQ inhibited Helicobacter pylori with an MIC of 0.1 microg/ml. Fungi, including pathogenic species, were sensitive to FNQ with MICs similar to those of amphotericin B.     

3D FLOW INSIDE BUBBLE-TYPE VORTEX BREAKDOWN: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION VIA LDV

1 .　INTRODUCTIONRichvortex phenomenahavebeenfoundinrotatingflows ,suchassecondaryflowandvortexbreakdown .Alargequantityofexperimentalandnumericalinvestigationshasbeendonetogainin sightintovortexdynamicsandtheir generationmechanism .However ,physicsforunderstandingthevortexdynamicsespeciallyvortexbreakdownisstilllimitedtoagreatextent.Toclarifyitsstruc tureanddynamics ,verysmallexternaldisturbanceandveryfinegridarrangementarenecessaryforexperimentalmeasurement.Thenvaliddatawithalloweduncer…     

Stem cell factor mRNA expression and production in human nasal epithelial cells: contribution to the accumulation of mast cells in the nasal epithelium of allergy

BACKGROUND: In allergic rhinitis, mast cells are increased in number in the epithelium of the nasal mucosa and play an important role in the immediate response. However, the mechanism of the accumulation is not known. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the nasal epithelial cells produce stem cell factor (SCF), the mast cell growth and chemoattractant factor, and contribute mast cell hyperplasia in the epithelium of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: We have characterized the cellular localization of SCF using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcribed-PCR, and ELISA; compared SCF production of cultured epithelial cells between patients with allergic rhinitis and nonallergic subjects; and compared the SCF production with the number of mast cells and the histamine content in the nasal epithelial scrapings. RESULTS: Immunohistochemically, SCF was identified in the nasal epithelium of the biopsy specimens and in cultured nasal epithelial cells. SCF mRNA was expressed by cultured nasal epithelial cells not only in patients with allergy but also in subjects with no allergy. However, the SCF/beta-actin mRNA ratio and SCF production in day 7 cultured epithelial cells was significantly higher in allergic than in nonallergic subjects (P =. 0424, P =.0085, respectively). SCF production from nasal scrapings in culture was strongly correlated with the number of mast cells (r = 0.506, P =.0023) and the histamine content (r = 0.480, P =.0040). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that nasal epithelial cells produce SCF and may be important in the attraction, proliferation, and activation of mast cells in allergic inflammation in the nose.     

A case of a patient diagnosed with malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary who conceived after conservative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy

A case of successful pregnancy after treatment of stage Ia malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary is described. This tumor is very rare and usually occurs in postmenopausal women. cis-platinum-based chemotherapy following the primary operation in the early stage is the most effective treatment, although most of the tumors have been found in the advanced stage. In this patient, treatment with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to preserve fertility was performed and followed by cis-platinum-based chemotherapy for 5 years. Two years after completion of the chemotherapy, she spontaneously conceived and the course of the pregnancy has been uneventful to this point.