Broadband semi‐parametric estimation of long‐memory time series by fractional exponential models

This article proposes broadband semi‐parametric estimation of a long‐memory parameter by fractional exponential (FEXP) models. We construct the truncated Whittle likelihood based on FEXP models in a semi‐parametric setting to estimate the parameter and show that the proposed estimator is more efficient than the FEXP estimator by Moulines and Soulier (1999) in linear processes. A Monte Carlo simulation suggests that the proposed estimation is more preferable than the existing broadband semi‐parametric estimation.     

High-Performance Induction Motor Drive System Using a PWM Inverter

A high-performance speed control system for cage induction motors is described which utilizes a PWM inverter. The effects of primary current coincidence and machine constant variation on system characteristics such as response time, torque precision, and operating noise were investigated. Based on the results obtained, new control methods have been devised; one varies the gain of the current controller in proportion to the primary frequency, and a second compensates for the slip frequency by using the deviation between the flux reference value and the actual value. Effectiveness of the compensation methods was confirmed in tests.     

Encapsulation-release property of amphiphilic hyperbranched d-glucan as a unimolecular reverse micelle

The synthesis of a novel unimolecular reverse micelle, the hyperbranched d-glucan carbamate (3), was accomplished through the carbamation reaction of the hyperbranched d-glucan (1) with the N-carbonyl l-leucine ethyl ester (2) in pyridine at 100 °C. Polymer 3 was soluble in a large variety of organic solvents, such as methanol, acetone, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, and insoluble in water, which remarkably differed from the solubility of 1. The degree of carbamate substitution (DS) for 3 was controlled by the feed rate of 2, and the DS values were in the range of 46.0-93.7%. Polymer 3 possessed the encapsulation ability for water-soluble molecules, such as rose bengal, thymol blue, and alizarin yellow in chloroform, and the encapsulation ability depended on the hydrophilicity of 3 and the molecular size of the dye. The rose bengal (RB) encapsulated polymer (RB/3) showed a slow release from the RB/3 system into water at neutral pH, while the release rate was significantly accelerated by the hydrolysis of the hydrophobic polymer shell under basic conditions.     

Combinatorial Measurement of CDKN1A/p21 and KIF20A Expression for Discrimination of DNA Damage-Induced Clastogenicity

In vitro mammalian cytogenetic tests detect chromosomal aberrations and are used for testing the genotoxicity of compounds. This study aimed to identify a supportive genomic biomarker could minimize the risk of misjudgments and aid appropriate decision making in genotoxicity testing. Human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells were treated with each of six DNA damage-inducing genotoxins (clastogens) or two genotoxins that do not cause DNA damage. Cells were exposed to each compound for 4 h, and gene expression was comprehensively examined using Affymetrix U133A microarrays. Toxicogenomic analysis revealed characteristic alterations in the expression of genes included in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A/p21)-centered network. The majority of genes included in this network were upregulated on treatment with DNA damage-inducing clastogens. The network, however, also included kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A) downregulated by treatment with all the DNA damage-inducing clastogens. Downregulation of KIF20A expression was successfully confirmed using additional DNA damage-inducing clastogens. Our analysis also demonstrated that nucleic acid constituents falsely downregulated the expression of KIF20A, possibly via p16 activation, independently of the CDKN1A signaling pathway. Our results indicate the potential of KIF20A as a supportive biomarker for clastogenicity judgment and possible mechanisms involved in KIF20A downregulation in DNA damage and non-DNA damage signaling networks.     

Bacterially Secretable Single-Chain Tandem Macrocyclic Peptides for High Affinity and Inhibitory Activity

The inhibition of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is an effective approach for therapy. Owing to their large binding surface areas to target proteins, macrocyclic peptides are suitable molecules for PPI inhibition. In this study, we developed single-chain tandem macrocyclic peptides (STaMPtides) that inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGFR2). They were artificially designed to comprise two different VEGFR2-binding macrocyclic peptides linked in tandem by peptide linkers and secreted by Corynebacterium glutamicum. Most potent VEGFR2-inhibitory STaMPtides with length-optimized linkers exhibited >1000 times stronger inhibitory activity than their parental monomeric peptides, possibly due to the avidity effect of heterodimerization. Our approach of using STaMPtides for PPI inhibition may be used to inhibit other extracellular factors, such as growth factors and cytokines.     

Intrinsic Elastic, Dielectric, and Piezoelectric Losses in Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramics Determined by an Immittance-Fitting Method

The material coefficients of "soft" and "hard" lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics were determined as complex values by the nonlinear least-squares-fitting of immittance data measured for length-extensional bar resonators. The piezoelectric d -constant should be a complex value to obtain a best fitting between observed and calculated results. Because the elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric losses determined in this process were not "intrinsic" losses, a calculation process to evaluate the "intrinsic" losses was proposed. It was confirmed that the intrinsic losses were smaller than the corresponding extrinsic losses. The intrinsic piezoelectric loss existed in both soft and hard PZTs; ∼50% of the loss of piezoelectric d -constant was derived from the elastic and dielectric losses. The most notable difference between the soft and hard PZTs was observed in their elastic losses.     

Direct Electroplating of Lithium Cobalt Oxide Film on Platinum Substrate in 100°–200°C Aqueous Solution

Well crystallized, shape-formed, and electrochemically active lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) films are electroplated directly on an electron-conducting substrate in an aqueous solution using a soft solution processing that is economical, consumes less energy consuming, and is environmentally friendly. Although LiCoO₂ films are easily and economically prepared without any post-synthesis heat treatment, the estimated film properties show a possibility of using the deposited films as a cathode film for lithium rechargeable microbatteries. In addition, the soft solution processing reveals that an exact understanding of chemical reactions and the proper combination of the chemical reactions can create an advanced synthetic procedure.     

Ethylene carbonate-based organic electrolytes for electric double layer capacitors

A new electrolytic solution based on a mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate (EC) with sulfolane (SL) or -butyrolactone (-BL) has been examined as an electric double layer capacitor. Fundamental properties, such as electrolytic conductivity, viscosity, and thermal stability, were measured for solutions containing quaternary alkylammonium salts as the supporting electrolyte. Maximum conductivities were obtained for the solutions with mixed solvent of 20–40 mol % EC in the EC+-BL system: 1.2–1.3×10^–2S cm^–1 for EC+-BL dissolving 0.5 M Et₄ NBF₄ (Et=C₂H₅). The electrochemical and the thermal stabilities of the solution were dependent on the electrolytic salt as well as the solvent composition. A stable discharge capacitance and a high coulombic efficiency were obtained in a model capacitor using carbon fibre electrodes and the organic electrolyte of EC+-BL/Et₄NBF₄ (or EC+-BL/Et₄NPF₆).     

Impact fracture behavior of ethylene ionomer and structural change after stretching

We carried out tensile impact test and very low speed tensile test on ethylene‐based Ionomers (E/15wt %MAA) to clarify the relation between impact toughness and high‐ordered structure. We also studied the changes in high‐ordered structure under deformation by observing Differential Scanning Calorimetory (DSC) and Small‐Angle X‐ray Scattering (SAXS) of fractured surface. Na Ionomers showed ductile fracture in both high speed tensile impact (3 m/s) and very low speed tensile (2 mm/min). The disappearance of secondary melting point (Ti) in Na Ionomers was due to the destruction of ordered structure surrounding the ionic aggregate. Similar behavior was observed in 60% (or less) neutralized Zn Ionomers. However, 80% neutralized Zn Ionomer showed brittle failure in high‐speed tensile impact, and Ti did not disappear. SAXS studies of Na and Zn Ionomers after fracture, show no change both after molding (no aging) and after aging. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1712–1720, 2001     

Creation of the active site for methanol synthesis on a Cu/SiO2 catalyst

The effect of ZnO/SiO₂ in a physical mixture of Cu/SiO₂ and ZnO/SiO₂ on methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂ was studied to clarify the role of ZnO in Cu/ZnO-based catalysts. An active Cu/SiO₂ was prepared by the following procedure: the Cu/SiO₂ and ZnO/SiO₂ catalysts with a different SiO₂ particle size were mixed and reduced with H₂ at 523-723 K, and the Cu/SiO₂ was then separated from the mixture using a sieve. The methanol synthesis activity of the Cu/SiO₂ catalyst increased with the reduction temperature and was in fairly good agreement with that previously obtained for the physical mixture of Cu/SiO₂ and ZnO/SiO₂. These results indicated that the active site for methanol synthesis was created on the Cu/SiO₂ upon reduction of the physical mixture with H₂. It was also found that ZnO itself had no promotional effect on the methanol synthesis activity except for the role of ZnO to create the active site. The active site created on the Cu/SiO₂ catalyst was found not to promote the formation of formate from CO₂ and H₂ on the Cu surface based on in situ FT-IR measurements. A special formate species unstable at 523 K with an OCO asymmetric peak at ~1585 cm^-1 was considered to be adsorbed on the active site. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.