An adaptive antenna array under directional constraint

The concept of the adaptive system working on the principle of minimizing the output power under the constrained response to specified directions is introduced. Theoretical analysis and computer simulation experiments on this directional constraint system are also presented. By comparison with the computer experiment, the differential equation approach is shown to be useful to predict the behavior of the system. The effect of error in setting the constraint direction is investigated, and it is demonstrated that the system is not very sensitive to such error. This margin can be made even greater by adopting the double directional constraints system. This system is also analyzed theoretically and experimented by computer simulation. History of output power components during adaptation is shown, which enables the comprehension of the behavior of the system.     

High throughput methods for polymer nanocomposites research: Extrusion, NMR characterization and flammability property screening

A large number of parameters influence polymer-nanocomposite performance and developing a detailed understanding of these materials involves investigation of a large volume of the associated multi-dimensional property space. This multi-dimensional parameter space for polymer-nanocomposites consists of the obvious list of different material types under consideration, such as polymer and nano-additive, but also includes interphase surface chemistry, and processing conditions. This article presents combinatorial library design and high-throughput screening methods for polymer nanocomposites intended as flame-resistant materials. Here, we present the results of using a twin-screwn extruder to create composition-gradient library strips of polymer nanocomposites that are screened with a solid-state NMR method to rapidly evaluate the optimal processing conditions for achieving nanocomposite dispersion. In addition, we present a comparison of a new rapid Cone calorimetry method to conventional Cone calorimetry and to the gradient heat-flux flame spread method.     

Wafer-Level Integration Technique of Surface Mount Devices on a Si-Wafer With Vibration Energy and Gravity Force

This paper reports about a novel wafer-level integration technique of discrete surface mount devices (SMDs). It enables wafer-level mounting of plural kinds of SMDs on a silicon (Si)-wafer using vibration and gravity force. Deep holes with 400-m depth are formed on the surface of a Si-wafer by deep reactive ion etching process after general integrated circuit process for positioning of SMDs. A non-conductive adhesive (CYTOP) are coated on the deep holes and it is used to fix the aligned SMDs. SMDs are distributed on a Si-wafer mounted on vibration generator, and then a vibration is applied. The SMDs migrate due to the reduced friction between the wafer surface, and they drop into the holes on the silicon wafer. The size of the holes has an appropriate clearance to the size of SMD. In order to align two or more kinds of SMDs, sizes of the deep holes on a Si-wafer are adjusted to the size of each SMD. SMDs with the largest size are dropped into the holes first, and then the secondary large SMDs are dropped into the holes with the corresponding size. SMDs are finally connected electrically by wire bonding at the final step. In the experiment, two different sizes of SMD were successfully mounted into all the holes on a Si-wafer automatically. This technology will be a wafer-level process technology which is very promising to integrate two or more kinds of discrete elements.     

Performance Improvement of Current Source Inverter-Fed Induction Motor Drives

A high performance variable speed drive system using current source inverter fed induction motor is described. The principle of the drive control is based on the field-orientation method, where the stator current is used as the vector quantity. To improve the system response and to operate smoothly at low speed, a current pulsewidth modulation (PWM) control is provided by means of a feedback loop. This system operates stably and shows a high dynamic performance in a wide range, from zero to rated speed. Dual current source inverter is applied to this drive system which results in a remarkably low copper loss of the motor, even in PWM operation.     

Characterisation of optically driven microstructures for manipulating single DNA molecules under a fluorescence microscope

Optical tweezers are powerful tools for manipulating single DNA molecules using fluorescence microscopy, particularly in nanotechnology‐based DNA analysis. We previously proposed a manipulation technique using microstructures driven by optical tweezers that allows the handling of single giant DNA molecules of millimetre length that cannot be manipulated by conventional techniques. To further develop this technique, the authors characterised the microstructures quantitatively from the view point of fabrication and efficiency of DNA manipulation under a fluorescence microscope. The success rate and precision of the fabrications were evaluated. The results indicate that the microstructures are obtained in an aqueous solution with a precision ∼50 nm at concentrations in the order of 10⁶ particles/ml. The visibility of these microstructures under a fluorescence microscope was also characterised, along with the elucidation of the fabrication parameters needed to fine tune visibility. Manipulating yeast chromosomal DNA molecules with the microstructures illustrated the relationship between the efficiency of manipulation and the geometrical shape of the microstructure. This report provides the guidelines for designing microstructures used in single DNA molecule analysis based on on‐site DNA manipulation, and is expected to broaden the applications of this technique in the future.Inspec keywords: DNA, molecular biophysics, fluorescence, optical microscopy, radiation pressure, biological techniquesOther keywords: optically driven microstructures, single DNA molecule analysis, fluorescence microscopy, optical tweezers, nanotechnology‐based DNA analysis, manipulation technique, aqueous solution, fine tune visibility, yeast chromosomal DNA molecules, geometrical shape, on‐site DNA manipulation     

Hypomagnesemia as a predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients and the role of proton pump inhibitors: A cross‐sectional, 1‐year,retrospective cohort study

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and serum magnesium levels, and the role of hypomagnesemia and PPI use as a risk factor for mortality in hemodialysis patients. Methods An observational study, including a cross‐sectional and 1‐year retrospective cohort study. The study comprised 399 hemodialysis patients at a single center, and was conducted from January to September 2014. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the independent relationship between serum magnesium levels and baseline demographic and clinical variables, including PPI and histamine‐2 receptor antagonist use. Cox regression model was used to identify lower serum magnesium level and PPI as a predictor of 1‐year mortality. Findings Serum magnesium levels were lower with PPI use than non‐PPI use (2.39 ± 0.36 vs. 2.56 ± 0.39 mg/dL, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PPI use, low serum albumin levels, and low serum potassium and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels were significantly associated with low serum magnesium levels. A total of 29 deaths occurred during the follow‐up period. According to Cox regression analysis stratified by hs‐CRP, only high serum hs‐CRP levels (>4.04 mg/L) in association with low serum magnesium levels was an independent risk factor for 1‐year mortality (hazard ratio: 2.92; 95% CI: 1.53–6.40, P < 0.001). Discussion Serum magnesium levels are lower in PPI use. In the inflammatory state, a low serum magnesium level is a significant predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients.     

Fracture surface topography analysis (FRASTA)—Development, accomplishments, and future applications

In the late 1970s, Dr. George Irwin suggested to his colleagues at the University of Maryland that valuable information about a fracture event was recorded in fracture surface topography. Under his urging, Takao Kobayashi, an associate professor at the time, began quantifying and interpreting topographical features. Over the subsequent 30 years the procedures for quantifying and interpreting fracture surface topography grew continuously into an established technology that allows a fracture event to be reconstructed in microscopic detail. FRASTA (fracture surface topography analysis) has now been applied to achieve solutions to a wide variety of failure problems. This paper chronicles the historical development of FRASTA, recounts several notable achievements, and presents the plan for further development and future applications.     

Preparation of diamondlike carbon films using nanopulse generator employing SI thyristor

Diamondlike carbon (DLC) films show high hardness, high electric resistivity, and the self‐lubricant characteristic, and many applications and synthesis methods have been reported. Pulse plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is one of the synthesis methods suitable for DLC films on complicated form work, such as molding and extruding die. Ordinary, microsecond‐order pulse is used in this method. This paper describes the development of the synthesis method using nanosecond‐order pulse plasma CVD for DLC films. To realize this process, a static induction (SI) thyristor with an inductive energy storage (IES) circuit was used. Compared with microsecond, nanosecond‐order pulse plasma CVD method shows the characteristics of high electron temperature and exponential relationship between pulse frequency and growth rate. The characteristics of the thus‐obtained DLC films show two broad peaks of the disordered band at 1360 cm^?1 and the graphitic band at 1580 cm^?1 by Raman spectroscopy and hardness of 16.0 GPa and elastic modulus of 170 GPa. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 159(4): 1–7, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20341     

Periodical shedding of cloud cavitation from a single hydrofoil in high-speed cryogenic channel flow

In order to explain criteria for periodical shedding of the cloud cavitation, flow patterns of cavitation around a plano-convex hydrofoil were observed using a cryogenic cavitation tunnel of a blowdown type. Two hydrofoils of similarity of 20 and 60 mm in chord length with two test sections of 20 and 60 mm in width were prepared. Working fluids were water at ambient temperature, hot water and liquid nitrogen. The parameter range was varied between 0.3 and 1.4 for cavitation number, 9 and 17 m/sec for inlet flow velocity, and −8° and 8° for the flow incidence angle, respectively. At incidence angle 8°, that is, the convex surface being suction surface, periodical shedding of the whole cloud cavitation was observed on the convex surface under the specific condition with cavitation number and inlet flow velocity, respectively, 0.5, 9 m/sec for liquid nitrogen at 192°C and 1.4, 11 m/sec for water at 88°C, whereas under the supercavitation condition, it was not observable. Periodical shedding of cloud cavitation occurs only in the case that there are both the adverse pressure gradient and the slow flow region on the hydrofoil.     

Electron-beam doping-electron radiation effects in impurity overlayers and semiconductor substrates

3-9 MeV electrons were used to introduce impurity Ge atoms into Si wafers from Ge sheets, which are in contact with a Si surface at 20-60‡C in water bath. Concentration-dependent diffusivities of ∼10-18-10^-14 cm²sec^-1 for Ge in Si were measured. Activation energies of sputtering yield for Ge and of the diffusivity of Ge in Si are estimated to be ∼0.3 eV and ∼0.58 eV, respectively. In a case of hot (∼250‡C) irradiation in ∼1x10^-3 Torr vacuum, also the similar concentration profiles of impurity atoms in the substrates were observed.