STM tunneling spectroscopy on high Tc superconductors

STM tunneling spectroscopy has been performed on the bulk single crystals of BiSrCaCuO (BSCCO) and the epitaxial thin films of YBaCuO (YBCO) at cryogenic temperatures. The STM images and tunneling spectra observed on the (001) surfaces can be classified into three cases; 1) Atomic image is visible. However, the tunneling spectrum shows semiconducting or smeared superconducting gap structures, depending on the tip-sample distance. 2) Clear atomic image can not be obtained. But, the tunneling spectrum shows flat bottom region with quite low zero bias conductance. 3) Tunneling spectra demonstrate gapless behavior, independent of the tip-sample separation. These observations support the quasi-2D electronic picture in whichs-wave like 2D superconducting layers are coupled with each other through the Josephson effect.     

Reduction of the off-state current of polysilicon thin-filmtransistors by means of a polysilicon buffer layer

The off state current for polysilicon thin-film transistors for pixels in LCDs has been successfully reduced by introducing a polysilicon buffer layer between a polysilicon active layer fabricated by solid-phase-crystallisation (SPC) and a fused quartz substrate. Off-slate current of less than 1 pA under V_gs=-25 V at V_ds=3 V was obtained for n-channel single-gate coplanar transistors using the buffer layer (400 Å)     

In vivo effect of growth-inhibitor produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and anti-pseudomonal drugs on model infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Nos. 1 and 5, each co-existing growth-inhibitor-producing and -nonproducing cells, were used in this study. An equal number of both cells (each 10(8) CFU/mouse) was challenged intraperitoneally to mice, and these cells in the heart blood and kidneys of mice were determined. Furthermore, the effect of piperacillin, ceftazidime and sisomicin on the cell distribution in mice was studied in the model infection due to P. aeruginosa Nos. 1 and 5. As a control experiment both cells of P. aeruginosa No. 1 were each challenged intraperitoneally at a dose of 10(8) CFU/mouse to mice of two groups, but there were no marked differences between the two types in cell counts of the heart blood or kidneys 9 hours after challenge. When a concomitant challenge of both cells (each 10(8) CFU/mouse) was performed in mice, the number of growth-inhibitor-producing cells of the heart blood and kidneys was about 100 times greater than that of the non-producing cells. These in vivo results were well comparable to the previous in vitro results and indicated that the inhibitor affected the invasion of the non-producing bacteria in the body in the model infection due to P. aeruginosa isolates consisting of the two types of cells. Similar results were obtained in mice with the model infection due to P. aeruginosa No. 5. Anti-pseudomonal drugs such as piperacillin (50 mg/mouse) and ceftazidime (50 mg/mouse) and sisomicin (1 mg/mouse) were given intramuscularly to mice infected concomitantly with both cells of P. aeruginosa No. 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An image processing system using Image Signal Multiprocessors (ISMPs)

This paper describes an image processing system using Image Signal Multiprocessors (ISMPs) adapted to gray-level image preprocessing for image analysis and image enhancement. It is composed of four ISMPs, five 1H-delay-lines, two 512×512×8-bit frame memories, a video timing controller (VTC), two 256-word ×8-bit ×8-table Look Up Tables (LUTs) and 80 nsec/sampling A/D and D/A converters. This multiprocessor system performs convolution operations such as spatial filters, contrast enhancement, and binarization for gray-level images, thinning, thickening, pattern matching etc. for binary images, and image quality improvement for moving images such as T.V. images. Otherwise, it performs feature extraction operations such as area calculations, fillet coordination, and moment calculations for objective image data. Moreover, this system is capable of applying color image processing by using a multiboard system.     

Comparison of coal hydroliquefaction catalysed by ZnCl2-MCln (CuCl,CrCl3 and MoCl5) and ZnCl2 melts

Hydrogenation of four bituminous coals impregnated with 5 wt% of either mixtures of ZnCl₂-MCl_n (CuCl, CrCl₃ and MoCl₅) systems or ZnCl₂ was carried out using a batch autoclave system at 400° for 3 h at 9.8 MPa of initial hydrogen pressure. The ZnCl₂-MoCl₅ system showed the highest yield of the hexane-soluble (HS) fraction compared with the other systems irrespective of the coal used. The difference between the yields of HS fractions using the ZnCl₂-MoCl₅ and other systems was most marked for coals of fairly low volatile matter content, though the conversion was relatively low (47–66%), whilst for coals of high volatile matter content HS yields with the binary melt systems were high (86–91% conversion). Elemental analyses of the HS fractions indicated that the ZnCl₂-MoCl₅ system is most favourable in decreasing the average molecular weight and the heteroatom content of HS, this characteristic trend being confirmed also with five HS fractions separated by Chromatographic techniques. Both elemental analyses and molecular weights of asphaltene (benzene-soluble materials, BS) indicated that the ZnCl₂-MoCl₅ system is also most effective in cracking coal structure.     

Examination of acetolysis products of phosphatidylcholine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A comparison of monoacetyldiglycerides obtained from authentic phosphatidylcholines by acetolysis with those obtained by phospholipase C-acetylation was made to examine the intermolecular acyl migration, the intramolecular acyl migration between C-1 and C-2, and the formation of 1,3-isomer in the acetolysis reaction. Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine also was used. It was revealed that is acetolysis, the intermolecular acyl migration and selective degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids did not take place at all. The intramolecular acyl migration, including the formation of 1,3-isomer, occurred to a small extent. Appreciable difference was not found in comparison of molecular species compositions of monoacetyldiglycerides derived by both methods from egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, except small differences found in the contents of two kinds of molecular species.     

Network formation and swelling behavior of photosensitive poly(vinyl alcohol) gels prepared by photogenerated crosslinking

Poly (vinyl alcohol) with pendent styrylpyridinium groups (SbQ) is insolubilized by photoirradiation. An association takes place in SbQ groups. The association of polymer chains becomes marked with increasing the number of SbQ groups. Mainly intermolecular crosslinks were formed. Transparent and homogeneous macrogels consisting of several intermolecular crosslinks are obtained. The proportion of the free water to the bound water in PVA-SbQ gels was 3.3?2.9 despite of the large change in conversion of photodimerization of SbQ groups, x=0.27?0.58. The water uptake after swelling of the gels in water increased 6–27 times compared to the original weight at pH=7. The higher the degree of photocrosslinking, the lower was the degree of swelling. The water diffusion coefficients, D, were (2.2?5.8) × 10^?5 cm² S^?1 for a 88% saponified PVA with 1 . 3 mol% SbQ groups. The volume of the gel increased discontinuously about 10-fold for the 99% saponified PVA with 0 . 096 mol% SbQ and 51% water (49% acetone). The acetone concentration at the transition decreased with increasing the degree of saponification of the PVA.     

Study on modified phenolic resin. II. Modification with p-hydroxyphenylmaleimide/styrene copolymer

The improvement of heat resistance and mechanical properties of phenolic resin was examined with the blend of novolac and copolymers prepared from p-hydroxyphenylmaleimide (HPMI) and styrene. Copolymers of HPMI and styrene with various molecular weights were synthesized. Glass transition (T_g) and thermal decomposition temperatures of the copolymers were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG), respectively. The miscibility of the copolymers with novolac was examined by DSC. It was found that the copolymers had a good heat resistance and a good miscibility with novolac. Molding compounds were prepared by hot roll-kneading of mixtures that involved novolac, copolymer, hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine), and glass fiber. It was found that the test pieces prepared by transfer molding from the molding compounds showed a good heat resistance and better mechanical properties than phenolic resin modified with HPMI homopolymer.