Effect of Elastic Energy due to Atomic Size Factor on Ordering and Decomposition Behaviour of Binary Solid Solutions

A theory recently developed by the present authors is applied to the study of the effect of elastic energy due to atomic size factor on the transformation behaviour of binary solid solutions. lt is found that elastic interaction energy (EIE), which is a part of the total elastic energy plays a key role in both ordering elastic interaction ordering (EIO) and spinodal decomposition. The present study gives a reasonable explanation to the historical dilemmas, "elastic energy paradox" and "atomic size factor paradox . By solving these confusing problems, the coexistence of ordering (EIO) and decomposition, which has been regarded as impossible by conventional theories. can be well understood. The mechanism is as follows: lowering of elastic energy demands EIO, and such an ordering provides a driving force for spinodal decomposition. Therefore, in alloys with large atomic size factor, spinodal decomposition is preceded and induced by ordering. Ordering and spinodal decomposition are thus closely related processes to each other     

Electrodeposition of mercury from the HgNO3-CH3OH-H2O system at low temperature

Peculiar dendritic deposits of mercury were obtained galvanostatically from the mercurous nitratemethanol-water system at –50° C. These deposits could not be maintained at a constant shape because, when the current was interrupted, they transformed and shrank immediately to a spherical shape with hydrogen evolution. It seems that when the electrical potential was removed, the mercury deposits liquefied and the hydrogen stored in them was released during the period of shrinking.     

A coaxial pulsed plasma thruster using chemical propellants

Pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs) have the advantages of mechanical simplicity and robustness compared to other electric propulsion systems. However the thrust power ratio of PPTs is lower than that of other electric propulsion systems. To enhance the thrust performance of the PPT, we propose to use several combustible solid chemicals as coaxial PPT propellants to replace Teflon^® (Polytetrafluoroethylene: PTFE). With the design, the force obtained thermodynamically is expected to augment the PPT thrust power ratio with the help of the chemical energy contained in the propellants. As a result, the thrust power ratio is increased using hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene-ammonium perchlorate (HTPB-AP)-based propellants compared to the case of ordinary Teflon. The discharge current and voltage waveform does not change even when the propellant is changed. These findings could indicate that the impulse bits by gasdynamic contribution are lager in the case of chemical solid propellants than in the case of Teflon.     

Plan for first phase of safety demonstration tests of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR)

Safety demonstration tests using the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) will be conducted for the purpose of demonstrating inherent safety features of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) as well as providing the core and plant transient data for validation of HTGR safety analysis codes. The first phase safety demonstration test items include the reactivity insertion test and the coolant flow reduction test. In the reactivity insertion test, which is the control rod withdrawal test, one pair out of 16 pairs of control rods is withdrawn, simulating a reactivity insertion event. The coolant flow reduction test consists of the partial loss of coolant flow test and the gas circulators trip test. In the partial loss of coolant flow test, primary coolant flow rate is slightly reduced by control system. In the gas circulators trip test one and two out of three gas circulators are run down, simulating coolant flow reduction events. The gas circulators trip tests, in which position of control rods are kept unchanged, are simulation tests of anticipated transients without scram (ATWS).     

Effect of water vapor and hydrocarbons in removing NOxby using nonthermal plasma and catalyst

Removal of NO_x in flue gas was investigated by using nonthermal plasma with catalysts. In this experiment, flue gas contained 5%-15% water vapor and hydrocarbons, as well as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Catalysts tested in this paper were copper- and sodium-coated zeolite (CuZSM-5, NaZSM-5) and a conventional three-way catalyst (Pt-Rh, alumina cordierite). The simulated flue gases had from 0% to 15% water vapor, 70% NO removal was achieved with NaZSM-5 catalyst at 200°C-500°C, with 10% moisture and the power to the reactor turned off. High-temperature removal of NO_x was the result of plasma chemical reactions and adsorption in the catalyst. However, nonthermal plasma degrades the NO_x removal with CuZSM-5 catalyst, when the gas temperature is 300°C or above. When the gas temperature was 100°C, the nonthermal plasma process was enhanced by the combination of nonthermal plasma with any type of catalyst. The catalysts investigated in this paper do not work at lower temperatures by themselves. Adsorption characteristics were also investigated and only NaZSM-5 catalyst showed significant adsorption     

Mutated KIT Tyrosine Kinase as a Novel Molecular Target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

KIT is a type-III receptor tyrosine kinase that contributes to cell signaling in various cells. Since KIT is activated by overexpression or mutation and plays an important role in the development of some cancers, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors and mast cell disease, molecular therapies targeting KIT mutations are being developed. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), genome profiling via next-generation sequencing has shown that several genes that are mutated in patients with AML impact patients’ prognosis. Moreover, it was suggested that precision-medicine-based treatment using genomic data will improve treatment outcomes for AML patients. This paper presents (1) previous studies regarding the role of KIT mutations in AML, (2) the data in AML with KIT mutations from the HM-SCREEN-Japan-01 study, a genome profiling study for patients newly diagnosed with AML who are unsuitable for the standard first-line treatment (unfit) or have relapsed/refractory AML, and (3) new therapies targeting KIT mutations, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors. In this era when genome profiling via next-generation sequencing is becoming more common, KIT mutations are attractive novel molecular targets in AML.     

A spherical aberration-corrected 200 kV TEM

A spherical aberration (Cs)-corrected 200 kV TEM was newly developed. The column of the microscope was extended by 25 cm and the inner yoke of the objective lens was modified to insert some parts of the corrector elements. The corrector has two hexapole elements that play a main role in Cs correction and they are placed at a position equivalent to the coma-free point of the objective lens by using two transfer doublet lenses. The Cs correction was successfully carried out by means of the third-order aberration that was generated in the two extended hexapoles. The Cs can be corrected to the desired value and also can be overcompensated in order to produce a negative Cs, as with the corrected Cs of -23 microm shown in this work. The optical system of the corrector does not produce second- and fourth-order aberrations, and can correct residual aberrations up to the third order. All of the corrector elements are computer-controlled and the third-order aberrations are quite stable after they are properly corrected. The resolution of 0.135 nm was experimentally confirmed by the Young's fringe method. Image simulations of a silicon [110] single crystal were made with various Cs and defocus values to demonstrate the effectiveness of arbitral control of Cs.     

High-gain hybrid amplifier consisting of cascaded fluoride-based TDFA and silica-based EDFA in 1458-1540 nm wavelength region

A hybrid optical fibre amplifier is described that consists of a fluoride-based thulium-doped fibre amplifier and a silica-based erbium-doped fibre amplifier connected in a cascade. The amplifier has a gain of more than 25 dB and a noise figure of less than 9 dB over a wide wavelength region of 1458-1540 nm.     

A new design of a linear local-feedback MOS transconductor for low frequency applications

For medical devices, low frequency and low power applications are required, and a transconductor which has a low transconductance is needed. A conventional current division scheme for the low transconductance wastes operating current. This paper proposes an improved local-feedback MOS transconductor operating in subthreshold region. The proposed transconductor is optimally designed using maximally flat approximation method, Newton-Raphson method, and Downhill simplex method. From the optimization, two optimum values are obtained. Characteristics of the proposed transconductor are confirmed by simulation. Transfer characteristics of the proposed transconductor are linear, and the power consumption of the proposed transconductor is 1/60 as compared with the presented transconductor using current division scheme. The CMRR is around 70 dB, and the THD is lower than ?55 dB under a condition of that the frequency of the sinusoidal input is 100 Hz. As a demonstration of an application, the proposed transconductor is applied to a low frequency second order Butterworth filter. A cutoff frequency of the filter is 100 Hz. Simulation results show validities and availability of the proposed transconductor.     

Nanoporous Copper with Tunable Nanoporosity for SERS Applications

Nanostructured materials with designable microstructure and controllable physical and chemical properties are highly desired for practical applications in nanotechnology. In this article, it is reported that nanoporous copper with a tunable nanopore size can be fabricated by controlling the dealloying process. The influence of acid concentration and etching potential on the formation of nanoprosity is systematically investigated. With optimal etching conditions, the nanopore sizes can be tailored from ～15 to ～120 nm by controlling the dealloying time. It is found that the tunable nanoporosity leads to significant improvements in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of nanoporous copper and peak values of SERS enhancements for both rhodamine 6G and crystal violet 10B molecules are observed at a pore size of ～30–50 nm. This study underscores the effect of complex three‐dimensional nanostructures on physical and chemical properties and is helpful in developing inexpensive SERS substrates for sensitive instrumentations in molecular diagnostics.