Virtual segment: Store–carry–forward relay-based support for wide-area non-real-time data exchange

We have proposed the concept of the virtual segment (VS), in which a global communication service is provided by combining a store–carry–forward scheme using vehicles with broadband wireless/wired network infrastructures along roads connected to the Internet. The VS can be a practical framework for non-real-time, asynchronous message transfer (especially for large messages) in a cost-effective manner. In this study, a critical implementation design issue, the message forward scheduling, in the VS approach is discussed and investigated through computer simulation by our developed VS simulator that has reflected the results of the field experiment for realistic performance evaluation.     

Large aperture superconducting magnet (benkei)

Benkei, which was a large window frame conventional magnet at KEK has been converted to a superconducting magnet. In the conversion, the pole gap has been doubled from 0.5 m to 1.0 m retaining an analysing power at 2 T m. Several new techniques were applied to coil windings and cryostat fabrication. The superconducting Benkei has shown satisfactory performances for long term operation.     

Preparation and characterization of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with benzenesulfonate and benzenedisulfonate

Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (Mg–Al LDHs) intercalated with benzenesulfonate (BS^–) and benzenedisulfonate (BDS^2–) ions were prepared by coprecipitation and characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, and chemical analyses. The intercalated BS^– and BDS^2– maintained their intrinsic molecular structures within the Mg–Al LDH interlayers. At low intercalation levels, the benzene ring of BS^– in BS · Mg–Al LDH was inclined at 30° relative to the plane of the brucite-like layers of Mg–Al LDH. With increasing BS^– content, the benzene ring adopted an additional configuration perpendicular to the Mg–Al LDH layers. In BDS-intercalated Mg–Al LDH, the benzene ring of BDS^2– was tilted at 26° relative to the plane of the Mg–Al LDH layers. Intercalation levels of BDS^2– were smaller than those of BS^– despite the greater charge density of BDS^2–, which was likely attributable to a greater degree of electrostatic repulsion between intercalated anions.     

纯镍钝化膜的电化学性能

为了搞清镍的钝化行为,本文用极化曲线法及交流阻抗技术,通过对纯镍在中性H₃BO₃-Na₂B₄O₇溶液及添加了K₃Fe(CN)₆/K₄Fe(CN)₆氧化-还原系溶液中的极化行为及交流阻抗特性的研究,讨论了钝化膜的电模型和电极反应。     

Ion irradiation effects in EuBa2Cu3Oy thin film

The effect of He ion irradiation on the pinning potential in EuBa₂Cu₃O _y , thin film was investigated by measuring the temperature dependence of resistivity in magnetic fields. The pinning potential decreased as the ion fluence increased. A slower decrease of pinning potential was observed in higher magnetic field in the fluence region <3.5×10¹⁵ cm^–2.     

Responsiveness of isolated dog veins to bradykinin and other bioactive peptides: distribution of sensitivity to bradykinin and possible correlation with genesis of the venous system

Contractile responses of isolated dog veins to bradykinin were studied. Responses to norepinephrine were taken as standards. According to their sensitivity to bradykinin, the veins obtained from 14 sites of the venous system were divided into two groups, while all the veins were almost uniform in their sensitivity to norepinephrine. One group has high sensitivity to bradykinin and the other has low sensitivity. The former includes the pulmonary, hepatic, splenic, and portal veins, the anterior vena cava, and the upper and the middle divisions of the posterior vena cava. The latter includes the external jugular, cephalic, azygos, femoral, and saphenous veins, and the lower division of the posterior vena cava. The responses of the renal vein were intermediate. A striking correlation was noted between the distribution of bradykinin sensitivity and the genesis of the venous system. Five bioactive peptides other than bradykinin were also studied. Only angiotensin induced contraction in some preparation, but, as a whole, caerulein, eledoisin-related peptide, oxytocin and vasopressin rarely showed contractile activity.     

Evaluation of performance of a commercial monoclonal antibody-based fenitrothion immunoassay and application to residual analysis in fruit samples

The performance of a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit containing highly sensitive monoclonal antibodies against fenitrothion was assessed. The experimentally estimated dynamic range (0.087 to 2 ng/g) agreed with that established by the kit manufacturer (0.075 to 1 ng/g). The linearity of the standard curve produced for the kit-assembled standard solutions (slope = -0.3829) agreed with that of the curve produced for the self-made standard solutions (slope = -0.3619). The sensitivity (I50 value) and the limit of detection for the kit were 0.23 and 0.033 ng/g, respectively. Selectivity of the ELISA indicates that the monoclonal antibody can readily distinguish the target pesticide from other structurally related analogs and some metabolites (oxon forms), with the exception of ethyl O-(p-nitrophenyl) phenyl phosphonothionate (EPN), parathion-methyl, and parathion. Methanol was the best organic solvent for the kit, with optimal sensitivity observed at a final concentration in the well of 10% (vol/vol) or less. Matrix interferences were minimized by direct dilution with water (60-fold) of the methanolic extracts fromapple and peach samples. To extract fenitrothion from these two agricultural products as simply and rapidly as possible, three extraction methods were used. The extraction method that involved shaking by hand for 3 min was the best among the three methods. High recovery percentages (116.6% for apple and 110.8% for peach) were obtained. Validation of the ELISA method was carried out using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method, resulting in high recovery and close correlation of results (r > 0.95). These findings strongly suggest that the ELISA kit may be routinely employed for on-site fenitrothion screening of fruit samples.     

Immunochromatography for the rapid determination of cadmium concentrations in wheat grain and eggplant

BACKGROUND: A simple and quick on‐site test for trace levels of cadmium (Cd) in food is needed because of the human toxicity of this heavy metal. We developed an immunochromatography kit which uses the antigen‐antibody complex reaction between the Cd–ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Cd–EDTA) complex and an anti‐Cd–EDTA antibody. We previously reported the successful use of this kit to determine Cd concentrations in brown rice with respect to the international standard: 0.4 mg kg^?1. Here, we measured, using this immunochromatography kit, Cd concentrations in crops with lower international standards than rice. RESULTS: Cadmium extracted with 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl from wheat grain and fresh eggplant was purified sufficiently using an ion‐exchange column treatment. Appropriate HCl extraction rates and dilution rates for the column eluate were selected; Cd concentrations in wheat grain and fresh eggplant were determined successfully by immunochromatography with respect to the international standards of 0.2 mg kg^?1 and 0.05 mg kg^?1 fresh weight, respectively. CONCLUSION: Approximate Cd concentrations in wheat grain and fresh eggplant can be monitored easily and quickly by this method at locations where facilities for acid digestion and precision analysis are not available. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Fe-Zn alloy layer on the corrosion resistance of galvanized steel in chloride containing environments

In this study, the effect of Fe-Zn alloy layer that is formed during galvanizing process on the corrosion behavior of galvanized steel has been investigated. The galvanostatic dissolution of galvanized steel was carried out in 0.5 M NaCl solution to obtain the Fe-Zn alloy layer on the base steel. The alloy layer was characterized to be composed of FeZn₁₃, FeZn₇ and Fe₃Zn₁₀ intermetallic phases, which constitute the zeta, delta1 and gamma layers of galvanized steel, respectively. It was observed that the alloy layer has similar cathodic polarization behavior but different anodic polarization behavior compared to galvanized steel. The anodic current plateau of alloy layer was up to 100 times lower than that of galvanized coating. Corrosion test performed in wet-dry cyclic condition has shown that the alloy layer has lower corrosion rate as compared to galvanized steel. From the results of corrosion test of alloy layer and base steel, it was concluded that Zn²⁺ has positive effect on the protectiveness of the zinc corrosion products. The measurement of surface potential over the alloy/steel galvanic couple has confirmed the galvanic ability of alloy layer to protect both the alloy layer itself and the base iron during initial stage of atmospheric corrosion.