Response evaluation of a compact and highly efficient neutron diffractometer for compact accelerator neutron sources

We fabricated the spheroid neutron diffractometer with 79 neutron detector rings using the transparent rubber sheet type Eu: LiCaAlF₆ scintillators and wavelength-shifting fibers.We confirmed that the fabricated detector shows a clear neutron peak and can discriminate neutron and gamma-ray events in a signal pulse spectrum.We additionally checked that the fabricated diffractometer can detect a neutron diffraction peak of ferrite powder at Kyoto University Accelerator-driven Neutron So...     

A thin layer including a carbon material improves the rate capability of an electric double layer capacitor

We present a new method to improve the rate capability of an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) using a thin polymer layer having a high concentration of carbon material on a current collector (CLC). A novel thermocuring coating composed of a glycol-chitosan, a pyromellitic acid and a conductive carbon powder can form stable CLC on a metal foil current collector simply by spreading and curing at 160 °C for a couple of minutes. We compared the performance of some demonstration EDLC cells using three kinds of current collector: a conventional aluminum oxide foil for EDLC, an aluminum foil and an aluminum foil with CLC. The cell with the CLC had a much higher rate capability than the cell without CLC. Only the CLC cell was able to discharge at a current density of 500C. This cell shows a slight deterioration in capacity in a high temperature, continuous charging, life test, and the CLC has a suppressing effect on the internal resistance increase of EDLCs. The use of a CLC film current collector is one of the most effective and simple methods for the improvement of EDLC rate performance. In particular, a current collector consisting of aluminum foil coupled with a CLC promises to be a low cost alternative to the aluminum oxide foil commonly used in EDLCs.     

Heterogeneous expression of nm23 gene product as a predictor of lymph nodal status in human breast cancer

The nm23 gene was originally identified by differential hybridization of metastatic murine melanoma cell lines. Some experimental studies demonstrated a significantly low metastatic potential of melanoma cell lines transfected with the nm23 gene. In this study, we clarified the relationship between intracellular nm23-immunoreactivity and lymph nodal status of human breast cancer. We analyzed 82 surgically removed breast tumors including 67 invasive carcinomas (ductal, lobular and mucinous carcinomas). The nm23 expression was diffusely positive in the benign tumors and non-invasive carcinomas. Of the invasive ductal carcinomas, lymph node metastasis was found in 67.7% (21/31) of the focally positive/negative cases and in 18.2% (4/22) of the diffusely positive cases (p<0.001). Immunohistochemically, advanced margins of invasive carcinomas with lymph node metastasis were shown to be negative for nm23 expression, while intraductal carcinoma components were positive. This observation suggested that focally positive/negative nm23 expression can be a predictor of lymph node metastasis of invasive ductal breast carcinoma.     

Phosphorylation of the gamma subunit of the retinal photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and its effect on the gamma subunit interaction with other proteins

Cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, a key enzyme in phototransduction, is composed of P alpha beta and two P gamma subunits. Interaction of P gamma with P alpha beta or with the alpha subunit (T alpha) of transducin is crucial for the regulation of cGMP phosphodiesterase in retinal photoreceptors. Here we have investigated phosphorylation of P gamma by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and its functional effect on the P gamma interaction with P alpha beta or T alpha in vitro. P gamma, but not P gamma complexed with T alpha (both GTP and GDP forms), is phosphorylated. Measurement of 32P radioactivity in phosphorylated P gamma, analysis of phosphorylated P gamma by laser mass spectrometry, identification of phosphoamino acid, and phosphorylation of mutant forms of P gamma indicate that only threonine 35 in P gamma is phosphorylated. Phosphorylation of P gamma mutants also reveals that the C and N terminals of P gamma which are required for the regulation of P alpha beta functions are not involved in the P gamma phosphorylation but that arginine 33, which is ADP-ribosylated by an endogenous ADP-ribosyltransferase, is required for the phosphorylation. Phosphorylated P gamma has a higher inhibitory activity for trypsin-activated cGMP phosphodiesterase than nonphosphorylated P gamma, indicating that the P gamma-P alpha beta interaction is affected by P gamma phosphorylation. Nonphosphorylated P gamma inhibits both the GTPase activity of T alpha and the binding of a hydrolysis-resistant GTP analogue to T alpha, while P gamma phosphorylation reduces these inhibitory activities. These observations suggest that a P gamma domain containing threonine 35 is involved in the P gamma-T alpha interaction, and P gamma phosphorylation regulates the P gamma-T alpha interaction. Our observation suggests that P gamma phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase may function for the regulation of phototransduction in vertebrate rod photoreceptors.     

Study of ground-tunnel interactions of four shield tunnels driven in close proximity, in relation to design and construction of parallel shield tunnels

In Japan, K yoto City has constructed four subway tunnels that run closely each other. Problems accompanying the closely running tunnels are studied during the planning and design stages prior to construction. A variety of monitoring during the construction stage resulted in the collection of numerous data including the load transmission between tunnels and characteristic behavior of theground during the construction of four tunnels. Aiming at improving the method for the evaluation of the interaction of closely running tunnels, this study attempted to analyze and assess the behavior of the tunnels and the surrounding ground through such data obtained from the above project. This paper describes the characteristics of influence from the thrust of a succeeding tunnel to a preceding tunnel and the analytical expression of the mechanism of ground behavior during the construction of closely running tunnels.     

1.3 μm InGaAs/GaAs strained quantum well lasers with InGaPcladding layer

Using MOVPE, we fabricated strained quantum well 1.3 μm lasers with an InGaP cladding layer on a GaAs substrate. The lasers had a high gain coefficient of 60 cm^-1. Lasers with high reflection facets had a low threshold current density of 500 A/cm², and a high characteristic temperature of 100 K     

Plasma-Activated Sintering of Aluminum Nitride

The use of a new plasma- activated sintering (PAS) process to densify aluminum nitride (AIN) powders to nearly full theoretical density (97 to >99%) in 5 to 10 min was investigated. The process consists of a pulse activation step, followed by sintering at 1730 to 1800 °C using resistance heating in carbon dies. Submicron size (~0.44 μm) AIN powders of low oxygen content (<1 wt%) were consolidated to near full density in both air and vacuum with no sintering aids or binders. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination revealed an equiaxed, submicron grain structure (~0.77 μm) with no apparent pores or intergranular phases. X- ray powder diffraction revealed no secondary crystalline phases.     

Self-diffusion of cadmium in cadmium telluride annealed in tellurium-saturated atmosphere

Diffusion behavior of Cd in volume and along dislocations in high-purity CdTe annealed in Te-saturated atmosphere has been studied by the radioactive tracer method with a serial ion-beam sputter-microsectioning technique. The temperature dependence of volume diffusion coefficients shows a bend around 773 K, whereas that of the self-diffusion along dislocations shows a straight line. This suggests that the defect induced by impurities enhances the volume diffusion but does not affect the diffusion along dislocations.     

The accuracy of localizing equivalent dipoles and thespatio-temporal correlations of background EEG

For the inverse problem of equivalent dipole localization, a new residual function was proposed which is based on spatio-temporal correlation of background electroencephalogram (EEG). This residual has the advantage that it allows the calculation of a confidence region for estimated dipole parameters. This method was applied to two sets of visual evoked potential (VEP) data. The localization was compared by using the volume of the confidence region. The outcome of the equivalent dipole localization was compared for three different residual functions: 1) least square; 2) based on spatial correlations in the background EEG; and 3) the proposed new function which is based on spatial and temporal correlations in the background EEG. It was found that the proposed residual function leads the authors to the highest accuracy and the fastest convergence in the equivalent dipole localization and that even for two-dipole localization, the present method yields more accurate solutions with less iterations than the conventional methods