Measurement of the 77Se(γ, n) cross section and uncertainty evaluation of the 79Se(n, γ) cross section

The ⁷⁷Se (γ, n) cross section was measured for the energy range from 7.6 to 13.8 MeV by using quasi-monochromatic laser-Compton scattering γ-rays. The advanced method to deduce γ-ray strength functions from (γ, n) cross section was developed. By utilizing the method, the γ-ray strength functions of ^{77, 78, 80}Se were deduced so as to reproduce the ^{77, 78, 80}Se (γ, n) cross sections measured in this work and previous systematic measurements. The inverse (n, γ) cross sections for ^{76, 77, 79}Se isotopes were calculated using the statistical model calculation code CCONE with the deduced γ-ray strength functions. The uncertainty of the calculated ⁷⁹Se(n, γ)⁸⁰Se cross section was evaluated by comparing the calculations and the experimental data on ^{76, 77}Se (n, γ) cross sections.     

Efficient characterization for protein crystals using confocal Raman spectroscopy

Confocal Raman spectroscopy was applied to the characterization of various states emerging in the screening of protein crystallization. Four main characterized states, namely single crystals, microcrystals, precipitates, and clear drops without solid materials, appear in a droplet for crystallization; the first three states should be critically distinguished and characterized because of the limitations of visual observation under an optical microscope. Using lysozyme and other proteins, crystallization was performed by the hanging drop vapor diffusion technique and was monitored through an automated confocal Raman system. Prior to the spectroscopic analysis, an optical microscope with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and associated image processing software were used to rapidly identify the XY locations to be measured spectroscopically by focusing the laser beam on a test sample. Instead of the current image analysis by optical microscopy, confocal Raman spectroscopy with a high spatial resolution was used to identify the state of protein crystallization. Such real-time Raman monitoring also distinguished real protein crystals from pseudo-protein crystals emerging in a crystallization droplet.     

Using whole annealing genetic algorithms for the turbine cascade inverse design problem

INTRODUCTIONInthelastfewyearstherehajsbeenagrowinginterestinthenumericalsolutionofconstrainedoptimizationproblemsofturbinegovernedbytheEulerorNavier-Stokesequations.Developmelltofturbinecascadeswithoptimumaerodynamicefficiencyhaslongbeenadesignchalle...     

Compact modeling approach using genetic algorithms for accurate thermal simulation

In this paper, we propose a technique that uses thermal measurement results for improved accuracy in thermal simulation of electronic apparatus. Because the modeling of the electronic components in such apparatus has hitherto been very poor, the thermal simulation results cannot achieve the required accuracy. To solve this problem, we first represent a component as a set of cubic blocks with equivalent thermal conductivity and contact thermal resistance values, and then identify these values by using the thermal measurement results for the component. We regard the identification of parameters as an optimization problem that involves minimizing the difference between the predicted and measured results. To solve the problem, we combine genetic algorithms and a thermal simulation tool. Our technique was successfully applied to the construction of an accurate thermal model, which we validated by using thermal measurement results. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(1): 28–39, 2001     

Enhancement of Bone-Forming Ability on Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate by Modulating Cellular Senescence Mechanisms Using Senolytics

Various stresses latently induce cellular senescence that occasionally deteriorates the functioning of surrounding tissues. Nevertheless, little is known about the appearance and function of senescent cells, caused by the implantation of beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)—used widely in dentistry and orthopedics for treating bone diseases. In this study, two varying sizes of β-TCP granules (<300 μm and 300–500 μm) were implanted, and using histological and immunofluorescent staining, appearances of senescent-like cells in critical-sized bone defects in the calvaria of Sprague Dawley rats were evaluated. Parallelly, bone formation in defects was investigated with or without the oral administration of senolytics (a cocktail of dasatinib and quercetin). A week after the implantation, the number of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, p21-, p19-, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells increased and then decreased upon administrating senolytics. This administration of senolytics also attenuated 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal staining, representing reactive oxygen species. Combining senolytic administration with β-TCP implantation significantly enhanced the bone formation in defects as revealed by micro-computed tomography analysis and hematoxylin-eosin staining. This study demonstrates that β-TCP granules latently induce senescent-like cells, and senolytic administration may improve the bone-forming ability of β-TCP by inhibiting senescence-associated mechanisms.     

D‐A1‐D‐A2 Backbone Strategy for Benzobisthiadiazole Based n‐Channel Organic Transistors: Clarifying the Selenium‐Substitution Effect on the Molecular Packing and Charge Transport Properties in Electron‐Deficient Polymers

Unipolar n‐type semiconducting polymers based on the benzobisthiadiazole (BBT) unit and its heteroatom‐substituted derivatives are for the first time synthesized by the D‐A₁‐D‐A₂ polymer‐backbone design strategy. Selenium (Se) substitution is a very effective molecular design, but it has been seldom studied in n‐type polymers. In this study, within the similar conjugated framework, the Se substitution effects on the optical, electrochemical, solid‐state polymer packing, electron mobility, and air‐stability of the target unipolar n‐type polymers are unraveled. Replacing the sulfur (S) atom in the thiadiazole heterocycles with the Se atom leads to narrower bandgaps and deeper lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels of the n‐type polymers. Furthermore, the Se‐substituted polymer (pSeN‐NDI) shows shorter lamellar packing distances and stronger edge‐on π–π stacking interactions than its S‐counterpart (pSN‐NDI), as observed by the two‐dimensional grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) patterns. With the deeper LUMO level and thin‐film microstructures suitable for transistors, pSeN‐NDI exhibits four‐fold higher electron mobilities (μ_e) than pSN‐NDI. However, the other Se‐containing polymer, pSeS‐NDI, forms rather amorphous film structures, which is caused by its limited thermal stability and decomposition during the thermal annealing processes, thus giving rise to a lower μ_e than its S‐counterpart (pBBT‐NDI). Most importantly, pBBT‐NDI demonstrates an electron mobility of 0.039 cm² V^?1 s^?1, which is noticeable among the unipolar n‐type polymers based on the BBT and its analogs.     

Communication Interface with Eye-Gaze and Head Gesture Using Successive DP Matching and Fuzzy Inference

This paper proposes a communication interface with eye-gaze and head gesture. Visual sensorimotor integration with eye-head cooperation is considered, especially head gesture accompanied with vestibulo-ocular reflex is used for selecting object in the screen. Eye-mark recorder and motion tracking system were used to tracking eye movement and head movement, respectively. Nonverbal response animation with eye contact was introduced in the interaction system. In identifying the head gesture, we adopted a modified dynamic programming matching method and fuzzy inference.