High range resolution ultrasonographic vascular imaging using frequency domain interferometry with the Capon method

For high range resolution ultrasonographic vascular imaging, we apply frequency domain interferometry with the Capon method to a single frame of in-phase and quadrature (IQ) data acquired using a commercial ultrasonographic device with a 7.5 MHz linear array probe. In order to tailor the adaptive beam forming algorithm for ultrasonography we employ four techniques: frequency averaging, whitening, radio-frequency data oversampling, and the moving average. The proposed method had a range resolution of 0.05 mm in an ideal condition, and experimentally detected the boundary couple 0.17 mm apart, where the boundary couple was indistinguishable from a single boundary utilizing a B-mode image. Further, this algorithm could depict a swine femoral artery with a range beam width of 0.054 mm and an estimation error for the vessel wall thickness of 0.009 mm, whereas using a conventional method the range beam width and estimation error were 0.182 and 0.021 mm, respectively. The proposed method requires 7.7 s on a mobile PC with a single CPU for a 1×3 cm region of interest. These findings indicate the potential of the proposed method for the improvement of range resolution in ultrasonography without deterioration in temporal resolution, resulting in enhanced detection of vessel stenosis.     

Effect of nanostructured anode functional layer thickness on the solid-oxide fuel cell performance in the intermediate temperature

Effect of anode functional layer thickness on the performance of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has been investigated in the intermediate temperatures of 600–650 °C. Three types of cells with different thickness (0, 4, 10 micron) of nanostructured anode functional layer (AFL) consisting of Ni-ScSZ (Scandia stabilized zirconia) are prepared. The SOFCs consist of Ni-3YSZ (3 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia) anode tube support with the AFL, ScSZ electrolyte, and LSCF (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite) and GDC (gadolinium doped ceria) mixture cathode. It is shown that the performance of the cell is improved as the thickness of the anode functional layer increases. Power densities of the cell with 10 micron thick AFL at 600 and 650 °C are shown to be 0.22 and 0.27 W/cm² at 0.75 V, respectively. According to impedance spectroscopy, improvement of both ohmic and polarization resistances has been observed by increasing the thickness of the AFL, suggesting that the AFL also acts as a better contact layer between the electrolyte and the anode support, and the effectiveness of the AFL by optimizing the thickness.     

Evaluation of a New Particle Trap in a Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometer for Online Measurement of Aerosol Composition

We have developed a new analyzer for the online measurement of aerosol composition: a particle trap laser desorption mass spectrometer (PT-LDMS). The main components of the instrument include an aerodynamic lens, a particle trap enclosed by a quartz cell, a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS), a vacuum chamber incorporating the above components, and a carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser (wavelength 10.6 μm). The aerodynamic lens generates a beam of submicron particles, which is focused on a small area on the particle trap. The particle trap consists of custom-made mesh layers, the structure of which was newly designed using engineering techniques for micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS). A large number of mesh frames are well arranged in the trap, and particles can be efficiently captured after multiple impactions on the frames. The CO₂ laser is used to vaporize aerosol compounds captured on the particle trap. The evolved gas confined within the quartz cell is analyzed using an electron impact ionization (EI) QMS to quantify the chemical composition of the particles. The concept of the PT-LDMS and first evaluation of its performance are presented, specifically focusing on the structure and performance of the particle trap.     

Hydrogen transport through interface between gas bubbling and liquid breeders

An experimental study was performed to investigate hydrogen transport under conditions of gas bubbling into the liquid breeders of Li, Pb–17Li and Flinak. Gas of H₂ or high-purity Ar at 0.1 MPa was injected into the liquid breeders using an I-shape nozzle. Then, the H₂ partial pressure in the cover gas under transition state was measured by a solid electrolyte sensor. Variations of the partial pressure in the exhaust gas were compared with a numerical model to describe hydrogen transfer through the bubble–liquid interface. The experimental rates of hydrogen transport in the liquid breeders were correlated in terms of a mass-transfer coefficient for the hydrogen transport under gas bubbling. The overall mass-transfer coefficient for H₂ charging was compared with that for Ar purging. The coefficient for the recovery was about 10 times lower than that of the charging in the respective cases of the Pb–17Li and the Flinak.     

Robotization in fruit grading system

A grading robot system, which automatically provides fruits from containers and inspects all sides of the fruits was developed. The robot system consists of two fruit providing robots and a grading robot. Both robots had 3 DOF Cartesian coordinate manipulators, and 12 suction pads as end-effectors for transporting fruits. The grading robot had 12 color TV cameras, and 28 lighting devices as a machine vision system. The grading robot sucked 12 fruits up at a time and 12 bottom images of all the fruits were acquired during the manipulator moving from a halfway stage to carriers on a conveyor line. Before releasing the fruits to the carriers, 4 side images of each fruit were acquired by rotating the suction pads for 270°. The stroke of the manipulators was about 1.2 m and it took about 4.3 s to move back to the initial position that meant that this robot could grade three fruits per second. This grading robot system made following effects: (1) Labor substitution, (2) Objective grading operation without human subjective judgment, (3) Data accumulation on fruit grading for traceability and farming guidance to producer.     

Starting Procedure of Rotational Sensorless PMSM in the Rotating Condition

This paper investigates a starting procedure of rotational sensorless permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) in the rotating condition, which is suitable for some applications with higher maximum rotor frequency and longer current sampling time. Instantaneous estimation of initial rotor position and frequency, right after gates start, is essential for restarting the operation of inverters. Existing estimation methods are not available for the aforementioned applications because of their higher maximum rotor frequency and longer current sampling time. To cope with this problem, we propose a novel initial rotor frequency estimation method. The proposed estimation method is verified by experiments using a 2-kW interior PMSM and a numerical simulation.     

叠片定子铁芯的磁性测试及品质管理

本文就电机类叠片定子铁芯的磁性测试技术,提出了自动判断的检测方法,并结合一些磁性材料的测试方式,对定子铁芯生产中的各阶段品质管理提供参考依据.本文所提出的测试方法,是电机类定子铁芯现场测试的良好品质管理方法之一.     

The Oxidation of Equol by Tyrosinase Produces a Unique Di-ortho-Quinone: Possible Implications for Melanocyte Toxicity

Equol (7-hydroxy-3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-chroman, EQ), one of the major intestinally derived metabolites of daidzein, the principal isoflavane found in soybeans and most soy foods, has recently attracted increased interest as a health-beneficial compound for estrogen-dependent diseases. However, based on its structure with two p-substituted phenols, this study aimed to examine whether EQ is a substrate for tyrosinase and whether it produces o-quinone metabolites that are highly cytotoxic to melanocyte. First, the tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of EQ was performed, which yielded three EQ-quinones. They were identified after being reduced to their corresponding catechols with NaBH₄ or L-ascorbic acid. The binding of the EQ-quinones to N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), glutathione (GSH), and bovine serum albumin via their cysteine residues was then examined. NAC and GSH afforded two mono-adducts and one di-adduct, which were identified by NMR and MS analysis. It was also found that EQ was oxidized to EQ-di-quinone in cells expressing human tyrosinase. Finally, it was confirmed that the EQ-oligomer, the EQ oxidation product, exerted potent pro-oxidant activity by oxidizing GSH to the oxidized GSSG and concomitantly producing H₂O₂. These results suggest that EQ-quinones could be cytotoxic to melanocytes due to their binding to cellular proteins.     

Thermoelectroelastic response of a functionally graded piezoelectric strip with two parallel axisymmetric cracks

A mixed-mode thermoelectroelastic fracture problem of a functionally graded piezoelectric material strip containing two parallel axisymmetric cracks, such as penny-shaped or annular cracks, is considered in this study. It is assumed that the thermoelectroelastic properties of the strip vary continuously along the thickness of the strip and that the strip is under thermal loading. The crack faces are supposed to be insulated thermally and electrically. Using integral transform techniques, the problem is reduced to that of solving two systems of singular integral equations. Systematic numerical calculations are carried out, and the variations of the stress and electric displacement intensity factors are plotted for various values of dimensionless parameters representing the crack size, the crack location and the material non-homogeneity.     

Numerical assessment for impact strength measurements in concrete materials

Measurement of dynamic strength of concrete at impact relevant strain rates and pressures is the purpose of the described study. Therefore, an experimental design of direct planar impact experiments with longitudinal and transverse strain gauges is analyzed in predictive hydrocode simulations using an elastic–plastic damage model for concrete. The calculations and first experimental results on mortar show decreasing phase velocities of stress waves both in longitudinal and lateral gauges. The model clearly associates it with the onset of damage, possibly interpreted as a failure wave. Numerical analysis is furthermore used to compare a monolithic target block to a thoroughly assembled concrete sample in order to include flat gauges in the material. The planned experimental procedure to derive wave speeds, particle velocities and strain rates from stress measurements is anticipated and validated on the basis of simulated gauge signals. The most important finding is the prediction and first experimental confirmation that concrete ultimate strength and damaged yield stress can be derived at strain rates in the order of 10⁴/s from the proposed type of experiments. This technique promises new insight into the strength and failure processes of concrete in the challenging loading region around the characteristic minimum of the shock particle velocity relationship.