A retinal scanning display with a wavefront curvature modulator

Abstract— A retinal scanning display with a wavefront curvature modulator (WCM) has been developed and demonstrated. The WCM dynamically modulates the divergence of laser beams to produce multiple focal planes in synchronization with 2‐D laser scanning. The produced images have given real stereoscopic feelings to observers because two focal planes are created in a frame. In addition, a motion parallax has been also observed. It has greatly emphasized stereoscopic effects.     

Preparation of conjugated polymer suspensions by using ultrasonic atomizer

The electrophoretic deposition is a method useful to prepare conjugated polymer films for electronic devices. This method provides high material recovery rate on the substrate from the suspension, in contrast to the conventional spin-coating in which most of the material placed on the substrate is blown away. Although manual reprecipitation technique successfully yields suspensions of various conjugated polymers including polyfluorene derivatives, it is favorable to control the preparation process of suspensions. In this context, this paper reports preliminary results on the preparation of suspension of conjugated polymer by using an ultrasonic atomizer. While the resultant films do not show particular difference due to the preparation methods of the suspension, the electric current profiles during the electrophoretic deposition suggests that the ultrasonic atomization of polymer solution prior to be mixed with poor solvent results in smaller and less uniform colloidal particles than the conventional manual pouring method.     

Preparation and characterization of polycrystalline CdZnTe films for large-area, high-sensitivity X-ray detectors

This article reviews the preparation and characterization of polycrystalline CdTe and CdZnTe films to be used in large-area, high-sensitivity X-ray panel detectors intended for medical diagnostics. The films, deposited by closed-spaced sublimation, are expected to exhibit excellent efficiency at low X-ray doses because of their high sensitivity. The detectors constructed using these films incorporated a novel hybrid technique, in which zinc-doped CdTe was pre-deposited onto a ceramic substrate and then connected to a TFT circuit substrate. The sensor substrate material was specially selected to avoid both incident X-ray attenuation in the substrate and micro-cracks in the film. Zinc doping, which was used to grow the CdTe film, also served to form the heterojunction diode structure that suppressed leakage current. Moreover, the quality of a polycrystalline CdZnTe film deposited on a 9×9 substrate was characterized, revealing its applicability to large-area X-ray detectors. Further investigation and improvements are in progress.     

Steam reforming behavior of methanol using paper-structured catalysts: Experimental and computational fluid dynamic analysis

Copper–zinc oxide (Cu/ZnO) catalyst powders were impregnated into paper-structured composites (catalyst paper) using a papermaking process. The paper-structured catalyst was subjected to the methanol steam reforming (MSR) process and exhibited excellent performance compared with those achieved by pellet-type or powdered catalyst. The catalyst paper demonstrated a relatively stable gas flow as compared to catalyst pellets. Furthermore, the MSR process was simulated by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis, and the heat conductivity influence of the catalyst layer was investigated. Higher heat conductivity contributed to both higher methanol conversion and lower carbon monoxide concentration; localization of heat and chemical species such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide were improved, resulting in suppression of reverse water–gas shift reaction. The CFD analysis was applied to the design of a catalyst layer in which a suitable shape was suggested, where carbon monoxide formation was further suppressed without a decrease in the methanol conversion.     

Preparation and functions of conductive polymer/insulating polymer composite films using molecular self‐assembly

By exposing low‐density polyethylene to an atmosphere of fuming sulfuric acid, sulfonated low‐density polyethylenes (SPE) were prepared and the degree of surface sulfonation of the treated film was determined from the weight increase per unit area. Polypyrrole (PPy) films on the surface of SPE were grown by molecular self‐assembly and the properties of PPy/SPE composite films were investigated. Functional applications of PPy/SPE composite films are proposed, with particular attention to the movement properties of actuators using PPy/SPE composite films. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 128(1): 1–8, 1999     

Possibility of Breast Cancer Prevention: Use of Soy Isoflavones and Fermented Soy Beverage Produced Using Probiotics

The various beneficial effects of soybeans, which are rich in phytochemicals, have received much attention because of increasing health awareness. Soy milk that has been fermented using lactic acid bacteria has been used to prepare cheese-like products, tofu (bean-curd), and yogurt-type products. However, the distinct odor of soybeans has limited the acceptance of such foods, particularly in Western countries. In Japan, while tofu and soy milk have long been habitually consumed, the development of novel, palatable food products has not been easy. The unpleasant odor of soy milk and the absorption efficiency for isoflavones can be improved using a recently developed fermented soy milk beverage. Cancer has been the leading cause of death, and breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. The most common type of breast cancer is estrogen-dependent, and the anti-estrogenic effects of isoflavones are known. The present review focuses on the characteristics of soy milk fermented using probiotics, an epidemiological study examining the incidence of breast cancer and soy isoflavone consumption, and a non-clinical study examining breast cancer prevention using fermented soy milk beverage.     

Development of narrow gap multi-layer welding process using oscillation laser beam

The oscillation laser beam is considered to be effective as a heat source of narrow gap multi-layer welding because oscillation laser welding can control the penetration shape and prevent the lack of fusion. In this study, in order to establish a narrow gap welding process by oscillation laser beam, butt welding experiments of 50 mm thickness carbon steel plate were performed. By the appropriate control of the heat input area using the in-process sensor for recognizing the groove shape, narrow gap welding of a thick plate with groove which was cut by gas cutting was achieved. Properties of the welded joint had been confirmed by nondestructive testing, tensile test and side bend test. A two-dimensional numerical calculation model for welding deformation was developed. This calculation model was used for investigation of the optimal groove angle. The results of calculations were in quantitative agreement with the experimental results. Microstructure of the weld zone had multiple thermal histories. According to the hardness test results, maximum hardness of the heat affected zone of the upper layer has been lowered than that of the lower layer.     

Development of a non-destructive specific activity inspection system for mushroom logs

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, a specific activity inspection system is required to ensure that raw wood used for cultivating shiitake (Lentinus edodes) is safe. Although most radioactive materials adhere to tree bark, as of 2016, the current inspection method measures the specific activity of the whole log. To resolve issues with the current inspection method and contribute to the reconstruction of agriculture and forestry in the disaster area, we developed an inspection system to measure the specific activity of the bark without cutting the tree in the forest. The gamma-ray detector used in this system consisted of four radiation detection modules that could enclose the tree. The external surfaces of the four detectors were covered with lead to block background radiation from the environment. Log samples were analyzed by this system and by an HP-Ge semiconductor detector, and the results were compared. A quantification factor was determined to convert the counts measured by this system into the specific activity of the bark. The field test was conducted in the northern parts of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The results confirmed that the system had reasonable measurement accuracy and could determine the direction from which radiocesium had been transported.     

The role of gammadelta T cells in induction of bacterial antigen-specific protective CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in immune response against the intracellular bacteria Listeria monocytogenes

PURPOSE: To study the relation between abdominal aortic aneurysms and chronical obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in particular the suggested common elastin degradation caused by elastase and smoking. METHODS: A cross-sectional population study and a prospective cohort study of small abdominal aortic aneurysms was performed in a community setting. All previous diagnoses recorded in a hospital computer database were received for 4404 men 65 to 73 years of age who had been invited to a population screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. One hundred forty-one men had AAA (4.2%). They were asked to participate in an interview, a clinical examination, and collection of blood sample. Men with an abdominal aortic aneurysm 3 to 5 cm in diameter were offered annual ultrasound scans to check for expansion. RESULTS: Among patients with COPD 7.7% had abdominal aortic aneurysms (crude odds ratio=2.05). The adjusted odds ratio, however, was only 1.59 after adjustment for coexisting diseases associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (P=.13). The mean annual expansion was 2.74 mm per year among patients with COPD, 2.72 among patients without COPD, and 4.7 mm among patients who used oral steroids compared with 2.6 among patients who did not use steroids (P < .05). Concentration of serum elastin peptide and plasma elastase-alpha1-antitrypsin complexes correlated negatively with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) among patients with COPD. However, multivariate regression analysis showed that concentration of serum elastin peptide, therapy with beta-agonists, and FEV1 correlated positively with degree of expansion but that concentration of plasma elastase-alpha1-antitrypsin complexes and serum alpha1-antitrypsin did not influence expansion, suggesting that elastase plays an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD but not of abdominal aortic aneurysm. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm among patients with COPD is more likely to be caused by medication and coexisting diseases rather than a common pathway of pathogenesis.