Maximum fiber coupling efficiency and optimum beam size in the presence of random angular jitter for free-space laser systems and their applications

Free-space laser communication systems use optical-fiber-based technology such as optical amplifiers, receivers, and high-speed modulators. In these systems using single-mode fibers, the fiber coupling efficiency is one of the most significant issues to be solved. Optimum relationships between a focused optical beam and mode field size of the optical fiber in the presence of random angular jitter are discussed in relation to fiber-coupled optical systems. Maximum fiber coupling efficiency is analytically derived with the optimum Airy disk radius normalized by the mode field radius as a function of random angular jitter. The fade level of fiber-coupled signals at desired fade probability is investigated. It is shown that the average bit error ratio significantly degrades with the random angular jitter normalized by the mode field radius larger than about 0.3 when the Airy disk size is optimally selected.     

A thermoresistant mutant of ribonuclease T1 having three disulfide bonds

Molecular-dynamic calculations predict that, if Tyr24 and Asn84are each replaced by a Cys residue, it should be possible toform a third disulfide bond in ribonuclease T1 (RNase T1) betweenthese residues, with only minimal conformational changes atthe catalytic site. The gene encoding such a mutant variantof RNase T1 (Tyr24 – Cys24, Asn84 – Cys84) was constructedby the cassette mutagenesis method using a chemically synthesizedgene. In order to reduce the toxic effect of the mutant enzyme(RNase T1S) on an Escherichia coli host, we arranged for theprotein to be secreted into the periplasmic space by using avector that harbors a gene for an alkaline phosphatase signalpeptide under the control of the trp promoter. The nucleolyticactivity of RNase T1S toward pGpC was approximately the sameas that of RNase T1 at 37°C (pH 7.5). Moreover, at 55°C,RNase T1S retained nearly 70% of its activity while the activityof the wild-type enzyme was reduced to <10%. RNase T1S wasalso more resistant to denaturation by urea than the wild-typeenzyme. However, unlike RNase T1, RNase T1S was irreversiblyand almost totally inactivated by boiling at 100°C for 15min.     

非吸湿多孔物料板块等温干燥速度的简捷算法

通过下列处理导出了非吸湿多孔物料板块等温干燥速度的简捷算法:(1)利用水分传递系数恒定的近似,通过解析传质偏微分方程得到表示干燥速度与平均湿含量关系的方程组;(2)把该方程组外推用于水传质系数可变的体系。该方法无需确定水传质系数与湿含量的关系,仅根据一条测定曲线即可预测任何等温干燥条件下的干燥速度曲线。用新的简捷算法计算的干燥速度曲线与偏微分方程的直接数值解吻合很好。     

Efficient cleavage by {alpha}-thrombin of a recombinant fused protein which contains insulin-like growth factor I

The gene for insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was constructedfrom chemically synthesized deoxyoligonucleotides and expressedin Escherichia coli, under the control of a trp promoter, asa set of fusion proteins which were connected with a portionof human growth hormone through the recognition sequence fora sequence-specific protease, either blood coagulation factorXa or -thrombin. Upon induction with 3-indoleacrylic acid, fusionproteins accumulated with a yield of 10–30% of the totalprotein. A fusion protein connected through a tetradecapeptide(Asp-Asp-Pro-Pro-Thr-Val-Glu-Leu-Gln-Gly-Leu-Val-Pro-Arg) wasefficiently and correctly cleaved by -thrombin, and the purifiedIGF-I possessed somatomedin-like activity, as determined bythe enhancement of sulfation of glycosaminoglycans in culturedcostal chondrocytes from rabbits.     

Determination of compositional fluctuation region in solid solution of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate

A method was developed to determine a compositional fluctuation region in Pb_1–y La _y (Zr _x Ti_1–x )_1–(y/4)O₃ (PLZT) solid solution in the tetragonal region. The compositional fluctuation in PLZT extends two-dimensionally on the phase diagram. The method described in this paper utilized the fact that the compositional fluctuation region extends to the composition lines whose lattice spacing corresponds to the higher or lower fluctuation limit. The fluctuation limits of the lattice spacings were estimated from X-ray diffraction analysis. This method revealed that the compositional fluctuation in PLZT is difficult to be eliminated by using a conventional dry method (mixed oxide method). The shape of the region indicated that homogenization of Zr⁴⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ was more difficult as compared with that of Pb²⁺ and La³⁺.     

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial properties of silver-containing hydroxyapatite prepared via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis route

Hydroxyapatite (HAp), with its high biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, readily absorbs proteins, amino acids and other substances, which in turn favor the adsorption and colonization of bacteria. To prevent bacterial growth and biofilm formation on HAp discs, silver-containing (1–20 mol%) HAp (Ag-HAp) powders were synthesized using an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USSP) technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks were very broad, indicating low crystallinity, and this induced the release of Ag⁺ ions from Ag-HAp powders. In addition, a gradual increase in Ca^2 + ion release was observed. These results suggest that dissolution of Ca^2 + ion in Ag-HAp triggered the release of Ag⁺ ions.The antimicrobial efficacy of Ag-HAp disc was tested against Staphylococcus aureus. Samples with Ag contents of more than 5 mol% were found to be highly effective against bacterial colonization and biofilm formation in vitro. In vivo antibacterial tests using bioluminescent strains also showed reductions in the viability of bacteria with Ag-HAp (5 mol%) discs. Biocompatibility tests using a modified Transwell® insert method showed that Ag-HAp (5 mol%) discs have negative effects on osteoblast proliferation. These results indicate that Ag-HAp (5 mol%) has effective antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo together with good biocompatibility, thus confirming its utility as a bactericidal material.     

Oenothein B Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Inflammation in the Mouse Brain

Oenothein B has been recently evaluated for its ability to affect inflammatory responses in peripheral tissues. In this study, we examined its effect on the damage to the central nervous system due to systemic inflammation. For this purpose, ICR mice were injected with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 mg/kg mouse). When oenothein B was administered per os (p.o.), it suppressed (1) LPS-induced abnormal behavior in open field; (2) LPS-induced microglial activation in the hippocampus and striatum; and (3) LPS-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 production in the hippocampus and striatum of these mice. These results suggest that oenothein B had the ability to reduce neuroinflammation in the brain during systemic inflammation.