Dynamic probe of ZnTe(110) surface by scanning tunneling microscopy

The reconstructed surface structure of the II–VI semiconductor ZnTe (110), which is a promising material in the research field of semiconductor spintronics, was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). First, the surface states formed by reconstruction by the charge transfer of dangling bond electrons from cationic Zn to anionic Te atoms, which are similar to those of IV and III–V semiconductors, were confirmed in real space. Secondly, oscillation in tunneling current between binary states, which is considered to reflect a conformational change in the topmost Zn–Te structure between the reconstructed and bulk-like ideal structures, was directly observed by STM. Third, using the technique of charge injection, a surface atomic structure was successfully fabricated, suggesting the possibility of atomic-scale manipulation of this widely applicable surface of ZnTe.     

Visualization of mitochondria with green fluorescent protein in cultured fibroblasts from patients with mitochondrial diseases

cDNAs for green fluorescent protein (GFP) and for a GFP fusion protein containing the presequence of human ornithine transcarbamylase (pOTC-GFP) were transfected into cultured human fibroblasts. GFP cDNA gave diffuse fluorescence throughout the cytoplasm and the nucleus, whereas pOTC-GFP cDNA gave mitochondria-associated fluorescence. Fluorescent mitochondrial structures could be classified into five patterns: thread-like mitochondria, fine thread-like ones, rod-like ones, granular ones, and granular ones with weak cytosolic fluorescence. pOTC-GFP mutants resulted in a loss of mitochondrial fluorescence and an appearance of weak fluorescence throughout the cytoplasm. pOTC-GFP cDNA was transfected into fibroblasts from patients with various mitochondrial diseases. Higher ratios of fibroblasts with granular mitochondria and those with fine thread-like ones were observed in a patient with Reye's syndrome and a patient with Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Weak cytosolic fluorescence was sometimes observed in fibroblasts from these patients. This method will be useful to analyze mitochondrial structural alterations and disorders of mitochondrial protein import.     

一种独特和可靠的厚/薄铜复合PWB

本文论述一种厚/薄铜复合PWB(及其可靠性),它允许PWB设计者在厚铜和薄铜之间以任何希望的图形进行随意选择,以使电源模块/分配电路可以和精细图形特征一起集成,从而适应离I/O数半导体封装的要求。     

Hardware system of the Earth Simulator

The Earth Simulator (ES), developed under the Japanese government’s initiative “Earth Simulator project”, is a highly parallel vector supercomputer system. In this paper, an overview of ES, its architectural features, hardware technology and the result of performance evaluation are described.

In May 2002, the ES was acknowledged to be the most powerful computer in the world: 35.86 teraflop/s for the LINPACK HPC benchmark and 26.58 teraflop/s for an atmospheric general circulation code (AFES). Such a remarkable performance may be attributed to the following three architectural features; vector processor, shared-memory and high-bandwidth non-blocking interconnection crossbar network.

The ES consists of 640 processor nodes (PN) and an interconnection network (IN), which are housed in 320 PN cabinets and 65 IN cabinets. The ES is installed in a specially designed building, 65 m long, 50 m wide and 17 m high. In order to accomplish this advanced system, many kinds of hardware technologies have been developed, such as a high-density and high-frequency LSI, a high-frequency signal transmission, a high-density packaging, and a high-efficiency cooling and power supply system with low noise so as to reduce whole volume of the ES and total power consumption.

For highly parallel processing, a special synchronization means connecting all nodes, Global Barrier Counter (GBC), has been introduced.     

Wave propagation in two-phase flow of magnetic fluid under a nonuniform magnetic field

The effect of nonuniform magnetic field on the linear and nonlinear wave propagation phenomena in two-phase pipe flow of magnetic fluid is investigated theoretically to realize the effective energy conversion system using boiling two-phase flow of magnetic fluid. Firstly, the governing equations of two-phase flow based on the unsteady thermal nonequilibrium two-fluid model are presented and the linear void wave propagation phenomena in boiling two-phase flow are numerically analyzed by using the finite volume method. Next, the nonlinear pressure wave propagation in gas-liquid two-phase flow is numerically analyzed by using the finite different method. According to these theoretical studies on the wave propagation phenomena in two-phase flow of magnetic fluid, it seems to be a reasonable proposal that the precise control of the wave propagation in two-phase flow is possible by effective use of the magnetic force.     

An expert system for XPLE cable deterioration diagnosis and life forecasting

The recent increase in the demand for power in urban areas has caused changes in the way power is supplied. Underground distribution systems have been introduced for convenience in urban areas and to prevent injuries in case of a crisis. As a result, many new types of power cables are being used. One type, XPLE cables (also called CV cables) have been rapidly taking the place of conventional cables such as OF or SL cables since the 1960s because of their relatively easy installation and maintainability. However, distribution cables used under severe environmental conditions deteriorate rapidly (due mainly to water treeing), and some cables experience insulation breakdown. Therefore, many diagnostic methods have been developed, though they have not been very effective. By combining methods, a high reliability can be achieved in comparison to the use of a single method. However, processing the data is difficult for on-site personnel, so many experts are required. But there is a lack of qualified experts, hence we have turned to the development of expert systems.     

Evaluation of Morphology—Stable Critical Size of KNbO3 Crystals

Skeletal form of KnbO3 crystals growing in Li2B4O7 solvent was in-situ observed at 900℃ and it was found that shallow depression started to develop on the surface of KnbO3 crystals when the crystal size exceeded several micron,typically 7 micron.Based on the quantitative criterion derived by Chernov,the estimated critical size of KNbO3 crystals was 1 micron,which was consistent with the experimental measurement.The kinetic coefficients,Kcorner and Kcr,in the criterion were experimentally obtained in the diffusive-convective and diffusive-advective flow states respectively.     

Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor

A case of primary carcinoid tumor arising in the liver of a 69 year old woman with no endocrine symptoms is reported. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed initially as a hepatocellular carcinoma in the biopsy specimen, and was shown subsequently to be a carcinoid tumor, demonstrating diffuse positive staining with Grimelius method. Mucin stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), alcian-blue, and mucicarmine, and was shown partially in the glandular structures. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells stained positively for chromogranin-A, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and neuron specific enolase (NSE). Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense core granules, measuring 40-120 nm in diameter in some of the tumor cells. Intensive and careful searches pre- and post-operatively revealed no other primary source of tumor other than the liver. The patient was reported well with no symptoms 3 1/2 years after the operation. This case is considered to be a primary hepatic carcinoid tumor. The recent literature is reviewed, and the possible histogenesis of hepatic carcinoid tumor is discussed.     

Interconnected power systems with superconducting magnetic energy storage

The objective of this work is to discuss the concept of back‐to‐back interconnection systems with energy storage, especially with a Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) incorporated into a back‐to‐back DC link. In this case, each converter of the back‐to‐back system is used as a power conditioning system for the SMES coils. Since the AC–DC converter can be designed independently of the frequency of the power system, a two‐way switch is connected to the AC side of each converter. This two‐way switch can select the interconnected power systems. By using the two‐way switches, this system can provide the stored energy in the SMES system to each interconnected power system through two AC–DC converters. For instance, lower‐cost power of each power network can be stored through two converters during the off‐peak hours and made available for dispatch to each power network during periods of demand peak. Then this system increases the reliability of electric power networks and enables the economical operations depending on the power demand. This paper describes the unique operations of the back‐to‐back interconnection with SMES and discuses the optimal SMES configuration for a 300‐MW‐class back‐to‐back interconnection. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(2): 37–43, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20482     

Catabolic fate of dietary trilinoleoylglycerol hydroperoxides in rat gastrointestines

To elucidate whether dietary lipid peroxides are absorbed in the body, the catabolic fate of trilinoleoylglycerol hydroperoxides (TL-OOH), in the gastrointestines of rats was examined. Oxidized trilinoleoylglycerol with a peroxide value of 1000 meq/kg, 0.5 or 20 mg, was dosed intragastrically to rat together with 59.5 or 40 mg unoxidized trilinoleoylglycerol, respectively. The fate of TL-OOH in gastric and intestinal lumina was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography periodically until 240 min after treatment. At low dose, TL-OOH was soon broken down to linoleic acid hydroperoxides (LA-OOH) and hydroxyls, probably through gastric lipases, whereas at high dose, TL-OOH was retained in the stomach. In both cases, TL-OOH did not reach the intestines, though the unoxidized lipids moved to the intestines. When LA-OOH was given intragastrically, the lipids decomposed in the stomach, and linoleic acid hydroxyls, hexanal, 9-oxononanoic acid, and two novel compounds were detected 30 min after treatment. The novel compounds were identified to be epoxyketones, 11-oxo-12,13-epoxy-9- and 11-oxo-9,10-epoxy-12-octadecenoic acids. Thus, dietary TL-OOH was broken down in the stomach releasing, LA-OOH which decomposed further, and did not reach the intestines.