Integrated-optic device for a fibre laser Doppler velocimeter

We first demonstrate an integrated-optic device for a fibre laser Doppler velocimeter, which consists of a waveguide interferometer and a frequency shifter in z-propagation Ti-diffused LiNbO3. The device is also pigtailed with a single-mode fibre to pick up a Doppler-shifted signal. Using the fabricated device, the velocity of a moving object was successfully heterodyne-detected with a signal/noise ratio of 30dB.     

Activation of thymic B cells by signals of CD40 molecules plus interleukin-10

We have previously found that thymic B cells, particularly thymic CD5+ B cells, show low responsiveness to the usual B cell stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide or anti-IgM plus interleukin (IL)-4, although they proliferate and produce antibodies after direct interaction with major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T blasts. These findings raise the possibility that a CD40-CD40 ligand (L) interaction is involved in the activation of thymic B cells. In the present study, we therefore examine this possibility using CD40L-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb). When B cells in the spleen and peritoneal cavity were stimulated, they proliferated and produced immunoglobulin (Ig) in the presence of CD40L-CHO cells or anti-CD40 mAb alone. However, another signal delivered by IL-10 in addition to CD40L-CHO cells or anti-CD40 mAb was found to be necessary for thymic B cells to proliferate and secrete Ig. Other interleukins acting on B cells, such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6, had no effect on the activation of thymic B cells, which thus have unique characteristics not found in peripheral B cells. This report discusses the physiological significance of IL-10- and CD40-driven signals in the activation of thymic B cells.     

Electrochemical noise analysis for estimation of corrosion rate of carbon steel in bicarbonate solution

We have investigated the electrochemical noise behavior of carbon steel in fully deaerated aqueous bicarbonate solutions, and discussed the optimum conditions of the noise analysis for estimating corrosion rate of the steel. Noise of the potential difference and of the short-circuit current between two identical steel coupons were successfully measured. The time-series noise patterns were transformed into frequency domain by fast Fourier transformation, and then their power spectrum densities (PSDs) at a frequency were determined to be compared with the corrosion rate. The PSDs of the potential and of the current varied with changing environmental factors of bicarbonate concentration, pH, and immersion time. The factors also controlled the corrosion rate of the steel. The PSDs were associated with the corrosion rate, and then it was found that the PSDs of the potential and of the current showed linear correlation with the corrosion rate in log-log scale. There was also linear relationship between the corrosion rate and a spectral noise resistance obtained from the PSDs of the potential and the current. The linearities of the three correlations were better at a lower analyzed frequency. Furthermore, the PSDs of the current and the noise resistance indicated more linear correlation with the corrosion rate than that of the potential. As the simplicity of the measurement system is additionally considered, it is concluded that the PSD of the current noise at an analyzed frequency of 3 mHz is the optimum conditions for estimating the corrosion rate from 10⁻² to 10⁰ A m⁻² in this study.     

High oleic acid oil suppresses lung tumorigenesis in mice through the modulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade

This study was undertaken to estimate the effect of dietary high oleic acid oil (OA) on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. Diet containing 10% oil was fed to mice through experimental periods. On day 30 after NNK injection (100 mg/kg body weight, i.p.), the treatment increased the level of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker of cell proliferation in a high linoleic acid oil (LA)-fed group but not in an OA-fed group. The NNK treatment also induced the activation of an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) cascade (Erk, Mek and Raf-1) in an LA-fed group. On the other hand, OA feeding abolished the NNK-induced activation of the Erk cascade. In conjugation with these events, OA feeding reduced lung tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity (percentage of mice with tumors) in mice compared with LA feeding at the 20th experimental week. These results suggest that OA suppresses lung tumorigenesis and that this suppression is correlated with the inhibition of PGE₂ production and inactivation of the Erk cascade.     

Crack initiation model for sensitized 304 stainless steel in high temperature water

To investigate the initiation behavior of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) for sensitized Type 304 stainless steel in high temperature water, a constant load SCC test method combined with in situ crack observation technique was employed. The in situ crack observation system allowed us to detect small cracks of at least 100 μm. As a result, a fracture time decreased with an increase in an applied stress. The first cracks were observed at most 3 h before the specimen was fractured under all the stress conditions. After that, many cracks were initiated in a short time to fracture. The fracture was caused by coalescence of multiple cracks rather than by growth of some primary cracks. The simulation model for surface crack initiation was newly developed using a Monte Carlo method, which was based on damage mechanics and stress analysis around the existing cracks. The simulation could represent the empirical results of changes in the crack distribution and the cumulative number of cracks during the SCC tests. It was concluded, therefore, that the crack initiation process should be considered in simulating the life prediction of the material in this SCC system.     

Generalized multiplicative stochastic processes arising from one-dimensional maps with noise

Artificial Life and Robotics - We propose a class of generalized multiplicative stochastic processes obtained by introducing an endo-perspective into one-dimensional maps with additive noise. We...     

A study of reactor neutrino monitoring at the experimental fast reactor JOYO

We carried out a study of neutrino detection at the experimental fast reactor JOYO using a 0.76 tons gadolinium loaded liquid scintillator detector. The detector was set up on the ground level at 24.3 m from the JOYO reactor core of 140 MW thermal power. The measured neutrino event rate from reactor on-off comparison was 1.11±1.24(stat.)±0.46(syst.) events/day. Although the statistical significance of the measurement was not enough, backgrounds in such a compact detector at the ground level were studied in detail and MC simulations were found to describe the data well. A study for improvement of the detector for future such experiments is also shown.     

Syntheses of Spinon Thermal Conductivity Materials in Sr–Cu–O System by Glass‐Ceramics Technique

We have synthesized spinon thermal conductivity materials in Sr–Cu–O system by glass‐ceramics technique. The materials are promising for active control of thermal energy in microelectronic devices because of high and anisotropic thermal conduction, its controllability, and electric insulation. Nevertheless, research on these materials has been limited to that concerning theoretical perspectives and investigation of physical properties using large single crystals. In this study, we adopt glass‐ceramics technique to synthesize these materials: We prepared melt‐quenched multicomponent oxides including SrO and CuO, and checked its glass‐forming ability and crystallization behaviors by heating. As a result, we have found that SrCuO₂ and Sr₁₄Cu₂₄O₄₁, known as the spinon thermal conductivity materials, are synthesized using SrO–CuO–?Li₂O–?Al₂O₃?–Ga₂O₃ system. This synthesis process for the system will provide practical application of the spinon thermal conductivity materials.