A Web Server for Designing Molecular Switches Composed of Two Interacting RNAs

The programmability of RNA–RNA interactions through intermolecular base-pairing has been successfully exploited to design a variety of RNA devices that artificially regulate gene expression. An in silico design for interacting structured RNA sequences that satisfies multiple design criteria becomes a complex multi-objective problem. Although multi-objective optimization is a powerful technique that explores a vast solution space without empirical weights between design objectives, to date, no web service for multi-objective design of RNA switches that utilizes RNA–RNA interaction has been proposed. We developed a web server, which is based on a multi-objective design algorithm called MODENA, to design two interacting RNAs that form a complex in silico. By predicting the secondary structures with RactIP during the design process, we can design RNAs that form a joint secondary structure with an external pseudoknot. The energy barrier upon the complex formation is modeled by an interaction seed that is optimized in the design algorithm. We benchmarked the RNA switch design approaches (MODENA+RactIP and MODENA+RNAcofold) for the target structures based on natural RNA-RNA interactions. As a result, MODENA+RactIP showed high design performance for the benchmark datasets.     

Characterization of alternative plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) sheets for blood containers

This study aimed to optimize the ratio of dioctyl 4‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DOTH) and di‐isononyl‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DINCH^®) for use as plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheets. We also evaluated the biological safety of DOTH for its potential to be part of a safe PVC‐based blood container. The suppression of hemolysis in mannitol‐adenine‐phosphate / red cell concentrates (MAP/RCC) with DOTH/(DINCH^®‐PVC) sheets and the elution of plasticizers from the sheets increased with higher DOTH compositions. The properties of the PVC sheet containing DOTH and DINCH^® in the ratio of 25:33 parts against PVC 100 parts as a weight were almost identical to the PVC sheet made of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate. From a subchronic toxicity test, DOTH did not show any adverse effects on all organs, including the testes, epididymis, liver, and kidneys. The no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level was 300 mg/kg body weight/day in a rat. These results suggest that DOTH/DINCH^® (25:33) is a promising candidate for the replacement of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate in blood containers. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:520–528, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

First nuclear transmutation of 237Np and 241Am by accelerator-driven system at Kyoto University Critical Assembly

This study demonstrates, for the first time, the principle of nuclear transmutation of minor actinide (MA) by the accelerator-driven system (ADS) through the injection of high-energy neutrons into the subcritical core at the Kyoto University Critical Assembly. The main objective of the experiments is to confirm fission reactions of neptunium-237 (²³⁷Np) and americium-241 (²⁴¹Am), and capture reactions of ²³⁷Np. Subcritical irradiation of ²³⁷Np and ²⁴¹Am foils is conducted in a hard spectrum core with the use of the back-to-back fission chamber that obtains simultaneously two signals from specially installed test (²³⁷Np or ²⁴¹Am) and reference (uranium-235) foils. The first nuclear transmutation of ²³⁷Np and ²⁴¹Am by ADS soundly implemented by combining the subcritical core and the 100 MeV proton accelerator, and the use of a lead-bismuth target, is conclusively demonstrated through the experimental results of fission and capture reaction events.     

A feasible core design of lead bismuth eutectic cooled CANDLE fast reactor

Among the innovative reactor concepts, CANDLE has several advantages over conventional reactor designs. However, when CANDLE is extended to long life, the clad integrity at high neutron fluence, the build-up of fission product gases, and the pressure drop for long cores pose technological challenges which have to be overcome. In this paper, we propose practically viable design procedures, such as recladding the entire fuel pins and replacement of different amounts of fuel at different radial positions, to ensure clad integrity and flat power distribution, respectively. We demonstrate the efficacy of such design procedures by calculations that are performed on a LBE CANDLE reactor. Our calculations show that for a reactor operation period of 3700 days the various reactor parameters are within the limits proposed by Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).     

Synthesis of Ti-based bulk quasicrystal by shock compression

We attempted to produce a Ti₄₅Zr₃₈Ni₁₇ bulk icosahedral (i) quasicrystal by a shock compression technique, in which a single-stage powder gun discharges a flyer plate that consolidates the target powders. The results were also compared with those by a conventional hot-pressing. The powder mixtures for the shock compression were blended by two kinds of methods; that is, gently mixing in a vial, and mechanically alloying by a planetary ball mill. A large bulk i-phase sample, with a Ti₂Ni crystal phase, was synthesized from mechanically alloyed powders after shock compression at a higher flyer velocity, although the conventional hot-pressing at 3 MPa synthesized only the Ti₂Ni phase. For the gently mixed powders, no reaction occured even after shock compression. High-pressure and high-temperature produced during shock compression, and milling process were key factors to obtain the i-phase. The Vickers hardness and the wetting contact angle with pure water under an atmospheric pressure for the bulk sample containing the i-phase were about 7 GPa and about 70°, respectively.     

Development of fabrication process for Ag/polydiacetylene (core/shell) hybridized nanocrystals

Core/shell hybridized nanocrystals composed of Ag nanoparticle core and polydiacetylene shell were fabricated successfully by means of “co-reprecipitation/microwave irradiation method”. The hybridized nanocrystals were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. UV–vis spectral measurements revealed that polydiacetylene shell was the red phase while π-conjugated backbone is distorted. Detailed mechanism of formation of the red phase was discussed.     

High-temperature formation phases and crystal structure of hot-pressed thermoelectric compounds with chalcopyrite-type structure

In this study, we introduced the temperaturedependent formation phases and crystallographic parameters of hot-pressed silver gallium telluride AgGaTe_2 and copper gallium telluride CuGaTe_2 with chalcopyrite structure from 300 to 800 K. These two compounds are potential thermoelectric materials in the intermediate temperature range; however, the temperature-dependent formation phases and crystallographic parameters of hotpressed samples have not yet been analyzed in detail. The crystal structure analysis based on synchrotron X-ray diffraction(SXRD) measurements clarifies that impurity phases such as Te and Ag_2 Te in the AgGaTe_2 matrix and Te and CuTe in the CuGaTe_2 matrix appear at some temperature regions above 300 K. The existence of such impurity phases could be correlated with the increases of the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of the samples after multiple measurement cycles of the temperature-dependent transport properties from 300 to 800 K.The tetragonal lattice parameters a and c, tetragonal lattice volume, thermal expansion coefficients, tetragonal distortion, anion displacement parameter, and isotropic displacement parameter of the hot-pressed AgGaTe_2 and CuGaTe_2 were also analyzed. These crystallographic parameters are expected to substantially affect the thermoelectric properties of AgGaTe_2 and CuGaTe_2. Our results provide prospect of the long-term high-temperature stability and clues of the detailed analysis on the transport properties of hot-pressed AgGaTe_2 and CuGaTe_2, which should aid their development for thermoelectric applications.     

Characterization of carbonaceous films deposited on metal substrates by liquid-phase electrodeposition in methanol

In this study, we report the characterization of carbonaceous films deposited on metal substrates by liquid-phase electrodeposition in methanol. The characterization of carbonaceous films by electrodeposition was examined by means of Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), atom probe (AP) and high resolution-elastic recoil detection analysis (HR-ERDA). From these results, it was found that the films deposited on the metal substrates were composed of the sp² and sp³ carbon contents, of which the ratio was about 7:3. Furthermore, the films by electrodeposition contained much hydrogen. The hydrogen contents in the surface were about 60 at.% and those in the subsurface were a few 10 at.%.     

系统模块(SiP)和三维封装(3D)在移动通讯中的应用

电子封装业界正遭受着前所未有的来自手机和其他移动通讯终端设备挑战。在这一领域里,IC封装的关键是尺寸微型化,缩减成本和市场时机。这一挑战的背后隐含着手机技术发展的两大趋势:系统模块化和日益增长的复杂性及功能。越来越多的功能正在被组合到手机上即PDA、MP3、照相机、互联网等等。功能的增加需要靠模块化来实现,而模块化又促进了更多功能的组合。同时,模块化使得移动通讯终端设备得以微型化、降低成本和缩短设计周期。业界越来越多地感受到整体射频模块和通讯模块解决方案的必要性。这些整体模块把手机设计师从电路设计的细节中解脱出来,从而能专著于高层的手机应用和系统的设计。为了满足上诉移动通讯产品的苛刻要求,大量的新兴电子封装技术和封装产品应运而生。最引人注目的例子在于对系统模块穴SiP雪和三维穴3D雪封装的重点资金和技术投入。这两项先进封装技术有着各自不同的特征和应用范围。总体介绍先进封装技术在移动通讯中的应用,重点讨论电子封装材料和工艺所面临的挑战和最新发展趋势。对移动通讯带来的新一轮集成化及其所产生的潜在供应链问题也做了适当的讨论。     

Development of a measuring method for several types of programmed tool paths for NC machine tools using a laser displacement interferometer and a rotary encoder

Many circular motion measuring methods for NC machine tools have been proposed, however, the drawback common to many of these methods is the restriction on the radius size due to the short measuring range of the displacement transducers used. Moreover, most of these measurement tools are specialized, and can only perform circular test path measurements. A circularity test method using a laser displacement interferometer and a rotary encoder has been developed. The measuring method features a much longer range of motion than ordinal circular test methods such as the double ball bar (DBB) method and, therefore, the radius restriction on these measurements is greatly reduced. Moreover, this measuring system can also be used for the evaluation of positioning accuracy and other more complex test paths.

The proposed device consists primarily of a laser displacement interferometer and a rotary encoder. The holders for the interferometer head and the retroreflector are connected with a stainless steel rod. The retroreflector holder has a synthetic resin linear bearing allowing it to move relative to the interferometer head so that both optical components are always facing each other. The laser interferometer measures the change in distance between the interferometer head and the retroreflector, and the rotary encoder measures the rotation angle of the stainless steel rod.

In this paper, the background, measuring principle and apparatus structure are briefly described. The experimental setup is also presented. The apparatus was employed in several measuring experiments, including circularity tests for a vertical machining center. The results from these experiments support the validity of this measurement apparatus.