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.     

Thallium-201 myocardial SPECT in Bland-White-Garland syndrome: two adult patients with inferoposterior perfusion defect

A myocardial 201TI SPECT examination was conducted both prior to and following surgery of two adult patients with an anomalous left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery (Bland-White-Garland syndrome). In this syndrome, the anterior wall is usually affected first. Preoperative examination demonstrated an inferoposterior perfusion defect. In both patients, the right coronary artery was markedly dilated, and a significant left-to-right shunt formation was observed. Both patients were diagnosed as possibly having coronary steal syndrome. A prolonged inadequate blood supply to the right coronary region may cause inferoposterior cardiomyopathy. In the postoperative examination, myocardial perfusion markedly improved in one patient whose preoperative SPECT showed redistribution in a delayed scan. Thallium-201 SPECT was therefore found to be useful in assessing both the preoperative and postoperative myocardial perfusion.     

Novel method of preparing Ag–Hg alloy on polyacrylamide films and their structure

A novel method is proposed of preparing thin Ag–Hg alloy on PAAm film surface at room temperature: The film of interest is formed by holding PAAm aqueous solution with AgNO₃ in Hg-saturated atmosphere. Two kinds of films, one of which is a conductor and the other an insulator, can be selectively formed with pH-controlled PAAm solution by ammonia. The conducting surface is assigned to the α phase of Ag–Hg alloy by means of X-ray analysis. Potentiometric titration and IR spectral studies suggest the existence of PAAm–Ag⁺ complexes. On the basis of their structure and the oxidation and reduction potential of Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺, the mechanism of film formation is also discussed.     

水相酶促酯化法拆分dl－薄荷醇的连续操作

对影响脂肪酶活性、稳定性和对映选择性的因素，如有机溶剂和反应温度等首先进行了优化。其次，使用悬浮于环已烷的粉末状游离脂肪酶（ＣａｎｄｉｄａｃｙｌｉｎｄｒａｃｅａｌｉｐａｓｅＯＦ３６０）作生物催化剂，成功地构建了一个高效的非水相游离酶连续搅拌釜反应器。当使用高度反应性的丙酸酐作为薄荷醇的酰基给体，进行连续的酶促对映选择性酯化反应时，醇的转化率在两周内可保持４０％以上，所生成酯的光学纯度超过９５％ｅ．ｅ。但是，当使用相应的游离丙酸（而不是酸酐）作酰基给体时，薄荷醇的转化率在连续操作开始后迅速下降，表明使用酸酐时的生产力要比使用游离酸时高。最后，对底物溶液的浓度和流速进行了进一步优化；同时对反应器系统的含水量进行了监测，并通过对酸酐料液的浓度或流速进行微调的方法，有效地将有机溶液相的水分浓度控制在一定的范围（２～４ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）之内，结果，ｄｌ－薄荷醇对映选择性连续酯化反应非常稳定地运行了两个月之久（转化率４７～３５％，光学纯度９５～９８％ｅ．ｅ．），酶反应器的半衰期超过２００天。     

Development of a robot assisted carotid blood flow measurement system

The ultrasound diagnosis of the carotid artery is one of the most common non-invasive methods to detect early stage heart and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the precision and repetitiveness of the probe positioning depend exclusively on the operator's skills and dexterity. For this purpose, we propose the development of a robot assisted system to enhance the accuracy and repetitiveness of the probe positioning to measure the wave intensity (WI) index. In this paper, the Waseda-Tokyo Women's Medical-Aloka Blood Flow Measurement Robot System No. 2 Refined (WTA-2R) is presented. The WTA-2R consists of a conventional ultrasound diagnosis system, a 6-DOFs parallel link slave manipulator, a 6-DOFs serial link passive arm, and a master device. Experiments were carried out to verify its effectiveness in terms of accuracy and required time to perform the task. From the experimental results, the positioning accuracy and reduction of required time were confirmed.     

Asymmetric beam deflection by doubly grooved binary gratings

It is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that the inversion symmetry of the diffraction pattern of a binary grating at normal incidence can be efficiently broken by the use of nonsymmetric profiles with wavelength-scale transverse features. Theoretically, binary gratings with two grooves (of unequal widths but with the same depth) within the period can deflect as much as ～80% of normally incident radiation into the minus first diffraction order when the deflection angle is 45°.     

High-rate Decoupled Water Electrolysis System Integrated with α-MoO3 as a Redox Mediator with Fast Anhydrous Proton Kinetics

Hydrogen is a promising alternative to fossil fuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Decoupled water electrolysis system using a reversible proton storage redox mediator, where the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction are separated in time and space, is an effective approach to producing hydrogen gas with high purity, high flexibility, and low cost. To realize fast hydrogen production in such a system, a redox mediator capable of releasing protons rapidly is required. Herein, α-MoO₃, with an ultrafast proton transfer property that can be explained by a dense hydrogen bond network in the lattice oxygen arrays of HxMoO₃, is examined as a high-rate redox mediator for fast hydrogen production in acidic electrolytes. The α-MoO₃ redox mediator shows both a large capacity of 204 mAh g⁻¹ and fast hydrogen production at a current rate of 10 A cm⁻²(≈153 A g⁻¹), outperforming most of the previously reported solid-state redox mediators.     

Safety aspects of the combined HTTR/steam reforming complex for nuclear hyrogen production

The High-Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) in Oarai, Japan, has the potential to demonstrate the production of hydrogen by steam reforming and using nuclear process heat as primary energy input. Particular safety aspects for such a combined nuclear/chemical complex have been investigated such as fire and explosion hazard at presence of flammable gases (LNG, H₂, CO) near the reactor building. A methane vapor cloud in the open atmosphere or partially obstructed areas is highly unlikely to detonate and damage the reactor building. Theoretical assessments and experimental studies significant to the HTTR-steam reforming system, include the spreading and combustion behavior of cryogens and flammable gases providing the basis for a comprehensive safety analysis of the nuclear/chemical facility.