A CMOS multichannel 10-Gb/s transceiver

We describe a CMOS multichannel transceiver that transmits and receives 10 Gb/s per channel over balanced copper media. The transceiver consists of two identical 10-Gb/s modules. Each module operates off a single 1.2-V supply and has a single 5-GHz phase-locked loop to supply a reference clock to two transmitter (Tx) channels and two receiver (Rx) channels. To track the input-signal phase, the Rx channel has a clock recovery unit (CRU), which uses a phase-interpolator-based timing generator and digital loop filter. The CRU can adjust the recovered clock phase with a resolution of 1.56 ps. Two sets of two-channel transceiver units were fabricated in 0.11-/spl mu/m CMOS on a single test chip. The transceiver unit size was 1.6 mm /spl times/ 2.6 mm. The Rx sensitivity was 120-mVp-p differential with a 70-ps phase margin for a common-mode voltage ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 V. The evaluated jitter tolerance curve met the OC-192 specification.     

Efficiency of repeated batch penicillin fermentation using two fermentors. Computer simulation and optimisation

Repeated batch operation using two fermentors (RBTF) to penicillin fermentation was demonstrated by computer simulation to improve productivity. Three operation modes were compared: chemostat, repeated batch operation using a single fermentor (RBSF) and RBTF; in each case account was made of the lag period before growth. The simulated fermentor performances were assessed on the basis of the penicillin productivity and concentration; the simulation was based on published batch fermentation data. It was shown that RBTF was superior to RBSF and chemostat. The advantage of RBTF increased as the lag period became greater.     

Carbonization of coals into anisotropic cokes: 7. Copreheat-treatment under short contact-time conditions at high temperature

The copreheat-treatment of non-fusible and slightly fusible coals with A240 and hydrogenated A240 under high temperature-short contact-time conditions around 500 °C has been examined in an attempt to produce a formed coke with better anisotropic development. These conditions shortened the copreheat-treatment time and provided better anisotropic development in the resultant coke after carbonization. Effectiveness of short contact-time has been discussed in terms of the extent of depolymerization of coal molecules suitable for anisotropic development, this being related to coal liquefaction under similar conditions.     

Annual changes in serum vitellogenin concentrations in viviparous eelpout, Zoarces elongatus

Vitellogenin of matrotrophic viviparous eelpout (Zoarces elongatus) was purified from estradiol-17 beta (E2) treated immature male sera by gel chromatography and anion exchange chromatography. Isolated vitellogenin has a molecular weight of 540 kDa estimated by gel chromatography. Serum levels of vitellogenin in females were measured during oocyte development and gestation by single radial immunodiffusion. Serum vitellogenin level was low (less than 0.2 mg/ml) during the early vitellogenic period, increased in the late vitellogenic period to a peak level (6.4 +/- 2.1 mg/ml) at the beginning of gestation. After that it rapidly decreased to a low level (0.1 +/- 0.1 mg/ml) during the early gestation period. Levels of vitellogenin remained low throughout the gestation period. Serum E2 levels in females showed increased from 1.3 to 3.0 ng/ml during the late vitellogenic period, and declined to 0.4 ng/ml during the early gestation period. Serum levels of E2 showed good correlation with serum vitellogenin levels, suggesting that the vitellogenin synthesis is controlled by E2 in this species. These results combined with the matrotrophic growth of embryo during gestation suggest that there is a shift in the synthesis of maternal nutritional products for embryos from the yolk to other nutrients.     

Is it possible to differentiate between choledochal cyst and congenital biliary atresia (type I cyst) by antenatal ultrasonography?

Both choledochal cyst and congenital biliary atresia (type I cyst) may share the same ultrasonographic pattern. We report 2 cases which were shown to have cystic structures on the upper abdomen by antenatal ultrasonography. The size of the choledochal cyst found at 24 weeks' gestation increased steadily as gestational age advanced. But the size of the cyst in congenital biliary atresia found at 29 weeks' gestation remained unchanged throughout the remaining pregnancy. Cyst enlargement, therefore, may suggest the possibility of a choledochal cyst.     

A new family of heparin-binding growth/differentiation factors: increased midkine expression in Wilms' tumor and other human carcinomas

Midkine (MK) and heparin-binding growth-associated molecule/pleiotrophin form a new family of heparin-binding growth/differentiation factors. We studied MK gene expression in human tumors. In normal human reference tissues, MK was highly expressed in the mucosal tissue of the small intestine, moderately in the thyroid, weakly in the tissues of the lung, colon, stomach, kidney, and spleen, and not at all in the liver. All of 6 surgically removed specimens of Wilms' tumor highly expressed MK. Also, a moderate to intense level of MK expression was noted in the majority of surgically removed hepatocellular carcinomas. The MK mRNA level was analyzed in a number of cultured and nude mice-transplanted lines of human tumors. In stomach, colon, pancreatic, lung, and esophageal carcinomas, a moderate to high level of MK expression was found in the majority of them. These results suggest an important role of MK in the development and/or biological behavior of tumors and raised a possibility to use MK as a diagnostic marker. Heparin-binding growth associated molecule/pleiotrophin mRNA was low or scarcely detectable in samples analyzed thus far except for significant levels of the expression that were observed in PA-1 teratocarcinoma cells and in some surgical specimens of Wilms' tumor.     

Effects of Particle Size of Bulk Drug and food on the Bioavailability of U-78875 in Dogs

The effects of particle size and food on the absolute bioavailability of U-78875 in dogs after oral administration of either a suspension or tablet dosage form were investigated. A reduction of particle size caused a significant increase in bioavailability along with an increase in dissolution rate. Additionally, both suspension and tablet dosage forms administered after food caused an increase in bioavailability. Thus, to accelerate drug dissolution, a reduction of U-78875 particle size from the unmilled state is important for the optimization of formulation compositions. To increase the bioavailability of U-78875, postprandial dosing should be considered.     

Current collecting efficiency of micro tubular SOFCs

In this study, current collecting efficiency of the micro tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) was estimated to determine optimum size of the micro tubular SOFC. Two models for collecting current from single terminal (ST) and double terminal (DT) of anode tube were proposed and used to calculate the current collecting efficiency as functions of anode thickness, tube length and operating temperature. It was shown that design of the cell geometry and current correcting method are significantly important to achieve high performance micro tubular SOFC stacks. The efficiency loss estimated from the DT model was about 2–4-fold lower than those of obtained from the ST model. The DT model was shown to be more effective for higher operating temperature and the tube length.     

Advanced Coatings on Furnace Wall Tubes

Nickel-based self-fluxing alloy coating extends the service life of furnace wall tubes at waste incineration plants due to its excellent corrosion resistance and heat resistance. Fusing of such coatings by induction heating offers improved efficiency and reliability of products. Compared with conventional plasma, flame, and high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying thermal-sprayed coatings, induction-fused coatings provide a far stronger metallurgical bond at the interface, while minimizing the inclusion of pores. In addition, the tubes are less costly than those with welded coatings, and the process reduces the distortion of the products, facilitating easier final assembly. A successful experimental application of 11 units in a waste incinerator revealed virtually no corrosion on the exposed surfaces, and showed an improved water heating efficiency over that of the original tubes. Such units are now being employed in four incinerators in Taiwan, and continuing tests are showing great promise.     

Adsorption of urea,creatinine, and uric acid from three solution types using spherical activated carbon and its recyclability

In this paper, we propose that the urinary toxins from the wastewater be adsorbed on an adsorbent such as spherical activated carbon and the latter be regenerated by subjecting it to high temperatures to recycle activated carbon and also to recycle the water used in dialysis. We studied the adsorption of artificial waste dialysate, which is a mixed solution of urea, creatinine, and uric acid, and the separate solutions for each of these and found that their extents of adsorption onto the spherical activated carbon material were nearly identical. The amount of adsorption was approximately 1.4 mg·g^-1 for urea, 18 mg·g^-1 for creatinine, and 20 mg·g^-1 for uric acid. The urea, creatinine, and uric acid adsorbed onto the spherical activated carbon decomposed on heat treatment at 500℃, and the adsorption capacity of the spherical activated carbon was regenerated. Our study successfully demonstrated that the spherical activated carbon can be recycled in the waste dialysate treatment process.