Strain analysis of moving objects using a Fourier transform grid method

There is no good method to measure the shape and the strain distributions of a structure changing with time. We have previously proposed the Fourier transform grid method (FTGM) to measure the three-dimensional shape and surface strain distributions of stationary objects by analysing the two-dimensional grating images recorded with two cameras. In the stereoscopic method, it is very important to determine the accurate geometric parameters of the camera system. In this paper, the positions and the directions of cameras are accurately determined using the FTGM applied to images of a reference object on which a two-dimensional grating is drawn. Applications for analysing shape and strain distributions of vibrating rubber plates and a moving human skin are shown.     

Differences in knowledge production between disciplines based on analysis of paper styles and citation patterns

To identify the differences in the knowledge production between disciplines, we analyzed the relation between the average paper length and impact factor of 100 journals from 5 disciplines. We found negative correlation between the average length and the impact factor in the natural sciences, but not in the social sciences. We also analyzed the structures of paper and the citation patterns. These analyses are expanded to the comparison between Mode 1 and Mode 2. All results showed the natural sciences articles could emphasize the differences from previous studies and be diffused effectively by the short standardized style of paper. This research is partly funded by International Program in Special Coordinating Funds for Promoting S&T from Science and Technology Agency of Japan.     

The citation system: Citation networks as repeatedly focusing on difference, continuous re-evaluation, and as persistent knowledge accumulation

It can be shown that claims of a lack of theories of citation are also indicative of a grate need for a theory which links science dynamics and measurement. There is a wide gap between qualitative (science dynamics) and quantitative (measurement) approaches. To link them, the present study proposes the use of the citation system, that potentially bridges a gap between measurement and epistemology, by applying system theory to the publication system.     

Expression of types I, II, and III TGF-beta receptors in human glomerulonephritis

Protein and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor type I (TbetaRI), type II (TbetaRII), and type III (TbetaRIII) were studied in serial sections of kidney samples obtained from patients with glomerulonephritis. In minimal change disease, weak expression of TbetaRI and TbetaRII was observed mainly in glomerular endothelial cells, peritubular capillaries, and interstitial arteriolar endothelial cells, whereas TbetaRIII expression was found mainly in the interstitium. Expression of all three TGF-beta receptors (TbetaR) was increased remarkably in glomerular and Bowman's capsular cells comprising the tuft adhesions to Bowman's capsules in glomerulonephritis with increased matrix accumulation, including IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Increased expression of the three TbetaR was also seen in glomerular epithelial cells in the vicinity of glomerulosclerotic lesions, in crescent cells, and in some tubules and infiltrative mononuclear cells found in the periglomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions with increased matrix deposition. In contrast, no remarkable TbetaRII expression was noted in mesangial proliferative lesions in IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. These data suggest that distinctive modulation of TbetaR expression may be involved in the development of adhesive, sclerotic, and proliferative renal lesions in human glomerulonephritis.     

Catalysis at the toluene/water interface: shape-selective hydrolysis of esters having some rings and lactones promoted by octadecyl immobilized H-ZSM-5 catalyst

Shape-selective properties of octadecyltrichlorosilane-treated H-ZSM-5, abbreviated as H-ZSM-5-C₁₈, have been observed in the hydrolysis of esters having some rings and lactones in toluene-water solvent system. The shape-selectivity for the reaction has been evaluated by the ratio of the relative rate constants in comparison with the rate constant of methyl acetate. The selectivity became higher with increase in bulkiness of the substrate. Substrates having the minimum diameter larger than 6.5 Å, significantly larger in size than the pore openings of ZSM-5, could not react in this system.     

Effects of Window Size on Accuracy and Spatial Resolution in Windowed Phase‐Shifting Digital Holographic Interferometry1

Abstract: Phase‐shifting digital holographic interferometry is a new method to measure displacement distribution on the surface of an object. Usually holography has speckle noise, which leads to a large error in the analysis of displacement and strain distributions. We previously proposed windowed phase‐shifting digital holographic interferometry (windowed PSDHI). The use of this method leads to accurate displacement analysis, decreasing the effect of speckle patterns. However, noise reduction involves a defect, which renders the spatial resolution low. In this paper, by comparing the conventional noise reduction method using spatial averaging with the windowed PSDHI on spatial resolution, the effectiveness of noise reduction is discussed.     

Identification of Specimen Position and Orientation Using Standard Deviation of Intensity in Phase‐Shifting Digital Holography1

Abstract: Phase‐shifting digital holography is a useful method to measure the displacement distribution and the strain distribution of an object surface. The complex amplitude distribution of an object surface is obtained as the complex amplitude distribution at a reconstruction distance. It is, however, difficult to measure the reconstruction distance by actual measurement. We discovered that the standard deviation of the intensity on the reconstructed image becomes the maximum value when the reconstruction distance is the same as the actual optical path length. The displacement distributions are obtained for the x‐, y‐ and z‐directions. When the normal direction of an object surface inclines from the z‐direction, the displacements defined on the xyz‐coordinate system should be transformed into the object coordinate system. It is, therefore, required to develop a measurement method of the orientation of the object to obtain the parameters for transforming from the xyz‐coordinate system into the object coordinate system. In this paper, the method to identify the position and the orientation of a specimen using the standard deviation of the intensity distribution is proposed.     

Current waveform distortion of doubly‐fed generator for wind turbine application by spatial higher harmonics

This paper describes a method to analyze higher harmonic currents resulting from higher space harmonics, depending on the winding pattern of a doubly‐fed generator. A 1.5‐MW generator was used for the analysis, and the results are compared using finite element magnetic field analysis and measurements. The result revealed that the proposed analysis, which focuses on the winding pattern and takes into account higher space harmonics, allows us to calculate higher harmonic currents at high precision, understand the mechanism of changing higher harmonic currents due to the slip or the load of the generator and considerably reduce higher harmonic currents at the armature by restricting higher harmonic currents at the magnetic field. In addition, the sensitivity analysis of design parameters clarified the relationship between current distortion and basic characteristics on electric designs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(2): 79–85, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20606     

Universality in globally coupled maps and flows

We show that universality in chaotic elements can be lifted to that in complex systems. We construct a globally coupled Flow lattice (GCFL), an analog of GCML of Maps. We find that Duffing GCFL shows the same behavior with GCML; population ratio between synchronizing clusters acts as a bifurcation parameter. Lorenz GCFL exhibits interesting two quasiclusters in an opposite phase motion. Each of them looks like Will o’ the wisp; they dance around in opposite phase. This work was presented in part at the 13th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 31–February 2, 2008