Correlation between motion of source bender element and feedback signal induced by self-monitoring

Since the introduction of bender element tests to soil testing, the reliability of the estimated travel time has been the most serious problem. The author has previously shown a potential solution whereby removing the response of the bender element subsystem from the whole response could dramatically improve the accuracy of the travel time estimation. In order to lay the foundation for estimating the response of the bender element subsystem, this paper examines the correlation between the displacements of the element and the induced feedback signals by employing a self-monitoring element. The response of the self-monitoring element is modeled as a transfer function involving two internal transfer functions that relate the input signals to the displacements and the displacements to the feedback signals, respectively. Using a laser displacement sensor, the displacements are directly measured through the entire surface and reveal the three-dimensional bending motion of the element oscillating in both longitudinal and width directions. The feedback signals are similar to, but inconsistent with, the tip displacements, and an attempt is made to correct the feedback signals. Finally, a conclusion is given on the potential for estimating the response of the bender element subsystem using the self-monitoring element.     

Effects of high molecular weight component on crystallization of polyethylene under shear flow

Crystallization of polyethylene (PE) blends of low and high molecular weight components under shear flow was studied using time-resolved depolarized light scattering (DPLS), focusing on effects of the high molecular weight component on the shish-kebab structure formation. Anisotropic two-dimensional scattering pattern due to shish-like structure formation was observed above a certain concentration of the high molecular weight PE. The threshold was about 2.5-3 times larger than the chain overlap concentration, suggesting an important role of entanglements of the high molecular weight component. On the basis of these results a gel-spinning-like mechanism for the shish-like structure formation has been proposed. The DPLS results also implied that the shish-like structure was mainly formed from the high molecular weight PE. This was confirmed by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements on an elongated PE blend of low molecular weight deuterated PE and high molecular weight hydrogenated PE (3 wt%).     

STM tunneling spectroscopy on high Tc superconductors

STM tunneling spectroscopy has been performed on the bulk single crystals of BiSrCaCuO (BSCCO) and the epitaxial thin films of YBaCuO (YBCO) at cryogenic temperatures. The STM images and tunneling spectra observed on the (001) surfaces can be classified into three cases; 1) Atomic image is visible. However, the tunneling spectrum shows semiconducting or smeared superconducting gap structures, depending on the tip-sample distance. 2) Clear atomic image can not be obtained. But, the tunneling spectrum shows flat bottom region with quite low zero bias conductance. 3) Tunneling spectra demonstrate gapless behavior, independent of the tip-sample separation. These observations support the quasi-2D electronic picture in whichs-wave like 2D superconducting layers are coupled with each other through the Josephson effect.     

Combined pars plana vitrectomy, lens removal and intraocular lens implantation for complications of diabetic retinopathy. Surgical results in 120 cases

We performed combined vitrectomy, lens removal and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 120 eyes of 101 patients. Follow-up periods ranged from 3 to 63 months, with a mean of 17 months. Three lens removal methods were used: extracapsular cataract extraction (14 eyes), phacoemulsification and aspiration (49 eyes), and pars plana phacoemulsification (57 eyes). Preoperative rubeosis iridis or neovascular glaucoma was found in 21 eyes. Gas or temporary silicone oil tamponade was employed in 32 eyes. Surgical results were good, and the postoperative vision was finger counts or below only in 13 eyes. Thus the combined surgery proved to have no serious problems. Our results indicate two important points. (1) It is best to chose either of the following two methods for the lens surgery: phacoemulsification with continuous circular capsulorhexis, self sealing sclerocorneal incision, and in-the-bag fixation of the posterior chamber lens, or pars plana phacoemulsification leaving the anterior capsule, rub off and aspirating the lens epithelial cells, continuous circular capsulorhexis, and posterior chamber lens implantation in front of the anterior capsule from a self-sealing sclerocorneal wound. (2) It is mandatory to do complete vitrectomy and cut out the vitreous gels incarcerated in the sclerotomy site.     

Molecular Mechanisms and Tumor Biological Aspects of 5-Fluorouracil Resistance in HCT116 Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a cornerstone drug used in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the development of resistance to 5-FU and its analogs remain an unsolved problem in CRC treatment. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms and tumor biological aspects of 5-FU resistance in CRC HCT116 cells. We established an acquired 5-FU-resistant cell line, HCT116R^F10. HCT116R^F10 cells were cross-resistant to the 5-FU analog, fluorodeoxyuridine. In contrast, HCT116R^F10 cells were collaterally sensitive to SN-38 and CDDP compared with the parental HCT16 cells. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that a cluster of genes associated with the 5-FU metabolic pathway were not significantly mutated in HCT116 or HCT116R^F10 cells. Interestingly, HCT116R^F10 cells were regulated by the function of thymidylate synthase (TS), a 5-FU active metabolite 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) inhibiting enzyme. Half of the TS was in an active form, whereas the other half was in an inactive form. This finding indicates that 5-FU-resistant cells exhibited increased TS expression, and the TS enzyme is used to trap FdUMP, resulting in resistance to 5-FU and its analogs.     

Influence of Metal Ions on the Order-Disorder Transition Temperature of the Ba-M-O (M: La, Y, In, or Ga) System

Preparation of BaLa₂O₄, B_a3,Y₄O₉, B_a,In₂O₅, and Ba₃Ga₂O₆ powders and their sintering were investigated in Ar or air. These sintered bodies with perovskite-related structure were synthesized by reaction sintering, using mixed powders in the atomic ratios of Ba/La = 1, Ba/Y = 0.75, Ba/In = 1, and Ba/Ga = 1.5. The order-disorder transition temperatures of the BaLa₂O₄, Ba₃Y₄O₉, Ba₂In₂O₅, and Ba₃Ga₂O₆ sintered bodies were 270°, 350°, 880°, and 123O^oC, respectively. It was found that the temperatures were influenced by the ionic radius of cations in B sites, and the transition temperatures decreased with increasing ionic radius.     

Studies on catalysis by molten metals. 14. Catalytic cracking of asphalts at low temperature

The catalytic effects of liquid metals for low-temperature (336 °C) asphalt-cracking have been examined using a semi-batch reactor. All the liquid metals examined (Bi, Cd, Ga, In, Pb and Sn) effectively catalysed the reduction of molecular weight with minimal gasification (<1 wt%). Gasification had a positive correlation with the reduction in molecular weight in the processed asphalts. The catalytic activities of liquid metals tor these two reactions were proportional to a parameter which represents the interaction between the atoms of the catalyst metal and the radicals formed in the course of the reaction. Mass flow among four fractions (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes) had two independent paths: conversion of resins to saturates and of aromatics to asphaltenes. The former path dominated when catalytic dehydrogenation activity was relatively low, whereas the latter dominated when the catalytic activity was high.     

Anhydrous proton conductor consisting of pectin–inorganic composite material

An organic–inorganic proton conductive composite material consisting of a biopolymer was prepared by mixing the pectin, tetraethyl titanate, and imidazole. Although the pectin material without the composite dissolved in water, the pectin–inorganic composite material did not show water solubility. In addition, in the composite material, the pectin and imidazole formed an acid–base structure by an electrostatic interaction, and as a result, these composite materials showed a thermal stability at intermediate temperatures (100–200°C). Furthermore, these composite materials indicated the proton conductivity of 5.6 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at 180°C under anhydrous conditions. The activation energy of the proton conduction under anhydrous conditions was 0.32–0.22 eV and these values were one order of magnitude higher than that of the typical humidified perfluorinated membrane, such as Nafion^®. The organic–inorganic composite material consisting of a biocomponent may have the potential to be utilized as a novel proton conductor under anhydrous conditions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42433.     

Kinetics and reaction scheme of coal liquefaction over molten tin catalyst

Rates of formation of gases, oils, asphaltenes and preasphaltenes during non-solvent liquefaction of coal over molten tin catalyst have been measured. A probable reaction scheme and the rate constants for the pathways comprising the scheme have been presented. The results show that the catalyst greatly accelerates the conversion of preasphaltenes to asphaltenes. It also accelerates two other reactions, i.e., coal to preasphaltenes and coal to asphaltenes. By contrast, the catalyst does little to promote gasification and formation of oils.