Detection of genetically modified organisms in foreign-made processed foods containing corn and potato

Investigations of the validity of labeling regarding genetically modified (GM) products were conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for foreign-made processed foods made from corn and potato purchased in the Tokyo area and in the USA. Several kinds of GM crops were detected in 12 of 32 samples of processed corn samples. More than two GM events for which safety reviews have been completed in Japan were simultaneously detected in 10 samples. GM events MON810 and Bt11 were most frequently detected in the samples by qualitative PCR methods. MON810 was detected in 11 of the 12 samples, and Bt11 was detected in 6 of the 12 samples. In addition, Roundup Ready soy was detected in one of the 12 samples. On the other hand, CBH351, for which the safety assessment was withdrawn in Japan, was not detected in any of the 12 samples. A trial quantitative analysis was performed on six of the GM maize qualitatively positive samples. The estimated amounts of GM maize in these samples ranged from 0.2 to 2.8%, except for one sample, which contained 24.1%. For this sample, the total amount found by event-specific quantitative analysis was 23.8%. Additionally, Roundup Ready soy was detected in one sample of 21 potato-processed foods, although GM potatoes were not detected in any sample.     

Reduction of depth variation in an Si etching process by applying an optimized run-to-run control system

A reduction of depth variation in a shallow trench isolation process is desired for obtaining more stable electrical performances of silicon devices. By applying an optimized run-to-run control system to a silicon trench etching process, trench depth variation of the process was reduced. Cp/Cpk of the trench depth of product wafers were improved from 1.10/0.83 to 1.39/1.34 by the control.     

Lack of evidence for P2X-purinoceptor involvement in fast synaptic responses in intact sympathetic ganglia isolated from guinea-pigs

Recordings were made from neurons in intact pre- and paravertebral guinea-pig sympathetic ganglia using intracellular microelectrodes. Fast excitatory synaptic responses were evoked by stimulation of preganglionic and peripheral nerve trunks. Suramin (0.1-1 mM) did not affect passive or active membrane properties, nor the amplitude or decay time-course of either synaptic potentials or synaptic currents. Synaptic responses were reversibly reduced in amplitude by hexamethonium (98.7 +/- 0.8%, 50-1000 microM) and d-tubocurarine (95.3 +/- 2.6%, 10-280 microM). ATP (0.5-1 mM) and alpha,beta-methylene ATP (1-40 microM) applied in the bathing solution produced no significant changes in resting membrane potential or input resistance. Prolonged application (up to 25 min) of either compound was also without effect on synaptic responses. These substances also did not affect ganglion cells axotomized one to five days in vivo. These data suggest that activation of P2X-purinoceptors is not involved in the generation of fast excitatory synaptic responses in intact guinea-pig sympathetic ganglia. It appears that dissociation of these neurons must markedly increase their sensitivity to purine nucleotides.     

Shear Stress Effect on Thin Films of Platinum Complex Pt(dpg)2 and Chromic Compounds

We have studied the effect of shear stress on thin films of Pt(dpg)₂ and chromic compounds, spiropyrans, by using the sapphire-anvil cell. From Raman spectra under hydrostatic pressure and shear deformation, the shear stress effect on Pt(dpg)₂ was quantitatively estimated. Then, it was observed that the color of spiropyran (1′,3′-dihydro- 1′,3′,3′-trimethyl-6-nitro-spiro [2H-1-benzopyran-2,2′-[2H]indole]) was changed by shear stress.     

A control method for the matrix converter based on virtual AC/DC/AC conversion using carrier comparison method

This paper proposes a novel control method based on the virtual AC/DC/AC conversion for the matrix converter. The virtual AC/DC/AC conversion method is a very simple strategy to control the input current and the output voltage for the matrix converter. There are two new topics proposed in this paper. First, this paper proposes the minimum switching loss modulation on the virtual rectifier. In our proposed modulation, only two arms switching in the virtual rectifier using DC link current control by the virtual inverter can obtain clean sinusoidal input current. Second, a novel lean controlled carrier modulation on the virtual inverter is proposed. The leans of the triangle carrier are controlled by the duty ratio of the rectifier side pulse. The lean controlled carrier reduces harmonic distortion of the input current by avoiding interference between the rectifier control and the inverter control. These new proposals are confirmed by simulation and experimental results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(3): 65–73, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20144     

Design methodology for a braided cylinder

In this study, the design methodology for a braided cylinder was presented. The concept of an analytical model which involved both micro model and macro model was proposed. The analytical method was applied to estimate the rigidity and elastic limit of a braided cylinder subjected to bending and torsional load independently and as combined load. Using the analysis method, the design of a braided cylinder would be carried out in consideration of the factors that decide the mechanical properties of braided cylinder. This method has the possibility to be useful for structural design of braided composites and can be included as a unit in CAE systems for braided composites.     

Phenol novolac/poly(4- hydroxyphenylmaleimide) blend hardeners for DGEBA-type epoxy resin

Phenol novolac/poly (4-hydroxyphenylmaleimide) (PHPMI) blends were used as an epoxy resin hardener. The curing behavior of the above system and the thermal and mechanical properties of the cured epoxy resin were studied. It was not necessary to use a curing accelerator for this system, because PHPMI caused acceleration of the curing reaction. The curing mechanism of this system was investigated by using model compounds. Test pieces from the neat resins and the glass fiber reinforced resins were evaluated in terms of thermal and mechanical properties, respectively. It was found that heat resistance and mechanical properties were improved by increasing the amount of PHPMI in the hardener.