Half Cycle Terahertz Pulse Generation by Prism-Coupled Cherenkov Phase-Matching Method

Nonlinear optical terahertz wave generation is a promising method for realizing a practical source with wide frequency range and high peak power. Unfortunately, many nonlinear crystals have a strong absorption in the terahertz frequency region. This limits efficient and widely tunable terahertz wave generation. The Cherenkov phase-matching method is one of the most promising techniques for overcoming these problems. We propose a prism-coupled Cherenkov phase-matching method, in which a prism with a suitable refractive index at terahertz frequencies is coupled to a nonlinear crystal. We demonstrate prism-coupled Cherenkov phase-matching terahertz generation using the DAST and LiNbO₃ crystals. With a DAST crystal, we obtain a spectral flat tunability up to 10 THz by difference frequency generation. With a LiNbO₃ crystal, we observe a spectral flat broadband terahertz pulse generation up to 5 THz pumped by a femto second fiber laser. The obtained temporal waveform is an ideal half cycle pulse suitable for reflection terahertz tomography.     

Decomposition analysis of CO2 emission in long-term climate stabilization scenarios

To achieve the stabilization of greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere, the international community will need to intensify its long-term efforts. Many EU countries have released national long-term scenarios toward 2050, and their ambitious targets for CO₂ emission reduction are aiming at a decrease of more than 50% of today's emission. In April 2004, Japan began a research project on its long-term climate policy. This paper discusses the long-term scenarios in other countries and the medium-term scenarios in Japan to support the development of a Japan's long-term climate stabilization scenario. In this study, CO₂ emission is decomposed with an extended Kaya identity (indexes: CO₂ capture and storage, carbon intensity, energy efficiency, energy intensity, economic activity) and a Reduction Balance Table is developed.     

Concentrations of sialyloligosaccharides in bovine colostrum and milk during the prepartum and early lactation

Sialyloligosaccharides and sialylglycoconjugates in colostrum and milk are regarded to be important biological components with respect to be source of brain gangliosides in infant and to be antiinfectional components for the attack by the pathogenic bacteria and virus. Several acidic oligosaccharides have been characterised in both bovine and human milk or colostrum. The sialyloligosaccharide content of human colostrum and milk has been extensively studied, whereas that of cows milk and colostrum has received less attention. In this study, the concentrations of three sialyloligosaccharides of bovine colostrum and milk were determined at various stages during the prepartum and the first 7 d postpartum. The concentration of 3'SL (Neu5Ac(alpha2-3)Gal(beta1-4)Glc) reached a maximum value of 0.85 mg/ml immediately following parturition while the concentrations of 6'SL (Neu5Ac(alpha2-6)Gal(beta1-4)Glc) and 6'SLN (Neu5Ac(alpha2-6)Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc) of 0.14 and 0.12 mg/ml, respectively, were much lower at this initial stage, although these concentration were maximum immediately following parturition. Bovine colostrum, especially that collected immediately after parturition, may be suitable as a source of 3'SL and other sialyloligosaccharides for use as additives by the food or pharmaceutical industries.     

A real-time inspection system using a terahertz technique to detect microleak defects in the seal of flexible plastic packages

A method to detect production faults in flexible plastic packages with the use of terahertz radiation is presented. Relying on the large difference between the absorption coefficients of plastic and water (for water-filled channel defects) and on the refraction index difference between plastic and air (for air-filled channel defects), our technique consists of focusing and scanning a terahertz beam on the sealed area of the package, followed by detection of the transmitted signal. Compared with previous methods, such as visual and ultrasound inspection, our technique can be applied to optically opaque packages and does not require immersion in a matching liquid. We tested our system on defects that we fabricated as water-filled and air-filled channels imbedded in polyethylene films, with diameters in the range of 10 to 100 microm. The detection limit (the minimum size of a detectable defect) depends on the conveying speed; this relationship was determined and analyzed. The results show that our system has the potential for application in an actual production line for real-time inspection.     

Photocatalytic decolorization of azo-dye with zinc oxide powder in an external UV light irradiation slurry photoreactor

Photocatalytic decolorization of azo-dye Orange II in water has been examined in an external UV light irradiation slurry photoreactor using zinc oxide (ZnO) as a semiconductor photocatalyst. The effects of process parameters such as light intensity, initial dye concentration, photocatalyst loading and initial solution pH on the decolorization rate of Orange II have been systematically investigated. A two-stage photocatalytic decolorization of Orange II, the first stage of fast decolorization rate and the subsequent second stage of rather slow decolorization rate, was found. The efficiency of decolorization of Orange II increased as initial Orange II concentration decreased and UV light intensity increased. There was the optimal ZnO concentration being around 1000 mg L(-1). The optimal pH was around 7.7, which was at the natural pH of the dye solution. The effect of aeration rate on the decolorization of Orange II has been also investigated and the enhancement of decolorization of Orange II with increasing aeration rate was found. By using a model for the light intensity profile in the external UV light irradiation slurry photoreactor, the simulation model for the decolorization of Orange II with ZnO photocatalyst has been developed. The proposed model in which the slow decolorization in the second stage as well as the initial fast decolorization is also taken into account could simulate the experimental results for UV light irradiation satisfactorily. The proposed simulation model in which the change of light intensity with time due to the decolorization of Orange II and the light scatter due to solid photocatalysts are considered will be very useful for practical engineering design of the slurry photoreactor of wastewater including textile dyes.     

Suspension of solid particles in multi‐impeller three‐phase stirred tank reactors

Solids suspension characteristics in gas—liquid–solid three‐phase stirred tanks with multi‐impellers were experimentally examined. Minimum impeller speeds for ultimately homogeneous solid suspension have been measured stirred tank reactors. Three impellers were installed: two four‐pitched blade downflow disk turbines and one Pfaudler type impeller chosen to provide good gas dispersion and to accomplish off‐bottom suspension of solid particles, respectively. Gas dispersion causes an increase in particle sedimentation associated with a decrease in power consumption and as a result, minimum impeller speeds for ultimately homogeneous solid suspension increase with increasing gas flow rates. A correlation was developed to predict minimum impeller speeds for ultimately homogeneous solid suspension. The proposed correlation, which agrees satisfactorily with the experimental results, is expected to be useful in design and scale‐up.     

Synthesis and properties of novel perfluorocyclohexylated compounds with bis(perfluorocyclohexane carbonyl) peroxide

Bis(perfluorocyclohexane carbonyl) peroxide was prepared by the reaction of the corresponding acyl fluoride and hydrogen peroxide. This peroxide was applied to the preparation of perfluorocyclohexylated end‐capped oligomers via a radical process under very mild conditions. In cyclic perfluorocyclohexylated end‐capped oligomers containing hydroxy segments, these oligomers could cause a gelation in water and in polar organic solvents such as MeOH, EtOH, dimethylformamide (DMF), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and the gelling ability of these oligomers was superior to that of the corresponding linear perfluorooxaalkylated oligomers. Furthermore, perfluroocyclohexylation of polystyrene or benzene was proceeded via a single electron transfer reaction by using this peroxide. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1101–1108, 1999     

Potent antibacterial peptides generated by pepsin digestion of bovine lactoferrin.

The antibacterial properties of enzymatic hydrolysates of bovine lactoferrin were examined to determine whether active peptides are produced from this protein. Hydrolysates prepared by cleavage of lactoferrin with porcine pepsin, cod pepsin, or acid protease from Penicillium duponti showed strong activity against Escherichia coli O111, whereas hydrolysates produced by trypsin, papain, or other neutral proteases were much less active. Low molecular weight peptides generated by porcine pepsin cleavage of lactoferrin showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of a number of Gram-negative and Gram-positive species, including strains that were resistant to native lactoferrin. The antibacterial potency of the hydrolysate was at least eightfold greater than that of undigested lactoferrin with all strains tested. The active peptides retained their activity in the presence of added iron, unlike native lactoferrin. The effect of the hydrolysate was bactericidal as indicated by a rapid loss of viability of E. coli O111. The lactoferrin hydrolysate described in the present study has commercial value as a natural preservative agent for use in foods and cosmetics, and as a functional component of new clinical foods for prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disease.