Dyeing properties of oxygen low-temperature plasma-treated wool and nylon 6 fibres with acid and basic dyes

Wool and nylon 6 fibres treated with oxygen low-temperature plasma were dyed with acid and basic dyes. Despite the increase of electronegativity of the fibre surface caused by the plasma treatment, the rate of dyeing of wool was increased with both dyes, while that of nylon 6 was decreased with the acid dye and increased with the basic dye.     

Sensorless control of synchronous reluctance motors using on‐line parameter identification method not affected by position estimation accuracy

This paper presents a novel on‐line parameter identification method for sensorless control of Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs). Although conventional sensorless control methods based on mathematical models usually need some complex measurements of motor parameters in advance, the proposed identification method does not require them and can be realized on‐line. The proposed method identifies motor parameters under sensorless control, so rotor position and velocity cannot be used to identify these parameters. However, the proposed method does not need rotor position and velocity, and identified parameters are not affected by these estimation errors. The sensorless control using identified motor parameters is realized, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by experimental results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(3): 62–69, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20258     

Molecular beam epitaxial growth of SrO and CaO with RHEED intensity oscillation

SrO and CaO, related compounds of BSCCO superconductor, are grown onto SrTiO₃(100) substrates with molecular beam epitaxy(MBE) technique. During growth, the specular spots of RHEED patterns show intensity oscillations, indicating two dimensional growth. The periods of oscillations are utilized to calculate the atom fluxes. It is shown that sublimation processes of both Sr and Ca metals in the effusion cells are stable under the growth condition of oxide films. The periods of oscillations during the SrO growth are independent of substrate temperature, confirming that Sr atoms are oxidized immediately and stay on the substrate surface without re-evaporation. These informations are practically available for precise control of the atomic layer controlled MBE of BSCCO superconductor thin films.On leave from Superconductiivity Research Laboratory, ISTEC.     

Gas exchange function of the middle ear in patients with otitis media with effusion

Gas exchange function through the middle ear mucosa was assessed using nitrous oxide (N2O) in patients with otitis media with effusion (OME), as well as in normal ears during elective surgery for unrelated disorders. In all normal ears except one (n = 43), an increase in pressure was observed after N2O inhalation. In 42 of 84 ears with OME, a pressure increase was observed, but not in the remaining 42 ears (50%), indicating that the gas exchange function in these latter ears was impaired. In 21 of the 42 ears showing no middle ear pressure increase following N2O inhalation, the middle ear pressure was again monitored after myringotomy and aspiration of the effusion A pressure increase was found in 16 ears, indicating that the impairment in gas exchange function in ears with OME may be reversible in most cases. Computed tomography of the mastoid was examined preoperatively in 66 ears, with the presence or absence of a middle ear pressure change well correlated in 57 ears with the presence or absence of mastoid aeration.     

Combining natural language with direct manipulation: the conceptual framework for a hybrid human-computer interface

This paper describes the development of a conceptual model of an interaction system for future human-computer interaction. It is suggested that an integrated system is the most promising solution for diverse users and tasks. A ' hybrid interaction system' is considered, which tries to efficiently direct manipulation, menu selection, and natural language. The mechanism of the natural language interface module is described in more detail. Finally, the allocation of functionalities for generalized tasks on the conceptual model is considered from the taxonomic approach.     

Nonlinear repetitive control with application to trajectory control of manipulators

In this article, a new control scheme named repetitive control is proposed for a class of nonlinear systems described by x(t) = Ax(t) + Bu(t) + n(x(t)) and y(t) = Cx(t), in which the controlled variables follow periodic reference commands. The stability condition is derived by applying the passivity theorem. We show how to apply the repetitive control scheme to the trajectory control of a manipulator. A simple repetitive control scheme is developed for the trajectory control of a manipulator by using nonlinear compensation and feedbacks of position and velocity signals. Experimental results for a three link manipulator verify that the proposed repetitive control reduces the tracking error to a very low level.     

Links between Immune Cells from the Periphery and the Brain in the Pathogenesis of Epilepsy: A Narrative Review

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the pathogenesis of epilepsy is linked to neuroinflammation and cerebrovascular dysfunction. Peripheral immune cell invasion into the brain, along with these responses, is implicitly involved in epilepsy. This review explored the current literature on the association between the peripheral and central nervous systems in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, and highlights novel research directions for therapeutic interventions targeting these reactions. Previous experimental and human studies have demonstrated the activation of the innate and adaptive immune responses in the brain. The time required for monocytes (responsible for innate immunity) and T cells (involved in acquired immunity) to invade the central nervous system after a seizure varies. Moreover, the time between the leakage associated with blood–brain barrier (BBB) failure and the infiltration of these cells varies. This suggests that cell infiltration is not merely a secondary disruptive event associated with BBB failure, but also a non-disruptive event facilitated by various mediators produced by the neurovascular unit consisting of neurons, perivascular astrocytes, microglia, pericytes, and endothelial cells. Moreover, genetic manipulation has enabled the differentiation between peripheral monocytes and resident microglia, which was previously considered difficult. Thus, the evidence suggests that peripheral monocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of seizures.     

Thermodynamic study of the phase equilibria in the Sn−Ti−Zn ternary system

The Sn−Ti−Zn ternary phase diagram has been constructed using the CALPHAD technique. The Ti−Zn binary system phase boundaries were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and the solid-liquid diffusion couples method. In addition, the formation energy of some stoichiometric compounds was obtained using first-principle band energy calculations. For the ternary system, some alloys were prepared by equilibration at 600 or 700 °C, and the compositions of the precipitates were analyzed using electron probe microanalysis. Thermodynamic assessment of the Ti−Zn and Sn−Ti−Zn systems was performed based on the experimental information and by adopting reported values of the thermodynamic properties of the Sn−Zn and Sn−Ti binary systems. Microstructural observation showed that Sn₃Ti₅Zn₁₂ exists in the ternary system. Seven types of invariant reaction on the Sn-rich liquidus surface of the ternary system are predicted by the phase diagram calculations. The ternary eutectic point falls at 0,0009 mass% Ti and 8.69 mass% Zn, at T=192.40°C, which is slightly lower than the calculated eutectic point of Sn−Zn binary alloy (T=192.41°C). Based on these results, a nonequilibrium solidification process using the Scheil model was simulated. This paper was presented at the International Symposium on User Aspects of Phase Diagrams, Materials Solutions Conference and Exposition, Columbus, Ohio, 18–20 October, 2004.     

Digestion of crosslinked poly(vinylpyridinium halide) by activated sludge,and application to make poly(methyl methacrylate) biodegradable by incorporation of a pyridinium group into the main chain

Crosslinked poly(N-benzyl-4-vinyipyridinium bromide) has been found to be digested by activated sludge obtained from sewage works. As an extension of this work, the authors attempted to make poly(methyl methacrylate) biodegradable by incorporation of a pyridinium group. Poly(methyl methacrylate) containing a small amount of N-benzyl-4-vinylpyridinium chloride in the main chain showed remarkable reduction in molecular weight and gravimetric weight when placed in an aeration tank of a sewage works. Molecular weight reduction by activated sludge was more conspicuous when content of the pyridinium group was larger and the original molecular weight before the biological treatment was lower. Since insoluble pyridinium-type polymer captures microbial cells alive, this biodegradation appears to be facilitated by enhancement of affinity of the synthetic hydrophobic polymer with cells of microogranisms. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of bismaleimide resins containing ether bonds

New bismaleimides containing ether bonds were prepared. The thermal properties of the bismaleimides were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effects of structure of the bismaleimides and curing conditions on the thermal and mechanical properties of the cured resins such as initial decomposition temperature (T_d), glass transition temperature (T_g), and flexural strength were studied. The introduction of ether bonds to bismaleimide resins decreased the brittleness of the resins without reductions in their heat-resistant properties.