Circuit techniques to enhance the linearity of input-voltage-to-current (V/I) conversion and to increase the output impedance of a current source by compensating for the low intrinsic gain of a transistor were introduced to realize a high-frequency operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) for a low supply voltage using sub-100-nm CMOS processes. Applying these techniques, a MOS th-order Gm-C linear-phase low-pass filter (LPF) was realized using a 65nm CMOS process. A simplified biquad LPF that can serve as a component of a th-order LPF was newly developed by replacing OTAs with resistors. As a result, the -3dB frequency bandwidth, group delay ripple, 3rd-order distortion, and 3rd-order input intercept point (IIP3) were 200MHz, 2.2%, ≤ -55dB with a 100MHz input, and +10.3dBm, respectively, all with a ±0.1Vp-p input signal at each input terminal in the pseudodifferential configuration. The LPF including an output buffer dissipated 60mW in the case of a 1.2V supply. Wide spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) characteristics were confirmed up to high frequencies.

抄録全体を表示

The saponin fraction from the seeds of the tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. KUNTZE (Theaceae)] was found to exhibit potent protective effects on ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. Five new triterpene saponins, theasaponins (1), (2), (3), (), and (), were isolated together with 11 known saponins from the saponin fraction. The chemical structures of 1— were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among the isolated saponins, theasaponins (), (), and (3) and assamsaponin C (10) showed an inhibitory effect on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions at a dose of .0 mg/kg, p.o. and their activities were stronger than that of omeplazole. With regard to the structure–activity relationships of theasaponins, the following structural requirements for a protective effect on ethanol-induced gastric lesions were suggested; 1) the 21- and/or -acyl groups are essential for the activity, 2) acetylation of the 16-hydroxyl group reduce the activity.

抄録全体を表示

We screened the differentiation-inducing activities of 39 mushroom extracts from Akita prefecture, Japan, on the mouse osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-1. Sixteen phosphate buffered saline (PBS), boiled PBS, 14 ethanol and 12 methanol extracts induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, an indicator of MC3T3-1 cell differentiation. The enzyme activities were markedly induced by extracts of Tricholoma auratum, and we isolated the active compound from methanol extracts of this mushroom. Physical data for the isolated active compound were identical to those for (,24R)-ergosta-,-diene-3β,,-triol (1). 1 induced ALP activities of MC3T3-1 cells and promoted cell proliferation. To investigate the relationships between the chemical structure and differentiation-inducing activity of the compound, ALP-inducing activities of MC3T3-1 cells by 1, ergosterol (2), ergocalciferol (3), cholesta-3β,,-triol (), -dehydrocholesterol () and cholecalciferol () were tested. The enzyme activities of MC3T3-1 cells were increased 3.0-fold by 10 μM 1 and 2.-fold by 10 μM . However, 2, 3, and did not induce MC3T3-1 cell ALP activity at 0.1—10 μM. These results suggested that the OH groups at C- and/or C- of 1 and played an important role in their differentiation-inducing activities on MC3T3-1 cells. Furthermore, 1 suppressed induction of MC3T3-1 cell apoptosis by serum starvation.

抄録全体を表示

Some existing analytical methods which have been used in geotechnical engineering are modified to handle the shear strength reduction with time due to softening in fissured, over-consolidated clays and mudstones. These are limit equilibrium analysis of slope stability, calculation of earth pressure and calculation of stress and displacement around a tunnel. The softening effect is incorporated in these analyses using the failure criterion and the time-dependent strength parameters proposed previously by the authors. Examples are presented which emphasize the importance of appreciating the softening effect in analyses and further illustrate that the effect of shear strength reduction with time due to softening could easily be captured with existing analytical methods.

抄録全体を表示

It has been shown after mathematical and mechanical investigation that Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) can be considered as a method to obtain the necessary condition of Slip Line Method (SLM), and that the solution can be obtained under the condition that F_s=1 and ∂F_s/∂θ=O, where F_s is the safety factor and θ is the inclination of the plane on which the safety factor is defined. Next, the generalized LEM (GLEM) is proposed, dealing with the following points : (1) Triangular or quadrangular blocks can be treated; (2) Safety factors are defined also on interblock planes; and (3) All types of plastic problems, slope stability, bearing capacity, and earth pressure are identically formulated. Two situations regarding treatment of the moment equilibrium condition are discussed. GLEM is applied to well-known problems. The results agree well with those obtained by theoretical methods. GLEM can be used to obtain the distribution of earth pressure or bearing capacity. GLEM, Iike ordinary LEM, is very effective for the practical problems, but GLEM is more theoretical and it can result in more accurate solutions.

抄録全体を表示

The design implication of stress-confinement effect of nonwoven geotextile is addressed. The unconfined and confined strengths of a selected needle-punched nonwoven geotextile are used to conduct a comparative design of a granular soil retaining wall based on a limit equilibrium approach. A higher wall may be allowed when considering the confined strength as compared to the unconfined strength. For a selected wall height, confined strength allows for fewer geotextile layers when compared to that designed using unconfined strength. It is recommended that stress-confinement test procedure should be standardized so that confinement effect of some nonwoven geotextiles may be incorporated into an individual wall design procedure.

抄録全体を表示

A comparative study of the static and dynamic response of a slope is carried out, using the large deformation theory of the updated Lagrangian formulation and the conventional infinitesimal theory. In the static analysis, a strength reduction method proposed by one of the authors is used to evaluate the safety factor of the slope. It is found that by the large deformation theory, the safety factor is larger than that calculated by the infinitesimal theory, and this difference becomes large along with the reduction of elastic modulus. In the dynamic analysis, it is observed that the large deformation theory gives smaller sliding displacement and larger response acceleration than the infinitesimal approach. It is concluded that in many cases the large deformation approach gives more adequate solutions.

抄録全体を表示

The ability of Climacodon septentrionalis to immobilize and kill a mycophagous nematode (Aphelenchoides sp.) in vitro is described for the first time. Two isolates produced droplets (20–45 μm in diameter) that formed at the apices of tall, stalked, and branching secretory cells (700–1,500 μm tall). On 2% modified malt extract agar, nematodes became enveloped in the droplets, which restricted their ability to move and resulted in complete immobilization and death within several hours of contact. The rate of decomposition of the nematodes varied considerably, with most individuals persisting for weeks whereas others were degraded within several days and appeared to be colonized by dense hyphal growth. This study provides the first documentation of a non-agaricoid fungus producing secretory cells that are able to immobilize nematodes.

抄録全体を表示

The performance of single pitch and multi pitch screw anchors during the application of installation torque is presented. An experimental testing program was conducted using five models of screw anchors with different geometry. The effect of the shape of the screw element, sand properties, and installation depth on the required installation torque value was examined. A theoretical model was developed from which the required installation torque value can be calculated in terms of the influencing factors. The required installation torque can be determined in terms of the ultimate uplift resistance calculated from any of the available theories. Based on the actual installation torque value measured in the field, the anticipated pullout capacity can be back calculated from the present theory. A comparison between theoretical and experimental results showed good agreement. Also, good agreement was observed when the present theoretical results were compared with the available field results reported in the literature.

抄録全体を表示

A kW class Stirling engine generator has been developed with the aim of constructing a system mainly for service use. The Stirling engine is built up as a 2-piston type with driving mechanism. It has a hot cylinder and a heat-exchanger cylinder in which a regenerator and a cooler are installed, and the both cylinders are connected by a heater made by U-shape tubes. The developed Stirling engine generator is unified hermetically because of including a PM synchronous generator in the driving mechanism. From the results of performance test, electric power is 3.92kW and efficiency is 31.% based on thermal heat into the engine. It is effective in environmental preservation and energy saving to apply the developed Stirling engine generator to a power generation and heat supply system with heat source of wastes and wood biomass, since a heater shape is suitable for absorbing heat form combustion gas.

抄録全体を表示

In view of the significant role of the water film effect in flow failure for a liquefied sandy deposit, the mechanism of water film generation is numerically studied based on a 1-dimensional model test. The process of water film growth and decay can be simulated to a certain extent by a simple consolidation analysis, which indicates that only a small difference in permeability in layered sand is enough for a water film to develop. A 1 G shaking table test for a two-dimensional slope model with an arc of silt within a saturated sand is then addressed to discuss the dilatancy effect exerted in sheared sand during flow failure. It is possible that, once the water film is formed, the transmission of shear stress through it is interrupted, leaving the sand below free from the dilatancy ; this eventually allows the water film to stay without being absorbed during flow failure. The result of another shaking table test for a trapezoidal slope with horizontal silt seams indicate that water films beneath the seams enable the soil mass above them to laterally flow along water films very gently inclined even after shaking. If a silt seam breaks due to excessive pressure in the water film, it triggers re-liquefaction in the upper sand and leads to further instability.

抄録全体を表示

Electrophoretic displays (EPDs) have been used in

-Readers for over a decade. These products have been widely adopted by consumers because of the superior user experience enabled by EPDs. Today, hospitals have also been evaluating products with this technology because of the improved experience it provides to both patients and hospital staff.

抄録全体を表示