Structural modeling of beams on elastic foundations with elasticity couplings

A new simplified structural model and its governing equations for beams on elastic foundations with elastic coupling are proposed. This modeling system is simple but appropriate for the initial structural design of large-scale submerged floating-beam structures moored by tension legs spaced at uniform interval along the beam. The model is actually for beam on discrete elastic supports rather than on continuous elastic foundations. Therefore, the governing equations are based on finite difference calculus and solutions for beams on discrete elastic supports with elasticity coupling are also proposed. To clarify the applicability limit of the proposed model, the equivalence between a beam on discrete elastic supports and that on continuous elastic foundation is investigated by comparisons of characteristic solutions.     

The E(4) Πu state in K2 and its perturbations

The E(4) ¹Π_u←X ¹Σ⁺_g band system of the K₂ molecule is investigated by the technique of Doppler-free optical–optical double resonance polarization spectroscopy. The observed vibrational levels v=0 to 9 of the E state are subject to numerous rotational perturbations by the neighboring 4 ³Π_u, 4 ¹Σ⁺_u, and 5 ³Σ⁺_u electronic states. By using deperturbation methods, the potential curves of the 4 ¹Π_u and 4 ³Π_u states are determined as well as some properties of the 4 ¹Σ⁺_u and 5 ³Σ⁺_u state potentials. The results are compared with predictions of ab initio calculations.     

Influence of radial electric field on trajectories of plug potential bounce ion in the tandem mirror

Bouncing ions between the plug potentials play an important role in improvement of the axial confinement in the tandem mirror. We examined the influence of the radial electric field on the trajectories of the ions passed through the anchor cell with nonaxisymmetric magnetic configuration on the assumption that the shape of the magnetic flux tube was shifted from the shape of the equipotential surface of the plasma at the mirror throats of the anchor cells. The discrepancy between the shapes enhanced the radial drift of the bounce ion. Radial potential profile of the core plasma was controlled by adjustment of the radially separated endplate potentials, and it was found that the flattened radial potential profile was effective for the decrease of the radial drift. Presented at 5th Workshop “Role of Electric Fields in Plasma Confinement and Exhaust”, Montreux, Switzerland, June 23–24, 2002.     

Depolarization in reentrant spin glasses: a comparison between neutron and muon probes

In the amorphous ( Fe_1-x Mn_x)₇₅ P₁₆ B_6 Al_3 alloys, muon and neutron depolarization data, combined with the results of small angle neutron scattering, magnetization and Mössbauer spectroscopy, probe the existence of three distinct magnetic transitions at T_C, T_K and T_F (T_F < _K < _C).     

A new method for the determination of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase activity in human erythrocytes by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography

A new method for the determination of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) activity in human erythrocytes is described. APRT activity was assayed by a non-radiochemical method in which adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and AMP metabolites produced from a substrate adenine were converted to inosine by alkaline phosphatase and adenosine deaminase. The inosine thus produced was quantitated by reversed phase HPLC. This method was simple, precise, sensitive and free from interference with other co-existing erythrocyte enzymes. Four patients with 2,8-dihydroxyadenine urolithiasis and others with several disorders in purine metabolism have been studied, showing that the present method is clinically useful for the diagnosis and the evaluation of the severity of some human diseases.     

Developmental changes of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase expression in Sarcophaga peregrina

To elucidate the physiological role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), we studied the levels of PARP mRNA and protein during the developmental stages of Sarcophaga peregrina. PARP mRNA expression changed remarkably throughout the developmental stages. The level of PARP mRNA (the molecular ratio of PARP mRNA to the total RNA) was highest in unfertilized eggs and that of PARP protein (the molecular ratio of PARP protein to the total protein of the crude extract) was high in unfertilized and fertilized eggs and in 1st instar larvae. During the embryogenesis period, the levels of PARP mRNA and protein gradually decreased. The levels of PARP mRNA during larval and pupal periods became less than about 5% of that in unfertilized eggs. After the emergence of adult flies, the levels of PARP mRNA and protein increased both in female and male flies. PARP activity normalized with the total amount of protein in the crude extract changed in parallel to the level of PARP protein throughout the developmental stages. The biological significance of the drastic change of mRNA and protein levels of PARP still remains to be clarified.     

Acoustic characteristics of rough voice: Subharmonics

This study investigates the relationship between rough voice and the presence of Subharmonics, which correspond to smaller yet distinct peaks located between two consecutive harmonic peaks in the power spectrum. Spectrum analysis was undertaken in 389 pathologic voices, of which 20 had subharmonics. Although all 20 voices had roughness perceptually, 8 had normal jitter and/or shimmer. The degree of roughness had a significant inverse relationship with the frequency of subharmonics. By digital signal processing, sound samples with various types of subharmonics were synthesized and perceptually analyzed. Power and frequency of subharmonics in the synthesized sound also had significant relationships with the degree of roughness. Rough voice is acoustically characterized not only by jitter and shimmer but also by the presence of subharmonics in the power spectrum. Subharmonics are important acoustic properties for objective evaluation of rough voices.     

Unusually large magnetic anisotropy in a CuO-based semiconductor Cu5V2O10

A CuO-based material Cu(5)V(2)O(10) was successfully grown in a closed crucible using Sr(OH)(2)·8H(2)O as flux. The structure of Cu(5)V(2)O(10) can be viewed as being composed of two types of zigzag Cu-O chains running along the b- and c-axes, which shows a two-dimensional crosslike framework with 12-column square tunnels along the a-axis. Magnetic measurements show that Cu(5)V(2)O(10) exhibits unexpected large magnetic anisotropy, which is the first time magnetic anisotropy energy of ～10(7) erg/cm(3) in the CuO-based materials has been observed. The origins of large anisotropy are suggested to arise from strong anisotropic exchanges due to the particular bonding geometry and the Jahn-Teller distortion of Cu(2+) ions. Further, the band structure investigated by the GGA+U method suggests that Cu(5)V(2)O(10) is a semiconductor.