UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Axon outgrowth and guidance to the proper target requires the coordination of filamentous (F)-actin and microtubules (MTs), the dynamic cytoskeletal polymers that promote shape change and locomotion....Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The aim for deterministic control of the interactions between macroions in aqueous media has motivated widespread experimental and theoretical work. Although it has been well established that like-charged macromolecules can aggregate under the influence of oppositely charged condensing agents, the specific conditions for the stability of such aggregates can only be determined empirically. We examine these conditions, which involve an interplay of electrostatic and osmotic effects, by using a well defined model system composed of F-actin, an anionic rod-like polyelectrolyte, and lysozyme, a cationic globular protein with a charge that can be genetically modified. The structure and stability of actin-lysozyme complexes for different lysozyme charge mutants and salt concentrations are examined by using synchrotron x-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. We provide evidence that supports a structural transition from columnar arrangements of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dominating factors in plasma nitriding and plasma condition that makes nitriding possible in plasma nitriding process of metals having hard oxide film were studied. In case of stainless steel, oxide film sputtering was easier comparing to nitriding layer. Three phenomena such as sputtering of oxide layer, formation of nitriding layer and sputtering of nitriding layer occurred simultaneously. Nitriding was achieved when the formation of nitriding layer reached the peak comparing to the removal of nitriding layer after the removal of oxide layer. Situations of metallic surface of stainless steel in surface nitriding were divided into four categories and they were, situation where oxide layer remained as it is, situation where nitriding layer was formed although oxide layer remained in some part, situation where only nitriding layer was formed and situation where sputtering was carried out. It was revealed that plasma situation causing nitriding was the cathode fall voltage appropriated ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kawasaki Steel has constructed many facilities for 15 years to produce cold rolled products and galvanized products in Mizushima Works and Chiba Works. To efficiently and stably produce high and uniform quality products, various new control methods have been developed and applied to these new facilities. Especially, temperature control in a continuous annealing line, zinc coating control in a continuous galvanizing line or paint coating control in a multi-purpose coating line and tension control to achieve stable processing are the most advanced technologies and are introduced in this paper. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, the state-of-the-art ultrasonic and magnetic measuring techniques developed at Kawasaki Steel and used in the production process of steel sheets are described. Representative examples shown here are as follows: (1) Magnetic flux leakage testing system for the detection of nonmetallic inclusions, (2) Nondestructive orientation measurement for secondary re-crystallized grains in grain-oriented electrical steel by ultrasonic interferometry, (3) Immersion testing method for the detection of nonmetallic inclusions, (4) Surface wave probe for the detection of surface flaws in rolls used in rolling mills. Developments of these techniques and their applications to actual steel sheets production processes have contributed to advance in technologies for quality assurance and control. With the help of these techniques, steel sheet products with advanced and uniform properties are being continuously produced to meet customers' needs. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recently, the lithium ion-conductive solid electrolyte draws attention because there is a possibility of producing the maintenance-free battery which is characterized by having such advantages as high energy density and no possibility of electrolyte leak because of solid state structure. The invented lithium ion-conductive solid electrolyte is formed by sintering the granular electrolyte expressed in the following general formula: Li(1+(4-n)x)MxTi(2-x)(PO4)3 (M = mono- or di-valent cation, x = 0.1 - 0.5). Examples of the monovalent cation are Na[sup +], K[sup +], Rb[sup +], Cs[sup +], and Cu[sup +]. Examples of divalent cation are Mg[sup 2+], Fe[sup 2+], Be[sup 2+], Ca[sup 2+], Sr[sup 2+], Ba[sup 2+], Ra[sup 2+], Mn[sup 2+], Co[sup 2+], Cu[sup 2+], Ni[sup 2+], Zn[sup 2+], and Cd[sup 2+]. The electric conductivity of lithium ion is increased with the increase in the content of Li[sup +] in the electrolyte. 4 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As for surface treatment of steel, the ion nitriding method has a lot of advantages and is practically used, while the plasma nitriding is known as a method which is faster in nitriding than the ion nitriding method. However, there are few reports and many unclear points on the plasma nitriding method. In this study, the plasma nitriding of pure iron and SUS304 is conducted using r.f. nitrogen plasma glow discharge to examine composition of the nitrided layers, microstructures, nitriding rate, etc. Moreover, by exposing the specimen once nitrided to H2 plasma, a phenomenon that nitrogen comes out of the specimen surface is examined. It is found from the result that the nitrided layer is divided into a compound layer and a diffusion layer in order from the surface, that in case of pure iron, the compound layer grows predominantly at a low temperature, and the diffusion layer grows predominantly at a high temperature, that in case of SUS304, both layers grow rapidly as a temperature ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In order to establish the optimum fueling in a natural gas fueled dual fuel engine, tests were made for some operational parameters and their combination on the engine performances and the exhaust emissions. The results show that the gas oil quantity should be increased and gas oil injection timing should be advanced to suppress unburned hydrocarbon emission at middle and low output range, while the quantity should be reduced and the timing should be retarded to avoid onset of knock at high loads. The unburned hydrocarbon emission and the thermal efficiency are improved at the same load avoiding too lean natural gas premixture by restriction of intake charge air. However the improvement is limited because the ignition and initial combustion of pilot diesel fuel is deteriorated when the cylinder pressure is excessively lowered by throttling. The increase in pilot gas oil amount is effective for low-load operation and the adequate combination of throttle control and equivalence ratio ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The passive films formed on iron metal, alloys or stainless steel are extremely thin oxides or hydroxides and possess the properties of high chemical stability in the environment. These films show characteristics interested both electrical as well as electrochemical point of view due to the thin thickness of the films. Auger Electron Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy and so on which are the conventional electrochemical measurement methods or the surface analysis methods are used for the analysis and evaluation of these films, however, at present, the application of research technique focusing the superconductor characteristics of the films are tried. Although, the potential modulation reflection spectroscopy method has merits like possibility of in-situ measurement, high precision, possibility of stable analysis even for extremely thin film and so forth, it has also demerits like difficulty to response the potential modulation of hydroxides and also detection is difficult. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effects of the rate of resin addition and moisture content (MC) on the static bending properties and creep behavior of phenol-resin-treated particleboards are investigated. The modulus of rupture (MOR) of phenol-resin-treated boards shows the maximum value at 7 to 9 percent MC and large decreases at 19 to 28 percent MC, retaining values about 30 to 40 percent lower than those in the oven dry condition. The bending property is improved with the increase of low molecular weight resin content, and the tendency is obvious when MC is high. Creep compliance tends to increase with the increase of MC, and the rate of increase is larger with smaller resin content. The value of creep compliance after 48 hours under load becomes about 1.8 times the value in the dry condition at 7 to 9 percent MC, and about 2 times the value when MC increases to 19 to 27 percent from 7 to 9 percent. In addition, the orientation of particleboard has the most effective effect on the improvement of the creep ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the wide range from brown coal to anthracite, an investigation was made of effects of heat treatment on physical/chemical properties and of coal rank dependence. For the experiment, 12 kinds of coal samples were used, and for heat treatment, the fluidized bed heated by the electric furnace and the infrared-ray gold image furnace were used. To examine characteristics of the heat-treated coal char, conducted were oxygen gasification, TPD measurement, XRD measurement, alkali metal measurement, and pore distribution measurement. The following were obtained from the experiment. The gasification reaction rate of the char heat-treated in the temperature range between 900{degree}C to 1700{degree}C decreases with a rise of the temperature of heat treatment, and the degree of decrease in the rate depends on coal rank. The order of gasification rate between coal ranks depends on the temperature of heat treatment, and the lower the heat treatment temperature is, the more largely the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In steel production lines such as pickling lines, cold rolling mills and coil processing lines, the needs for on-line continuous measurement of surface quality and property of products and on-line inspection of surface defects have become strong. This is because user requirements for the surface quality of various products have become severer than before and besides, expectations are running high on the side of manufacturers for higher speeds of production lines and higher quality by the adoption of automatic inspection. As for the measurement of surface quality, continuous measurements along the full length of a steel strip are required in order to overcome problems derived from off-line, batch measurements that cannot satisfy user's demands for quality assurance. As for surface defects detection, various kinds of methods have been practically applied to production lines. However, it is the matter of fact that performances of these methods are not satisfactory under the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To use such sites very effectively, pile foundations will be used for soil stabilization and for important structures for the prevention of subsidence. Negative friction that may ensue from the differential settlement of the soil has to be prevented. Measures against gas will include gas collecting and exhausting facilities in the lower parts of structures, natural and forced exhaust systems, and gas detection/warning units. For revegetation, plants strong against bad soil should be selected, they should be protected from generated gas with protecting sheets or the like, and a thick layer of vegetation-capable soil needs to be laid. Replacement, compaction, and solidification are the fundamentals of soil improvement at wastes final treatment locations and of soil-related pollution prevention in the vicinity of the newly produced sites. Across the country, the service life expectancy is approximately 7-8 years for general wastes and approximately 2.3 years for industrial wastes, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effect of powder particle sizes of n- and p-Bi2Te3 on the thermoelectric properties has been studied. The powder was formed from the each ingot and sieve into <63, 63-90 and 90-150{mu}m for p-type, and <355 and >355 {mu}m for n-type. Those powders are pressed followed by CIP, then sinterd at 773K for S. Effects of CIP on the densities were not so large such as 1-4% depending on the powder sizes. The Setback coefficients and electric conductivities for p-type were 110{mu}V/K and 0.8{times}10{sup 2}ohm{sup -1}m{sup -1} at 333K, while 18O{mu}V/K and 2.0{times}10{sup 4}ohm{sup -1}m{sup -l} for n-type, respectively. The thermal conductivity for n-type was 0.7W/mK leading to the figure of merit of 2.1{times}10{sup -3}(/K). The hybrid texture of the suitable amount of smaller and larger grains has a possibility of an improvement for thermoelectric properties. 10 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Discussed in this paper are the P-wave and S-wave zero-offset VSPs carried out utilizing boreholes located in Nada Ward, Kobe City, and Hokudan-cho, Hyogo Prefecture, as part of the deep layer boring survey following Hanshin Earthquake Disaster. This effort aims at the elucidation of P-wave and S-wave velocity structures, high-precision identification of data obtained by the surface reflection method, and collection of basic data for active faults investigation in the future. Among the velocity structures obtained for various layers, the S-wave velocity structures in particular agree with the stratigraphy excellently and may be utilized in seismic analyses to be conducted in the future. Reflection from geological boundaries is received with precision, providing accurate information about correlation between reflection and geological cross sections. The records will be useful in formulating plans for reflection surveys for instance of the boundary between the Osaka group and Kobe group. ...