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To clarify the effects of the introduction of Festuca pratensis-derived genomic regions in a tetraploid Lolium perenne genomic background, we analyzed quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for winter hardiness and eight other agronomic traits using two mapping populations generated by sequential backcrosses of two different amphiploid F. pratensis × L. perenne hybrids to tetraploid L. perenne. We constructed two interspecific linkage maps: FLBC2A (143 DNA markers, 301.2 cM total) and FLBC2C (126 markers, 256.2 cM), based on F. pratensis-derived alleles, with 72 markers in common. Interval mapping detected QTLs for seven traits in FLBC2A and for six traits in FLBC2C. In both populations, QTLs for winter hardiness with a positive effect of the F. pratensis allele were detected around common markers on linkage group (LG) 1. In FLBC2A, other additional QTLs for winter hardiness with a positive effect of the F. pratensis allele were detected on LG4 and LG5, and one with a negative effect was detected on LG2. In both populations, a QTL for heading date was detected on LG7. Quantitative trait loci for vigor after planting and stubble width were detected on different LGs between populations. Quantitative trait loci for dry matter yield before winter, plant growth habit, inflorescence length, number of spikelets per inflorescence, and leaf width were detected in only one population. Population-dependent QTLs thought to be involved in intraspecific variation in addition to interspecific one. On the other hand, QTLs found in the two different populations could lead to the development of versatile markers for Festulolium breeding.

Four global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers were installed in a helicopter to reduce positioning errors in aerial radiation monitoring. The effect of positioning errors on the conversion of the counting rate of the detector to the ambient dose equivalent rate at the ground level was evaluated. The positioning results obtained by receiving the centimeter-class augmentation signal known as the L-band experiment, which the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System generates on an experimental basis for a limited time, were used as the reference values. A comparison between horizontal and vertical positioning errors among four receivers demonstrated that the vertical errors were larger than the horizontal errors. They did not differ among receivers, whereas the horizontal errors varied according to the characteristics of the receivers, particularly in mountainous areas; the errors tended to be larger when the terrain change at the measurement point was larger. The median effects of the vertical and horizontal errors on the calculated values of the radiation dose rate at the ground level were 3%–6% and 1%–5%, respectively, and the maximum possible effect of the positioning error was 20%–32%. The fact that the receiver with the highest number of available satellites had larger errors than the other receivers indicated that the elevation angles of satellites and the augmentation signals play an important role in improving the positioning accuracy when the number of available satellites reduces in mountainous areas. This study has provided insight into selecting a suitable GNSS receiver for surveying by vehicles such as helicopters, aircraft, and drones, which are required to perform 3D positioning in complex terrains.

This research presents the performance of Gibbs sampling iterative MIMO detection and decoding scheme with maximum ratio combining (MRC).

Front strut bar is an automotive part commonly used for McPherson suspension system to minimize load on the strut tower by tying both left and right strut with a single bar. By distributing the force acting on a single strut to both strut tower, the strut bar minimizes the chassis flex which improves ride and handling especially during cornering. Therefore, strut bar should be stiffer but lighter at the same time to reduce vehicle weight towards fuel efficiency and lower carbon emission. This research attempts to design a lightweight carbon fiber reinforced polymer strut bar to replace conventional steel strut bar with equivalent stiffness. For validation, a steel strut bar model is analyzed by conducting experimental modal analysis to determine their natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes. These results were compared to simulation results. Later, the dynamic behavior of CFRP and the equivalent mode shapes were analyzed and correlated with static loading test results. Combination of different ply orientation and stack sequence results in the design of an optimized carbon fiber strut bar achieved 48% reduction in weight, up to 40% higher natural frequency while improving or preserving the static and dynamic performances compared to the steel strut bar.

International audience; Norwegian cultivars and breeding materials of perennial ryegrass and Festulolium were planted at three locations in Denmark, France and Japan for testing of resistance against leaf diseases. In general, all plant materials were susceptible to crown rust. The highest incidence of rust attack occurred at the French site, which due to its climatic conditions might be the most suitable testing site for future scoring of similar plant material. Entries based on introgressed genetic materials from UK were most resistant towards crown rust. Crown rust resistance needs increased focus as a breeding objective in the Nordic region due to climate changes, which will most likely lead to increased infection of leaf diseases.

Aims The aims of this study were to investigate the mechanism of atrophic change in ileal mucosa supplied with an elemental diet (ED) and to assess the value of supplemented fat emulsion in the prevention of atrophic change. Materials and methods In experiment 1, 25 male Wistar rats with a body weight of 160-180 g were divided into 3 groups. The first group was fed regular rat chow (Control group, n=5). The second group was given ED containing 0.6% long-chain triglycerides (ED group, n=10). The third group was provided with fat-enriched ED (FED) containing 3.5% long-chain triglycerides (FED group, n=10). Each group received an isocaloric diet (300 kcal/kg/day). 4 weeks later, after euthanization, ileal samples were taken for light and electron microscopic examinations. The morphological changes of the intestinal mucosa and the crypt cell proliferation rate (CCPR) were determined. In experiment 2, to determine the site of fat absorption, 9 rats were fed ED for 1 week. After 24 h of food deprivation, all rats were given 2 ml of FED through a gastric tube. Then 1, 2, and 3 h(s) later, groups of 3 rats each were euthanized, and the total small intestine was obtained from each rat. The proximal and distal jejunum and distal ileum were stained with oil red O. Results In experiment 1, the samples had almost the same morphological appearance irrespective of the type of feeding. The CCPR was significantly diminished in the ED group compared with the Control group, while there was no statistical difference between the FED and Control groups. In experiment 2, the oil red O stain was positive in the proximal and distal jejunum, but was completely negative in the distal ileum. Conclusions The introduction of ED does not soon result in an atrophic morphological change of the ileum but will decrease the CCPR. An additive fat emulsion which was rapidly absorbed by the distal jejunum could play a role in maintaining ileal mucosa integrity through some mechanism independent of absorption.

2018 International Conference on Material Strength and Applied Mechanics (MSAM 2018), 10–13 April, 2018, Kitakyushu City, Japan

A CMOS ultra-wideband impulse radio (UWB-IR) transceiver was developed in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. It can be used for 1-Mb/s data communications as well as for precise range finding within an error of /spl plusmn/2.5 cm. The power consumptions of the transmitter and receiver for data communication are 0.7 and 4.0 mW, respectively. When an LNA operates intermittently through bias switching, the power consumption of the transceiver is only 1 mW. The range for data communication is 1 m with BER of 10/sup -3/. For ranging applications, the transmitter can reduce the power to 0.7 /spl mu/W for 1k pulses per second, and the receiver consumes little power. The transceiver design, all-digital transmitter, and intermittent circuit operation at the receiver reduce the power consumption dramatically, which makes the transceiver well suited for applications like sensor networks. The electronic field intensity is lower than 35 /spl mu/V/m, and thus the UWB system can be operated even under the current Japan radio regulations.

Microbial life inhabits deeply buried marine sediments, but the extent of this vast ecosystem remains poorly constrained. Here we provide evidence for the existence of microbial communities in ~40° to 60°C sediment associated with lignite coal beds at ~1.5 to 2.5 km below the seafloor in the Pacific Ocean off Japan. Microbial methanogenesis was indicated by the isotopic compositions of methane and carbon dioxide, biomarkers, cultivation data, and gas compositions. Concentrations of indigenous microbial cells below 1.5 km ranged from10 to ~10(4) cells cm(-3). Peak concentrations occurred in lignite layers, where communities differed markedly from shallower subseafloor communities and instead resembled organotrophic communities in forest soils. This suggests that terrigenous sediments retain indigenous community members tens of millions of years after burial in the seabed.

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is an imaging technique, with high sensitivity and high speed imaging, utilizing non-linear magnetization response for the detection of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP). MPI measures the magnetization change in the MNP under the AC magnetic field. Since the signal of the magnetization change is much smaller than the signal generated by the AC magnetic field, the signal response at the fundamental frequency cannot be used. Accordingly, it is the third harmonic of the response that is generally measured. However this method has disadvantages that the power of the AC magnetic field is large and as a result the system increased in size. In this study, we investigated the 2D imaging using a second harmonic, which can be theoretically obtained with a greater signal than in the case of the third harmonic. Moreover, an HTS-SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) magnetometer was employed in the study to enhance the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). A 2D-MPI system, which enables an imaging by scanning a DC magnetic field under a gradient magnetic field, was constructed. As a result, PSNR was increased by 1.5 times using SQUID with a Flux Transformer.

Temporal variations in the amount of radionuclides released into the atmosphere during the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station (FNPS1) accident and their atmospheric and marine dispersion are essential to evaluate the environmental impacts and resultant radiological doses to the public. In this paper, we estimate a detailed time trend of atmospheric releases during the accident by combining environmental monitoring data with atmospheric model simulations from WSPEEDI-II (Worldwide version of System for Prediction of Environmental Emergency Dose Information), and simulations from the oceanic dispersion model SEA-GEARN-FDM, both developed by the authors. A sophisticated deposition scheme, which deals with dry and fogwater depositions, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation and subsequent wet scavenging due to mixed-phase cloud microphysics (in-cloud scavenging) for radioactive iodine gas (I2 and CH3I) and other particles (CsI, Cs, and Te), was incorporated into WSPEEDI-II to improve the surface deposition calculations. The fallout to the ocean surface calculated by WSPEEDI-II was used as input data for the SEA-GEARN-FDM calculations. Reverse and inverse source-term estimation methods based on coupling the simulations from both models was adopted using air dose rates and concentrations, and sea surface concentrations. The results revealed that the major releases of radionuclides due to FNPS1 accident occurred in the following periods during March 2011: the afternoon of 12 March due to the wet venting and hydrogen explosion at Unit 1, the morning of 13 March after the venting event at Unit 3, midnight of 14 March when the SRV (Safely Relief Valve) at Unit 2 was opened three times, the morning and night of 15 March, and the morning of 16 March. According to the simulation results, the highest radioactive contamination areas around FNPS1 were created from 15 to 16 March by complicated interactions among rainfall, plume movements, and the temporal variation of release rates associated with reactor pressure changes in Units 2 and 3. The modified WSPEEDI-II simulation using the new source term reproduced local and regional patterns of cumulative surface deposition of total 131I and 137Cs and air dose rate obtained by airborne surveys. The new source term was also tested using three atmospheric dispersion models (MLDP0, HYSPLIT, and NAME) for regional and global calculations and showed good agreement between calculated and observed air concentration and surface deposition of 137Cs in East Japan. Moreover, HYSPLIT model using the new source term also reproduced the plume arrivals at several countries abroad showing a good correlation with measured air concentration data. A large part of deposition pattern of total 131I and 137Cs in East Japan was explained by in-cloud particulate scavenging. However, for the regional scale contaminated areas, there were large uncertainties due to the overestimation of rainfall amounts and the underestimation of fogwater and drizzle depositions. The computations showed that approximately 27% of 137Cs discharged from FNPS1 deposited to the land in East Japan, mostly in forest areas.

Wet chemical coatings are applied to automobile glass and CRTs to provide new optical, electrical and chemical functions on their surface. Examples of the practically used functional wet chemical coatings are colored and water repellent coatings on glass for automobiles, and antireflective–antistatic and antireflective–electromagnetic wave shielding coatings on CRTs. Performance and composition of the various wet chemical coatings as well as the technology trends will be described in this report.

Two types of anti-reflective coatings composed of nano-particles were developed for cathode ray tubes (CRTs). The anti-reflective and anti-static coating is composed of two layers. An outer SiO2 layer is formed over a porous inner layer composed of titanium oxynitride (TiO x Ny), antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) and SiO2. To control the reflection of the film, a porous structure is formed using a mixed sol composed of TiO x N y -ATO particles and hydrolyzed-polymerized tetraethoxy-silane (TEOS). The resulting double layered coating is shown to consist in a nanocomposite pseudo three-layer structure. The antireflective electromagnetic-wave-shielding coating is also composed of two layers. An outer SiO2 layer is formed over an electric-conductive inner layer composed of silver colloids, TiO x N y nano particles. Silver colloids are used to obtain a film having low surface resistivity and TiO x N y nano-particles contained in the inner layer enhance the durability of the film. To reduce the plasma-resonance absorption caused by silver colloids, silver ions are added to the outer layer solution. The silver ions diffuse into the inner layer from the outer layer when the film is cured, touch to the surface of silver colloids, suppress the silver colloid growth and reduce the specific absorption of the film. These coatings are successfully applied to the panel glass for CRTs on an industrial scale.

In superconducting magnets for magnetically levitated transport system's (Maglev) vehicles, mechanical loss occurs due to the vibration caused by electromagnetic forces during the train's operation. The heat load including the mechanical loss needs to be reduced within the capability of the onboard refrigerator. It is necessary that the vibration phenomena of the superconducting magnet during the train operation are made clear for the reduction of the mechanical loss. As an important part of the development, it was confirmed that the vibration analysis is accurate enough in comparison with the measured results in running tests on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line. Moreover, for commercial use, superconducting magnets should be operated with no supply of either liquid helium or liquid nitrogen. To meet the requirement, we have been developing a new type on-board Gifford-McMahon refrigeration (GM refrigerator application) system.

We designed and manufactured a persistent-current switch consisting of Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductive wire with an on-state current capacity of 600 A and an off-state resistance of 52 /spl Omega/ for the superconducting magnet of Maglev. To design a persistent current switch, it is important to suppress the instability such as degradation and training. Nb/sub 3/Sn has a higher critical temperature than that of NbTi which is commonly used for conventional persistent-current switches. Nb/sub 3/Sn wire is considered, therefore, to have higher stability to disturbance than NbTi wire. We reduced the volume and weight of the Nb/sub 3/Sn persistent-current switch to around 0.6 times and 0.7 times, respectively, that of the conventional NbTi persistent-current switch. Current-carrying capacity was tested both under the static and vibrating states. Test results of switching performance were compared with a computer simulation of temperature distribution in heating and cooling.

An onboard refrigeration system is one of the most important components in the superconducting magnetically levitated system (Maglev system). In the superconducting magnet, liquid helium and nitrogen are used to cool the superconducting coils and the radiation shields. At the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line, the operation of the superconducting magnet without a supplement of liquid helium has been achieved by the onboard 4K Gifford-McMahon/Joule-Thomson (GM/JT) refrigerators. As for the liquid nitrogen, it is supplied to the radiation shields periodically. Our final target for an onboard refrigeration system for commercial use is to operate magnets with no supplementation of cryogen. That is, the operations of magnets should not depend on a helium liquefaction plant or a liquid nitrogen supplying system in the train depot, except for occasions of the magnet's precooling or when the vehicle is being overhauled. To meet these requirements, we have been developing a new type of onboard GM refrigeration (GM refrigerator application) system that features a combination of a 4K/80K multiple-operating type of GM refrigerator and a self-circulated cooling-type radiation shield. The nitrogen self-circulated cooling-type radiation shield plate was demonstrated by using the radiation shield plate mock-up.

Superconducting magnets on Maglev trains vibrate due to harmonic ripples of electromagnetic flux generated by ground coils. Heat load caused by vibration in the magnet amounted to several tens of watts in the electromagnetic vibration test. This was mainly because a.c. loss was induced in the helium vessel housing the superconducting coil, due to relative vibration between the aluminium thermal shield and the coil. The heat load caused by vibration should be strictly restricted to less than 4W due to limited cryogenic refrigeration capacity. The heat load was tested using electromagnetic flux ripples for a superconducting magnet model of one coil which corresponds to 1 4 of an actual magnet. The flux ripples simulated the 6th harmonic of the actual ground levitation coil. Some ideas to reduce the heat load were tried for the magnet model, such as applying high resistance thermal radiation shielding, increasing rigidity of the vacuum vessel, and using high purity copper plating on the helium vessel. These ideas proved effective, and the maximum heat load due to vibration was held to less than 4 W per magnet for the one coil magnet model.

Superconducting conductors and magnets used in the fields of power transmission, generators, MRI, MAGLEV etc. experience AC magnetic fields causing heat generation in the magnets' structure and AC losses in the superconductors. Therefore, AC magnetic shields with wide frequency range in high magnetic fields are desirable to reduce heat generation within the cryogenic region and increase system efficiency. This paper describes the performance of a multilayer superconducting sheet as an AC magnetic field shield, eddy current analysis of MAGLEV coil and eddy current loss measurement of an R&D cryostat with a superconducting magnet. Eddy current loss was reduced to about one fourth of the loss level without a superconducting shield.

Heat loads occur in the superconducting magnets for Maglev applications due to vibration during train operation. To control this heat load, it is necessary to understand the vibration phenomena in the superconducting magnet. In this study, vibration evaluation and control for superconducting magnets were addressed from both experimental and analytical approaches, and verification tests were conducted with a prototype model. This paper describes verification results for the prototype model and the results for an actual superconducting magnet which was constructed based on the prototype model.

Liver transplantation (LT) has been adopted as a radical treatment for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD), yielding favorable outcomes. Despite the fact that it is an inheritable disease, a blood relative who is heterozygous for the disorder must sometimes be used as a liver donor for living donor LT. There is ongoing discussion regarding the use of heterozygous donors, however, to our knowledge, no cases where donation was determined based on the Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) activity before LT have been reported. Between May 2001 and April 2011, 17 patients were indicated for living donor LT because of OTCD at our facility. There were three cases with heterozygous donor candidate (17.6%). All heterozygous candidates underwent a liver biopsy to measure their OTC activity before LT and made efforts to secure the safety of the both donor and recipient. Two of 3 candidates had headaches sometimes, and their activity was less than 40%, and thus they were not employed as the donor. One candidate with 104.4% activity was employed, yielding favorable outcomes. Our current experience supported the effectiveness of our donation criteria, however it is necessary to collect sufficient data on a large number of patients to confirm the safety of the procedure.

Superconducting magnets on Maglev trains vibrate due to harmonic ripples of electromagnetic flux generated by ground coils. Heat load caused by vibration in the magnet, made in 1990, amounted to several tens of watts in the electromagnetic vibration test. This was mainly because AC loss was induced in the helium vessel housing the superconducting coil, due to relative vibration between the aluminum thermal shield and the coil. The heat load caused by vibration should be strictly restricted to less than 4W due to limited cryogenic refrigeration capacity. The heat load has been tested using electromagnetic flux ripples for a superconducting magnet model of one coil which corresponds to 1/4 of an actual magnet. The flux ripples simulate the 6th harmonic of the actual ground levitation coil. Some ideas to reduce the heat load were tried for the magnet model, such as high resistance thermal radiation shield, high rigidity of vacuum vessel, high purity copper plating on the helium vessel. As a result, these ideas were effective, and the maximum heat load due to vibration was restrained to less than 4W per magnet for one coil magnet model.

Liver retransplantation (re-LT) is required in patients with irreversible graft failure, but it is a significant issue that remains medically, ethically, and economically controversial, especially in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome, morbidity, mortality, safety and prognostic factors to improve the outcome of pediatric living donor liver retransplantation (re-LDLT). Six of 172 children that underwent LDLT between January 2001 and March 2010 received a re-LDLT and one received a second re-LDLT. The overall re-LDLT rate was 3.5%. All candidates had re-LDLT after the initial LDLT. The overall actuarial survival of these patients was 83.3% and 83.3% at one and five yr, respectively. These rates are significantly worse than the rates of pediatric first LDLT. Vascular complications occurred in four patients and were successfully treated by interventional radiologic therapy. There were no post-operative biliary complications. One case expired because of hemophagocytic syndrome after re-LDLT. Although pediatric re-LDLT is medically, ethically, and economically controversial, it is a feasible option and should be offered to children with irreversible graft failure. Further investigations, including multicenter studies, are therefore essential to identify any prognostic factors that may improve the present poor outcome after re-LDLT.

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, the most common urea cycle disorder, causes hyperammonemic encephalopathy and has a poor prognosis. Recently, LT was introduced as a radical OTCD treatment, yielding favorable outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed LT results for OTCD at our facility. Twelve children with OTCD (six boys and six girls) accounted for 7.1% of the 170 children who underwent LDLT at our department between May 2001 and April 2010. Ages at LT ranged from nine months to 11 yr seven months. Post-operative follow-up period was 3-97 months. The post-operative survival rate was 91.7%. One patient died. Two patients who had neurological impairment preoperatively showed no alleviation after LT. All patients other than those who died or failed to show recovery from impairment achieved satisfactory quality-of-life improvement after LT. The outcomes of LDLT as a radical OTCD treatment have been satisfactory. However, neurological impairment associated with hyperammonemia is unlikely to subside even after LT. It is desirable henceforth that more objective and concrete guidelines for OTCD management be established to facilitate LDLT with optimal timing while avoiding the risk of hyperammonemic episodes.

When re-anastomosis and re-transplantation becomes necessary after LDLT, arterial reconstruction can be extremely difficult because of severe inflammation and lack of an adequate artery for reconstruction. Frequently, the recipient's HA is not in good condition, necessitating an alternative to the HA. In such cases, the recipient's splenic artery, right gastroepiploic artery or another vessel can be safely used for arterial reconstruction. There have, however, been few reports on using the jejunal artery. Herein, we report our experience with arterial reconstruction using the jejunal artery of the Roux-en-Y limb as an alternative to the HA. A three-yr-old girl who had developed graft failure due to early HA thrombosis after LDLT required re-transplantation. At re-transplantation, an adequate artery for reconstruction was lacking. We reconstructed the artery by using the jejunal artery of the Roux-en-Y limb, as we judged it to be the most appropriate alternative. After surgery, stent was deployed because hepatic blood flow had reduced due to kinking of the anastomosed site, and a favorable outcome was obtained. In conclusion, when an alternative to the HA is required, using the jejunal artery is a feasible alternative.

Early hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation in children, having undergone LDLT, can directly affect graft and recipient outcomes, making early diagnosis and treatment essential. In the past, laparotomy (thrombectomy or reanastomosis) was generally employed to treat early hepatic artery complications. Recently, favorable outcomes of IR have been reported. In children, however, the number of such reports is small. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published report on IR applied to neonates with early hepatic artery complications. We recently succeeded in safely using IR for a neonate with early hepatic artery complications after LDLT and obtained a favorable outcome. This case is presented herein.

The mechanical performance of the DPC-TJ coil was measured during the charge-up test by strain gauges and displacement gauges attached directly to the coil surface. To estimate winding stiffness, expansion tests were performed on a winding model at both 300 and 77 K. The test results obtained with the DPC-TJ coil were compared with calculations obtained by the finite element method (FEM) analysis and expansion test results. Such comparison showed that equivalent Young's moduli calculated by the FEM were in good agreement with those measured during the charge-up test of the DPC-TJ coil, which had a higher rigidity than the winding model. As a result of the charge-up test, it was demonstrated that the DPC-TJ coil had high rigidity, as designed.

The authors describe the electromagnetic results and the quench phenomena of the DPC-TJ large cable-in-conduit Nb/sub 3/Sn coil experiment which took place in the summer of 1991. The DPC-TJ coil was developed by Toshiba and JAERI in collaboration to demonstrate the realization of (NbTi)/sub 3/Sn superconducting coils for fusion with high average current density of 40 A/mm/sup 2/. The coil was charged up to its rated current of 24 kA (40 A/mm/sup 2/) at 7.6 T without quench in the DPC test facility. Thereafter, the electromagnetic performance was tested by measuring I/sub c/ and T/sub cs/, and the critical current at 12 T was estimated to be 41 kA. The quench phenomena of the DPC-TJ coil were also tested by measuring normal-zone propagation velocity to get the protection design. In these experiments, very slow and very fast propagation were observed. Many other electromagnetic results were also obtained, which are necessary for the design of fusion machines such as International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. >

Mechanical characteristics of the coil was measured during the charge-up test by strain gauges and displacement gauges attached directly to the coil. To estimate the winding stiffness of the coil, the expansion test was performed on the test winding at both 300K and 77K after the fabrication of the test winding. The test results obtained in current operation were compared with the calculation by FEM analysis and expansion test results. As a result of comparison, equivalent stiffness calculated by FEM was good agreement with one measured by the charge-up test of the DPC-TJ, which had higher rigidity than the test winding. As a result of the charge-up test, it was demonstrated that the DPC-TJ coil had high rigidity as was designed.

Summary The erythrocytes of various species were tested in psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) virus haemagglutination (HA) and haemagglutination inhibition assays to determine which are suitable for use in these assays. HA activity was observed for erythrocytes of the salmon-crested cockatoo, the sulphur-crested cockatoo, the umbrella cockatoo, the goffin's cockatoo and the cockatiel, with differences amongst individuals within species, but not for erythrocytes of humans, the pig, the guinea pig, the chicken, the goose, the rose-ringed parakeet or the budgerigar. Anti-PBFD virus rabbit sera inhibited the virus-induced agglutination of erythrocytes, confirming the specificity of HA activity. This suggests that selection of suitable psittacine species as well as suitable individuals within a species is necessary when obtaining erythrocytes for the PBFD virus HA assay.

The nonrepeatable radial vibration (NRRV) of spindle motors used in magnetic disk memory devices was studied in detail. In particular a theoretical and experimental investigation on the comparison of NRRV in time and frequency domains was conducted. The random and statistical characteristics of NRRV were ascertained by analyzing the amplitude distributions of both asynchronous and synchronous vibration components in the frequency domain. It was found that the main part of NRRV is composed of asynchronous components in most of the spindles tested. Some of the asynchronous component amplitudes, varying randomly, can be approximated by Rayleigh distribution function. It was also found that the synchronous vibrations include nonrepeatable components. The variance of NRRV measured in the time domain was shown theoretically and experimentally to be equal to the sum of the total power of asynchronous components and the total variance of synchronous components. From this relation, the cause of tracking error in such memory devices can be analyzed quantitatively in frequency domain.

The broadband ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurement has been carried out by using a rectifying effect in two sets of ${\text{Ni}}_{81}{\text{Fe}}_{19}$ wires. One wire is deposited on the middle strip line of the coplanar waveguide (CPW) and another is deposited between two strip lines of the CPW, measuring the FMR induced by in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic fields, respectively. The FMR frequency is defined by detecting the magnetoresistance oscillation due to the magnetization dynamics induced by a radio frequency (rf) field. The magnetic-field dependence of the resonance frequency and the rectification spectrum are analytically interpreted based on our uniform magnetization precession model. These findings reveal that two distinct rectifying signals are anticipated by a rf field and a rf current, which can easily be controlled by engineering the ferromagnetic wire shape and the external field orientation. These fundamental understandings are crucial for future rf device applications in spintronics.