InGaAsP multiple quantum well edge-emitting light-emitting diode showing low coherence characteristics using selective-area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

Low coherence multiple-quantum well edge-emitting light-emitting diodes were obtained using selective-area metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxial growth, which utilized growth rate enhancement on an open stripe region between mask stripes. An optical absorption region, which was controlled by selective-area growth, was introduced to suppress optical feedback. At a driving current of 100 mA and an ambient temperature of 25°C, a power of 55 μW was coupled into a single-mode fiber, and a broad spectrum without spectral ripple was observed. Low coherence characteristics and very small temperature dependence were obtained in the temperature range from -40°C to 85°C. The modulation bandwidth was 210 MHz at a bias current of 100 mA.     

Dynamics of FLCs with a tilted bookshelf structure using time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy

Time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy with microsecond resolution was applied to the switching process of FLCs using an IR polarizer attached to a microscope whose axis was set along the aligning direction (direction of SiO flux). A tilted bookshelf geometry with a layer tilt angle of approximately 34° was obtained by alignment using obliquely evaporated SiO layers in a CaF₂ cell with about 1.7 μm gap. Six kinds of FLC mixtures were prepared by mixing 5 wt % of a chiral molecule with host mixtures of phenylpyrimidines. By monitoring an absorption band at 1432 cm^-1, assigned to vibrational modes of the pyrimidine skeleton, it was found that the molecular long axis either rotates along the upper side or along the lower side of the cone during switching. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between the rotational direction of the directors and the stability of the dark level transmission during multiplexing. The dark level transmission during rotation along the upper side of the cone may fluctuate less than that during rotation along the lower side of the cone. We found that the bias stability of the dark level transmission is closely related to the direction of the rotation along the cone. The direction of the rotation of FLCs along the cone was therefore found to play an important role in realizing high contrast ratios during multiplexing.     

FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTRAL STUDIES ON THE SCHIFF BASE MODE OF ALL-trans BACTERIORHODOPSIN and ITS PHOTOINTERMEDIATES,K and L*

Abstract– Difference Fourier transform infrared spectra were recorded for bacteriorhodopsin upon irradiation at 230, 170 or 77 K, which gave, respectively, the spectrum of the M, L or K intermediate minus unphotolyzed all-trans bacteriorhodopsin (denoted as BR). By replacement of the Schiff base nitrogen with ¹⁵N, or of either its hydrogen at N or C₁₅ with deuterium, the vibrational bands related to the Schiff base were identified and the isotope-shifts evaluated for BR, K and L. The 1348 cm^?l band of BR and K and the 1400 cm^?1 band of L were sensitive to each of these isotope substitutions. The 1254 cm^?1 band of BR, the 1245 cm^?1 band of K and the 1301 cm^?1 band of L were sensitive to either N- or C₁₅-deuteration but not to ¹⁵N-substitution. The N—D in-plane bending vibration of K and L appeared at 969 and 997 cm^?1, respectively, upon substitution with D₂O. All the results show that L is larger in frequencies related to the N—H in-plane bending vibration than K or BR and suggest that L has the strongest interaction with the protein. Among the bands containing an N—H bending vibration, the 1348 cm^?1 band of K was more intense than the corresponding band of L at 1400 cm^?1. The C₁₅-deuteration-induced upshift of the 1245 cm^?1 band of K was unobservable for the 1301 cm^?1 band of L. Such differences between L and K might be brought about by a distortion in the retinal moiety close to the protonated Schiff base of the 13-cis chromophore.     

Radioimmunoassay for the determination of 2-methoxyestriol concentration in plasma of pregnant women.

A specific assay method has been developed for the determination of 2-methoxyestriol in plasma of pregnant women. The quantitation was achieved by radioimmunoassay after extraction of the plasma with ethyl acetate and purification on a Sephadex LH-20 column. In order to obtain the immunogen for 2-methoxyestriol, 6-oxo-2-methoxyestriol was converted to its 6-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime derivative. The derivative was then coupled to bovine serum albumin by the mixed anhydride method, and rabbits were immunized with this conjugate. The antiserum obtained was partially purified by affinity chromatography on estrone 17-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime-aminohexyl Sepharose conjugate to eliminate the cross-reactive antibodies. Plasma 2-methoxyestriol concentrations in pregnancy were estimated to be mean values of 41.1 pg/ml (12th-14th week), 85.3 pg/ml (27th-29th week), and 97.5 pg/ml (37th-41st week).     

The accuracy of residual stress measurement by the hole-drilling method

This paper describes the verification of the accuracy of residual stress measurement by the hole-drilling method. The strain measurement is simulated by the use of the indirect fictitious-boundary integral method. As an example, a finite rectangular plate subjected to initial stress is treated, and a simulated measurement of the residual stress is made using the strain relieved during hole drilling. The accuracy of residual stress measurement is estimated by comparing the simulated measured residual stress with the actual residual stress, i.e., the given initial stress. The results are shown for various distances and angles of strain gages. Also, the influences of the eccentricity of the hole from the center of the strain gages and the effect of a boundary near the hole are examined.     

Atmospheric pressure waves in the field of volcanology

Atmospheric pressure waves are a notable phenomenon associated with explosive volcanic eruptions. They can provide us with information about eruption processes that are useful both scientifically and practically. In this paper, we give a brief review of studies that have been carried out on this phenomenon in the field of volcanology. Then, we introduce a prototype tool called ‘MOVE’ (Mobile Observatory for Volcanic Explosions). It is a remote-controlled vehicle carrying various instruments to observe pressure waves and the eruption processes. PACS 91.40.Dr · 91.40.Ft · 93.65.+e · 93.85.+qThis paper was based on work presented at the 2nd International Symposium on Interdisciplinary Shock Wave Research, Sendai, Japan on March 1–3, 2005.     

Delayed nonlinear cournot and bertrand dynamics with product differentiation

Dynamic duopolies will be examined with product differentiation and isoelastic price functions. We will first prove that under realistic conditions the equilibrium is always locally asymptotically stable. The stability can however be lost if the firms use delayed information in forming their best responses. Stability conditions are derived in special cases, and simulation results illustrate the complexity of the dynamism of the systems. Both price and quantity adjusting models are discussed.     

Possible Involvement of a Tetrahydrobiopterin in Photoreception for UV‐B‐induced Anthocyanin Synthesis in Carrot

Our previous studies of action spectra for UV‐B‐induced anthocyanin accumulation in cultured carrot cells indicated that a reduced form of pterin, possibly tetrahydrobiopterin, contributes to UV‐B photoreception. In this report, we provide additional evidence for the involvement of pterin in UV‐B light sensing. UV‐B‐induced phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity was considerably suppressed by N‐acetylserotonin (an inhibitor of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis), and this suppression was partially recovered by adding biopterin or tetrahydrobiobiopterin. In addition, protein(s) specifically bound to biopterin were detected by radiolabeling experiments in N‐acetylserotonin‐treated cells. Furthermore, diphenyleneiodonium, a potent inhibitor of electron transfer, completely suppressed UV‐B‐induced PAL activity. These results suggest the occurrence of an unidentified UV‐B photoreceptor (other than UVR8, the tryptophan‐based UV‐B sensor originally identified in Arabidopsis) with reduced pterin in carrot cells. After reexamining published action spectra, we suggest that anthocyanin synthesis is coordinately regulated by these two UV‐B sensors.     

Pd-catalyzed cycloisomerization-allylation of 4-alkynones: synthesis of 5-homoallylfuran derivatives

In the presence of Pd₂(dba)₃-tBu₃P catalyst and Cs₂CO₃, cycloisomerization-allylation reactions of 4-alkynone derivatives with allyl carbonates in MeCN proceed in 5-exo mode to give highly-substituted furans having homoallyl groups at 5-position.