Synchronization of coupled oscillators on small-world networks

We investigate the synchronous dynamics of Kuramoto oscillators and van der Pol oscillators on Watts-Strogatz type small-world networks. The order parameters to characterize macroscopic synchronization are calculated by numerical integration. We focus on the difference between frequency synchronization and phase synchronization. In both oscillator systems, the critical coupling strength of the phase order is larger than that of the frequency order for the small-world networks. The critical coupling strength for the phase and frequency synchronization diverges as the network structure approaches the regular one. For the Kuramoto oscillators, the behavior can be described by a power-law function and the exponents are obtained for the two synchronizations. The separation of the critical point between the phase and frequency synchronizations is found only for small-world networks in the theoretical models studied.     

Data‐Driven Identification of Hydrogen Sulfide Scavengers

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an important signaling molecule whose up‐ and down‐regulation have specific biological consequences. Although significant advances in H₂S up‐regulation, by the development of H₂S donors, have been achieved in recent years, precise H₂S down‐regulation is still challenging. The lack of potent/specific inhibitors for H₂S‐producing enzymes contributes to this problem. We expect the development of H₂S scavengers is an alternative approach to address this problem. Since chemical sensors and scavengers of H₂S share the same criteria, we constructed a H₂S sensor database, which summarizes key parameters of reported sensors. Data‐driven analysis led to the selection of 30 potential compounds. Further evaluation of these compounds identified a group of promising scavengers, based on the sulfonyl azide template. The efficiency of these scavengers in in vitro and in vivo experiments was demonstrated.     

Characteristics of large capacity ultrasonic complex vibration sources with stepped complex transverse vibration rods

Configurations of large capacity ultrasonic complex vibration sources with multiple longitudinal transducers are proposed and studied. The ultrasonic complex vibration systems are effective and essential for new applications in various industries. The complex vibration source of 27 kHz consists of a complex transverse rod with a welding tip (aluminum alloy, stainless steel and titanium alloy), a complex vibration rod with a flange and stepped part for holding the system, a circular longitudinal vibration disk (aluminum alloy) and six bolt-clamped Langevin type PLT transducers. Three transducer pairs are driven simultaneously using three driving systems at phase difference 120 degrees, and almost circular vibration locus is obtained.     

Welding characteristics of 27, 40 and 67 kHz ultrasonic plastic welding systems using fundamental- and higher-resonance frequencies

The welding characteristics of 27, 40 and 67 kHz ultrasonic plastic welding systems that are driven at only the fundamental-resonance frequency vibration were compared, and also those of the welding systems that were driven at the fundamental and several higher resonance frequencies simultaneously were studied. At high frequency, welding characteristics can be improved due to the larger vibration loss of plastic materials. For welding of rather thin or small specimens, as the fundamental frequency of these welding systems is higher and the numbers of driven higher frequencies are driven simultaneously, larger welded area and weld strength were obtained.     

Concurrent generation of an optical code label and payload data by use of phase and intensity modulators for all-optical packet switching

We propose and experimentally demonstrate the concurrent generation of an optical code label and payload data by use of off-the-shelf optical intensity and phase modulators in a tandem structure. This technique is capable of reconfigurable generation of an arbitrarily long optical code label of phase-shift keying concurrently with the generation of payload data, without the need for a special class of optical encoder. This technique will be powerful for all-optical packet switching networks, based on scalability and compactness, for optical code labels.     

Cyclodextrin-mediated deacylation of amino acid esters with marked stereoselectivity

With respect to the hydrolysis (deacylation) of Z-D(L)-amino acid esters (N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-D(L)-amino acid p-nitrophenyl esters) mediated by alpha-, beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins (CyDs), a remarkably high enantioselectivity (L/D=9.0) was observed for the deacylation of Ala substrate with gamma-CyD. The kinetic results on the basis of the Michaelis-Menten principle indicate that the enantioselectivity should be mainly originated in the deacylation process of substrates following the formation of gamma-CyD-substrate (1 : 1) complexes. The computer modeling (molecular mechanics) studies on the inclusion complexes are also described.     

Transverse and torsional complex vibration systems for ultrasonic seam welding of metal plates

Transverse and torsional complex vibration systems for ultrasonic seam welding of metal plate specimens, using a 27 kHz complex vibration disk welding tip vibrating in transverse and torsional vibration modes, were studied. Using a complex vibration welding system with a welding tip vibrating in elliptical or circular locus, thick plate specimens can be welded with a more uniform and larger area compared to a conventional ultrasonic welding system. The disk welding tip vibrates in an elliptical or circular locus. The complex vibration system can continuously weld multiple parts of metal plate specimens such as heat sinks with a large number of fins.     

Ultrasonic plastic welding using fundamental and higher resonance frequencies

Ultrasonic plastic welding using fundamental and higher resonance frequency vibrations simultaneously was studied. Using higher frequency, welding characteristics is improved due to the larger vibration loss of plastic materials. The 26 kHz welding tip vibrates in maximum velocity of over 4.5 m/s (peak-to-zero value) under a fundamental resonance frequency and there are several higher resonance frequencies up to 95 kHz whose vibration velocities are over one-third that of the fundamental frequency. Welding characteristics of 1.0-mm-thick polypropylene sheets are measured in the cases the vibration system are driven under combined driving voltages of fundamental and higher resonance frequencies. Welded area increases as number of driven higher frequencies increases. The welded area by three frequencies is about three to four times that of the case where only the fundamental frequency is driven. The welding characteristics of ultrasonic plastic welding are improved significantly by driving higher resonance frequencies simultaneously.     

Self-limiting growth of Pt nanoparticles from MeCpPtMe3 adsorbed on TiO2110 studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

The growth of Pt nanoparticles from the metal-organic precursor [MeCpPtMe3: (methylcyclopentadienyl) trimethyl platinum] on TiO2(110) was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. 2D-like Pt particles on the surface were formed in a self-limiting growth mode. The inner structure of the particles was resolved as unique tetramerlike bright spots. A mechanism for the self-limiting growth of Pt particles is proposed.