N-D-labeled ionic probes for mass spectrometry

An effective ¹⁵N- and deuterium (D)-labeled 2,6-bis(oxazolin-2-yl)pyridine (pybox)-La complex based probe ionization method that produces a distinct isotopic shift was developed. The distinct isotopic shift was detected by using the newly synthesized ¹⁵N-D-labeled pybox complexes. Moreover, O-[3-(tetramethylpybox)-propyl]-hydroxylamine (oxime-TMpybox) was prepared for attachment to the carbonyl group of the target molecule. Distinct isotopic shifts and multiple charged ions were detected for various compounds having amino, thiol, carboxyl, and carbonyl groups and fullerenes, using the TMpybox ionic probe series in cold-spray ionization mass spectrometry.     

Bit-rate Flexible Picosecond Pulse Width Conversion with All-optical Mono-stable Multivibrator Laser Diode

An optical mono-stable multivibrator laser diode (MM-LD) is realized by using a multi-electrode distributed feedback laser diode. All-optical pulse-width conversion of ultra-short pulses to non-return-to-zero (NRZ) is achieved using an MM-LD. The MM-LD is adopted for a wide range of bit-rates between 2-10 Gbit/s by tuning the DC bias. Data format transformation from 10-Gbit/s return-to-zero optical signals to NRZ optical-signals is achieved with error free operation. Converted optical signals, which have a narrower spectral bandwidth and lower peak power than when input, are transmitted using a 1.3-μm zero dispersion fiber (1.3Aλ₀-SMF).     

Piezo electric sensor for endocrine-disrupting chemicals using receptor-co-factor interaction.

In vitro screening assays are useful techniques for the determination of receptor-mediated activities in environmental samples. In order to define whether environmental chemicals act as an agonist or antagonist to the human estrogen receptor (hER), we have constructed a biosensor based on ligand-inducible interactions between hER and relative proteins on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The his-tagged proteins, which were expressed in E. coli by recombinant DNA technology, were immobilized on an Au-electrode with Ni(II)-mediated chemisorption using the histidine tag and thiol-modified iminodiacetic acid. The resonance-frequency change of the protein-modified electrode was caused by association or dissociation with the hER relative proteins on the surface in the presence of estrogen. These results suggest that this sensor is applicable as a large-scale screening tool for estrogenic compounds.     

Biologically-inspired stochastic vector matching for noise-robust information processing

“End of Moore’s Law” has recently become a topic. Keeping the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the same level in the future will surely increase the energy density of smaller-sized transistors. Lowering the operating voltage will prevent this, but the SNR would inevitably degrade. Meanwhile, biological systems such as cells and brains possess robustness against noise in their information processing in spite of the strong influence of stochastic thermal noise. Inspired by the information processing of organisms, we propose a stochastic computing model to acquire information from noisy signals. Our model is based on vector matching, in which the similarities between the input vector carrying external noisy signals and the reference vectors prepared in advance as memorized templates are evaluated in a stochastic manner. This model exhibited robustness against the noise strength and its performance was improved by addition of noise with an appropriate strength, which is similar to a phenomenon observed in stochastic resonance. Because the stochastic vector matching we propose here has robustness against noise, it is a candidate for noisy information processing that is driven by stochastically-operating devices with low energy consumption in future. Moreover, the stochastic vector matching may be applied to memory-based information processing like that of the brain.     

Optical fiber coupler array for multi-point sound field measurements

A pressure-sensitive device using an optical fiber coupler is proposed, and is integrated into an array system to measure sound field distributions. The optical coupling between two optical fibers is modulated by the applied sound field with the use of a membrane mechanically connected to the coupler. In the array system, a large number of the optical coupler sensors are connected two-dimensionally, and sound pressure at each sensor can be read out by switching the input light sources in turn. A prototype of the basic array system based on this principle was made, and its performance was demonstrated. The signal discrimination between each element was confirmed in a 2x2 array; then, using a four-element linear array, we demonstrated the steering of beam based on the phased array method.     

Photochemical intramolecular nitrene insertion of 6-azidouridine derivatives

A highly efficient intramolecular nitrene insertion was observed upon irradiation of 6-azidouridine derivatives. The N⁶,2′-cyclo structure of the product was determined unequivocally by X-ray crystallography.     

An Electron Dynamics Mechanism of Charge Separation in the Initial‐Stage Dynamics of Photoinduced Water Splitting in XMnWater (X=OH,OCaH) and Electron–Proton Acceptors

An electron dynamics mechanism of charge separation in the initial stage of excited‐state reactions of the class of X?Mn?OH₂???A${ \to }$ X?Mn?OH???HA (X=OH or OCaH; A=N‐methylformamidine, guanidine, imidazole, or ammonia cluster) is reported. The dynamic effect of calcium doping is also revealed. This study provides a novel factor to be considered in designing efficient systems for photoinduced water splitting.     

Beijing Lectures on the Grade Restriction Rule

The authors describe the relationships between categories of B-branes in different phases of the non-Abelian gauged linear sigma model.The relationship is described explicitly for the model proposed by Hori and Tong with non-Abelian gauge group that connects two non-birational Calabi-Yau varieties studied by Rφdland.A grade restriction rule for this model is derived using the hemisphere partition function and it is used to map B-type D-branes between the two Calabi-Yau varieties.     

Interplay between magnetism and conductivity derived from spin-polarized donor radicals

Tutorial review: to achieve molecule-based spintronic devices, an organic conducting magnet that exhibits both conductivity and magnetism in a cooperative manner must be constructed. As a building block for such new materials, a spin-polarized donor radical, which serves as a molecular "spin-filter" in its singly oxidized state, was designed and synthesized. The resistivity of ion radical salts of selenium-substituted, tetrathiafulvalene-based spin-polarized donor radicals decreased substantially in the presence of a magnetic field, thus indicating cooperative conductivity and magnetism.