Fast image enlargement using predefined codebook and eigenspace backprojection for lost pixel

In this paper, a new image enlargement method applying the backprojection for lost pixel (BPLP) to the predefined codebook-based method is proposed. BPLP is a method for image restoration. In BPLP, the eigenspace reflecting the characteristics of an input image is generated from the remained pixels and is used to restore the missing pixels. In the proposed method, the eigenspace is replaced by one generated from the predefined codebook (PDC). PDC represents edge-blurring properties in a small image patch and consists of pairs of low- and high-frequency image patches on various edge patterns. By replacing the PDC-based estimation of lost high-frequency components with BPLP, a fast image enlargement method retaining its performance can be developed. Through some experiments, the effectiveness of the proposed method was demonstrated. Especially, it was confirmed that the processing time of the proposed method was shortened to about 1/50 that of the PDC-based method.     

Three-term conjugate gradient method for the convex optimization problem over the fixed point set of a nonexpansive mapping

Many constrained sets in problems such as signal processing and optimal control can be represented as a fixed point set of a certain nonexpansive mapping, and a number of iterative algorithms have been presented for solving a convex optimization problem over a fixed point set. This paper presents a novel gradient method with a three-term conjugate gradient direction that is used to accelerate conjugate gradient methods for solving unconstrained optimization problems. It is guaranteed that the algorithm strongly converges to the solution to the problem under the standard assumptions. Numerical comparisons with the existing gradient methods demonstrate the effectiveness and fast convergence of this algorithm.     

Stacking Control by Molecular Symmetry of Sterically Protected Phthalocyanines

The synthesis and characterization of two phthalocyanine (Pc) structural isomers, 1 and 2, in which four 2,6-di(hexyloxy)phenyl units were attached directly to the 1,8,15,22- or 1,4,15,18-positions of the Pc rings, are described. Both Pcs 1 and 2 exhibited low melting points, i.e., 120 and 130 °C respectively, due to the reduction in intermolecular π-π interaction among the Pc rings caused by the steric hindrance of 2,6-dihexyloxybenzene units. The thermal behaviors were investigated with temperature-controlled polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and absorption spectral analyses. Pc 1, having C_4h molecular symmetry, organized into a lamellar structure containing lateral assemblies of Pc rings. In contrast, the other Pc 2 revealed the formation of metastable crystalline phases, including disordered stacks of Pcs due to rapid cooling from a melted liquid.     

Biosynthesis of Indole Diterpene Lolitrems: Radical‐Induced Cyclization of an Epoxyalcohol Affording a Characteristic Lolitremane Skeleton

Lolitrems are tremorgenic indole diterpenes that exhibit a unique 5/6 bicyclic system of the indole moiety. Although genetic analysis has indicated that the prenyltransferase LtmE and the cytochrome P450 LtmJ are involved in the construction of this unique structure, the detailed mechanism remains to be elucidated. Herein, we report the reconstitution of the biosynthetic pathway for lolitrems employing a recently established genome‐editing technique for the expression host Aspergillus oryzae. Heterologous expression and bioconversion of the various intermediates revealed that LtmJ catalyzes multistep oxidation to furnish the lolitrem core. We also isolated the key reaction intermediate with an epoxyalcohol moiety. This observation allowed us to establish the mechanism of radical‐induced cyclization, which was firmly supported by density functional theory calculations and a model experiment with a synthetic analogue.     

Hydrogenolysis of the cyclopropyl group into an isopropyl group in the presence of a platinum catalyst and hydrobromic acid

Reduction of cyclopropylmethylamines proceeded under mild reaction conditions in the presence of platinum (IV) oxide catalyst and hydrobromic acid at rt, providing isobutylamines and no linear butylamines. The ring cleavage reaction was widely applicable to cyclopropane rings in various compounds such as N-cyclopropylalkyl, O-cyclopropylalkyl, and C-cyclopropylalkyl derivatives. Although unactivated cyclopropane rings were also cleaved, the cyclobutane ring was tolerated under the same reaction conditions.     

Effect of surfactants on the porous structure of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels prepared by an emulsion templating method

Stimuli-sensitive porous hydrogels prepared with an emulsion templating method developed by the authors are potentially applicable in the medical and pharmaceutical fields; thermosensitive N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) hydrogels having randomly distributed sphere-like cavities have been prepared by the polymerization in an aqueous phase in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, followed by the washing of oil (oleyl alcohol) microdroplets. The surfactant plays a dominant role in the preparation of porous hydrogels and the pore size. This study concerns with the surfactant effects on the stability of pre-gel O/W emulsions. The porous NIPA hydrogels were successfully prepared using the surfactants forming the stable emulsion and their internal structures and swelling properties were characterized. The O/W emulsions and the porous hydrogels prepared using various amounts of oil and surfactant were characterized. The information obtained serves for preparation of porous hydrogels having suitable porous structure for their applications.     

Allosteric coextraction of sodium and metal ions with calix[4]arene derivatives 1

Solvent extraction of three alkali metal ions with p-t-octylcalix[6]arene hexacarboxylic acid, p-t-octylcalix[4]arene tetracarboxylic acid, corresponding linear trimeric and monomeric analogs was investigated. Cyclic tetramer selectively extracts sodium ion among alkali ions at extremely low pH, while the corresponding cyclic hexamer, the trimer, and the monomer exhibited only poor extraction ability for all alkali metals examined. The detailed extractive investigation of sodium ions with the cyclic tetramer was carried out. It was found that two sodium ions are simultaneously extracted by a single molecule of calix[4]arene derivative and that the second sodium extraction is facilitated by the uptake of the first sodium. The self-coextraction mechanism of sodium ions proposed in the present paper also strongly supports allosteric coextraction of sodium and other metal ions. In the competitive extraction of four alkali metal ions, potassium ion was slightly extracted as the second ion at low pH region, whereas it was hardly extracted in the individual extraction system. The result also supports the coextraction mechanism and role of the first-extracted sodium ion as an allosteric trigger. The extraction equilibrium constants of the cyclic tetramer and two sodium ions, K _ex1 and K _ex2, were estimated.     

Hydrazine (N2H4) adsorption on Ni(1 0 0) – Density functional theory investigation

A theoretical study on the structure and adsorption mechanism of hydrazine (N₂H₄) on Ni(1 0 0) are presented. The hydrazine molecule was found to adsorb on the surface through one of its nitrogen atom in its anti-conformation. The charge transfer from hydrazine lone pair orbitals played a key role in the formation of the bonding. The mechanism involved in the bonding was found to reduce the necessity of hyper-conjugation interaction, that reduces the gauche effect found in hydrazine at the gas-phase. Upon adsorption to the surface, the reduced interaction resulted in the promotion of a more favored conformation through its anti-conformation.     

A new minor butenolide from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Machilus odoratissima</Emphasis>

A new butenolide, designated odoratinolide (1), was isolated from the bark of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Machilus odoratissima. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic analyses.