Memristive operations demonstrated by gap-type atomic switches

We demonstrate memristive operations using gap-type Ag₂S atomic switches, in which the growth and shrinkage of an Ag protrusion are controlled by using solid-electrochemical reactions. In addition to conventional memristive operations such as those proposed and demonstrated by resistive random-access memories (ReRAMs) using metal oxide compounds, gap-type Ag₂S atomic switches also show new types of memristive operations by storing information from input signals without changing their output until a sufficient number of signals are inputted. The new types of memristive operations resemble the learning process seen in neuroplasticity, where changes occur in the organization of the human brain as a result of experience.     

The vibration and rotation of piezoelectric particles in high frequency electric fields observed by a thermoacoustic method

We have observed, by a thermoacoustic method, the acoustic resonance vibration of small (diameter 115 m) piezoelectric particles in high frequency (15 MHz) electric fields. The frequency dependence of the thermoacoustic signal gives direct information about the size distribution of the particles.In very strong rf electric fields we also observed a rotation of the vibrating particles by large angles — as originally suggested by Melcher and Shiren [3] — orienting the initially random rf dipoles parallel to the rf electric fields.The observed strong forces acting on vibrating piezoelectric particles in rf fields can probably be used as a new method of selectively extracting particles of a given size from a broad distribution of very small particles.     

Determination of organic peroxides by liquid chromatography with on-line post-column ultraviolet irradiation and peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection

A combination of the electrophoretically mediated microanalysis methodology with a partial filling technique was applied for the inhibition study of bovine liver rhodanese by 2-oxoglutarate. In this set-up, part of the capillary is filled with the best buffer for the enzymatic reaction, while the rest of the capillary is filled with the optimal background electrolyte for separation of substrates and products. The estimated value of K_I for 2-oxoglutarate was 3.62·10⁻⁴±1.43·10⁻⁴ M with respect to cyanide and 1.40·10⁻³±1.60·10⁻⁴ M with respect to thiosulfate. In addition, the type of inhibition was also evaluated. The findings of 2-oxoglutarate as the competitive inhibitor with respect to cyanide and as the uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to thiosulfate are in accordance with previous literature data.     

Studies on Steric and Electronic Control of 2'-3' Phosphoryl Migration in 2'-Phosphorylated Uridine Derivatives and Its Application to the Synthesis of 2'-Phosphorylated Oligouridylates

For the synthesis of 2'-phosphorylated oligouridylates by use of new phosphoramidite building units, several masked phosphoryl groups have been examined as 2'-phosphate precursors, which should not be migrated to the 3' position when the 3' hydroxy protecting group must be removed to introduce a phosphoramidite residue into the 3'-position. As a consequence, bis(2-cyano-1,1-dimethylethoxy)thiophosphoryl (BCMETP) was found to be the most suitable 2'-phosphate precursor. This thiophosphoryl group could be introduced into the 2'-hydroxyl of 3',5'-silylated uridine derivative 7 by phosphitylation with bis(2-cyano-1,1-dimethylethoxy)(diethylamino)phosphine followed by sulfurization. Treatment of the 2'-thiophosphorylated product 15 with (HF)(x)().Py in THF gave exclusively the 3',5'-unprotected uridine derivative 16a. Compound 16a was converted to the phosphoramidite unit 22 via a two-step reaction. This building block was used for the solution phase synthesis of U(2'-p)pU (29) and U(2'-ps)pU (30). Both the 2-cyano-1,1-dimethylethyl and 2-cyanoethyl groups were effectively removed from the fully protected derivative 25 by treatment with DBU in the presence of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA). The resulting 2'-thiophosphoryl group was successfully converted to a phosphoryl group by iodine treatment to give U(2'-p)pU (29). U(2'-ps)pU (30) was also synthesized by a modified procedure without the iodine treatment. Reaction of 29 with a new biotinylating reagent in aqueous solution in the presence of MgCl(2) gave a biotin-labeled product 35 having a pyrophosphate bridge at the 2' position. Reaction of 30 with monobromobimane gave the 2'-S-alkylated product 33 in aqueous solution. Application of the phosphoramidite unit 22 to the solid phase synthesis using aminopropyl CPG gel gave successfully [U(2'-p)p](n)()U (n = 1, 3, 5). It was found that stability of the succinate linker between the CPG and oligouridylates was unaffected by the treatment with DBU when BSA was present. Several enzymatic properties of the synthetic 2'-phosphorylated and 2'-thiophosphorylated oligouridylates are also described.     

Neutron in-beam Mössbauer spectroscopy of iron disulfide at 298 and 78 K

Emission Mössbauer spectra of ⁵⁷Fe arising from the ⁵⁶Fe(n, γ)⁵⁷Fe reaction in two crystal forms of iron disulfide were measured at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature. Both forms exhibited two doublets assignable to the parent material and the new species produced by the nuclear reaction. At low temperature three doublets explained the spectra obtained. Production of thermally unstable species after the neutron capture reaction was suggested.     

Photosensitization of oxygen molecules by surface-modified hydrophilic porous Si

Hydrophilic porous Si is prepared by surface modification with polyethylene oxide (PEO) molecules. The surface modification is confirmed by infrared absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effect of surface modification on the efficiency of photosensitization of oxygen molecules, i.e., the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation, is studied. The PEO-terminated hydrophilic porous Si is shown to hold the photosensitization ability although the efficiency is reduced by the modification.     

Reciprocal contribution analysis of the left and right hips while walking

The physical posture of even healthy university students is easy to collapse when walking with textbooks and other heavy loads during university attendance. Consequently, they may experience lower-back pain or knee pain. However, the resulting burden of this stress to the left and right lower-back has not previously been quantitatively analyzed.In this study, we employed a Relative Power Contribution (RPC) analysis approach to quantitatively investigate and compare the reciprocal contribution between the left and right lower-backs while walking with a bag and without a bag. Quantitative data were collected by two accelerometers installed on the subjects.Results for the subjects walking with and without a bag indicated that the contribution of the left and right lower-backs decreased by up to 21% (p<0.05). Some disorder occurs in the feedback relations of the movement in both lower-backs and as a result, it was understood to cause much discomfort in these areas.This analysis reveals the quantitative relations of left and right lower-backs, which are difficult to discern from the original data. The results can be useful for preventive healthcare for lower-back and knee pains.     

Determination of particle-associated hydroxynitropyrenes with correction for chemical degradation on a quartz fibre filter during high volume air sampling

A correction method for the determination of atmospheric monohydroxylated derivatives of 1-nitropyrene (hydroxy-1-nitropyrenes, OHNPs) based on their degradation rates during high volume air sampling was established. OHNPs adsorbed directly on a quartz fibre filter (QFF) or on airborne particles collected on a QFF were exposed to ambient air passively or actively in a high volume air sampling system. The influence of ozone flux and exposure time on the degree of degradation of OHNPs was investigated. Up to 50% of OHNPs degraded over 1 h of exposure to ambient air containing ～60 ppbv of ozone in the active system. The degradation rate constants of OHNPs were found to correlate with the number of ozone molecules passing through the QFF in a unit time (N_O3) during high volume air sampling. The chemical loss of OHNPs under high volume air sampling conditions was successfully evaluated by the exposure time and the pseudo-first-order rate constant for OHNP degradation estimated from the correlation with N_O3. Concentrations of 3-, 6-, and 8-hydroxy-1-nitropyrenes in airborne particles collected in Osaka, Japan were determined using the established correction method.