Constituent quark model for baryons with strong quark-pair correlations and non-leptonic weak transitions of hyperon

We study the roles of quark-pair correlations for baryon properties, in particular on non-leptonic weak decay of hyperons. We construct the quark wave function of baryons by solving the three body problem explicitly with confinement force and the short range attraction for a pair of quarks with their total spin being 0. We show that the existence of the strong quark-quark correlations enhances the non-leptonic transition amplitudes which is consistent with the data, while the baryon masses and radii are kept to the experiment.     

Single-shot polarization-imaging digital holography based on simultaneous phase-shifting interferometry

We propose single-shot digital holography which is capable of simultaneously capturing both the information of multiple phase-shifted holograms and the distribution of the polarization. In this technique, a single image sensor records both the information required for phase-shifting interferometry and that of the polarization states of objects using an array of polarizers. The essence of the technique is the capability of imaging the distribution of the polarization of three-dimensional objects with a single-shot exposure by using the space-division multiplexing of holograms. The validity of the proposed technique was confirmed by the preliminary experiments.     

Ultraviolet-Laser-Induced Crystallization of Sol-Gel Derived Inorganic Oxide Films

Structural changes stimulated by ultraviolet (UV) laser irradiations of sol-gel derived inorganic oxide films were investigated. Dried gel films of TiO₂, Nb₂O₅, Ta₂O₅, SrTiO₃ and Pb(Zr _x Ti_1–x )O₃ (PZT) were found to be crystallized by the laser irradiation. On the other hand, the photo-induced change in gel films of BaTiO₃, LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ was not observed although the laser beams were absorbed in the films. These sol-gel films were thermally crystallized at almost the same temperature around 600–700°C except TiO₂. Thus, the UV-laser-induced crystallization is not directly ascribed to a simple thermal effect with the irradiation. Photochemical properties of the cations are assumed to be important for the change in sol-gel films.     

Glutinoin, a novel antioxidative ellagitannin from Alnus glutinosa cones with glutinoic acid dilactone moiety

The crude aqueous ethanol extract of the cones of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. (Betulaceae; black alder, European alder) was obtained and further partitioned between water and various organic phases. The active water and butanol phases were subjected to assay-guided (DPPH) fractionation using repetitive RP HPLC until individual compounds were isolated. Their antioxidative activities, measured as SC?? values, were evaluated. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated with the help of mass spectroscopy, (1)H NMR technique, UV spectroscopy, and chemical approaches. One novel ellagitannin, glutinoin (2), along with two known compounds, pedunculagin (1) and praecoxin D (3), were isolated and found to contribute to antioxidative activity of the A. glutinosa cones extract. The activities (SC??) of 1-3 were evaluated as 0.95 (1), 1.00 (2) and 1.01?μg?mL?1 (3). The scavenging effects of glutinoin (2) and praecoxin D (3) were reported for the first time.     

Long-chain alkanoic acid esters of lupeol from Dorstenia harmsiana Engl. (Moraceae)

In addition to lupeol (1a), three long-chain alkanoic acid esters of lupeol, in which two were new, were isolated from the hexane and ethyl acetate twigs extract of Dorstenia harmsiana Engl. (Moraceae). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Some isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities. The lupeol and its three long-chain alkanoic acid esters showed antifungal and antibacterial activities.     

Application of Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PESI-MS) to Clinical Diagnosis: Solvent Effect on Lipid Analysis

We have examined several combinations of solvents with the aim of optimizing the ionization conditions for molecular diagnosis of malignant tumours by PESI-MS. Although the best conditions may depend on the actual species in the sample, the optimal conditions for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were achieved by using alcohols. PESI-MS successfully delineated the differential expression of phospholipids (PCs) and triacylglycerols (TAGs) in noncancerous and RCC tissues by using these solvent systems. This study paves the way for the application of PESI-MS in medical samples.     

Mass spectrometry of rhenium complexes: a comparative study by using LDI‐MS,MALDI‐MS,PESI‐MS and ESI‐MS

A group of rhenium (I) complexes including in their structure ligands such as CF₃SO₃‐, CH₃CO₂‐, CO, 2,2′‐bipyridine, dipyridil[3,2‐a:2′3′‐c]phenazine, naphthalene‐2‐carboxylate, anthracene‐9‐carboxylate, pyrene‐1‐carboxylate and 1,10‐phenanthroline have been studied for the first time by mass spectrometry. The probe electrospray ionization (PESI) is a technique based on electrospray ionization (ESI) that generates electrospray from the tip of a solid metal needle. In this work, mass spectra for organometallic complexes obtained by PESI were compared with those obtained by classical ESI and high flow rate electrospray ionization assisted by corona discharge (HF‐ESI‐CD), an ideal method to avoid decomposition of the complexes and to induce their oxidation to yield intact molecular cation radicals in gas state [M]^+. and to produce their reduction yielding the gas species [M]^–.. It was found that both techniques showed in general the intact molecular ions of the organometallics studied and provided additional structure characteristic diagnostic fragments. As the rhenium complexes studied in the present work showed strong absorption in the UV–visible region, particularly at 355 nm, laser desorption ionization (LDI) mass spectrometry experiments could be conducted. Although intact molecular ions could be detected in a few cases, LDI mass spectra showed diagnostic fragments for characterization of the complexes structure. Furthermore, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectra were obtained. Nor‐harmane, a compound with basic character, was used as matrix, and the intact molecular ions were detected in two examples, in negative ion mode as the [M]^–. species. Results obtained with 2‐[(2E)‐3‐(4‐tert‐buthylphenyl)‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enylidene] malononitrile (DCTB) as matrix are also described. LDI experiments provided more information about the rhenium complex structures than did the MALDI ones. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-vacuum field desorption ion source implemented under super-atmospheric pressure

Standard field desorption (FD) ionization is implemented under high vacuum condition. In this paper, non-vacuum FD is performed under a super-atmospheric pressure environment using untreated tungsten wires as FD emitter, and the ion source was coupled to a commercial linear ion trap mass spectrometer. The operating pressure of the ion source was 6 bars which was high enough to provide sufficient dielectric strength to the working gas so that the high voltage that was required for FD could be applied to the emitter without occurrence of electrical discharge. Non-volatile sample deposited on the bare tungsten wire FD emitter was heated by flowing direct current through the emitter. Similar to vacuum FD, the formation of conical protrusion of the liquefied sample layer under the strong electric field was also observed. Using the present ion source, high pressure field-desorption of polar neutral compounds, organic salts and ionic liquids is demonstrated. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relativistic RPA and Giant Resonances in β Stable and Unstable Nuclei

The nuclear isoscalar and isovector giant resonances in stable and unstable nuclei are studied in the framework of the relativistic random phase approximation. The classical meson propagators with nonlinear self-interactions are constructed in momentum space from the second variation of the action. The relativistic models with the parameter sets, TMI and NLSH, which provide good account of static ground state properties, can also well describe the collective states of nuclei, such as giant resonances. The isovector giant dipole resonances in the unstable Ar isotope chain are investigated.