Optical conductivity spectral anomalies in the off-center rattling system β-Ba8Ga16Sn30

We present optical conductivity studies of the type-I clathrate Ba8Ga16Sn30, using a terahertz time-domain spectrometer (0.3-3.0?THz). The lowest-lying spectral peak at 0.72?THz due to the Ba(2) ion's off-center vibration in the oversized cage shows a drastic and anomalous temperature dependence. Below about 100?K, the single broad peak splits into two subpeaks, and with further lowering of the temperature, the spectral shape of this so-called rattling phonon shows non-Boltzmann broadening to the point that the linewidth becomes comparable to the peak frequency. Whereas the initial splitting can be understood by assuming a multiwell anharmonic potential, the strong linewidth broadening toward low temperature cannot, since the Boltzmann factor generally sharpens the low-temperature spectra. The observed behavior suggests strong interaction between the local anharmonic phonons and other excitations.     

A case of Budd-Chiari syndrome: Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR findings

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disorder caused by the obstruction of hepatic venous outflow, leading to sinusoidal congestion, ischemic injury to liver cells and portal hypertension. Long-term survival largely depends on whether hepatocellular carcinoma occurs. A recently available liver-specific contrast medium, gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), reportedly has high diagnostic capability for detection of malignant liver tumors. However, there has been no report of the sue of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for BCS. We present a case of chronic BCS who underwent both gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. Hepatic congestion and edema were seen as slightly hypointense areas on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase images, although these areas were observed as slightly hyperintense on previously obtained Gd-DTPA-enhanced delayed-phase image. Reduced uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA by hepatocytes in the region of congestion or edema may account for this difference, which should be recognized in image interpretations.     

Generation of a squeezed vacuum resonant on a rubidium D1 line with periodically poled KTiOPO4

We report the generation of a continuous-wave squeezed vacuum resonant on the Rb D1 line (795 nm) using periodically poled KTiOPO4 (PPKTP) crystals. With a frequency doubler and an optical parametric oscillator based on PPKTP crystals, we observed a squeezing level of -2.75+/-0.14 dB and an antisqueezing level of +7.00+/-0.13 dB. This system could be utilized for demonstrating storage and retrieval of the squeezed vacuum, which is important for the ultraprecise measurement of atomic spins as well as quantum information processing.     

99Ru,61Ni,57Fe,and119Sn Mössbauer studies of Heusler alloys containing ruthenium

⁹⁹Ru,⁶¹Ni,⁵⁷Fe and¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies were made on ternary intermetallic compounds containing ruthenium, Ru_xY_3?xZ (Y=Fe, Ni; Z=Si, Sn). In the system of Ru_xFe_3?xSi, two different hyperfine magnetic fields were observed at the⁹⁹Ru nuclei (H _hf[Ru]) in the range ofx≤1.0 and the magnitude of eachH _hf[Ru] was found to decrease with an increase in the ruthenium concentrationx. Both the⁹⁹Ru and¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra of Ru₂FeSn could be analyzed with two sets of magnetically split lines. The⁶¹Ni Mössbauer spectra of Ru₂NiSn were obtained at 5 and 77 K.     

Effect of diamine treatment on the conversion efficiency of PbSe colloidal quantum dot solar cells

Polymer-free photovoltaic devices were fabricated via a solution process using PbSe colloidal quantum dots (QDs) and an organic semiconductor (tetrabenzoporphyrin, BP) that can be prepared in situ from a soluble precursor. The device structure was ITO/PEDOT/BP:QD/QD/Al, where the BP:QD and QD layers correspond to a bulk heterojunction and a buffer layer, respectively. The buffer layer was treated with ethylenediamine (EDA) to crosslink the QDs. As a result, the energy conversion efficiency of the EDA-treated device was superior to that of an untreated device, mainly due to an increase in the short-circuit current density.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic procedure for the simultaneous determination of norfloxacin, fenbufen and felbinac in rat plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of norfloxacin, fenbufen and felbinac extracted from 50 microliters of rat plasma is described. Chromatography was performed on a reversed-phase column with ultraviolet detection. By the present method, quantitative and reproducible determinations were possible for norfloxacin, fenbufen and felbinac over the concentration ranges of 0.2-20, 0.2-120 and 0.4-40 micrograms/ml, respectively. The recoveries of norfloxacin, fenbufen and felbinac added to plasma were nearly 100% with a coefficient of variation of less than 8.0%. This method was found to be applicable to pharmacokinetic studies of each drug after the concomitant administration of norfloxacin and fenbufen.     

Vascular dilatory action of the Chinese crude drug. II. Effects of scoparone on calcium mobilization

Further experiments were conducted to examine the effect of scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin), a coumarin derivative found in the Chinese crude drug "Capillaris Flos," on calcium mobilization. Scoparone does not affect Ca2+ influx through the voltage-dependent channel due to membrane depolarization. Its inhibitory action may be dependent not only on the inhibition of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum but also on the inhibition of extracellular Ca2+ influx through the receptor-operated channel.     

Preparation of prolonged-release spherical micro-matrix of ibuprofen with acrylic polymer by the emulsion-solvent diffusion method for improving bioavailability

Prolonged-release spherical micro-matrices of ibuprofen with acrylic polymer (Eudragit RS) were prepared using a novel emulsion-solvent diffusion method. It was found by examining cross sections of the spherical matrix before and after dissolution tests with a scanning electron microscope and a porosimeter that the resultant micro-matrix had a sponge-like internal structure. The spherical matrices were successfully recovered with a relatively high concentration of the drug in ethanol (0.4-0.6 g/ml) and over a wide range of temperatures (5-35 degrees C). The size of the spherical matrix could be easily controlled by varying the agitation speed of the system and the concentration of emulsifier added to the aqueous medium. The drug release rate from the spherical matrix decreased with increasing concentration of polymer formulated due to the reduced diffusion path and increased tortuosity in the matrix. Spherical matrices with ibuprofen:Eudragit RS = 3:1 improved the bioavailability of the drug and prolonged the drug action in beagle dogs.