Controlled Deterministic Secure Quantum Communication Based on Quantum Search Algorithm

In this study, we propose a controlled deterministic secure quantum communication (CDSQC) protocol based on the idea of Grover’s quantum search algorithm (QSA). The proposed protocol has the following two advantages over the existing CDSQC protocols: (1) high qubit frequency and (2) less quantum memory. Moreover, the security analysis of the proposed protocol shows that any eavesdropper will be detected with a very high probability under both ideal and noisy quantum channel conditions.     

Transport properties of Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrAl Heusler alloy films

The effect of atomic disorder on the electron transport and the magnetoresistance (MR) of Co₂CrAl Heusler alloy (HA) films has been investigated. We show that Co₂CrAl films with L2₁ order exhibit a negative value for the temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) in a temperature range of 10 < T < 290 K, and the temperature dependence of electric conductivity varies as T ^3/2 similarly to that of the zero-gap semiconductors. The atomic or the site disorder on the way of L2₁ → B2 → A2 → amorphous state in Co₂CrAl HA films causes the deviation from this dependence: reduction in the absolute value of TCR as well as decrease in the resistivity down to ?(T = 293 K) ～ 200 μΩ cm in comparison to ?(T = 293 K) ～ 230 μΩ cm typical for the Co₂CrAl films with L2₁ order. The magnetic-field dependence of MR of the Co₂CrAl films with L2₁ order is determined by two competing contributions: a positive Lorentz scattering and a negative s-d scattering. The atomic disorder in Co₂CrAl films drastically changes MR behavior due to its strong influence on the magnetic properties.     

Chemical vapor sensing properties of graphene based on geometrical evaluation

Graphene is a promising candidate for chemical vapor sensing. We prepared graphene sheets from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite through mechanical cleavage in order to investigate their responses to NH₃ and NO₂ as electron donors and acceptors, respectively. We investigated how the geometric characteristics of graphene, such as length-to-width (L/w) ratio and number of layers, affect chemical sensing properties at room temperature and ambient atmosphere. In this study, the L/w ratio of an individual graphene sheet, which is related to graphene conductivity, dominated the NH₃ sensing characteristics, while the number of graphene layers had no significant effect. We also studied the effects of various thermal treatments on graphene sensitivity and recovery time in an ambient atmosphere. This study confirms the effects of geometry, operation temperature and gas concentration on the NH₃ and NO₂ sensing performances of graphene.     

Postbuckling analysis and its application to stretchable electronics

A versatile strategy for fabricating stretchable electronics involves controlled buckling of bridge structures in circuits that are configured into open, mesh layouts (i.e. islands connected by bridges) and bonded to elastomeric substrates. Quantitative analytical mechanics treatments of the responses of these bridges can be challenging, due to the range and diversity of possible motions. Koiter (1945) pointed out that the postbuckling analysis needs to account for all terms up to the 4th power of displacements in the potential energy. Existing postbuckling analyses, however, are accurate only to the 2nd power of displacements in the potential energy since they assume a linear displacement–curvature relation. Here, a systematic method is established for accurate postbuckling analysis of beams. This framework enables straightforward study of the complex buckling modes under arbitrary loading, such as lateral buckling of the island-bridge, mesh structure subject to shear (or twist) or diagonal stretching observed in experiments. Simple, analytical expressions are obtained for the critical load at the onset of buckling, and for the maximum bending, torsion (shear) and principal strains in the structure during postbuckling.     

High spin states in neutron-rich 106Tc nucleus

The high spin states of the neutron-rich odd-odd 106Tc nucleus have been reinvestigated by observing prompt γ-rays from the spontaneous fission of 252Cf. A previously known collective band is confirmed and expanded, and a new collective band is newly identified. Several levels in previous report in 106Tc are reexamined and they belong to the members of a band in 107Tc. The total Routhian surface (TRS) calculations show that the 106Tc has triaxial shape. The spins and parities as well as the configurations for these bands have been tentatively assigned according to the analysis of the angular momentum alignments.     

Effect of DC bias on microstructural rearrangement of a-SiN:H films on PET substrate

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiN:H) films were deposited on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates at temperature as low as 100 °C by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition using SiH₄, H₂ and NH₃ precursors. Field emission scanning emission microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering were employed to study structural and microstructural properties of a-SiN:H films. The rms surface roughness increased with increase of positive bias to substrate. Intermediate range order, porosity and interface inhomogeneity in amorphous of a-SiN:H films evaluated by acoustic and optical phonon of silicon network, Guinier plot and correlated length from Raman and SAXS characterizations. The fractal behavior of a-SiN:H domains approached the perfect symmetry and the intermediate range order of a-SiN:H films deteriorate with increase of the positive substrate bias. Both correlation length and void size of the a-SiN:H amorphous domain increased with increase of the substrate bias from 0 to +200 V.     

Novel Anti-Melanogenic Compounds, (Z)-5-(Substituted Benzylidene)-4-thioxothiazolidin-2-one Derivatives: In Vitro and In Silico Insights

To confirm that the β-phenyl-α,β-unsaturated thiocarbonyl (PUSTC) scaffold, similar to the β-phenyl-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl (PUSC) scaffold, acts as a core inhibitory structure for tyrosinase, twelve (Z)-5-(substituted benzylidene)-4-thioxothiazolidin-2-one ((Z)-BTTZ) derivatives were designed and synthesized. Seven of the twelve derivatives showed stronger inhibitory activity than kojic acid against mushroom tyrosinase. Compound 2b (IC₅₀ = 0.47 ± 0.97 µM) exerted a 141-fold higher inhibitory potency than kojic acid. Kinetic studies’ results confirmed that compounds 2b and 2f are competitive tyrosinase inhibitors, which was supported by high binding affinities with the active site of tyrosinase by docking simulation. Docking results using a human tyrosinase homology model indicated that 2b and 2f might potently inhibit human tyrosinase. In vitro assays of 2b and 2f were conducted using B16F10 melanoma cells. Compounds 2b and 2f significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited intracellular melanin contents, and the anti-melanogenic effects of 2b at 10 µM and 2f at 25 µM were considerably greater than the inhibitory effect of kojic acid at 25 µM. Compounds 2b and 2f similarly inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin contents, indicating that the anti-melanogenic effects of both were due to tyrosinase inhibition. A strong binding affinity with the active site of tyrosinase and potent inhibitions of mushroom tyrosinase, cellular tyrosinase activity, and melanin generation in B16F10 cells indicates the PUSTC scaffold offers an attractive platform for the development of novel tyrosinase inhibitors.     

The construction of novel perylenequinone core via efficient synthesis of versatile ortho-naphthoquinone as a key intermediate

The novel perylenequinone core, 1,12-diacetonitrile-3,10-perylenequinone, was successfully prepared from the dimerization of the key intermediate, 3-acetonitrile-1,2-naphthoquinone, which was synthesized by an efficient synthetic route in relatively short reaction steps (seven steps) and satisfactory overall yield. The perylenequinone core containing the acetonitrile functionality is notable in the sense that the versatile acetonitrile group could be utilized to prepare various compounds at a later synthetic stage for the development of new and novel perylenequinone derivatives as potential photodynamic agents.     

Development of an aromatic triamine-based flame-retardant benzoxazine and its high-performance copolybenzoxazines

An aromatic triamine-based flame-retardant benzoxazine (3), which could not be prepared by the traditional approaches, was successfully prepared by a three-step procedure. The first step is the condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with an aromatic triamine, forming intermediate (1) with an imine linkage. The second step is the reduction of the imine linkage by sodium borohydride, resulting in intermediate (2) with a secondary amine linkage. The third step is the ring closure condensation of (2), leading to benzoxazine (3). The structures of (1-3) were confirmed by IR, high-resolution mass, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectra. Benzoxazine (3) was copolymerized with commercial benzoxazines. According to the measurements, thermal properties, flame retardancy, dimensional stability of commercial polybenzoxazines were significantly improved via the incorporation of (3).     

Systematic analysis of in vitro photo-cytotoxic activity in extracts from terrestrial plants in Peninsula Malaysia for photodynamic therapy

One hundred and fifty-five extracts from 93 terrestrial species of plants in Peninsula Malaysia were screened for in vitro photo-cytotoxic activity by means of a cell viability test using a human leukaemia cell-line HL60. These plants which can be classified into 43 plant families are diverse in their type of vegetation and their natural habitat in the wild, and may therefore harbour equally diverse metabolites with potential pharmaceutical properties. Of these, 29 plants, namely three from each of the Clusiaceae, Leguminosae, Rutaceae and Verbenaceae families, two from the Piperaceae family and the remaining 15 are from Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Bignoniaceae, Celastraceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Irvingiaceae, Lauraceae, Lythraceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Myristicaceae, Myrsinaceae, Olacaceae and Sapindaceae. Hibiscus cannabinus (Malvaceae), Ficus deltoidea (Moraceae), Maranthes corymbosa (Chrysobalanaceae), Micromelum sp., Micromelum minutum and Citrus hystrix (Rutaceae), Cryptocarya griffithiana (Lauraceae), Litchi chinensis (Sapindaceae), Scorodocarpus bornensis (Olacaceae), Kokoona reflexa (Celastraceae), Irvingia malayana (Irvingiaceae), Knema curtisii (Myristicaceae), Dysoxylum sericeum (Meliaceae), Garcinia atroviridis, Garcinia mangostana and Calophyllum inophyllum (Clusiaceae), Ervatamia hirta (Apocynaceae), Cassia alata, Entada phaseoloides and Leucaena leucocephala (Leguminosae), Oroxylum indicum (Bignoniaceae), Peronema canescens, Vitex pubescens and Premna odorata (Verbenaceae), Piper mucronatum and Piper sp. (Piperaceae), Ardisia crenata (Myrsinaceae), Lawsonia inermis (Lythraceae), Strobilanthes sp. (Acanthaceae) were able to reduce the in vitro cell viability by more than 50% when exposed to 9.6 J/cm² of a broad spectrum light when tested at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. Six of these active extracts were further fractionated and bio-assayed to yield four photosensitisers, all of which are based on the pheophorbide-a and -b core structures. Our results suggest that the main photosensitisers from terrestrial plants are likely based on the cyclic tetrapyrrole structure and photosensitisers with other structures, if present, are present in minor amounts or are not as active as those with the cyclic tetrapyrrole structure.