Stabilization of atmospheric carbon dioxide via zero emissions-An alternative way to a stable global environment. Part 1: Examination of the traditional stabilization concept

The concept of "stabilization" of atmospheric CO2 concentration is re-examined in connection with climate-change mitigation strategies. A new "zero-emissions stabilization (Z-stabilization)" is proposed, where CO2 emissions are reduced to zero at some time and thereafter the concentration is decreased by natural removal processes, eventually reaching an equilibrated stable state. Simplified climate experiments show that, under Z-stabilization, considerably larger emissions are permissible in the near future compared with traditional stabilization, with the same constraint on temperature rise. Over longer time scales, the concentration and temperature decrease close to their equilibrium values, much lower than those under traditional stabilization. The smaller temperature rise at final state is essential to avoid longer-term risk of sea level rise, a significant concern under traditional stabilization. Because of these advantages a Z-stabilization pathway can be a candidate of practical mitigation strategies as treated in Part 2.(Contributed by Taroh MATSUNO, M.J.A.).     

Suppressed speckle contrast of blue light emission out of white lamp with phosphors excited by blue laser diodes for high-brightness lighting applications

The speckle contrast of blue light emission out of high-brightness white lamps using phosphors excited by InGaN/GaN blue laser diodes is evaluated as a measure of coherence. As a result, speckle contrast of as low as 1.7%, the same level as a blue light emitting diode, is obtained. This implies that the original blue laser light can be converted into incoherent light through lamp structures without any dynamic mechanisms. This unique speckle-free performance is considered to be realized by multiple scattering inside the lamp structure, the multi-longitudinal mode operation of the blue laser diodes, and the use of multiple laser diodes. Such almost-incoherent white lamps can be applied for general lighting without any nuisance of speckle noise and should be categorized as lamps rather than lasers in terms of laser safety regulation.     

meso-Arylporpholactones and their Reduction Products

The rational syntheses of meso-tetraaryl-3-oxo-2-oxaporphyrins 5, known as porpholactones, via MnO(4)(-)-mediated oxidations of the corresponding meso-tetraaryl-2,3-dihydroxychlorins (7) is detailed. Since chlorin 7 is prepared from the parent porphyrin 1, this amounts to a 2-step replacement of a pyrrole moiety in 1 by an oxazolone moiety. The stepwise reduction of the porpholactone 5 results in the formation of chlorin analogues, meso-tetraaryl-3-hydroxy-2-oxachlorin (11) and meso-tetraaryl-2-oxachlorins (12). The reactivity of 11 with respect to nucleophilic substitution by O-, N-, and S-nucleophiles is described. The profound photophysical consequences of the formal replacement of a pyrrole with an oxazolone (porphyrin-like chromophore) or (substituted) oxazole moiety (chlorin-like chromophore with, for the parent oxazolochlorin 12, red-shifted Q(x) band with enhanced oscillator strengths) are detailed and rationalized on the basis of SAC-CI and MNDO-PSDCI molecular orbital theory calculations. The single crystal X-ray structures of the porpholactones point at a minor steric interaction between the carbonyl oxygen and the flanking phenyl group. The essentially planar structures of all chromophores in all oxidation states prove that the observed optical properties originate from the intrinsic electronic properties of the chromophores and are not subject to conformational modulation.     

Simple and rapid HPLC-UV method using an ultrafine particle octadecylsilane for determination of residual fentanyl in applied Durotep MT transdermal matrix patches and its clinical application

A few complicated and time-consuming methods are available for the determination of residual fentanyl in Durotep MT transdermal patches, however, their application to clinical settings is limited. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and rapid HPLC-UV method using an ultrafine particle octadecylsilane (ODS) for the determination of residual fentanyl in applied Durotep MT transdermal matrix patches. Patch extraction involved sonicating a shredded Durotep MT patch in acetonitrile for 15 min. Fentanyl separation was completed within 2 min using a 2.3-μm particle ODS column (50 × 4.6 mm i.d.) at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. No peaks interfering with fentanyl (1.27 min) and papaverine (0.89 min) as an internal standard were observed. The calibration curve for fentanyl was linear over the range of 0.015-9.0 mg as a Durotep MT patch. The intra- and inter-assay precisions and accuracies of each patch were within 5.3% and 103.9-110.5% and within 8.2% and 97.1-104.3%, respectively. The validated method was applied to determine residual fentanyl in Durotep MT patches used in 35 cancer patients. Although the plasma fentanyl concentration was significantly correlated with its measured absorption rate, the measured absorption rate normalized fentanyl concentration showed a large inter-individual variation. The validated simple and rapid HPLC-UV method established in the present study is helpful for evaluating the absorption rate of fentanyl in patients receiving Durotep MT patches.     

Spectrophotometric determination of boron in plants after separation as trimethyl borate by microdiffusion

A sensitive and precise method based on microdiffusion is proposed for the determination of traces of boron in plants. A sealed digestion bomb is used; the powdered sample is dissolved in ZnCl₂/AlCl₃ solution containing methanol in the teflon vessel and the trimethyl borate formed is collected in sodium hydroxide pellets. The boron, as an ion-associate of the 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid complex and malachite green, is extracted into chlorobenzene. At 629 nm, Beer's law is obeyed for the range 0.05–0.5 μg of boron. The accuracy of the proposed method was confirmed by analyzing the Orchard Leaves and Pepperbush standards.     

Design and Synthesis of 6 α-Corticosteroid Haptens and Their Bovine Serum Albumin(BSA) Conjugates

The site of attachment of protein carrier to corticosteroids has great influence on the specificity of produced antibody.In order to obtain highly specific and accurate antibodies for bioimmunoassay determination of cortisol,different tether lengths of 60633－corticosteroid haptens and their BSA conjugates were designed and synthesized.     

Reaction of 2,3-diphenylpyrazine 1-oxides with acetic anhydride

Some 2,3-diphenylpyrazine 1-oxides were heated with acetic anhydride to give the corresponding 2,3-di-acetoxy-2,3-dihydro-5,6-diphenylpyrazines. By X-ray diffraction analysis, the configuration of two acetoxyl groups was determined to be trans.     

The Teaching of General Solution Methods to Pattern Finding Problems Through Focusing on an Evaluation and Improvement Process

This study examined the effects of a teaching strategy in which fifth-grade students evaluated the strengths or weaknesses of solution methods to pattern finding problems. The experimental and control group each consisted of thirty four elementary students in Japan who took the pre, post and retention tests. The experimental group showed a significantly better performance on the retention test although no significant differences were observed on the pre and post tests. This result suggests that the evaluation and improvement activity was important as a teaching strategy.     

Optical Spatial Filter Sensor for Ground Speed

The prototype for a ground speed sensor has been designed, fabricated and evaluated. It works on the principle of optical spatial filtering and uses pulse driven light emitting diodes as a source of illumination. The sensor was tested at speeds ranging from 2 to 50 km/h, and an accuracy of 1.5 km/h was obtained with response time of 30 ms, height from ground of from 230 to 370 mm and on various road surfaces. The sensor is viewed as beneficial for use in a vehicle’s antilock braking system and will contribute to traffic safety.Presented at the International Commission of Optics Topical Meeting, Kyoto, 1994.     

The first observation of photoinduced tuning of AC magnetization for organic–inorganic hybrid materials composed of Mn12-acetate and azobenzene

New organic–inorganic hybrid material composed of typical single-molecule magnet [Mn₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄O₁₂]·2CH₃COOH·4H₂O (Mn₁₂-acetate) and photochromic azobenzene in PMMA cast films was prepared to observe novel photomagnetic phenomenon. We characterized it by means of UV–visible absorption and IR spectra to confirm photoisomerization of azobenzene even at room temperature. We measured temperature and field dependence of DC susceptibility, and temperature and frequency dependence of AC susceptibility as comparing with bulk precipitates of Mn₁₂-acetate. We found some differences in hysteresis loops for them. After alternate illumination of UV or visible light for 3 min at 3 K, we could observe reversible decrease or increase of in-phase AC susceptibility (and little changes of DC susceptibility) for the hybrid materials accompanying cis–trans photoisomerization of azobenzene.