A twin optically-pumped far-infrared CH3OH laser for plasma diagnostics

A twin optically-pumped far-infrared CH₃OH laser has been constructed for use in plasma diagnostics. The antisymmetric doublet due to the Raman-type resonant two-photon transition is reproducibly observed at 118.8 m. With the 118.8-m line, it is obtained from the frequency separation of the anti-symmetric doublet that CH₃OH absorption line center is 16±1 MHz higher than the pump 9.7-m P(36) CO₂ laser line center. It is shown that the Raman-type resonant two-photon transition is useful in order to get several-MHz phase modulation for the far-infrared laser interferometer. Some preliminary performances of this twin laser for the modulated interferometer are described.This work was carried out under the collaborating research program at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464, Japan.     

Some novel layered-silicate nanocomposites based on a biodegradable hydroxybutyrate copolymer

This paper describes the preparation, characterization, mechanical properties and thermal stability of layered silicate nanocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHB-co-PHH, known as Nodax^TM). The dispersed phases were organically modified montmorillonites (clay 20A and clay 25A), mica, and talc, and they were introduced by solution mixing. Wide-angle X-ray scattering results and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed that these two clays were intercalated and finely distributed in the Nodax^TM matrix. This type of layered filler led to remarkable improvements in mechanical properties even at very low loadings. Minimizing aggregation was more of a problem in the case of the mica and the talc, at least in this particular matrix. In some cases, these layered fillers slightly decreased the thermal stability of the Nodax^TM.     

Design and preparation of pulsatile release tablet as a new oral drug delivery system.

To achieve time-controlled or site specific delivery of a drug in the gastrointestinal tract, an orally applicable pulsatile drug release system with the dry-coated tablet form was developed. The system consisted of a less water permeable outer shell and a swellable core tablet; from such a system, the drug was expected to be rapidly released after a certain period of time on the basis of time-controlled disintegration mechanism. Various model disks of outer shell, consisting of hydrogenated castor oil and polyethyleneglycol 6000, were tested for their water penetration rate. The experimental results showed that water penetration proceeded obeying the boundary retreating mechanism, so that the lag time of the system could be controlled by changing either the thickness or the composition of the outer shell. The swelling force of various commercially available disintegrants was quantitatively compared, and it was found that carboxymethylcellulose calcium was the preferable disintegrant to be used for the core tablet. On the basis of the results of a series of fundamental studies, various pulsatile release tablets of isoniazide with different lag times were designed. In the in vitro dissolution test, typical pulsatile release was achieved for all the tablets prepared, and a good correlation was found between the observed lag time and the estimated lag time calculated from an empirical equation deduced from the thickness and polyethyleneglycol 6000 content of the outer shell.     

Two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy. A new tool for interpreting infrared spectra

Two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy is used to study atactic polystyrene. 2D IR is a technique based on time-resolved detection of IR signals in response to an external perturbation, such as mechanical strain. Since different chemical functional groups respond to the applied perturbation at unique and often different rates, characteristic time-dependent variations of the IR-band intensities are observed. Correlation analysis of the dynamic variation of the IR signals yields a new spectrum defined by two independent wave numbers. Peaks located on a 2D IR spectral plane imply interactions and connectivities among chemical functional groups. By spreading convoluted IR bands over two dimensions, the spectral resolution is also greatly enhanced.     

SINGLE AND DOUBLE EDGE INTERFACE CRACK SOLUTIONS FOR ARBITRARY FORMS OF MATERIAL COMBINATION

In this paper interfacial edge crack problems are considered by the application of the finite element method. The stress intensity factors are accurately determined from the ratio of crack-tip-stress value between the target given unknown and reference problems. The reference problem is chosen to produce the singular stress fields proportional to those of the given unknown problem. Here the original proportional method is improved through utilizing very refined meshes and post-processing technique of linear extrapolation. The results for a double-edge interface crack in a bonded strip are newly obtained and compared with those of a single-edge interface crack for different forms of combination of material. It is found that the stress intensity factors should be compared in the three different zones of relative crack lengths. Different from the case of a cracked homogeneous strip, the results for the double edge interface cracks are found to possibly be bigger than those for a single edge interface crack under the same relative crack length.     

Tentative Comparison of Tube Radial Distribution Chromatography and CZE

Tube radical distribution chromatography (TRDC) uses an untreated open tubular capillary tube and a ternary mixture of solvents (water and hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic solvents) as a carrier solution. A model analyte mixture comprising 1-naphthol, 1-naphthoic acid, 1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, and 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid was examined by the TRDC and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) systems that comprised mainly a capillary tube and a detector. In the TRDC system the elution order of analytes could be changed by altering the component ratios of the solvents, whereas in the CZE system the elution order was changed by altering the electroosmotic flow direction. The experimental data obtained provide clues about the features and utility of TRDC as a new separation method.     

Reduction Reaction of the Copper(II) Complex Bearing 1,3-Di(pyridine-2-carboxaldimino)propane (pitn) by Decamethylferrocene in Acetonitrile

The reduction reaction of the Cu(II)–pitn complex (pitn = 1,3-di(pyridine-2-carboxaldimino)propane) by decamethylferrocene [Fe(Cp*)₂] was examined in acetonitrile. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants exhibited saturation kinetics with increasing excess amount of [Fe(Cp*)₂]. Detailed analyses revealed that the reaction is controlled by a structural change prior to the electron transfer step, rather than a conventional bimolecular electron transfer process preceded by ion pair (encounter complex) formation. The rate constant for the structural change was estimated to be 275 ± 13 s^?1 at 298 K (?H* = 33.3 ± 1.0 kJ·mol^?1, ?S* = 86 ± 5 J·mol^?1·K^?1), which is the fastest among gated reactions involving CuN₄ complexes. It was confirmed by EPR measurement and Conflex calculations that the dihedral angle between the two N–N planes is significantly large (40°) in solution whereas it is merely 17.14° in the crystal.