Spatial mode exchange technique using volume holograms with a random optical diffuser for reduction of crosstalk

Optical Review - In mode-division multiplexing systems, the transmission quality is restricted by the differential mode delay (DMD). We previously proposed a spatial mode exchange technique using...     

New Visualization Technique with a Three-Dimensional Video-Assisted Stereoendoscopic System: Application of the BVHIS Display Method During Endolaryngeal Surgery

A three-dimensional video-assisted stereoendoscopic system (3D video system) developed by the Shinko Optical Company, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), and referred to as the binocular vision by horizontal image shifting display method (BVHIS display method), has been developed to digitally process ordinary video signals obtained with a video camera connected to a direct videolaryngoscope. The three-dimensional video system provides the surgeon with stereoendoscopic video images and enhances the ability of the surgeon to perform delicate endoscopic procedures. The three-dimensional video-assisted stereoendoscopic laryngosurgical procedure and its underlying principles are described in this paper. A total of 12 patients with laryngeal lesions causing dysphonia underwent three-dimensional video-assisted stereoendoscopic laryngosurgery. Although the video image obtained with the BVHIS display method is only pseudo-three-dimensional, this method enables the surgeon to perceive both depth perception and realism. We describe a surgical procedure using this new visualizing technique and the underlying principles of the technique. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations of the patients' vocal functions are also described. This system is a useful tool for the treatment of laryngeal lesions causing dysphonia.     

Enhancement of extreme ultraviolet radiations from a laser-produced plasma using copper–tungsten alloy

Continuous extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission intensity from a laser-produced plasma in the wavelength between 40 and 200 nm for a copper–tungsten alloy target was observed to be 1.3 times higher than that for a tungsten target. Using the alloy target, low-opacity regions of one material were filled with high-opacity regions of another material. This opacity effect resulted in the increase of a calculated Rosseland mean opacity compared with either of the constituents, which may explain the increase of the EUV emission intensity.     

Behavior of zinc- and aluminum β-ketoesterate complexes during steaming treatment

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Steaming treatment is a low-temperature technique used in the synthesis of metal oxides. However, little is known about the influence of the metal...     

Fabrication of pH-Responsive Zn2+-Releasing Glass Particles for Smart Antibacterial Restoratives

The on-demand release of antibacterial components due to pH variations caused by acidogenic/cariogenic bacteria is a possible design for smart antibacterial restorative materials. This study aimed to fabricate pH-responsive Zn²⁺-releasing glass particles and evaluate their solubilities, ion-releasing characteristics, and antibacterial properties in vitro. Three kinds of silicate-based glass particles containing different molar ratios of Zn (PG-1: 25.3; PG-2: 34.6; PG-3: 42.7 mol%) were fabricated. Each particle was immersed in a pH-adjusted medium, and the solubility and concentration of the released ions were determined. To evaluate the antibacterial effect, Streptococcus mutans was cultured in the pH-adjusted medium in the presence of each particle, and the bacterial number was counted. The solubility and concentration of Zn²⁺ released in the medium increased with a decrease in medium pH. PG-3 with a greater content of Zn demonstrated higher concentrations of released Zn²⁺ compared with PG-1 and PG-2. PG-2 exhibited bactericidal effects at pH 5.1, whereas PG-3 demonstrated bactericidal effects at pH values of 5.1 and 6.1, indicating that PG-3 was effective at inhibiting S. mutans even under slightly acidic conditions. The glass particle with 42.7 mol% Zn may be useful for developing smart antibacterial restoratives that contribute to the prevention of diseases such as caries on root surfaces with lower acid resistance.     

Transition metal-free oxidation of ynamides for synthesis of α-keto-imides

Transition metal-free double oxidation of triple bonds in ynamides for synthesis of α-keto-imides is described. The successful key was combination of NIS and DMSO under atmospheric air in CPME solvent, and the reaction quickly proceeds at 0 °C within 1 h. Although the yields and substrate generality are moderate, yet the prototype protocol avoids the use of expensive, moisture-sensitive, toxic, and explosive additives, which make it potentially and significantly greener than current alternatives.     

Enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary spirocenters through a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols

A novel catalytic asymmetric synthetic method for making spirocyclohexadienones with an all-carbon quaternary spirocenter was developed based on the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols. When 5 mol % of the Pd catalyst and 12 mol % of (?)-9-NapBN (?)-3e were used, the spirocyclic adduct was obtained with up to 93% ee, albeit with low chemical yield. On the other hand, when using 6 mol% of the Trost ligand (R,R)-3k, the spirocyclic adducts were obtained in good yields with up to 89% ee (diastereoselectivity = 9.2:1).     

Efficient catalytic interconversion between NADH and NAD+ accompanied by generation and consumption of hydrogen with a water-soluble iridium complex at ambient pressure and temperature

Regioselective hydrogenation of the oxidized form of β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) to the reduced form (NADH) with hydrogen (H(2)) has successfully been achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of a [C,N] cyclometalated organoiridium complex [Ir(III)(Cp*)(4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl-κN(2))benzoic acid-κC(3))(H(2)O)](2) SO(4) [1](2)·SO(4) under an atmospheric pressure of H(2) at room temperature in weakly basic water. The structure of the corresponding benzoate complex Ir(III)(Cp*)(4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl-κN(2))-benzoate-κC(3))(H(2)O) 2 has been revealed by X-ray single-crystal structure analysis. The corresponding iridium hydride complex formed under an atmospheric pressure of H(2) undergoes the 1,4-selective hydrogenation of NAD(+) to form 1,4-NADH. On the other hand, in weakly acidic water the complex 1 was found to catalyze the hydrogen evolution from NADH to produce NAD(+) without photoirradiation at room temperature. NAD(+) exhibited an inhibitory behavior in both catalytic hydrogenation of NAD(+) with H(2) and H(2) evolution from NADH due to the binding of NAD(+) to the catalyst. The overall catalytic mechanism of interconversion between NADH and NAD(+) accompanied by generation and consumption of H(2) was revealed on the basis of the kinetic analysis and detection of the catalytic intermediates.     

Molecular dynamics study on the ligand recognition by tandem SH3 domains of p47phox, regulating NADPH oxidase activity

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase complex plays a crucial role in host defense against microbial infection through the production of superoxides. Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immune deficiency caused by the absence of certain components of the NADPH oxidase. Key to the activation of the NADPH oxidase is the cytoplasmic subunit p47phox, which includes the tandem SH3 domains (N-SH3 and C-SH3). In active phagocytes, p47phox forms a stable complex with the cytoplasmic region of membrane subunit p22phox that forms a left-handed polyproline type-II (PPII) helix conformation. In this report, we have analyzed the conformational changes of p47phox-p22phox complexes of wild-type and three mutants, which have been detected in CGD patients, using molecular dynamics simulations. We have found that in the wild-type, two basal planes of PPII prism in cytoplasmic region of p22phox interacted with N-SH3 and C-SH3. In contrast, in the modeled mutants, the residue at the ape of PPII helix, which interacts simultaneously with both of the tandem SH3 domains in the wild-type, moved toward C-SH3. Furthermore, interaction energies of the cytoplasmic region of p22phox with C-SH3 tend to decrease in these mutants. All these findings led us to conclude that interactions between N-SH3 of p47phox and PPII helix, which is formed by cytoplasmic region of p22phox, may play a significant role in the activation of the NADPH oxidase.