Radio frequency characteristics of Fe-filled carbon nanotube film

The conduction noise suppression in radio frequency region using film type of the Fe-filled carbon nanotubes and its epoxy composite was evaluated on a coplanar waveguide. Fe in carbon nanotubes have shown α-Fe crystalline structure and had a coercivity of 650 Oe. The magnitudes of the signal attenuation of Fe-filled carbon nanotubes on coplanar waveguide were shown in the range of about 10–18 dB/cm at 20 GHz (the stop-band frequency region). The power losses of these films exhibited 65–85% at 20 GHz in the stop-band frequency.     

Real-time observation of phase-controlled molecular wave-packet interference

The quantum interference of two molecular wave packets has been precisely controlled in the B electronic state of the I2 molecule by using a pair of fs laser pulses whose relative phase is locked within the attosecond time scale and its real-time evolution has been observed by another fs laser pulse. It is clearly observed that the temporal evolution changes drastically as a function of the relative phase between the locked pulses, allowing us to read both amplitude and phase information stored in the wave functions of the molecular ensemble.     

Generation of 12 fs deep-ultraviolet pulses by four-wave mixing through filamentation in neon gas

Generation of deep-ultraviolet femtosecond pulses by four-wave mixing through filamentation in neon gas was demonstrated. Fundamental (omega) and second-harmonic (2omega) pulses of 25 fs Ti:sapphire amplifier output were focused into neon gas, and 20 microJ pulses with the center wavelength of 260 nm were produced by a four-wave mixing process, 2omega+2omega-omega?3omega through an ~15 cm filament. Additionally, pulses with an energy of 2 microJ at 200 nm were generated, probably by a cascaded process, 3omega+2omega-omega?4omega. The 260 nm pulses were compressed by a grating-based compressor and characterized by a dispersion-free transient grating frequency-resolved optical gating. The estimated pulse width was 12 fs.     

Measurement of thickness of a thin film by means of laser interference at many incident angles

An optical method for directly measuring the thickness of a thin transparent film has been proposed by means of multi-wave laser interference at many incident angles, and confirmed experimentally by means of equipment made on an experimental basis. Two methods are available: one can be used when an index of refraction of the film, a wavelength λ, and two successive angles of incidence at which the sinusoidal light intensity has minimum values, are known (Method I), and another can be used without an index of film refraction when three successive angles of incidence and a wavelength are known (Method II). The smallest measurable thickness is 1.43λ for Method I, and 2.5λ for Method II. The largest measurable thickness is about 100λ for both methods. The measurement error by means of numerical calculation is Δh/h−1.01×10⁻², and that obtained experimentally with an angular resolution of incident light of 0.3° is Δh/h7×10⁻² for Method I. The refractive index can also be measured by means of Method II.     

Anomaly in the field dependence of the anisotropic magnetic susceptiblity of a single-grained α-Mn

A kink was observed near 20 kOe in the field dependence of the magnetization in a single-grained α-Mn without a magnetic hysteresis below the Neel temperature in an accurate magnetization measurement below 80 kOe. It was observed along [1 0 0], [1 1 0] and [1 1 1] crystallographic directions. The field dependence of the magnetization above 40 kOe extrapolates to positive finite magnetization at null field. The kink suggests a weak metamagnetism induced by the external magnetic field. A small but clear anisotropy was observed between the weak-field susceptibilities along [1 0 0] and [1 1 0]/[1 1 1] directions. A previously reported large susceptibility anomaly was not affirmed between 90 and 270 kOe.     

Evaluation of ionic conductivity for Mg–Al layered double hydroxide intercalated with inorganic anions

This study demonstrates that humidity, temperature, and the interlayer anions influence ionic conductivities of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) intercalated with inorganic anions. Results show that Mg–Al LDH intercalated with Br^? exhibited the highest ionic conductivity among Mg–Al LDHs intercalated with CO₃^2?, Cl^?, Br^?, NO₃^? and SO₄^2?. Its ionic conductivity was 1.1 × 10^? 2 S cm^? 1 at 80 °C under 80% relative humidity. The electromotive force for the hydroxide ion concentration cell using Mg?Al CO₃^2? LDH showed the same behavior with that using an anion exchange membrane, indicating that Mg–Al CO₃^2? LDH can be a hydroxide ion conductor.     

Sputtering gases and pressure effects on the microstructure,magnetic properties and recording performance of TbFeCo films

The MsHc value is considered to be a key factor in high-density recording, and controlling the microstructure on the magnetic underlayer was found to be an effective way of increasing the MsHc of the amorphous TbFeCo magneto-optical (MO) medium. In this paper, we investigate the TbFeCo film's magnetic properties and the effects on the microcolumnar structure, which depends on the sputtering conditions of using various sputtering gases including Ar, Kr, and Xe, and the recording characteristics of TbFeCo memory layers. With heavy sputtering gases such as Kr or Xe, the columnar structure can be prepared in a TbFeCo film at a pressure lower than 1.0 Pa. The columnar structure of a recording layer can be effectively formed thanks to the effects of the magnetic underlayer, which has a fine surface even in the sputtering process in which Xe gas is used. The above applies to the sputtering process in which Ar gas is used. Also, when Xe gas is used in the sputtering process, coercivity Hc is increased through the formation of a well-segregated microcolumnar structure built on domain wall pinning sites, and we obtain a large MsHc and a high squareness ratio of the Kerr-hysteresis loop. Our results indicate that processing a TbFeCo film with heavy sputtering gases is suitable for tiny mark stability because the temperature gradient of Hc is increased. The objective of the low-pressure sputtering process using Xe gas to produce the columnar structure is to achieve ultra-high-density recording with tiny mark stability in the TbFeCo medium. This has been confirmed with magnetic force microscope (MFM) images of stable tiny marks recorded on TbFeCo film.     

Voxel- and atlas-based analysis of diffusion tensor imaging may reveal focal axonal injuries in mild traumatic brain injury -- comparison with diffuse axonal injury

Background

The diagnosis and management of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) continue to be subjects of debate, with varying opinions regarding the extent to which tissue-based impairments versus the impacts of other stressors cause ongoing disability. Detecting areas of the brain with abnormalities that can explain symptoms and behavior in patients with MTBI is important in order to confirm the diagnosis of MTBI.

Methods

In this study, we calculated diffusion maps from results of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) performed in an apparently healthy control group. We then compared these maps with those of patients with MTBI (MTBI group) or diffuse axonal injury (DAI group). All diffusion maps were normalized to the International Consortium for Brain Mapping atlas for atlas-based analysis and were segmented and normalized by the Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Lie tool in SPM8 to reduce misregistration.

Results

All diffusion measures in the DAI group were lower than in the control group. There were significant differences in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum, fornix and right cerebral peduncle in the DAI group compared with the control group (P<.001). The MTBI group had higher axial diffusivity than the control group in the right corticospinal tract, left medial lemniscus, left inferior cerebellar peduncle, bilateral anterior limb of the internal capsule, right anterior corona radiata, bilateral cingulum (cingulate gyrus) and left superior frontooccipital fasciculus (P<.05).

Conclusions

Voxel- and atlas-based analysis of DTI might suggest that patients with MTBI have focal axonal injury and that the pathophysiology is significantly different from that of DAI. These findings will help in the diagnosis of patients with MTBI.     

Momentum‐resolved resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering on a single crystal under high pressure

A single‐crystal momentum‐resolved resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering (RIXS) experiment under high pressure using an originally designed diamond anvil cell (DAC) is reported. The diamond‐in/diamond‐out geometry was adopted with both the incident and scattered beams passing through a 1 mm‐thick diamond. This enabled us to cover wide momentum space keeping the scattering angle condition near 90°. Elastic and inelastic scattering from the diamond was drastically reduced using a pinhole placed after the DAC. Measurement of the momentum‐resolved RIXS spectra of Sr_2.5Ca_11.5Cu₂₄O₄₁ at the Cu K‐edge was thus successful. Though the inelastic intensity becomes weaker by two orders than the ambient pressure, RIXS spectra both at the center and the edge of the Brillouin zone were obtained at 3 GPa and low‐energy electronic excitations of the cuprate were found to change with pressure.     

Functional Changes in the Care-needing Elderly after Surface Electrical Stimulation to the Abdomen

Background: Strength of the trunk muscles is a key component of motor control, but it declines easily with the process of aging and/or disuse. Objectives: To investigate the effects of surface electrical stimulation (ES) to the abdominal muscles and the motor performance for care-needing elderly. Design: Controlled trial. Participants: Twenty-one elderly people (60–90 years) with care-needing, who were admitted to a nursing home or hospital for daily care and their score of Barthel Index had been stable from 55.3 ± 19.4 to 55.3 ± 19.8 during 3 months before intervention. Intervention: Common physical/occupational therapy was performed for all of the subjects during the study period. ES was applied to the abdomen of 15 subjects (ES group) twice a day for 8 weeks. Measurements: Functional measurements were performed before and after beginning of the study with some parameters as follows: grip strength; movement time for sitting up (MSU); maximum walking speed (WS). Results: No significant differences between two groups were noted for characteristics at baseline. In the ES group, MSU (from 21.1 ± 21.4 to 10.4 ± 8.3 sec) significantly improved (p < 0.05) after 8weeks. WS (from 17.7 ± 12.1 to 24.3 ± 15.3 m/min) were also improved (p < 0.05) after 8 weeks. Limitations: A limitation of this study was the small sample size. Conclusions: ES to the abdominal area has the potential to improve motor function in the care-needing elderly through reinforcement of the abdominal muscles.