Constructing finitely presented monoids which have no finite complete presentation

Squier (1987) showed that if a monoid is defined by a finite complete rewriting system, then it satisfies the homological finiteness condition FP₃, and using this fact he gave monoids (groups) which have solvable word problems but cannot be presented by finite complete systems. In the present paper we show that a monoid cannot have a finite complete presentation if it contains certain special elements. This observation enables us to construct monoids without finite complete presentation in a direct and elementary way. We give a finitely presented monoid which has (1) a word problem solvable in linear time and (2) linear growth but (3) no finite complete presentation. We also give a finitely presented monoid which has (1) a word problem solvable in linear time, (2) finite derivation type in the sense of Squier and (3) the property FP_∞, but (4) no finite complete presentation.     

Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties Of Racemic (±)2-(α-Methylbenzylamino)-5-Nitropyridine Single Crystals

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of racemic (±)2-(α-methylbenzylamino)-5-nitropyridine ((±)MBANP) single crystals have been comprehensively investigated and compared with those of the enantiomorph (–)2-(α-methylbenzylamino)-5-nitropyridine ((–)MBANP) crystals. (±)MBANP crystal exhibits very high chemical and physical stability, but relatively small nonlinear optical coefficients (d₃₁ = 6.8 pm/V, d₃₂ = 4.7 pm/V, d₃₃ = 0.84 pm/V). A comparison between the nonlinear optical coefficients of (±)MBANP and (–)MBANP demonstrates the validity of the oriented-gas model in molecular crystals that neglects all the contributions from intermolecular interaction.     

Developing a hybrid emulsion polymerization system to synthesize Fe3O4/polystyrene latexes with narrow size distribution and high magnetite content

A hybrid emulsion polymerization was formulated for synthesizing Fe₃O₄/polystyrene composite latex. This system, containing binary droplets that are magnetic (Mag)‐droplets with a diameter of 100–200 nm and styrene (St)‐droplets with a diameter of 3–4 μm, was obtained by mixing Mag‐miniemulsion and St‐macroemulsion. With extremely low surfactants concentration (?critical micelle concentration, CMC), the nucleated loci are selectively controlled in the Mag‐droplets, as the result of smaller droplet size and larger surface ratio. Both water‐soluble potassium persulfate (KPS) and oil‐soluble 2,2′‐azobis(2‐isobutyronitrile) was adopted to initiate the polymerization. In the presence of KPS, magnetic polystyrene latices with particles size of 60–200 nm, narrow size distribution, and high magnetite content (86 wt % measured by TGA) were attained successfully. The synthesized magnetic Fe₃O_4/polystyrene latices assembled into well‐ordered hexagonal structure in the surface of a carbon supported copper grid. The influence of various parameters on various aspects of the as‐synthesized Fe₃O₄/polystyrene was investigated in detail: type of initiator on composite morphology, feed ratio of Mag‐miniemulsion and St‐macroemulsion on magnetite content, and hydrophobic agent or amount of surfactant on size and size distribution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5285–5295, 2007     

Selection of meaningless steady noise for masking of speech

This paper focuses on masking speech with meaningless steady noise as a way of realizing a comfortable sound environment. As a basis for research, meaningless steady noise at minimum sound pressure levels for masking of male or female meaningful speech is considered, based on psychological experiments using a method of adjustment. From the results, band-limited pink noise can be selected as the most effective noise for masking of speech. In the case of speech with a lower sound pressure level, the sound pressure level of the meaningless steady noise needs to be a little higher.     

InAs/GaAs (1 1 1)A heteroepitaxial systems

We studied the structural, electrical, and mechanical properties of an InAs thin film grown on GaAs (1 1 1)A substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. In contrast to conventionally used (0 0 1) surfaces, where Stranski–Krastanov growth dominates the highly mismatched heteroepitaxy, layer-by-layer growth of InAs can be established. One of the largest advantages of this unique heteroepitaxial system is that it provides a two-dimensional electron gas system in the near-surface region without the problem of electron depletion. We review the fundamental properties and applications of this unique heteroepitaxial system.     

Endoscopic Observation of Tissue by Narrowband Illumination

We propose a new illumination method for a medical endoscope: narrow band imaging (NBI), in which the spectral bandwidth of the filtered light is narrowed. To confirm how the spectral specifications of the filtered light influence a reproduced image, an experiment was conducted observing the endoscopic images of the back mucosa of a human tongue. In addition, the effect of NBI on endoscopic images was investigated through preliminary clinical tests in colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. It has been shown that NBI can enhance the capillary pattern and the crypt pattern on the mucosa. These patterns are useful features for diagnosing an early cancer.     

Wavelength dependence in photochemical vapor deposition of aluminum film using dimethylaluminum hydride

In photochemical vapor deposition of aluminum film on silicon using dimethylaluminum hydride, (CH₃)₂AlH, a surface reaction dominated below a (CH₃)₂AlH pressure of 0.3 m Torr at 200°C, which was induced only with the 160 nm band emitted from a deuterium lamp. A gas-phase reaction occurred above 0.3 mTorr at 200°C, which could be induced by both 160 nm and 240 nm emission bands from the lamp. To distinguish between surface ad gas-phase reactions, a thickness profile was used. At 240°C the surface reaction could be induced even by the 240 nm band, while the deposits formed under illumination of the two bands were thinner than those obtained with only the 240 nm band, indicating occurrence of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)-enhanced desorption. The mechanism responsible for the observed wavelength dependence in unclear. The electrical resistivity of the films deposited at 200°C was 4.5 μΩ cm, which did not change with wavelength.     

Asymmetric synthesis of abietane diterpenoids via B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. Formal total asymmetric synthesis of 12-deoxyroyleanone and cryptoquinone

A convergent synthetic strategy for abietane diterpenoids via B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and Lewis acid-mediated cyclization reactions is established. Asymmetric total synthesis of 12-deoxyroyleanone, an antileishmanial diterpene, is described.