Lidar measurement of constituents of microparticles in air by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses

We experimentally demonstrated remote sensing of the constituents of microparticles in air by combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and lidar, using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses. Laser pulses of 70 fs duration and 130 mJ energy generated filaments when focused at a focal length of 20 m and the pulses irradiated artificial saltwater aerosols in air at a 10 Hz pulse repetition rate. Na fluorescence was observed remotely at a distance of 16 m using a 318 mm diameter Newtonian telescope, a spectrometer, and an intensified CCD camera. These results show the possibility of remote measurement of the constituents of atmospheric particles, such as aerosols, clouds, and toxic materials, by LIBS-lidar using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses.     

Efficient approach to 1,2-diazepines via formal diazomethylene insertion into the C-C bond of cyclobutenones

Efficient monocyclic 1,2-diazepine formation via a tandem electrocyclization reaction of cyclobutenones with lithiodiazoacetate is demonstrated. The reaction proceeds through an oxy anion-accelerated 4π-ring opening of cyclobutene followed by an 8π-ring closure of the resultant oxy anion-substituted diazo-diene under mild conditions to furnish a 1,2-diazepine via formal diazomethylene insertion into the C-C bond of cyclobutenone.     

Asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized γ-lactams through an organocatalytic aza-Michael–Michael reaction cascade using fumaric acid amide esters as multi-reactive substrates

We developed a novel method for the asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized γ-lactams through an organocatalytic aza-Michael–Michael reaction cascade using fumaric acid amide esters as multi-reactive substrates. Using chiral primary or secondary amine organocatalysts, we obtained two types of γ-lactams with three contiguous chiral centers in moderate to good yield with excellent enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes bearing imidazole-based PN ligands

A variety of piano-stool complexes of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) with imidazole-based PN ligands have been synthesized starting from the precursor complexes [CpRu(C₁₀H₈)]PF₆, [CpRu(NCMe)₃]PF₆ and [CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl]. PN ligands used are imidazol-2-yl, -4-yl and -5-yl phosphines.Depending on the ligand and precursor different types of coordination modes were observed; in the case of polyimidazolyl PN ligands these were κ¹P-monodentate, κ²P,N-, κ²N,N- and κ³N,N,N- chelating and μ-κP:κ²N,N-brigding. The solid-state structures of [CpRu(1a)₂Cl ]·H₂O (5^.H₂O) and [{CpRu(μ-κ²-N,N-κ’¹-P-2b)}₂](C₆H₅PO₃H)₂(C₆H₅PO₃H₂)_2, a hydrolysis product of the as well determined [{CpRu(2b)}₂](PF₆)₂^.2CH₃CN (7b^.2CH₃CN) were determined (1a = imidazol-2-yldiphenyl phosphine, 2b = bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)phenyl phosphine, 3a = tris(imidazol-2-yl)phosphine). Furthermore, the complexes [CpRu(L)₂]PF₆ (L = imidazol-2-yl or imidazol-4-yl phosphine) have been screened for their catalytic activity in the hydration of 1-octyne.     

Essential Structure of Opioid κ Receptor Agonist Nalfurafine for Binding to κ Receptor 1: Synthesis of Decahydroisoquinoline Derivatives and Their Pharmacologies

On the basis of the three-dimensional pharmacophore model of opioid κ agonists, we simplified the structure of nalfurafine (selective κ agonist) to find the essential structural moieties for binding the opioid receptors, especially κ receptor type. As a result, we found that the trans-fused decahydroisoquinoline derivatives without a phenol ring bound the opioid receptor in micromolar order and that both the amide side chain and the nitrogen substituted by the cyclopropylmethyl group were indispensable moieties for eliciting the κ selectivity. The simple decahydroisoquinoline without amide side chain also bound the opioid receptor without receptor type selectivity, suggesting that the message-address concept would be applicable to even these simple derivatives. These findings that the simple decahydroisoquinoline derivatives showed the affinities for the opioid receptors, especially some of the compounds showed κ selectivity, are the first example in the opioid field.     

Characterization of photoresists for ArF‐excimer laser lithography using monoenergetic positron beams

The volume and depth distributions of open spaces in photoresist films designed for ArF‐excimer laser light exposure were studied with monoenergetic positron beams. We measured the Doppler broadening spectra of the annihilation radiation and lifetime spectra of positrons for acrylate and cyclic olefin‐co‐maleic anhydride (COMA) polymers spin‐coated onto Si wafers with methyl amyl ketone, cyclohexanone, and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate solvents. The volume of open spaces in both prebaked acrylate and COMA films was estimated to be 0.12 nm³. The volume of open spaces in acrylate films decreased up to 20% by postexposure baking, but no large change was observed for COMA films. The decrease in the open volume was attributed to the removal of large molecules (adamantyl) from flexible main chains after the chemically amplified reaction of acrylate. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 341–346, 2004     

Asymptotic statistical equivalence for scalar ergodic diffusions

For scalar diffusion models with unknown drift function asymptotic equivalence in the sense of Le Cam's deficiency between statistical experiments is considered under long-time asymptotics. A local asymptotic equivalence result is established with an accompanying sequence of simple Gaussian shift experiments. Corresponding globally asymptotically equivalent experiments are obtained as compound experiments. The results are extended in several directions including time discretisation. An explicit transformation of decision functions from the Gaussian to the diffusion experiment is constructed. The authors acknowledge the financial support provided through the European Community's Human Potential Programme under contract HPRN-CT-2000-00100, DYNSTOCH     

An efficient diastereoselective synthesis of 6-hydroxy-4a-[3,4-crowned(15-crown-5)phenyl]-trans-decahydroisoquinoline

A high diastereoselective synthesis of 6-hydroxy-4a-aryl-$\text{trans}$-decahydroisoquinoline derivatives was achieved by an application of N-acyliminium ion-induced polyene cyclization procedure.