Studies on proton pump inhibitors. I. Synthesis of 8-[(2-benzimidazolyl)sulfinyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines and related compounds

Many 8-[(2-benzimidazolyl)sulfinyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines were synthesized and examined for their (H+ + K+) adenosine triphosphatase ATPase-inhibitory and antisecretory activities. These sulfinyl compounds could be considered to be rigid analogues of the 2-[(2-pyridyl)methylsulfinyl]benzimidazole class of antisecretory agents. All the compounds tested were potent inhibitors of (H+ + K+)ATPase. Most of the compounds also inhibited histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in rats. Among them, 8-[(5-fluoro-2-benzimidazolyl)sulfinyl]-3-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroqu inoline (XIVm) was found to have the most potent activity. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.     

Degradation of hydroxymaleimide in 2-propanol by irradiation of energetic heavy ions (II)—N2-saturated system

Hydroxymaleimide was irradiated in N₂-saturated 2-propanol solutions by high-energy heavy ions over a wide range of LET values. The differential G-values of the degradation of hydroxymaleimide by irradiation with the heavier ions were lower than those of the lighter ions for the same LET value. An opposite result obtained in the air-saturated system. The degradation efficiency was 1.5 times higher, when the dose rate was 1/10 times lower. When irradiated at an LET value lower than 8 eV/nm, the G-values converged to a value less than that obtained by γ-irradiation.     

Subwavelength-size solid immersion lens

We report on the fabrication and characterization of nanoscale solid immersion lenses (nano-SILs) with sizes down to a subwavelength range. Submicrometer-scale cylinders fabricated by electron-beam lithography are thermally reflowed to form a spherical shape. Subsequent soft lithography leads to nano-SILs on transparent substrates for optical characterization. The optical characterization is performed using a high-resolution interference microscope with illumination at 642 nm wavelength. The focal spots produced by the nano-SILs show both spot-size reduction and enhanced optical intensity, which are consistent with the immersion effect.     

Public policy structuring incorporating reciprocal expectation analysis

This paper proposes a method of structuring public policy by incorporating reciprocal expectation analysis. The proposed method is characterized by three components: identification of the problem structure perceived by stakeholders using cognitive maps, policy structuring analysis with a value–driver matrix and a reciprocal expectation matrix, and feasibility analysis of agreements among the stakeholders. The three types of relationship among stakeholders are derived from the feasibility analysis, which are “Dosho-imu”, “Isho-imu”, and “Domu”. Three tests of feasibility to reach the agreement are then proposed: “information-sharing test”, “bargaining test”, and “reframing test”. A case study is presented, applying the method to strategic transportation planning in the Kanto region of Japan. Finally, the potential functions of the proposed method in practice are discussed.     

Robust and precise length stabilization of a 25-km long optical fiber using an optical interferometric method with a digital phase-frequency discriminator

We have developed an optical fiber length stabilization system for the distribution of reference millimeter wave signals in a long-baseline phased-array radio telescope. The fiber length was compared with an absolute wavelength reference laser using a Michelson interferometer. We used a digital servo system including a digital phase-frequency discriminator with a wide phase dynamic range and a digital signal processor (DSP) for the digital servo system. All-digital servo system made it possible to realize a robust and precise length stabilization of a 25-km long optical fiber. PACS 42.62.Eh; 42.81.Uv; 95.55.Jz