Disk Noise Measurement System for Optical Disks

We developed a system to measure disk noise as a function of both radial and angular position. In order to obtain an accurate disk noise measurement, crosstalk and intersymbol interference were avoided by recording regularly repeating pit patterns and the influence of electronic and laser noise was removed by averaging techniques. We found the system’s mapping ability and its high sensitivity to be very useful in investigating disk noise phenomena in the mastering process. We used the system to assess the accuracy and reproducibility of the photopolymerization replication and Al vapor deposition processes. Also, we investigated the choice of photoresist and found that photoresists with the combination of the narrowest molecular weight distribution and the highest photo-active compound content resulted in the lowest disk noise levels. Our system can, in principle, be adapted to evaluate magneto-optical and phase change disks.     

Achievement of a 920-MHz high resolution NMR

We have developed a 920-MHz NMR system and performed the proton NMR measurement of H(2)O and ethylbenzene using the superconducting magnet operating at 21.6 T (920 MHz for proton), which is the highest field produced by a superconducting NMR magnet in the persistent mode. From the NMR measurements, it is verified that both homogeneity and stability of the magnet have a specification sufficient for a high resolution NMR.     

Signature of relations in mapping class groups and non-holomorphic Lefschetz fibrations

We introduce the notion of signature for relations in mapping class groups and show that the signature of a Lefschetz fibration over the 2-sphere is the sum of the signatures for basic relations contained in its monodromy. Combining explicit calculations of the signature cocycle with a technique of substituting positive relations, we give some new examples of non-holomorphic Lefschetz fibrations of genus and which violate slope bounds for non-hyperelliptic fibrations on algebraic surfaces of general type.

     

Ownership-specified network DEA models

To our knowledge, all network DEA models proposed in the literature so far either implicitly or explicitly assume that all entities comprised of a network (system) are owned by a single owner, i.e., a centralized system. As a result, those models are not applicable to performance evaluation for a wide variety of distributed and hybrid systems in practice. Therefore, this study aims to show the importance of taking into account the ownership structure of networks (systems) in constructing effective network DEA models, and accordingly develops three ownership-specified (centralized, distributed and hybrid) network DEA models in terms of both input- and output-orientation. A numerical example is used to validate the critical importance of the ownership with entities and thus networks in both network DEA methodologies and applications.     

Development of a small X-ray source using an ultraviolet laser and pyroelectric crystal

We investigate a miniaturized X-ray source using an ultraviolet (UV) laser and a pyroelectric crystal and discuss potential applications in medicine. The UV laser is the fourth harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 266 nm, repetition rate of 10 Hz, and pulse energy of 40 mJ. The pyroelectric crystal is a LiNbO₃ cylinder of diameter 10 mm and length 6 mm. The prototype X-ray source we fabricated is an aluminum parallelepiped of dimensions 3 × 3 × 5 cm. The X-ray count rate of the X-ray source is maximized at approximately 1,400 cps for UV laser irradiation of approximately 5 min. After 30 min of irradiation by the UV laser, the temperature of the pyroelectric crystal rose from 295 K to 312 K. The principles of X-ray generation ensure that X-ray sources using UV lasers and pyroelectric crystals offer ample opportunity for miniaturization. We believe the X-ray source developed in this work is suitable for medical applications, although further study is needed to address points such as increasing the X-ray count rate and adjusting the temperature of the pyroelectric crystal.     

Visualization of acetylcholine distribution in central nervous system tissue sections by tandem imaging mass spectrometry

Metabolite distribution imaging via imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is an increasingly utilized tool in the field of neurochemistry. As most previous IMS studies analyzed the relative abundances of larger metabolite species, it is important to expand its application to smaller molecules, such as neurotransmitters. This study aimed to develop an IMS application to visualize neurotransmitter distribution in central nervous system tissue sections. Here, we raise two technical problems that must be resolved to achieve neurotransmitter imaging: (1) the lower concentrations of bioactive molecules, compared with those of membrane lipids, require higher sensitivity and/or signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios in signal detection, and (2) the molecular turnover of the neurotransmitters is rapid; thus, tissue preparation procedures should be performed carefully to minimize postmortem changes. We first evaluated intrinsic sensitivity and matrix interference using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) to detect six neurotransmitters and chose acetylcholine (ACh) as a model for study. Next, we examined both single MS imaging and MS/MS imaging for ACh and found that via an ion transition from m/z 146 to m/z 87 in MS/MS imaging, ACh could be visualized with a high S/N ratio. Furthermore, we found that in situ freezing method of brain samples improved IMS data quality in terms of the number of effective pixels and the image contrast (i.e., the sensitivity and dynamic range). Therefore, by addressing the aforementioned problems, we demonstrated the tissue distribution of ACh, the most suitable molecular specimen for positive ion detection by IMS, to reveal its localization in central nervous system tissues.     

Organic vapor triggered repeatable on-off crystalline-state luminescence switching

A nonporous crystalline solid consisting of an organoarsenic platinum(II) complex, i.e., a mononuclear diiodoplatinum(II) complex trans-PtI(2)(cis-DHDAtBu)(2) (1) with cis-1,4-dihydro-1,4-dimethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-1,4-diarsinine (cis-DHDAtBu), shows on-off solid-state luminescence switching through reversible solvent vapor uptake and escape. The on-off switching of solid-state luminescence was achieved without changing the structure or electronic state of the organoarsenic platinum(II) complex.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of α-substituted nitroacetates to maleimides under base-free neutral phase-transfer conditions

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of α-substituted nitroacetates to maleimides under base-free neutral phase-transfer conditions was developed for the synthesis of α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives.     

Organic reactions mediated by electrochemically generated ArS+

Low-temperature electrochemical oxidation of ArSSAr was carried out to generate a pool of "ArS(+)". Spectroscopic studies ((1)H NMR and CSI-MS) of the resulting solution revealed the accumulation of ArS(ArSSAr)(+). The resulting "ArS(+)" pool reacted with alkenes and alkynes to give diarylthio-substituted products. The "ArS(+)" pool rapidly reacted with thioacetals to give the corresponding alkoxycarbenium ion pools, which reacted with various carbon nucleophiles (indirect cation pool method). The reaction of the alkoxycarbenium ion pools with stilbene derivatives in the presence of ArSSAr gave thiochroman derivatives. In addition to such stoichiometric reactions, a catalytic amount of "ArS(+)" serves as an initiator and a chain carrier of some cationic chain reactions involving intramolecular carbon-carbon bond formation. In situ generation of "ArS(+)" by electrochemical oxidation of ArSSAr with a catalytic amount of electricity in the presence of a substrate is also effective for such cationic chain reactions.