The Rasmussen invariants and the sharper slice-Bennequin inequality on knots

Rasmussen introduced a knot invariant based on Khovanov homology theory, and showed that this invariant estimates the four-genus of knots. We compare his result with the sharper slice-Bennequin inequality for knots. Then we obtain a similar estimate of the Rasmussen invariant for this inequality.     

Noise reduction combining time-domain epsilon-filter and time-frequency epsilon-filter

A time-domain epsilon-filter (TD epsilon-filter) is a nonlinear filter that can reduce noise while preserving a signal that varies drastically, such as a speech signal. Although the filter design is simple, it can effectively reduce noise. It is applicable not only to stationary noise but also to nonstationary noise. It cannot, however, be applied when the amplitude of noise is relatively large. This paper introduces an advanced method for noise reduction that applies an epsilon-filter to complex spectra, namely a time-frequency epsilon-filter (TF epsilon-filter). This paper also introduces noise reduction combining a TD epsilon-filter and a TF epsilon-filter. An advanced method called a variable time-frequency epsilon-filter is also proposed. First, the algorithm of the TD epsilon-filter is explained to clarify the problem. Then, the algorithms of the proposed methods are explained. By utilizing an epsilon-filter in the frequency domain, the proposed method can reduce not only noise that has a relatively small amplitude but also noise that has a relatively large amplitude. Experimental results are also given to demonstrate the performance of the proposed methods in comparison to the results of some conventional methods.     

Communication: The reason why +c ZnO surface is less stable than -c ZnO surface: first-principles calculation

It has been experimentally shown that an O(-c)-polar ZnO surface is more stable than a Zn(+c)-polar surface in H(2) ambient. We applied first-principles calculations to investigating the polarity dependence on the stability at the electronic level. The calculations revealed that the -c surface terminated with H atom was stable maintaining a wurtzite structure, whereas the +c surface was unstable due to the change of coordination numbers of Zn at the topmost surface from four (wurtzite) to six (rock salt). This causes the generation of O(2) molecules, resulting in instability at the +c surface.     

Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera

From the embryos of the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera, three bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, nelumboferine and nelumborines A and B, were isolated along with four known compounds, neferine, liensinine, isoliensinine and anisic acid. The structures of the new alkaloids were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods.     

Active thionium species mediated functionalization at the 2α-position of indole derivatives

A combination of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) mediates functionalization at the 2α-position of indole derivatives. Carbon and heteroatom nucleophiles were directly introduced via a one-pot procedure in excellent yields.     

Rational synthesis of Pt spheres with hollow interior and nanosponge shell using silica particles as template

Here we report a facile and efficient method to prepare Pt spheres with hollow interior and nanosponge shell with high surface area. Such a unique Pt nanostructure can effectively improve the electrocatalytic performance of Pt catalysts by facilitating the access of electroactive species to the full-extent Pt surface.     

Preferential Alignment of Hydroxyapatite Crystallites in Nanocomposites with Chemically Disintegrated Silk Fibroin

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocrystals were prepared at room temperature by a coprecipitation method from Ca(OH)₂ and H₃PO₄, in the presence of chemically disintegrated silk fibroin (SF). Adsorbed amounts of cations on SF and crystallinity of HAp in the composite were increased by the chemical disintegration of SF higher order structure. Preferential alignment of c-axis of HAp crystallites along the longitudinal direction of ca. 150nm SF fibril was observed. These changes due to disintegration of SF were discussed in terms of the chemical interaction between HAp and SF. The resulted composite with preferential alignment of HAp nanocrystals is a good candidate as a starting material for bone substitutes.     

Development of a two-color interferometer for observing wide range electron density profiles with a femtosecond time resolution

A two-color interferometer for preformed plasma characterization is developed. We observe the electron density distribution of preformed plasmas on a 5 μm-thick copper target irradiated with a high-intensity Ti:sapphire laser. The two-color interferometer extended the observable electron density region using a fundamental (800 nm) probe beam to cover the lower density region and a second harmonic (400 nm) probe beam to cover the higher density region, simultaneously. This characterization of the electron density distribution of preformed plasmas with femtosecond time resolution significantly contributes to the understanding of high-intensity laser–thin-foil interactions during high-energy electron, ion, and X-ray generation. PACS 52.38.-r; 52.50.Jm; 52.70.-m