Degradation characteristics of YBCO coated conductors due to fault-current in power cable applications

In high temperature superconductor applications used in electric power devices, YBCO coated conductors may be subjected to short-circuit fault-currents that are 10–30 times the normal operating current. These over-currents cause heat generation, resulting in I_c degradation of the YBCO coated conductor. Therefore, it is necessary to fully investigate the degradation characteristics of YBCO coated conductors. We previously conducted preliminary experiments on the degradation of YBCO sample tapes resulting from the over-current pulse drive.     

Insights into adsorption of uncharged macrocyclic complexes into a Nafion Film: Adsorption characteristics and analysis of tetraphenylporphyrine zinc(II)

Tetraphenylporphine zinc(II) (ZnTPP) was found to be adsorbed from its CH2Cl2 solution into a Nafion (Nf) film. The characteristics of the adsorption of ZnTPP into the Nf film were studied using a visible absorption spectroscopic technique. The initial rate (v0, mol cm(-2) s(-1)) for uptake of ZnTPP was saturated with increasing ZnTPP concentration (c0, M) in the solution. This kinetic profile was analyzed in terms of a Michaelis-Menten model considering preequilibrium of ZnTPP adsorption between the solution and the outer layer of the Nf film, followed by diffusion to an inner bulk region, giving a maximum diffusion reflux of v(max) = (2.2 +/- 0.2) x 10(-13) mol cm(-2) s(-1). This is different from the kinetics for the Nf/phthalocyanine zinc(II) (ZnPc) film, which gives a linear plot of v(0) vs c(0). This can be explained by the relatively slow diffusion of ZnTPP in the film compared to that of ZnPc because of steric factors: ZnTPP contains bulky tetraphenyl moieties attached perpendicular to a porphyrin ring, whereas ZnPc has higher planarity. The isotherm for the adsorption of ZnTPP into the Nf film was analyzed using a Langmuir isotherm equation, yielding an equilibrium constant of (3.6 +/- 1.1) x 10(6) M(-1) and a saturated amount of adsorbed ZnTPP of (1.8 +/- 0.1) x 10(-9) mol cm(-2), suggesting monolayer adsorption of ZnTPP on the hydrophobic polymer network interfacial with hydrophilic transport channels without significant intermolecular overlap. This is in contrast to the multilayer adsorption mode suggested for the ZnPc adsorption. The tetraphenyl moieties could prevent the stacking of ZnTPP for multilayer adsorption.     

Global tuning of local molecular phenomena: an alternative approach to bionanoelectronics

We have applied simultaneous horizontal and vertical bias to a single molecule (2 nm(2)) in an ordered and disordered matrix to virtually isolate and tune its property without taking it out physically from its environment. Using a dedicated electrode system, we have locally tuned nanoscale properties vertically by STM, while stabilizing its environment by applying a global electric field horizontally. Using this technique, we report tuning of molecular conformations in room temperature, whose evolution of states has been statistically investigated. We have also shown control on switching of a few selected conformations by applying dual bias simultaneously. As we avoid any direct injection of charge into the system via electrode contact, this technique could be used as a generalized method to tune phenomena evolved in an environment of weak interaction from a large distance without destroying the property.     

Master-oscillator power-amplifier scheme for efficient green-light generation in a planar MgO:PPLN waveguide

We developed a new master-oscillator power-amplifier scheme consisting of a tapered semiconductor amplifier and a fiber-grating-stabilized laser diode for efficient green-light generation in a planar MgO:PPLN waveguide, and demonstrated cw green-light generation of 346 mW.     

Diode-pumped 65 fs Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb(3+):Lu(2)O(3) and nondoped Y(2)O(3) combined ceramic laser

Diode-pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked laser operation of Yb(3+):Lu(2)O(3) and nondoped Y(2)O(3) combined ceramics has been achieved; 65 fs pulses with an average power of 320 mW under 5 W of pump power were obtained at the center wavelength of 1032 nm. The spectral bandwidth and the time bandwidth product were 18.9 and 0.345 nm, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a Kerr-lens mode-locked laser operation based on Yb(3+):Lu(2)O(3) ceramic.     

CaCrO3: an anomalous antiferromagnetic metallic oxide

Combining infrared reflectivity, transport, susceptibility, and several diffraction techniques, we find compelling evidence that CaCrO3 is a rare case of a metallic and antiferromagnetic transition-metal oxide with a three-dimensional electronic structure. Local spin density approximation calculations correctly describe the metallic behavior as well as the anisotropic magnetic ordering pattern of C type: The high Cr valence state induces via sizable pd hybridization remarkably strong next-nearest-neighbor interactions stabilizing this ordering. The subtle balance of magnetic interactions gives rise to magnetoelastic coupling, explaining pronounced structural anomalies observed at the magnetic ordering transition.     

Chiral Algebras of (0, 2) Models: Beyond Perturbation Theory

We show that the chiral algebras of ${\mathcal{N} = (0, 2)}$ sigma models with no left-moving fermions are totally trivialized by worldsheet instantons for flag manifold target spaces. Consequently, supersymmetry is spontaneously broken in these models. Our results affirm Stolz’s idea (Stolz in Math Ann 304(4):785–800, 1996) that there are no harmonic spinors on the loop spaces of flag manifolds. Moreover, they also imply that the kernels of certain twisted Dirac operators on these target spaces will be empty under a quantum deformation of their geometries.     

Simple and validated UHPLC method coupled to UV detection for determination of daptomycin in human plasma and urine

Daptomycin, a lipopeptide antibiotic with excellent activity against Gram‐positive bacteria, is excreted primarily by the kidneys. Development of effective chromatographic methodologies for the determination of daptomycin in human specimens is necessary for clinical use. This study developed a simple and validated ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography method coupled to ultraviolet detection for determination of daptomycin in human plasma and urine. After the pretreatments involving protein precipitation, the supernatants were separated using a 2.3 µm particle size octadecylsilyl column, and the run time was 1 min. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges of 2–200 mg/L for plasma and 25–300 mg/L for urine. Intra‐ and inter‐assay precision and accuracy values of plasma were within 13.5 and 92–100% and within 10.7 and 100–107%, respectively. Those of urine were within 5.0 and 101–104% and within 3.7 and 100–101%, respectively. The validated method was applied to the determination of plasma and urine samples in patients receiving 4–6 mg/kg of intravenous daptomycin, resulting in sufficient sensitivity for evaluating the plasma exposure and urinary excretion. In conclusion, the present method with acceptable analytical performance can be helpful for evaluating the pharmacokinetic disposition of daptomycin in clinical settings. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and properties of functional dyes with squaraine–naphthalene diimide hybrid structure

Naphthalene diimides (NDIs) are promising candidate for electron acceptors due to their low-lying HOMOs and LUMOs. The functinalization of soluble NDIs at the 2,6-position affects the absorption and electrochemical properties. In this study, NDI-based hybrid dyes NDI-SQ-A, B fused with squaraine chromophore were designed and synthesized in order to elucidate the effects of the substitution on their optical and electrochemical properties. These dyes were successfully synthesized by Stille coupling reactions using 3-stannylcyclobutenediones and brominated NDI derivative, followed by a condensation reaction. DFT calculation predicts that the present dyes adopt distorted structures coming from a steric hindrance between semisquaraine and NDI moieties. The hybrid dyes show low-lying LUMOs due to the introduction of electron-deficient NDI moiety and broad absorption spectra in the far-red region. The absorption spectra of their thin films were bathochromically shifted relative to those in solution, indicating that hybrid dyes formed J aggregates.     

Phloroglucinol derivatives and a chromone glucoside from the leaves of Myrtus communis

Seven new phloroglucinol derivatives, myrtucommunins A–D (1–4), 6-methylisomyrtucommulone B (5), 4-methylmyrtucommulone B (6), and 2-isobutyryl-4-methylphloroglucinol 1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), and one new chromone derivative, undulatoside A 6′-O-gallate (8), were isolated from the leaves of Myrtus communis (Myrtaceae). Myrtucommunins A–D (1–4) were conjugates of polymethylated acylphloroglucinol and flavonol rhamnoside. The absolute configurations of the rhamnosyl moieties for 1–4 were confirmed to be l in each case by HPLC analyses, while those of the aglycones were assigned by comparisons of the experimental and TDDFT calculated ECD spectra. 6-Methylisomyrtucommulone B (5) and 4-methylmyrtucommulone B (6) were assigned as 6/6/6 tricyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives with a racemic nature. Antimicrobial activities of 1–8 and related known compounds were evaluated.