Integrable Deformation of Gaussian Distribution and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Process

An integrable deformation of one-dimensional Gaussian distribution in terms of a continuous Moser hierarchy is described explicitly. Here the hierarchy governs the level dynamics of the semi-infinite Toda molecule. The action of the second-order flow is shown to be equivalent to that of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck diffusion process.     

Preparation of highly dispersible and tumor-accumulative, iron oxide nanoparticles Multi-point anchoring of PEG-b-poly(4-vinylbenzylphosphonate) improves performance significantly

This paper describes the preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles, surface of which was coated with extremely high immobilization stability and relatively higher density of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which are referred to as PEG protected iron oxide nanoparticles (PEG-PIONs). The PEG-PIONs were obtained through alkali coprecipitation of iron salts in the presence of the PEG-poly(4-vinylbenzylphosphonate) block copolymer (PEG-b-PVBP). In this system, PEG-b-PVBP served as a surface coating that was bound to the iron oxide surface via multipoint anchoring of the phosphonate groups in the PVBP segment of PEG-b-PVBP. The binding of PEG-b-PVBP onto the iron oxide nanoparticle surface and the subsequent formation of a PEG brush layer were proved by FT-IR, zeta potential, and thermogravimetric measurements. The surface PEG-chain density of the PEG-PIONs varied depending on the [PEG-b-PVBP]/[iron salts] feed-weight ratio in the coprecipitation reaction. PEG-PIONs prepared at an optimal feed-weight ratio in this study showed a high surface PEG-chain surface density (≈0.8 chainsnm(-2)) and small hydrodynamic diameter (<50 nm). Furthermore, these PEG-PIONs could be dispersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) that contains 10% serum without any change in their hydrodynamic diameters over a period of one week, indicating that PEG-PIONs would provide high dispersion stability under in vivo physiological conditions as well as excellent anti-biofouling properties. In fact we have confirmed the prolong blood circulation time and facilitate tumor accumulation (more than 15% IDg(-1) tumor) of PEG-PIONs without the aid of any target ligand in mouse tumor models. The majority of the PEG-PIONs accumulated in the tumor by 96 h after administration, whereas those in normal tissues were smoothly eliminated by 96 h, proving the enhancement of tumor selectivity in the PEG-PION localization. The results obtained here strongly suggest that originally synthesized PEG-b-PVBP, having multipoint anchoring character by the phosphonate groups, is rational design for improvement in nanoparticle as in vivo application. Two major points, viz., extremely stable anchoring character and dense PEG chains tethered on the nanoparticle surface, worked simultaneously to become PEG-PIONs as an ideal biomedical devices intact for prolonged periods in harsh biological environments.     

Preparation of thermoplastic elastomer from natural rubber grafted with polystyrene

Thermoplastic elastomer was prepared from deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) by graft-copolymerization of styrene, which was performed onto rubber particles of about 1 μm in diameter in latex stage with tert-butyl hydroperoxide/tetraethylenepentamine as an initiator. Suitable initiator concentrations were determined to be 3.3 × 10⁻² and 20 × 10⁻² mol/kg-rubber for the graft-coplymerization of styrene of 1.5 and 5.5 mol/kg-rubber, respectively, in which conversion and grafting efficiency of styrene were more than 90 mol% and 80 mol%, respectively. The resulting polystyrene, grafted onto the rubber particles, was characterized by size exclusion chromatography after ozonolysis. Morphology of the DPNR grafted with polystyrene (DPNR-graft-PS) was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Change in morphology after processing the DPNR-graft-PS at 150 °C was associated with change in mechanical properties, i.e. stress at strain of 1 and stress at break. The outstanding mechanical properties, maintained even after processing, were assigned to the thermoplasticity of the DPNR-graft-PS, based on the high conversion and high grafting efficiency.     

New method for comprehensive detection of chemical warfare agents using an electron-cyclotron-resonance ion-source mass spectrometer

We developed a detection technology for vapor forms of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) with an element analysis system using an electron cyclotron resonance ion source. After the vapor sample was introduced directly into the ion source, the molecular material was decomposed into elements using electron cyclotron resonance plasma and ionized. The following CWAs and stimulants were examined: diisopropyl fluorophosphonate (DFP), 2-chloroethylethylsulfide (2CEES), cyanogen chloride (CNCl), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The type of chemical warfare agents, specifically, whether it was a nerve agent, blister agent, blood agent, or choking agent, could be determined by measuring the quantities of the monatomic ions or CN(+) using mass spectrometry. It was possible to detect gaseous CWAs that could not be detected by a conventional mass spectrometer. The distribution of electron temperature in the plasma could be closely controlled by adjusting the input power of the microwaves used to generate the electron cyclotron resonance plasma, and the target compounds could be detected as molecular ions or fragment ions, enabling identification of the target agents.     

Real Time and Full-range Complex Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

High speed complex full-range Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) is demonstrated. This FD-OCT requires only a single A-scan for each single transversal position for full-range Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. The Fourier transform method is applied along the direction of the B-scan to reconstruct complex spectra, and the complex spectra compose a full-range OCT image.     

Sharp photonic Crystal Defect Modes and Their Response to Ultrashort Optical Pulses

Single photonic crystal defects based on an air-bridge structure were fabricated. We obtained sharp defect modes with quality factors higher than 600 and observed their response to ultrashort optical pulses by utilizing two-photon absorption.     

Optical Storage Media with Dye-Doped Minute Spheres on Polymer Films

We have fabricated a new optical storage media using minute spheres arranged on a surface relief grating (SRG). Using minute spheres as recording bits, we can limit recordable regions by sphere size, and can realize high resolution reproduction in the plane direction. Surface relief structures were made on a polymer thin film on which we performed diffusion arrangement and adsorptive fixation of minute spheres. The stability of the arranged spheres was confirmed for heating and washing. Furthermore, we used a dipping method for a more simple arrangement of minute spheres on a large area of the substrate and made a monolayer sample of the spheres. We were able to realize a highly sensitive reconstruction of the medium using a confocal optical system as a record and readout system.     

Selection of spectral lines and transition probability data in plasma temperature measurements by photoelectric scanning spectrometry

A strict, comparative investigation of published transition probabilities for thermometric lines and an experimental study of determinations of plasma temperatures were made for improving the accuracy in temperature measurements by the well-known slope method. Four sets of FeI lines which satisfy the requirements for the thermometric lines were selected in the wavelength region of 200–400 nm. A statistical method was used to evaluate degrees of agreement among different sets of transition probabilities. In the experimental study, excitation temperatures of a stabilized arc plasma were determined from relative line-intensities recorded by photoelectric scanning spectrometry. In conclusion, two recommended combinations of lines and transition probability data are presented for the slope temperature measurement. Line pairs used in combination of selected transition probabilities suitable for the two-line method are also given.