Approximation of transient temperatures in complex geometries using fractional derivatives

It is shown that time-dependent temperatures in a transient, conductive system can be approximately modeled by a fractional-order differential equation, the order of which depends on the Biot number. This approximation is particularly suitable for complex shapes for which a first-principles approach is too difficult or computationally time-consuming. Analytical solutions of these equations can be written in terms of the Mittag-Leffler function. The approximation is especially useful if a suitable fractional-order controller is to be designed for the system.     

Method of observation of low density interface states by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under bias and passivation by cyanide ions

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements under bias can observe low density interface states for metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) diodes with low densities. This method can give energy distribution of interface states for ultrathin insulating layers for which electrical measurements cannot be performed due to a high density leakage current. During the XPS measurements, a bias voltage is applied to the rear semiconductor surface with respect to the ∼3 nm-thick front platinum layer connected to the ground, and the bias voltage changes the occupation of interface states. Charges accumulated in the interface states shift semiconductor core levels at the interface, and thus the analysis of the bias-induced shifts of the semiconductor core levels measured as a function of the bias voltage gives energy distribution of interface states. In the case of Si-based MOS diodes, the energy distribution and density of interface states strongly depend on the atomic density of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) layers and the interfacial roughness, respectively. All the observed interface state spectra possess peaked-structures, indicating that they are due to defect states. An interface state peak near the Si midgap is attributable to isolated Si dangling bonds at the interface, while those above and below the midgap to Si dangling bonds interacting weakly with Si or oxygen atoms in the SiO₂ layers. A method of the elimination of interface states and defect states in Si using cyanide solutions has been developed. The cyanide method simply involves the immersion of Si in KCN solutions. Due to the high Si-CN bond energy of ∼4.5 eV, the bonds are not ruptured at 800 °C and upon irradiation. The cyanide treatment results in the improvement of the electrical characteristics of MOS diodes and solar cells.     

Adsorption of fission products onto soils using a fission multitracer

The adsorption behavior of fission products to various soils was studied using a multitracer. The multitracer was prepared by neutron irradiation of ²³⁵U. Distribution coefficients of fission products were obtained for seventeen kinds of Japanese soils. It was found that zirconium, niobium, and rare earth elements show high distribution coefficients for all soil samples, however, elements like alkali metals show varied values.     

Precise synthesis of porphyrin array scaffolding polyisocyanides

Aryl isocyanides bearing free‐base and metallo‐porphyrins were prepared and polymerized with a Pd–Pt μ‐ethynediyl complex as the initiator to give polymers with narrow polydispersity indices. The molecular weights of the resulting polymers were precisely controlled by the initial feed ratio of the porphyrin monomer to the initiator. The UV–VIS spectra suggested that the porphyrin pendants are regularly arranged to form stacked columns. Metallo‐porphyrin polymers were also prepared by reacting free‐base porphyrin polymers with metal salts. The successive reactions of free‐base and zinc‐porphyrin monomers resulted in the formation of diblock polymers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 585–595, 2006     

Evaluation of radioimmunoassay of the blood tobramycin level for the purpose of setting the dosage based on the clinical pharmacokinetic theory and a comparison of radioimmunoassay with other assay methods

With the purpose to use for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), blood concentrations of tobramycin (TOB) in each patient were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). A RIA kit of TOB (Clinical assay-Japan Travenol) was evaluated for precision and recovery, in that partial improvement of the method was made, in order to measure low level of TOB. The RIA was compared with high-performance-liquid-chromatography (HPLC), bioassay (BA) and 2 kinds of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (EMIT and SLFIA). The RIA of TOB revealed high precision (1.8-2.4% in C.V.) and high reproducibility (5.0-6.9% in C.V.). It was found that this RIA kit can be used for measuring low level of serum TOB concentrations by a modification of the method. The total range of measurable blood level is from 0.1 to 16.0 micrograms/ml. The nearly one to one correspondence was observed between RIA and other 4 methods, when 154 samples obtained from 18 cases were measured. A representative case of TDM for TOB was demonstrated, in which predicted concentrations agreed fairly well with actual measured values at steady state. It was concluded that the RIA kit is useful for clinical application of TDM for the adequate dosage regimen of TOB. Modification of the method for rapid assay of a small number of samples will increase the clinical usefulness.     

New triterpenes from a Chinese medicine, goreishi

Besides serratagenic acid, three new ursane-type triterpenes, named goreishic acids I (1), II (2), and III (3), were isolated from a Chinese medicine, Goreishi (the feces of Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards). The structures of 1, 2 and 3 were respectively determined as 2 alpha,3 beta-dihydroxyursa-12,18-dien-28-oic acid, 2 alpha,3 beta-dihydroxy-23-norursa-12,18-dien-28-oic acid and 2 alpha,3 beta-dihydroxy-24-norursa-12,18-dien-28-oic acid on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.