Raman scattering in the depletion region of GaAs

We have obtained spectra for the LO phonon mode by Raman scattering associated with surface quantization of the hole states in the depletion layer of highly doped n-type GaAs samples. When semi-transparent metal contacts are employed, the zone-center LO peak shifts to higher frequency due to plasmon-phonon interaction. The observed effects are not sensitive to the types of metal. The presence of the plasmon mode is thought to be due to the steady-state carrier injection from the incident laser light. The position of the peak is used to estimate the surface recombination rate of the excited electron-hole pairs.     

Determination of the alpha, beta-adrenoceptor blocker YM-09538 in urine by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-sensitive detector

A gas chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of the alpha, beta-adrenoceptor blocker YM-09538 in urine is described. YM-09538 was extracted from alkalinized urine with ethyl acetate and converted to its cyclic methylboronate derivative. Analysis by gas chromatography using a nitrogen-sensitive detector allowed quantitation of the drug over a concentration range of 0.2-5.0 micrograms/ml. Urinary excretion of YM-09538 was determined in humans after oral administration of 50 mg.     

Water content distribution in a polymer electrolyte membrane for advanced fuel cell system with liquid water supply

To better understand the operation of a new fuel cell design, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the water content distribution in a polymer electrolyte membrane under fuel cell operation with and without a supply of liquid water. The supply of liquid water to the membrane improved the cell performance by increasing the water content in the membrane and thus reducing the electrical resistance of the membrane. The study also showed that MRI is a promising method to investigate the distribution of water in the membrane of a fuel cell under operating conditions.     

Simulation study of spatiotemporal correlations of earthquakes as a stick-slip frictional instability

Spatiotemporal correlations of earthquakes are studied numerically on the basis of the one-dimensional spring-block (Burridge-Knopoff) model. As large events approach, the frequency of smaller events gradually increases, while, just before the mainshock, it is dramatically suppressed in a close vicinity of the epicenter of the upcoming mainshock, a phenomenon closely resembling the "Mogi doughnut."     

Evidence for strain glass in the ferroelastic-martensitic system Ti(50-x)Ni(50+x)

We report here "strain glass," a new glassy phenomenon in ferroelastic-martensitic system of Ni-rich intermetallic Ti(50-x)Ni(50+x) (x > 1), where local strain is frozen in disordered configuration below a critical temperature Tg. The ac elastic modulus shows a minimum at Tg, which exhibits logarithmic frequency dependence following Vogel-Fulcher relationship, and the corresponding internal friction shows a frequency-dependent peak located at a lower temperature. In situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations reveal uncorrelated nanoclusters of martensiticlike phase, randomly frozen in the otherwise untransformed parentlike matrix. Being parallel to spin glass and relaxor, strain glass may shed new light on the fundamental physics of glass and lead to the discovery of novel properties.     

Novel stereoselective entry to 2'-beta-carbon-substituted 2'-deoxy-4'-thionucleosides from 4-thiofuranoid glycals

2'-Beta-methyl- and 2'-beta-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxy-4'-thionucleosides have been synthesized through PhSeCl-mediated electrophilic glycosidation using 4-thiofuranoid glycals having carbon substituents at the C2-position as a glycosyl donor. Preparation of these glycals were carried out by means of the C2 lithiation of 1-chloro-4-thiofuranoid glycal with LTMP followed by the Birch reduction of the chlorine atom. [reaction: see text]