Reduced crystallization time of YBCO in a fluorine-free MOD process using uv-lamp irradiation

We have studied the crystallization time dependence of the epitaxial YBCO films (t = 0.8 μm) grown on CeO₂-buffered SrTiO₃ substrates by fluorine-free metal–organic deposition using uv-lamp irradiation (uv-MOD). As increasing the time (T₀) for heat treatment at the reaction temperature (760 °C) from 0 to 90 min, J_c and the YBCO 0 0 l XRD intensity are steeply increased and reach their maximum values at T₀ = 10 min. This suggests that the heat treatment required for YBCO crystallization is significantly shortened in uv-MOD compared to conventional all-pyrolytic F-free MOD processes, which consume T₀ = 90–150 min for crystallizing 0.4–0.5-μm-thick films. Scanning electron microscope measurement revealed a drastic change in surface morphology between T₀ = 8 and 10 min, showing a good correspondence to the J_c and XRD data which suggest that the epitaxial growth reaches the film surface at the very early stage in the heat treatment.     

On the Nature of Functional Differentiation: The Role of Self-Organization with Constraints

The focus of this article is the self-organization of neural systems under constraints. In 2016, we proposed a theory for self-organization with constraints to clarify the neural mechanism of functional differentiation. As a typical application of the theory, we developed evolutionary reservoir computers that exhibit functional differentiation of neurons. Regarding the self-organized structure of neural systems, Warren McCulloch described the neural networks of the brain as being “heterarchical”, rather than hierarchical, in structure. Unlike the fixed boundary conditions in conventional self-organization theory, where stationary phenomena are the target for study, the neural networks of the brain change their functional structure via synaptic learning and neural differentiation to exhibit specific functions, thereby adapting to nonstationary environmental changes. Thus, the neural network structure is altered dynamically among possible network structures. We refer to such changes as a dynamic heterarchy. Through the dynamic changes of the network structure under constraints, such as physical, chemical, and informational factors, which act on the whole system, neural systems realize functional differentiation or functional parcellation. Based on the computation results of our model for functional differentiation, we propose hypotheses on the neuronal mechanism of functional differentiation. Finally, using the Kolmogorov–Arnold–Sprecher superposition theorem, which can be realized by a layered deep neural network, we propose a possible scenario of functional (including cell) differentiation.     

Wave front shape for a constrained cylindrically anisotropic elastic solid

The two-dimensional wave front shape caused by a point impulse excitation in a cylindrically anisotropic elastic solid is considered. The elastic parameters of the solid are constrained such that E = G This constraint allows the parametric equations of the wave front to be expressed exactly in terms of elementary transcendental functions. The precise location of double and cusp points on the front is treated in detail. Time histories of several wave front patterns are presented and an interesting feature of the front is generalized to the unconstrained solid.     

Magnetic penetration depth measurements of Pr2-xCexCuO4-delta films on buffered substrates: evidence for a nodeless gap

We report measurements of the inverse squared magnetic penetration depth, lambda(-2)(T), in Pr(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4-delta) (0.115< or =x < or =0.152) superconducting films grown on SrTiO3 (001) substrates coated with a buffer layer of insulating Pr2CuO4. lambda(-2)(0), T(c), and normal-state resistivities of these films indicate that they are clean and homogeneous. Over a wide range of Ce doping, 0.124< or =x < or =0.144, lambda(-2)(T) at low T is flat: it changes by less than 0.15% over a factor of 3 change in T, indicating a gap in the superconducting density of states. Fits to the first 5% decrease in lambda(-2)(T) produce values of the minimum superconducting gap in the range of 0.29< or =Delta(min)/k(B)T(c)< or =1.01.     

Preparation of organic-inorganic composites containing rod-like phthalocyanine polymers

Sol-gel polymerization of tetraethoxysilane in the presence of amphiphilic phthalocyanine polymer 2 produced organic-inorganic composites with the rod-like phthalocaynine polymers incorporated within ordered hexagonal channels.     

Flavonoids from Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium (Crassulaceae)

Twenty-two flavonoids were isolated from the leaves and stems of Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium (Crassulaceae). Of these compounds, five flavonoids were reported in nature for the first time, and identified as herbacetin 3-O-xyloside-8-O-glucoside, herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-(2′′′-acetylxyloside), gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside, gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-(2′′′-acetylxyloside) and hibiscetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside via UV, HR-MS, LC-MS, acid hydrolysis and NMR. Other seventeen known flavonoids were identified as herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside, herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-xyloside, gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-xyloside, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-xylosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3,7-di-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-xylosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-xylosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, myricetin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Some flavonol 3,8-di-O-glycosides were found in Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium as major flavonoids in this survey. They were presumed to be the diagnostic flavonoids in the species. Flavonoids were reported from S. japonicum for the first time.     

Scandium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate catalyzed aromatic nitration with inorganic nitrates and acetic anhydride

The rare earth metal(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate (rare earth metal(III) triflate, RE(OTf)3) was found to be an efficient catalyst for aromatic nitration with carboxylic anhydride-inorganic nitrate as the nitrating agent. In the presence of a catalytic amount of RE(OTf)3, the nitration of substituted benzenes proceeded to afford the corresponding nitrobenzenes. Especially, scandium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate (scandium(III) triflate, Sc(OTf)3) is the most active catalyst among our tested Lewis acids. It was also found that acetic anhydride-Al(NO3).9H2O is the most active nitrating agent in this system.     

Illumination accelerates the decay of the O-intermediate of pharaonis phoborhodopsin (sensory rhodopsin II)

pharaonis phoborhodopsin (ppR, also called pharaonis sensory rhodopsin II [psRII]) is a member of the archaeal rhodopsin family and acts as a repellent phototaxis receptor of Natronobacterium pharaonis. Upon illumination, ppR is excited and undergoes a linear cyclic photoreaction, namely, a photocycle that constitutes photointermediates such as M- and O-intermediates (ppRM and ppRO, respectively). Under a constant background illumination (>600 nm) that irradiates ppRO, the decay rate of the flash-induced ppRO increased with an increase in the background light intensity, indicating the photoreactivity of ppRO. Azide did not influence the light-accelerated ppRO decay, but the time required for the cycle to be completed became shortened in an azide concentration-dependent manner because of acceleration of ppRM decay. Hence, the turnover rate of photocycling increased appreciably in the presence of both the background illumination and the azide. The observation reported previously (Schmies, G. et al. 2000, Biophys. J. 78:967-976) is discussed in connection with the present observations.     

Synthesis of 21-nor-22-oxa-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives in quest of a drug with low calcemic activity

Two 21-nor-22-oxa-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ derivatives have been synthesized in quest of a drug with lower calcemic activity than Maxacalcitol, 22-oxa-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, being used as antihyperparathyroidism and antipsoriatic drug. Of two 21-nor products obtained, the product carrying one carbon elongated side chain with diethylcarbinol moiety has been found to exhibit comparable differentiation-inducing activity to Maxacalcitol with much lower exhibition of calcemic activity.