Waveform control for magnetic testers using a quasi-Newton method

A nonlinear iterative learning algorithm is proposed to make a voltage waveform in the secondary coil sinusoidal in this paper. The algorithm employs a globally convergent Jacobian-free quasi-Newton type solver that has a BFGS-like structure. This method functions well, and it is demonstrated using typical soft magnetic materials.     

Scaling in soft hadroproduction by positive projectiles in the range of 32–147 GeV/c

The total hadron multiplicity and the multiplicity in the three-jet events ine ⁺ e ^?-annihilation are considered. The formula for the total multiplicity (with account for the heavy quark contribution) agrees well with experiment. The value of the multiplicity for three-jet events is predicted.     

Efficient decoherence-free entanglement distribution over lossy quantum channels

We propose and demonstrate a scheme for boosting the efficiency of entanglement distribution based on a decoherence-free subspace over lossy quantum channels. By using backward propagation of a coherent light, our scheme achieves an entanglement-sharing rate that is proportional to the transmittance T of the quantum channel in spite of encoding qubits in multipartite systems for the decoherence-free subspace. We experimentally show that highly entangled states, which can violate the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality, are distributed at a rate proportional to T.     

Current-voltage characteristics of charge-ordered organic crystals

The current-voltage characteristics of layered organic crystals theta-(BEDT-TTF)2MZn(SCN)4 (M = Cs, Rb) follow the power law with a large exponent (e.g., 8.4 at 0.29 K for M = Cs) over a wide range of currents in the low-temperature insulating state. The power-law characteristics are attributed to electric field-induced unbinding of electron-hole pairs that are thermally excited in the background of the two-dimensional charge order. The magnitude of crossover electric fields from Ohmic to the power-law characteristics indicates that the electron-electron Coulomb interaction is significantly long-ranged: The screening length is greater than 10 molecule sites.     

Faithful qubit distribution assisted by one additional qubit against collective noise

We propose a distribution scheme of polarization states of a single photon over a collective-noise channel. By adding one extra photon with a fixed polarization, we can protect the state against collective noise via a parity-check measurement and postselection. While the scheme succeeds only probabilistically, it is simpler and more flexible than the schemes utilizing decoherence-free subspace. An application to the Bennett-Brassard 1984 protocol through a collective-noise channel, which is robust to the Trojan horse attack, is also given.     

Measurement of intense microwave field patterns using a neon glow indicator lamp

A novel method using small neon glow lamps with electrodes is developed for measuring intense microwave field patterns. When the lamp axis coincide with the electric field direction, the lamp discharge starts at the feeblest microwave electric field strength. Therefore, the lamp axis shows the field direction and the discharge starting indicates the field strength. The field strength for starting the microwave discharge is less than the strength for AC discharge, because of its low loss discharge mechanism. In the experiments using a microwave oven, it has been demonstrated again comparing with the simulated results that the method is able to use for measuring the intense electric field strength and direction.     

Tissue gadolinium deposition in renally impaired rats exposed to different gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents: Evaluation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

ObjectivesTo quantify tissue gadolinium (Gd) deposition in renally impaired rats exposed to Gd-EOB-DTPA and other Gd-based MRI contrast agents by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and to compare the differences in distribution among major organs as possible triggers for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).MethodsA total of 15 renally impaired rats were injected with Gd-EOB-DTPA, Gd-DTPA-BMA and Gd-HP-DO3A. Gd contents of skin, liver, kidney, lung, heart, spleen, diaphragm and femoral muscle were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Histological assessment was also conducted.ResultsTissue Gd deposition in all organs was significantly higher (P = 0.005 ~ 0.009) in the Gd-DTPA-BMA group than in the Gd-HP-DO3A and Gd-EOB-DTPA groups. In the Gd-DTPA-BMA group, Gd was predominantly deposited in kidney (1306 ± 605.7 μg/g), followed by skin, liver, lung, spleen, femoral muscle, diaphragm and heart. Comparing Gd-HP-DO3A and Gd-EOB-DTPA groups, Gd depositions in the kidney, liver and lung were significantly lower (P = 0.009 ~ 0.011) in the Gd-EOB-DTPA group than in the Gd-HP-DO3A group although no significant differences were seen for any other organs.ConclusionsGd-EOB-DTPA is a stable and safe Gd-based contrast agent (GBCA) showing lower Gd deposition in major organs in renally impaired rats, compared with other GBCAs. This fact suggests that the risk of NSF onset would be low in the use of Gd-EOB-DTPA.     

Effect of phosphorus and copper additions on the structure of Pt and Pt–Cu nanoparticles in a radiation-induced reduction method

A facile chemical process has been developed for the preparation of magnetic FeCo nanoparticles. The FeCo nanoparticles were mono-dispersed, obtained by the safe and ecofriendly method, possessed saturation magnetization up to 187 emu/g, and demonstrated excellent chemical stability. In this work, we have studied how to control Fe/Co ratio by variation of precursor ratio, and how to vary particle size from 9.3 to 12.3 nm by surfactant amount used. The cytotoxicity of as-synthesized nanoparticles was investigated after coating with the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate) by the emulsion process and the results demonstrated high biocompatibility. Similarly, the same synthesis method was used with the single precursor FeO(OH) or Co₃O₄. The results showed that this method can also fabricate 10 nm mono-dispersed spherical Fe₃O₄ particles and self-assembly Co nanoneedles.