A Note on *-paranormal Operators

In this note we show that if either T or T^* is totally *-paranormal then Weyls theorem holds for f(T) for every f , and also a-Weyls theorem holds for f(T) if T is totally *-paranormal. We prove that if either T or T^* is *-paranormal then the spectral mapping theorem holds for the Weyl spectrum and for the essential approximate point spectrum.     

Electronic structures of RTe2 (R = La,Ce): a clue to the pressure-induced superconductivity in CeTe1.82

Electronic structures of RTe2 (R=La,Ce) have been investigated by using the local spin density approximation (LSDA) and the LSDA + U (U: on-site Coulomb interaction) band methods. Both LaTe2 and CeTe2 show the very similar Fermi surface nesting features along the [100] direction, which drive the charge-density wave (CDW) instability in the Te(1) sheets. The contribution near E(F) from Ce 4f states is negligible in agreement with the measured ARPES spectra. In the semimetallic CDW-distorted RTe2, both Te vacancy and pressure induce the charge transfer from Te(1) 5p to R 5d states, producing the enhanced density of states at E(F). We suggest that these increased self-doped Te(1) 5p hole carriers are responsible for the pressure-induced superconductivity in nonstoichiometric CeTe1.82.     

Use of ultrafast-laser-driven microexplosional for fabricating three-dimensional void-based diamond-lattice photonic crystals in a solid polymer material

Micro-sized void spheres are successfully generated in a solid polymer by use of a tightly focused femtosecond laser beam from a high-repetition-rate laser oscillator. Confocal reflection images show that the void spheres are longitudinal rotational symmetric ellipsoids with a ratio of long to short axes of approximately 1.5. Layers of void spheres are then stacked to create three-dimensional diamond-lattice photonic crystals. Three gaps are observed in the [100] direction with a suppression rate of the second gap of up to approximately 75% for a 32-layer structure. The observed first- and second-order gaps shift to longer and shorter wavelengths, respectively, as the angle of incidence increases.     

Wide-viewing projection-type integral imaging system with an embossed screen

A projection-type integral imaging system with an embossed screen is proposed to realize a wide viewing angle for the reconstructed image. The embossed screen is designed for virtual integral imaging in a projection-type system. It can enhance the viewing angle by increasing the effective region for each elemental image. The experimental result that verifies the merit of the proposed method is presented.     

White organic light-emitting devices

In view of their potential applications in flat panel displays, organic light-emitting devices have attracted much attention in the past decade. A challenging target in this field is to realize full color display applications. One of the approaches proposed for these is combining white emission with color filters, where efficient and pure white emission (especially at high brightness) is necessary. In this paper, three kinds of white organic light-emitting devices with different structures and materials are fabricated and their characteristics are discussed.     

Simultaneous determination of ropivacaine and antipyrine by high performance liquid chromatography and its application to the in vitro transplacental study

A simple and reliable RP-HPLC method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of ropivacaine and antipyrine in perfusate samples. Samples were analyzed on an ODS column with UV detection at 210 nm after liquid-liquid extraction. The mobile phase consisted of potassium dihydrogenphosphate (25 mM, adjusted to pH 5.0 with phosphoric acid)-acetonitrile (79:21, v/v). The method has been validated to be precise, accurate and linear. It has been applied to the investigation of placental transfer of ropivacaine via a dually perfused cotyledon model of human placenta in vitro.     

Rifampicin inhibits alpha-synuclein fibrillation and disaggregates fibrils

The aggregation of alpha-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra is a critical step in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We show that the antibiotic rifampicin inhibited alpha-synuclein fibrillation and disaggregated existing fibrils in a concentration-dependent manner. Size-exclusion chromatography data indicated that rifampicin stabilized alpha-synuclein as both a monomer and soluble oligomers comprised of partially folded alpha-synuclein. Experiments using aged samples of rifampicin indicated that the most active species in inhibiting fibrillation and disaggregating fibrils is an oxidation product of rifampicin, which was confirmed in experiments under anaerobic conditions. These results indicate that rifampicin-mediated inhibition of alpha-synuclein fibrillation and disaggregation of fibrils involves preferential stabilization of monomeric and soluble oligomeric forms, and that rifampicin potentially may have therapeutic application for Parkinson's disease.     

Topological Vortices in the Modified Two-Dimensional Gross—Pitaevskii Theory

It is shown that there exists an elementary vortex topological current in the modified two-dimensional Gross—Pitaevskii theory. An explicit expression for the vortex velocity field as a function of the order parameter is derived. The evolution of vortices is studied from the topological properties of the order parameter field. It is found that vortices generate or annihilate at the limit points and encounter, split, or merge at the bifurcation points of the order parameter field .     

Synthesis of twist-twist pi-conjugated di-sec-alkylstilbenes and stilbene polymers

Twist-twist pi-conjugated (TTPC) pi systems promise unique properties with their 90 degrees twist angles. Di-sec-alkyl substituted stilbenes, 5, were prepared by low-valent titanium coupling of phenyl ketones, 4. Long alkyl chains stopped the coupling reaction. Stilbenes 5 were shown to be approximately 90% TTPC. Inserting TTPC units into poly(p-phenylene) polymers created highly fluorescent, soluble, TTPC pi systems with weak electronic segmentation for organic light emitting diode (OLED) studies.     

Lasonolide A: structural revision and total synthesis

The proposed structure of lasonolide A was synthesized employing radical cyclization reactions of beta-alkoxyacrylates for preparation of the tetrahydropyranyl units A and B, but the spectroscopic data did not match those of the natural product. Both enantiomers of a revised structure featuring 17E,25Z double bonds were synthesized, and the (-)-isomer was found to be the biologically active enantiomer.