k-space inherited parallel acquisition (KIPA): application on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging thermometry

In this study, a novel method for dynamic parallel image acquisition and reconstruction is presented. In this method, called k-space inherited parallel acquisition (KIPA), localized reconstruction coefficients are used to achieve higher reduction factors, and lower noise and artifact levels compared to that of generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) reconstruction. In KIPA, the full k-space for the first frame and the partial k-space for later frames are required to reconstruct a whole series of images. Reconstruction coefficients calculated for different segments of k-space from the first frame data set are used to estimate missing k-space lines in corresponding k-space segments of other frames. The local determination of KIPA reconstruction coefficients is essential to adjusting them according to the local signal-to-noise ratio characteristics of k-space data. The proposed algorithm is applicable to dynamic imaging with arbitrary k-space sampling trajectories. Simulations of magnetic resonance thermometry using the KIPA method with a reduction factor of 6 and using dynamic imaging studies of human subjects with reduction factors of 4 and 6 have been performed to prove the feasibility of our method and to show apparent improvement in image quality in comparison with GRAPPA for dynamic imaging.     

6-(Hetero)arylindolizino[1,2-c]quinolines as highly fluorescent chemical space: Synthesis and photophysical properties

A highly fluorescent indolizino[1,2-c]quinoline with a substituent at the C6 position was designed and synthesized as a new indolizine-quinoline hybrid structure via a tetracyclic lactam. Various (hetero)aryl groups were introduced at the C6 site of this basic skeleton to display intriguing photophysical properties.     

Novel quantum description of time-dependent molecular interactions obeying a generalized non-central potential

Nonlinear Dynamics - Quantum features of time-dependent molecular interactions are investigated by introducing a time-varying Hamiltonian that involves a generalized non-central potential....     

Synthesis, characterization, and ion-exchange properties of colloidal zeolite nanocrystals

Here, we present physical–chemical properties of Linde type A (LTA) zeolite crystals synthesized via conventional hydrothermal and microwave heating methods. Both heating methods produced LTA crystals that were sub-micron in size, highly negatively charged, super-hydrophilic, and stable when dispersed in water. However, microwave heating produced relatively narrow crystal size distributions, required much shorter heating times, and did not significantly change composition, crystallinity, or surface chemistry. Moreover, microwave heating allowed systematic variation of crystal size by varying heating temperature and time during the crystallization reaction, thus producing a continuous gradient of crystal sizes ranging from about 90 to 300 nm. In ion-exchange studies, colloidal zeolites exhibited excellent sorption kinetics and capacity for divalent metal ions, suggesting their potential for use in water softening, scale inhibition, and scavenging of toxic metal ions from water.     

Approximate controllability and regularity for semilinear retarded control systems

We deal with the approximate controllability for semilinear systems with time delay in a Hilbert space. First, we show the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the given systems with the more general Lipschitz continuity of nonlinear operator f fromR ×V toH. Thereafter, it is shown that the equivalence between the reachable set of the semilinear system and that of its corresponding linear system. Finally, we make a practical application of the conditions to the system with only discrete delay.     

Influence of TiO2 nanotube morphology and TiCl4 treatment on the charge transfer in dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), TiO₂ nanotube arrays (NTAs), and surface-modified NTAs with a TiCl₄ treatment. The photovoltaic efficiencies of the DSSCs using TiO₂ NP, NTA, and TiCl₄-treated NTA electrodes are 4.25, 4.74, and 7.47 %, respectively. The highest performance was observed with a TiCl₄-treated TiO₂ NTA photoanode, although in the case of the latter two electrodes, the amounts of N719 dye adsorbed were similar and 68 % of that of the NP electrode. Electrochemical impedance measurements show that the overall resistance, including the charge–transfer resistance, was smaller with NTA morphologies than with NP morphologies. We suggest that a different electron transfer mechanism along the one-dimensional nanostructure of the TiO₂ NTAs contributes to the smaller charge–transfer resistance, resulting in a higher short circuit current (J _sc), even at lower dye adsorption. Furthermore, the TiCl₄-treated NTAs showed even smaller charge–transfer resistance, resulting in the highest J _sc value, because the downward shift in the conduction band edge improves the electron injection efficiency from the excited dye into the TiCl₄-treated TiO₂ electrodes.     

Progressive formation of fine and coarse ripples on SiC surface by repeated irradiation of femtosecond laser pulses

In this work, we report the progressive formation of first nanoparticles, next fine ripples, and eventually coarse ripples during the irradiation of single-crystal 6H-SiC surfaces with increasing number of femtosecond laser pulses (λ = 515 nm, τ = 250 fs, repetition rate = 100 kHz). At laser fluences greater than the single-pulse ablation threshold, nanoparticles were produced on the surface by the first few pulses over which fine ripple patterns overlapped at increased pulse numbers. As the pulse number was further increased over ten, the surface was gradually transformed into a coarse ripple–covered one. At laser fluence below the threshold, however, only fine ripples were formed nonuniformly.     

Machine learning identification of symmetrized base states of Rydberg atoms

Studying the complex quantum dynamics of interacting many-body systems is one of the most challenging areas in modern physics. Here, we use machine learning (ML) models to identify the symmetrized base states of interacting Rydberg atoms of various atom numbers (up to six) and geometric configurations. To obtain the data set for training the ML classifiers, we generate Rydberg excitation probability profiles that simulate experimental data by utilizing Lindblad equations that incorporate laser intensities and phase noise. Then, we classify the data sets using support vector machines (SVMs) and random forest classifiers (RFCs). With these ML models, we achieve high accuracy of up to 100% for data sets containing only a few hundred samples, especially for the closed atom configurations such as the pentagonal (five atoms) and hexagonal (six atoms) systems. The results demonstrate that computationally cost-effective ML models can be used in the identification of Rydberg atom configurations.     

Coherent manipulation of electronic States in a double quantum dot

We investigate coherent time evolution of charge states (pseudospin qubit) in a semiconductor double quantum dot. This fully tunable qubit is manipulated with a high-speed voltage pulse that controls the energy and decoherence of the system. Coherent oscillations of the qubit are observed for several combinations of many-body ground and excited states of the quantum dots. Possible decoherence mechanisms in the present device are also discussed.     

Anti‐Inflammatory Activity of a Novel Acetylene Isolated from the Roots of Angelica tenuissima Nakai

Three polyacetylenes, one novel and two known, were isolated from the root of Angelica tenuissima. Using ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, COSY, HMBC, and HMQC, their structures were found to be (3R,8S)‐heptadeca‐1‐en‐4,6‐diyne‐3,8‐diol ( 1 ), falcarindiol ( 2 ), and oplopandiol ( 3 ). Absolute configurations of compound 1 were established using Mosher's esterification. In addition, the polyacetylenes ( 1 – 3 ) were evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory activity. Compounds 1 and 3 showed potent inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW267.7 macrophage cells with IC₅₀ values of 4.31 and 5.06 μm, respectively. Compound 1 strongly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 in a concentration‐dependent manner.