Time-of-flight imaging method to observe signatures of antiferromagnetically ordered states of fermionic atoms in an optical lattice

We propose a simple method to detect the antiferromagnetic (AF) state of fermionic atoms in an optical lattice by combining a time-of-flight (TOF) imaging method and a Feshbach resonance. In this scheme, the nontrivial dynamics of fermionic atoms during the imaging process works as a probe with respect to the breaking of the translational symmetry in the AF state. Precise numerical simulations demonstrate that the characteristic oscillatory dynamics induced by the scattering process that transfers an AF ordering vector appears in TOF images, which can be easily observed experimentally.     

Simultaneous Observation of Hyperfine Multistage Transitions of BaTiO3 with Thermal Analysis and Thermal Expansion

A new method to measure heat flux and thermal expansion simultaneously with a temperature resolution of milli-Kelvin is presented to observe the multistage transitions. At least six thermal anomalies are observed between 402 and 403 K in BaTiO₃ simultaneously in heat flux and thermal expansion in the cooling process. The correspondence of the anomalies observed in the two physical properties is excellent. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A note on integral bases of unramified cyclic extensions of prime degree. II

Let p be a prime number and K a number field containing a primitive p-th root of unity. It is known that an unramified cyclic extension L/K of degree p has a power integral basis if it has a normal integral basis. We show that for all p, the converse is not true in general. Received: 18 July 2000 / Revised version: 18 October 2000     

Rapid method for the analysis of plutonium isotopes in a soil sample within 60 min.

A rapid method for the determination of Pu isotopes in a soil sample within 60 min of starting sample pretreatment was developed. The large reduction in the analysis time was attained by the rapid and perfect digestion of the sample using an alkaline fusion method with an induction heating machine. Pu concentrations were then determined by flow injection/ICP-MS using a solid extraction resin after preconcentration by batch extraction with a chelate resin. The limits of detection for 239Pu and 240Pu were 9.2 fg and 4.3 fg, corresponding to 0.03 and 0.05 Bq kg(-1), respectively, under our analytical conditions, which satisfy the lower detection limits (0.5 Bq kg(-1) of 239Pu, and 2 Bq kg(-1) of 240Pu) required for rapid analysis techniques by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. This method provides a powerful and practical technique for emergency monitoring in and around nuclear facilities that handle large amounts of plutonium.     

Photonic sensing technology is opening new frontiers in biophotonics

In advanced sensing photonics it is of great importance to explore the detection limits of extremely weak optical signals and imaging using state-of-the art technology. In this paper we describe recent progress in photonic sensing technology achieved in practice in the standard quantum limit of optical detection imposed by the signal-limited shot noise, which can be realized by both the optical heterodyne detection and photon counting techniques. Then, with particular attention on imaging of ultraweak photonic signals by these techniques, their applications in developing new frontiers in the field of biophotonics such as laser computed tomography, and the imaging and characterization of ultraweak biophoton emission phenomena are described and discussed as one of the typical examples of future trends in this field.     

Dual modification of a triple-stranded β-helix nanotube with Ru and Re metal complexes to promote photocatalytic reduction of CO2

We have constructed a robust β-helical nanotube from the component proteins of bacteriophage T4 and modified this nanotube with Ru(II)(bpy)(3) and Re(I)(bpy)(CO)(3)Cl complexes. The photocatalytic system arranged on the tube catalyzes the reduction of CO(2) with higher reactivity than that of the mixture of the monomeric forms.     

Chaos via torus breakdown from a four-dimensional autonomous oscillator with two diodes

By using a remarkably simple and natural degenerate technique, the mechanism of chaos via torus breakdown observed in a simple four-dimensional autonomous circuit including two diodes is investigated rigorously. This degenerate technique is uniquely comparable to the well-known slow-fast singular perturbation method. The idealized case where the diodes are assumed to operate as switches is considered. In this case, the governing equation is represented by a constrained equation, and the Poincaré mapping is derived rigorously as the circle map. The torus breakdown in the four-dimensional autonomous circuit is well explained by the Poincaré mapping. The theoretical results are verified by laboratory experiment.     

Visualization of liver uptake function using the uptake contrast-enhanced ratio in hepatobiliary phase imaging

Purpose

To visualize liver uptake function using the uptake contrast-enhanced ratio in hepatobiliary phase (uptake CERH) magnetic resonance imaging.

Materials and methods

Thirty-seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 23 with metastatic liver cancer were evaluated. Hepatobiliary phase images were acquired 20 min after an intravenous bolus injection of gadoxetic acid disodium. We assumed that the contrast-enhanced ratio in the hepatobiliary phase (CERH) in the spleen was similar to the contrast-enhanced ratio in the extracellular matrix (CEREM). The Uptake CERH value was defined as the percentage signal gain between the precontrast and hepatobiliary phase images (without CEREM). The Uptake CERH value measured the tumor-free liver parenchyma. The association of the uptake CERH value with the biochemical liver function test results, and hepatocellular density in the liver parenchyma was assessed. Correlations were examined using Pearson correlation coefficient and the Mann–Whitney test.

Results

The uptake CERH value was correlated with albumin, bilirubin, indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min, prothrombin activity(%), platelet count, and cellular density in the liver parenchyma (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Uptake CERH images are useful for visualizing liver uptake function.     

Pre-evaluation of metal ions as a catalyst on chemiluminometric sequential injection analysis with luminol-H2O2 system

Catalytic effect of metal ions on luminol chemiluminescence (CL) was investigated by sequential injection analysis (SIA). The SIA system was set up with two solenoid micropumps, an eight-port selection valve, and a photosensor module with a fountain-type chemiluminescence cell. The SIA system was controlled and the CL signals were collected by a LabVIEW program. Aqueous solutions of luminol, H₂O₂, and a sample solution containing metal ion were sequentially aspirated to the holding coil, and the zones were immediately propelled to the detection cell. After optimizing the parameters using 1 × 10⁻⁵ M Fe³⁺ solution, catalytic effect of some metal species was compared. Among 16 metal species examined, relatively strong CL responses were obtained with Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, VO²⁺, VO₃⁻, MnO₄⁻, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺. The limits of detection by the present SIA system were comparable to FIA systems. Permanganate ion showed the highest CL sensitivity among the metal species examined; the calibration graph for MnO₄⁻ was linear at the concentration level of 10⁻⁸ M and the limit of detection for MnO₄⁻ was 4.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ M (S/N = 3).