CONDITIONS OF ORGANOSOL FORMATION FROM METAL SOAPS IN HIGHER ALCOHOLS AND THE SHAPE OF THE DISPERSED PARTICLES

Seven bivalent metal soaps and six trivalent metal soaps were prepared from the various kinds of fatty acids. Upon heating metal soap suspensions in organic solvents, organosols of metal oxides were formed and they showed the special characteristics in color. The scanning electron microscopic examination of the organosol particles showed the spherical, cubic, or irregular shape of 0.3~3.0 μm size. The shape and size of the particles were affected by the type of netal, the concentration of soaps, heating temperature, and the presence of a reducing agent. No relationship between the particles size of organosol and the carbon number of metal soaps was observed in this study. The stable organosol of monodispersed particles were successfully formed upon heating from Co, Mn and Fe metal soaps in 1-decanol containing a reducing agent.     

Determination of micelle mass by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

By electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry, micelle solutions of sodium cholate were investigated in detail in the presence and absence of ethanol. The average aggregation number could be evaluated from the spectra acquired under conditions where soft collisions adequate to measure the micelle solution were induced, and the value agreed well with that obtained previously by other methods. From the dependence on ethanol content, it was also found that the average aggregation number in aqueous solution without organic solvent could be reliably estimated. The ESI method proved to be a useful tool for determining the micelle mass in the original aqueous phase.     

Electron correlation effects in N2 and CO studied by X-ray scattering and CISD calculations

Total X-ray scattering intensities σ_ee(q) for N₂ and CO have been measured as a function of momentum transfer using the energy dispersive method. Novel procedures to extract accurate σ_ee(q), which eliminate effects of polarization, inelastic scattering, anomalous dispersion, and molecular vibration, have been proposed. A simplified theoretical treatment based on configuration interaction singles and doubles (CISD) calculations has been suggested. This procedure makes it possible to apply combined theoretical and experimental X-ray scattering studies to larger molecules. The inclusion of f and g functions is crucial, and the σ_ee(q) calculated with the cc-pVQZ[5s4p3d2f1g] basis set almost reproduces the data based on more elaborate MR-CISD calculations within the experimentally most relevant region of up to q ? 3 au. In contrast to experimental electron scattering data, the X-ray scattering intensities agree well with the computed results.     

Improved efficiency of a pulsed optical parametric oscillator by delayed double-pass pump

By delaying the second pass of the pump of a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator, the conversion efficiency can be improved. We show the experimental results of an intracavity-doubled singly resonant parametric oscillator pumped by a Q-switched laser. Using 0.49 mJ of pump energy at 532 nm from a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser, 0.085 mJ of 488 nm was obtained with the optimum delay for the second pass of the pump, giving a conversion efficiency of 17%. The improvement over the case of a single-pass pump was 85%, and the improvement over the double-pass pump with a small delay was 40%.     

Laser energy dependence on femtosecond laser-induced nucleation of protein

We have investigated femtosecond laser-induced nucleation of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) as a function of the laser pulse energy and pulse time width. This is the first recorded study to confirm that the femtosecond laser-induced nucleation of HEWL can be induced at a specific threshold laser energy. The threshold energy is comparable to that of cavitation bubble generation. The results strongly suggest that morphological changes in the solution are key factors for protein nucleation.     

Observation of optical inhomogeneities in flux grown KTP crystals

Optical inhomogeneities in potassium titanyl phosphate crystals grown from different fluxes have been investigated. In the crystals grown from a flux which contains tungsten, striations parallel to the {011} faces were observed. The main reason for forming striations is the change in tungsten concentration with change in growth rate. In the case of a potassium phosphate flux, no striations were observed in the crystal which was grown at almost the same temperature and stirring conditions as for the tungstate flux. We can conclude that the phosphate flux is more suitable for the growth of optically good crystals for KTP as laser harmonic converters.     

The Feasibility of a Newly Developed Local Network System for Cardiac Rehabilitation (the CR-GNet) in Disease Management and Physical Fitness after Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective: To examine the Cardiac Rehabilitation Gifu Network (CR-GNet) feasibility in managing diseases and assisting patients in attaining physical fitness, and its impact on long-term outcomes after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: In this prospective observational study, we enrolled 47 patients with ACS registered in the CR-GNet between February 2016 and September 2019. 37, 29, and 21 patients underwent follow-up assessments for exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake) at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after discharge, respectively. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were compared with controls not registered in the CR-GNet. Results: The coronary risk factors, except blood pressure, improved at 3 and 6 months, and 1 year after discharge. These risk factors in each patient significantly reduced from 2.9 at admission to 1.6, 1.4, and 1.9 at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after discharge (p<0.05), respectively. Peak oxygen uptake was significantly higher at 3 months (17.5±4.9 ml/kg/min), 6 months (17.9±5.1 ml/kg/min), and 1 year (17.5±5.5 ml/kg/min) after discharge than that at discharge (14.7±3.6 ml/kg/min) (p<0.05). During follow-up, there was no significant difference; MACE did not occur in any patients in the CR-GNet but occurred in controls. Conclusion: CR-GNet is a feasible option for the long-term management of ACS patients.     

Novel synthesis of benzalacetone analogues of naphth[a]azulenes by intramolecular tropylium ion-mediated furan ring-opening reaction and X-ray investigation of a naphth[1,2-a]azulene derivative

[reaction: see text] Benzalacetone analogues of naphth[1,2-a]azulene (8), naphth[2,1-a]azulene (13), and naphth[2,3-a]azulene (18) were synthesized from 2-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-1-tropylionaphthalene (7), 1-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-2-tropylionaphthalene (12), and 2-(5-methy-2-furyl)-3-tropylionaphthalene (17), respectively. The synthetic method is based on furan ring-opening reaction by the intramolecular electrophilic attack of a tropylium ion. Single-crystal X-ray work on the naphth[1,2-a]azulene derivative (8) revealed that its tetracyclic system exhibited deformation from planarity similar to that of benzo[c]phenanthrene (tetrahelicene). A centrosymmetric associated dimer structure, just like the molecules of carboxylic acids but via C=O...H-C hydrogen bonds, was found in the crystal. Reduction of bond-length alternation in the seven-membered ring was also found.     

Efficacy of physical exercise using the balance board game on physical and psychological function in patients with hematological malignancies confined to a bioclean room

Objective: This study aimed to define the efficacy and features of physical therapy (PT) using the Nintendo Wii Fit U (Nintendo Inc., Kyoto, Japan) in patients with hematological malignancies confined to a bioclean room. Method: A total of 33 patients with hematological malignancies confined to a bioclean room were enrolled in this study. This study was designed as a randomized crossover test between two weeklong interventions: PT program (Therapist PT) and Wii Fit U program (Wii PT). We compared the efficacy of Wii PT and Therapist PT with regard to physical and psychological function test scores. Results: Of the 33 patients, 22 were analyzed. The validity of the crossover design was demonstrated, as there were no significant differences in period and carryover effects between the two groups. Therapist PT resulted in significantly better improvements in fatigue scores and total mood disturbance (TMD) scores in the Profile of Mood States short-form Japanese version compared to Wii PT (fatigue score, -5.2±8.3 vs 2.7±8.2; TMD score, -22.5±32.8 vs -2.6±20.5; p<0.05). Physical function improved post-Wii PT and post-Therapist PT interventions (p<0.05), and there was no difference in treatment effect. Conclusion: Improvements in physical function were clearly observed following the use of Wii PT in patients confined to a bioclean room. However, compared to Therapist PT, Wii PT was less effective in improving the psychological function of patients.     

Continuous-wave all-solid-state 244 nm deep-ultraviolet laser source by fourth-harmonic generation of an optically pumped semiconductor laser using CsLiB6O10 in an external resonator

We report an all-solid-state laser system that generates over 200 mW cw at 244 nm. An optically pumped semiconductor laser is internally frequency doubled to 488 nm. The 488 nm output is coupled to an external resonator, where it is converted to 244 nm using a CsLiB(6)O(10) (CLBO) crystal. The output power is limited by the available power at 488 nm, and no noticeable degradation in output power was observed over a period of several hours.