Reconstruction of the Point-Spread Function of the Human Eye Using a New Phase-Retrieval Algorithm

The double-pass method is thought to obtain the point spread function (PSF) in human eyes based on two techniques: the symmetric double-pass method using the same pupil size and the asymmetric double-pass method using a different pupil size. The symmetric double-pass method provides autocorrelation of the retinal PSF and, thus, the modulation transfer function. The asymmetric double-pass method provides low-frequency partial-phase information and the partial phase-retrieval algorithm is applied to obtain the complete-phase information, and to estimate the PSF. The partial phase-retrieval algorithm is based on the iteration method proposed by Fineup and Kowalczyk and requires a lengthy computation. In this study, we propose a new high-speed phase-retrieval algorithm based on the property that the real and imaginary parts of optical transfer functions (OTFs) continuously change in value.     

Synthesis and metal-ion binding properties of monoazathiacrown ethers

Synthetic procedures for monoazathiacrown ethers were explored, and monoazatrithia-12-crown-4, monoazatetrathia-15-crown-5, and monoazapentathia-18-crown-6 were obtained in moderate yields by the reaction of bis(2-chloroethyl)amine with the appropriate dithiols in the presence of lithium hydroxide in THF. To evaluate metal-ion binding properties of the monoazathiacrown ethers by solvent extraction, lipophilic dodecyl and dodecanoyl groups were incorporated onto the monoazathiacrown ethers. The solvent extraction experiments suggested that monoazathiacrown ethers have Ag(+) and Hg(2+) selectivities and that the relative selectivity between Ag(+) and Hg(2+) depends on their nitrogen atom properties and numbers of sulfur atoms reflecting the respective affinities of nitrogen and sulfur atoms to Hg(2+) and Ag(+). An interesting ability to bind Mg(2+) was observed in the case of N-dodecyl monoazatrithia-12-crown-4.     

Effects of oxygen vacancy on adhesion of incoherent metal/oxide interface by first-principles calculations

We investigate effects of oxygen vacancies on adhesion behavior of incoherent Ni/MgO(0 0 1) interface with large misfit, based on the density functional theory. We demonstrate that oxygen vacancies at any local atomic configuration of the incoherent geometry enhance the image-chargelike interaction between the ions in MgO and the ion-induced images in Ni, and stabilize adhesion of the Ni/MgO(0 0 1) interface. The adhesion energy of the defective interface is remarkably larger than that of the perfect interface. We also show that force constants of the adhesive interactions near the oxygen vacancies are comparable to the Ni-Mg bond at the perfect interface. The vacancy-induced enhancement of the image electron accumulation hardly contributes to the interfacial stiffness, while it is reduced by losing the covalent Ni-O interaction due to an ontop oxygen vacancy.     

Polymeric membrane sodium-selective electrodes based on calix[4]arene ionophores

Six kinds of tetra alkylester type calix[4]arene derivatives, (R₁=R₂=CH₃1, C₂H₅2, C₃H₇3,n-C₄H₉4,t-C₄H₉5,n-C₁₀H₂₁6), a diethyl-didecyl mixed ester type (R₁=C₂H₅, R₂ =C₁₀H₂₁7), and three kinds of lower rim bridged types (R₁=C₂H₅, R₂–R₂=(CH₂)₁₀8, (CH₂)₁₂9, (CH₂)₂(OCH₂CH₂)₃10) were characterized by electrochemical measurement to elucidate the effect of the length of the alkyl group of alkoxycarbonyl substituents on Na⁺ selectivity. To obtain excellent Na⁺ selective ionophores, introduction of short chain alkyl groups rather than long chain ones, such as a decyl group, and maintenance of sufficient solubility of the calix[4]arene derivatives in the membrane solvent are required concurrently. Among the calix[4]arenes tested, 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy]-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene2, and the diethyl-didecyl mixed ester type derivative7 are the best ionophores for a Na⁺ selective electrode. On the other hand, sodium selectivity of the bridged type derivative9 is comparable or even superior to that of the known bis(12-crown-4).This paper is dedicated to the commemorative issue on the 50th anniversary of calixarenes.     

Crowned dendron: ion-responsive flexibility of macromolecules induced by integrated crown ether moieties

Polybenzyl ether type dendrons bearing the crown ether moieties at the periphery, namely, crowned dendrons were synthesized, and the effect of complex formation on their flexibility with metal-ion binding properties was examined. Upon addition of Na⁺, ¹H NMR spectra of the crowned dendrons in CD₃CN were significantly broadened, reflecting the flexibility restriction of the crowned dendrons by the complex formation with Na⁺. Such a significant flexibility restriction was observed only with Na⁺, although ESI-MS studies revealed that the crowned dendrons formed 1:2 complexes (a metal ion:the crown ether moiety) regardless of the kind of metal ions. The flexibility restriction became significant with increasing dendron generation on the basis of ¹H NMR spectra and spin-lattice relaxation time (T₁) measurements. Binding constants of the crowned dendrons with metal ions in CD₃CN decreased with the increase of the dendron generation, reflecting an influence of the charge repulsion as well as a dendrimer effect to cause the steric hindrance. The examination of UV-vis absorption spectra for complexes of the crowned dendron with metal picrates in THF displayed the formation of a loose ion-pair complex with Na⁺, namely, a typical sandwich type complex. However, in CH₃CN, all metal picrates were solvated to be in a loose ion-pair even without complex formation. These results suggested that the control of macromolecular flexibility with metal ions is feasible by the integration of crown ether moieties with a dendritic structure.     

Conformational analysis of 12-crown-3 and sodium ion selectivity of electrodes based on bis(12-crown-3) derivatives with malonate spacers

A conformational analysis was performed on two crown ethers (12-crown-3 and 12-crown-4) using a combination of semi-empirical and ab initio methods. The lowest conformations of 12-crown-3 and 12-crown-4 were found to have exodentate C_3v and C₂ structure, respectively. In the case of the sandwich-type complexation, the nucleophilic cavity of 12-crown-3 rather than that of 12-crown-4 seemed to be optimal for complexation with the Na⁺ ion. Four new bis(12-crown-3) derivatives (1–4) were examined as potential sodium ion-selective ionophores in poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) membrane electrodes. The ion-selective electrode (ISE) based on di(1,5,9-trioxacyclododecanylmethyl) 2-dodecyl-2-methylmalonate (1) had the highest selectivity for the sodium ion among the alkali and alkaline earths studied. The sodium ion selectivity of the ISE based on bis(12-crown-3) derivative 1 was superior to that of the ISE based on the bis(12-crown-4) analogue.     

Non-stoichiometry and lithium intercalation in ZrSe2

The layer compound ZrSe₂ can be grown as a degenerate semiconductor, which is ascribed to the charge transfer effect of the self-intercalated Zr atoms. The self-intercalation is much concerned with the magnitude of the energy gap in the mother crystal. We have ascertained this by the transport measurement of ZrSe_2-xS_x and Ti_xZr_1-xSe₂. Intercalation of lithium in ZrSe₂ converts the mother crystal into a metallic one. Li_xZrSe₂ (x>0.4) is found to be superconductive below ca. 1.5K.     

Potentiometric performance of silver ion-selective electrodes based on tridentate Schiff base derivatives.

To examine the directivity for improving the silver ion discrimination ability of a Schiff base, three kinds of tridentate ligands were synthesized and compared with the similar quadridentate ligand as the silver ionophore. Among the Schiff base derivatives tested, 3-(2-pyridylethylimino)-2-butanoneoxime, having one oxime and a pyridine substituent, was found to be the best ionophore for a silver-ion electrode. The electrode based on this derivative exhibited good silver-ion selectivity, -log Kpot(Ag+,K+) = 3.8, comparable to that of a quadridentate Schiff base, N,N'-bis(2'-hydroxyimino-1'-phenylpropyleden)-1,3-propanediamine, reported previously, except for a pseudo Nernstian response (35.6 mV decade(-1)) with a wide silver-ion activity change in the activity change from 5.0 x 10(-7) to 7.9 x 10(-2) mol dm(-3).     

A new solvent polymeric membrane electrode incorporating poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) as a polymer

Here, we report on a new solvent polymeric membrane electrode incorporating thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPA) as a polymer with the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of ca. 32 °C. The response of the solvent polymeric membrane electrode to the ions changes at 25 and 40 °C. Pulsed NMR analyses demonstrated the novel effects of the LCST behaviour on the potentiometric polymeric membrane.