An Examination of Qubit Neural Network in Controlling an Inverted Pendulum

The Qubit neuron model is a new non-standard computing scheme that has been found by simulations to have efficient processing abilities. In this paper we investigate the usefulness of the model for a non linear kinetic control application of an inverted pendulum on a cart. Simulations show that a neural network based on Qubit neurons would swing up and stabilize the pendulum, yet it also requires a shorter range over which the cart moves as compared to a conventional neural network model.     

High-pressure solubility of fullerene C60 in toluene

The solubility of fullerene C₆₀ in toluene was measured at temperatures between 278.2 and 308.2 K and pressures up to 340 MPa, and also at temperatures between 258.2 and 298.2 K under atmospheric pressure. The solubility increased with increasing pressure, and then decreased with a sharp maximum, suggesting a transition between solid phases. A thermodynamic analysis of the solubility supported the proposal of Korobov, et al. that the two solids correspond to C₆₀ (fcc) and C₆₀ · 2 (toluene) solvate. The solubility enhancement of C₆₀ by pressure in a low-pressure region is an unusual phenomenon when compared with the decrease in solubility of nonpolar molecular solids generally observed with rises in pressure.     

Effect of Carrier Gas Species on Ferroelectric Properties of PZT/Stainless-Steel Fabricated by CO2 Laser-Assisted Aerosol Deposition

Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (PZT) thick films were deposited onto stainless-steel substrates by aerosol deposition using different kinds of carrier gases and were irradiated by CO₂ laser both during and after deposition, for the recovery of ferroelectricity. The ferroelectric and dielectric properties of PZT films deposited using oxygen and nitrogen gases and irradiated by CO₂ laser were superior to those of films deposited using He gas and irradiated by the laser. Some kinds of defects within the film were relaxed by CO₂ laser irradiation during deposition, and grain growth in the film was promoted by post-annealing using laser irradiation.     

Measurement of the 77Se(γ, n) cross section and uncertainty evaluation of the 79Se(n, γ) cross section

The ⁷⁷Se (γ, n) cross section was measured for the energy range from 7.6 to 13.8 MeV by using quasi-monochromatic laser-Compton scattering γ-rays. The advanced method to deduce γ-ray strength functions from (γ, n) cross section was developed. By utilizing the method, the γ-ray strength functions of ^{77, 78, 80}Se were deduced so as to reproduce the ^{77, 78, 80}Se (γ, n) cross sections measured in this work and previous systematic measurements. The inverse (n, γ) cross sections for ^{76, 77, 79}Se isotopes were calculated using the statistical model calculation code CCONE with the deduced γ-ray strength functions. The uncertainty of the calculated ⁷⁹Se(n, γ)⁸⁰Se cross section was evaluated by comparing the calculations and the experimental data on ^{76, 77}Se (n, γ) cross sections.     

On site experiments of the slanted soil treatment systems for domestic gray water.

In order to make a breakthrough for the acute problem of water shortage in the world, the key words "decentralization and re-use" are very important for new sustainable sanitation systems that will be developed. Therefore, we focused on a new treatments system called "a slanted soil treatment system" which combines a biotoilet system with a domestic grey water treatment system. Because this system is a low cost and compact system, the system can be easily introduced to homes in urban areas or in the suburbs of cities in many developing countries. In this study, we performed on site experiments carried out on Shikoku Island, Japan, for several years. We obtained the following results. The slanted soil treatment system could remove organic pollutants and total nitrogen and total phosphorus in grey water effectively. Furthermore, the system performance became high in the case of the high concentration of the influent water. The nitrification reaction and denitrification reaction were speculated to exist due to aerobic zones and anaerobic zones present in the slanted soil treatment system. The slanted soil treatment system could perform for approximately 3 years with zero maintenance. The plug flow model of 1st order reaction kinetics could describe the reaction in the slanted soil treatment system. However, it is necessary to improve the system to maintain the performance in all seasons.     

Determining factors for anodic polarization curves of typical structural materials of boiling water reactors in high temperature – high purity water

In order to examine the anodic polarization characteristics of typical structural materials of boiling water reactors (BWRs), the anodic polarization curves of type 316L stainless steel (316L SS) and Alloy 182 were measured in deaerated high purity water at 553 K using the previously reported measurement method which was confirmed suitable for high temperature – high purity water. In order to specify which constituent element determines the dissolution characteristics of these materials, the anodic polarization curves of pure iron, pure nickel, and pure chromium were also surveyed. The anodic polarization curve of 316L SS was determined to have active, passive, and transpassive states which were the same as type 304 SS (304 SS) showed. But, Alloy 182 had different polarization characteristics especially near the corrosion potential as it had no active state. From comparison results of the polarization characteristics of these materials and their constituent elements, the corrosion characteristics of these materials were concluded to be mainly determined by the corrosion characteristics of chromium.     

Photoelectrochemical analysis of size-dependent electronic structures of gold clusters supported on TiO2

Size-dependent electronic structures around the Fermi level of glutathione-protected gold clusters (0.9-1.4 nm in core diameter) were analyzed on the basis of photoinduced charge separation at the interface between the gold cluster and TiO(2). Electron levels such as HOMO and LUMO were estimated from the dependencies of the photocurrents on the irradiation wavelength and the standard electrode potentials of electron donors employed. The potential of the occupied levels involved in the charge separation under visible or near infrared light shifts negatively as the cluster size increases.     

Contribution of Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Diesel Particles to Human Lung Cancer Induction

By following the prognosis of 112 patients with carcinomas, we found that the deposition of 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 1,3-dinitropyrene (1,3-DNP), and 3-nitrofluoranthene (3-NF) in lung tissues influenced their 5-year-survival after determination of chemicals. Lung specimens were divided into two groups of higher and lower chemical concentrations at levels of 18 pg/g for 1-NP, 15 for 1,3-DNP, and 35 for 3-NF, and the findings were statistically analyzed by adjusting for age, gender, stage, smoking status and cell type. The 5-year-survival of patients was significantly lower in the higher concentration group than the lower group. In addition, the higher concentration group correlated significantly with poor cell differentiation. The results suggest that tumors can be induced by continuous deposition of small amounts of environmental carcinogens in human lungs.

Formation of 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is normally used as a biomarker of oxidative damage in in vitro and in vivo systems. 8-OHdG was detected in all 22 cases of lung tissues with carcinomas, and levels increased with the increasing age of the patients, suggesting a correlation between age and the presence of diesel-originating carbon particles in lung tissues. In the inhatlacheal intratracheal administration diesel particles without most organic chemicals into mice, & OHdG formation was elevated more than by a single admummion of benzo[a]p,mne, 1-NP and 1,8-DNP. These results suggest that olbaneceous particles, but not mutagens or carcinogens, promote the formation of & OHdG, and that as a mechanism, alveolar mamphages may be assoCiated with oxidative damage, involving the generation of a hydroxyl radical during phagocytosis in the lungs.     

Relation Between Foaming and Surface Properties of Detergent-Containing Lubricating Oil

The effect of water concentration on the foaming tendency of lubricating oil containing the detergent additives Ca-phenate and amide was investigated from a surface chemical standpoint. Foam volume, dynamic surface tension and surface viscosity were measured at various water concentrations. It was proved that the increase of surface viscosity with water content was the main factor affecting foaming in the case of Ca-phenate but, in contrast, the Marangoni effect played an essential role in the case of amide.     

Unique molecular aggregation of novel naphthalocyanine (near IR absorbing dye)

A series of organic-soluble naphthalocyanine derivatives (Y_mMNcX₄) have been synthesized. Their spectroscopic properties in organic solutions and in thin films were studied. MNcX₄ such as MNc(t-Bu)₄ (5a-5c) and MNc(On-Bu)₄ (5j) formed H-aggregates even in dilute solutions. MNc(CO₂R')₄ (5d-5i) had much stronger H-aggregation properties compared with those ofMNc(t-Bu)₄ and MNc(On-Bu)₄. Especially, MNc(CO₂R')₇ complexes (M=Cu, Pd and Ni) existed exclusively without monomers in the aggregated state even in highly dilute solutions. MNcX₄, which has strong H-aggregation properties, showed merely H- aggregate absorption maxima in thin films. In contrast, Y₂MNcX₄ (4), which has sterically hindered Y groups, showed monomerically pure characteristics in solution. However, thin films of Y₂MNcX₄ have a J-type molecular arrangement, exhibiting a red shift of Q-band absorption. The monomeric properties of Y₂MNcX₄ in solutions and J-type molecular arrangement in thin films arise from steric hindrance of two Y groups, such as R₃SiO-in Y₂MNcX₄, which prevents strong H-aggregation of naphthalocyanine.