Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-substituted-2-oxazolines initiated by carbon black surface

Summary Carbon blacks were found capable of initiating the ringopening polymerization of 2-substituted-2-oxazolines at relativery high temperatures. The activation energy of the polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline was estimated to be 13.4 kcal/mol. Carbon black lost the initiating activity of the polymerization upon the blocking of carboxyl groups on the surface by the treatment with potassium hydroxide or diazomethane. Therefore, it was concluded that carboxyl groups on carbon black play an important role in the initiation of the polymerization. Furthermore, it was found that during the polymerization, poly(N-acylethyleneimine) was grafted onto carbon black by the termination of growing polymer chain with the surface.     

Breakdown voltage analysis of planar p-n junctions taking into account the radius of curvature of the corners in the patterning mask

The breakdown voltages of planar p-n junctions have been studied with respect to cylindrical or spherical junction curvature. However, in practical planar p-n junctions for high voltage, the radius of curvature of the corners in the patterning mask, which affects the actual three-dimensional junction curvature, must also be considered. A new simple one-dimensional numerical analysis method is proposed. For this method Poisson's equation has been reduced to a one-dimensional form in a polar coordinate system with two poles, and solved only for the surface of the depletion layer. To verify the method, an accurate three-dimensional numerical analysis for electrostatic potential distribution was also performed. Good agreement was found between the numerical breakdown voltages using this method and experimental data.     

Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons of the gerbil after transient ischemia

The changes in the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) after transient cerebral ischemia were studied using whole-cell recording from CA1 pyramidal neurons in the gerbil. In neurons recorded 1-2 days after ischemia, sEPSCs had a slowed time course with the decay time constant fitted by a single exponential and it progressively increased after ischemia. Frequency and amplitude distribution of sEPSCs in ischemic neurons were not significantly different from those in the control neurons. The results support the view that abnormal non-N-methyl-D-aspartic acid currents originate at the degenerated postsynaptic site, unrelated to the presynaptic releasing mechanisms.     

An analysis of the intracerebral ability to eliminate a nitroxide radical in the rat after administration of idebenone by anin vivo rapid scan electron spin resonance spectrometer

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements after intracerebroventricular injection of a nitroxide radical were carried out in rats (n=6) that received oral idebenone for 2 weeks and in control rats (n=5), using anin vivo rapid scan ESR spectrometer. The half-life of nitroxide, which was estimated from the change in the peak height (M=+1) of the ESR signals from the head, was used as a marker for the elimination of the nitroxide radical. The half-life in the rats treated with idebenone was significantly shorter than it was in the controls (p<0.05). This finding indicates that the treatment with idebenone can enhance the intracerebral-eliminating ability of the nitroxide radical.     

Hybrid lubricant film with high bonding ratio and high coverage

Microsystem Technologies - A hybrid lubricant film was prepared from the perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant (Moresco DDOH), with a single end group, and a PFPE film obtained by depositing the...     

Numerical plate testing for linear two‐scale analyses of composite plates with in‐plane periodicity

A method of numerical plate testing (NPT) for composite plates with in‐plane periodic heterogeneity is proposed. In the two‐scale boundary value problem, a thick plate model is employed at macroscale, while three‐dimensional solids are assumed at microscale. The NPT, which is nothing more or less than the homogenization analysis, is in fact a series of microscopic analyses on a unit cell that evaluates the macroscopic plate stiffnesses. The specific functional forms of microscopic displacements are originally presented so that the relationship between the macroscopic resultant stresses/moments and strains/curvatures to be consistent with the microscopic equilibrated state. In order to perform NPT by using general‐purpose FEM programs, we introduce control nodes to facilitate the multiple‐point constraints for in‐plane periodicity. Numerical examples are presented to verify that the proposed method of NPT reproduces the plate stiffnesses in classical plate and laminate theories. We also perform a series of homogenization, macroscopic, and localization analyses for an in‐plane heterogeneous composite plate to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The discrete-time quaternionic quantum walk on a graph

Recently, the quaternionic quantum walk was formulated by the first author as a generalization of discrete-time quantum walks. We deal with the right eigenvalue problem of quaternionic matrices in order to study spectra of the transition matrix of a quaternionic quantum walk. The way to obtain all the right eigenvalues of a quaternionic matrix is given. From the unitary condition on the transition matrix of a quaternionic quantum walk, we deduce some remarkable properties of it. Our main results determine all the right eigenvalues of the quaternionic quantum walk by using those of the corresponding weighted matrix. In addition, we give some examples of quaternionic quantum walks and their right eigenvalues.     

Synergistic effects of adsorbed species on the surface morphology and crystal orientation of electrodeposited tin

The synergistic effects of adsorbed species (polyoxyethylenealkylamine (POAA), diphenylamine-crotonaldehyde reaction product (RP) and benzalacetone (BA)) on the surface morphology and crystal orientation of electrodeposited tin from acid stannous sulfate solutions have been studied by means of various electrochemical methods, scanning electron microscopic observation and measurements of X-ray diffraction patterns. Needle-like or columnar electrodeposits of tin were obtained from acid stannous sulfate solution in the absence of adsorbed species. On the other hand, fine-grained, smooth and compact electrodeposits of tin, which had a preferred orientation with the (200) plane parallel to the surface, were obtained from acid stannous sulfate solutions containing POAA, RP and BA due to the synergistic effect of the three kinds of adsorbed species. It was found that POAA acts to produce a uniform tin deposition over the whole surface, RP acts as a grain refiner and BA has a leveling action.     

Diacylglycerol oil for the metabolic syndrome

Excess adiposity has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. The elevated fasting and postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein levels is the central lipid abnormality observed in the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have indicated that diacylglycerol (DAG) is effective for fasting and postprandial hyperlipidemia and preventing excess adiposity by increasing postprandial energy expenditure. We will here discuss the mechanisms of DAG-mediated improvements in hyperlipidemia and in postprandial energy expenditure, and effects of DAG oil on lipid/glucose metabolism and on body fat. Further, the therapeutic application of DAG for the metabolic syndrome will be considered.     

Physical properties and enzymatic hydrolysis of poly(L‐lactide)–TiO2 composites

Amorphous poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) composite films with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles were prepared by solution‐casting using methylene chloride as a solvent, followed by quenching from the melt. The effects of surface treatment, volume fraction, size, and crystalline type of the TiO₂ particles on the mechanical properties and enzymatic hydrolysis of the composite films were investigated. The tensile strength of the PLLA composite films containing TiO₂ particles except for anatase‐type ones with a mean particle size of 0.3–0.5 μm was lowered and the Young's modulus became higher with increasing the content of TiO₂ particles. The tensile strength of the composite films containing anatase‐type TiO₂ with a mean particle size of 0.3–0.5 μm at contents of 20 wt % or less was almost the same as that of the pure PLLA film. The enzymatic hydrolysis of PLLA matrix was accelerated by the addition of the hydrophilic anatase‐type TiO₂ particles (nontreated or Al₂O₃ treated) with a mean particle size of 0.3–0.5 μm at relatively high contents such as 20 wt %. On the other hand, the enzymatic hydrolysis of PLLA matrix was inhibited by composite formation with the hydrophobic rutile‐type TiO₂ particles (Al₂O₃‐stearic acid treated, or ZrO₂‐Al₂O₃‐stearic acid treated). These results suggest that the mechanical properties and enzymatic hydrolyzability of the PLLA can be controlled by the kind and amount of the added TiO₂ particles. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 190–199, 2005