Variable sensitivity photodetector for optical neural networks

A novel type of photodetector called a variable sensitivity photodetector (VSPD) has been developed for an optical implementation of a neural network. The function of the VSPD is a photodetector with functions of both a spatial light modulator and a photodetector. The VSPD with a metal-semiconductor-metal structure is shown to be suitable for the implementation of the analog synaptic weight with a bipolar value. A two-dimensional 8×8 array of VSPDs was fabricated on a GaAs substrate and integrated with a light-emitting-diode array with eight lines in hybrid form. This chip can simulate an eight-neuron system with 64 variable synaptic connections. The application to pattern classification was demonstrated by using the chip. The chip was used to classify 12 patterns into three categories by the backpropagation learning algorithm in a three-layered network. The authors studied how the nonlinear and nonuniform characteristics of the VSPD array device affect the learning performance     

Highly enantioselective hydrogenation of α-Alkyl-β-arylpropenoic acids over cinchonidine-modified palladium catalyst

Enantioselective hydrogenation of (E)- α-alkyl-β-arylpropenoic acids was studied over the cinchonidine-modified Pd/C under the conditions optimized for (E)-α,β-diarylpropenoic acids. Enantiomeric excess (ee) of the product was increased by adjusting the α-alkyl group as a properly bulky isopropyl. The ee was as high as 80% when the β-group is phenyl, and reached 86% with p-anisyl group. Stereoselection of those substrates is similar to that of (E)-α,β-diarylpropenoic acids.     

Interface reactions between SiO2-PbO glass and Ni-Zn ferrite

The interface reactions between SiO₂-PbO melt and Ni-Zn ferrite were studied using electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction. The mechanisms of interface reaction were investigated in relation to the glass-forming region. No intermediate layers were produced at the interface between SiO₂-PbO glass and Ni-Zn ferrite because of the small amount of dissolution of Ni²⁺ ion from the ferrite. A model of the interface reaction mechanism between SiO₂-PbO melt and Ni-Zn ferrite is proposed.     

Isolation of native DNA fragments containing structural genes at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the coding strand

A method for the isolation of the DNA fragments containing structural genes at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the coding strand is described. It involves mechanical or enzymatic shearing, exonuclease treatment, hybridization with mRNA and subsequent retention of DNA-mRNA complex on poly(U)-Sepharose. Hybridization of the DNA fragments with mRNA takes place with high specificity and isolated material is enriched in structural genes. Applications of this method for gene isolation are discussed.     

Effects of oily drug rheology on content uniformity in granules obtained by wet granulation with a high-shear mixer

The purpose of the present work was to elucidate the effects of viscosity on the content uniformity of an oily drug in granules obtained by wet granulation with a high-shear mixer. For this purpose, we used d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate diluted with a medium chain fatty acid triglyceride having viscosities in the range from 26.0 to 726.0 mPas. It was found that independent of viscosity, nuclei rich in the oily drug were formed in the process of mixing with powder and that those nuclei prevented uniform distribution of the drug throughout the granules. To achieve content uniformity, it is necessary for the nuclei formed before granulation to be fragmented and for the oily drug to be distributed uniformly throughout granules. Tensile strength of the nuclei was attributed to the viscosity of the oily drug, according to a model for tensile strength of a granule under dynamic conditions. When viscosity of the oily drug increased, tensile strength of the nuclei increased and the extent of the drug demixing in granules was large and constant independent of granulation time. On the other hand, when viscosity of the oily drug decreased, tensile strength of the nuclei decreased. The extent of the drug demixing was small with lower viscosity but increased with a prolonged granulation time. In the case of the oily drug, we found that a decrease in its viscosity led to the improvement of the content uniformity in granules. The viscosity of the oily drug significantly affects its content uniformity in granules by a high-shear mixer granulation.     

Influence of morphology on photo‐degradation of low density polyethylene films

The effect of the morphology on photo‐degradation was investigated for low‐density polyethylene materials. For this purpose, films with different degrees of crystallinity and different degrees of orientation were prepared. For all the films, photodegradation was promoted at 336K for 12 days using a weather meter. The following results were obtained. There existed an induction period before degradation or chain scission. The induction period was longer for stretched films than for un‐stretched ones. Also, the rate of degradation became lower for stretched films. However, both the induction period and the rate of degradation hardly changed with heat‐treatment condition, that is, the degree of crystallinity. In the induction period, the density changed in a complicated manner. This complicated change must be due to the change in the molecular aggregation state of the amorphous phase. The rheological and GPC measurements indicated that photo‐degradation causes the lowering of molecular weight and the increase in higher molecular weight fraction, and consequently the broadening of molecular weight distribution. The lowering of molecular weight may be caused by chain scission and the increase in higher molecular weight fraction by the formation of crosslinks.     

Stability of the molten globule state of a domain-exchanged chimeric protein between human and bovine {alpha}-lactalbumins

A domain-exchanged chimeric     

Prediction of space weather by adaptive information processing

Space weather can be predicted using data from satellites. For example, the condition of high-energy electrons at geostationary orbit is vital in providing warnings for spacecraft operations. We investigate an adaptive predictor based on intelligent information processing. The predictor forecasts the condition of high-energy electrons at geostationary orbit 24 h ahead. This article focuses on adaptation and performance of the predictor. Our proposed model succeeded in forecasting the high-energy electron flux at geostationary orbit 24 h ahead. Furthermore, we also consider the relationship between the prediction performance and tuning parameters.