Copper‐Catalyzed Highly Selective Semihydrogenation of Non‐Polar Carbon‐Carbon Multiple Bonds using a Silane and an Alcohol

A copper catalyst bearing a suitable Xantphos derivative or NHC ligand was found to be highly efficient for the selective semihydrogenation of non‐polar unsaturated compounds using a mixture of a silane and an alcohol as reducing agent. The catalytic system was useful for the selective semihydrogenation of internal alkynes to (Z)‐alkenes with suppression of overreduction to the corresponding alkanes. Furthermore, semihydrogenations of terminal alkyne, 1,2‐diene, 1,3‐diene, 1,3‐enyne and 1,3‐diyne systems were also achieved selectively.     

Importance of personal dose equivalent evaluation in Fukushima in overcoming social panic

The relationship between the reported ambient dose equivalent (H*(10)) and the individual dose rate recorded by medical staff in Fukushima City after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was evaluated, following a 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the east coast of Japan. Personal dose equivalent (H(p)(10)) ranged from 0.08 to 1.63 μSv h(-1) and H*(10) ranged from 0.86 to 12.34 μSv h(-1). H(p)(10) from March to July 2011 were significantly lower than H*(10). The relationships between these dose equivalents were moderately correlated. The regression equation was calculated as follows: H(p)(10)=0.0696×H*(10)+0.0538. The preliminary data of this study show that, in Fukushima, the individual dose is much lower than that determined H*(10). It is important to evaluate H(p)(10) in order to lessen the anxiety of the general population in Fukushima.     

Anisomorphic constant fatigue life diagrams for a woven fabric carbon/epoxy laminate at different temperatures

The effect of temperature on the constant fatigue life (CFL) diagram for a woven fabric carbon/epoxy quasi-isotropic laminate has been examined. Constant amplitude fatigue tests are first performed at different stress ratios on coupon specimens at room temperature (RT), 100 and 150 °C, respectively. The experimental results show that the CFL diagram for the woven CFRP laminate, which is plotted in the plane of mean and alternating stresses, becomes asymmetric about the alternating stress axis, regardless of test temperature, and shrinks as temperature increases. The CFL envelopes for given constant values of life are nonlinear over the range of fatigue cycles, regardless of test temperature, and they take peaks approximately at a particular stress ratio “critical stress ratio” that is given by the ratio of compressive strength to tensile strength. Then, the experimental CFL diagram for each temperature is compared with prediction using the anisomorphic CFL diagram approach that allows constructing the asymmetric and nonlinear CFL diagram for a given composite on the basis of the static strengths in tension and compression and the reference S-N relationship for the critical stress ratio. It is demonstrated that the anisomorphic CFL diagram approach can successfully be employed for predicting the CFL diagram and thus for predicting the S-N relationships for the woven CFRP laminate at any stress ratios, regardless of test temperature.     

Aggregate domain growth of gold nanoparticle on chemically modified glass surface

The aggregation of Au nanoparticle (AuNP) on a glass surface functionalized with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) was studied by means of UV-vis spectroscopy and AFM measurements. The optical response of AuNP due to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was increased with the increment of AuNP amount on the functionalized glass surface, then the changes of spectral shape corresponds to the aggregate formation was finally observed. The AFM image shows in homogeneous aggregation of nanoparticles on the substrate surface. Three-dimensional aggregate growth was observed.     

Preparation and structure of carbonated calcium hydroxyapatite substituted with heavy rare earth ions

Calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHap) particles substituted five types of heavy rare earth ions (Ln: Y³⁺, Gd³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺) were synthesized using a precipitation method and characterized using various means. These Ln ions strongly affected the crystal phases and the structures of the products. With increasing Ln/(Ln + Ca) in the starting solution ([X_Ln]), the length and the crystallinity of the particles first increased and then decreased. The rare earth metal-calcium hydroxyapatite (LnCaHap) solid solution particles were obtained at [X_Y] ≤ 0.10 for substituting Y system and at [X_Ln] ≤ 0.01–0.03 for substituting the other Ln systems. LnPO₄ was mixed with LnCaHap at higher [X_Ln] for all Ln systems. A series of yttrium-calcium hydroxyapatite (YCaHap) solid solutions with [X_Y] = 0–0.10 were investigated using XRD, TEM, ICP-AES, IR and TG–DTA in detail.     

Development of a Digital Signal Processing System for the X-Ray Microcalorimeter Onboard ASTRO-H (II)

The Pulse Shape Processor is a digital signal processing electronics for the microcalorimeter instrument onboard ASTRO-H. Receiving digitized waveform (14?bit, 12.5?kHz sample) from 2×18 channels, two identical units of PSP-A and -B trigger X-ray events, assign five kinds of event grade, and perform optimal filtering to measure energy deposit on the 6×6 microcalorimeter pixels. One unit of PSP is composed of one FPGA board and two CPU boards. This paper describes the event processing algorithm to fulfill requirements for the signal processing, and task sharing between FPGA and CPU.     

Performance trends in grid‐connected photovoltaic systems for public and industrial use in Japan

Photovoltaic (PV) systems have become popular globally as an important candidate in the establishment of low‐carbon electrical and civil systems. Since the early 1990s, globally, many PV systems have been installed, and their performance parameters such as annual yield, performance ratio, and system losses have been monitored in order to understand their basic characteristics; these data also help in the development of these systems and in analyzing their reliability. In Japan, the performance of residential PV systems was evaluated and reported. However, these evaluations were carried out using older systems, and the current status and the performance trend for each installation year have not been sufficiently evaluated and discussed. Therefore, this report aims to provide a macroscopic evaluation of the performance trends of PV systems by using the monitoring data of systems that were installed between the year 2000 and the year 2007. As a result of the evaluation, we have concluded that the performance ratio of these systems improved to an average of 0.72 until fiscal year 2000 and to 0.78 after fiscal year 2001. For investigating the factors behind this increase in performance ratio, we have focused on characteristics of the actual system capacity (capacity of each PV module measured at the point of shipment) and inverter efficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of tea infusions of various varieties or different manufacturing types on inhibition of mouse mast cell activation

We investigated effects of various tea infusions on mast cell activation using mouse mast cells. Among various tea extracts, infusions from cultivar 'Benihomare' and Taiwan lineage strongly inhibited histamine release after Fc epsilon RI cross-linking. Among three types of tea (from cultivar 'Benihomare'), extract from oolong tea or black tea inhibited histamine release more strongly than green tea extract. Furthermore, 'Benihomare' oolong tea extract suppressed tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins after Fc epsilon RI cross-linking, but polyvinyl polypyrrolidone treatment of the extract to remove phenolic compounds, weakened the suppressive effect.     

Evaluation of thermo-viscoelastic property of CFRP laminate based on a homogenization theory

The thermo-viscoelastic constitutive equation of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is evaluated using a numerical approach based on the finite element method (FEM) and homogenization theory. The constitutive equation of the CFRP is considered in the Laplace-transformed domain, and it is discussed on the basis of the correspondence principle, which is satisfied by each of the Laplace-transformed elastic moduli. Homogenization theory is employed to estimate the ‘homogenized elastic moduli’ of the composite composed of matrix resin and carbon fibers. Using the approximation of a generalized Maxwell model, the relaxation moduli of CFRP are obtained by numerical computation using the FEM. From the relaxation modulus of epoxy resin and elastic moduli of carbon fiber, thermo-viscoelastic properties of CFRP laminates at several temperatures can be estimated using the FEM with homogenization theory. The effectiveness of the present study is verified by comparing the experimental results and numerical calculations for the relaxation moduli of the CFRP laminates.     

A new technique for preparing ceramics for catalyst support exhibiting high porosity and high heat resistance

A new technique for preparing magnesia ceramics of high porosity and high temperature resistance has been developed. Spray freeze drying of magnesium sulfate aqueous solution produced fine salt particles having open pores due to sublimation of ice crystals. The particles were calcined to porous magnesium oxide and formed a green body. Highly porous magnesia was produced by firing the green body. The porous magnesia exhibited a bimodal pore size distribution of macro-pores of micron order and meso-pores smaller than 100 nm. Porosity was 87–90%. After addition of an aluminum additive with an amount 3–5 mol%, the magnesia exhibited high heat resistance; surface area was greater than 20 m² g⁻¹ after 20 h exposure in a 1573 K oven. Thus, the porous magnesia is expected to be very suitable for combustion catalyst support used in a high temperature environment.