Nitto (Japan)

The development of highly durable polarizing films necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the molecular dynamics occurring within the material. In this study, we employed modulation-excitation infrared spectroscopy (ME-IR) and modulation-excitation X-ray absorption spectroscopy (ME-XAS) under simultaneous control of temperature and humidity to investigate the dynamic behavior of iodine-containing poly(vinyl alcohol) (I-PVA). ME-IR provided spectroscopic evidence of a sequence of events upon H2O exposure: initial adsorption of H2O onto I-PVA, followed by the formation of bulk H2O through interactions with boronic acid, and subsequent decomposition of the iodine complex I5– into I–. Differentiated ME-IR spectra under H2O-concentration modulation (wet–dry alternation) revealed distinct signals corresponding to adsorbed H2O, bulk H2O, and boronic acid, indicating their dynamic behavior in response to humidity changes. ME-XAS detected reversible transformations among mono- and polyiodide species (I–, I3– and I5–), and phase-sensitive detection analysis elucidated the sequential nature of these processes. These findings provide critical insights into the molecular-level mechanisms governing the stability and performance of I-PVA-based polarizing films under varying environmental conditions.

Butyrate and pyruvate are central metabolites in anaerobic microbial metabolism, with key roles in gastrointestinal physiology. We recently identified Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and Neisseria subflava (N. subflava) as non-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria potentially involved in gastric cancer development. However, the metabolic pathways distinguishing F. nucleatum, N. subflava, and H. pylori remain poorly characterized. We performed capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS) to profile the metabolic outputs of these three species under isolated culture conditions. Distinct metabolic signatures were observed: F. nucleatum predominantly synthesized butyrate via the acetyl-CoA pathway, whereas N. subflava produced high levels of pyruvate and employed a cyclical route regenerating pyruvate from acetyl-CoA. In contrast, H. pylori lacked significant production of either metabolite. This study delineates species-specific metabolic programs among gastric cancer-associated bacteria and highlights unique butyrate and pyruvate metabolism as a potential axis of microbe-host and microbe-microbe interaction in the gastric environment.

Among machining conditions, tool paths exert a significant influence on the final machining outcome. In conventional practice, computer-aided design (CAD) models created from basic dimensions are typically used to generate tool paths within computer-aided manufacturing software. In recent years, 3D annotated models—CAD models enriched with product manufacturing information (PMI)—have become increasingly widespread. However, CAD models are often modified manually to achieve the desired machining results while accounting for machining errors. Consequently, operators consume time and effort in generating tool paths. Moreover, knowledge and experience in machining are required to modify CAD models according to PMI, such as unilateral tolerances. In this study, a method is proposed that leverages operator expertise to automatically modify CAD models and generate tool paths capable of satisfying specified size limits. The method employs a chain expression of dimensions, where the dimensional chain originates from the datum used as a reference for machining. Based on the dimensional chain, the objects requiring shifts are systematically identified. Subsequently, basic dimensions with unilateral tolerances are converted into target dimensions with bilateral tolerances to achieve the desired machining results. Case studies confirm that CAD models can be automatically modified when the target dimension is set to the median value of the size limits. Furthermore, machining experiments demonstrate that the proposed method effectively ensures compliance with the specified size limits.

The hammering test is an essential technology for inspecting infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, and buildings. We are now focusing on the hammering test of adhesive-applied tile walls. In this demonstration, we bring specimens and hammering rods, not only to demonstrate our devices but also to ask visitors to try using them. We look forward to engaging in fruitful discussions with our visitors.

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, there is an increasing need to actively capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Direct Air Capture (DAC) has attracted attention as a method for directly capturing CO2, and amine-based compounds have been actively studied as CO2 adsorbents. By polymerizing amine and epoxy, we developed thermosetting DAC nanofibers with excellent low-temperature desorption properties and excellent heat resistance. In the fabrication of epoxy-crosslinked amine nanofibers by the electrospinning process, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was added to improve spinnability, and direct spin-line heating in the electrospinning process was successfully performed for in-situ thermal polymerization. However, because of the relatively high energy consumption of the process, we tried to produce amine-epoxy/PVA nanofibers through a process that does not require spin-line heating in this research. For this purpose, amine and epoxy were reacted in advance to convert them to B-stage. With the highly B-staged spinning solution, AE/PVA nanofibers of approximately 500–700 nm diameter could be produced without spin-line heating. When the B-stage state was low, in-situ heating during the electrospinning process was required, as in the previous report, however, the temperature required for the formation of fibers decreased with the increasing degree of B-stage. When the spin-line heating temperature was low or without the spin-line heating, additional annealing of the prepared web was required to complete the polymerization, even though fabrication of nanofibers was possible in the electrospinning. We confirmed that the obtained amine-epoxy/PVA nanofiber web had the same CO2 adsorption performance as in-situ polymerized nanofibers. In addition, by B-staging, the viscosity of the spinning solution increased, making it possible to reduce the concentration of the PVA aqueous solution, and it became possible to obtain nanofibers with a higher amine-epoxy ratio.

The dynamics of fishing nets can be estimated by modeling and numerically computing the forces acting on them. However, the dynamic models of fishing nets are highly nonlinear owing to the significant influence of hydrodynamic forces acting on the net. Therefore, if there are unknown parameters that define the state of motion in the model, it is often difficult to achieve high accuracy in the numerical simulations of fishing gear and evaluate its dynamics. To address this issue, a method is proposed for estimating these unknown parameters by integrating a nonlinear Kalman filter into a fishing net dynamics model. This study aimed to estimate the hauling velocity of large- and medium-sized purse seine fishing nets, which can be a challenging parameter to measure. The calculations are based on the data obtained from a research operation conducted by the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center in 2019 using the purse seine fishing vessel “Taikei Maru No. 1”. The time series of the hauling-net velocity was estimated based on the results of the estimation experiment. These results allowed the estimation of the hauling velocity and calculation of the net dynamics during the hauling process. This shows that net dynamics simulation is possible even with unknown parameters.

Abstract This study proposes compact, highly sensitive, and stable diamond quantum sensors for a wide range of applications, including biomedical and energy electronics. For enhanced sensitivity and alignment precision within the objective field, a high‐quality, (111)‐oriented 12 C‐enriched chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond, featuring a nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) axis in the (111) direction, is employed as the sensor. To increase the fluorescence collection efficiency, the laser beam is irradiated from the side surface of the CVD diamond, and fluorescence is detected using a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) lens. The floor noise level of the magnetic field signal is 44 pT/Hz 0.5 . An Allan deviation of 1.2 pT over 1000 s of averaging demonstrates stability. This is attributable to the integration of a balancing circuit to cancel out laser noise, alongside mechanisms to compensate for temperature fluctuations and a copper housing to shield against electromagnetic field noise.

Abstract Multiphasic reaction of bicarbonate hydrogenation to form formate using homogeneous Ru PNP pincer catalyst in a continuous flow tubular reactor is reported. The reaction system consists of three phases. Catalyst is dissolved in toluene while potassium bicarbonate is dissolved in water. The significance of efficient mixing among the organic phase, aqueous phase and gaseous hydrogen to improve hydrogenation reaction by using different inert packing materials is studied by operando visualization and also quantitatively discussed. The bicarbonate conversion of up to 67% is achieved after optimization of important reaction and reactor parameters. The designed reactor setup comprised of effective recycling system that recycles the catalyst with >99% activity.

Recently, a new oxide-type solid electrolyte (SE) for all-solid-state Li ion batteries, pyrochlore-type Li2−xLa(1+x)/3Nb2O6F (LLNOF), was reported to exhibit a Li+ superionic conductivity of 3.9 × 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature.