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This study is aimed at improving the seismic stability of bridge abutments. To study the effects of the combined use of a block of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and geogrid, a series of 1 g shaking table tests were conducted on a reduced-scale model of a cantilever-type bridge abutment and its backfill soil. The experiment results indicated that the base sliding and tilting of the wall can be further reduced by partly replacing the backfill soil with blocks of EPS, in combination with the use of the middle-height geogrid. Moreover, the relative settlement of the backfill soil at the interface with the wall could be reduced by the combined use of EPS and geogrid. Furthermore, the resultant normal force and rotational moment acting on the wall from the backfill soil during excitation also became small for the reinforced wall with both EPS and geogrid.

We have measured the 3d→2p transition x rays of kaonic ^{3}He and ^{4}He atoms using superconducting transition-edge-sensor microcalorimeters with an energy resolution better than 6 eV (FWHM). We determined the energies to be 6224.5±0.4(stat)±0.2(syst) eV and 6463.7±0.3(stat)±0.1(syst) eV, and widths to be 2.5±1.0(stat)±0.4(syst) eV and 1.0±0.6(stat)±0.3(stat) eV, for kaonic ^{3}He and ^{4}He, respectively. These values are nearly 10 times more precise than in previous measurements. Our results exclude the large strong-interaction shifts and widths that are suggested by a coupled-channel approach and agree with calculations based on optical-potential models.

Natural rubber (NR) and butyl rubber (IIR) blends were compatibilized by isobutylene-isoprene block copolymer (IIBC) which was specifically synthesized with a relatively high content of isoprene (14.5% mole fraction). Aiming at high damping elastomers, the IIR acts as the high damping phase dispersed in the natural rubber (NR) matrix in this blend. The morphology and microstructure was characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results indicated that the IIBC as a compatibilizer could greatly increase the interfacial thickness. Damping property was studied by dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA) and rubber processing analyzer (RPA). The results showed that the loss factor greatly increased with adding IIBC, and this may be due to the improved stress transfer promoting the IIR phase to deform and then dissipate energy. The tensile test demonstrated that the tensile strength and modulus increased when 4 parts per hundred rubber [phr] of IIBC was added. Finally, the NR and new NR/IIR isolation bearing samples were prepared and tested on a pressure shear testing machine that could simulate the actual situation during an earthquake.The results showed that hysteretic loss (for one cycle) of the new NR/IIR sample is 83% higher than that of the NR sample, rendering the compatibilized blends potential in isolation rubber bearings application.

Dynamic viscosities (ηexp) for binary mixtures of ethylbenzene with butan-1-ol, pentan-1-ol, hexan-1-ol, heptan-1-ol, and octan-1-ol were measured at varying temperatures (298.15–323.15 K; interval, 5 K) and atmospheric pressure. Viscosity deviations (Δη) across the entire range of mole fractions were derived from ηexp and were correlated using a Redlich-Kister type polynomial expression. The ηexp were compared with those calculated, ηcal, in terms of the pure components and the adjustable interaction parameters derived from ηexp using Arrhenius, Kendall-Monroe, Grunberg-Nissan, Teja-Rice, and Andrade/DIPPR models to evaluate the validity of the predictive and correlative approaches. The temperature-induced variations in ηexp were discussed considering the impact of the increasing chain-length of alkanols, including molecular interactions among the component molecules in the binary mixtures. A computational quantum mechanical modeling approach, density-functional theory, was used to explore the dimensions in interactions among the binary mixture components.

Dielectric measurements are one of the most reliable techniques for investigating the molecular dynamics of water in moist materials. However, dielectric measurements of moist wood have not yet been carried out in a wide frequency range that can be used to evaluate the molecular dynamics of water in wood. We performed dielectric measurements of a deciduous tree, Zelkova serrata, along the fiber direction in the frequency range of 40 Hz to 10 GHz at room temperature around the fiber saturation point of wood to investigate the molecular dynamics of water in wood. Cole–Cole-type relaxation process reflecting the molecular dynamics of the water is observed in the GHz region. The water content dependences of the relaxation time and strength of this process are similar to those of the relaxation process of free water observed in polymer–water mixtures. However, the τ − β CC diagram of this process markedly deviates from that of the relaxation process of free water in polymer–water mixtures. The molecular mechanism of this characteristic relaxation process is interpreted as the formation of the local structure of water restricted in the void spaces of wood. The water molecules adsorbed on the inner walls of the void spaces form a local structure, and the local structure grows in the length direction along the walls of the void spaces with increasing water content of wood. The molecular dynamics of these water molecules is strongly restricted between the inner walls of the void spaces and air spaces, and the strongly restricted molecular dynamics of the water leads to the characteristic relaxation process observed in the GHz region. We give molecular descriptions of the strongly restricted water adsorbed on the inner walls of the void spaces of wood around the fiber saturation point.

Introduction Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major problem for patients who receive chemotherapy, and it sometimes deteriorate patients' QOL. Many CIPN prevention trials have been conducted, but no one succeeded to date. Objectives To investigate if frozen glove (FG) prevents peripheral neuropathy induced by nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX). Methods We conducted CIPN prevention study using FG, as part of multi-institutional phase II study which analyze efficacy and safety of nab-PTX (260mg/m2 q3w) followed by FEC (500/100/500 mg/m2, q3w) in pre-operative setting (KBCSG-TR 1213 trial). Each patient wore an FGs for a total of 60 minutes (15mins before and after nab-PTX treatment) on both hands. CIPN were assessed during treatment period with nab-PTX by the Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ) and the FACT/GOG (Gynecologic Oncology Group) Neurotoxicity (Ntx) subscale. Patients were asked to access PNQ and FACT/GOG Ntx on a daily basis and recorded in the CIPN diary. Results Sixty two patients were registered for KBCSG-TR 1213 trial. And forty two pts (68%) who turned in the diary were analyzed. Median age and median body mass index (BMI) was 48 years old and 21.6 kg/m2, respectively. We analyzed following 6 categories, 1) symptoms of hands and arms, 2) symptoms of foots, 3) symptoms of general, 4) symptoms of ears 5) muscle weakness of hands and arms and 6) muscle weakness of foots. Median time to each event was 1) 25.5 days, 2) 5days, 3) 3days, 4) not available, 5) 46.5days, 6)4 days. By using FG, time to event of hands and arms was much longer compared with that of foots. Conclusions CIPN could be prevented or lessened by FG. Randomized phase II CIPN prevention study has been just launched. Citation Format: Nakayama T, Yasojima H, Morimoto T, Yoshidome K, Mizutani M, Takashima T, Matsunami N, Enami A, Kagawa M, Nomura T, Shiba E, Nishi T, Kamigaki S, Kozuma Y, Yoshinami T, Masuda N. Frozen glove could be a new hope for prevention of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-26.

Background The levels of corneal donation are insufficient to meet the demand for corneal transplantation in Japan. To overcome this problem, we started to routinely mention the possibility of corneal donation to the families of patients who died in our hospital's Urology Department in February 2008. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of this approach. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients who died in the Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital, and analyzed the patients' characteristics and information about corneal donation. Results In total, 211 patients died in our department between February 2008 and March 2017, and 155 patients were medically suitable corneal donors. We mentioned the possibility of corneal donation to 129 (83.2%) families, and 29 (18.7%) families agreed. Three families subsequently withdrew their consent. Finally, 26 (16.8%) of the families that were approached about corneal donation by urologists agreed to donate their relatives' corneas. Another 2 families voluntarily offered to donate their relatives' corneas. Thus, 28 (18.1%) of 155 medically suitable donors donated their corneas for transplantation. Twenty-six (92.8%) donors were 60 years or older and all donors were affected with malignant genitourinary tumors. Fifty-four (96.4%) corneas were successfully transplanted into recipients. Conclusions Even elderly patients who die of solid carcinoma can be an important source of corneal donors. In this study, we showed that routine referral by urologists increased corneal donation. If this approach were adopted by other departments, it might further increase the number of corneal donations.

We observed the atomic 1s and 2p states of π^{-} bound to ^{121}Sn nuclei as distinct peak structures in the missing mass spectra of the ^{122}Sn(d,^{3}He) nuclear reaction. A very intense deuteron beam and a spectrometer with a large angular acceptance let us achieve a potential of discovery, which includes the capability of determining the angle-dependent cross sections with high statistics. The 2p state in a Sn nucleus was observed for the first time. The binding energies and widths of the pionic states are determined and found to be consistent with previous experimental results of other Sn isotopes. The spectrum is measured at finite reaction angles for the first time. The formation cross sections at the reaction angles between 0° and 2° are determined. The observed reaction-angle dependence of each state is reproduced by theoretical calculations. However, the quantitative comparison with our high-precision data reveals a significant discrepancy between the measured and calculated formation cross sections of the pionic 1s state.

We observed the atomic 1s and 2p states of π^{-} bound to ^{121}Sn nuclei as distinct peak structures in the missing mass spectra of the ^{122}Sn(d,^{3}He) nuclear reaction. A very intense deuteron beam and a spectrometer with a large angular acceptance let us achieve a potential of discovery, which includes the capability of determining the angle-dependent cross sections with high statistics. The 2p state in a Sn nucleus was observed for the first time. The binding energies and widths of the pionic states are determined and found to be consistent with previous experimental results of other Sn isotopes. The spectrum is measured at finite reaction angles for the first time. The formation cross sections at the reaction angles between 0° and 2° are determined. The observed reaction-angle dependence of each state is reproduced by theoretical calculations. However, the quantitative comparison with our high-precision data reveals a significant discrepancy between the measured and calculated formation cross sections of the pionic 1s state.

Excitation-energy spectra of $^{11}\mathrm{C}$ nuclei near the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-meson production threshold have been measured by missing-mass spectroscopy using the $^{12}\mathrm{C}(p,d)$ reaction. A carbon target has been irradiated with a 2.5 GeV proton beam supplied by the synchrotron SIS-18 at GSI to produce ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-meson bound states in $^{11}\mathrm{C}$ nuclei. Deuterons emitted at ${0}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ in the reaction have been momentum analyzed by the fragment separator (FRS), used as a high-resolution spectrometer. No distinct structure due to the formation of ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-mesic states is observed although a high statistical sensitivity is achieved in the experimental spectra. Upper limits on the formation cross sections of ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-mesic states are determined, and thereby a constraint imposed on the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-nucleus interaction is discussed.

The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy on healing pressure ulcers (PU) of using a supplement combination containing arginine, glutamine and ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate, which was given to two elderly patients with renal dysfunction. The PU was surgically opened, decompressed and treated by drugs. A half quantity of the defined dose of the supplement combination, with an enteral nutrition product, was administered to the patients twice a day. This combination improved the PUs, with no effect on renal function. This novel finding may provide a nutritional rationale of arginine, glutamine and ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate for PUs associated with renal dysfunction.

In the paper, the authors propose a new quantitative assessment method of rock condition based on observational classification obtained at the tunnel face, which will enable to know either strength or deformability of rock mass, further more appropriate amount of rock bolts, thickness of shotcrete and size and pitch of steel ribs just after the blasting procedure. The study is confirmed by the database of up to the 6,101 sections of tunnels constructed by Japan Highway Public Corporation.

The recent development in the theoretical evaluation of photoelectron intensity from π-electronic states delocalized over a molecule is discussed. By comparing the experimental photoelectron angular distribution (PAD) from the organic molecular assemblies with computed PAD we show that the use of the initial-state orbitals by density functional theory and the final continuum states by multiple-scattering theory is suited for simulations of angle-resolved photoelectron spectrum (ARPES) and PAD. We demonstrate that the ARPES and PAD simulations are useful to characterize the top five π-electronic states for picene (C 22 H 14 ) film.

Excitation spectra of ^{11}C are measured in the ^{12}C(p,d) reaction near the η^{'} emission threshold. A proton beam extracted from the synchrotron SIS-18 at GSI with an incident energy of 2.5 GeV impinges on a carbon target. The momenta of deuterons emitted at 0° are precisely measured with the fragment separator (FRS) operated as a spectrometer. In contrast to theoretical predictions on the possible existence of deeply bound η^{'}-mesic states in carbon nuclei, no distinct structures are observed associated with the formation of bound states. The spectra are analyzed to set stringent constraints on the formation cross section and on the hitherto barely known η^{'}-nucleus interaction.

Excitation spectra of ^{11}C are measured in the ^{12}C(p,d) reaction near the η^{'} emission threshold. A proton beam extracted from the synchrotron SIS-18 at GSI with an incident energy of 2.5 GeV impinges on a carbon target. The momenta of deuterons emitted at 0° are precisely measured with the fragment separator (FRS) operated as a spectrometer. In contrast to theoretical predictions on the possible existence of deeply bound η^{'}-mesic states in carbon nuclei, no distinct structures are observed associated with the formation of bound states. The spectra are analyzed to set stringent constraints on the formation cross section and on the hitherto barely known η^{'}-nucleus interaction.

A candidate resonant tetraneutron state is found in the missing-mass spectrum obtained in the double-charge-exchange reaction ^{4}He(^{8}He,^{8}Be) at 186 MeV/u. The energy of the state is 0.83±0.65(stat)±1.25(syst) MeV above the threshold of four-neutron decay with a significance level of 4.9σ. Utilizing the large positive Q value of the (^{8}He,^{8}Be) reaction, an almost recoilless condition of the four-neutron system was achieved so as to obtain a weakly interacting four-neutron system efficiently.

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy has been carried out for AOT/isooctane reverse micellar solution with myoglobin at the water-to-surfactant molar ratios ( w 0 ) of 0.2 and 4.4. The amplitude of the absorption spectrum increases with increasing the protein concentration at w 0 = 0.2, whereas it decreases at w 0 = 4.4. The molar extinction coefficients of the protein-filled reverse micelle, and the constituents, i.e., myoglobin, water, and AOT, have been derived by use of the structural parameters of the micellar solution. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of hydration onto the protein and surfactant in the reverse micelle.

This paper describes high flexible piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters (PVEHs) composed of PZT thin films on stainless steel (SS) mesh. The PZT thin films were deposited on Pt/Ti-coated SS mesh substrates which were plain-woven with the SS wire diameter of 15 μm and 30 μm, respectively. Relative dielectric constant of the PZT thin films on the SS mesh of 15 and 30 was measured to be 475, 263, respectively. In 15 device, the remnant polarization and the coercive field was 11.9 µC/cm2 and 48.7 kV/cm, respectively. For the measurement of the piezoelectric response, we attached conductive rubber sheets to the rectangular top electrode. The maximum output voltage of about 30 mV was measured in each bending motion. We confirmed the capability of the PZT thin films on SS mesh for the PVEH applications.

In this study, we deposited PZT thin films directly on various kinds of metal substrates by rf-magnetron sputtering, and measured their crystal structure, and ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. We used metal substrates of austenitic stainless steel (ASS), ferritic stainless steel (FSS), Ti, Ni, Zr and W for the PZT deposition. From the x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, we confirmed the PZT thin film was directly grown on each substrate with a perovskite phase. The dielectric constant of the PZT thin films showed obvious dependence on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of substrates. This result suggests that the dielectric constant, which is one of the important parameters for the piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters (PVEHs), can be controlled by the CTE of the substrates. The PZT film deposited on the FSS showed the best piezoelectric coefficient e 31,f of -2.4 [C/m2], which was comparable to that of the PZT film formed on the platinum-coated metal substrates.

A new copolymer of CR-39 and DAP resin was developed for the selective detection of ultra heavy nuclei in galactic cosmic rays. The track registration sensitivity for heavy ions with various Z ∗ / β was verified for copolymers mixing CR-39 (BARYOTRAK) with various concentrations of DAP using heavy ion beams at the HIMAC accelerator. In order to realize sufficient polymerization of CR-39/DAP copolymer, the optimum fabricating method was also verified by modifying the concentration of the initiator and temperature–time curing cycle for the copolymerization. CR-39 (BARYOTRAK) used for the base material of copolymerization has many advantages: 1) high uniformity of detector response, 2) extremely clear surface condition after etching, and 3) excellent charge and mass resolutions for heavy ions. The surface condition of the copolymer after etching is remarkably improved by using the BARYOTRAK monomer and its track registration sensitivity is controllable by changing the DAP concentration. However the detection threshold of the CR-39 (BARYOTRAK)/DAP copolymer is not yet satisfactory.

Electronic structures of ionic liquids formed by 1-buthyl-3-alkylimidazolium ion [Cnmim]+ (n = 4 and 8) with various inorganic and organic anions have been investigated by ultraviolet photoemission, X-ray photoemission, inverse photoemission and soft X-ray emission spectroscopies (SXES). The comparison of the calculated density of states with the observed spectra revealed that the molecular orbital energies of these ionic liquids are significantly affected by the electrostatic Madelung potential among the ions. The SXES results clearly show that the both highest occupied and lowest unoccupied states of [C4mim]+PF6− are derived from the cation as a result of strong Madelung potential. On the other hand, the SXES results show the valence electronic structures of ionic liquids with larger anion molecules, [Cnmim]+Tf2N− and [Cnmim]+OTf− are contributed from the both cation and anion.

The unoccupied π * states of the solid film of electron accepting organic molecules, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), fluorinated TCNQ derivatives, 11,11,12,12-tetracyanonaphtho-2,6-quinodimethane (TNAP), C60, and 6,6-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) have been studied by inverse photoemission spectroscopy. The assignment of the π * affinity levels of these typical electron accepting molecules provides the basic information for the organic electronics and the new electronic functional molecular design. The comparison with density functional theory calculations enables understanding how the electron affinity evolves in terms of molecular orbitals. The correlation between the film morphology and the irradiation damage on the TCNQ derivative samples by electron impact during the inverse photoemission measurements is also discussed.

Background: The perioperative period is psychologically as well as physically stressful for patients. Although music and sound are known to reduce patients' psychological stress, a few previous studies showed an objective outcome of music. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relaxing effect of music during epidural anesthesia, using patients' salivary amylase activity. Methods: Thirty-two American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II patients presenting for inguinal hernia repair under epidural anesthesia were randomly assigned to listen to sounds of a soft wind and a twitter (S group) or to have no sounds (N group). Patients' salivary amylase activity was evaluated on arrival to the operating room and at wound closure. Results: Intra-operative music significantly decreased salivary amylase activity at wound closure in the S group and the activity at wound closure of the S group was significantly smaller than that of the N group. Conclusion: Intra-operative natural sound significantly decreased salivary amylase activity of patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair under epidural anesthesia.

The main bridge of Nhat Tan Project is a six span continuous cable stayed bridge under construction in Hanoi, Vietnam. On completion, the 1500 m bridge will be the longest cable stayed bridge in Vietnam, with 4 main spans and 2 side spans of lengths 300 and 150 m respectively. The bridge will have 8 traffic lanes and has a total deck width of 35.6 m. The superstructure of the bridge consists of a composite girder and New Parallel Wire Strands (New PWS) stay cables with a total of over 14,500 metric tons of steel, 37,500 metric tons of reinforced concrete deck slab and 1800 (220 Nos.) metric tons of prefabricated stay cables. This paper details the limitations faced in development of a construction method to ensure the safe, efficient and expeditious construction of the superstructure. In addition, it describes the innovations made to overcome challenges that arose during the implementation of the construction method.

A candidate resonant tetraneutron state is found in the missing-mass spectrum obtained in the double-charge-exchange reaction ^{4}He(^{8}He,^{8}Be) at 186 MeV/u. The energy of the state is 0.83±0.65(stat)±1.25(syst) MeV above the threshold of four-neutron decay with a significance level of 4.9σ. Utilizing the large positive Q value of the (^{8}He,^{8}Be) reaction, an almost recoilless condition of the four-neutron system was achieved so as to obtain a weakly interacting four-neutron system efficiently.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a pancreaticoduodenectomy with total meso-pancreatoduodenum excision (tMPDe) as an new anatomical concept.A total of 90 patients underwent PD for various periampullary diseases. Of these, 52 patients received a conventional PD (cPD), while 38 patients underwent a tMPDe. Surgical outcomes were compared between the two study groups.Operative time was equivalent in the two groups; however, the estimated blood loss (cPD, 1360 ml; tMPDe, 995 ml; median, P = 0.026) and blood transfusion rate (cPD, 63%; tMPDe, 31% ; P = 0.001) were significantly decreased in tMPDe. Morbidity had no significant difference between cPD and tMPDe, and tMPDe showed no characteristic complications. With regard to oncological aspects, tMPDe was superior to cPD. Risk factors analysis revealed the operative time (P = 0.003), estimated blood loss (P0.001), and blood transfusion (P0.001) to be significant predictive risk factors for postoperative morbidity but not tMPDe procedure (P = 0.794).tMPDe is safe and superior to cPD because it is a bloodless operation with a good oncological outcome: We concluded that tMPDe should be adaptable to various periampullary diseases, including benign and low-grade malignant disorders.

This paper deals with spark phenomena in the ignitable mixture gas including 6% hydrogen not only from a CFRP specimen with a fastener in the lightning strike test where the compound current waveforms of “Component A, B and C” were used, but also from an electrode gap system in the 200uJ voltage spark test, which were observed by a novel optical system with PMTs, optical fibers, digital cameras and a spectroscope. We investigated the relationship between spark generation and explosion, i.e. ignition, based on the measured optical signals, especially the time integral value of the spark light emission intensity Lint that derives the spark energy.

Transient distribution of lightning current, which flows in a layered carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) material of aircraft, is analysed using the three dimensional (3D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) method with triangular-prism cells. One of the principal reasons for thermal sparks, which would occur on or in a CFRP aircraft body struck by lightning, is the concentration of lightning current near fasteners that connect body components or members. Therefore, it is important to analyse the transient distribution of lightning current in a layered CFRP material with fasteners for designing its lightning protection. Although rectangular or cubic cells are usually used in FDTD simulations, triangular-prism cells are employed in the present study for appropriately representing CFRP layers, each of which has anisotropic conductivity. An experiment for evaluating transient current distribution in a layered CFRP material is also carried out. The FDTD- computed current distribution agrees reasonably well with the corresponding measured one. This shows that the present FDTD simulation with triangular-prism cells is valid and effective in the analysis of lightning current in a layered CFRP structure, each layer of which 45-, 90,-45- or 0-degree anisotropic conductivity.

We have recently installed an infrared (IR)–terahertz (THz) beam line BL6B at UVSOR-II. The beam line collects a large acceptance angle of 215(H) × 80(V) mrad2 to obtain high flux in the IR and THz regions. A “magic mirror” with vertical angle focusing was employed as the first mirror. The mirror chamber was directly connected to the bending magnet chamber for collecting the high flux and high brilliance IR and THz light. The obtained performance and the outline of the end stations are reported.

We have prepared titania aerogel (=AG) embedded by NiB nano-clusters by sol-gel method, immersion of the prepared wet gel into the NiB dispersed solution, and the subsequent super critical drying (=SCD). The AG was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), a transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR). XRD and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns assured the formation of TiO2 anatase phase. TEM observation reveled the composition of TiO2 crystallites with about 4 nm in size. Catalyst performance for the ground sample was confirmed by chemical reaction of oxidation of benzene at low temperature, and the difference in catalyst performance between TiO2 AGs with and without the embedded NiB nano-clusters has been examined.

RF (Resorcinol-Formaldehyde) aerogels and carbon aerogels were prepared through the sol-gel method following the routes of polymerization, gelation, supercritical drying and pyrolysis processes. The influence of fabrication parameters on the textural structure of the samples, e.g., specific surface area, pore size, and pore size distribution, etc., were systematically investigated. With a decrease in the R/F molar ratio, or an increase in the catalyst content within a limited range, the porosity of the nanostructure materials increases. The optimal temperature of pyrolysis for RF aerogel was investigated by TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis).

We performed measurements of the optical reflectivity in the energy range 0.007–30 eV on the clathrate-VIII type compound α-Eu8Ga16- xGe30 x in order to investigate its electronic band structure. The very low charge carrier concentration as well as ferromagnetic ordering of the divalent Eu ions below 10.5 K characterize the spectra at photon energies below ≃0.4 eV in accordance with the results of band structure calculations. Disorder induced bound states have been identified to affect the optical conductivity at energies between 10 and 100 meV.

The effect of n-type doping of hexadecafluorophthalocyaninatozinc (F 16 ZnPc) with an electron-donating organic molecule tetrathianaphthacene (TTN) was investigated by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS). We measured the UPS spectra over a wide range of the film thickness for pristine F 16 ZnPc, pristine TTN, and TTN-doped F 16 ZnPc. From the change of the energy of the vacuum level (VL), we could deduce the energy level alignment at organic/metal interfaces. The results for pristine F 16 ZnPc showed (1) abrupt shift of VL at small thickness corresponding to dipole layer formation, and (2) more gradual shift of VL, which might correspond to the band bending to align the Fermi level by residual impurity acting as unintentional dopant. For F 16 ZnPc doped with TTN, the region (2) is merged into the region (1), indicating that the thickness of the band-bending region of the doped F 16 ZnPc was much reduced from that of pristine F 16 ZnPc. This demonstrates that F 16 ZnPc was effectively doped with carriers from the TTN molecules. It was also found that the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital of F 16 ZnPc was shifted to higher binding energy by doping TTN molecules. These results suggest that TTN acts as a good donor in F 16 ZnPc.