Applications of TDLAS based multi-species hydrocarbon measurement using a wide scanning range DFG laser

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) is a widely used hydrocarbon gas sensing method in many fields. However, the short scanning range limits its application where multi-species detection is necessary. In this paper, a laser system based on TDLAS using a difference frequency generation laser was applied for the investigation of the hydrocarbon gases produced in the coal pyrolysis process and engine exhaust. The coal sample was heated up to 623 K and the recorded spectra were analyzed by the comparison with the pure hydrocarbon spectra database. A least-squares fitting was performed to quantitatively determine the concentration of each component of the mixture. Totally nine different hydrocarbons were identified and the R2 values close to 1 indicate that the variance between measured and fitted data was small. The spectra of engine exhaust were recorded and analyzed using the same method. Hydrocarbon from C3–C8 and a small amount of methane and ethene were identified. The concentration variation with time was observed

The effect of solvent molecules on crystallisation of heterotrinuclear MII–TbIII–MII complexes with tripodal nonadentate ligands

The crystal structures and crystallisation behaviours of MII–TbIII–MII heterotrinuclear complexes, [(L)MTbM(L)]NO3 (M = Mn and Zn; L3− stands for a conjugated base of H3L = 1,1,1-tris[(3-methoxysalicylideneamino)methyl]ethane), obtained from various organic solvents (MeOH, EtOH, CH2Cl2 and CHCl3) were investigated. The trinuclear complex cation has two asymmetric centres (Δ or Λ) at two MII sites as a result of the twisted tripodal arms of L3−. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that all the analysed Zn–Tb–Zn complexes had homochiral structures (Δ,Δ- or Λ,Λ-enantiomers) in each single crystal; however, the type of crystallisation behaviour showed clear differences depending on the type of solvent molecule. Specifically, crystallisation from MeOH or CH2Cl2 resulted in the exclusive formation of the Λ-conglomerates with the Λ,Λ-enantiomers—a phenomenon we recently termed ‘absolute spontaneous resolution’. The analogous Mn–Tb–Mn complex crystallised from MeOH also resulted in the same phenomenon as that of Zn–Tb–Zn. In contrast, the meso-type (Δ,Λ) achiral isomer of the Mn–Tb–Mn complex was deposited for the first time in a series of MII–LnIII–MII trinuclear complexes from a CH2Cl2 or EtOH solution. Density functional theory calculations were performed to compare the thermodynamic stability of homochiral (Λ,Λ) and meso-type (Δ,Λ) complex cations of [(L)MnTbMn(L)]+ in MeOH and EtOH. Results were consistent with the molecular structures observed in the crystallographic analysis of the compounds deposited from these solvents

Improved Visualization of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma with Computed Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Computed DWI (cDWI) is a mathematical technique that calculates arbitrary higher b value images from at least two different lower b values. In addition, the removal of high intensity noise with image processing on cDWI could improve cholesteatoma-background contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). In the present study, noise reduction was performed by the cut-off values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) less than 0 and 0.4 x 10(-3) s/mm(2). The cholesteatoma to non-cholesteatoma CNR was increased using a noise reduction algorithm for clinical setting

Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex II: Neutron Scattering Instruments

The neutron instruments suite, installed at the spallation neutron source of the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC), is reviewed. MLF has 23 neutron beam ports and 21 instruments are in operation for user programs or are under commissioning. A unique and challenging instrumental suite in MLF has been realized via combination of a high-performance neutron source, optimized for neutron scattering, and unique instruments using cutting-edge technologies. All instruments are/will serve in world-leading investigations in a broad range of fields, from fundamental physics to industrial applications. In this review, overviews, characteristic features, and typical applications of the individual instruments are mentioned