Terahertz (THz) dual comb spectroscopy (DCS) is a promising method for high-accuracy, high-resolution, broadband THz spectroscopy because the mode-resolved THz comb spectrum includes both broadband THz radiation and narrow-line CW-THz radiation characteristics. In addition, all frequency modes of a THz comb can be phase-locked to a microwave frequency standard, providing excellent traceability. However, the need for stabilization of dual femtosecond lasers has often hindered its wide use. To overcome this limitation, here we have demonstrated adaptive-sampling THz-DCS, allowing the use of free-running femtosecond lasers. To correct the fluctuation of the time and frequency scales caused by the laser timing jitter, an adaptive sampling clock is generated by dual THz-comb-referenced spectrum analysers and is used for a timing clock signal in a data acquisition board. The results not only indicated the successful implementation of THz-DCS with free-running lasers but also showed that this configuration outperforms standard THz-DCS with stabilized lasers due to the slight jitter remained in the stabilized lasers.

Background A previous phase II dose‐ranging study of linaclotide in a Japanese chronic constipation (CC) population showed that 0.5 mg was the most effective dose. This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that 0.5 mg of linaclotide is effective and safe in Japanese CC patients. Methods This was a Japanese phase III randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled (part 1), and long‐term, open‐label extension (part 2) study of linaclotide. CC patients (n = 186) diagnosed using the Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to linaclotide 0.5 mg (n = 95) or placebo (n = 91) for a 4‐week double‐blind treatment period in part 1, followed by an additional 52 weeks of open‐label treatment with linaclotide in part 2. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in weekly spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) frequency at the first week. Secondary endpoints included responder rate for complete SBM (CSBM), changes in stool consistency, and severity of straining. Key Results Part 1: Change in weekly mean SBM frequency in the first week of treatment with linaclotide (4.02) was significantly greater than that with placebo (1.48, P < 0.001). Linaclotide produced a higher CSBM responder rate (52.7%) compared to placebo (26.1%, P < 0.001). Part 2: Patients continued to show improved SBM frequency with linaclotide. Through parts 1 and 2, the most common drug‐related adverse event was mild and occasionally moderate diarrhea. Conclusions and Inferences The results of this study indicate that a linaclotide dose of 0.5 mg/day is effective and safe in Japanese CC patients.

Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) generation and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) properties of Ir(hkl) (hkl = 111, 100, and 110) were investigated in acidic media using scanning electrochemical microscopy. In the 0.06−0.3 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode potential region, H 2 O 2 generation properties were significantly suppressed for the Ir(hkl) surfaces in comparison with Pt(111): only the Ir(100) revealed slight evolution of H 2 O 2 at ca. 0.1 V. Conversely, the HOR activity trend of the Ir(hkl) was Ir(111) > Ir(100) > Ir(110), and the activity of Ir( 111) is approximately 70% of that of Pt(111). This study presents Ir-based nanosized catalysts whose surface comprises mainly ( 111) facets (such as octahedron-shape) as effective anode catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

The results provide evidence of the long-term safety and efficacy of treatment with 2.5 and 5 μg of ramosetron in female patients with IBS-D. Clinicians should be aware that one-fifth of women with IBS-D receiving ramosetron may suffer from constipation during treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01736423).

We present a detailed study on the characterization of the degeneration process in combustion instability based on dynamical systems theory. We deal with combustion instability in a lean premixed-type gas-turbine model combustor, one of the fundamentally and practically important combustion systems. The dynamic behavior of combustion instability in close proximity to lean blowout is dominated by a stochastic process and transits to periodic oscillations created by thermoacoustic combustion oscillations via chaos with increasing equivalence ratio [Chaos 21, 013124 (2011); Chaos 22, 043128 (2012)]. Thermoacoustic combustion oscillations degenerate with a further increase in the equivalence ratio, and the dynamic behavior leads to chaotic fluctuations via quasiperiodic oscillations. The concept of dynamical systems theory presented here allows us to clarify the nonlinear characteristics hidden in complex combustion dynamics.

We have intensively examined the dynamic behavior of flame front instability in a lean swirling premixed flame generated by a change in gravitational orientation [H. Gotoda, T. Miyano, and I. G. Shepherd, Phys. Rev. E 81, 026211 (2010)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.81.026211] from the viewpoints of complex networks, symbolic dynamics, and statistical complexity. Here, we considered the permutation entropy in combination with the surrogate data method, the permutation spectrum test, and the multiscale complexity-entropy causality plane incorporating a scale-dependent approach, none of which have been considered in the study of flame front instabilities. Our results clearly show the possible presence of chaos in flame front dynamics induced by the coupling of swirl-buoyancy interaction in inverted gravity. The flame front dynamics also possesses a scale-free structure, which is reasonably shown by the probability distribution of the degree in ε-recurrence networks.

Interlayer and surface Ir-modified Pt/Pd(111) model catalyst surfaces [Pt/Ir/Pd(111) and Ir/Pt/Pd(111)] were synthesized as surface structural models for third element-modified core−shell-type Pd@Pt catalysts by vacuum depositions of Ir and Pt on the Pd(111) substrate surface. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties (initial activity and electrochemical stabilities) were compared to non-Irmodified Pt/Pd(111) and discussed on the basis of atomic structural observations of the near surface regions. ORR activities for both the non-Ir-modified and Ir-modified Pt/ Pd(111) surfaces increased up to 500 potential cycles (PCs) of 0.6−1.0 V, which were likely caused by densification of the surface Pt(111) shell layers through dissolution of Pd atoms. The nonmodified Pt/Pd(111) surface deactivated monotonically from 500 to 5000 PCs. The interlayer Ir-modified Pt/Ir/Pd(111) surface exhibited improvements in ORR activity and durability. In fact, from over 500 to 5000 PCs, it outperformed the activity of surface Ir-modified Ir/Pt/Pd(111) in comparison. Furthermore, the Pt/Ir/ Pd(111) showed fivefold activity enhancement at 1000 PCs and fourfold after 5000 PCs vs clean Pt(111). In contrast, ORR activity of Ir/Pt/Pd(111) remained almost constant from 500 PCs, with an approximately 3.5 times enhancement at 5000 PCs. Considering atomically resolved observations by scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and surface chemical state analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the ORR behavior suggests that Ir located in the Pt(111) shell layers contributed to ORR activity enhancement via charge transfer between Ir and Pt surface atoms, while surface Ir oxides generated by PC loadings are correlated with ORR durability improvement.This study demonstrates an effective way to enhance ORR performances of Pt-based core−shell-type catalysts, that is, the third element Ir addition, on the basis of the enhancement scenario deduced by the atomically resolved structural evaluations during the PC loading process.

We prepared banana fiber (BF)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as a compatibilizer. BF was treated with NaOH aqueous solution (BF-A). Both BF/PBS/HDI and BF-A/PBS/HDI composites were made by applying a batch type twin-kneader at 130°C. Dumbbell specimens were prepared by an injection molding machine at 130°C. Effect of concentration of NaOH aq on tensile strength and impact strength, effect of amount of HDI on tensile strength and Izod impact strength, and effect of mixing time on tensile strength and Izod impact strength of BF/PBS/HDI and BF-A/PBS/HDI composites were studied. When contents of HDI in composites were increased, tensile strength increased. In addition, when mixing times were increased, tensile strength increased. Although the mechanical properties of PBS were first degraded with the addition of BF, alkaline treatment to BF and the addition of HDI improved the mechanical properties. This probably due to the promotion of the adhesion between BF and PBS. The surface morphology of the fracture surfaces of the composites were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It shows that higher mechanical properties can be expected from compatibilized composites based on BF-As with aliphatic polyesters.