Surface structure characterization of rubrene(001) single crystal with sum frequency generation spectroscopy and reflection high-energy electron diffraction.

Rubrene is one of the leading organic semiconductors in scientific and industrial research, showing good conductivities and utilities in devices such as organic field-effect transistors. In these applications, the rubrene crystals often contact ionic liquids and other materials. Consequently, their surface properties and interfacial interactions influence the device's performance.

Prospective evaluation of PI-RADSv2.1 using multiparametric and biparametric MRI for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer based on MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy.

Purpose: To evaluate the cancer detection rates for each category of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System version 2.1 (PI-RADSv2.1) using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and biparametric MRI (bpMRI) based on MRI/ultrasound (US)-fusion biopsy.

Voltammetric and Spectroscopic Investigations on the Redox Processes of Trioxotriangulene Neutral Radicals on Graphite Electrodes.

To investigate the microscopic electrochemical dynamics of a stable trioxotriangulene (TOT) organic neutral π-radical on a graphite electrode surface, voltammetric and infrared (IR) spectroelectrochemical studies were conducted using electrolyte solutions containing TOT monoanions. Upright columnar crystals (face-on alignment) of the TOT neutral radical were preferentially formed and dissolved in a rather reversible manner in the electrolyte with a low concentration of TOT monoanion under electrochemical conditions; however, more flat-lying columnar crystals (edge-on alignment) were formed in a higher concentration electrolyte. The flat-lying crystals remained on the graphite surface even at a fully reduced potential, owing to the lack of direct π-π interactions between the molecules and the graphite electrode.

Multi-Kernel Temporal and Spatial Convolution for EEG-Based Emotion Classification.

Deep learning using an end-to-end convolutional neural network (ConvNet) has been applied to several electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface tasks to extract feature maps and classify the target output. However, the EEG analysis remains challenging since it requires consideration of various architectural design components that influence the representational ability of extracted features. This study proposes an EEG-based emotion classification model called the multi-kernel temporal and spatial convolution network (MultiT-S ConvNet).

Interface Behavior of Electrolyte/Quinone Organic Active Material in Battery Operation by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

To elucidate the microscopic charge/discharge (delithiation/lithiation) mechanism at the interface of the electrolyte and organic cathode active material in the lithium-ion battery, we prepared a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) electrode of 1,4-benzoquinone terminated dihexyl disulfide (BQ-C6) on Au(111). An electrochemical setup with the BQ-C6 SAM as a working electrode and 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Li-TFSI)/triethyleneglycol dimethylether (G3) as the electrolyte was used. We adopted the shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) method to obtain sufficient Raman signal of SAM for Raman spectroscopy measurements by the enhancement with ∼100 nm diameter Au particles coated with SiO shell (average thickness = 2 nm).

Local structures and dynamics of interfacial imidazolium-based ionic liquid depending on the electrode potential using electrochemical attenuated total reflectance ultraviolet spectroscopy.

Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted attention as prospective electrolytes for Li-ion batteries, with safe performance. Herein, the dynamics of the IL at the electrochemical interface, which is the key to the electrochemical reaction, was monitored using attenuated total reflectance far- and deep-ultraviolet (ATR-FUV-DUV) spectroscopy. An original measurement system, which combined an ATR-FUV-DUV spectrometer with a Kretschmann type (fully metal-coated prism) electrochemical setup, was assembled.

Sleep stage-dependent changes in tonic masseter and cortical activities in young subjects with primary sleep bruxism.

Study Objectives: The present study investigated the hypothesis that subjects with primary sleep bruxism (SB) exhibit masseter and cortical hyperactivities during quiet sleep periods that are associated with a high frequency of rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA).

Methods: Fifteen SB and ten control participants underwent polysomnographic recordings. The frequencies of oromotor events and arousals and the percentage of arousals with oromotor events were assessed.

Development of dental inspection method: Nondestructive evaluation of an adhesive interface by ACTIVE acoustic emission.

Purpose: This study aims to confirm the usefulness of active acoustic emission (Active AE) for reproducible and non-invasive generation of physical external force which is required for conventional AE.

Methods: Experiment 1: A root dentin-resin adhesive interface was observed. The post space was filled with a dual-cure resin composite core material with and without adhesive.

Electronic excitation spectra of organic semiconductor/ionic liquid interface by electrochemical attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy.

The interface of organic semiconductor films is of particular importance with respect to various electrochemical devices such as transistors and solar cells. In this study, we developed a new spectroscopic system, namely electrochemical attenuated total reflectance ultraviolet (EC-ATR-UV) spectroscopy, which can access the interfacial area. Ionic liquid-gated organic field-effect transistors (IL-gated OFETs) were successfully fabricated on the ATR prism.

Development of dental inspection method: nondestructive evaluation of a dentin-adhesive interface by acoustic emission.

Purpose The state of adhesion between root dentin and a resin composite core material was inspected using acoustic emission (AE).Methods A total of 14 human incisors and premolars were used to prepare "no-adhesive group" and "adhesive group" specimens. For "adhesive group" specimens, a bonding agent was applied to root canal dentin.

Learning Subject-Generalized Topographical EEG Embeddings Using Deep Variational Autoencoders and Domain-Adversarial Regularization.

Two of the biggest challenges in building models for detecting emotions from electroencephalography (EEG) devices are the relatively small amount of labeled samples and the strong variability of signal feature distributions between different subjects. In this study, we propose a context-generalized model that tackles the data constraints and subject variability simultaneously using a deep neural network architecture optimized for normally distributed subject-independent feature embeddings. Variational autoencoders (VAEs) at the input level allow the lower feature layers of the model to be trained on both labeled and unlabeled samples, maximizing the use of the limited data resources.

Attenuated total reflectance far-ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet spectroscopy analysis of the electronic structure of a dicyanamide-based ionic liquid with Li.

The electronic states of N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium dicyanamide ([BMP][DCA]), a solvated ionic liquid, around Li+ were investigated using attenuated total reflectance far-ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet (ATR-FUV-DUV) spectroscopy. The absorption bands ascribed to the [DCA]- were blue-shifted as the Li+ concentration increased, and the origin of the shift was explained by the energetic destabilization of the final (excited) molecular orbital using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. Using the multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) algorithm, the obtained spectra were decomposed into two types of [DCA]- at electronic state level, which were categorised as pure [BMP][DCA] and [DCA]- affected by Li+.

Rapid improvements in charge carrier mobility at ionic liquid/pentacene single crystal interfaces by self-cleaning.

We report the rapid improvement in the carrier mobility of the electric double layer field-effect transistor based on the ionic liquid (IL)/pentacene single crystal interface. Generally, the surface oxidation of the pentacene single crystal is unavoidable, and the considerable degradation restricts the performance of the field-effect transistor. However, the formation of the IL/pentacene single crystal interface resolves this problem by increasing the carrier mobility by approximately twice the initial value within a few hours.

Correlation between mobility and the hydrogen bonding network of water at an electrified-graphite electrode using molecular dynamics simulation.

Focusing on the electric double layer formed at aqueous solution/graphite electrode interfaces, we investigated the relationship between the mobility of interfacial water and its hydrogen bonding networks by using molecular dynamics simulations. We focused on the mobility of the first hydration layer constructed nearest to the electrode. The mobility was determined by calculating the diffusion coefficient which showed an opposite trend to that of the applied potential polarity.

Potential Dependence of Electronic Transition Spectra of Interfacial Ionic Liquids Studied by Newly Developed Electrochemical Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy.

Recently, ionic liquids at the electrode/ionic liquid interface have been intensively studied because they are promising as novel alternatives to traditional electrolyte solutions that are both safe and functional. In this study, we constructed an attenuated total-reflectance spectroscopic system that operates under electrochemical conditions in order to investigate the electronic states of ionic liquids near the electrode surface. Upon application of voltage to an ionic liquid consisting of imidazolium cations and iodide anions, electronic transition spectra in the 150-450 nm range varied.

Potential dependent changes in the structural and dynamical properties of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide on graphite electrodes revealed by molecular dynamics simulations.

An understanding of the characteristics of ionic liquid/graphite interfaces is highly important for electrochemical devices such as batteries and capacitors. In this paper, we report microscopic studies of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMIM-TFSI) on charged graphite electrodes using molecular dynamics simulations to reveal the two-dimensional arrangement of the ions and their dynamics at the interfaces. Analyses of surface distribution and mobility of ions revealed that the ion arrangement changes from a bilayer type to a checkerboard type with increasing applied potential.

Systematic analysis of various ionic liquids by attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (145-450 nm) and quantum chemical calculations.

Despite providing rich information on electronic states, the far-ultraviolet (FUV, <200 nm) and deep-ultraviolet (DUV, <300 nm) absorption spectra of ionic liquids (ILs) are difficult to obtain without saturation due to very strong analyte absorbance. Herein, FUV-DUV spectra of selected ILs were systematically and easily recorded using an attenuated total reflectance spectrometer and rationalized based on quantum chemical calculations. ILs containing pyrrolidinium or ammonium cations and fluorine-containing anions exhibited weak absorbance below 200 nm that could not be measured by conventional UV-Vis spectroscopy, whereas the corresponding imidazolium-based ILs showed distinct absorption bands that could be reproduced by single-cation-model calculations.

Microscopic properties of ionic liquid/organic semiconductor interfaces revealed by molecular dynamics simulations.

Electric double-layer transistors based on ionic liquid/organic semiconductor interfaces have been extensively studied during the past decade because of their high carrier densities at low operation voltages. Microscopic structures and the dynamics of ionic liquids likely determine the device performance; however, knowledge of these is limited by a lack of appropriate experimental tools. In this study, we investigated ionic liquid/organic semiconductor interfaces using molecular dynamics to reveal the microscopic properties of ionic liquids.

Structural and dynamic properties of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/mica and graphite interfaces revealed by molecular dynamics simulation.

It has been observed that the properties of room temperature ionic liquids near solid substrates are different from those of bulk liquids, and these properties play an important role in the development of catalysts, lubricants, and electrochemical devices. In this paper, we report microscopic studies of ionic liquid/solid interfaces performed using molecular dynamics simulations. The structural and dynamic properties of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMIM-TFSI) on mica and graphite interfaces were thoroughly investigated to elucidate the microscopic origins of the formation of layered structures at the interfaces.

Computational investigations of electronic structure modifications of ferrocene-terminated self-assembled monolayers: effects of electron donating/withdrawing functional groups attached on the ferrocene moiety.

The electrochemical properties of chemically modified electrodes have long been a significant focus of research. Although the electronic states are directly related to the electrochemical properties, there have been only limited systematic efforts to reveal the electronic structures of adsorbed redox molecules with respect to the local environment of the redox center. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for ferrocene-terminated self-assembled monolayers with different electron-donating abilities, which can be regarded as the simplest class of chemically modified electrodes.

Statistical sleep pattern modelling for sleep quality assessment based on sound events.

A good sleep is important for a healthy life. Recently, several consumer sleep devices have emerged on the market claiming that they can provide personal sleep monitoring; however, many of them require additional hardware or there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding their reliability. In this paper we proposed a novel method to assess the sleep quality through sound events recorded in the bedroom.

A relationship between the force curve measured by atomic force microscopy in an ionic liquid and its density distribution on a substrate.

An ionic liquid forms a characteristic solvation structure on a substrate. For example, when the surface of the substrate is negatively or positively charged, cation and anion layers are alternately aligned on the surface. Such a solvation structure is closely related to slow diffusion, high electric capacity, and chemical reactions at the interface.

Personal sleep pattern visualization using sequence-based kernel self-organizing map on sound data.

We propose a method to discover sleep patterns via clustering of sound events recorded during sleep. The proposed method extends the conventional self-organizing map algorithm by kernelization and sequence-based technologies to obtain a fine-grained map that visualizes the distribution and changes of sleep-related events. We introduced features widely applied in sound processing and popular kernel functions to the proposed method to evaluate and compare performance.

Structural Effects on the Incident Photon-to-Current Conversion Efficiency of Zn Porphyrin Dyes on the Low-Index Planes of TiO.

The structural effects of substrates on the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of Zn porphyrin (ZnP) dyes (ZnP-ref, YD2, and ZnPBAT) have been studied on well-defined single-crystal surfaces of rutile TiO (TiO(111), TiO(100), and TiO(110)). IPCE of ZnP-ref depends on the structure of the substrates remarkably: TiO(100) < TiO(110) < TiO(111). IPCE of ZnP-ref/TiO(111) is 13 times as high as that of ZnP-ref/TiO(100) at 570 nm.

Familiarity effects in EEG-based emotion recognition.

Although emotion detection using electroencephalogram (EEG) data has become a highly active area of research over the last decades, little attention has been paid to stimulus familiarity, a crucial subjectivity issue. Using both our experimental data and a sophisticated database (DEAP dataset), we investigated the effects of familiarity on brain activity based on EEG signals. Focusing on familiarity studies, we allowed subjects to select the same number of familiar and unfamiliar songs; both resulting datasets demonstrated the importance of reporting self-emotion based on the assumption that the emotional state when experiencing music is subjective.