Search

New type of remote support system for handicapped persons is proposed in this paper. Body-Braille system is consisted of six small vibrators which have been used in cellular phones. And this system is put on the any part of human body. Supports method are similar to usual Braille, and the impaired persons acquire the communication or information about circumferences by reading the vibration patterns on the skin which are consisted of six on-off vibrations of small motors. This paper has shown the remote support system and experiment in which Body-Braille system and cellular phone are connected to realize its functions. The deaf-blind persons have cellular phone with small camera, and remote supporter can get the necessary information by receiving images from the phone, and then send recognition result to subject using Body-Braille. From the results of the experiment, proposed support system has been clarified to be effective.

In this paper the authors propose IPPITSU, an eyes-free, Braille-based text entry method for touch panels. In IPPITSU the user inputs a Braille cell by selecting the raised dot in it. In order to select the dots the user touches the regions corresponding to the raised dots by sliding the finger on the panel with one continuous stroke. IPPITSU is expected to be used by visually-impaired people. IPPITSU is implemented as an IME for Android devices and is available on Google Play.

To obtain structural information of the molybdenum species supported on silica–alumina (SAH-1), as a unique catalyst for propene metathesis, Mo L III -edge XANES and ESR spectroscopies were applied to characterize. The molybdenum species on SAH-1 are partly reduced to form Mo 5+ ions in contact with propene even at room temperature (293 K), and the reduced ions increased with an increase in reaction temperature up to 473 K. From the results of Mo L III -edge XANES, unique polymolybdate species with tetrahedral and octahedral structures are dominant in MoO 3 /SAH-1 before the reaction. After the metathesis reaction, Mo ions are partly reduced to form metathesis active species and a ratio of tetrahedral structure decreases. This unique redox behavior of Mo ions is brought about by SAH-1 support. It is suggested that the metathesis active species of MoO 3 /SAH-1 are not highly dispersed Mo ions in reduced state but are in poorly crystallized polymolybdate species, which can be partly reduced in contact with propene even at room temperature.

The mixed MoO3-ZnO oxides with various mole fraction of Mo, X Mo, obtained by the impregnation method were heated in air and in hydrogen. As for the mixed oxide heated in air, MoO3 reactedstoichiometrically with ZnO to give ZnMoO4 at X Mo < 0.5, while at X Mo > 0.5, the reaction did not proceed completely. On the other hand, for the mixed oxide heated in hydrogen, at X Mo < 0.5 ZnMoO4 was reduced to ZnMoO3 with the anion vacancy, while at X Mo > 0.5, MoO3 was reduced to MoO2 and ZnMoO4 was difficult to be reduced to ZnMoO3. The structure of the surface and/or near the surface was different from the bulk structure.

To characterize active defect sites in the near-surface and bulk phase of MgO in Li-doped MgO, structural analyses were carried out by means of XRD, XPS, Mg K-edge XANES, and SEM techniques. For Li−MgO calcined at 873 K, Li doping at a low content (2.5 wt % as Li) brings about the formation of defect species only in the near-surface, which is due to the localization of doped Li ions in the surface. In this case, the catalytic species containing a Li+−O- center exists in the surface region. At higher contents of more than 7.5 wt %, Li ions penetrate the MgO bulk, and its crystallinity decreases. The defect species possibly exist in the bulk phase. After oxidative coupling of methane reaction, the defect species are formed in the near-surface over MgO and Li−MgO. However, the C2 selectivity is much higher on Li−MgO than on MgO. It is concluded that the defect species containing Li+−O- in both surface and bulk can act as the active species for producing C2 compounds with high selectivity.

Variations in electro-conductivity with adsorption of NO and O 2 were measured on metal oxide (Nb 2 O 5 , Ta 2 O 5 , WO 3 and MoO 3 )-loaded TiO 2 and ZnO. Each metal oxide enhanced the photo-sensitivity of the electro-conductivity of TiO 2 and ZnO. Nb 2 O 5 /TiO 2 was shown to be most sensitive to NO. The variations of IR spectra of Nb 2 O 5 /TiO 2 with NO- and O 2 -adsorption were measured to discuss the active sites under photo-irradiation. Two types of adsorbed NO were estimated on Nb 2 O 5 /TiO 2 by the IR spectroscopy. The sensing function was assumed to arise from the NO adsorbates which occupied O vacancies and diminished the electro-conductivity.

The structural analyses of Fe, Mn−SO42-/ZrO2 (FMSZ), Fe−SO42-/ZrO2 (FSZ), Mn−SO42-/ZrO2 (MSZ), and Fe−Mn/ZrO2 (FMZ) were carried out by means of XAFS, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. Local structure around Fe and Mn of each catalyst, which were at a working state for n-butane isomerization and in vacuo, were studied by in situ XAFS. The valence of the Fe atom of all the catalysts was invariantly trivalent. Coordination environment around Fe of all the catalysts was quite similar to each other. Fe atoms are present inside the bulk phase of ZrO2, the system of which forms interstitial-type solid solution and located at the center of distorted oxygen octahedra. Reaction gas does not directly make contact with Fe atoms because the introduction of reaction gas did not cause any change of coordination environment and the valence. The Mn species on FMSZ and MSZ were present as MnSO4, and their coordination environment was reversibly affected by exposure to n-butane. Without sulfate ions, Mn species are present on t...

The mixed MoO 3 –ZnO catalyst was expected to reveal the new function as a catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, ESR, XANES and so on. We found that the MoO 3 –ZnO catalyst was effective for isomerization and metathesis of 1-butene. The defects with the anion vacancy were formed on ZnMoO 3 and MoO 3 . They gave the acidic sites and acted as the active site for isomerization of 1-butene. Also, the distorted MoO 2 was formed on the surface and acted as the active site for the metathesis.

The effects of the volume and pH of the impregnation solution and of the calcination conditions were examined on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of a 13 wt% MoO3/Al2O3 extrudate catalyst. The Al2O3 support and drying procedures (static conditions without flowing air) were fixed in the preparations. In the present series of catalysts, the amount of crystalline MoO3 was marginally small. It was found that the dispersion of Mo oxide species increased as the volume of the impregnation solution increased, gradually approaching a maximum value. The increase in pH (2–8) of the impregnation solution was found to reduce the dispersion of Mo oxide species. The Mo dispersion increased slightly for the impregnation catalysts as the calcination temperature increased (673–873 K), whereas it decreased for the equilibrium adsorption catalysts. The effects of the calcination atmosphere (with or without flowing air, or with flowing humid air) were very small on the dispersion of Mo oxide species under the present preparation conditions. On the other hand, the methanol oxidation activity of MoO3/Al2O3 was sensitive to the preparation parameters examined here. It was demonstrated by means of EPMA and XPS that a considerable migration of Mo took place during the calcination. In the present study on the preparation of a 13 wt% MoO3/Al2O3 catalyst, an impact index is proposed to measure the magnitude of the effects of the respective parameter(s) on the physicochemical and catalytic properties. With the Mo dispersion, the effects of the preparation parameter decreased in the order, surface area of the support >> drying process > volume of the impregnation solution > pH, calcination temperature and atmosphere. The size of the impact index for the dispersion of Mo sulfide species is 70–75% of that for the Mo oxide species. The HDS activity of the catalyst was less affected by the preparation parameters than the Mo sulfide dispersion. The preparation parameters affected the segregation of Mo on the outer surface of extrudates in a decreasing order: drying process > volume of the impregnation solution > pH, calcination conditions. It was found that the oxidation of methanol was affected most intensely by the drying procedures. The volume of the impregnation solution, calcination conditions and pH of the impregnation solution also strongly affected the oxidation activity. The impact index suggests that the sensitivity to the preparation variables of the physicochemical and catalytic properties of MoO3/Al2O3 decreases in the order, methanol oxidation activity > surface Mo segregation > Mo oxide dispersion > Mo sulfide dispersion > HDS activity.

In the present part of the group study on the preparation of 13 wt% MoO3/Al2O3, the effects of drying processes were investigated on the physicochemical and catalytic properties. Two series of catalysts were prepared by a conventional impregnation technique and by an equilibrium adsorption method using a common extrudate support. XPS and EPMA results demonstrated that the distribution of Mo oxide species in extrudates was strongly affected by drying processes. A rapid drying, in particular at a reduced pressure, was found to induce a strong segregation of Mo oxides on the outer surface of the extrudates, forming a sharp egg shell type distribution of Mo. On the other hand, drying under static conditions produced a moderate egg shell type distribution, suggesting that a slow drying rate is favorable for a homogeneous distribution of Mo. The equilibrium adsorption technique was found to provide considerably flat Mo profiles inside the extrudates except for the utmost surfaces where Mo concentrations increased steeply.

Ten types of 13 wt% MoO3/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by a conventional impregnation or equilibrium adsorption method using a common extrudate support. These catalysts were subjected to a comprehensive characterization and catalytic reactions to find important preparation parameters in practical preparations. It was demonstrated in the present group study that the formation of crystalline MoO3 was strongly correlated with the Mo segregation on the outer surface of the extrudate. When the amount of the impregnation solution was large (ca. 10 cm3 g-Al2O3−1), a considerably homogeneous distribution and high dispersion of Mo oxide species were attained irrespective of the other preparation parameters. It is suggested that when a pore volume impregnation or incipient wetness technique is employed, drying processes strongly affect the dispersion and distribution of Mo oxide species. Drying at a reduced pressure is suggested to result in a segregation of Mo oxides on the outer surface of the extrudate, and accordingly a formation of crystalline MoO3.

TiO2SiO2MgO catalyst was prepared and the OH radicals formed on the catalyst contacted with water were studied by the spin-trapping method. The condition of the catalyst surface that can produce OH radicals is optimized. The initial concentration of OH radicals on the surface does not influence the rate of the photocatalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

The intensity of an ESR signal assigned to oxygen species or lattice defects was increased by photo-irradiation in Nb-doped TiO 2 . The excess electron was generated in the process of the formation of O − species or lattice defects on the surface layer of the sample. On the other hand, the rise of electric current appeared on the Nb-doped TiO 2 by photo-irradiation. This behavior suggests that the generated electron by photo-irradiation is closely correlated to the rise of the current. The niobium-doped TiO 2 was found to have the performance of oxygen-sensing. The oxygen-sensing under photo-irradiation was related to the paramagnetic behavior of oxygen introduced. In addition, NO-sensing was also observed for the Nb-doped TiO 2 . The function for oxygen-sensing was improved by a heat-treatment for the sample of Nb complex-doped TiO 2 .

Mo L3-edge XANES and diffuse reflectance UV−vis spectra have been recorded for structural studies of Mo−Mg binary oxides which catalyze metathesis reactions of olefins after pretreatment with H2 at 773 K. The XANES of reference compounds revealed that the local symmetry around the Mo ion as well as the valence state affects the spectral features. From the XANES of Mo−Mg binary oxides in oxidized/reduced states, it is concluded that MoO4 tetrahedra are the main component in the near-surface region for samples of x (Mo/(Mo + Mg)) ≤ 0.7 in the oxidized state. For samples in the reduced state, the tetrahedral species remain, but reduced Mo ions including MoO2 species are also formed, while the MoO2 phase is formed in the bulk phase at x = 0.5−0.8. In the latter samples, Mo ions are easily reduced by treatment with H2. The active species for metathesis reactions relates to formation of the MoO2 phase not only in the bulk but also in the near-surface region.

The local structure around Mo atoms in Mo−Mg binary oxides has been investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at Mo and Mg K edges. XANES and EXAFS spectra show that the binary oxides have a tetrahedral MoO4 unit in the samples with a Mo/(Mo + Mg) ratio of less than 0.5 and an octahedral MoO6 unit in the samples with a higher ratio. By H2 treatment at 773 K, a molybdena-rich binary oxide was easily reduced to form the MoO2 phase, which was not detected by XRD but was by EXAFS. It is concluded that the reduced oxide contains low valent Mo ions in the MoO2 phase and the ions work as an active center for propene metathesis.

We introduce and demonstrate the “Helen Keller Phone” system, which enables deaf-blind people to communicate with each other without any support person and talk over the telephone for free with Skype. All communication is done via Body-Braille and is analogous to audio chat communication by non-disabled people. Real-time conversation using Braille instead of audio signals is possible and would dramatically improve deaf-blind people's quality of life. The Body-Braille system, which presents one Braille cell using six micro vibrators, has been introduced twice in previous CCNCs. This time we will present newly developed equipment which is very small and portable and includes a new presentation method for Braille cells using only two vibrators, called the “two point system”. This new equipment makes portable use possible. We will demonstrate Braille-based communication through Skype, where one user is at home, the other is on the road.

In this paper, two new Body-Braille devices are described. After the Body-Braille system and its current development status is explained, first, a new device for Braille-based real-time communication over internet (via Skype) is introduced and second, a new device for autonomous learning, which adopts wireless communication, is explained. The former is already developed and being used in the field test stage; the latter one is being developed now.

On niobium oxide catalysts, induction period was observed during 1-butene isomerizatlon, because surface strong adsorption sites for 1-butene existed. With sodium-loading on Nb 2 O 5 /Al 2 O 3 , new and weak basic sites such as Nb-O-Na-OH were formed. Nb 2 O 5 supported on TlO 2 functioned as a sensor for oxygen and nitrogen monoxide.

The generation of basic sites on a TiO{sub 2} surface by reduction is discussed on the basis of the results of catalytic reactions, temperature-programmed desorption of adsorbed CO{sub 2}, and measurements of the numbers of surface hydrogen acceptors and donors (DPPH{sub 2} and DPPH methods). The results of catalytic reactions show that both acidic and basic active sites are present on TiO{sub 2} surfaces and reduction of TiO{sub 2} increases its basic character. The TPD profile of adsorbed CO{sub 2} suggests that basic sites increase following the reduction of TiO{sub 2} but their strengths are not high. Reduction of TiO{sub 2} not only suppresses the surface acidity but also increases the number of surface proton acceptors. This is also supported by DPPH-DPPH{sub 2} experiments. These results lead to the conclusion that basic sites generated by the reduction of TiO{sub 2} are surface oxygen species which can abstract protons from adsorbed species.

Hydrazyl radicals, initiated by DPPH, reacted with α,β-unsaturated ketones without any good leaving group on their β-positions to yield pyrazoles regio-selectively.

We have developed a musical score system for visually impaired people and deaf-blind people using Body-Braille. The normal musical score is very convenient for non-disabled people, but it is difficult for disabled people to use it. In order to resolve this issue, 9 micro vibrators are used to express the note and the duration time of each sound, which we call "vibration score system". This system is very suitable not only for the study of a melody but also for disabled people's reference while playing. We performed several experiments with a subject, and in each case, we obtained successful results.

Surface of OH groups on reduced MoO2-MgO catalysts such as $$ - - Mg - - O - - \begin{array}{*{20}c} {||} \\ {Mo} \\ | \\ \end{array} - - OH$$ may act as an active site for hydrogenation of propene. The surface hexa-coordinated Mo5+ ion (MO 6c 5+ ) was reduced to a lower number of cation such as Mo4+ or Mo3+ which act as an active site for metathesis of propene.

The generation of basic sites on a TiO{sub 2} surface by reduction is discussed on the basis of the results of catalytic reactions, temperature-programmed desorption of adsorbed CO{sub 2}, and measurements of the numbers of surface hydrogen acceptors and donors (DPPH{sub 2} and DPPH methods). The results of catalytic reactions show that both acidic and basic active sites are present on TiO{sub 2} surfaces and reduction of TiO{sub 2} increases its basic character. The TPD profile of adsorbed CO{sub 2} suggests that basic sites increase following the reduction of TiO{sub 2} but their strengths are not high. Reduction of TiO{sub 2} not only suppresses the surface acidity but also increases the number of surface proton acceptors. This is also supported by DPPH-DPPH{sub 2} experiments. These results lead to the conclusion that basic sites generated by the reduction of TiO{sub 2} are surface oxygen species which can abstract protons from adsorbed species.

This paper introduces the Body-Braille system which has been developed as a new communication channel for deaf-blind people using 6 micro vibration motors to present a Braille character and describes the support system using the Japanese mobile communication system combined with Body-Braille. Body-Braille has several advantages compared to other Braille systems. The control device of Body-Braille is named "B-brll" and has several interfaces including RS-232C and DTMF. Some basic experiments to measure the speed of reading Braille were performed and the mean reading time for one Braille cell was 0.5-1.4 seconds, which is fast enough for some useful applications. Using Body-Braille, a Tele-support system was developed as an application and good results were obtained. Furthermore, a newly developed idea which presents Braille character using only 2 points instead of 6 points and new equipment corresponding to this idea which has significant possibility for a very practical products, are described.

This paper describes the support system for deaf-blind people using Japanese mobile communication system and new Braille system. We present how deaf-blind people can get enough daily support using this system.

During the last five years, we have been developing the Body-Braille system which uses 6 vibration motors corresponding to the units of Braille. Disabled people can wear this system and sense Braille characters by vibration patterns on any part of the body. We have performed several experiments in which disabled people could get needed support for daily life through Body-Braille. Since we are developing a new type of equipment, we chose to make one of its main applications a game. Our new equipment is so small that it is very easy to carry it anywhere, such as on a train. Disabled people can play a game using the equipment while traveling around. The software of the game application employs a table based structure so that anyone can create a new game application with very little programming work. As a result, we have successfully developed the software for game creation.

The alkylation of 1,3-diketones with alkyl halides using a solid base prepared from sodium ethoxide and alumina was carried out. The amount of 0.4 mol of sodium ethoxide on 50 g of alumina showed the best reactivity for alkylation. Selective mono- and dialkylation could be achieved by controlling the reaction temperature.

Ni-based catalysts supported on perovskite oxides and α-Al 2 O 3 were prepared to investigate catalytic performance and catalyst bed temperature profile in the partial oxidation of methane. Ni/LaAlO 3 showed high activity and remarkably suppressed hot spot formation in the catalyst bed even at high space velocity. The effect of support is discussed on the basis of the state of Ni.

The catalytic activities for N2O decomposition and selective reduction with methane were studied on Fe-MCM-41 prepared by direct hydrothermal synthesis (DHT) and template ion exchange (TIE) methods...

Hydrogen molybdenum bronzes, H 0.21 MoO 3 (type I) and H0 .91 MoO 3 (type II) were characterized by Mo K-edge XAFS spectroscopy. XANES spectra showed that type I has an axially symmetric MoO 6 unit which is mainly connected to each other with vertices sharing and a MoO 6 unit in type II are similar to that in MoO 2 . EXAFS spectra suggested that the MoOx sheet in type I is similar to MoO 3 while in type II, a MoOx sheet is similar to that in rutile MoO 2 in which MoO 5 is connected to form a chain by sharing the edges of opposite sides. The curve fitting analysis of Mo-O bonds for type I supported the earlier results obtained from diffraction and IR methods; a MoO 6 unit has C 4v symmetry. In case of type II, D 4h structure is possible and hydrogen is captured by Mo=O bonds resulting in the formation of Mo-OH bonds.

Acidity and acid strength of ZrO2 were enhanced by addition of WO3. Surface OH group as Bronsted acid was divided into two groups by WO3 content. One of them is a group of acid sites which are able to convert to metathesis active sites while the other is not. The metathesis activity was produced by evacuation at over 300°C. It is assumed that the low valent tungsten ions are generated by dehydration of surface tungsten hydroxide as precursors of metathesis active sites. The spectra shapes of O2− formed on the catalysts were different from low content catalysts (W/Zr≤0.1) and high content catalysts (W/Zr≥0.2). There appeared to be two kinds of O2− on the high content catalysts. The metathesis active sites, which act as formation sites of O2−, were only produced on high content catalysts.

TiO2-supported Cu samples were prepared by using several Cu precursors, and isolated Cu2+ ions and their behavior of thermal reduction were evaluated by means of ESR spectroscopy. Only 50% of Cu2+ ...

Hydrazyl radicals, initiated by DPPH, reacted with α,β-unsaturated ketones without any good leaving group on their β-positions to yield pyrazoles regio-selectively.

Na K-edge XAFS of Na2O/Al2O3 catalysts(4-32 wt% Na) was examined. It was deduced on the basis of XANES of sodium halides that the ionicity of an Na-O bond in catalyst sample relates to the energy position of the prominent peak at Na K-edge, which is consistent with the catalytic performance. The amount of species with the moietiy of Na-O-Al increases with an increase in Na loading up to 16 wt%. The Na-O-Na structure begins to grow from 16 wt % loading. The surface oxygen in Na-O-Al is concluded to be active species.