Redox-responsive supramolecular polymeric networks having double-threaded inclusion complexes

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have attracted attention as soft actuators that act similarly to muscles. In this work, hydrogel actuators controlled by host–guest interactions have been developed. The introduction of a 1:1 inclusion complex into a hydrogel is a popular design for achieving a change in cross-linking density. To realize faster and larger deformation properties, the introduction of a 1:2 inclusion complex is effective because the alteration in cross-linking density in a hydrogel with 1:2 complexes is larger than that in a hydrogel with 1:1 complexes. A redox-responsive hydrogel actuator cross-linked with 1:2 inclusion complexes is designed, where γ-cyclodextrin (γCD) and viologens modified with an alkyl chain derivative (VC11) were employed as the host and guest units, respectively. γCD includes two VC11 molecules in its cavity. The obtained γCD–VC11 hydrogel cross-linked with the 1:2 complex showed faster and larger deformation behaviour than the αCD–VC11 and the βCD–VC11 hydrogels cross-linked with a 1:1 complex. The deformation ratio and response speed of the γCD–VC11 hydrogel, which forms a supramolecular cross-linking structure by stimuli, are 3 and 11 times larger, respectively, than those of our previous hydrogel consisting of a βCD/ferrocene 1:1 inclusion complex.

A hydrogel actuator with a 1:2 host–guest complex controlled by redox stimuli has been developed to realize faster and larger deformation.     

Effects of Contrast and Character Size upon Legibility of Japanese Text Stimuli Presented on Visual Display Terminal

We examined effects of contrast and character size upon legibility of Japanese text stimuli presented on visual display terminal (VDT). In the experiment, three different character sizes were employed and the text stimulus was presented under a variety of conditions where contrast between the text and the background changed. Reading speed and the rate of readable characters were measured. Subjective rating for legibility was also evaluated. Results showed that legibility increases with luminance contrast for all character sizes examined here. A strong correlation was found between the subjective rating index and reading speed.     

A two-dimensional CA model for traffic flow with car origin and destination

Dynamic phase transitions in a two-dimensional traffic flow model defined on a decorated square-lattice are studied numerically. The square-lattice point and the decorated site denote intersections and roads, respectively. In the present model, a car has a finite deterministic path between the origin and the destination, which is assigned to the car from the beginning. In this new model, we found a new phase between the free-flow phase and the frozen-jam phase that is absent from previous models. The new model is characterized by the persistence of a macroscopic cluster. Furthermore, the behavior in this macroscopic cluster phase is classified into three regions characterized by the shape of the cluster. The boundary of the three regions is phenomenologically estimated. When the trip length is short and the car density is high, both ends of the belt-like cluster connect to each other through the periodic boundary with some probability. This type of cluster is classified topologically as a string on a two-dimensional torus.     

Design and synthesis of artificial phospholipid for selective cleavage of integral membrane protein

An artificial phospholipid, possessing saturated alkyl chains as a membrane anchor and protein recognition site as well as an Fe(III)-EDTA moiety as a protein cleavable polar head group, was designed and synthesized based on the amidite method for the purpose of examination of cleavage of integral membrane proteins.     

High-pressure Raman study of Ba doped silicon clathrate

Vibrational properties of Ba doped Si clathrate are investigated at high pressures up to 20 GPa by Raman spectroscopy. Vibrations related with Ba encaged in the Si cages are observed below 100 cm(-1) by low-frequency Raman measurements of Ba8Si46 and Ba6.6Si46 clathrates. The high-pressure Raman spectra obtained for both compression and decompression processes reveal a new phase transition at 7 GPa, and the reversibility of the phase transition at 15 GPa. We investigate the mechanisms of these phase transitions, the interaction between the guest and host frame, and the volume dependence of the vibrational modes.     

A new 19-metal-atom cluster [(Me2PhP)10Au12Ag7(NO3)9] with a nearly staggered-staggered M5 ring configuration

New mixed metal clusters with M19 metal frameworks have been synthesized by NaBH4 reduction of Au(NO3)(PMe2Ph) together with AgNO3 in ethanol. Single crystal X-ray diffraction has revealed Au12Ag7 and Au17Ag2 metal skeletons for these clusters, which are best described in terms of bicapped pentagonal antiprismatic cages with a staggered-staggered M(5) ring configuration. These clusters connect the missing link between M13 icosahedral and M25 biicosahedral clusters providing a view of the cluster growth process. A TEM image of this cluster has been observed, which has clearly demonstrated single-sized nano-particles of less than 1.0 nm.     

Effect of omega-hydrogenation on the adsorption of fluorononanols at the hexane/water interface: Temperature effect on the adsorption of fluorononanols

The interfacial tensions (gamma) of the hexane solutions of 1H,1H-perfluorononanol (FDFC9OH) and its omega-hydrogenated analogue 1H,1H,9H-perfluorononanol (HDFC9OH) against water were measured as a function of temperature and concentration under atmospheric pressure in order to know the effect of omega-dipoles on the adsorption behavior of fluorononanols. The interfacial pressure (pi) versus mean area per adsorbed molecule (A) curves consist of two discontinuous changes among three different states: the gaseous, expanded, and condensed states. The A values at given pi in the gaseous and expanded states are larger for HDFC9OH than for FDFC9OH. The changes in partial molar entropy (s1(H) - s1(O)) and energy (u1(H) - u1(O)) of adsorption were evaluated. Their values are negative, and therefore, the alcohols have a smaller entropy and energy at the interface than in the bulk solution. Furthermore, the u1(H) - u1(O) value is more negative for HDFC9OH than for FDFC9OH in the expanded state and also in the condensed film just above the expanded-condensed phase transition point. This seems to be due to the following: (1) HDFC9OH may tilt from interface normal for omega-dipoles to interact effectively with water molecules in the interfacial region and to reduce their own repulsive interaction between neighbors arranging parallel in the adsorbed film. This leads to a lower value for HDFC9OH than for FDFC9OH. (2) The contact of omega-dipoles with hexane molecules in the bulk solution is energetically unfavorable, and thus, the u1(O) value of HDFC9OH is expected to be larger than that of FDFC9OH.     

Time-resolved measurement of dye-sensitized photocurrent at the ZnO Electrode with a nanosecond pulsed dye laser

A time-resolved dye-sensitized photocurrent of rose bengal on a ZnO electrode consisted of two components, fast (ns) and slow (μs). From the temperature dependence of the rate, the latter was found to be due to the intermediacy of shallow surface traps.