Origin of the Landau-Lifshitz hydrodynamic fluctuations in nonequilibrium systems and a new method for reducing the Boltzmann equation

The Landau-Lifshitz fluctuating fluxes in fluctuating hydrodynamics are derived from the deterministic Boltzmann equation with the aid of a reduction method developed by Fujisaka and Mori. Thus it is shown that the hydrodynamic fluctuations innonequilibrium systems are generated by the reduction of variables from the-space distribution function to its five momentum moments, i.e., the hydrodynamic variables. This differs from the Bixon-Zwanzig and Fox-Uhlenbeck theories, in which the Landau-Lifshitz fluctuating fluxes are derived from the molecular fluctuating force in thestochastic Boltzmann-Langevin equation, which is, however, negligible in nonequilibrium systems. Thus the present method improves the Chapman-Enskog reduction method so as to include the hydrodynamic fluctuations generated by the reduction of variables.Supported in part by the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Education.     

Biomimetic reactions of germacrenes

The biomimetic reactions of epoxygermacrene-D ($\text{1}$) with basic alumina afforded three new interesting compounds ($\text{4}$, $\text{5}$, and $\text{6}$), two of which ($\text{4}$ and $\text{6}$) have the same carbon skeleton as that of periplanone-A ($\text{3}$), a sexual stimulant for the American cockroach. The remaining one ($\text{5}$) is a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivative, from whch an axisonitrile-3 type compound ($\text{14}$) has been produced. Finally, preisocalamendiol ($\text{2}$) was also converted into $\text{6}$.     

Absolute configuration of (-)-biflora-4,10(19),15-triene,a diterpene from a termite soldier,as determined by the synthesis of its (1R, 6S, 7S, 11R)-(+)-isomer

(1R, 6S, 7S, 11R)-(+)-Biflora-4, 10(19),15-triene was synthesized starting from (r)-(+)-citronellic acid. This enabled us to assign (1S), 6R, 7R, (11S)-stereochemistry to the naturally occurring (-)-enantiomer isolated from soldiers of the termite species Cubitermes umbratus.     

Photocatalytic Reduction of NO with C2H6 on a Hollandite-Type Catalyst

The photocatalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide (NO) with ethane on the hollandite type catalyst (K₂Ga₂Sn₆O₁₆KGSO) was investigated. Using a closed-gas circulating system equipped with a Q-MASS detector and in-situ diffuse reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy. The reactant gases of NO and ¹³C₂H₆ decreased with the increasing irradiation time. In contrast, the N₂ yield increased proportionally to the conversion of ¹³C₂H₆. Nitrogen oxides such as N₂O did not reach their detectable levels. The NO adsorbed on KGSO was found to change to its activated species by UV irradiation. The oxidized products of C₂H₆ such as CH₃CHO increased in proportion to the reaction time. The present results strongly suggest that KGSO has remarkable photocatalytic activity for the reduction of NO with C₂H₆.     

ESTABLISHMENT and CHARACTERIZATION OF A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY RECOGNIZING THE DEWAR ISOMERS OF(6–4)PHOTOPRODUCTS

Abstract— We established a monoclonal antibody(DEM–1) that recognizes UV-induced DNA damage other than cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers or(6–4)photoproducts. The binding ofDEM–1 antibody to 254 nm UV-irradiated DNA increased with subsequent exposure to UV wavelengths longer than 310 nm, whereas that of the 64M-2 antibody specific for the(6–4)photoproduct decreased with this treatment. Furthermore, the increase inDEM–1 binding was inhibited by the presence of the 64M-2 antibody during the exposure. We concluded that theDEM–1 antibody specifically recognized the Dewar photoproduct, which is the isomeric form of the(6–4)photoproduct. TheDEM–1 antibody, however, also bound to DNA irradiated with high fluences of 254 nm UV, suggesting that 254 nm UV could induce Dewar photoproducts without subsequent exposure to longer wavelengths of UV. Furthermore, an action spectral study demonstrated that 254 nm was the most efficient wavelength for Dewar photoproduct induction in the region from 254 to 365 nm, as well as cyclobutane dimers and(6–4)photoproducts, although the action spectrum values in the U V-B region were significantly higher compared with those for cyclobutane dimer and(6–4)photoproduct induction.     

Selective spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) with 2(5-nitro-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-3-sulfopropylamino)phenol(5-NO(2).PAPS) and tartaric acid with 5-NO(2).PAPS-niobium(V) complex

Spectrophotometric determinations of palladium(II) and tartaric acid were respectively investigated by using the color reactions between 2(5-nitro-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-3-sulfopropylamino)phenol(5-NO₂.PAPS) and palladium(II) in strong acidic media, and between 5-NO₂.PAPS, niobium(V) tartaric acid in weak acidic media. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0–25 μg/10 ml palladium(II), with an apparent molecular coefficient () of 6.2×10⁴ l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 612 nm, and 0–23 μg/10 ml tartaric acid with =1.08×10⁶ l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 612 nm, respectively. The proposed methods were selective and sensitive in comparison with other chelating pyridylazo dyes–palladium(II) or metavanadic acid–tartaric acid method, and the effect of foreign ions such as copper(II) was negligible for the assay of palladium(II) with 5-NO₂.PAPS.     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

Ion chromatographic separation of hydrogen ion and other common mono- and divalent cations

We introduced an approach to the ion chromatographic determination of common mono- and divalent cations including hydrogen ion and demonstrated the ability of a C30 column dynamically coated first with dodecylsulfate and then with 18-crown-6 ether to separate the cations by ion-exchange mechanism. Using an ethylenediamine solution containing a small concentration of 18-crown-6 ether and lithium dodecylsulfate at pH 6.2 as eluent, the cations were eluted in the order Li < Na+ < NH4+ < H+ < K+ < Mg2+ < Ca2+ with symmetrical peaks. The conductivity vs. concentration plots were linear about three orders of magnitude, from millimolar to micromolar; and the detection limits were all < 0.6 microM. Rainwater was analyzed directly using this ion chromatographic system with satisfactory results.     

Endo- and aminopeptidase activities of rat cathepsin H.

Employing soluble denatured protein substrates and their derivatives, the proteolytic activity of rat cathepsin H was investigated. The enzyme showed aminopeptidase activity which sequentially released amino acid from the N-terminal of the substrate. The aminopeptidase activity did not act on N alpha-acetylated peptides and showed moderate ionic-strength dependence when methionyl-methylcoumarylamide was employed as a substrate. These results indicate that the activity essentially requires an N-terminal free amino group of the substrate and recognizes it electrostatically to some extent. On the other hand, the enzyme was also indicated to exhibit endopeptidase activity by employing appropriate N alpha-acetylated peptide substrates. In contrast to the aminopeptidase activity, the endopeptidase activity showed rather strict specificity, preferring hydrophobic residues at P2 and P3 sites. Because of the broad specificity and high efficiency of the aminopeptidase activity, it was difficult to directly observe endopeptidase activity in the digestion of large peptide substrates with a free alpha-amino terminal. Thus, this is the first experimental evidence that indicates endopeptidase activity by assigning internal peptide bonds cleaved by this activity. From this data, we proposed a model of the binding site of this enzyme.     

Preparation and Optical Properties of Gold-Dispersed BaTiO3, PGO (Pb5Ge3O11) and PLT (Pb1-1.5xLaxTiO3) Thin Films by Sol-Gel Process

Gold-dispersed BaTiO₃, PGO and PLT thin films, which will be used for third-order nonlinear optical devices, were prepared by sol-gel process with spin-coating using HAuCl₄4H₂O, Ba(CH₃COO)₂, Ti[O(CH₂)₃CH₃]₄, Pb(CH₃COO)₂3H₂O, Ge[O-n-C₄H₉]₄, La(CH₃COO)₃1.5 H₂O as starting materials. The thin films were heat-treated in air at temperatures ranging from 400 to 800 for 1 h. The nonlinear optical property of these thin films was measured by the degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) method using a frequency-doubled Nd: YAG laser with 20 ps pulse duration. Third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of gold-dispersed BaTiO₃, PGO and PLT thin films with 5 vol% of gold were 1.410⁻⁶ esu, 3.510⁻⁷ esu respectively. The large χ⁽³⁾ may be ascribed to the high dielectric constant of the films.