Gelation dynamics and gel structure of fibrinogen

Gelation dynamics and gel structure of fibrinogen induced by serine protease, thrombin, was investigated by light scattering, real space observation using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and turbidity. Effects of additives, such as (linear) saccharides, glucose to dextran, and cyclodextrin, were studied focusing on the interaction with fibrin(ogen) and thrombin. Light scattering measurement was ascertained to be able to characterize the gelation process and growth kinetics. Stepwise (two-step) gelation process, formation of fibrin monomers and protofibrils followed by the lateral aggregation to form fibrin fibers and gel network, was clearly ascertained. Gelation point could be characterized quantitatively. At the gelation point, dynamic light scattering exhibited a self-similar nature of the fibrin gel network, and the fractal dimension was evaluated in good accordance with the reconstructed 3D image of gel network by CLSM. The interaction between the additives and fibrin(ogen) and thrombin were studied by the inhibition test using synthesized substrate. Temporal variation of microstructure of fibrin gel network (lateral fiber growth) was investigated by turbidity in detail. Addition of saccharides affects significantly the network formation as revealed by turbidity. The interaction of dextran with fibrin fibers was examined by fluorescence microscopy, too, and the characteristic spatial distribution was observed.     

Mechanism for negative poisson ratios over the alpha- beta transition of cristobalite, SiO2: A molecular-dynamics study

The adiabatic elastic constants ( C(ij)) of cristobalite have been evaluated successfully over the temperature range of 300-1800 K using the molecular-dynamics method with a fluctuation formula. Cristobalite shows a negative Poisson ratio over this temperature range. However, the mechanisms differ between the alpha and beta phases. In the cubic beta phase, C44 exhibits a value extremely close to C11 rather than C12, in contrast to the Cauchy relation. This predicts a remarkable property that the longitudinal and transverse velocities coincide for the acoustic waves propagating along the [100] direction.     

Shearing properties of sand under a repeated loading representing the ground pressure distribution of a tracked vehicle

This paper deals with experiments concerning the shearing properties of sand under repeated loading simulating the ground pressure distribution of a tracked vehicle. Shearing tests were carried out in sand by using a direct shear apparatus. It was confirmed that the shear strength of sand under repeated loading decreases with an increase in the number of loadings. This influences the soil thrust exerted by a highspeed tracked vehicle.     

Intramolecular cyclotrimerization of triynes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbene-CoCl2/Zn or -FeCl3/Zn

[reaction: see text] Triynes 1 could effectively be cyclotrimerized to annulated benzenes 2 by treatment with a catalytic amount of zinc powder, N-heterocyclic carbene, and CoCl(2) or FeCl(3).     

Formation region and hydrogen storage abilities of perovskite-type hydrides

Formation region and hydrogen desorption and absorption properties of the perovskite-type structure in Li_xNa_1−xMgH₃ with x = 0, 0.17, 0.33, 0.50 and 1.00 were studied in the present work. The experimental results are reasonably explained from the viewpoint of the geometric restrictions of ions that are described by so-called Goldschmidt tolerance factors. In NaMgH₃ (x = 0), two plateau pressures of about 0.040 and 0.15 MPa were clearly detected by hydrogen pressure–composition (p–c) isotherm measurement at 673 K. Moreover, NaMgH₃ can be reversibly formed in 1.0 MPa of hydrogen at 673 K, from the decomposed phase of elemental Na and Mg.     

Photocatalytic Decomposition of Acetaldehyde with Anatase Nanocrystals-Dispersed Silica Films Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process with Hot Water Treatment

Anatase nanocrystals of 5 to 10 nm in diameter were formed in the silica-titania films by treatment with hot water. The formation of nanocrystals with hot water treatment was a unique phenomenon to the silica-titania system and the addition of organic polymers such as PEG was indispensable for the high dispersion of anatase nanocrystals in the films. The hydrolysis of Si—O—Ti bonds with hot water was considered to play an important role for the formation of anatase nanocrystals. The resultant films were transparent even after the formation of anatase nanocrystals. Acetaldehyde was photocatalytically decomposed into CO₂ on the films which were subjected to a hot water treatment. The amounts of generated CO₂ were twice of that of introduced acetaldehyde, indicating that the total acetaldehyde was completely decomposed to CO₂. Anatase nanocrystals-dispersed films can be formed on various kinds of substrates including those with poor heat resistance such as organic polymers and organisms by this process, so that the substrates coated with the films are expected to be widely used for photocatalytic applications.