A Large-Area Patterned TiO2/SnO2 Bilayer Type Photocatalyst Prepared by Gravure Printing

Anatase TiO₂ films (thickness = 50 nm) were formed in shape of stripes (width = 1.6 mm, interval = 0.4 mm) by gravure printing on commercially available SnO₂ coated soda-lime glass substrates (dimension = 300 × 300 mm). Its photocatalytic activity was examined for the gas-phase oxidation of CH₃CHO in comparison with a simple TiO₂ photocatalyst formed on a silica glass. The patterned TiO₂/SnO₂ bilayer type photocatalyst showed a high photocatalytic activity in an H₂O bearing atmosphere. On the other hand, neither the patterning nor stacking effect was observed for the same reaction under dry conditions. These results could be explained in terms of the reducing potential of the electrons in the conduction band of the SnO₂ layer.     

Esters of 5-carboxyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide: a family of spin traps for superoxide

Apparent rate constants, at acidic pH and neutral pH for the reaction of a family of ester-containing 5-carboxyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxides with superoxide (O2*-) were estimated, using ferricytochrome c as a competitive inhibitor. It was of interest to note that the rate constants were similar among the different nitrones and not that significantly different from that found for 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide. At acidic pH, the rate constant for spin trapping O2*- was 3-fold greater than that at physiological pH. Subsequent experiments determined the half-life of aminoxyls, derived from the reaction of these nitrones with O2*-. The EPR spectra were modeled by using a global analysis method. The results clearly demonstrated that EPR spectra of all the aminoxyls were inconsistent with a model that included a single gamma-hydrogen splitting. A better interpretation modeled them as two diastereomers with identical nitrogen splittings and slightly different beta-hydrogen splittings. Detailed line width analyses slightly favored an equal line width-unequal population ratio for the two diastereomers.     

Simple indole alkaloids and those with a nonrearranged monoterpenoid unit

This review covers the literature on simple indole alkaloids and those with a nonrearranged monoterpenoid unit from the beginning up to the end of 2004. Newly isolated alkaloids, structure determinations, total synthesis and biological activities are included.     

Recent progress of high-power negative ion beam development for fusion plasma heating

A negative-ion-based neutral beam injector (N-NBI) has been constructed for JT-60U. The N-NBI is designed to inject 500 keV, 10 MW neutral beams using two ion sources, each producing a 500 keV, 22 A D⁻ ion beam. In the preliminary experiment using one ion source, a D⁻ ion beam of 13.5 A has been successfully accelerated with an energy of 400 keV (5.4 MW) for 0.12 s at an operating pressure of 0.22 Pa. This is the highest D⁻ beam current and power in the world. Co-extracted electron current was effectively suppressed to the ratio of Ie/I_D⁻ < 1. The highest energy beam of 460 keV, 2.4 A, 0.44 s has also been obtained. To realize 1 MeV class NBI system for ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), demonstration of ampere class negative ion beam acceleration up to 1 MeV is an important mile stone. To achieve the mile stone, a prototype accelerator and a 1 MV, 1 A test facility called MeV Test Facility (MTF) were constructed. Up to now, an H⁻ ion beam was accelerated up to the energy of 805 keV with an acceleration drain current of 150 mA for 1 s in a five stage electrostatic multi-aperture accelerator.     

Formation and stabilization model of the 42-mer Abeta radical: implications for the long-lasting oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid fibrils mainly consist of 40-mer and 42-mer peptides (Abeta40, Abeta42). Abeta42 is believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease because its aggregative ability and neurotoxicity are considerably greater than those of Abeta40. The neurotoxicity of Abeta peptides involving the generation of free radicals is closely related to the S-oxidized radical cation of Met-35. However, the cation's origin and mechanism of stabilization remain unclear. Recently, structural models of fibrillar Abeta42 and Abeta40 based on systematic proline replacement have been proposed by our group [Morimoto, A.; et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2004, 279, 52781] and Wetzel's group [Williams, A. D.; et al. J. Mol. Biol. 2004, 335, 833], respectively. A major difference between these models is that our model of Abeta42 has a C-terminal beta-sheet region. Our biophysical study on Abeta42 using electron spin resonance (ESR) suggests that the S-oxidized radical cation of Met-35 could be generated by the reduction of the tyrosyl radical at Tyr-10 through a turn structure at positions 22 and 23, and stabilized by a C-terminal carboxylate anion through an intramolecular beta-sheet at positions 35-37 and 40-42 to form a C-terminal core that would lead to aggregation. A time-course analysis of the generation of radicals using ESR suggests that stabilization of the radicals by aggregation might be a main reason for the long-lasting oxidative stress of Abeta42. In contrast, the S-oxidized radical cation of Abeta40 is too short-lived to induce potent neurotoxicity because no such stabilization of radicals occurs in Abeta40.     

Double catalytic enantioselective Michael addition reactions of tertiary nucleophile precursors—tertiary/quaternary and quaternary/quaternary carbon–carbon bond formations

Enantioselective Michael addition reactions of tertiary nucleophile precursors, such as substituted malononitriles and cyclic 1,3-diketones, can be successfully activated by the metal complexes derived from R,R-DBFOX/Ph chiral ligand and cationic metal salts. With this method, the enantioselective tertiary/quaternary and quaternary/quaternary carbon–carbon bond formations can be achieved. Use of alcohol solvents is essential for the success, and ,β-unsaturated amides of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole are much better acceptors than those of 2-oxazolidinone.     

pH-regulated formation of amyloid-like beta-sheet assemblies from polyglutamate grafted polyallylamine

A novel artificial protein with simple primary structure, poly(gamma-methyl-L-glutamate)-grafted polyallylamine, has been prepared and the resultant peptide has shown a unique property of pH-regulated conformation and morphology.     

Synthetic approach toward antibiotic tunicamycins — VI total synthesis of tunicamycins

Tunicamycins and their eight analogs have been synthesized by condensation of a N-acetyl-D-glucosamine derivative and an anomeric chloride of tunicaminyl uracil, followed by deprotections and N-acylation.     

Determination of total dietary fiber in selected foods containing resistant maltodextrin by enzymatic-gravimetric method and liquid chromatography: collaborative study

A method was developed for determination of total dietary fiber (TDF) in foods containing resistant maltodextrin (RMD) which includes nondigestible carbohydrates that are not fully recovered as dietary fiber by conventional TDF methods such as AOAC 985.29 or 991.43. Because the average molecular weight (MW) of RMD is 2000 daltons, lower MW soluble dietary fiber components do not precipitate in 78% ethanol; therefore, RMD is not completely quantitated as dietary fiber by current AOAC methods. The accuracy and precision of the method was evaluated through an AOAC collaborative study. Ten laboratories participated and assayed 12 test portions (6 blind duplicates) containing RMD. The 6 test pairs ranged from 1.5 to 100% RMD. The method consisted of the following steps: (1) The insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and high MW soluble dietary fiber (HMWSDF) were determined by AOAC 985.29. (2) Ion exchange resins were used to remove salts and proteins contained in the AOAC 985.29 filtrates (including ethanol and acetone). (3) The amount of low MWRMD (LMWRMD) in the filtrates were determined by liquid chromatography. (4) The TDF was calculated by summation of the IDF, HMWSDF, and LMWRMD fractions having nondigestible carbohydrates with a degree of polymerization of 3 and higher. Repeatability standard deviations (RSDr) were 1.33-7.46%, calculated by including outliers, and 1.33-6.10%, calculated by not including outliers. Reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) were 2.48-9.39%, calculated by including outliers, and 1.79-9.39%, calculated by not including outliers. This method is recommended for adoption as Official First Action.     

Rhodium-catalyzed isomerization of alpha-arylpropargyl alcohols to indanones: involvement of an unexpected reaction cascade

A rhodium-catalyzed isomerization of alpha-arylpropargyl alcohols to indanones has been developed under mild conditions. Considering the ease of preparation of these propargyl alcohols (terminal alkynes + aromatic aldehydes), this method provides a new way of constructing indanones with high efficiency. By the mechanistic investigations using deuterium-labeled substrates, it has also been demonstrated that the reaction goes through an unexpected cascade, with a 1,4-hydrogen shift being the turnover-limiting step of the catalytic cycle.