A tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) derivative tethered to a cis-PtCl2(amine)2 moiety: syntheses, spectroscopic properties, and visible-light-induced scission of DNA

A tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) derivative having two N-(3-ammoniopropyl)carbamoyl pendant units has been prepared and reacted with cis-PtCl2(DMSO)2 (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) to give a heteronuclear Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer having a cis-Pt(II)Cl2(aliphatic amine)2 unit, [Ru(bpy)2(mu-bridge)PtCl2](PF6)2 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, bridge = 4,4'-bis(N-(3-aminopropyl)carbamoyl)-2,2'-bipyridine). The ESI-TOF mass spectrum of the Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer shows a set of signals corresponding to {[Ru(bpy)2(mu-bridge)PtCl2](PF6)}(+) (m/z 1181.1). The MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) luminescence intensity is enhanced upon the platination of two amine units, presumably due to the formation of a relatively rigid metallocycle. More interestingly, the luminescence intensity is further enhanced by the complexation of the Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer with either 5'-GMP (guanosine 5'-monophosphate disodium salt) or calf thymus DNA. Visible-light-induced scission of supercoiled pBR322 DNA is found to be efficiently enhanced in the presence of the title Ru(II)Pt(II) dimer.     

Structures of 17,19-hexatriacontadiyne monolayers on Au(111) studied by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy

The aggregation and reaction of 17,19-hexatriacontadiyne molecules are studied on a Au(111) surface. The molecular orientation and arrangement are elucidated by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). A vapor-deposited monolayer and a multilayered film formed by adsorption from the solution provide IRA spectra with bands due to the antisymmetric and symmetric stretching of methylenes in the gauche conformation. After the adsorbed film is rinsed with the solvent, however, the spectrum loses the gauche bands and is characterized by the enhanced C-H(distal) and C-H(proximal) stretching bands, which means that all-trans molecules are laid flat. Only STM images for the rinsed film display columnar structures on the herringbones of the reconstructed Au(111) surface; the alkyl chain direction is found to be parallel to the Au atom row. The results indicate that an ordered monolayer is formed first at the liquid-solid interface, and then, disordered overlayers with the gauche conformation are grown but removed by a rinse. Upon exposure to UV light, thus obtained monomer columns are converted into oligomers with flexible backbones and an increased gauche population in the alkyl chains, which resemble red phase polydiacetylenes in LB films.     

Photo-control of kinesin-microtubule motility using caged peptides derived from the kinesin C-terminus domain

To design a nanoscale biodevice that can be controlled by an external stimulus, we have introduced photochemical switching peptides derived from the kinesin C-terminus domain into the kinesin-microtubule in vitro motility system.     

The development of children's understanding of mathematical patterns through mathematical activities

In this paper we report how children (aged 8) developed their mathematical understanding through number tasks based on the Fibonacci sequence (Bamboo numbers) used in the context of a Substantial Learning Environment (SLE), which is designed to be mathematically rich, have a clear purpose and give opportunities to utilise mathematical thinking. The flexible nature of the SLEs makes it possible for teachers and children to explore various mathematical patterns. To capture children's activities when working within SLEs, we make particular reference to Pegg and Tall's work in 2005, and consider a theoretical framework based on the SOLO taxonomy (Biggs and Collis 1982) and the developmental process of understanding mathematical concepts. It was found that the key progression to be made through learning using our Bamboo number-based SLEs is from Multi-structural to Relational levels. It was also suggested that it is difficult for many children to understand the structural aspects of number patterns.     

Effect of Sn and Nb on generalized stacking fault energy surfaces in zirconium and gamma hydride habit planes

We have investigated the effects of Sn and Nb on dislocation properties in a Zr lattice to elucidate the role of these alloying elements in hydride nucleation processes. According to experimental observations, γ-hydride habit planes are close to the prismatic plane in pure Zr and close to the basal plane in Zircaloy. Dislocation loops are observed around hydride precipitates, implying they play a part in hydride formation. Our ab initio generalized stacking-fault energy calculations showed remarkable effects of Sn on unstable-stacking energy and stacking-fault energy: these parameters for basal slip were considerably reduced while those for prismatic slip were increased in the presence of Sn. These results suggest selective stabilization and enhancement of dislocation spreading in the basal plane, promoting possible elementary processes of hydride precipitation with basal habit plane, i.e. screw-dislocation spreading and edge-dislocation emission in the basal plane.     

Multicomponent QM study on the reaction of HOSO + NO2 with H2O: Nuclear quantum effect on structure and reaction energy profile

The hydrogen transfer reaction in the reaction of HOSO + NO₂ with and without H₂O have been investigated using multicomponent quantum-mechanics method, which can directly take nuclear quantum effect (NQE) of light nuclei into account. For the case of the reaction without H₂O, our calculation reveals that the reaction leading to trans-HONO is preferred. For the reaction with H₂O, water-non-mediated and water-mediated (hydrogen-relay) hydrogen transfer mechanism are investigated. The NQE of hydrogen nucleus lowers the relative energy of the stationary point structures and reduces the activation barrier of the reactions. The largest stabilization is found in the transition state structure of the hydrogen-relay type reaction. H/D isotope effects for the reactions are also analyzed. In particular, H/D isotope effect on the activation barrier is analyzed in detail with the aid of the active strain model.     

Chemical Interactions of Cryptic Actinomycete Metabolite 5‐Alkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolines through Aggregate Formation

Organisms often produce secondary metabolites as a mixture of biosynthetically related congeners. However, why are metabolites with minor chemical variations produced simultaneously? 5‐Alkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolines (5aTHQs) are small, lipophilic metabolites produced by Streptomyces nigrescens HEK616 when cultured with Tsukamurella pulmonis TP‐B0596. A mixture of 5aTHQs forms aggregates that show enhanced membrane affinity and biological activity. The ability to form aggregates and membrane‐binding activity is regulated by the length of the alkyl chains. Aggregates with long alkyl chains were too stable to fuse with lipid membranes. However, if inactive 5aTHQ congener was mixed with active congener, the mixture showed increased membrane affinity, enabling cellular entry and biological activity. Therefore, it is shown that sloppiness in a biosynthetic pathway, by which minor structural variations can be produced, is functionally rational, as the metabolites show synergistic action.     

Zirconia-based planar NO2 sensor using ultrathin NiO or laminated NiO–Au sensing electrode

The nanostructured thin NiO films with the thicknesses of 30–180 nm were examined as a sensing electrode (SE) for the planar mixed-potential-type yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based NO₂ sensor. The sensing characteristics were examined in the temperature range of 600–800 °C under the wet condition (5 vol.% water vapor). Among the NiO-SEs tested, the 60 nm-thick NiO-SE sintered at 1,000 °C was found to give the highest NO₂ sensitivity in the NO₂ concentration range of 50–400 ppm accompanying with fast response/recovery at the operating temperatures of 600–700 °C. The high NO₂ sensitivity was attributed to the high catalytic activity for both electrochemical reactions of O₂ and NO₂ at the interface of NiO-SE/YSZ. The ultrathin gold layer with the thickness of about 60 nm was additionally formed on the 60 nm-thick NiO-SE to fabricate the laminated-type (60 nm NiO/60 nm Au)-SE. It was demonstrated that the use of this laminated (NiO–Au)-SE improved both the sensitivity and the selectivity to NO₂.     

Biosynthesis of Indole Diterpene Lolitrems: Radical-Induced Cyclization of an Epoxyalcohol Affording a Characteristic Lolitremane Skeleton

Lolitrems are tremorgenic indole diterpenes that exhibit a unique 5/6 bicyclic system of the indole moiety. Although genetic analysis has indicated that the prenyltransferase LtmE and the cytochrome P450 LtmJ are involved in the construction of this unique structure, the detailed mechanism remains to be elucidated. Herein, we report the reconstitution of the biosynthetic pathway for lolitrems employing a recently established genome-editing technique for the expression host Aspergillus oryzae. Heterologous expression and bioconversion of the various intermediates revealed that LtmJ catalyzes multistep oxidation to furnish the lolitrem core. We also isolated the key reaction intermediate with an epoxyalcohol moiety. This observation allowed us to establish the mechanism of radical-induced cyclization, which was firmly supported by density functional theory calculations and a model experiment with a synthetic analogue.