Isothermal differential scanning calorimetry on an exothermic phenomenon during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO3 · Mg(OH)2 · 4 H2O

An exothermic phenomenon and a simultaneous rapid evolution of a small amount of carbon dioxide at ?500°C during thermal decomposition of hydromagnesite 4 MgCO₃ · Mg(OH)₂ · 4 H₂O was studied by isothermal DSCTG in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. It was quantitatively confirmed that the exothermic phenomenon was due to crystallization of MgCO₃ from the amorphous phase and that the evolution of carbon dioxide was due to decomposition of the MgCO₃ by the heat of crystallization (?3.4 kcal mole^?1.     

13C-NMR studies on the cevanine alkaloids : the application of 13C-NMR spectrum for structure elucidation of new alkaloids,baimonidine and isoverticine

The ¹³C-NMR spectra of seven cavanine alkaloids isolated from Veratrum and Fritillaria plants were measured and their signals were assigned, and these results were applicated for structure elucidation of two new cevanine alkaloids, baimonidine and isoverticine, isolated from mature Fritillaria verticillata.     

Design of a new molecule that exhibits observable CD spectra under σ-σ* excitation: 2,6-Disilyl-2,6-disilaspiro[3.3]heptanes

Abstract

We previously designed and prepared the first molecules to exhibit observable CD spectra by n-σ* excitation, 2,6-dithiaspiro[3.3]heptane 2,6-dioxide. Spiro[3.3]heptane frameworks possess axial asymmetry due to puckering of 2 four-membered rings; the ring bonds are rich in p-character due to acute bond angles, which lowers the σ* energy levels. In contrast, the lone pairs are rich in s-character, which results in a good donor with conformational fixation. We expected that, instead of lone pairs as donating orbitals, the use of σ-electron-donating Si-Si bonds should result in UV absorption in the observable range (>180?nm), so that the Cotton effect could appear, at least partially, in that range. We designed 2,6-disilyl-2,6-disilaspiro[3.3]heptanes as models, and performed theoretical calculations to confirm our idea.     

Stereoselective synthesis of procyanidin B3-3-O-gallate and 3,3″-di-O-gallate, and their abilities as antioxidant and DNA polymerase inhibitor

A simple method for the synthesis of procyanidin B3 substituted with a galloyl group at the 3 and 3″ position is described. Condensation of a benzylated catechin-3-O-gallate electrophile with a nucleophile, catechin and catechin-3-O-gallate, proceeded smoothly and stereoselectively to afford the corresponding dimer gallates, procyanidin B3-3-O-gallate and procyanidin B3-3,3″-di-O-gallate, in good yields. Further, their antioxidant activities on UV-induced lipid peroxide formation, DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibitory activity of DNA polymerase were also investigated. Among three procyanidin B3 congeners (procyanidin B3, 3-O-gallate and 3,3″-di-O-gallate), the 3,3″-di-O-gallate derivative showed the strongest antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. Interestingly, the 3-O-gallate derivative was the strongest inhibitor of mammalian DNA polymerase with IC₅₀ value of 0.26 μM, although it showed the weakest antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. It became apparent that the presence of a galloyl group at the C-3 position in the proanthocyanidin oligomer was very important for biological activity, however, the antioxidant activity of these compounds was not parallel to the DNA polymerase inhibitory activity.     

The reaction of lithium trialkylalkynylborates with oxiranes : γ-Hydroxyketone synthesis and stereoselective preparation of trisubstituted ethylenes

Lithium trialkylalkynylborates (1) react with oxiranes (2) to give non-isolable intermediates 3 which subsequently afford either γ-hydroxyketones 5, trisubstituted ethylenes of homoallylic alcohol type 6 or a tetrasubstituted ethylene 7 upon appropriate treatment with NaOH/H₂O₂, AcOH or NaOH/I₂, respectively. The reaction of oxiranes with 1 proceeds in high regioselectivity and the resulting homoallylic alcohols 6 are of nearly 100% (E) configuration. A straight chain γ-hydroxyketone 16 is obtained in the reaction of methyloxirane with the ate-complex (1), which has been prepared from lithium acetylide ethylenediamine complex and trihexylborane.     

Selective chemical treatment of cellular microdomains using multiple laminar streams

There are many experiments in which it would be useful to treat a part of the surface or interior of a cell with a biochemical reagent. It is difficult, however, to achieve subcellular specificity, because small molecules diffuse distances equal to the extent of the cell in seconds. This paper demonstrates experimentally, and analyzes theoretically, the use of multiple laminar fluid streams in microfluidic channels to deliver reagents to, and remove them from, cells with subcellular spatial selectivity. The technique made it possible to label different subpopulations of mitochondria fluorescently, to disrupt selected regions of the cytoskeleton chemically, to dislodge limited areas of cell-substrate adhesions enzymatically, and to observe microcompartmental endocytosis within individual cells. This technique does not require microinjection or immobilization of reagents onto nondiffusive objects; it opens a new window into cell biology.     

Tamper resistance in optical excitation transfer based on optical near-field interactions

We present tamper resistance in optical excitation transfer via optical near-field interactions based on the energy dissipation process occurring locally in nanometric devices such as quantum dots. A theoretical comparison with electrical systems is also shown, focusing on the required environmental conditions. Numerical simulations based on virtual photon models demonstrate high tamper resistance.     

Development of a certified reference material for the determination of perfluorooctanoic acid

A certified reference material (CRM) for the determination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been issued as NMIJ CRM 4056-a by the National Metrology Institute of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST). Purity (kg kg^?1) based on a titration method was determined by subtracting the mass fractions of impurities measured using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) from those of acids expressed as PFOA measured by a neutralization potentiometric titration. To validate an obtained result, purity based on a mass balance method was determined by subtracting the mass fractions of impurities, measured using LC/MS, Karl-Fischer titration (KFT), and vacuum evaporation, from 1 kg kg^?1. Results from both titration and mass balance methods were in agreement within the accepted limits of uncertainty. The certified purity of NMIJ CRM 4056-a was determined to be 0.959 kg kg^?1, calculated as the mean of the results obtained with the two methods. The standard uncertainty of the certified purity was evaluated from purity evaluations as well as from sample homogeneity and stability obtained from LC/MS and KFT analyses. Consequently, the expanded uncertainty was estimated to be 0.005 kg kg^?1 with a coverage factor of k = 2.     

Nanometric summation architecture based on optical near-field interaction between quantum dots

A nanoscale data summation architecture is proposed and experimentally demonstrated based on the optical near-field interaction between quantum dots. Based on local electromagnetic interactions between a few nanometric elements via optical near fields, we can combine multiple excitations at a certain quantum dot, which allows construction of a summation architecture. Summation plays a key role for content-addressable memory, which is one of the most important functions in optical networks.