Reconstitution of Biosynthetic Machinery for the Synthesis of the Highly Elaborated Indole Diterpene Penitrem

Penitrem A is one of the most elaborated members of the fungal indole diterpenes. Two separate penitrem gene clusters were identified using genomic and RNA sequencing data, and 13 out of 17 transformations in the penitrem biosynthesis were elucidated by heterologous reconstitution of the relevant genes. These reactions involve 1) a prenylation‐initiated cationic cyclization to install the bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane skeleton (PtmE), 2) a two‐step P450‐catalyzed oxidative processes forming the unique tricyclic penitrem skeleton (PtmK and PtmU), and 3) five sequential oxidative transformations (PtmKULNJ). Importantly, without conventional gene disruption, reconstitution of the biosynthetic machinery provided sufficient data to determine the pathway. It was thus demonstrated that the Aspergillus oryzae reconstitution system is a powerful method for studying the biosynthesis of complex natural products.     

Surgical effects on soft tissue produced by a 405-nm violet diode laser in vivo

This study evaluated the surgical performance of a 405-nm diode laser in vivo, using living rat liver tissue. Tissue was incised by irradiation with the laser at low output power ranging from 1 W (722 W/cm²) to 3 W (2165 W/cm²) on a manual control at a rate of 1 mm/s. As a control, incisions using a stainless scalpel were compared. Immediately after operation, the surface of the incisions was macroscopically observed and histopathologically evaluated by microscopy. Laser-ablated liver tissue was smooth with observable signs of remnant carbonization and easily acquired hemostasis. The thickness of the denatured layer increased in proportion to the output power; the coagulation layer did not thicken accordingly. Bleeding could not be stopped for tissues incised with the stainless scalpel. The 405-nm diode laser thus proved to be effective for ablating soft tissue with high hemostatic ability at low power.     

Effect of discrete track medium at high areal density

The degradation of SNR caused by the higher uniaxial crystalline anisotropy field (Hk) of medium and small write fields of narrower write width is one of the problems for achieving higher areal density. The SNR dependence on Hk of a medium with different write fields of head using the discrete track medium (DTM) is investigated by using micromagnetics simulation. As a result, the curves of SNR as a function of Hk have peak values. In DTM, the peak values of SNR are almost constant at any Hk of the medium and different write fields. Higher SNR is realized even at low Hk and small write field in DTM.     

并二苯环纳米分子桥的电子传导特性

An two-electrode molecular bridge model that consists of two benzene rings was presented. The characteristics of electronic transport through the nano-molecular bridge was investigated theoretically by using the tight binding approach based on the Green’s function with only one π orbital per carbon atom at the site. Electronic transport probabilities through the molecular bridge from the input to the output terminal were obtained. The electronic current distributions inside the molecular bridge were calculated and shown in graphical analogy by the current density method based on Fisher-Lee formula at the energy points E=±0.68 and E=±1.38 where the peaks of transport probabilities appeared, and the maximum bond electronic current was also presented. The reason why the loop current in the benzene ring is induced by the phase difference within the molecular orbits is explained.     

Pyrene分子(小片石墨晶体)的电子传导特性

利用量子理论中基于Green函数的tight-binding方法,对pyrene分子的电子传导和电子流分布进行了理论研究。在考虑到界面耦合和Hopping积分的情况下,得出了电子透射谱和流分布的模拟结果。结果显示透射与电子的能量紧密相关;谱的振荡特征是能级量子化的结果;流分布有着特定的方向,并且在每一个原子点上符合Kirchhoff量子流守恒定律。另外还发现了桥接pyrene分子的正负能开关特性。     

Comparison of a radiation counting method and ICP-MS for the determination of99Tc in environmental samples

Results of⁹⁹Tc measurements between radiation and non-radiation counting methods were compared using four radiation sources for which⁹⁹Tc has been previously determined with a gas-flow proportional counter or a GM counter. Each⁹⁹Tc source consisted of a stainless steel planchet bound by mylar films. Seaweeds collected from the Irish Sea were analyzed and⁹⁹Tc was electroplated on the planchet. The⁹⁹Tc in each sample was separated and measured again by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Tc was continuously removed from each sample with 2M HNO₃ and 2M NaOH. After the solution containing Tc was adjusted to 0.1M HNO₃, Tc was extracted on a novel extraction chromatographic resin to separate it from Ru. The total recoveries for Tc on the planchet samples were almost the same with an average of 91%. The results of⁹⁹Tc measurements by both radiation and non-radiation counting methods agreed well with each other.     

Levels of artificial radionuclides and uranium in rain water collected from Ibaraki (Japan) following the Tomsk-7 accident in Russia

Measurements of some selected radionuclides were carried out in rain waters collected from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, following the nuclear accident at Tomsk-7, Russian Federation, in April 1993. The concentrations obtained for artificial radionuclides were⁹⁰Sr1.8 mBq l^–1,¹³⁷Cs0.1 Bq l^–1,¹³¹I0.1 Bq l^–1 and¹²⁹I4 Bq l^–1. Uranium (²³⁸U) concentrations in rainfalls in April 1993 were 6.3–39 ng l^–1. These data were compared to control values obtained previously and there was no appreciable influence on the radioactivity levels in Japan after the Tomsk-7 accident. Since only limited data on the concentrations of¹²⁹I and uranium in rain water are available, these new analytical results contribute to understanding the background levels for these nuclides.