Edges of Canonical Decompositions for 2-Bridge Knots and Links

Let L=C(a1,..., ak) be a hyperbolic 2-bridge knot or link. We give a family of arcs in S3–L which are ambient isotopic to edges of the canonical decomposition of S3–L if each aj is sufficiently large. This result supports the conjecture that the decomposition of S3–L given by Sakuma–Weeks in [12] is the canonical one.     

Anisotropic light absorption by localized surface plasmon resonance in a thin film of gold nanoparticles studied by visible multiple-angle incidence resolution spectrometry

Anisotropic light absorptions via localized surface plasmon resonance in a gold-evaporated film parallel (in-plane; IP) and perpendicular (out-of-plane; OP) to the film surface are studied using visible multiple-angle incidence resolution spectrometry (Vis-MAIRS). When the thin film was aged for eighteen days, the time-dependent Vis-MAIRS IP spectra exhibited significantly different variation from that of the OP spectra: the IP spectra exhibited a large shift to the shorter wavelength side, whereas the OP spectra were explained by a linear combination of three-constituent spectra. The surface topographical analysis of the film revealed that a continuous film coalesced to form aggregates of metal particles. The intrinsic difference between the IP and OP spectra was readily elucidated by considering the surface-parallel and -perpendicular dipoles interaction depending on the topographical changes, which was confirmed by performing spectral simulation using metal particle array models.     

Synthesis of 8‐Oxoberbines and Related Benzolactams by Pd(OAc)2‐Catalyzed Direct Aromatic Carbonylation

A variety of alkoxy‐substituted benzolactams with a berbine or yohimbane skeleton were prepared from 1‐benzyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines or 1‐benzyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines by a phosphine‐free Pd(II)‐catalyzed direct aromatic carbonylation in a Pd(OAc)₂‐Cu(OAc)₂ catalytic system. The site selectivity was compared with that of the carbonylation with Pd(OAc)₂ or Pd(OAc)₂·2 PPh₃, respectively.     

Cell separation in microcanal coated with electrically charged phospholipid polymers

To separate the cell population in whole blood using microcanal, the surface was covered with a polyion complex (PIC) composed of electrically charged phospholipid polymers. The phospholipids polymers were prepared by the polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and n-butyl methacrylate with 3-(methacryloyloxypropyl)-trimethyl ammonium iodide as the cationic unit or potassium 3-methacryloyloxypropyl sulfonate as the anionic unit. The PIC was formed at the solid-liquid interface, that is, first, the cationic polymer was coated on the substrate and an aqueous solution containing the anionic polymer with different concentrations was applied to the polymer-coated substrate. The formation of the PIC was followed using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and the PIC surfaces were analyzed by both zeta-potential measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurement. The surface electrical potential on the PIC was controllable from +40 to -40 mV by increasing the amount of the adsorbed anionic polymer. The PIC surface was prepared in microcanal. The surface electrical potential was sequentially changed. When the whole blood was introduced into the microcanal, the cells adhered on the positively charged surface, but could not adhere to the negatively charged surface. Even when the cells adhere to the surface, the morphology of cells was maintained. This is due to MPC units at the surface, which show a good biocompatibility. These results indicated that the change in the surface electrical potential will be a useful method to separate the cells from whole blood.     

Acetylene-vinylidene isomerization in ultrashort intense laser fields studied by triple ion-coincidence momentum imaging

The isomerization of acetylene via hydrogen migration in intense laser fields (8 x 10(14) W/cm2) has been investigated by coincidence momentum imaging of the three-body Coulomb explosion process, C2H2 (3+)-->H+ + C+ + CH+. When ultrashort (9 fs) laser pulses are used, the angle between the momenta of C+ and H+ fragments exhibits a sharp distribution peaked at a small angle ( approximately 20 degrees ), showing that the hydrogen atom remains near the original carbon site in the acetylene configuration. On the other hand, a significantly broad distribution extending to larger momentum angles ( approximately 120 degrees ) is observed when the pulse duration is increased to 35 fs, indicating that the ultrafast isomerization to vinylidene is induced in the longer laser pulse.     

Cell specific peptide-conjugated polysaccharide nanogels for protein delivery

A cell specific peptide (Arg‐Gly‐Asp; RGD)‐modified nanogel was prepared and evaluated for its potential to act as a protein delivery carrier. A bovine serum albumin (BSA)/RGD‐modified nanogel complex was efficiently internalized into cells through integrin‐mediated endocytosis. Endosomal escape of the RGD‐modified nanogel was observed after 24 h incubation. The nanogel proved useful for targeted protein delivery.