Mononuclear five-coordinate molybdenum(IV) and -(V) monosulfide complexes coordinated with dithiolene ligands: reversible redox of Mo(V)/Mo(IV) and irreversible dimerization of [MoVS]- cores to a dinuclear [MoV2(mu-S)2]2- Core

A mononuclear five-coordinate molybdenum(IV) monosulfide complex, (Et4N)2[MoS(L)2] (L = cyclohexene-1,2-dithiolate) (1), was obtained and characterized by IR, UV-vis spectroscopic methods, and X-ray crystallography. 1 was oxidized by an equivalent ferrocenium cation to give the corresponding mononuclear molybdenum(V) complex, (Et4N)[MoS(L)2] (2), which was stable for a few minutes under a lower concentration than 0.3 mM and then further dimerized to (Et4N)2[Mo(L)2]2(mu-S)2 (3).     

Three new sesquiterpenoid glucosides of Ficus pumila fruit

As the glycosyl constituents of Ficus pumila L. fruits (Moraceae), three new sesquiterpenoid glucosides, pumilasides A, B and C were isolated together with benzyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, (E)-2-methyl-2-butenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside and rutin. Their structures were characterized as (1S,4S,5R,6R,7S,10S)-1,4,6-trihydroxyeudesmane 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,10S)-1,4-dihydroxymaaliane 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 10 alpha, 11-dihydroxycadin-4-ene 11-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside by spectral and chemical methods.     

Structure of inorganic nanoclusters embedded in solid matrixes: an X-ray absorption study

Results of X-ray absorption studies of copper nanoclusters embedded in SiO₂ matrix and selenium chains confined in channels of cancrinite are reported. Initially randomly distributed copper atoms mainly surrounded by silicon species in an as-made film upon annealing form copper nanoclusters with a characteristic size of 80 Å and the structure identical to that of bulk copper. The characteristic size of the clusters does not increase with further annealing. Selenium in cancrinite is shown to form strongly oriented linear dimerised chains with a bond length much larger than that in bulk forms of selenium.     

Supramolecular Hybrids from Cyanometallate Complexes and Diblock Copolypeptide Amphiphiles in Water

The self-assembly of discrete cyanometallates has attracted significant interest due to the potential of these materials to undergo soft metallophilic interactions as well as their optical properties. Diblock copolypeptide amphiphiles have also been investigated concerning their capacity for self-assembly into morphologies such as nanostructures. The present work combined these two concepts by examining supramolecular hybrids comprising cyanometallates with diblock copolypeptide amphiphiles in aqueous solutions. Discrete cyanometallates such as [Au(CN)₂]⁻, [Ag(CN)₂]⁻, and [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ dispersed at the molecular level in water cannot interact with each other at low concentrations. However, the results of this work demonstrate that the addition of diblock copolypeptide amphiphiles such as poly-(L-lysine)-block-(L-cysteine) (Lys_m-b-Cys_n) to solutions of these complexes induces the supramolecular assembly of the discrete cyanometallates, resulting in photoluminescence originating from multinuclear complexes with metal-metal interactions. Electron microscopy images confirmed the formation of nanostructures of several hundred nanometers in size that grew to form advanced nanoarchitectures, including those resembling the original nanostructures. This concept of combining diblock copolypeptide amphiphiles with discrete cyanometallates allows the design of flexible and functional supramolecular hybrid systems in water.     

Isolation,Diversity and Characterization of Ulvan-Degrading Bacteria Isolated from Marine Environments

In this study, we aimed to isolate bacteria capable of degrading the polysaccharide ulvan from the green algae Ulva sp. (Chlorophyta, Ulvales, Ulvaceae) in marine environments. We isolated 13 ulvan-degrading bacteria and observed high diversity at the genus level. Further, the genera Paraglaciecola, Vibrio, Echinicola, and Algibacter, which can degrade ulvan, were successfully isolated for the first time from marine environments. Among the 13 isolates, only one isolate (Echinicola sp.) showed the ability not only to produce externally expressed ulvan lyase, but also to be periplasmic or on the cell surface. From the results of the full-genome analysis, lyase was presumed to be a member of the PL25 (BNR4) family of ulvan lyases, and the bacterium also contained the sequence for glycoside hydrolase (GH43, GH78 and GH88), which is characteristic of other ulvan-degrading bacteria. Notably, this bacterium has a unique ulvan lyase gene not previously reported.     

Dynamical property of YFeMnO4

In order to interpret abrupt changes of distributions of orientations andmagnitudes of hyperfine fields in Mössbauer measurements of⁵⁷Fe in YFeMnO₄, a model is proposed. The origin is assumed to be not static but dynamic. Fluctuating fields are caused by spins in a fully frustrated spin system, namely, a Heisenberg spin system on a triangular lattice in a two-dimensional antiferromagnet. Extending the stochastic theory for the fluctuation between two states to that among many states with a Gaussian distribution, we fit the spectra with three parameters, hyperfine fieldH _hf, correlation time _c, andwidth of fluctuating field , within a limited condition of =_c=1. Obtained results represent the characteristic features of Mössbauer spectra well, in spite of a simplified model.     

2D-PIV analysis of loach motion and flow field

The propulsion methods of the aquatic lives are the results of optimization by evolution and are useful for the design of swimming-robot, etc. Among them, loach has unique propulsion technique both bending its long body and shaking caudal fin. Our purpose of the research is to clarify its swimming mechanism through flow field analysis. Two dimensional motion and flow around it have been experimentally visualized by particle image velocimetry (PIV). Vortices around a loach and the interactions between the loach body and surrounding water are analyzed. Generating and growing vortices by bending its body, it pushes water backward to gain repulsing force, and it seems that moves through vortices reducing the resistance force at the same time. When a vortex reaches to the caudal fin, it accelerates both sides of the vortex pushing water backward and seems gaining propulsion utilizing the caudal fin. After moving forward, loach leaves a vortex street like reverse Karman vortices, which means that loach gains propulsion.