Snapshot Mueller matrix spectropolarimeter

We present a new snapshot technique for performing spectrally resolved Mueller matrix polarimetry. The basic approach is an extension of the channeled spectropolarimetry technique, employing frequency-domain interferometry to encode polarization information into modulation of the spectrum.     

Phase structure of a U(1) lattice gauge theory with dual gauge fields

We introduce a U(1) lattice gauge theory with dual gauge fields and study its phase structure. This system is partly motivated by unconventional superconductors like extended s-wave and d  -wave superconductors in the strongly-correlated electron systems and also studies of the t–J$t\text{–}J$ model in the slave-particle representation. In this theory, the “Cooper-pair” (or RVB spinon-pair) field is put on links of a cubic lattice due to strong on-site repulsion between original electrons in contrast to the ordinary s  -wave pair field on sites. This pair field behaves as a gauge field dual to the U(1) gauge field coupled with the hopping of electrons or quasi-particles of the t–J$t\text{–}J$ model, holons and spinons. By Monte Carlo simulations we study this lattice gauge model and find a first-order phase transition from the normal state to the Higgs (superconducting) phase. Each gauge field works as a Higgs field for the other gauge field. This mechanism requires no scalar fields in contrast to the ordinary Higgs mechanism. An explicit microscopic model is introduced, the low-energy effective theory of which is viewed as a special case of the present model.     

Formation of a Ligand‐Assisted Complex of Two RNA Hairpin Loops

The hairpin structure is one of the most common secondary structures in RNA and holds a central position in the stream of RNA folding from a non‐structured RNA to structurally complex and functional ribonucleoproteins. Since the RNA secondary structure is strongly correlated to the function and can be modulated by the binding of small molecules, we have investigated the modulation of RNA folding by a ligand‐assisted formation of loop–loop complexes of two RNA hairpin loops. With a ligand (NCT6), designed based on the ligand binding to the G–G mismatches in double‐stranded DNA, we successfully demonstrated the formation of both inter‐ and intra‐molecular NCT6‐assisted complex of two RNA hairpin loops. NCT6 selectively bound to the two hairpin loops containing (CGG)₃ in the loop region. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of two doubly‐labeled RNA hairpin loops clearly showed the formation of intermolecular NCT6‐assisted loop–loop complex. Förster resonance energy‐transfer studies of RNA constructs containing two hairpin loops, in which each hairpin was labeled with Alexa488 and Cy3 fluorophores, showed the conformational change of the RNA constructs upon binding of NCT6. These experimental data showed that NCT6 simultaneously bound to two hairpin RNAs at the loop region, and can induce the conformational change of the RNA molecule. These data strongly support that NCT6 functions as molecular glue for two hairpin RNAs.     

Plasma-Induced Synthesis of CuO Nanofibers and ZnO Nanoflowers in Water

Fiber-shaped cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles and flower-shaped ZnO nanoparticles were facilely synthesized by plasma-induced technique directly from copper and zinc electrode pair in water, respectively. The phase composition, morphologies and optical property of nanoparticles have been investigated by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV–vis. The in situ analysis by an optical emission spectroscopy clarified the formation mechanism. Plasma was generated from the discharge between a metal electrode pair in water by a pulse direct current power. CuO and ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via almost the same formation mechanism, which were prepared via the rapid energetic radicals’ bombardment to electrodes’ surface, atom vapour diffusion, plasma expansion, solution medium condensation, and in situ oxygen reaction and further growth. This novel plasma-induced technique will become a potential application in nanomaterials synthesis.     

Selective decomposition of proteins by photocatalytic Ti(IV)-doped calcium hydroxyapatite particles from mixed-protein systems

The decomposition of protein molecules from a mixed-protein solution on the surface of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHap) and Ti(IV)-doped CaHap (TiHap) particles with a Ti/(Ca + Ti) atomic ratio (X _Ti) of 0.10 and 0.20 under UV irradiation of 365 nm in wavelength was investigated. Acidic bovine serum albumin (BSA) and basic lysozyme (LSZ) were employed as a model of pathogenic proteins. The photocatalytic activities of TiHap particles were estimated from the decomposition of BSA and LSZ from the BSA (2.5 mg/cm³)–LSZ(1.0 mg/cm³) mixture under 1 mW/cm² UV irradiation dispersed in a 10-mL quartz tube. No change in BSA concentration by UV irradiation was observed for all the unheated original CaHap and TiHap particles without and with low photocatalytic activities, respectively. Similar results were observed for the systems that employed heat-treated particles endowed a high photocatalytic activity by heat treatment at 650 °C for 1 h. On the other hand, a selective photocatalytic decomposition was observed for the LSZ, i.e., only LSZ molecules were decomposed completely from the BSA (2.5 mg/cm³)–LSZ(1.0 mg/cm³) mixture by using heat-treated TiHap particles with X _Ti?=?0.10 and 0.20. This selective decomposition by TiHap particles was interpreted by higher adsorption affinity of positively charged LSZ to highly negatively charged TiHap together with low molecular weight and rigid structure of LSZ molecules.     

Continuous Synthesis of Aryl Amines from Phenols Utilizing Integrated Packed-Bed Flow Systems

Aryl amines are important pharmaceutical intermediates among other numerous applications. Herein, an environmentally benign route and novel approach to aryl amine synthesis using dehydrative amination of phenols with amines and styrene under continuous-flow conditions was developed. Inexpensive and readily available phenols were efficiently converted into the corresponding aryl amines, with small amounts of easily removable co-products (i.e., H₂O and alkanes), in multistep continuous-flow reactors in the presence of heterogeneous Pd catalysts. The high product selectivity and functional-group tolerance of this method allowed aryl amines with diverse functional groups to be selectively obtained in high yields over a continuous operation time of one week.     

Conformational Dynamics of Monomer‐ versus Dimer‐like Features in a Naphthalenediimide‐Based Conjugated Cyclophane

The design and synthesis of an enantiomeric pair of 1,8‐diethynylanthracene‐bridged naphthalenediimide (NDI)‐based cyclophanes ( Cyclo‐NDI s) are reported. Each enantiomer of Cyclo‐NDI exhibits a circularly polarized luminescence signal with a relatively large luminescence dissymmetry factor (g_lum=±8×10^?3). We have further investigated the modulation of through‐space electronic communication between co‐facially oriented NDIs in a discrete Cyclo‐NDI with changes in the temperature. Tuning of the electronic communication results from the conformational transformation of monomer‐ versus dimer‐like features of Cyclo‐NDI , as confirmed by UV/Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroic, and NMR spectroscopic analysis. The temperature‐dependent optical response in the Cyclo‐NDI through the conformational transformation could be utilized as a highly sensitive and reversible optical thermometer in a wide temperature range (100 to ?80 °C).     

Phospholipid Polymer Hydrogel Matrices with Dually Immobilized Cytokines for Accelerating Secretion of the Extracellular Matrix by Encapsulated Cells

Construction of 3D tissues by various types of cells with specific characteristics is an important and fundamental technology in tissue reconstruction medicine and animal‐free diagnosis system. To do so, an excellent extracellular matrix (ECM) is needed for encapsulation of cells and maintaining cell activity. Spontaneously forming hydrogel matrix is used by complexation between two water‐soluble polymers, 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer bearing phenylboronic acid groups and poly(vinyl alcohol). Two cytokines for cell proliferation are immobilized in the hydrogel matrix to control the activities of the encapsulated cells. The cytokine‐immobilized hydrogel matrix can encapsulate both L929 fibroblasts and normal human dermal fibroblasts under mild condition. The physical properties of the hydrogel matrix can follow the proliferation process of the encapsulated cells. The encapsulated cells secrete ECM in the polymer hydrogel networks upon 3D culturing for 7 days. Consequently, the tissue‐mimicking ECM hybrid hydrogels are fabricated successfully.