Laser-assisted chemical beam epitaxy for selective growth

A recent exciting development in the growth of compound semiconductors is the use of light to modify the film growth rate in the irradiation area. We report Ar⁺-laser-assisted CBE of GaAs, InP, GaP and InGaAs to generate various patterned films without lithography. A linked-circle pattern is formed by laser beam scanning and a 0.85 μm pitch corrugation pattern formed by a holographic interference technique. Relationships between the growth rate and substrate temperature for the materials are compared. The mechanism of the growth rate enhancement is revealed to be photolytic decomposition of metalorganic molecules. In the case of InGaAs, laser irradiation above 500°C results in new phenomena of growth rate suppression and composition variation.     

Positron–electron correlation-polarization potential model for positron binding in polyatomic molecules

Positron binding energies (PBEs) of 41 polyatomic molecules were calculated using the positron–electron correlation-polarization potential (CPP) approach and compared with experimentally measured values. In this approach, the short-range positron–electron potential is modeled using the density-functional expression, whereas the long-range potential is approximated by the attractive polarization potential. The positron–electron CPP model based on local-density approximation yields larger PBEs than experimental values; however, the calculated values can be substantially improved by introducing generalized gradient approximation. We also investigated the conformational dependence of PBEs for representative molecules.     

Superexchange mediated energy transfer in zinc(II) porphyrin-free base porphyrin dimers: comparison of m- and p-bis(phenylethynyl) phenylene linked dimers

The singlet-singlet energy transfer rate in a new zinc(II) porphyrin-free base porphyrin dimer, having a m-bis(phenylethynyl)phenylene bridge, was found to be slower than that in the corresponding p-bis(phenylethynyl)phenylene-bridged dimer, despite the shorter donor-acceptor distance and pathway. The slower rate is interpreted as evidence for a major contribution of the superexchange mechanism.     

The Solid-State and Solution Conformations of (+)-Chelidonine

The solid-state and solution conformations of (+)-chelidonine ( 1 ), a biologically active alkaloid, were determined by X-ray diffraction and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction analysis revealed a conformer with B/C ‘anti-type’ cis conjunction, a half-chair of ring B , and a twist half-chair of ring C. One H₂O molecule per one alkaloid molecule was cocrystallized and stabilized by H-bonding with OH? C(11). Analysis of the thermal behavior of the crystal showed more thermal stability in the monohydrate than the anhydrate. The NMR measurement of concentration and temperature dependences in CDCl₃ and in (CD₃)₂SO suggested that the OH group of 1 was intramolecularly H -bonded to N(5) in (CD₃)₂SO and intermolecularly H-bonded to the solvent in CDCl₃. Conformational-energy calculations by the MNDO method showed that the intramolecular H -bond was little affected by the conformational stabilization of 1 .     

Stereoselective synthesis of both syn- and anti-N-tert-alkylamines using highly stereospecific crotylation of ketone-derived acylhydrazones with crotyltrichlorosilanes

Crotyltrichlorosilanes reacted with ketone-derived N-benzoylhydrazones in DMF without any catalyst. This is the first example of highly stereospecific crotylation of ketimine analogues leading to both syn- and anti-N'-tert-alkyl-N-benzoylhydrazines. Different reactivities between (Z)- and (E)-crotylsilanes in terms of yields and selectivities were observed. A kinetic study with both geometrically pure (Z)- and (E)-crotylsilanes was performed. These reactions are most likely to proceed via a cyclic chairlike transition state where the aromatic group of hydrazones takes an axial position. Both diastereomers of allylation products can be converted to the corresponding alpha,alpha-disubstituted homoallylic amines without epimerization.     

Enlarged endolymphatic duct and sac syndrome: relationship between MR findings and genotype of mutation in Pendred syndrome gene

Pendred syndrome (PDS) is characterized by profound deafness in childhood, positive perchlorate challenge, and goiter. PDS is often associated with enlarged endolymphatic duct and sac (EEDS), and recently, PDS gene mutations have been reported even in those patients with EEDS without classic Pendred syndrome. In a previous report, the number of mutant alleles was correlated with the degree of subclinical thyroid abnormality, but not with hearing loss, in patients with missense mutation H723R. It also has been reported that the hearing loss in EEDS was not correlated with the EEDS volume, cochlear modiolar area, or signal intensity of the endolymphatic sac. We evaluated the correlations between the number of mutant alleles and these parameters in patients with EEDS to investigate the mechanisms underlying this condition. The study group was comprised of 16 Japanese patients with EEDS diagnosed by MR imaging. The H723R mutation was homozygous in six patients and heterozygous in six patients, with no mutation found in four patients. The modiolar area, EEDS volume, and signal intensity ratio (sac signal/cerebrospinal fluid signal) were not significantly correlated with the number of mutant alleles. PDS gene mutations may not be the only cause of EEDS, and the mechanisms underlying EEDS remain unclear.