Detector area expansion at iNSE neutron spin echo spectrometer

Expansion of a detection area is an effective method to increase the measurement efficiency of a neutron spin echo (NSE) spectrometer as well as other spectrometers. For this purpose, we installed a new π/2 spin flipper and Fresnel coil of iNSE spectrometer at JRR-3, Tokai, Japan, for wide-area data acquisition. In this study, we propose a data reduction method to correct the phase inhomogeneity due to the path difference of neutrons on the large detection area. This method can convert many NSE signals at small areas to one NSE signal at a large area with taking the phase offset due to the phase inhomogeneity into account. The measurement efficiency increased by approximately one order of magnitude as a result of the detection area expansion.     

Two distinct pathways for essential metabolic precursors for isoprenoid biosynthesis

Isoprenoids are a diverse group of molecules found in all organisms, where they perform such important biological functions as hormone signaling (e.g., steroids) in mammals, antioxidation (e.g., carotenoids) in plants, electron transport (e.g., ubiquinone), and cell wall biosynthesis intermediates in bacteria. All isoprenoids are synthesized by the consecutive condensation of the five-carbon monomer isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to its isomer, dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). The biosynthetic pathway for the formation of IPP from acetyl-CoA (i.e., the mevalonate pathway) had been established mainly in mice and the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curiously, most prokaryotic microorganisms lack homologs of the genes in the mevalonate pathway, even though IPP and DMAPP are essential for isoprenoid biosynthesis in bacteria. This observation provided an impetus to search for an alternative pathway to synthesize IPP and DMAPP, ultimately leading to the discovery of the mevalonate-independent 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway. This review article focuses on our significant contributions to a comprehensive understanding of the biosynthesis of IPP and DMAPP.     

Upgrade of the nuclear resonant scattering beamline, BL09XU in SPring-8

An Upgrade of the nuclear resonant scattering beamline, BL09XU in SPring-8 has been conducted. A liquid nitrogen cooled high-heat load monochromator was installed and a 2nd experimental hutch was constructed. The instruments installed in the hutch allow for a variety of sample conditions. Newly developed high-resolution monochromators with better stability including the back scattering geometry monochromator have opened up the easy access to more isotopes and more precise measurements.     

The structure of arugomycin,a new anthracycline antibiotic part I. structural elucidation of degradation products,AG1, AG2 and AG3.

Based on ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and mass spectral analysis and chemical degradation, the structures of degradation products of arugomycin (arugorol, AG1, AG2 and AG3) have been determined as shown in Fig. 1.     

In vivo localization of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in a CEA-producing tumor--comparison with polyclonal antibody

To compare accumulation of the 125I-labeled antibodies (anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody and polyclonal antibody) to a CEA-producing tumor (SC-2-JCK), an in vivo localization study was performed in nude mice. The tumor-to-blood ratio at 120 hours after injection rose to 4.6 for the monoclonal antibody, but remained at 1.3 for the polyclonal antibody. However, no differences were noted between the antibodies up to 72 hours after injection. In autoradiograms, selective accumulation of the tracer was noted in the tumor for both antibodies. However, no superiority or inferiority of imaging for either of the antibodies could be definitely determined.     

Copolymerization of 2‐isothiocyanatoethyl methacrylate and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate or methacrylic acid based on a nucleophile‐tolerant property of the isothiocyanato group

Radical copolymerizations of 2‐isothiocyanatoethyl methacrylate (ITEMA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA) were examined, and fundamental properties of the obtained copolymers were investigated. The copolymerizations of various ITEMA/HEMA or ITEMA/MAA compositions proceeded effectively in THF or DMF by using 2,2′‐azobisbutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator, keeping the isothiocyanato groups and hydroxyl or carboxyl groups unchanged. Glass transition temperatures (T_g)s of poly(ITEMA‐co‐HEMA)s ranged from 68 to 100 °C, and they were thermally stable up to 200 °C. Meanwhile, T_gs of poly(ITEMA‐co‐MAA)s (ITEMA/MAA = 91/9, 76/24) were determined to be 91 and 109 °C, respectively. However, poly(ITEMA‐co‐MAA)s were thermally unstable, and significant weight loss was observed around 180 °C, which may be due to an addition of carboxyl groups to isothiocyanato groups followed by an elimination of COS to form amide structure in the copolymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 5221–5229     

Synthesis and properties of new ferroelectric liquid crystalline compounds having a 1, 2-diphenylethane structure

Abstract

Chiral 1, 2-diphenylethane derivatives have been synthesized and found to form stable chiral Sc phases exhibiting ferroelectric properties. Comparison with diphenylacetylene derivatives revealed that flexibility of the bridging groups between two benzene nuclei strongly influences the stability of mesophases as well as transition temperatures.     

Water‐stable copolymers containing isocyanate moiety protected by hydrophobic styrene segment and their reaction with amines

Reactive isocyanate groups were protected and stabilized by the hydrophobic styrene segment and acquired high tolerance toward water. Copolymers containing isocyanate groups were synthesized by a radical copolymerization of 2‐propenyl isocyanate (2PI) and styrene (St). The stability of the obtained copolymers on water was examined to find that isocyanate groups were protected by the hydrophobic polystyrene segment and were stable on water and these isocyanates reacted with primary amines including amino acids to form urea selectively on water. Primary amines with a higher octanol‐water partition coefficient or smaller steric hindrance were more reactive to the isocyanate groups in the side chain of the copolymer. The protection of reactive isocyanate groups using the hydrophobic styrene segment did not give side products which are produced in the usual chemical protection/deprotection process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1934–1940     

Diversity of the biosynthesis of the isoprene units

This review covers the biosynthesis of the starter units of terpenoids, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) via the nonmevalonate pathway together with a new enzyme involved in the conversion of IPP and DMAPP, i.e type 2 IPP isomerase. The biosynthesis of terpenoids produced by actinomycetes is also reviewed. 117 references are cited.     

Quantitative Analysis of Ozone and Nitrogen Oxides Produced by a Low Power Miniaturized Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge: Effect of Oxygen Content and Humidity Level

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - This study presented a quantitative evaluation of the performance of a low power miniaturized SDBD source for the production of ozone and nitrogen oxides as...