Shot-noise-induced random telegraph noise in shuttle current

Random telegraph noise in the electric current produced by shot noise is predicted for an array of movable colloid particles by Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics calculations. The electron transport is attributed to the shuttle mechanism where moving colloid particles carry charges. The colloid-particle motion induced by the source-drain voltage shows periodic and/or quasiperiodic vibrations, and the current value depends on the vibration modes. Shot noise that is uncorrelated with the colloid-particle motion causes transitions between the periodic and quasiperiodic vibration modes, resulting in random switching between the current levels corresponding to the vibration modes.     

Mechanism for enhancing dispersion of Co3O4 nanoparticles in Co/SiO2 Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst by adding glycol to impregnating solution: a quick‐XAFS study

In situ Co K‐edge quick‐EXAFS (QEXAFS) coupled with temperature‐programmed oxidation as well as ex situ XAFS was applied to investigating the mechanism for enhancing the dispersion of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles in a calcined Co/SiO₂ Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst prepared by adding triethylene glycol (TEG) to a Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O impregnating solution. Ex situ Co K‐edge XAFS indicated that, regardless of whether the catalysts were prepared with or without using TEG, the hexaaqua Co (II) complex was formed in impregnated samples which then underwent the dehydration process to some extent during the subsequent drying step at 393 K. In situ QEXAFS and ex situ EXAFS results also indicated that small oxide clusters were formed in the TEG‐modified catalyst calcined at ～400–470 K which interacted with polymer species derived from TEG. Since the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis activity of the TEG‐modified catalyst increased with an increase in the calcination temperature in a similar temperature range [Koizumi et al. (2011), Appl. Catal. A, 395 , 138–145], it was suggested that such an interaction enables the clusters to be distributed over the support surface uniformly, resulting in enhancing their dispersion. After combustion of polymer species, Co₃O₄‐like species were formed, and agglomeration of the Co₃O₄‐like species at high calcination temperatures was suppressed by the addition of TEG to the impregnating solution. It was speculated that the addition of TEG induced the formation of some surface silicate which worked as an anchoring site for Co₃O₄ and Co⁰ nanoparticles during calcination and H₂ reduction, respectively.     

Staphylococcus aureus Penicillin‐Binding Protein 2 Can Use Depsi‐Lipid II Derived from Vancomycin‐Resistant Strains for Cell Wall Synthesis

Vancomycin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (VRSA) uses depsipeptide‐containing modified cell‐wall precursors for the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan. Transglycosylase is responsible for the polymerization of the peptidoglycan, and the penicillin‐binding protein 2 (PBP2) plays a major role in the polymerization among several transglycosylases of wild‐type S. aureus. However, it is unclear whether VRSA processes the depsipeptide‐containing peptidoglycan precursor by using PBP2. Here, we describe the total synthesis of depsi‐lipid I, a cell‐wall precursor of VRSA. By using this chemistry, we prepared a depsi‐lipid II analogue as substrate for a cell‐free transglycosylation system. The reconstituted system revealed that the PBP2 of S. aureus is able to process a depsi‐lipid II intermediate as efficiently as its normal substrate. Moreover, the system was successfully used to demonstrate the difference in the mode of action of the two antibiotics moenomycin and vancomycin.     

[NiFe]Hydrogenase from Citrobacter sp. S‐77 Surpasses Platinum as an Electrode for H2 Oxidation Reaction

Reported herein is an electrode for dihydrogen (H₂) oxidation, and it is based on [NiFe]Hydrogenase from Citrobacter sp. S‐77 ([NiFe]_S77). It has a 637 times higher mass activity than Pt (calculated based on 1 mg of [NiFe]_S77 or Pt) at 50 mV in a hydrogen half‐cell. The [NiFe]_S77 electrode is also stable in air and, unlike Pt, can be recovered 100 % after poisoning by carbon monoxide. Following characterization of the [NiFe]_S77 electrode, a fuel cell comprising a [NiFe]_S77 anode and Pt cathode was constructed and shown to have a a higher power density than that achievable by Pt.     

Efficient total synthesis of (+)-negamycin, a potential chemotherapeutic agent for genetic diseases

Herein, we describe an efficient strategy for the total synthesis of (+)-negamycin using commercially available achiral N-Boc-2-aminoacetaldehyde as starting material with 42% overall yield for a limited number of steps.     

Evaluation of gradient-index array alignment

Optical Review - A gradient-index (GRIN) array is used as an imaging unit in light-emitting diode (LED) printers. In this study, we measure tilts of GRINs in an array and analyze the intensity...     

Novel heterotetranuclear V2Mo2 or V2W2 complexes with 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine: syntheses, crystal structures, and catalytic activities

Two novel heterotetranuclear complexes [V(2)O(2)(μ-MeO)(2)(μ-WO(4))(2)(4,4'-(t)Bubpy)(2)] (1) and [V(2)O(2)(μ-MeO)(2)(μ-MoO(4))(2)(4,4'-(t)Bubpy)(2)] (2) were synthesized, and the solid state structures of these complexes were revealed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The heterotetranuclear complexes 1 and 2 are centrosymmetric building blocks, considered as consisting of two [VO(4,4'-(t)Bubpy)](3+) units bridged by μ-MO(4)(2-) (M = W or Mo) anions connected with methoxy groups. Furthermore, catalytic activities of 1 and 2 in the alcohol oxidation with hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidants in water as solvent were investigated.