Light absorption due to higher harmonics of molecular vibrations in transparent amorphous polymers for plastic optical fibers

We have studied simple empirical equations to estimate light absorption loss α_v due to harmonics of molecular vibrations of transparent amorphous polymers used in plastic optical fibers (POFs). In the visible region, absorption involves two losses. One is α_v, and the other is the electronic transition absorption loss, α_e. Of the two, α_v is considerably larger than α_e in the wavelength region used for optical communication with POFs. We have clarified relationships between chemical structure of repeat units of polymers and α_v. We find that α_v is proportional to the concentration of specific chemical bonds (C? H, N? H, and Obond;H bonds) in the polymer solid, and we propose empirical equations to estimate α_v from the polymer density and the chemical structure of the repeat unit. These equations are used to estimate α_v of several polymers [i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and polycarbonate]. The estimated values are nearly equal to the experimental or reference values. Furthermore, to minimize the attenuation in the POF, we conclude that the POF core polymer should have no N? H, O? H, or aliphatic C? H bonds in its repeat unit.     

Weak-field magnetoresistance anomaly and Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations in Sn-doped InSb thin films on GaAs (100) substrates

Distinctive magnetoresistance (MR) effects in weak magnetic fields before the appearance of Shubnikov–de Haas (SdH) oscillations at low temperatures in Sn-doped (7×10¹⁶ cm⁻³) InSb films grown on GaAs(100) substrates by MBE have been investigated with decreasing film thickness d from 1 μm. The negative MR found in weak magnetic fields for d0.5 μm can be broadly divided into two regimes: T-sensitive negative MR below B_c observed with anisotropy between parallel and perpendicular magnetic field and a T-insensitive parabolic one above B_c observable only under in-plane magnetic fields. The latter is ascribable to the skipping orbit effect due to surface boundary scattering. In vanishing magnetic fields far below B_c, the negative MR reduces with decreasing d and the different positive MR overlaps with it below 0.5 μm, eventually dominating the positive MR at d0.2 μm. These results have been analyzed using a two-layer model for the films, where the composition of the upper layer under the surface and the lower one adjacent to the InSb/GaAs interface is assumed. The MR data in the extremely weak magnetic fields below 100 G for each layer have been successfully fitted to the two-dimensional (2D) weak localization (WL) theory. These results explain that the crossover from the 2D WL to the weak anti-localization (WAL) occurs when the interface is approached with the increase of SO interaction in the layers caused by the increased influence of the asymmetric potential at the hetero interface (Rashba term) and the SO rate in the intrinsic InSb film due to the crystal field of the zinc-blende structure (Dresselhaus term) is as small as τ_so⁻¹3×10⁸ s⁻¹.     

Preparation of Anti-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Monoclonal Antibody for Application in an Indirect Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Glycyrrhetinic acid is a major metabolite of glycyrrhizin, which is one of the main components of licorice roots and is considered to be one of the pharmacologically active substances in licorice. A new hybridoma cell line, named G-2A6, was generated by fusing mouse myeloma cells and splenocytes, which were immunized using glycyrrhetinic-acid–keyhole limpet hemocyanin to produce a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against glycyrrhetinic acid. Using the anti-glycyrrhetinic acid mAb, we attempted to develop a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA). The developed icELISA had a range from 3.91 to 125?ng/mL with low coefficients of variation (less than 5%) and demonstrated a high recovery rate of glycyrrhetinic acid spiked into licorice powder (average?=?101.76%). In addition, the icELISA could determine the glycyrrhetinic acid concentration in glycyrrhetinic-acid-spiked human serum with simple pretreatment, which suggests that the developed ELISA system using anti-glycyrrhetinic acid mAb would prove to be an effective and useful tool for determining glycyrrhetinic acid in various fields such as the analysis of Glycyrrhiza plants and pharmacokinetic studies of glycyrrhetinic acid during the administration of glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhizin, and/or licorice-based medical agents.     

Electron spin resonance spectra observed in the course of grafting iron carbonyls on sodium-Y zeolites

The adsorption and/or decomposition pathway of Fe₂(CO)₉ or Fe₃(CO)₁₂ on hydrated or dehydrated NaY zeolites has been studied by an ESR technique. The adsorption resulted in the formation of three paramagnetic species withg _iso=2.0450, 2.0378, and 2.0016, which were attributable to Fe₃(CO)₁₁ ^–, Fe₂(CO)₈ ^–, and Fe(CO)₄ ^– anion radicals, respectively. These radicals have been suggested as intermediates in the formation of HFe₃(CO)₁₁ ^– on the hydrated NaY zeolite and Fe₃(CO)₁₂ on the dehydrated NaY zeolite.     

Rhodium-HMPT-catalyzed direct ortho arylation of phenols with aryl bromides

Direct ortho arylation of phenols with aryl bromides catalyzed by a rhodium complex and hexamethylphosphorous triamide (HMPT) have been developed. A plausible reaction mechanism involving in situ generation of arylphosphites from phenols and HMPT, phosphorus-directed ortho metalation, and transesterification of the arylated arylphosphites with the substrate phenols is proposed.     

A specific bio-electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide

A bio-electrochemical sensor specific for hydrogen peroxide is described. The sensor consists of two membranes—a catalase-collagen membrane and a teflon membrane—an alkaline solution, a platinum cathode and a lead anode. The catalase-collagen membrane is prepared electrochemically, the thickness being 1 μ; the enzyme activity is similar to that of native catalase. The sensor responds to hydrogen peroxide with a response time of only 1–2 min. The calibration curve is quite linear over a concentration range of 0–1.5 mmol l^-1 for hydrogen peroxide. The utility of the sensor in continuous usage is discussed.     

Atrazine transformation using synthetic enzymes prepared by molecular imprinting

Atrazine imprinted synthetic polymers were prepared using a combination of methacrylic acid and 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate that bound and converted atrazine and other 6-chlorotriazine herbicides to less toxic compounds. A chloride at the 6-position of the triazines was converted to a methoxy group by the polymer in a methanol-containing solvent, where the imprinting effects enhanced the catalytic activity. Competitive inhibition of the atrazine methanolysis was observed in the presence of a structurally related binder, ametryn, suggesting that the catalytic reaction proceeded in the binding sites generated by the molecular imprinting process.     

Synthesis of a capillarisin sulfur-analogue possessing aldose reductase inhibitory activity by selective isopropylation

We describe the synthesis of 2-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)thio]-7-isopropoxy-5,6-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one 2 from 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol 6 via the key intermediate, 3-iodo-7-isopropoxy-5,6-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one 3. An important feature of this synthetic scheme involves selective alkylation, which can be achieved by two different routes. One route involves the selective isopropylation of a triacetate derivative 4 under basic conditions. The second route employs the selective demethylation of a trimethoxy derivative 5 under acidic conditions followed by isopropylation. The product of these alternative routes, compound 3, is then converted to a capillarisin sulfur analogue 2 in a one-pot reaction via the imidazolyl intermediate 22.     

Transformation of biodegradable polyesters into cyclic oligomers under continuous flow using an enzyme-packed column

The enzymatic degradation of typical chemically synthesized biodegradable plastics, such as poly(butylene adipate) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone), to a repolymerizable cyclic oligomer under continuous flow using an enzyme column was studied, directed towards green chemical recycling. It was confirmed that both polymers were quantitatively transformed into the corresponding cyclic oligomers by passage through the column packed with immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) at 40 degrees C using a toluene solution. Compared to the batch treatment in a flask, a short reaction time and a low reaction temperature occurred for complete transformations of the polyesters by continuous flow through the enzyme column. The degradation activity of the enzyme column was maintained for at least six months at 40 degrees C. Conceptual scheme of the continuous degradation equipment using the enzyme column.