Improvement of focusing characteristics of a spiral plasmonic lens

We designed and fabricated a spiral plasmonic lens (PL) with multi-circular grooves to increase light intensity in a farfield region via the constructive interference of the light scattered by the multi-circular grooves. To compare the beam focusing characteristics of a spiral PL with multi-circular grooves with those of a conventional spiral PL, we simulated the electric field distribution of the PLs operating at a 405 nm wavelength. We confirmed that the light intensity increased about twofold at 0.75 μm above the PL surface owing to the effect of the multi-circular grooves. Furthermore, the circular grooves negligibly affect the full width at half-maximum of the focal spot, keeping the subwavelength size (～200 nm) of incident light.     

Stereoselective construction of an anti-β-alkoxy ether by Ireland-Claisen rearrangement for medium-ring ether synthesis

The asymmetric synthesis of an acyclic anti-β-alkoxy ether was achieved by the Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of Z-3-alkoxy-2-propenyl glycolate ester, prepared from Garner’s aldehyde, a glycolic acid derivative, and ethynyl N,N-diisopropylcarbamate. The resulting acyclic ether was facilely converted to seven- and eight-membered cyclic ethers via processes involving ring-closing olefin metatheses.     

Electrochemical Gene‐Function Analysis for Single Cells with Addressable Microelectrode/Microwell Arrays

To each his own : An addressable electrochemical device consisting of orthogonally arranged rows and columns of electrodes has been constructed to monitor protein expression in genetically engineered cells at the single‐cell level. The response based on redox cycling reflected the different expression levels of the enzyme from individual HeLa cells transfected with a plasmid vector including secreted alkaline phosphatase.

     

Metal‐Ion‐Coated Graphitic Nanotubes: Controlled Self‐Assembly of a Pyridyl‐Appended Gemini‐Shaped Hexabenzocoronene Amphiphile

The assembly line : Hexabenzocoronene amphiphiles appended with pyridyl‐terminated triethylene glycol side chains, in combination with trans‐[Pt(PhCN)₂Cl₂], lead to the formation of graphitic nanotubes. The structural features and dimensions of the nanotubes depend on the assembly conditions. A platinum(II)‐bridged cyclic dimer having two HBC units self‐assembles into a nanotubular structure.

     

1,4‐Bis(alkenyl)‐2,5‐dipiperidinobenzenes: Minimal Fluorophores Exhibiting Highly Efficient Emission in the Solid State

Minimum requirements : Crystals and thin films of 1,4‐bis(alkenyl)‐2,5‐dipiperidinobenzenes, which contain only one benzene ring as the aromatic component, emit visible light with excellent solid‐state quantum yields upon irradiation with UV light. Polystyrene thin films doped with the benzenes also exhibit brilliant fluorescence. By modifying the alkenyl groups, the emission color can be tuned in the range from blue to red.

     

Electrocatalytic Nitrite Reduction to Nitrogen Oxide by a Synthetic Analogue of the Active Site of Cu‐Containing Nitrite Reductase Incorporated in Nafion Film

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite to NO by [CuMe₂bpa(H₂O)(ClO₄)]⁺ ( 1 ), which is a model for the active site of copper‐containing nitrite reductase, incorporated in Nafion film was investigated. The Cu complex in the Nafion matrix exhibits an intense band at 267 nm and a broad band around 680 nm, assigned to d–d and ligand field transitions, respectively. The 77‐K EPR spectrum of 1 in the Nafion matrix reveals the typical axial signals (g_//=2.28, g =2.08, A_//=13.3 mT) of a tetragonal Cu²⁺ chromophore. The redox potential, which is related to the Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ couple, was ?146 mV (ΔE=72 mV) at pH 5.5. The redox reaction of 1 in Nafion was not dependent on pH and was a diffusion‐controlled process. The electronic structure and redox properties of 1 in the negatively charged polymer matrix were almost the same as those in aqueous solution. In the presence of nitrite, an increase in the cathodic current was observed in the cyclic voltammogram of 1 in the Nafion matrix. The current increase was dependent on the nitrite concentration and pH in solution. Upon reaching ?400 mV, a linear generation of NO was observed for the 1 /Nafion film coated electrode. The relationship between the rate of NO generation and the nitrite concentration in solution was analyzed with the Michaelis–Menten equation, where V_max=45.1 nM s^?1 and K_m=15.8 mM at pH 5.5. The Cu complex serves the function of both the catalyst and electron transport in the Nafion matrix. The sensitivity of the electrode was estimated to be 3.23 μA mM^?1 in the range of 0.1–0.4 mM nitrite.     

Ambient imaging mass spectrometry by electrospray ionization using solid needle as sampling probe

Although being an atmospheric pressure ion source, electrospray ionization (ESI) has rarely been used directly for ambient imaging mass spectrometry because the sample has to be introduced as liquid solution through the capillary. Instead of capillary, probe electrospray ionization (PESI), which has been developed recently, uses a solid needle as the sampling probe, as well as the electrospray emitter, and has been applied not only for liquid solutions but also for the direct sampling on wet samples. Biological tissues are composed of cells that contain 70–90% water, and when the surface is probed by the needle tip, the biological fluid adhering to the needle can be electrosprayed directly or assisted by additional solvent added onto the needle surface. Here, we demonstrate ambient imaging mass spectrometry of mouse brain section using PESI, incorporated with an auxiliary heated capillary sprayer. The solvent vapor generated from the sprayer condensed on the needle tip, re‐dissolving the adhered sample, and at the same time, providing an indirect means for needle cleaning. The histological sections were prepared by fixation using paraformaldehyde, and the spatial analysis was automated by maintaining an equal sampling depth into the sample in addition to raster scan. Phospholipids and galactosylceramides were readily detected from the mouse brain section in the positive ion mode, and were mapped with 60 µm lateral resolution to form mass spectrometric images. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.