Fabrication of L10 FePtAg nanoparticles and a study of the effect of Ag during the annealing process

L1₀ ferromagnetic phase FePt nanoparticles containing Ag atoms (FePtAg) were synthesized by means of a liquid phase process, followed by annealing. The addition of Ag to FePt nanoparticles permits annealing to be conducted at a lower temperature (350 °C). This is further accompanied by a subsequent transformation in the crystal phase from the FCC superparamagnetic phase to the FCT (L1₀) ferromagnetic phase. The effects of annealing temperature and the Ag atoms inside the nanoparticles on the magnetic properties of the FePt nanoparticles have been studied. Using electron spectroscopy for the chemical analysis (ESCA), Ag atoms in the L1₀ phase FePtAg nanoparticles were found to be localized on the surface region of the annealed nanoparticles. The Ag atoms function to inhibit the oxidation of FePt, causing the particles to become more stable and to have ferromagnetic properties.     

Sequential molecular vapor elution analysis for the separation and determination of LiCl and NaCl in river waters

The determination of alkali metal chloride in river waters by sequential molecular vapor elution analysis (SMVEA) using a molecular absorption detector (MA) is reported. An improved molybdenum column was developed for SMVEA. An optimum flow rate of carrier gas (pure argon or nitrogen) for separation of metal vapors was 12.0 ml min⁻¹. Lithium chloride and sodium chloride peaks completely separated from potassium, rubidium, and cesium chlorides but CaCl₂, FeCl₂, MgCl₂, and MnCl₂ peaks did not appear at a column temperature of 1000 °C and vaporization temperature of 1000 °C. The appearing order of these metal chlorides was LiCl, NaCl, KCl, RbCl, and CsCl. It was not understood by considering the boiling points of these metal chlorides. The delay of appearing time is due to an interaction between the molecular vapors and inside surface of the column. Under the experimental conditions, the number of theoretical plates was 247 for LiCl and 268 for NaCl in the improved column. Under the optimal experimental conditions, river waters were analyzed for lithium and sodium chlorides. The analytical results agreed well with the recoveries were in the range of 94–105%. By SMVEA, it was found that lithium and sodium chlorides in waters were determined without interference of matrix elements, no chemical treatment for river water samples.     

Weighted Strichartz estimates for the wave equation in even space dimensions

We prove the weighted Strichartz estimates for the wave equation in even space dimensions with radial symmetry in space. Although the odd space dimensional cases have been treated in our previous paper [5], the lack of the Huygens principle prevents us from a similar treatment in even space dimensions. The proof is based on the two explicit representations of solutions due to Rammaha [11] and Takamura [14] and to Kubo-Kubota [6]. As in the odd space dimensional cases [5], we are also able to construct self-similar solutions to semilinear wave equations on the basis of the weighted Strichartz estimates.Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 35L05, 35B45, 35L70COE fellowDedicated to Professor Mitsuru Ikawa on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday     

Screening of endocrine disrupting chemicals using a surface plasmon resonance sensor.

Because concern over endocrine disrupting reactions caused by chemicals to humans and animals is growing, a rapid and reliable screening assay for endocrine disrupting chemicals is required. We have developed an in vitro screening assay based on a hormone receptor mechanism using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. The interaction between an estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and an estrogen response element (ERE) is monitored in real time, when ER is injected over the SPR sensor chip on which a DNA fragment containing ERE is immobilized. In the presence of a chemical with estrogenic activity, the ER-ERE interaction is enhanced and the kinetic parameters are altered. We have validated the assay in terms of its specificity, dose dependency, optimal reaction conditions and reproducibility. It has been shown that the assay is very reliable as a rapid and quantitative screening method to judge the estrogenic activities of chemicals.     

Determination of Antimony in Waters by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Preconcentration on a Tantalum Wire

 A preconcentration method for antimony in waters involving adsorption on a tantalum wire, followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a tungsten tube atomizer is described. The best pH for the adsorption of antimony was 2. The optimal immersing time was 120 s. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit for antimony by the tantalum wire preconcentration method was 50 pg/mL (3S/N) and the relative standard deviation was 9.4%. The effects of large amounts of concomitants on the preconcentration of antimony were evaluated. Even though 10³–10⁴ fold excess of matrix elements existed in water, the antimony response was not significantly affected by the matrix elements. The method with preconcentration on a tantalum wire was applied to the determination of antimony in waters and proved to be sensitive, simple, and convenient. This adsorption method can be utilized in in-situ sampling of ultra-trace antimony in environmental samples (water). Furthermore, after sampling it is easy to carry and store the tantalum wire without contamination for a long time. The technique developed was shown to be useful for the determination of Sb in waste waters at the 1–5 μg/L level. Received March 20, 2002; accepted June 26, 2002     

Development of a Divergent Synthetic Route to the Erythrina Alkaloids: Asymmetric Syntheses of 8‐Oxo‐erythrinine,Crystamidine, 8‐Oxo‐erythraline,and Erythraline

A general synthetic methodology toward the erythrina alkaloids has been developed. Inspired by a proposed biosynthetic mechanism, the medium‐sized chiral biaryl lactam was asymmetrically transformed into the common core A–D rings by a stereospecific singlet oxygen oxidation of the phenol moiety, followed by a transannular aza‐Michael reaction to the dienone functionality. The late‐stage manipulation of the oxidation and oxygenation states of the functional groups on the peripheral moieties enabled the flexible syntheses of the erythrina alkaloids.     

A Bioinspired Synthesis of (±)‐Rubrobramide, (±)‐Flavipucine,and (±)‐Isoflavipucine

A biomimetic synthesis of naturally occurring lactams rubrobramide, flavipucine, and isoflavipucine is described. The key step is a regioselective Darzens reaction between isobutyl glyoxal and an α‐bromo‐β‐ketoamide. The construction of the core tricyclic ring system of rubrobramide was achieved by a cascade reaction in a single step from an α,β‐epoxy‐γ‐lactam. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of naturally occurring (+)‐rubrobramide was determined by vibrational circular dichroism. (±)‐Flavipucine and (±)‐isoflavipucine were synthesized from an epoxyimide, which was prepared by reaction of isobutyl glyoxal with a protected α‐bromo‐β‐ketoamide. Deprotection of the epoxyimide and formation of the pyridone ring gave (±)‐flavipucine, which was converted into (±)‐isoflavipucine by thermal isomerization.     

A Modular Synthesis of Conformationally Preorganised Extended β‐Strand Peptidomimetics

A promising strategy for mediating protein–protein interactions is the use of non‐peptidic mimics of secondary structural protein elements, such as the α‐helix. Recent work has expanded the scope of this approach by providing proof‐of‐principle scaffolds that are conformationally biased to mimic the projection of side‐chains from one face of another common secondary structural element—the β‐strand. Herein, we present a synthetic route that has key advantages over previous work: monomers bearing an amino acid side‐chain were pre‐formed before rapid assembly to peptidomimetics through a modular, iterative strategy. The resultant oligomers of alternating pyridyl and six‐membered cyclic ureas accurately reproduce a recognition domain of several amino acid residues of a β‐strand, demonstrated herein by mimicry of the i, i+2, i+4 and i+6 residues.