Photorefractive effect in the relaxor ferroelectric material 0.91Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.09PbTiO3

The photorefractive effect in a nominally undoped 0.91Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.09PbTiO3 single crystal is measured. We report what is, to our knowledge, the first observation of the photorefractive effect in Pb-based relaxor ferroelectric crystals. The crystal is grown by the flux solution method. Then it is cut into a 2 mm x 4 mm x 8 mm piece and electrically poled along the [111] direction. The coupling constant of the two-wave mixing is 17 cm(-1), and the normalized time constant under 1-W/cm(2) illumination is 12 s at a wave-length of 476 nm. The effective trap density is calculated as 5 x 10(16) cm(-3) from the Debye screening length under the assumption of Kukhtarev's band-transport model. The dominant carrier is identified to be holes from the direction of two-wave mixing energy transfer.     

Direct observations of freeze-etching processes of ice-embedded biomembranes by atomic force microscopy

We have fabricated a cryogenic atomic force microscope that is designed for structural investigation of freeze-fractured biological specimens. The apparatus is operated in liquid nitrogen gas at atmospheric pressure. Freeze-fracturing, freeze-etching and subsequent imaging are carried out in the same chamber, so that the surface topography of a fractured plane is easily visualized without ice contamination. A controlled superficial sublimation of volatile molecules allows us to obtain three-dimensional views of ultrastructures of biological membranes.     

Genetic differentiation and subspecies development of the giant panda as revealed by DNA fingerprinting

Over the last 100 years giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have been separated into six completely isolated mountain ranges. DNA fingerprinting revealed different differentiation patterns in giant pandas, including early-stage, late-stage, recent divergence and recent genetic depression. A separation around 10 000 years ago resulted in highly significant differences in DNA fingerprints and morphological characteristics between Qinling and Sichuan populations. Supported by morphological differences, the genetic data were used to classify the Qinling population as a new subspecies, A. m. qinlingensis, while the Sichuan populations were classified into the original subspecies, A. m. melanoleuca. Thus, the Qinling population deserves management as a separate unit. In the Sichuan populations, two management units were defined, including Qionglai-Minshan and Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan. Our data suggest urgent measures are needed to establish green corridors between subpopulations in each mountain range to increase gene flow and genetic variation to ensure long-term survival.     

Complexation of phenolic guests by endo- and exo-hydrogen-bonded receptors

This article describes the complexation of phenol derivatives by hydrogen-bonded receptors. These phenol receptors are formed by self-assembly of calix[4]arene dimelamine or tetramelamine derivatives with 5,5-diethylbarbiturate (DEB) or cyanurate derivatives (CYA). The double rosette assemblies 3(3).(DEB)6/(CYA)6 have their phenol-binding functionalities (ureido groups) at the top and at the bottom of the double rosette (exo-receptors). The tetrarosette assemblies 4(3).(DEB)12/(CYA)12 form a cavity with binding sites between the two double rosettes for guest encapsulation (endo-receptors). An intrinsic binding constant Ka of 202 M-1 and 286 M-1 for the binding of 4-nitrophenol to the ureido functionalized exo- and endo-receptors, respectively, was observed. For the exo-receptor a 1:6 stoichiometry was observed while for the endo-receptor 1:4 binding stoichiometry was determined by Job plot and MALDI-TOF MS. The important role that the hydroxy group's acidity plays in the complexation of 4-nitrophenol is clarified by binding studies with different phenol derivatives. The hydrogen-bonded receptors showed a much smaller response towards less acidic phenol derivatives.     

Studies on the chemical constituents of stem bark of Millettia leucantha: isolation of new chalcones with cytotoxic,anti-herpes simplex virus and anti-inflammatory activities

Four new chalcone derivatives (1, 4, 7, 10) were isolated from the stem bark of Millettia leucantha KURZ (Leguminosae) along with two known ones (2, 6) and five known flavones (3, 5, 8, 9, 11). Structure elucidation and unambiguous assignment of the isolates were achieved with the aid of 1D and 2D NMR extensive studies. Correlation of 10 to 4 was successfully done by reduction with Et(3)SiH/CF(3)CO(2)H. Moderate cytotoxic activity was observed in chalcones (1, 10), whereas dihydrochalcones (4, 6) showed moderate anti-Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) activity. Interestingly, flavone 8 showed significant anti-inflammatory effects inhibiting both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2.     

A Method for Measuring the Three-Dimensional Refractive-Index Distribution of Single Cells Using Proximal Two-Beam Optical Tweezers and a Phase-Shifting Mach—Zehnder Interferometer

This paper describes a method for measuring the three-dimensional (3D) refractive-index distribution in a single cell. The method can be used to observe the distribution of cell components without fluorescence staining. The two-dimensional optical path length distributions from multiple directions are obtained by non-contact rotation of the cell. These optical path lengths are converted into the line integrals of the refractive index, and the 3D refractive-index distribution is reconstructed by means of computed tomography. The refractive-index distribution in a breast cancer cell can be measured using a phase-shifting Mach—Zehnder interferometer in conjunction with proximal two-beam optical tweezers.     

Synthesis and fluorescent properties of model compounds for conjugated polymer containing maleimide units at the main chain

2,3‐Diaryl substituted maleimides as model compounds of conjugated maleimide polymers [poly(RMI‐alt‐Ar) and poly(RMI‐co‐Ar)] were synthesized from 2,3‐dibromo‐N‐substituted maleimide (DBrRMI) [R= cyclohexyl (DBrCHMI) and n‐hexyl (DBrHMI)] and aryl boronic acid using palladium catalysts. To clarify structures of conjugated polymer containing maleimide units at the main chain, ¹³C NMR spectra of 2‐aryl or 2,3‐diaryl substituted maleimides were compared with those of N‐substituted maleimide polymers. Copolymers obtained with DBrRMI via Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling polymerizations or Yamamoto coupling polymerizations were dehalogenated structures at the terminal end. This dehalogenation may contribute to the low polymerizability of DBrRMIs. On the other hand, the π‐conjugated compounds showed high solubility in common organic solvents. The N‐substituents of maleimide cannot significantly affect the photoluminescence spectra of 2,3‐diaryl substituted maleimides derivatives. The fluorescence spectra of poly(RMI‐alt‐Ar) and poly(RMI‐co‐Ar) varied with N‐substituents of the maleimide ring. When exposed to ultraviolet light of wavelength 352 nm, a series of 1,4‐phenylene‐ and/or 2,5‐thienylene‐based copolymers containing N‐substituted maleimide derivatives fluoresced in a yellow to blue color. It was found that photoluminescence emissions and electronic state of π‐conjugated maleimide derivatives were controlled by aryl‐ and N‐substituents, and maleimide sequences of copolymers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011