Carbon-K NEXAFS measurements of a-CNx films formed from decomposition of BrCN in electron cyclotron resonance plasmas of He,Ne, and Ar

Amorphous carbon nitride (a-CN_x) films were formed from the decomposition of BrCN in the electron cyclotron resonance plasmas of He, Ne, and Ar. The local structures of these films were investigated by the carbon-K near edge X-ray absorption fine structure. It was found that the density of C=C bond in the film prepared with Ar plasma was 7–9 times larger than that with He or Ne plasmas. The [N]/([C] + [N]) ratios of films were estimated from the X-ray photoelectron spectra as 0.34 ± 0.05, 0.35 ± 0.04, and 0.28 ± 0.05 for the He, Ne, and Ar plasmas, respectively. It was found that C atoms in the sp²-hybridized state were incorporated into the two-dimensional and/or one-dimensional conjugated structures composed of ? C=N? in the cases of the He and Ne plasmas and of ? C=C? in the case of the Ar plasma. The compositions and the local structures of films can be explained in terms of a model based on the cyclazine-like network structures.     

Olefin Bifunctionalization: A Visible‐light Photoredox‐catalyzed Aryl Alkoxylation of Olefins

Olefin bifunctionalization is a facile route to obtain complex molecules from abundant and commercially available olefin feedstocks. Visible light together with a catalytic amount of tris(bipyridine)ruthenium salt catalyzes the aryl alkoxylation of styrenes with aryl diazonium salts in alcohol solvents via a photoredox process. The scope of this proposed reaction with respect to various aryl diazonium salts and styrenes has been investigated.     

Spontaneous chiral resolution of N,N′-diarylsquaramides: Formation of various types of one-handed helical networks during crystallization

N,N′-Bis(ortho-substituted phenyl)squaramides afforded chiral crystals, in which squaramide molecules are arranged in one-handed helical networks, upon simple recrystallization. Three types of crystals with different helices were obtained, depending on the substituents or recrystallization solvent. Folded-type intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions of squaramides play a key role in forming the helical networks.     

Optimum parameters for sideband cooling of a 40Ca+ ion

Optimum conditions for sideband cooling of ⁴⁰Ca⁺ are numerically analyzed and appropriate parameters are evaluated. The dependence of optimum parameters for sideband cooling on the realistic experimental conditions, such as laser linewidth or heating rate, is investigated. For experimental verification of the analysis, a single ⁴⁰Ca⁺ is sideband-cooled using parameters based on the analysis, and the achieved average oscillation quantum numbers are evaluated. As a result, a good agreement between the experimental value and numerical analysis is obtained.     

Translating Bacterial Detection by DNAzymes into a Litmus Test

Microbial pathogens pose serious threats to public health and safety, and results in millions of illnesses and deaths as well as huge economic losses annually. Laborious and expensive pathogen tests often represent a significant hindrance to implementing effective front‐line preventative care, particularly in resource‐limited regions. Thus, there is a significant need to develop low‐cost and easy‐to‐use methods for pathogen detection. Herein, we present a simple and inexpensive litmus test for bacterial detection. The method takes advantage of a bacteria‐specific RNA‐cleaving DNAzyme probe as the molecular recognition element and the ability of urease to hydrolyze urea and elevate the pH value of the test solution. By coupling urease to the DNAzyme on magnetic beads, the detection of bacteria is translated into a pH increase, which can be readily detected using a litmus dye or pH paper. The simplicity, low cost, and broad adaptability make this litmus test attractive for field applications, particularly in the developing world.     

Effect of tetrahydrofuran on reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of dansylhydrazones of oxo-steroids

The oxo-steroids corticosterone, testosterone and progresterone were converted with 5-N,N-dimethylaminonaphthalene- 1 -sulphonohydrazide (DNS-hydrazine) into DNS-hydrazones, which were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and detected fluorimetrically. The anti and syn conformers of the hydrazones were recognized on a C₁₈ column with eluents consisting of imidazole buffer (nitrate, pH 6.0) containing acetonitrile, methanol, acetone or dioxane, and thus two peaks were observed for each oxo-steroid derivative. On the other hand, a single peak was obtained when an eluent containing tetrahydrofuran was used, affording highly sensitive detection of oxo-steroids. A further improvement in the detection of oxo-steroids down to subpicomole level was achieved by adding a gel permeation chromatographic clean-up procedure to remove the excess reagent before the analysis by reversed-phase liquid chromatography.