Spatial distribution of YO molecules ejected from laser-ablated YBa2 Cu3 O7−x

One-dimensional imaging laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy has been used for in-situ measurements of spatial distributions of YO molecules produced during the ArF-laser ablation of YBa₂ Cu₃ O _7–x in vacuum and oxygen gas environment. The time-integrated angular distribution of particles ejected in vacuum has a cos ⁿ form, where 11 <n < 13. When oxygen gas was introduced, YO molecules were confined in a smaller volume, and temporal changes of their spatial distribution were interpreted in terms of blast-wave formation.     

Increased viscosity of erythrocyte suspension upon hemolysis

Viscous properties of partially hemolyzed erythrocyte suspensions were studied with a cone-plate viscometer. A Casson plot was successfully applied for analysis of the viscous properties. When the degree of hemolysis was increased, Casson viscosity ( _c) of the partially hemolyzed erythrocyte suspensions increased, but the substitution of hemoglobin solution with the same O₂-carrying capacity of hemolyzed fraction (containing ghost) reduced the _c remarkably. The yield stress (f _c) of the intact erythrocyte suspension increased with increasing hematocrit, but thef _c of partially hemolyzed erythrocyte suspension was dependent on both hematocrit and the degree of hemolysis. The apparent viscosity ( _a) of erythrocyte suspension was drastically increased with the slight hemolysis, and became maximum at a certain degree of hemolysis which was dependent on both total hemoglobin concentration and shear rate. Such influence of hemolysis on the _a was also evident in the mixture of erythrocyte suspension and hemoglobin solution. These results suggest that the hemoglobin molecule plays a certain role in erythrocyte-erythrocyte interaction in their suspension, which modifies the viscosity.     

Identification of Shiga toxins in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli using immunoprecipitation and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

We developed a rapid and reliable identification method for Shiga toxins in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) using immunoprecipitation and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). Polyclonal antisera specific for Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) were raised in rabbits so as to be used for the immunoprecipitation. The immunoprecipitaion was carried out by mixing sample solutions with 50 microl each of the antisera to Stx1 and Stx2 followed by allowing the mixed solutions to stand for 30 min. The quantity required to obtain the immunoprecipitate was more than 0.5 microg of Shiga toxins. HPLC-ESI-MS analysis of the resulting immunoprecipitates provided accurate molecular weight information on Shiga toxins, leading to direct evidence for the presence of these toxins. It requires at most two days to perform our procedure from toxin extraction to measurement of HPLC-ESI-MS whereas the previous method using isolation procedures required about two weeks to complete. The usefulness of the present method has been demonstrated by identifying Stx1, Stx2 and a variant of Stx2 (Stx2e) in the immunoprecipitates prepared from STEC strains.     

Evaluation of dissociation constants of ammonium ion in aqueous lithium perchlorate and lithium chloride-sodium chloride mixed solutions

The Pitzer approach has been applied to the evaluation of dissociation constants of ammonium ion in lithium perchlorate and lithium chloride-sodium chloride mixed solutions at 25°C. The calculated values showed good agreement with the observed values, provided all the higher-order interaction terms ('s and 's) concerned were introduced. The unknown (NH₄LiClO₄) value was determined from the isopiestic measurements of NH₄ClO₄–LiClO₄ mixed solutions. Parameters in the Pitzer formalism for ammonia-ion interactions involved in LiCl and NaCl media were determined by use of the activity coefficients of ammonia measured in LiCl–NaCl mixed solutions by a transpiration method.     

Isolation, characterization, and theoretical study of La2@C78

A new metallofullerene, La2@C78, has been synthesized by DC arc discharge method, isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography, and characterized by laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry, UV-vis-NIR absorption, differential pulse voltammetry, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. The La2@C78/CS2 solution is dark violet and presents several characteristic absorption features at 647, 561, 533, and 386 nm, with an onset around 1000 nm. With respect to empty D3-C78, the capability of La2@C78 as an electron acceptor or donor is stronger. Addition of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1,2-disirane to La2@C78 photochemically, as well as thermally, affords bis- and mono-adducts. Theoretical studies and 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis of La2@C78 indicate that it possesses a D3h-C78 cage (78:5).     

Elimination of the 4-hydroxyl group of the alkaloids related to morphine—I

Sinomenine, an alkaloid of the Japanese plant Sinomenium acutum, was converted to the 4-phenylether by the Ullmann reaction in a good yield. The Clemmensen reduction of sinomenine-phenylether and of its derivatives gave (+)-3-methoxy-4-phenoxy-N-methyl-Δ^x-morphinan.

Hydrogenation and successive sodium-liquid ammonia reduction of (+)-3-methoxy-4-phenoxy-N-methyl-Δ^x-morphinan gave (+)-3-methoxy-N-methylmorphinan.