Algebraic independence results for the values of certain Mahler functions and their application to infinite products

In this paper we establish algebraic independence criteria for the values at an algebraic point of Mahler functions each of which satisfies either a multiplicative type of functional equation or an additive one. As application we construct, using a linear recurrence sequence, an entire function defined by an infinite product such that its values as well as its all successive derivatives at algebraic points other than its zeroes are algebraically independent. Zeroes of such an entire function form a subsequence of the linear recurrence sequence. We prove the algebraic independency by reducing those values at algebraic points to those of Mahler functions.     

Protein assemblies by site-specific avidin-biotin interactions

Exploiting self-assembly systems with biological building blocks is of significant interest in the fabrication of advanced biomaterials. We assessed the potential use of site-specific ligand labeling of protein building blocks in designing functional protein self-assemblies by combining site-specifically biotinylated bacterial alkaline phosphatase (as a bidentate or tetradentate ligand unit) and streptavidin (as a tetrameric receptor).     

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric determination of plasmalogens in human plasma

A new liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of plasmalogens in human plasma using a nonendogenous plasmalogen (1-O-1′-(Z)-tricosenyl-2-oleoyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine, PLS 23:0/18:1) as an internal standard. 1-O-1′-(Z)-Tricosenyl glyceryl ether was prepared by reacting lithioalkoxyallyl with 1-iodoeicosane as the key intermediate in the formation of PLS 23:0/18:1. In LC/MS analyses, PLS 23:0/18:1 generated significant fragment ions in positive and negative modes. In positive ion mode, the [M+H]⁺ of PLS 23:0/18:1 yielded unique fragments with cleavages at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of the glycerol backbone. In negative ion mode, the [M+CH₃COO]⁻ of PLS 23:0/18:1 resulted in characteristic fragmentation at the sn-2 and sn-3 positions. 1-O-1′-(Z)-Hexadecenyl-2-linoleoyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PLS 16:0/18:2) and 2-arachidonoyl-O-1′-(Z)-hexadecenyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PLS 16:0/20:4) were chemically synthesized as PLS 23:0/18:1. The calibration curves obtained for PLS 16:0/18:2 and PLS 16:0/20:4 were linear throughout the calibration range (0.04–1.60 pmol). The LOD (S/N = 5:1) was 0.008 pmol and the LOQ (S/N = 6:1) was 0.01 pmol for both PLS 16:0/18:2 and PLS 16:0/20:4. Plasma concentrations of PLS 16:0/18:2 and PLS 16:0/20:4 were 4.0 ± 1.3 μM and 3.5 ± 1.2 μM (mean ± SD), respectively, in five healthy volunteers.     

Fabrication of Photoprocessable Materials via Photopolymerization Using an Acid-Induced Photocleavable Platinum-Acetylide Crosslinker

Photopolymerization and photoprocessing are core technologies for molding and tuning polymer materials. However, they are incompatible with single materials owing to their contradictory photoreactivity. Herein, an acid-induced photocleavable crosslinker, a platinum–acetylide complex covered by permethylated cyclodextrins, enables the fabrication of photoprocessable materials via photopolymerization with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide. The polymer networks are molded by 365 nm irradiation as well as softened and degraded by a cooperative reaction with HCl as an acidic additive under 365 nm UV light, or 470 nm visible light in the presence of a photosensitizer. Moreover, the crosslinker is applied to a photoadhesive triggered by 365 nm irradiation. The adhesion is detachable on-demand through acid-induced photodegradation with the same wavelength and intensity of irradiation. Thus, acid-induced photocleavage allows the integration of light-induced molding and processing under various lights of various wavelengths, opening up new strategies for polymer technologies.     

Electron transfer of conjugated polymeric ferrocenes

This paper describes three topics on the π‐conjugated ferrocene oligomers and polymers; the first is the dependence of intervalence‐transfer bands for mixed‐valence oligo(1,1'‐dihexylferrocenylene)s on the oxidation number and the number of ferrocene units, the second is synthesis of azo‐bridged ferrocene oligomers and a polymer and electrochemical and optical analysis of internuclear electronic interactions in their mixed‐valence states and the third is synthesis, redox behaviors and electrodeposition of oligoferrocenylene‐modified gold clusters.