Nucleophilic addition reaction of 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran to N-gulosyl-C-alkoxymethylnitrones: synthetic approach to polyoxin C

[reaction: see text] The stereoselectivity of nucleophilic addition of 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran to N-gulosyl-C-alkoxymethylnitrones was investigated. It was found that the selectivity was highly dependent on the bulkiness of the C-substituent of the nitrone. The major adducts were elaborated into the key intermediate of polyoxin C.     

Atomic resolution three-dimensional electron diffraction microscopy

We report the development of a novel form of diffraction-based 3D microscopy to overcome resolution barriers inherent in high-resolution electron microscopy and tomography. By combining coherent electron diffraction with the oversampling phasing method, we show that the 3D structure of a nanocrystal can be determined ab initio at a resolution of 1 A from 29 simulated noisy diffraction patterns. This new form of microscopy can be used to image the 3D structures of nanocrystals and noncrystalline samples, with resolution limited only by the quality of sample diffraction.     

The Effects of Comprehensive Exercise Program on the Adjustments of Standing Balance in Community-Dwelling Elderly Persons

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of comprehensive exercise program widely accepted as a community-based physical intervention for the prevention of falling in the elderly persons on their controlling standing balance. Twenty-six community-dwelling elderly persons (13 males and females; 69.8 ± 2.8 years old) participated in this study. Daily exercise was comprised of walking for more than 30 min, stretching, muscle strengthening and balance exercise without exercise equipments. The intervention was continued for three months. Indicators of standing balance related to static balance, dynamic balance and postural response were measured before and after the intervention. As an effect of the intervention on static balance, the sway of center of pressure (COP) in the static stance significantly increased. In the dynamic balance, significant improvements were observed in one leg standing time, the 10-m gait time, functional reach. Additionally, the maximal movable length of COP which subjects can move voluntarily to right and left significantly increased. In the postural response, the integrated electromyography (IEMG) induced by postural response for sudden postural perturbation significantly decreased in the lower leg muscles. Since less muscular activities were sufficient to maintain posture, it was suggested that postural response was elicited more efficiently following the intervention. This study suggested that the comprehensive exercise program, which has been widely introduced as community-based interventions for the prevention of falling, have extensive effects on the control of standing balance covering static balance, dynamic balance and postural response in the elderly persons.     

An X-ray double-crystal method utilizing non-parallel setting for measuring local lattice mismatches between epitaxial films and substrates

An X-ray topographic method utilizing non-parallel (+,-) setting for measuring lattice mismatches between epitaxial films and substrates is reported. This method gives quantitative as well as topographical information on lattice distortions in a distorted crystal and allows us to study any reflection from various crystals, in which the fractional variation of lattice spacing, δd/d, is of the order of 10^-4?10^-5. Examples of applications are lattice mismatches between epitaxial magnetic garnet films and (111) gadolinium garnet (GGG) substrates. The spacing of the epitaxial film was slightly larger along the [111] direction than that of the substrate and the apparent crystal symmetry of the epitaxial film is rhombohedral.     

Microemulsion-based synthesis of titanium phosphate nanotubes via amine extraction system

The first titanium phosphate nanotubes with alternating interlayer spacings have been successfully prepared and characterized. The synthesis is accomplished in a reverse microemulsion formed in an amine extraction system. TEM data from samples made after different times of reaction suggest a scrolling-formation mechanism.     

Grid points of Gauss-Legendre quadrature as exponent parameters of basis functions of atomic hartree-fock wavefunctions

Use of the grid points of the Gauss-Legendre numerical quadrature is examined as the exponent parameters of the basis functions of atomic Hartree-Fock wavefunctions. Calculations on He, Be, and Ne have been performed and reasonably accurate wavefunctions are obtained using 20 grid points or basis functions per symmetry species without any optimization of non-linear parameters.