Scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy for fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy of biomaterials in air and liquid: Observation of recombinantEscherichia coli with gene coding to green fluorescent protein

We have developed a system of scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy (SNOM/AFM) for fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy of biomaterials in air and liquid. SNOM/AFM uses a bent optical fiber simultaneously as a dynamic force AFM cantilever and a SNOM probe. Optical resolution of SNOM images shows about 50 nm in an illumination mode for a standard sample of a patterned chromium layer of 20 nm thickness on a quartz glass plate. The SNOM/AFM system contains a photon counting system and polychrometer/ICCD (intensified charge coupled device) system for observation of the fluorescence image and spectrograph of micro areas, respectively. The gene coding to green fluorescence protein (GFP) was cloned in recombinantEscherichia coli (E. coli). Topography, fluorescence image and spectrograph of recombinantE. coli by SNOM/AFM showed a difference in fluorescence in individualE. coli. Fluorescence activity of GFP can thus be used as a convenient indicator of transformation. SNOM/AFM is also applicable to observe immobilizedE. coli on a glass plate in water with a liquid chamber and may allow the viewing of observation of floating organisms.     

Kinetic study of the alternating copolymerization of butadiene and methyl methacrylate

A kinetic investigation of the alternating copolymerization of butadiene and methyl methacrylate with the use of a system of ethylaluminum dichloride and vanadyl chloride as a catalyst was undertaken. The relation between the polymer yield and the molar fraction of methyl methacrylate in the feed was examined by continuous variation of butadiene and methyl methacrylate, the concentrations of total monomer, ethylaluminum dichloride, and vanadyl chloride being kept constant. This continuous variation method revealed that the polymer yield attains its maximum value with a monomer feed containing less than the 0.5 molar fraction of methyl methacrylate. This value of the molar fraction of methyl methacrylate affording the maximum polymer yield decreased on increasing the total monomer concentration but was not changed on varying the concentration of ethylaluminum dichloride. The number of active species estimated from the relation between yield and molecular weight of the polymer was almost constant, regardless of the molar fraction of methyl methacrylate in the feed. Consequently, it can be said that the maximum polymer yield depends mainly on the propagation reaction, not on the initiation reaction or the termination reaction. Three types of the mechanism have been discussed for this alternating copolymerization: polymerization via alternating addition of butadiene and methyl methacrylate complexed with ethylaluminum dichloride by the Lewis-Mayo scheme; polymerization via the ternary intermediate of butadiene, methyl methacrylate, and ethylaluminum dichloride; polymerization via the complex formation of butadiene and methyl methacrylate complexed with ethylaluminum dichloride occurring only at the growing polymer radical. From the kinetic results obtained, it was shown that the first and third schemes are excluded, and polymerization by way of the ternary intermediate is compatible with the data.     

Multi-polariton scattering via excitonic molecules

We develop the theory of multi-polariton scattering via excitonic molecules under strong excitation. New emission lines, denoted by X- and L-bands, were observed at slightly lower energy side of two-photon Raman line in CuCl under strong excitation. In terms of the present theory, these lines can be for the first time assigned to the multi-polariton scatterings associated with the coherently (virtually) and incoherently (realy) created excitonic molecules, respectively.     

Two-dimensional measurement of laser-induced target movement by face-on interferometry

Initial movement of laser irradiated foil targets has been measured by face-on interferometry with two-dimensional resolution. This interferometric method provides direct and precise information about the initial movement of the rear surface of the target compared with conventional diagnostics. Target movement of 20–500 nm from the original position has been observed.     

The resolution of α-amino acid by chiral polymer-copper complex

The (N-benzyl-l-leucinato) copper(II) complex was shown pH titration to coordinate l-amino acids more strongly than d enantiomers. A chiral polymer complex, containing N-alkylated amino acid residue and copper(II) ion, was used partially to resolve some optically active amino acids. Unlike the (N-benzyl-l-amino acidate)-copper(II) complex, the polymer—copper(II) complex coordinates d-amino acids more strongly than l-enantiomers; the effect was explained by formation of (N,N-dialkylated-amino acidate) copper(II) complex in the polymer.     

The functional layered organosilica materials prepared with anion surfactant templates

A novel strategy for the synthesis of layered organosilica is demonstrated. The ionic interaction between the anionic group of a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and the cationic organic group of an organosilane (3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, ATMS) under acidic conditions was utilized to create a layered organosilica at room temperature. The inorganic part of the organosilica layer was an Si-O hexagonal sheet, and organofunctional groups were alternately arranged on both sides of the sheet. The layered structure of the ATMS organosilica was retained after the removal of the surfactant with chloride anion. The properties of the layered ATMS organosilica were investigated. The layered ATMS-Cl organosilica is stable and possesses a definite layer structure in water or ethanol. Various kinds of anions can be intercalated in the interlayer space of the layered ATMS organosilicas and the layer was expanded dependent on the intercalated anions. The structure of the layered ATMS organosilica was well retained during the intercalation processes.     

Grafting of methyl methacrylate and its derivatives onto blood

The grafting of vinyl monomers by tri-n-butylborane to blood has been investigated. The infrared spectra indicated that the monomers were grafted onto blood components. The grafting seems to occur onto blood proteins, mainly onto hemoglobin. The presence of water was essential to the grafting. The hydrolysis of the graft suggests that basic amino acids in the blood proteins, such as lysine and histidine, play an important role in the grafting.