Formation of periodic layered pattern of tetrahydrofuran clathrate hydrates in porous media

Directional growth of tetrahydrofuran (THF) clathrate hydrates was studied in a mixture of glass beads and a stoichiometric THF-water solution. Results showed that disseminated pore space type hydrates formed in a mixture containing 50-microm beads. However, a pure hydrate layer formed pushing the beads in a mixture containing 2-microm beads (frost heaving of hydrates). As the growth proceeded, new layers were formed repeatedly, leading to the eventual formation of a periodic layered pattern. It was found that as the growth rate increased, both the thickness of a hydrate layer and the interval between the neighboring layers decreased according to power laws. The effects of the applied temperature gradient and the weight ratio of the solution and glass beads were also systematically studied. Further, the possibility of applying our model experiments to the formation of natural methane hydrates was discussed.     

Quick analysis of baicalin in Scutellariae Radix by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody

To establish an immunoassay for baicalin (BA), a hybridoma cell line (9D6) secreting a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against BA was prepared by cell fusion with splenocytes derived from a mouse immunized with BA-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate and a myeloma cell line, SP2/0-Ag14. MAb 9D6 shows specific reactivity against BA and its aglycone, baicalein, but not against other natural products. We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using MAb 9D6 in a competitive manner, ranging from 200 ng/mL to 2 μg/mL. After validating the developed ELISA on the basis of intra- and inter-assays and a recovery experiment, it was found that the ELISA was not only simple, but also sufficiently reliable and accurate for quality control of Scutellariae Radix. It allowed determination of BA in complex and mixed materials, such as Kampo medicines.     

Catalytic enantioselective allylation of aldehydes using β-amido functionalized allylstannanes with chiral In(OTf)3/i-Pr-pybox complexes

The enantioselective allylation of aldehydes using a variety of β-amido functionalized allyltributylstannanes proceeded smoothly with good to high yields and enantioselectivities in the presence of 10 mol % of a chiral catalytic complex prepared from In(OTf)₃ and 2,6-bis[(S)-4-isopropyloxazolin-2-yl]pyridine {(S)-i-Pr-pybox}, providing the corresponding chiral γ-hydroxy amides.     

Investigation of the origin and sedimentary environment of marine sediments from coastal areas of western Japan by INAA

Trace elements such as Sc, lanthanoids, Th and U were determined by means of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in marine sediment core samples collected from 5 coastal areas in western Japan mainly facing the Pacific. The origin of the coastal sediments and the sedimentary environment are discussed in terms of such parameters as the La*/Lu* and Ce*/La* ratios, the Th/Sc ratios and the Th/U-Ce/U plot obtained from the analytical data. In particular, it was confirmed that the Th/U-Ce/U plot introduced in this work is extremely useful for estimating the sedimentary environment, including redox conditions.     

Flexible transparent conducting single-wall carbon nanotube film with network bridging method

Hollow ZrO(2) microspheres with mesoporous shells have been synthesized by a novel hydrothermal reaction of zirconium oxychloride in the presence of urea, hydrochloric acid, and ethanol. The morphology and shell thickness of the hollow microspheres can be controlled by varying synthesis conditions. After calcination at high temperature, the morphologies of the hollow microspheres are essentially preserved. Pt catalyst supported on the hollow calcined ZrO(2) microspheres exhibits more excellent catalytic performance in CO oxidation than those on ZrO(2) powders derived from conventional precipitation methods.     

Optimized conditions for high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of oligosaccharides using 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin as a reductive amination reagent

Reductive amination reaction using 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) as a fluorescent probe enabled analyses of glycoproteins' monosaccharides and N-linked oligosaccharides. Reductive amination of N-acetylhexosamines and AMC using sodium cyanoborohydride or dimethylamine-borane complex indicated slight recovery of derivatives, but pyridine-borane achieved better recoveries. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses of monosaccharides constituting glycoprotein glycans using fluorimetric detection revealed linearity for 0.2fmol to 1pmol, with less than 5% RSD quantitation reproducibility. Reversed-phase HPLC analyses of glycoprotein glycans, combined with negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), enabled their structural determination. Using this highly hydrophobic reagent, AMC-labeled oligosaccharides displayed one-order to two-order higher ESI-MS intensity than derivatives labeled using other reagents.