Direct observation of the multistep helix formation of poly-L-glutamic acids

The helix formation dynamics of poly-L-glutamic acids (PGAs) were observed by the microsecond-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. The helix formation of 34-residue PGA from random coil at pH (or pD for FTIR) 8.0 was initiated by a pH jump to 4.9 using the rapid solution mixer whose mixing dead time is 50 micros. The amide I' line in the time-resolved FTIR spectra exhibited the fast (<100 micros) increase of the total helical content. The time-resolved CD spectra of the same process also showed the fast (<150 micros) formation of short helical segments (5 +/- 1 residues), which was followed by the slower (<1 ms) elongation of the short helices to longer helices (>10 residues). Similar dynamics were observed for the same pH jump of approximately 190-residue PGA, although there were additional steps that made the helix formation of approximately 190-residue PGA more complex. The observed multistep helix formation is likely caused by the strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between the protonated side chains of PGAs.     

Self-assembly patterning of colloidal crystals constructed from opal structure or NaCl structure

We developed a novel self-assembly process to fabricate an orderly array of particle wires constructed from a close-packed colloidal crystal without preparation of patterned templates. A substrate was immersed vertically into a SiO2 colloidal solution, and the liquid surface moved downward upon evaporation of solution. Particles formed a mono-/multiparticle layer, which was cut by the periodic drop-off of solution. The orderly array of particle wires was successfully fabricated, showing the suitability of the self-assembly process for the fabrication of nano-/microstructures constructed from nano-/microparticles or blocks. The mechanism of the assembly process and control of thickness, width, and interval of particle wires were further discussed. Moreover, an array of particle wires constructed not from close-packed face-centered cubic (or hexagonal close packed) structure but from two kinds of particles was realized to fabricate an array of particle wires with NaCl structure by this self-assembly process.     

Synthesis of Urea‐Tethered Disaccharides in Water

A new method for the synthesis of urea‐linked disaccharides in aqueous media has been developed. The key feature of our approach is two strained Steyermark‐type gluco‐ and galactopyranosyl oxazolidinones. Each oxazolidinone is attached to a pyranose ring in a di‐equatorial trans‐annulation framework. Reaction of these oxazolidinones with 4‐aminohexopyranose in water proceeded smoothly to afford the urea‐tethered cellobiose and lactose analogues. The galactose‐type oxazolidinone proved to be more reactive than the glucose‐type, which is explained by the presence of an axial hydroxy group at C4 in the former.     

A free energy calculation study of the effect of H-->F substitution on binding affinity in ligand-antibody interactions

Changes in binding affinity to catalytic antibody 6D9 of chloramphenicol phosphonate derivatives (CPDs) containing H or F were investigated by performing free energy calculations based on molecular dynamics simulations. We calculated the binding free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes (DeltaDeltaG, DeltaDeltaH, and -TDeltaDeltaS) attributable to H-->F substitution by comparing results for CPDs containing a trifluoroacetylamino group (CPD-F) or an acetylamino group (CPD-H). The calculated DeltaDeltaG, DeltaDeltaH, and -TDeltaDeltaS values were -2.9, -6.3, and 3.5 kcal mol(-1) and close to experimental values observed for a series of similar ligands, chloramphenicol phosphonates with F and H (-1.4, -3.5, and 2.1 kcal mol(-1)). Therefore, CPD-F binds more strongly to 6D9 than does CPD-H. To clarify the origin of the large difference in DeltaDeltaG, we apportioned the calculated values of DeltaDeltaG and DeltaG for the associated and dissociated states into contributions from various atomic interactions. We found that the H-->F substitution increased the binding affinity mainly by decreasing the hydration free energy and not by increasing favorable interactions with the antibody. The decreased hydration free energy of the ligand was mainly due to unfavorable coulombic interactions between the trifluoroacetylamino group and solvent waters, which increased the free energy of the dissociated state (by about 3.7 kcal mol(-1)). Also, the trifluoroacetylamino group slightly increased the free energy level of the associated state (about 0.8 kcal mol(-1)) because favorable van der Waals interactions compensated for unfavorable coulombic interactions with antibody atoms. In addition, the enthalpy and entropy changes, DeltaDeltaH and -TDeltaDeltaS (computationally -6.3 and 3.5 kcal mol(-1)), originated mainly from a decrease in hydration free energy in the dissociated state. The CPD-F and CPD-H ligands had substantially different structures in the dissociated and complexed states.     

Preparation and characterization of modified 3-aminopropylsilyl silica phases with 1,8-naphthalic anhydrides in HPLC

Modified 3-aminopropylsilyl silica stationary phases with 1,8-naphthalic anhydrides [3-(1,8-naphthalimido)propyl (NAIP), 3-(4-amino-1,8-naphthalimido)propyl (4A-NAIP), 3-(3-nitro-1,8-naphthalimido)propyl (3N-NAIP), and 3-(4-nitro-1,8-naphthalimido)propyl modified silyl silica gel (4N-NAIP)] are prepared in a single reaction. Chromatographic properties of these phases are characterized using various solutes including monosubstituted benzenes, alkyl benzenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in high-performance liquid chromatography. Even though the retention in these NAIPs is mainly based on the reversed-phase mode, 3N- and 4N-NAIP show a remarkable recognition toward aromatic hydrocarbons, which is attributed to their strong pi-pi interaction. Furthermore, the recognition ability is according to the molecular planarity and non-linearity of PAHs. Subsequently, 3N- and 4N-NAIP has a distinct selectivity from octadecyl silica and, therefore, will be a valuable alternative for a separation or a solid-phase extraction of aromatic compounds.     

Parallel synthesis of tandem Ugi/Diels-Alder reaction products on a soluble polymer support directed toward split-pool realization of a small molecule library

A series of parallel reactions were carried out for the tandem Ugi/Diels-Alder reaction on our MPEG-O-CH₂- platform. Ninety-six out of a 100 entries were successful to give complex heterotricycles. The stereoselectivity was found not to be influenced by the building blocks used for amine and carboxylic acid components. An unexpected side pathway was found but was suppressed by employing appropriate reaction conditions. The reaction was also performed on solid phase, by which a larger library is potentially realized by employing the split-pool method.     

Recent progress of high-power negative ion beam development for fusion plasma heating

A negative-ion-based neutral beam injector (N-NBI) has been constructed for JT-60U. The N-NBI is designed to inject 500 keV, 10 MW neutral beams using two ion sources, each producing a 500 keV, 22 A D⁻ ion beam. In the preliminary experiment using one ion source, a D⁻ ion beam of 13.5 A has been successfully accelerated with an energy of 400 keV (5.4 MW) for 0.12 s at an operating pressure of 0.22 Pa. This is the highest D⁻ beam current and power in the world. Co-extracted electron current was effectively suppressed to the ratio of Ie/I_D⁻ < 1. The highest energy beam of 460 keV, 2.4 A, 0.44 s has also been obtained. To realize 1 MeV class NBI system for ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), demonstration of ampere class negative ion beam acceleration up to 1 MeV is an important mile stone. To achieve the mile stone, a prototype accelerator and a 1 MV, 1 A test facility called MeV Test Facility (MTF) were constructed. Up to now, an H⁻ ion beam was accelerated up to the energy of 805 keV with an acceleration drain current of 150 mA for 1 s in a five stage electrostatic multi-aperture accelerator.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and ferrimagnetic property of MnPS3 intercalated with nickel(II) cyclopolyamine complex cations

Two new intercalation compounds were prepared by the reactions of Ni(II) cyclopolyamine complex cations with a preintercalate Mn_1−xPS₃K_2x(H₂O)_y, respectively, through “ion exchange” process. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The lattice spacing increased 0.567 and 1.093 nm with respect to the pristine MnPS₃. Ferrimagnetism of the intercalates was confirmed by SQUID experiment with T_c at 40 and 33 K, respectively.     

Ferromagnetic anomaly associated with the antiferromagnetic transitions in (donor)[Ni(mnt)2]-type charge-transfer salts

Three newly prepared [Ni(mnt)2] complexes, (HMTTF)[Ni(mnt)2], (ChSTF)[Ni(mnt)2], and (DBTTF)2[Ni(mnt)2], are reported (DBTTF = dibenzotetrathiafulvalene, ChSTF = 2,3-cyclohexylenedithio-1,4-dithia-5,8-diselanafulvalene, HMTTF = bis(trimethylene)-tetrathiafulvalene, and mnt = maleonitrile dithiolate). The former two compounds have usual DA-type (D = donor, A = acceptor) mixed stacks, whereas the DBTTF complex has DDDDAA-type 6-fold columns. These compounds are electrical insulators, but the HMTTF and ChSTF complexes exhibit chiT minima at 16 and 55 K, respectively, followed by chiT peaks at 8 and 16 K. Below these temperatures the ESR signal disappears, indicating antiferromagnetic transitions. The origin of the ferromagnetic interaction is explained either from the difference of the g values between the donor and the anion or from the intrinsic ferromagnetic interaction of the [Ni(mnt)2] anions.     

Cp/mas 13c nmr and Electron Diffraction Study of Bacterial Cellulose Structure Affected by Cell Wall Polysaccharides

Acetobacter xylinum was cultured in Schramm–Hestrin medium containing pectin (pectin medium), xylan (xylan medium), or glucomannan (mannan medium). X-ray diffractometry revealed that xylan and glucomannan affected the size of the cellulose crystals and their d-spacing values. Solid-state cross polarization magic angle spinning carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated that the ratio of cellulose I was reduced by the addition of polysaccharides. These effects were more remarkable on the cellulose in the mannan medium than that in the xylan medium, and were scarcely observed in the pectin medium. Electron diffraction analysis revealed that these effects on hemicelluloses along cellulose microfibrils are continuous in the mannan medium and discontinuous in the xylan medium. These findings suggest that the uronic acid in the polysaccharides prevents interactions with cellulose leading to alterations of the structure of the cellulose crystal.