Study of Si(0 0 1)4 × 2-Ga structure by scanning tunneling microscopy and ab initio calculation

We have studied Si(0 0 1)-Ga surface structures formed at Ga coverages of slightly above 0.50 monolayer (ML) at 250 °C by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). 4 × 2-, 5 × 2-, and 6 × 2-Ga structures were observed in a local area on the surface. The 4 × 2-Ga structure consists of three protrusions, as observed in filled- and empty-state STM images. The characters of these structures are clearly different from those of other Si(0 0 1)-Ga structures. We also performed an ab initio calculation of the energetics for several possible models for the 4 × 2-Ga structure, and clarified that the three-orthogonal-Ga-dimer model is the most stable. Also, the results of comparing the simulated STM images and observation images at various bias voltages indicate that this structural model is the most favorable.     

Exact ground-state correlation functions of one-dimensional strongly correlated electron models with resonating-valence-bond ground state

We investigate one-dimensional strongly correlated electron models which have the resonating-valence-bond state as the exact ground state. The correlation functions are evaluated exactly using the transfer matrix method for the geometric representations of the valence-bond states. In this method, we only treat matrices with small dimensions. This enables us to give analytical results. It is shown that the correlation functions decay exponentially with distance. The result suggests that there is a finite excitation gap, and that the ground state is insulating. Since the corresponding noninteracting systems may be insulating or metallic, we can say that the gap originates from strong correlation. The persistent currents of the present models are also investigated and found to be exactly vanishing.     

A portable total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with a diamond-like carbon coated X-ray reflector

A diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated quartz glass sample holder is used in a portable total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometer. A spot area of a water sample on the DLC sample holder becomes smaller than that on a quartz glass sample holder usually used in TXRF analysis because DLC is more hydrophobic. Therefore, the use of the DLC sample holder enhances fluorescent X-rays reaching a detector compared with the use of a quartz glass sample holder, leading to improvement in detection sensitivity. A detection limit of 28 pg is achieved for Cr in a river water sample when using the DLC sample holder.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-lysergic acid, (+)-lysergol, and (+)-isolysergol by palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization of allenes bearing amino and bromoindolyl groups

Enantioselective total synthesis of the biologically important indole alkaloids (+)-lysergol, (+)-isolysergol, and (+)-lysergic acid is described. Key features of these total synthesis include (1) a facile synthesis of a chiral 1,3-amino alcohol via the Pd(0)- and In(I)-mediated reductive coupling reaction between L-serine-derived 2-ethynylaziridine and formaldehyde; (2) the Cr(II)/Ni(0)-mediated Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi (NHK) reaction of an indole-3-acetaldehyde with iodoalkyne; and (3) Pd(0)-catalyzed domino cyclization of an allene bearing amino and bromoindolyl groups. This domino cyclization enabled direct construction of the C/D ring system of the ergot alkaloids skeleton, as well as the creation of the C5 stereogenic center with transfer of the allenic axial chirality to the central chirality.     

In vivo multimode Raman imaging reveals concerted molecular composition and distribution changes during yeast cell cycle

In vivo time-lapse Raman imaging reveals highly dynamic and concerted changes in concentration and distribution of phospholipids and proteins during and after cell division of a single living Schizosaccharomyces pombe cell.     

Experimental studies on clinical application of 13N-ammonia; clinical application of the functional image

1) Clinical application: Dynamic scintigraphy of liver and heart of a patient having liver cirrhosis after intrasigmoidal administration of 13N-ammonia (pH 8.1) were performed. Simultaneously, continuous measurments of radioactivity at the left side abdomen and the left temporal region were done by using a scintillation detector for renography. Successive measurement of radioactivity of blood was also carried out. 2) Comstruction of functional images of liver and heart: By using digital radioisotope image of liver and heart of the patient after intrasigmoidal administration of 13N-ammonia, the maps with respect to parameters described in the pervious paper were constructed.