(Non-)Abelian discrete anomalies

We derive anomaly constraints for Abelian and non-Abelian discrete symmetries using the path integral approach. We survey anomalies of discrete symmetries in heterotic orbifolds and find a new relation between such anomalies and the so-called ‘anomalous’ U(1).     

The cosmological term and a modified Brans-Dicke cosmology

Adding the cosmological term , which is assumed to be variable in this paper, to the Brans-Dicke Lagrangian, we try to understand the meaning of the term and to relate it to the mass of the universe. We also touch upon the Dirac large-number hypothesis, applying the results obtained from the application of our theory to a uniform cosmological model.     

Transient bonds and chemical reactivity of molecules

Electron delocalization between the reagent and reactant molecules is the principal driving force of chemical reactions. It brings about the formation of new bonds and the cleavage of old bonds. By taking the aromatic substitution reaction as an example, we have shown the orbitals participating in electron delocalization. The interacting orbitals obtained are localized around the reaction sites, showing the chemical bonds that should be generated and broken transiently along the reaction path. By projecting a reference orbital function that has been chosen to specify the bond being formed on to the MOs of the reactant molecules, the reactive orbitals that are very similar to the interacting orbital have been obtained. The local potential of the reaction site for electron donation estimated for substituted benzene molecules by using these projected orbitals shows a fair correlation with the experimental scale of the electron-donating and -withdrawing strength of substituent groups. The reactivity is shown to be governed by local electronegativity and local chemical hardness and also by the localizability of interaction on the reaction site. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Triallylstannyllithium-allyllithium as an initiator for the anionic reversible chain transfer polymerization of 1,3-butadiene

The anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene using a novel metalloidal anion initiator, triallylstannyllithium (TALi)-allyllithium (ALi), was studied. The TALi-ALi initiated anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene gave the star polymer along with the linear polybutadiene (PBD). The star polymer consisted of three PBD branches and a central tin atom. What is striking is a fact that the number-average molecular weights (M_n) and molecular weight distribution of three PBD branches and linear PBD were almost identical. A reversible chain transfer polymerization mechanism, which includes the equilibrium between tri(macroallyl)-stannyllithium and macroallylic anion, is proposed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High-pressure and high-temperature generation using diamond/sic composite anvils prepared with hot isostatic pressing

Using a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) technique, we synthesized diamond/SiC composites from diamond and Si powders. At an HIP condition of 1450 °C and 100 MPa, a pressure much lower than that of the diamond stability field, diamond powders react with molten Si to form well-sintered diamond/SiC composites. Cubes of the composites with 15 mm edge length were thereby fabricated, and an application to the second stage anvils in a Kawai-type high-pressure apparatus was attempted. A hybrid anvils system using four cubes of the composites and four of the conventional WC was introduced and heating experiments up to 1600 °C became possible. Because the diamond/SiC composites are transparent to X-rays, the present system is applicable not only to diffraction studies but also to radiographic studies that need a larger window for an X-ray image.     

Crystallization Behavior of Sol-Gel Derived Films by Self-Seeding Process

We propose the novel preparation method, Self-seeding Process, based on the following concept for low temperature crystallization of oxide films. Introduction of desirable inhomogeneity should give lowering of a crystallization temperature through heterogeneous nucleation accompanied with reduced activation energy. We carried out inspection of the above concept through use of PZT films. PZT gel films with the desirable inhomogeneity of microstructure were prepared, and their crystallization behaviors was examined. The PZT film was successfully crystallized at 500°C by the self-seeding process. The single phase (001) oriented PZT film with 0.55 m in thickness was obtained at 550°C for 5 min. The self-seeding process by microstructure control is efficient for the low temperature process of the oxide thin film.     

Microcalorimetric study of protein adsorption onto calcium hydroxyapatites

To clarify the adsorption mechanism of proteins onto calcium hydroxyapatite (Hap), the present study measured adsorption (DeltaHads) and desorption (DeltaHdes) enthalpies of bovine serum albumin (BSA; isoelectric point (iep) 4.7, molecular mass (Ms) 67,200 Da, acidic protein), myoglobin (MGB; iep=7.0, Ms=17,800 Da, neutral protein), and lysozyme (LSZ; iep=11.1, Ms=14,600 Da, basic protein) onto Hap by a flow microcalorimeter (FMC). Five kinds of large platelike particles of CaHPO4.2H2O (DCPD) after hydrolyzing at room temperature with different concentrations of NaOH aqueous solution ([NaOH]) for 1 h were used. DCPD converted completely to Hap after treatment at [NaOH]>or=2%, and the crystallinity of Hap was increased with an increase in [NaOH] up to 10%. The amounts of protein adsorbed (Deltanads) and desorbed (Deltandes) were measured simultaneously by monitoring the protein concentration downstream from the FMC with a UV detector. The Deltanads values were also measured statically by a batch method in each system. The Deltanads values measured by the FMC and static measurements fairly agreed with each other. Results revealed that DeltaHBSAads was decreased with an increase in [NaOH]; in other words, DeltaHBSAads was decreased with the improvement of Hap's crystallinity, suggesting that the BSA adsorption readily proceeded onto Hap. This fact indicated a high affinity of Hap to protein. This affinity was further recognized by DeltaHBSAdes because its positive value was increased by increasing [NaOH]. These opposite tendencies in DeltaHBSAads and DeltaHBSAdes revealed that Hap possessed a high adsorption affinity to BSA (i.e., enthalpy facilitated protein adsorption but hindered its desorption). The fraction of BSA desorption was also decreased with an increase in [NaOH], confirming the high affinity of Hap to protein. Similar results were observed on the LSZ system, though the enthalpy values were smaller than those of BSA. In the case of neutral MGB, DeltaHBSAads also exhibited results similar to those of the BSA and LSZ systems. However, due to its weak adsorption by the van der Waals force, DeltaHBSAdes was small and almost zero at [NaOH]>or=2%. Hence, the fraction of MGB desorption was less dependent on [NaOH].     

PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTION OF 13-CIS-BACTERIORHODOPSIN STUDIED BY LOW TEMPERATURE SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Abstract— The photoreaction cycle of 13- cis -bacteriorhodopsin (13- cis -bR) was investigated by low temperature spectrophotometry using two different preparations; 13- cis -bR constituted from bacterioopsin and 13- cis -retinal, and dark-adapted bacteriorhodopsin (bR^D), which is an equi-molar mixture of 13- cis -bR and trans -bR.
By irradiation with 500 nm light at — 190°C, 13- cis -bR was converted to its batho-product, batho-13- cis -bR (batho-bR¹³), which is different from batho-product from trans -bR, batho-bR^t. On warming batho-bR¹³ to -5°C in the dark, it completely changed to trans -bR. We estimated the composition of 13- cis -bR and trans -bR in the warmed sample spectrophotometrically and then the absorption spectrum of batho-bR¹³ was calculated. The absorption maximum lies at 608 nm, 1250 cm⁻¹ longer than that of 13- cis -bR; the molar extinction coefficient (ε) is about 74000 M ⁻¹ cm⁻¹, larger than that of 13- cis -bR (52000 M ⁻¹ cm⁻¹).
On the warming the sample containing batho-bR¹³ formed by irradiating 13- cis -bR or bR^D at — 190°C, we could not detect other intermediates such as the lumi- or meta-intermediates seen in trans-bR system.     

Oxygenation of alkyl sulfides with ferrous perchlorate/ascorbic acid/oxygen system

In the oxidation of alkyl sulfides bearing acidic α-hydrogens eiher with phenobarbital induced rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450, or with the Udenfriend's model system (ferous perchlorate/ascorbic acid/oxygen system), both S-dealkylation and S-monoxygenation took place concurrently. Meanwhile, in the oxidation of simple alkyl sulfides, steeoselective S-monooxygenation was found of occur predominantly.     

Cationic polymerization of formaldehyde in liquid carbon dioxide. Part II: A kinetic study of the polymerization

The kinetic behavior on the polymerization of formaldehyde with and without acidic catalyst, in liquid carbon dioxide, in the temperature range of 30 to 50°C. was investigated. In the polymerization without catalyst both the polymer yield and the degree of polymerization increased with reaction time and also with rising temperature. With acidic catalyst, such as acetic acid and dichloroacetic acid, both the polymer yield and the degree of polymerization increased more than that in the polymerization without catalyst. The overall rate of polymerization with and without acidic catalyst was expressed by the first-order rate equation with respect to monomer concentration. From the results it was concluded that the polymerizations belonged to a type of successive polymerization with rapid initiation and no termination. The rate constant and the activation energy of each elementary process of polymerization were estimated on the basis of the results.