Visualization of space charge field effect on excitons in a GaAs quantum dot by near-field optical wavefunction mapping

Near-field photoluminescence (PL) imaging spectroscopy was used to investigate multi-exciton and charged-exciton states confined in a single GaAs interface fluctuation quantum dot. We determined the origin of peaks in the PL spectra by employing a wavefunction mapping technique. We observed distortion of the exciton wavefunction due to the electric field produced by an excess electron at a nearby confined state. Near-field wavefunction mapping was demonstrated to be a powerful tool for visualizing the local environment, which affects the emission properties of quantum dots.     

Sonoporation-mediated transduction of siRNA ameliorated experimental arthritis using 3 MHz pulsed ultrasound

The goal of this feasibility study was to examine whether sonoporation assisted transduction of siRNA could be used to ameliorate arthritis locally. If successful, such approach could provide an alternative treatment for the patients that have or gradually develop adverse response to chemical drugs. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) produced by synovial fibroblasts has an important role in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis, inducing inflammation and bone destruction. In this study, we injected a mixture of microbubbles and siRNA targeting TNF-α (siTNF) into the articular joints of rats, and transduced siTNF into synovial tissue by exposure to a collimated ultrasound beam, applied through a probe 6 mm in diameter with an input frequency of 3.0 MHz, an output intensity of 2.0 W/cm² (spatial average temporary peak; SATP), a pulse duty ratio of 50%, and a duration of 1 min. Sonoporation increased skin temperature from 26.8 °C to 27.3 °C, but there were no adverse effect such as burns. The mean level of TNF-α expression in siTNF-treated knee joints was 55% of those in controls. Delivery of siTNF into the knee joints every 3 days (i.e., 7, 10, 13, and 16 days after immunization) by in vivo sonoporation significantly reduced paw swelling on days 20–23 after immunization. Radiographic scores in the siTNF group were 56% of those in the CIA group and 61% of those in the siNeg group. Histological examination showed that the number of TNF-α positive cells was significantly lower in areas of pannus invasion into the ankle joints of siTNF- than of siNeg-treated rats. These results indicate that transduction of siTNF into articular synovium using sonoporation may be an effective local therapy for arthritis.     

Verification of terahertz-wave spectrophotometry by Compton backscattering of coherent synchrotron radiation

We developed a continuous-spectrum light beam from Compton backscattering by using coherent synchrotron radiation in an L-band linac at the Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute. The ratio of Compton backscattered photons to background photons when coherent synchrotron radiation was used was three times larger than when coherent transition radiation was used. The transmission spectrum of a polystyrene film in the terahertz-wave region was evaluated by measuring the spectrum of the Compton backscattered photons and it roughly agreed with that measured by a Martin–Puplett-type interferometer. The spectrophotometry using Compton backscattering shows promise as a new tool for investigations in terahertz-wave science.     

Intrinsic catalytic role of mesoporous silica in preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in excess hydrogen

We have studied the intrinsic catalytic role of MCM-41 mesoporous silica in preferential oxidation of CO in excess H(2) (PROX). Two types of MCM-41 supports (MCM-41A and MCM-41B) were obtained from the same pristine as-synthesized materials by using different procedures for surfactant removal: one-step calcination or two-step extraction-calcination. Although two kinds of Pt catalysts prepared from the MCM-41 supports exhibit high similarity in apparent physicochemical parameters such as Pt morphology, particle-size distribution, electronic states, support architecture, and pore-size distribution, they show a dramatic difference in catalytic activity (ca. 100?% versus 10?% CO conversions at 298?K). This feature motivated us to investigate the catalytic role of MCM-41 in the PROX reaction. By means of infrared experiments with the isotope tracer technique, it was revealed that the reactive microenvironment at the interface between Pt and the MCM-41A support is the origin of the high activity. On the highly active Pt/MCM-41A catalyst, interfacial silanols play a decisive role in the ignition of CO oxidation, and gaseous O(2) and H(2) are dissociated on CO-free Pt sites created by the interfacial reaction. The dissociated oxygen and hydrogen are proposed to sustain the catalytic cycle in the form of regenerated silanols on the support, which is catalyzed by the Pt surface in the presence of H(2).     

Synthetic studies on chartelline C: stereoselective construction of the core skeleton

What a core-ker! The title synthesis was achieved using a route featuring an intramolecular Mitsunobu reaction of a nosyl amide, stereoselective construction of the β-lactam, and formation of an enamide moiety by selenoxide elimination. The stereochemistry of the alkylation for the formation of the β-lactam was controlled by a secondary hydroxy group on the ten-membered ring. SEM=2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl; TBS=tert-butyldimethylsilyl.     

Mechanofluorochromism of carbazole-type D–π–A fluorescent dyes

We have newly designed and synthesized unsymmetrical carbazole-type D–π–A fluorescent dyes. The dyes show a bathochromic shift-type mechanofluorochromism (MFC): grinding of as-recrystallized dyes induces a bathochromic shift of fluorescent color and the fluorescent color is recovered by heating or exposure to solvent vapor. In order to clarify the MFC mechanism for the carbazole-type D–π–A fluorescent dyes, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffractometry, single-crystal X-ray structural analysis, IR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry are performed before and after grinding of the solids. On the basis of experimental results and semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations (AM1 and INDO/S), we have revealed that the MFC is attributed to a reversible switching between crystalline and amorphous states with changes of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π interaction.     

Synthesis and in vitro antifungal activities of novel triazole antifungal agent CS-758.

Synthesis and in vitro antifungal activities of a novel triazole antifungal agent CS-758 (former name, R-120758) are described. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of a series of dioxane-triazole compounds related to R-102557 were examined. Variation of the length of the chain between the dioxane ring and the phenyl ring revealed that the linkage with two double bonds is the most preferable. When a cyano group was introduced to the C4 position on the benzene ring, MICs improved further. A fluorine atom was introduced to obtain CS-758. The MICs of CS-758 surpassed those of fluconazole and itraconazole against Candida, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus species. The precursor (E,E)-aldehyde was synthesized stereoselectively from 3-fluoro-4-methylbenzonitrile using the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction.     

Application of laser-induced thermal acoustics in air to measurement of shock-induced temperature changes

The laser-induced thermal acoustics (LITA) method was used to measure the temperature profiles induced behind spherical shock waves, generated by high-voltage discharge in air with an energy of 6 J. A Nd:YAG laser (wavelength 532 nm, energy 300 mJ, pulse duration 10 ns, line width 0.005 cm⁻¹) and an Ar-ion laser (wavelength 488 nm, power 4 W) served as the pump and probe lasers, respectively for the LITA measurements. The peak temperatures were in good agreement with results calculated with the Euler equations. The temperature profiles behind the shock, however, differed in decay rates. The peak temperatures behind the shock wave were determined by reflected overpressure and agreed with those from the LITA measurements within a maximum error of 5%.     

High-Contrast Imaging of Nano-Channels Using Reflection Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscope Enhanced by Optical Interference

We demonstrated a contrast enhancement in a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) by optical interference with an aperture probe in reflection (illumination-collection) mode operation. We observed a NiO film deposited on a sapphire substrate and clearly visualized 2-nm-deep nano-channel structures on the surface of the film. The reflection NSOM enhanced by optical interference is quite a promising instrument for high-resolution optical detection and estimation of low-contrast nanostructures.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic study of phthalocyanineiron/II/ in NaY zeolite

Phthalocyanineiron/II/ in NaY zeolite was synthesized via various processes from an iron carbonyl compound into NaY zeolite in gaseous phase. Mössbauer spectra of the final product /phthalocyanineiron/II// and the precursor species /iron oxide and [phthalocyaninato/2-/]bis/pyridine/iron/II// in NaY zeolite were measured to characterize the chemical and physical states of the iron species.