New synthetic methods of π-conjugated inclusion complexes with high conductivity

A new method for the synthesis of an insulated π-conjugated molecule was developed via the sequential self-inclusion of π-conjugated guest branched permethylated α-cyclodextrin followed by the elongation of the π-conjugated unit. Covering a single π-conjugated wire by an α-cyclodextrin derivatives can suppress conductance fluctuation. The insulated π-conjugated molecules were utilized in the synthesis of highly conductive zigzag- and functionalized-insulated molecular wires.     

Operating principles of the cerebral cortex as a six-layered network in primates: beyond the classic canonical circuit model

The cerebral cortex performs its computations with many six-layered fundamental units, collectively spreading along the cortical sheet. What is the local network structure and the operating dynamics of such a fundamental unit? Previous investigations of primary sensory areas revealed a classic “canonical” circuit model, leading to an expectation of similar circuit organization and dynamics throughout the cortex. This review clarifies the different circuit dynamics at play in the higher association cortex of primates that implements computation for high-level cognition such as memory and attention. Instead of feedforward processing of response selectivity through Layers 4 to 2/3 that the classic canonical circuit stipulates, memory recall in primates occurs in Layer 5/6 with local backward projection to Layer 2/3, after which the retrieved information is sent back from Layer 6 to lower-level cortical areas for further retrieval of nested associations of target attributes. In this review, a novel “dynamic multimode module (D3M)” in the primate association cortex is proposed, as a new “canonical” circuit model performing this operation.     

A Spinorization of a Constrained Vector System and a Spinor Reconstruction Theorem

An elementary method of conctructing a spinor from vectors satisfying constraint conditions is proposed. We consider orthonormal triad and tetrad as an orientable physical object and introduce parameter representations of them, in terms of the Euler angles and the pseudo-Euler angles. Having determined the transformation property of the parameters, we set up the spinor determining equation. This equation is solved. The solution (spinor) contains four arbitrary complex constants, in 3 + 1 dimensional space. Using the proposed method, we prove the spinor reconstruction theorem, i.e. the original Dirac spinor can be reconstructed from seven of the sixteen hermitian bilinear forms, except the overall phase factor (the gauge freedom of the 1st kind). The energy density of the spinor field is written in terms of currents and their space derivatives.     

Design of functional polymers based on organic synthesis - novel polymerizations of allene and propargyl derivatives

This paper describes our recent work dealing with novel polymerization methods of allene and propargyl derivatives. By the radical, cationic, and living coordination polymerizations, polymers bearing exomethylene moieties in the side chain could be obtained. The polymers obtained could undergo the cationic crosslinking reaction. As step-growth polymerizations, spontaneous copolymerizations, polyadditions with dithiols, and coupling polymerizations using palladium catalyst are also described.     

A novel polyaddition of bifunctional acetylenes containing electron-withdrawing groups. III. Synthesis of polymers having β-alkoxyenoate moieties by the reaction of internal diynes with diols

Tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed polyadditions of activated internal diynes (bifunctional β-substituted propiolate, 1B and 1C ) with diols are described. Although a terminal bispropiolate ( 1A ) could not produce soluble polymers, with secondary diols, the polyaddition of 1B or 1C with primary as well as secondary diols gave corresponding polymers ( 3 , only composed of E isomeric units) in high yield. The rate of the present polyaddition was estimated by a model reaction of benzyl alcohol with methyl 2-heptynoate ( 4 ), from which the introduction of alkyl groups at the β-position of propiolate moieties was found to decrease the rate of the reaction by 80 times. Furthermore, the rate-determining step on this polymerization system was speculated to be a protonation step of zwitterionic intermediates with protons from diols. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of Roxadustat on Erythropoietin Production in the Rat Body

Anemia is a major complication of chronic renal failure. To treat this anemia, prolylhydroxylase domain enzyme (PHD) inhibitors as well as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been used. Although PHD inhibitors rapidly stimulate erythropoietin (Epo) production, the precise sites of Epo production following the administration of these drugs have not been identified. We developed a novel method for the detection of the Epo protein that employs deglycosylation-coupled Western blotting. With protein deglycosylation, tissue Epo contents can be quantified over an extremely wide range. Using this method, we examined the effects of the PHD inhibitor, Roxadustat (ROX), and severe hypoxia on Epo production in various tissues in rats. We observed that ROX increased Epo mRNA expression in both the kidneys and liver. However, Epo protein was detected in the kidneys but not in the liver. Epo protein was also detected in the salivary glands, spleen, epididymis and ovaries. However, both PHD inhibitors (ROX) and severe hypoxia increased the Epo protein abundance only in the kidneys. These data show that, while Epo is produced in many tissues, PHD inhibitors as well as severe hypoxia regulate Epo production only in the kidneys.     

An Investigation of the Effect of the Canonical Transformation on the Lagrangian

The transformation of the Euler-Lagrange derivative under the point transformation is explicitly stated, and from this view point, the canonical transformation is reinvestigated. In our arguments, the canonical transformations are discussed strictly separately from the canonical equations. A proof is given that the Lagrangian can be restored after any infinitesimal canonical transformation. Some identities are obtained giving relations between canonically transformed and untransformed Lagrangians. Using the identities, the relation between the Noether charge and the generator of the canonical transformation is investigated. The chiral gauge, Galilei and scale transformations are considered as applications to field theory.     

Fe K‐Edge X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure Determination of γ‐Al2O3‐Supported Iron‐Oxide Species

The structure of FeO_x species supported on γ‐Al₂O₃ was investigated by using Fe K‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The samples were prepared through the impregnation of iron nitrate on Al₂O₃ and co‐gelation of aluminum and iron sulfates. The dependence of the XRD patterns on Fe loading revealed the formation of α‐Fe₂O₃ particles at an Fe loading of above 10 wt %, whereas the formation of iron‐oxide crystals was not observed at Fe loadings of less than 9.0 wt %. The Fe K‐edge XAFS was characterized by a clear pre‐edge peak, which indicated that the Fe?O coordination structure deviates from central symmetry and that the degree of Fe?O?Fe bond formation is significantly lower than that in bulk samples at low Fe loading (<9.0 wt %). Fe K‐edge extended XAFS oscillations of the samples with low Fe loadings were explained by assuming an isolated iron‐oxide monomer on the γ‐Al₂O₃ surface.     

Raman and infrared spectra of the all-trans, 7-cis, 9-cis, 13-cis and 15-cis isomers of β-carotene: Key bands distinguishing stretched or terminal-bent configurations form central-bent configurations

Raman and infrared spectra in the region of 1800-150 cm⁻¹ were recorded for a set of cis-trans isomers of d̃-carotene, i.e. the all-trans, 7-cis, 9-cis, 13-cis and 15-cis isomers. Spectral comparison revealed Raman and infrared key bands which (1) distinguish stretched or terminal-bent configurations (all-trans, 7-cis and 9-cis) from central-bent configurations (13-cis and 15-cis), and (2) distinguish unmethylated 7-cis and 15-cis configuratios. Keybands (1) include Raman bands at 1160 and 1140 cm⁻¹ and infrared bands at 825 and 775 cm⁻¹ (the intensity varies with the position of the cis-bend) Key bands (2) include Raman bands at 1274 and 962 cm⁻¹ and an infrared band at 741 cm⁻¹ (characteristic of the 7-cis configuration), and also a Raman band at 1247 cm⁻¹ and an infrared band at 775 cm⁻¹ (characteristic of the 15-cis configuration). The normal modes for the key bands were determined by a set of normal coordinate calculations for the isomeric configurations of a simplified model of d̃-carotene. The key bands were mainly related to the C H in-plane bendings, coupled with the CC or C C stretching, or to the C H out-of-plane wagging vibrations, some of which coupled with the CC torsion.