Hydrophobic Monomers Recognize Microenvironments in Hydrogel Microspheres during Free-Radical-Seeded Emulsion Polymerization

The three-dimensional structure of nanocomposite microgels was precisely determined by cryo-electron micrography. Several nanocomposite microgels that differ with respect to their nanocomposite structure, which were obtained from seeded emulsion polymerization in the presence of microgels, were used as model nanocomposite materials for cryo-electron micrography. The obtained three-dimensional segmentation images of these nanocomposite microgels provide important insights into the interactions between the hydrophobic monomers and the microgels, that is, hydrophobic styrene monomers recognize molecular-scale differences in polarity within the microgels during the emulsion polymerization. This result led to the formation of unprecedented multi-layered nanocomposite microgels, which promise substantial potential in colloidal applications.     

Magnetic properties of the Cr(0 0 1) surface studied by spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy

The magnetic properties of the Cr(0 0 1) surface have been studied by spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy (SP-STS). Spatially resolved mapping of the spectroscopic dI/dU signal at an energy close to the spin-polarized Cr(0 0 1) surface state allows the confirmation of the topological antiferromagnetic order of the Cr(0 0 1) surface. It is shown that the presence of screw dislocations leads to the formation of domain walls which exhibit a width of 120–170 nm. A long-period modulation of the SP-STS signal was not observed indicating that the bulk spin-density wave is modified at the surface due to symmetry breaking.     

Confinement by polynomial potentials

It is shown that the Dirac equation with attractive monomial vector potential cannot confine a particle. General polynomial type vector potential cannot confine a particle, either. This condition is not changed by a scalar potential smaller than the vector one.     

Preparation and properties of molybdenum and tungsten dinitrogen complexes : `XVI. Electrochemical properties of tungsten and molybdenum diazoalkane complexes

Diazoalkane complexes of type [MF(NNCRR′)(dpe)₂][BF₄] (M = Mo or W; dpe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂), which are easily derived from bis(dinitrogen) complexes [M(N₂)₂(dpe)₂], undergo consecutive one- and two-electron oxidations and reductions under voltammetric conditions at a platinum electrode. The ESR spectra of the species generated by the controlled potential electrolysis show that primary oxidation occurred on the metal atom (M = Mo) and reduction on the two nitrogen atoms in the diazoalkane ligands (M = Mo or W).     

Isolation of novel lignans, heteroclitins F and G, from the stems of Kadsura heteroclita, and anti-lipid peroxidative actions of heteroclitins A-G and related compounds in the in vitro rat liver homogenate system.

From the stems of Kadsura heteroclita, two new lignans named heteroclitins F and G were isolated and their structures were determined by various spectroscopic means including an X-ray diffraction method. Dibenzocyclooctadiene type lignans and related compounds isolated from the stems of K. heteroclita, potently inhibited the lipid peroxidation in the rat liver homogenate stimulated by Fe(2+)-ascorbic acid, CCl4-reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and adenosine 5'-diphosphate-NADPH.     

Oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen in a radiofrequency plasma

The reactions of three aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, and styrene, with oxygen in a radiofrequency (r) plasma were investigated. Benzene was oxidized to yield phenol as a single volatile organic product. Similarly, toluene gave the ring oxidation products, cresols, as well as considerable amounts of methyl oxidation products, consisting mainly of benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol. In contrast, the oxidation of styrene took place predominantly on the olefinic double bond to produce styrene oxide On basis of the products and effects of reaction variables, r power and flow rates of hydrocarbons and oxygen, on the reaction rate, the oxidation mechanism was discussed, particularly focusing on the intermediate species responsible for the formation of major products.     

Wild ginseng grows in Myanmar

Ginseng, the underground parts of plants of Panax species, has been used in oriental traditional medicine for centuries. Unfortunately, because of extensive exploitation over thousands of years, the natural source of these species has been almost exhausted. Recently, we have found a wild ginseng growing in Myanmar. Here, by a combination of chemical composition study and gene sequence analysis, we unambiguously demonstrate that the wild ginseng is actually P. zingiberensis, commonly known as ginger ginseng. This ginseng was an indigenous to the southwestern China. However, now it is seriously threatened to brink of extinction and is put on the highest level of protection in China. Therefore, an appropriate protection measure is highly recommended to preserve this valuable resource, since this Myanmar ginseng might turn out to be the last P. zingiberensis, which could ever be seen in the planet.     

Topological polymer chemistry by dynamic selection from electrostatic polymer self-assembly

A collection of recent developments in topological polymer chemistry is presented. First, topological isomerism occurring on randomly coiled, flexible polymer molecules having cyclic and linear structures is discussed. Second, an electrostatic self-assembly and covalent fixation strategy has been developed for the synthesis of polymeric topological isomers. These isomers have double cyclic, manacle-, and theta-shaped constructions, and are prepared by using either linear or star telechelic polymer precursors having moderately strained cyclic ammonium salt groups, which carry multifunctional carboxylate counteranions. A technique of reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) is demonstrated as an effective means to separate polymers with different topologies, especially polymeric topological isomers. A further extension of topological polymer chemistry has been observed by dynamic selection from electrostatic polymer self-assembly to enable the effective formation of tadpole-shaped, cyclic-linear hybrid topologies.     

Highly-oxygenated isopimarane-type diterpenes from Orthosiphon stamineus of Indonesia and their nitric oxide inhibitory activity

From the methanolic extract of Indonesian Orthosiphon stamineus, nine new highly-oxygenated isopimarane-type diterpenes [7-O-deacetylorthosiphol B (1), 6-hydroxyorthosiphol B (2), 3-O-deacetylorthosiphol I (3), 2-O-deacetylorthosiphol J (4), siphonols A-E (5-9)] have been isolated together with nine known diterpenes [orthosiphols H (10), K (11), M (12) and N (13); staminols A (14) and B (15); neoorthosiphols A (16) and B (17); norstaminol A (18)]. Their structures were determined based on the spectroscopic data. The isolated diterpenes inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage-like J774.1 cells. Compounds 4-7, 9, 10, 14, and 17 showed inhibitory activities more potent (IC(50), 10.8-25.5 microM) than a positive control N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; IC(50), 26.0 microM).