Effect of core-shell micelle formation on the redox properties of phenothiazine-labeled poly(ethyl glycidy ether)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)

Redox properties of phenothiazine-labeled poly(ethyl glycidy ether)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PT-EGE_n-b-EO_m) are reversibly changed by core-shell micelle formation. In the temperature range higher than the critical micellization temperature (cmt), the anodic potential of PT group positively shifts and concomitantly its anodic current decrease, or levels off compared to those of the reference polymer PT-EO_m without the thermo-responsive EGE_n segment. The former alteration is caused by incorporation of hydrophobic PT groups into a core of the micelle and the latter by the decrease in the diffusion coefficient of PT groups due to formation of the core-shell micelles. The cmt value and the temperature-dependent alteration in the redox properties strongly depend on the polymer structure, especially the length of thermo-responsive EGE_n segment. The electrochemically determined hydrodynamic radii of the polymer aggregates seem to be overestimated, compared to the values reported for the aggregates of other thermo-responsive polymers with similar molecular weights, implying the presence of electrochemically inactive PT groups in the copolymers having longer thermo-responsive segments.     

Development of a “Built-in” Scanning Near Field Microscope Head for an Atomic Force Microscope System and Stress Mapping of an Al2O3/ZrO2 Eutectic Composite

We constructed a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM) on a commercially available atomic force microscopy (AFM) apparatus (SPM-9500J2; Shimadzu Corp.) to measure the stress distribution in ceramic composite materials. Features of our SNOM system are: (1) a compact SNOM head substituted for the original AFM head; (2) a wide scanning range (125 × 125 μm²) inherited from the original scanner; (3) use of conventional shear-force regulation; (4) an optical system for the illumination-collection (I-C) mode; (5) excitation by a 488 nm line of an Ar-ion laser, and (6) light detection by photon counting or a polychromator equipped with an electronically cooled charge coupled device (CCD). This SNOM system was used to measure the surface structure and stress distribution of an Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ eutectic composite. We simultaneously measured topographic images and fluorescence spectra of an Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ eutectic composite. We estimated its peak intensity, peak position, and peak width from the fluorescence spectrum during scanning, which respectively correspond to the abundance of Al₂O₃, stress in the grain, and the anisotropy of that stress. Mapping images showed that the stress and its anisotropy were weaker in the center of the Al₂O₃ grain than its boundary between Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂. That observation suggests that Al₂O₃ underwent intense anisotropic stress induced by volume expansion in the phase transition of ZrO₂ from the cubic phase to the monoclinic phase during preparation.     

Divergence-free WKB theory

We present a divergence-free WKB theory, which is a new semiclassical theory modified by nonperturbative quantum corrections. Conventionally, the WKB theory is constructed upon a trajectory that obeys the bare classical dynamics expressed by a quadratic equation in momentum space. Contrary to this, the divergence-free WKB theory is based on a higher-order algebraic equation in momentum space, which represents a dressed classical dynamics. More precisely, this higher-order algebraic equation is obtained by including quantum corrections to the quadratic equation, which is the bare classical limit. An additional solution of the higher-order algebraic equation enables us to construct a uniformly converging perturbative expansion of the wavefunction. Namely, our theory removes the notorious divergence of wavefunction at a turning point from the WKB theory. Moreover, our theory is able to produce wavefunctions and eigenenergies more accurate than those given by the traditional WKB method. In addition, the divergence-free WKB theory that is based on the cubic equation allows us to construct a uniformly valid wavefunction for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE). A recent short letter [T. Hyouguchi, S. Adachi, M. Ueda, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88 (2002) 170404] is the opening of the divergence-free WKB theory. This paper presents full formalism of this theory and its several applications concerning wavefunction and eigenenergy to show that our theory is a natural extension of the traditional WKB theory that incorporates nonperturbative quantum corrections.     

Phase Measurement Algorithm in Wavelength Scanned Fizeau Interferometer

Wavelength scanned interferometry allows the simultaneous measurement of top surface shape and optical thickness variation of a transparent object consisting of several parallel surfaces. Interference signals from these surfaces can be separated in frequency space, and their phases are detected by discrete Fourier analysis. However, these signal frequencies are shifted from the detection frequency by the refractive index dispersion of the object and a nonlinearity of the wavelength scanning. The Fourier analysis is sensitive to the detuning of the signal frequency and suffers from the multiple-beam interference noise. Conventional error-compensating algorithms cannot be applied to an object consisting of more than three reflecting surfaces. We derive a new 2N-1 sample error-compensating algorithm, which allows the phase detection of any order of harmonic frequency among the interference signals. The new algorithm suppresses the effect of signal frequency detuning as well as the multiple-beam interference noise and can be applied to the measurement of complex objects consisting of more than three reflecting surfaces.     

Chiral discrimination of a helically organized crown ether array parallel to the helix axis of polyisocyanate

The asymmetric polymerization of 4′‐isocyanatobenzo‐18‐crown‐6 with the lithium amide of (S)‐(2‐methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine successfully proceeded to afford end‐functionalized poly(4′‐isocyanatobenzo‐18‐crown‐6) with (S)‐(2‐methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine (polymer 2 ). In the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of 2 , a clear positive Cotton effect was observed in the range of 240–350 nm corresponding to the absorption of the polymer backbone, indicating that 2 partially formed a one‐handed helical structure, which was preserved by the chirality of (S)‐(2‐methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine bonding to the terminal end in 2 . In the titration experiments for the CD intensity of 2 in the presence of D ‐ and L ‐Phe·HClO₄ (where Phe is phenylalanine), a small but remarkable difference was observed in the amount of the chiral guest needed for saturation of the CD intensity and in the saturated CD intensity, indicating that the extremely stable, one‐handed helical part should exist in the main chain of 2 , which was not inverted even when the unfavorable chiral guest for the predominant helical sense, L ‐Phe·HClO₄, was added. In addition, helical polymer 2 exhibited a chiral discrimination ability toward racemic guests; that is, the guests were extracted from the aqueous phase into the organic phase with enantiomeric excess. The driving force of the chiral discrimination ability of 2 should certainly be attributed to the one‐handed helical structure in 2 . © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 325–334, 2006     

Crystallization in poly(n-octadecyl methacrylate) monolayers

The crystallization kinetics of poly(n-octadecyl methacrylate) has been studied at the air–water interface. The rate of the crystallization has been measured by the decrease in the area of monolayers with time at various temperatures and surface pressures. The crystallization isotherms have been analyzed by the general mathematical treatment of the kinetics of phase changes, and the results show linear growth to be dominant. The variation of the rate constant with temperature and pressure has been illustrated by the difference in the supersaturation defined by introducing the equilibrium pressure-area isotherms.     

Interpretation of structure formation during the sol-gel transition of a resorcinol-formaldehyde solution by population balance

Growth of colloidal particles formed during the sol-gel transition of a resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) solution was simulated based on the population balance equation by using the discrete-sectional model (DSM). During the early stage of the sol-gel transition, the transient change of sizes of colloidal particles estimated by this method agreed well with the previous experimental observation by dynamic light scattering (DLS), which confirmed the influence of the catalyst concentration of a starting RF solution on the growth rate of the particles. From the size distribution of colloidal particles predicted at the gelation time, the surface area of a RF hydrogel after the completion of the sol-gel transition was estimated, which coincided with the BET surface area of a RF aerogel because the porous structure of a hydrogel was maintained and few micropores were formed during supercritical drying.     

Effects of antimony on the surface tension of molten silicon

The effect of antimony concentration (C(Sb)/mass%) on the surface tension of molten silicon has been determined with the sessile drop method in the temperature range from 1693 to 1773 K and in the range of the oxygen partial pressure, Po(2), in an Ar atmosphere from 10(-23) to 10(-21) MPa. The results show that the surface tension of molten silicon decreases with increasing Sb concentration in the range of C(Sb)<0.9 mass%, which indicates positive adsorption of Sb in molten silicon and can be fairly described with the Szyszkowski's equation. The maximum decrease rate of surface tension is about 65 mN m(-1) (mass% C(Sb))(-1), and the temperature coefficient of surface tension, (partial differential sigma/ partial differential T)C(Sb), increases with increasing C(Sb). The evaporation of the systems was only observed between the melting points of antimony (904 K) and silicon (1683 K), and the surface tension presents no dependence on measuring time above the melting point of silicon.     

Regional distribution of manganese,iron, copper,and zinc in the rat brain during development

Manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were determined in the brain regions of normal 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 14-, 21-, 42-, 77-, and 147-day-old Wistar rats using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and their maps were illustrated in color to visually compare the distribution of the elements at various stages of the growth process. Sagittal slices (1-mm thickness) sectioned at the level of the substantia nigra were divided into 18 regions, and the small slice samples were digested in microwave-assisted closed vessels for ICP-MS measurement. Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations increased region-specifically with age, and their distributional maps showed some characteristics. These findings are discussed in terms of needs for these trace elements in the normal brain. Among new findings about their brain distribution, it is especially noteworthy that higher concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn were observed in the substantia nigra compared with those in neighboring regions. The mapping method in this work is expected to open up possibilities for screening of the in vivo element–element interrelationships among these essential elements.     

Triethylborane as an efficient promoter for palladium-catalyzed allylation of active methylene compounds with allyl alcohols

Without prior activation of allyl alcohols, allylation of a variety of active methylene compounds with allyl alcohols proceeds smoothly at rt-50°C in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)₂ (1-10 mol%), Et₃B (30-240 mol%), a phosphine ligand (1-20 mol%), and a base (0 to 50-60 mol%).