Synthesis of pyrimidinopurinophanes

Synthesis and structures of the title compounds 2a–d are described. In spite of non-parallel orientation of the two base rings, fairly large hypochromism was observed for 2a–d.     

Structurally Controlled Porphyrin-Aggregation Process in Phospholipid Membranes

Abstract— Structurally controlled aggregation course for five porphyrins (etioporphyrin [EP], 5-mono- and 5,15-di-[ p -tol-yl]etioporphyrin [TP and DTP], 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[ p -tol-y1]porphin [TTP], and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[3,5-di- tert -bu-tylphenyl]porphin [TBP]) in dipalmitoyl-phosphatidyl-choline liposomes has been monitored by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. While TBP shows no tendency to aggregate in liposomes, EP, TP, DTP and TTP form a porphyrin-enriched domain in membrane interior with time. The further aggregation steps within porphyrin clusters resulting in formation of stacked porphyrin aggregates have been observed for EP, TP and DTP.     

Novel trichothecanes, paecilomycine A, B, and C, isolated from entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces tenuipes

Paecilomycine A (1), B (2), and C (3) were isolated from cultivated fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes (Isaria japonica), which is a popular entomopathogenic fungus used in folk medicine and health foods in China, Korea, and Japan. The structures of 1-3 were deduced from their spectroscopic data and their absolute configurations were elucidated by preparing their MPA esters. Compound 1 showed activity in the neurotrophic factor biosynthesis in glial cells.     

Optical modulator using metal-oxide-semiconductor type Si ring resonator

Electric-field drive optical modulators using a Si ring resonator were fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. The fabricated resonators consisted of Si waveguides with width and thickness of 1.0 and 0.3 μm, respectively. In order to induce the linear electro-optic (EO) effect in the Si core layer, the strain was applied by covering the layer with Si₃N₄ film (0.26 μm thick) deposited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) at 750 °C. The vertical electric-field was applied to the Si waveguide through the top and bottom cladding layers, and the optical output from the drop port at the resonance wavelength was measured. At a wavelength of 1501.6 nm, the optical modulation of 33% was obtained at 200V (electric-field at the silicon surface ∼3 × 10⁵ V/cm, nearly the breakdown field). The resonance wavelength was shifted toward the short wavelength side by applying both positive and negative voltages, this shift was explained by carrier concentration modulation. The linear EO effect in the Si core layer was not observed, presumably because the strain in the Si core layer was too small.     

Synthesis of a Hematoside Analog Containing Phytosphingosine and α-Hydroxyfatty Acid

Abstract

The hematoside analog 1 [NeuGcα(2→3)Galβ(1→4)Glcβ(1→1)Cer], which contains a phytosphingosine as a sphingoid base and an α-hydroxyfatty acid, has been synthesized. Coupling of the methyl (methyl 5-benzyloxyacetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-D-glycero-α- and -β-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid)onate 5, prepared from the corresponding 5-acetamido derivative 2, with a lactose derivative 6 afforded sialolactoside 7, which was converted to the corresponding trichloroacetimidate 10. Glycosylation of 10 with the ceramide tribenzoate 12 gave the protected hematoside analog 13, which was deprotected to the hematoside analog 1.     

Decision making under uncertainty with fuzzy targets

This paper discusses the issue of how to use fuzzy targets in the target-based model for decision making under uncertainty. After introducing a target-based interpretation of the expected value on which it is shown that this model implicitly assumes a neutral behavior on attitude about the target, we examine the issue of using fuzzy targets considering different attitudes about the target selection of the decision maker. We also discuss the problem for situations on which the decision maker’s attitude about target may change according to different states of nature. Especially, it is shown that the target-based approach can provide an unified way for solving the problem of fuzzy decision making with uncertainty about the state of nature and imprecision about payoffs. Several numerical examples are given for illustration of the discussed issues.     

Sonochemical preparation of composite nanoparticles of Au/gamma-Fe2O3 and magnetic separation of glutathione

We prepared Au/gamma-Fe2O3 composite nanoparticles by sonochemically reducing Au(III) ions employing no stabilizer in the aqueous solution to form stable Au nanoparticles and allowing them to attach onto the surface of gamma-Fe2O3 particles with an average size of 21 nm. Size of the formed Au nanoparticle depended on the initial concentration of Au(III) ions. The number of the Au nanoparticles, supported on each gamma-Fe2O3 particle was controlled by changing the relative amounts of Au(III) ions and gamma-Fe2O3 particles. The composite nanoparticles exhibited a high affinity with glutathione, a tripeptide with mercapto group so that separation and manipulation of glutathione in aqueous solutions could be performed by application of external magnetic field. Because the surfaces of the Au nanoparticles were not shielded by any stabilizers, or naked, sonochemically prepared Au/gamma-Fe2O3 composite nanoparticles seemed to show stronger affinity to the glutathione than those by the radiochemical method.