Gap symmetry and intrinsic intraplane pinning of untwinned YBa2Cu3O7 single crystals

The interplane (cb) and intraplane (ab) anisotropy of untwinned YBa₂ Cu₃0₇ single crystals has been investigated by means of the torque magnetometry. To extract the reversible and irreversible components, the torque was measured as a function of increasing angle as well as decreasing angle. The interplane irreversible torque _irr shows two-fold peaks at _c =90 ° and270 ° (of half width11 ° at77 K) due to the well-known intrinsic interplane pinning. A novel intrinsic pinning has been discovered in the intraplane irreversible torque, i.e., _irr shows four-fold peaks of half width20° at77 K when _a =0 °, 90 °, 180 ° and270 °. We argue that the intrinsic intraplane pinning comes from the four-fold nature of the gap parameter.     

Adsorption isotherms of pigments from alkali-refined vegetable oils with clay minerals

Adsorption isotherms of pigments from alkali-refined oils (rapeseed, soybean, wheatgerm, safflower, corn, cottonseed and sunflower) were measured to investigate the applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations and to elucidate the adsorption characteristics of pigments on sepiolites and standard activated clay. The Freundlich equation was more applicable to the experimental adsorption isotherms. The equilibrium amount adsorbed, acidity, pore size distribution and inflection of the Freundlich isotherms could be explained by assuming that pigments were adsorbed on the stronger acid sites in smaller pores at low concentration, and then in the larger ones when the concentration increased. The amount adsorbed increased with a rise in adsorption temperatures from 70 to 110°C, and the heat of adsorption was below 10 kcal/mol. The results indicate that pigments were physically adsorbed on the acid sites activated at higher adsorption temperatures.     

Illumination control system for adaptive dynamic range control

Abstract— We have developed an illumination control system for adaptive dynamic range control. This system satisfies several performance requirements for image quality and reliability. A projection system using the illumination control system can reproduce images with optimum brightness for each image.     

Shorter-wavelength lithography utilizing MRS-type negative resists

New negative photoresists, called MRS-type resists, are successfully applied to deep-UV 1:1 projection printing and 365 nm 10:1 reduction projection printing. The MRS-type resists are characterized by intense absorption of exposure light and absence of swelling in aqueous developer solutions. They resolve steep profile submicron images in a 1.0 μ thick film. They are not adversely affected by reflected light from water surfaces. In order to use MRS-type resists with broader development latitude, optimizing the extent of light absorption is important because the resist profiles strongly depend on development conditions due to increasing solubility towards the resist bottom.     

Intense white photoluminescence in ZnO thin film formed by anodization

Intense white photoluminescence (PL) at room temperature has been observed in ZnO thin films formed by anodization at 26? C. The PL depends on the preparation conditions of the films. The PL is attributed to radiative recombination between localized electrons and holes in gap states which are formed by native defects in the films. We suggest that the anodized ZnO films might be useful for optoelectronic devices, since the low temperature anodization process used is inexpensive and fast.     

“Click Peptide“: pH‐Triggered in Situ Production and Aggregation of Monomer Aβ1–42

Into neutral : We demonstrate the unique features of a pH click peptide based on an O‐acyl isopeptide method. Under acidic conditions, the click peptide remains in a monomeric form. Upon increase of the pH to 7.4, the click peptide is quickly able to convert into Aβ1–42 through an O‐to‐N intramolecular acyl migration. Further study using this pH click peptide would elucidate the pathological role of Aβ1–42 in Alzheimer's disease.

     

Silver(I)-Ion-Mediated Cytosine-Containing Base Pairs: Metal Ion Specificity for Duplex Stabilization and Susceptibility toward DNA Polymerases

Spectroscopic characterization of Ag^I-ion-mediated C-Ag^I-A and C-Ag^I-T base pairs found in primer extension reactions catalyzed by DNA polymerases was conducted. UV melting experiments revealed that C-A and C-T mismatched base pairs in oligodeoxynucleotide duplexes are specifically stabilized by Ag^I ions in 1:1 stoichiometry in the same manner as a C-C mismatched base pair. Although the stability of the mismatched base pairs in the absence of Ag^I ions is in the order C-A≈C-T>C-C, the stabilizing effect of Ag^I ions follows the order C-C>C-A≈C-T. However, the comparative susceptibility of dNTPs to Ag^I-mediated enzymatic incorporation into the site opposite templating C is dATP>dTTP≫dCTP, as reported. The net charge, as well as the size and/or shape complementarity of the metal-mediated base pairs, or the stabilities of mismatched base pairs in the absence of metal ions, would be more important than the stability of the metallo-base pairs in the replicating reaction catalyzed by DNA polymerases.     

Multifunctional Hydrophobized Microparticles for Accelerated Wound Healing after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) provides strong therapeutic benefits for early gastrointestinal cancer as a minimally invasive treatment. However, there is currently no reliable treatment to prevent scar contracture resulting from ESD which may lead to cicatricial stricture. Herein, a multifunctional colloidal wound dressing to promote tissue regeneration after ESD is demonstrated. This sprayable wound dressing, composed of hydrophobized microparticles, exhibits the multifunctionality necessary for wound healing including tissue adhesiveness, blood coagulation, re‐epithelialization, angiogenesis, and controlled inflammation based on hydrophobic interaction with biological systems. An in vivo feasibility study using swine gastric ESD models reveals that this colloidal wound dressing suppresses fibrosis and accelerates wound healing. Multifunctional colloidal and sprayable wound dressings have an enormous therapeutic potential for use in a wide range of biomedical applications including accelerated wound healing after ESD, prevention of perforation, and the treatment of inflammatory diseases.     

Hexaphyrin as a Potential Theranostic Dye for Photothermal Therapy and 19F Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Two features of meso‐Aryl‐substituted expanded porphyrins suggest suitability as theranostic agents. They have excellent absorption in near infrared (NIR) region, and they offer the possibility of introduction of multiple fluorine atoms at structurally equivalent positions. Here, hexaphyrin (hexa) was synthesized from 2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐4‐formyl benzoate and pyrrole and evaluated as a novel expanded porphyrin with the above features. Under NIR illumination hexa showed intense photothermal and weak photodynamic effects, which were most likely due to its low excited states, close to singlet oxygen. The sustained photothermal effect caused ablation of cancer cells more effectively than the photodynamic effect of indocyanine green (a clinical dye). In addition, hexa showed potential for use in the visualization of tumors by ¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), because of the multiple fluorine atoms. Our results strongly support the utility of expanded porphyrins as theranostic agents in both photothermal therapy and ¹⁹F MRI.