Biosynthetic regulation of phytochelatins, heavy metal-binding peptides

Phytochelatins (PCs) are heavy metal-binding peptides that play important roles in the detoxification of toxic heavy metals and the regulation of intracellular concentrations of essential metals in eukaryotes, including higher plants, fungi, and microalgae. Recently, PC synthase genes in higher plants and fission yeast have been identified and characterized, enabling molecular biological studies to unravel the mechanisms underlying PC synthesis. Moreover, recent routine database searches have unexpectedly identified genes that are similar to plant PC synthase genes in the genomes of worms and some prokaryotes. In this review, we introduce these recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms for PC biosynthesis and functions in order to supply basic information about the unique and attractive peptides applicable to various fields.     

Enhanced Optical Properties and Opaline Self‐Assembly of PPV Encapsulated in Mesoporous Silica Spheres

A new poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) (PPV) composite material has been developed by the incorporation of insoluble PPV polymer chains in the pores of monodisperse mesoporous silica spheres through an ion‐exchange and in situ polymerization method. The polymer distribution within the resultant colloidal particles is characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption. It was found that the polymer was selectively incorporated into the mesopores of the silica host and was well distributed throughout the body of the particles. This confinement of the polymer influences the optical properties of the composite; these were examined by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and time‐correlated single‐photon counting. The results show a material that exhibits an extremely high fluorescence quantum yield (approaching 85%), and an improved resistance to oxidative photobleaching compared to PPV. These enhanced optical properties are further complemented by the overall processability of the colloidal material. In marked contrast to the insolubility of PPV, the material can be processed as a stable colloidal dispersion, and the individual composite spheres can be self‐assembled into opaline films using the vertical deposition method. The bandgap of the opal can be engineered to overlap with the emission band of the polymer, which has significant ramifications for lasing.     

Basic study of aerial flashover characteristics generated from pore of insulating solid

This paper reports a study on the possibility of an aerial flashover between a coil conductor and a casing in rotating machines under the application of a lower voltage than Paschen's voltage, even when enough insulation distance is secured. The time lag to aerial flashover originating from surface flashover was measured. To understand the aerial flashover influenced by the parameters of the voltage application circuit, the aerial flashover distance was measured using a cable which had a simulated pore to confirm the above issue. The surface flashover characteristic was also measured using a photomultiplier tube (PMT). It became clear that aerial flashover occurred a few milliseconds after surface flashover generation. After showing the peak, the aerial flashover distance decreased with increasing time constant. The surface flashover time estimated by the PMT output exhibited different values with change of capacitance when the time constant is larger. On the other hand, the average surface flashover current was almost the same in spite of the change of capacitance. From these results, it was concluded that the aerial flashover distance was influenced by the time constant of the circuit. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(3): 9–17, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21295     

Microstructure and surface chemistry of amorphous alloys important to their friction and wear behavior

An investigation was conducted to examine the microstructure and surface chemistry of amorphous alloys, and their effects on tribological behavior.

The results indicate that the surface oxide layers present on amorphous alloys are effective in providing low friction and a protective film against wear in air. Clustering and crystallization in amorphous alloys can be enhanced as a result of plastic flow during the sliding process at a low sliding velocity and at room temperature. Clusters or crystallites with sizes up to 150 nm and a diffused honeycomb-shaped structure are produced on the wear surface. Temperature effects lead to drastic changes in surface chemistry and friction behavior of the alloys at temperatures up to 750°C. Contaminants can come from the bulk of the alloys to the surface on heating and impart to the surface oxides at 350°C and boron nitride above 500°C, The oxides increase friction while the boron nitride reduces friction drastically in vacuum.     

Water quality and transparency characteristics during the Planktothrix abundance period in shallow Lake Kasumigaura,Japan

Cyanobacterial blooms in lakes cause serious environmental problems on a global scale. Planktothrix (a filamentous cyanobacterium) blooms occurred during winter and spring from 2007 to 2011 in Lake Kasumigaura, a eutrophic lake located in Japan. This study analysed water quality during the period of Planktothrix abundance (2007–2010) at the centre of Lake Kasumigaura and compared it to that in the succeeding period, which did not have Planktothrix blooms (2012–2015). The average phytoplankton biovolume during the abundance period was larger than that in the succeeding period, which would contribute to the high chemical oxygen demand (COD_Mn; annual average of 9.7 mg/L) in the abundance period, compared to the succeeding period (7.6 mg/L). The total phosphorus concentration peaked in spring and summer in the abundance period, but only in summer in the succeeding period, whereas the seasonal variation in total nitrogen concentration between the two periods was relatively small. The annual average transparency (Secchi disc depth) increased before the abundance period due to a decrease in fixed suspended solid, which is comprised mainly of inorganic matter. It is likely that the change in irradiance conditions affected the occurrence of Planktothrix blooms.