Temperature-pressure phase diagrams of hydrogenated and deuterated κ-(BEDT-TTF)2CU[N(CN)2]Cl

The dc magnetization at ambient pressure and rf field screening under hydrostatic pressure are measured for hydrogenated and deuterated κ-(BEDT-TTF)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]Cl to investigate the isotope effects on the temperature-pressure phase diagram. A possible weak ferromagnetic spin ordering is discussed based on the crystallographic symmetry of this compound.     

Improved Distribution and Uniformity of α-Al(Mn,Cr)Si Dispersoids in Al-Mg-Si-Cu-Mn (6xxx) Alloys by Two-Step Homogenization

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The recrystallization behaviors of deformed 6xxx aluminum alloys can be effectively controlled with α-Al(Mn,Cr)Si dispersoids by pinning or slowing...     

Underlying Mechanism of Inkjet Printing of Uniform Organic Semiconductor Films Through Antisolvent Crystallization

An underlying mechanism is reported for the formation of highly uniform crystalline organic semiconductor films by the double‐shot inkjet printing (IJP) technique utilizing antisolvent crystallization. It is demonstrated that the ability to form uniform films with this technique can be attributed to the unique nature of the initial contact dynamics between the chemically different microdroplets before occurrence of solute crystallization. Experiments are conducted systematically where a single microdroplet is over‐deposited by the IJP technique on a chemically different sessile droplet, for ten kinds of pure and miscible solvent combinations. The subsequent behavior is observed by high speed camera. The initial contact dynamics can be classified into three dramatically different cases that are respectively referred to as wetting, dewetting, and sinking. These phenomena are unique to microdroplets and the conditions for the occurrence of each type of phenomenon can be consistently explained by the fact that the initial contact dynamics are driven by the difference of surface tension of the liquids. Among the three kinds of dynamics, the wetting phenomenon creates a thin solution layer on the antisolvent droplet surface and can be used thus to manufacture uniform semiconductor films, where the coffee ring effect can be eliminated.     

Cross-Species,Amplifiable Microsatellite Markers for Neoverrucid Barnacles from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents Developed Using Next-Generation Sequencing

Barnacles of the genus Neoverruca are abundant near deep-sea hydrothermal vents of the northwestern Pacific Ocean, and are useful for understanding processes of population formation and maintenance of deep-sea vent faunas. Using next-generation sequencing, we isolated 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci from Neoverruca sp., collected in the Okinawa Trough. These microsatellite loci revealed 2–19 alleles per locus. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.286 to 1.000 and 0.349 to 0.935, respectively. Cross-species amplification showed that 9 of the 12 loci were successfully amplified for Neoverruca brachylepadoformis in the Mariana Trough. A pairwise F_ST value calculated using nine loci showed significant genetic differentiation between the two species. Consequently, the microsatellite markers we developed will be useful for further population genetic studies to elucidate genetic diversity, differentiation, classification, and evolutionary processes in the genus Neoverruca.     

The isopropylation of biphenyl over H-mordenite — Roles of 3- and 4-isopropylbiphenyls

The isopropylation of biphenyl (BP) and 3- and 4-isopropylbiphenyls (3- and 4-IPBPs) was examined over H-mordenites (MOR) to elucidate the mechanism of shape-selective formation of 4,4′-diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4′-DIPB). The isopropylation of BP occurred predominantly to form 4-isopropylbiphenyl (4-IPBP) from BP and 4,4′-DIPB from 4-IPBP. However, 3-IPBP, a minor isomer from BP, cannot participate effectively in the formation of 3,4′-DIPB due to steric restriction of its isopropyl moiety with MOR channels. Selective formation of 4,4′-DIPB was observed at low to moderate temperatures: 225–275 °C. However, the selectivities for 4,4′-DIPB were decreased at high temperatures, 300–350 °C under propene pressure, 0.8MPa, by the isomerization of 4,4′-DIPB at external acid sites. The isomerization of 4,4′-DIPB occurred under low propene pressure even at 250 °C. The roles of 3- and 4-IPBPs in the formation of DIPB isomers were examined in the isopropylation of their mixtures. 4-IPBP was consumed much faster than 3-IPBP in all cases examined. 4-IPBP was an exclusive precursor to DIPB isomers, particularly 4,4′-DIPB. 4,4′-DIPB was also found as a predominant isomer in encapsulated products at all conditions examined. These results show that 4-IPBP can preferentially establish active transition state with propene and acid site in MOR channels, resulting in selective formation of 4,4′-DIPB. It is concluded that the isopropylation of BP over MOR occurs through reactant selectivity mechanism and restricted transition state mechanism, but not through product selectivity mechanism.     

Direct hydrothermal synthesis of B-SSZ-31 from silica and sodium borate using 1,3,3,6,6-pentamethyl-6-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane hydroxide as structure-directing agent

The direct synthesis of a borosilicate version of SSZ-31 was investigated starting from fumed silica and sodium borate as the silicon and boron source, respectively. As-synthesized boron Beta as a seed material was required for synthesizing fully crystalline material. The synthesis vessel has been observed to play a major role during the synthesis. Synthesis inside quartz tubes succeeded whereas that inside a teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave failed. Crystalline material was obtained inside the autoclave in presence of hollow quartz tubes. Part of the tetrahedral boron could be substituted by aluminum refluxing the as-calcined sample with aluminum nitrate solution. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Regional distribution in the fatty acids of triacylglycerols and phospholipids within soybean seeds (Glycine max L.)

The fatty acid distribution of triacylglycerols (TAG) and major phospholipids (PL) within soybean seeds (Glycine max L.) was investigated in relation to their tocopherol contents. The lipids extracted from four cultivars were separated by thin‐layer chromatography into seven fractions. Tocopherols were predominantly detected in the axis, followed by cotyledons and seed coat. The major lipid components were TAG and PL, while hydrocarbons, steryl esters, free fatty acids and diacylglycerols (sn‐1,3 and sn‐1,2) were also present in minor proportions. With a few exceptions, the dominant PL components were phosphatidylcholine, followed by phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylinositiol. Significant differences (p <0.05) in fatty acid distribution existed when different soybean cultivars were examined. However, the principal characteristics of the fatty acid distribution in the TAG were evident among four cultivars; unsaturated fatty acids were predominantly concentrated in the sn‐2 position, and saturated fatty acids primarily occupied the sn‐1 or sn‐3 position in the oils of the soybeans.     

Influence of pre-irradiation atmosphere on the properties of polymer electrolyte membranes prepared using radiation grafting method

The influence of pre-irradiation atmosphere, argon and air, on radiation grafting of styrene into poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films and the properties of the ETFE-based radiation-grafted polymer electrolyte membranes were investigated. The preparation and properties of the membranes were found to be strongly influenced by the γ-ray pre-irradiation atmosphere. The proton conductivity was measured in its water-saturated state at 25 °C, and the membrane durability was tested in a 3% H₂O₂ aqueous solution at 60 °C. The proton conductivity of the membrane prepared by pre-irradiation under air was higher than that of the membrane prepared under argon with the same ion exchange capacity level. However, the durability of the former was considerably lower than that of the latter. For instance, the membrane with an ion exchange capacity of about 1.0 mmol g⁻¹ prepared under argon was twice as durable as that prepared under air. It was considered that the lower durability of the membrane prepared by pre-irradiation under air was because of the unstable ether bond introduced between the graft chains and the backbone chains.     

First basic performance evaluation of the XE-2100 haematology analyser

The newly developed XE-2100 haematology analyser can provide complete blood counts, leukocyte differentials, perform reticulocyte analysis, and obtain quantitative data on nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs). In this study, we evaluated the basic performance of this instrument using routinely obtained blood specimens treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-2k. Reproducibility, carryover, stability during storage at 4 degrees C and room temperature, and accuracy were evaluated. In this evaluation, reproducibility was good and little carryover was found. Accurate measurements were possible for up to 48h of storage. A good correlation between findings with the XE-2100 and SE-9000 haematology analysers was found for complete blood count on 210 samples tested. The leukocyte differential obtained with the XE-2100 correlated well with eye counts and with the results obtained with the SE-9000 automated haematology analyser, with r values over 0.9 for the percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils. The precision and accuracy of VRBC and reticulocyte counts by the XE-2100 were satisfactory. We used the XE-2100 to obtain differential counts for bone marrow aspirates, and good correlations with manual differentials were obtained for total nucleated cell count, percentage of myeloid cells and percentage of erythroid cells. The performance of the XE-2100 was excellent, and this instrument should be able to provide reliable data to clinical laboratories.