Phase diagrams of confined solutions of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) lipid and cholesterol in nanotubes

We have studied equilibrium morphologies of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine lipid solution and cholesterol solution confined to nanotubes using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. Phase diagrams regarding monomer concentration c versus radius of nanotube r for both solutions are attained. Three types of the inner surface of nanotubes, namely hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and hydroneutral are considered in the DPD simulations. A number of phases and molecular assemblies for the confined solutions are revealed, among others, such as the spiral wetting and bilayer helix. Several phases and assemblies have not been reported in the literature, and some are non-existence in bulk solutions. The ability to control the morphologies and self-assemblies within nanoscale confinement can be exploited for patterning interior surface of nanochannels for application in nanofluidics and nanomedical devices.     

Molecular cloning of a fish gene encoding a novel seven-transmembrane receptor related distantly to catecholamine, histamine, and serotonin receptors

A genomic DNA fragment encoding a G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane receptor was isolated from Medaka fish, Oryzias latipes. The encoded protein is similar in sequence to other receptors including catecholamine, histamine and serotonin receptors. However, the similarity is much lower than those among members of these receptor subfamilies, thus suggesting this seven-transmembrane receptor to be an orphan receptor whose ligand has not yet been identified. Genomic Southern blot analysis suggested that the fish genome contains additional receptor genes related to the isolated gene, indicating that this novel receptor, possibly with its related receptors, might constitute a novel subfamily of the seven-transmembrane receptor superfamily.     

Fast vortex method calculation using a special-purpose computer

A mathematical formulation for the 3D vortex method has been developed for calculation using a special-purpose computer MDGRAPE-2 that was originally designed for molecular dynamics simulations. We made an assessment of this hardware for a few representative problems and compared the results with and without it. It is found that the generation of appropriate function tables, which are used to call libraries, embedded in MDGRAPE-2 is of primary importance in order to retain accuracy. The error arising from the approximation is evaluated by calculating a pair of vortex rings impinging to themselves. Consequently, acceleration about 50 times greater is achieved by MDGRAPE-2 while the error in the statistical quantities such as kinetic energy and enstrophy remain negligible.     

Estimation of chlorophyll concentration in lakes and inland seas with a field spectroradiometer above the water surface

The estimation of chlorophyll concentration in the water by use of a field spectroradiometer above the water surface is necessary for the removal of the effect of specular reflection at the water surface. The amount of specular reflection from the water surface was assessed on the basis of the spectral signature data that was measured above and below the water surface. Furthermore, a method to remove the effect of specular reflection from spectral signature data that was measured above water surface was proposed. Finally, chlorophyll-a concentration was estimated accurately from the spectral signature measured by field spectroradiometer above water surface with the proposed surface reflection model.     

Chemical and Physical Properties of Capped and Uncapped Alkylthio Substituted Tetrathiafulvalenes and Their Charge Transfer Complexes

A series of tetrakis(n-alkylthio)tetrathiafulvalene (alkyl-methyl to octadecyl; TTC_n-TTF (n = 1-18) has been synthesized. Synthesis, structure, and some physical properties of these uncapped analogues of bis(ethylenedithiolo)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) are described and compared with those of BEDT-TTF. Several charge transfer complexes of TTC₁-TTF are presented in terms of their electrical conductivities, ionicity, structures, and intermolecular interactions and compared with those of BEDT-TTF compounds. Molecular conformation, mode of the sulfur-to-sulfur atomic contacts, and requirements for an organic metal are discussed from the viewpoint of the molecular design.     

Nanocomposite Derived from Core–Shell Nanoparticles via Creep Deformation of an Amorphous Silica Layer Below its Glass Transition Temperature

The microstructural design of ceramics is relevant to tune their properties. Nanostructuring can drastically modify ceramic properties because of enhanced interfacial effects, although the creation of such structures in ceramics is still challenging because of the interfacial reaction and grain growth at elevated temperatures during sintering. Here, we demonstrate densification of core – shell nanoparticles consisting of Fe₃O₄ (core particle, 20 nm diameter) and SiO₂ (shell layer, 2 nm thick) with over 90% of theoretical density below 500°C, which was achieved by facilitating plastic flow of amorphous SiO₂ under high pressure below its glass transition temperature. Thus, grain growth of the core nanoparticles was strongly suppressed, and the core nanoparticles remained separated by an amorphous layer in the final microstructure reflecting the original core–shell nanostructure. We also analyzed the densification behavior on the basis of a power law creep model, and estimated the pressures required to attain full density.     

Preparation of a Barium Titanate-Dispersed-Magnesia Nanocomposite

Ceramic nanocomposites with a perovskite-type ferroelectric dispersoid were studied, to introduce ferroelectricity into structural ceramics. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) was found to be phase compatible with magnesia (MgO) during sintering, and a MgO matrix/BaTiO3 nanocomposite was successfully fabricated by a conventional powder mixing and sintering method. The mechanical strength of the nanocomposite was not degraded, although weak BaTiO3 was incorporated into the composite. The BaTiO3 dispersoid was tetragonal or possibly orthorhombic, although the tetragonality, c/a, was decreased from the starting powder.