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Lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) is an amorphous solid-state lithium ion conductor displaying exemplary cyclability against lithium metal anodes. There is no definitive explanation for this stability due to the limited understanding of the structure of LiPON. We provide a structural model of RF-sputtered LiPON via experimental and computational spectroscopic methods. Information about the short-range structure results from 1D and 2D solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments investigating chemical shift anisotropy and dipolar interactions. These results are compared with first principles chemical shielding calculations of Li-P-O/N crystals and ab initio molecular dynamics-generated amorphous LiPON models to unequivocally identify the glassy structure as primarily isolated phosphate monomers with N incorporated in both apical and as bridging sites in phosphate dimers. Structural results suggest LiPON's stability is a result of its glassy character. Free-standing LiPON films are produced that exhibit a high degree of flexibility highlighting the unique mechanical properties of glassy materials.

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is regarded as the most complex but the least understood constituent in secondary batteries using liquid and solid electrolytes. The nanostructures of SEIs were recently reported to be equally important to the chemistry of SEIs for stabilizing Li metal in liquid electrolyte. However, the dearth of such knowledge in all-solid-state battery (ASSB) has hindered a complete understanding of how certain solid-state electrolytes, such as LiPON, manifest exemplary stability against Li metal. Characterizing such solid-solid interfaces is difficult due to the buried, highly reactive, and beam-sensitive nature of the constituents within. By employing cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the interphase between Li metal and LiPON is successfully preserved and probed, revealing a multilayer mosaic SEI structure with concentration gradients of nitrogen and phosphorous, materializing as crystallites within an amorphous matrix. This unique SEI nanostructure is less than 80 nm and is shown stable and free of any organic lithium containing species or lithium fluoride components, in contrast to SEIs often found in state-of-the-art organic liquid electrolytes. Our findings reveal insights on the nanostructures and chemistry of such SEIs as a key component in lithium metal batteries to stabilize Li metal anode.

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is regarded as the most complex but the least understood constituent in secondary batteries using liquid and solid electrolytes. The nanostructures of SEIs were recently reported to be equally important to the chemistry of SEIs for stabilizing Li metal in liquid electrolyte. However, the dearth of such knowledge in all-solid-state battery (ASSB) has hindered a complete understanding of how certain solid-state electrolytes, such as LiPON, manifest exemplary stability against Li metal. Characterizing such solid-solid interfaces is difficult due to the buried, highly reactive, and beam-sensitive nature of the constituents within. By employing cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the interphase between Li metal and LiPON is successfully preserved and probed, revealing a multilayer mosaic SEI structure with concentration gradients of nitrogen and phosphorous, materializing as crystallites within an amorphous matrix. This unique SEI nanostructure is less than 80 nm and is shown stable and free of any organic lithium containing species or lithium fluoride components, in contrast to SEIs often found in state-of-the-art organic liquid electrolytes. Our findings reveal insights on the nanostructures and chemistry of such SEIs as a key component in lithium metal batteries to stabilize Li metal anode.

Summary Silicon with a high theoretical capacity (3,579 mAh/g) is a promising anode candidate for lithium-ion batteries. However, commercialization is still impeded by low Coulombic efficiency, caused by solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and trapped lithium (Li)-silicon (Si) alloy during repeated volume change. Quantifying capacity losses from each factor is crucial to formulate rational design strategies for further improvement. In this work, titration-gas chromatography and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy are applied to characterize the evolution of trapped Li-Si alloy and SEI growth in a silicon thin-film anode. It is found that continuous growth of the SEI is the dominant factor for lithium inventory loss during cycling, with only a marginal increase in trapped Li-Si alloy. This study offers a quantitative approach to differentiate Li in the SEI from trapped Li in Li-Si alloy through a silicon thin-film anode, providing unique insights into identifying critical bottlenecks for developing Si anodes.

We have studied the effects of the oxidizing species on the cobalt radioactivity buildup behavior in boiling water reactors (BWRs) using both experimental results and existing literature data. The oxidizing species used to simulate the normal water chemistry (NWC) condition of BWRs were 200 ppb dissolved oxygen or 200 ppb hydrogen peroxide accompanied by 100 ppb dissolved oxygen. We found that the amount of cobalt deposited on stainless steel specimens in the oxygen-based water chemistry (200 ppb dissolved oxygen) was larger than that in the hydrogen peroxide–based water chemistry (200 ppb hydrogen peroxide and 100 ppb dissolved oxygen). The rate of cobalt deposition in the former chemistry was more than four times larger than that in the latter chemistry. This difference in cobalt deposition behavior can be attributed to two properties of oxides: surface morphology and composition. The film formed in the oxygen-based environment was less dense than the film formed in the hydrogen peroxide–based e...

Two novel ruthenium sensitizers with a hexylthiophene-modified terpyridine ligand (TUS-35 and TUS-36) were synthesized to improve the molar absorptivity of the previously reported ruthenium sensitizer (TBA)[Ru{4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-4,4″-dicarboxyterpyridine}(NCS)3], TBA = tetrabutylammonium (TUS-21). A relatively strong absorption appeared at ∼380 nm, and the molar absorption coefficient at the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) band decreased in TUS-35 by introducing a 2-hexylthiophene unit to the 5-position of the terpyridine-derived ligand. For comparison, a relatively strong absorption was observed at ∼350 nm without decreasing the molar absorption coefficient at the MLCT band in TUS-36 by introducing a 2-hexylthiophene unit to the 4-position of the terpyridine-derived ligand. On the other hand, the energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbitals and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals of these two sensitizers were found to be almost equal to those of TUS-21. The adsorption behavior of TUS-35 and TUS-36 was similar to that of (TBA)[Ru{4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)terpyridine}(NCS)3] (TUS-20), which binds to the TiO2 surface by using the 3,4-dicarboxyphenly unit, rather than that of TUS-21, which adsorbs to the TiO2 photoelectrode using one of the carboxyl groups at the terminal pyridines of the terpyridine-derived ligand. Therefore, TUS-35 and TUS-36 are considered to bind to the TiO2 surface by using the 3,4-dicarboxyphenly unit just like TUS-20. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with TUS-35 and TUS-36 showed a relatively lower conversion efficiency (6.4% and 5.7%, respectively) compared to the DSC with TUS-21 (10.2%). Open-circuit photovoltage decay and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that the promoted charge recombination and/or charge transfer of the injected electrons in the TiO2 photoelectrode is a main reason for the inferior performances of TUS-35 and TUS-36.

Polymer-based solar cells have made rapid progress in the last decade and are currently attracting a great deal of attention as a next-generation solar cell. Very recently, they have shown a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of more than 10%, which is comparable to that reported for amorphous silicon solar cells. However, it is still required to improve the photovoltaic performance furthermore for practical applications. In this talk, I will demonstrate ternary blend polymer solar cells, which are a new approach to improving the photocurrent generation. We have recently developed ternary blend polymer solar cells based on a wide-bandgap polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a fullerene derivative (PCBM), and a near-IR dye molecule such as a silicon phthalocyanine derivative (SiPc). Such near-IR dye addition can easily expand the light-harvesting wavelength range up to the near-IR region, and hence can boost the photocurrent furthermore. I will demonstrate how molecular design of near-IR dye molecules can control the location in ternary blend solar cells to improve the photocurrent generation effectively. We also have fabricated ternary blend polymer solar cells based on a wide-bandgap polymer, a low-bandgap polymer, and PCBM. This two-donor polymer blend can also expand the light-harvesting wavelength and hence can boost the photocurrent effectively. Efficient exciton harvesting and charge collection can be designed by combining a wide-bandgap crystalline polymer and a low-bandgap amorphous polymer.

Two novel ruthenium sensitizers having multiple carboxyl groups ((TBA)[Ru{4′-(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-4,4″-dicarboxyterpyridine}(NCS)3] (TUS-21) and (TBA)[Ru{4′-(3-carboxyphenyl)-4,4″-dicarboxyterpyridine}(NCS)3] (TUS-37); TBA = tetrabutylammonium) have been synthesized as improved model sensitizers for the previously reported ruthenium sensitizer TUS-20 ((TBA)[Ru{4′-(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)terpyridine}(NCS)3]). The absorption maxima of two MLCT bands and the absorption onsets of TUS-21 and TUS-37 were shifted to longer wavelengths of about 30 nm in comparison to those of TUS-20 by introducing a carboxyl group to the each terminal pyridine ring of the terpyridine ligand. TUS-21 and TUS-37 showed quite similar adsorption behaviors to the TiO2 surface, and this adsorption behavior was found to be different from that of TUS-20. ATR-IR measurements revealed that TUS-21 and TUS-37 bind to the TiO2 surface by using two carboxyl groups at the 3-position of the phenyl ring and at one of the terminal pyridine rings of t...

Self-assembled octadecyltrichlorosilane ((OTS), CH3(CH2)17SiCl3) layers on hydroxyl-terminated silicon oxide (SiO2) were prepared. The monolayers were characterized with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements; their conformation was studied before, during, and after contact with a polymer (either PDMS or PTFE) surface using the vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) technique. During contact, the effect of pressure was studied for both polymer surfaces, but in the case of PTFE, the effect of shear rate on the contact was simultaneously studied. The VSFS response of the monolayers with pressure was almost entirely due to changes in the real area of contact with the polymer and therefore the Fresnel factors, whereas sliding caused disorder in the previously all-trans monolayer, as evidenced by a significant increase in the population of gauche defects.

In single-wafer cleaning of semiconductor chips and flat panel displays, various cleaning methods tailored to the process, such as two-fluid spray cleaning, high-pressure jet spray cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning spray cleaning, and scrub cleaning have been proposed and put to practical use. In this study, Polyethylene Latex (PSL) particles 0.2 µm in diameter and 1 µm in diameter were electro-sprayed on the SiO2 The soil samples, and then cleaning efficiency were measured using two types of ultrasonic sprayers with frequencies of 1 MHz and 3 MHz confirmed. The soil samples are controlled for adhesion by deforming the PSL particles by heating the silicon wafer from 300K to 425K. From the experimental results, it was found that the is determined by factors other than the conventionally reported radiation flow in PSL particles. Figure 1

o-(N-Alkylamino)propiophenones are converted into 4-quinolones in the presence of chlorobenzene, potassium phosphate, morpholine, and nickel(0) catalyst. The reaction proceeds through the nickel-catalyzed formation of β-enaminones from o-(N-alkylamino)propiophenones and morpholine, followed by the intramolecular transamination.

Localized-surface-plasmon (LSP)-enhancement effect on one-photon photochromic ring-opening reaction of two diarylethene (DE) derivatives was studied using absorption spectroscopy. DEs were doped in polymer films and those were coated onto Au-nanoparticles-integrated substrates. Acceleration of the one-photon photochromic reactions was observed in the presence of Au nanoparticles. The origin of the behavior was attributed to an enhancement effect of incident electromagnetic field by LSP. An alternative mechanism, i.e., photothermal effect was also experimentally examined and discussed.

The present first successful cine substitution of alkenyl acetates proceeds in the presence of a cod-ligated rhodium catalyst.

We demonstrate that a photochromic reaction can be driven by irradiation from a weak, near-infrared continuous-wave (NIR-CW) laser light. A two-photon ring-opening photochromic reaction of a diarylethene (DE) derivative can be induced by irradiation with a NIR-CW laser light (lambda = 808 nm). An ultrathin polymer film doped with DE in its closed form was coated onto a gold-nanoparticle-integrated glass substrate. Upon irradiation of the sample with a CW laser at low fluence (0.1-4.0 W/cm(2)), we could clearly observe bleaching of the DE (ring-opening reaction). Following the IR irradiation, the bleached absorption could be reversibly recovered by applying UV irradiation (ring-closing reaction). We verified that the yield of the photochromic ring-opening reaction of the DE was proportional to the square of the irradiation fluence. The origin of this NIR-CW-induced two-photon photochromic reaction is an "enhancing effect" that acts on the electromagnetic field (localized surface plasmon) of the gold nanoparticles. The DE interacts with the surface plasmon and receives energy from two photons, which excites it to a state from which the ring-opening reaction can be initiated.

Background: Flavonoids are nutrients that exert anti-allergic effects. We investigated the preventative effect of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis. Methods: In a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 24 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took 100 mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks, starting 4 weeks prior to the onset of pollen release. Subjective symptoms, ADL scores and the usage of drugs were recorded daily, and the QOL score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum levels of IgE and flavonoids. Results: During the entire study period, ocular symptom + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the placebo group. When limited to the period, ocular symptom scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5–6), and ocular congestion scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5–6) for the EMIQ group was significantly lower than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as ocular itching scores (p = 0.09, weeks 4–5), lacrimation scores (p = 0.07, weeks 5–6), and ocular congestion scores (p = 0.06, weeks 45), all tended to be lower. However no significant differences were found in nasal symptoms between the two groups. Serum concentrations of IgE were not significantly downregulated but the serum concentrations of quercetin and its derivatives were elevated significantly by the intake of EMIQ. Conclusions: Intake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ proved to be effective for the relief of ocular symptoms caused by Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Background: Flavonoids exert antiallergic and antioxidant effects. We investigated the efficacy of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve symptoms of pollinosis. Methods: In a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 20 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took two capsules daily of 100 mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks during the pollen season. Subjective symptoms and activities of daily living (ADL) scores were recorded every day, and the quality of life (QOL) score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum cytokines, chemokines, IgE, quercetin and oxidized biomarkers. Results: During the entire study period, total ocular score and ocular itching score for the EMIQ group were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than for the placebo group. When limited to the individual periods, total symptom score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05, week 4–5) than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as total nasal score (p = 0.06, week 4–5), nasal obstruction score (p = 0.08, week 4–5), lacrimation score (p = 0.06, week 5–6), ocular congestion score (p = 0.08, week 4–7) and ADL score (p = 0.08, week 4–7), all tended to be lower. The levels of serum cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-12, IL-13, interferon-γ, and eotaxin and IgE were not significantly downregulated by the intake of EMIQ but the serum concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine were reduced. Conclusion: Intake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ was safe and influenced ocular symptoms caused by pollinosis.

We report a high-efficiency source of cross-polarized photon pairs via type-II quasi-phase matched spontaneous parametric down-conversion using periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN). The photon pairs are generated from the PPLN in a fifth-order quasi-phase matching condition around 800 nm, which matches the wavelength band of efficient Si avalanche photodiodes. We obtained the photon-pair production rate of 6.8×105 s-1 mW-1.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR resistance training) on vascular endothelial function and peripheral blood circulation. Forty healthy elderly volunteers aged 71 ± 4 years were divided into two training groups. Twenty subjects performed BFR resistance training (BFR group), and the remaining 20 performed ordinary resistance training without BFR. Resistance training was performed at 20 % of each estimated one-repetition maximum for 4 weeks. We measured lactate (Lac), norepinephrine (NE), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and growth hormone (GH) before and after the initial resistance training. The reactive hyperemia index (RHI), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and transcutaneous oxygen pressure in the foot (Foot-tcPO2) were assessed before and after the 4-week resistance training period. Lac, NE, VEGF and GH increased significantly from 8.2 ± 3.6 mg/dL, 619.5 ± 243.7 pg/mL, 43.3 ± 15.9 pg/mL and 0.9 ± 0.7 ng/mL to 49.2 ± 16.1 mg/dL, 960.2 ± 373.7 pg/mL, 61.6 ± 19.5 pg/mL and 3.1 ± 1.3 ng/mL, respectively, in the BFR group (each P

The ferrite fixed on the iron pipes was decontaminated by a reactive microemulsion in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). The specimens were prepared by treating the iron pipes with steam at 1,273 K for 2 min. The specimen was not dissolved in 3 mol·dm−3 HNO3 because its surface was covered with ferrite, while the original iron pipe was easily dissolved. This difference was used for determination of the fraction of ferrite. The fraction of ferrite covering the iron pipes was 1.5±0.3 wt%. A microemulsion containing organic acid was prepared using a fluorinated reagent, pentade-cafluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and a non-fluorinated surfactant, polyoxyethylene (2) nonylphenyl ether (NP-2) and citric acid. In the former system, PFOA acted as a surfactant as well as an acid. By observation of the phase equilibrium, the microemulsion was found to be stabilized when the molecular ratio of water to surfactant, the w value, was 5.0 for the PFOA+H2O+SC-CO2 system, and 8.7 for the NP-2+citric acid+SC-CO2 system at 2...

Myricitrin, a botanical flavonol glycoside, could be a useful ingredient of functional foods, cosmetics, and medicines because of its high anti-oxidative activity. However, due to its insolubility in water, it has a limited range of use. To improve this solubility, we glycosylated myricitrin by an enzymatic transglycosylate reaction. Myricitrin was galactosylated by beta-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans using lactose as a sugar donor. The reaction product was 480 times more soluble than myricitrin. Four myricitrin galactosides were isolated from the reaction products by column chromatography, and their molecular structures were identified by using ESI-MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HMQC and 1H-13C HMBC analysis. The solubility of these four myricitrin galactosides was more than 3.9 x 10(3) fold that of myricitrin, and each had similar anti-oxidative activity to that of myricitrin.

The generation of nitrous acid (HNO2) by ultrasound was investigated for an organic solution consisting of tri-n-butylphosphate, nitric acid (HNO3) and water under several conditions. The amount of HNO2 was found to increase by a factor of 40 upon ultrasound irradiation, and the concentration of HNO2 reached the steady-state after long time irradiation. Although the concentration of HNO3 was low, the rate of generation of HNO2 in the organic solution was higher than that in aqueous solution equilibrated with the organic solution. The formation rates of HNO2 were greatly enhanced with an increase in concentration of HNO3 in the organic solution. The concentration of HNO2 was higher in the absence of a gas phase, because the HNO2 was transferred from the solution into the gas phase as a form of NOx. In the presence of a gas phase, a higher concentration of HNO2 was obtained at a lower temperature, due to the higher solubility of NOx in the solution.

Rare earth elements were extracted from luminescent material in waste fluorescent lamps using supercritical carbon dioxide (SF-CO 2 ) containing tri- n -butyl phosphate (TBP) complexes with HNO 3 and H 2 O. The determined Y, Eu, La, Ce and Tb in the employed luminescent material were 29.6, 2.3, 10.6, 5.0 and 2.6 wt.%, respectively. Aqueous droplets were generated in an extraction experiment from a reaction with metal oxides and a complex prepared from vigorous mixing of TBP with concentrated nitric acid (15.5 mol dm −3 (M)). These droplets were generated because the complex was saturated with water and the excess water separated, leading to low recovery yields. The molecular ratio of TBP:HNO 3 :H 2 O in the complex was 1.0:1.8:0.6. When the ratio was changed to 1.0:1.3:0.4 by dilution with TBP anhydrate, the separation of water was prevented. Using this complex, extraction efficiencies for Y and Eu increased to over 99% after the static extraction for 120 min at 15 MPa, 333 K.

Aryl carbonates work as electrophilic substrates for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction in the presence of the nickel catalyst, which is generated from [Ni(cod)2] and ferrocenyl bisphosphine, DCyPF. The n...

Gone fishing: When propiophenone and related ethyl ketones are treated with morpholine in the presence of K(3)PO(4), chlorobenzene, and [Ni(cod)(2)]/PMe(3) catalyst, a carbon-nitrogen bond is formed selectively at the beta position (see scheme; cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene). Secondary amines were employed as substrates to give the corresponding beta-enaminones.

Quercetin, a flavonol distributed widely in edible and medicinal plants, has beneficial biological activities in vitro. However, the low water solubility of quercetin limits its bioavailability to exhibit activity in vivo. We evaluated the anti-allergic effects of quercetin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside (isoquercitrin, IQC), α-oligoglucosyl rutin (αOR), and enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (α-oligoglucosyl isoquercitrin; EMIQ) in the murine ear passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction using ovalbumin as an antigen. The substances to be tested were dissolved or suspended in water, and administered orally to mice (4 mmol 10 ml⁻¹ kg⁻¹). EMIQ exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on the PCA reaction. We detected 600 μM IQC and 95.1 μM Q3Glcn in the plasma of mice 30 min after EMIQ treatment, suggesting that IQC and Q3Glcn might be the genuine active compounds mediating the anti-allergic effects of EMIQ. Oral treatments of quercetin and αOR at this dosage exhibited no anti-allergic effect, and IQC showed less effect than EMIQ. Since IQC and quercetin cannot completely dissolve in water at this concentration, the water solubilities of these substances might affect their biological activities. αOR dissolved well in water at the concentration used but plasma concentrations of quercetin metabolites in mice orally treated with αOR were low, suggesting that αOR might not be converted to IQC or quercetin by the enzymes in small intestine and thus not exhibit any activity. Glycosyl conjugation of quercetin with specific sugar motifs is an effective strategy to improve the biological activity of quercetin in vivo.

Aryl carbonates (I) work as electrophilic substrates for the Suzuki—Miyaura reaction under nickel catalysis which is enhanced by the use of a chelate bisphosphine ligand.

The present first successful cine substitution of alkenyl acetates proceeds in the presence of a cod-ligated rhodium catalyst.

Dietary intake of quercetin is suggested to be potentially beneficial for the prevention of various diseases. We examined the effect of alpha-oligoglucosylation of the sugar moiety of quercetin monoglucoside on its bioavailability in humans. Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ) was prepared by enzymatic deglycosylation and the subsequent of alpha-oligoglucosylation of quercetin 3-O-beta-rutinode (rutin). The plasma level of quercetin metabolites was instantly increased by oral intake of EMIQ and its absorption efficiency was significantly higher than that of isoquercitrin (quercetin 3-O-beta-glucoside; Q3G), and rutin. The profile of plasma quercetin metabolites after EMIQ consumption did not differ from that after Q3G consumption. The apparent log P of EMIQ indicated that EMIQ is more hydrophilic than Q3G but less than quercetin 3,4'-O-beta-diglucoside. These data indicated that enzymatic alpha-oligoglucosylation to the sugar moiety is effective for enhancing the bioavailability of quercetin glucosides in humans.

Quercetin, a flavonol contained in various vegetables and herbal medicines, has various biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-allergic and anti-oxidative activities. However, low oral bioavailability of quercetin due to insolubility in water has limited its use as a food additive or dietary supplement. Since the water solubility is enhanced by glycosyl conjugation, in the present study, we evaluated the bioavailability of several quercetin glycosides with different sugar moieties in rats. Quercetin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin), and quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercitrin, IQC) in suspension, and quercetin-3-O-maltoside (Q3M), quercetin-3-O-gentiobioside (Q3G), alpha-monoglucosyl rutin (alphaMR), alpha-oligoglucosyl rutin (alphaOR), and enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (alpha-oligoglucosyl isoquercitrin, EMIQ) dissolved in water, were orally administered to rats under anesthesia. Bioavailability (F value) was calculated from the concentrations of total quercetin in plasma from 0 to 12 h after the administration. F value of quercetin was 2.0%, and those of IQC, Q3M and EMIQ were 12%, 30%, and 35%, respectively. Although Q3G, alphaMR and alphaOR have high water solubility, their F values were low (3.0%, 4.1%, 1.8%, respectively). In the in vitro study, the homogenate of rat intestinal epithelium rapidly hydrolyzed IQC, Q3M and EMIQ to quercetin, and alphaMR and alphaOR to rutin. However, it could not hydrolyze Q3G or rutin to quercetin. Elongation of alpha-linkage of glucose moiety in IQC enhances the bioavailability of quercetin, and intestinal epithelial enzymes such as lactase-phrolizin hydrolase or mucosal maltase-glucoamylase would play important roles in the hydrolysis and absorption of these flavonol glycosides.

Gone fishing: When propiophenone and related ethyl ketones are treated with morpholine in the presence of K(3)PO(4), chlorobenzene, and [Ni(cod)(2)]/PMe(3) catalyst, a carbon-nitrogen bond is formed selectively at the beta position (see scheme; cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene). Secondary amines were employed as substrates to give the corresponding beta-enaminones.

We have developed a high-efficiency source of cross-polarized photon pairs in a 800-nm band via type-II quasi-phase matched spontaneous parametric down-conversion using periodically poled lithium niobate. We obtained 25,000 coincidence counts sec-1 mW-1 of the photon pairs.

We have developed a high-efficiency source of cross-polarized photon pairs via type-II quasi-phase matched spontaneous parametric down-conversion using periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN). The photon pairs are generated from the PPLN in fifth-order quasi-phase matched condition around 800 nm, which matches the wavelength band of efficient Si avalanche photodiodes. We obtained 25,000 coincidence counts sec-1mW-1of the photon pairs.

We have examined how the morphology of the trench sidewall evolves in the early phase of hydrogen annealing under the two conditions of hydrogen pressures. A distinguished result was obtained concerning the sidewall surface morphology after 30 s annealing at 1000 °C under 760 Torr hydrogen ambient. The evanescence of chemical Si dioxide formed by RCA cleaning process was clearly observed to initiate in various places on the surface. And in the area without chemical oxide, the appearance of atomic steps was also observed. In contrast under 40 Torr hydrogen ambient, the chemical oxide was completely removed even after 30 s annealing. Our observation shows that not only the rate of trench shape transformation but also the rate of removal of oxide films decreases with increasing hydrogen pressure.

The conversion efficiency of black-dye-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) was improved by cosensitization with organic dye (NKX-2553 or D131). This improved conversion efficiency was further enhanced by employing deoxycholic acid (DCA) as a coadsobent. The highest conversion efficiency, 11.6% under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm−2), was obtained in DSC with black dye and D131 in the presence of DCA.

This study was designed to determine the quantity of functional renal tissue needed to maintain homeostasis of red blood cell production by evaluating the erythropoietin (EPO) production response to phlebotomic stimulation in the 1/2- and 1/4-kidney dogs surgically prepared. The results showed that the reduction in functional renal tissue caused a decrease in EPO production, which led to the delay in recovery from anemia. In the anemic progress stage, the plasma EPO level showed a transition proportional to the quantity of functional renal tissue immediately after the operation for tissue reduction. The 1/2-kidney dog group still kept such proportional relation even in the recovery stage. Thus, the half of the normal renal tissue was considered sufficiently contributory to EPO production needed to maintain homeostasis of red blood cell production. However, the 1/4-kidney dog group precipitously decreased in plasma EPO level in the recovery stage and fell into an extremely unfavorable anemia. This indicated that homeostatic maintenance in erythropoiesis would be impossible more below a quarter of normal renal tissue. These findings disclosed that reduction in functional renal tissue quantity would sensitively influence homeostatic maintenance of red blood cell production through the decrease in EPO production, even if it does not affect renal function concerned with urine production.

We have developed a high-efficiency source of cross-polarized photon pairs generated via type-II spontaneous parametric down-conversion using periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN). The photon pairs are generated from bulk PPLN under third-order quasi-phase-matched conditions around 800 nm. We achieved a photon-pair production rate of N=1.95×106 s-1mW-1.

The effects of β-carotene and vitamin A on progesterone production by cultured granulosa cells of cows were studied. The granulosa cells were isolated from medium-sized follicles (8-10mm) by the needle aspiration. When granulosa cells were treated with 50μg/dl of β-carotene for 4 days, progesterone production was increased slightly. In contrast, treatment with the same amount of vitamin A was associated with a significant (P

The incidence of retained fetal membranes (RFM) in Holstein cows from records of 1695 calvings in southern Osaka, and plasma levels of certain hormones and vitamins in cows calving during January and March were determined. The RFM incidence was significantly higher (P