Metallic phase in the metal-intercalated higher fullerene Rb8.8(7)C84

A new material of higher fullerene, RbxC84, was synthesized by intercalating Rb metal into C-84 crystals. The RbxC(84) crystals showed a simple cubic (sc) structure with lattice constant, a, of 16.82 (2) angstrom at 6.5 K, and 16.87 (2) angstrom at 295 K. The Rietveld refinements were achieved with the space group, Pa (3) over bar, based on a model that the C-2 axis of D2d-C84 aligned along [111]. The sample composition was determined to be Rb-8.8(7) C-84. The ESR spectrum at 303 K was composed of a broad peak with peak-to-peak linewidth Delta H-pp of 220 G, and a narrow peak with Delta H-pp of 24 G. Temperature dependence of the broad peak clearly showed a metallic behavior. The metallic behavior was discussed based on a theoretical calculation. This finding of new metallic phase in a higher fullerene is the first step for a development of new types of fullerene materials with novel physical properties such as superconductivity.</p

Computations on Three Isomers of La@C 74

ABSTRACT: Density-functional theory calculations are presented for La@C 74 , where C 74 is either the IPR (isolated pentagon rule) cage or two cages with a pentagon-pentagon junction. Their relative thermodynamic production yields are evaluated using the calculated terms, and it is shown that the IPR-based endohedral prevails at relevant temperatures in agreement with the observation

Strong electronic coupling and electron transfer in a Ce2@Ih-C80–H2P electron donor acceptor conjugate

A newly designed electron donor–acceptor conjugate, namely Ce2@Ih-C80–H2P consisting of an endohedral dimetallofullerene Ce2@Ih-C80 and a free-base prophyrin (H2P), has been synthesized and systematically investigated. Basic characterization by means of NMR spectroscopy, steady-state absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemistry points to a folded configuration with sizeable interactions between Ce2@Ih-C80 and H2P. Complementary DFT optimization also results in the same conclusions. Time-resolved absorption spectroscopic investigations corroborate the formation of the (Ce2)˙−@Ih-C80-(H2P)˙+ radical ion pair state in non-polar as well as polar media. Overall, the modus operandi is an ultrafast through-space electron transfer enabled by the folded configuration in the ground and excited state

Lix@C60: Calculations of the Encapsulation Energetics and Thermodynamics

Li@C60 and Li@C70 can be prepared and thus, their calculations at higher levels of theory are also of interest. In the report, the computations are carried out on Li@C60, Li2@C60 and Li3@C60 with the B3LYP density-functional theory treatment in the standard 3-21G and 6-31G* basis sets. The computed energetics suggests that Lix @C60 species may be produced for a few small x values if the Li pressure is enhanced sufficiently. In order to check the suggestion, a deeper computational evaluation of the encapsulation thermodynamics is carried out

Photoreactions of Sc3N@C80 with Disilirane, Silirane, and Digermirane: A Photochemical Method to Separate Ih and D5h Isomers

Under photoirradiation, Sc3N@Ih-C80 reacted readily with disilirane 1, silirane 4, and digermirane 7 to afford the corresponding 1:1 adducts, whereas Sc3N@D5h-C80 was recovered without producing those adducts. Based on these results, we described a novel method for the exclusive separation of Ih and D5h isomers of Sc3N@C80. The method includes three procedures: selective derivatization of Sc3N@Ih-C80 using 1, 4, and 7, facile HPLC separation of pristine Sc3N@D5h-C80 and Sc3N@Ih-C80 derivatives, and thermolysis of Sc3N@Ih-C80 derivatives to collect pristine Sc3N@Ih-C80. In addition, laser flash photolysis experiments were conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism. Decay of the transient absorption of 3Sc3N@Ih-C80* was observed to be enhanced in the presence of 1, indicating the quenching process. When Sc3N@D5h-C80 was used, the transient absorption was much less intensive. Therefore, the quenching of 3Sc3N@D5h-C80* by 1 could not be confirmed. Furthermore, we applied time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the photoexcited states of Sc3N@C80 to obtain insights into the reaction mechanism

The Kidneys and Aldosterone/Mineralocorticoid Receptor System in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

Strong evidence supports the ability of the aldosterone/mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) system to dominate long-term blood pressure control. It is also increasingly recognized as an important mediator of cardiovascular and renal diseases, particularly in the presence of excessive salt intake. In a subgroup of individuals with metabolic syndrome, adipocyte-derived aldosterone-releasing factors cause inappropriate secretion of aldosterone in the adrenal glands during salt loading, resulting in the development of salt-induced hypertension and cardiac and renal damage. On the other hand, emerging data reveal that aldosterone is not a sole regulator of MR activity. We have identified the signaling crosstalk between MR and small GTPase Rac1 as a novel pathway to facilitate MR signaling. Such a local control system for MR can also be relevant to the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension, and future studies will clarify the detailed mechanism for the intricate regulation of the aldosterone/MR cascade

播但地区における現職教員の夜間・週末遠隔出張授業へのニーズに関する調査

大学院への特別選抜制度、パートタイムでの履修と単位認定の科目などの履修制度、夜間や週末の授業を組み合わせた新しい大学院形態における現職教員の学習ニーズを分析するために、兵庫県東播磨地区の小中学校の現職教師を対象とした調査を行った。この調査は、夜間大学院や通信制大学院の開設と充実に向けての基礎資料を得ることを目的とした。本調査は、無作為で選ばれた26校の講師を含む全ての教師に回答を求める悉皆調査とした。調査票の有効回答は617名で、回収率は81.7%となった。調査の結果、大学院のコースや学習の形態については、教育課程審議会の答申にある「休業制度コース」が16%で最も関心が高く、ついで「長期在学コース」、「1年生大学院」が人気があることが判明した。「通信制大学院」や「週末大学院」への期待も10%弱であった。また、大学院教育への関心度については、現職教師のうち、養護学校の教師が21%で最も高く、次いで中学校と高校の18%となった。「少しは関心がある」を含めると養護学校では62%、次いで高校の58%、さらに中学校の48%の教師が大学院への関心を示した。一方、小学校の教師の場合は、大学院への関心度は全般に低いという結果となった。The purpose of this study was to investigate the learning needs of teachers and to find instructional delivery models that motivate teachers to learn higher education programs. The investigators developed a questionnaire to collect data. Copies were distributed to a sample of 755 teachers wroking at 24 elementary, junior high, and senior high schools in the middle of eastern area of Hyogo Prefecture. A total of 617 teachers (81.7%) returned the questionnaire. The major findings were as follows: (1) There is a need for a sabbatical leave system by which teachers can take off time from teaching and engage in studies at the university. (2) University extension programs, distance education programs, and one-year intensive programs are of interest to teachers. (3) Special education teachers show the strongest interest in pursuing higher education, followed by senior high school teachers and junior high school teachers

Production and degradation of extracellular matrix in reversible glomerular lesions in rat model of habu snake venom-induced glomerulonephritis

We investigated the mechanism of development and repair process of glomerular injury in a rat model of habu snake (Trimeresurus flavoviridis) venom (HSV)-induced glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis was induced in rats by intravenously injecting HSV at 3 mg/kg. Renal tissue was isolated and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for expression levels of type IV collagen, heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), as well as its transcription factor Ets-1. Expression levels of HSP47, TGF-β, and type IV collagen began to increase in the mesangial area starting from day 14 and peaked on day 21, followed by a gradual decrease. Expression levels of MMP-3 and Ets-1 started to increase coinciding with peak production of mesangial matrix on day 21, peaking on day 35, followed by gradual decrease. Expression of MMP-3 and Ets-1 persisted until day 63, whereas that of HSP47 and type IV collagen returned to baseline level at this time point. Time-course changes of extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in glomeruli in the HSV-induced glomerulonephritis model were correlated with those of factors involved in both ECM production and degradation systems. Continued expression of factors in the degradation system seems particularly important for the repair process. These findings might lead to new therapies that prevent and repair glomerular injury