Synthesis and Photophysics of Quaterrylene Molecules in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Excitation Energy Transfer between a Nanoscale Cylinder and Encapsulated Molecules

We report the synthesis of quaterrylene monomers and dimers from perylene inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Excitation energy transfer (EET) from the encapsulated molecule to the SWNT is investigated by using femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. Optical spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal the molecular arrangement of quaterrylene monomers and dimers within the SWNTs. The observed EET time from the dipole-allowed excited state of the quaterrylene monomer to the SWNT depends on the tube diameter and is found to be 1.1 ± 0.2 ps and 0.4 ± 0.1 ps for average diameters of 1.4 and 1.8 nm, respectively. These transfer times are ascribed to EET via a Coulomb interaction between transition dipoles. The transfer time from the dipole-forbidden state of the dimer to the SWNT with an average diameter of 1.8 nm is 3.8 ± 0.2 ps. The EET mechanism presumably corresponds to electron exchange or Coulomb interactions involving higher multipoles

mRNA expression of SIRT1 and SIRT2 by real-time RT-PCR.

<p><b>A</b>) SIRT1 in the kidneys of 3 week old postnatal offspring, and <b>B</b>) SIRT2 in the kidneys of 3 week old postnatal offspring. Values are means ± S.E.M. (n = 3; error bars indicate S.E.M.). CC, control on control; LP, control on protein restricted; LPCL, 0.12% GTE diet on protein restricted; LPCH, 0.24% GTE diet on protein restricted. ^b* means P<0.05 against LP.</p

Schematic diagram of experimental design.

<p>Pregnant Wistar rats were fed control (20% casein) and low-protein (8% casein) diets during gestation. During lactation, each dam received a control or 0.12% or 0.24% green tea derived catechin-containing control diet.</p

Protein abundance of AMPK in the kidneys of 3 week old postnatal offspring using western blot analysis.

<p><b>A</b>) phosphorylated AMPK to β-actin, <b>B</b>) AMPK to β-actin and <b>C</b>) phosphorylated AMPK to total AMPK. Values are expressed as means ± S.E.M. (n = 4-7). CC, control on control; LP, control on protein restricted; LPCL, 0.12% GTE diet on protein restricted; LPCH, 0.24% GTE diet on protein restricted; and AMPK-p, phosphorylated AMPK. ^a*P < 0.05 compared with CC. ^b*P < 0.05 compared with LP. ^c*P < 0.05 compared with LPCL.</p

Protein abundance of eNOS in the kidneys of 3 week old postnatal offspring using western blot analysis.

<p><b>A</b>) phosphorylated eNOS to β-actin, <b>B</b>) eNOS to β-actin and <b>C</b>) phosphorylated eNOS to total eNOS. Values are expressed as means ± S.E.M. (n = 4-7). eNOS-p, phosphorylated eNOS; CC, control on control; LP, control on protein restricted; LPCL, 0.12% GTE diet on protein restricted; LPCH, 0.24% GTE diet on protein restricted. ^a*P < 0.05 compared with CC. ^b*P < 0.05 compared with LP.</p

Length-Dependent Plasmon Resonance in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The optical response of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to far-infrared (FIR) radiation was systematically studied using various SWCNTs with different tube-length distributions. The observed peak position in the FIR spectra linearly scaled with the inverse of tube length irrespective of diameter, which is consistent with the dispersion relation predicted by the one-dimensional plasmon resonance model. The effects of chemical doping on the FIR spectra of the separated metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs clearly indicate that the motion of plasmons in the electronic band structures is primarily responsible for the optical response in these spectral regions. The observed absorption peaks are naturally sensitive to the presence of defects on the tube wall and correlated with the electric resistance, suggesting that the plasmons resonate with the current path length of the SWCNTs

Fermi-Level-Controlled Semiconducting-Separated Carbon Nanotube Films for Flexible Terahertz Imagers

Carbon-nanotube-related (CNT-related) materials and structures are highly anticipated as potential building blocks for future flexible electronics and photonics. Despite the various promising applications of CNT-related materials, one obstacle is the lack of ability to globally control and tune the Fermi level of microscale-thick CNT films because these films require a certain thickness to maintain their free-standing shape and freely bendable flexibility. In this work, we report on Fermi-level-controlled flexible and bendable terahertz (THz) imagers with chemically adjustable Fermi-level-tuning methods for CNT films. By utilizing the electronic-double-layer technique with ionic liquids, we obtained an on/off resistance ratio (2758) for a semiconducting-separated CNT film with a thickness of 30 μm and tuned the Fermi level at an optimal gate voltage to maximize the THz detector performance. In addition, the development of a gate-free tunable doping technology based on a variable-concentration dopant solution enabled the fabrication of a Fermi-level-tuned p–n junction CNT THz imager. The demonstrated chemically tunable doping capability will facilitate the realization of flexible THz imaging applications and, when combined with a low-cost fabrication method such as an inkjet coating process, will lead to large-area THz photonic devices

Clinical characteristics of α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) poisoning

<p><b>Context:</b> α-Pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) is a synthetic cathinone that has been abused in recent years. The clinical presentation of acute α-PVP poisoning has not been well characterized.</p> <p><b>Objective:</b> To elucidate the clinical features of acute α-PVP poisoning.</p> <p><b>Materials and methods:</b> This retrospective case series included eight subjects that visited our hospital emergency department (ED) between March 2012 and November 2014 and had analytically confirmed blood α-PVP levels. Data related to subject demographics, clinical history, laboratory findings, blood drug levels, and outcome were collected.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The median age of the eight study subjects was 27 (range; 21–63) years, and six were male. Drug preparations had been administered by rectal insertion (three subjects) or inhalation (five subjects). The time between drug exposure and presentation at the ED was 8.5 (1–24) h and blood α-PVP concentrations ranged from 1.0 to 52.5 ng/ml. Although psychiatric and neurological findings were reported before arrival at the ED in 5/8 and 7/8 subjects, respectively, these were only observed in 1/8 and 2/8 subjects, respectively, at the ED. Symptoms of high body temperature (3/8), tachycardia (5/8), hypertension (3/8), acid-base balance disorder (5/8), coagulopathy (4/6), blood creatinine phosphokinase >190 U/l (6/8), and a blood lactate level > 1.7 mmol/l (5/7) were observed. All subjects survived and were discharged.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> This retrospective case series showed that after acute exposure to α-PVP, transient neuropsychiatric findings were accompanied by more persistent sympathomimetic physical findings, disorders of acid-base balance and blood coagulation, high blood creatinine phosphokinase, and hyperlactacidemia.</p

Simple correlation analysis between serum IL-18 levels and clinical parameters.

<p> IL-18: Interleukin-18.</p><p>⋅h/w: Σ[metabolic equivalents × h per week (METs⋅h/w)]. METs</p

<i>S</i>-Allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, a garlic odor precursor, suppresses elevation in blood ethanol concentration by accelerating ethanol metabolism and preventing ethanol absorption from gut

<p>Alcoholic beverages are enjoyed together with meals worldwide, but their excessive intake is associated with an increased risk of various diseases. We investigated whether <i>S</i>-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (ACSO), a sulfuric odor precursor of garlic, suppresses elevation in plasma ethanol concentration by accelerating ethanol metabolism and preventing ethanol absorption from the gut in rats. ACSO and garlic extract with a high ACSO content (Garlic-H) suppressed elevation in concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde in plasma and promoted the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. However, ACSO and Garlic-H did not affect plasma acetate so much. Furthermore, we examined the change in plasma ethanol concentration by injecting ACSO or Garlic-H into the ligated stomach or jejunum together with ethanol solution. ACSO and Garlic-H suppressed the absorption of ethanol from the stomach and jejunum<b>,</b> but suppression in the jejunum was less than in the stomach. In conclusion, ACSO inhibits ethanol absorption and accelerates ethanol metabolism.</p> <p>A garlic odor precursor suppresses blood ethanol elevation.</p