We demonstrated surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using a coffee-ring-type three-dimensional silver nanostructure (Ag3D). Ag3D has high activity for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We ...fabricated Ag3D using convective self-assembly to form a 'coffee-ring' structure that consisted of a mixed solution of silver particles and polystyrene latex beads. The mechanism of the formation of Ag3D is described by the competition among a radial flow, a Marangoni recirculating flow, DVLO interactions and sedimentation. Using Ag3D, measurements of a trace amount of 4,4′-bipyridine (4bpy) in aqueous solution were performed, and typical spectra of 4bpy were observed within 1 min of dropping 4bpy. By optimizing the Ag3D preparation conditions, we could observe the characteristic enhanced Raman spectrum of 1 nM 4bpy solution. In addition, we succeeded in observing chloride activation, which increased the intensity of the Raman spectra by a factor of two to three on addition of sodium chloride to Ag3D. SERS measurements using Ag3D were stable even with passing time, whereas the peak intensity drastically dropped within a few minutes in the case with silver nanoparticles only.
We demonstrated surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using a coffee-ring-type three-dimensional silver nanostructure (Ag3D).
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
Ureilite meteorites are achondrites that are debris of the mantle of a now disrupted differentiated asteroid rich in carbon. They provide a unique opportunity to study the differentiation processes ...of such a body. We analyzed the iron isotopic compositions of 30 samples from the Ureilite Parent Body (UPB) including 29 unbrecciated ureilites and one ureilitic trachyandesite (ALM-A) which is at present the sole large crustal sample of the UPB. The delta 56Fe of the whole rocks fall within a restricted range, from 0.01 to 0.11ppt, with an average of , which is significantly higher than that of chondrites. We show that this difference can be ascribed to the segregation of S-rich metallic melts at low degrees of melting at a temperature close to the Fe-FeS eutectic, and certainly before the onset of the melting of the silicates (), in agreement with the marked S depletions, and the siderophile element abundances of the ureilites. These results point to an efficient segregation of S-rich metallic melts during the differentiation of small terrestrial bodies.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The northern East China Sea (ECS) serves as a spawning and nursery ground for many species of fish and squid. To clarify the basis of the food web in the northern ECS, we examined the nitrate (NO3) ...dynamics along four latitudinal transects based on stable nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of NO3 (δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3) and temperature–salinity dynamics in both winter (February 2009) and summer (July 2009 and July 2011). The δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3, which were distinctly different among the potential NO3 sources, were useful for clarifying NO3 sources and its actual usage by phytoplankton. In winter, Kuroshio Subsurface Water (KSSW) and the Yellow Sea Mixed Water (YSMW) predominantly contributed to NO3 distributed in the shelf water. In the surface water of the Okinawa Trough, NO3 from the KSSW, along with a temperature increase caused by an intrusion of Kuroshio Surface Water (KSW), seemed to stimulate phytoplankton growth. In summer, Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW), Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM), and KSSW affected the distribution and abundance of NO3 in the northern ECS, depending on precipitation in the Changjiang drainage basin and the development of the YSCWM in the shelf bottom water. Although isotopic fractionation during NO3 uptake by phytoplankton seemed to drastically increase δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3 in summer, relatively light nitrate with δ15NNO3 lower than expected from this fractionation effect might be explained by contribution of atmospheric nitrogen and/or nitrification to NO3 dynamics in the surface and subsurface layers. If the latter were a dominant process, this would imply a tightly coupled nitrogen cycle in the shelf water of the northern ECS.
The eucritic meteorites are basaltic rocks that originate from the upper part of the crust of some small bodies as exemplified possibly by asteroid 4-Vesta. A few eucrites appear to have been ...modified by different degrees of a late stage alteration process that caused significant variations in mineralogy. Three distinct alteration stages are identified: (1) Fe-enrichment along the cracks that cross cut the pyroxene crystals (“Fe-metasomatism”); secondary olivine and minute amounts of troilite are found only occasionally in cracks at this stage; (2) deposits of Fe-rich olivine (Fa
64-86) and minor amounts of troilite are frequent inside the cracks; sporadic secondary Ca-rich plagioclase (An
97-98) is associated with the fayalitic olivine; (3) at this stage, the Fe-enrichment of the pyroxene is accompanied by a marked Al-depletion; moreover, secondary Ca-rich plagioclase is more frequent and partly fills some cracks or rims of the primary plagioclase crystals. The composition of the secondary phases on one hand, the lack of incompatible trace element enrichment in the metasomatized pyroxenes on the other hand, rule out a silicate melt as the metasomatic agent. Although no hydrous phase has been yet identified in the studied samples, aqueous fluids are
plausible candidates for explaining the deposits of ferroan olivine and anorthitic plagioclase inside the fractures of the studied unequilibrated eucrites.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Information on the liquefaction and the liquefaction-induced damage in the Tohoku district during the 2011 off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake has been compiled. The liquefaction in this ...report was mainly identified by sand boils. It caused damage to earth structures and residential houses, as well as the uplift of manholes. A comparison of geological maps and aerial photos, before and after the earthquake, shows that many of the liquefied sites were old river beds and developed areas. Liquefaction in the tsunami-affected areas was difficult to identify as the evidence of liquefaction had been washed away by the tsunami. However, the liquefaction was identified through interviews with residents and by photos and videos taken before the arrival of the tsunami. Liquefaction was also observed at Sendai Airport, but the runaway was not damaged because it had been remediated against soil liquefaction.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We demonstrated control of magnetic domain structure formation within micro-scale polycrystalline Ni wires fabricated on a single crystalline LiNbO3 substrate. We observed the domain structures using ...X-ray magnetic circular dichroism-photoemission electron microscopy at SPring-8 BL25SU and BL17SU. Both zebra-stripe domain and ordinary single domain structures can be formed in the Ni wire in control of alignment of the wire onto the substrate. The result suggests that magnetoelastic effects from pizoelectristic substrates can strongly influence the magnetization alignment, overwhelming their shape magnetic anisotropy. The formation of zebra-stripe domain structure can be qualitatively explained by the micromagnetic simulation under the assumption of the magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of wire. Our finding provides a way to control the domain structure and magnetization reversal using the combination of shape magnetic anisotropy and strain-induced anisotropy.
Petrological, mineralogical and geochemical studies were performed on five brecciated HED meteorites (ALH 76005, EET 92003, LEW 85300, LEW 87026 and GRO 95633) in order to elucidate the nature of ...impactors on the HED parent body. Some brecciated HED meteorites contain exotic materials such as FeNi-metal grains with low Co/Ni ratios (ALH 76005, EET 92003 and GRO 95633) and carbonaceous chondrite clasts (LEW 85300) in a clastic and/or impact melt matrix. Such exotic materials were incorporated during brecciation. Platinum group element (PGE) abundances vary significantly (CI × 0.002–0.05), but are higher than those of pristine rocks from the HED parent body. The PGE ratios for the five HED meteorites are inconsistent with each other, implying that the impactor components of each HED meteorites are different from each other. The various PGE ratios are consistent with those for metals from chondrites and iron meteorites, and carbonaceous chondrites. This study provides the evidence that IAB and IVA iron meteorites, and carbonaceous chondrites (CM, CO, CV, CK, CB and CR), ordinary chondrites (L and H) and enstatite chondrite (EL) are candidates of the impactor materials on the HED parent body. It is highly probable that significant amounts of siderophile elements were incorporated into the inner solar system objects like the HED parent body from both chondritic materials and differentiated materials like iron meteorites during heavy bombardment. The HED meteorites in this study and metals from mesosiderite have different Pd/Ir ratios, probably implying that HED meteorites and mesosiderites formed either at distinct settings on one common parent body or on similar parent bodies.
•FeNi-metal and carbonaceous chondrite clast were found in brecciated HED meteorites.•A wide variety of exotic materials were incorporated into the HED parent body.•Higher PGE abundances can be explained by incorporation of exotic materials.•PGE indicates that HED meteorites and mesosiderites formed at distinct settings.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
In the Escherichia coli genome, five putative open reading frame (ORF) clusters, mdlAB, ybjYZ, yddA, yojHI, and yhiH, have been assumed to be possible genes for ABC drug efflux transporters (I. T. ...Paulsen, M. K. Sliwinski, and M. H. Saier, Jr., J. Mol. Biol. 277:573-592, 1998). We cloned all of these ORFs in multicopy plasmids and investigated the drug resistance of drug-supersensitive host cells lacking constitutive multidrug efflux transporter genes acrAB. Among them, only ybjYZ gave significant erythromycin resistance and significantly decreased the accumulation of (14)Cerythromycin. Therefore, ybjYZ was renamed macAB (macrolide-specific ABC-type efflux carrier). Plasmids carrying both the macA and -B genes conferred resistance against macrolides composed of 14- and 15-membered lactones but no or weak resistance against 16-membered ones. Neither of the two genes produced resistance alone. The DNA sequence suggests that MacB is an integral membrane protein with four transmembrane segments and one nucleotide-binding domain, while MacA belongs to a membrane fusion protein (MFP) family with a signal-like sequence at its N terminus. The expression of the histidine-tagged proteins confirmed that MacB is an integral membrane protein and MacA is a peripheral membrane protein. In addition, MacAB required TolC for its function in a way similar to that of most of the MFP-dependent transporters in E. coli. MacB is thus a novel ABC-type macrolide efflux transporter which functions by cooperating with the MFP MacA and the multifunctional outer membrane channel TolC. This is the first case of an experimentally identified ABC antibiotic efflux transporter in gram-negative organisms.
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