In 1980s, we have encountered several synthetic emeralds in the gem market in Japan. Kyocera (named Crescent Vert or Inamori stone), Seiko (named Bijoreve) and a few companies (non-named). We report non-named synthetic emerald. This emerald was made by flux method. R.I is 1.562-1.558. A Raman spectrum has clear bands at 653 and 1168 cm^-1.

Vaterite is one of three non-hydrate calcium carbonate crystalline polymorphs and is formed as an initial phase under pseudo-biological conditions. However, biological hard tissues that use vaterite are rare; the reason for vaterite rarely appearing in vivo is still unclear. There is consensus that, in phosphate containing solutions, vaterite barely forms and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), the precursor of crystalline calcium carbonate and considered as aggregation of growth unit of vaterite, is stabilized. In this study, to clarify the biomineralization process, we investigated how phosphate acts as an inhibitor of vaterite growth. We measured vaterite growth rates in situ and estimated the essential crystal growth parameter, edge free energy, in the Ca-CO3-PO4 system in relation to the physico-chemical properties of ACC. The effects of PO4 on the ACC structure and dynamics were also observed. Co-existed PO4 reduced the growth rate of vaterite even when it was added in 4M-scale concentrations. The surface free energy of vaterite increased with increasing PO4 concentration and was 10x higher in a 10 M PO4-containing solution than in a PO4-free solution. Spectroscopic analyses showed that the chemical bonds in ACC particles were drastically changed by the addition of 4M-scale PO4, and the particles could no longer transform into vaterite. We conclude that PO4 inhibits vaterite growth and changed the ACC structure. And the original growth units of vaterite were also modified to the other structures. Thus, vaterite crystals could not grow by association of these growth units, which resulted in an increase in the apparent surface free energy of vaterite.

Model calculations indicate that the magnetic skyrmion lattice (SkL) is represented by a superposition of three spin helices at an angle of 120 to each other, the so-called triple-Q state. Using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we investigated the relationship between the SkL and the helix in FeGe thin films. After the magnetic field is removed, the ordered skyrmions are trapped inside helimagnetic domain walls (HDWs) where the different helical Q vectors are encountered. In situ observation revealed an unexpected topological excitation under such a zero-field state: skyrmions are spontaneously formed at HDWs.

A potential standard method for measuring the relative dissolution rate to estimate the resorbability of calcium-phosphate-based ceramics is proposed. Tricalcium phosphate (TCP), magnesium-substituted TCP (MgTCP) and zinc-substituted TCP (ZnTCP) were dissolved in a buffer solution free of calcium and phosphate ions at pH 4.0, 5.5 or 7.3 at nine research centers. Relative values of the initial dissolution rate (relative dissolution rates) were in good agreement among the centers. The relative dissolution rate coincided with the relative volume of resorption pits of ZnTCP in vitro. The relative dissolution rate coincided with the relative resorbed volume in vivo in the case of comparison between microporous MgTCPs with different Mg contents and similar porosity. However, the relative dissolution rate was in poor agreement with the relative resorbed volume in vivo in the case of comparison between microporous TCP and MgTCP due to the superimposition of the Mg-mediated decrease in TCP solubility on the Mg-mediated increase in the amount of resorption. An unambiguous conclusion could not be made as to whether the relative dissolution rate is predictive of the relative resorbed volume in vivo in the case of comparison between TCPs with different porosity. The relative dissolution rate may be useful for predicting the relative amount of resorption for calcium-phosphate-based ceramics having different solubility under the condition that the differences in the materials compared have little impact on the resorption process such as the number and activity of resorbing cells. Statement of significance The evaluation and subsequent optimization of the resorbability of calcium phosphate are crucial in the use of resorbable calcium phosphates. Although the resorbability of calcium phosphates has usually been evaluated in vivo, establishment of a standard in vitro method that can predict in vivo resorption is beneficial for accelerating development and commercialization of new resorbable calcium phosphate materials as well as reducing use of animals. However, there are only a few studies to propose such an in vitro method within which direct comparison was carried out between in vitro and in vivo resorption. We propose here an in vitro method based on measuring dissolution rate. The efficacy and limitations of the method were evaluated by international round-robin tests as well as comparison with in vivo resorption studies for future standardization. This study was carried out as one of Versailles Projects on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS).

To develop a new catalyst for catalytic decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the activity of various oxide supported silver (Ag) based catalysts for methanol (MeOH) oxidation reaction have been evaluated. Based on the activity evaluation, zirconia (ZrO2) is considered to be a substitute to ceria (CeO2) as a support material. The ZrO2 supported catalyst loading Ag component can oxidize MeOH to CO2 completely, while the main product is CO for MeOH oxidation over pure ZrO2. In the present work, 2.0 wt.% Ag/ZrO2 exhibits excellent activity comparable to Ag/CeO2. Furthermore, according to in situ FT-IR analysis over Ag/ZrO2 and pure ZrO2, it is considered that the methoxy, formate, and bicarbonate species adsorbed on the ZrO2 surface are intermediate species. We thus deduce that Ag component significantly enhances the oxidation step of methoxy species to CO2 via formate species, leading to the complete oxidation of MeOH to CO2 over Ag/ZrO2 catalyst. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The influence of carboxylic-functional-groups (-COOH) on the phase transformation from amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to octacalcium phosphate (OCP) was investigated. 11-Mercaptoun-decanoic acid, a carboxylic thiol, was immobilized on gold nanoparticles via covalent bond formation. Time-resolved static light scattering measurements indicated that a structural-reconstruction-type phase transformation occurred with or without the presence of -COOH on the nanoparticles. When it dispersed in calcium phosphate solutions, these nanoparticles inhibited the phase transformation dynamics and also changed the reaction path, forming HPO4-OH-layer-deficient OCP at pH 6.5 an intermediate phase, which did not show the typical OCP X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak at 2 theta = 4.7 degrees. This phase was not observed in the reference solution containing gold nanoparticles without bound -COOH. The HPO4-OH-layer-deficient OCP transformed to conventional OCP gradually, as revealed by XRD, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Raman analyses. Thus, the immobilized -COOH appeared to behave as a negative catalyst, resulting in the formation of the intermediate phase. Such a mechanism partially clarifies complex biomineralization processes, for example teeth enamel and dentin formation, in vivo.

Surface-mediated gene transfer systems using biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP)-based composite layers have attracted attention as a tool for controlling cell behaviors. In the present study we aimed to demonstrate the potential of CaP-based composite layers to mediate area-specific dual gene transfer and to stimulate cells on an area-by-area basis in the same well. For this purpose we prepared two pairs of DNA-fibronectin-apatite composite (DF-Ap) layers using a pair of reporter genes and pair of differentiation factor genes. The results of the area-specific dual gene transfer successfully demonstrated that the cells cultured on a pair of DF-Ap layers that were adjacently placed in the same well showed specific gene expression patterns depending on the gene that was immobilized in theunderlying layer. Moreover, preliminary real-time PCR results indicated that multipotential C3H10T1/2 cells may have a potential to change into different types of cells depending on the differentiation factor gene that was immobilized in the underlying layer, even in the same well. Because DF-Ap layers have a potential to mediate area-specific cell stimulation on their surfaces, they could be useful in tissue engineering applications.

Surface-mediated gene transfer systems using biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP)-based composite layers have attracted attention as a tool for controlling cell behaviors. In the present study we aimed to demonstrate the potential of CaP-based composite layers to mediate area-specific dual gene transfer and to stimulate cells on an area-by-area basis in the same well. For this purpose we prepared two pairs of DNA-fibronectin-apatite composite (DF-Ap) layers using a pair of reporter genes and pair of differentiation factor genes. The results of the area-specific dual gene transfer successfully demonstrated that the cells cultured on a pair of DF-Ap layers that were adjacently placed in the same well showed specific gene expression patterns depending on the gene that was immobilized in theunderlying layer. Moreover, preliminary real-time PCR results indicated that multipotential C3H10T1/2 cells may have a potential to change into different types of cells depending on the differentiation factor gene that was immobilized in the underlying layer, even in the same well. Because DF-Ap layers have a potential to mediate area-specific cell stimulation on their surfaces, they could be useful in tissue engineering applications.

In magnetic skyrmion crystals (SkXs), the quality of skyrmion ordering affects the motion under electric current and temperature gradient. However, the crystalline nature itself remains an open issue. We report the observation of skyrmion polycrystallization in FeGe1-xSix as a function of x by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. With increasing x, the SkX changes from single crystalline to polycrystalline, concomitantly with the formation of the interfaces referred to as domain boundaries. In situ observations have revealed that the domain boundary formation competes the tendency to accommodate the differences between orientations of the SkX. (C) 2015 The Japan Society of Applied Physics

"Geopolymer" is the general name for an alkali aluminosilicate polymer. The effects of the Si/Al molar ratio and alkali species (K or Na) on the solid-phase formation and of syneresis (water evaporation) on the formation of microporous geopolymer were investigated. The sizes of the constituent particles decreased from the micrometer to nanometer scale as the Si/Al molar ratio increased, and the decrease in particle size was accompanied by the concentration of interstitial pores approximately 50 nm in diameter between the particles. K-type geopolymer possessed an aggregated structure of small spherical particles, whereas Na-type geopolymer had an aggregated structure of large, irregularly shaped particles. The size and number of pores increased by syneresis as the water ratio increased; however, moderate syneresis decreased the size and number of pores.

In this work, we develop a new simple synthesis method of hollow polycrystalline monophase vaterite particles without impurities such as calcite and toxic buffer (tris(hydroxylmethyl)-aminomethane: Tris). Starting materials consist of CaCl2, NaHCO3, NaCl, and a flavin mononucleotide, a vitamin B-2 derivative. The resulting vaterite particles showed a spherical shell of 2-5 mu m surrounding a 50-500 nm diameter cavity. The shells comprised 10-100 nm wide elongated fibrous crystals, which were tightly packed and radially elongated from the center of a vaterite sphere.

Powdered mineral pigments are used for The Tale of Genji picture scroll made in the twelfth century and the ancient Takamatsu burial mound made in the seventh century of Japanese. These pigments are chiefly composed of natural minerals in the world. For instance, the red color was hematite, and the blue color was lazurite (lapis lazuli). 12 kinds of pigments made in China that had been encountered recently were examined by X-ray diffractometry and visible spectrometry. As a result, the black was graphite with quartz, the white color was dolomite and aragonite, the blue color was azurite and turquoise, the green color was malachite, the red color was cinnabar and hematite, and the yellow color was orpiment. When the mineral grain size is less than 1 μm, the streak color is shown. Moreover, the color of pale blue was a color of the particle size of 1-8 μm, while blue pigments were the colors of the particle size of 25-65 μm of azurite. From these facts, in the case of azurite with a size of approximately 10-65 μm, the size of the mineral particle which constituted a color just presented a macroscopic color, but showed that a color became light when size became the fine grain of approximately 1-8 μm.

Surface-mediated nonviral gene transfer systems using biocompatible apatite-based composite layers have potential use in tissue engineering applications. Herein, we investigated a relatively efficient system based on a DNA-lipid-apatite composite layer (DLp-Ap layer): an apatite (Ap) layer with immobilized DNA and lipid (Lp) complexes (DLp complexes). DLp-Ap layers were fabricated on substrates using supersaturated calcium phosphate coprecipitation solutions supplemented with DLp complexes, and the molecular compositions of the DLp-Ap layers were controlled by varying the net DNA concentrations and Lp/DNA ratios in the coprecipitation solutions. Increases in both the DNA concentration and Lp/DNA ratio in the coprecipitation solution increased the DLp complex content of the resulting DLp-Ap layer. However, a higher DLp complex content did not always provide increased gene transfer efficiency to the CHO-K1 cells, because there was a threshold content of approximately 10μg/cm2. In addition, DLp-Ap layers with similar DLp complex contents exhibited different gene transfer efficiencies, most likely due to the different Lp/DNA ratios in the layers. Notably, the optimized Lp/DNA ratios in the coprecipitation solutions for maximizing the gene transfer efficiency were lower than those of the conventional particle-mediated lipofection systems. These findings will serve as a useful design guide for the preparation of DLp-Ap layers with high gene transfer efficiency.

H^+-form geopolymer powder was prepared by grinding a Na^+-form geopolymer hardened paste and processing it with sulfuric acid. At pH 7, the extent of cation exchange with Na^+ and K^+ ions of the H^+-form geopolymer powder was one-fourth of that of the original Na^+-form geopolymer at the same pH. The ion-exchange capacity of the H^+-form geopolymer powder showed pH dependence, that is, a tendency to increase with increasing pH. Additionally, we observed that the H^+-form geopolymer powder adsorbed Na^+ ions from and lowered the pH of the hardened cement paste. However, in solution at pH 12.5, a part of the Si component of the H^+-form geopolymer powder was leached out. It was thus confirmed that other alkaline-adsorption mechanisms, by which the leached Si-component reacts with the alkaline component of the cement paste, are at work, and therefore, they need to be considered in addition to the cation-exchange reaction in order to understand completely the behavior of the H^+-form geopolymer in cement paste.

Vaterite is a crystalline polymorph of calcium carbonate that exhibits low stability in comparison with the other crystalline polymorphs of calcium carbonate. It often assumes a spherical shape. The physical properties of vaterite are utilized in advanced biomaterials such as drug delivery systems (DDSs). The potential application of vaterite in DDSs demands a comprehensive understanding of its dissolution rate as a function of PO4 concentration. Using in situ optical studies, we analyzed the dissolution behavior of vaterite in a simulated PO4-containing biogenic environment. The varying physicality (i. e., the pseudo-physiological conditions) of vaterite were investigated using high-resolution cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. In addition, we measured the PO4/Ca ratio in each part of vaterite spherulites using field-emission scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.
We categorized the vaterite spherulites into three parts - the shell, mantle, and core parts - on the basis of their dissolution behavior and PO4 response. The PO4 response to the dissolution dynamics increases toward the outer part, although the adsorption rate decreases in the presence of PO4 and PO4 fluorescence materials. The composition of the shell part was nearly identical to that of ideal vaterite, whereas the inner part exhibited a high C/Ca ratio and a poorly crystalline phase referred to as vaterite-like material. The dissolution rate of each part was 0.23-1.58nm/s (shell), 0.63-3.19nm/s (mantle), and 1.38-5.71 nm/s (core). The vaterite and vaterite-like materials were further identified according to their composition and particle size distribution. (C) 2014 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.

Vaterite is a crystalline polymorph of calcium carbonate that exhibits low stability in comparison with the other crystalline polymorphs of calcium carbonate. It often assumes a spherical shape. The physical properties of vaterite are utilized in advanced biomaterials such as drug delivery systems (DDSs). The potential application of vaterite in DDSs demands a comprehensive understanding of its dissolution rate as a function of PO4 concentration. Using in situ optical studies, we analyzed the dissolution behavior of vaterite in a simulated PO4-containing biogenic environment. The varying physicality (i. e., the pseudo-physiological conditions) of vaterite were investigated using high-resolution cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. In addition, we measured the PO4/Ca ratio in each part of vaterite spherulites using field-emission scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.
We categorized the vaterite spherulites into three parts - the shell, mantle, and core parts - on the basis of their dissolution behavior and PO4 response. The PO4 response to the dissolution dynamics increases toward the outer part, although the adsorption rate decreases in the presence of PO4 and PO4 fluorescence materials. The composition of the shell part was nearly identical to that of ideal vaterite, whereas the inner part exhibited a high C/Ca ratio and a poorly crystalline phase referred to as vaterite-like material. The dissolution rate of each part was 0.23-1.58nm/s (shell), 0.63-3.19nm/s (mantle), and 1.38-5.71 nm/s (core). The vaterite and vaterite-like materials were further identified according to their composition and particle size distribution. (C) 2014 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.

Apatite can mediate gene transfer into cells by serving as a safe and biocompatible immobilization matrix for DNA and transfection reagents. Recently, an apatite layer that immobilized DNA-lipid complexes was prepared by a coprecipitation process in a supersaturated calcium phosphate solution. This composite layer (DNA-lipid-apatite layer) showed a higher gene transfer capability than an apatite layer with superficially adsorbed DNA-lipid complexes (DNA-lipid-adsorbed apatite layer). In this study, the DNA-lipid-apatite layer and the DNA-lipid-adsorbed apatite layer were compared for their physicochemical properties and gene transfer capabilities. The higher gene transfer capability of the DNA-lipid-apatite layer compared with that of the DNA-lipid-adsorbed apatite layer was reconfirmed by a luciferase assay using epithelial-like CHO-K1 cells. Physicochemical structure analyses showed that the DNA-lipid-apatite layer possessed a larger capacity for DNA-lipid complexes than the DNA-lipid-adsorbed apatite layer. The DNA-lipid-apatite layer released DNA-lipid complexes in a slow and sustained manner, whereas the DNA-lipid-adsorbed apatite layer released them in short bursts. Consequently, the release of DNA-lipid complexes from the DNA-lipid-apatite layer was larger in amount and longer in duration than release from the DNA-lipid-adsorbed apatite layer. This difference in release profiles may be responsible for the higher gene transfer capability of the DNA-lipid-apatite layer compared with that of the DNA-lipid-adsorbed apatite layer. The coprecipitation process and the resulting DNA-lipid-apatite layer have many applications in tissue engineering. © 2013 The Author(s).

In this work, we develop a new simple synthesis method of hollow vaterite polycrystalline monophase particles without impurities, such as calcite and toxic buffer (tris(hydroxylmethyl)amino methane: Tris). Starting materials consist of CaCl2, NaHCO3, NaCl, and a flavin mononucleotide—a vitamin B2 derivative. The resulting vaterite particles showed a spherical shell of 2–5 μm surrounding a 50–500 nm diameter cavity. The shells comprised 10–100 nm wide elongated fibrous crystals, which were tightly packed and radially elongated from the center of a vaterite sphere.

Removal of fluorine in effluent with low concentration is difficult technique and an effective method has not been established. This paper describes a novel fluorine-removal process that composed the following processes, addition of Al(III) source to feed water, conditioning of the slurry with magnesium oxide (MgO), neutralizing reaction, returning the settled slurry, and gravitational settling of the solids. This process allows the formation of a mixed Mg(II)-Al(III) hydroxide precipitate, which gradually develops into Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) compound. MgO, which serves as both the neutralizer and the Mg(II) source, contributes to both the excellent settling and dewatering characteristics of the resulting solids. The sludge returning technique, well-known as High Density Sludge (HDS) method, is employed to prolong the sludge retention time to dissolve as much MgO as possible. Repeated batch-wise fluorine-removal tests showed that the residual fluorine concentration gradually decreased according as the number of batch test increased. Optimum fluorine removal ratio reached 96 %, where initial fluorine concentration 20 mg/L decreased below the national environmental standard, 0.8 mg/L. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of both LDH phase and Periclase phase in the formed solids. Considering the good settling and dewatering characteristics of solids, the proposed process served as alternative treatment technique for low concentrated fluorine-containing effluents.

Large amounts of rice husk ash (RHA) are discharged from rice husk power plants, and the development of an effective system for recycling this RHA waste would be desirable. In the current study, the silica component of RHA obtained from a rice husk power plant in Myanmar was successfully used as raw material for the synthesis of the aluminum silicate nanotube material, imogolite. The RHA used contained 91.65 wt % silica, which was composed of a mixed phase of cristobalite, tridymite, and amorphous silica. The synthesized imogolite had a BET surface area of 282.0 m(2)/g and a web-like structure formed of fibrous bundles. The imogolite adsorbed 8.8 mu mol/g acetaldehyde in 60 min, representing a value approximately 5 times greater than that achieved by the parent RHA.

Saitama prefecture is very famous geological district in Japan. This district was found the 199 mineral species. Several minerals were able to cut. Calcite was transparent and used the optical material. Jadeite was idiomorphic crystal. This size was approximately 0.5mm. Spinel was attractive blue color by Zn. Yellowish green Garnet analyzed it as Andradite. Such Andradite is called Demantoide. These minerals were founded at Chichibu area in Saitama. Chichibu area is known before 200 years ago. The fibrous serpentine which named asbestos called "Kakanfu(火浣布)" by Gennai Hiraga（1728～1780）.Chichibu area is one of the Japan Geoparks. The Global Geoparks will be selected from the Japan Geoparks. The Global Geoparks initiative was launched by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Phase transformation of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) into vaterite and its subsequent stability was investigated at a constant pH (similar to 8.2), ionic strength, and temperature that simulated the biological environment. Solutions containing the same concentrations of CaCl2, Na2CO3, and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer and various concentrations of PO4 (0-62.5 mu M) were prepared, and precipitates in the solutions were sampled at a constant interval to observe the morphology and type of calcium carbonate polymorphs that appeared. The change in the Ca-ion concentration over time, which served as a guide for phase transformation of ACC into crystalline phases, was measured in relation to the PO4 concentration. The starting time of phase transformation was at the minimum point when the concentration was similar to 2-3 mu M. Vaterite spherulites consisting of needle-like crystals (0.5-2 mu m in length) formed only in this PO4 range and survived the experimental procedure (similar to 2.5 h). In contrast, the starting time of phase transformation increased exponentially with the PO4 concentration when it was higher than 5 mu M. The vaterite spherulites and calcite crystals co-precipitated, and both polymorphs grew over time. The PO4 was shown to be an accelerator for phase transformation from ACC into vaterite at low concentrations (Ca/PO4 molar ratio <3000) and an inhibitor for transformation at high concentrations. We investigated the kinetics of vaterite formation in the presence of PO4 and derived an advanced concept for cluster-based phase transformation. This investigation showed that the appearance and stability of calcium carbonate polymorphs is easily controlled by adjusting the PO4 concentration.

The initial attachment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to substrates and osteogenic differentiation are supported by culture on a hydroxyapatite substrate. Cell attachment areas of rat MSCs after 2 h of culture on hydroxyapatite substrates with various microstructures and the osteogenic differentiation activity thereafter were measured. The perceived outcome was that, after 2 h of culture, rat MSCs with a small attachment area would have a high osteogenic differentiation activity, whereas those with a large attachment area would have a low osteogenic differentiation activity. Furthermore, rat MSCs with a small attachment area had many cytoplasmic processes, while those with a large attachment area revealed clear stress fibers and focal contacts. These results suggest that cell attachment area of rat MSCs after 2 h of culture has a strong effect on the osteogenic differentiation of rat MSCs. Thus, the measurement of cell attachment area after 2 h of culture could become valuable for estimating the osteogenic differentiation activity of rat MSCs thereafter. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cell morphology has received considerable attention in recent years owing to its possible relationship with cell functions, including proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Recent evidence suggests that extracellular environments can also mediate cell functions, particularly cell adhesion. The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between osteogenic differentiation activity and the morphology of rat mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), and to develop a method of estimating osteogenic differentiation capability of MSCs on biomaterials. We measured the attachment areas of MSCs on substrates with various types of surface after 2 h of seeding, and quantified the amount of osteocalcin secreted from MSCs after 3 weeks of culture under osteogenic differentiation conditions. MSCs with small attachment areas showed a high osteogenic differentiation activity. These findings indicate that cell attachment areas correlate well with the osteogenic differentiation activity of MSCs. They also suggest that the measurement of cell attachment areas is useful for estimating the osteogenic differentiation activity of MSCs and is a practical tool for applications of MSCs in regenerative medicine.

Vermiculite was subjected to mechanochemical treatment using a vibration mill. The treated samples were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, N-2-adsorption, FT-IR and Si-29-MAS NMR. The mechanochemical treatment led to a reduction in the particle size and a significant increase in the surface area. Surface hydroxyl (silanol, magnesiol and aluminol) groups, located on the clay particle edges and amorphous silica phase, were also generated. The mechanochemical treatment of vermiculite gave a dramatic improvement in the lead (II) adsorption capacity. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Surface-mediated gene transfer systems using apatite (Ap)-based composite layers have received increased attention in tissue engineering applications owing to their safety, biocompatibility and relatively high efficiency. In this study, DNA-antibody-apatite composite layers (DA-Ap layers), in which DNA and antibody molecules are immobilized within a matrix of apatite nanocrystals, were fabricated using a biomimetic coating process. They were then assayed for their gene transfer capability for application in a specific cell-targeted gene transfer. A DA-Ap layer that was fabricated with an anti-CD49f antibody showed a higher gene transfer capability to the CD49f-positive CHO-K1 cells than a DNA-apatite composite layer (D-Ap layer). The antibody facilitated the gene transfer capability of the DA-Ap layer only to the specific cells that were expressing corresponding antigens. When the DA-Ap layer was fabricated with an anti-N-cadherin antibody, a higher gene transfer capability compared with the D-Ap layer was found in the N-cadherin-positive P19CL6 cells, but not in the N-cadherin-negative UV female 2 cells or in the P19CL6 cells that were pre-blocked with anti-N-cadherin. Therefore, the antigen- antibody binding that takes place at the cell-layer interface should be responsible for the higher gene transfer capability of the DA-Ap than D-Ap layer. These results suggest that the DA-Ap layer works as a mediator in a specific cell-targeted gene transfer system.

SBA-15 with a platelet shape, containing Zr(IV), (Zr-SBA-15) was prepared to characterize its thermal stability and thermal behavior in comparison with conventional, rod-shaped SBA-15. The small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD) lines of Zr-SBA-15 and SBA-15 disappeared at 1,373 and 1,273 K, respectively. The pore diameter of the Zr-SBA-15 was almost constant from 773 to 1,073 K and decreased above 1,173 K, whereas the SBA-15 pore diameter decreased with increasing calcination temperature from 773 to 1,173 K. Therefore, the thermal stability of the Zr-SBA-15 was higher than that of SBA-15. Zr(IV) distributed within the framework prevents the pores from shrinkage by heating, and the Zr(IV) forms a ZrO2 crystalline phase above 1,273 K. When calcined at 1,873 K, the Zr-SBA-15 mesostructure collapsed while maintaining its hexagonal platelet shape. The collapse of the mesostructure at 1,373 K, caused the Zr-SBA-15 to shrink in the width direction by approximately 40% compared with that calcined at 773 K, although the dimension hardly changed in the thickness direction.

Mesoporous WO3 replicas were synthesized by a hard template method using ammonium metatungstate (AMT) or phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a tungsten source. The mesoporous WO3 replica synthesized from AMT (WO3-AMT) and PTA (WO3-PTA) consisted of a crystalline monoclinic phase and mixed crystalline tetragonal and monoclinic phases, respectively. The absorption of WO3-PTA in the visible region was stronger than that of WO3-AMT. These characteristics reflected the oxidation states, which were affected by the existence or non-existence of minor phosphate constituents in the mesoporous WO3 replica. WO3-PTA contained a phosphate constituent from the tungsten source. However, WO3-AMT and WO3-PTA have similar mesostructures and band-gap energies. WO3-AMT and WO3-PTA with Cu2+ ions showed 28.4 and 5.5 times higher photocatalytic activities than that of bare commercial TiO2 (P-25) in decomposition of acetic acid under visible-light irradiation. The phosphate in WO3-PTA functioned as a recombination center. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The blue Opal is a very attractive color. We analyzed the X-ray powder diffraction experiment and chemical compositions by EPMA. (1) X-ray powder diffraction experiment:・X-ray diffractometer Rigaku RINT ULTIMA3・X ray source:Cu Kα・voltage / current: 40kV/20 mAResultDiffraction patterns show Opal-CT. (2) EPMA: ・Japan e-JSM-6360 + OXFORD INCA EDS・Acceleration voltage: 15 kV・Ｒange: 20 mm・Total time: 60 secResultCopper and chlorine were foundAs the result, this opal is opal-CT. And the blue cause is in a copper (II) chloride. This blue is the mineral eriochalcite ( CuCl2･2H2O ). Blue dries and turns into yellow. Yellow is CuCl2.The blue Opal have to be cautious of discoloring.

Gene transfer techniques are useful tools for controlling cell behavior, such as proliferation and differentiation. We have recently developed an efficient area-specific gene transfer system using a DNA -fibronectin-apatite composite layer (DF-Ap layer). In this system, partial dissolution of the composite layer is likely to be a crucial step for gene transfer. In the present study, layer solubility was adjusted by incorporating various contents of carbonate or fluoride ions into the DF-Ap layer via ionic substitution for the apatite crystals. Carbonate ion incorporation increased the solubility of the DF-Ap layer, thereby increasing the efficiency of gene transfer on the layer. In contrast, the incorporation of fluoride ions decreased the solubility of the DF-Ap layer, thereby decreasing the efficiency and delaying the timing of gene transfer on the layer dose-dependently. The present gene transfer system with controllable efficiency and timing would be useful in tissue engineering applications because cell differentiation can be induced effectively by regulating appropriate gene expression with suitable timing. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mesoporous titania was synthesized using the evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The sample calcined at 300 degrees C had a wormhole-like structure with uniform mesopores consisting of TiO2(B). The sample calcined at 350 degrees C consisted of a mixed phase of TiO2(B) and anatase; however, the mesoporous structure showed little change compared with that of the sample calcined at 300 degrees C because the phase transition from TiO2(B) to anatase has a displasive phase transition mechanism with no atomic diffusion and accompanying no crystallite growth. When calcined above 400 degrees C, the mesoporous structure collapsed, and aggregates of anatase nanoparticles that were highly crystalline and had high specific surface area were obtained because the mesopores at several nm intervals inhibit anatase particle growth. Samples calcined at 300, 350, 400, and 450 degrees C showed 1.5, 2.4, 2.5, and 1.8 times higher photocatalytic activity than commercial titania P-25 in acetic acid decomposition. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Low silica X zeolite samples in the composition region of the number of Al atoms per unit cell ([Al]) between 84 and 96 were synthesized X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses of the obtained samples verify the existence of the phase transition point and confirm the changes in the thermal behaviors of the samples at [Al] = 90

Layered materials of zinc hydroxychloride (ZHC), zinc hydroxynitrate (ZHN) and zinc hydroxysulfate (ZHS) were prepared by the precipitation method. The products were highly crystalline. The pH buffering capacities of the products are high in the pH range from 3 to 10. The zinc hydroxyl salts have a high capacity for adsorbing chromate ions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In 2004, Shen et al. developed a safe and efficient gene transfer system using a DNA-apatite composite layer. We have recently succeeded in improving further the gene transfer efficiency by immobilizing a cell adhesion molecule laminin, in a DNA-apatite composite layer. In this Study,, we showed that not only laminin but fibronectin immobilized in a DNA-apatite composite layer enhances cell adhesion and cell spreading on the layer, thereby markedly improving the gene transfer efficiency. Therefore, the immobilization of a cell adhesion molecule in a DNA-apatite composite layer is crucial for improving the gene transfer efficiency. By using fibronectin instead of laminin and optimizing the condition to prepare the fibronectin-DNA-apatite composite layer, the amount (weight) of cell adhesion molecule required was reduced to approximately one-fourth while retaining the relatively high gene transfer efficiency. It was also shown that the resulting fibronectin-DNA-apatite composite layer prepared under the optimized condition mediated the area-specific gene transfer on its surface, that is, DNA was preferentially transferred to the cells adhering to the surface of the fibronectin-DNA-apatite composite layer. The present gene transfer system with potential for area-specific transfection and advantages of safety and relatively high efficiency Would be useful in tissue engineering applications, gene therapy, and production of transfection microarrays. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 92A: 1038-1047, 2010

Pulse mode effects on the crystallization temperature and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 films were investigated. TiO2 films were deposited on silica glass substrates using a pulse magnetron sputtering apparatus in the unipolar and the bipolar pulse modes. X-Ray diffraction showed that in the bipolar pulse mode the rutile phase TiO2 film grew at lower substrate temperature compared with the unipolar pulse mode. The photocatalytic activities obtained from the photoreduction of Ag ions at the surface of TiO2 films indicated that the anatase phase TiO2 films grown in the bipolar pulse mode had higher photocatalytic activity compared with those grown in the unipolar pulse mode. This suggests that the bipolar pulse mode is an effective technique to achieve higher photocatalytic activity of TiO2 film. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An anatase TiO2 film was epitaxially grown on a conductive Nb-doped single-crystalline SrTiO3 (100) substrate by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. RuO2 Schottky electrode was fabricated on the epitaxial anatase film by reactive dc magnetron sputtering. The dark I-V and capacitance-voltage characteristics indicated the good rectification and thermal stability of the RuO2/anatase junction. This RuO2/anatase junction enables the stable measurements of deep level transient spectroscopy in the high-temperature region and is a promising Schottky electrode to examine the origins of deep levels in the band gap of anatase. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.