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Spherical and polyhedral carbon onions prepared from diamond nanoparticles are investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance (ESR). HRTEM and Raman studies show that, as a result of thermal annealing, diamond nanoparticles are transformed into spherical onions, and finally into polyhedral onions by the progress of graphitization. ESR spectra for spherical onions show only a narrow signal corresponding to dangling bond spins associated with structural defects. In contrast, for polyhedral onions, an additional broad signal due to conduction electron spins emerges. These results combined with previous results of electron energy-loss spectroscopy suggest that the spherical onions consist of small domains of the graphitic sp2 sheets with dangling bond defects in the peripheries. π electrons in spherical onions are thus localized in the small domains and do not act as conduction electrons. In the polyhedral onions, the graphitization proceeds further, resulting in the decrease in the number of dangling bonds and the delocalization of π electrons.

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The simian virus 40 (SV40) capsid is composed of 72 pentamers of VP1, the major protein of SV40. These pentamers are arranged in a T=7d icosahedral surface lattice, which is maintained by three types of appropriately arranged, non-equivalent interactions between the pentamers. However, it remains unclear how these interactions are achieved. In this study, the in vitro assembly of recombinant VP1 was analysed. Electron microscopy observations revealed that these recombinant VP1 proteins assembled into structurally polymorphic particles depending on environmental conditions. VP1 pentamers assembled efficiently into virus-like particles (VLPs) when high concentrations of ammonium sulfate were present. However, in the presence of 1 M NaCl and 2 mM CaCl 2 at neutral pH, VP1 pentamers formed not only VLPs but also produced tiny T=1 icosahedral particles and tubular structures. The exclusion of CaCl 2 resulted in the exclusive formation of tiny particles. In contrast, in the presence of 150 mM NaCl at pH 5, the VP1 pentamers produced only extraordinarily long tubular structures. VP1 is thus quite unique in that it can assemble into such diverse structures. These observations provide clues that will help elucidate the mechanisms underlying SV40 capsid formation.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of two microbats, the horseshoe bat Rhinolophus pumilus, and the Japanese pipistrelle Pipistrellus abramus, and that of an insectivore, the long-clawed shrew Sorex unguiculatus, were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically by a maximum likelihood method in an effort to enhance our understanding of mammalian evolution. Our analysis suggested that (1) a sister relationship exists between moles and shrews, which form an eulipotyphlan clade; (2) chiropterans have a sister-relationship with eulipotyphlans; and (3) the Eulipotyphla/Chiroptera clade is closely related to fereuungulates (Cetartiodactyla, Perissodactyla and Carnivora). Divergence times on the mammalian tree were estimated from consideration of a relaxed molecular clock, the amino acid sequences of 12 concatenated mitochondrial proteins and multiple reference criteria. Moles and shrews were estimated to have diverged approximately 48 MyrBP, and bats and eulipotyphlans to have diverged 68 MyrBP. Recent phylogenetic controversy over the polyphyly of microbats, the monophyly of rodents, and the position of hedgehogs is also examined.

We report the first in situ observation of hollow organic globules in any extraterrestrial material using the Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite. Data from analytical transmission electron microscopy, Raman and micro-Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicate that the globules consist of aliphatic and oxygenated functions. The hollow spherical morphologies are strikingly similar to the material produced by the laboratory simulation of ultraviolet photolysis of interstellar ice analogues and subsequent aqueous processing, suggesting that the organic globules in the Tagish Lake meteorite may be extremely primitive organic material that formed before or during the formation of the solar system. The FTIR organic signatures also show strong similarities to the membrane-like products formed from hydrothermal reaction of an OH-bearing amino acid in the presence of hydrous minerals. The survival of the structures in the Tagish Lake sample indicates that primitive meteorites must have delivered these structures to the early Earth as a possible precursor to life.

Systematic and reproducible control over average interparticle spacing of Pt, Ni, and Cu nanoparticles embedded in polyimide thin layers was achieved. The metal-catalyzed decomposition of polyimide matrixes surrounding metal nanoparticles causes a decrease in the composite layer thickness, while maintaining the size of nanoparticles. This ability provides an effective methodology for the preparation of metal/polymer nanocomposites with tailored microstructures and holds great promise toward the fundamental understanding of the physical interactions among metal nanoparticles.

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