Mittels einer Schutzgruppenstrategie wurden Squarain-basierte monodisperse Oligomere synthetisiert. Die lösungsmittelabhängigen Konformationen (Random Coil vs. Helix) wie auch der Faltungsprozess der Homooligomere wurden mittels optischer Spektroskopie, verschiedener NMR-Experimenten, Kleinwinkelneutronenstreuungsexperimenten sowie quantenchemischen Berechnungen näher beleuchtet. Die optisch-spektroskopischen Beobachtungen wurden mithilfe der Exzitonenkopplungstheorie und einer Orientierungs- und Winkelabhängigkeit der Übergangsdipolmomente der Oligomere erklärt. Der hohe Windungsabstand der helikalen Konformation führt zu einer Interkalation von Lösungsmittel, wodurch eine Art Klathrat gebildet wird. Zusätzlich wurden mittels eines Frenkel-Exzitonenmodells die Absorptions- und Fluoreszenzspektren modelliert. Es konnten die Exzitonendelokalisationslängen abgeschätzt und die Auswirkung der energetischen und strukturellen Unordnungen auf die Absorptions- und Fluoreszenzspektren bestimmt werden. Die Absorptionsspektren werden vorwiegend durch strukturelle Unordnungen verbreitert, die Fluoreszenzspektren dagegen von energetischen Übergangsenergieabweichungen. Weiterhin wurden auch alternierende Squarain-Cooligomere synthetisiert und mittels optischer Spektroskopie untersucht. Es wurde, abhängig von dem gewählten Lösungsmittel, eine Verschiebung der Hauptbande beobachtet, was durch einen Random Coil vs. helikale-/schlaufenartige Konformation erklärt wird. Gestützt wurde dies mittels quantenchemischen Berechnungen der jeweiligen Konformationen. Abschließend wurden alternierende Squarain-Copolymere synthetisiert, in verschiedenen Größen aufgetrennt und mittels optischer Spektroskopie untersucht. Mittels EEI2D-Experimenten wurde die Exzitonendynamik in Abhängigkeit von der Kettenlänge eingehender untersucht. Hierbei wird eine steigende, aber relativ abnehmende Kohärenzlänge bestimmt, die Auswirkungen auf die Exzitonendynamik hat. Der Exzitonentransport weist erst wellenförmiges und dann subdiffuses Verhalten auf. / A protecting group strategy was employed to synthesise squaraine-based monodisperse oligomers. The solvent-dependent conformations (random coil vs. helix) as well as the folding process of the homooligomers were examined in more detail using optical spectroscopy, various NMR experiments, small-angle neutron scattering experiments, and quantum chemical calculations. The optical-spectroscopic observations were explained using exciton coupling theory and an orientation and angle dependence of the transition dipole moments of the oligomers. The high pitch of the helical conformation leads to solvent intercalation, thereby forming a type of clathrate. In addition, the absorption and fluorescence spectra were modeled using a Frenkel exciton model. The exciton delocalization lengths were estimated and the effect of the energetic and structural disorders on the absorption and fluorescence spectra were determined. The absorption spectra are mainly broadened by structural disorder, while the fluorescence spectra are broadened by energetic transition energy deviations. Alternating squaraine cooligomers were also synthesised and analysed by optical spectroscopy. Depending on the chosen solvent, a shift of the main band was observed, which is explained by a random coil vs. helical/loop-like conformation. This was supported by quantum chemical calculations of the respective conformations. Finally, alternating squaraine copolymers were synthesised, separated into different sizes and analysed by optical spectroscopy. Exciton dynamics as a function of chain length were investigated in more detail using EEI2D experiments. Here, an increasing but relatively decreasing coherence length was determined, which affects the exciton dynamics. The exciton transport shows wavelike and then sub-diffusive behaviour.

Shigella are bacteria that are responsible for millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. The emergence of antibiotic resistant Shigella adds to the potentially devastating effect that these bacteria can have on human health. Shigella flexneri utilize specialized molecular machinery called the Type III secretion system to infect humans and cause disease. Research of this machinery promises to provide the knowledge, tools, and direction for the development of new avenues to combat shigellosis. This dissertation presents studies of two Shigella proteins, invasion plasmid antigens C and D (IpaC and IpaD). These proteins are part of a syringe and needle like protein structure that allows Shigella to secrete proteins directly into the host that hijack host cells to benefit support Shigella infections. IpaC and IpaD are part of a protein tip complex that is directly involved in these Shigella-host (e.g. human) interactions. We have advanced the biochemical tools for the in vitro study of IpaC by utilizing a new way to isolate it. This purification methodology allowed us to look at one of IpaC’s main roles, to interact with the host cell membranes. We examined IpaC’s role and tried to identify the parts of IpaC responsible for some specific interactions. We found that the parts of IpaC we believed were responsible were not but that the composition of the membrane IpaC is interacting with is more important than we previously believed. Finally, we examined a rare part of IpaD structure to determine its role. We determined that this rare feature is required for IpaD to sense Shigella’s host environment and prepare the bacteria to infect, making a promising target for anti-infective treatments against Shigella infections. Our findings advance the understanding of key molecular mechanisms that are required for Shigella virulence. We expect that our findings will aid future researchers as the pursuit for new treatments for shigellosis continues.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第19014号 / 工博第4056号 / 新制||工||1624(附属図書館) / 31965 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科合成・生物化学専攻 / (主査)教授 杉野目 道紀, 教授 澤本 光男, 教授 辻 康之 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

Presynaptic and postsynaptic actions of dextroamphetamine (DEX) were studied on dopamine (DA) sensitive neurons of the subesophageal ganglion of the garden snail Helix aspersa utilizing standard microelectrode techniques. Dextroamphetamine (5.5 × 10-7-10-4 M) produced effects on DA-sensitive neurons similar to that caused by DA (5.5 × 10-7-10-4 M). On cells excited by DA, surfused DEX (5.5 × 10-7 M) caused an excitation that could be blocked by chlorpromazine (0.5-1 × 10-6 M) or haloperidol (0.5-1 × 10-6 M). Elevating the extracellular Mg2+ from 4 to 20 mM reduced the depolarization caused by DEX from 11 to 2.5 mV without affecting the response to DA. The response remaining is attributed to a direct response to DEX on DA receptors. Surfused DEX caused an inhibition of cells inhibited by DA. Both DA and DEX effects were selectively blocked by dihydroergotamine (0.5-1 × 10-6 M). Elevating the [Mg2+] decreased the hyperpolarization caused by DEX from 11 to 3 mV without affecting the DA response. The effect of elevated magnesium in decreasing responses to surfused DEX suggests that the primary action of DEX is at the nerve terminal to cause DA release. Iontophoretic application of DEX caused minimal excitation or inhibition of DA neurons. This is attributed to the fact that DA receptors at the site of drug application are not associated with synaptic innervation. The response obtained with iontophoretically applied DEX suggest a weak direct action on DA receptors.

This thesis contributes to the understanding of the role of institutions as a factor for the development of Science Park projects. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted to find out the institutional factors given by Science Park Promotion Agency (SPA), supported by Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand in response to Regional Science Parks in Thailand. Research findings show that steady standard of practice, explicit governance, continued budget allocation and capacity building are regarded crucial. Yet, other empirical results suggest that some institutions should be adjusted in a holistic manner in order to accelerate the innovation process in the long run. Furthermore, the results illustrate a growing tendency of interplay between different roles of institutional spheres - academia, industries and public sectors. Overall, this thesis tends to benefit policy-makers involving in the Science Park development project, helping them perceive the implications of their on-going measures to Regional Science Park and related national innovation systems.

No description available.

Over the years, phased array antennas have provided electronic scanning with high gain and low sidelobe levels for many radar and satellite applications. The need for higher bandwidth as well as greater scanning ability has led to research in the area of aperiodically spaced antenna arrays. Aperiodic arrays use variable spacing between antenna elements and generally require fewer elements than periodically spaced arrays to achieve similar far field pattern performance. This reduction in elements allows the array to be built at much lower cost than traditional phased arrays. This thesis introduces the concept of aperiodic phased arrays and their design via optimization algorithms, specifically Particle Swarm Optimization. An axial mode helix is designed as the antenna array element to obtain the required half power beamwidth and bandwidth. The final optimized aperiodic array is compared to a traditional periodic array and conclusions are made. / Master of Science

Helices are broadband antennas that provide moderate gain, largely real input impedance and circular polarization when operating in the axial mode regime. A modified form of the helix, the spherical helix, has been shown to yield similar polarization and gain characteristics over a narrow bandwidth but a much larger beamwidth. This investigation examines multifilar hemispherical helices and produces two specific designs with some desirable radiation characteristics. The side-fed quadrifilar helix and the top-fed bifilar helix are the new hemispherical designs which are studied in detail both numerically and experimentally. The Numerical Electromagnetics Code 4 is used to analyze the radiation characteristics of the proposed multifilar hemispherical helices. Directivity, E- and H-plane radiation patterns, axial ratio and input impedance of a few example designs are calculated. Measurements, taken in the anechoic chamber at the Virginia Tech antenna range, generally confirmed the simulation results. It is shown that the bifilar hemispherical helix provides a flat gain curve over the measured bandwidth (~14%) and generally elliptical polarization with near circular polarization in limited case. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / abstract / Anatomy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

In mammals, circadian rhythms are generated by transcriptional-translational feedback loops consisting of a set of clock genes and their protein products. Among them, Bmal1 is a critical clock gene in generating and maintaining circadian rhythms. Moreover, orphan nuclear receptors REV-ERBs and RORs were known to respectively repress and activate Bmal1 transcription. In our study, we further demonstrated that: (1) REV-ERBalpha might be the main regulator in maintaining Bmal1 oscillation in thymus. (2) Rorgamma mRNA is constant in muscle and testis, and rhythmic in liver, while Rorgammat mRNA is only expressed in thymus, at constant levels. Moreover, the expressions of these two Rorgamma isoforms are affected in Clock mutant mice in a distinct way. (3) RORgamma and RORgammat can activate Bmal1 transcription at a similar level. (4) Rorgamma is a clock-controlled gene. Altogether, our results suggest that the crucial role of REV-ERBs and RORs in peripheral clocks. Furthermore, our work highlights functional differences among mammalian peripheral clocks, which provides important insights into the complexity of the circadian system.