Kink-band formation in the directionally-solidified Mg/LPSO two-phase alloys.

The variation in the mechanical properties with the volume fraction of the long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase in directionally solidified (DS) Mg/LPSO two-phase alloys was examined. Unexpectedly, the yield stress of the DS alloys increases non-monotonically with an increase in the volume fraction of the LPSO phase. The LPSO phase is considered an effective strengthening phase in Mg alloys, when the stress is applied parallel to the growth direction.

Ultrahigh specific strength in a magnesium alloy strengthened by spinodal decomposition.

Strengthening of magnesium (Mg) is known to occur through dislocation accumulation, grain refinement, deformation twinning, and texture control or dislocation pinning by solute atoms or nano-sized precipitates. These modes generate yield strengths comparable to other engineering alloys such as certain grades of aluminum but below that of high-strength aluminum and titanium alloys and steels. Here, we report a spinodal strengthened ultralightweight Mg alloy with specific yield strengths surpassing almost every other engineering alloy.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) axial transmission method reflects anisotropy in micro-arrangement of apatite crystallites in human long bones: A study with 3-MHz-frequency ultrasound.

Anisotropic arrangement of apatite crystallites, i.e., preferential orientation of the apatite c-axis, is known to be an important bone quality parameter that governs the mechanical properties.

Unusual dynamic precipitation softening induced by dislocation glide in biomedical beta-titanium alloys.

Softening of metallic materials containing precipitates during cyclic deformation occurs through dissolution of the precipitates, because the to-and-fro motion of the dislocation causes dissolution of the precipitate particles by cutting them. Here, however, we found the completely opposite phenomenon for the first time; a "dynamic precipitation softening" phenomenon. In a Ti-35Nb-10Ta-5Zr body-centered cubic structured β-Ti alloy single crystal developed for biomedical implant, the to-and-fro motion of the dislocation "induced" the selective precipitation of the ω-phase whose c-axis is parallel to the Burgers vector of the moving dislocation, which led to the significant cyclic softening of the crystal.

Outstanding compressive creep strength in Cr/Ir-codoped (MoNb)Si crystals with the unique cross-lamellar microstructure.

A (MoNb)Si crystal with an oriented, lamellar, C40/C11 two-phase microstructure is a promising ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) structural material, but its low room-temperature fracture toughness and low high-temperature strength prevent its practical application. As a possibility to overcome these problems, we first found a development of unique "cross-lamellar microstructure", by the cooping of Cr and Ir. The cross-lamellar microstructure consists of a rod-like C11-phase grains that extend along a direction perpendicular to the lamellar interface in addition to the C40/C11 fine lamellae.

Isotropic plasticity of β-type Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy single crystals for the development of single crystalline β-Ti implants.

β-type Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy is a promising novel material for biomedical applications. We have proposed a 'single crystalline β-Ti implant' as new hard tissue replacements for suppressing the stress shielding by achieving a drastic reduction in the Young's modulus.

Degradation behavior of Ca-Mg-Zn intermetallic compounds for use as biodegradable implant materials.

With the goal of developing new biodegradable implant materials, we have investigated the degradation behavior of (Ca, Mg)-based intermetallic compounds. The degradation behavior of the compounds within the Ca-Mg-Zn system was roughly classified into four groups, and their behaviors were strongly influenced by the compositions of the compounds. For example, the Ca3MgxZn(15-x) compound exhibited a large solubility region with varying the Mg/Zn ratio, and the Ca3Mg12Zn3 phase alloy with the lowest Zn content was rapidly broken apart within 6h of immersion.

Possibility of Mg- and Ca-based intermetallic compounds as new biodegradable implant materials.

Mg- or Ca-based intermetallic compounds of Mg2Ca, Mg2Si, Ca2Si and CaMgSi are investigated as possible new candidates for biodegradable implant materials, attempting to improve the degradation behavior compared to Mg and Ca alloys. The reactivity of Ca can be indeed reduced by the formation of compounds with Mg and Si, but its reactivity is still high for applications as an implant material. In contrast, Mg2Si shows a higher corrosion resistance than conventional Mg alloys while retaining biodegradability.

Diastereoselective and enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reactions of alpha-ketoesters using hydrogen bond catalysis.

Hydrogen bond catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reactions of alpha-ketoesters proceed in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities, giving products possessing two chiral centers, of which one is a tertiary alcohol.

Chiral squaramide derivatives are excellent hydrogen bond donor catalysts.

Thioureas represent the dominant platform for hydrogen bond promoted asymmetric catalysts. A large number of reactions, reported in scores of publications, have been successfully promoted by chiral thioureas. The present paper reports the use of squaramides as a highly effective new scaffold for the development of chiral hydrogen bond donor catalysts.

Novel 4-(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)methylbenzofuran derivatives as selective alpha(2C)-adrenergic receptor antagonists.

The synthesis of a series of 4-(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)methyl-2-arylbenzofuran and 4-(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)methylbenzofuran-2-carboxamide derivatives as novel alpha(2C)-adrenergic receptor antagonists are described. Their affinity at three different human alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors is reported, and some of these compounds exhibited high affinity for the alpha(2C)-adrenergic receptor with high subtype selectivity. Among them, compound 10e has been found to show the anti-L-dopa-induced dyskinetic activity in marmosets.