Energy dependence of multiplicity in proton-nucleus collisions and models of multiparticle production

This is a continuation of our earlier investigation (Gurtuet al 1974Phys. Lett. 50 B 391) on multiparticle production in proton-nucleus collisions based on an exposure of emulsion stack to 200 GeV/c beam at the NAL. It is found that the ratioR _em = 〈n _s〉/〈n _ch〉, where 〈n _ch〉 is the charged particle multiplicity in pp-collisions, increases slowly from about 1 at 10 GeV/c to 1·6 at 68 GeV/c and attains a constant value of 1·71 ± 0·04 in the region 200 to 8000 GeV/c. Furthermore,R _em = 1·71 implies an effectiveA-dependence ofR _A =A ^0.18,i.e., a very weak dependence. Predictions ofR _em on various models are discussed and compared with the emulsion data. Data seem to favour models of hadron-nucleon collisions in which production of particles takes place through adouble step mechanism,e.g., diffractive excitation, hydrodynamical and energy flux cascade as opposed to models which envisage instantaneous production.     

A Synthetic,Structural, Spectroscopic and DFT study of ReI,CuI, RuII and IrIII Complexes Containing Functionalised Dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (dppz)

The ligands 11‐cyanodipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine and 2‐(11‐dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine)‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole have been coordinated to Re^I, Cu^I, Ru^II and Ir^III metal centres. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses were performed on fac‐chlorotricarbonyl(11‐cyanodipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine)rhenium (C₂₂H₉ClN₅O₃Re, a=6.509(5), b=12.403(5), c=13.907(5) Å, α=96.88(5), β=92.41(5), γ=92.13(5)°, triclinic, P , Z=2) and bis‐2,2′‐bipyridyl(2‐(11‐dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine)‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)ruthenium triflate ? 2 CH₃CN (C₅₂H₃₆F₆N₁₂O₈RuS₂, a=10.601(5), b=12.420(5), c=20.066(5) Å, α=92.846(5), β=96.493(5), γ=103.720(5)°, triclinic, P , Z=2). The ground‐ and excited‐state properties of the ligands and complexes have been investigated with a range of techniques, including electrochemistry, absorption and emission spectroscopy, spectroelectrochemistry and excited‐state lifetime studies. Spectroscopic, time‐resolved and DFT studies reveal that the ligand‐centred (LC) transitions and their resultant excited states play an important role in the photophysical properties of the complexes. Evidence for the presence of lower‐lying metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer transitions is obtained from resonance Raman spectroscopy, but nanosecond transient Raman experiments suggest that once excited, the ³LC state is populated.     

A computational study of the electronic structure, bonding, and spectral properties of tripodal tetraamine Co(III) carbonate complexes

Density functional calculations have been carried out on the experimentally characterized Co(III) [Co(N4)(O2CO)]+ carbonate complexes containing a tripodal tetraamine ligand (N4 = tpa, Metpa, Me2tpa, Me3tpa, pmea, pmap, tepa) and also the model [Co(NH3)4(O2CO)]+ system. Calculations on the model species, performed using both gas-phase and solvent-corrected procedures, have revealed that the inclusion of a condensed-phase environment is necessary to obtain generally satisfactory results for the structural and bonding properties in these systems. Using the solvent-corrected approach, the observed trends in structural parameters for the metal-ligand bonds, 59Co chemical shifts, and changes in visible absorption wavelengths have been satisfactorily reproduced for the [Co(N4)(O2CO)]+ complexes. A time-dependent density functional analysis of the electronic excitations indicates that the overall composition and character of the relevant (d-d) transitions remain similar throughout the series, indicating that the changes in the Co-N interactions, associated with the structural variations occurring as the N-donor ligand identity and size change, appear most likely responsible for the particular spectroscopic features displayed by these species. These observations are further supported by molecular orbital and energy decomposition analyses. The results from the present calculations confirm recent findings that the inclusion of a treatment for solvent effects plays a critical role in the computational modelling of coordination complexes involving mixed (anionic and neutral) ligands.     

Application of ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of macrocyclic peptidomimetics as inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease

An efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of macrocyclic peptidomimetics for inhibition of HCV NS3 is presented. The macrocyclic core is built using ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of a tripeptidic diene. The presented approach allows the introduction of heteroatoms in strategic places along the macrocyclic ring. The methyl ester moiety in the RCM products was synthetically manipulated to install a keto-amide moiety via a Passerini reaction.     

Factors influencing mononuclear versus multinuclear coordination in a series of potentially hexadentate acyclic N6 ligands: the roles of flexibility and chelate ring size

The synthesis of the new potentially hexadentate ligands N,N'-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)butane-1,4-diamine (bmbu), N,N'-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)pentane-1,5-diamine (bmpt) and N,N'-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)octane-1,8-diamine (bmot) from the condensation of 2,2'-bipyridine-6-carbaldehyde with the appropriate diamine (butane-1,4-diamine, pentane-1,5-diamine and octane-1,8-diamine, respectively) and subsequent reduction, is reported. Bmet, bmpp and bmbu all form mononuclear complexes with first-row transition metal ions (Co(3+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Mn(2+)), and X-ray structures of [Mn(bmet)](ClO(4))(2), [Ni(bmet)](ClO(4))(2), [Fe(bmet)](ClO(4))(2), [Mn(bmpp)](ClO(4))(2)·2MeCN and [Co(bmpp)](ClO(4))(3)·H(2)O are reported. As the aliphatic methylene chain increases in length, formation of dinuclear, and in some cases trinuclear, complexes becomes more pronounced, as evidenced by mass spectral analysis of solutions containing Ni(2+) and bmpt, and Ni(2+), Fe(2+) and Mn(2+) with bmot. The increasing preference for multinuclear complexes with increasing chain length is ascribed to the difficulty of incorporating a medium-sized (8 to 13-membered) chelate ring in a mononuclear complex.     

On the blast resistance of laminated glass

Blast resistant glazing systems typically use laminated glass to reduce the risk of flying glass debris in the event of an explosion. Laminated glass has one or more bonded polymer interlayers to retain glass fragments upon fracture. With good design, the flexibility of the interlayer and the adhesion between layers enable laminated glass to continue to resist blast after the glass layers fracture. This gives protection from significantly higher blast loads when compared to a monolithic pane. Full-scale open-air blast tests were performed on laminated glass containing a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer. Test windows of size 1.5 m × 1.2 m were secured to robust frames using structural silicone sealant. Blast loads were produced using charge masses of 15 kg and 30 kg (TNT equivalent) at distances of 10–16 m. Deflection and shape measurements of deforming laminated glass were obtained using high-speed digital image correlation. Measurements of loading at the joint, between the laminated glass and the frame, were obtained using strain gauges. The main failure mechanisms observed were the cohesive failure of the bonded silicone joint and delamination between the glass and interlayer at the pane edge. A new finite element model of laminated glass is developed and calibrated using laboratory based tests. Predictions from this model are compared against the experimental results.     

Tri-partite complex for axonal transport drug delivery achieves pharmacological effect

Background

Targeted delivery of pharmaceutical agents into selected populations of CNS (Central Nervous System) neurons is an extremely compelling goal. Currently, systemic methods are generally used for delivery of pain medications, anti-virals for treatment of dermatomal infections, anti-spasmodics, and neuroprotectants. Systemic side effects or undesirable effects on parts of the CNS that are not involved in the pathology limit efficacy and limit clinical utility for many classes of pharmaceuticals. Axonal transport from the periphery offers a possible selective route, but there has been little progress towards design of agents that can accomplish targeted delivery via this intraneural route. To achieve this goal, we developed a tripartite molecular construction concept involving an axonal transport facilitator molecule, a polymer linker, and a large number of drug molecules conjugated to the linker, then sought to evaluate its neurobiology and pharmacological behavior.

Results

We developed chemical synthesis methodologies for assembling these tripartite complexes using a variety of axonal transport facilitators including nerve growth factor, wheat germ agglutinin, and synthetic facilitators derived from phage display work. Loading of up to 100 drug molecules per complex was achieved. Conjugation methods were used that allowed the drugs to be released in active form inside the cell body after transport. Intramuscular and intradermal injection proved effective for introducing pharmacologically effective doses into selected populations of CNS neurons. Pharmacological efficacy with gabapentin in a paw withdrawal latency model revealed a ten fold increase in half life and a 300 fold decrease in necessary dose relative to systemic administration for gabapentin when the drug was delivered by axonal transport using the tripartite vehicle.

Conclusion

Specific targeting of selected subpopulations of CNS neurons for drug delivery by axonal transport holds great promise. The data shown here provide a basic framework for the intraneural pharmacology of this tripartite complex. The pharmacologically efficacious drug delivery demonstrated here verify the fundamental feasibility of using axonal transport for targeted drug delivery.     

The APCVD of tungsten oxide thin films from reaction of WCl6 with ethanol and results on their gas-sensing properties

The APCVD reaction of WCl₆ with ethanol was examined to deposit tungsten oxide on gas sensor substrates. Deposited films, which were WO_3−x, displayed a different morphology than those seen previously for CVD tungsten oxide. The gas-sensing properties of the deposited films were examined.     

Photoexcitation in Cu(I) and Re(I) complexes containing substituted dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine: a spectroscopic and density functional theoretical study

Copper(I) and rhenium(I) complexes [Cu(PPh(3))(2)(dppz-11-COOEt)]BF(4), [Cu(PPh(3))(2)(dppz-11-Br)]BF(4), [Re(CO)(3)Cl(dppz-11-COOEt)] and [Re(CO)(3)Cl(dppz-11-Br)] (dppz-11-COOEt = dipyrido-[3,2a:2',3'c]phenazine-11-carboxylic ethyl ester, dppz-11-Br = 11-bromo-dipyrido[3,2a:2',3'c]-phenazine) have been studied using Raman, resonance Raman, and transient resonance Raman (TR(2)) spectroscopy, in conjunction with computational chemistry. DFT (B3LYP) frequency calculations with a 6-31G(d) basis set for the ligands and copper(I) centers and an effective core potential (LANL2DZ) for rhenium in the rhenium(I) complexes show close agreement with the experimental nonresonance Raman spectra. Modes that are phenazine-based, phenanthroline-based, and delocalized across the entire ligand structure were identified. The nature of the absorbing chromophores at 356 nm for ligands and complexes was established using resonance Raman spectroscopy in concert with vibrational assignments from calculations. This analysis reveals that the dominant chromophore for the complexes measured at 356 nm is ligand-centered (LC), except for [Re(CO)(3)Cl(dppz-11-Br)], which appears to have additional chromophores at this wavelength. Calculations on the reduced complexes, undertaken to model the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited state, show that the reducing electron occupies a ligand MO that is delocalized across the ligand structure. Resonance Raman spectra (lambda(exc) = 514.5 nm) of the reduced rhenium complexes show a similar spectral pattern to that observed in [Re(CO)(3)Cl(dppz)](*-); the measured bands are therefore attributed to ligand radical anion modes. These bands lie at 1583-1593 cm(-1) for [Re(CO)(3)Cl(dppz-11-COOEt)] and 1611 cm(-1) for [Re(CO)(3)Cl(dppz-11-Br)]. The thermally equilibrated excited states are examined using nanosecond-TR(2) spectroscopy (lambda(exc) = 354.7 nm). The TR(2) spectra of the ligands provide spectral signatures for the (3)LC state. A band at 1382 cm(-1) is identified as a marker for the (3)LC states of both ligands. TR(2) spectra of the copper and rhenium complexes of dppz-11-Br show this (3)LC band, but it is not prominent in the spectra of [Cu(PPh(3))(2)(dppz-11-COOEt)](+) and [Re(CO)(3)Cl(dppz-11-COOEt)]. Calculations suggest that the lowest triplet states of both of the rhenium(I) complexes and [Cu(PPh(3))(2)(dppz-11-Br)](+) are metal-to-ligand charge transfer in nature, but the lowest triplet state of [Cu(PPh(3))(2)(dppz-11-COOEt)](+) appears to be LC in character.     

High-field EPR investigation of a series of mononuclear Mn(II) complexes doped into Zn(II) hosts

The five-coordinate mono-halide mononuclear Zn(II) complexes [Zn(tpa)X]⁺ (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; X = I ([Zn(tpa)I]I; 1a), Br ([Zn(tpa)Br](ZnBr₄)_0.5; 2a) and Cl ([Zn(tpa)Cl](ZnCl₄)_0.5; 3a)) and the six-coordinate mononuclear complex [Zn(tpa)(NCS)₂] (4a) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The [Zn(tpa)X]⁺ complexes doped with the corresponding [Mn(tpa)X₂] complexes (X = I (1b), Br (2b) and Cl (3b)) have been synthesized and their electronic properties investigated by multifrequency high field EPR (HF-EPR) (95–285 GHz). The magnetically diluted conditions allow the determination of the hyperfine coupling constant A (A = 68.10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for 1b–3b). The zero-field splitting parameters (D and E) found for 1b–3b are comparable to those found for neat samples of the [Mn(tpa)X₂] complexes (1b: D = 0.635 cm⁻¹, E/D = 0.189; 2b: D = 0.360 cm⁻¹, E/D = 0.192; 3b: D = 0.115 cm⁻¹, E/D = 0.200). The efficacy of using multifrequency EPR under dilute conditions to precisely determine spin Hamiltonian parameters is discussed.