Spectral Properties of Thioflavin T and Its Complexes with Amyloid Fibrils

Comparative analysis of the absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence excitation spectra of thioflavin T (ThT) in various solvents and in the composition of amyloid fibrils has shown that ThT, when excited in the region of the long-wavelength absorption band, fluoresces in the spectral region with a maximum at 478–484 nm. The appearance in aqueous and alcohol solutions of a fluorescence band with a maximum near 440 nm has been attributed to the presence in the composition of the ThT preparations of an impurity with an absorption band in the 340–350-nm range. The literature data showing that in glycerol ThT has a wide fluorescence spectrum with two maxima are due to the artifact connected with the use of a high concentration of the dye. It has been suggested that the cause of the low quantum yield of ThT aqueous and alcohol solutions is the breakage of the system of conjugated bonds due to the reorientation of the benzothiozole and benzaminic rings of ThT in the excited state with respect to one another. The main factor determining the high quantum yield of fluorescence of ThT incorporated in fibrils is the steric restriction of the rotation of the rings about one another under these conditions. The suggestions made have been verified by the quantum-chemical calculation of the ThT molecule geometry in the ground and excited states.     

Exploring magnetic properties of ultrathin epitaxial magnetic structures using magneto-optical techniques

We describe magneto-optic Kerr effect studies of ultrathin Fe and Ni films on single crystal surfaces of Ag and Cu. Monolayer Fe films on Ag(100) exhibit the theoretically predicted spin-orbit anisotropy, but also yield some interesting discrepancies between behavior predicted by Kerr effect and by spin-polarized photoemission experiments. Layer-dependent studies of the magnetic moment of Ni on Ag(111) and Ag(100) suggest sp-d hybridization effects quench the first layer magnetic moment on Ag(111) but not on Ag(100). Temperature dependent studies of thin film magnetization obtained from Kerr effect measurements yield thickness dependent Curie temperatures, and critical exponents for several thin film systems.     

Gamma ray photon-induced modifications in Triafol-TN and Triafol-BN polymeric track detectors

Photon induced modifications in Triafol-TN and Triafol-BN polymers have been studied in the dose range of 10¹–10⁶ Gy at room temperature using a ⁶⁰Co source. To monitor the chemical and structural changes induced by gamma rays, UV, IR, and ESR studies were carried out. Thermal studies were also conducted for understanding the effects of gamma irradiations on these polymers. Variation of track etching characteristics and activation energy for bulk etching have been studied at different gamma rays doses. The experimental results are presented and discussed.     

Electronic structure and Fermi surface of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

Applying angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of high angular and energy resolution we have measured the electronic structure of single crystals of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ near the Fermi energy. Along the high symmetry direction X a band is observed to disperse upwards and to cross the Fermi level, whose unoccupied part constitutes the hole-like carriers responsible for the superconductivity. From spectra along the M direction we find evidence for an electron pocket around the M point. The measured band widths appear to be drastically reduced compared with band structure calculations indicating strong electronic correlation effects. From the observation of Fermi-Dirac-like cut-offs in the spectra due to band crossings through the Fermi level we can confirm the existence and, in particular, the shape of the Fermi surface as calculated by band structure calculations.     

Fluorescence of Xe2 molecules in the vacuum-ultraviolet

Fluorescence of the Xe₂ continuum between 1460 and 1800 Å has been observed during excitation of Xe₂ molecules with CO fourth positive bands from a microwave discharge lamp. Fluorescence spectra at different Xe and added gas pressures show that in collisions with Xe or Kr atoms, the excited Xe₂ diatoms are efficiently relaxed to low vibrational levels of the ¹Σ_u⁺ and ³Σ_u⁺ potentials without being quenched noticeably. With Kr the rate constant for relaxation out of the primarily excited high vibrational levels is found to be about 3×10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1.     

Determination of avermectins in plasma at nanogram levels using high-performance liquid chromatography with flourescence detection

An analytical method is described for the determination of the avermectins in plasma based upon high-performance liquid chromatography of flourescent derivatives of these compounds. The analyte is isolated by adsorption chromatography on Florisil, dehydrated in an acetic anhydride-pyridine mixture, and the fluorophore is further separated by chromatorgraphy on silica gel in advance of introduction into a reversed-phase system. This method, which can be applied to samples containing as little as 0.2 ng drug per ml, has an accuracy of 5% mean relative error and a precision of 8% relative standard deviation. A study and discussion of several factors which affect the analytical reaction are included.     

Pyrolysis studies of aromatic polyesters

The products of pyrolysis, at 400°C in vacuo (1 Pa), of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) and poly(butyleneterephthalate) (PBT) were studied. The products were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. The highly volatile products of PET contained acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, styrene and ethylbenzene and in the case of PBT, butadiene, tetrahydrofuran, vinylcyclohexene and ethylbenzene were the major products. A qualitative analysis of the products of low volatility revealed that the main components were benzoic acid, terephthalic acid, monovinyl esters of terephthalic acid and higher oligomers in the case of PET, whereas benzoic acid, monobutenyl esters of terephthalic acid and higher oligomers were the main products from PBT. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained from pyrolysis experiments, carried out directly in the mass spectrometer. Mechanisms to explain the occurrence of the different products are proposed.