Mixed-metal tellurites: synthesis, structure, and characterization of Na1.4Nb3Te4.9O18 and NaNb3Te4O16

Two new mixed-metal tellurites, Na1.4Nb3Te4.9O18 and NaNb3Te4O16, have been synthesized by standard solid-state techniques using Na2CO3, Nb2O5, and TeO2 as reagents. The structures of Na1.4Nb3Te4.9O18 and NaNb3Te4O16 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both of the materials exhibit three-dimensional structures composed of NbO6 octahedra, TeO4, and TeO3 polyhedra. The Nb5+ and Te4+ cations are in asymmetric coordination environments attributable to second-order Jahn-Teller (SOJT) effects. The Nb5+ cations undergo an intraoctahedral distortion toward a corner (local C4 direction), whereas the Te4+ cations are in distorted environments owing to their nonbonded electron pair. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and dielectric measurements were also performed on the reported materials. Crystal data: Na1.4Nb3Te4.9O18, monoclinic, space group C2/m (No. 12), with a = 32.377(5) A, b = 7.4541(11) A, c = 6.5649(9) A, beta = 95.636(5) degrees, V = 1576.7(4) A3, and Z = 4; NaNb3Te4O16, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/m (No. 11), with a = 6.6126(13) A, b = 7.4738(15) A, c = 14.034(3) A, beta = 102.98(3) degrees, V = 675.9(3) A3, and Z = 2.     

Cancer cells undergoing epigenetic transition show short-term resistance and are transformed into cells with medium-term resistance by drug treatment

To elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance, epigenetically reprogrammed H460 cancer cells (R-H460) were established by the transient introduction of reprogramming factors. Then, the R-H460 cells were induced to differentiate by the withdrawal of stem cell media for various durations, which resulted in differentiated R-H460 cells (dR-H460). Notably, dR-H460 cells differentiated for 13 days (13dR-H460 cells) formed a significantly greater number of colonies showing drug resistance to both cisplatin and paclitaxel, whereas the dR-H460 cells differentiated for 40 days (40dR-H460 cells) lost drug resistance; this suggests that 13dR-cancer cells present short-term resistance (less than a month). Similarly, increased drug resistance to both cisplatin and paclitaxel was observed in another R-cancer cell model prepared from N87 cells. The resistant phenotype of the cisplatin-resistant (CR) colonies obtained through cisplatin treatment was maintained for 2–3 months after drug treatment, suggesting that drug treatment transforms cells with short-term resistance into cells with medium-term resistance. In single-cell analyses, heterogeneity was not found to increase in 13dR-H460 cells, suggesting that cancer cells with short-term resistance, rather than heterogeneous cells, may confer epigenetically driven drug resistance in our reprogrammed cancer model. The epigenetically driven short-term and medium-term drug resistance mechanisms could provide new cancer-fighting strategies involving the control of cancer cells during epigenetic transition.Subject terms: Tumour heterogeneity, Epigenetics     

One-Pot Convenient and High Yielding Synthesis of Dithiocarbamates

Summary. A convenient and high yielding method for the synthesis of diverse dithiocarbamates having various substituents including alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and alkylaryl at the thiol chain or at the amine chain or at both thiol and amine chains were developed by the one-pot reaction of mercaptans, amines, and bis(benzotriazolyl)methanethione in presence of amidine base under mild reaction conditions.     

Remote Raman and fluorescence studies of mineral samples

In the present study, we investigated remote laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), at a distance of 4.8 m, of a variety of natural minerals and rocks, and Hawaiian Ti (Cordyline terminalis) plant leaves. These minerals included calcite cleavage, calcite onex and calcite travertine, gypsum, fluorapatite, Dover flint and chalk, chalcedony and nephelene syenite, and rubies containing rock. Pulsed laser excitation of the samples at 355 and 266 nm often resulted in strong fluorescence. The LIF bands in the violet-blue region at approximately 413 and approximately 437 nm were observed only in the spectrum of calcite cleavage. The green LIF bands with band maxima in the narrow range of approximately 501-504 nm were observed in the spectra of all the minerals with the exception of the nephelene syenite and ruby rocks. The LIF red bands were observed in the range approximately 685-711 nm in all samples. Excitation with 532 nm wavelength laser gave broad but relatively low fluorescence background in the low-frequency region of the Raman spectra of these minerals. One microsecond signal gating was effective in removing nearly all background fluorescence (with peak at approximately 610 nm) from calcite cleavage Raman spectra, indicating that the fluorescence was probably from long-lifetime inorganic phosphorescence.     

Dispersion characteristics of broadside coupled dielectric image guide at millimeter wave frequencies

Dispersion characteristics and wave impedance for the even and odd modes of the broad side coupled dielectric image guides are computed by using mode matching techniques. Dispersion curves for broadside image guide are plotted for various dielectric materials and dimensional parameters as a function of frequency. Normalized electric field for dominant electric field component E of TM even and odd modes for various half spacings between two dielectric slabs of broadside coupled image guide have been plotted. Polysterene ( r=2.56) and Stycast ( r=3.4) have been used as dielectric materials in fabricating broadside coupled image guide. This broadside coupled dielectric guide is very convenient as compared to the other dielectric guides. Since in case of broadside coupled image guide the dielectric slab can be bonded to the side metallic walls using some low loss adhesive material, while in other coupled dielectric guides the dielectric slab have to be supported by some low dielectric constant material (Eccofoam with r=1.02) to maintain the proper distance of side metallic walls from the dielectric slab. Since this structure is symmetrical, this configuration can be analysed in terms of even and odd mode phase velocities. The difference in these even and off mode phase velocities can be used to determine the coupling between coupled dielectric slab. Various couplers in this configuration can be realised.     

Volumetric studies and thermodynamics of viscous flow of hydroxamic acids in acetone + water solvent at temperatures 303.15 and 313.15 K

Densities ρ and viscosities η of two hydroxamic acids, N-phenyl-2-chlorobenzo- and N-o-tolyl-4-chlorobenzo-, have been determined as a function of their concentration in aqueous acetone solution at temperatures 303.15 and 313.15 K. Apparent molar volumes, standard-state partial molar volumes and relative viscosities have been calculated. The viscosity data have been analyzed using Jones-Dole equation. The activation thermodynamic parameters of viscous flow have been evaluated using Feakins equation. These were obtained to throw light on the mechanism of viscous flow. Thermodynamic interactions in solutions have been studied in terms of a number of excess functions calculated from the experimental data. The effect of hydroxamic acid concentration and temperature on these parameters has been discussed. The results were interpreted in the light of solute-solvent interactions in aquo-organic media.     

Preparation and reactions of mono-reissert compounds and analogs at the 3,4-position of quinazoline

Quinazoline, acid chlorides, and trimethylsilyl cyanide have been converted to mono-Reissert compounds at the 3,4-position of the quinazoline system. Various reactions of these quinazoline Reissert compounds are reported.     

Pulsed remote Raman system for daytime measurements of mineral spectra

A remote Raman system has been developed utilizing a 532nm pulsed laser and gated intensified charged couple device (ICCD) detector in the oblique geometry. When the system is set for 50m sample distance it is capable of measuring Raman spectra of minerals located at distances in the range of 10-65m from the telescope. Both daytime and nighttime operations are feasible and the spectra of minerals can be measured in a short period of time, of the order of a few seconds. In oblique geometry, measured sampling depth is more than 30m, during which the system maintains very high performance without any adjustments. Much longer sampling depth (0.1-120m) has been observed when the system is configured in the coaxial geometry. Clear advantages of using a gated detection mode over the continuous (CW) mode of operation in reducing the background signal and eliminating long-lived fluorescence signals from the Raman spectra are presented. The performance of the pulsed Raman system is demonstrated by measuring spectra of Raman standards including benzene (C(6)H(6)) and naphthalene (C(10)H(8)), a low Raman cross section silicate mineral muscovite (KAl(2)(Si(3)Al)O(10)(OH)(2)), and a medium Raman cross section mineral calcite (CaCO(3)).     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of cyclopentanone by N-bromosuccinimide

N-bromosuccinimide oxidation of cyclopentanone in acidic media in presence of mercuric acetate has been made. A zero order dependance to N-bromosuccinimide and a first order dependence to cyclopentanone and hydrogen ion concentration has been observed. Ionic strength, mercuric acetate and succinimide has negligible effect while methanol addition has a positive effect. Various rate parameters have been computed and 1,2-cyclopentanedione identified as the end product. A suitable mechanism in confirmity with the above observations has been proposed.With 2 Figures