Unexpected fullerene dimerization via [5,6]-bond upon functionalization of C(s)-C70(CF3)8 by the Bingel reaction

The Bingel reaction of the C(s) isomer of C(70)(CF(3))(8) has been found to yield two C(70)(CF(3))(8)[C(CO(2)Et)(2)] monoadducts and one C(70)(CF(3))(8)[C(CO(2)Et)(2)](2) bisadduct as its major products. Malonate addition occurs at those [6,6]-bonds that radiate from the polar pentagons of the C(70)(CF(3))(8) cage. Unexpectedly, X-ray single crystal analysis reveals dimerization of the above substances during crystallization, providing two isomers of {C(70)(CF(3))(8)[C(CO(2)Et)(2)]}(2), one isomer of {C(70)(CF(3))(8)[C(CO(2)Et)(2)](2)}(2) and {C(70)(CF(3))(8)}(2). This dimerization represents [2+2]-cycloaddition via [5,6]-bonds and results in functionalization patterns resembling several known C(70)X(10) derivatives.     

Formation of arenicin-1 microdomains in bilayers and their specific lipid interaction revealed by Z-scan FCS

Z-scan fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is employed to characterize the interaction between arenicin-1 and supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) of different compositions. Lipid analogue C8-BODIPY 500/510C5-HPC and ATTO 465 labelled arenicin-1 are used to detect changes in lipid and peptide diffusion upon addition of unlabelled arenicin-1 to SLBs. Arenicin-1 decreases lipid mobility in negatively charged SLBs. According to diffusion law analysis, microdomains of significantly lower lipid mobility are formed. The analysis of peptide FCS data confirms the presence of microdomains for anionic SLBs. No indications of microdomain formation are detected in SLBs composed purely of zwitterionic lipids. Additionally, our FCS results imply that arenicin-1 exists in the form of oligomers and/or aggregates when interacting with membranes of both compositions.     

Combining transmission geometry laser ablation and a noncontact continuous flow surface sampling probe/electrospray emitter for mass spectrometry based chemical imaging

This paper describes the coupling of ambient pressure transmission geometry laser ablation with a liquid-phase sample collection into a continuous flow surface sampling probe/electrospray emitter for mass spectrometry based chemical imaging. The flow probe/emitter device was placed in close proximity to the surface to collect the sample plume produced by laser ablation. The sample collected was immediately aspirated into the probe and onto the electrospray emitter, ionized and detected with the mass spectrometer. Freehand drawn ink lines and letters and an inked fingerprint on microscope slides were analyzed. The circular laser ablation area was about 210 μm in diameter and under the conditions used in these experiments the spatial resolution, as determined by the size of the surface features distinguished in the chemical images, was about 100 μm.     

Microwave annealing of defects in ferroelectric triglycine sulfate

The effect of microwave irradiation of ferroelectric triglycine sulfate (TGS) samples with different degrees of imperfection (determined by the annealing conditions) has been investigated. It is shown that the irradiation effect depends on both the degree of perfection of the samples and the irradiation time (dose). As for gamma irradiation, low doses of microwave radiation lead to partial annealing of defects and, therefore, should improve the parameters of TGS-based devices. High irradiation doses cause degradation of TGS properties, which is highest in perfect crystals.     

Self-Aggregation and Orientation of the Ion Channel-Forming Zervamicin IIA in the Membranes of ePC Vesicles Studied by cw EPR and ESEEM Spectroscopy

The ion channel-forming peptide antibiotic zervamicin A was studied in egg phosphocholin lipid membranes of large multilamellar vesicles (LMV) at 77 K. Continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) methods combined with site-specific electron spin labeling were used to study the aggregation and immersion depth of two analog molecules, i.e., each monolabeled either at the N- or C-terminal end of the helical molecule. Analysis of the shape of the EPR spectra indicates that zervamicin molecules form aggregates in which the dipolar interaction between the spin labels at the N-terminus is substantially larger than that between the labels at the C-terminus. The ESEEM method was used to study the interaction between the nitroxide radical spin labels of the zervamicin molecules and deuterium nuclei in LMV, which were prepared using a D₂O buffer. It is established that the largest amplitude of deuterium modulation of the unpaired electron is observed for zervamicin molecules labeled at the N-terminus. Based on the analysis of the Fourier parameters of the deuterium modulated spectrum, a model of the immersion depth of the terminal ends of the zervamicin molecule in a lipid bilayer is formulated. All of the spin labels at the N-terminus are grouped at the lipid–water interface, whereas 60% of labels at the C-terminus are located at the lipid–water interface and 40% are more deeply inserted into the lipid bilayer.     

On the Calculation of an X-Ray Natural Circular Dichroism Signal

The sequential derivation of an expression that describes an X-ray natural circular dichroism (XNCD) signal in the most general case is performed. The obtained expression is used as a basis to consider XNCD signals and their structural origins in copper metaborate CuB₂O₄ crystals at an incident radiation energy near the K absorption edge of copper and lanthanum–gallium silicate La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ crystals at an incident radiation energy near the K absorption edge of gallium. It has been demonstrated that the measurements of circularly polarized X-ray absorption spectra in combination with corresponding first-principle calculations provide an efficient method for studying the contributions of crystallographically non-equivalent atoms to the X-ray optical activity of crystals.     

Nonlinear microwave response of YBCO single crystal in constant magnetic field

The generation of a microwave second harmonic by a YBCO single crystal in a dc magnetic field was studied. We found that the signal existed only when there was a direct screening current. As a result, the pinning current as a function of magnetic field can be derived directly from the second harmonic intensity versus the magnetic field. The experimental data were interpreted in terms of a generalized model of the critical state taking into account diffusion of vortices and the absence of a barrier stopping vortices from leaving the sample. We have shown that, in a decreasing dc magnetic field, the current density is considerably lower than both the critical and screening current densities in an increasing dc field. Our experiments indicate that vortices are not the sources of radiation at the double frequency. A relation between the mechanism of harmonic generation in the Meissner phase and modulation of the order parameter by the microwave magnetic field (Ginzburg-Landau nonlinearity) is discussed. It is remarkable that, by measuring the second harmonic intensity in the Meissner state versus temperature, one can obtain the magnetic field penetration depth as a function of temperature with fairly good accuracy. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 2242–2253 (June 1999)