Thermal conductivity and interfacial energy of solid Bi solution in the Bi–Al–Zn eutectic system

The equilibrated grain boundary groove shapes for solid Bi solution (Bi–6.1 at.%Zn–0.38 at.%Al) in equilibrium with the Bi–Al–Zn eutectic liquid have been observed from quenched sample with a radial heat flow apparatus. The Gibbs–Thomson coefficient, solid–liquid interfacial energy and grain boundary energy of solid Bi solution have been determined from the observed grain boundary groove shapes. The variations of thermal conductivity with temperature for solid Bi solution (Bi–6.1 at.%Zn–0.38 at.%Al) has been measured up to five degree below the melting temperature by using radial heat flow technique. The ratio of thermal conductivity of equilibrated Bi–Al–Zn eutectic liquid phase to solid Bi solution (Bi–6.1 at.%Zn–0.38 at.%Al) phase has also been measured with a Bridgman type growth apparatus at the melting temperature.     

Relationship between ambient light and glucose metabolism in healthy subjects

Synapse density is an essential indicator of development and functioning of the central nervous system. It is estimated indirectly through the accumulation of pre and postsynaptic proteins in tissue sections. 3D reconstruction of the electron microscopic images in serial sections is one of the most definitive means of estimating the formation of active synapses in the brain. It is tedious and highly skill-dependent. Confocal imaging of whole mounts or thick sections of the brain provides a natural alternative for rapid gross estimation of the synapse density in large areas. The optical resolution and other deep-tissue imaging aberrations limit the quantitative scope of this technique. Here we demonstrate a simple sample preparation method that could enhance the clarity of the confocal images of the neuropil regions of the ventral nerve cord of Drosophila larvae, providing a clear view of synapse distributions. We estimated the gross volume occupied by the synaptic junctions using 3D object counter plug-in of Fiji/ImageJ®. It gave us a proportional estimate of the number of synaptic junctions in the neuropil region. The method is corroborated by correlated super-resolution imaging analysis and through genetic perturbation of synaptogenesis in the larval brain. The method provides a significant improvement in the relative estimate of region-specific synapse density in the central nervous system. Also, it reduced artifacts in the super-resolution images obtained using the stimulated emission depletion microscopy technique.     

Estimation of the molecular volumes of the reaction products between beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycoside antibiotics, and those of the degradation products of beta-lactam antibiotics by isotachophoresis

The correlative equations between the molecular volume and the qualitative indication (hR) for beta-lactam antibiotics, the reaction products between beta-lactam antibiotics and kanamycin, and the degradation products of beta-lactam antibiotics were hR = 0.32 + 0.080 VA2/3//Z/(N = 15, r = 0.972 for penicillins) and hR = 0.04 + 0.072 VA2/3//Z/(N = 12, r = 0.987 for cephems). Where VA is van der Waals volume (A3/molecule), hR is the relative step height in the isotachopherogram, and Z is the electric change, respectively. According to these equations, the molecular volumes of the reaction products between beta-lactam antibiotics and the other aminoglycoside antibiotics, and those of the degradation products of beta-lactam antibiotics can be estimated from the value of hR. Also according to the step height in the isotachopherogram, the reaction products or the degradation products may be estimated directly when the electric charge is known. It was confirmed that a molecule of aminoglycoside antibiotics reacted with a molecule of beta-lactam antibiotics. Therefore, the inactivation of aminoglycoside antibiotics is much greater than for beta-lactam antibiotics when the clinical doses of these antibiotic combinations are used.     

In-plane force constants of the peptide group: Least-squares adjustment starting from ab initio values of N-methylacetamide

Least-squares adjustment of the force constants of N-methylacetamide belonging to the A′ symmetry block was carried out starting from the force constant values obtained by an ab initio SCF MO calculation with the 4–31G basis set. Fourteen diagonal force constants were adjusted by the use of 122 vibrational frequencies of 9 isotope derivatives in the liquid state observed in the region 2000-100 cm^?1. Here, all the off-diagonal elements were fixed at the initial values calculated with the 4–31G basis set. The greatest difference between the observed and calculated frequencies was 30 cm^?1, and the differences for 94 modes were less than 10 cm^?1. Most of the force constatns of bond stretching modes were reduced by 5–10%, and those of angle deformation modes by 20–30% in the course of the least-squares adjustment. The CO stretching force constant was lowered by 30% in the adjustment, and this is understandable because the adjustment involves the effect of bringing the peptide group from a free to a hydrogen-bonded state.     

Spin alignment of orthogonal pi-radicals of directly meso-linked porphyrin arrays

High-spin states of poly pi-radical cations of directly meso-linked Zn(II)porphyrin arrays were observed by ESR spectroscopy because of the stabilization of the high-spin states by sterically orthogonal alignment of adjacent pi-radicals.     

Chaos in the self-sustained oscillation of an excitable biological membrane under sinusoidal stimulation

Nonperiodic behavior in self-sustained oscillation of the internodal cell of Nitella was investigated under sinusoidal stimulation. The stroboscopic transformation reveals a single-valued transition function with period three. This suggests that the nonperiodic oscillation is chaotic in the sense of Li and Yorke.     

The structure of the triethylenediamine molecule in an excited electronic state

Ultraviolet absorption spectrum has been observed of triethylenediamine (1,4 diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) ($\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>A</mtext><mtext>?</mtext>}}$) vapor in the 2200–2600 Å region, and an analysis has been made of its vibrational structure. The vibronic 0-0 transition was determined to be at 2513.65 Å (39782.8 cm^?1), and in the 2540–2590 Å region there were four hot bands found: two from the a₁′-type vibrational levels and two from the a₂″-type vibrational levels of the ground electronic state. The fine structures of these hot bands were examined with 0.49 Å/mm dispersion (slit width = 50 μm). For each of the two a₂″-type hot bands, a progression with 30 ～ 40 cm^?1 spacings was observed; whereas, no such progressions were found for the a₁′-type hot bands, in which absorption peaks are much more concentrated within narrow ranges. These progressions were attributed to a large-amplitude twisting motion of triethylene-diamine molecule. For explaining the whole energy-level structure, another large-amplitude motion, has been postulated. That is a double-minimum deformation motion along the molecular axis; in each minimum, one of the two NC₃ umbrellas is half-way open and the other NC₃ umbrella is half-way closed. The height of the potential barrier between these two minima has been estimated to be 1586 cm^?1.     

Vibrational structures of a few electronic bands of thioformamide

Vibrational structures of four electronic bands of thioformamide were examined: Three were observed at 8.70, 9.30, and 15.52 eV in the photoelectron spectrum, and one was observed at 230 nm in the absorption spectrum. The four corresponding bands of thioformamide-d₂ have also been examined. On the Condon approximation, and on the assumption that the vibrations are all harmonic, the amount of shift in the potential minimum along each normal coordinate, which is caused by each electronic transition (ionization or excitation), has been estimated.     

Guanine-specific DNA oxidation photosensitized by the tetraphenylporphyrin phosphorus(V) complex via singlet oxygen generation and electron transfer

The photosensitized DNA damage caused by dihydroxoP(V)tetraphenylporphyrin (P(V)TPP), a cationic water-soluble porphyrin, was examined. The study of near-infrared emission measurements demonstrated the photosensitized singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) generation by P(V)TPP (quantum yield: 0.28 in ethanol). The fluorescence quenching of P(V)TPP by DNA showed the electron transfer (ET) from nucleobases to photoexcited P(V)TPP. These results have shown that P(V)TPP has ability to damage DNA through dual mechanisms, (1)O(2) generation and ET. Under aerobic conditions, P(V)TPP photosensitized damage was more severe for single-stranded DNA compared to its double-stranded counterpart. Photoexcited P(V)TPP damaged every guanine residue in single-stranded DNA. HPLC measurements confirmed the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo), an oxidized product of 2'-deoxyguanosine, and showed that the yield of 8-oxodGuo in single-stranded DNA is larger than that in double-stranded DNA. The guanine-specific DNA damage and the enhancement in single-stranded DNA suggest that the (1)O(2) generation mainly contributes to the mechanism of DNA photodamage by P(V)TPP. Absorption spectrum measurements suggested the interaction between P(V)TPP and DNA. This interaction is expected to enhance the (1)O(2)-mediated DNA damage since the lifetime of (1)O(2) is very short. On the other hand, for double-stranded DNA, photosensitized damage at consecutive guanines was much less pronounced. Because the consecutive guanines act as a hole trap, this DNA-damaging pattern suggests the partial involvement of photoinduced ET. However, DNA damage by ET was not a main mechanism, possibly due to the reverse ET. In conclusion, P(V)TPP induces guanine specific photooxidation mainly via (1)O(2) generation. The interaction with DNA and the energy level of the photoexcited porphyrin may be advantageous for (1)O(2)-mediated DNA damage rather than ET mechanism.     

Polyelectrolyte templating strategy for the fabrication of multilayer hemicyanine Langmuir-Blodgett films showing enhanced and stable second harmonic generation

Polyelectrolyte templating effectively suppresses the aggregation of cationic hemicyanine-based amphiphiles in monolayer Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films leading to enhanced and stable optical second harmonic generation (SHG). The current study explores the impact of different polyelectrolytes (salts of poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid), deoxyribonucleic acid, and carboxymethylcellulose) on the mode of formation of multilayer LB films of the hemicyanine amphiphile and their SHG response. Pressure-area isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy reveal the impact of the polyelectrolyte complexation on the Langmuir films. Transfer ratios observed during film deposition, supported by electronic absorption spectra and atomic force microscope images of the multilayer LB films, suggest that the polyanions influence the deposition sequence, leading to significant variations in the SHG. Carboxymethylcellulose is identified as an optimal template that induces favorable z-type deposition, leading to the formation of stable multilayer films. These films exhibit the expected quadratic increase of SHG with the extent of deposition; significantly the film response is very stable under extended laser irradiation. It is proposed that structural adjustments of the sandwiched polymer layer lead to the observed deposition sequence and film stability. Polyelectrolyte templating is demonstrated to be a simple and effective strategy for the fabrication of multilayer LB films to elicit efficient quadratic nonlinear optical response.