Far-infrared signature of animal tissues characterized by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

We present terahertz time-domain spectroscopy characterization of various animal tissues obtained from pork and rats. As the sensitivity of terahertz radiation to polar molecules of water is very high, biological tissues with high level of hydration show strong absorption at terahertz frequencies. The experimental data indicate that skin, fat and lean pork tissues have different frequency-dependent response to terahertz radiation due to the variation in water content. The same type tissue from different animals, however, is observed to show very similar water absorption.     

Studies on the formation of manganese molybdate

The reaction of MoO₃ with various oxides of manganese (MnO, Mn₂O₃, Mn₃O₄ and MnO₂) and with MnCO₃ has been studied in air and nitrogen atmospheres employing DTA, TG and X-ray diffraction methods, with a view to elucidating the conditions for the formation of MnMoO₄. Thermal decomposition of MnCO₃ has also been studied in air and nitrogen atmospheres to help understand the mechanism of the reaction between MnCO₃ and MoO₃. The studies reveal that, whereas MnO, Mn₂O₃ and MnO₂ react smoothly with MoO₃ to form MnMoO₄, Mn₃O₄ does not react with MoO₃ in the temperature range investigated (48O–6OO°C). An equimolar mixture of MnCO₃ and MoO₃ reacts in air to yield MnMoO₄, while only a mixture of Mn₃O₄ and MoO₃ remains as final product when the same reaction is carried out in nitrogen. Marker studies reveal that manganese ions are the main diffusing species in the reaction between MoO₃ and manganese oxides that result in MnMoO₄.     

Partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis

Partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis (PFACE) is used to examine the binding interactions between two model biological systems: D-Ala-D-Ala terminus peptides to the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin (Van) from Streptomyces orientalis, and arylsulfonamides to carbonic anhydrase B (CAB, EC 4.2.1.1, bovine erythrocytes). Using these two systems, modifications in the PFACE technique are demonstrated including flow-through PFACE (FTPFACE), competitive flow-through PFACE (CFTPFACE), on-column ligand synthesis PFACE (OCLSPFACE), and multiple-step ligand injection PFACE (MSLIPFACE). In PFACE small plugs of sample are injected into the capillary column and an equilibrium is established between receptor and ligand during electrophoresis. Binding constants are then obtained by Scatchard analysis using changes in the migration time of the receptor/ligand on changing the concentration of the ligand/receptor. Data demonstrating the quantitative potential of these methods are presented. This review focuses on the unique capabilities of the different PFACE techniques as applied to two model biological systems.     

A study on the radon concentration in water in Coonoor, India

The gas collection measurement method was employed to determine radon activity concentrations in the water of Coonoor. Open well water, dam water and stream water have been investigated for their radon concentrations. It is observed that the highest radon concentration is in the open well water and the lowest in stream water. From these measurements, the corresponding annual effective ingestion dose is determined.     

Estimation of binding constants between ristocetin and teicoplanin and peptides using on-column ligand derivatization coupled to affinity capillary electrophoresis

This work utilizes on-column ligand synthesis and affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) to determine binding constants (K_b) of 9-flourenylmethyloxy carbonyl (Fmoc)-amino acid derivatives to the glycopeptide antibiotics ristocetin (Rist) and teicoplanin (Teic). In this technique, two separate plugs of sample are injected on to the capillary column and electrophoresed. The initial sample plug contains a d-Ala-d-Ala terminus peptide and either one or two non-interacting standard(s). The second plug contains a Fmoc-amino acid-N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester. The electrophoresis is then carried out with an increasing concentration of Rist or Teic in the running buffer. Upon electrophoresis the initial d-Ala-d-Ala peptide reacts with the Fmoc-amino acid yielding a new Fmoc-amino acid-d-Ala-d-Ala peptide derivative. Continued electrophoresis results in the binding of Rist or Teic to the Fmoc-amino acid-d-Ala-d-Ala peptide derivatives. Analysis of the change in the relative migration time ratio (RMTR) or electrophoretic mobility () of the Fmoc-amino acid-d-Ala-d-Ala peptide derivatives relative to the non-interacting standards, as a function of the concentration of Rist and Teic, yields a value for K_b. These findings demonstrate the advantage of coupling on-column ligand synthesis to ACE for estimating binding parameters between antibiotics and ligands.Abbreviations Rist Ristocetin - Teic Teicoplanin - ACE Affinity capillary electrophoresis - RMTR Relative migration time ratio     

Oxidation of secondary alcohols byN-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) catalyzed by atrans-dioxo ruthenium(VI) complex or perruthenate complex: A kinetic study

Thetrans-dioxo ruthenium (VI) complex, [P(C₆H₅)₃C₆H₅CH₂]⁺[Ru(O)₂OAcCl₂] or tetrapropylammonium perruthenate catalyzes the oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones byN-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO). Kinetic studies showed the formation of a complex between catalyst and substrate (alcohol) as the first step in the mechanism.     

First principle electronic structure calculations of ternary alloys Hg1−xMnxTe in zinc-blende structure

We have investigated the structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of Hg_1?xMn_xTe in the zinc-blende phase for 0≤x≤1. The calculations were performed by using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method within the framework of the density functional theory. The lattice constants of Hg_1?xMn_xTe at different Mn concentrations exhibit Vegard's law perfectly. For spin-up channel the Mn 3d bands are occupied and mixed with the Te 5p bands whereas for spin-down channel the Mn 3d bands are unoccupied. The values of the p–d exchange splitting energy, ?_x(pd) as produced by the Mn 3d states are given. The contribution of the valence band and the conduction band in the process of exchange and splitting is described by the exchange coupling constants N₀α and N₀β. Due to p–d hybridization the magnetic moment of the Mn atom reduces, which results in small local magnetic moments on the non-magnetic Hg and Te sites. The potential applications of Hg_1?xMn_xTe in infrared device have been discussed on the basis of its optical properties.