Multifunctional ToF-SIMS: combinatorial mapping of gradient energy substrates

We present a simple method for chemical modification of chlorosilane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Si surfaces by exposure to a gradient of UV-ozone radiation to create stable substrates with a range of contact angles (θ_H2O≈5–95°) and surface energies on a single substrate. These gradient energy substrates are developed to potentially generate libraries for combinatorial studies of thin film phenomenology, where a systematic variation of interfacial surface energy represents one of the significant parameters along one axis. The graded oxidation process presents a systematic variation of surface chemical composition. We have utilized contact angle measurements and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to investigate this variation for a series of ions, among which are SiCH₃⁺, SiOH⁺ and COOH⁻. We show that the macroscopic measurements of surface free energy/contact angle correlate with the detailed analysis of surface chemistry (as assessed by ToF-SIMS) on these test substrates.     

3D molecular imaging SIMS

Thin monolayer and bilayer films of spin cast poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), poly(lactic) acid (PLA) and PLA doped with several pharmaceuticals have been analyzed by dynamic SIMS using SF₅⁺ polyatomic primary ion bombardment. Each of these systems exhibited minimal primary beam-induced degradation under cluster ion bombardment allowing molecular depth profiles to be obtained through the film. By combing secondary ion imaging with depth profiling, three-dimensional molecular image depth profiles have been obtained from these systems. In another approach, bevel cross-sections are cut in the samples with the SF₅⁺ primary ion beam to produce a laterally magnified cross-section of the sample that does not contain the beam-induced damage that would be induced by conventional focussed ion beam (FIB) cross-sectioning. The bevel surface can then be examined using cluster SIMS imaging or other appropriate microanalysis technique.     

Thermal decomposition of trans-chloro(2-allylphenyl)bis(triethylphospine)nickel(II)

Thermolysis of trans-chloro(2-allylphenyl)bis(triethylphosphine)nickel(II), I, in tetrachloroethylene has afforded indene as the major hydrocarbon product along with lesser amounts of allylbenzene and trans-β-methylstyrene. Organonickel products were trans-chloro(trichlorovinyl)bis(triethylphosphine)nickel(II), II, chloro[2-(trans-propenyl)phenyl]bis(triethylphosphine)nickel(II), III, and trans-dichlorobis(triethylphosphine)nickel(II). Compound III was the major product from thermolysis of I in benzene. Chloro[2-(cis-propenyl)phenyl]bis(triethylphosphine)nickel(II), IV, and III could be synthesized independently by treatment of chloro-2-(cis-propenyl)benzene and chloro-2-(trans-propenyl)benzene, respectively, with nickel acetylacetonate and triethylaluminium in the presence of triethylphosphine. Thermolysis of I in benzene containing allylbenzene led to the formation of trans-β-methylstyrene. The thermolysis of I in benzene in the presence of cis-1,4-hexadiene caused the skeletal rearrangement of the diene to trans-2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene. A catalyst derived from ethylenebis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(0) and hydrogen chloride isomerized allylbenzene to trans-β-methylstyrene.     

Novel bromotyrosine alkaloids: inhibitors of mycothiol S-conjugate amidase

[structure: see text] The novel alkaloids 1 and 4 were isolated from an Australian non-verongid sponge, Oceanapia sp. Compound 1 contains an unprecedented imidazolyl-quinolinone substructure attached to a bromotyrosine-derived spiro-isoxazoline. Three other known alkaloids were isolated in addition to 1 and 4 and together represent the first examples of inhibitors of a new mycobacterial enzyme mycothiol S-conjugate amidase (MCA).     

Resistant starch as related to companion animal nutrition

Companion animal diets may contain up to 50% starch, derived from cereal grains. The amount of resistant starch (RS) in an ingredient depends on the origin and form of the ingredient and on the processing conditions to which the ingredient has been exposed. Extrusion has proven to be a means of optimizing utilization of starch by companion animals. Although the RS fraction of starch typically decreases by extrusion, retrogradation can result in increased concentrations of this fraction. Limited research exists regarding the effects of RS in companion animal nutrition and gastrointestinal health. Existing in vitro and in vivo research indicates that certain RS sources are readily fermented in the large bowel, producing short-chain fatty acids, whereas others are less fermentable, resulting in excellent laxation properties. Feeding dogs a diet high in RS may result in an increase in fecal bulk due to an increased excretion of microbial matter in those cases where RS is highly fermentable, or to indigestibility of the RS source in other cases. RS has a role to play as a potential proxy for dietary fiber, especially for those companion animals fed diets high in protein and fat and devoid of traditional dietary fiber.     

Improved direct measurement of the parity-violation parameter Ab using a mass tag and momentum-weighted track charge

We present an improved direct measurement of the parity-violation parameter A(b) in the Z boson-b-quark coupling using a self-calibrating track-charge technique applied to a sample enriched in Z-->bb events via the topological reconstruction of the B hadron mass. Manipulation of the Stanford Linear Collider electron-beam polarization permits the measurement of A(b) to be made independently of other Z-pole coupling parameters. From the 1996-1998 sample of 400,000 hadronic Z decays, produced with an average beam polarization of 73.4%, we find A(b)=0.906+/-0.022(stat)+/-0.023(syst).     

Nonlinear phenomena as observed in the ear canal and at the auditory nerve

We report here several measures of nonlinear effects in the mammalian ear made in the external auditory meatus and in single neurons of the auditory nerve. We have measured the 2f1-f2 and the f2-f1 distortion products and we have found that the neural distortion product threshold curve for 2f1-f2 mirrors the low-frequency side of the frequency threshold curve, when the neural distortion product threshold curve of 2f1-f2 is plotted versus log(f2/f1) its slope is about 50 dB/oct and its intercept is 10-20 dB above the frequency threshold at the characteristic frequency CF, substantial 2f1-f2 distortion was seen in all animals studied while the f2-f1 distortion product was only rarely found at substantial levels, and the distortion product pressure observed in the ear canal was at a level equal to that detected at threshold by the neural units under study. We have also made measurements of two-tone rate suppression thresholds using two new and consistent threshold paradigms. We find that for high and intermediate characteristic frequency neural units the suppression threshold is independent of frequency and at a level of about 70 dB SPL, the suppression above CF is much less than below CF, and the tip of the frequency tuning curve can be suppressed by up to 40 dB by a low-frequency suppressor.     

Hanle lifetime measurements of SrI 1P1 and CaI 1P1 levels excited by a neutral beam of 1 1S0 helium atoms

A 0.8 keV He(1 ¹S₀) beam was used to coherently excite the ¹P₁ levels of Sr and Ca targets. The coherence appears as an alignment of the excited state with respect to the beam axis. We report here the results of a Hanle measurement, or a zero-field level-crossing experiment, performed on these coherently excited levels. The radiative lifetimes of the SrI ¹P₁ and CaI ¹P₁ levels were measured to be 4.7 ns and 5.3 ns, respectively. These values are in good agreement with conventional Hanle measurements.     

Morphological progression and elasticity development in the single-screw extrusion of rigid PVC

The morphological progression of rigid PVC compounds during single-screw extrusion is examined in relation to the melting mechanism and elasticity development. It is shown that no grain destruction occurs in the solid bed. 100-μm domains persist in the solid bed after extensive intergrain fusion has occurred. The melt pool is composed of clusters of primary particles in the early screw flights, but shows no evidence of particulate structure of this size in later flights. A capillary rheometer entrance pressure test is used to demonstrate the development of elasticity in both the solid bed and melt pool. Development of elastic response progresses at a higher rate in the solid bed of mass resin-based compounds. Elasticity of the melt pool is high at all stages of extrusion, but also shows a progression.     

Growth of Ni-doped MgF2 crystals in self-sealing graphite crucibles

Large Ni-doped MgF₂ single crystals of excellent optical quality have been grown in self-sealing graphite crucibles by a vertical gradient freeze technique. This relatively simple technique always yields single crystals having excellent optical quality and should be applicable to the melt growth of other crystals that are too volatile to permit the use of open systems.