Photoelectrochemistry of p-type Cu2O semiconductor electrode in ionic liquid

We investigated the photoelectrochemical characteristics and photo-stability of Cu₂O layered on a copper plate using a hydrophobic ionic liquid. Our findings revealed that Cu₂O is stable under white light irradiation, provided water is removed from the electrolyte. Methyl viologen derivative, a well-established electron acceptor, was introduced to the ionic liquid electrolyte, allowing the photo-induced electron transfer reaction at the Cu₂O/electrolyte interface to be characterized. The methyl viologen derivative exhibited two distinct redox reactions at −0.56 V and −0.98 V vs. Ag/AgCl, clearly indicating that no dimer formation or co-proportionation reaction occurred. The excessive photocurrents being continuously generated resulted from a viable photo-induced electron transfer reaction from the Cu₂O to the acceptor. However, in contrast, the reduction of the Cu₂O by water in the aqueous solution causes this electron transfer to be inhibited. We further demonstrate that these findings are vital to understanding the role of the Cu₂O and its photoelectrochemical applications.     

Coherent transients observed by Stark switching in ruby having narrow optical hole burning

By using the Stark switching technique we observed new coherent transient signals in ruby at low laser intensities, which are unique in solids where T₁ ? T₂. It was confirmed that the existence of narrow optical hole burning before the switching plays an essential role in giving rise to the signals. The effects of the multiple optical hole burning were also observed in the time domain. Assuming the existence of the holes, the signals can well be interpreted by linear system analysis.     

Studies of phase characteristics of various photon echoes with a phase sensitive detection method

Various optical coherent transient signals in ruby have been examined by using an optical phase sensitive detection (PSD) technique. The PSD is performed by comparing the phase of the heterodyne beat signals obtained by the Stark switching technique with that of a local oscillator whose frequency is equal to the heterodyne beat frequency. The optical FID, two-pulse photon echoes, radiation locked echoes and notched echoes have been detected as υ-mode signals with small u-mode signals probably due to the asymmetry of the inhomogeneous broadening. The dependence of the phase of the radiation locked and notched echoes upon the driving pulses is also examined. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions based on Bloch equations.     

ToF-SIMS imaging and depth profiling of HeLa cells treated with bromodeoxyuridine

Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry 2D images and molecular depth profiles of human HeLa cells treated with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) were acquired in the dual beam mode (Bi(3) (+) analysis beam, C(60) (+) etching beam). Several preparation protocols were investigated and were compared to a simple wash-and-dry method. The feasibility of using C(60) to clean the samples prior to imaging with Bi was also investigated quantitatively by calibrating full depth profiles of the cells using atomic force microscopy. BrdU was used as a marker for the cell nucleus, facilitating identification and localization of sub-cellular features during depth profiling. Results show that C(60) can be used to remove the surface contamination and to access different layers within the cells for 2D imaging. For a 1 nA, 10 keV C(60) (+) beam incident at 45° and rastered over a 500 × 500 μm(2) area, ~1 nm of biological material was sputtered every second. Our results show that HeLa cells were completely removed after etching with 1.3×10(15) C(60) (+) ions per cm(2), giving an average etching rate of 3.9 nm for every 10(13) C(60) per cm(2) at 10 keV and 45° incidence.     

Coherent Raman beats associated with superhyperfine structure in ruby

Coherent Raman beats associated with superhyperfine structure (shfs) due to Cr-Al interaction were observed in ruby. The rf modulated Stark field was used to create coherences between shfs sublevels under the irradiation with a cw ruby laser. From the beat frequencies high resolution spectra of shfs with width (HWHM) of about 10 kHz were obtained in the frequency range from about 4.5 to 6.5 MHz. The utility of phase sensitive detection technique combined with rf Stark modulation was demonstrated. The observed spectra were compared with the theoretical ones.     

First observation of the B1A1 state of SiH2 and SiD2 radicals by optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy

The B1A1 state of SiH2 and SiD2 was observed by the optical-optical double resonance technique for the first time. The electronic band origin of the B state of SiD2 was determined to be 27 214.11 cm(-1). A very clear exclusive behavior depending on the even/odd value of the bending vibrational quantum number was observed in the spectra, representing a quasilinear behavior of the B state. The barrier height to linearity was estimated to be approximately 125 cm(-1) by the quasilinear analysis of the bending vibrational level structure of SiD2.     

Spin polarization of β-emitting fragments in high energy heavy ions on Be collisions

The degrees of nuclear spin polarization of ^8,12B, ⁹C, ¹²N, ¹³O, ^20,21F, ²³Mg, ²⁷Si and ³⁹Ca produced in the high energy ^12,13C, ¹⁶O, ²²Ne, ²⁴Mg, ²⁸Si and ⁴⁰Ca ions on Be collisions have been measured systematically, for the technical developments of the nuclear moment studies as well as the hyperfine interaction studies by means of β-NMR technique. The fragment momentum dependences were well reproduced by the simple kinematical model. Incident energy dependence and the mass dependence as well as the reaction angle dependences were qualitatively explained by the mixing of the near and far side collisions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Biodistribution of gyroxin using 125I as radiotracer

Summary The use of radiotracers in the research of animal venom has been scarce, although it allows an excellent approach to follow the process of bioavailability, biodistribution and kinetics of toxins. The purpose of this study was to assess gyroxin action mechanism, transport, compartments and action sites. This toxin is a thrombin-like and causes the barrel rotation syndrome. The gyroxin was labeled with ¹²⁵I and used as a tracer for the in vivo assay in mice. Blood samples and organs were collected at different time intervals, weighed and analyzed in a gamma-counter. The data was related with tissues distribution of protease activated receptor (PAR). Biodistribution assay allowed dividing the organs into three groups. The first one with the organs that followed the blood kinetics, the second with the organs related to metabolisms and elimination, and the third with the organs in which the gyroxin concentration increased during the observation period.     

pH-induced reversible permeability control of the 4-carboxy acrylanilide-methyl methacrylate copolymer membrane

To develop a polymer membrane whose permeability of water-soluble compounds could be controlled in response to a pH change of the medium, a polyelectrolyte membrane containing an aromatic carboxyl group, i.e., 4-carboxyacrylanilide (CAAn)-methyl methacrylate(MMA) copolymer membrane, was prepared. The water content of the CAAn-MMA copolymer membrane increased with increasing pH owing to ionization change in the CAAn moiety. This increase was particularly remarkable in the pH range from 5 to 7. The change in water content was reversible and could be controlled by the CAAn composition in the copolymer. Permeation of 1,4-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene(DHEB) through the CAAn-MMA copolymer membrane was investigated in solutions of various pH. Change in the permeability of DHEB in function of the pH was similar to the change in membrane water content. This was explained by an increase in the permeation pathway of DHEB in the membrane, in proportion to that in the water content. Moreover, when a pH-sensitive membrane was placed in a solution in which an enzymatic reaction occurred, substrate-induced permeation control of DHEB through the CAAn-MMA copolymer membrane was possible.