Comparison of the effects of visible femtosecond laser pulses and continuous wave laser radiation of low average intensity on the clonogenicity of Escherichia coli

To evaluate the contribution of local pulsed heating of light-absorbing microregions to biochemical activity, irradiation of Escherichia coli was carried out using femtosecond laser pulses (λ = 620 nm, τ_p=3 × 10⁻¹³ s, f_p = 0.5 Hz, E_p = 1.1 × 10⁻³J cm⁻², I_av = 5.5 × 10⁻⁴ W cm⁻², I_p = 10⁹ W cm⁻²) and continuous wave (CW) laser radiation (λ = 632.8 nm, I = 1.3 W cm⁻²). The irradiation dose required to produce a similar biological effect (a 160%–190% increase in the clonogenic activity of the irradiated cells compared with the non-irradiated controls) is a factor of about 10³ lower for pulsed radiation than for CW radiation (3.3 × 10⁻¹ and 7.8 × 10² J cm⁻² respectively). The minimum size of the microregions transiently heated on irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses is estimated to be about 10 Å, which corresponds to the size of the chromophores of hypothetical primary photoacceptors—respiratory chain components.     

UV–visible spectrum of the phenyl radical and kinetics of its reaction with NO in the gas phase

Pulse radiolysis transient UV–visible absorption spectroscopy was used to study the UV–visible absorption spectrum (225–575 nm) of the phenyl radical, C₆H₅(), and kinetics of its reaction with NO. Phenyl radicals have a strong broad featureless absorption in the region of 225–340 nm. In the presence of NO phenyl radicals are converted into nitrosobenzene. The phenyl radical spectrum was measured relative to that of nitrosobenzene. Based upon σ(C₆H₅NO)_{270 nm}=3.82×10⁻¹⁷ cm² molecule⁻¹ we derive an absorption cross-section for phenyl radicals at 250 nm, σ(C₆H₅())_{250 nm}=(2.75±0.58)×10⁻¹⁷ cm² molecule⁻¹. At 295 K in 200–1000 mbar of Ar diluent k(C₆H₅()+NO)=(2.09±0.15)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Studies on Intramolecular Charge Transfer Fluorescence Probe and DNA Binding Characteristics

An intramolecular charge transfer fluorescence probe of 4′-N,N-dimethylamino-4-amino-chalcone(DMAC) exhibits characteristics clearly correlated with the polarity of solvents. The interaction of this fluorescence probe with calf thymus DNA has been investigated. Generally, DMAC bound to DNA shows marked changes in fluorescence and absorbance properties compared to the spectral characteristics of the free form in solution phase. In the presence of DNA the fluorescence intensity of DMAC is greatly increased with a large bathochromic shift of excitation and emission wavelengths. A hypochromism in absorption spectrum was also observed. The absorption and fluorescence spectra, salt concentration effect, and KI quenching experiments demonstrate that DMAC molecule as an intercalator is inserted into the base-stacking domain of DNA double helix, and the interaction of the nucleobases with DMAC molecule causes the increase of fluorescence intensity and hypochromism in absorption spectrum. The intrinsic binding constant and the binding site number were estimated to be 7.04 × 10⁶ mol L⁻¹ in base pairs and 0.065, respectively. The I/I₀ vs DNA concentration plot shows a linear range covering 1.98 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.08 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ in base pairs which can be used for determining DNA with a detection limit of 6.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ in base pairs (0.6 μg ml⁻¹).     

Pulse radiolysis study of ion-species effects on the solvated electron in alkylammonium ionic liquids

The spectra and kinetic behavior of solvated electrons (e_sol⁻) in alkyl ammonium ionic liquids (ILs), i.e. N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (DEMMA-TFSI), N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DEMMA-BF₄), N,N,N-trimethyl-N-propylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TMPA-TFSI), N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PP13-TFSI), N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (P13-TFSI), and N-methyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (P14-TFSI) were investigated by the pulse radiolysis method. The e_sol⁻ in each of the ammonium ILs has an absorption peak at 1100 nm, with molar absorption coefficients of 1.5–2.3×10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The e_sol⁻ decayed by first order with a rate constant of 1.4–6.4×10⁶ s⁻¹. The reaction rate constant of the solvated electron with pyrene (Py) was 1.5–3.5×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ in the various ILs. These values were about one order of magnitude higher than the diffusion-controlled limits calculated from measured viscosities. The radiolytic yields (G-value) of the e_sol⁻ were 0.8–1.7×10⁻⁷ mol J⁻¹. The formation rate constant of e_sol⁻ in DEMMA-TFSI was 3.9×10¹⁰ s⁻¹. The dry electron (e_dry⁻) in DEMMA-TFSI reacts with Py with a rate constant of 7.9×10¹¹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, three orders of magnitude higher than that of the e_sol⁻ reactions. The G-value of the e_sol⁻ in the picosecond time region is 1.2×10⁻⁷ mol J⁻¹. The capture of e_dry⁻ by scavengers was found to be very fast in ILs.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cr ions in d-gluconic acid monohydrate

EPR studies are carried out on Cr³⁺ ions doped in d-gluconic acid monohydrate (C₆H₁₂O₇·H₂O) single crystals at 77 K. From the observed EPR spectra, the spin Hamiltonian parameters g, |D| and |E| are measured to be 1.9919, 349 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹ and 113 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹, respectively. The optical absorption of the crystal is also studied at room temperature. From the observed band positions, the cubic crystal field splitting parameter Dq (2052 cm⁻¹) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameter B (653 cm⁻¹) are evaluated. From the correlation of EPR and optical data the nature of bonding of Cr³⁺ ion with its ligands is discussed.     

Analysis of the 4800-Å absorption band of Cs2 by the classical method

The broad absorption band in Cs₂ having peak intensity near 4800 Å is analyzed through computational simulation of the experimental spectrum using the classical method. The absorption, which terminates in a weak satellite at 5223 Å, can be interpreted in terms of a single transition from the ground state (R_e = 4.65 Å, ω_e = 42 cm⁻¹) to an upper state having T_e = 20 470 cm⁻¹, ω_e = 33 cm⁻¹ and R_e = 5.28 Å. The absolute absorption strength is roughly consistent with published lifetime data, but its reliability is limited by thermodynamic uncertainties stemming from the remaining uncertainty in the Cs₂ ground state dissociation enegy. The paper includes a summary of diatomic radiation relations pertinent to the analysis of low-resolution spectra, and a brief discussion of the reduced potential method applied to the alkali dimer ground states.     

Determination of Trace Amount of Silver by Atomic-Absorption-Spectrometry-Coupled Flow Injection On-Line Coprecipitation Preconcentration Using DDTC–Copper as Coprecipitate Carrier

A flow injection on-line coprecipitation preconcentration system with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) chelate of copper used as the coprecipitate carrier was coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for the determination of trace silver. Silver was on-line coprecipitated with DDTC-Cu(II) in 0.5 moL · L⁻¹HCl, and the precipitate was collected in a knotted reactor. The precipitate was then dissolved by isobutyl methyl ketone and transported directly into the nebulizer–burner system of a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. A detection limit (3ς) of 0.6 μg · L⁻¹was achieved for a loading period of 30 s, a relative standard derivation of 2.0% was obtained for 11 determinations of 20 μg · L⁻¹Ag(I). Interference-free levels were 10 mg · L⁻¹for Cd²⁺, 50 mg · L⁻¹for Cu²⁺, 50 mg · L⁻¹for Mn²⁺, 25 mg · L⁻¹for Ni²⁺, 100 mg · L⁻¹for Pb²⁺, 50 mg · L⁻¹for Zn²⁺, 500 mg · L⁻¹for Fe³⁺, and 2000 mg · L⁻¹for Fe²⁺reduced from Fe³⁺by ascorbic acid. The developed method has been successfully applied to the determination of trace amount of silver in geological samples.     

Investigation of silicate mineral sanidine by vibrational and NMR spectroscopic methods

Sanidine, a variety of feldspar minerals has been investigated through optical absorption, vibrational (IR and Raman), EPR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The principal reflections occurring at the d-spacings, 3.2892, 3.2431, 2.9022 and 2.6041 Å confirm the presence of sanidine structure in the mineral. Sanidine shows five prominent characteristic infrared absorption bands in the region 1200–950, 770–720, 590–540 and 650–640 cm⁻¹. The Raman spectrum shows the strongest band at 512 cm⁻¹ characteristic of the feldspar structure, which contains four membered rings of tetrahedra. The UV–vis–NIR absorption spectrum had strong absorption features at 6757, 5780 and 5181 cm⁻¹ due to the combination of fundamental OH– stretching. The bands at 11236 and 8196 cm⁻¹and the strong, well-defined band at (30303 cm⁻¹ attest the presence of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺, respectively, in the sample. The signals at g = 4.3 and 3.7 are interpreted in terms of Fe³⁺ at two distinct tetrahedral positions Tl and T2 of the monoclinic crystal structure The ²⁹Si NMR spectrum shows two peaks at −97 and −101 ppm corresponding to T2 and T1, respectively, and one peak in ²⁷Al NMR for Al(IV).     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on silver electrodes as a technical tool in the study of the electrochemical reduction of cyanopyridines and in quantitative analysis

The SER spectra of 4-, 3- and 2-cyanopyridines adsorbed on a silver electrode are presented. The results show that cyanopyridines may adsorb in two different orientations, end-on (with the N atom of the Py ring bound to the surface) and flat, and that for potentials more negative than −1.1 V (SCE), the cyanopyridine radical anions can also be detected. The SERS intensity vs. potential curves show more than one potential of maximum SERS intensity which are assigned to the existence of more than one species on the electrode surface. The analytical potentially of SERS on electrodes has also been investigated. It is shown that the relative SERS intensity (ν_CN of the 4-CNPy (2120 cm⁻)/breathing mode of Py (1008 cm⁻¹)), at a fixed Py bulk concentration and at a fixed potential and exciting radiation, depends linearly on the 4-CNPy bulk concentration in the range 10⁻⁷-10⁻⁵M. The selectivity of the technique has also been investigated by studying the SER spectrum and the SERS intensity vs. potential curves for a mixture of 10⁻³M 4-CNPy, pyridine (Py) and 4-methylpyridine(4-MePy) in 0.1 M KCl aqueous solution.     

Tetracene oxygenation caused by infrared excitation of molecular oxygen in air-saturated solutions: the photoreaction action spectrum and spectroscopic parameters of the transition in oxygen molecules

The action spectrum of tetracene photooxygenation was measured in air-saturated carbon tetrachloride in the wavelength range of 1220–1290 nm using a wavelength-tunable forsterite laser. The data show that the photoreaction occurs due to laser excitation of the transition in oxygen molecules. The molar absorption coefficient (₁₂₇₃) and the cross section of light absorption (σ₁₂₇₃) corresponding to the spectral maximum of this transition were calculated from the observed photoreaction rates. The obtained values ε₁₂₇₃ = 0.003 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and σ₁₂₇₃ = 10⁻²³ cm² (±20%) reasonably correlate with those extrapolated from the high-pressure oxygen absorption spectra.     

Rapid analysis of cation-exchangeable property in acidic soil : III. Sensitive spectrophotometric determination of microgram amounts of exchangeable magnesium with xylidyl Blue I in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)

A simple and sensitive procedure for Spectrophotometric determination of exchangeable magnesium has been developed. At 0.15 – 0.375 N ammonia, magnesium reacts with xylidyl Blue I in the presence of CTAB to form a colored ternary complex, which has an absorption maximum at 524 nm. The molar absorption coefficient is 2.2 × 10⁴ liters · mol⁻¹ · cm⁻¹. The Beer rule will be valid for concentrations from 0 to 8 μg/20 ml magnesium. The method has been used for rapid determination of microgram amounts of exchangeable magnesium in acidic soil with good reproducibility.     

Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of acetylacetone in aqueous solutions

A sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of acetylacetone in aqueous solution is carried out. In the presence of bicarbonate solution, diazotized anthranilic acid reagent reacts rapidly with acetylacetone to form a yellow-colored compound with maximum absorption at 330 nm, which is water-soluble and reasonably stable. Adherence to Beer's law is observed in the range 20–200 μg of acetylacetone/25 ml, with a molar absorptivity of 19.5 × 10³ liters mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, a sensitivity index of 0.0051 μg cm⁻², relative to + 0.3 to −0.9%, and a relative standard deviation of 0.5–1.4%, depending on the concentration level.     

毛细管电泳-安培法测定复方磺胺甲噁唑片中的有效成分

采用毛细管电泳-安培法(CE-AD)同时分离测定了磺胺甲噁唑(sulfamethoxazole,SMZ)、磺胺嘧啶(sulfadiazine,SD)和抗菌增效剂甲氧苄胺嘧啶(trimethoprim,TMP)3种常用磺胺类抗菌药物成分,考察了实验参数对分离、检测体系的影响。在优化实验条件下,以300μm碳圆盘电极作为工作电极,检测电位为1050mV(vs.SCE),在Na2B4O7(13mmol/L)-KH2PO4(18mmol/L)(pH5.8)的缓冲溶液中,分离电压18kV,进样6s,3组分在14min内可实现基线分离。上述3组分浓度分别在5×10-4~5×10-2、5×10-4~0.1和5×10-4~5×10-2g/L范围内与其峰电流强度呈线性关系,检出限达5.1×10-5~8.0×10-5g/L(S/N=3)。该方法已成功应用于复方磺胺甲噁唑片中抗菌活性成分的含量测定,结果令人满意。     

Synthesis, characterization and radiolytic properties of bis(oxalato)borate containing ionic liquids

Previously unreported bis(oxalato)borate (BOB) ionic liquids (ILs) containing imidazolium, pyridinium, and pyrrolidinium cations were prepared from the corresponding halide salts by reaction with sodium bis(oxalato)borate (NaBOB), and their properties are reported. Pulse radiolysis experiments revealed that the BOB anion scavenges solvated electrons with rate constants of 3×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ in the ionic liquid C₄mpyrr NTf₂ and 2.8×10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ in water. This reactivity indicates that BOB ILs may be too sensitive to be used as neat solvents for nuclear separations processes in high radiation fields but may still be useful for preventing criticality while processing relatively “cold” fissile actinides.     

Simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol at PASA/MWNTs composite film modified glassy carbon electrode

A poly-amidosulfonic acid and multi-wall carbon nanotubes composite (PASA/MWNTs) modified electrode has been constructed by electropolymerization on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical behaviors of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) were investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetries (DPVs) at the prepared electrode. Separation of the reductive peak potentials for HQ and CC was about 120 mV in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), which makes it suitable for simultaneous determination of these compounds. In the presence of 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ isomer, the reductive peak currents of DPV are proportional to the concentration of HQ in the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹, and to that of CC in the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹. When simultaneously changing the concentration of both HQ and CC, the linear concentration range of HQ (or CC) is 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (or 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹), and the corresponding detection limits are 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method has been applied to simultaneous determination of HQ and catechol in water sample, and the results are satisfactory.     

Some observations on the solvent extraction and spectrophotometric determination of palladium using 3,4-dihydro-4,4,6-trimethyl-2(1H)-pyrimidine-thione as a selective reagent

A highly selective spectrophotometric method is described for the determination of palladium, using 3,4-dihydro-4,4,6-trimethyl-2(1H)-pyridinethione (DTPT). The intense yellow 1:2 complex is extractable in chloroform from aqueous solution of pH 5.5. The maximum absorption occurs at 420 nm, ε = 3.90 × 10⁴ liter/mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and the sensitivity of the determination is 0.023 μg/ml. Palladium can be determined over a range of 0.4–24.6 ppm. CN⁻ interferes in this determination and should be absent. The method is applied to the determination of palladium in hydrogenation catalysts.     

An optical, EPR and electrical conductivity study of blue barium titanate, BaTiO3−δ

The electronic UV–VIS–NIR absorption spectra of single crystalline BaTiO_3−δ (BTO) are studied in the temperature range of 102–1173 K in pure oxygen and at conditions of moderate and strong reduction of the material. The strongly reduced crystals are of deep blue colour. The optical spectra of blue BTO are characterised by a strong absorption in the NIR region at around 7000 cm⁻¹, which is attributed to polaronic defects associated with the formation of Ti³⁺ in the material. This assumption is supported by fits of the spectra using polaronic line shape functions appropriate for disordered systems and also by the electrical conductivity of blue BTO which, in agreement with results from the optical spectra, exhibits an activation energy of 0.20 eV. The EPR spectra of moderately reduced BTO powders show an anisotropic g-factor, which is compatible with the optical spectrum. The temperature dependence of the band gap energy of BTO was found to be given as dE_g/dT = −7.21 × 10⁻⁴ eV/K.     

Large molecules in high-intensity laser fields

New research fields have opened up that are related to the interactions between molecules and high-intensity optical fields where the laser intensity ranges from 10¹²–10¹⁷ W cm⁻². A broad outline of this area will be described from the perspective of products and new techniques for beam generation. Studies of large molecules have begun and some examples are introduced herein. Parent ions with little fragmentation are found to form in the intensity region below 10¹⁶ W cm⁻². The formation of intact ions can be used in femtosecond laser mass spectrometry. In the intensity region above 10¹⁶ W cm⁻², electrons are stripped from the molecules by optical field ionization and the highly charged ions can undergo a Coulomb explosion. Coulomb explosions of benzene and C₆₀ have been demonstrated, and the mechanism can be analyzed by means of molecular dynamics simulations. A high intensity femtosecond laser beam can be converted to radiation sources of coherent VUV light, X-rays etc. and some possibilities for new chemical applications will be discussed.     

Inorganic–organic hybrid polymers with pendent sulfonated cyclic phosphazene side groups as potential proton conductive materials for direct methanol fuel cells

A synthetic method is described to produce a proton conductive polymer membrane with a polynorbornane backbone and inorganic–organic cyclic phosphazene pendent groups that bear sulfonic acid units. This hybrid polymer combines the inherent hydrophobicity and flexibility of the organic polymer with the tuning advantages of the cyclic phosphazene to produce a membrane with high proton conductivity and low methanol crossover at room temperature. The ion exchange capacity (IEC), the water swelling behavior of the polymer, and the effect of gamma radiation crosslinking were studied, together with the proton conductivity and methanol permeability of these materials. A typical membrane had an IEC of 0.329 mmol g⁻¹ and had water swelling of 50 wt%. The maximum proton conductivity of 1.13 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature is less than values reported for some commercially available materials such as Nafion. However the average methanol permeability was around 10⁻⁹ cm s⁻¹, which is one hundred times smaller than the value for Nafion. Thus, the new polymers are candidates for low-temperature direct methanol fuel cell membranes.     

Heavy-atom effects on hydrogen-atom transfer reaction from monohalogenated phenols to triplet 7,8-benzoquinoline

The rate constants and the radical yields for the hydrogen-atom transfer reaction from four monohalogenated phenols to triplet 7,8-benzoquinoline were determined by an emission—absorption flash technique. The rate constants are of the order of 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ except for 2-bromophenol, and the radical yield Φ_rt decreases on halogen substitution. In the case of monobromophenols, Φ_rt is sensitive to the position of the bromine atom. The rate constant of free radical recombination increases with decreasing Φ_rt. Such heavy-atom effects are explained in terms of the heavy-atom-induced spin relaxation of the triplet radical pair.