Liapunov stability analysis of a rotor-bearing system with a flexible attachment of appendage to shaft

This paper presents a general method of analysis for investigating the whirl stability of a rotor-bearing system whose appendage is flexibly attached to the spinning shaft. Sufficient conditions of asymptotic stability involving system different parameters are derived based on Liapunov's theory. An inclusive analysis of the effect of the combined flexibilities of the elastic attachment of the appendage to the shaft and the two end bearings coupled with the other various parameters of the system on the dynamic stability is presented. © 1998 B. G. Teubner Stuttgart–John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

On loss of stability of slow motions in stiff oscillatory systems

In stiff oscillatory systems often a reduction of the order of the system is possible by splitting the motion into an essential motion on a nearby slow manifold and neglecting the fast motion. However, if the system is conservative the question of stability of the slow motion is a delicate problem. For various spring pendulum systems we, first, perform numerical simulations showing that if the stiffness of the springs is gradually reduced the slow motion looses stability. For a single spring pendulum we give an explanation of this loss of stability. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Novel macrocyclic uracil derivatives: Structure in solid and solution

Isomeric pyrimidinophanes containing uracil moieties and nitrogen atoms in bridges have been synthesized and characterized by a variety of methods both in solid and in solution. Unambiguous assignment of mutual arrangement of C(4)_pyrO groups at different pyrimidine rings in isomers is made by X-ray diffraction. In solutions the arrangement of C(4)_pyrO groups of the isomeric pyrimidinophanes results in different dipole moments. Based on dipole moments simulations mutual orientation of uracil units in isomers is analysed. UV-data are discussed in terms of hypo- or hyperchromic effect.     

Which Properties of a Spanning Network of Hydration Water Enable Biological Functions?

The central role of water in biological functions is well‐recognized, but numerous questions concerning the physical mechanisms behind the importance of water for life remain unanswered. Water in biosystems exists mainly as hydration water. Analysis of the phase diagram of hydration water shows that biological functions are possible only when the surfaces of biomolecules are covered by spanning hydrogen‐bonded networks of hydration water. The comparative studies of the various properties of hydrated biosystems in the presence and in the absence of a spanning water network should clarify its specific physical properties, which are crucial for biological functions. Herein, we summarize the recent progress in these studies. The biological activity of the living organisms is maximal in a narrow temperature interval, where the spanning network of hydration water breaks up with heating via a percolation transition. The entropy of the hydration water related to the diversity of cluster size diverges at this percolation threshold. The possible role of this phenomenon in life processes is discussed.     

Identification of lipid aggregate structures on TiO2 surface using headgroup IR bands

Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to study the nature of the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) aggregated structures adsorbed on TiO(2). DPPC molecules were assembled on TiO(2) using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition methods or by directly flowing the DPPC liposome solution across the TiO(2)-coated ATR crystal. We found that there is a direct correlation between the intensity and frequency position of the zwitterionic headgroup IR bands and the nature of LB films. Specifically, we have shown that the bands due to PO(2)(-) modes are sensitive to changes in the degree of hydration of the LB films and that the symmetric deformation vibrational mode (delta(s) (+)N-CH(3)) is sensitive to interaction with oppositely charged surface sites. Using this information, we found that the liposomes adsorbed on TiO(2) remain intact as vesicles and that the vesicles are stable and not removed in flowing water. We have also shown that the antisymmetric deformation vibrational (delta(as) (+)N-CH(3)) modes are sensitive to changes in lateral-lateral DPPC interactions. This information was used to show that there is a lateral interaction between each positively charged (+)N(CH(3))(3) headgroup and negatively charged PO(2)(-) headgroup of the adjacent DPPC molecule in the adsorbed vesicles and LB films. This study provides a framework for the use of this IR technique in studies of adsorption and transport of molecules across membrane interfaces.     

Raman spectroscopic study of serum albumins: an effect of proton‐ and γ‐irradiation

Raman spectroscopy was applied to analyse structural changes in serum albumins (bovine serum albumin, BSA; human serum albumin, HSA) following proton and γ‐irradiation (0.5, 5 and 50 Gy). Characteristic Raman bands of both polypeptide backbone and amino acid residues were sensitive to irradiation. Significant damage of HSA/BSA was observed only at the highest dose (50 Gy). Raman spectra confirmed radiation‐induced denaturation, destruction of helical structures and aggregation of serum albumins. The differences in the dose‐dependent effects of proton and γ‐radiation on studied proteins are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopic study of calf thymus DNA: an effect of proton‐ and γ‐irradiation

Raman spectroscopy was applied to analyse structural changes in calf thymus double‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) after proton‐ and γ‐irradiation (0.5, 5 and 50 Gy). Characteristic Raman bands of phosphodiester linkages, nucleic bases and deoxyribose moieties were sensitive to irradiation. A significant damage of the macromolecules was observed only at the highest dose (50 Gy) of both types of radiations. Spectral changes confirmed a radiation‐induced alteration of the native structure of dsDNA. Nucleic bases, especially pyrimidines, were the most sensitive to radiation, while some alterations in the sugar–phosphate backbone were also detected. The differences in the dose‐dependent effects of proton vs γ‐irradiation on studied biomolecule are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Superparamagnetic iron oxide/oleic acid nanoparticles with immobilized organosilicon derivatives of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)tetrahydroisoquinoline: synthesis,morphology and interaction with normal and tumour cells

Superparamagnetic iron oxide/oleic acid nanoparticles bearing lipid‐like organosilicon N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives have been synthesized with the aim of their potential biomedical application. X‐ray diffraction analysis, Dynamic light‐scattering measurements, method of magnetogranulometry and some others have been employed to investigate the morphology and properties of the nanoparticles synthesized. The magnetic core diameter of mixed covered nanoparticles ranged between 4.8 and 9.6 nm. The magnetization analyses showed that the particles are superparamagnetic at room temperature. In vitro cell cytotoxicity and intracellular NO generation caused by the water magnetic solution of nanoparticles possessing cytotoxic organosilicon heterocyclic choline analogue, namely N‐(2‐dimethyl‐n‐hexadecylsiloxyethyl)‐N‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolinium iodide, was examined in relation to monolayer human fibrosarcoma (HT‐1080) and mouse hepatoma (MG‐22A) tumour cell lines and normal mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3). The biological studies have revealed its selective cytotoxicity in tumour cells and strong effect on MG‐22A cell morphology. Incorporation of the synthesized nanoparticles into cells was observed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.