Raman spectroscopy of topotecan, an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I

Topotecan (TPT), a water-soluble derivative of camptothecin (inhibitor of human DNA topoiomerase I), has found wide application in cancer chemotherapy. The central problem in using topotecan is the presence of lactone rings in its molecules, which undergo hydrolysis at a physiological pH yielding an inactive and even toxic form of the drug. The analysis of Raman spectra of TPT in H₂O and D₂O solutions made it possible to assign the spectral bands to the vibrations of particular molecular groups. Spectral features indicative of the opening of the lactone rings of the TPT molecules, deprotonation of the hydroxyl groups in their quinoline fragments, and of possible participation of the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in H bonding are found. The data obtained are necessary to study the molecular mechanisms of TPT-DNA interaction and the formation of ternary complexes between TPT, DNA, and DNA topoisomerase I.     

Stoner-Wohlfarth-type behavior of a close-packed array of high-anisotropy hexaferrite nanoparticles

Magnetization and remagnetization processes in a close-packed nanodispersed barium hexaferrite powder sample in the magnetically stable state were analyzed. Reversibility effects were discussed in terms of interparticle interaction. Judging from the magnetization curve and the parameters characterizing remagnetization irreversibility, the sample under study is a model system of small Stoner-Wohlfarth particles.     

A negatively charged silicon vacancy in SiC: Spin polarization effects

The equilibrium geometry and hyperfine interaction constants of the nearest and next-to-nearest neighbor atoms are calculated for a negatively charged silicon vacancy in the high-spin state in cubic SiC. The calculations are performed within the cluster approach in terms of the density-functional theory (DFT). It is shown that the results of calculations with the use of a 70-atom cluster are in good agreement with experimental data. A detailed consideration is given to spin polarization in the electron subsystem and the applicability of a simple LCAO model that is commonly used in the interpretation of the electron paramagnetic resonance data for semiconductors. The spin density distribution for the defect under investigation is analyzed in terms of localized orbitals.     

Dynamic holograms and optical limiting: Asymmetric two-wave interactions

The conditions for obtaining a high efficiency of energy exchange upon two-wave interactions in dynamic holograms are found by analysis and numerical simulation of a system of nonlinear equations. Use of an asymmetric scheme of beam interaction in a medium with two nonlinearities, one of which determines the amplitude and relaxation time of a grating and the other of which provides phase modulation of the interacting beams, is proposed. It is shown that such a scheme in combination with the specific properties of a medium makes it possible to radically reduce the requirements for the nonlinearity of a medium and the intensity of a light flux in limiting systems, as well as to significantly decrease the time of the transition process. As a result, it becomes possible to attain an efficiency of energy transfer higher than 90% and to increase the corresponding attenuation of a high-power beam by almost two orders of magnitude, which is of interest for optical limiting of intense light fluxes.     

The generation of three-dimensional internal waves and attendant boundary layers in a viscous continuously stratified fluid. Construction of an analytical solution

An analytical solution of a linearized problem of the emission of periodic internal waves by part of a plane which oscillates with a small amplitude in an arbitrary direction in a viscous exponentially stratified fluid is constructed. Solutions of the dispersion equation are given for all positions of the emitting surface (arbitrary, vertical, horizontal, and critical when one of the beam propagation directions is collinear with the emitting surface). The possibility of transition to the case of a uniform fluid, which is important for applications, is analyzed.     

Effect of ethylene glycol on the formation of extended crystals of M1/3Co2/3C2O4 · 2H2O (M = Zn, Mn) oxalates and their thermolysis products

The effect of ethylene glycol (EG) on the formation of whiskers and fibers of complex oxides with the general formula MCo₂O₄ upon the thermolysis of M_1/3Co_2/3C₂O₄ (M = Zn, Mn) oxalates has been studied. New compounds (solvates) are formed when powdered oxalates are heated with EG. In the solvates, EG molecules substitute for water molecules according to the reaction M_1/3Co_2/3C₂O₄ · 2H₂O + HOCH₂CH₂OH = M_1/3Co_2/3C₂O₄(HOCH₂CH₂OH) + 2H₂O. The solvates have been characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, microscopy, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and chemical analysis. The shape, structure, and particle size of the thermolysis products of EG-modified oxalates have been determined using scanning electron microscopy.     

Analysis of queueing policies in QoS switches

It is widely accepted that next-generation networks will provide guaranteed services, in contrast to the “best effort” approach today. We study and analyze queueing policies for network switches that support the QoS (Quality of Service) feature. One realization of the QoS feature is that packets are not necessarily all equal, with some having higher priorities than the others. We model this situation by assigning an intrinsic value to each packet. In this paper we are concerned with three different queueing policies: the nonpreemptive model, the FIFO preemptive model, and the bounded delay model. We concentrate on the situation where the incoming traffic overloads the queue, resulting in packet loss. The objective is to maximize the total value of packets transmitted by the queueing policy. The difficulty lies in the unpredictable nature of the future packet arrivals. We analyze the performance of the online queueing policies via competitive analysis, providing upper and lower bounds for the competitive ratios. We develop practical yet sophisticated online algorithms (queueing policies) for the three queueing models. The algorithms in many cases have provably optimal worst-case bounds. For the nonpreemptive model, we devise an optimal online algorithm for the common 2-value model. We provide a tight logarithmic bound for the general nonpreemptive model. For the FIFO preemptive model, we improve the general lower bound to 1.414, while showing a tight bound of 1.434 for the special case of queue size 2. We prove that the bounded delay model with uniform delay 2 is equivalent to a modified FIFO preemptive model with queue size 2. We then give improved upper and lower bounds on the 2-uniform bounded delay model. We also show an improved lower bound of 1.618 for the 2-variable bounded delay model, matching the previously known upper bound.     

Thermal conductivity of crystalline chrysotile asbestos

The thermal conductivity of crystalline chrysotile asbestos made up of hollow tubular Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ filaments is measured in the range 5–300 K. The paper discusses the possibility of using this material in studies of the thermal conductivity of thin filaments of metals and semiconductors incorporated into the channels of crystalline chrysotile asbestos tubes.