Crystallizable trans-tactic copolyalkenamers

Random, essentially trans copolyalkenamers, obtained by ring opening copolymerization of cyclo-olefins in the presence of a metathesis catalyst, exhibit X-ray crystallinity. Interpretation of the X-ray fibre spectra indicates mutual isomorphous replacement of trans alkenamer units of widely different length in the crystal lattice, resulting in lowering of melting temperatures and degrees of crystallinity of the copolymers as compared to the corresponding homopolyalkenamers.     

Spectroscopic evidence of monomeric aluminium phthalocyanine tetrasulphonate in aqueous solutions

Aqueous solutions of aluminium phthalocyanine tetrasulphonate (AlPcS(4)) were investigated by means of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The absorption spectrum of AlPcS(4) is independent of concentration in a wide range (from 10(-8) to 10(-4) M). The fluorescence spectrum measured with a standard setup is strongly dependent on AlPcS(4) concentration, and the fluorescence maximum is gradually red-shifted with increasing concentration. Calculations that take into account reabsorption of fluorescence (inner-filter effect) fit the experimental observations at low concentrations (up to 10(-6) M). Disagreement between the calculations and spectra recorded at higher concentrations (above 10(-5) M) shows that the reabsorbed light may be reemitted as fluorescence. The influence of inner-filter effects on the spectral shape was demonstrated by the experiments where a fibre-optic front-face fluorescence setup was applied: Under such conditions the shape of the fluorescence spectra for a high concentration (10(-3) M) coincided with that of a low concentration (10(-8) M). In conclusion, the present spectroscopic results show that AlPcS(4) does not form aggregates and is a very stable compound in aqueous solutions.     

Topography and nanomechanical properties of Pd-C films

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) topographical studies and results of nanoindentation experiment for several palladium-carbon films (Pd-C film) deposited on various substrates and with varying palladium content are presented. Pd-C films were prepared by a physical vapor decomposition (PVD) process and next were modified by a chemical vapor decomposition (CVD) method to obtain carbonaceous porous structure with dispersed palladium nanograins and a variation in roughness.     

Synthesis and anthelmintic activity of benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(2H)-one derivatives

Molecular Diversity - A series of benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(2H)-one derivatives were synthesized from readily available 1-phenyl- and 1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ols by sequentially employing...     

Atomic-Scale Simulation Study of Equilibrium Solute Adsorption at Alloy Solid-Liquid Interfaces

Equilibrium structural properties of solid-liquid interfaces in Cu-Ni alloys are studied by Monte-Carlo simulations employing interatomic potentials based on the embedded-atom method. We describe a thermodynamic-integration approach used to derive bulk concentrations and densities for solid and liquid phases in two-phase thermodynamic equilibrium. These results are used as a basis for constructing three-dimensional supercell geometries employed in Monte-Carlo-simulation studies of solid-liquid interface properties for {100} and {111} crystallographic orientations. At a temperature of 1750 K (four percent below the calculated melting point of pure Ni) equilibrium density and concentration profiles have been derived, allowing a calculation of the relative Gibbsian adsorption, , of Cu (solute) relative to Ni (solvent) at solid-liquid interfaces in Ni-rich alloys. We derive absorption values of and –0.23 ± 0.50 atoms/nm² for {100} and {111} interfaces, respectively. These results are discussed in the context of available experimental measurements and continuum-theory results for adsorption at heterophase interfaces.     

Electrodeposition of Mo-Se thin films from a sulfamatic electrolyte

Mo-Se thin films have been electrodeposited on conducting tin oxide (SnO₂) coated glass substrates from a sulfamatic solution containing Na₂MoO₄ and H₂SeO₃ under potentiostatic conditions. The deposition potential varied from –0.6 V to –0.9 V, at a deposition temperature of 20–40 °C and pH 6.5. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the overall composition of the films deposited is consistent with the formation of MoO₂ and MoSe₂. The lattice parameters of the as-deposited MoSe₂ are a=b=3.2340 Å and c=13.2859 Å, which fits a hexagonal structure.     

Mg segregation at Al/Al3Sc heterophase interfaces on an atomic scale: experiments and computations

Microscopic factors governing solute partitioning in ternary two-phase Al-Sc-Mg alloys are investigated combining three-dimensional-atom-probe (3DAP) microscopy measurements with first-principles computations. 3DAP is employed to measure composition profiles with subnanometer-scale resolution, leading to the identification of a large enhancement of Mg solute at the coherent alpha-Al/Al(3)Sc (fcc/L1(2)) heterophase interface. First-principles calculations establish an equilibrium driving force for this interfacial segregation reflecting the nature of the interatomic interactions.     

In vitro and in vivo photosensitization by protoporphyrins possessing different lipophilicities and vertical localization in the membrane

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of various oncologic and ophthalmic diseases. The main cause for cell inactivation and retardation of tumor growth after photoactivation of sensitizers is very short-lived singlet oxygen molecules that are produced and have limited diffusion distances. In this paper we show that the extent of biological damage can be modulated by using protoporphyrin, which was modified to increase its lipophilicity, and which also places the tetrapyrrole core deeper within the membrane by the carboxylate groups being anchored at the lipid:water interface. The uptake of the parent molecule (PPIX) and its diheptanoic acid analogue (PPIXC6) by WiDR and CT26 cells was investigated by fluorescence microscopy and by fluorescence intensity from the cells. The uptake of PPIXC6 increased almost linearly with incubation length for over 24 h, whereas for PPIX only 1 h was needed to reach maximal intracellular concentration. Fluorescence microscopy of both cell lines indicated that both drugs were distributed diffusely in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm, but remained outside the nucleus. The efficiency of in vitro inactivation of WiDr and CT26 cells increased with the length of the alkylcarboxylic chain. Tumors in mice that were treated with PPIX-PDT grew more slowly than control tumors. However, tumors that were given PPIXC6 followed by light exposure showed a significant delay in their growth.