Magnetotransport and magnetic properties of InAs/Mn digital alloys

We have investigated the magnetic and magneto-transport properties of a systematic sequence of five InAs/Mn digital alloys grown by a combination of molecular beam epitaxy and atomic layer epitaxy. The samples consist of 30 periods of Mn fractional monolayers (ML) (0.17–0.5 ML) separated by 14 ML thick InAs spacer layers in a superlattice configuration. Four samples show n-type electrical conduction while the fifth (0.25 ML Mn) is p-type. Squid magnetization measurements performed on these samples show remnant magnetization above room temperature, which is apparently related to a second phase.     

Synthesis,and Antimycobacterial and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Certain Fluoroquinolone Derivatives

Certain 1‐ethyl‐ and 1‐aryl‐6‐fluoro‐1,4‐dihydroquinol‐4‐one derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activities. Preliminary results indicated that, for 1‐aryl‐6‐fluoroquinolones, both 7‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)‐ and 7‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl) derivatives, 9b and 11a , are able to completely inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis at a concentration of 6.25 μg/ml, while the 7‐[4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethyl)piperazin‐1‐yl] derivative 13 exhibits only 31% growth inhibition at the same concentration. For 1‐ethyl‐6‐fluoroquinolones, both 7‐[4‐(2‐oxopropyl)piperazin‐1‐yl]‐ and 7‐[4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethyl)piperazin‐1‐yl]‐derivatives, 2a and 2b , respectively, show complete inhibition, while their 2‐iminoethyl and substituted phenyl counterparts 3a and 2c are less active. In addition, the 6,8‐difluoro derivative was a more‐favorable inhibitor than its 6‐fluoro counterpart ( 2b vs. 2d ). These results deserve full attention especially because 2a, 2b, 9b , and 11a are non‐cytotoxic at a concentration of 100 μM . Furthermore, compound 9b proved to be a potent anti‐TB agent with selective index (SI)>40 and an EC₉₀ value of 5.75 μg/ml.     

Probabilistic and Average Linear Widths of Sobolev Space with Gaussian Measure in L \infty-Norm

In this paper we investigate the probabilistic linear $(n,\delta)$-widths and $p$-average linear $n$-widths of the Sobolev space $W^r_2$ equipped with the Gaussian measure $\mu$ in the $L_{\infty}$-norm, and determine the asymptotic equalities \begin{eqnarray*} \lambda_{n,\delta}(W^r_2,\mu,L_{\infty}) &\asymp&\frac{\sqrt{\ln (n/\delta)}}{n^{r+(s-1)/2}},\\[3pt] \lambda^{(a)}_n(W^r_2,\mu,L_{\infty})_p &\asymp&\frac{\sqrt{\ln n}}{n^{r+(s-1)/2}}, \qquad 0 < p < \infty. \end{eqnarray*}     

Medicinal Organometallic Chemistry: Designing Metal Arene Complexes as Anticancer Agents

The field of medicinal inorganic chemistry is rapidly advancing. In particular organometallic complexes have much potential as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The carbon‐bound and other ligands allow the thermodynamic and kinetic reactivity of the metal ion to be controlled and also provide a scaffold for functionalization. The establishment of structure–activity relationships and elucidation of the speciation of complexes under conditions relevant to drug testing and formulation are crucial for the further development of promising medicinal applications of organometallic complexes. Specific examples involving the design of ruthenium and osmium arene complexes as anticancer agents are discussed.     

Preparation of nanometer MgO by sol-gel auto-combustion

Nanometer MgO was prepared via a sol-gel auto-combustion technique using magnesium nitrate as raw material and citric acid as chelating agent. IR spectra of the dried gel were used to investigate the structure of the precursors. By studying the different TG curves of magnesium citrate gel prepared by different methods, we found that a combustion process occurred and the nitrate ions acted as an oxidant in the combustion process. TEM photographs of synthesized powders from the sol-gel auto-combustion showed that the crystallites were uniform in size. In addition, the XRD pattern of this sample showed that the particle size was 8.9 nm. The BET curves, in turn, showed that the specific surface of the sample was 26.34 m²/g. The mechanism of the frothing process in restraining agglomeration is discussed. __________ Translated from Journal of East China Normal University (Natural Science), 2007, (2): 52–57 [译自: 华东师范大学学报(自然科学版)]     

A retractable structure based on Bricard linkages and rotating rings of tetrahedra

Retractable structures which alter their geometries according to practical requirements are widely used in roof structures of stadiums for their versatility. A retractable structure based on threefold-symmetric Bricard linkages and rotating rings of tetrahedra is proposed and developed in this paper. By replacing each link of a threefold-symmetric Bricard linkage with a tetrahedron, a retractable structure is obtained which can repeatedly open and close by rotating the tetrahedra. The geometric relationship between the retractable structure and the threefold-symmetric Bricard linkage is derived and ranges of main geometric parameters are determined to ensure a continuous and smooth movement in the deployment of the structure. Then the relative displacement of the support and the open rate of the structure, two main parameters concerned in practical applications, are investigated. Preferred ranges of main geometric parameters are proposed and a physical model is manufactured to verify them. A discussion on some possible improvements and modifications of the structure is also presented.     

Genetically Encoded Bioluminescent Indicator for ERK2 Dimer in Living Cells

In this study, a genetically encoded bioluminescent indicator for ERK2 dimer was developed with the split Renilla luciferase complementation method, in which the formation of ERK2 dimer induces a spontaneous emission of bioluminescence in living cells. In response to extracellular stimuli, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) or 17β‐estradiol (E2), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) is phosphorylated by its upstream kinase MEK, and also phosphorylates its substrates in various regions of the cell, including the nucleus. Phosphorylated ERK2 is led to form its dimer, thereby transporting itself into the nucleus. We demonstrated with the indicator that stimulation with EGF or E2 induces the formation of ERK2 dimer in living MCF‐7 cells. The dynamics of this dimer formation was examined and discussed.     

Weak Attractive Ligand–Polymer and Related Interactions in Catalysis and Reactivity: Impact,Applications, and Modeling

The notion of weak attractive ligand–polymer interactions is introduced, and its potential application, importance, and conceptual links with “cooperative” ligand–substrate interactions are discussed. Synthetic models of weak attractive ligand–polymer interactions are described, in which intramolecular weak C? H???F? C interactions (the existence of which remains contentious) have been detected by NMR spectroscopy and neutron and X‐ray diffraction experiments. These C? H???F? C interactions carry important implications for the design of catalysts for olefin polymerization, because they provide support for the practical feasibility of ortho‐F???H_β ligand–polymer contacts proposed for living Group 4 fluorinated phenoxyimine catalysts. The notion of weak attractive noncovalent interactions between an “active” ligand and the growing polymer chain is a novel concept in polyolefin catalysis.