Pseudomorphic growth of a single element quasiperiodic ultrathin film on a quasicrystal substrate

An ultrathin film with a periodic interlayer spacing was grown by the deposition of Cu atoms on the fivefold surface of the icosahedral Al70Pd21Mn9 quasicrystal. For coverages from 5 to 25 monolayers, a distinctive quasiperiodic low-energy electron diffraction pattern is observed. Scanning tunneling microscopy images show that the in-plane structure comprises rows having separations of S=4.5+/-0.2 A and L=7.3+/-0.3 A, whose ratio equals tau=1.618... within experimental error. The sequences of such row separations form segments of terms of the Fibonacci sequence, indicative of the formation of a pseudomorphic Cu film.     

Unwinding of DNA polymerases by the antitumor drug,cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

The helix-turn-helix motifs of the DNA binding domains of human polymerase-alpha and polymerase-kappa are dramatically perturbed upon binding to cisplatin with concomitant release of zinc.     

Search for direct CP violation in nonleptonic decays of charged Xi and lambda hyperons

A search for direct CP violation in the nonleptonic decays of hyperons has been performed. In comparing the product of the decay parameters, alpha(Xi)alpha(Lambda), in terms of an asymmetry parameter, A(XiLambda), between hyperons and antihyperons in the charged Xi-->Lambdapi and Lambda-->ppi decay sequence, we found no evidence of direct CP violation. The parameter A(XiLambda) was measured to be 0.012+/-0.014.     

Exclusive electroproduction of pion pairs

We investigate electroproduction of pion pairs on the nucleon in the framework of QCD factorization for hard exclusive processes. We extend previous analyses by taking the hard-scattering coefficients at next-to-leading order in α_s . The dynamics of the produced pion pair is described by two-pion distribution amplitudes, for which we perform a detailed theoretical and phenomenological analysis. In particular, we obtain constraints on these quantities by comparing our results with measurements of angular observables that are sensitive to the interference between two-pion production in the isoscalar and isovector channels.     

Synthesis of 2,4‐disubstituted 6‐phenyl‐7H‐pyrrolo[3,2‐d]‐pyrimidin‐7‐one 5‐oxides

A relatively short and efficient method for the utilization of 4,6‐dichloro‐2‐methylthio‐5‐nitropyrimidine ( 1 ) in the synthesis of the poly substituted pyrrolo[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐one 5‐oxides ( 6a ‐g) is reported. Some new 4‐substituted 6‐chloro‐2‐methylthio‐5‐nitropyrimidines ( 2a‐e ) were prepared by reaction of 4,6‐dichloro‐2‐methylthio‐5‐nitropyrimidine ( 1 ) with amines. 4‐Substituted 2‐methylthio‐5‐nitro‐6‐phenylethynylpyrimidines ( 3a‐e ), obtained from 4‐substituted 6‐chloro‐2‐methylthio‐5‐nitropyrimidines ( 2a‐e ) via palladium‐catalyzed Sonagashira coupling reaction with 1‐phenylacetylene, underwent smooth cyclization reaction in boiling 2‐propanol in the presence of catalytic amount of pyridine to give 4‐substituted 2‐methylthio‐6‐phenyl‐7H‐pyrrolo[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐7‐one 5‐oxides ( 4a‐e ). The methylthio group of the latter compounds can be easily and selectively oxidized by m‐chloroperbenzoic acid and replaced with different amines.     

Carotenoid incorporation into microsomes: yields, stability and membrane dynamics

The carotenoids beta-carotene (BC), lycopene (LYC), lutein (LUT), zeaxanthin (ZEA), canthaxanthin (CTX) and astaxanthin (ASTA) have been incorporated into pig liver microsomes. Effective incorporation concentrations in the range of about 1-6 nmol/mg microsomal protein were obtained. A stability test at room temperature revealed that after 3 h BC and LYC had decayed totally whereas, gradually, CTX (46%), LUT (21%), ASTA (17%) and ZEA (5%) decayed. Biophysical parameters of the microsomal membrane were changed hardly by the incorporation of carotenoids. A small rigidification may occur. Membrane anisotropy seems to offer only a small tolerance for incorporation of carotenoids and seems to limit the achievable incorporation concentrations of the carotenoids into microsomes. Microsomes instead of liposomes should be preferred as a membrane model to study mutual effects of carotenoids and membrane dynamics.     

Application of self-assembly for replacing chromate in corrosion protection of zinc

Due to the toxic and carcinogenic properties of hexavalent chromium ion, the corrosion protection with chromating technique needs replacement. Several environmentally friendly alternative metal pretreatments have already been proposed. One of these methods is the application of self-assembling molecules to form mono- or multilayers on the metal surfaces. These layers can prevent metal dissolution due to their dense and stable structure. The objective of our studies was to protect zinc surface against corrosion, with a thin phosphonate layer. Aqueous solutions of diphosphonic acid with different alkyl chain lengths were applied with different treatment times. The layer formation, stability, and corrosion protection of these films were monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the effect of 1,5-diphosphono-pentane (DPP) on zinc was studied by polarization curves. The wetting properties were determined by static contact angle measurement. 1,5-Diphosphono-pentane forms a thin layer, with a pronounced protective ability in neutral aqueous solutions. The application of self-assembling molecules can be a promising method to replace the chromating technique on zinc surface.     

The Phosphinoboration Reaction

The synthesis of phosphinoboronate esters containing a single P? B bond is reported, together with preliminary reactivity studies towards a range of organic substrates. These compounds add readily to aldehydes, ketones, aldimines, and α,β‐unsaturated enones to give primarily the corresponding 1,2‐addition products containing a new P? C bond. The first examples of transition‐metal‐catalyzed phosphinoborations of C‐C multiple bonds in which P? C and B? C bonds are formed in a single step are also disclosed; allenes react by a highly regioselective 1,2‐addition whereas terminal alkynes undergo a formal 1,1‐addition.     

Quantitative determination of glyphosate in human serum by 1H NMR spectroscopy

The determination and quantification of glyphosate in serum using (1)H NMR spectroscopy is reported. This method permitted serum samples to be analysed without derivatization or any other sample pre-treatment, using 3-trimethylsilyl 2,2',3,3'-tetradeuteropropionic acid (TSP-d(4)) as a qualitative and quantitative standard. Characterization of the herbicide N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine was performed by analysing chemical shifts and coupling constant patterns. Quantification was performed by relative integration of CH(2)-P protons to the TSP-d(4) resonance peak. The method was tested for repeatability (n=5) and yielded coefficients of variation of 1% and 3%, respectively: detection and quantification limits were also determined and were 0.03 and 0.1mmol/L, respectively. The method was applied to the quantification of glyphosate in a case of acute poisoning.     

Enzymatic synthesis of a chiral chalcogran intermediate

Two lipases, Novozyme 435 (lipase B from Candida Antarctica) and Lipozyme TL IM (Thermomyces lanuginosus) were used successfully for the kinetic resolution of racemic 1-(2-furyl)-3-pentanol, the key intermediate in synthesis of the bark beetle pheromone, chalcogran. The desired S-(+)-enantiomer was prepared in enantiomeric excesses higher than 98 % and with yields of 26.3 % and 32.5 %, respectively. Methyl tert-butyl ether and vinyl acetate were found to be the best reaction media and the acetyl donor to achieve fast and effective resolution.