Fluorescence lifetime imaging with picosecond resolution for biomedical applications

We describe a novel whole-field fluorescence lifetime imaging system, based on a time-gated image intensifier and a solid-state laser oscillator-amplifier, that images lifetime differences of less than 10 ps. This system was successfully applied to discrimination between biological tissue constituents.     

Effect of solvent on the partial molal volumes and heat capacities of nonelectrolytes

Group contributions to in seven solvents and to in three solvents have been tabulated. The variation of group parameters is discussed in terms of the solvent compressibility coefficient, _T. The scaled particle theory (SPT) is used to calculate cavity contributions to and C _p2 ^o . Interaction contributions are obtained from the cavity terms and and values estimated through the additivity schemes. values are more sensitive to solute-solvent interactions than in water and less sensitive in methanol. The SPT results for heat capacities support the concept of structural promotion by hydrophobic solutes in water.     

A new synthesis of 3-amino-1-aryl-2-pyrazolin-5-ones

Reaction of ethyl 3-nitropropionate with aryldiazonium chlorides in basic medium yields ethyl 3-nitro-3-(arylhydrazono)propionates. These α-nitrohydrazones are converted by catalytic hydrogenation to 3-amino-1-aryl-2-pyrazolin-5-ones, probably via cyclization of intermediate amidrazones produced in situ. This appears to be the first route to the title compounds that does not use a substituted phenyl hydrazine intermediate and offers advantages in the preparation of pyrazolinones bearing electron-rich aryl rings.     

Chalcogenide-halides of niobium (V). 1. Gas-phase structures of NbOBr(3), NbSBr(3), and NbSCl(3). 2. Matrix infrared spectra and vibrational force fields of NbOBr(3), NbSBr(3), NbSCl(3), and NbOCl(3)

The molecular structures of NbOBr(3), NbSCl(3), and NbSBr(3) have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) at nozzle-tip temperatures of 250 degrees C, taking into account the possible presence of NbOCl(3) as a contaminant in the NbSCl(3) sample and NbOBr(3) in the NbSBr(3) sample. The experimental data are consistent with trigonal-pyramidal molecules having C(3)(v)() symmetry. Infrared spectra of molecules trapped in argon or nitrogen matrices were recorded and exhibit the characteristic fundamental stretching modes for C(3)(v)() species. Well resolved isotopic fine structure ((35)Cl and (37)Cl) was observed for NbSCl(3), and for NbOCl(3) which occurred as an impurity in the NbSCl(3) spectra. Quantum mechanical calculations of the structures and vibrational frequencies of the four YNbX(3) molecules (Y = O, S; X = Cl, Br) were carried out at several levels of theory, most importantly B3LYP DFT with either the Stuttgart RSC ECP or Hay-Wadt (n + 1) ECP VDZ basis set for Nb and the 6-311G basis set for the nonmetal atoms. Theoretical values for the bond lengths are 0.01-0.04 A longer than the experimental ones of type r(a), in accord with general experience, but the bond angles with theoretical minus experimental differences of only 1.0-1.5 degrees are notably accurate. Symmetrized force fields were also calculated. The experimental bond lengths (r(g)/A) and angles ( 90 degree angle (alpha)()/deg) with estimated 2sigma uncertainties from GED are as follows. NbOBr(3): r(Nb=O) = 1.694(7), r(Nb-Br) = 2.429(2), 90 degree angle (O=Nb-Br) = 107.3(5), 90 degree angle (Br-Nb-Br) = 111.5(5). NbSBr(3): r(Nb=S) = 2.134(10), r(Nb-Br) = 2.408(4), 90 degree angle (S=Nb-Br) = 106.6(7), 90 degree angle (Br-Nb-Br) = 112.2(6). NbSCl(3): r(Nb=S) = 2.120(10),r(Nb-Cl) = 2.271(6), 90 degree angle (S=Nb-Cl) = 107.8(12), 90 degree angle (Cl-Nb-Cl) = 111.1(11).     

Computation of large shear deformations of a thermoplastic material

A specialized finite difference method with grid refinement and variable time steps is created to approximate the deformation velocity and the temperature in a simple model of the shearing of a thermoplastic material. A specific problem where the solution exhibits “blowup” in the adiabatic case is considered. The numerical method retains this property and is used to study the shape of the “blowup” function. The code is then used to investigate the solution in the closely related case where thermal conduction is included with a small conductivity coefficient. The computations indicate that the solution does not “blowup” in the nonadiabatic case. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Collisional focusing effects in radio frequency quadrupoles

The transmission of ions through a conventional two-dimensional radiofrequency-only (rf) quadrupole has been studied for comparatively high operating pressures between 5 × 10^?4 and 1 × 10^?2 torr. Measurements of signals from mass-resolved analyte ions and total ion currents show that, provided the initial injection ion energy is low (1–30 eV), the ion transmission observed through a small aperture at the exit of the rf quadrupole first increases as the gas pressure increases, reaching a maximum at ? 8 × 10^?3 torr before decreasing at higher pressures. This is in direct contrast to the expectations of classical scattering. This “collisional focusing” appears to be analogous to effects seen in three-dimensional ion traps. The collisional focusing increases with the mass of the ion (not mass-to-charge ratio) for masses up to at least 16,950 u. The collisional focusing of the ions is found to be accompanied by significant losses of axial kinetic energy. A Monte Carlo simulation of the energy loss process is reported that can provide agreement with the observed losses for reasonable collision cross-sections. The results suggest that operation of rf quadrupoles at relatively high pressure may find practical application in sampling ions from high (e.g., atmospheric) pressure ion sources.