Spectroscopic study of a brush cathode plasma in a magnetic field

The brush cathode helium discharge in the magnetic field has been operated stably at discharge currents larger than those without magnetic field. The diameter of the plasma column has been determined by the configuration of the magnetic field. The measurements of the spectral intensities of the recombination continuum followed by the 2³S-n³P series reveals that the electron density is 1·8 × 10¹³ cm^-3 and the electron temperature is 0·17 eV at a discharge current of 500 mA and a pressure of 0·9 torr for a magnetic flux density of 1·3 kG. The principal quantum number for line merging is 20.     

Adenopeptin, a new apoptosis inducer in transformed cells from Chrysosporium sp.

A new antitumor antibiotic, adenopeptin (1), was isolated from the culture broth of Chrysosporium sp. PF1201. The planar structure, which includes a tridecapeptide and a hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidinium, was elucidated by mass spectrometric and NMR experiments. Adenopeptin (1) induced apoptotic cell death in cells transformed with the adenovirus oncogenes.     

Stability analysis for double-stranded DNA oligomers and their noncovalent complexes with drugs by laser spray

Laser spray, which is a newly developed ionization technique, can characterize the stability of noncovalent complexes in the solution phase. By using this advantage, laser spray has been applied to probe the intrinsic stability of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) sequences and their binding affinities with various drugs in the solution phase. Systematic experiments were carried out using six 16-mer and three 22-mer dsDNA oligomers, together with the complexes of the 16-mer dsDNA with minor groove binders: berenil, Hoechst 33342, DAPI, and netropsin. Dissociation curves for each dsDNA or each complex were plotted as a function of laser power. The laser power (E50%), where 50% of each dsDNA or each complex was dissociated, was compared with its melting temperature (Tm) determined by UV spectroscopy. Linear correlations between E50% and Tm were obtained not only for the dsDNA oligomers (correlation factor r = 0.9835) but also for the 16-mer dsDNA complexes with minor groove binders (r = 0.9966). In addition, laser spray has successfully clarified the binding affinities of a 16-mer dsDNA with two intercalators: daunomycin and nogalamycin. In the case of the dsDNA-daunomycin complex, by changing the molar ratio of dsDNA : drug from 1 : 1 to 1 : 5, the concentration-dependent stability of the complex was confirmed by laser spray. The present results demonstrate that laser spray mass spectrometry can be a powerful and convenient method to investigate the relative binding affinities of dsDNA-ligand complexes in the solution phase, which could be applied to the early stage of high-throughput screening of drugs targeting for dsDNA.     

Correlation of F0F1-ATPase inhibition and antiproliferative activity of apoptolidin analogues

[structure: see text] Apoptolidin (1) exhibits potent and highly selective apoptosis inducing activity against sensitive cancer cell lines and is hypothesized to act by inhibition of mitochondrial F(0)F(1)-ATP synthase. A series of apoptolidin derivatives, including a new intermolecular Diels-Alder adduct, were analyzed for antiproliferative activity in E1A-transformed rat fibroblasts. Potent F(0)F(1)-ATPase inhibition was not a sufficient determinant of antiproliferative activity for several analogues, suggesting the existence of a secondary biological target or more complex mode of action for apoptolidin.     

Using the Viable System Model (VSM) to structure information processing complexity in disaster response

Earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding and terrorist attacks continue to threaten our society and, when the worst happens, lives depend on different agencies to manage the response. The literature shows that there is significant potential for operational research (OR) to aid disaster management and that, whilst some of this potential has been delivered, there is more that OR can contribute. In particular, OR can provide detailed support to analysing the complexity of information processing – an essential topic as failure could cause response agencies to act on low quality information or act too slowly – putting responders and victims at risk. However, there is a gap in methods for analysing information processing whilst delivering rapid response. This paper explores how OR can fill this gap through taking a Viable System Model (VSM) approach to analyse information processing. It contributes to the OR literature by showing how VSM can support the analysis of information processing as well as how the OR modelling technique can be further strengthened to facilitate the task.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-i]dihydrophenazine derivatives

A dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-i]dihydrophenazine (DNP) derivative was synthesized by Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling, and its electronic spectrum was compared with that of dinaphtho[b,i]dihydrophenazine-5,18-dione (DNP-dione) as an anthraquinone analog. An absorption band of DNP is attributed to extension of π-conjugation over the entire molecule via the N atom. DNP-dione showed a broad absorption band in the range 450–490?nm due to intramolecular charge-transfer interactions. Additionally, the absolute fluorescence quantum yield of DNP was larger than that of DNP-dione. DNP-dione exhibited reversible oxidation peaks and a similar oxidation potential to DNP, since there are very weak electronic interactions between the anthracene and anthraquinone units across the N atoms with the 4-octyloxyphenyl substituent.     

Determination of multiple thermal degradation mechanisms of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

The thermal degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) was investigated by kinetic analyses in detail to clarify its complex degradation behavior, resulting in a finding of mixed mechanisms comprising at least a thermal random degradation with subsequent auto-accelerated transesterification, and a kinetically favored chain reaction from crotonate chain ends. The thermal degradation behavior of PHB varied with changes in time and/or temperature. From the kinetic analysis of changes in molecular weight, it was found that a non-auto-catalytic random degradation proceeding in the initial period was followed by an auto-accelerated reaction in the middle period. From the kinetic analysis of weight loss behavior, it is proposed that there are some kinetically favored scissions occurring at the chain ends, where the degradation proceeded by a 0th-order weight loss process in the middle stage. The observed 0th-order weight loss process was assumed to be an unzipping reaction occurring at ester groups neighboring the crotonate end groups.     

Kekulé structures of hexagonal chains—some unusual connections

It is known since 1977 that the number K of Kekulé structures of a hexagonal chain is equal to the topological Z-index of a pertinently constructed “caterpillar” tree. Based on this relation we now connect K with some of other, seemingly unrelated, concepts: continuants (from number theory) and matchings of the path–graph (further related to Fibonacci numbers). We also arrive at a tridiagonal determinantal expression for K.     

Controlled deposition of calcium carbonate particles on porous membranes by using alternating current system

The deposition of calcium carbonate particles in the absence of additives was performed through the application of an alternating current. Solutions of calcium chloride and sodium carbonate were filled in glass cells, and a porous polymer membrane was interposed between the glass cells. An alternating current with a sine waveform (frequency: 10 Hz) was applied by using a platinum electrode. In this process, the reciprocal migration of calcium and carbonate ions toward the interface of the pores on the membrane takes place. Moreover, ion mixing occurs to a small extent at the interface of the pores. An alternating current was applied for 30 min during which the ion mixing continued. When observed using a scanning electron microscope, a majority of the formed calcium carbonate particles was found to exhibit a spheroidal vaterite crystal structure. This crystal structure was confirmed to be vaterite after characterization by X-ray diffraction. In the absence of an alternating current, only calcite was formed on the porous polymer membrane. Taking this result into account, it was concluded that the alternating current could induce reciprocal ion migration through the pores of the membrane, and vaterite deposition can be achieved. This is one of the methods employed for the calcium carbonate formation on the porous membrane by using an alternating current system.