2-(4,5,6,7-Tetrafluorobenzimidazol-2-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1- H-imidazole-3-oxide-1-oxyl, a hydrogen-bonded organic quasi-1D ferromagnet

The title radical (F4BImNN) is a stable nitronylnitroxide that forms hydrogen-bonded NH... ON chains in the solid state. The chains assemble the F4BImNN molecules to form stacked contacts between the radical groups, in a geometry that is expected to exhibit ferromagnetic (FM) exchange based on spin polarization (SP) models. The experimental magnetic susceptibility of F4BImNN confirms the expectation, showing 1-D Heisenberg chain FM exchange behavior over 1.8-300 K with an intrachain exchange constant of Jchain/k = +22 K. At lower temperatures, ac magnetic susceptibility and variable field heat capacity measurements show that F4BImNN acts as a quasi-1-D ferromagnet. The dominant ferromagnetic exchange interaction is attributable to overlap between spin orbitals of molecules within the hydrogen-bonded chains, consistent with the SP model expectations. The chains appear to be antiferromagnetically exchange coupled, giving cusps in the ac susceptibility and zero field heat capacity at lower temperatures. The results indicate that the sample orders magnetically at about 0.7 K. The magnetic heat capacity ordering cusp shifts to lower temperatures as external magnetic field increases, consistent with forming a bulk antiferromagnetic phase below a Néel temperature of TN(0) = 0.72 K, with a critical field of Hc approximately 1800 Oe. The interchain exchange is estimated to be zJ/k congruent with (-)0.1 K.     

Theoretical study of stable structures and photoelectron spectra of mass-selected Al12Cs-, Al11Cs2-, and Al10Cs3- clusters

The geometric and electronic structures of the ground and low-lying states for the Al(12)Cs(-), Al(11)Cs(2) (-), and Al(10)Cs(3) (-) clusters were examined using the density functional theory. Semi-icosahedral structures of the Al(12)Cs(-) and Al(11)Cs(2) (-) clusters were found as the ground state. The most stable structure of the Al(10)Cs(3) (-) cluster is a distorted icosahedron structure. The vertical detachment energy of these clusters and the anion photoelectron spectra (PES) were compared. The peaks of the anion PES were assigned on the basis of the shell model. The single peak of 3.1-3.2 or 2.5-2.7 eV for the Al(12)Cs(-) or Al(11)Cs(2) (-) cluster, respectively, is observed due to the electron detachment from the 2p or 1f or 1f+2p shells. Two large peaks of 2.1 eV and 3.1-3.3 eV correspond to the electron detachments from the 1f+2p and 2p, and 1d+1f shells, respectively. It was found that a second peak appears with the hybridization of the 1d and 1f shells due to the distortion from the icosahedral structure in the Al(10)Cs(3) (-) cluster.     

Raman spectroscopy of optically levitated supercooled water droplet

By use of an optical trap, we can levitate micrometer-sized drops of purified water and cool them below the melting point free from contact freezing. Raman spectra of the OH stretching band were obtained from those supercooled water droplets at temperatures down to -35 °C. According to the two-state model, an enthalpy change due to hydrogen-bond breaking is derived from temperature dependence of the spectral profile. The isobaric heat capacity calculated from the enthalpy data shows a sharp increase as the temperature is lowered below -20 °C in good agreement with conventional thermodynamic measurements.     

Total syntheses of four possible stereoisomers of resolvin E3

Resolvin E3, 17,18-dihydroxy-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E,15E-eicosapentaenoic acid, is a potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediator. To determine the stereochemistries of the C17- and C18-hydroxy groups of resolvin E3 and to supply a sufficient amount of material for future biological studies, we developed a highly convergent and practical route to its four possible stereoisomers. The key reactions employed here were the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons coupling, the two copper(I)-mediated reactions between the alkynes and the propargyl tosylates, and the simultaneous reduction of the three triple bonds to the three Z-olefins.     

Structure and reactivity of alkoxycarbonyl (ester)-terminated monolayers on silicon: sum frequency generation spectroscopy

Carboxylic acid-terminated monolayers on crystalline silicon surfaces can be readily modified with biological macromolecules for the fabrication of semiconductor-based biosensing devices. They were prepared by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of alkoxycarbonyl (ester)-terminated monolayers and studied by vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy. The C-H vibration region of the SFG spectra consists of strong methyl bands with significant contributions from methylene stretching modes, indicating that these monolayers are generally ordered but with considerable gauche defects in the alkyl chains in comparison with n-alkyl monolayers. After hydrolysis, the methylene stretching modes prevail, with "residues" of the methyl bands, indicating incomplete hydrolysis and disruption of the monolayer structure. This work demonstrates that SFG is capable of providing quantitative information on structure-reactivity correlations in organic monolayers.     

Iron-based layered superconductor: LaOFeP

We report superconductivity in an iron-based layered oxy-pnictide LaOFeP. LaOFeP is composed of an alternate stack of lanthanum oxide (La3+O2-) and iron pnictide (Fe2+P3-) layers. Magnetic and electrical resistivity measurements verify the occurrence of the superconducting transition at approximately 4 K.     

Accurate determination of naturally occurring radionuclides in Philippine coal-fired thermal power plants using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and γ-spectroscopy

There is an increased interest in measuring naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) like coal, fly ash considering health hazards caused by naturally occurring radionuclides. This paper presents activity concentration (AC) of ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²³²Th, ²³⁸U and ⁴⁰K in feed coal, bottom and fly ash samples from Philippines coal-fired thermal power plants using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-purity germanium gamma spectroscopy (HPGe γ-spectroscopy). Coal, bottom and fly ash samples were digested using a microwave oven with a mixture of HNO₃, HClO₄ and HF. Uranium (²³⁸U) and thorium (²³²Th) ACs were also analyzed from samples using ICP-MS. A good correlation was found for the measurement of U and Th using both techniques (R² = 0.97 and 0.94 respectively). ICP-MS measurements showed the highest AC of ²³²Th and ²³⁸U in fly ash and lowest for feed coal samples. With HPGe γ-spectroscopy measurements, highest AC (in Bq kg^{− 1}) of ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁸Th and ⁴⁰K, were noticed in fly ash followed by bottom ash and feed coal. ICP-MS method is rapid for the measurement of uranium and thorium in comparison to γ-spectroscopy as secular equilibrium is not required. Activity concentrations of bottom and fly ash samples were found to be within the reported values worldwide and below the International Atomic Energy Agency recommended values for regulatory control.     

Therapeutic targets in the ASK1-dependent stress signaling pathways

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family that activates downstream MAP kinases (MAPKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 MAPKs, in response to various stresses, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, lipopolysaccharide, and calcium overload. Activation of the JNK and p38 pathways induces stress responses such as cell death, differentiation, and the production of inflammatory cytokines. A series of studies using ASK1-deficient mice have indicated that ASK1 plays important roles in many stress-related diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that small compounds that inhibit ASK1 activity could possibly be used for the amelioration of the development and/or progression of these diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiological roles of ASK1-dependent signaling pathways and discuss the mechanistic basis for how these could serve as potential therapeutic targets.     

铜离子交换分子筛上NO吸附的IR光谱及TPD研究

采用原位IR光谱及TPD技术研究了NO在铜离子交换分子筛上各种表面物种的生成及脱附,并与NO在Cu-ZSM-5上的分解反应性能相关联,考察了Cu-ZSM-5反应活性高的原因及O₂的生成机理。NO的吸附状态随分子筛母体种类及铜离子交换度的不同而变化,交换度较高的ZSM-5催化剂上容易形成NO-3物种,该物种对NO分解及O₂的生成具有重要作用。