Modelling interdiffusion in epitaxial multilayer structures using X-ray simulation techniques

The analysis of X-ray diffraction data forms an important non-destructive technique for the study of interdiffusion in multilayer structures. A frequently used approach is that of Fleming et al. in which the characteristic X-ray diffraction satellites from a superlattice structure are shown to be related to the corresponding Fourier components of the real space composition modulation. This relationship is derived assuming the strain to be small although the limitations on this parameter are unclear. To clarify this limitation the Fleming technique has been tested for a range of x values, and hence strain, using as examples a series of model multilayer CdTe:Cd_1-xMn_xTe structures. The approach has been to use a simulation technique based on the kinematical theory of X-ray diffraction to model the X-ray rocking curves from a series of structures in which the Mn diffusion profiles had been calculated using a particular value of the diffusion coefficient D. The values of the diffusion coefficient, derived from the diffraction data using the Fleming method, agree with the input D at low x values but differ for high x, high strain, structures and a criterion is suggested for the range of validity of the method.     

TRAPPING OF NITRIC OXIDE FORMED DURING PHOTOLYSIS OF SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE IN AQUEOUS AND LIPID PHASES: AN ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE STUDY

Abstract— Photolytic decomposition of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a widely used nitrovasodilator, produced nitric oxide (NO), which was continuously monitored by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The NO present in the aqueous or the lipid phase was trapped by either a hydrophilic or a hydrophobic nitronyl nitroxide, respectively, to form the corresponding imino nitroxide. The conversion of nitronyl nitroxide to imino nitroxide was monitored by ESR spectrometry. The quantum yield for the generation of NO from SNP, measured from the rate of decay of nitronyl nitroxide, was 0.201 ± 0.007 and 0.324 ± 0.01 (¯± SD, n = 3) at 420 nm and 320 nm, respectively. The action spectrum for NO generation was found to overlap the optical absorption spectrum of SNP closely. A mechanism for the reaction between SNP and nitronyl nitroxide in the presence of light is proposed and computer-aided simulation of this mechanism using published rate constants agreed well with experimental data. The methodology described here may be used to assay NO production continuously during photoactivation of NO donors in aqueous and lipid environments. Biological implications of this methodology are discussed.     

Development of a flow injection method for monitoring cell membrane damage of wine lactic acid bacteria

A flow injection analysis (FIA) system was developed for the determination of phosphate efflux from wine lactic acid bacteria (Oenococus oeni and Lactobacillus hilgardii) as an indication of cell membrane damage. The system allowed the direct injection of the cell suspension, avoiding the filtration step, with minimum sample treatment and minimized reagent consumption. The developed system is characterized by a linear concentration zone between 3.23 × 10⁻⁵ and 4.84 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ PO₄ ³⁻ and repeatability better than 2.9%. Bacterial suspensions were exposed to a chemical stress with phenolic acids and injected in the FIA system at regular intervals. The extracellular concentration of phosphate was measured spectrophotometrically. The experimental results obtained indicate that hydroxycinnamic acids (p-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic) induced faster phosphate leakage rates than hydroxybenzoic acids (vanillic and p-hydroxybenzoic) in both strains tested, which could be related to their higher lipophilic character.     

Positron lifetimes in solid and liquid mercury

Consistent and plausible values for positron lifetimed in solid and liquid mercury are obtained with both conventional sandwich and amalgam source-sample arrangements.     

Nucleosides and nucleotides part 24 Investigation of ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides and -nucleotides by fast- atom-bombardment mass spectrometry

The fast-atom-bombardment mass spectra (FAB-MS) of a series of ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides and -nucleotides were examined in both positive-ion and negative-ion modes. Behaviour of cytosine analogs having unnatural bases (2(1H)-pyrimidone, 2(1H)-pyridinone, and 4-amino-2(1H)-pyridinone) was similar to that of compounds having naturally occurring bases. Nucleotides protected by dimethoxytrityl and p-chlorophenyl groups were also investigated using this technique. Use of negative-ion mode reduces interference from positive counter-ions (e.g., Na⁺) and allows rapid sequence determination of simple di- and trinucleotides.