B NMR investigations in xV2O5–B2O3 and xV2O5–B2O3–PbO glasses

11B (I=3/2) MAS NMR in the binary glass system xV₂O₅–B₂O₃ (x=0.053, 0.43) and the ternary glass system xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO (0.1x1.5) has been investigated at room temperature. In the xV₂O₅–B₂O₃ glasses, one NMR line due to BO₃ unit was observed. Meanwhile in the xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO, two NMR lines which arise from BO₃ and BO₄ units were detected, where the appearance of BO₄ units is produced by the presence of PbO. From the computer-simulation of the ¹¹B NMR central transition line (m=−1/2↔1/2), the quadrupole parameters (e²qQ/h and η) for BO₃ units in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃, and those for BO₃ and BO₄ units in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO were obtained as a function of x. As the V₂O₅ content increases in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO, the e²qQ/h and η values of the BO₃⁻ associated resonance are found to slightly decrease and increase, respectively. Meanwhile, the e²qQ/h and η values of BO₄⁻ associated resonance in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO are found to slightly increase and decrease, respectively. By comparing the intensities of the total transitions (m=−3/2↔−1/2,m=−1/2↔1/2, and 1/2↔3/2) for the ¹¹B NMR line of BO₃ and BO₄ units contained in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO with those of respective standard samples of 0.053V₂O₅–B₂O₃ and NaBH₄, the quantitative fractions of BO₃ and BO₄ in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO were obtained as a function of x.     

The validity of the double layer model on the amorphous semiconductor surface including the bulk localized state within the gap

Under the two assumptions that the origin of surface states may be different from that of bulk localized states within the gap and the density of surface states is sufficiently high, the validity of the double layer model on the amorphous semiconductor surface is investigated in comparison with the case of a crystal. It is suggested that the criteria concerning the double layer should be determined by the relative value of the surface states to that of bulk localized states. The existence of the double layer can be confirmed when the bulk localized state density n(E_f) is smaller than 10¹⁹ cm^?3 eV^?1. When n(E_f) is high at about 10²⁰ cm^?3 eV^?1, surface states cannot be distinguished from the localized states within the gap. This double layer model is strongly supported by the results of previous experiments by others who have measured the dependence of the Schottky barrier height on the work function of metal and the dependence of the surface potential on the preparation conditions of a-SiH.     

Facile synthesis of cis-2-Alkyl-3-trialkylsilyloxycycloalkanones via the non-aldol aldol rearrangement of 2,3-epoxycycloalkanols

Silyl triflate-promoted rearrangement of cis-2,3-epoxycycloalkanols A, prepared by epoxidation of the cyclic allylic alcohol and then silylation, afforded good yields ( approximately 70-75%) of the cis-2-alkyl-3-silyloxycycloalkanones B, presumably via the intermediates C and D, even with quite large alpha-substituents, e.g., tert-butyl. Finally, it has been shown that the stereochemistry of the epoxy alcohol is crucial as one would expect from the mechanism.     

Microarray-based detection of Korean-specific <Emphasis Type="Italic">BRCA1</Emphasis> mutations

A reliable multiplex assay procedure to detect human genetic mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 using zip-code microarrays and single base extension (SBE) reactions is described. Multiplex PCR amplification was performed to amplify the genomic regions containing the mutation sites. The PCR products were then employed as templates in subsequent multiplex SBE reactions using bifunctional primers carrying a unique complementary zip sequence in addition to a mutation-site-specific sequence. The SBE primers, terminating one base before their mutation sites, were extended by a single base at a mutation site with a corresponding biotin-labeled ddNTP. Hybridization of the SBE products to zip-code microarrays was followed by staining with streptavidin–Cy3, leading to successful genotyping of several selected BRCA1 mutation sites with wild-type and heterozygote mutant samples from breast cancer patients. This work has led to the development of a reliable DNA microarray-based system for the diagnosis of human genetic mutations. Cheulhee Jung and Seong-Chun Yim contributed equally to this work.     

Boundary displacement control at one end of a string in the presence of a nonlocal boundary condition of one of four types,and its optimization

In the present paper, we exhaustively solve the problem of boundary control by the displacement u(0, t) = µ(t) at the end x = 0 of the string in the presence of a model nonlocal boundary condition of one of four types relating the values of the displacement u(x, t) or its derivative u _x (x, t) at the boundary point x = l of the string to their values at some interior point \(\mathop x\limits^ \circ\).     

Orthonormal polynomials with exponential-type weights

Let and let w_ρ(x)|x|^ρexp(-Q(x)), where and is an even function. In this paper we consider the properties of the orthonormal polynomials with respect to the weight , obtaining bounds on the orthonormal polynomials and spacing on their zeros. Moreover, we estimate A_n(x) and B_n(x) defined in Section 4, which are used in representing the derivative of the orthonormal polynomials with respect to the weight .     

Paramagnetic gold nanostructures for dual modal bioimaging and phototherapy of cancer cells

Paramagnetic gold nanostructures were synthesized by combining the paramagnetism of gadolinium with the plasmonic properties of gold nanoparticles and used for dual modal (MRI and optical) imaging and phototherapy of breast cancer cells.     

Heritability and linkage study on heart rates in a Mongolian population

Elevated heart rate has been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but their interrelationships are not well understood. In this study, we performed a genome-wide linkage scan in 1,026 individuals (mean age 30.6 years, 54.5% women) from 73 extended families of Mongolia and determined quantitative trait loci that influence heart rate. The DNA samples were genotyped using deCODE 1,039 microsatellite markers for 3 cM density genome-wide linkage scan. Correlation analysis was carried out to evaluate the correlation of the covariates and the heart rate. T-tests of the heart rate were also performed on sex, smoking and alcohol intake. Consequently, this model was used in a nonparametric genome-wide linkage analysis using variance component model to create a multipoint logarithm of odds (LOD) score and a corresponding P value. In the adjusted model, the heritability of heart rate was estimated as 0.32 (P<.0001) and a maximum multipoint LOD score of 2.03 was observed in 77 cM region at chromosome 18. The second largest LOD score of 1.52 was seen on chromosome 5 at 216 cM. Genes located on the specified locations in chromosomes 5 and 18 may be involved in the regulation of heart rate.     

The role of melanin as protector against free radicals in skin and its role as free radical indicator in hair

Throughout the body, melanin is a homogenous biological polymer containing a population of intrinsic, semiquinone-like radicals. Additional extrinsic free radicals are reversibly photo-generated by UV and visible light. Melanin photochemistry, particularly the formation and decay of extrinsic radicals, has been the subject of numerous electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy studies. Several melanin monomers exist, and the predominant monomer in a melanin polymer depends on its location within an organism. In skin and hair, melanin differs in content of eumelanin or pheomelanin. Its bioradical character and its susceptibility to UV irradiation makes melanin an excellent indicator for UV-related processes in both skin and hair. The existence of melanin in skin is strongly correlated with the prevention against free radicals/ROS generated by UV radiation. Especially in the skin melanin (mainly eumelanin) ensures the only natural UV protection by eliminating the generated free radicals/ROS. Melanin in hair can be used as a free radical detector for evaluating the efficacy of hair care products. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of melanin as protector of skin against UV generated free radicals and as free radical indicator in hair.     

Quantitative analysis of X-ray absorption spectra using a 2D map representation

A promising possibility for the quantitative analysis of X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra of nanosized electrode materials is demonstrated. We used a 2D map representation technique, which utilizes the values of the first derivatives of the absorbance with respect to the inserted Li(+) content plotted over the two-dimensional space defined by the inserted Li(+) content (mole) versus photon energy (eV) as a single map. The technique was applied to XANES spectra of the Li(y)CoO system in the first Li(+) insertion reaction for determining the structural and electronic variations associated with the change in Li(+) content. The obtained show that the intensities of two peaks at 7725 and 7711 eV increased with the Li(+) content and the difference of intensity change of these two peaks carried out for successive couples of spectra yielded the largest changes at 1.05 and 1.98 mol of Li content. This approach for quantitative analysis of XANES without using conventional simulation techniques enable us to interpret X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as a quantitative analytical technique with greater confidence.