Annihilation rates of positrons on aromatic molecules

We have measured positron annihilation rates for a selection of hydrocarbon molecules based on six carbon atoms, including substituted benzenes. These measurements illustrate the importance of molecular symmetry in determining the annihilation rate.     

Inclusive η production at high pT at the ISR

The inclusive η production cross section at the CERN ISR has been measured for p_T values of up to 11 GeV/c. We find that the $\text{η}\text{π}{}^0$ cross-section ratio has an average value of 0.55 ± 0.07 and varies little with p_T.     

QCLDB—Quantum chemistry literature data base—a trial

A brief account of a quantum chemistry literature data base (QCLDB ) is described, which contains the key information of about 2000 papers of ab initio calculations of atoms and molecules published in 1977–1979. The QCLDB is stored in a computer and can be sorted and rearranged into author and substance indices. Selection of the items for each paper in a computer-readable data base is discussed.     

Structures of xantholides A and B,two new guaianolides from xanthium canadense mill.

The structures of xantholides A and B were deduced on the basis of IR and NMR spectra, and confirmed by X-ray analysis. Xantholide A inhibited the larval growth of Drosophila melanogaster.     

Hydrogenation of olefins by π-arene ruthenium complexes : A role of π-arene ligand in catalytic activity

The divalent ruthenium complexes bearing benzene, mesitylene triphenylbenzene as a π-ligand were prepared and their catalytic activity for olefin hydrogenation was examined. They showed activity in the presence of a small amount of base. Particularly, the complex with triphenylbenzene was found to have extremely high activity. Discussion here is on a role of a π-arene ligand in the activity.     

Bio-sensing on a chip with compact discs and nanofibers

This paper describes a novel, sensitive detection system for biomolecules (DNA and proteins etc.) that is integrated in a lab-on-a-chip utilizing optical compact discs (CDs) and bio-nanofibers. The new method comprises a microchannel containing CD grating that confines fragments of unique bacterial cellulose fibrils (BC), which have nanometre scale fibers and holes. A maximum of six times higher sensitivity to detect DNA was obtained with this CD and BC system compared to a conventional method. We also demonstrate an effective light-confining effect for biological application with the new method.     

Spontaneous racemization and epimerization behavior in solution of chiral nitroxides

[reaction: see text] Enantiomerically enriched samples of chiral cyclic nitroxides with a 4-hydroxyphenyl group on the stereogenic center bearing the NO radical group undergo unprecedented spontaneous racemization and/or epimerization in aprotic solvents, which can be well accounted for by the multistep equilibrations involving planar quinoid intermediates.     

Hydrophobic scale: a second parameter to elucidating various specific ligand-protein interactions

In the sequence Fourier analysis (SFA) of specific interactions such as those between fibroblast growth factors (FGFs)/FGF receptors (FGFRs), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)/BMP receptors (BMPRs), or tumor repressor protein p53/mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), the characteristic frequency peak(s) could be observed with the hydrophobic scale for 20 amino acids as well as 4 nucleotides as the physicochemical parameter, but not successfully with the absolute electronegativity scale. This result implies that these two independent scales should be appropriately selected in various specific ligand-protein interactions, though the critical difference has to be determined.     

Catalytic intermolecular Pauson-Khand-type reaction: strong directing effect of pyridylsilyl and pyrimidylsilyl groups and isolation of Ru complexes relevant to catalytic reaction

Some circumstantial evidence for the directing effect of the 2-pyridylsilyl group in the Ru-catalyzed intermolecular Pauson-Khand-type reaction (PKR) of alkenyl(2-pyridyl)silane, alkyne, and carbon monoxide has been provided. Most importantly, we have succeeded in isolating several monometallic Ru complexes relevant to the catalytic reaction: Ru(vinylsilane)(CO)(3) complexes and ruthenacyclopentene. While the stoichimetric reaction of the Ru(vinylsilane)(CO)(3) complex with an alkyne led to the formation of the corresponding cyclopentenone (PKR product) at 100 degrees C, the ruthenacyclopentene intermediate was quantitatively produced at 50 degrees C. This complex was also converted to a cyclopentenone upon heating at 100 degrees C. Moreover, it was also found that the Ru(vinylsilane)(CO)(3) complex and ruthenacyclopentene serve as catalysts in intermolecular PKR.