Cocatalysis by epoxides in the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran with trityl hexachloroantimonate initiator

The polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) with (C₆H₅)₃C⁺SbCl₆^- initiator is markedly accelerated by small concentrations of propylene oxide or other epoxides. Molar concentrations of propylene oxide 4 to 10 times those of the carbonium-ion salt showed increasing conversion to polymer. The equilibrium conversion level at different temperatures with epoxides is the same as in their absence; the approach to equilibrium is first-order in THF. NMR experiments in the presence of propylene oxide indicate the formation of a trityl ether intermediate. The cocatalysis effect is interpreted on the basis of an acceleration in the initiation process in the system.     

Constraint qualifications in quasidifferentiable optimization

The classical linearization procedure for differentiable nonlinear programming problems can be naturally generalized to the quasidifferentiable case. As in the classical case one has to impose so-called constraint qualifications on the constraint functions in order to ensure that optimality of a feasible point implies optimality of the nullvector for the corresponding quasilinearized problem. We present various constraint qualifications in a unified setting, propose a new one, and investigate the relations between these conditions.Supported by DFG Grant Pa 219/5-1.     

Finite element approximation of a model for phase separation of a multi-component alloy with a concentration-dependent mobility matrix

We consider a model for phase separation of a multi-componentalloy with a concentration-dependent mobility matrix and logarithmicfree energy. In particular we prove that there exists a uniquesolution for sufficiently smooth initial data. Further, we provean error bound for a fully practical piecewise linear finiteelement approximation in one and two space dimensions. Finallynumerical experiments with three components in one space dimensionare presented.     

Rotating sector study of the gas phase photolysis of the 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane–cyclohexane system

The rate constant for the combination of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl radicals in the gas phase has been measured by applying the rotating sector technique to the 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane–cyclohexane photochemical system. The combination rate constant, k₅, was found to be 6.6 × 10¹² cc mole^?1 sec^?1. Arrhenius parameters for the reaction, are given by the expression log k₄ = 11.81 – (9700/2.3RT).     

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN: IDENTIFICATION AND DECAY KINETICS OF TRANSIENT INTERMEDIATES

Abstract. Using the method of flash photolysis, the triplet of the single indole side chain of human serum albumin was detected at room temperature. In a nitrogen saturated solution, this species was found to decay exponentially for over a factor of ten with a lifetime τ 0.5 ms. Analogous experiments, reported here, with bovine serum albumin yield a non-exponential decay which may be decomposed into two components. The yield of the longer lived triplet, with an average τ of ∼6 ms, is significantly enhanced by addition of a 20 fold excess of sodium dodecyl sulfate or 1 M Br^-. The yield of the shorter lived triplet, τ 0.4 ms, is unaffected by these treatments as was previously observed for the single indole in HSA. Thus, the short lived triplet may be assigned to the indole in BSA which is homologous to the one in HSA. The longer lived triplet may be assigned to the remaining indole of BSA. On the bases of wavelength dependence studies, two additional transients may be identified; the electron adduct of the disulfide bond, λ; 420 with a τ 30 ms, and the neutral indole radical,λ; 520 nm with τ ls. These results suggest that the triplet, because of its long τ, will be a valuable intrinsic reporter group for the study of the structure and dynamics of proteins in solution at room temperature.     

In vivo measurement of the Ca/P ratio by local activation with isotopic neutron sources

In connection with the study and the treatment of generalised demineralising bone diseases, the amount of phosphorus and calcium has been determined in the hand by “in vivo” neutron activation analysis using²⁵²Cf and²³⁸Pu−Be isotopic neutron sources. The statistical accuracy of the induced radioactivity measurement carried out on the hand of a normal subject is about 2% for P and Ca, while the standard deviation over a series of 10 analyses performed on a same phantom remains within 3% for both P and Ca. The results are normalized and expressed in grams of P or Ca per cm³ of bone. The values observed on a group of 55 normal subjects and on some osteoporotic patients are given.     

Photochemically knocking out glutamate receptors in vivo

AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isooxazole) receptors, a major subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), mediate the majority of the fast communication between neurons, and the activity-dependent trafficking of AMPA receptors at synapses plays a role in mammalian learning and memory. Here we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a photoreactive AMPA receptor antagonist that provides a means of "knocking out" AMPA receptors present on the surface of cells. The antagonist, 6-azido-7-nitro-1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (ANQX), was designed by introducing a photoreactive azido group onto a quinoxalinedione inhibitor scaffold. Computational docking of ANQX to the AMPA receptor ligand-binding core predicted efficient binding to AMPA receptors. Glutamate-evoked currents were reversibly blocked at micromolar ANQX concentrations prior to photolysis and irreversibly blocked following photolysis. ANQX provides a means of directly evaluating the trafficking of native AMPA receptors with unparalleled spatiotemporal resolution.