Laser heating of solid matter by light-pressure-driven shocks at ultrarelativistic intensities

The heating of solid targets irradiated by 5 x 10(20) W cm(-2), 0.8 ps, 1.05 microm wavelength laser light is studied by x-ray spectroscopy of the K-shell emission from thin layers of Ni, Mo, and V. A surface layer is heated to approximately 5 keV with an axial temperature gradient of 0.6 microm scale length. Images of Ni Ly(alpha) show the hot region has 100 G bar light pressure compresses the preformed plasma and drives a shock into the solid, heating a thin layer.     

Photo-leucine incorporation reveals the target of a cyclodepsipeptide inhibitor of cotranslational translocation

Photoaffinity labeling is a powerful tool to identify protein targets of biologically active small molecules, yet is often limited by the size, chemical properties, and availability of photoreactive groups. We report an improved synthesis of photo-leucine, a diazirine-based photoreactive analogue of leucine, and demonstrate its incorporation into a cyclodepsipeptide inhibitor of cotranslational translocation. Photoaffinity labeling in a crude membrane fraction, followed by "click chemistry" with a rhodamine-azide reporter, enabled the identification of Sec61alpha, the structural core of the Sec61 translocation channel, as the inhibitor's target.     

Comparison between homotopy analysis method and optimal homotopy asymptotic method for nth‐order integro‐differential equation

This paper presents general framework for solving the nth‐order integro‐differential equation using homotopy analysis method (HAM) and optimal homotopy asymptotic method (OHAM). OHAM is parameter free and can provide better accuracy over the HAM at the same order of approximation. Furthermore, in OHAM the convergence region can be easily adjusted and controlled. Comparison, via two examples, between our solution using HAM and OHAM and the exact solution shows that the HAM and the OHAM are effective and accurate in solving the nth‐order integro‐differential equation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Asymmetric synthesis of a highly soluble ‘trimeric’ analogue of the chiral nematic liquid crystal twist agent Merck S1011

The Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation has been utilised to synthesise a new glassy chiral dopant with large helical twisting power (β) and remarkable solubility in nematic liquid crystal hosts. Values of β range between +30.7 and +47.7 μm^?1 in five different nematic hosts. A 26% mixture in E7 is homogenous indefinitely and induces a room-temperature blue phase.     

The scaling theory of electrons in disordered solids: Additional numerical results

We present extensive numerical results applying the finite size scaling method to the theory of electrons in disordered systems. A method is developed for studying the localisation length in 1-dimensional systems of finite cross section. By studying these results as a function of cross-section and using scaling ideas, we derive the critical properties of 2-D and 3-D systems. We calculate transport properties as a function of temperature which can then be compared with experiment.     

APPLICATION OF SHELLAC IN POLYMERS

Abstract

Lac is the only known natural resin of animal origin. It is the secretion of a tiny insect known as Kerriar lacca (formally called Laceifer lacca). The lac-forming tiny insect grows on some types of trees, mostly abundant in tropical countries, including India. The secretion of the lac insect hardens in air and forms a covering on the body of the insect. This covering or the nest forms a continuous incrustation on the branches of the host trees. Lac is collected by scraping the incrustation from the branches of the trees.