MS-Xα study of the KCl: Cu− spectrum

We have interpreted the KCl:Cu^? spectrum in the context of the MS-X_α method. The results, considering only allowed electric-dipole transitions, are in good agreement with the experimental data. Four new absorption bands, peaking at 573, 390, ～324 and ～310nm, at room temperature, are reported.     

Single-crystal 55Mn NMR spectra of two Mn12 single-molecule magnets

The initial application is reported of single-crystal 55Mn NMR spectroscopy, and associated orientation dependence studies, to single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The studies were performed on two members of the Mn12 family of SMMs, [Mn12O12(O2CMe)16(H2O)4].2MeCO2H.4H2O (Mn12-Ac) and [Mn12O12(O2CCH2Br)16(H2O)4].4CH)Cl) (Mn12-BrAc). Single-crystal spectra give a dramatic improvement in the spectral resolution over oriented powder spectra, allowing the clear observation of quadrupolar splittings, the determination of quadrupole coupling parameters (e2qQ), and an assessment of the symmetry-lowering perturbation of the core of Mn12-Ac by hydrogen-bonding interactions with lattice solvate molecules of crystallization. The results emphasize the utility of single-crystal NMR studies to probe the cores of these magnetic molecules.     

A phenomenological model for the luminescence of hot electrons in the high excitation density regime

The departure from a Maxwellian behavior observed in the high energy part of the luminescence spectrum of a hot electron gas in a direct gap polar semiconductor in a regime of high density of excitation is shown to be a consequence of the out of equivalibrium steady state statistical distribution of carrier population in the conduction band. To do this we construct a phenomenological kinetic model of the time evolution of the distribution which incorporates the three important carrier collision mechanisms: recombination, electron-optical phonon and electron-electron. The model is non-linear due to the electron-electron terms. It has been solved numerically and in an approximate analytical way. This last method gives an explicit expression for the distribution function and the temperature of the hot electron gas in terms of the parameters of the system. Our calculations reproduce well the trends shown in the experimental data reported in the literature.     

Interaction of the mu-opioid receptor with GPR177 (Wntless) inhibits Wnt secretion: potential implications for opioid dependence

Background  

Opioid agonist drugs produce analgesia. However, long-term exposure to opioid agonists may lead to opioid dependence. The analgesic and addictive properties of opioid agonist drugs are mediated primarily via the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Opioid agonists appear to alter neuronal morphology in key brain regions implicated in the development of opioid dependence. However, the precise role of the MOR in the development of these neuronal alterations remains elusive. We hypothesize that identifying and characterizing novel MOR interacting proteins (MORIPs) may help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of opioid dependence.     

Electrically controlled optical bandgap in a structurally chiral material

The propagation of light along the axis of non-homogeneity of a structurally chiral medium (SCM) under the influence of a low-frequency (dc) electric field aligned along the same axis is investigated. The Pockels effect is assumed to occur, and the SCM is taken to possess locally a point group symmetry. The frequency-domain Maxwell curl equations are cast in a 4 × 4 matrix representation, and the Oseen transformation is invoked. The band structure is analyzed, as are also the eigenvectors as well as the transfer matrix. Finally, the reflection and transmission of a plane wave due to a SCM of finite thickness is considered. The low-frequency electric field is shown to control the bandgap.