Higher Order Nonlinear Effect and Limitation of Soliton Propagation in Dispersive-Nonlinear Medium for Dispersion-Shifted Fiber

A computer simulation of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation is carried out to evaluate the impact of nonlinear susceptibility of a single mode fiber on the transmission of a soliton pulse. The third and fifth order nonlinear susceptibilities are considered in the simulation. The results show that the output soliton pulse shape strongly depends on the third order nonlinear susceptibility and gets distorted when the full width half maximum (FWHM) pulse width is of the order of 10ps or less.     

Physicochemical studies on the interaction of gelatin with cationic surfactants alkyltrimethylammonium Bromides (ATABs) with special focus on the behavior of the hexadecyl homologue

The interaction of a denatured interfacially active protein, gelatin (G) (at pH 9, above its isoelectric pH 4.84, and ionic strength mu=0.005), with a cationic amphiphile, hexadecyl (or cetyl) trimethylammonium bromide, CTAB, has been elaborately studied using a variety of techniques. Two types of protein-surfactant complexes at a concentration below the normal critical micellar concentration (cmc) were formed in solution. The first, G-CTAB (monomer) combined complex (GS(n)(I)) adsorbed at the air/solution interface, followed by its gradual transformation to the poor interfacially active second G-CTAB (aggregate) complex (GS(m)(B)) at a critical aggregation concentration (cac) of the interacting oppositely charged surfactant. In the higher concentration range, upon completion of GS(m)(B) formation, coacervation (association of GS(m)(B)) led to add turbidity. With increasing addition of CTAB, the coacervates became disintegrated and ultimately remained dissolved in the free micellar solution of CTAB. The above features were studied using the techniques of tensiometry, conductometry, turbidimetry, fluorimetry, and microcalorimetry. The interaction features were prominent at [G] >or= 0.05 g %, and several of these were either marginal or absent at [G]<0.05 g %. The denatured protein was found to form viscous as well as gel-forming consistencies at higher [G] and at lower temperature. A temperature variation study on the interaction of G with CTAB has revealed that enhanced interaction takes place at higher temperature. The effect of [G] on its interaction with cationic surfactants of varying chain length in the alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (ATAB) series has been also studied; a similar interactional profile as that of CTAB has been exhibited by octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide; however, the lower homologues (dodecyl- and tetradecyl-) of ATAB have offered different profiles. It has been found that the ATABs with higher alkyl chain lengths were more interactive with negatively charged G than their lower homologues. Quantification of the results in terms of different transition points, counterion binding of the protein-bound surfactant aggregates and free micelles, the enthalpy of binding interactions and energetics of ATAB micellization, and so forth have been studied. The results have been rationalized in terms of an interaction model.     

4‐Iodoquinoline

Nearly planar molecules of the title compound, C₉H₆IN, are packed in inclined stacks along the short crystallographic b axis and molecules in adjacent stacks are packed to form antiparallel zigzag chains. Short intermolecular N...I contacts [3.131 (3) Å] are observed between molecules in adjacent stacks. A network of C—H...π hydrogen bonds [2.821 (5) and 3.083 (3) Å] between molecules in adjacent stacks is also present. These motif‐generating interactions, including the weak C—H...π interactions, are of relevance in crystal engineering and design.     

Total synthesis and mechanism of action of the antibiotic armeniaspirol A

Emerging antimicrobial resistance urges the discovery of antibiotics with unexplored, resistance-breaking mechanisms. Armeniaspirols represent a novel class of antibiotics with a unique spiro[4.4]non-8-ene scaffold and potent activities against Gram-positive pathogens. We report a concise total synthesis of (±) armeniaspirol A in six steps with a yield of 20.3% that includes the formation of the spirocycle through a copper-catalyzed radical cross-coupling reaction. In mechanistic biological experiments, armeniaspirol A exerted potent membrane depolarization, accounting for the pH-dependent antibiotic activity. Armeniaspirol A also disrupted the membrane potential and decreased oxygen consumption in mitochondria. In planar lipid bilayers and in unilamellar vesicles, armeniaspirol A transported protons across membranes in a protein-independent manner, demonstrating that armeniaspirol A acted as a protonophore. We provide evidence that this mechanism might account for the antibiotic activity of multiple chloropyrrole-containing natural products isolated from various origins that share a 4-acylphenol moiety coupled to chloropyrrole as a joint pharmacophore. We additionally describe an efflux-mediated mechanism of resistance against armeniaspirols.

The antibiotic armeniaspirol A depolarized bacterial and mammalian cell membranes through a protonophore activity, that accounts for its potent antibiotic effects. A total synthesis of (±) armeniaspirol A was achieved in six steps.     

Cumulative yields of short-lived isotopes of barium in the spontaneous fission of252Cf

Cumulative yields of short-lived/barium isotopes^{139, 141, 142}Ba have been determined in the spontaneous fission of²⁵²Cf, using fast radiochemical separation and gamma-ray spectrometry.¹⁴²Ba yield is reported for the first time. The measured cumulative yields are converted to chain yields, assuming normal charge distribution systematics for comparision with the literature data.     

Toward a new generation of therapeutics: artificial cell targeted delivery of live cells for therapy

Scientific evidence in the prevention and treatment of various disorders is accumulating regarding probiotics. The health benefits supported by adequate clinical data include increased resistance to infectious disease, decreased duration of diarrhea, management of inflammatory bowel disease, reduction of serum cholesterol, prevention of allergy, modulation of cytokine gene expression, and suppression of carcinogen production. Recent ventures in metabolic engineering and heterologous protein expression have enhanced the enzymatic and immunomodulatory effects of probiotics and, with time, may allow more active intervention among critical care patients. In addition, a number of approaches are currently being explored, including the physical and chemical protection of cells, to increase probiotic viability and its health benefits. Traditional immobilization of probiotics in gel matrices, most notably calcium alginate and kappa-carrageenan, has frequently been employed, with noted improvements in viability during freezing and storage. Conflicting reports exist, however, on the protection offered by immobilization from harsh physiologic environments. An alternative approach, microencapsulation in "artificial cells," builds on immobilization technologies by combining enhanced mechanical stability of the capsule membrane with improved mass transport, increased cell loading, and greater control of parameters. This review summarizes the current clinical status of probiotics, examines the promises and challenges of current immobilization technologies, and presents the concept of artificial cells for effective delivery of therapeutic bacterial cells.     

Structural,dielectric and optical properties of sol–gel synthesized 0.55Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.45(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 ceramic

Lead-free polycrystalline ceramic 0.55Ba(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8)O₃–0.45(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)TiO₃ (0.55BZT–0.45BCT) was synthesized by sol–gel method and the dielectric, impedance and optical properties of this ceramic were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of pure perovskite phase with the coexistence of tetragonal and rhombohedral structures. The high value of dielectric constant (~6,985) with low dielectric loss (~0.013) was obtained at room temperature. Bulk and grain boundary resistances were measured by impedance analysis, which revealed negative temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour in this ceramic. The estimated value of optical band gap was found to be ~3.16 eV, which is related to the presence of intermediate energy levels. Two emission bands one at ~365 nm (UV region) and another at ~465 nm (blue region) were observed in photoluminescence spectrum at room temperature.     

Solution behavior of normal and reverse triblock copolymers (pluronic L44 and 10R5) individually and in binary mixture

Solution properties of pluronics L44 or L [(PEO)(10)(PPO)(23)(PEO)(10)] and 10R5 or R [(PPO)(8)(PEO)(22)(PPO)(8)] were studied individually as well in their binary mixtures in aqueous medium. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), critical micelle temperature, and cloud point (CP) were determined. Ideal and nonideal behaviors of their mixtures in the formation of CMC and CP were observed; the energetics of the studied processes were determined. Spectrophotometry, isothermal titration calorimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods were used for evaluations. Morphologies of the dispersed L, R, and their mixtures along with their polydispersities were determined from DLS measurements. Atomic force microscopy was also employed. The interfacial properties of L and R were investigated forming Langmuir monolayers in a surface balance. The surface pressures (π) generated by the compounds were moderate, the area per molecule was higher for R than L. R has shown antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria whereas L was inactive in this respect.     

Decomposition of Projective Modules

We study decomposition of projective modules from K-theoratic point of view.