The initial growth of Au on GaAs(001)-c(4 × 4)

The metal growth when depositing a monolayer (ML) of Au at 200° C on MBE-grown surfaces of GaAs(001)-c(4 × 4) was studied by AES and RHEED. The surface interaction can be characterized to proceed in two stages depending on the surface coverage of Au. At a coverage of less than 0.3 ML the gold atoms are mainly dispersed on the surface with a small in depth diffusion. Above 0.4 ML there is a rapid intermixing and a tendency of arsenic accumulation to the surface.     

Response spectrum methods in tank-vehicle design

Existing design rules for tank vehicles have proved insufficient, because vibrations often cause fatigue cracks. Measurements have been performed on the tank to provide a picture of the influence of different road types and filling ratios. Shock response spectrum analysis (SRS) was used to obtain a measure of single-dynamic events. To get a basis for dimensioning against fatigue a calculation of fatigue-damage response spectra (FDRS) has been performed. This relates the vibrations in the tank to the risk of fatigue damage. In lieu of cycle counting by rain-flow count techniques, which has certain disadvantages, a new model, the so called HdM model, for fatigue-life assessment based on level crossing has been used. Further development of the results of the analysis can be used to improve design criteria in transport tank regulations, as well as to determine optimum inspection intervals for, in particular, tanks for hazardous materials.     

Dynamic buckling of a beam with transverse constraints

A nonlinear dynamic system with continuously distributed mass is studied using several approaches: experimentally, numerically as well as analytically. The nonlinearity of the system consists of geometrical constraints imposed on the motion. It is harmonically loaded and it is demonstrated that for certain choices of the loading parameters, periodic, quasi-periodic or chaotic behaviour may occur depending on the initial conditions. An important issue is to investigate the number of degrees of freedom needed in order to analytically model the system accurately enough that the important characteristics of the motion are retained in the solution. It is found that the impact conditions at the constraints are of crucial importance and a new approach is proposed for modelling of the impacts. The method is based on the fact that the free motion can be approximated with quite a few degrees of freedom, while at impact all the infinite number of degrees of freedom are considered.     

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of incompletely methylated transfer RNA from Escherichia coli on octyl-sepharose

Phenylalanine-specific transfer RNA from methionine-starved relaxed Escherichia coli K12 separates into two components when chromatographed on Octyl-Sepharose. The difference in elution between the two tRNAs has been shown to depend on the methyl group in the highly modified 2-methylthio-N-6-isopentenyladenosine. The first eluted tRNAPhe lacks this methyl group, while the last eluted tRNAPhe is fully methylated. Other differences in the modification patterns have no effect on the elution from Octyl-Sepharose. The elution pattern of tyrosine- and serine-specific tRNAs, also normally containing ms2i6A, is similar.     

Bestimmung von Absorption und Brechungsindex extrem hochabsorbierender Lösungen im Mikromaßstab

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode für die Messung der Absorption in extrem hochabsorbierenden Lösungen wird beschrieben. Die Küvette besteht aus einer plankonvexen Linse auf einer ebenen Platte. Die Messungen können entweder Punkt für Punkt in einem Mikroskop oder durch Registrierung, z. B. im Mikrospektrophotometer dieses Institutes, ausgeführt werden. Es kann sowohl im UV wie im sichtbaren Licht gemessen werden. Die optische Dichte kann innerhalb eines Bereiches von ca. 0,01 bis 5 per bestimmt werden. Die Genauigkeit ist besser als ± 1 % und die Substanzmenge kann kleiner als 0,1l sein.Der Brechungsindex der Lösungen wird mit Hilfe derNewtonschen Ringe bestimmt, die in der Linsenküvette sichtbar sind, falls diese aluminisiert oder versilbert ist. Die Durchmesser der Ringe werden entweder manuell in einem Mikroskop oder durch Registrierung im Mikrospektrophotometer gemessen. Es kann sowohl im UV wie im sichtbaren Licht gemessen werden. Die Genauigkeit des Brechungsindex ist besser als 0,005 und die notwendige Substanzmenge kleiner als 0,01l.

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Summary A method is described for measuring the absorption and refractive index of extremely highly absorbing solutions. A cuvette consisting of a planeconvex lens on a plane plate is used. Measurements of absorption can be carried out either point by point in a microscope or by continuous recording in e. g. the microspectrophotometer of this Institute. Measurements can be made in ultraviolet as well as in visible light. It is possible to determine the extinction within an approximate range of 0.01 to 5 per micron. The accuracy is better than ± 1% and the amount of substance to be examined can be less than 0.1l.The refractive index of a solution can be determined fromNewton's rings which are visible in the lens-cuvette coated with aluminum or silver. The diameters of the rings are measured either manually in a microscope or by recording in the microspectrophotometer. Measurements can be made in ultraviolet as well as in visible light. The accuracy is better than ± 0.005 and the necessary amount of substance is less than 0.011.

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Résumé L'auteur décrit une méthode de mesure de l'absorption et de l'indice de réfraction de solutions de très haut pouvoir absorbant. On emploie une cuvette comportant une lentille plan-convexe sur une plaque plane. Il est possible d'effectuer les mesures d'absorption point par point, à l'aide d'un microscope ou bien par enregistrement continu sur un spectrophotomètre tel que celui de l'institut où ont été effectuées les recherches. Les mesures peuvent être réalisées en lumière ultraviolette ou visible. Il est possible de déterminer l'extinction dans le domaine approximatif 0,01 à 5 par micron. L'exactitude est meilleure que ± 1% et le volume de substance peut être inférieur à 0,1l.L'indice de réfraction de la solution peut être déterminé à l'aide des anneaux de Newton qui sont visibles dans la cuvette à lentille si elle est recouverte d'un dépôt d'aluminium ou d'argent. Les diamètres des anneaux sont mesurés manuellement à l'aide d'un microscope ou par enregistrement dans un microspectrophotomètre. Les mesures peuvent être effectuées soit en lumière ultraviolette soit en lumière visible. L'exactitude de la détermination de l'indice de réfraction est supérieure à ± 0,005 et le volume de substance nécessaire est inférieur à 0,01l.

     

Selection of a high-energy bioactive conformation of a sulfonium-ion glycosidase inhibitor by the enzyme glucoamylase G2

Transferred nuclear Overhauser effect and rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement NMR spectroscopies are used to probe the conformation of a bicyclic sulfonium ion, which is an analogue of the naturally occurring glycosidase inhibitor castanospermine, bound to the enzyme glucoamylase G2. Enzyme inhibition assays indicate that the bicyclic sulfonium ion is a slightly better inhibitor (K(i) = 1.32 mM) of glucoamylase G2 than the naturally occurring sulfonium-ion glycosidase inhibitor, salacinol, with a K(i) value of 1.7 mM. The NMR results are interpreted in terms of the selection by the enzyme of a high-energy conformation of the ligand that is already represented in the ensemble of free-ligand conformations.     

Photon energy dependence of fragmentation of small argon clusters

Photofragmentation of small argon clusters with size below ten atoms is reported. In this size range significant modifications from the electronic properties and geometry take place. When tuning the photon energy through the argon 2p edge, the fragmentation pattern is changed. Specifically, cation dimer production is enhanced at the 2p(32)-->4s resonance, while above the 2p edge almost complete atomization is observed. In both cases, the widths of the peaks in the mass spectra indicate that a large amount of kinetic energy is imparted to the fragment due to the formation of multiply charged clusters. A model based on "Coulomb explosion"-charge separation, simply resulting in a complete atomization of the cluster with no dependence on the photon energy-is insufficient to explain the observed photofragmentation of small clusters.     

Self-assembling peptide nanotubes from enantiomeric pairs of cyclic peptides with alternating D and L amino acid residues

Cyclic peptides with alternating d- and l-amino acid residues containing tert-leucine residues in every second position can form peptide nanotubes only when both enantiomers of the peptide are present in the solution. These results strongly indicate the formation of peptide nanotubes that assemble with one enantiomer in every second position, thereby forming a lamellar structure.