Large-area phoswich balloon experiment for hard-X-ray astronomy

Summary We describe a balloon experiment, currently in the marking, devoted to the observation of celestial X-ray sources. The main features of the X-ray telescope are summarized as follows. It operates in the energy band from 20 to 300 keV. Its energy resolution is about 17% at 60 keV. Under the hypothesis of 10⁴ s of observing time, 3 mbar of residual atmospheric pressure and 3σ of statistical significance, the expected sensitivity of the instrument is 2·10⁻⁶ photons/cm² s keV in the (20÷200) keV energy band, corresponding to about 1 milliCrab. Its high sensitivity allows us to detect both time variability in the flux and cyclotron lines in the spectra of X-ray sources. It has a field of view of 3° FWHM and has the possibility of resolving complex fields by using multipitch modulation collimators. With such a configuration its angular resolution is about 10′. Paper presented at the 2° Convegno Nazionale di Fisica Cosmica, held at L'Aquila, 29 May–2 June 1984.     

Single-atom effects in high-order harmonic generation: role of carrier-envelope phase in the few-optical-cycle regime

Recently the role of the carrier-envelope phase of few-optical-cycle light pulses on high-order harmonic generation has been experimentally observed. By using a three-dimensional nonadiabatic propagation model, we show that the observed carrier-envelope phase dependence of the spectral characteristics of the harmonic radiation is essentially a single-atom effect. Nonadiabatic single-atom response has been calculated in the framework of the saddle-point approximation. PACS 42.65.Ky; 42.65.Re; 42.50.Hz     

Two-step laser activation of hematoporphyrin derivative

A new photoactivation mechanism of hematoporphyrin derivative is presented. This process, based on the sequential absorption of two photons, leads to the production of cytotoxic radicals of HpD. The cytocidal efficiency is demonstrated by in vitro experiments.     

Opening of thiiranes: preparation of orthogonal protected 2-thioglyceraldehyde.

Treatment of acrolein diethyl acetal sulfide 8 with methanesulfenyl bromide at low temperature results in an efficient thiirane ring opening to a halo disulfide 9. The bromine in this halo disulfide is easily substituted by silver acetate, sodium azide, sodium iodide, and silver nitrate. Treatment of 9 with tetrabutylammonium acetate yields a novel dehydrohalogenation product 12. Silica gel converts bromide 9 into a disulfide-substituted version of acrolein 15. The orthogonal-protected version of 2-thioglyceraldehyde 13 can be deprotected to a useful form of this aldehyde.     

Emerging Direct Targeting β-Catenin Agents

Aberrant accumulation of β-catenin in the cell nucleus as a result of deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is found in various types of cancer. Direct β-catenin targeting agents are being researched despite obstacles; however, specific β-catenin drugs for clinical treatments have not been approved so far. We focused on direct β-catenin targeting of potential therapeutic value as anticancer agents. This review provides recent advances on small molecule β-catenin agents. Structure-activity relationships and biological activities of reported inhibitors are discussed. This work provides useful knowledge in the discovery of β-catenin agents.     

Stacked conjugated oligomers as molecular models to examine interchain interactions in conjugated materials

Previous studies of the redox states of linear conjugated oligomers as models for polarons and bipolarons in conjugated polymers do not fully address the influence of intermolecular interactions on the electronic structure of conjugated systems in the solid state. Fusion of oligothiophenes onto a bicyclo[4.4.1]undecane core holds the conjugated oligomers in a permanent cofacial stack. One- and two-electron oxidation of the stacked oligomers affords mono(radical cation)s and dications that serve as models for polarons and bipolarons in p-doped conjugated polymers and demonstrates the effect of pi-stacking on the electronic structure of these species.     

The stained glass window of the southern transept of St. Anthony's Basilica (Padova, Italy): study of glasses and grisaille paint layers

This work reports results from a chemico-physical study of the stained glass window of the southern transept of St. Anthony's Basilica (Padova, Italy), dated to the late 19th century AD. Selected samples of glass with or without grisailles were characterised by means of various X-ray spectrometric techniques, such as wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, coupled, in some cases, with X-ray powder diffraction. Integration of analytical results revealed many types of glass related to different phases of the “life” of stained glass, and the production technology of grisailles. In addition, the degree of damage undergone throughout the last century due to materials used in the production of windows was studied, to design and optimise a combined conservation and restoration strategy. Lastly, another important aim of the present study was to amplify the database on 19th-century stained glass windows, little documented in the literature.     

Heterocycles With a Benzothiadiazepine Moiety. IV. Synthesis of Novel Tetracyclic Rings by Intramolecular Cyclization of 10-Bromoacetyl-10,11-dihydro-11-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrrolo[1,2-b] [1,2,5] Benzothiadiazepine 5,5-Dioxide and Its Derivatives

Two novel tetracyclic derivatives, namely 5 and 8, have been synthesized by intramolecular cyclization of the 10-bromoacetyl-10,11-dihydro-11-ethoxycarbonylpyrrolo[1,2-b] [1,2,5]benzothiadiazepine 5,5-dioxide (3) and, respectively, the bis-methylamide of 11-carboxy-10,11-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-b] [1,2,5]benzothiadiazepine-11-acetic acid 5,5-dioxide (4). The last compound formed when treating with an excess of methylamine either the lactam 5 or the diethyl ester of 11-carboxy-10,11-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-b] [1,2,5]benzothiadiazepine-11-acetic acid 5,5-dioxide (7). An unambiguous synthesis of the diester 7 was achieved to confirm the chemical structure of derivatives 4 and 5.