Computer simulations of soft repulsive spherocylinders

Computer simulations of systems of soft repulsive spherocylinders (SRS) of aspect ratio (L/D) equal to 4 have been carried out using the parallel molecular dynamics program GBMOLDD. At sufficiently high densities the system forms stable nematic and smectic-A liquid crystalline phases. Results are presented for a series of seven isochores in the NVE ensemble, and for isobars at T? = kT/?= 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 in the NpT ensemble.     

QUANTUM SUPERGROUPS I. FOUNDATIONS

In this part one of a series of papers, we introduce a new version of quantum covering and super groups with no isotropic odd simple root, which is suitable for the study of integrable modules, integral forms, and the bar involution. A quantum covering group involves parameters q and π with π²?=?1, and it specializes at π?=??1 to a quantum supergroup. Following Lusztig, we formulate and establish various structural results of the quantum covering groups, including a bilinear form, quasi- $ \mathcal{R} $ -matrix, Casimir element, character formulas for integrable modules, and higher Serre relations.     

Influence of external factors on the self-assembly of two structurally related antidepressant drugs: a thermodynamic study

Apparent molal volumes and adiabatic compressibilities of aqueous solutions of the amphiphilic antidepressant drugs imipramine and desipramine hydrochlorides have been determined from density and ultrasound velocity measurements in the temperature range 288.15—313.15 K in buffered solution of pH 3.0 and 5.5. Critical concentrations for aggregation of these drugs were obtained from inflections on the plots of the sound velocity against drug concentration. Positive deviation from the Debye—Hückel limiting law of the apparent molal volume of imipramine provides evidence of limited association at concentrations below the critical concentration over the temperature range studied. Apparent molal adiabatic compressibilities of the aggregates formed by the drugs, calculated by combining the ultrasound velocity and density data, were typical of those for a stacked aggregate. The critical concentration and energy involved in the aggregation process of these drugs have been evaluated using isothermal titration calorimetry. The solvent—aggregate interactions have been discussed from compressibility and calorimetry data.     

SINGLET AND TRIPLET REACTIVITY IN THE PHOTOREDUCTION OF OXONINE(3,7-DIAMINOPHENOXAZIN-5-IUM CHLORIDE) BY IRON (II)

The oxazine dye, oxonine (3,7-diaminophenoxazin-5-ium chloride), 1, is photoreduced by Fe (II) sulfate in dilute sulfuric acid. The reaction mechanism is analogous to that for the photo-reduction of thiazine dyes by Fe (II), the most important difference being that reduction of oxonine occurs predominantly from its excited singlet state, S1, rather than from the triplet state, T1. The latter is formed with an intersystem crossing (isc) quantum yield of ca 1.7 x 10(-3). The quenching of S1 by Fe (II) has a rate constant kSQ = 2.2 +/- 0.1 x 10(9) M-1 s-1 and affords the one electron reduced product, semioxonine (R), with a limiting quantum yield, phi SR, of 0.26 +/- 0.02. In contrast, quenching of T1, generated by bromide ion quenching of S1 or by diacetyl sensitization, occurs with KTQ approximately 1.2 x 10(6) M-1 s-1, extrapolated to zero ionic strength, and affords R with a limiting probability, phi TR = 1.1 +/- 0.2. Three possible reasons for the lower quantum yield of the more exothermic S1 reduction are discussed. These are energy transfer from S1 to Fe (II), different rates of escape of R from the encounter complex as a consequence of the different states of protonation of R as initially formed from S1 and T1, and spin allowed back electron transfer in an exciplex formed between S1 and Fe (II). Evidence is also presented for a very low probability (ca 1%) induced isc from the encounter of S1 with paramagnetic Fe (II). Rate parameters for other processes important to the overall reduction mechanism such as disproportionation of R to leucooxonine L and oxonine, k(R)DIS = 1.7 +/- 0.2 x 10(9) M-1 s-1, oxidation of R by Fe (III), k(R)OX = 1.5 +/- 0.1 x 10(5) M-1 s-1, and oxidation of L by Fe (III), kLOX = 1.1 +/- 0.1 x 10(3) M-1 s-1, have also been measured. These results are contrasted with those for the closely related thionine/Fe(II) photoredox reaction, the most well understood system for photogalvanic energy conversion.     

Rational-Fourier-series Approximations for Periodic Boundary-value Problems

^*Present address: British Telecom Research Laboratories R17.2.1, Martlesham Health, Ipswich IP5 7RE. The method of Galerkin approximations for periodic boundary-valueproblems is generalized to allow the use of ratios, or otherfunctions of two Fourier series. Two examples are given: ofthe periodic solution to an impulsively driven linear oscillator,and of families of subharmonic orbits in a forced Duffing problem.     

CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AND IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE EFFECTS OF A SERIES OF TUMOR LOCALIZING PORPHYRINS

A series of tumor localizing porphyrins was evaluated with respect to their ability to elicit cutaneous photosensitivity and systemic immunosuppression, two of the most common side effects associated with photodynamic therapy. Using the murine ear swelling response as an indicator, it was found that all the non-metalloporphyrins caused cutaneous photosensitization. Immunosuppressive effects were noted using hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine if sensitization occurred immediately after photoirradiation, but none were evident using Photofrin II (PII) or meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (TCPP). Subsequent studies indicated that PII and TCPP manifested a delayed type immunosuppression similar to that found following UVB photoirradiation. Manganese (III) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine, a prototype magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, was also evaluated because of its reported demetallation in vivo. It was found to cause neither cutaneous photosensitivity nor immunosuppression.     

Ligand Substituent Effects on Ruthenium (III/II) Redox Properties: An Advanced Inorganic Laboratory Experiment

A convenient inorganic laboratory exercise is presented that exposes the student to the influences of ligand substituents on a metal centers redox properties. Students prepare a series of compounds with the general formula [Ru(bpy)₂(R¹,R²mal)](PF₆), where bpy is 2,2-bipyridine and R¹,R²mal is an anionic -diketone ligand with various R¹ and R² substituents. Each complex is prepared in a single synthetic step, and the Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple is characterized by cyclic voltammetry. The potential of the Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple shifts upon varying R¹ and R² from 0.64 to 1.10 volts vs. SSCE in the following order: (R¹ = R² = Me) < (R¹ = R² = Ph) < (R¹ = Me, R² = CF₃) < (R¹ = R² = CF₃). The inductive effects of the R substituents on the Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple are consistent with their electron-donating and electron-withdrawing properties. Hammett constants for the substituents provide an approximate measure of these effects. A linear relationship is observed when the Hammett constants are plotted against the Ru(III)/Ru(II) potential. This laboratory exercise applies a versatile electroanalytical method, cyclic voltammetry, to measure the substituent effects on a metal centers electron density. Student results of the syntheses and redox characterizations of a series of [Ru(bpy)₂(R¹,R²mal)]⁺ complexes are presented and discussed.