Catalytic properties of micellar systems based on 4-aza-1-alkyl-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromides

The catalytic effect of micellar systems based on alkylated 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes on the alkaline hydrolysis of butyl chloromethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphonate is reported. The catalytic effect is due to the reactants concentrating in the micellar phase. It increases with an increase in the hydrophobicity of the surfactant. The bicyclic surfactant manifests the higher efficiency than its cyclic and noncyclic analogues. The micellization properties of alkylated 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes in aqueous solutions have been investigated by the NMR method. An increase in the hydrophobicity of the surfactant decreases the critical micelle concentration and increases the hydrodynamic radius and aggregation numbers of the micelles.     

Orthorecursive Fourier-Stieltjes expansions

Orthorecursive Fourier-Stieltjes expansions are defined, and two examples of expansions are considered. The first example deals with orthogonal systems of functions (which include the Haar system as a particular case), and properties of Fourier-Stieltjes expansions in these systems are proved. It is pointed out that in the case of the Haar system, the integrated Fourier-Stieltjes expansion of a continuous function coincides, up to a constant, with the Faber-Schauder series expansion. The second example deals with nonorthogonal systems of functions that are structurally related to the earlier considered orthogonal systems. Properties of orthorecursive Fourier-Stieltjes expansions in these systems are established.     

Measuring the temperature dependence of individual two-level systems by direct coherent control

We demonstrate a new method to directly manipulate the state of individual two-level systems (TLSs) in phase qubits. It allows one to characterize the coherence properties of TLSs using standard microwave pulse sequences, while the qubit is used only for state readout. We apply this method to measure the temperature dependence of TLS coherence for the first time. The energy relaxation time T1 is found to decrease quadratically with temperature for the two TLSs studied in this work, while their dephasing time measured in Ramsey and spin-echo experiments is found to be T1 limited at all temperatures.     

Polymer–Colloid Complexes Based on Cationic Imidazolium Amphiphile,Polyacrylic Acid and DNA Decamer

The solution behavior and physicochemical characteristics of polymer–colloid complexes based on cationic imidazolium amphiphile with a dodecyl tail (IA-12) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) or DNA decamer (oligonucleotide) were evaluated using tensiometry, conductometry, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering and fluorescent spectroscopy and microscopy. It has been established that PAA addition to the surfactant system resulted in a ca. 200-fold decrease in the aggregation threshold of IA-12, with the hydrodynamic diameter of complexes ranging within 100–150 nm. Electrostatic forces are assumed to be the main driving force in the formation of IA-12/PAA complexes. Factors influencing the efficacy of the complexation of IA-12 with oligonucleotide were determined. The nonconventional mode of binding with the involvement of hydrophobic interactions and the intercalation mechanism is probably responsible for the IA-12/oligonucleotide complexation, and a minor contribution of electrostatic forces occurred. The latter was supported by zeta potential measurements and the gel electrophoresis technique, which demonstrated the low degree of charge neutralization of the complexes. Importantly, cellular uptake of the IA-12/oligonucleotide complex was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry data on the example of M-HeLa cells. While single IA-12 samples exhibit roughly similar cytotoxicity, IA-12–oligonucleotide complexes show a selective effect toward M-HeLa cells (IC₅₀ 1.1 µM) compared to Chang liver cells (IC₅₀ 23.1 µM).     

The aggregartion and catalytic activity of amphiphilic calix[4]resorcinolarenes and phenols in hydrolysis of phosphonous esters in water—dimethylformamide media

The amphiphilic calix[4]resorcinolarenes, aminomethylated calix[4]resorcinolarenes, o-aminomethylphenols, and their quaternary derivatives in water—dimethylformamide media (10—75 vol.% DMF) form aggregates, which catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphonous esters. The ability to self-association and the catalytic activity of the aggregates depend on the hydrophobicity of the amphiphilic compound, the pH of solution, and the content of DMF.     

Identification of Petroleum Products in Environmental Samples Using Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Typical analytical features of petroleum products in environmental samples were considered. Among them are typical shapes of chromatograms; peaks of n-alkanes; the ratio between n-alkanes with even and odd numbers of carbon atoms; peaks of biomarkers (isoprenanes, steranes, triterpanes, etc.); the predominance of methyl- and alkyl-substituted mono-, bi-, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons over unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons; and other features. These features altogether enable reliable conclusions about the petroleum origin of the identified pollutants to be made.     

Optical laue diffraction on photonic structures designed by laser lithography

Two-dimensional photonic crystals with square symmetry C_4v were obtained using the laser lithography method. The structure of these samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Optical Laue diffraction for monochromatic light was studied experimentally depending on the incidence angle of laser beam and lattice constant. Interpretation of the observed diffraction patterns is given in the framework of the Laue diffraction mechanism for an one-dimensional chain of scattering elements. Red thresholds for different diffraction orders were determined experimentally and theoretically. The results of calculations are in an excellent agreement with experiment.     

Optical diffraction by two-dimensional photonic structures with hexagonal symmetry

Photonic structures with hexagonal symmetry have been prepared by the additive technology of two-photon laser lithography, and their optical properties have been investigated. The structure of the samples has been examined using scanning electron microscopy. The calculations have been performed for the optical diffraction in the Born approximation of the scattering theory for structures with a limited number of scatterers. The images formed in the monochromatic light on a flat screen located behind the sample have been calculated. The diffraction patterns on the screen have C_6v symmetry and consist of three straight lines intersecting at an angle of 120° and hyperbolas, the number of which is a multiple of six. An important feature of these diffraction patterns is the superstructure, i.e., the partition of straight lines and hyperbolas into individual diffraction reflections, the number of which is determined by the number of scatterers of a particular sample. The results of the experimental investigation of the diffraction patterns completely coincide with the calculated data, including the number and arrangement of the superstructure reflections.