DNP by thermal mixing under optimized conditions yields >60,000-fold enhancement of 89Y NMR signal

Hyperpolarized (89)Y complexes are attractive NMR spectroscopy and MR imaging probes due to the exceptionally long spin-lattice relaxation time (T(1) ≈ 10 min) of the (89)Y nucleus. However, in vivo imaging of (89)Y has not yet been realized because of the low NMR signal enhancement levels previously achieved for this ultra low-γ(n) nucleus. Here, we report liquid-state (89)Y NMR signal enhancements over 60,000 times the thermal signal at 298 K in a 9.4 T magnet, achieved after the dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) of Y(III) complex of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) samples at 3.35 T and 1.4 K. The (89)Y DNP was shown to proceed by thermal mixing and the liquid state (89)Y NMR signal enhancement was maximized by (i) establishing the optimal microwave irradiation frequency, (ii) optimizing the glassing matrix, (iii) choosing a radical with negligible inhomogeneous line broadening contribution to the ESR linewidth, and (iv) addition of an electron T(1e) relaxation agent. The highest enhancements were achieved using a trityl OX063 radical combined with a gadolinium relaxation agent in water-glycerol matrix. Co-polarization of (89)YDOTA and sodium [1-(13)C]pyruvate showed that both (89)Y and (13)C nuclear species acquired the same spin temperature, consistent with thermal mixing theory of DNP. This methodology may be applicable for the optimization of DNP of other low-γ(n) nuclei.     

Fast primary store based on an Arkad’ev-Marx generator

We describe the design of an Arkad’ev-Marx generator with the capacitors discharging energy into the magnetic field within a time less than 1 μsec. We give the equivalent circuit of the generator and calculations for the transient for different firing circuits. We present the results of an experimental study of a generator consisting of 10 stages. Institute of High-Current Electronics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Centre d’Etudes de Gramat, France. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 12, pp. 17–24, December, 1997.     

The category of 3-computads is not cartesian closed

We show, using [A. Carboni, P.T. Johnstone, Connected limits, familial representability and Artin glueing, Math. Structures Comput. Sci. 5 (1995) 441-459] and Eckmann-Hilton argument, that the category of 3-computads is not cartesian closed. As a corollary we get that neither the category of all computads nor the category of n-computads, for n>2, do form locally cartesian closed categories, and hence elementary toposes.     

Analysis of serum and whole blood using NAA for clinical investigation

The concentrations of Cl, K and Na were analyzed in human body fluids (whole blood and serum) using NAA, resulting in the first biochemical baseline values for the Brazilian population. These data permitted us a discussion about the advantages and limitations of using this analytical technique for clinical chemistry.     

Melting behaviour of low molecular weight poly (ethylene-oxide) fractions

Summary Melting temperatureT _m and enthalpy of fusion have been measured, by DSC, for folded chain crystals of low molecular weight poly(ethylene-oxide) fractions ranging from 3000 to 10000. These crystals are formed by molecules folded a small integer number,n, of times and show unusual thermal stability on heating. The rates of chain unfolding during isothermal crystal growth and subsequent heating were measured and a reliable stability criterion could be defined for folded chain polymer crystals.Extending the theoretical treatment ofFlory andVrij to folded chain crystals and usingT _m data, a reasonable estimate was derived for the respective surface free energy contributions of chain ends and chain folds. The results suggest considerable hydrogen bonding between OH end groups, with a bonding energy of 3.1 Kcal/mole, when the crystal surface contains only chain ends. Hydrogen bonding is essentially destroyed by chain folding. Further analysis leads to an estimate of the contour length of cilia, associated with chain ends and to that of chain folds containing, on average, 2.8 and 3.5 monomer units respectively. Chain folds must thus be sharp involving adjacent re-entry. Finally, an analytical expression is derived showing the separate dependence ofT _m on chain length andn, parameters which determine the crystal thicknessL. Critical comparison of this relationship to that commonly used for determining surface free energies from linearT _m vs 1/L plots shows that the latter only applies accurately to chains of infinite length and to crystals of thickness larger than a critical valueL*.

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Résumé La températureT _m et l'enthalpie de fusion ont été mesurées sur des cristaux à chaines repliées de fractions de polyoxyéthyléne, de masse moléculaire variant entre 3000 et 10000. Ces cristaux sont constitués par des molécules repliées un nombren entier de fois et ils ont une stabilité thermique inhabituelle. La vitesse de dépliement des chaines a été mesurée lots de la croissance isotherme des cristaux et du chauffage consécutif et l'on a pu définir un critère de stabilité pour des cristaux à chaines repliées.En étendant la théorie deFlory etVrij aux cristaux à chaines repliées et en utilisant les valeurs deT _m on a pu estimer les contributions respectives des bouts de chaine et des repliements à l'énergie libre superficielle. Les résultats suggèrent un couplage important, par liaison hydrogène entre les groupes terminaux OH lorsque la surface des cristaux est constituée entièrement de bouts de chaine, l'énergie de couplage étant de 3,1 Kcal/mole. Ce couplage disparait pratiquement par le rephement des chaines. L'analyse des résultats permet aussi d'estimer la longueur des bouts de chaines et celle des repliements qui émergent du réseau cristallin: ils sont formés, respectivement de 2,8 et 3,5 unités de monomère, en moyenne. Les repliements sont serrés et relient des positions adjacentes du réseau. On déduit finalement une expression deT _m en fonction de la longueur des chaines et den, paramètres qui déterminent l'épaisseurL du cristal. La comparaison critique de cette relation avec celle généralement utilisée pour déterminer l'énergie libre superficielle, impliquant une variation linéaire deT _m avec 1/L, montre que cette dernière ne s'applique en toute rigueur qu'aux chaines de longueur infinie et aux cristaux d'épaisseur supérieure à une valeur critiqueL*.

     

Popoviciu's inequality for functions of several variables

T. Popoviciu (1965) [13] has proved an interesting characterization of the convex functions of one real variable, based on an inequality relating the values at any three points x₁,x₂,x₃, with the values at their means of different orders: (x₁+x₂)/2, (x₂+x₃)/2, (x₃+x₁)/2 and (x₁+x₂+x₃)/3. The aim of our paper is to develop a higher dimensional analogue of the usual convexity based on his characterization.     

Radiolytic reactions of nitro blue tetrazolium under oxidative and reductive conditions: a pulse radiolysis study

The radiolytic reactions of the ditetrazolium salt nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBTCl₂) were studied by pulse radiolysis technique in aqueous solution under reducing and oxidising conditions with the aim of potential dosimetry application. Under reducing conditions the fast formation of the tetrazolinyl radical is observed that is followed by the appearance of monoformazan (MF⁺), i.e. one of the tetrazolium rings is reduced to formazan. The formation of the water-insoluble diformazan, i.e. the result of the second reduction step was not observed in pulse radiolysis. Formazan formation was not found under oxidative conditions.