Discrete γ-rays in the reactions of 143 MeV32S with58Ni

The reactions induced by 143 MeV³²S on⁵⁸Ni have been studied detecting discrete γ-rays in coincidence with projectile-like fragments (PLF). Information on PLF excitation probability and sequential decay of target-like fragments (TLF) has been obtained. For the²⁸Si+⁶²Zn outgoing channel at small energy loss (¦Q¦<20 MeV), both PLF and TLF data indicate that thermal equilibrium is not attained. The hypothesis of an equal excitation energy partition between the two reaction fragments does not describe properly experimental TLF data. A dependence of PLF excitation probability on the outgoing channel is found for the two final channels³²S+⁵⁸Ni and²⁸Si+⁶²Zn. The values of the spin alignment parameterP _zz, derived for PLF and TLF from measurements ofγ-rays anisotropy, are in disagreement with the expectations of the transport theory for dissipative collisions.     

Projectile-like fragments excitation and gamma-rays emission after the deep inelastic reaction of32S on58Ni

The deep-inelastic reaction induced by 143 MeV³²S on⁵⁸Ni have been studied detecting projectile-like fragments (PLF) in coincidence withγ-rays in NaI(TI) scintillators. γ-ray multiplicity and anisotropy have been derived for Z_plf=14, 15 as a function of energy loss and/or γ-energy. The information obtained are compared with a discrete γ-line study of the same reaction. The effect of the exit channel selection (ejectileZ, energy loss,E _γ) on the γ-observables is discussed in connection with the evidence of a strong PLF γ-emission.     

PROFLAVINE-SENSITIZED PHOTOOXIDATION OF TRYPTOPHAN AND RELATED PEPTIDES

Abstract— The photodynamic action of proflavine on the amino acids cystine, rnethionine, tyrosine, histidine, tryptophan and related peptides was tested in anhydrous formic and acetic acids. Only rnethionine and tryptophan were found to be photooxidized: the former, whether free or bound in a polypeptide chain, is quantitatively converted to methioninesulphoxide; the latter, when free, is fragmented to several compounds, which may be divided into two main classes: melanines and kynurenine derivatives. Whereas masking the carboxyl group of tryptophan has no effect on the photooxidation products, N-substituted derivatives of tryptophan are converted in high yields to the corre-sponding kynurenine compounds. The possible applications of the method to biologically active polypeptides are discussed.     

The Conformations of Amino Acids on a Gold(111) Surface

The interactions of amino acids with inorganic surfaces are of interest for biologists and biotechnologists alike. However, the structural determinants of peptide–surface interactions have remained elusive, but are important for a structural understanding of the interactions of biomolecules with gold surfaces. Molecular dynamics simulations are a tool to analyze structures of amino acids on surfaces. However, such an approach is challenging due to lacking parameterization for many surfaces and the polarizability of metal surfaces. Herein, we report DFT calculations of amino acid fragments in vacuo and molecular dynamics simulations of the interaction of all amino acids with a gold(111) surface in explicit solvent, using the recently introduced polarizable gold force field GolP. We describe preferred orientations of the amino acids on the metal surface. We find that all amino acids preferably interact with the gold surface at least partially with their backbone, underlining an unfolding propensity of gold surfaces.     

Heterometallic d8–d10 Coupling of Rh(I) and M(0) (M=Pd,Pt) in a Sandwich Framework of π-Conjugated Ligands

A heterometallic M−M′ bond formation is a key to construct atomically precise bimetallic clusters and materials. However, it is sometimes not straightforward to construct a heterometallic M−M′ bond through conventional methods including redox condensation. Here, we found that a sandwich framework of π-conjugated unsaturated hydrocarbon ligands provides a unique coordination environment that facilitates unusual coupling of d⁸ Rh^I and d¹⁰ M⁰ (M=Pd, Pt). The molecular orbital analysis showed that the electron-accepting ability of the sandwich framework through back-donation allows the formation of a dσ-type Rh−Pd bond in a (d–d)¹⁸ electron system.     

Calibration with relativistic and low velocity ions of a CR39 nuclear track detector

We present experimental results on the calibration of the CR9 nuclear track detector, manufactured by the Intercast Europe Co., of Parma (Italy). The calibration was performed with several ions of different kinetic energies: from 50 keV protons to 11.3 A GeV gold ions; β=v/c ranges from about 4·10⁻³ to about 1. We find that a single curve of the reduced etch rate p versus Restricted Energy Loss is able to describe all data. Furthermore the data are consistent with about 100% contribution of the nuclear energy loss to the CR39 response. This type of CR39 is used in the MACRO experiment at the Gran Sasso Laboratory.     

Electromagnetic fission of238U at 600 and 1000 MeV per nucleon

Electromagnetic fission of²³⁸U projectiles at E/A =600 and 1000 MeV was studied with the ALADIN spectrometer at the heavy-ion synchrotron SIS. Seven different targets (Be, C, Al, Cu, In, Au and U) were used. By considering only those fission events where the two charges added up to 92, most of the nuclear interactions were excluded. The nuclear contributions to the measured fission cross sections were determined by extrapolating from beryllium to the heavier targets with the concept of factorization. The obtained cross sections for electromagnetic fission are well reproduced by extended Weizsäcker-Williams calculations which include E1 and E2 excitations. The asymmetry of the fission fragments' charge distribution gives evidence for the excitation of the double giant-dipole resonance in uranium.Communicated by V. Metag