New methods in synthesis of acetylcholinesterase reactivators and evaluation of their potency to reactivate cyclosarin-inhibited AChE

Nine potential AChE reactivators were synthesized using modification of currently known synthetic pathways. Their potency to reactivate AChE inhibited by cyclosarin nerve agent was tested in vitro. According to the previous results, 1,4-bis(2-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium)butane dibromide seems to be the most potent AChE reactivator. The reactivation potency of these compounds depends on structural factors such as presence of quaternary nitrogens, length of the linking chain between both pyridinium rings, and position of the oxime moiety at the pyridinium ring.     

Observation of two charged bottomoniumlike resonances in Υ(5S) decays

We report the observation of two narrow structures in the mass spectra of the π(±)Υ(nS) (n=1, 2, 3) and π(±)h(b)(mP) (m=1, 2) pairs that are produced in association with a single charged pion in Υ(5S) decays. The measured masses and widths of the two structures averaged over the five final states are M(1)=(10,607.2±2.0) MeV/c2, Γ(1)=(18.4±2.4) MeV, and M(2)=(10,652.2±1.5) MeV/c2, Γ(2)=(11.5±2.2) MeV. The results are obtained with a 121.4 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector in the vicinity of the Υ(5S) resonance at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+ e- collider.     

Effects of copolymer composition on the formation of ionic species,hydrogen evolution,and free-radical reaction in γ-irradiated styrene-butadiene random and block copolymers

Block and random copolymers of butadiene and styrene as well as polybutadiene and polystyrene homopolymers have been investigated with respect to formation of trapped electrons, contribution of ionic species to crosslinking, and hydrogen gas evolution due to γ radiation. The decay kinetics of the disubstituted benzyl radical has also been studied. The yields of electron trapping G(e^?) are measured. The G(e^?) increase linearly with increased polystyrene content in block polymers, while in random copolymer a deviation from a linear relation is observed. The contribution of ionic reactions to crosslinking is about 25–35% of the total crosslinking yield. Hydrogen production in block copolymers is approximately a linear function of the weight-fraction additivity of the yield of hydrogen formation in polystyrene and polybutadiene homopolymers. Energy transfer from butadiene units to styrene units in random copolymers resulted in a deviation from such an additivity relation. The decay of the disubstituted benzyl free radical in block copolymers is a second-order reaction. In random copolymer, the decay is best interpreted in terms of equation based on a second-order decay mechanism of a fraction of the free radicals decaying in the presence of other nondecaying free radicals.     

Observation of B(s)⁰→J/ψf₀(980) and evidence for B(s)⁰→J/ψf₀(1370)

We report the observation of B(s)?→J/ψf?(980) and evidence for B(s)?→J/ψf?(1370), which are CP eigenstate decay modes. These results are obtained from 121.4 fb?1 of data collected at the Υ(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e? collider. We measure the branching fractions B(B(s)?→J/ψf?(980); f?(980)→π(+)π?)=(1.16(-0.19)(+0.31)(stat)(-0.17)(+0.15)(syst)(-0.18)(+0.26)(N(B(s)((*))B(s)((*)))))×10?? with a significance of 8.4σ, and B(B(s)?→J/ψf?(1370); f?(1370)→π(+)π?)=(0.34(-0.14)(+0.11)(stat)(-0.02)(+0.03)(syst)(-0.05)(+0.08)(N(B(s)((*))B(s)((*)))))×10?? with a significance of 4.2σ. The last error listed is due to uncertainty in the number of produced B(s)((*))B(s)((*)) pairs.     

Composite films from spruce galactoglucomannans with microfibrillated spruce wood cellulose

Two future wood biorefinery products, spruce galactoglucomannans (GGM) and microfibrillated spruce wood cellulose (MFC), were mixed to form composite films. The films were plasticized with different amounts of glycerol, and the preparation of films was successful even with low glycerol contents. The film properties were studied using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, water sorption, dielectric analysis, moisture scanning dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile testing. The addition of MFC clearly affected the properties of the films by decreasing the moisture uptake and increasing the relative humidity of softening of the films and by increasing the glass transition temperature, tensile strength, and Young’s modulus of the films. The effect of MFC addition on the tensile properties of films was emphasized at low glycerol contents. The addition of MFC did not affect the degree of crystallinity of GGM in the films, which was between 20 and 25%. MFC can be efficiently used as reinforcement of GGM films to form wood-based composite materials and to prepare GGM-based films and coatings with low plasticizer content.     

Chemical Analysis of Historic Art and Painting Conservation Materials (19th and 20th Centuries) from the National Museum in Krakow by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Chemical composition of varnishes Vernis a Tableaux Vibert by Lefranc & Cie, Schutzfirnis für Oelgemalde Schmincke's Retuschier-Firnis by Schmincke & Co. Düsseldorf, Tempera-Firnis by Schmincke & Co. Düsseldorf, Bernstein-Gemaldefirniss für Ludwig'sche Petroleumfarben by Dr. Schoenfeld Düsseldorf, and Vernis Martin Pour Laquer by Lefranc & Cie Paris; oil medium Copal en pâte by Duroziez; essential oils Oleum Cupressi by Polak & Schwarz and Oleum Calami by Polak & Schwarz; fixative for charcoal, crayons, and pastels Nr 840/4 by Iskra & Karmański; and restoring medium for paintings Prof. Dr. Büttner's Phobus by Schmincke Düsseldorf were analyzed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The analyses were conducted to obtain information about the exact composition of these products, which are stored at the National Museum in Krakow and were used by conservators. The results of research facilitate understanding of processes used in paintings and planning methods for their conservation.