About the F-center production efficiency in NaCl irradiated with electrons

The irradiation with electrons of a few MeV energy of NaCl crystals, thicker than the electron range, produces F-band, the absorption of which is not constant with the depth. Taking into account the inhomogeneity of the F-center density, we give the first results of the mean efficiency of the F-center production with the 0.25, 1.25 and 2.25 MeV electrons, which fit very well in the Ritz's summary of the efficiency measurements.     

Production and Characterization of F(Ab’)<Subscript>2</Subscript> Fragments Obtained by Enzymatic Digestion from Murine Anti-MRSA PBP2a Monoclonal Antibodies

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a worldwide health problem. In a previous study, a murine monoclonal antibody (mMAB), capable of binding to PBP2a within MRSA strains, was generated. F(ab’)₂ antibody fragments are widely described in the literature as immunochemical tools and reagents for diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly because of their low immunogenicity and rapid pharmacokinetics. In this study, F(ab’)₂ fragments from mMAB were generated by enzymatic digestion, using pepsin. They were purified by affinity chromatography using protein A and concentrated by a MWCO 50 kDa filtration unit. The results indicate that it is possible to obtain F(ab’)₂ fragments by pepsin digestion. ELISA, western blotting, and fluorescence microscopy data demonstrated that F(ab’)₂ affinity for PBP2a is not lost even after the enzymatic digestion process. As expected, in the pharmacokinetics tests, F(ab’)₂ presented a faster elimination (between 12 and 18 h) compared to IgG. These F(ab’)₂ fragments could be used in future immunodiagnostic applications, including in vitro or in situ radiolabeling and in the treatment of infections caused by this important pathogen.     

Palladium-catalyzed C–H alkenylation of quinoxaline N-oxide enabled by a mono-N-protected amino acid

The efficient alkenylation of quinoxaline N-oxide was achieved via Pd-catalyzed C–H activation, using the assistance of a mono-N-protected amino acid. Further deoxygenation of the 2-styrylquinoxaline-N-oxides yielded the corresponding styrylquinoxaline derivatives.     

Photoelectrochemical sensing of tannic acid based on the use of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> sensitized with 5-methylphenazinium methosulfate and carboxy-functionalized CdTe quantum dots

The article describes a method for determination of tannic acid in extracts of medicinal plants. Tannic acid (TA) is an antioxidant and has anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂) were co-sensitized with 5-methylphenazinium methosulfate (PMS) and carboxy-functionalized cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs), and immobilized on a fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode. The surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the modified electrode were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and amperometry, respectively. A composite consisting of TiO₂, PMS and CdTe QDs in a nafion film has a response to TA under LED light higher than that observed for each separate component. Under optimized experimental conditions and at an applied voltage of +0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl, the photoelectrochemical sensor has a linear response in the 0.2 to 200 μmol L^?1 TA concentration range and a detection limit of 60 nmol L^?1. The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of TA in spiked extracts from three medicinal plants, with recovery values between 98.3 and 103.9 %.

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Graphical abstract Schematic diagram for photoelectrochemical detection of tannic acid based on a fluorine doped tin oxide electrode modified with titanium oxide, 5-methylphenazinium methosulfate and carboxy-functionalized cadmium telluride quantum dots

     

Vortex dynamics in three-dimensional continuous myocardium with fiber rotation: Filament instability and fibrillation

Wave propagation in ventricular muscle is rendered highly anisotropic by the intramural rotation of the fiber. This rotational anisotropy is especially important because it can produce a twist of electrical vortices, which measures the rate of rotation (in degree/mm) of activation wavefronts in successive planes perpendicular to a line of phase singularity, or filament. This twist can then significantly alter the dynamics of the filament. This paper explores this dynamics via numerical simulation. After a review of the literature, we present modeling tools that include: (i) a simplified ionic model with three membrane currents that approximates well the restitution properties and spiral wave behavior of more complex ionic models of cardiac action potential (Beeler-Reuter and others), and (ii) a semi-implicit algorithm for the fast solution of monodomain cable equations with rotational anisotropy. We then discuss selected results of a simulation study of vortex dynamics in a parallelepipedal slab of ventricular muscle of varying wall thickness (S) and fiber rotation rate (theta(z)). The main finding is that rotational anisotropy generates a sufficiently large twist to destabilize a single transmural filament and cause a transition to a wave turbulent state characterized by a high density of chaotically moving filaments. This instability is manifested by the propagation of localized disturbances along the filament and has no previously known analog in isotropic excitable media. These disturbances correspond to highly twisted and distorted regions of filament, or "twistons," that create vortex rings when colliding with the natural boundaries of the ventricle. Moreover, when sufficiently twisted, these rings expand and create additional filaments by further colliding with boundaries. This instability mechanism is distinct from the commonly invoked patchy failure or wave breakup that is not observed here during the initial instability. For modified Beeler-Reuter-like kinetics with stable reentry in two dimensions, decay into turbulence occurs in the left ventricle in about one second above a critical wall thickness in the range of 4-6 mm that matches experiment. However this decay is suppressed by uniformly decreasing excitability. Specific experiments to test these results, and a method to characterize the filament density during fibrillation are discussed. Results are contrasted with other mechanisms of fibrillation and future prospects are summarized. (c)1998 American Institute of Physics.     

Preparation,structure and stereodynamics of phosphorus-bridged calixarenes

The pyrolysis of several dialkylphosphate ester derivatives of calix[4]arenes yielded the same phosphorus bridged compound7. Under the pyrolytic conditions the phosphate groups may be cleaved or intermolecularly transferred. X-ray crystallography of the bridged calixarenes7 and8 shows that they exist in a chiral flattened cone (fc) conformation. The bridged calixarenes undergo in solution a dynamic process with a barrier of about 10.1 kcal mol^–1 for7 and8 and 13.1 kcal mol^–1 for10, respectively. The dynamic processes result in enantiomerization of the systems. Pyrolysis of partially phosphorylated calix[6]arenes resulted in the formation of two products (11 and12), each consisting of two subunits of three proximal rings bridged by a phosphate group. The rotational barriers for11 and12 are 14.4 and 8.8 kcal mol^–1, indicating that the bridged calix[6]arene system12 is appreciably more flexible than11. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82169 (51 pages)This paper is dedicated to the commemorative issue on the 50th anniversary of calixarenes.     

A Series of monohapto pyrazolates of iridium(I) and iridium(III)

The reaction of trans-IrCl(CO)L₂ with pz^?1 gives trans-Ir(pz-N)(CO)L₂, where pzH is 3,5-dimethyl-, 3,5-dimethyl-4-nitro- or 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-pyrazole, and L = PPh₃. The nitrogen atom not involved in coordination can be protonated with HBF₄ to give the corresponding [Ir(CO)L₂(pzH-N]⁺ cation. The iridium(I) pyrazolates undergo oxidative addition, yielding Ir(H)₂(pz-N)(CO)L₂ species, while gaseous HCl cleaves the IrN bond, affording IrH(Cl)₂(CO)L₂. The iridium(I) derivatives can be obtained in several solid-state forms, each characterized by a slightly different CO stretching frequency. The presence of a monodentate pyrazolato ligand in trans-Ir(3,5-(CF₃)₂pz-N)(CO)L₂, in the form with ν(CO) at 1975 cm^?1, is supported also by an X-ray crystal structure determination. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, with cell dimensions a = 21.106(6), b = 19.700(5), c = 9.437(2) Å, and β = 94.34(2)° and Z = 4.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of homooligopeptide peroxyesters

A homologous series of stable N(alpha)-phthaloyl peptide peroxyesters based on alpha-aminoisobutyric acid residues was prepared. In each of the six oligomers synthesized, the chain of alpha-amino acids is separated from the peroxyester function by a beta-amino acid. [structure: see text]     

Effects of acetate on the growth and fermentation performance of Escherichia coli KO11

Escherichia coli KO11, in which the genes pdc (pyruvate decarboxylase) and adh (alcohol dehydrogenase) encoding the ethanolpathway from Zymomonas mobili were inserted into the chromosome, has been shown to metabolize all major sugars that are consituents of hemicellulosic hydrolysates to ethanol, in anaerobic conditions. However, the growth and fermentation performance of this recombinant bacteria may be affected by acetic acid a potential inhibitor present in hemicellulose hydrolysates in a range of 2.0–15.0 g/L. It was observed that acetate affected the growth of E. coli KO11, prolonging the lag phase and inducing loss of biomass production and reduction of growth rate. At lower pH levels, the sensitivity to acetic acid was enhanced owing to the increased concentration of the protonated species. On the other hand, the recombinant bacteria showed a high tolerance to acetic acid regarding fermentative performance. In Luria broth medium with glucose or xylose as a single sugar source, it was observed that neither yield nor productivity was affected by the addition of acetate in a range of 2.0–12.0 g/L, suggesting some uncoupling of the growth vs ethanol production.