Multiple photofragmentation pathways with different recoil anisotropy from a metal-ion-ligand complex

Spatial recoil anisotropy that is dependent upon the fragment-ion species is reported for the first time for a metal-ion-ligand complex after a single photoexcitation process by linearly polarized light. Upon excitation to the lowest three excited states of Mg+-ICH3, originating from the Mg+2P states, fragment ions of MgI+ and ICH+3 are found to have clear and different angular dependences, which are also characteristic of the excited states. These are explained from the results of theoretical work in that the calculated ground-state complex has a bent structure and further in that each transition dipole moment vector of the complex almost coincides with the Mg+ 3p orbital lobe direction in each case. The fragment ions are concluded to be formed along dissociative potential surfaces which are crossed by the initially excited states, in a much faster process than the rotational period of the complex.     

Normal integral bases and strict ray class groups modulo 4

Let F be a number field. We construct three tamely ramified quadratic extensions which are ramified at most at some given set of finite primes, such that K₃⊂K₁K₂, both K₁/F and K₂/F have normal integral bases, but K₃/F has no normal integral basis. Since Hilbert-Speiser's theorem yields that every finite and tamely ramified abelian extension over the field of rational numbers has a normal integral basis, it seems that this example is interesting (cf. [5] J. Number Theory 79 (1999) 164; Theorem 2). As we shall explain below, the previous papers (Acta Arith. 106 (2) (2003) 171-181; Abh. Math. Sem. Univ. Hamburg 72 (2002) 217-233) motivated the construction. We prove that if the class number of F is bigger than 1, or the strict ray class group of F modulo 4 has an element of order ?3, then there exist infinitely many triplets (K₁,K₂,K₃) of such fields.     

Direct Monitoring of γ‐Glutamyl Transpeptidase Activity In Vivo Using a Hyperpolarized 13C‐Labeled Molecular Probe

The γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) enzyme plays a central role in glutathione homeostasis. Direct detection of GGT activity could provide critical information for the diagnosis of several pathologies. We propose a new molecular probe, γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly, for monitoring GGT activity in vivo by hyperpolarized (HP) ¹³C magnetic resonance (MR). The properties of γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly are suitable for in vivo HP ¹³C metabolic analysis since the chemical shift between γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly and its metabolic product, [1‐¹³C]Gly, is large (4.3 ppm) and the T₁ of both compounds is relatively long (30 s and 45 s, respectively, in H₂O at 9.4 T). We also demonstrate that γ‐Glu‐[1‐¹³C]Gly is highly sensitive to in vivo modulation of GGT activity induced by the inhibitor acivicin.     

Electronic structure and reactivity of Mg+(H2O)n cluster ions

Electronically excited states of magnesium-water cluster ions, Mg⁺(H₂O) _n ,n=1–5, are studied by photodissociation after mass selection. The observed photodissociation spectra are assigned to the²P–²S type transitions localized on the Mg⁺ ion with the aid of ab initio CI calculations. In addition to evaporation of water molecules, photoinduced intracluster reaction to produce MgOH⁺(H₂O) _n is found to occur efficiently, with pronounced size dependence. The intriguing features observed in the mass spectrum of nascent cluster ions are discussed in relation to the stepwise solvation of this reaction.     

Cadinane‐Type Sesquiterpenoids,Strobilols E – K,from the Liquid Culture of Strobilurus ohshimae

New cadinane sequiterpenoids, strobilols E–K ( 5 – 11 , resp.) have been isolated from a liquid culture of Strobilurus ohshimae. Their structures have been established on the basis of spectral analyses.     

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for 19F magnetic resonance imaging,fluorescence imaging,and drug delivery

Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are good candidates for multimodal applications in drug delivery, bioimaging, and cell targeting. In particular, controlled release of drugs from MSN pores constitutes one of the superior features of MSNs. In this study, a novel drug delivery carrier based on MSNs, which encapsulated highly sensitive ¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents inside MSNs, was developed. The nanoparticles were labeled with fluorescent dyes and functionalized with small molecule-based ligands for active targeting. This drug delivery system facilitated the monitoring of the biodistribution of the drug carrier by dual modal imaging (NIR/¹⁹F MRI). Furthermore, we demonstrated targeted drug delivery and cellular imaging by the conjugation of nanoparticles with folic acid. An anticancer drug (doxorubicin, DOX) was loaded in the pores of folate-functionalized MSNs for intracellular drug delivery. The release rates of DOX from the nanoparticles increased under acidic conditions, and were favorable for controlled drug release to cancer cells. Our results suggested that MSNs may serve as promising ¹⁹F MRI-traceable drug carriers for application in cancer therapy and bio-imaging.     

Funds allocation in NPOs: the role of administrative cost ratios

Performance measurement of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) is of increasing importance for aid agencies, policy-makers and donors. A widely used benchmark for measuring the efficiency of NPOs is the overhead cost ratio, consisting of the total money spent on administration and fundraising relative to the budget. Donors generally favor a lower overhead cost ratio as it ensures that more money directly reaches beneficiaries. Unlike fundraising expenses, administrative costs do not contribute to advertising the actions of an NPO even though they account for a significant proportion of overhead cost. Reducing administrative expenses is a logical consequence from a financial viewpoint, but might negatively affect NPOs through the resulting administrative capacities. This phenomenon is known as “Nonprofit Starvation Cycle”. This work provides an analytical framework for analyzing NPO decision making concerning administrative costs. The paper provides answers to important research questions on the optimal level of administrative spending, the influencing factors and the effects of available information on NPOs. The research shows that focusing on financial performance measurements can result in reduced utility created for NPOs. Less transparency often leads to increased utility for NPOs, but more transparency can increase NPOs’ utility if the information available exceeds a certain threshold. Fluctuating donations are challenging for NPOs’ planning and may impact administrative capacities negatively.

     

Boron Clusters as Highly Stable Magnesium‐Battery Electrolytes

Boron clusters are proposed as a new concept for the design of magnesium‐battery electrolytes that are magnesium‐battery‐compatible, highly stable, and noncorrosive. A novel carborane‐based electrolyte incorporating an unprecedented magnesium‐centered complex anion is reported and shown to perform well as a magnesium‐battery electrolyte. This finding opens a new approach towards the design of electrolytes whose likelihood of meeting the challenging design targets for magnesium‐battery electrolytes is very high.     

Photon emission from channeled heavy ions excited Resonant-coherently

Abstract

The possibility of the radiative deexcitation from channeled heavy ions excited by the Okorokov Effect (Resonant coherent excitation) is discussed and the experiments on the photon emission due to the deexcitation from hydrogen-like Ne⁹⁺ and Fe⁸⁺ ions are reported.     

Electron distribution and intracluster reaction in [Nan(CS2)2]- negative ion clusters

We have studied excess electron distributions of binary cluster negative ions consisting of sodium atoms and carbon disulfied molecules, Na_n(CS₂)₂ ^- (n= 1 and 2) by using photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT). The photoelectron spectra indicate the existence of at least two isomers for both n=1 and 2 anions. From the DFT calculations, mainly two types of isomers are found to coexist in the Na(CS₂)₂ ^-; one has a van der Waals (vdW) type CS₂ dimer core and another has a covalently bonded C₂S₄ core, both of which were known for CS₂ molecular cluster anions. In the latter isomers, the C₂S₄ portion possesses almost two electrons, which is caused by the valence electron transfer from the Na atom. Also for n=2, we found the isomers of vdW and covalently bonded types. In the isomers with covalently bonded core, the C₂S₄ portion has more than two electrons, an excess electron and double valence-electron transfer from both of the sodium atoms. Electronic supplementary material to this article is available at and accessible for authorized users.