Conformational implications of some nucleotide sequences

The conformational properties of some nucleotide sequences result in their ability to bind specifically some ligands or tobe recognized by specific proteins. In order to investigate the dependence of conformational behavior of the DNA duplex on nucleotide sequence, we analyzed the interaction energy of nucleic acid bases as a function of conformational parameters and base sequence. Extended regions of minimum energy values were found for different sequences. Although these regions (valleys) largely overlap, each one shows specificity for a particular sequence. This suggests that a specific pathway of changes in conformational parameters exists for each sequence. the changes may be accompanied by considerable shifts (2–3 Å) of the atom positions and an only slight variation (1–2 kcal/mol) of energy. Even small shifts in other directions can cause a drastic energy increase. For some nucleotide sequences, the energetically preferable conformations are the B-like ones (e.g., ApA, TpA), whereas for others the A-like ones are preferable (e.g., GpG, ApT). IN general, Pyr-Pur sequences have a tendency to a larger τ and smaller H and D than Pur-Pyr sequences. A large body of experimental data on nucleic acid structure in fibers and in solutions can be explained by results obtained.     

Methods for creating the self-regulating mechanisms of passive systems for ensuring thermal regime of devices for space application

The passive systems for ensuring the thermal regime of space objects, which are in current use, can preserve the temperature at the same level only under a certain orientation of spacecraft and at a constant heat release of the equipment. At a variable orientation of the space object, its temperature may vary due to a possible illumination of the radiator-emitter of the system for ensuring the thermal regime by the solar or planet radiation. At a variable heat release the object temperature changes due to an off-design regime of the radiator operation. To compensate for the given effects the active elements are used — the heaters and coolers. This reduces the reliability of thermal regulation system and, consequently, the reliability of the entire spacecraft. The solutions are proposed, which create in the absence of active elements in the thermal regulation system the internal mechanisms enabling a compensation of the variability of heat fluxes both at a reorientation of the spacecraft and at a variation of the internal heat release.     

Influence of the energy and velocity spread in the electron beam on the starting conditions and efficiency of a gyrotron

We study theoretically the influence of the spread of initial energies and velocities in the electron beam on the starting conditions and efficiency of a gyrotron. We compare various analytical and numerical models and the results of experimental studies of gyrotrons in which the interaction takes place at the first and second harmonics of the cyclotron frequency. The aftercavity interaction of the electron beam with the high-frequency field in the output waveguide transition is taken into account. The influence of the energy spread on the recuperation efficiency is estimated. Permissible spreads of the initial energies and electron velocities are determined. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 121–133, February 2006.     

Thermal conductivity, dislocation density and GaN device design

The performance of high power transistor devices is intimately connected to the substrate thermal conductivity. In this study, the relationship between thermal conductivity and dislocation density is examined using the 3 omega technique and free standing HVPE GaN substrates. Dislocation density is measured using imaging cathodoluminescence. In a low dislocation density regime below 10⁵ cm⁻², the thermal conductivity appears to plateau out near 230 W/K m and can be altered by the presence of isotopic defects and point defects. For high dislocation densities the thermal conductivity is severely degraded due to phonon scattering from dislocations. These results are applied to the design of homoepitaxially and heteroepitaxially grown HEMT devices and the efficiency of heat extraction and the influence of lateral heat spreading on device performance are compared.     

Heavy ions in RHIC — How to get to higher luminosities?

Luminosity mainly depends on the beam intensity of the circulating beams and the beam profiles at the interaction points. By either increasing the total beam current or decreasing its size the instantaneous luminosity can be increased. In addition any method to slow down beam growth and debunching processes will further improve the luminosity which can be integrated over a store. Optimizing beam cleaning procedures such as collimation or abort gap cleaning will further increase the amount of usable luminosity for experiments. This paper will give a brief introduction to some accelerator basics of interest and the luminosity as a function of beam parameters. Limitations to the achievable integrated luminosity as well as future upgrades to overcome these limitations are presented.     

Synthesis and conformational study of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,6-naphthiridines

A new class of endocyclic enamines, 1,6-disubstituted 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,6-naphthiridines, was synthesized from 4-piperidone imines by successive subjecting the latter to lithiation with lithium diethylamide, to alkylation with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane, and to intramolecular cyclization. All stages were carried out as a unique process without isolation of the intermediate compounds. A thorough optimization of the process conditions, workup, and product storage was carried out. The conformational study of 1,6-disubstituted 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,6-naphthiridines was performed.