KLL Auger and x-ray photoelectron spectra of phosphine,some phosphorus halides and the other hydrides isoelectronic with argon

KL₂L₃(¹D₂) Auger and 1s photoelectron energies have been measured for molecular hydrides isoelectronic with Argon (HCl, H₂S, PH₃ and SiH₄). In addition a detailed comparison of Auger and photoelectron shifts in a series of phosphorus halides (vs phosphine) has been undertaken using additional P_2p binding energies. The potential model is better able to predict 1s binding energy shifts with either ground state or relaxation corrected models than the 2p shifts. These latter values seem also to be reduced by shielding effects. In general, fluorides are better predicted than chlorides. Auger shifts correlate linearly(but not in a 1:1 relationship) with 1s photoelectron shifts throughout the isoelectronic series and also in the case of the phosphorus fluorides and phosphine. The two potential models, however, provide poor prediction of Auger shifts.     

Heavy-ion optical potentials at finite temperature calculated using a complex effective interaction derived from a realistic force

Hot density distributions of heavy ions generated by a modified Thomas-Fermi calculation at finite temperature are used to calculate the optical potential using the double-folding method and a complex effective energy and density-dependent interaction deduced from a realistic NN (Reid soft-core) force in nuclear matter. The real and the imaginary part of the optical potential become more attractive when the temperature increases.     

Phytochemical study and cytotoxicity evaluation of Colchicum stevenii Kunth (Colchicaceae): a Jordanian meadow saffron

Isolation, characterization, and biological evaluation of active components of Colchicum stevenii Kunth (Colchicaceae) are described. Colchicum stevenii is an unexplored Jordanian specie with toxic reputation. Directed by brine shrimp lethality test (BST), methanolic extraction, liquid-liquid partition, preparative TLC, and semi-preparative HPLC, it resulted in the isolation of six cytotoxic compounds. The compounds, reported for the first time from this specie, are: (-)-colchicine (1), 2-demethyl-(-)-colchicine (2), (-)-cornigerine (3), beta-lumicolchicine (4), (-)-isoandrocymbine (5) and (-)-O-methylandrocymbine (6). A new, in-house developed, acidic-based reverse-phase gradient semi-preparative HPLC method for the separation of colchisides is presented here. Structural elucidation was based on spectroscopic techniques principally; 1H-NMR and low resolution EIMS. Based on BST results, reported as LC50 values in microg mL(-1) (ppm) with 95% confidence intervals, (-)-colchicine (2.5 ppm) and (-)-cornigerine (2.7 ppm) were the most potent.     

A chemiluminescence method for the detection of electrochemically generated H2O2 and ferryl porphyrin

Electrochemical formation of H2O2 and the subsequent ferryl porphyrin were examined by measuring luminol chemiluminescence and absorption spectrum using flow-injection method. Emission was observed under the cathodic potential (0.05 V at pH 2.0 and -0.3 V at pH 11.0) by the electrochemical reduction of buffer electrolytes solution but no emission was observed at anodic potentials. Fe(III)TMPyP solution was added at the down stream of the working electrode and was essential for the emission. Removal of dissolved O2 resulted in the decrease of emission intensity by more than 70%. In order to examine the lifetime of reduced active species, delay tubes were used in between working electrode and Fe(III)TMPyP inlet. Experimental results suggested the active species were stable for quite long. The emission was quenched considerably (>90%) when hydroperoxy catalase was added at the down stream of the working electrode whereas SOD had little effect. Significant inhibition of the emission by the addition of alkene at the down stream of the Fe(III)TMPyP inlet was considered as evidence of oxo-ferryl formation. The spectra at reduction potential under aerated condition were shifted to the longer wavelength (>430 nm) compared to the original spectrum of Fe(III)TMPyP (422 nm). All the spectra were perfectly reproduced by a combination of Fe(III)TMPyP and O=Fe(IV)TMPyP (438 nm) spectra. These observations lead to the conclusion that H2O2 was produced first by electrochemical reduction of O2, which then converted Fe(III)TMPyP into O=Fe(IV)TMPyP to activate luminol. The current efficiencies for the formation of H2O2 were estimated as about 30-65% in all over the pH.     

Bio-energetic impairment in human calf muscle in thyroid disorders: a P MRS study

Mitochondrial metabolism particularly oxidative phosphorylation is greatly influenced by thyroid hormones. Earlier studies have described neuromuscular symptoms as well as impaired muscle metabolism in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients. In this study, we intend to look in to the muscle bioenergetics including phosphocreatine recovery kinetics based oxidative metabolism in thyroid dysfunction using in vivo ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). ³¹P MRS was carried out at resting state on 32 hypothyroid, 10 hyperthyroid patients and 25 control subjects. Nine out of 32 hypothyroid patients and 17 out of 25 control subjects under went exercise protocol for oxidative metabolism study and performed plantar flexion exercise while lying supine in 1.5 T magnetic resonance scanner using custom built exercise device. MRS measurements of inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), phosphodiesters (PDE) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) of the calf muscle were acquired during rest, exercise and recovery phase. PCr recovery rate constant (k_PCr) and oxidative capacity were calculated by monoexponential fit of PCr versus time (t) at the beginning of recovery. During resting condition in hypothyroid patients, PCr/Pi ratio was reduced whereas PDE/ATP and Pi/ATP were increased. However, in case of hyperthyroidism, an increased PCr/Pi ratio and reduced PDE/ATP and Pi/ATP were observed. The results confirmed differential energy status of the muscle due to increased or decreased levels of thyroid hormone. Our results also demonstrate reduced oxidative metabolism in hypothyroid patients based on PCr recovery kinetics. PCr recovery kinetics study after exercise revealed decreased PCr recovery rate constant (k_PCr) in hypothyroid patients compared to controls that resulted in decrease in oxidative capacity of muscle by 50% in hypothyroids. These findings are consistent with a defect of high energy phosphate mitochondrial metabolism in thyroid dysfunction.     

Modulated photophysics of 2-anthracene sulphonate in micellar assembly

The association of a non-ionic surfactant of polyoxyethylene-p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl ether (Triton X) series with 2-AS in aqueous solution has been studied by means of steady-state, time-resolved fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy techniques. The effect of the hydrophobic chain length on the structural dynamism of the fluorophore has been reported. Experimental results demonstrate that the equilibrium of this dynamism is sensitive to the environment. The association constant of the probe molecule with the non-ionic micelles of Triton X (TX), location of the probe in the micellar environment, have been determined from the change in emission characteristics of the probe as a function of surfactant concentration. The rate constant of quenching and mode of quenching of probe in micellar media have been ascertained. Quantitative estimates of the micropolarity at the binding sites of the probe molecule have been determined. Some of the environment-dependent relevant fluorescence parameters, fluorescence anisotropy (r), have been monitored for exploring the imposed motional restriction of the microenvironment around the probe. An attempt has been made to correlate the steady-state results with time resolved study.     

Bifurcations and chaos control in a discrete-time predator-prey system of Leslie type

We investigate the dynamics of a discrete-time predator-prey system of Leslie type. We show algebraically that the system passes through a flip bifurcation and a Neimark-Sacker bifurcation in the interior of $\R^{2}_+$ using center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory. Numerical simulations are implimented not only to validate theoretical analysis but also exhibits chaotic behaviors, including phase portraits, period-11 orbits, invariant closed circle, and attracting chaotic sets. Furthermore, we compute Lyapunov exponents and fractal dimension numerically to justify the chaotic behaviors of the system. Finally, a state feedback control method is applied to stabilize the chaotic orbits at an unstable fixed point.     

Coulomb blockade anisotropic magnetoresistance effect in a (Ga,Mn)As single-electron transistor

We observe low-field hysteretic magnetoresistance in a (Ga,Mn)As single-electron transistor which can exceed 3 orders of magnitude. The sign and size of the magnetoresistance signal are controlled by the gate voltage. Experimental data are interpreted in terms of electrochemical shifts associated with magnetization rotations. This Coulomb blockade anisotropic magnetoresistance is distinct from previously observed anisotropic magnetoresistance effects as it occurs when the anisotropy in a band structure derived parameter is comparable to an independent scale, the single-electron charging energy. Effective kinetic-exchange model calculations in (Ga,Mn)As show chemical potential anisotropies consistent with experiment and ab initio calculations in transition metal systems suggest that this generic effect persists to high temperatures in metal ferromagnets with strong spin-orbit coupling.     

Spectral,electron microscopic and chemical investigations of gamma-induced purple color zonings in amethyst crystals from the Dursunbey-Balıkesir region of Turkey

Amethyst crystals on matrix specimens from the Dursunbey-Bal?kesir region in Turkey have five representative purple color zonings: dark purple, light purple, lilac, orchid, and violet. The purple color zonings have been analyzed with optical absorption spectra in the visible wavelength region, chemical full trace element analyses (inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy), and scanning electron microscopic images with high magnification. It can be proposed that the production of the purple color in amethyst crystals is due to three dominant absorption bands centered at 375, 530, and 675 nm, respectively. In addition, the purple color zonings are also due to four minor absorption bands centered at 435, 480, 620, and 760 nm. X-ray diffraction graphics of the investigated amethyst crystals indicate that these crystals are composed of a nearly pure alpha-quartz phase and do not include any moganite silica phase and/or other mineral implications. Trace element analyses of the amethyst crystals show five representative purple color zonings, suggesting that the absorption bands can be mainly attributed to extrinsic defects (chemical impurities). However, another important factor that influences all structural defects in amethyst is likely to be the gamma irradiation that exists during amethyst crystallization and its inclusion in host materials. This gamma irradiation originates from the large underlying intrusive granitoid body in the region of amethyst formation. Irradiation modifies the valence values of the impurity elements in the amethyst crystals. It is observed that the violet-colored amethyst crystals have the most stable and the least reversible coloration when exposed to strong light sources. This situation can be related to the higher impurity content of Fe (2.50 ppm), Co (3.1 ppm), Ni (38 ppm), Cu (17.9 ppm), Zn (10 ppm), Zr (3.9 ppm), and Mo (21.8 ppm).