pH-dependent intracellular quenching of the indicator carboxy-SNARF-1

Carboxy-SNARF-1 is an emission-changing, pH-sensitive probe for measurements of intracellular pH. However, the protonated and deprotonated forms of the dye interact differently with intracellular constituents, and this imposes new requirements on the calibration of the system. Whole spectra of intracellular and extracellular C.SNARF-1 were analyzed and showed (1) intracellular quenching which was significantly greater for the deprotonated form of the dye than for the protonated state and (2) a detectable change in pK _a. Importantly for avoiding damage to cells, this mathematical analysis allowed reference spectra for fully protonated and fully deprotonated dye to be obtained without a need for spectra measured at extreme values of pH. It is not known what constituent(s) of the intracellular milieu might be responsible for the changes in dye behavior in the cell. To address this question, preliminary experiments with cell-free buffers compared the pattern seen inside the cell with quenching by a protein (bovine serum albumin; BSA) or that due to ethanol. The BSA result was completely unlike the intracellular case in that the protonated form of the dye was quenched. Buffer containing ethanol, on the other hand, was able to mimic the essential features of the intracellular spectra.     

Non-planar smoulder propagation governed by diffusion

The steady propagation of a thin smouldering front in a half-spacehas been considered. A suitable coordinate transformation hasallowed the region near the leading edge of the front to beexamined for both a maintained planar surface and with surfacecollapse due to material shrinkage. The change in the oxidizerconcentration for a small increment in the propagation speedfor large time and surface collapse has been determined. Theinfluence of two types of nonlinear diffusion on the shape ofthe smouldering front has been found; other cases can be dealtwith in a similar manner.     

Synthesis of perazine

A novel synthesis of perazine (10-(4-methylpiperazinyl-3-propyl)phenothiazine), likely to be applicable to 10-dialkylaminopropyl phenothiazines generally, is described.     

A new upper limit for the branching ratio for the decay η → π0e+e−

We have looked for the decay η → π⁰e⁺e^? in an optical spark chamber experiment at the Rutherford Laboratory. Our observations are consistent with no events being seen and give an upper limit rate (η → π⁰e⁺e^?)/ rate (η → all) < 4.5 × 10^?5 (90% C.L.).     

Infrared spectra and rotational isomerism of ethyl fluoroformate and ethyl propiolate

The infrared absorption spectra of ethyl fluoroformate and ethyl propiolate have been examined in the vapour, solution and solid states. For both esters evidence is found of rotational isomerism arising from internal rotation about the O-C₂H₅ bond, in close agreement with previous work on other ethyl esters.     

A measurement of the electromagnetic form factor of the eta meson and of the branching ratio for the eta Dalitz decay

In an optical spark chamber experiment we have obtained a sample of 80 eta Dalitz decays (η → e⁺e^?γ) and have measured the eta electromagnetic form factor to be F(X) = 1.0?(0.22 ±0.45)X, where X=M_ee²/M_η², and the branching ratio (η→e⁺e^?γ/(η→π⁺π^?π⁰)= (0.0082 ± 0.0020).