Kinetics of dimerization of 2-alkylthiopropenals

The rate constants for cyclodimerization of α-alkylthioacroleins were determined. They are two orders of magnitude higher than those for dimerization of α-alkoxyacroleins. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2020–2021, October, 1999.     

Investigation of the formation of nanowires from silicon whiskers

Nanowires have been prepared by the high-temperature oxidation of Si whiskers. The dependences of the nanowire formation on the oxidation parameters have been investigated. The oxidation rate is shown to depend on the whisker diameter. Oxidation in dry oxygen at temperatures no higher than 950°C results in self-stopping; i.e., the nanowire diameter is stabilized. Stabilization is not observed at oxidation temperatures above 950°C or at oxidation in wet oxygen. Oxidation at higher temperatures made it possible to obtain nanowires ≤5 nm in diameter in relatively thick (up to 200 nm in diameter) whiskers.     

[4 + 2]-cycloaddition of alkyl vinyl ethers to 3-aroylpyrrolo-[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry -     

E-cadherin expression is biochemical marker in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

The expression of E-cadherin has been investigated by the immunohistochemical method. The expression of E-cadherin is considered as a biomarker of junctions of intercellular adhesion in tissues samples with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. The quantitative avidin-biotin-peroxidase method was used to estimate the expression. Precancer lesions, i.e., cervical intraepithelial neoplasias, CIN 1, 2, 3, precede invasive cancer of the cervix uteri by several years, the prognosis of which is variable in terms of regression and progression into invasive cancer. The expression of E-cadherin has been analyzed in cervical tissues of patients with various grades of CIN and microinvasive cancer (81 samples), as well as patients without CIN (ten samples). The sharp, statistically significant decrease in the expression of E-cadherin in CIN3 has been recorded compared to CIN1, CIN2, and the normal epithelium. It is reasonable to use this marker to assess the grade of the lesion and develop an individual prognosis of CIN progression. The data present a new way to construct pharmaceuticals based on compounds that influence E-cadherin expression.     

Three-dimensional structure of laccase from Coriolus zonatus at 2.6 Å resolution

Laccase (oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.14.18.1) belongs to the copper-containing oxidases. This enzyme catalyzes reduction of molecular oxygen by different organic and inorganic compounds to water without the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The three-dimensional structure of native laccase from Coriolus zonatus was solved and refined at 2.6 Å resolution (R _factor = 21.23%, R _free = 23.82%, rms deviations for the bond lengths and bond angles are 0.008 Å and 1.19°, respectively). The primary structure of the polypeptide chain and the architecture of the active site were refined. The carbohydrate component of the enzyme was identified. The access and exit water channels providing the access of molecular oxygen to the active site and release of water, which is the reduction product of molecular oxygen, from the protein molecule were found in the structure.     

Investigation of parameters of inductively coupled plasma and its use in steel nitriding

Parameters of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) discharges in a mixture of gases N₂, H₂, and Ar at a total pressure of 1.5 × 10^–3 mbar and a partial pressure ratio N₂: H₂: Ar = 2: 12: 1 are discussed. The plasma properties are analyzed using Langmuir probes and optical emission spectroscopy. The ICP discharge is used for the nitriding of specimens made of Russian grade 30ChGSA structural steel. The nitriding experiments are performed at different bias voltages V_b in the range of–200 V to +100 V with respect to the walls of the discharge chamber. The surface hardness of the treated specimens depends substantially on the bias voltage, being much higher than the initial value in all cases. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of increasing the surface hardness up to 1000 HV (4–5 times the initial values) at the bias voltage equal to the floating potential.     

Synthesis and properties of derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole

2,3-Dihydro-4H-[1,3]-thlazino[2,3-b]benzothiazolium chlorides have been synthesized and their reduction with sodium borohydride has given previously-unknown derivatives of (perhydro-1,3-thiazino) [2,3-b]benzothiazoline. The stability of the compounds in acid and alkaline media has been studied.For part VII, see [1].     

Synthesis in the 2-mercaptobenzothiazole series

The reduction of some dihydrothiazolobenzothiazolium salts with sodium borohydride may take place in two directions: with the formation of thiazolidino[2, 3-b]benzathiazolines and with the cleavage of the C-S bond to give N-(-mercaptoethyl)benzothiazolines. The behavior of thiazolidino[2, 3-b]benzothiazoline under the conditions of acid and alkaline hydrolysis has been studied.For communication VI, see [1].     

Specifics of Interaction of Acetone Molecules with Quasi-free Electrons: Analysis of Positron Annihilation Characteristics in Aqueous and Alcoholic Acetone Solutions

The yields of formation of radiolytic hydrogen (H₂) and orthopositronium (o-Ps) in aqueous and alcoholic acetone solutions were experimentally determined. A decrease in the o-Ps yield with an increase in the acetone concentration is much weaker than the decline in the yield of solvated electrons (e^– _s) under picosecond pulse radiolysis conditions. In contrast, the decrease in the o-Ps yield is minimal in higher alcohols where the inhibiting action of acetone e^– _s is most pronounced. These findings seem to contradict the conventional concepts of Ps formation via the intratrack reaction of positron recombination with a track electron (e^–), which competes with the reaction of e^– scavenging by dissolved acetone molecules. This contradiction can be eliminated, assuming that the scavenging of e^– by acetone begins from the formation of the weakly bound transient state (CH₃)₂CO···e^– capable of donating e^– to a positron. This opens up an additional pathway for the formation of the Ps atom.