Investigation of the chemical state of copper in Cu/SiO2 composite films by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The concentration and chemical state of copper in the subsurface region of Cu/SiO₂ composite films obtained by simultaneous magnetron sputtering from two sources (Cu and SiO₂) are determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is established that copper in the as-grown film is primarily in the form of unoxidized atoms dispersed in a SiO₂ matrix. Annealing of the film results in practically no oxidation, but about 70% of the copper atoms condense into metallic clusters with sizes below 10 Å in the subsurface region and about 50 Å in the bulk of the film. The changes in the binding energy of core electrons, and especially in the energies of Auger electrons, are so large in this situation that photoelectron and Auger spectroscopy are efficient methods for monitoring the chemical state of this composite material.     

Formation of a two-dimensional periodic structure of local melting regions on a silicon surface upon pulsed light irradiation

The first results regarding the formation of a two-dimensional periodic structure of local melting regions on a silicon surface upon pulsed light irradiation are presented. The conditions are established, and the mechanism of the formation of such structures is discussed. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 97–99 (December 1997)     

Experimental studies of microwave amplification in the ion-focusedregime

Studies of microwave amplification with an in-focused electron beam drawn from an induction injector are reported. A free-electron laser (FEL) operating at 9.4 GHz and employing ion-focusing within the interaction region has achieved power in excess of 30 MW at 9.4 GHz, with a beam energy of 0.8 MeV and current of 0.7 kA. Peak gain is 20 dB/m, with no saturation after 15 wiggler periods. Also reported are the first evolution and detuning data for an ion-channel laser/maser (ICL). Two shortcomings of the prematurely halted ICL studies are poor frequency discrimination and a large axial plasma gradient. Prospects for operation with an upgraded 1.6 MeV accelerator are discussed     

5-[5-R-furfurylidene]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-diones 5. Nucleophilic replacement of halogen in the furan ring

Halogen in positions 3 and 5 of the furan ring in ftirfurylidenedioxanediones is readily replaced by dithiocarbonate, dithiocarbatnate, dithiophosphate, thiocyanate, and azide anions, and by thiourea, and secondary and tertiary amines. The conformation of the initial halogen derivative is retained in the substitution products.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 327–334, March, 1994.     

Hydroxyl-containing mesogens. Synthesis and liquid-crystalline properties of 2-o-hydroxyarylpyrimidines

We have synthesized 5-alkyl(alkoxy)-2-(o-lzydroxy-p-alkoxyphenyl)pyrimidines and considered the effect of the OH group on the inesomorphism. We have found that in binuclear o-hydroxyarylpyrimidines, an ortho OH group forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond increases T_mp, inhibits the appearance of nematic properties, and promotes the appearance of a smectic A.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 90–92, January, 1994.     

Lipids of cottonseed and palm oils and compositions based on them

The phsicochemical indices and the fatty-acid and triacylglycerol compositions of cottonseed and palm oils, of cottonseed oil hydrogenate, and of compositions based on them have been determined with the aid of IR and UV spectroscopies, GLC analysis, and chemical transformations. The compositions and amounts of the main classes of lipids in the initial oils and the hydrogenate have been studied. It has been found that in the process of hydrogenation the amount of oxygenated components falls. The work was conducted with the financial support of the Uzbek Fund for Fundamental Investigations.     

Isolation of phospholipase A2 from the venom of the green toadBufo viridis

Phospholipase A₂ has been isolated fromthe venom of he Central Asian green toad Bufo viridis in the electroophoretically homogeneous state for the first time by biospecific absorption chromatography. The affinity sorbent used was Affi-Gel 10 with covalently bound phosphatidylserine (PDS). The chemical inertness of the bound PDS to the hydrolytic action of phospholipase A2 and its high tendency to form biospecific complexes have been shown. Some biochemical characteristics of the enzyme isolated have been studied: influence of the pH and of the Ca²⁺ concentration and dependence of activity on substrate concentration.A. S. Sadykov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax 627071. Tashkent State University, fax 462472. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 105–109, January–February, 1994.     

An investigation of the membranotropic properties of the plant toxin thionin isolated fromPyrularia pubera

It has been shown by the ESR of spin probes that thionin initially interacts with with negatively charged membranes electrostatically and then passes into the membranes to a depth comparable with the length of the hydrophobic sections of the protein loops.Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 594–597, July–August, 1993.