Enantioenriched dihydropyrones from beta-lactone templates

[reaction: see text] Optically active 4-substituted 2-oxetanones provide conduits for preparing 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrone heterocycles. Enantioenriched beta-lactones are prepared by asymmetric catalytic acyl halide-aldehyde cyclocondensation reactions. Hydrazone anion-mediated beta-lactone ring opening and ensuing cyclization-dehydroamination of the derived beta-ketohydrazone afford the desired dihydropyrones (68-81%). Optimized lactone ring-opening-cyclization reaction conditions render a variety of optically active 4-substituted-2-oxetanones as effective precursors to enantioenriched 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrones.     

Statistical properties of aggregation with injection

We study a generalized aggregation process in which charged particles diffuse and coalesce randomly on a lattice. For one-dimensional and mean-field models, we show that there exists a statistically-invariant steady state when randomly charged particles are continuously injected. The steady-state charge distribution obeys a power law with the exponent depending both on the type of the injection and on the spatial dimension. The response of the system to a perturbation (i.e., relaxation) is characterized by either a power law decay (t ^– ,1) or a compressed exponential decay [exp(–t ),>1].     

Novel perturbation expansion for the Langevin equation

We discuss the randomly driven systemdx/dt= -W(x) +f(t), wheref(t) is a Gaussian random function or stirring force withf(t)f(t)=2(t–t), andW(x) is of the formgx ¹⁺². The parameter is a measure of the nonlinearity of the equation. We show how to obtain the correlation functionsx(t)f(t)···x(t( n)) _f as a power series in. We obtain three terms in the expansion and show how to use Padé approximants to analytically continue the answer in the variable. By using scaling relations, we show how to get a uniform approximation to the equal-time correlation functions valid for allg and.     

Correlated atomic force microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging of live bacterial cells

We report on imaging living bacterial cells by using a correlated tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). For optimal imaging of Gram-negative Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cells, we explored different methods of bacterial sample preparation, such as spreading the cells on poly-L-lysine coated surfaces or agarose gel coated surfaces. We have found that the agarose gel containing 99% ammonium acetate buffer can provide sufficient local aqueous environment for single bacterial cells. Furthermore, the cell surface topography can be characterized by tapping-mode in-air AFM imaging for the single bacterial cells that are partially embedded. Using in-air rather than under-water AFM imaging of the living cells significantly enhanced the contrast and signal-to-noise ratio of the AFM images. Near-field AFM-tip-enhanced fluorescence lifetime imaging (AFM-FLIM) holds high promise on obtaining fluorescence images beyond optical diffraction limited spatial resolution. We have previously demonstrated near-field AFM-FLIM imaging of polymer beads beyond diffraction limited spatial resolution. Here, as the first step of applying AFM-FLIM on imaging bacterial living cells, we demonstrated a correlated and consecutive AFM topographic imaging, fluorescence intensity imaging, and FLIM imaging of living bacterial cells to characterize cell polarity.     

Low volume microwave digestion for the determination of selenium in marine biological tissues by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

A microwave digestion method for the determination of marine biological tissues has been developed to allow determination of selenium in small sample sizes (< 0.1 g). The benefits of this technique include maintaining concentrates in extracts without the subsequent over dilution encountered when using larger vessels, increased sample throughput and reduced loss of volatile material. Freeze dried biological material (< 0.1 g) and nitric acid (1 ml) were placed into 7 ml screw top Teflon vessels which are completely sealed on capping. Two 7 ml vials were placed into larger 120 ml vessels fitted with a Teflon spacer and 10 ml of distilled water. The effects of microwave power and time, and sample mass on selenium recovery from three marine standard reference materials (NIST SRM 1566a Oyster Tissue, NRCC DORM-1 Dogfish Muscle and NRCC TORT-1 Lobster Hepatopancreas) were examined. The optimum conditions: 600 W, 2 min; 0 W, 2 min; 450 W, 45 min, allowed quantitative recoveries of selenium from these and three other standard reference materials (NRCC DOLT-1 Dogfish liver, NIST RM-50 Albacore tuna and IAEA MA-A-2 fish flesh). Studies on sample mass showed that the analysis of sample masses from 0.025 to 0.1 g gave selenium concentrations within the certified range. Six species of selenium: selenite, selenate, selenomethionine, selenocysteine, selenocystamine, and trimethyl selenonium were added to oyster, dogfish, and lobster tissues. Recoveries were near quantitative for all species (94–105%) except trimethyl selenonium (90–101%).     

Absorption spectra of 2-styryl-4-phenyl-thiazole ethiodides in organic solvents of varying polarities and determination of the formation constant of the charge transfer complex formed

The electronic absorption spectra of some 2-styryl-4-phenyl-thiazole ethiodides are studied in organic solvents of different polarities. The shorter wavelength band appearing in the visible region is assigned to an intramolecular charge transfer (CT)-transition originating from the phenyl moiety to the positively charged hetero ring, while the longer wavelength one is due to an intermolecular CT-transition from the iodide ion to the 2-styryl-4-phenyl-thiazolinium cation. These assignments are based on the nature of the aldehydic residue and effects of solvent, concentration, and temperature on both the position and absorptivity of the CT complex-band. It is concluded that the CT complex formed will be highly solvated inDMF, DMSO, ethanol and methanol relative to in CHCl₃, dioxane and acetone. The formation constant of the CT complex in solutions of different polarities is determined at different temperatures. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters H ^o, G ^o and S ^o for complex formation are calculated and discussed.

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Absorptionsspektren von 2-Styryl-4-phenyl-thiazol-ethiodiden in verschiedenen Lösungsmitteln und Bestimmung der Bildungskonstanten der Charge-Transfer-Komplexe

Zusammenfassung Die Elektronenanregungsspektren einiger substituierter 2-Styryl-4-phenyl-thiazol-ethiodide wurden in einigen Lösungsmitteln unterschiedlicher Polarität untersucht. Die Absorption bei kürzerer Wellenlänge wird einem intramolekularen Charge-Transfer (CT)-Übergang zugeordnet, die langwellige Bande einem intermolekularen CT-Übergang (Jodid—organ. Kation). Die Diskussion erfolgt basierend auf Substitutions-, Lösungsmittel-, Konzentrations-, und Temperatur-Effekten. Die Komplexbildungskonstanten und die thermodynamischen Parameter H ^o, G ^o und S ^o werden angegeben.

     

Electron-stimulated production of molecular hydrogen at the interfaces of amorphous solid water films on Pt(111)

The electron-stimulated production of molecular hydrogen (D(2), HD, and H(2)) from amorphous solid water (ASW) deposited on Pt(111) is investigated. Experiments with isotopically layered films of H(2)O and D(2)O are used to profile the spatial distribution of the electron-stimulated reactions leading to hydrogen within the water films. The molecular hydrogen yield has two components that have distinct reaction kinetics due to reactions that occur at the ASW/Pt interface and the ASW/vacuum interface, but not in the bulk. However, the molecular hydrogen yield as a function of the ASW film thickness in both pure and isotopically layered films indicates that the energy for the reactions is absorbed in the bulk of the films and electronic excitations migrate to the interfaces where they drive the reactions.     

Differences in the redistribution of concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin binding sites on mouse neuroblastoma cells.

Concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) bound with either 125I, fluorescent dyes, or fluorescent polymeric microspheres were used to quantitate and visualize the distribution of lectin binding sites on mouse neuroblastoma cells. As viewed by fluorescent light and scanning electron microscopy, over 10(7) binding sites for Con A, WGA, and RCA appeared to be distributed randomly over the surface of differentiated and undifferentiated cells. An energy-dependent redistribution of labeled sites into a central spot occurred when the cells were labeled with a saturating dose of fluorescent lectin and maintained at 37 degrees C for 60 min. Reversible labeling using appropriate saccharide inhibitors indicated that the labeled sites had undergone endocytosis by the cell. A difference in the mode of redistribution of WGA or RCA and Con A binding sites was observed in double labeling experiments. When less than 10% of the WGA or RCA lectin binding sites were labeled, only these labeled sites appeared to be removed from the cell surface. In contrast, when less than 10% of the Con A sites were labeled, both labeled and unlabeled Con A binding sites were removed from the cell surface. Cytochalasin B uncoupled the coordinate redistribution of labeled and unlabeled Con A sites, suggesting the involvement of microfilaments. Finally, double labeling experiments employing fluorescein-tagged Con A and rhodamine-tagged WGA indicate that most Con A and WGA binding sites reside on different membrane components and redistribute independenty of each other.     

Trichosides A and B,new withanolide glucosides from Tricholepis eburnea

Trichosides A (1) and B (2), new withanolide glucosides, have been isolated from the n-butanolic fraction of the 75% methanolic extract of aerial parts of Tricholepis eburnea. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis including ESI-MS, 2D NMR and acid hydrolysis.     

Cup and cap products in intersection (co)homology

We construct cup and cap products in intersection (co)homology with field coefficients. The existence of the cap product allows us to give a new proof of Poincaré duality in intersection (co)homology which is similar in spirit to the usual proof for ordinary (co)homology of manifolds.