Synthesis of homoceramides, novel ceramide analogues, and their lack of effect on the growth of hippocampal neurons

The synthesis of a new series of D-erythro-homoceramide analogues is described. Several synthetic approaches were investigated. Homoceramides can be successfully synthesized from L-homoserine as chiral building block and a protected Weinreb-amide as a key intermediate. The synthesis of short-chain analogues with a heptyl side chain, as well as with a phenyl residue in the sphingoid part (instead of the naturally occurring tridecyl side chain), was effected. The homoceramides 15-17 and 24 were investigated for their potential to reverse the inhibitory effect of fumonisin B(1) on axonal growth. Unfortunately, none of the tested compounds showed any biological activity due to their lack of metabolism to glucosylhomoceramide.     

Distribution of energy levels of quantum free particle on the Liouville surface and trace formulae

We consider the Weyl asymptotic formula

Simple formula for nuclear charge radius

A new formula for the nuclear charge radius is proposed, dependent on the mass numberA and neutron excessN-Z in the nucleus. It is simple and it reproduces all the experimentally available mean square radii and their isotopic shifts of even-even nuclei much better than other frequently used relations.This work is partly supported by the Polish Committee of Scientific Research under contract No. 203119101     

Direct Electrochemical Investigations of 17-Electron Complexes of CpM(CO)(3)(*) (M = Mo, W, and Cr)

Photolysis of complexes of the type M(2)(CO)(6)(RC(5)H(4))(2) (where M = W, Mo, Cr and R = H (Cp) or CH(3) (Cp')) leads to the production of short lived 17-electron radicals. Direct electrochemical characterization of these intermediates has been achieved using a technique known as photomodulated voltammetry (PMV). The results from PMV analysis are in excellent agreement with literature estimates for CpMo(CO)(3)(*) and CpCr(CO)(3)(*). However, CpW(CO)(3)(*) is found to be shifted oxidatively 115 mV relative to previous literature estimates. The change in the value for the tungsten complex changes previous estimates to the bond dissociation energy for tungsten metal hydrides by 3.0 +/- 0.9 kcal/mol. Lifetime information on the radicals is also reported based on the phase shift of the electrochemical signal observed by PMV under limiting current conditions.     

Natural calcium minerals as catalysts of oxidative conversion of methane

The studies of the influence of the kind of natural calcium mineral and the kind and amount of sodium promoter on the conversion degree of methane and oxygen, selectivity and yield of the oxidative conversion of methane have shown the usability of limestone as a basic component of the catalyst for this process.     

Harmonic analysis in infinite dimension

We study the Hermite transform onL ²() where is a Gaussian measure on a Lusin locally convex spaceE. We are then lead to a Hilbert space () of analytic functions onE which is also a natural range for the Laplace transform. LetB be a convenient Hilbert-Schmidt operator on the Cameron-Martin spaceH of . There exists a natural sequence Cap _n of capacities onE associated toB. This implies the Kondratev-Yokoi theorem about positive linear forms on the Hida test-functions space.     

Negative ion mass spectra of some unsaturated C-glycosides following keV ion bombardment

A series of anomeric unsaturated C-glycosides were studied by negative ion mass spectrometry following keV ion bombardment The compounds bearing an acidic hydrogen show a prominent [M ? H]^? peak; in the other cases, the [M ? H]^? peak is of very low intensity. A retro-Diels–Alder fragmentation and the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the aglycon residue are observed in all cases.     

Measurements of Temperatures and Electron Number Density in an Argon–Nitrogen Plasma Jet Generated by a dc Torch-Operation Close to Supersonic Threshold

An investigation of the plasma jet generated by a dc argon–nitrogen plasma torch, operated in association with a controlled-pressure chamber, is presented. The purpose of this article is to describe a study of the properties of a subsonic plasma jet under such operating conditions, when its transition to supersonic flow regime is nearly complete. The goal is that of performing plasma diagnostics not only in the initial region of the jet but also in the downstream region where the plasma emission is weak. For this purpose two different diagnostic methods are used. The first approach is based on non-intrusive optical emission spectroscopy, which yields both excitation and rotational temperatures as well as electron number density fields. The zone investigated by this method extends from the torch exit to about 10 nozzle diameters downstream. The second approach consisted of the use of the intrusive enthalpy probe technique for the measurement of the plasma gas temperature, mainly in the tail region of the plasma jet. In the present work, the effects of axial and radial distances across the jet, on the temperature and electron density profiles are discussed for subsonic flow conditions. Interesting features revealed are the data shown for the various diagnostic methods, which either disagree or overlap with each other. Finally, our results show the need for involving non-equilibrium models for the argon–nitrogen plasma due to the presence of significant differences between the temperatures of light and heavy particles.     

Hydrogenation asymetrique de precurseurs d'aminoacides a l'aide de mono- et diphosphines derivees de sucres

Mono- and di-phosphines derived from sugars are synthesized and used as ligands in asymmetric catalysis. In the presence of a base (triethylamine, KOH…) the cationic complex [Rh(COD)dioxop]⁺ClO₄^?, catalyzes reduction of α-amino acid precursors with high optical yields (78–86%). The influence of the base is discussed.     

Electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of some unsaturated anomeric C-glycosides

Electron impact mass spectra at 70 eV electron energy and chemical ionization mass spectra with ammonia as the reagent gas are reported for certain unsaturated C-glycosides. Comparisons are made between the mass spectra of anomeric pairs of these glycosides.