Fabrication and characterization of a PbTe quantum dots multilayer structure

Multilayer PbTe quantum dots (QDs) and SiO₂ were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) techniques. The crystalline structure, QD size and size dispersion were observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements. This technique allows one to grow PbTe QDs as small as 1.8 nm diameter and 0.6 nm size dispersion. The whole structure can be used in a Fabry–Perot cavity for an optical device operating at the mid-infrared region.     

Isomorphisms of integral alternative loop rings

This paper first settles the “isomorphism problem” for alternative loop rings; namely, it is shown that a Moufang loop whose integral loop ring is alternative is determined up to isomorphism by that loop ring. Secondly, it is shown that every normalized automorphism of an alternative loop ringZ L is the product of an inner automorphism ofQ L and an authomorphism ofL.     

Selective fluorescence quenching of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene by nucleotides

[reaction: see text] The fluorescence quenching of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (DBO) by nucleotides has been studied. The quenching mechanism was analyzed on the basis of deuterium isotope effects, tendencies for exciplex formation, and the quenching efficiency in the presence of a molecular container (cucurbit[7]uril). Exciplex-induced quenching appears to prevail for adenosine, cytidine, and uridine, while hydrogen abstraction becomes competitive for thymidine and guanosine. Compared to other fluorescent probes, DBO responds very selectively to the type of nucleotide.     

Microgravimetric study of electrochemically controlled nucleophilic addition of sulfite to polyaniline

The sulfonation of polyaniline (PANI) films by nucleophilic addition of sulfite ion has been controlled through the polymer oxidation state under electrochemical control. The process was monitored by in situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), and the polymer oxidation was accomplished by electrode potential steps in sulfite aqueous solutions. The nucleophilic addition of sulfite to PANI only takes place on the oxidized polymer. From the ratio of added mass to the injected charge, the degree of sulfonation has been obtained with a yield as high as 50%. It has been observed that the ion-exchange mechanism during the oxidation-reduction process in the resulting sulfonated polymer is analogous to the polymer produced by electrophilic sulfonation of polyaniline or by copolymerization of aniline with aminosulfonic acids, unlike the ionic exchange observed for unmodified PANI.     

Solid-phase synthesis of amidines by the reduction of amidoximes

Amidines can be prepared on a solid support by reducing polymer-bound amidoximes with SnCl₂·2H₂O. The method has proved to be straightforward and highly efficient. Amidoximes attached to the solid support are readily available by treating resin-bound nitriles with hydroxylamine.     

Isomers of C20: an energy profile III

Semiempirical calculations, at the PM3 level provided within the Winmopac v2.0 software package, are used to geometrically optimize and determine the absolute energies (heats of formation) of a variety of C(20) isomers that are predicted to exist in and around the ring and cage isomers. Using the optimized Cartesian coordinates for the ring and the cage isomers, a saddle-point calculation was performed. The resulting energy profile, consisting of a series of peaks and valleys, is used as a starting point for the identification and location of fifteen additional isomers of C(20) that are predicted to be energetically stable, both via geometry optimizations and force constant analysis. These additional isomers were subsequently determined to lie adjacent to one another on the potential surface and establish a step-wise transformation between the ring and the cage. Transition-state optimization of the Cartesian coordinates at the saddle point between adjacent isomers was performed to quantify the energy of the transition state. The step-wise process from one isomer to another, which extends out over the three-dimensional surface, is predicted to require approximately 15% less energy than that of the direct, two-dimensional transformation predicted in the bowl-cage profile. However, the net atomic rearrangement for the step-wise process is about four times greater than that of the direct process. Although less in energy, the amount of atomic rearrangement in the step-wise process would make the occurrence of such a route prohibitive. Utilizing the direct distance separating the three primary isomers (ring, bowl, cage), the method of triangulation is performed to quantitatively position other C(20) structures on the potential surface, relative to the ring, bowl, and cage isomers.     

Suppressed ion chromatography for monitoring chemical impurities in steam for geothermal power plants

A suppressed ion chromatography (IC) technique has been evaluated as a chemical monitoring tool for detecting major anions (F-, Cl-, NO3- and SO4(2-)) of condensed steam in geothermal power plants. It is shown that the suppressed IC technique provides a suitable means for preventing possible damage to generating equipment in the geothermal industry. An electrical conductivity detector (0.1 microS sensitivity) with an anion-exchange column (IonPac AS4A-SC), a micro-membrane suppressor (AMMS II), and an isocratic high-pressure pump system were successfully used for detecting low concentrations of inorganic anions. Method detection limits for the anions of interest were <0.184 mg/L. Details of the IC methodology as well as some experimental results obtained during its application for the chemical monitoring of geothermal steam pipes are also described.     

STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY STUDIES OF PHOTOACTIVATED ANTIVIRAL AND CYTOTOXIC TRICYCLIC THIOPHENES

The photoactivated antiviral and cytotoxic activities of the naturally occurring thiophene, alpha-terthienyl (1), and 15 synthetic analogues were evaluated against murine cytomegalovirus and Sindbis virus, and murine mastocytoma cells. After irradiation with near UV light, alpha-terthienyl and most of its analogues had significant toxicity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range of 0.02-40 microM. In the absence of near UV irradiation, only one analogue had antiviral activity and five were cytotoxic. The most active analogues were those containing carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, or cyano substituents. Quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of thiophene phototoxicity suggested that the rate of singlet oxygen production is the primary determinant of antiviral and cytotoxic activities. For phototoxicity against murine cytomegalovirus, a significant role for hydrophobicity was also demonstrated. Tricyclic thiophenes show significant potential for photochemotherapy of viral infections and cancer, and further evaluation in animal models is recommended.