Influence of copper solute on the creep rate sensitivities of aluminium

The presence of copper atoms as continuous networks at the grain boundaries of an aluminium-copper alloy has been considered not preventing the moving of dislocations during creep (or at least partially). The dislocations can bs absorbed by these boundaries and penetrate through them. That leads to changés of shape and structure of grains and also to the sliding of grains against each other. This was deduced from the accelerating increase in the sensitivity of the steady state creep rate to the applied stress of an aluminium 2·8 wt% copper alloy examined at wide range of temperatures (50–350 °C) and applied stresses (7–170 MPa). This rapid increase in the sensitivity parameter of the steady state creep rate occurs in Al-Cu alloys at quite higher ranges of applied stresses and may be attributed mainly to the contribution of the grain boundary movements to the creep strain.     

Biomagnetic measurements utilising a superparamagnetic marker: a feasibility study

Summary A preliminary study is here reported on a new potential marker for biomagnetic measurements. The marker consists of superparamagnetic polymer microspheres which were detected in the presence of external steady magnetic fields by means of an r.f.-SQUID magnetometer. The particles were prepared in samples differing in the concentration value and immersed in a homogeneous magnetic field of variable intensity. A simple model was taken into account for the distribution of the microspheres in the samples, so that the theoretical values were compared to the marker field values measured by the biomagnetic sensor. The overall sensitivity of the experimental apparatus and the minimum concentration value of the marker were then estimated.     

Effect of support on the synergy in HDS of thiophene and HDN of pyridine over Mo sulfide catalysts promoted by Rh

The effect of support (SiO₂-Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃,MgO) of the Rh-Mo(S) sulfide catalysts on the synergy in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of pyridine was studied. The synergy in HDS was between 7–10 regardless of the kind of support used. The synergy in HDN varied from none over the MgO supported sample to about 3 over SiO₂-Al₂O₃ supported catalyst, in accord with the positive effect of increasing support acidities. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phase separation of p53 precedes aggregation and is affected by oncogenic mutations and ligands

Mutant p53 tends to form aggregates with amyloid properties, especially amyloid oligomers inside the nucleus, which are believed to cause oncogenic gain-of-function (GoF). The mechanism of the formation of the aggregates in the nucleus remains uncertain. The present study demonstrated that the DNA-binding domain of p53 (p53C) underwent phase separation (PS) on the pathway to aggregation under various conditions. p53C phase separated in the presence of the crowding agent polyethylene glycol (PEG). Similarly, mutant p53C (M237I and R249S) underwent PS; however, the process evolved to a solid-like phase transition faster than that in the case of wild-type p53C. The data obtained by microscopy of live cells indicated that transfection of mutant full-length p53 into the cells tended to result in PS and phase transition (PT) in the nuclear compartments, which are likely the cause of the GoF effects. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments revealed liquid characteristics of the condensates in the nucleus. Mutant p53 tended to undergo gel- and solid-like phase transitions in the nucleus and in nuclear bodies demonstrated by slow and incomplete recovery of fluorescence after photobleaching. Polyanions, such as heparin and RNA, were able to modulate PS and PT in vitro. Heparin apparently stabilized the condensates in a gel-like state, and RNA apparently induced a solid-like state of the protein even in the absence of PEG. Conditions that destabilize p53C into a molten globule conformation also produced liquid droplets in the absence of crowding. The disordered transactivation domain (TAD) modulated both phase separation and amyloid aggregation. In summary, our data provide mechanistic insight into the formation of p53 condensates and conditions that may result in the formation of aggregated structures, such as mutant amyloid oligomers, in cancer. The pathway of mutant p53 from liquid droplets to gel-like and solid-like (amyloid) species may be a suitable target for anticancer therapy.

Mutant p53 tends to form aggregates with amyloid properties, especially amyloid oligomers inside the nucleus, which are believed to cause oncogenic gain-of-function (GoF).     

Thermal properties of some complexes of quinolinic acid with divalent metal ions

Studies of the complexes of pyridinecarboxylic acids with divalent metal ions as a function of the position of the carboxyl groups were extended. The thermal properties of the complexes of quinoline acid (pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid) with several divalent metal ions were determined by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). A correlation between these compounds and others obtained by reaction between the studied metal ions with similar acids (lutidinic acid (pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid) and isocinchomeronic acid (pyridine-2,5-di-carboxylic acid) is discussed in terms of the position of the carboxyl group far from the aza group. The thermal stability of the metal complexes is in the order Mn(II) > Fe(II) > Zn(II) ? Co(II) > Ni(II) > Cu(II).     

Optically activated functionalization reactions in Si quantum dots

Using ab initio calculations, we have studied the influence of optical activation on functionalization reactions of silicon quantum dots with unsaturated hydrocarbons. We find that the energy barrier for the replacement of silicon-hydrogen with silicon-carbon bonds is dramatically reduced if the silicon dot is optically excited. These results provide an explanation for recent experiments on optically excited porous silicon. In addition, our calculations point at the existence of an intermediate spin-polarized state formed by the dot and an alkene or alkyne, upon relaxation after absorbing a photon. This state could be detected experimentally, by, for example, electron spin resonance measurements. Based on the results of our calculations as a function of the dot size, varied from 0.8 to 1.5 nm, we propose that light activated reactions could be used to functionalize and size select silicon quantum dots at the same time.     

DNA codes for nanoscience

The nanometer scale is a special place where all sciences meet and develop a particularly strong interdisciplinarity. While biology is a source of inspiration for nanoscientists, chemistry has a central role in turning inspirations and methods from biological systems to nanotechnological use. DNA is the biological molecule by which nanoscience and nanotechnology is mostly fascinated. Nature uses DNA not only as a repository of the genetic information, but also as a controller of the expression of the genes it contains. Thus, there are codes embedded in the DNA sequence that serve to control recognition processes on the atomic scale, such as the base pairing, and others that control processes taking place on the nanoscale. From the chemical point of view, DNA is the supramolecular building block with the highest informational content. Nanoscience has therefore the opportunity of using DNA molecules to increase the level of complexity and efficiency in self-assembling and self-directing processes.     

Reaction of dichloroketene and sulfene with N,N-disubstituted α-aminomethyleneketones. Synthesis of pyrano[2,3-e]indazole and 1,2-oxathiino[6,5-e]indazole derivatives

The polar 1,4-cycloaddition of dichloroketene to N,N-disubstituted (E)-5-aminomethylene-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-(1-methyl)(1-phenyl)-4H-indazol-4-ones V, prepared from 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-(1-methyl)(1-phenyl)-4H-indazol-4-ones via the 5-hydroxymethylene derivatives, gave in good yield N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-3,3-dichloro-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-(7-methyl)(7-phenyl)pyrano[2,3-e]indazol-(3H)ones VI, which are derivatives of the new heterocyclic system pyrano[2,3-e]indazole. Dehydrochlorination of VI with DBN afforded N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-3-chloro-6,7-dihydro(7-methyl)(7-phenyl)pyrano[2,3-e]indazol-2(5H]-ones VII generally in satisfactory yield. Full aromatization with DDQ of VII was tried only in the case of dimethylamino derivatives, giving a moderate yield of 3-chloro-4-dimethylamino(7-methyl)(7-phenyl)pyrano[2,3-e]indazol-2(7H)-ones. Cycloaddition of sulfene to V occurred only in the case of aliphatic N-substitution to give in moderate yield 4-dialkylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-(7-methyl)(7-phenyl)-3H-1,2-oxathiino[6,5-e]indazole 2,2-dioxides, which are derivatives of the new heterocyclic system 1,2-oxathiino[6,5-e]indazole.