High-efficiency erbium ion luminescence in silicon nanocrystal systems

The photoluminescence spectra and kinetics of both erbium-doped and undoped multilayer structures of quasi-ordered silicon nanocrystals in a silicon dioxide matrix were studied. It was shown that the optical excitation energy of silicon nanocrystals 2–3 nm in size can be practically completely transferred to Er³⁺ ions in the oxide surrounding the nanocrystals, with its subsequent radiation at 1.5 μm. Possible reasons for the high excitation efficiency of the Er³⁺ ions are discussed, and the conclusion is drawn that the F?rster mechanism is dominant in the energy transfer processes occurring in these structures. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2004, pp. 105–109. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Kashkarov, Kamenev, Lisachenko, Shalygina, Timoshenko, Schmidt, Heitmann, Zacharias.     

In vitro determination of the release kinetics of peptides and free amino acids during the digestion of food proteins

The kinetics of peptide release during in vitro digestion of 4 protein sources (casein, cod protein, soy protein, and gluten) were investigated. Samples were sequentially hydrolyzed with pepsin (30 min) and pancreatin (2, 4, or 6 h) in a dialysis cell with continuous removal of digestion products. Nondialyzed digests were fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography and ultrafiltration. Animal proteins were digested at a greater rate than plant proteins. Target amino acids of specific enzymes appeared more rapidly in the dialyzed fractions when compared to other amino acids. Throughout the hydrolysis, nondialyzed digests contained a higher proportion of peptide mixtures with basic-neutral properties. Except for gluten, peptide fractions with molecular weights that exceeded 10 kDa (basic-neutral, BN > 10) were rapidly hydrolyzed during the first 2 h of pancreatin digestion. The kinetics of release and the composition of peptide fractions were different when the protein sources were compared. The analysis of amino acids revealed that threonine and proline proportions were relatively high in BN > 10 and in peptide fractions with molecular weight between 10-1 kDa (BN 10-1), while tyrosine, phenylalanine, lysine, and arginine predominated in the low molecular weight (<1 kDa) fractions. More resistant peptides were generally rich in proline and glutamic acid. The role of in vitro digestion assays in dietary protein quality evaluation is discussed.     

Volume and heat capacity of model non-aqueous self-assembly systems

Blends of immiscible polymers are often stabilized by block copolymers which can form non-aqueous micelles and microemulsions in the liquid polymers. The phase diagrans, apparent volumes and apparent heat capacities of model non-aqueous binary and ternary systems were studied in order to investigate the conditions under which such self-assembly systems could form. 1,2-Hexanediol, which can cosolubilize hexane and ethyleneglycol, forms inverse micelles in hexane and weak microaggregates in ethyleneglycol. Genapol X-060, a commercial alcoholic surfactant containing on the average an aliphatic chain of 13 carbons and 6 oxyethylenes (C₁₃E₆), forms microaggregates in poly(ethyleneglycol) 400. These self-assembly systems are strengthen in the presence of a third component which has an affinity for the inner phase.Presented at the Symposium, 76^th CSC Congress, Sherbrooke, Quebec, May 30–June 3, 1993, honoring Professor Donald Patterson on the occasion of his 65^th birthday.     

Genes encoding enzymes responsible for biosynthesis of L-lyxose and attachment of eurekanate during avilamycin biosynthesis

The oligosaccharide antibiotic avilamycin A is composed of a polyketide-derived dichloroisoeverninic acid moiety attached to a heptasaccharide chain consisting of six hexoses and one unusual pentose moiety. We describe the generation of mutant strains of the avilamycin producer defective in different sugar biosynthetic genes. Inactivation of two genes (aviD and aviE2) resulted in the breakdown of the avilamycin biosynthesis. In contrast, avilamycin production was not influenced in an aviP mutant. Inactivation of aviGT4 resulted in a mutant that accumulated a novel avilamycin derivative lacking the terminal eurekanate residue. Finally, AviE2 was expressed in Escherichia coli and the gene product was characterized biochemically. AviE2 was shown to convert UDP-D-glucuronic acid to UDP-D-xylose, indicating that the pentose residue of avilamycin A is derived from D-glucose and not from D-ribose. Here we report a UDP-D-glucuronic acid decarboxylase in actinomycetes.     

Mamanine and pohakuline,two unprecedented quinolizidine alkaloids from sophorachrysophylla

From the bark of the endemic Hawaiian tree Sophora chrysophylla Seem. we have isolated two unprecedented quainolizidine alkaloids, mamanine (4) and pohakuline (5). Both bases are 1-hydroxymethylenequinolizidines which are linked at C-3 to α-pyridone or α-piperidone moieties. The alkaloids may be intermediates in a heretofore unknown biogenetic pathway of Sophora alkaloids.     

Effect of carbon nanotubes on the crystallization and properties of polypropylene

The effect of different concentrations of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics, morphology, and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) matrix composites obtained by melt compounding was investigated by means of X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, optical and scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Microscopy showed well‐dispersed nanotube ropes together with small and large aggregates. The modulus was found to increase by about 75% at a level of 0.5 wt % nanotubes. The SWNTs displayed a clear nucleating effect on the PP crystallization, favoring the α crystalline form rather than the β form. The crystallization kinetics analysis showed a significant increase in activation energy on incorporating nanotubes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2445–2453, 2005     

Determination of aluminum in highly concentrated iron samples: Study of interferences using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

High-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS) has been used to investigate spectral and non-spectral interferences found with a conventional line source atomic absorption spectrometer in the determination of aluminum in pharmaceutical products containing elevated iron and sugar concentrations. A transversely heated graphite furnace was used as the atomizer in both spectrometers. The two most sensitive aluminum lines at 309.3 nm and 396.2 nm were investigated and it was found that an iron absorption line at 309.278 nm, in the vicinity of the aluminum line at 309.271 nm, could be responsible for some spectral interference. The simultaneous presence of iron and the organic components of the matrix were responsible for radiation scattering, causing high continuous and also structured background absorption at both wavelengths. The aluminum and iron absorption could not be separated in time, i.e., the iron interference could not be eliminated by optimizing the graphite furnace temperature program. However, an interference-free determination of aluminum was possible carrying out the measurements with HR-CS AAS at 396.152 nm after applying least squares background correction for the elimination of the structured background. Analytical working range and other figures of merit were determined and are presented for both wavelengths using peak volume registration (center pixel ± 1) and the center pixel only. Limits of detection and characteristic masses ranged from 1.1 to 2.5 pg and 13 to 43 pg, respectively. The method was used for the determination of the aluminum contamination in pharmaceutical formulations for iron deficiency treatment, which present iron concentrations from 10 to 50 g l^− 1. Spike recoveries from 89% to 105% show that the proposed method can be satisfactorily used for the quality control of these formulations.     

The detection of oxygen in magneto-optical layers with SIMS

The detection of oxygen in magneto-optical layers is of fundamental importance for the characterization of the stability of RE-TM material. The magnetic properties are directly influenced by oxide formation. Oxygen depth profiles are carried out by using the SIMS technique. A comparison with magnetic measurements showed a clear conformity. We were able to study the oxidation behaviour of various layers at room temperature and at higher values up to 250° C for several hours. It could be shown that aluminum is a successful material for the protection of RE-films against oxidation. The difficulties of translating SIMS counting rates into concentration values were overcome by using EPMA. Specially prepared reference samples were measured by this technique and could then be used as standard samples for SIMS.