Ab initio predictions of zeolite structures and Si NMR chemical shifts

A recent shell-model potential parameterized on ab initio data is used for predicting the all-silica structures of zeolites MFI, MEI, MTW, TON, FAU and of α-quartz. Cluster models are defined around each site and the ²⁹Si NMR shielding constants are calculated by ab initio techniques (GIAO-HF). Good agreement with observed ²⁹Si NMR chemical shifts is found. Comparison is made with shifts calculated for observed structures. The structures predicted by the ab initio shell-model potential prove as accurate as the observed ones when judged on the quality of the calculated ²⁹Si NMR spectra.     

Pulsed gas lenses

The concept of a pulsed gas lens is proposed. Potential applications are envisaged and preliminary experiments with pulsed ray refraction are reported.     

Advances in 14 MeV neutron activation analysis by means of a new intense neutron source

A new intense 14 MeV neutron generator with cylindrical acceleration structure has been put in operation at the GKSS Research Center Geesthacht. The sealed neutron tube is combined with a fast pneumatic rabbit system with particular capabilities for neutron activation analysis involving shortlived reaction products. The sample transfer time is less than 140 ms. The maximum neutron flux available for activation is 5.2·10¹⁰ n/cm²s. Theoretical sensitivity predictions made in a previous study have been verified for some important trace elements. As a first application, samples of freeze-dried suspended matter and fishes of the Elbe river were analyzed.     

Gaucher disease-associated glucocerebrosidases show mutation-dependent chemical chaperoning profiles

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficient glucocerebrosidase activity. We have previously shown that the cellular activity of the most common Gaucher disease-associated glucocerebrosidase variant, N370S, is increased when patient-derived cells are cultured with the chemical chaperone N-nonyl-deoxynojirimycin. Chemical chaperones stabilize proteins against misfolding, enabling their trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum. Herein, the generality of this therapeutic strategy is evaluated with other glucocerebrosidase variants and with additional candidate chemical chaperones. Improved chemical chaperones are identified for N370S glucocerebrosidase. Moreover, we demonstrate that G202R, a glucocerebrosidase variant that is known to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, is also amenable to chemical chaperoning. The L444P variant is not chaperoned by any of the active site-directed molecules tested, likely because this mutation destabilizes a domain distinct from the catalytic domain.     

Über die Reaktion substituierter Thioxanthenoxide mit Säuren

9-[(N-Methyl-3′-piperidyl)-methyl]-thioxanthene-10-oxide (I) on treatment with boiling concentrated hydrochloric acid gives mainly 9-[(N-methyl-3′-piperidyl)-methylene]-thioxanthene (IV) together with small amounts of 9-[(N-methyl-3′-piperidyl)-chloro-methylene]-thioxanthene(II), 9-hydroxy-9-[(N-methyl-3′-piperidyl)-methyl]-thioxanthene (III) and 9-[(N-methyl-3′-piperidyl)-methyl]-thioxanthene (V). Treatment of I with acetic anhydride yields only IV.     

Reversible heat generation rates of blended insertion electrodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The blending of lithium ion insertion compounds is a novel and promising approach to design advanced electrodes for future secondary batteries. Recently,...