Duplex Stabilization of DNA: Oligonucleotides containing 7-substituted 7-deazaadenines

The oligonucleotide building blocks 4b–d derived from 7-bromo-, 7-chloro-, and 7-methyl-substituted 7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosines 3b–d were prepared. They were employed in the solid-phase synthesis of the oligonucleotides 7–25 . The dA residues of the homomer d(A₁₂), the alternating d[(A-T)₆], and the palindromic d(G-T-A-G-A-A-T-T-C-T-A-C) were replaced by 3b–d as well as by the parent 7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine ( 3a ). The melting profiles and CD spectra of oligonucleotide duplexes, showing this major groove modification, were measured, and the T_m values as well as the thermodynamic data were determined. It was found that small substituents such as Br, Cl, or Me introduced in the 7-position of a 7-deazaadenine residue increase the duplex stability compared to oligonucleotides containing adenine.     

Interaction of food packaging material and selected food components under high pressure

Abstract

Interactions between ethanolic solutions of p-cymene and acetophenone and different polymer packaging materials. were studied at 500 MPa and 25° C. p-Cymene solution, filled into low-density polyethylene bags, lost 30% of its aroma concentration after 24 h at 500 MPa compared to a 60% loss at atmospheric pressure. The decrease was strongest within the first 15 min. Using LDPE/HDPE/LDPE bags, losses were 20% and 30%, resp. Applying the “bag in the bag” method, p-cymene concentrations measured inside and outside the inner bag has shown sorption by the pressurized film to be one third of that by the non-pressurized. In PET/AI/LDPE bags impermeable to p-cymene, sorption was confined to the inner LDPE layer and caused higher loss in the non-pressurized sample. Acetophenone has not been found to interact with the polymer during pressure treatment, while at atmospheric pressure sorption loss in aroma concentration was nearly 70% after 60 h.     

Phase transition to hyperon matter in neutron stars

Recent progress in the understanding of the high density phase of neutron stars advances the view that a substantial fraction of the matter consists of hyperons. The possible impacts of a highly attractive interaction between hyperons on the properties of compact stars are investigated. We find that a hadronic equation of state with hyperons allows for a first order phase transition to hyperonic matter. The corresponding hyperon stars can have rather small radii of R approximately equal 8 km.     

Spin texture and magnetoroton excitations at nu=1/3

Neutral spin texture (ST) excitations at nu=1/3 are directly observed for the first time by resonant inelastic light scattering. They are determined to involve two simultaneous spin flips. At low magnetic fields, the ST energy is below that of the magnetoroton minimum. With increasing in-plane magnetic field these mode energies cross at a critical ratio of the Zeeman and Coulomb energies of eta(c)=0.020+/-0.001. Surprisingly, the intensity of the ST mode grows with temperature in the range in which the magnetoroton modes collapse. The temperature dependence is interpreted in terms of a competition between coexisting phases supporting different excitations. We consider the role of the ST excitations in activated transport at nu=1/3.     

The connection of the nuclear “Coriolis” force with classical mechanics

The relation between the socalled Coriolis couplingI · j, operating in rotating nuclei, and the classical Coriolis force is discussed. The system forces acting in the cranking model for non-uniform rotation and in the rotator-particle model are examined. Differences with the molecular Coriolis coupling are indicated.     

Wafer and epilayer improvement for integrated optics devices on InP: the ESPRIT project 2518

Ga _x In_1–x As _y P_1–y alloys lattice matched to InP substrates are currently used to fabricate optoelectronic and integrated optics devices. To achieve devices with high performances and high fabrication yield, the uniformity and reproducibility of the Ga _x In_1–x As _y P_1–y epitaxial layers (composition, thickness, doping, etc.) have become key parameters. These problems have been addressed in the frame of ESPRIT project 2518 and are presented in this paper. Several aspects have been considered starting from the optimization of InP substrates, the MOVPE growth of uniform GalnAsP layers, the material characterization to the validation of material uniformity on passive optical waveguides. Both scanning photoluminescence analysis and waveguide losses measurements performed on 2 inch wafers with a high lateral resolution have shown that high quality uniform GalnAsP layers can be obtained reproducibly on 2 InP substrates using a commercially available LP-MOCVD growth process. In particular, more than 60% of 36 mm long, 3m wide and 100m spaced rib waveguides exhibit losses below 0.8dBcm^–1.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic study of core and mantle of rattle stones

Mössbauer spectroscopy has been applied to two rattle stones found in the Netherlands, which have been formed under different pedoenvironment conditions in the past. Ultrafine particles of goethite are dominantly present in both core and mantle of these stones. The latter differs in both composition and mean particle size; this is related to the distinct manner of their formation.     

The Doss Trick on Symmetric Spaces

The Doss trick is employed to find solutions of Schrüdinger equations on symmetric spaces of compact type. The potentials and initial conditions are taken from an algebra of functions which admit an holomorphic extension to the complexification of the considered symmetric spaces.