An investigation of solid-solid phase transitions in cholesterol and in cholesteryl oleate by positron annihilation

The lifetimes of positrons annihilating in cholesterol and in cholesteryl oleate have been measured as a function of temperature in the vicinity of a previously reported solid-solid transition in each compound. The observed changes in lifetime parameters are discussed in terms of structural changes occurring in these two compounds.     

Spectral luminescence properties of indotricarbocyanine dye in biological tissues

We have established that the shape and position of the maximum in the fluorescence spectrum of an indotricarbocyanine dye in tumor and normal tissues in vivo change over time after intravenous injection of the dye. Based on analysis of the spectral properties of the dye in vivo and in blood plasma, the dependence of the properties on the time since injection has shown that in the living body, the environment of the dye molecule changes as the photosensitizer goes from the skin into the tissue. We have established that in tissues in vivo, the dye molecules are localized in a region with low dielectric constant of the medium. We have shown that the change in the ratio of the concentrations of the different forms of hemoglobin in the blood has an effect on the absorption and shape of the fluorescence spectrum of the dye in tissues in vivo.     

IR spectroscopic methods for diagnosis of oncological pathologies in human tissues (Review)

Modern problems in the diagnosis of oncological pathologies using spectroscopic methods of analysis are considered. Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy methods are illustrated by investigation of tissues of breast, thyroid gland, stomach, kidney, lung, and skin excised during surgical intervention. IR spectra of surgical material are compared with data of histological analysis. Spectra of proteins and lipids in malignant neoplasms differ from those in benign tumors and in tissues beyond the pathological focus. Differences in protein spectra are attributed to changes in the supramolecular structure due to cleavage of intramolecular C=OH–N hydrogen bonds. Differences in IR spectra of lipids in neoplasms, when compared with those in normal tissues, are caused by changes in the structure of side chains of fatty-acid radicals appearing in malignant tumors. Spectral signatures of malignant pathology are revealed.     

降雨对无线激光通信的影响

通过激光信号在雨介质中传输的实验发现,在大雨环境下,激光信号透射率要比在小雨或微雨的情况下大。这说明光信号在小雨时衰减较大,在大雨时衰减较小。这一现象与人们通常所认为的有所不同。针对降雨对激光信号的影响,根据Mie散射理论和Weibull雨滴尺寸分布模型,分析了不同尺寸的粒子对光的散射作用以及对衰减效率因子的影响,推导出单球粒子对光波的衰减公式,得到了衰减与降雨率的确定关系。通过数值计算发现,与小粒子相比大粒子的前向散射光强更大且更加集中;激光信号在雨介质中传输时,衰减系数在小雨时较大,中雨、大雨时较小,暴雨时不断增大。这一结果与实际情况较吻合,为激光在通信系统中的应用提供了一定的理论依据。     

夏秋两季洱海、太湖表层混合层的深度变化特征及其机理分析

湖泊表层混合层深度的变化不仅影响湖泊水生生态系统的演变, 而且影响流域的局地气候、降水量的时空格局等. 基于2008年夏秋两季洱海(高原湖泊)和太湖(平原湖泊)的气象与水温廓线观测资料, 分析探讨了两湖表层混合层深度的变化特征及其机制. 结果表明: 夏季洱海能维持持续的分层现象, 秋季有明显的日分层现象, 而在相应的两季中, 太湖仅可能存在日分层现象; 洱海表层混合层深度较同期太湖更浅; 太湖两季的表层混合层深度变化较洱海频繁, 即太湖水体混合与分层的交替过程对气象条件的响应较洱海更为迅速. 太湖这类浅水湖泊, 水深是抑制其存在稳定、持续分层的关键因素, 在合适的辐射条件下, 可形成日分层现象; 而洱海这类深度的湖泊, 净热量通量是影响其是否存在持续、稳定分层的主要因子. 该研究为进一步探讨湖泊与大气两种湍流运动的耦合机制及水生生态环境演替规律等提供了有力的参考.     

Spectral Properties of Single BODIPY Dyes in Polystyrene Microspheres and in Solutions

The absorption, fluorescence, fluorescence quantum yield, and photostability of five BODIPY dyes are characterized and compared as single dyes in two environments, in 40-nm polystyrene spheres and in solution. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the dyes in spheres are similar in profile but shifted to lower energies compared to those in solution. All the dyes are highly fluorescent, with three having fluorescence quantum yields of 1.0. For three of the five dyes, the yields were the same in spheres as in solution (1.00, 1.00, and 0.73). The high concentration of these dyes in spheres does not quench their fluorescence. For two other dyes the yields dropped, from 1.00 to 0.55 in one case and 0.83 to 0.50 in another, comparing the dyes in solution versus in spheres. The photodegradation of the dyes decreases in spheres compared to in solution in all but one case. For one dye, it decreases as much as 800-fold. Dyes overlooked because of low fluorescence or stability in solution could become useful fluorescent materials in the microsphere environment.     

CPL技术在空间飞行器上的应用

本文对ＣＰＬ技术进行了简要概述,介绍了其工作原理与工作特性,并讨论了ＣＰＬ技术在空间飞行器上的可能应用方式。其中,对ＣＰＬ技术应用于空间设备的散热进行了全面阐述,并给予理论分析;此外,对ＣＰＬ技术应用于空间设备的主动热控制,也作了简要介绍;对ＣＰＬ技术未来有发展前景的应用方式进行了展望。     

Are methyl groups relaxation sinks in small proteins?

The longitudinal relaxation of well-resolved protons in the N-terminal domain of lambda repressor has been studied in the native protein and in a sample in which all of the leucine methyls have been selectively deuterated. The relaxation rates in these two samples have been compared in order to study the contribution of the leucine methyls to the relaxation behavior of aromatic protons in the protein.     

石墨狭缝中甲烷吸附的分子动力学模拟

用分子动力学模拟研究石墨狭缝中甲烷的吸附,考察狭缝宽度和温度对甲烷吸附的影响.模拟发现甲烷在石墨狭缝中出现分层现象,吸附层中甲烷具有类液特征,第一吸附层内甲烷中总有两个氢原子的连线与另外两个氢原子的连线分别位于平行于狭缝壁的两个平面内,游离层中甲烷呈现气体的特征;碳原子间的平均作用势说明吸附层中甲烷分子间结合能力大于游离层,吸附态是甲烷在石墨狭缝中的主要赋存形式之一;伦敦力以及由吸附层净电荷产生的电场力是甲烷吸附和分层的主要原因;甲烷的吸附量随狭缝宽度增大或温度升高而减少,当狭缝宽度小于16.46Å时,甲烷仅以吸附形态存在.甲烷在第一吸附层中的扩散能力最弱、游离层中最强,甲烷扩散系数随狭缝宽度的增大或温度的升高而增大.     

Influence of X-ray on the autophagic-lysosomal system in rat pancreatic acini

Lysosomes have an important role in radiation injury of cells and tissues. Activation of autophagy is frequently observed in different types of pathological tissue degeneration. In radiation response it increases in some cases, and lysosomes are responsible for regulated degradation of the autophagic vacuoles. Lysosomes are also involved in ionizing radiation induced cell death. In apoptosis lysosomes degrade content of the phagocytotic vacuoles derived from engulfed apoptotic blebs. On the other hand lysosomal enzymes discharged from disintegrated cells have a key role in induction of necrotic changes. In this work we investigate autophagy and lysosomal protein degradation in the relatively radiation insensitive exocrine pancreatic acini in vivo and in vitro. Type of cell death induced by X-ray was also examined in relation to the changes of the lysosomal processes. In 5h after 16 Gy in vivo whole body irradiation we observed significant increase in the cytoplasmic volume fraction of autophagic vacuoles and in the number of apoptotic cells in vivo. But in the acini isolated from irradiated rats we could not detect a change in the lysosomal degradation of intracellular proteins. Therefore irradiation probably influences the autophagy in an earlier step than lysosomal degradation. Extended necrotic lesions were not observed in vivo as long as 48 h. Isolated pancreatic acini usually contain more autophagic vacuoles than in vivo, but we could not observe additional increase in autophagy after 8 Gy, in vitro irradiation. Lysosomal degradation of intracellular proteins was also unaltered after 8 Gy, in vitro irradiation. Other biochemical functional parameters of the isolated pancreatic acini, like protein synthesis and amylase secretion were not changed either after 8 Gy, in vitro X-ray treatment. These results indicate that pancreatic acinar cells in vitro have a high tolerance to irradiation. The observed in vivo radiation induced changes of the exocrine pancreas are possibly indirectly induced by injuries of more sensitive mechanisms.     

Waveguide modes of 1D photonic crystals in a transverse magnetic field

We analyze waveguide modes in 1D photonic crystals containing layers magnetized in the plane. It is shown that the magnetooptical nonreciprocity effect emerges in such structures during the propagation of waveguide modes along the layers and perpendicularly to the magnetization. This effect involves a change in the phase velocity of the mode upon reversal of the direction of magnetization. Comparison of the effects in a nonmagnetic photonic crystal with an additional magnetic layer and in a photonic crystal with magnetic layers shows that the magnitude of this effect is several times larger in the former case in spite of the fact that the electromagnetic field of the modes in the latter case is localized in magnetic regions more strongly. This is associated with asymmetry of the dielectric layers contacting with the magnetic layer in the former case. This effect is important for controlling waveguide structure modes with the help of an external magnetic field.     

Vortices in Low-Dimensional Magnetic Systems

Vortices are objects that are important to describe several physical phenomena. There are many examples of such objects in nature as in a large variety of physical situations like in fluid dynamics, superconductivity, magnetism, and biology. Historically, the interest in magnetic vortex-like excitations begun in the 1960s. That interest was mainly associated with an unusual phase-transition phenomenon in two-dimensional magnetic systems. More recently, direct experimental evidence for the existence of magnetic vortex states in nano-disks was found. The interest in such model was renewed due to the possibility of the use of magnetic nano-disks as bit elements in nano-scale memory devices. The goal of this study is to review some key points for the understanding of the vortex behavior and the progress that have been done in the study of vortices in low-dimensional magnetic systems.     

Development of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy method for soil and ecological analysis (review)

The application of laser spectrochemical analysis to testing for basic compounds and nutritious/toxic elements in soil has been reviewed. A combined laser-spark approach has been applied for the rapid measurement of the carbon content in soil. Spectra have been excited both directly in a laser-ablation plume and by passing a pulsed electric discharge through the plume. The emission spectrum intensity in the combined plasma is considerably higher. The application of a complex of methods to carbon determination in soil has shown that in fact the data on the humus content usually obtained in agrochemical practice by a conventional method of carbon oxidation by potassium dichromate need to be corrected taking into account the possibility of incomplete oxidation of organic matter in soil. The efficiency of various double-pulse LIBS applications has been demonstrated in solving a number of environmental problems such as the determination of heavy and toxic metals in soil and the detection of sulfur in coal. The instrumentation and analytical procedures have been proposed and optimized for rapid control of the chlorine content in plant samples. The technique can be easily extended to ecological monitoring of toxic elements and heavy metals in any biogenic material.     

Fiber-optic sensor based on evanescent wave absorbance around 2.7 μm for determining water content in polar organic solvents

The feasibility of sapphire fiber-optic sensors based on evanescent wave absorption spectroscopy in the infrared range for quantitative determination of water content in polar organic solvents has been investigated. Evanescent wave absorption spectra of sapphire fiber-optic sensors in glycerol, ethanol, and glycol with different water concentrations obtained and analyzed, respectively. Evanescent absorbance of the sensors in those organic solvents has been utilized to implement for in situ monitoring water concentration in organic solvents. The evanescent absorbance of sensors in glycerol and glycol has been found to vary linearly with water content in the range 0–30 % and in ethanol in the range 0–10 %, respectively. The fiber-optic sensors based on evanescent absorbance for monitoring water concentrations in those organic solvents are acceptably accurate, cost-effective, and reliable. Some methods to improve the accuracy of predicated water content in those organic solvents are also suggested. Overall, the results demonstrate that the sapphire fiber-optic sensor based on evanescent absorption spectroscopy is a promising candidate for prediction of water content in polar organic solvents in on-line and remote situation.     

Ultrasonic absorption in polymer gel dosimeters

Ultrasonic absorption in polymer gel dosimeters was investigated. An ultrasonic interferometer was used to study the frequency (f) dependence of the absorption coefficient (alpha) in a polyacrylamide gel dosimeter (PAG) in the frequency range 5-20 MHz. The frequency dependence of ultrasonic absorption deviated from that of an ideal viscous fluid. The presence of relaxation mechanisms was evidenced by the frequency dependence of alpha/f(2) and the dispersion in ultrasonic velocity. It was concluded that absorption in polymer gel dosimeters is due to a number of relaxation processes which may include polymer-solvent interactions as well as relaxation due to motion of polymer side groups.The dependence of ultrasonic absorption on absorbed dose and formulation was also investigated in polymer gel dosimeters as a function of pH and chemical composition. Changes in dosimeter pH and chemical composition resulted in a variation in ultrasonic dose response curves. The observed dependence on pH was considered to be due to pH induced modifications in the radiation yield while changes in chemical composition resulted in differences in polymerisation kinetics.     

Effect of ausforming temperature and strain on the bainitic transformation kinetics of a low carbon boron steel

The effect of ausforming temperature and strain on the bainitic transformation kinetics was investigated in a low carbon boron steel. A new mechanism, which is based on the competition between the increase in nucleation rate and the decrease in average volume of bainite sheaf after deformation, is proposed. The increase in nucleation rate is due to the decrease in boron concentration at the grain boundaries after small deformation and the formation of sub-grain boundaries at the grain interior after large deformation. The decrease in average volume of bainite sheaf is ascribed to the frequent impingement of bainite sub-units after deformation. The increase in nucleation rate after deformation results in the decrease in incubation time, which is confirmed from the experiment. The increase in nucleation rate overcomes the decrease in average volume of bainite sheaf, resulting in the increase in transformation velocity and volume fraction after small deformation. On the contrary, the decrease in the average volume of bainite sheaf overcomes the increase in nucleation rate after large deformation, leading to the decrease in transformation velocity and volume fraction of bainite.     

Size effect in nuclear spin-lattice relaxation and atomic mobility for molten gallium particles

The spin-lattice relaxation rate of gallium isotopes in a melt was shown by NMR to increase considerably with a decrease in gallium particle size. The dominant relaxation mechanism of gallium embedded in an synthetic opal matrix changes from magnetic dipole to electrical quadrupole. The increase in the correlation time of atomic motion in gallium particles with a decrease in their size was estimated. For gallium in opal, the correlation time was found to increase by more than an order of magnitude. It was shown that a variation in atomic mobility becomes noticeable already in gallium particles about 5 μm in size. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 45, No. 12, 2003, pp. 2242–2246. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2003 by Tien, Charnaya, Sedykh, Kumzerov.     

Influence of the type of light polarization on photoinduced processes

We investigate the influence of the type of light polarization (linear or circular) on the efficiency of non-linear optical processes in photoanisotropic materials. A theoretical model of photoprocesses in materials in which optical non-linearity is related to absorbing centres with intrinsic linear anisotropy is constructed. Theoretical calculations show that the photostationary concentration of the photoproducts (and the mean values of the non-linear changes in optical constants) in these materials is higher if the exciting light is circularly polarized. Experimental results on non-linear processes in samples of fluorescein incorporated in orthoboric acid and in azodye/polymer layers are in good agreement with the theory. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Shadowing effects in nuclear parton distributions for small values ofx

The shadowing corrections to gluon and quark distributions in nuclei in the region of small values ofx are discussed. They are related to parton distributions in a pomeron which are in principle measurable in hard diffractive processes on the nucleon target. Multiple scattering corrections to shadowing are considered in a model dependent way. The perturbative QCD evolution of shadowing is also taken into account. Various possibilities of the partonic content of a pomeron are considered. It is shown in particular that the conventional parametrizations of parton distributions in a pomeron which are based on the assumption that it consists mostly of gluons imply substantial nuclear shadowing in gluon distributions in heavy nuclei. Possible phenomenological implications of shadowing corrections in nuclear parton distributions for various semi-hard processes with nuclear targets are briefly discussed.