On the dispersion properties of waveguides filled with a magnetized plasma

A study is made of the dispersion properties of waveguides filled with a magnetized plasma. It is shown that the eigenmodes of the waveguides filled with a low-density magnetized plasma fall into two families, which are weakly coupled to one another at all frequencies, in particular, in the cyclotron resonance frequency range. These families differ in transverse wavenumbers and the modes in them have hybrid polarization. Attention is focused on the study of the modes that have predominantly TE polarization at frequencies close to the cutoff frequency. The dependence of the critical frequencies of the TE modes on the plasma frequency, as well as the influence of the plasma on the energy flux and energy density of these modes, is investigated. The effect of mode crowding (the existence of an arbitrarily large number of dispersion curves in a finite frequency range between the cyclotron frequency and the upper hybrid frequency) is examined in detail. The results obtained are used to analyze how the plasma affects the electromagnetic properties of the cavity of the 1-MW 140-GHz continuous-wave gyrotron developed at the Institute of Pulsed and Microwave Technology of the Research Center in Karlsruhe, Germany (Institut für Hochleistungsimpuls-und Mikrowellentechnik Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe) for plasma heating in the W7-X stellarator, which is being constructed in Greifswald, Germany.     

A source with a 1013 DT neutron yield on the basis of a spherical plasma focus chamber

Results from preliminary experimental research of neutron emission generated by a spherical plasma focus chamber filled with an equal-component deuterium-tritium mixture are presented. At a maximum current amplitude in the discharge chamber of ～1.5 MA, neutron pulses with a full width at half-maximum of 75–80 ns and an integral yield of ～1.3 × 10¹³ DT neutrons have been recorded.     

Formation of the compression zone in a plasma flow generated by a magnetoplasma compressor

Processes occurring in a plasma flow generated by a magnetoplasma compressor (MPC) during the formation of the compression zone are discussed. The paper presents results of measurements of the spatial distribution of the electric current in the plasma flow, the temporal and spatial (along the flow) distributions of the plasma density, and the profiles of the velocity of individual flow layers along the system axis. The spatial distribution of the electromagnetic force in the flow is analyzed. It is shown that the plasma flow is decelerated when approaching the compression zone and reaccelerated after passing it. In this case, the plasma flow velocity decreases from ν = (2–3) × 10⁷ cm/s at the MPC output to ν < 10⁶ cm/s in the region of maximum compression and then again increases to 10⁷ cm/s at a distance of 15–17 cm from the MPC output. In some MPC operating modes, a displacement of the magnetic field from the compression zone and the formation of toroidal electric current vortices in the plasma flow after passing the compression zone were detected.     

Simple method for monitoring enzymatic reactions by direct injection of the medium reaction in a gas chromatograph equipped with packed liner

Reduction of sulcatone, catalyzed by Thermoanaerobium brockii alcohol dehydrogenase in Tris/HCl buffer (pH 7.8) using 2-propanol 20% (v/v) as an NADPH regeneration system could be followed by using a gas chromatograph equipped with a packed liner that allowed the direct injection of the aqueous medium reaction. The time-course curve obtained by the analytical method here described and that obtained by spectrophotometric methods were similar.     

Transverse and longitudinal permittivities of a gaseous plasma with an electron collision frequency proportional to the electron velocity

The transverse and longitudinal plasma permittivities, ?^tr and ? ^l , are analyzed for the case where the electron collision frequency in the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook collision integral is proportional to the absolute value of the electron velocity. It is found that, in both the low-and high-frequency limits, the expressions for ?^tr and ? ^l derived for the case of a variable electron collision frequency coincide with the classical formulas obtained under the assumption of a constant collision frequency, whereas for frequencies close to the electron collision frequency, these expressions differ significantly from the classical ones.     

Course of pH during the formation of amoxicillin by a suspension-to-suspension reaction

Amoxicillin can be produced in an enzymatic suspension-to-suspension reaction in which the substrate(s) and product(s) are mainly present as solid particles, while the reaction takes place in the liquid phase. During these suspension-to-suspension reactions different subprocesses take place, such as dissolution/crystallization of substrates and products, enzymatic synthesis of the product(s), and undesired enzymatic hydrolysis of substrates and/or products. All these subprocesses are influenced by pH and also influence the pH because the reactants are weak electrolytes. This paper describes a quantitative model for predicting pH and concentrations of reactants during suspension-to-suspension reactions. The model is based on mass and charge balances, pH-dependent solubilities of the reactants, and enzyme kinetics. For the validation of this model, the kinetically controlled synthesis of amoxicillin from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and D-(p)hydroxyphenylglycine methyl ester was studied. The pH and the dissolved concentrations took a very different course at different initial substrate amounts. This was described quite reasonably by the model. Therefore, the model can be used as a tool to optimize suspension-to-suspension reactions of weak electrolytes.     

Molecular basis for maintenance of fidelity during the CCA-adding reaction by a CCA-adding enzyme

CCA-adding enzyme builds the 3'-end CCA of tRNA without a nucleic acid template. The mechanism for the maintenance of fidelity during the CCA-adding reaction remains elusive. Here, we present almost a dozen complex structures of the class I CCA-adding enzyme and tRNA mini-helices (mini-D(73)N(74), mini-D(73)N(74)C(75) and mini-D(73)C(74)N(75); D(73) is a discriminator nucleotide and N is either A, G, or U). The mini-D(73)N(74) complexes adopt catalytically inactive open forms, and CTP shifts the enzymes to the active closed forms and allows N(74) to flip for CMP incorporation. In contrast, unlike the catalytically active closed form of the mini-D(73)C(74)C(75) complex, the mini-D(73)N(74)C(75) and mini-D(73)C(74)N(75) complexes adopt inactive open forms. Only the mini-D(73)C(74)U(75) accepts AMP to a similar extent as mini-D(73)C(74)C(75), and ATP shifts the enzyme to a closed, active form and allows U(75) to flip for AMP incorporation. These findings suggest that the 3'-region of RNA is proofread, after two nucleotide additions, in the closed, active form of the complex at the AMP incorporation stage. This proofreading is a prerequisite for the maintenance of fidelity for complete CCA synthesis.     

Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose alters the plasma amino acid profile in Standardbred trotters

Background  

The branched chain amino acid leucine is a potent stimulator of insulin secretion. Used in combination with glucose it can increase the insulin response and the post exercise re-synthesis of glycogen in man. Decreased plasma amino acid concentrations have been reported after intravenous or per oral administration of leucine in man as well as after a single per oral dose in horses. In man, a negative correlation between the insulin response and the concentrations of isoleucine, valine and methionine have been shown but results from horses are lacking. This study aims to determine the effect of repeated per oral administration with a mixture of glucose and leucine on the free amino acid profile and the insulin response in horses after glycogen-depleting exercise.     

Enhancement by cigarette smoke extract of the radical formation in a reaction mixture of 13-hydroperoxide octadecadienoic acid and ferric ions

The effects of cigarette smoke extract on radical formation were examined in reaction mixtures containing 13-hydroperoxide octadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE), FeCl3, cigarette smoke extract, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN), and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Cigarette smoke extract enhanced the formation of both 7-carboxyheptyl and pentyl radicals in the reaction. Ferric ions were reduced in the reaction mixture, suggesting that cigarette smoke extract enhances the formation of 7-carboxyheptyl and pentyl radicals by reducing ferric irons. Although there is a large body of evidence supporting the involvement of radicals such as the semiquinone radical, hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, nitric oxide radicals in smoking-related diseases, the enhancement by cigarette smoke of lipid-derived radical formation, which we first report here, may be one of the other causes of smoking-related diseases.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of pore formation dynamics during the rupture process of a phospholipid bilayer caused by high-speed equibiaxial stretching

Rupture of a phospholipid bilayer under mechanical stresses is triggered by pore formation in an intact bilayer. To understand the molecular details of the dynamics of pore formation we perform molecular dynamics simulations of a phospholipid bilayer under two different equibiaxial stretching conditions: first, unsteady stretching with various stretching speeds in the range of 0.1-1.0m/s, and second, quasistatic stretching. We analyze (i) patterns of pore formation, (ii) the critical area where a pore forms, (iii) the deformation of the bilayer, and (iv) the apparent breaking force. With stretching, the bilayer deforms anisotropically due to lipid chain packing and water penetrating into the hydrophilic region of the bilayer, and when the area exceeds a critical value, water filled pore structure penetrating the bilayer forms and develops into a large pore, resulting in rupture. For a high stretching speed, small pores (multipore) can temporarily form in a small area. It has been statistically determined that the probability of the multipore formation, the critical areal strain, and the apparent breaking force increase with the stretching speed in the range of 0-50%, 0.8-2.0, and 250-400 pN, respectively. The results qualitatively agree with the experimental and other simulation results, and rationalize the leakage of hemoglobin from erythrocytes in shock wave experiments.     

Optical characteristics and parameters of the plasma of a barrier discharge excited in a mixture of mercury dibromide vapor with nitrogen and helium

Results are presented from experimental and theoretical studies of the optical characteristics and parameters of the plasma of an atmospheric-pressure barrier discharge excited in a HgBr₂: N₂: He mixture, which was used as the working medium of a small-size (with a radiation area of 8 cm²) exciplex gas-discharge radiation source. The mean radiation power of 87 mW was achieved at the radiation wavelength λ_max = 502 nm. The electron energy distribution function, the transport characteristics, the specific energy lost in the processes involving electrons, the electron temperature and density, and the rate constants of elastic and inelastic electron scattering by the components of the working mixture were calculated as functions of the reduced field E/N. The plasma of a discharge excited in a HgBr₂: N₂: He mixture can be used as the working medium of a small-size blue-green radiation source. Such a source can find application in biotechnology, photonics, and medicine and can also be used to manufacture gas-discharge display panels.     

Covalent modification of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase with phenylalanine during the amino acid activation reaction catalyzed by the enzyme

Yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PRS) is shown to undergo autoaminoacylation with phenylalanine under in vitro amino acid activation conditions. Phenylalanyl adenylate enzyme complex yields a covalent phenylalanyl isopeptide exclusively with the beta subunit of the alpha 2 beta 2 enzyme. Contrary to previously reported cases of autoaminoacylation of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, the autoaminoacylation of PRS occurs under a specific set of conditions and results in the identification of only one labeled tryptic peptide on two types of high pressure liquid chromatography columns. The ability of PRS to undergo this covalent modification directly correlates with its ability to catalyze the synthesis of diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P4-tetraphosphate from enzyme-bound phenylalanyl adenylate. Both reactions require the presence of low levels of zinc or cadmium and are inhibited by tRNAPhe or by low levels of low molecular weight thiols. Since diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P4-tetraphosphate synthesis is known to be catalyzed in vivo in response to oxidation stress, it is also likely that the autoaminoacylation of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase may occur in vivo under a similar set of conditions. These reactions are thus not simply the result of accumulation of phenylalanyl adenylate and probably reflect conformational changes in the protein which are brought about by its interaction with zinc or cadmium.     

The biological significance of non-enzymatic reaction of menadione with plasma thiols: enhancement of menadione-induced cytotoxicity to platelets by the presence of blood plasma.

To test the hypothesis that the non-enzymatic reaction of quinones with thiols in plasma can generate reactive oxygens (ROS), thereby leading to potentiated cellular toxicity, we have studied the effect of a representative quinone compound, menadione, on plasma isolated from rats. The experimental results are as follows: (1) menadione generated ROS via non-enzymatic reaction with protein thiols in plasma; (2) the presence of plasma increased menadione-induced cytotoxicity to platelets; (3) pretreatment of plasma with a thiol-depleting agent significantly suppressed menadione-induced ROS and cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the non-enzymatic reaction of menadione with plasma thiols could be an important process in quinone-induced cellular toxicity.     

Kinetics of heat release during the interaction of a low-temperature oxygen plasma with a catalytically active surface

The method of differential scanning calorimetry is applied to determine the temperature depen-dence of the power transferred to a solid surface during the deactivation of excited molecular states and atomic recombination on the surface of a platinum film in a low-pressure (40 Pa) capacitive RF discharge in oxygen. Temperature scanning within the range 300–600 K is performed under the action of the heat flux from the discharge. The total heat flux is separated into the components associated with different heat transfer mechanisms. The effective activation energy for the heat release related to the relaxation of the excited states of particles on the platinum surface is about 75 meV.     

Feasibility of the direct coupling of solid-phase extraction-pipette tips with a programmed-temperature vaporiser for gas chromatographic analysis of drugs in plasma

Solid-phase extraction-pipette tips (SPE-PTs) were used for micro solid-phase extraction of lidocaine and diazepam from plasma. Off-line extraction was followed by on-line desorption. On-line desorption was carried out by direct coupling of the SPE-PTs with the liner of the programmed-temperature vaporiser. This coupling only required shortening of the liner by maximally 16 mm, cutting the SPE-PT, and equipping the remaining part with two O-rings. Due to the heating of the injector the SPE-PTs were heated as well, which resulted in a significant amount of impurities. Pre-heating and pre-washing was performed prior to the extraction to reduce the impurity level. The internal coupling device was applied successfully for the analysis of plasma samples with gas chromatography (GC) and mass-selective detection. Detection limits of 0.75 ng/ml and 2.5 ng/ml were obtained for lidocaine and diazepam, respectively, using 200 microl plasma. Recoveries for both compounds were about 80%. Although it is possible, the internal coupling device was not developed to be used as such. The main goal of this coupling was to show the feasibility of the integration of SPE-PTs with GC and to realize an important step to new automated SPE-GC systems.     

Inhibition of the mitochondrial phosphate carrier by a reaction with a carboxyl group reagent

The effect of N-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazolium 3"-sulfonate (Woodward's reagent K, WRK), a reagent forming covalent bonds with protein carboxyl groups, on the activity of the mitochondrial phosphate carrier was investigated. Treatment with WRK of mitochondria or of extracted carrier incorporated into liposomes, inhibited phosphate transport in a reconstituted liposomal system. Increasing the binding of WRK resulted in increased inhibition: the modified carrier protein showed a reduced affinity for phosphate, but binding of WRK had no effect on the Vmax of phosphate transport. It was concluded that WRK caused a conformational change in the carrier protein not involving the phosphate or H+ carrier sites such that its affinity for phosphate was lowered.     

Direct evidence for formation of hybrid vesicles by fusion of plasma and outer acrosomal membranes during the acrosome reaction in boar spermatozoa.

A variety of treatment procedures was utilized to identify the origin and composition of the vesicles formed during the acrosome reaction of boar spermatozoa. Whether the acrosome reaction occurred spontaneously or was induced chemically the vesicles were hybrid vesicles composed of roughly equal proportions of plasma and outer acrosomal membranes.     

Physical model of the formation of a low-temperature dense plasma during the irradiation of a target by a picosecond laser pulse

Results are presented from numerical simulations of the breakdown of a dense noble gas by the electrons of a boundary layer that forms during the irradiation of a metal target by a high-power picosecond laser pulse. It is shown that, when the electric field of the boundary layer is taken into account, the density of the seed electrons near the target surface increases substantially, so that the ionization process occurs much faster. The dependence of the time of the onset of breakdown on the electric field of the incident wave and on the concentration of gas atoms is calculated.     

The Ruff degradation: a review of previously proposed mechanisms with evidence that the reaction proceeds by a Hofer-Moest-type reaction

The Ruff degradation reaction is critically reviewed. Based on available information, the Hofer-Moest decarboxylation mechanism is presented as the mechanism for it. Cu(III) is proposed as the active species of the copper variant of the Ruff degradation, which is the most efficient form of the reaction.