New measurements of DNA twist elasticity

The symmetries of the DNA double helix require a new term in its linear response to stress: the coupling between twist and stretch. Recent experiments with torsionally constrained single molecules give the first direct measurement of this new material parameter. We extract its value from a recent experiment. Finally, we sketch the effect of constrained twist on entropic elasticity of DNA arising from the connection between Link, Twist, and Writhe.     

Direct molecular level measurements of the electrostatic properties of a protein surface

In this work, we used direct measurements with the surface force apparatus to determine the pH-dependent electrostatic charge density of a single binding face of streptavidin. Mean field calculations have been used with considerable success to model electrostatic potential fields near protein surfaces, but these models and their inherent assumptions have not been tested directly at the molecular level. Using the force apparatus and immobilized, oriented monolayers of streptavidin, we measured a pI of 5-5.5 for the biotin-binding face of the protein. This differs from the pI of 6.3 for the soluble protein and confirms that we probed the local electrostatic features of the macromolecule. With finite difference solutions of the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation, we then calculated the pH-dependent charge densities adjacent to the same face of the protein. These calculated values agreed quantitatively with those obtained by direct force measurements. Although our study focuses on the pH-dependence of surface electrostatics, this direct approach to probing the electrostatic features of proteins is applicable to investigations of any perturbations that alter the charge distribution of the surfaces of immobilized molecules.     

Thermodynamic properties of PbO-SiO2 slags by emf measurements

Abstract

The thermodynamic properties of PbO-SiO₂ liquid slags have been investigated by measuring the emfs of the following cell:

Pt, O₂(1 atm)/0.90 ZrO₂ + 0.10 CaO/(PbO-SiO₂)_liq.sol'n Pb_(l)

From the results, the activities and the other partial molar properties of the system have been calculated for compositions between 40 and 85 mole % PbO in the temperature range 720 to 110°C.

Résumé

Les propriétés thermodynamiques des scories liquids PbO-SiO₂ ont été recherchees en mesurant la f.e.m. de la pile suivante:

Pt,O₂(1 atm.)/0.90 ZrO₂ + 0.10 CaO/(PbO-SiO₂)_liq.sol'nPb_(l)

A partir des résultats, les activités et les autres propriétés molales partielles de ce système ont été calculées pour des compositions molales variant de 40 à 85% en PbO, sur un intelvalle de température s'etendant de 720 a 1100°C.     

Alloy phase analysis from measurements of bulk magnetic properties

Measurements of bulk magnetic properties were investigated to evaluate whether they can be used to reveal the microstructure and phase stability of alloys. Specifically, phase transformations in aluminum-copper alloys were followed with magnetic susceptibility measurements. The results suggest that bulk magnetic measurements can be used to predict microstructure and, thus, properties of alloys. The ability to characterize alloy properties and phase stability through correlation with electromagnetic measurements may allow significant improvements in the nondestructive evaluation of advanced alloy properties and the prediction of service life.     

Frequency domain electrical conductivity measurements of the passive electrical properties of human lymphocytes

Use of liposomes as carriers of gentamicin for intrabronchial pulmonary delivery was investigated in rabbits. Gentamicin, in isotonic glutamic acid buffer, pH 4.5, was encapsulated in multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and administered intrabronchially. Higher drug concentrations were found at the pulmonary site of liposome instillation for 1 day as compared with free unencapsulated antibiotic. When time-course distributions of gentamicin given in the liposomal or free form were measured in bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL), similar accumulations were observed up to 4 h, but the drug remained longer (24 h) after administration of the liposomal formulation. Higher amounts of antibiotic were detected in BAL supernatant 1 h after instillation of plain gentamicin; this difference stopped being significant after 4 h. A microbiological assay outlined the bacteriostatic activity of gentamicin released from MLVs and recovered in BAL supernatant. Liposomal gentamicin accumulated in the BAL cell pellet 1 h after intrabronchial instillation; it decreased progressively but minute amounts were still detected after 1 day. On the contrary, no gentamicin was found in the pellet at any time after free drug administration. Comparison of aminoglycoside concentrations in plasma and kidneys indicated lower and constant levels when the liposomal form was instilled. Liposome encapsulation altered the disposition of gentamicin in a way suggesting improved pulmonary concentration and lower systemic toxicity.     

Computation of thermodynamic properties of liquid ferrous alloys from structural measurements

Relation between X-ray scattering intensities, mean square thermal fluctuations and thermodynamic properties. High temperature X-ray diffraction study of liquid Fe-Ni and Fe-Si alloys using reflection and transmission geometries. Calculation of the structure factor as a function of wave vector. Extrapolation to zero wave vector. Calculation of the concentration-concentration correlation function defined by A. B. Bhatia and D. E. Thorton. Computation of thermodynamic quantities of mixing ΔG, ΔH and ΔS for the binary alloys. Comparison with direct thermodynamic measurements reported in the literature.     

Non-invasive measurements of breast tissue optical properties using frequency-domain photon migration

A multiwavelength, high bandwidth (1 GHz) frequency-domain photon migration (FDPM) instrument has been developed for quantitative, non-invasive measurements of tissue optical and physiological properties. The instrument produces 300 kHz to 1 GHz photon density waves (PDWs) in optically turbid media using a network analyser, an avalanche photodiode detector and four amplitude-modulated diode lasers (674 nm, 811 nm, 849 nm, and 956 nm). The frequency of PDW phase and amplitude is measured and compared to analytically derived model functions in order to calculate absorption, mu a, and reduced scattering, mu s, parameters. The wavelength-dependence of absorption is used to determine tissue haemoglobin concentration (total, oxy- and deoxy- forms), oxygen saturation and water concentration. We present preliminary results of non-invasive FDPM measurements obtained from normal and tumour-containing human breast tissue. Our data clearly demonstrate that physiological changes caused by the presence of small (about 1 cm diameter) palpable lesions can be detected using a handheld FDPM probe.     

Hydrogen effects on the tensile properties of 21-6-9 stainless steel

The effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of a series of nineteen experimental heats of 21-6-9 stainless steel was investigated. The nineteen material groups covered a variety of forging processes, strength levels, grain sizes, and microstructures. The data show that absorbed hydrogen acts as an interstitial strengthener which increases the flow stress of 21-6-9 similar to the effects of carbon, nitrogen, and other interstitial atoms. The true stress for tensile instability was observed to be ∼1130 MPa for both uncharged and hydrogen charged specimens and appeared to be independent of process variables. Thermal charging and/or tensile testing in high pressure hydrogen indicates this austenitic stainless steel is susceptible to hydrogen-induced cracking at grain boundaries, slip bands, and other interfaces. A lack of hydrogen-induced effects at true stresses below 1100 MPa indicates a lower limit for the hydrogen-induced reduction in interfacial strength. Above a true stress of 1100 MPa the extent of hydrogen induced reductions in interfacial strength is dependent on hydrogen concentration and increases as the hydrogen concentration increases. These observations are discussed in terms of several proposed hydrogen embrittlement theories.