Synthesis and characterization of soluble (porphyrinato)iron(II) polymers

The use of (tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)porphyrinato)Fe(II) in polymerization reactions with bidentate ligands such as 9,10-diisocyanoanthracene and 1,4-diisocyanobenzene led to well-defined stacked polymers1 and2 which are still soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofurane. They have been completely characterized by¹H-NMR and UV/vis spectropscopy in solution, even allowing end-group analysis for determination of the average degree of polymerization, yieldingn=10 andn=5 for1 and2, respectively. Mößbauer and IR spectroscopy further established the strong Fe-CN bonding reflected by very small isomer shifts and quadrupole splittings (E _Q0.2 mm s^–1) and a large decrease in the IR stretching frequency (v _CN60 cm^–1). The axially stacked polymers exhibit semiconducting properties only upon doping.Presented at the 5th International Symposium on Macromolecule-Metal Complexes (MMV), Summer 1993 in Bremen, Germany.     

INSIGMA: an intelligent transportation system for urban mobility enhancement

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) aim to improve safety, mobility and environmental performance of road transport. The INSIGMA project provides a fresh look at the possible innovations in this field, by enhancing the functionality and accuracy of ITS in urban environments. This paper describes the architecture, sensors, processing algorithms, output modules and advantages of the developed system. A comparison of existing ITS systems has been provided as background. Special attention has been given to performance and privacy issues, as the system includes social aspects such as location monitoring.     

Photoluminescence and energy transfer in transparent glass-ceramics based on GdF3:RE3+ (RE = Tb,Eu) nanocrystals

In the present work,the transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramic samples containing GdF_3:RE~(3+)(RE=Tb,Eu) nanocrystals(nGCs) were fabricated via controlled heat-treatment of precursor xerogels prepared using a sol-gel method.The formation of GdF_3 nanocrystalline phase from gadolinium(III) trifluoroacetate was verified based on XRD measurements.The average crystal sizes calculated from Scherrer formula were estimated to～10 nm as well as～6 nm for Tb~(3+)-and Eu~(3+)-doped samples,respectively.The optical behavior of prepared sol-gel samples was evaluated based on photoluminescence excitation(PLE) and emission spectra(PL) as well as luminescence decay analysis.Obtained samples exhibit the ~5D_4→~7F_J(J=6-3,Tb~(3+))and the ~5D_0→~7F_J(J=0-4,Eu~(3+)) emission bands recorded within the visible spectral area under excitation at near-UV(393 nm(Eu~(3+)),351,369,378 nm(Tb~(3+))) as well as middle-UV illumination(273 nm(Gd~(3+))).Additionally,based on recorded decay curves,the luminescence lifetimes(τ_m) for the ~5D_4(Tb3+) and the ~5D_0(Eu~(3+))excited states were also evaluated.In general,recorded luminescence spectra and double-exponential character of decay curves for nGCs indicate a successful migration of Tb~(3+) and Eu~(3+) dopant ions from amorphous silicate framework to lowphonon energy GdF_3 nanocrystal phase.     

Device characteristics of (Al,Ga)As lasers with Ga(As,Sb) active layers

Device characteristics of double heterostructure lasers with Al0.4Ga0.6As confinement layers and GaAs0.99Sb0.01active layers are presented. Average emission wavelengths have been increased from 0.87 μm for undoped active layers to 0.88 μm for2 times 10^{17}cm^-3Ge doped active layers with a "wash" melt preceding the growth of the active layer and to 0.89 μ for1 times 10^{18}cm^-3Mg doped active layers grown following a "wash" melt. Threshold currents for lasers from 21 wafers are examined for several growth conditions and compared with Al0.08Ga0.92As active layer devices. Device resistance, external quantum efficiency, device degradation, and pulsed and CW threshold currents as a function of temperature are also discussed.     

Histamine H1- and H2-receptor vasodilation of canine intestinal circulation

Studies were conducted in anesthetized dogs to determine whether the mesenteric vasodilator response to histamine is mediated by H1 receptors alone or whether H2 receptors are also involved in the response. Evidence favoring a role for both receptors included: 1) the vasodilator response to histamine was inhibited by either the H1-receptor antagonist, tripelennamine, or the H2-receptor antagonist, metiamide; 2) both the H1 agonist, 2-methylhistamine, and the H2 agonist, 4-methylhistamine, induced dilator responses in the mesenteric circulation; and 3) two temporal patterns of vasodilation could be distinguished, namely a transient spike and subsequent fade of blood flow (seen with either the H1 agonist or with histamine after H2-receptor blockade) and a sustained and stable increase in flow (seen with either the H2 agonist or with histamine after H1 blockade). Metiamide appeared to be a potent inhibitor of the mesenteric vasodilator response to histamine at least equal to tripelennamine.     

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase (PRMT) Inhibitors—AMI-1 and SAH Are Effective in Attenuating Rhabdomyosarcoma Growth and Proliferation in Cell Cultures

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant soft tissue cancer that develops mostly in children and young adults. With regard to histopathology, four rhabdomyosarcoma types are distinguishable: embryonal, alveolar, pleomorphic and spindle/sclerosing. Currently, increased amounts of evidence indicate that not only gene mutations, but also epigenetic modifications may be involved in the development of RMS. Epigenomic changes regulate the chromatin architecture and affect the interaction between DNA strands, histones and chromatin binding proteins, thus, are able to control gene expression. The main aim of the study was to assess the role of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) in the cellular biology of rhabdomyosarcoma. In the study we used two pan-inhibitors of PRMT, called AMI-1 and SAH, and evaluated their effects on proliferation and apoptosis of RMS cells. We observed that AMI-1 and SAH reduce the invasive phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cells by decreasing their proliferation rate, cell viability and ability to form cell colonies. In addition, microarray analysis revealed that these inhibitors attenuate the activity of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and affect expression of genes related to it.     

The effect of Al–O substitution for Si–N on the luminescence properties of YAG:Ce phosphor

The present paper describes the effect of various Si–N substitution degree on the crystal structure and optical properties of yellow YAG:Ce phosphor commonly used with combination of InGaN in white LEDs. It has been found that the course of silicon/nitrogen YAG:Ce garnet doping as well as formation of the liquid phase and its chemical composition controlled formation of the side phase besides YAG:Ce. Substitution of Al–O for Si–N chemical bonds according to the general formula Y_2.94Ce_0.06Al_(5?x)Si_xO_(12?x)N_x was confirmed by changes of the unit cell parameter and formation of the Si–N bonds as detected by FT-IR studies. Formation of the nitrogen ligand in cerium arrangement resulted in a red shift in emission spectrum of trivalent cerium if nominal x value was in the range of 0.2–0.3. Above x = 0.3 only decrease of emission intensity was observed because of the secondary phase precipitation but further solution of Si–N in YAG:Ce crystal lattice cannot be excluded.