The Influence of a gradient static magnetic field on an unstirred Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.

It is believed that static magnetic fields (SMF) cannot affect the pattern formation of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which has been frequently studied as a simplified experimental model of a nonequilibrium open system, because SMF produces no induced current and the magnetic force of SMF far below 1 T is too low to expect the effects on electrons in the BZ reaction. In the present study, we examined whether the velocity of chemical waves in the unstirred BZ reaction can be affected by a moderate-intensity SMF exposure depending on the spatial magnetic gradient. The SMF was generated by a parallel pair of attracting rectangular NdFeB magnets positioned opposite each other. The respective maximum values of magnetic flux density (B(max)), magnetic flux gradient (G(max)), and the magnetic force product of the magnetic flux density its gradient (a magnetic force parameter) were 206 mT, 37 mT/mm, and 3,000 mT(2)/mm. The ferroin-catalyzed BZ medium was exposed to the SMF for up to 16 min at 25 degrees C. The experiments demonstrated that the wave velocity was significantly accelerated primarily by the magnetic gradient. The propagation of the fastest wave front indicated a sigmoid increase along the peak magnetic gradient line, but not along the peak magnetic force product line. The underlying mechanisms of the SMF effects on the anomalous wave propagation could be attributed primarily to the increased concentration gradient of the paramagnetic iron ion complexes at the chemical wave fronts induced by the magnetic gradient.

Electron spin-lattice relaxation in radicals containing two methyl groups, generated by gamma-irradiation of polycrystalline solids.

The effects of methyl rotation on electron spin-lattice relaxation times were examined by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance for the major radicals in gamma-irradiated polycrystalline alpha-amino isobutyric acid, dimethyl-malonic acid, and L-valine. The dominant radical is the same in irradiated dimethyl-malonic acid and alpha-amino isobutyric acid. Continuous wave saturation recovery was measured between 10 and 295 K at S-band and X-band. Inversion recovery, echo-detected saturation recovery, and pulsed electron-electron double resonance (ELDOR) data were obtained between 77 and 295 K. For the radicals in the three solids, recovery time constants measured by the various techniques were not the same, because spectral diffusion processes contribute differently for each measurement. Hyperfine splitting due to the protons of two methyl groups is resolved in the EPR spectra for each of the samples. Pulsed ELDOR data were obtained to characterize the spectral diffusion processes that transfer magnetization between hyperfine lines. Time constants were obtained for electron spin-lattice relaxation (T(1e)), nuclear spin relaxation (T(1n)), cross-relaxation (T(x1)), and spin diffusion (T(s)). Between 77 and 295 K rapid cross-relaxation (deltaM(s) = +/- 1, deltaM(I) = -/+ 1) was observed for each sample, which is attributed to methyl rotation at a rate that is approximately equal to the electron Larmor frequency. The large temperature range over which cross-relaxation was observed suggests that methyl groups in the radical and in the lattice, with different activation energies for rotation, contribute to the rapid cross-relaxation. Activation energies for methyl and amino group rotation between 160 and 1900 K (1.3-16 kJ/mol) were obtained by analysis of the temperature dependence of 1/T(1e) at S-band and X-band in the temperature intervals where the dynamic process dominates T(1e).

Photophysical, photochemical, and thermodynamic properties of shikimic acid derivatives: calycin and rhizocarpic acid (lichens).

Photophysical and photochemical parameters of the lichen metabolites calycin and rhizocarpic acid were determined. Experiments were carried out in micellar solutions of 3% Brij 35, at pH 2 and 12, and in acetonitrile. Both metabolites absorb in the UV-A and UV-B regions, and emit fluorescence in the visible region of the solar spectrum. Shifts were not observed in the absorption spectra, at pH 2 and 12. The low phi(c), between 10(-5) and 10(-2), shows that both compounds are photostable in the experimental conditions. For rhizocarpic acid, two values of pK(a) were obtained: 5.1 corresponding to the hydroxyl group, and 9.0 corresponding to the protonated nitrogen. Calycin presents only one value of pK(a): 4.9, that is attributed to the hydroxyl group. L-(+)-Gluconic-gamma-lactonic acid was used as a reference model; the compound showed greater photoinstability, demonstrating that the photodegradation observed occurs mainly in the oxolane carbonylic ring.

Influence of light intensity on shear bond strength to dentin.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of light intensity on dentin bond strength of five dentin bonding systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The light intensity used to polymerize specimens was controlled at the levels of 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 W/m2 (470 +/- 40 nm). Labial surfaces of freshly extracted lower bovine incisors were ground with #600 grit SiC paper to expose dentin. After primer application, bonding agents were applied and bonded with resin composites. A shear bond strength test was performed and the data were analyzed by a one-way ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls multiple comparison (P<0.05). RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the data indicated that light intensity affected the bond strength to dentin. The mean bond strength of all bonding systems decreased with lower light intensity. The tendency of decreasing bond strength was different among the test materials and each test material had a threshold light intensity that resulted in statistically the same bond strength obtained using a light intensity of 1000 W/m2.

[Comparison between 2 methods of determining photon-induced air activity around medical accelerators]. / Der Vergleich zweier Methoden zur Bestimmung der photoneninduzierten Luftaktivität an medizinischen Beschleunigern.

The authors compare two different methods to determine the activity of the air induced by the bremsstrahlung of medical accelerators. The activities of the air resulting from maximum photon energies of 16 to 42 MeV are measured with a proportional counter tube ("direct measurement") and by means of activation analyses of imidazole, triazole, malonic acid, and urea specimens ("indirect measurement"). The results are compared.

Effect of acute 60Co-gamma-irradiation on the in vivo lipid peroxidation in experimental animals.

The effect of sublethal (6.0 Gy) and LD50/30 (9.0 Gy) doses of 60Co-gamma-irradiation on malondialdehyde (MDA) level was studied in rats. The findings suggest that in the organs investigated (brain, liver, spleen, kidney, testicle, stomach, small intestines) acute 60Co-gamma-irradiation increased the formation of MDA, the main product of lipid peroxidation, in a time-related manner to an extent characteristic of the organ investigated. Differences in the degree and temporal development of the changes allow some conclusions as to the radiosensitivity of individual organs. On this basis it can be assumed that the increase in MDA level caused by irradiation considerably contributes to the development of certain symptoms of radiation sickness.

Effects of paddy water and some photosensitizers on the photolysis of the fungicide isoprothiolane.

The fungicide isoprothiolane (diisopropyl 1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidenemalonate) decomposed slowly in deionized water under ultraviolet light or sunlight irradiation. Rice-paddy water greatly accelerated the photodegradation. This photosensitizing effect was comparable to that of 2% acetone. Soil extracts, rice-plant extracts, and chlorophylls showed little effect for the isoprothiolane photolysis. Tryptophan showed a relatively weak accelerating effect after a considerable lag time. Riboflavin exerted a remarkable acceleration of the photolysis. This effect was suppressed by a nitrogen gas stream.