Increase In Molecular Volume Research Articles

Molecular sorption and diffusion of organic solvents through maleated rubber/layered silicate nanocomposites

The aim of the study is to investigate barrier properties of a nanocomposite material against organic solvents. Molecular transport phenomena of three alcohols, namely methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, through a nitrile rubber-based nanocomposite, are carried out in temperatures ranging from 23 to 70°C. For each configuration, mass transfer kinetics are investigated for three different types of clay nanoparticles using mass uptake experiments. Maleated nanocomposites with enhanced dispersion morphology are also examined. Results show that all molecular transport parameters are generally susceptible to temperature variations. Sorption and diffusion coefficients noticeably increased as temperatures increased. Polymer/solvent interaction seems to be similarly affected. Molecular volume of the penetrant is observed to have an influence on molecule migration. Diffusion coefficients are likewise affected and decrease with the linear increase of molecular volume. The diffusion mechanism is slightly altered by this factor and the Fickian mode is maintained. When filling the rubbery matrix with layered silicates, sorption decreases at equilibrium. Its level drops even lower with the maleation of the nanocomposite. However, the diffusion coefficient exhibits a less systematic trend. Randomly filled nanocomposites appear to have higher diffusivity than neat rubber, but diffusion parameter considerably decreases after maleation, which emphasizes the nanoclay’s dispersion effect.

Effects of structure and electronic properties of D-π-A organic dyes on photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Herein, we examine the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells containing five D-π-A organic dyes designed by systematic modification of π-bridge size and geometric structure. Each dye has a simple push-pull structure with a triarylamino group as an electron donor, bithiophene-4,4-dimethyl-4H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene (M11), 4,4-dimethyl-4H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene-thiophene (M12), thiophene-4,4-dimethyl-4H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene (M13), 4,4-dimethyl-4H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene-benzene (M14), and 4,4-dimethyl-4H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene (M15) units as π-bridges, and cyanoacrylic acid as an electron acceptor/anchor. The extension of the π-bridge linkage favors wide-range absorption but, because of the concomitant molecular volume increase, hinders the efficient adsorption of dyes on the TiO2 film surface. Hence, higher loadings are achieved for smaller dye molecules, resulting in (i) a shift of the TiO2 conduction band edge to more negative values, (ii) a greater photocurrent, and (iii) suppressed charge recombination between the photoanode and the redox couple in the electrolyte. Consequently, under one-sun equivalent illumination (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW/cm2), the highest photovoltage, photocurrent, and conversion efficiency (η = 7.19%) are observed for M15, which has the smallest molecular volume among M series dyes.

Fluorescence Anisotropy-Based Signal-Off and Signal-On Aptamer Assays Using Lissamine Rhodamine B as a Label for Ochratoxin A.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a common mycotoxin, has attracted great concern as many foodstuffs can suffer from OTA contamination; OTA causes harmful effects on human and animals. Rapid and sensitive detection of OTA is demanded in many fields for agricultural product quality, food safety, and health. Aptamer fluorescence polarization/anisotropy (FP/FA) assays integrate advantages of nucleic acid aptamers (e.g., easy preparation, high stability, and low cost) and FP/FA analysis (e.g., high sensitivity, rapidity, simplicity, and robustness). Here, we report the preparation of lissamine rhodamine B labeled OTA and developed competitive aptamer fluorescence anisotropy (FA) assays for OTA with signal-off or signal-on responses by using this fluorescently labeled probe. In the signal-off FA assay, the binding between the fluorescent probe and aptamer gave a large FA signal due to molecular volume increase, and the fluorescent probe was displaced from the aptamer in the presence of OTA target, causing FA to decrease. To further enhance the FA change in the signal-off assay, large-sized streptavidin was conjugated on the aptamer, and this assay allowed for a detection limit of 2.5 nM and a more remarkable FA decrease. Furthermore, we found that the fluorescent probe could interact with Tween 20, which caused the fluorescent probe to show a higher FA value than that of the aptamer-fluorescent probe complex. A signal-on FA assay was achieved in the binding buffer containing 0.1% Tween 20, with a detection limit of 10 nM. Signal-off and signal-on FA methods both were selective and enabled detection of OTA spiked in red wine samples, showing capability for target analysis in complex sample matrix.

High-refractive index, low-loss oxyfluorosilicate glasses for sub-THz and millimeter wave applications

Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy was used to study the optical properties of two series of oxyfluorosilicate (OFS) glasses. The experimentally measured refractive indices are analyzed by using the Clausius–Mossotti equation to retrieve information about polarizability of the glass. Compared with previously studied oxide-based glasses and chalcogenides, OFS glasses exhibit a balance of relatively low absorption coefficients (6–9 cm−1) and high refractive indices (2.9–3.7) at 0.5 THz. The value of 3.7 is the highest among silicate glasses reported to date and are comparable to those of La3+:chalcogenide glasses. The relatively high values of refractive indices have been attributed to the great increase of the glass polarizability in OFS glasses, which offsets the effect of an increase in molecular volume caused by multicomponent modification of the glass structure. Comparatively low THz absorption of OFS glasses is explained by the structural relaxation effect of fluorine, which effectively suppress the charge fluctuation in the glass structure. The high refractive index and low absorption loss properties of the present OFS glasses should be useful for quasi-optic components such as lens and waveguide devices application in the sub-THz and millimeter wave region.

Synthesis and DNase I inhibitory properties of some 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines

A series of six novel and six known thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amines 2–13 were synthesized, and further were used as a starting material for preparation of a small series of eight novel thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-phthalimides 14–21. Eight compounds, five amine and three phthalimide derivatives, inhibited bovine pancreatic DNase I with an IC50 below 200 µM, being more effective than referent inhibitor crystal violet. Phthalimide derivatives 16, 18 and 19 exhibited higher DNase I inhibitory activity compared to their amine precursors 7, 10 and 11. Compound 19, as the most potent (IC50 = 106 ± 16 µM), offers a good starting point for a design of new DNase I inhibitors. The Pharma RQSAR model showed a significant enhancement of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines activity using aryl substituents at R1 position. The E-State RQSAR model clarified the most important structural fragments relevant for DNase I inhibition. Molecular docking and Site Finder module defined the thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines interactions with the most important catalytic residues of DNase I, including Glu 39, His 134, Asp 168 and His 252. We also found that steric effects and increase of molecular volume play a vital role in DNase I inhibition.

Microscopic picture of heat conduction in liquid ethylene glycol by molecular dynamics simulation: Difference from the monohydric case

The present study investigates the molecular-scale heat transfer in the liquid of ethylene glycol, which is widely used as heat transfer media. First, by combining existing molecular models, we developed a new united atom model of ethylene glycol, and showed that this model reasonably reproduces the experimental thermal conductivity. Using the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations with this model, we characterized the heat transfers due to different kinds of inter- and intramolecular interactions on the basis of a picture that a single pair interaction is a path of heat transfer. These characteristics were compared with those of ethanol (Matsubara et al., 2017) to elucidate the molecular mechanism which realizes an enhanced thermal conductivity because of an additional hydroxylation on ethanol. The results indicate that the thermal conductivity enhancement occurs because the additional heat paths provided by the second hydroxyl group increases the amount of heat conduction owing to all of the van der Waals, Coulomb, and covalent interactions. In particular, the increase in the number of the paths associated with the intermolecular Coulomb interaction between the non-hydrogen bonding hydroxyl groups is prominent and consequently the Coulomb interaction, which is an efficient heat carrier, performs the largest amount of heat conduction in ethylene glycol. Although the second hydroxyl group also increases the number of hydrogen bonds, the direct heat transfer via the hydrogen bonds accounts for only a small portion of the total heat conduction. On the other hand, this augmentation of hydrogen bond, since it keeps a dense molecular packing against the increase in molecular volume, is indispensable in increasing the density of heat paths.

Competitive fluorescence anisotropy/polarization assay for ATP using aptamer as affinity ligand and dye-labeled ATP as fluorescence tracer

We developed an aptamer-based competitive fluorescence anisotropy (FA)/fluorescence polarization (FP) assay for adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Different from the traditional fluorescence polarization immunoassays for small molecules, here DNA aptamer against ATP was used as affinity ligand, and tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) labeled ATP served as fluorescent tracer. The binding between TMR-labeled ATP and aptamer gave large FA due to molecular volume increase and restricted rotation of the dye-labeled ATP. When ATP was added in solution, ATP competitively displaced the TMR-labeled ATP from aptamer affinity complex, causing decrease of FA of TMR-labeled ATP. The buffer containing MgCl2 and incubation at low temperature were preferred for large FA change in the FA assay. The FA change was further enhanced in this competitive FA assay by increasing the molecular weight of aptamer through extension of aptamer sequences or conjugating streptavidin protein on aptamer. This method allowed for the detection of ATP in the range from 0.5μM to 1mM, generating the maximum FA change about 0.187 (corresponding maximum FP change about 0.242). The detection of ATP spiked in diluted urine or serum sample was achieved, showing capability for analysis in complex sample matrix. This assay also enabled the detection of the analogues of ATP, e.g. adenosine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) with similar sensitivity. This aptamer-based competitive FA assay takes advantages of aptamer in ease of synthesis, good thermal stability, and facile modulating the molecular mass of aptamer.

Electron Transfer as a Probe of the Permeability of Organic Monolayers on the Surfaces of Colloidal PbS Quantum Dots

Transient absorption measurements on both the picosecond and microsecond time scales reveal that the efficiencies with which a series of alkyl-substituted p-benzoquinone (s-BQ) molecules participate in static and collisional photoinduced electron transfer (PET) with colloidal PbS quantum dots (QDs) in dichloromethane solution depend on both the size and shape of the s-BQ molecule. The efficiencies of both static and collisional PET are limited by the presence of the oleate ligand shell on the surface of the QDs and decrease with an increase in molecular volume, VQ, of the s-BQ, in general; however, the substitution patterns on the BQ ring that facilitate static PET are not the same patterns that facilitate collisional PET. A model for the dependence of the collisional quenching efficiency on VQ allows quantitative characterization of both the permeability and average thickness of the oleate ligand shell of the QDs in a dichloromethane solution.

Screening interaction between ochratoxin A and aptamers by fluorescence anisotropy approach

By taking advantage of the intrinsic fluorescence of ochratoxin A (OTA), we present a fluorescence anisotropy approach for rapid analysis of the interactions between OTA and aptamers. The specific binding of OTA with a 36-mer aptamer can induce increased fluorescence anisotropy (FA) of OTA as the result of the freedom restriction of OTA and the increase of molecular volume, and the maximum FA change is about 0.160. This FA approach enables an easy way to investigate the effects of buffer compositions like metal ions on the affinity binding. FA analysis shows the interaction between OTA and aptamer is greatly enhanced by the simultaneous presence of Ca(2+) and Na(+), while the binding affinity of aptamer decreases more than 18-fold when only Ca(2+) exists, and the binding is completely lost when Ca(2+) is absent. Crucial region of the aptamer for binding can be mapped through FA analysis and aptamer mutation. The demonstrated FA approach maintains the advantages of FA in simplicity, rapidity, and robustness. This investigation will help the development of aptamer-based assays for OTA detection in optimizing the binding conditions, modification of aptamers, and rational design.

The homogeneous fluorescence anisotropic sensing of salivary lysozyme using the 6-carboxyfluorescein-labeled DNA aptamer

A simple and sensitive fluorescence anisotropy method was developed for lysozyme, employing the coupling of fluorophore, 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM), with lysozyme upon recognition between the target molecule and its DNA aptamer. It was found in this study that the rotational dynamic of the detecting system is crucial to obtain a high anisotropy signal that cannot always be achieved by simply increasing the molecular volume, because molecular volume increase may not be able to efficiently retard the rotational movement of the fluorophore. FAM was selected as the label of the ssDNA aptamer to effectively facilitate the change of the fluorophore from a primarily independent segmental movement to slow global rotation. The time-resolved measurements, including lifetime and dynamic fluorescence anisotropy, were conducted to study the recognition interaction and to better understand the methodology. The proposed method had a wide linear dynamic range of 12.5–300 nM and a high sensitivity with the limit of detection of 4.9 nM (3S/N). This proposed method was successfully applied to assay of human salivary lysozyme. The results based on the standard addition recovery and comparison with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated the feasibility of this method for biological samples. Using coupling between the fluorophore and the analyte can be one of the approaches working toward expanding the application of fluorescence anisotropy based on aptamer–target and antibody–antigen recognitions.

Cosolvent effects on the diffusions of 1,3-dichlorobenzene, l-carvone, geraniol and 3-fluorophenol in supercritical carbon dioxide

In order to get an insight into solute–cosolvent interactions and to predict the cosolvent effects on diffusions, several cosolvents and solutes with different size, hydrogen-bond donor (HBD) acidity, and hydrogen-bond acceptor (HBA) basicity were chosen, and the molecular diffusion coefficients of the solutes in pure and modified supercritical carbon dioxide were measured by the Taylor–Aris chromatographic peak broadening method. Cosolvent effect parameter, which is defined as the ratio of diffusion coefficient with and without cosolvent, respectively, is introduced to quantitatively compare the strength of different types of interaction between solute and cosolvent, especially hydrogen bonding. For cosolvent without hydrogen-bond ability, the cosolvent effect parameter decreases with the increase of molecular volume and weight of the solutes, in that the strength of dispersion force with cosolvent increases with their size. For cosolvent with only HBA basicity, the solute with higher HBD acidity has smaller cosolvent effect parameter, due to the fact that the strength of hydrogen-bond interaction between the solute and cosolvent only depends on and increases with the HBD acidity of the solute. For amphiprotic cosolvent, the solute with higher HBD acidity has smaller cosolvent effect parameter, it can be inferred from which that HBD acidity rather than HBA basicity of the solute makes a major contribution to the hydrogen-bond interaction between solute and cosolvent. These results are consistent with the interpretation by the Kamlet–Taft solvatochromic parameters (HBD acidity and HBA basicity). Moreover, a nonlinear decrease in diffusion coefficient with the increase of cosolvent concentration is observed, which is typical of the behavior of the system with strong interaction.

Absorption, Fluorescence and Resonance Rayleigh Scattering Spectra of Interaction of Papain with Calf Thymus DNA

In weak acidic medium, interaction between papain and calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) resulted in absorption spectral change, fluorescence quenching of papain and remarkable enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS). The interaction types and binding modes were discussed by characteristics of RRS, absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra combining thermodynamic data. Four interaction types include electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic force, hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking interaction. Papain interacted with the major groove of ctDNA. Aromatic stacking interaction is the main reason of change of absorption spectrum and fluorescence quenching of papain. Surface enhanced scattering effect, resonance energy transfer effect, increase of molecular volume and conformational change make contribution to RRS enhancement. The enhanced RRS intensity (ΔI) is directly proportional to the concentration of ctDNA or papain. The detection limit (3σ) is 5.2 ng·mL−1 for ctDNA and 5.6 ng·mL−1 for papain. This creates conditions for determination of papain and ctDNA.

Photochemically Driven Shape Changes of Crystalline Organic Nanorods

Nanorods composed of 9-tert-butylanthroate (9-TBAE) are synthesized using an Al2O3 template and solvent annealing. The rods consist of micron-scale crystalline domains, and UV light induces a [4 + 4] photodimerization that results in a uniform 15% expansion along the rod axis. This is in contrast to random 9-TBAE crystals, which disintegrate under the same conditions. Transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and comparison of the X-ray crystal structures of the monomer and photodimer all provide evidence for a mechanism based on a crystal-to-crystal photoreaction leading to an increase in molecular volume. It is likely that the high surface-to-volume ratio in the nanorods provides a strain relief pathway that is absent in larger crystals. Preliminary attempts to reverse the reaction using shorter wavelength light to photodissociate the dimers were only partly successful. These results suggest that crystalline organic nanostructures may provide an efficient way to transform photochemical energy into mechanical motion on the nanometer scale.

Dehydration of ethanol/water mixtures by pervaporation using soluble polyimide membranes

AbstractA series of soluble polyimides derived from 3,3′,4,4′‐benzhydrol tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BHTDA) with various diamines such as 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2‐tert‐butylbenzene (BATB), 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzene (BADTB), and 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐ bis(4‐aminophenoxy)biphenyl (DBAPB) were investigated for pervaporation separation of ethanol/water mixtures. Diamine structure effect on the pervaporation of 90 wt% aqueous ethanol solution through the BHTDA‐based polyimide membranes was studied. The separation factor ranked in the following order: BHTDA–DBAPB > BHTDA–BATB > BHTDA–BADTB. The increase in molecular volume for the substituted group in the polymer backbone increased the permeation rate. As the feed ethanol concentration increased, the permeation rate increased, while the water concentration in the permeate decreased for all polyimide membranes. The optimum pervaporation performance was obtained by the BHTDA–DBAPB membrane with a 90 wt% aqueous ethanol solution, giving a separation factor of 141, permeation rate of 255 g m−2 h−1 and 36 000 pervaporation separation index (PSI) value. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

7-Ketocholesterol forms crystalline domains in model membranes and murine aortic smooth muscle cells

7-Ketocholesterol (7-keto) is one of the major oxygenated products found in oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and in atherosclerotic plaque, where it is believed to play a role in arterial pathology. We hypothesize that direct membrane effects independent of receptor binding may mediate its biological activity. To test this, small-angle x-ray diffraction approaches were used to examine the interactions of 7-keto with other membrane components in well-defined lipid vesicles and in murine aortic smooth muscle cell membranes. These data were compared with the interactions of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC) and cholesterol. Replacement of cholesterol with 7-keto in lipid vesicles produced distinct changes in membrane structure, including a marked increase in molecular volume associated with the hydrocarbon core (±0–8 Å from the bilayer center). Additionally, there was an increase in electron density associated with the upper acyl chain region (±9–21 Å), corresponding to the bilayer location of the steroid nucleus of 7-keto. In contrast, 25-OHC did not appear to intercalate into the membrane hydrocarbon core and did not form separate domains. Cells grown in the presence of the 7-keto developed extracellular crystals concomitant with the formation of membrane domains having a unit cell periodicity of 35.4 or 1.4 Å greater than measured with cholesterol. Domains were formed within 4 h and persisted up to 72 h, after which cells showed signs of declining viability. We conclude that 7-keto is found in a membrane location distinct from cholesterol, does not condense phospholipids as efficiently as cholesterol and is able to self-associate into discrete intrabilayer domains. While these domains may decrease its cytotoxicity by inducing the formation of sterol crystals in smooth muscle cells, they may, in a broader capacity, contribute to the sterol crystals found in advanced atherosclerotic lesions.

Antioxidant properties of calcium antagonists related to membrane biophysical interactions

The antioxidant activities of representative calcium antagonists, including amlodipine, verapamil, and diltiazem, were measured in hepatic microsomal membranes by the Fe-catalyzed, hydroxyl radical–producing system (dihydroxyfumarate + Fe 3+) and assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Despite the absence of L-type calcium channels in this membrane preparation, the calcium antagonists showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity. The biophysical mechanism for calcium-antagonist antioxidant activity was evaluated using radioligand binding assays, high-resolution differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle x-ray diffraction approaches. These analyses demonstrated that calcium-antagonist antioxidant potency correlated directly with the compounds’ relative affinity for the membrane lipid bilayer and ability to modulate membrane thermodynamic properties (amlodipine >> verapamil > diltiazem). The charged 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, amlodipine, had the highest affinity for the membrane lipid bilayer ( K P >10 4) and produced the largest changes in membrane thermodynamic properties, including a reduction in thermal phase transition temperature (−11%), enthalpy (−14%), and cooperative unit size (−59%), relative to control phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Electron density profiles generated from x-ray diffraction data demonstrated that amlodipine effected a broad and dose-dependent increase in molecular volume associated with the membrane hydrocarbon core. These data indicate that lipophilic calcium antagonists inhibit lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes as a result of modulating physicochemical properties of the membrane lipid bilayer, independently of calcium channel inhibition. Amlodipine had the most potent antioxidant activity as a result of distinct biophysical interactions with the membrane lipid bilayer. The nonreceptor-mediated antioxidant activity of calcium antagonists may contribute to cytoprotective mechanisms of action in cardiovascular diseases.

Distribution and Fluidizing Action of Soluble and Aggregated Amyloid β-Peptide in Rat Synaptic Plasma Membranes

The effects of soluble and aggregated amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) on cortical synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) structure were examined using small angle x-ray diffraction and fluorescence spectroscopy approaches. Electron density profiles generated from the x-ray diffraction data demonstrated that soluble and aggregated Abeta1-40 peptides associated with distinct regions of the SPM. The width of the SPM samples, including surface hydration, was 84 A at 10 degrees C. Following addition of soluble Abeta1-40, there was a broad increase in electron density in the SPM hydrocarbon core +/-0-15 A from the membrane center, and a reduction in hydrocarbon core width by 6 A. By contrast, aggregated Abeta1-40 contributed electron density to the phospholipid headgroup/hydrated surface of the SPM +/-24-37 A from the membrane center, concomitant with an increase in molecular volume in the hydrocarbon core. The SPM interactions observed for Abeta1-40 were reproduced in a brain lipid membrane system. In contrast to Abeta1-40, aggregated Abeta1-42 intercalated into the lipid bilayer hydrocarbon core +/-0-12 A from the membrane center. Fluorescence experiments showed that both soluble and aggregated Abeta1-40 significantly increased SPM bulk and protein annular fluidity. Physico-chemical interactions of Abeta with the neuronal membrane may contribute to mechanisms of neurotoxicity, independent of specific receptor binding.

STUDY ON PERCOLATION OF MIXED REVERSE MICELLES

The temperature-induced percolation behaviors of AOT reverse micelles in the presence of nonionic surfactants have been studied. The effects of water content, solvent and concentration of electrolyte in solubilized water have also been investigated. It was found that the percolation temperature of AOT reverse micelles was decreased by adding nonionic surfactants, and more pronounced effects were observed with the increase of EO chain length and content of nonionic surfactants. The increase of molecular volume of the solvent and the increase of concentration of the added NaCl electrolyte have shown assisting and resisting effects on the process, respectively. The apparent hydrodynamic diameter of droplets of different mixed reverse micelles has been measured using dynamic light scattering, by which the percolating mechanism of mixed reverse micelles was discussed in combination with the results obtained from conductivity measurements.

Crystal-chemical aspect of the radiation resistance of nonmetallic materials

On account of the characteristic features of atomic bonds in metals irradiation does not produce any no significant changes in the atomic volume. At the same time, in nonmetallic materials the change in volume occurring per atom (molecule) and the value measured according to the change in the average unit-cell volume can vary over a wide range: from 56% in diamond, 35% in boron nitride, and 16% in beryllium oxide clown to 4% in dysprosium titanate and about 0.1% MgO and UO 2. Attempts have been made repeatedly to determine the gradation of radiation resistance of nonmetallic materials on the basis of the initial crystallographic data. For example, it is asserted [2] that resistance to irradiation decreases in the series BeO, Al203, ZrO 2, and SiO 2 as a result of a change in the ionicity of the compounds and moreover the more dense and more symmetric structures are more radiation-resistant. Beryllium oxide and diamond lie at opposite ends on the ionicity scale, but the increases in the atomic (molecular) volume in them are large and approximately the same. The increase in the radiation resistance in the series BeO, AIN, AI203, Y203, and SiO 2 is explained [3] by an increase in the degree of lattice symmetry. However, for example, the symmetry of BeO and Gd2Ti207 structures, initially possessing a pyrochlore structure, is higher than in GdMoO 6, while the increase in the volume of Gd2MoO6, which is monoclinic in the initial state, is smallest among these three compounds. At the same time, BeO, AIN, ZnO, and CdS, which all possess the same wurtzite structures, show a substantially different increase in molecular volume under identical irradiation conditions: 3.46, 1.04, 0.66, and 0.3%, respectively [4]. Attempts have been made to explain the small swelling of the spinel structures MgO.nAl203 by a large quantity of unfilled voids [5]. But the most "open" structure which we studied -- diamond (-34% filling of the space) exhibits one of the largest swellings. A criterion of radiation resistance of nonmetallic materials, based on the presence of zones of instability (athermal recombination) of defects, was proposed in [6]. These ideas seem logically reliable with respect to the kinetics of accumulation of radiation defects, but they do not explain the quantitative and qualitative estimates of the swelling of many compounds. The ideas discussed about the radiation damage to crystalline bodies have one drawback -- they represent an interstitial atom as a sphere which is part of a definite structure consisting of other spheres. An interstitial atom cannot be viewed as an ancillary body in the lattice; it must be viewed as an equal member and one must strive to find a relative arrangement that is energetically favorable. We examine below concrete nonmetallic materials. From the examples examined it will be possible to conclude that the crystal-chemical features must be taken into account when examining radiation swelling, provided that only the unit-cell volume increases.

Cholinesterase inhibition by derivatives of 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyridine.

Derivatives of 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyridine, aryl(alkyl)carboxamides, thiocarbamides and amidrazones, already known for their anti-inflammatory properties, were found to be moderately active inhibitors of acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase. Quantitative structure-activity relationships showed that the binding affinity was enhanced by the following structural modifications: (1) increase in molecular volume, (2) decrease in the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, (3) insertion of a methylene group between the amide carbonyl and the aromatic ring, (4) replacement of the amide oxygen by sulfur. The affinity remained, however, weaker than that of the specific inhibitor 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (tacrine). The association of anti-inflammatory and cholinesterase inhibiting activities within the same compound may prove useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.