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At least 253 records · Page 14

Models of prebiological phosphorylation

The model of phosphorylation in aqueous solutions considered involves the cyanogen-induced activation of orthophosphate. In this reaction, preferential phosphorylation of reducing sugars occurs, to produce the corresponding glycosyl phosphates. Attention is given to the molecular mechanism of phosphate uptake as it occurs in contemporary cells. It is proposed that the site of prebiological phosphorylation may have been in the interstitial water of sediment. It is also suggested that the site to search for forms of life on other planets is in the interstitial water, which possibly may be found, e.g., in the canyons of Mars.

Halmann, M.↗

Water soluble cations and the fluvial history of Mars

The electrical conductivity and water soluble Na, K, Ca, and Mg of aqueous solutions of terrestrial soils and finely divided igneous and metamorphic rocks were determined. Soils from dry terrestrial basins with a history of water accumulation as well as soils from the topographic lows of valleys accumulated water soluble cations, particularly Na and Ca. These soils as a group can be distinguished from the rocks or a second group of soils (leached upland soils and soils from sites other than the topographic lows of valleys) by significant differences in their mean electrical conductivity and water-soluble Na + Ca content. Similar measurements on multiple samples from the surface of Mars, collected by an automated long-range roving vehicle along a highlands-to-basin transect at sites with morphological features resembling dry riverlike channels, are suggested to determine the fluvial history of the planet.

Silverman, M. P.↗

A study of the effects on mice of smoke and gases from controlled fires in simulated aircraft cabins

Male Swiss albino mice were exposed to the pyrolysis products of two fire-retardant materials, a chlorinated aromatic polyamide and a copolymer of vinylidine fluoride and hexafluoropropene. Comparison tests were made with cotton and a 50/50 cotton-polyester composite. In addition, tests were conducted under the presence of CO, and mice were injected intraperitoneally or intramuscularly with aqueous solutions containing dissolved effluents from the pyrolysis of cotton or of chlorinated aromatic polyamide. Results indicate that unique thermodecomposition products of the polymeric materials are more toxic to mice than are other products from cotton under similar controlled conditions.

Moreci, A. P.↗

Venus cloud properties - Infrared opacity and mass mixing ratio

By using the Mariner 5 temperature profile and a homogeneous cloud model, and assuming that CO2 and cloud particles are the only opacity sources, the wavelength dependence of the Venus cloud opacity is inferred from the infrared spectrum of the planet between 450 and 1250 per cm. Volume extinction coefficients varying from 0.000005 to 0.000015 per cm, depending on the wavelength, are determined at the tropopause level of 6110 km. By using all available data, a cloud mass mixing ratio of approximately 0.000005 and a particle concentration of about 900 particles per cu cm at this level are also inferred. The derived cloud opacity compares favorably with that expected for a haze of droplets of a 75% aqueous solution of sulfuric acid.

Samuelson, R. E.↗

Beta structures of alternating polypeptides and their possible prebiotic significance

A survey of the commonest amino acids formed in prebiotic conditions suggests that the earliest form of genetic coding may have specified polypeptides with a strong tendency to form stable beta-sheet structures. Poly(Val-Lys), like other polypeptides in which hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues alternate, tends to form beta structures. It is shown that bilayers with a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior may be present in aqueous solution.

Brack, A.↗

Oligonucleotide synthesis catalyzed by the Zn/2+/ ion

Results of experiments are reported in which Zn(2+) ion catalyzed the formation of oligonucleotides from nucleoside phosphorimidazolides in aqueous solution, even in the absence of a template. Specifically, the imidazolides (ImpU or ImpA) polymerized to form ImpApA, and pApA, pApApA, and pApApApA, or the analogous uracil compounds. In addition, the expected hydrolysis products of the hydrolysis of ImpA were formed (pA, imidazole). Judging from the ratio of pA(n) over pA (with and without zinc ion), this ion increased the efficiency of phosphodiester-bond formation by up to 10 times. Possible mechanisms for the reaction are tentatively proposed.

Sawai, H.↗

Specific-ion electrodes for measuring Ag ions

Migration of aqueous solutions through electrode pellet, and thus corrosion of soldered connection, is prevented by coating pellet and silver wire attachment with silver-conductive epoxy.

Day, J. L.↗

Elimination of color rings on film negatives

Abrasive grinding of glass surface, using grinding-grit size of 22.5 micron, prevents formation of interference ring during photoprocessing. To polish irregularities for improved light transmission, contact surface is bathed in aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid.

Fleetwood, C. M., Jr.↗

Hydrogen-Bromine Secondary Battery

A secondary battery is described utilizing hydrogen and halogen as primary reactants. It comprises inert anode and cathode initially contacting an aqueous solution of an acid and an alkali metal bromide. The hydrogen generated during charging of the cell is stored as gas, while the bromine becomes dissolved predominantly in the lower layers of the acid electrolyte. Preferred components are phosphoric acid and lithium bromide.

England, C.↗

Further development of high temperature-resistant graphite fiber coupling agents

Potential coupling agents for graphite fibers were screened by their effect on the weight losses of Thornel 300, HMS, and HTS fibers at 588K for 200 and 400 hours. Unidirectional laminates were made from HMS and HTS fibers, untreated, and treated with each of the seven coupling agents. The matrix of all laminates was PMR polyimide (PMR-PR). On the basis of the best overall retention of elevated temperature interlaminar shear strength after 200 hours at 588K, composite weight after 200 hours at 588K, and fiber weight after 400 hours at 588K, ventromer T-1 applied from aqueous solution and pyrolyzed PPQ were selected for further evaluation as coupling agents for HTS fiber while ventromer T-2 and pyrolyzed PPQ were selected as coupling agents for HMS fiber. It was shown that pyrolyzed PPQ as a coupling agent improves the oxidative stability of HTS/PMR-PI composites.

Griffin, R. N.↗

Stress corrosion cracking of Ti-8Al-1 Mo-1V in molten salts

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of Ti-8Al-1 Mo-1V has been studied in several molten salt environments. Extensive data are reported for the alloy in highly pure LiCl-KCl. The influence of the metallurgical heat treatment and texture, and the mechanical microstructure show similarities with aqueous solutions at lower temperature. The fracture path and cracking modes are also similar to that found in other environments. The influence of H2O and H(-) in molten LiCl-KCl lead to the conclusion that hydrogen does not play a major role in crack extension in this environment.

Smyrl, W. H.↗

Process sensitivity studies of the Westinghouse sulfur cycle for hydrogen generation

The effect of variations of acid concentration, pressure, and temperature on the thermal process efficiency of the Westinghouse sulfur cycle was examined using the HYDRGN program. Modifications to the original program were made to duplicate the process flowsheet and take into account combined cycle heat-to-work efficiencies for electrochemical work requirements, aqueous solutions, and heat-of-mixing effects. A total of 125 process variations were considered (acid concentration: 50-90 w/o; pressure: 15-750 psia; temperature: 922K - 1366K). The methods of analysis, results, and conclusions are presented.

Carty, R. H.↗

Disposal of hypergolic propellants, phase 6 task 4. Disposal pond products

Waste monomethyl hydrazine scrubber liquor, consisting of aqueous solutions containing small amounts of CH4, Cl2, CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, and CHCl3 as well as large amounts of CH3OH is scheduled to be dumped in stabilization ponds along with nitrate and nitrite salt solutions obtained as waste liquors from the N2O4 scrubbers. The wastes are investigated as to the hazardous materials generated by such combinations of items as described as well as the finite lifetime of such materials in the stabilization ponds. The gas liquid chromatograph was used in the investigation. A series of experiments designed to convert nitrate and nitrite salts to the environmentally innocuous N2O and N2 using solar energy is reported. Results indicate that this solar conversion is feasible.

Cohenour, B. C.↗

Formation of nucleoside 5'-polyphosphates under potentially prebiological conditions

The characteristics and efficiencies of biochemical reactions involving nucleoside 5'-diphosphates and -triphosphates (important substrates of RNA and DNA synthesis) under conditions corresponding to the primitive prebiotic earth are investigated. Urea catalysis of the formation of linear inorganic polyphosphates and metal ions promoting the reactions are discussed. Linear polyphosphate was incubated with Mg(++) in the presence of a nucleoside 5'-phosphate, to yield nucleoside 5'-polyphosphates when products are dried, while Mg(++) prompts depolymerization to trimetaphosphate in aqueous solutions. Plausible biogenetic pathways are examined.

Lohrmann, R.↗

Prebiotic polynucleotides and polypeptides

Work on the nonenzymatic replication of polynucleotides is discussed emphasizing sequence dependence and showing that alternating polynucleotides should replicate more easily than any others. Experimental work is described showing that polypeptides in which hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues alternate, adopt a beta structure in aqueous solution. The possible relevance of these observations for the evolution of the genetic code is given.

Orgel, L. E.↗

Formation of biologically relevant carboxylic acids during the gamma irradiation of acetic acid

Irradiation of aqueous solutions of acetic acid with gamma rays produced several carboxylic acids in small yield. Their identification was based on the technique of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Some of these acids are Krebs Cycle intermediates. Their simultaneous formation in experiments simulating the primitive conditions on the earth suggests that metabolic pathways may have had their origin in prebiotic chemical processes.

Negron-Mendoza, A.↗

Process sensitivity studies of the Westinghouse Sulfur Cycle for hydrogen generation

The effect of variations of acid concentration, pressure, and temperature on the thermal process efficiency of the Westinghouse Sulfur Cycle was examined using the University of Kentucky's HYDRGN program. Modifications to the original program were made to duplicate the process flow sheet and take into account combined-cycle heat-to-work efficiencies for electrochemical work requirements, aqueous solutions, and heat-of-mixing effects. A total of 125 process variations were considered (acid concentration: 50-90 w/o; pressure: 15-750 psia; temperature: 922-1366 K (2000 F)). The methods of analysis, results, and conclusions are presented.

Carty, R.↗

Reforming of glucose and wood at the critical conditions of water

Reforming of organics in aqueous solutions is being investigated as a potential waste treatment process. Earlier studies showed that glucose in water reacts to form a gaseous mixture of CO, H2, CH4, CO2, C2H6, and C2H4 in the vicinity of the critical conditions of water (374 C, 22 MPa). The earlier work has been extended to determine the effect of variations in temperature and feed concentration on the extent of gasification. The percent gasification decreases with increasing feed concentration, indicating an overall kinetic order less than unity. Surprisingly, the percent gasification decreases with increasing temperature. A number of preliminary experiments were conducted with maple sawdust feed, which was thought to be representative of complex organic wastes from paper and vegetable matter. Once again, no solid products were found under the critical conditions; the percent gasification ranged from 16 to 88 percent, depending on the feed composition and residence time.

Modell, M.↗