The molecular and crystal structure of (+)-mianserin hydrobromide

X-ray analysis of crystals of (+)-mianserin hydrobromide (1,2,3,4,10,14b-hexahydro-2-methyl-dibenzol[c,f]pyrazino[1,2-a]azepine) has established the stereochemistry and absolute configuration of this compound (S at 14b).\ud \ud The crystals are orthorhombic with unit-cell dimensions: a = 1299(1)pm, b = 1420(1)pm, c = 1002(1)pm; Z = 4. The space group is P212121. Intensity data for about 1000 reflections were measured on a single-crystal diflractometer with Cu-Kα radiation. The crystal structure was solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by least-squares procedures. Final R-factor 9·4%. The absolute configuration was determined by Bijvoet's technique

Numerical investigation of the Rayleigh hypothesis for electromagnetic scattering by a particle

The validity of the Rayleigh hypothesis has been a long-standing issue in the applicability of the T-matrix method to near-field calculations, and despite numerous theoretical works, the practical consequences for numerical simulations have remained unclear. Such calculations are increasingly important in the field of nanooptics, for which accurate and efficient modeling tools are in high demand. We here tackle this challenge by investigating numerically the convergence behavior of series expansions of the electric field around spheroidal particles, which provides us with unambiguous examples to clarify the conditions of convergence. This study is made possible by the combination of alternative methods to compute near-fields accurately, and crucially, the recent improvements in the calculation of T-matrix elements free from numerical instabilities, as such errors would otherwise obfuscate the intrinsic convergence properties of the field series. The resulting numerical confirmation for the range of validity of the Rayleigh hypothesis, complemented by a better understanding of the convergence behavior of the field expansions, is a crucial step toward future developments

Role of AMPK Throughout Meiotic Maturation in the Mouse Oocyte: Evidence for Promotion of Polar Body Formation and Suppression of Premature Activation

This study was conducted to assess the role of AMPK in regulating meiosis in mouse oocytes from the germinal vesicle stage to metaphase II. Exposure of mouse cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes (CEO) and denuded oocytes (DO) during spontaneous maturation in vitro to AMPK-activating agents resulted in augmentation of the rate and frequency of polar body formation. Inhibitors of AMPK had an opposite, inhibitory effect. In addition, the AMPK inhibitor, compound C (Cmpd C) increased the frequency of oocyte activation. The stimulatory action of the AMPK-activating agent, AICAR, and the inhibitory action of Cmpd C were diminished if exposure was delayed, indicating an early action of AMPK on polar body formation. The frequency of spontaneous and Cmpd C-induced activation in CEO was reduced as the period of hormonal priming was increased, and AMPK stimulation eliminated the activation response. Immunostaining of oocytes with antibody to active AMPK revealed an association of active kinase with chromatin, spindle poles, and midbody during maturation. Immunolocalization of the α1 catalytic subunit of AMPK showed an association with condensed chromatin and the meiotic spindle but not in the spindle poles or midbody; α2 stained only diffusely throughout the oocyte. These data suggest that AMPK is involved in a regulatory capacity throughout maturation and helps promote the completion of meiosis while suppressing premature activation