RESUMEN
A molecular statistical theory of the smectic A phase is developed taking into account specific interactions between different molecular fragments which enables one to describe different microscopic scenario of the transition into the smectic phase. The effects of nanoscale segregation are described using molecular models with different combinations of attractive and repulsive sites. These models have been used to calculate numerically coefficients in the mean filed potential as functions of molecular model parameters and the period of the smectic structure. The same coefficients are calculated also for a conventional smectic with standard Gay-Berne interaction potential which does not promote the segregation. The free energy is minimized numerically to calculate the order parameters of the smectic A phases and to study the nature of the smectic transition in both systems. It has been found that in conventional materials the smectic order can be stabilized only when the orientational order is sufficiently high, In contrast, in materials with nanosegregation the smectic order develops mainly in the form of the orientational-translational wave while the nematic order parameter remains relatively small. Microscopic mechanisms of smectic ordering in both systems are discussed in detail, and the results for smectic order parameters are compared with experimental data for materials of various molecular structure.
RESUMEN
The effect of chemical modifications on the biological properties of peanut agglutinin was investigated. The free amino groups were modified with succinic anhydride and 1-isothiocyanato-4-benzenesulfonic acid. Though the extent of modification was 95 and 85%, respectively, these derivatives did not lose their sugar binding capacity. The agglutinating activity with neuraminidase-treated human erythrocytes and various tumor cells was reduced. The mitogenic activity tested with neuraminidase-treated human lymphocytes was also diminished The tyrosine residues were modified with tetranitromethane and further with 4-aminophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and the negatively charged 2-(4-amino-benzyl)-alpha-D-neuraminic acid. The extent of modification was 30, 28 and 6%, respectively. The agglutinating and mitogenic activities were in this case not severely changed. The influence of all these modifications on the conformation was investigated by means of CD studies in the far and near ultraviolet regions.