Quantum yield of photoisomerization of degassed n-hexane solution of all-trans-retinal (1) and all-trans-1, 4-diphenylbutadiene (4) at 25$\circ$C under direct irradiation conditions increases as the concentrations of 1 and 4 increase. Further, fluorescence lifetime of 4 at ambient temperature is also found to increase as the concentrations of 4 are increased. The results are discussed in terms quantum chain process which occurs due to exchange of energy between various conformers of the compounds concerned.

Calcium has a variety of functions in neuron and muscle cells and blood clotting, especially in the visual system where dark adapted rods cotransport with Na$^+$ into the cell. An influx of Ca$^{2+}$ flows out of the cell through the Na$^+$ - Ca$^{2+}$ exchanger. By using a modified Ussing chamber in order to bring in vivo environment close, we have concluded that Ca$^{2+}$ blocks the activity of guanylate cyclase; in consequence, having an effect on the amplitude of electroretinogram (ERG). We suggest that Ca$^{2+}$ moves between the photoreceptor and the vitreous humor by way of certain Ca$^{2+}$ transport mechanisms. Also, the effect of Zn$^{2+}$ in Ca$^{2+}$ - free ringer solution caused an elevation of amplitude in ERG and a reduction of threshold.

Calcium modulates the activity of guanylate cyclase and plays a key role in dark and light adaptation in the visual system. We have measured the Ca$^{2+}$, K$^+$ and Na$^+$ concentration in dark and light adapted bullfrog's (Rana catesbeiana) vitreous humor by using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The calcium concentration of the light adapted bullfrog's vitreous humor was higher than that of the dark adapted bullfrog's vitreous humor. This means that ion activity between the photoreceptor and vitreous humor side is light dependent and we have found that a Ca$^{2+}$ channel and Na$^+$ - Ca$^{2+}$ exchanger exist in the vitreous humor.

The inhibition of chlorophyll formation in cucumber cotyledons by N-phenyl oxadiazolidinedione derivatives Ia-u showed similar trend as their herbicidal activities. In case of oxadiazolidinedione Iq, with a propargyloxy substituent, both the highest herbicidal activity and inhibitory action(pI$_{50}$ = 6.37) were observed. The accumulation of protoporphyrin IX and cellular electrolyte leakage by oxadiazolidinedione Ia, Ik and Iq were well correlated with their inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis. These results suggest that the herbicidal activity of oxadiazolidine Ia-u is originated from the inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis.

The heat generated by nonradiative decay dynamics induces thermal lens effect. From such an effect, photodynamic properties of solutions can be investigated with two-color pulsed thermal lens experiments which have the time resolution of down to nanoseconds. In this study, using nanosecond two-color thermal lens method, we investigated the triplet state of benzophenone and the singlet oxygen state dynamics in various oxygen concentration solvents. The measured triplet state lifetimes, singlet oxygen relaxation times and singlet oxygen formation quantum yields are in good agreement with the reference values. From these parameters the existence of the triplet exciplex formation between benzophenone and benzene is proved, and it is also suggested that the relaxations of triplet states of benzophenone undergo coupled dynamics with some of singlet oxygens in oxygen-rich conditions.

Dynamics of contact ion-pair between 1, 2, 4, 5-tetracyanobenzene anion and cation of biphenyl derivatives was investigated on the picosecond time scale. Solvent effect on the electron transfer was observed and electron transfer rates were examined using Marcus equation which contains distance dependence of the electron transfer rate in the frequency factor, along with the consideration of molecular shape. From the discussion based on disk model for molecular shape, contribution of interring torsional motion of biphenyl to the inner-sphere reorganization energy is strongly suggested, which leads to the physical explanation for the observed solvent effect on the rate of electron transfer.

The effects of $\alpha$- and $\beta$-cyclodextrins (CD) on the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) behavior of p-N,N'-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (DMABA) in buffered aqueous solution have been investigated by examining formation and decay behaviors of the TICT-typical dual fluorescence. The ratio of the TICT emission to the normal emission (I$_a$/I$_b$) increases linearly $\alpha$-CD concentration increases, while in the presence of $\beta$-CD it shows nonlinear dependences on the CD concentration. The analysis of the CD-dependent changes of the I$_a$/I$_b$ and absorption spectra demonstrates formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes between DMABA and CDs. The decay time of the normal emission (ca. 700 ps) is little affected by the formation of $\alpha$-CD inclusion complex, whereas it increases upto ca. 1.6 ns upon formation of $\beta$-CD inclusion complex. The TICT emission for the $\beta$-CD inclusion complex exhibits two decay components while it shows a single component for the $\alpha$-CD inclusion complex, indicating formation of one or two types of inclusion complex in the presence of $\alpha$-CD or $\beta$-CD, respectively. These results are attributed to the CD cavity size dependence on patterns of complexation between CDs and DMABA. The CD size dependences of the TICT fluorescence properties with the orientation of the guest molecule demonstrate that the specific hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid group and water plays an important role in the excited-state TICT.

Photosensitivity of silver halide emulsion depends on the properties of the microcrystals. Size, shape, grain distribution and chemical composition as well as the inner structure or the topography of the latent image specks affect on the optical properties and play an important role in the photographic process. In the present paper, a study on the sensitization of emulsion containing AgBrClI core/shell grains showed that for the given size, shape, halide content and crystal habit, under the optimal conditions the photosensitivity of the heterojunction type grains are different from that of the common regular grains. The optimal photosensitivity was obtained at the iodide content of 2.0 mo1%.

Absorption of UV light induces photocleavage of polymer chains to produce free radicals which initiate photodegradation of the polymer molecules. Discoloration, cracking of surface, stiffening, and decreasing of mechanical properties of polymeric products occur as a result of photodegradation of the polymers. Photostabilizers are added to the polymer systems in order to minimize the unwanted effects of UV light. It is well known that Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers (HALS) are one of the most effective photostabilizer for polymers.' HALS have been used in a large number of commercial polymers and predominantly used in styrenic and engineering plastics. They are efficient and cost-effective in many applications despite their high prices. However, low molecular weight HALS vaporize easily, emitting harmful amines, and have poor extraction resistance, decreasing their photostabilization effect. They also decompose during processing and migrate within the polymers resulting in deposition on the polymer surfaces called 'blooming". These drawbacks of low molecular HALS can be overcome by use of the polymeric HALS. We have been studying photochemical reactions of the polymer systems. The present paper reports the preparation of a new polymeric photostabilizer containing HALS groups and their stabilization effects on photooxidation of polystyrene. The synthetic scheme for the preparation of polymeric photostabilizers containing HALS groups were shown at Scheme 1. N-[(Chloroformyl) phenyl]maleimide (CPMI) and N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl]maleimide (CPMIC) were prepared by the known procedure. N[4-N'-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)aminocarbonyl-phenyl] maleimide (TMPI) was prepared by the reaction of CPMI with 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (ATMP).