Quantum Superpositions of the Speed of Light

While it has often been proposed that, fundamentally, Lorentz-invariance is not respected in a quantum theory of gravity, it has been difficult to reconcile deviations from Lorentz-invariance with quantum field theory. The most commonly used mechanisms either break Lorentz-invariance explicitly or deform it at high energies. However, the former option is very tightly constrained by experiment already, the latter generically leads to problems with locality. We show here that there exists a third way to integrate deviations from Lorentz-invariance into quantum field theory that circumvents the problems of the other approaches. The way this is achieved is an extension of the standard model in which photons can have different speeds without singling out a preferred restframe, but only as long as they are in a quantum superposition. Once a measurement has been made, observables are subject to the laws of special relativity, and the process of measurement introduces a preferred frame. The speed of light can take on different values, both superluminal and subluminal (with respect to the usual value of the speed of light), without the need for Lorentz-invariance violating operators and without tachyons. We briefly discuss the relation to deformations of special relativity and phenomenological consequences.     

Biomechanical modeling of English /r/ variants

This study reports an investigation of the well-known context-dependent variation in English /r/ using a biomechanical tongue-jaw-hyoid model. The simulation results show that preferred /r/ variants require less volume displacement, relative strain, and relative muscle stress than variants that are not preferred. This study also uncovers a previously unknown mechanism in tongue biomechanics for /r/ production: Torque in the sagittal plane about the mental spine. This torque enables raising of the tongue anterior for retroflexed [Symbol: see text] by activation of hyoglossus and relaxation of anterior genioglossus. The results provide a deeper understanding of the articulatory factors that govern contextual phonetic variation.     

Small-molecule inhibitors of the c-Fes protein-tyrosine kinase

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Highlights? Eight chemotypes block c-Fes kinase activity in vitro and in cell-based assays ? Potent inhibition of c-Fes by the anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor TAE684 ? Solution of a c-Fes SH2-kinase crystal structure in complex with TAE684 ? Inhibitors reveal a role for c-Fes in osteoclast differentiation from macrophages     

Sensing using localised surface plasmon resonance sensors

The bright colours of noble metal particles have attracted considerable interest since historical times, where they were used as decorative pigments in stained glass windows. More recently, the tuneable optical properties of metal nanoparticles and their addressability via spectroscopic techniques have brought them back into the forefront of fundamental and applied research fields. Much of the recent attention concerning metal nanoparticles such as gold and silver has been their use as small-volume, ultra-sensitive label-free optical sensors. Plasmonic nanoparticles act in this case as transducers that convert changes in the local refractive index into spectral shifts of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band. This LSPR-shift assay is a general technique for measuring binding affinities and rates from any molecule that induces a change in the local refractive index around the metallic nanostructures. By attaching molecular recognition elements (chemical or biological ligands) on the nanostructures, specificity and selectivity to the analyte of interest are introduced into the nanosensor. In this review, we will discuss the different methods used to fabricate plasmonic nanosensors. A special emphasis will be given to techniques used to link plasmonic nanostructures to surfaces. While the difference between colorimetric and refractive index sensing approaches will be briefly described, the importance to distinguish between bulk refractive index (RI) sensing and molecular near-field refractive index sensing will be discussed. The recent progress made in the development of novel surface functionalization strategies together with the formation of optically and mechanically stable LSPR sensors will be highlighted.     

Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus. Licht in der Dunkelreaktion

Plants take in carbon dioxide and transform it into carbohydrates. How do plants get such an extremely inert compound to react? What do the acceptor and the catalyst look like? Let's follow the fate of a single carbon atom starting from CO₂ up to sugars. It will be a path full of surprises and before it's over, we'll have to respectfully admit that plants are really brilliant chemists.     

Synthesis and Redox Behavior of Novel 9,10‐Diphenylphenanthrenes

The synthesis and electrochemical investigations of 9,10‐diphenylphenanthrene 2a and its derivatives 2b – 2e are reported. The cyclic voltammetry of derivatives 2a – 2c and 2e in different solvent/Bu₄NPF₆ electrolyte systems reveals that the redox properties are dependent on solvent, temperature, and sweep rate. The oxidation of 9,10‐diphenylphenanthrene 2a occurred as an irreversible process, while two fully reversible oxidation waves were observed for dimethoxy derivative 2c . The room‐temperature oxidation of brominated compound 2b is reversible, whereas AcO‐substituted phenanthrene 2e displayed a reversible oxidation peak only at low temperature. Furthermore, the electronic nature of the substituent affects the oxidation potentials. In the CH₂Cl₂‐based electrolyte system, the first oxidation potentials increase in the order 2c < 2e < 2b .     

γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle adsorption at an OTS Langmuir monolayer

The assembling of magnetic nanoparticles in ordered structures as well as the preparation of very thin magnetic switchable polymer membranes is an important aim in many technical fields. We studied the influence of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles on the polymerization process and on the properties of the poly(organosiloxane)/nanoparticle-composite layer by surface rheological measurements, surface pressure/area (π/A) isotherm measurements, and Brewster angle microscopy. The adsorption process dynamics were studied by X-ray reflectivity and surface potential measurements. The results confirm the presence of attractive electrostatic interactions between the partial negatively charged monolayer and the positively charged nanoparticles. For further investigations, we prepared Langmuir–Blodgett layers of these polymer-nanoparticle composite and investigated them by atomic force microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. We found that the concentration of nanoparticles was very low and the particles were mainly arranged below the polymer layer.     

Formation of organically and inorganically passivated CdS nanoparticles in reverse microemulsions

This paper is focused on the formation of organically and inorganically passivated cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles in two different types of microemulsions. On the one hand, we used a ternary inverse microemulsion consisting of water, heptanol, and 3-(N,N-dimethyldodecylammonio)propanesulfonate and on the other hand, a poly(ethyleneimine)-based quaternary microemulsion containing water, toluene, pentanol, and sodium dodecylsulfate. UV-vis measurements confirm the formation of CdS-ZnS core-shell nanoparticles in the ternary microemulsion. Using the quaternary microemulsion template phase, polymer capped luminescent CdS nanoparticles can be formed. After a complete solvent evaporation, the nanoparticles are redispersed in water and characterized by means of dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. From the ternary microemulsion, well-stabilized CdS-ZnS core-shell nanoparticles with diameters of about 5 nm can be redispersed, but from the quaternary microemulsion, only nanoparticle aggregates of about 100 nm.