Pro- $$\mathcal {C}$$ C congruence properties for groups of rooted tree automorphisms

We propose a generalisation of the congruence subgroup problem for groups acting on rooted trees. Instead of only comparing the profinite completion to that given by level stabilizers, we also compare pro- $$\mathcal {C}$$ completions of the group, where $$\mathcal {C}$$ is a pseudo-variety of finite groups. A group acting on a rooted, locally finite tree has the $$\mathcal {C}$$ -congruence subgroup property ( $$\mathcal {C}$$ -CSP) if its pro- $$\mathcal {C}$$ completion coincides with the completion with respect to level stabilizers. We give a sufficient condition for a weakly regular branch group to have the $$\mathcal {C}$$ -CSP. In the case where $$\mathcal {C}$$ is also closed under extensions (for instance the class of all finite p-groups for some prime p), our sufficient condition is also necessary. We apply the criterion to show that the Basilica group and the GGS-groups with constant defining vector (odd prime relatives of the Basilica group) have the p-CSP.     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of C2(a(3)Pi(u)) and C2(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) with various hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H8): a gas-phase experimental study over the temperature range 24-300 K

The kinetics of reactions of C2(a(3)Pi(u)) and C2(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) with various hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H8) have been studied in a uniform supersonic flow expansion over the temperature range 24-300 K. Rate coefficients have been obtained by using the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique, where both radicals were produced at the same time but detected separately. The reactivity of the triplet state was found to be significantly lower than that of the singlet ground state for all reactants over the whole temperature range of the study. Whereas C2(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) reacts with a rate coefficient close to the gas kinetic limit with all hydrocarbons studied apart from CH4, C2(a(3)Pi(u)) appears to be more sensitive to the molecular and electronic structure of the reactant partners. The latter reacts at least one order of magnitude faster with unsaturated hydrocarbons than with alkanes, and the rate coefficients increase very significantly with the size of the alkane. Results are briefly discussed in terms of their potential astrophysical impact.     

Differential structure of the Thompson components of selfadjoint operators

Different equivalence relations are defined in the set of selfadjoint operators of a Hilbert space in order to extend a very well known relation in the cone of positive operators. As in the positive case, for the equivalence class admits a differential structure, which is compatible with a complete metric defined on . This metric coincides with the Thompson metric when is positive.

     

Conformational preferences of beta- and gamma-aminated proline analogues

Quantum mechanical calculations have been used to investigate how the incorporation of an amino group to the Cbeta- or Cgamma-positions of the pyrrolidine ring affects the intrinsic conformational properties of the proline. Specifically, a conformational study of the N-acetyl-N'-methylamide derivatives of four isomers of aminoproline, which differ not only in the beta- or gamma-position of the substituent but also in its cis or trans relative disposition, has been performed. To further understand the role of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the backbone carbonyl groups and the amino side group, a conformational study was also performed on the corresponding four analogues of (dimethylamino)proline. In addition, the effects of solvation on aminoproline and (dimethylamino)proline dipeptides have been evaluated using a self-consistent reaction field model, and considering four different solvents (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methanol and water). Results indicate that the incorporation of the amino substituent into the pyrrolidine ring affects the conformational properties, with backbone...side chain intramolecular hydrogen bonds detected when it is incorporated in a cis relative disposition. In general, the incorporation of the amino side group tends to stabilize those structures where the peptide bond involving the pyrrolidine nitrogen is arranged in cis. The aminoproline isomer with the substituent attached to the Cgamma-position with a cis relative disposition is the most stable in the gas phase and in chloroform, methanol and water solutions. Replacement of the amino side group by the dimethylamino substituent produces significant changes in the potential energy surfaces of the four investigated (dimethylamino)proline-containing dipeptides. Thus, these changes affect not only the number of minima, which increases considerably, but also the backbone and pseudorotational preferences. In spite of these effects, comparison of the conformational preferences, i.e., the more favored conformers, calculated for different isomers of aminoproline and (dimethylamino)proline dipeptides showed a high degree of consistency for the two families of compounds.     

Synthesis of anthracene and azaanthracene fluorophores via [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization reactions

A highly convergent [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization approach to anthracenes and 2-azaanthracenes has been developed. It allows for the facile introduction of the anthracene moiety on alkyne and nitrile bearing molecules and the rapid construction of compound arrays. This is showcased in the assembly of a collection of fluorophores and their photochemical evaluation.     

Pi-stacking effect on levoglucosenone derived internal chiral auxiliaries. A case of complete enantioselectivity inversion on the Diels-Alder reaction

Detailed quantum chemical calculations, experimental evidence, and NMR data rationalize the participation of pi-stacking interaction in the highly asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction using levoglucosenone derived internal chiral auxiliaries, including the appealing effect of inversion of the enantioselectivity by coordination of the substrate with Et 2AlCl.     

Determination of pentachlorophenol and tribromophenol in sawdust by ultrasound-assisted extraction and MEKC

An ultrasonic bar-assisted extraction and CE separation procedure for the determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) residues in sawdust was developed and applied. For this purpose, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) was used and compared with a GC/MS methodology. This methodology allowed the quantification of PCP and TBP in a concentration range of 2.5-12.0 mg/kg for TBP and 2.8-12.0 mg/kg for PCP. Different sample treatment processes were evaluated in order to extract these compounds from sawdust. Better results were obtained when the residues were extracted with ultrasound-assisted hexane, filtered, evaporated, dissolved in Na(2)CO(3), and injected into the CE equipment. The optimal option for GC/MS was extraction with Na(2)CO(3 )followed by a derivation using acetic anhydride and liquid-liquid extraction with hexane. This method allowed the quantification of TBP and PCP in sawdust in a concentration range of 0.19-12.00 mg/kg and 0.14-12.00 mg/kg, respectively. The CE method was compared with the GC/MS as reference method. The results were shown to be statistically similar by both methods for PCP as well as for TBP.     

Synthetic Peptide Antibodies as TNF-α Inhibitors: Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanogels Neutralize the Inflammatory Activity of TNF-α in THP-1 Derived Macrophages

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine that is normally produced by immune cells when fighting an infection. But, when too much TNF-α is produced as in autoimmune diseases, this leads to unwanted and persistent inflammation. Anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the therapy of these disorders by blocking TNF-α and preventing its binding to TNF-α receptors, thus suppressing the inflammation. Herein, we propose an alternative in the form of molecularly imprinted polymer nanogels (MIP-NGs). MIP-NGs are synthetic antibodies obtained by nanomoulding the 3-dimensional shape and chemical functionalities of a desired target in a synthetic polymer. Using an in-house developed in silico rational approach, epitope peptides of TNF-α were generated and ‘synthetic peptide antibodies’ were prepared. The resultant MIP-NGs bind the template peptide and recombinant TNF-α with high affinity and selectivity, and can block the binding of TNF-α to its receptor. Consequently they were applied to neutralize pro-inflammatory TNF-α in the supernatant of human THP-1 macrophages, leading to a downregulation of the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results suggest that MIP-NGs, which are thermally and biochemically more stable and easier to manufacture than antibodies, and cost-effective, are very promising as next generation TNF-α inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.     

Insertion of a spin crossover Fe(III) complex into an oxalate-based layered material: coexistence of spin canting and spin crossover in a hybrid magnet

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of the compounds of formula [Fe (III)(sal 2trien)] 2[Mn (II) 2(ox) 3].4H 2O.C 3H 7NO ( 1) and [In (III)(sal 2trien)] 2[Mn (II) 2(ox) 3].3H 2O.CH 3OH (2) are reported. The structure presents a homometallic 2D honeycomb anionic layer formed by Mn (II) ions linked through oxalate ligands and a cationic double layer of [Fe(sal 2trien)] (+) or [In(sal 2trien)] (+) complexes intercalated between the 2D oxalate network. The magnetic properties and M?ssbauer spectroscopy of 1 indicate the coexistence of a magnetic ordering of the Mn(II) oxalate network that behaves as a weak ferromagnet and a gradual spin crossover of the intercalated [Fe(sal 2trien)] (+) complexes.     

Depurated inversion method for orbital‐specific exchange potentials

This work presents exchange potentials for specific orbitals calculated by inverting Hartree–Fock wavefunctions. This was achieved by using a Depurated Inversion Method. The basic idea of the method relies on the substitution of Hartree–Fock orbitals and eigenvalues into the Kohn–Sham equation. Through inversion, the corresponding effective potentials were obtained. Further treatment of the inverted potential should be carried on. The depuration is a careful optimization which eliminates the poles and also ensures the fullfilment of the appropriate boundary conditions. The procedure developed here is not restricted to the ground state or to a nodeless orbital and is applicable to all kinds of atoms. As an example, exchange potentials for noble gases and term‐dependent orbitals of the lower configuration of Nitrogen are calculated. The method allows to reproduce the input energies and wavefunctions with a remarkable degree of accuracy.