Compact Kähler Surfaces with Trivial Canonical Bundle

The classical conjectures of Weil on K3 surfaces – that the set of suchsurfaces is connected; that a version of the Torelli theorem holds; thateach such surface is Kähler; and that the period map issurjective – are reconsidered in the light of a generalisation of theNakai–Moishezon criterion, and short proofs of all the conjectures aregiven. Most of the proofs apply equally or with minor variation tocomplex 2-tori, the only other compact Kähler surfaces with trivialcanonical bundle.     

Mass spectral analysis and imaging of tissue by ToF-SIMS—The role of buckminsterfullerene, C60, primary ions

Recent developments in desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry techniques have made their application to biological analysis a realistic and successful proposition. Developments in primary ion source technology, mainly through the advent of polyatomic ion beams, have meant that the technique of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can now access the depths of information required to allow biological imaging to be a viable option.Here the role of the primary ion C₆₀⁺ is assessed with regard to molecular imaging of lipids and pharmaceuticals within tissue sections. High secondary ion yields and low surface damage accumulation are demonstrated on both model and real biological samples, indicating the high secondary ion efficiency afforded to the analyst by this primary ion when compared to other cluster ion beams used in imaging. The newly developed 40 keV C₆₀⁺ ion source allows the beam to be focused such that high resolution imaging is demonstrated on a tissue sample, and the greater yields allow the molecular signal from the drug raclopride to be imaged within tissue section following in vivo dosing.The localisation shown for this drug alludes to issues regarding the chemical environment affecting the ionisation probability of the molecule; the importance of this effect is demonstrated with model systems and the possibility of using laser post-ionisation as a method for reducing this consequence of bio-sample complexity is demonstrated and discussed.     

Asymmetry in the Multiprotein Systems of Molecular Biology

Signaling in living systems needs to achieve high specificity, to be reversible, and to achieve high signal to noise. Signaling mediated by multiprotein systems has evolved that avoids the requirement for high-affinity binary complexes that would be difficult to reverse and which, in the overcrowded cell, would lead to excessive noise in the system. Symmetrical structures are only occasionally formed. When they are, it is principally to colocate components, for example, the tyrosyl kinases of growth factors, where dimers form. Symmetry is, however, often broken, presumably to create more sensitivity and specificity in the signaling system by assembling other components, into higher-order multiprotein systems. The binding of a single heparin to two 1:1 FGF:FGFR complexes is an example, as is the binding of a single ligase to the Xrcc4 dimer, perhaps so creating a further DNA-binding site.     

Synthesis of an asymmetric fullerene dimer via sequential cycloadditions

A single isomer of a monofunctionalised C₇₀ fullerene is isolated and characterised using variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Pendant methylene bromide groups allow for further cycloaddition reactions and a C₆₀-C₇₀ asymmetric fullerene dimer is thus prepared.     

Liquid crystalline hexa-amides and side chain polysiloxanes of azacrown [18]-N6

The hexa-4-dodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 1 of azacrown [18]-N₆ was originally reported to have a 'tubular' mesophase on the basis of its large central ring and 6-fold symmetry. Starting in the mesophase, annealing of 1 under a cover slip results in formation of a new crystalline phase that melts directly to an isotropic liquid at the temperature previously observed for the mesophase to isotropic transition. Thus the phase behaviour of 1 is kinetically controlled. The analogous hexa-3,4-bisdodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 2 of azacrown [18]-N₆ has no kinetic limitations to its phase changes and has an enantiotropic columnar liquid crystalline phase. We have synthesized side chain copolysiloxanes with a (CH₂)₁₁ spacer and 75-84 per cent by weight of the same 4-dodecyloxybenzoyl-[18]-N₆ mesogen. The polysiloxanes also display a liquid crystalline phase.     

Intermolecular interactions of methyl acetate, β-propiolactone,ethyl acetate,and γ-butyrolactone: An AM1 semiempirical study

Closely related structures, like esters and lactones, have vastly different physical properties. This is apparently due to differences in the intermolecular interactions. The intermolecular interactions of methyl acetate, β-propiolactone, ethyl acetate, and γ-butyrolactone have been studied using the AM1 semiempirical method. Some of the “arranged clusters” were also compared to possible covalently bound trimers and tetramers of β-propiolactone and γ-butyrolactone. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The calculation of frequency-dependent hyperpolarizabilities including electron correlation effects

The theory for the calculation of the frequency-dependent hyperpolarizabilities β(?2ω; 0, ω), β(?ω; 0, ω), and β(0; ω, ?ω) is discussed. New relations between these tensors are derived for those wave functions that obey the time-dependent Hellmann–Feynman theorem (e.g., the self-consistent field [SCF] or the exact wave function). Using second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2), expressions are obtained for the hyperpolarizabilities in terms of derivatives of appropriately defined linear polarizability tensors with respect to a static electric field. Results are presented for ammonia and formaldehyde for the optical Kerr effect and for secondharmonic generation. These results indicate that it is desirable to determine the frequency-dependent contribution to the hyperopolarizability at the MP2 rather than the SCF level of theory, in cases where the static hyperpolarizability has a large contribution from electron correlation and/or where the frequency-dependent contribution may be more significant, such as for secondharmonic generation.     

Azine bridged silver coordination polymers: Powder X-ray diffraction route to crystal structure determination of silver benzotriazole

In continuation of our interest in solid-state structures of silver complexes of photographic importance, the structure for silver benzotriazole (AgBZT), has now been obtained. The preferred method for solving crystal structures is via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). However, for some materials, growing single crystals of appropriate size and quality is often difficult or even impossible. AgBZT is an example of such a silver complex with poor solubility. The usual routes to preparing single crystals using recrystallization from a cooperating solvent resulted in polycrystalline powder samples. We propose a crystal structure for AgBZT, solved from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, using a direct-space Monte Carlo simulated annealing approach. AgBZT crystals are monoclinic, (P2₁/c), with unit cell dimensions, a=14.8052(3) Å, b=3.7498(4) Å, c=12.3495(12) Å, and β=114.200(6)°. The AgBZT complex is constructed from all three of the Benzotriazole (BZT) nitrogens bonding to a separate silver atom. As a consequence of this bonding mode, the structure is a highly cross-linked, coordination polymer.