Laser spectroscopy for studying chemical processes

In recent years, various methods have been developed to observe and to influence the course of chemical reactions using laser radiation. By selectively increasing the translational, rotational, and vibrational energies and by controlling the relative orientation of the reaction partners with tunable infrared and UV lasers, direct insight can be gained into the molecular course of the breaking and re-forming of chemical bonds. As exmaples for the application of lasers in chemical synthesis the production of monomers and catalysts is discussed. The application of linear and nonlinear laser spectroscopic methods, such as laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS), infrared-absorption measurements with tunable diode and molecular lasers is described for non-intrusive observation of the interaction of transport processes with chemical reactions used in industrial processes with high temporal, spectral and spatial resolution. Finally the application of a UV laser microbeam apparatus in genetic engineering for laser-induced cell fusion, genetic transformation of plant cells as well as diagnosis of human diseases by laser-microdissection of chromosomes is described.     

The effect of preparation technique on the optical parameters of biological tissue

The absorption coefficient μ_a, the scattering coefficient μ_s, and the scattering anisotropy factor g of porcine liver were studied in vitro using the integrating sphere technique and inverse Monte Carlo simulation in the wavelength range 450 to 700 nm. A reference preparation technique was developed using a dermatome providing specimens of 200 to 800 μm thickness without pre-freezing the tissue. The optical parameters as measured applying the reference preparation were compared to those measured after cryo-homogenisation. We found significant deviations of the scattering coefficient and the anisotropy factor which were compensated when the reduced scattering coefficient μ_s ^′ was calculated. We also compared the effects of freezing reference specimens at -20 °C and at 77 K without homogenisation. For both freezing protocols noticeable deviations were found in all three optical parameters as well as in μ_s ^′. The impact of tissue storage at 4 °C was measured in the range 4 to 48 h post mortem and showed a clear reduction of μ_a and a significant increase of μ_s even after 24 h of storage. Short-time storage of the specimens in saline solution reduced all three optical parameters significantly. In conclusion, the tissue preparation must be controlled in order to provide in vitro optical parameters that sufficiently mimic the in vivo situation. Received: 29 June 1999 / Revised version: 1 October 1999 / Published online: 3 November 1999     

Spin of the M87 Black Hole

Spin measurement of the 6.5 billion solar mass black hole in M87 from the Event Horizon Telescope image is the latest in a series that span a wide range in values, but that tend to share the feature of corotation between the accretion flow and black hole. The spin paradigm for black holes predicts very high black hole spin which in that framework is produced in its last significant merger. High black hole spin appears to be ruled out in the gap paradigm, however, which predicts early formation with a mass already in excess of 4 billion solar masses. In this picture, the black hole experiences slow evolution as it departs from its original radio quasar phase and over billions of years not only fails to double its mass but also falls short of regaining its original high spin, such that it is now compatible with a corotating accreting black hole whose dimensionless spin fits best in the range 0.2 < a < 0.5.     

LINEAR MAPPINGS THAT PRESERVE THE DERIVATIONAL STRUCTURE OF C*-ALGEBRAS

Abstract

Given a C*-algebra A and a suitable set of derivations on A, we consider the algebras A _n of n-differentiable elements of A as described in [B], before passing to an analysis of important classes of bounded linear maps between two such spaces. We show that even in this general framework, all the main features of the theory for the case C^(m)(U) → C ^(p) (V) where U and V are open balls in suitable Banach spaces, are preserved (see for example [A-G-L], [Gu-L], [Ja] and [L]). As part of the theory developed we obtain a non-trivial extension of the Kleinecke-Shirokov theorem in the category of C*-algebras to unbounded partially defined *-derivations. This indicates the existence of a single mathematical principle governing both the non-increasibility of differentiability by continuous homomorphisms and the untenability of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle for bounded observables.     

Does faecal matter reflect location? An initial assessment of isotopic variability between consumed prey remains and faecal matter for wild jaguars*

ABSTRACT

Faecal isotopic analysis may complement other non-invasive wildlife survey tools for monitoring landscape use by carnivores, such as motion-detecting cameras and non-invasive genetic sampling. We analysed carbon, nitrogen, and strontium isotopes in faecal matter produced by jaguars (Panthera onca) as well as bones from consumed prey at the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve (MPR) in Belize, Central America. The MPR is ideally suited for a spatial isotope study as vegetation and geology both vary considerably. The isotopic composition of faecal matter should reflect the habitat and geology where consumed prey lived. We used bone from consumed prey recovered from jaguar scats as a proxy for diet. Faecal matter and bone showed comparable spatial isotopic trends, suggesting that the isotopic composition of jaguar faeces can be used to detect foraging in different habitats (pine forest versus broadleaf forest) or on different geologies (Mesozoic carbonates; Palaeozoic granite, contact metamorphics, and metasediments). This result is reassuring as bones are not always present in carnivore scats. Studying landscape use by cryptic and wide-ranging carnivore species like jaguars remains challenging. Isotopic analysis of faecal matter complements the existing array of non-invasive spatial monitoring tools.     

Über die Verwendung von 40K und 87Rb in der Radionuklid-Metrologie

Anhand kernphysikalischer Charakteristika wird die Möglichkeit, einige natürliche instabile Nuklide in der Metrologie zu verwenden, diskutiert. Als Standards sind ⁴⁰K und ⁸⁷Rb sehr gut geeignet. Unter Berücksichtigung der Kriterien für Standards wurden die geeignetsten Kalium- und Rubidiumsalze ausgewählt, und an einigen Beispielen wird ihre praktische Anwendung gezeigt.     

Connections on Lie algebroids and on derivation-based noncommutative geometry

In this paper, we show how connections and their generalizations on transitive Lie algebroids are related to the notion of connections in the framework of the derivation-based noncommutative geometry. In order to compare the two constructions, we emphasize the algebraic approach of connections on Lie algebroids, using a suitable differential calculus. Two examples allow this comparison: on the one hand, the Atiyah Lie algebroid of a principal fiber bundle and, on the other hand, the space of derivations of the algebra of endomorphisms of an SL(n,C)-vector bundle. Gauge transformations are also considered in this comparison.     

Structural Influence on the Intensitiy Ratio of the T′ and T87Rb NMR Lines and the Superconductivity in Rb3C60

Abstract

The intensity ratio of the T′/T⁸⁷Rb NMR lines in Rb₃C₆₀ could be changed by different cooling rates after annealing at 380 °C. The results are discussed with respect to magnetically different surroundings of the Rb ions through the two standard orientations of the C₆₀ ^3-ions. Additionally, the superconducting volume fraction is influenced by the different cooling procedures.     

Extensions of locally compact quantum groups and the bicrossed product construction

In the framework of locally compact quantum groups, we study cocycle actions. We develop the cocycle bicrossed product construction, starting from a matched pair of locally compact quantum groups. We define exact sequences and establish a one-to-one correspondence between cocycle bicrossed products and cleft extensions. In this way, we obtain new examples of locally compact quantum groups.     

Geometry on the quantum Heisenberg manifold

A class of C∗-algebras called quantum Heisenberg manifolds were introduced by Rieffel in (Comm. Math. Phys. 122 (1989) 531) as strict deformation quantization of Heisenberg manifolds. Using the ergodic action of Heisenberg group we construct a family of spectral triples. It is shown that associated Kasparov modules are homotopic. We also show that they induce cohomologous elements in entire cyclic cohomology. The space of Connes-deRham forms have been explicitly calculated. Then we characterize torsionless/unitary connections and show that there does not exist a connection that is simultaneously torsionless and unitary. Explicit examples of connections are produced with negative scalar curvature. This part illustrates computations involving some of the concepts introduced in Frohlich et al. (Comm. Math. Phys. 203 (1999) 119), for which to the best of our knowledge no infinite-dimensional example is known other that the noncommutative torus.