Rise and Fall of Periodic Patterns for a Generalized Klausmeier–Gray–Scott Model

In this paper we introduce a conceptual model for vegetation patterns that generalizes the Klausmeier model for semi-arid ecosystems on a sloped terrain (Klausmeier in Science 284:1826–1828, 1999). Our model not only incorporates downhill flow, but also linear or nonlinear diffusion for the water component. To relate the model to observations and simulations in ecology, we first consider the onset of pattern formation through a Turing or a Turing–Hopf bifurcation. We perform a Ginzburg–Landau analysis to study the weakly nonlinear evolution of small amplitude patterns and we show that the Turing/Turing–Hopf bifurcation is supercritical under realistic circumstances. In the second part we numerically construct Busse balloons to further follow the family of stable spatially periodic (vegetation) patterns. We find that destabilization (and thus desertification) can be caused by three different mechanisms: fold, Hopf and sideband instability, and show that the Hopf instability can no longer occur when the gradient of the domain is above a certain threshold. We encounter a number of intriguing phenomena, such as a ‘Hopf dance’ and a fine structure of sideband instabilities. Finally, we conclude that there exists no decisive qualitative difference between the Busse balloons for the model with standard diffusion and the Busse balloons for the model with nonlinear diffusion.     

Do Xylylenes Isomerize in Pyrolysis?

We report infrared spectra of xylylene isomers in the gas phase, using free electron laser (FEL) radiation. All xylylenes were generated by flash pyrolysis. The IR spectra were obtained by monitoring the ion dip signal, using a IR/UV double resonance scheme. A gas phase IR spectrum of para-xylylene  was recorded, whereas ortho- and meta-xylylene were found to partially rearrange to benzocyclobutene and styrene. Computations of the UV oscillator strength  for all molecules were carried out and provde an explanation for the observation of the isomerization products.     

Convenient Synthesis of Acyloins from Saturated Ethoxyethyl-Protected Cyanohydrins and α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes

Functionalized acyloins have been synthesized via Umpolung from saturated ethoxyethyl-protected cyanohydrins and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.     

Formation of Neutral Peptide Aggregates as Studied by Mass‐Selective IR Action Spectroscopy

The spontaneous aggregation of proteins and peptides is widely studied owing to its relation to neurodegenerative diseases. To understand the underlying principles of peptide aggregation, elucidation of structure and structural changes upon their formation is key. This level of detail can be obtained by studying the peptide self‐assembly in the gas phase. Structural characterization of aggregates is mainly done on charged species, as adding charges is an intrinsic part of the technique to bring molecules into the gas phase. Studying neutral peptide aggregates will complement the existing picture. These studies are restricted to dimers due to experimental limitations. Herein, we present advances in laser desorption molecular beam spectroscopy to form neutral peptide aggregates consisting of up to 14 monomeric peptides in the gas phase. The combination of this technique with IR–UV spectroscopy allowed us to select each aggregate by size and subsequently characterize its structure.