THE ''Q-BAND'' ABSORPTION spECTRA OF HEMATOPORPHYRIN MONOMER AND AGGREGATE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract The resolution of the absorption spectra in the Q band (480 nm-620 nm) spectral region of monomeric and dimeric hematoporphyrin species present in aqueous solutions has been achieved using absorption, fluorescence and computer analysis methods. The absorption maxima of the dimer in this spectral region are red shifted about 12 nm with respect to those of the monomer. The significance of this finding in relationship to the well documented blue shift of hematoporphyrin aggregate observed in the Soret band region (λ_malx∼400 nm) of the absorption spectrum is discussed.     

A collapsing bubble in a fluid: a statistical mechanical approach

The first non-equilibrium statistical mechanical theory is presented for the mechanical and thermal behaviour of the collapse of a microsropically small bubble in a liquid. First the number density and temperature space-time profiles for the special case of weakly interacting particles, the perfect gas model, are obtained. This is then generalized to a model in which the motion of the molecules is characterized by a single finite diffusion constant. The results for the collapse of a small bubble in a typical fluid are compared with those recently obtained through computer simulation. The agreement with the simulation is remarkably good for the perfect gas model; very high temperatures, sufficient for sonoluminescence, appear in a simple and natural way. An unexpected conclusion is that the perfect gas model agrees better with computer simulation than the model characterized by a single bulk diffusion constant. This may be because the collapse of the bubble is controlled by the leading shell of the fluid where the fluid density is low.     

Computation and parametrization of periodic and connecting orbits

Email: g.moore{at}ma.ic.ac.uk or na.gmoore New algorithms for the computation of periodic and connectingorbits of autonomous differential equations are developed. Previousmethods have parametrized these curves by the independent timevariable, but our procedure is based on the canonical arclengthparametrization.     

POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF USING HISTORIC PROVENANCE TESTS TO INFER FOREST SPECIES GROWTH RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract. Under projected changes in global climate, the growth and survival of existing forests will depend on their ability to adjust physiologically in response to environmental change. Quantifying their capacity to adjust and whether the response is species‐ or population‐specific is important to guide forest management strategies. New analyses of historic provenance tests data are yielding relevant insights about these responses. Yet, differences between the objectives used to design the experiments and current objectives impose limitations to what can be learned from them. Our objectives are (i) to discuss the possibilities and limitations of using such data to quantify growth responses to changes in climate and (ii) to present a modeling approach that creates a species‐ and population‐specific model. We illustrate the modeling approach for Larix occidentalis Nutt. We conclude that the reanalysis of historic provenance tests data can lead to the identification of species that have population‐specific growth responses to changes in climate, provide estimates of optimum transfer distance for populations and species, and provide estimates of growth changes under different climate change scenarios. Using mixed‐effects modeling techniques is a sound statistical approach to overcome some of the limitations of the data.     

Using Lasers to Demonstrate the Concept of Polarizability: Variations in the Refractive Indices of the O-Halobenzenes

Using a simple 633-nm He/Ne or diode laser, the variation of the refractive indices of four ortho-substituted dihalogenated benzenes can be obtained, demonstrating the phenomenon of polarizability. In addition, this exercise is an excellent display of the correspondence between the properties of a chemical system on the macroscopic level and the characteristics of the molecule on a microscopic scale.     

The velocity autocorrelation function and self-diffusion coefficient of fluids with steeply repulsive potentials

We consider the velocity autocorrelation function, vacf, or C_v(t) and self-diffusion coefficients, D, of steeply repulsive inverse power fluids (SRP) in which the particles interact with a pair potential, ? (r) = ?(σ/r)ⁿ. The C_v(t) are calculated numerically by molecular dynamics simulations. Accurate expressions for the short time expansion of C_v(t) to order O(t⁴) for n large are derived for this fluid. We propose novel expressions for C_v (t) that, for n large, spans the transition from the short time regime (expandable in even powers of time) and the longer time exponential-like regime characteristic of hard spheres. Inter alia we introduce relaxation times that characterize the duration of a collision and the decay of the velocity correlation within the mean-collision or Enskog-like relaxation time, T_E.     

RHYTHMS IN BLUE-LIGHT-INDUCED CONIDIATION OF WILD TYPE AND A MUTANT STRAIN OF Trichoderma harzianum

Abstract— Trichoderma harzianum normally requires light for conidiation. Conidiation of colonies grown in continuous light does not appear to be rhythmic, but sharp banding patterns are formed under light/dark cycles. A single pulse of blue light produces a sharp band of conidia that forms where the growing edge of the mycelia is located at the time when the light is given. A period of about 24 h is required following the light pulse to produce mature conidia. During this time colonies are insensitive to further induction by light. The fluence required to produce 50% saturation varies by a factor of about 3 depending on when the pulse is given. This change of sensitivity is rhythmic with a period length of approximately 27 h when grown on medium containing deoxycholate.
The pattern of conidiation in a mutant strain (B119), which is able to form conidia in the dark, is rhythmic and the period length is dependent on the composition of the medium. Addition of deoxycholate to the medium increased the interval between dark bands from 12 to 24 h. The rhythmic banding is suppressed in constant light and a double banding pattern is produced in light/dark cycles. A pulse of blue light induces a band of conidia in this mutant, as in the wild type, but it also delays the reappearance of the dark banding pattern. The extent of this delay depends on when the pulse is given and, although the period length of the dark conidiation rhythm is affected by deoxycholate, the effect of blue light on its phase is not. Of the various rhythmic responses of Trichoderma studied here. the delay in reappearance of the dark banding pattern in B119 is the most promising for further detailed studies, for example of wavelength and temperature dependence.