The spin-isospin decomposition of the nuclear symmetry energy from low to high density

The energy per particle BA in nuclear matter is calculated up to high baryon density in the whole isospin asymmetry range from symmetric matter to pure neutron matter.The results,obtained in the framework of the Brueckner-Hartree-Fock approximation with two-and three-body forces,confirm the well-known parabolic dependence on the asymmetry parameterβ=(N?Z)/A(β^2 law)that is valid in a wide density range.To investigate the extent to which this behavior can be traced back to the properties of the underlying interaction,aside from the mean field approximation,the spin-isospin decomposition of BA is performed.Theoretical indications suggest that theβ^2 law could be violated at higher densities as a consequence of the three-body forces.This raises the problem that the symmetry energy,calculated according to theβ^2 law as a difference between BA in pure neutron matter and symmetric nuclear matter,cannot be applied to neutron stars.One should return to the proper definition of the nuclear symmetry energy as a response of the nuclear system to small isospin imbalance from the Z=N nuclei and pure neutron matter.     

Preparation of novel analgesics via diastereoselective nucleophilic addition to 1-dimethylamino-2-methylpentan-3-one

The diastereoselective synthesis of naphthyl amino alcohols via nucleophilic addition to racemic 1-dimethylamino-2-methylpentan-3-one was studied. The use of the appropriate experimental conditions allowed the synthesis of both diastereoisomers. The relative configurations were established via NOESY experiments.     

Polymer melting and polymer powder sintering by thermal analysis

Sintering of polymeric powders is a peculiar characteristic of many processing technologies, including rotational moulding and selective laser sintering (SLS). During polymer sintering, viscosity reduction in the melt state promotes densification of polymer powders, through a double stage mechanism, involving powder coalescence and bubble removal. In particular, sintering of semi-crystalline polymers is strongly influenced by the melting behaviour. Nevertheless, melting itself in absence of pressure is not necessarily accompanied by powder sintering, unless low viscosities are achieved. In this work, the melting and sintering behaviour of recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) have been analysed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA). Efficient models capable of describing the melting temperature distribution and rate of sintering of rHDPE powders have been developed, highlighting the inherent differences between the two distinct processes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An embedding theorem in Lorentz-Zygmund spaces

We study Sobolev embedding theorems in Lorentz-Zygmund spaces. Some limiting cases are considered.Supported by M.U.R.S.T. (1990).     

Hilbert functions and Betti numbers in a flat family

Summary This paper is dedicated to the study of Hilbert functions and Betti numbers of the projective varieties in a flat family. We prove that the Hilbert function H(X _y ,n),y Y-a parameter scheme-is lower semicontinuous for any fixed n. In case Y is integral and noetherian we obtain the well-known fact that the set V Y where H(X _y ,n)is maximal for all n's is open and nonempty. We show also that b_i(X _y )-the i- th Betti number of X_y—is upper semicontinuous for y V. The paper contains also a number of results concerning the relations among the various Betti numbers.Member of G.N.S.A.G.A.-C.N.R. Supported in part by M.P.I. (Italian Minstry of Education).     

Nonpeptide inhibitors of cathepsin G: optimization of a novel beta-ketophosphonic acid lead by structure-based drug design

The serine protease cathepsin G (EC 3.4.21.20; Cat G), which is stored in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) and released on degranulation, has been implicated in various pathological conditions associated with inflammation. By employing high-throughput screening, we identified beta-ketophosphonic acid 1 as a moderate inhibitor of Cat G (IC(50) = 4.1 microM). We were fortunate to obtain a cocrystal of 1 with Cat G and solve its structure by X-ray crystallography (3.5 A). Structural details from the X-ray analysis of 1.Cat G served as a platform for optimization of this lead compound by structure-based drug design. With the aid of molecular modeling, substituents were attached to the 3-position of the 2-naphthyl ring of 1, which occupies the S1 pocket of Cat G, to provide an extension into the hydrophobic S3 region. Thus, we arrived at analogue 7 with an 80-fold potency improvement over 1 (IC(50) = 53 nM). From these results, it is evident that the beta-ketophosphonic acid unit can form the basis for a novel class of serine protease inhibitors.     

Reactions of molybdenum and tungsten halides with acetylenic hydrocarbons: an approach to the structure and pathways of formation of metathesis catalysts

A number of acetylene and mixed acetylene-nitrile complexes of tungsten and molybdenum halides have been prepared and investigated. Depending on the acetylene and the reaction conditions, one or more acetylene molecules may be coordinated to the metal. In the latter case acetylenes are coordinated not as single molecules but in systems of conjugated non-aromatic double bonds. On the basis of the supposed structure of such species and on their pyrolysis products a decomposition scheme is proposed, which consider the formation of apparent metathesis products as a side reaction of the cyclotrimerization of acetylenes to aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Furan Decorated Nucleoside Analogues as Fluorescent Probes: synthesis, photophysical evaluation and site-specific incorporation

The synthesis and photophysical evaluation of modified nucleoside analogues in which a five-membered heterocycle (furan, thiophene, oxazole, and thiazole) is attached to the 5-position of 2′-deoxyuridine are reported. The furan-containing derivative is identified as the most promising responsive nucleoside of this family due to its emission quantum efficiency and degree of sensitivity to its microenvironment. The furan moiety was then attached to the 5-position of 2′-deoxycytidine as well as the 8-position of adenosine and guanosine. Photophysical evaluation of these four furan-containing nucleoside analogues reveals distinct differences in the absorption, emission, and quantum efficiency depending upon the class of nucleoside (pyrimidine or purine). Comparing the photophysical properties of all furan-containing nucleosides, identifies the furan thymidine analogue, 5-(fur-2-yl)-2′-deoxyuridine, as the best candidate for use as a responsive fluorescent probe in nucleic acids. 5-(Fur-2-yl)-2′-deoxyuridine was then converted to the corresponding phosphoramidite and site specifically incorporated into DNA oligonucleotides with greater than 88% coupling efficiency. Such furan-modified oligonucleotides form stable duplexes upon hybridization to their complementary DNA strands and display favorable fluorescent features.