On boundary conditions in three-dimensional AdS gravity

A finite action principle for three-dimensional gravity with negative cosmological constant, based on a boundary condition for the asymptotic extrinsic curvature, is considered. The bulk action appears naturally supplemented by a boundary term that is one half the Gibbons–Hawking term, that makes the Euclidean action and the Noether charges finite without additional Dirichlet counterterms. The consistency of this boundary condition with the Dirichlet problem in AdS gravity and the Chern–Simons formulation in three dimensions, and its suitability for the higher odd-dimensional case, are also discussed.     

Wannier-Stark effect on surface states

A recursive Green-function (RGF) technique is used to study the surface states of an electrified solid. The concatenating nature of the method leads to a continued-fraction form of the RGF, which can be expressed as a ratio of Bessel functions. The surface density of states (SDOS), derived from the RGF, reveals a quasi-Stark-ladder distribution of the energy levels at the surface atom. The dependence of the SDOS on the applied field and surface perturbation parameters is discussed.     

Production of HO2 and O2 by multiple ionization in water radiolysis by swift carbon ions

We present a simulation of liquid water radiolysis by swift carbon ions that explicitly takes into account multiple ionization of water molecules. For high linear energy transfer (LET), this process is not negligible with respect to single ionization. The rearrangement of highly ionized water molecules is consistent with production of atomic oxygen. Multiple ionizations is shown to be responsible for creation of a large amount of radicals and O₂ molecules. The simulated yield reproduces very well direct optical measurements for swift ions with comparable LET. Our simulation for is in also agreement with experiment.     

Highly stereoselective Friedel-Crafts type cyclization. Facile access to enantiopure 1,4-dihydro-4-phenyl isoquinolinones

The present report describes a stereoselective synthesis of 1,4-dihydro-4-phenyl isoquinolinones 5 based on a stereoselective Friedel-Crafts type cyclization. Cyclization precursors 1 were prepared in two steps, from the readily available (S)-mandelic acid, in 60-80% overall yield. The stereoselective electrophilic cyclization was accomplished in 20-86% yield and with 20-97% ee. In the course of this work, the presence of the amide carbonyl was found to be particularly important to guarantee a stereospecific process during the electrophilic aromatic substitution.     

Ionization energies of hypervalent Li2F,Li2Cl and Na2Cl molecules obtained by surface ionization electron impact neutralization mass spectrometry

Ionization energies of hypervalent Li(2)F, Li(2)Cl and Na(2)Cl molecules detected by surface ionization electron impact neutralization mass spectrometry are reported. The ionization energies were 3.78 +/- 0.2 eV for Li(2)F, 4.93 +/- 0.2 eV for Li(2)Cl, and 4.21 +/- 0.2 eV for Na(2)Cl. The ionization energies (IE) agree with theoretical ionization energies calculated by ab initio methods, supporting the theoretical prediction that Li(2)F has a hyperlithiated configuration in which the odd electron delocalizes over the two lithiums and with photoionization measurement. The first ionization energy of Na(2)Cl was experimentally confirmed earlier and for Li(2)Cl as well.8 We have developed and used this new approach for the problem--in the present work ions were first formed by surface ionization, followed by electron attachment (neutralization).     

Crystal structure of K[PtCl3(caffeine)] and its interactions with important nitrogen-donor ligands

The crystal structure of K[PtCl₃(caffeine)] was determined. The coordination geometry around platinum is square-planar formed by N9 of the caffeine ligand and three Cl^? ions. The bond lengths and angles of K[PtCl₃(caffeine)] were compared with those reported for [PtCl₃(caffeine)]^? and K[PtCl₃(theobromine)]. At the level of the statistical significance of the data we have compared, no differences in the bond distances and angles for any of these compounds were noticed. Weak interactions between K⁺ and Cl^? are responsible for the formation of 1-D polymeric chains in the crystal structure of the complex. The interactions of K[PtCl₃(caffeine)] with inosine (Ino) and guanosine-5′-monophosphate (5′-GMP) were studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 295 K in D₂O in a molar ratio of 1 : 1. The results indicate formation of the reaction product [PtCl₃(Nu)] (Nu=Ino or 5′-GMP) with the release of caffeine from the coordination sphere of the starting complex. The higher stability of the bond between the Pt(II) ion and Ino or 5′-GMP compared to the stability of the platinum–caffeine bond is confirmed by density functional theory calculations (B3LYP/LANL2DZp) using as models 9-methylhypoxanthine and 9-methylguanine.     

X-ray structural analysis and antitumor activity of new salicylic acid derivatives

Tetrakis-, tris-, bis-, and mono salicylic acid derivatives 1–4 were synthesized by reaction of methyl 2-hydroxy benzoate (methyl salicylate) with 2,2-bis (hydroxymethyl) propane-1,3-diol (pentaerythritol) in the presence of sodium. Yields of different salicyloyloxy derivatives were changed by varying the molar ratios of reactants. For compounds 2 and 3, X-ray structure analysis was performed, as well as molecular energy minimization, to define their conformation in terms of their energy minima. Comparison of crystal and energy minimized structures for these two compounds (2 and 3) revealed that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds play an important role, stabilizing conformation of the most part of the molecule. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the synthesized derivatives were evaluated in a series of in vitro tests, as well as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 inhibition potency. Tetrakis salicyloyloxy derivative 1 expressed the highest antioxidant potency, tris salicyloyloxy derivative 2 was the best inhibitor of 17βHSD2 enzyme, while bis salicyloyloxy derivative 3 showed strong cytotoxicity against prostate and breast cancer cells with no cytotoxicity against healthy cells.