Criteria for the absence of quantum fluctuations after spontaneous symmetry breaking

The lowest-energy state of a macroscopic system in which symmetry is spontaneously broken, is a very stable wavepacket centered around a spontaneously chosen, classical direction in symmetry space. However, for a Heisenberg ferromagnet the quantum groundstate is exactly the classical groundstate, there are no quantum fluctuations. This coincides with seven exceptional properties of the ferromagnet, including spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking, a reduced number of Nambu–Goldstone modes and the absence of a thin spectrum (Anderson tower of states). Recent discoveries of other non-relativistic systems with fewer Nambu–Goldstone modes suggest these specialties apply there as well. I establish precise criteria for the absence of quantum fluctuations and all the other features. In particular, it is not sufficient that the order parameter operator commutes with the Hamiltonian. It leads to a measurably larger coherence time of superpositions in small but macroscopic systems.     

Molecular Design Principles for Near‐Infrared Absorbing and Emitting Indolizine Dyes

Desirable components for dye‐sensitzed solar cell (DSC) sensitizers and fluorescent imaging dyes include strong donating building blocks coupled with well‐balanced acceptor functionalities for absorption beyond the visible range. We have evaluated the effects of increasing acceptor strengths and incorporation of dye morphology controlling groups on molar absorptivity and absorption breadth with indolizine donor‐based dyes. Indolizine‐based D –A and D –π–A sensitizers incorporating bis‐rhodanine, tricyanofuran (TCF), and cyanoacrylic acid functionalities were analyzed for performance in DSC devices. The TCF derivatives were also evaluated as near‐infrared (NIR)‐emissive materials with the AH25 emissions extending past 1000 nm.     

An imaging pH optode for cell studies based on covalent attachment of 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate to amino cellulose acetate films

The objective of this study was to create a thin film optode for fast pH measurements that meets the requirements for imaging pH-responses from cells as well as for a future hybrid design for detection of multiple analytes simultaneously. The sensor is based on the covalent attachment of 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (HPTS) to a film forming cellulose acetate material through a sulfonamide linkage. The synthesis routes of the cellulose material and regio-specific covalent attachment of the dye are described in detail. The sensor was sterilized in two different ways and showed excellent biocompatibility with Chinese hamster ovary cells. Imprints from cells and μm thin cell extensions were visualized when altering pH of the surrounding solution. The sensor was tested together with time-dependent sigmoidal calibrations giving pH determinations with an exceptional precision and accuracy during measurement within pH 6-8. The precision of the optode, calculated as pooled S.D. (n = 8) according to IUPAC recommendations between pH 6.641 and 7.742 was 0.0029. The accuracy was significantly better than the electrode used as reference during the measurements. The response time (0-95%) was 100 s between pH 6.641 and 7.742 and the reverse response (95-0%) was 80 s. The sensor shows great potential for extra-cellular pH determination over time during cell growth and pharmacological exposure.     

Graphene growth on h-BN by molecular beam epitaxy

The growth of single layer graphene nanometer size domains by solid carbon source molecular beam epitaxy on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) flakes is demonstrated. Formation of single-layer graphene is clearly apparent in Raman spectra which display sharp optical phonon bands. Atomic-force microscope images and Raman maps reveal that the graphene grown depends on the surface morphology of the h-BN substrates. The growth is governed by the high mobility of the carbon atoms on the h-BN surface, in a manner that is consistent with van der Waals epitaxy. The successful growth of graphene layers depends on the substrate temperature, but is independent of the incident flux of carbon atoms.     

Left–right and dynamic correlation

Within density functional theory, it is natural to separate the correlation energy into two parts: left–right correlation and dynamic correlation. Left–right correlation arises from the exchange part of functionals, and dynamic correlation arises from the correlation part of functionals. We examine the nature of these correlation energies as molecules are distorted. We observe that such a natural separation is not possible using the methods of quantum chemistry. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

The Bishop-Phelps-Bollobás theorem for operators

We prove the Bishop-Phelps-Bollobás theorem for operators from an arbitrary Banach space X into a Banach space Y whenever the range space has property β of Lindenstrauss. We also characterize those Banach spaces Y for which the Bishop-Phelps-Bollobás theorem holds for operators from ?₁ into Y. Several examples of classes of such spaces are provided. For instance, the Bishop-Phelps-Bollobás theorem holds when the range space is finite-dimensional, an L₁(μ)-space for a σ-finite measure μ, a C(K)-space for a compact Hausdorff space K, or a uniformly convex Banach space.     

Monitoring allostery in D2O: a necessary control in studies using hydrogen/deuterium exchange to characterize allosteric regulation

There is currently a renewed focus aimed at understanding allosteric mechanisms at atomic resolution. This current interest seeks to understand how both changes in protein conformations and changes in protein dynamics contribute to relaying an allosteric signal between two ligand binding sites on a protein (e.g., active and allosteric sites). Both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), by monitoring protein dynamics directly, and hydrogen/deuterium exchange, by monitoring solvent accessibility of backbone amides, offer insights into protein dynamics. Unfortunately, many allosteric proteins exceed the size limitations of standard NMR techniques. Although hydrogen/deuterium exchange as detected by mass spectrometry (H/DX-MS) offers an alternative evaluation method, any application of hydrogen/deuterium exchange requires that the property being measured functions in both H₂O and D₂O. Due to the promising future H/DX-MS has in the evaluation of allosteric mechanisms in large proteins, we demonstrate an evaluation of allosteric regulation in D₂O. Exemplified using phenylalanine inhibition of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase, we find that binding of the inhibitor is greatly reduced in D₂O, but the effector continues to elicit an allosteric response.