Brauer groups for commutative S-algebras

We investigate a notion of Azumaya algebras in the context of structured ring spectra and give a definition of Brauer groups. We investigate their Galois theoretic properties, and discuss examples of Azumaya algebras arising from Galois descent and cyclic algebras. We construct examples that are related to topological Hochschild cohomology of group ring spectra and we present a $K\left(n\right)$-local variant of the notion of Brauer groups.     

Synthesis and characterization of new silicon-centred tin-dendrimers Si[CH2CH2SnR3]4. Single-crystal X-ray structure of the tetrahydrofuran adduct of tetrakis[2-(tribromostannyl)ethyl]silane

A series of novel first-generation silicon-centred tin dendrimers Si(CH₂CH₂SnR₃)₄ [R = CH₃ (3), ⁱBu (4), CCCH₃ (5), C₆H₄CH₃-4 (6), C₆H₄OCH₃-4 (7), (CH₂)₄OCH₂CH₂OCH₃ (8), CH₂SiMe₃ (9)] was prepared by the reaction of Si(CH₂CH₂SnBr₃)₄ (2) with the appropriate Grignard reagent or LiCH₂SiMe₃ in tetrahydrofuran. The new compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR studies (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn), mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF, EI) and elemental analyses. The molecular structure of Si[CH₂CH₂SnBr₃(THF)₂]₂[CH₂-CH₂SnBr₃(THF)]₂ (2a) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Reduction of primary freeze-drying time by electric field induced ice nucleus formation

The potential of a high electric field was utilized to induce ice nucleus formation in aqueous solutions. Using this technique it was possible to reduce the primary drying time during lyophilization. Samples of 10% (w/v) hydroxyethylstarch (HES) solution were frozen at a constant rate of −1 K/min, while nucleation was initiated at temperatures of −1.5, −4.5 and −8.5°C. In contrast, spontaneous nucleation was observed in a range between −11.5 and −17.1°C. Electrically induced nucleus formation has proved to be a reliable method to start crystallization at a desired temperature. Continuous measurement of the weight allowed to determine the drying rate and to detect at which time primary drying was completed. The drying time and the drying rate were found to be strongly dependent on the nucleation temperature during freezing. A relation between the nucleation temperature, the structure of the frozen samples and the drying times could be established.

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Metallosupramolecular Complexes Derived from Bis(benzene‐o‐dithiol) Ligands

Meso complex versus helicate : A naphthalene‐bridged bis(benzene‐o‐dithiol) ligand reacts with Ti⁴⁺ to give both dinuclear triple‐stranded meso complexes and helicates, depending on the counterion employed during synthesis. DFT calculations performed with a simplified complex revealed that the interconversion of Λ to its Δ enantiomer proceeds via a C_3h‐symmetric transition state (see figure).

     

Investigation of the transformations of a novel anti-cancer agent combining HPLC, HPLC–MS and direct ESI–HRMS analyses

One of the main problems of anti-cancer therapy is an insufficient differentiation between normal and malignant cells by the known anti-proliferant agents. The antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy is a promising approach for a selective treatment of cancer, in which a non-toxic prodrug is enzymatically converted into a highly cytotoxic drug at the surface of malignant cells by a targeted antibody–enzyme conjugate. The transformations and the stability of a very promising novel prodrug and its corresponding cytotoxic derivative were now investigated in detail by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–mass spectrometry (MS). In order to determine the time-dependent DNA alkylation efficiency and the sequence selectivity of the novel compounds, DNA binding studies using direct electrospray–Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance–MS (ESI–FTICR–MS) have been performed. These measurements were accompanied by HPLC analyses followed by MS of the separated species to confirm the results of the direct ESI–FTICR–MS measurements. The sites of DNA alkylation could be identified unambiguously by the mass spectrometric fragmentation pattern of the alkylated oligodeoxynucleotides as well as by the results of HPLC followed by MS. A combination of all techniques applied led to a better understanding of the mode of action of the new therapeutics and might be used for an estimation of the cytotoxicity of different prodrugs and drugs since the alkylation efficiency correlates with the bioactivity of the compounds in cell culture investigations. After enzymatic cleavage of the sugar moiety, the untoxic prodrug is converted rapidly into the corresponding highly cytotoxic drug that alkylates DNA with high efficiency Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Enhanced performance of thin-disk lasers by pumping into the zero-phonon line

Pumping Yb:YAG or Yb:LuAG into the zero-phonon line at 969?nm instead of using the common pump wavelength of 940?nm reduces the heat generation by 32%. In addition to the 3% increase of the Stokes efficiency, this significantly reduces the diffraction losses caused by the thermally induced phase distortions leading to a remarkable increase of the overall efficiency especially of fundamental-mode thin-disk lasers. Using this pumping scheme in an Yb:LuAG thin-disk laser, we achieved 742?W of nearly diffraction limited (M²≈1.5) output power at an unprecedented high optical efficiency of 58.5%. For multimode operation (M²≈15) the maximum optical efficiency of an Yb:YAG thin-disk laser was increased to 72%.     

Hydrophobic modification of starch via grafting with an oxazoline-derivative

The application of starch in tailored materials is limited because of the high hydrophilicity of the polysaccharide. Thus, simple and efficient paths for the hydrophobic modification of native, cationic or thermoplastic starches by means of a radical grafting process using bifunctional fatty acid oxazoline derivatives were investigated. The modified starches can be manufactured by means of an extrusion process showing high grafting yields at adjustable grafting contents from 2.5 to 30%. Resulting starch materials are distinguished by modified water absorption properties and solubility, which is a prerequisite for their application in the paper or painting industry. Moreover the structure of the oxazoline derivative supplies the opportunity for reactive blending of different polymers carrying carboxyl, amino, mercapto or epoxy groups. This is exemplarily shown for the conversion with biodegradable polyesters, which contain carboxylic acid functions. Film forming properties of the new starch-based materials were studied. Results of the examination of manufactured shouldered test bars of starches coupled with biodegradable polyesters are presented as well.     

Development of Gelatin‐Alginate Hydrogels for Burn Wound Treatment

Hydrogels are interesting as wound dressing for burn wounds to maintain a moist environment. Especially gelatin and alginate based wound dressings show strong potential. Both polymers are modified by introducing photocrosslinkable functionalities and combined to hydrogel films (gel‐MA/alg‐MA). In one protocol gel‐MA films are incubated in alg‐MA solutions and crosslinked afterward into double networks. Another protocol involves blending both and subsequent photocrosslinking. The introduction of alginate into the gelatin matrix results in phase separation with polysaccharide microdomains in a protein matrix. Addition of alg(‐MA) to gel‐MA leads to an increased swelling compared to 100% gelatin and similar to the commercial Aquacel Ag dressing. In vitro tests show better cell adhesion for films which have a lower alginate content and also have superior mechanical properties. The hydrogel dressings exhibit good biocompatibility with adaptable cell attachment properties. An adequate gelatin‐alginate ratio should allow application of the materials as wound dressings for several days without tissue ingrowth.     

Development of a nondestructive method for underglaze painted tiles—demonstrated by the analysis of Persian objects from the nineteenth century

The paper presents an analytical method developed for the nondestructive study of nineteenth-century Persian polychrome underglaze painted tiles. As an example, 9 tiles from French and German museum collections were investigated. Before this work was undertaken little was known about the materials used in pottery at that time, although the broad range of colors and shades, together with their brilliant glazes, made these objects stand out when compared with Iranian ceramics of the preceding periods and suggested the use of new pigments, colorants, and glaze compositions. These materials are thought to be related to provenance and as such appropriate criteria for art-historical attribution. The analytical method is based on the combination of different nondestructive spectroscopic techniques using microfocused beams such as proton-induced X-ray emission/proton-induced γ-ray emission, X-ray fluorescence, 3D X-ray absorption near edge structure, and confocal Raman spectroscopy and also visible spectroscopy. It was established to address the specific difficulties these objects and the technique of underglaze painting raise. The exact definition of the colors observed on the tiles using the Natural Color System?^? helped to attribute them to different colorants. It was possible to establish the presence of Cr- and U-based colorants as new materials in nineteenth-century Persian tilemaking. The difference in glaze composition (Pb, Sn, Na, and K contents) as well as the use of B and Sn were identified as a potential marker for different workshops. Figure UV fluorescence and visible spectroscopy are two of the non-destructive analytical methods used to investigate the coloring agents of underglaze painted tiles. Imaging of the uranium-containing areas was carried out by UV photography and identification of the chemical species by visible spectroscopy.

Weighted multiple interpolation and the control of perturbed semigroup systems

In this paper, the controllability and admissibility of perturbed semigroup systems are studied, using tools from the theory of interpolation and Carleson measures. In addition, there are new results on the perturbation of Carleson measures and on the weighted interpolation of functions and their derivatives in Hardy spaces, which are of interest in their own right.