Guises and disguises of quadratic divergences

In this contribution, we present a new perspective on the control of quadratic divergences in quantum field theory, in general, and in the Higgs naturalness problem, in particular. Our discussion is essentially based on an approach where UV divergences are parameterized, after being reduced to basic divergent integrals (BDI) in one internal momentum, as functions of a cutoff and a renormalization group scale λ$\lambda$. We illustrate our proposal with well-known examples, such as the gluon vacuum self energy of QCD and the Higgs decay in two photons within this approach. We also discuss frameworks in effective low-energy QCD models, where quadratic divergences are indeed fundamental.     

Isolation, biological activity evaluation, structure elucidation, and total synthesis of eliamid: a novel complex i inhibitor

Eliamid is a secondary metabolite isolated from two bacterial strains. This molecule features a linear polyketide backbone terminated by a tetramic acid amide moiety. Among other biological activities, eliamid shows a high and specific cytostatic action on human lymphoma and cervix carcinoma cell lines. The 2,4-anti relative configuration of the C-2,C-4-dimethyl substituted amide fragment was assigned by means of Breit's rule. The absolute configuration of all stereocenters was determined by a combination of degradation methods, structural similarity analysis and total synthesis. The stereogenic centers were introduced by vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction and two consecutive Myers alkylations. The use of pentafluorophenyl ester as acylation agent allowed the efficient formation of tetramic acid amide. The longest linear sequence in the synthesis consist of 13?steps and proceeds with 12?% overall yield. Differential spectroscopy experiments with beef heart submitochondrial particles established that eliamid is a potent inhibitor of the NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex. Additionally, biosynthesis of eliamid was investigated by feeding experiments with (13) C-labeled precursors.     

Simultaneous measurements of equivalence ratio and flame structure in multipoint injectors using PLIF

Simultaneous measurements of PLIF-kerosene and PLIF-OH have been successfully performed in a multipoint injection system for various overall equivalence ratio, air inlet temperature between 480 and 730 K and pressure up to 2.2 MPa. Single shot 2D-maps of the spatial distribution of kerosene vapour and OH radical in the combustor have been recorded with good signal-to-noise ratio. Results show that depending on the split between the pilot and the main injectors, the flame front exhibits a single or a double structure. Good spatial correlation between the repartition of the kerosene vapour and the position of the flame front was observed; in particular, no “dark zone” is observed between the fuel and the flame front. As temperature and pressure increase, fuel evaporation improves and the spatial distribution of OH radical becomes more homogeneous in the combustor, suggesting a partially-distributed combustion. To cite this article: M. Orain et al., C. R. Mecanique 337 (2009).     

Cycloaddition Reactions and Dendritic Polymer Architectures – A Perfect Match

Summery: The potential of cycloaddition (CA) reactions for the synthesis of dendritic polymers is pointed out. The [4 + 2] Diels Alder cycloaddition as well as 1,3-dipolar CA reactions including “click chemistry” are addressed, and the advantages of these reactions like high selectivity, thus high tolerance towards additional functionalities, high yields and synthesis under mild reaction conditions are highlighted. New perfectly branched dendrimers as well as hyperbranched polymers have been prepared and modified using the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azines with alkynes. The 1,3-dipolar CA reaction of bisazine with maleimides results in hyperbranched and thus, irregular and broadly distributed polymers though with a degree of branching of 100% due to special intermediate formation. The [4 + 2] Diels Alder cycloaddition was successfully applied for the synthesis of highly branched polyphenylene structures using the AB₂ + AB and the A₂ + B₃ approach. CA reactions are also very suitable for highly efficient polymer analogous reactions and thus, they can also be used to prepare complex polymer architectures like dendronized polymers.     

Preparation and Enantiospecific Binding of Chiral Polyelectrolyte Multilayers: An In-Situ ATR-FTIR Study

Summary: Two chiral polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) composed of poly(L-lysine) (PLL) and poly(vinylsulfate) (PVS) as well as poly(ethyleneimine-maltose) (PEI-m) and poly(vinylsulfate) and a nonchiral PEM composed of poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly(vinylsulfate) were deposited on a silica surface using the layer by layer method. For both PEM enantiospecific interaction towards one enantiomer of either L-/D- glutamic acid (L-/D-GLU) or L-/D-ascorbic acid (L-/D-ASC), respectively, was checked under variation of the concentration. Both deposition and enantiospecific interaction were studied by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Preliminary results show a significant enantiospecific preference of D- GLU over L-GLU at PEM of PLL/PVS and of D-ASC over L-ASC at PEM of PEI-m/PVS and no such preference for nonchiral PEM of PEI/PVS. PEM of PLL/PVS shows higher enantiospecifity with increasing L-/D-GLU concentration.     

Polypeptide‐Shelled Poly(propylene imine) Dendrimers and Their Complexing Properties towards Copper(II) Ions

Summary: Polypeptide‐shelled poly(propylene imine) dendrimers were realized by ring‐opening polymerization of α‐amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides, initiated by dendrimers as core molecules. Polypeptides with 2nd generation core were used as model compounds to investigate interior complexes between metal ion and surface‐modified dendrimers. Micro‐calorimetric measurements outlined the formation of approximate 1:1 complexes between Cu^II and polypeptide‐shelled dendrimers and the influence of polypeptide chain compositions on differential molar heats of complexation.

Composition of one of the polypeptides synthesized.