On absence of diffusion near the bottom of the spectrum for a random Schrödinger operator onL 2(ℝ)+

We consider a random Schrödinger operator onL ²(^v) of the form , {C _i} being a covering of ^v with unit cubes around the sites of ^v and {q _i} i.i.d. random variables with values in [0, 1]. We assume that theq _i's are continuously distributed with bounded densityf(q) and that 0<P(q ₀<1/2)=<1. Then we show that an ergodic mean of the quantity dx|x|²|(exp(itH ))(x)|²t ^–1 vanishes provided =g _E(H ), where is well-localized around the origin andg _E is a positiveC -function with support in (0,E),EE*(, |f|). Our estimate ofE*(, |f|) is such that the set {x ^v |V (x) E*(, |f|)} may contain with probability one an infinite cluster of cubes {C _i} which are nearest neighbours. The proof is based on the technique introduced by Fröhlich and Spencer for the analysis of the Anderson model.Work supported in part by C.N.R. (Italy) and NAVF (Norway)On leave of absence from Instituto di Fisica Università di Roma, Italia     

The state of conservation of painted surfaces in the presence of accelerated ageing processes monitored by use of FT-Raman spectroscopy and multivariate control charts

A new method has been developed for monitoring the degradation of paintings. Two inorganic pigments (ultramarine blue and red ochre) were blended with linseed oil and spread on canvas. Each canvas was subjected to simulated accelerated ageing in the presence of typical degradation agents (UV radiation and acidic solution). Periodically the painted surfaces were analysed by FT-Raman, to investigate the status of the surface. The data obtained were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA). Finally the Shewhart and cumulative sum control charts based on the relevant principal components (PC) and the so called scores monitoring and residuals tracking (SMART) charts were built. The method based on the use of PC to describe the process was found to enable identification of the presence of relevant modification occurring on the surface of the samples studied.Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Selenium speciation by coupling vesicle mediated HPLC with off-line ETAAS and on-line focused microwave digestion HG-AAS detection

A novel High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method for the separation of selenium species with specific detection by off-line Electrothermal Atomization Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS) or on-line focused microwave digestion (MW) Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HG-AAS) is described. Vesicular mobile phases of the cationic surfactant didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) have been evaluated for the liquid chromatographic separation of inorganic selenium (selenite and selenate) and different selenoaminoacids (selenocystine, selenomethionine and selenoethionine) on a C(18) reversed-phase column modified by DDAB molecules. The effects of different parameters (pH, buffer and vesicle concentrations) of the mobile phase on the retention times have been determined. The detection limit for selenium with the proposed off-line HPLC-ETAAS method has been found to be 5 microg/L of Se. The detection limit using HPLC-"on line" focused microwave digestion-HG-AAS has been found to be 1 microg/L of Se, with a precision (repeatability) better than +/- 5%. The latter proved to be an exceptional on-line real-time chromatographic detector for selenium speciation purposes.     

Surface plasmon resonance biosensor for genetically modified organisms detection

The development of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) affinity biosensor based on DNA hybridisation is described. This biosensor has been applied to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) detection. Single stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes were immobilised on the sensor chip of an SPR device and the hybridisation between the immobilised probe and the complementary sequence (target) was monitored. The probe sequences were internal to the sequence of 35S promoter and NOS terminator which are inserted sequences in the genome of GMO regulating the transgene expression. The system has been optimised using synthetic oligonucleotides, then applied to real samples analysis. Samples, containing the transgenic target sequences, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then detected with the SPR biosensor.     

A natural scalar field in the einstein gravitational theory

In a Riemannian space-time, the difference between the third-order tensor potentialH of the Riemann tensor (presented in a precedent paper) and the Lanczos generating function of the Weyl tensor is here shown to be characterized by a vectorV , obtained by contractionH . The significant role of such a vector, in the context of general relativity, is then discussed. Particular attention is paid to the scalar potential which characterizes the irrotational part ofV : such a scalar field satisfies a space-time wave equation of the Poisson type. Weak fields are also considered: in the particular case of a static metric, the scalar is found to be proportional to the classic Newtonian potential.This work was done in the sphere of activity of the C.N.R. Groups for mathematical research.     

Amidrazones. VII. Formation of s-triazines by thermolysis of N1-benzyl-substituted amidrazone ylides

The preparation of ylides of the general structure is described. Thermolysis of 14a (R = CH₃, R' = H, Ar = C₆H₅) gave dimethylamine and 2,4-dimethyl-6-phenyl-s-triazine. Thermolysis of ylides 14b (R = C₆H₅; R' = CH₃, Ar = C₆H₅) and 14c (R = C₆H₅, R' = CH₃, Ar = p-tolyl) gave dimethylamine, ArCH = NCH₃ and 1-methyl-2-Ar-4,6-diphenyl-1,2-dihydro-s-triazines ( 19a,b ). Triazines 19a and 19b were also prepared by condensation of N-methylbenzamidine with benzaldehyde and p-tolualdehyde, respectively. Thermolysis of 14d (R = C₆H₅, R¹ = CH₂C₆H₅,Ar = C₆H₅) gave 1-benzyl-2,4,6-triphenyl-1,2-dihydro-s-triazine ( 19c ) and N-benzylidenebenzylamine. Mechanistic aspects of these reactions are discussed.     

A Schiff base expanded porphyrin macrocycle that acts as a versatile binucleating ligand for late first-row transition metals

The coordination chemistry of the Schiff base polypyrrolic octaaza macrocycle 1 toward late first-row transition metals was investigated. Binuclear complexes with the divalent cations Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) and with the monovalent cation Cu(I) were prepared and characterized. Air oxidation of the Cu(I) ions in the latter complex to their divalent oxidation state resulted in a change in the coordination mode relative to the macrocycle.     

Lipase production by solid-state fermentation

The production of lipase by Penicillium simplicissimum in solid-state fermentation was studied using babassu cake as the basal medium. Tray-type and packed-bed bioreactors were employed. In the former, the influence of temperature; content of the medium, and medium supplementation with olive oil, sugarcane molasses, corn steep liquor, and yeast hydrolysate was studied. For all combinations of supplements, a temperature of 30°C, a moisture content of 70%, and a concentration of carbon source of 6.25% (m/m, dry basis) provided optimum conditions for lipase production. When used as single supplements olive oil and molasses also were able to provide high lipase activities (20 U/g). Using packed-bed bioreactors and molasses-supplemented medium, optimum conditions for enzyme production were air superficial velocities above 55 cm/min and temperatures below 28°C. The lower temperature optimum found for these reactors is probably related to radial heat gradient formation inside the packed bed. Maximum lipase activities obtained in these bioreactors (26.4 U/g) were 30% higher than in tray-type reactors.     

The conformation of rifamycin S in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy

The ¹H NMR spectra of rifamycin S in different solvents and at different temperatures strongly suggest the existence of a dominant conformer. The nine dihedral angles of the ansa chain from C-28 to C-19, considered conformationally flexible, were obtained from the vicinal interproton coupling constants by the Karplus equation and the proper alternative for each of them compares well with the corresponding values given by X-ray analysis in solid state.All the possible conformations derivable from the intrinsic alternatives of the NMR method were calculated for the ansa chain between C-28 and C-19 and, by applying geometrical considerations, such as closure of the polygonal path of the ansa and the steric incompatibility between the various atoms of the ansa and of the chromophore, only two of them appeared real. Thus, NMR spectroscopy can be used for studying the conformation of the ansa chain of rifamycins in solution.     

Catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling processes: scope and studies of the effect of ligand structure

Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl and heteroaryl halides with aryl-, heteroaryl- and vinylboronic acids proceed in very good to excellent yield with the use of 2-(2',6'-dimethoxybiphenyl)dicyclohexylphosphine, SPhos (1). This ligand confers unprecedented activity for these processes, allowing reactions to be performed at low catalyst levels, to prepare extremely hindered biaryls and to be carried out, in general, for reactions of aryl chlorides at room temperature. Additionally, structural studies of various 1.Pd complexes are presented along with computational data that help elucidate the efficacy that 1 imparts on Suzuki-Miyaura coupling processes. Moreover, a comparison of the reactions with 1 and with 2-(2',4',6'-triisopropylbiphenyl)diphenylphosphine (2) is presented that is informative in determining the relative importance of ligand bulk and electron-donating ability in the high activity of catalysts derived from ligands of this type. Further, when the aryl bromide becomes too hindered, an interesting C-H bond functionalization-cross-coupling sequence intervenes to provide product in high yield.