Structure of symmetric and asymmetric "ripple" phases in lipid bilayers

We reproduce the symmetric and asymmetric "rippled" P(beta') states of lipid membranes by Monte Carlo simulations of a coarse-grained molecular model for lipid-solvent mixtures. The structure and properties compare favorably with experiments. The asymmetric ripple state is characterized by a periodic array of fully interdigitated "defect" lines. The symmetric ripple state maintains a bilayer structure, but is otherwise structurally similar. The main force driving the formation of both ripple states is the propensity of lipid molecules with large head groups to exhibit splay.     

Numerical reduction of self-consistent field models of macromolecular systems

We report on the first application of model reduction techniques to the numerical simulation of self-consistent field (SCF) models for polymer melts at equilibrium. As a complement to the classical SCF iteration, the parametric reaction-diffusion equations for the chain propagators are treated by a reduced basis (RB) approximation from spaces of bandlimited functions. Numerical examples in a spatially one-dimensional, periodic setting show that the approach is feasible, although not all requirements of an orthodox RB scheme are satisfied. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Determination of organophosphate pesticides in sea and surface water with ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction coupled to GC-MS/MS analysis

A sensitive enrichment method for the detection and quantification of 20 organophosphate pesticides in sea water and surface water was improved and validated. The compounds were extracted using ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and were analysed with an optimised Gas Chromatography - Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method. Calibrations and validations were conducted for spiked local pond and Baltic Sea water. Recoveries of the organophosphate compounds from the different matrices ranged from about 25% to 70% and from 30% to 130% for pond and sea water, respectively. Obtained limit of detection (LoD) for both matrices was about 3 ng L^?1 and the limit of quantification (k = 3) was 12 and 7 ng L^?1 for pond and sea water, respectively. Valid extractability at the LoD level could be proven.     

Efficient interstrand excess electron transfer in PNA:DNA hybrids

PNA:DNA strands were prepared containing a flavin electron donor and a thymine dimer acceptor, which gives a strand break upon single electron reduction. With these constructs, it was confirmed that an excess electron transfer through the base stack can be efficient in an interstrand fashion. The effect of an increased distance, a changed sequence, and stacking was explored.     

Fluorescent conjugated block copolymer nanoparticles by controlled mixing

Monitoring of the formation of stable fluorescent nanoparticles from controlled mixing of a THF solution of poly(fluorene ethynylene)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) in a microfluidic laminar flow crossjunction by spatially resolved fluorescence spectroscopy reveals the time scale of particle formation as well as incorporation of small molecule guests and the role of solvent mixing.     

Die struktur des dreikernigen hexamethylbenzolniob-komplexes [(Me6C6)3Nb3Cl6]+ Cl- · 3 CHCl3

Well developed crystals of [(Me₆C₆)₃Nb₃Cl₆]⁺ Cl^? · 3 CHCl₃ can be obtained from a solution of [(Me₆C₆)₃Nb₃Cl₆] Cl in CHCl₃ (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a 11.850(3), b 15.906(6), c 28.529(8) Å, β 98.14(3)°, Z  4). An X-ray structure determination shows the structure of the complex cation to be highly symmetric (non-crystallographic D_3h symmetry) and to agree within narrow limits with the known structure of the corresponding 2+ cation. Important distances are: NbNb 3.347(4) and NbCl 2.504(2) Å. The C₆ rings of the hexamethylbenzene rings are not planar. The average folding angle of the C₆ groups is 156.6°. In the crystal the Cl^? anion is bonded by weak H-bridges to three CHCl₃ molecules.     

On the<Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-systems of a simple polytope

Ak-system of the graphG _P of a simple polytopeP is a set of induced subgraphs ofG _P that shares certain properties with the set of subgraphs induced by thek-faces ofP. This new concept leads to polynomial-size certificates in terms ofG _P for both the set of vertex sets of facets and for abstract objective functions (AOF) in the sense of Kalai. Moreover, it is proved that an acyclic orientation yields an AOF if and only if it induces a unique sink on every 2-face.