Erratum to “Unique continuation results for Ricci curvature and applications” [J. Geom. Phys. 58 (2008) 179–207]

Corrections are given to some of the proofs of the paper mentioned in the title.     

Fluorescent Triphenyl Substituted Maleimide Derivatives: Synthesis,Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

In this paper we describe a semi-empirical quantum method for predicting the wavelength of maximum fluorescence excitation and emission for several known and new maleimide derivatives. All new maleimides, containing a N-Benzyl attachment, were successfully synthesised via a tandem Suzuki reaction with aryl boronic acids containing either an electron donating, electron withdrawing functional groups. Absorption and emission spectra calculated using the semi-empirical AM1 method with excited state ZINDO calculations proved more reliable than either Hartree-Fock Configuration interaction or time dependent density functional methods. Calculated absorption and emission wavelengths were compared with 26 experimental spectra from known or newly synthesised maleimides and found to have provide reasonable predictions, with an average deviation of less the 6% for absorption maxima and less than 4% for emission peaks. The described method provides a strong benchmark for the accuracy that can be expected from theoretical predictions of fluorescence spectra.     

Spectrally selective coatings of gold nanorods on architectural glass

Infrared-blocking coatings on window glass can be produced by dispersing gold nanorods into a polymer coating. The spectral selectivity of the coating is controlled by the shape and aspect ratio of the nanoparticles, which are in turn determined by the conditions applied during their synthesis. Coatings of nanorods in polyvinyl alcohol were deposited onto glass and characterized in both laboratory and sun-lit conditions. Selective attenuation of the near-infrared was demonstrated with the test panels transmitting approximately one-third of the incident solar radiation and absorbing nearly two-thirds. The high absorptive cross sections of the gold nanorods suggest that they can be applied in efficacious coatings at relatively low volume fractions.     

Loop calculations for the non-commutative U ⋆(1) gauge field model with oscillator term

The European Physical Journal C - Motivated by the success of the non-commutative scalar Grosse–Wulkenhaar model, a non-commutative U ⋆(1) gauge field theory including an...     

Conjugated Polymers Atypically Prepared in Water

Processability remains a fundamental issue for the implementation of conducting polymer technology. A simple synthetic route towards processable precursors to conducting polymers (main chain and side chain) was developed using commercially available materials. These soluble precursor systems were converted to conjugated polymers electrochemically in aqueous media, offering a cheaper and greener method of processing. Oxidative conversion in aqueous and organic media each produced equivalent electrochromics. The precursor method enhances the yield of the electrochromic polymer obtained over that of electrodeposition, and it relies on a less corruptible electrolyte bath. However, electrochemical conversion of the precursor polymers often relies on organic salts and solvents. The ability to achieve oxidative conversion in brine offers a less costly and a more environmentally friendly processing step. It is also beneficial for biological applications. The electrochromics obtained herein were evaluated for electronic, spectral, and morphological properties.     

Chains are more flexible under tension

The mechanical response of networks, gels, and brush layers is a manifestation of the elastic properties of the individual macromolecules. Furthermore, the elastic response of macromolecules to an applied force is the foundation of the single-molecule force spectroscopy techniques. The two main classes of models describing chain elasticity include the worm-like and freely-jointed chain models. The selection between these two classes of models is based on the assumptions about chain flexibility. In many experimental situations the choice is not clear and a model describing the crossover between these two limiting classes is therefore in high demand. We are proposing a unified chain deformation model which describes the force-deformation curve in terms of the chain bending constant K and bond length b. This model demonstrates that the worm-like and freely-jointed chain models correspond to two different regimes of polymer deformation and the crossover between these two regimes depends on the chain bending rigidity and the magnitude of the applied force. Polymer chains with bending constant K>1 behave as a worm-like chain under tension in the interval of the applied forces f ≤ Kk(B)T/b and as a freely-jointed chain for f ≥ Kk(B)T/b (k(B) is the Boltzmann constant and T is the absolute temperature). The proposed crossover expression for chain deformation is in excellent agreement with the results of the molecular dynamics simulations of chain deformation and single-molecule deformation experiments of biological and synthetic macromolecules.     

Influence of the solvent quality on the AhR mediated Procept assay measurement of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds

Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polychorodibenzofurans and “dioxin-like” polychlorinated biphenyls are widespread persistent organic pollutants sharing a similar toxicological pathway mediated by the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Since the confirmatory method for their measurement at trace levels in complex matrices (using isotopic dilution and gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry) remains time and cost-consuming, growing efforts of the scientific community have been focused on the development of screening approaches, including AhR mediated assays. Unfortunately, AhR ligands are highly diverse and agonistic/antagonistic effects can be observed on procedural blanks and/or sample extracts. In this study, the influence of solvent grade quality on the response of a DNA-binding AhR mediated assay used for screening dioxins has been investigated. Our results demonstrated a very critical impact of this parameter with both strong agonistic and antagonistic effects observed for any tested solvent lot. A small silver nitrate silica column removed partly these interfering compounds and then can be recommended as final purification step. Some preferable grades can be identified and selected in order to guarantee the best possible performances. However, it appears necessary to test every new lot, even if a grade appeared previously compliant.