The η-Invariant of Twisted Dirac Operators of S3/Γ

The aim of this paper is to compute the and ~-invariants for the Dirac operator of the quotient of the sphere S ³ by a finite subgroup, twisted by a representation of its fundamental group.     

Parametric polariton amplification in semiconductor microcavities

We present novel experimental results demonstrating the coherence properties of the nonlinear emission from semiconductor microcavities in the strong coupling regime, recently interpreted by parametric polariton four-wave mixing. We use a geometry corresponding to degenerate four-wave mixing. In addition to the predicted threshold dependence of the emission on the pump power and spectral blueshift, we observe a phase dependence of the amplification which is a signature of a coherent polariton wave mixing process.     

Refinement of modelled structures by knowledge-based energy profiles and secondary structure prediction: Application to the human procarboxypeptidase A2

Knowledge-based energy profiles combined with secondary structure prediction have been applied to molecular modelling refinement. To check the procedure, three different models of human procarboxypeptidase A2 (hPCPA2) have been built using the 3D structures of procarboxypeptidase A1 (pPCPA1) and bovine procarboxypeptidase A (bPCPA) as templates. The results of the refinement can be tested against the X-ray structure of hPCPA2 which has been recently determined. Regions miss-modelled in the activation segment of hPCPA2 were detected by means of pseudo-energies using Prosa II and modified afterwards according to the secondary structure prediction. Moreover, models obtained by automated methods as COMPOSER, MODELLER and distance restraints have also been compared, where it was found possible to find out the best model by means of pseudo-energies. Two general conclusions can be elicited from this work: (1) on a given set of putative models it is possible to distinguish among them the one closest to the crystallographic structure, and (2) within a given structure it is possible to find by means of pseudo-energies those regions that have been defectively modelled.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of hexakis(N-methylimidazole) iron(II) pyridine-2-sulfonate

The compound [Fe(C₄H₆N₂)₆][C₅H₄NSO₃]₂ crystallized in the monoclinic space group, P2₁/n with unit cell parameters: a = 13.676(3), b = 8.345(2), c = 18.663(4) Å, = 106.40(3)° and Z = 2. The title compound consists of a [Fe(C₄H₆N₂)₆]⁺² hexacoordinated iron(II) cation and two C₅H₄NSO^– ₃ anions. In the cation the iron atom is coordinated to six N-methylimidazole imine nitrogen atoms in a distorted octahedral arrangement. The N1,N5,N1ⁱ,N5ⁱ atoms are coplanar and the iron lies in this plane.     

Recurrence relations for the coefficients of the Fourier series expansions with respect to q-classical orthogonal polynomials

We propose an algorithm to construct recurrence relations for the coefficients of the Fourier series expansions with respect to the q-classical orthogonal polynomials p_k(x;q). Examples dealing with inversion problems, connection between any two sequences of q-classical polynomials, linearization of ϑ_m(x) p_n(x;q), where ϑ_m(x) is x^mor (x;q)_m, and the expansion of the Hahn-Exton q-Bessel function in the little q-Jacobi polynomials are discussed in detail. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cosmological Models with Variable “Constants”

The behavior of the constants, G, c, , a, e, m _i, and , considering them asvariable, in the framework of a flat cosmological model with FRW symmetriesdescribed by a bulk viscous fluid and considering mechanisms of adiabatic mattercreation are investigated. Two cases are studied; one with radiationpredominance and another of matter predominance. It is found that with the solution obtainedour model verifies these basic principles: Lorentz invariance and generalcovariance, Mach, Equivalence and causality. Finally, to emphasize that the envisaged modelsare free from the main problem: Planck's, horizon and entropy. With regard tothat model with matter predominance it is seen that mechanisms of creation ofmatter cannot be considered since if these are taken into account thetemperature would increase instead of remaining constant while the universe expands.     

Diode laser extended cavity for broad-range fast ramping

A novel design for an extended-cavity diode laser is presented. The cavity contains an electro-optic prism for synchronous tuning of the cavity length and the grating's incident angle. A simple analysis of the cavity is presented. Experimental results are reported that show mode-hop-free tuning over more than 10 GHz with high linearity and reproducibility. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first demonstration of mode-hop-free tuning of an extended cavity over several free spectral intervals with an electro-optic crystal.     

Energetic and structural characterization of 2‐R‐3‐methylquinoxaline‐1,4‐dioxides (R = benzoyl or tert‐butoxycarbonyl): experimental and computational studies

The gaseous standard molar enthalpies of formation of two 2‐R‐3‐methylquinoxaline‐1,4‐dioxides (R = benzoyl or tert‐butoxycarbonyl), at T = 298.15 K, were derived using the values for the enthalpies of formation of the compounds in the condensed phase, measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry, and for the enthalpies of sublimation, measured by Knudsen effusion, using a quartz crystal oscillator. The three dimensional structure of 2‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl‐3‐methylquinoxaline‐1,4‐dioxide has been obtained by X‐ray crystallography showing that the two N? O bond lengths in this compound are identical. The experimentally determined geometry in the crystal is similar to that obtained in the gas‐phase after computations performed at the B3LYP/6‐311 + G(2d,2p) level of theory. The experimental and computational results reported allow to extend the discussion about the influence of the molecular structure on the dissociation enthalpy of the N? O bonds for quinoxaline 1,4‐dioxide derivatives. As found previously, similar N? O bond lengths in quinoxaline‐1,4‐dioxide compounds are not linked with N? O bonds having the same strength. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transmission of HIV in sexual networks in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe

We are reviewing the literature regarding sexual networks and HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. On Likoma Island in Malawi, a sexual network was reconstructed using a sociometric survey in which individuals named their sexual partners. The sexual network identified one giant component including half of all sexually active individuals. More than 25% of respondents were linked through independent chains of sexual relations. HIV was more common in the sparser regions of the network due to over-representation of groups with higher HIV prevalence. A study from KwaZulu-Natal in South-Africa collected egocentric data about sexual partners and found that new infections in women in a particular area was associated with the number of life-time partners in men. Data about sexual networks and HIV transmission are not reported in Europe. It is, however, found that the annual number of sexual partners follows a scale-free network. Phylogenetic studies that determine genetic relatedness between HIV isolates obtained from infected individuals, found that patients in the early stages of infections explain a high number of new infections. In conclusion, the limited information that is available suggest that sexual networks play a role in spread of HIV. Obtaining more information about sexual networks can be of benefit for modeling studies on HIV transmission and prevention.     

Custom‐Fit Ruthenium(II) Metallopeptides: A New Twist to DNA Binding With Coordination Compounds

A new bipyridine building block has been used for the solid‐phase synthesis of dinuclear DNA‐binding ruthenium(II) metallopeptides. Detailed spectroscopic studies suggest that these compounds bind to the DNA by insertion into the DNA minor groove. Moreover, the potential of the solid‐phase peptide synthesis approach is demonstrated by the straightforward synthesis of an octaarginine derivative that shows effective cellular internalization and cytotoxicity linked with strong DNA interaction, as evidenced by steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy and AFM studies.