Bounded and unbounded polynomials and multilinear forms: Characterizing continuity

In this paper we prove a characterization of continuity for polynomials on a normed space. Namely, we prove that a polynomial is continuous if and only if it maps compact sets into compact sets. We also provide a partial answer to the question as to whether a polynomial is continuous if and only if it transforms connected sets into connected sets. These results motivate the natural question as to how many non-continuous polynomials there are on an infinite dimensional normed space. A problem on the lineability of the sets of non-continuous polynomials and multilinear mappings on infinite dimensional normed spaces is answered.     

Constitutive modeling of fiber composites with a soft hyperelastic matrix

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of unidirectional carbon fiber composites with a silicone matrix, loaded transversally to the fibers. The experiments show nonlinear behavior with significant strain softening under cyclic loading. The numerical study uses a plane-strain finite element continuum model of the composite material in which the fiber distribution is based on experimental observations and cohesive elements allow debonding to take place at the fiber/matrix interfaces. It is found that accurate estimates of the initial tangent stiffness measured in the experiments can be obtained without allowing for debonding, but this feature has to be included to capture the non-linear and strain-softening behavior.     

Chemoselective asymmetric synthesis of C-3a-(3-hydroxypropyl)tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole and C-4a-(2-aminoethyl)-tetrahydropyrano[2,3-b]indole derivatives

The asymmetric synthesis of new tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole 19 and tetrahydropyrano[2,3-b]indole 20 rings, substituted in position C-3a and C-4a with a hydroxy- and an amino functionalized chain, respectively, was performed starting from the racemic spiro[cyclohexane-1,3′-indoline]-2′,4-diones 7. The enantiopure spiro oxo-azepinoindolinone (+)-10, obtained from (±)-7 by the way of an asymmetric ring enlargement, and the amino acid (+)-14, obtained by the hydrolysis of 10, were prepared as key intermediates for the synthesis of enantiopure compounds (−)-19 and (−)-20. Since the amino acid 14 is the common intermediate for the chemoselective preparation of derivatives 19 and 20, experimental and computational studies were performed in order to selectively obtain these compounds and to provide a mechanistic rationalization for their formation.     

Pairing symmetry of superconducting graphene

The possibility of intrinsic superconductivity in alkali-coated graphene monolayers has been recently suggested theoretically. Here, we derive the possible pairing symmetries of a carbon honeycomb lattice and discuss their phase diagram. We also evaluate the superconducting local density of states (LDOS) around an isolated impurity. This is directly related to scanning tunneling microscopy experiments, and may evidence the occurrence of unconventional superconductivity in graphene.     

Magnetic properties of novel superparamagnetic MRI contrast agents based on colloidal nanocrystals

Novel systems based on colloidal magnetic nanocrystals (NCs), potentially useful as superparamagnetic (SP) contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been investigated. The NCs we have studied comprise organic-capped single-crystalline maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) cores possessing controlled sizes and shapes. We have comparatively examined spherical and tetrapod-like NCs, the latter being branched particles possessing four arms which depart out at tetrahedral angles from a central point. The as-synthesized NCs are passivated by hydrophobic surfactant molecules and thus are fully dispersible in nonpolar media only. The NCs have been made soluble in aqueous solution by applying a procedure based on the surface intercalation and coating with an amphiphilic polymer shell. NMR relaxivities R₁ and R₂ were compared with ENDOREM^®, one of the standard commercial SP-MRI contrast agent. We found that the spherical NCs exhibit R₁ and R₂ relaxivities slightly lower than those of ENDOREM^®, over the whole frequency range; on the contrary, tetrapods show relaxivities about one order of magnitude lower. The physical origin of such difference in relaxivities between tetrapod- and spheres-based nanostructures is under investigation and it is possibly related to different sources of the magnetic anisotropy.     

Regioselective reductions of 23-epoxy acetals with lithium aluminum hydride: A reinvestigation.

Treatment of 2,3-epoxy acetals with lithium aluminum hydride gave the corresponding 2-hydroxy acetals, instead of the previously reported 3-hydroxy acetals.     

Archi completi,contenenti (q+1)/2 punti di una conica,nei piani di Galois di ordine dispari

InPG(2,q), q odd, the orders of the completek-arcs, containing (q+1)/2 points of a conic and different from an oval, are determined.     

FLUORESCENCE RELAXATION KINETICS AND QUANTUM YIELD FROM THE PHYCOBILISOMES OF THE BLUE-GREEN ALGA NOSTOC SP. MEASURED AS A FUNCTION OF SINGLE PICOSECOND PULSE INTENSITY*

Abstract— A detailed experimental study of the effect of intensity of a 6 ps excitation pulse on the decay kinetics and yield from phycobilisomes (PBsomes) is presented. The fluorescence from the c-phycoerythrin (PE) emission from PBsomes was found to decay as a single exponential with a time of 31 ± 4ps for an excitation intensity <10¹⁴ photons/cm² per pulse. The risetime of the c-phycocyanin (PC) and allophycocyanin (APC) emission from PBsomes was found to be 34 ± 13 ps. Therefore, at low excitation intensities, the energy transfer time between the constituent phycobiliproteins, PE and PC, is measured to be 34 ± 13ps from the fluorescence decay time of PE and the fluorescence risetime of the PC and APC emission. The fluorescence yield from the PE emission component in PBsomes was found to be intensity dependent for excitation intensities >10¹⁴ photons/cm². The decrease in yield with increased intensity in this case occurred at a higher intensity than in the isolated phycobiliprotein PE. The fluorescence yield of the PC and APC emission component was also found to decrease markedly with increasing excitation intensity. This is in contrast to the case of the isolated phycobiliprotein APC which showed only a slight quenching of the fluorescence. The higher quenching observed for the APC emission in the PBsome evidences the higher effective absorption of APC via energy transfer from PE to PC and APC.