Foliations by stationary disks of almost complex domains

We study the problem of existence of stationary disks for domains in almost complex manifolds. As a consequence of our results, we prove that any almost complex domain which is a small deformation of a strictly linearly convex domain D⊂Cn with standard complex structure admits a singular foliation by stationary disks passing through any given internal point. Similar results are given for foliations by stationary disks through a given boundary point.     

Loss of ellipticity in additive logarithmic finite strain plasticity and related results on Hencky-type energies

The aim of this paper is to present some results regarding the Legendre-Hadamard ellipticity and loss of ellipticity of some energies depending on the logarithmic strain tensor. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Fluxon solutions in non-abellian gauge models

The fundamental homotopic charges of the adjoint group in non-abelian gauge theories support fluxons, string-like non-peturbative degrees of freedom conjectured to be relevant to quark confinement and symmetry breaking. Fluxons as localized, static, sourceless solutions are constructed in pure SU(2) Yang-Mills theory and in the Georgi-Glashow model.     

Synthesis and Electronic Properties of 1,2‐Hemisquarimines and Their Encapsulation in a Cucurbit[7]uril Host

The synthesis of a new class of robust squaraine dyes, colloquially named 1,2‐hemisquarimines (1,2‐HSQiMs), through the microwave‐assisted condensation of aniline derivatives with the 1,2‐squaraine core is reported. In CH₃CN, 1,2‐HSQiMs show a broad absorption band with a high extinction coefficient and a maximum at around λ=530 nm, as well as an emission band centered at about λ=574 nm, that are pH dependent. Protonation of the imine nitrogen causes a redshift of both absorption and emission maxima, with a concomitant increase in the lifetime of the emitting excited state. Encapsulation of the chromophore into a cucurbit[7]uril host revealed fluorescence enhancement and increased photostability in water. The redox characteristics of 1,2‐HSQiMs indicate that charge injection into TiO₂ is possible; this opens up promising perspectives for their use as photosensitizers for solar energy conversion.     

A new platinum vapor-derived highly efficient hydrosilylation catalyst: NMR structural investigation

The structural features of a highly efficient hydrosilylation catalyst generated by reaction of Pt vapor and a mixture of mesitylene and 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (DVS) were investigated by mono- and bidimensional NMR analyses. The structure around the Pt atoms was highlighted and compared with a commercial sample (Karstedt catalyst) and previously reported Pt vapor-derived system.     

Zur F?llung des Magnesiums als Magnesium-Ammoniumphosphat

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Binding affinities for models of biologically available potential Cu(II) ligands relevant to Alzheimer's disease: an ab initio study

A systematic study of the binding affinities of the model biological ligands X: = (CH3)2S, CH3S-, CH3NH2, 4-CH3-imidazole (MeImid), C6H5O-, and CH3CO2- to (NH3)i(H2O)3-iCu(II)-H2O (i = 3, 2, 1, 0) complexes has been carried out using quantum chemical calculations. Geometries have been obtained at the B3LYP/ 6-31G(d) level of theory, and binding energies, Delta, relative to H2O as a ligand, have been calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Solvation effects have been included using the COSMO model, and the relative binding free energies in aqueous solution (Delta) have been determined at pH 7 for processes that are pH dependent. CH3S- (Delta = -16.0 to -53.5 kJ mol(-1)) and MeImid (Delta = -18.5 to -35.2 kJ mol(-1)) give the largest binding affinities for Cu(II). PhO- and (CH3)2S are poor ligands for Cu(II), Delta = 20.6 to -9.7 and 19.8 to -3.7 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The binding affinities for CH3NH2 range from -0.8 to -15.0 kJ mol(-1). CH3CO2- has Cu(II) binding affinities in the ranges Delta = -13.5 to -32.4 kJ mol(-1) if an adjacent OH bond is available for hydrogen bonding and Delta = 10.1 to -4.6 kJ mol(-1) if this interaction is not present. In the context of copper coordination by the Abeta peptide of Alzheimer's disease, the binding affinities suggest preferential binding of Cu(II) to the three histidine residues plus a lysine or the N-terminus. For a 3N1O Cu(II) ligand arrangement, it is more probable that the oxygen ligand comes from an aspartate/glutamate residue side chain than from the tyrosine at position 10. Methionine appears unlikely to be a Cu(II) ligand in Abeta.     

The first quantitative rating system of the antioxidant capacity of beauty creams via the Briggs-Rauscher reaction: a crucial step towards evidence-based cosmetics

Oxidative damage is the primary cause of skin aging. Skin care products are numerous and overwhelming, yet there is certain similarity among different formulations. Moisturizers are ubiquitous and the presence of particular added ingredients supports specific marketing claims. The antioxidant effects of botanical polyphenols possess tremendous marketing appeal, because oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the skin ability to neutralize them. The concept of evidence-based cosmetics lacks a widely accepted method to estimate the antioxidant capacity of the beauty cream. This was the motive force of the present study: for the first time we put forth a quantitative rating system of skin care products. The overall antioxidant power of 75 widely used and advertised beauty creams was comparatively measured via the oscillating Briggs-Rauscher (BR) reaction. Many dermocosmetic products confirmed their ability to ensure protection against free radicals, even if differences among various creams are striking and often not correlated with the their price. The method we developed is simple and cheap and it can allow dermatologists and consumers to compare and choose effectively; on the other hand, producers can used this method to select the most active antioxidant cosmetic agent to optimise the product performance.