Possible acceleration of cosmic rays in a rotating system: Uehling-Uhlenbeck model

We illustrate the possible acceleration of cosmic rays passing through a kind of amplification channel (via diffusion modes of propagating plane-wave fronts) induced by a rotating system. Our analysis is mainly based on the quantum discrete kinetic model (considering a discrete Uehling-Uhlenbeck collision term), which has been used to study the propagation of plane (e.g., acoustic) waves in a system of rotating gases.     

Intermolecular exchange-induction energies without overlap expansion

An approach to evaluate the second-order exchange-induction energies of symmetry-adapted intermolecular perturbation theory (SAPT) for single-determinant ground-state monomer wavefunctions has been derived. This approach is correct to all orders of the intermonomer overlap, that is, it takes multiple electron exchange between the monomers into account. The resulting formulae can be written in a compact way and implemented efficiently. Here, the method is employed to investigate the performance of the S ²- or single-exchange approximation at the Hartree-Fock-SAPT level. The list of test systems comprises the prototypical van der Waals- and hydrogen-bridge complexes Ne₂, Ar–HF, and (H₂O)₂, but also the systems HeCl^?, NeNa⁺ and Li⁺F^? involving closed-shell ions. It was found that the errors introduced by the S ²-approximation are more pronounced for the second-order exchange-induction energy than for the first-order exchange energy. While these errors tend to be negligible throughout the well region of complexes such as the neon dimer, they start to be significant in the repulsive part of the well regions of systems such as the water dimer, and in particular for the ionic lithium fluoride molecule. The consequences of these findings for the Hartree-Fock level estimate of higher-order induction plus exchange-induction energies, which is frequently employed in SAPT are also discussed.     

Non-singular space-times with a negative cosmological constant: V. Boson stars

We prove existence of large families of solutions of Einstein-complex scalar field equations with a negative cosmological constant, with a stationary or static metric and a time-periodic complex scalar field.     

High pressure treatment of pharmaceutical drug delivery and related systems

Abstract

Solids like layer silicates (kaolinite and montmorillonite) as well as ZnO are in use in pharmacy. They are pressure treated and subsequently analyzed by means of ESR spectroscopy. The structural changes indicated by Fe³⁺ ions and paramagnetic defects are reponsible for the enhanced chemical activity of the pressurized systems.

Especially active Fe-O-species are formed which can react with intercacalated organic molecules. The most probable first step of such reactions will be a solid state single electron transfer. Spin probes and spin traps were used to prove this statements. The activation of the drug delivery systems by mechanical treatments is of importance for the stability of the drugs incorporated.     

Shear modulus determination in model hydrogels by means of elongated magnetic nanoprobes

The mechanical characterization of complex soft matter by quasi-static magnetometry using nanoscopic magnetic probes is demonstrated for model hydrogels doped with two types of elongated magnetic nanoparticles. Chemically crosslinked poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) hydrogels serve as the matrix in which nickel nanorods or weakly magnetized hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) ellipsoids are embedded as local probes. We investigated the swelling behavior of the ferrogels in order to verify that their equilibrium swelling degree in water is not influenced by the probes, shows a good correlation with the Frenkel–Flory–Rehner model. The proposed magnetomechanical method relies on a correlation between the shear modulus of the PAAm hydrogel matrix and the coercive fields of the corresponding isotropic ferrogels. By extending the Stoner–Wohlfarth model for single-domain blocked magnetic particles by a term for particle rotation in an elastic matrix, information on the shear modulus of the matrix can be obtained. Comparison of the results with the expected relation from rubber elasticity theory illustrates both the general potential as well as the limits of the approach. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Pseudochelin A,a siderophore of Pseudoalteromonas piscicida S2040

A new siderophore containing a 4,5-dihydroimidazole moiety was isolated from Pseudoalteromonas piscicida S2040 together with myxochelins A and B, alteramide A and its cycloaddition product, and bromo- and dibromoalterochromides. The structure of pseudochelin A was established by spectroscopic techniques including 2D NMR and MS/MS fragmentation data. In bioassays selected fractions of the crude extract of S2040 inhibited the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudochelin A displayed siderophore activity in the chrome azurol S assay at concentrations higher than 50 μM, and showed weak activity against the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, but did not display antibacterial, anti-inflammatory or anticonvulsant activity.     

Light‐Driven Coordination‐Induced Spin‐State Switching: Rational Design of Photodissociable Ligands

The bistability of spin states (e.g., spin crossover) in bulk materials is well investigated and understood. We recently extended spin‐state switching to isolated molecules at room temperature (light‐driven coordination‐induced spin‐state switching, or LD‐CISSS). Whereas bistability and hysteresis in conventional spin‐crossover materials are caused by cooperative effects in the crystal lattice, spin switching in LD‐CISSS is achieved by reversibly changing the coordination number of a metal complex by means of a photochromic ligand that binds in one configuration but dissociates in the other form. We present mathematical proof that the maximum efficiency in property switching by such a photodissociable ligand (PDL) is only dependent on the ratio of the association constants of both configurations. Rational design by using DFT calculations was applied to develop a photoswitchable ligand with a high switching efficiency. The starting point was a nickel–porphyrin as the transition‐metal complex and 3‐phenylazopyridine as the photodissociable ligand. Calculations and experiments were performed in two iterative steps to find a substitution pattern at the phenylazopyridine ligand that provided optimum performance. Following this strategy, we synthesized an improved photodissociable ligand that binds to the Ni–porphyrin with an association constant that is 5.36 times higher in its trans form than in the cis form. The switching efficiency between the diamagnetic and paramagnetic state is efficient as well (72 % paramagnetic Ni–porphyrin after irradiation at 365 nm, 32 % paramagnetic species after irradiation at 440 nm). Potential applications arise from the fact that the LD‐CISSS approach for the first time allows reversible switching of the magnetic susceptibility of a homogeneous solution. Photoswitchable contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and light‐controlled magnetic levitation are conceivable applications.