Competitive binding exchange between alkali metal ions (K+, Rb+, and Cs+) and Na+ ions bound to the dimeric quadruplex [d(G4T4G4)]2: a 23Na and 1H NMR study

A comparative study of the competitive cation exchange between the alkali metal ions K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ and the Na⁺ ions bound to the dimeric quadruplex [d(G₄T₄G₄)]₂ was performed in aqueous solution by a combined use of the ²³Na and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The titration data confirm the different binding affinities of these ions for the G‐quadruplex and, in particular, major differences in the behavior of Cs⁺ as compared to the other ions were found. Accordingly, Cs⁺ competes with Na⁺ only for the binding sites at the quadruplex surface (primarily phosphate groups), while K⁺ and Rb⁺ are also able to replace sodium ions located inside the quadruplex. Furthermore, the ¹H NMR results relative to the CsCl titration evidence a close approach of Cs⁺ ions to the phosphate groups in the narrow groove of [d(G₄T₄G₄)]₂. Based on a three‐site exchange model, the ²³Na NMR relaxation data lead to an estimate of the relative binding affinity of Cs⁺ versus Na⁺ for the quadruplex surface of 0.5 at 298 K. Comparing this value to those reported in the literature for the surface of the G‐quadruplex formed by 5′‐guanosinemonophosphate and for the surface of double‐helical DNA suggests that topology factors may have an important influence on the cation affinity for the phosphate groups on DNA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates in a double-well potential

A trapped-atom interferometer was demonstrated using gaseous Bose-Einstein condensates coherently split by deforming an optical single-well potential into a double-well potential. The relative phase between the two condensates was determined from the spatial phase of the matter wave interference pattern formed upon releasing the condensates from the separated potential wells. Coherent phase evolution was observed for condensates held separated by 13 microm for up to 5 ms and was controlled by applying ac Stark shift potentials to either of the two separated condensates.     

Coherent control of polariton parametric scattering in semiconductor microcavities

In a pump-probe experiment, we have been able to control, with phase-locked probe pulses, the ultrafast nonlinear optical emission of a semiconductor microcavity, arising from polariton parametric amplification. This evidences the coherence of the polariton population near k=0, even for delays much longer than the pulse width. The control of a large population at k=0 is possible although the probe pulses are much weaker than the large polarization they control. With rising pump power the dynamics of the scattering get faster. Just above threshold the parametric scattering process shows unexpected long coherence times, whereas when pump power is risen the contrast decays due to a significant pump reservoir depletion. The weak pulses at normal incidence control the whole angular emission pattern of the microcavity.     

F-Continuous Graphs

For a nontrivial connected graph F, the F-degree of a vertex in a graph G is the number of copies of F in G containing . A graph G is F-continuous (or F-degree continuous) if the F-degrees of every two adjacent vertices of G differ by at most 1. All P₃-continuous graphs are determined. It is observed that if G is a nontrivial connected graph that is F-continuous for all nontrivial connected graphs F, then either G is regular or G is a path. In the case of a 2-connected graph F, however, there always exists a regular graph that is not F-continuous. It is also shown that for every graph H and every 2-connected graph F, there exists an F-continuous graph G containing H as an induced subgraph.     

Heat capacity and vibrational dynamics of polyvinylidene fluoride (β-form)

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a polymer of industrial importance, mainly due to its piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. A comprehensive study of the normal modes and their dispersion in PVDF (β-form) has been reported in the reduced zone scheme using Wilson’s GF matrix method as modified by Higgs. A Urey-Bradley force field has been used. The evaluation of normal modes and their dispersion has been taken to logical conclusion by calculating the heat capacity as a function of temperature. The extent of agreement with the experimental data supports the potential field. Characteristic features of the dispersion curves such as repulsion and exchange of character have also been discussed.     

Green and effective route for the synthesis of monodispersed palladium nanoparticles using herbal tea extract (Stachys lavandulifolia) as reductant,stabilizer and capping agent,and their application as homogeneous and reusable catalyst in Suzuki coupling reactions in water

A simple and eco‐friendly procedure has been devised for the green synthesis of palladium nanoparticles, using the aqueous extract of herbal tea (Stachys lavandulifolia), a renewable and nontoxic natural phyto‐exudate. The water‐soluble components of the extract act as reducing agent and stabilizer. This green route does not require a surfactant or capping agent for the growth of palladium nanoparticles. The generated nanoparticles were analysed using UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis and inductively coupled plasma. The palladium nanoparticles having spherical shape and dimensions of between 5 and 7 nm were employed as a homogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling reactions conducted in water under mild conditions. Good yields of products, a facile work‐up, no evidence of leached palladium from the catalyst surface and smooth recovery of the catalysis by adding ethyl acetate, which could be reused at least eight times, confirm the very good efficiency of the catalytic reaction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Quantum Entanglement in the Back Ground of Gauss-Bonnet Gravity for a Generically Entangled State

In this work the Hawking-Unruh effect on the quantum entanglement of bosonic field in background of a spherically symmetric black hole of Gauss-Bonnet gravity is investigated beyond the single mode approximation. The entanglement decreases due to Hawking-Unruh effect. However, it has been shown that the dimensions of space time, Gauss-Bonnet term and the parameter β of initial entangled state would be influenced on this degradation. In our investigation, we consider the accelerated observer either near or far from the event horizon and inspect entanglement degradation for them. The mutual information of this bosonic system is also calculated in beyond the single mode approximation and we show that the mutual information will have different behavior when the Hawking temperature increases.     

Understanding the interactions in acrylic copolymer/1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride from solution rheology

The effects of the type and content of comonomers on the rheological properties of acrylic copolymers in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) were explored. According to the de Gennes scaling law for solution, comparison of intrinsic viscosity and scaling analysis of the exponent in the specific viscosity‐ and relaxation time‐concentration power law indicated that solution of both polyacrylonitrile (PAN) homo‐polymer and copolymer poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐methyl acrylate) (poly(AN‐co‐MA)) in [BMIM]Cl behave in the same manner as neutral polymer in a θ‐solvent. However, [BMIM]Cl acts as a more good solvent for poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐acrylamide) (poly(AN‐co‐AM)). The dissolution and unique rheological behavior of such solutions have been attributed to the interactions between copolymer chains and [BMIM]Cl. The interactions between nitrile group (?C≡N) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation ([BMIM]⁺) should interrupt and break the dipolar‐dipolar interactions of PAN resulting in the subsequent dissolution of the polymer in [BMIM]Cl. Such interactions between ?C≡N and [BMIM]⁺ ion are still dominated by the solvating ability of poly(AN‐co‐MA) in [BMIM]Cl, even though carbonyl group (C=O) in MA repeating unit could coordinate to cation of the ionic liquid. The salvation capacity of [BMIM]Cl for poly(AN‐co‐AM) can be evidently improved due to the extra hydrogen bond interactions between ?NH₂ group of AM and anion of [BMIM]Cl. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.