Theoretische Untersuchungen zur Molekülstruktur und Spektroskopie von Benzopyrylium-Verbindungen: Vollständig-optimierte S0- und S1-Molekülgeometrien des 5,6-Dihydrobenzo[c]xanthylium-Ions und Einfluß der Strukturfixierung sowie Substitution auf sein elektronisches Spektralverhalten in Absorption und Fluoreszenz

Summary Completely-optimized S₀ and S₁ molecular geometries of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[c]xanthylium ion are presented. Using these structural results the influence of structural fixation and of substitution on its spectral behaviour in absorption and fluorescence is studied theoretically and compared with experimental data.

     

The stress distribution in an infinite anisotropic plate with co-linear cracks

A general solution of the plane problem of a finite number of co-linear cracks in an anisotropic material is presented. The solution is obtained by reducing the problem to four very simple Riemann-Hilbert problems. From the solution it is concluded that if the loads acting on the cracks have the resultant zero for each of the cracks, then the normal and shear stresses created on the line of the cracks are independent of the elastic constants. Expressions for the stress intensity factors are derived, and some examples are presented.     

Fast adipose tissue (FAT) assessment by MRI

We report a method of fast adipose tissue (FAT) assessment to characterize the quantity, and distribution of abdominal adipose tissue. Whole-volume coverage of the abdomen was obtained using 31 contiguous transverse T(1)-weighted images from 16 obese females. A radiologist manually traced all adipose tissue volumes in the images, while a physiologist used an automated method to measure adipose tissue in a single image at the level of the umbilicus. Automated analysis of the umbilicus-level image was significantly correlated with values obtained by manual analysis of the entire abdomen (p < 0. 001). There was good agreement between the automated umbilicus-level image method and the manual whole abdomen method for subcutaneous adipose tissue (r(2) = 0.958), visceral adipose tissue (r(2) = 0. 753), and total adipose tissue (r(2) = 0.941). The automated method required 6 min vs 2 h for the manual method.     

A Mössbauer study of the chemical stability of iron oxide nanoparticles in PMMA and PVB beads

We have prepared magnetic beads consisting of iron oxide nanoparticles in a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix. High-field Mössbauer studies show that the particles have an almost perfect collinear spin structure and magnetization measurements show that they are superparamagnetic at room temperature at a time scale of seconds. We have followed the oxidation of the particles, which initially have a stoichiometry close to magnetite. The oxidation is fast during the first 2–3 weeks and then continues slowly such that even after 30 weeks the particles have not completely transformed to maghemite. The PVB beads are hydrophilic and biocompatible and are therefore well suited for applications in medicine and biology.     

Gapped pulses for frequency-swept MRI

A recently introduced method called SWIFT (SWeep Imaging with Fourier Transform) is a fundamentally different approach to MRI which is particularly well suited to imaging objects with extremely fast spin–spin relaxation rates. The method exploits a frequency-swept excitation pulse and virtually simultaneous signal acquisition in a time-shared mode. Correlation of the spin system response with the excitation pulse function is used to extract the signals of interest. With SWIFT, image quality is highly dependent on producing uniform and broadband spin excitation. These requirements are satisfied by using frequency-modulated pulses belonging to the hyperbolic secant family (HSn pulses). This article describes the experimental steps needed to properly implement HSn pulses in SWIFT. In addition, properties of HSn pulses in the rapid passage, linear region are investigated, followed by an analysis of the pulses after inserting the “gaps” needed for time-shared excitation and acquisition. Finally, compact expressions are presented to estimate the amplitude and flip angle of the HSn pulses, as well as the relative energy deposited by the SWIFT sequence.     

Tuned mass absorber on a flexible structure

The classic design of a tuned mass absorber is based on a simple two-mass analogy in which the tuned mass is connected to the structural mass with a spring and a viscous damper. In a flexible multi-degree-of-freedom structure the tuned mass absorber is typically introduced to provide damping of a specific mode. The motion of the point of attachment of the tuned mass absorber to the structure has not only a contribution from the targeted mode, but also a background contribution from other non-resonant modes. Similarly, the force provided by the tuned mass absorber is distributed between the targeted mode and the background modes. It is demonstrated how this effect can be included via a non-dimensional dynamic background flexibility coefficient, extracted from a classic modal analysis for the particular frequency of the selected mode. An explicit calibration procedure is developed starting with the desired maximum amplification, from which the device damper, mass and stiffness are determined, accounting for the background flexibility. Examples demonstrate the influence of the flexibility effect and the efficiency of the proposed procedure.     

Finite-amplitude dynamics of coupled cylindrical menisci

The cylindrical meniscus is a liquid/gas interface of circular-cap cross-section constrained along its axis and bounded by end-planes. The inviscid motions of coupled cylindrical menisci are studied here. Motions result from the competition between inertia and surface tension forces. Restriction to shapes that are of circular-cap cross-section leads to an ordinary differential equation (ode) model, with the advantage that finite-amplitude stability can be examined. The second-order nonlinear ode model has a Hamiltonian structure, showing dynamical behavior like the Duffing-oscillator. The energy landscape has either a single- or double-welled potential depending on the extent of volume overfill. Total liquid volume is a bifurcation parameter, as in the corresponding problem for coupled spherical-cap droplets. Unlike the spherical-cap problem, however, axial disturbances can also destabilize, depending on overfill. For large volumes, previously known axial stability results are applied to find the limit at which axial symmetry is lost and comparison is made to the Plateau-Rayleigh limit.     

Difference gel electrophoresis identifies differentially expressed proteins in endoscopically collected pancreatic fluid

Alterations in the pancreatic fluid proteome of individuals with chronic pancreatitis (CP) may offer insights into the development and progression of the disease. The endoscopic pancreatic function test (ePFT) can safely collect large volumes of pancreatic fluid that are potentially amenable to proteomic analyses using difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Pancreatic fluid was collected endoscopically using the ePFT method following secretin stimulation from three individuals with severe CP and three chronic abdominal pain (CAP) controls. The fluid was processed to minimize protein degradation and the protein profiles of each cohort, as determined by DIGE and LC-MS/MS, were compared. This DIGE-LC-MS/MS analysis reveals proteins that are differentially expressed in CP compared with CAP controls. Proteins with higher abundance in pancreatic fluid from CP individuals include: actin, desmoplankin, α-1-antitrypsin, SNC73, and serotransferrin. Those of relatively lower abundance include carboxypeptidase B, lipase, α-1-antichymotrypsin, α-2-macroglobulin, actin-related protein (Arp2/3) subunit 4, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and protein disulfide isomerase. Endoscopic collection (ePFT) in tandem with DIGE-LC-MS/MS is a suitable approach for pancreatic fluid proteome analysis; however, further optimization of our protocol, as outlined herein, may improve proteome coverage in future analyses.     

The substitution structure of ethyleneimine

The substitution structure (r_s) of ethyleneimine (aziridine) has been found by analysis of microwave gas spectra of the parent molecule and of the necessary number (5) of mono-isotopically substituted species, all of which were chemically enriched. Two coordinates (<0.1 Å) had to be derived using the conditions Σm_ic_i = Σm_ib_ic_i = 0. Data from microwave spectra of two double-isotopically substituted species [1-D]-, [1−¹⁵N]-ethyleneimine, and [2,2'-D₂]-ethyleneimine were applied as a further check. The agreement was satisfactory. In the resulting r_s structure the C-C distance is shorter than the C-N distance, in accordance with the larger nuclear charge of nitrogen compared to carbon, but qualitatively disagreeing with the results of earlier investigations. Also, the plane defined by H(2), C(2), H(2') is not perpendicular to the N(1), C(2), C(3) plane as assumed earlier. The former plane forms and angle of 87° with the latter which, however, almost exactly bisects the HCH angle. The CH₂ groups may, therefore, be described as slightly “twisted”.     

CE frontal analysis employing contactless conductivity detection for determination of CMCs of non-UV absorbing charged surfactants

Micellar systems composed of surfactants are used extensively in academia and industry for many different applications. In this work a highly versatile CE method for determination of CMCs of charged surfactants has been developed. In the case of positively charged surfactants a coating procedure of the fused-silica capillary was used, whereas negatively charged surfactants were analyzed using uncoated capillaries. The CE method is based on frontal analysis (FA) employing use of contactless conductivity and UV detection. The main advantages of the method are that it can be used for non-UV absorbing surfactants without introducing marker compounds which previously has been found to affect CMCs, requires very limited sample volume and is easily implemented and automated using standard CE equipment. The fact that counterions and different aggregated states are separated allows a detailed characterization of the micelle systems using the developed method. In the case of UV absorbing surfactants similar results were obtained employing contactless conductivity and UV detection. Finally, CMCs obtained using conductometry gave similar results as compared to the developed CE-FA procedure.