Global Optimization by Multilevel Coordinate Search

Inspired by a method by Jones et al. (1993), we present a global optimization algorithm based on multilevel coordinate search. It is guaranteed to converge if the function is continuous in the neighborhood of a global minimizer. By starting a local search from certain good points, an improved convergence result is obtained. We discuss implementation details and give some numerical results.     

Différentiabilité de la composition et complétitude de certains espaces fonctionnels

Sans résumé Ce travail a été partiellement subventionné par le Fonds National Suisse pour la Recherche scientifique.     

High-resolution terahertz spectroscopy of crystalline trialanine: extreme sensitivity to beta-sheet structure and cocrystallized water

High-resolution terahertz absorption spectra (0.06-3 THz) have been obtained at 4.2 K for three crystalline forms of trialanine [H2+-(Ala)3-O-]. The crystal structures differ in their beta-sheet forms (parallel vs antiparallel) and in their water composition (hydrated vs dehydrated antiparallel beta-sheet). The spectra are nearly vibrationally resolved, with little absorption below 1 THz. In sharp contrast to observations made in the mid-IR region, the spectral patterns of all three forms are qualitatively different, illustrating the extreme sensitivity to changes in the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding networks that stabilize peptide crystals. Predictions obtained from a classical force field model (CHARMM) and density functional theory (DFT/PW91) for periodic solids are compared with the X-ray structural data and the terahertz absorption spectra. In general, the results for the parallel beta-sheet are in better agreement with experiment than those for the antiparallel beta-sheet. For all three structures, however, most hydrogen bond distances are underestimated at both levels of theory, and the predicted absorption features are significantly red-shifted for the two antiparallel beta-sheet structures. Moreover, the nuclear motions predicted at the two levels of theory are qualitatively different. These results indicate that the PW91 functional is not sufficient to treat the weak intersheet hydrogen bonding present in the different beta-sheet forms and strongly suggest the need for improved force field models that include three-atom hydrogen-bonding terms for periodic solids.     

Near infrared spectroscopy to study the brain: an overview

This paper gives an overview of principles, technologies, and applications using near infrared spectrometry and imaging (NIRS and NIRI) to study brain function. The physical background is reviewed and technologies and their properties are discussed. Advantages and limitations of NIRI are described. The basic functional signals obtained by NIRI, the neuronal and the hemodynamic signal are described and in particular publications about the former are reviewed. Applications in adults and neonates are reviewed, too.     

Optisch aktive 3-Amino-2H-azirine als Bausteine für enantiomerenreine α,α-disubstituierte α-Aminosäuren: Synthese des α-Methylphenylalanin-Synthons and Einbau in Modell-Peptide

Optically Active 3-Amino-2H-azirines as Synthons for Enantiomerically Pure αα-Disubstituted α-Amino Acids: Synthesis of the α-Methylphenylalanine Synthons and Some Model Peptides The synthesis of a novel 2-benzyl-2-methyl-3-amino-2H-azirine derivative with a chiral amino group is described. Chromatographic separation of the diastereoisomer mixture yielded the pure diastereoisomers 9a and 9b (Scheme 4) which are the D - and L -2-methylphenylalanine ((α-Me)Phe) synthons, respectively. The reaction of 9a and 9b with thiobenzoic acid and with Z-leucine yielded the monothiodiamides 10a and 10b (Scheme 5) and the dipeptide derivatives 11a and 11b (Scheme 6), respectively. Methanolysis of 11b yielded 12b . The absolute configuration of 10a was established by X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of (α-Me)Phe in 12b has been deduced from the known configuration of L -leucine.     

Die verwendung von diisobutylaluminiumhydrid zur stereoselektiven synthese von tertiären (e)-2-alkenylaminen, (e)-2-alken-4-inylaminen und 2(

In exploring versatile synthetic routes to (E)-allylamine derivatives with antimycotic properties, a new method has been found in the trans-reduction of tertiary 2-alkinylanunes by diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAH). The stereoselectivity of this reaction, which is in contrast to the well-known cis-hydroalumination of disubstituted alkynes, and the regioselectivity have been studied in detail. Tertiary 2-alkinylamines 1 were generally reduced to (E)-2-alkenylamines 2 in toluene at 40°, and tertiary 2,4-alkadiynylamines 3 yielded a mixture of(E)-2-alken-4-ynylamines 4 and 2(E),4(Z)-alkadienylamines 5 in high stereochemical purity. This reduction was clearly different with respect to reactivity and selectivity in comparison with other reactions also proceeding via trans-hydroalumination, namely the lithium aluminum hydride reduction of α-hydroxyacetylenes and the reaction of alkynes with LiAlH(iso-Bu)₂(n-Bu). Tertiary 6-hydroxy-2, 4-alkadiynylamines 10 were reduced to 6-hydroxy-2(E)-alken-4-ynylamines 11 with diisobutylaluminum hydride, whereas on treatment with lithium aluminum hydride 6-hydroxy-4(E)-alken-2-ynylamines 12 were obtained. LiAlH (iso-Bu)₂(n-Bu) did not react with 2-alkinylamine 1a and the 2,4-alkadiynylamine 3a was only monohydroaluminated without discrimination of the two acetylene groups. A possible mechanism for the diisobutylaluminum hydride reduction of 2-alkinylamines is presented.