Strong positivity inC(\bar \Omega ) for elliptic systemsfor elliptic systems

This work was supported in part by N.W.O., the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research     

Singular reduction of implicit Hamiltonian systems

This paper develops the theory of singular reduction for implicit Hamiltonian systems admitting a symmetry Lie group. The reduction is performed at a singular value of the momentum map. This leads to a singular reduced topological space which is not a smooth manifold. A topological Dirac structure on this space is defined in terms of a generalized Poisson bracket and a vector space of derivations, both being defined on a set of smooth functions. A corresponding Hamiltonian formalism is described. It is shown that solutions of the original system descend to solutions of the reduced system. Finally, if the generalized Poisson bracket is nondegenerate, then the singular reduced space can be decomposed into a set of smooth manifolds called pieces. The singular reduced system restricts to a regular reduced implicit Hamiltonian system on each of these pieces. The results in this paper naturally extend the singular reduction theory as previously developed for symplectic or Poisson Hamiltonian systems.     

The viscous mucilage from the weedPortulaca oleracea,L

A polysaccharide complex has been extracted from the invasive and widespread weedPortulaca oleracea (purslane) in yields of up to 25 g% (dry wt). The clear and viscous mucilage displays physicochemical properties appropriate for industrial uses, such as food extenders and viscosifier. Toxic collateral effects can be precluded because of the already known uses in home remedies and animal feed. Anion exchange chromatography fractionated the crude complex into a neutral arabinogalactan and polydisperse pectin-like polysaccharides. This fractionation brings about a reduction in the viscosity observed for the native complex, whereas saponification ofO-acetyl and/or carboxy-methoxyl groups increases it.

     

Die Wirkung des Kohlens?ureanhydrids auf Eisencyankalium

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

ToF-SIMS characterisation of diterpenoic acids after chromatographic separation

Microcolumn liquid chromatography (μHPLC) coupled on-line with time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was applied for mixture of diterpenoic acids (abietic, gibberellic and kaurenoic) analysis. Chromatographic effluent, with analytes separated, was carried out directly onto different, ToF-SIMS compatible surface substrates, for further ToF-SIMS analysis. Silica gel Si₆₀, aluminium backplate modified Si₆₀, monolithic silica gel and Raman spectroscopy chromatographic thin layers were used as the deposition substrates in this experiment. By ToF-SIMS surface imaging the deposition trace picture has been obtained. Effluent deposition surface area was scanned for diterpenoic acid fragment mass values based on mass spectrometric library. Measured ToF-SIMS dataset of fragment abundance and intensities were used for preliminary fragmentation schemes construction. The lowest substrate background activity has been established for monolithic silica gel thin layer and aluminium backplate modified Si₆₀ thin layer. In the case of Raman spectroscopy pre-treated thin layer or conventional chromatographic thin layer Si₆₀, the both, high background signal intensity and impossibility to construct negative ions surface image, were observed. Diterpenoic acids studied serve the similar mass spectrum but ToF-SIMS coupled with liquid chromatographic separation brings new impact to the positive identification of analytes studied.     

Diverse population-bursting modes of adapting spiking neurons

We study the dynamics of a noisy network of spiking neurons with spike-frequency adaptation (SFA), using a mean-field approach, in terms of a two-dimensional Fokker-Planck equation for the membrane potential of the neurons and the calcium concentration gating SFA. The long time scales of SFA allow us to use an adiabatic approximation and to describe the network as an effective nonlinear two-dimensional system. The phase diagram is computed for varying levels of SFA and synaptic coupling. Two different population-bursting regimes emerge, depending on the level of SFA in networks with noisy emission rate, due to the finite number of neurons.     

Similar Structural Dynamics for the Degradation of CH3NH3PbI3 in Air and in Vacuum

We investigate the degradation path of MAPbI₃ (MA=methylammonium) films over flat TiO₂ substrates at room temperature by means of X‐ray diffraction, spectroscopic ellipsometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The degradation dynamics is found to be similar in air and under vacuum conditions, which leads to the conclusion that the occurrence of intrinsic thermodynamic mechanisms is not necessarily linked to humidity. The process has an early stage, which drives the starting tetragonal lattice in the direction of a cubic atomic arrangement. This early stage is followed by a phase change towards PbI₂. We describe how this degradation product is structurally coupled with the original MAPbI₃ lattice through the orientation of its constituent PbI₆ octahedra. Our results suggest a slight octahedral rearrangement after volatilization of HI+CH₃NH₂ or MAI, with a relatively low energy cost. Our experiments also clarify why reducing the interfaces and internal defects in the perovskite lattice enhances the stability of the material.     

Multidimensional De Novo Design Reveals 5‐HT2B Receptor‐Selective Ligands

We report a multi‐objective de novo design study driven by synthetic tractability and aimed at the prioritization of computer‐generated 5‐HT_2B receptor ligands with accurately predicted target‐binding affinities. Relying on quantitative bioactivity models we designed and synthesized structurally novel, selective, nanomolar, and ligand‐efficient 5‐HT_2B modulators with sustained cell‐based effects. Our results suggest that seamless amalgamation of computational activity prediction and molecular design with microfluidics‐assisted synthesis enables the swift generation of small molecules with the desired polypharmacology.