From Planck to GUT via dimensional transmutation

Consider a gauge singlet superfield S coupled to a pair of adjoint fields in a SUSY-GUT. If the tree-level vacuum is flat in S, the vev S which defines the GUT scale will be determined via dimensional transmutation at a scale M where the soft-breaking (mass)² vanishes as a result of running from M_P = (8πG_N)^−1/2. Because of the large number of adjoint fields N_A coupled to S, one finds that M can be generically close to M_GUT = 2 × 10¹⁶GeV:

, where λ is a Yukawa 0.7. This work examines the symmetries and dynamical constraints required in a SUSY-GUT in order that the desired flatness in S is achieved, and that this flatness may survive in a supergravity framework.     

No random reals in countable support iterations

We prove a preservation theorem for limit steps of countable support iterations of proper forcing notions whose particular cases are preservations of the following properties on limit steps: “no random reals are added”, “μ(Random(V))≠1”, “no dominating reals are added”, “Cohen(V) is not comeager”. Consequently, countable support iterations of σ-centered forcing notions do not add random reals. The work was supported by BRF of Israel Academy of Sciences and by grant GA SAV 365 of Slovak Academy of Sciences.     

Thermally-actuated, phase change flow control for microfluidic systems

An easy to implement, thermally-actuated, noninvasive method for flow control in microfluidic devices is described. This technique takes advantage of the phase change of the working liquid itself-the freezing and melting of a portion of a liquid slug-to noninvasively close and open flow passages (referred to as a phase change valve). The valve was designed for use in a miniature diagnostic system for detecting pathogens in oral fluids at the point of care. The paper describes the modeling, construction, and characteristics of the valve. The experimental results favorably agree with theoretical predictions. In addition, the paper demonstrates the use of the phase change valves for flow control, sample metering and distribution into multiple analysis paths, sealing of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chamber, and sample introduction into and withdrawal from a closed loop. The phase change valve is electronically addressable, does not require any moving parts, introduces only minimal dead volume, is leakage and contamination free, and is biocompatible.     

Large solutions for harmonic maps in two dimensions

We seek critical points of the functionalE(u)= \(\mathop \smallint \limits_\Omega\) |βu|², where Ω is the unit disk in ?² andu:Ω→S ² satisfies the boundary conditionu=γ on ?Ω. We prove that if γ is not a constant, thenE has a local minimum which is different from the absolute minimum. We discuss in more details the case where γ(x, y)=(R _x,R _y, \(\sqrt {1 - R^2 }\) ) andR<1.     

Electron spin dynamics in photoexcited diamagnetic and paramagnetic corroles

Three corroles, which differ by their cavity's core, namely, diamagnetic free-base tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole and its gallium(III) complex and the paramagnetic oxo-chromium(V) complex, were studied by steady-state and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The magnetic and orientational parameters of the corroles, oriented in a nematic liquid crystal, were determined and interpreted in terms of their structure, geometry, and excited states spin dynamics. It was shown that both diamagnetic corroles, photoexcited to their triplet states, exhibit similar EPR line shapes, which is characterized by a negative zero-field splitting parameter, D, whose origin is due to molecular "stretching". Photoexcited Cr(V)O-corrole exhibits polarized ground-state EPR spectrum in emission mode. This polarization stems from the sequence of photophysical and photochemical reactions, involving the formation of the trip-quartet/trip-doublet composite states and their selective quenching via a charge transfer state.     

On the interactions of free radicals with gold nanoparticles

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to study the interactions between stable free radicals and gold nanoparticles. The nitroxyl free radicals used were TEMPO, TEMPAMINE, and TEMPONE. Two sizes of Au particles, 15 and 2.5 nm in diameter, were synthesized to investigate the interactions with the metallic particles. We find that the EPR signal is reduced upon adsorption of the radicals onto the 15 nm Au particle surface. Despite the strong adsorption of TEMPAMINE on the particles, the signal intensity recovers upon the introduction of a high concentration of ethanolamine to the solution. The signal reduction was proportional to the concentration of Au particles, and the signal totally disappeared at high concentrations of Au particles. Possible explanations of the signal reduction are discussed in this Article. We propose that the reduction in signal intensity arises from exchange interactions between the unpaired electrons of the adsorbed radicals and conduction-band electrons of the metallic particles. In addition, in the presence of oxygen, the adsorbed TEMPAMINE radicals are catalytically oxidized to the carbonyl derivative, TEMPONE. A mechanism for this unexpected catalytic reaction is proposed.     

Designing new isomorphic fluorescent nucleobase analogues: the thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine core

A convergent approach for a family of fluorescent nucleosides is described. It relies on thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione that serves as a core heterocycle. This condensed pyrimidine is converted into an emissive pyrimidine nucleoside analogue by N-glycosylation and into an emissive purine nucleoside analogue by C-glycosidation at the thiophene's beta position. The design principles of this archetypical system are outlined together with the syntheses and photophysical properties of the resulting nucleosides.