Scattering Theory for Jacobi Operators with Quasi-Periodic Background

We develop direct and inverse scattering theory for Jacobi operators which are short range perturbations of quasi-periodic finite-gap operators. We show existence of transformation operators, investigate their properties, derive the corresponding Gel'fand-Levitan-Marchenko equation, and find minimal scattering data which determine the perturbed operator uniquely. Work supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) under Grant No. P17762, the Austrian Academy of Sciences under DOC-21388, and INTAS Research Network NeCCA 03-51-6637.     

Photochemically induced disturbance of the alkyl chain packing in vesicular membranes

In previous reports, we presented the synthesis and properties of double-tailed azobenzene-substituted phosphate amphiphiles (Kuiper et al. Synthesis 2003, 695 and Kuiper et al. Langmuir 2004, 20, 1152). We also reported that an ion channel can be regulated by trans-cis isomerization of these amphiphiles, which were incorporated in the membrane (Folgering et al. Langmuir 2004, 20, 6985). In the present study, the effect of trans-cis isomerization of both single- and double-tailed azobenzene-substituted amphiphiles on the aggregation and packing behavior has been studied. The phase transition temperature of a membrane and the thermal half-life times of the cis azobenzene-substituted amphiphiles in membranes have been measured. Furthermore, the synthesis and properties of single-tailed azobenzene-substituted phosphate amphiphiles are described and compared with those of the double-tailed analogues. The single-tailed azobenzene-substituted phosphates have a low solubility in water and form micelles, sheets, and crystals. In all cases the trans-cis isomerization leads to a disturbance of the chain packing. Both single- and double-tailed cis azobenzene-substituted phosphates lowered the main phase transition temperature of bilayer membranes. The effect increased when the azobenzene moiety was situated closer to the head group. Accordingly, the half-life times of the cis azobenzene group was shorter when the azobenzene group was positioned closer to the head group for both the single- and double-tailed amphiphiles. Interestingly, the thermal cis-trans isomerization of the single-tailed azobenzene-substituted phosphates was faster in a DOPC membrane than that for the free monomer in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the new high-pressure phase CdB2O4

The use of high-pressure/high-temperature conditions (7.5 GPa and 1100 degrees C; Walker-type multianvil apparatus) led to the synthesis of a new cadmium borate CdB2O4, starting from stoichiometric mixtures of the oxides. The crystal structure was determined on the basis of single crystal X-ray diffraction data, to reveal the hexagonal space group P6(3) with a=885.2(2), c=716.72(8) pm, Z=8, R1=0.0178, and wR2=0.0388 (all data). CdB2O4 is built up from interconnected layers of BO4-tetrahedra and exhibits for the first time the basic structure of a family of compounds, represented by BaGa2O4, KAlSiO4, KGeAlO4, KCoPO4, CaP2N4 and the recently discovered SrP2N4. The lack of superstructure ordering in CdB2O4 was confirmed by electron diffraction. Additionally, a B--O--B angle of 180 degrees was found in this borate for the first time.     

Surface chemistry and rheology of polysulfobetaine-coated silica

We have measured the viscosity of suspensions of colloidal silica particles (d = 300 nm) and the properties of silica surfaces in solutions of a polymer consisting of zwitterionic monomer groups, poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate), polySBMA. This polymer has potential use in modifying surface properties because the polymer is net uncharged and therefore does not generate double-layer forces. The solubility of the polymer can be controlled and varies from poor to good by the addition of sodium chloride salt. Ellipsometry was used to demonstrate that polySBMA adsorbs to silica and exhibits an increase in surface excess at lower salt concentration, which is consistent with a smaller area per molecule at low salt concentration. Neutron reflectivity measurements show that the adsorbed polymer has a thickness of about 3.7 nm and is highly hydrated. The polymer can be used to exercise considerable control over suspension rheology. When silica particles are not completely covered in polymer, the suspension produces a highly viscous gel. Atomic force microscopy was used to show this is caused by bridging of polymer between the particles. At higher surface coverage, the polymer can produce either a high or very low viscosity slurry depending on the sodium chloride concentration. At high salt concentration, the suspension is stable, and the viscosity is lower. This is probably because the entrainment of many small ions renders the polymer film highly hydrophilic, producing repulsive surface forces and lubricating the flow of particles. At low salt concentrations, the polymer is barely soluble and more densely adsorbed. This produces less stable and more viscous solutions, which we attribute to attractive interactions between the adsorbed polymer layers.     

Dispersed lipid liquid crystalline phases stabilized by a hydrophobically modified cellulose

Aqueous dispersions of monoolein (MO) with a commercial hydrophobically modified ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose ether (HMEHEC) have been investigated with respect to the morphologies of the liquid crystalline nanoparticles. Only very low proportions of HMEHEC are accepted in the cubic and lamellar phases of the monoolein-water system. Due to the broad variation of composition and size of the commercial polymer, no other single-phase regions were found in the quasi-ternary system. Interactions of MO with different fractions of the HMEHEC sample induced the formation of lamellar and reversed hexagonal phases, identified from SAXD, polarization microscopy, and cryogenic TEM examinations. In excess water (more than 90 wt %) coarse dispersions are formed more or less spontaneously, containing particles of cubic phase from a size visible by the naked eye to small particles observed by cryoTEM. At high polymer/MO ratios, vesicles were frequently observed, often oligo-lamellar with inter-lamellar connections. After homogenization of the coarse dispersions in a microfluidizer, the large particles disappeared, apparently replaced by smaller cubic particles, often with vesicular attachments on the surfaces, and by vesicles or vesicular particles with a disordered interior. At the largest polymer contents no proper cubic particles were found directly after homogenization but mainly single-walled defected vesicles with a peculiar edgy appearance. During storage for 2 weeks, the dispersed particles changed toward more well-shaped cubic particles, even in dispersions with the highest polymer contents. In some of the samples with low polymer/MO ratio, dispersed particles of the reversed hexagonal type were found. A few of the homogenized samples were freeze-dried and rehydrated. Particles of essentially the same types, but with a less well-developed cubic character, were found after this treatment.     

Photoinduced CO release, cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of a tris(pyrazolyl)methane (tpm) manganese tricarbonyl complex

Cell viability studies of HT29 colon cancer cells treated with the CO-releasing compound [Mn(CO)(3)(tpm)]PF(6) revealed a significant photoinduced cytotoxicity comparable to that of established agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), while controls kept in the dark were unaffected at up to 100 microM.