On the Haar measure of the quantumSU(N) group

We prove that the Haar state associated to the compact matrix quantum groupSU (N) is faithful for ]–1,1[,0, and anyN2.     

An exact homology sequences approach to the controllability of systems

Some results are given on the homology groups of the abstract simplicial complex associated to a multivariable control system, as an extension of the central result of J. Casti (J. Math. Anal. Appl.68 (1979), 347–370) to the multivariable case. The method used is “polyhedral dynamics” as termed by J. Casti, who introduced it. A given control system is mapped into a simplicial complex and then its homological structure is studied. These results, obtained in the multivariable case by the use of the Mayer-Vietoris homology sequence and of the relative homology sequence, present topological invariants for control systems thus creating the possibility of a new topological classification of multivariable systems. An example is given to clarify the approach.     

Binuclear Cu2+ complex mediated discrimination between L-glutamate and L-aspartate in water

L-glutamate and L-aspartate selectivity is achieved by the action of two Cu2+ metal ions rightly disposed in a cyclophane-type macrocyclic framework; electrochemical sensing of glutamate has been achieved by adsorption of the copper complexes on graphite electrodes.     

Studies on the mechanism of action of azinomycin B: definition of regioselectivity and sequence selectivity of DNA cross-link formation and clarification of the role of the naphthoate

Evaluation of the sequence selectivity, noncovalent association, and orientation of the DNA cross-linking agent azinomycin B on its duplex DNA receptor is described. A strong correlation between sequence nucleophilicity and cross-linking yield was observed, and steric effects due to the thymine C5-methyl group were identified. Detailed studies on the role of the azinomycin naphthoate using viscometry, fluorescence contact energy transfer, and DNA unwinding assays point to a nonintercalative binding mode for this group. A kinetic assay for agent regioselectivity was used to determine the orientation of binding and covalent cross-link formation.     

Photobleaching of compounds of the 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin Series (m-THPP,m-THPC,and m-THPBC)

[reaction: see text] 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (m-THPP) yielded novel quinonoid porphyrins upon irradiation in aqueous methanol. True photobleaching was observed for 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl)bacteriochlorin (m-THPBC) under the same conditions; several fragmentation products (imides, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, dipyrrin derivatives) were recognized.     

Theory of the photodissociation of ozone in the Hartley continuum: potential energy surfaces, conical intersections, and photodissociation dynamics

Ab initio potential energy and transition dipole moment surfaces are presented for the five lowest singlet even symmetry electronic states of ozone. The surfaces are calculated using the complete active space self consistent field method followed by contracted multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) calculations. A slightly reduced augmented correlation consistent valence triple-zeta orbital basis set is used. The ground and excited state energies of the molecule have been computed at 9282 separate nuclear geometries. Cuts through the potential energy surfaces, which pass through the geometry of the minimum of the ground electronic state, show several closely avoided crossings. Close examination, and higher level calculations, very strongly suggests that some of these seemingly avoided crossings are in fact associated with non-symmetry related conical intersections. Diabatic potential energy and transition dipole moment surfaces are created from the computed ab initio adiabatic MRCI energies and transition dipole moments. The transition dipole moment connecting the ground electronic state to the diabatic B state surface is by far the strongest. Vibrational-rotational wavefunctions and energies are computed using the ground electronic state. The energy level separations compare well with experimentally determined values. The ground vibrational state wavefunction is then used, together with the diabatic B<--X transition dipole moment surface, to form an initial wavepacket. The analysis of the time-dependent quantum dynamics of this wavepacket provides the total and partial photodissociation cross sections for the system. Both the total absorption cross section and the predicted product quantum state distributions compare well with experimental observations. A discussion is also given as to how the observed alternation in product diatom rotational state populations might be explained.     

Study of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of odorant-binding protein/amphiphile for odorant biosensors

To make ultrathin films for the fabrication of artificial olfactory systems, odorant biosensors, we have investigated mixed Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of odorant-binding protein/amphiphile. Under optimized experimental conditions (phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.5, OBP-1F concentration of 4 mg L(-1), target pressure 35 mN m(-1)), the mixed monolayer at the air/water interface is very stable and has been efficiently transferred onto gold supports, which were previously functionalized by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with 1-octadecanethiol (ODT). Atomic force microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films before and after contact with a specific odorant molecule, isoamyl acetate. AFM phase images show a higher contrast after contact with the odorant molecule due to the new structure of the OBP-1F/ODA LB film. Non-Faradaic electrochemical spectroscopy (EIS) is used to quantify the effect of the odorant based on the electrical properties of the OBP-1F/ODA LB film, as its resistance strongly decreases from 1.18 MOmega (before contact) to 25 kOmega (after contact).     

Structural refinement of Nd[Fe(CN)6]·4H2O and study of NdFeO3 obtained by its oxidative thermal decomposition at very low temperatures

The crystal structure of Nd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O has been refined by Rietveld analysis using high resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. It belonged to the orthorhombic crystal system, Cmcm space group, with cell parameters: , and . The change in space group from P6₃/m which is observed in the pentahydrates (LnFe(CN)₆·5H₂O) to Cmcm in the tetrahydrates has been analyzed to be a consequence of the change in 9-fold coordination of Nd³⁺ in the pentahydrates to 8-fold coordination in the tetrahydrates, which changes the Nd³⁺ environment from tricapped trigonal prism to a distorted tricapped trigonal prism or square antiprism. Its decomposition process in air to produce NdFeO₃ has been followed by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy and laboratory powder XRD. We found that it is possible to synthesize crystalline NdFeO₃ at temperatures as low as 380 °C and refine the structure of single phase crystalline NdFeO₃ synthesized by this method at 600 °C.     

Preparation and characterization of silicate gel glasses containing Cr2O3

The effect of thermal treatment on the structural incorporation of Cr₂O₃ in xCr₂O₃·(100 – x)SiO₂ and 5R _n O·xCr₂O₃·(95 – x)SiO₂ (where x=0.01–1 mol.% and R=Li, Na and Ca) gel glasses was studied by optical absorption spectrophotometry, DTA-TG, XRD and electron microscopy.Samples heat treated at 60°C have green color due to the presence of Cr³⁺ in octahedral coordination. The optical transmission, and color (yellow, orange or ambar), of the samples heat treated between 200 and 700°C prove that Cr³⁺ (octahedrally coordinated) and Cr⁶⁺ (tetrahedrally coordinated) are both present. Segregation of Cr₂O₃ take place at temperatures above 800°C.In reducing conditions the gel glasses were green due to the presence of a high content of Cr³⁺ ions. Samples containing Li or Na show crystalline phases at temperatures below 850°C.